AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.01

EXECUTION COPY

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

dated as of February 13, 2007

among

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT LLC,

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC,

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC,

as Guarantors,

THE DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS

REFERRED TO HEREIN,

VARIOUS LENDERS,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Syndication Agent,

and

BNP PARIBAS,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

$1,479,075,000 Senior Secured Credit Facilities

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

and

GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT , dated as of February 13, 2007, is entered into by and among EDUCATION MANAGEMENT LLC , a Delaware limited liability company ( “Company” ), EDUCATION MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC , a Delaware limited liability company ( “Holdings” ), CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF HOLDINGS , as Guarantors, the Designated Subsidiary Borrowers party hereto from time to time (together with Company, “Borrowers” ), the Lenders party hereto from time to time, CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC ( “Credit Suisse” ), as Syndication Agent (in such capacity, “Syndication Agent” ), and BNP PARIBAS ( “BNP” ), as Administrative Agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, “Administrative Agent” ) and as Collateral Agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, “Collateral Agent” ).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these Recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.1 hereof;

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the consummation of the Transaction, Company, Holdings and certain subsidiaries of Holdings entered into that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2006 (as heretofore amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Original Credit Agreement” ), with the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “Original Lenders” ), Credit Suisse, as syndication agent, BNP, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation and Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agents, pursuant to which the Original Lenders extended or committed to extend certain credit facilities to the Borrowers;

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Effective Date, Tranche B Term Loans (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,179,075,000 were outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement (the “Original Term Loans” );

WHEREAS, Company desires to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement in its entirety to, among other things, provide for new senior secured term loans to Company in an aggregate principal amount of $1,179,075,000, which shall be used to repay in full the Original Term Loans;

WHEREAS, Company has requested that the Original Lenders amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement in its entirety and that the Lenders make available the Tranche C Term Loans and other extensions of credit to Borrowers, in each case, as set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to provide the Tranche C Term Loans and other extensions of credit, and the Original Lenders are willing to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, Company has agreed to secure all of its Obligations by granting to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a First Priority Lien on substantially all of its assets, including a pledge of all of the Equity Interests in each of its Included Domestic Subsidiaries and 66% of all the Equity Interests in each of its Foreign Subsidiaries;

WHEREAS, Guarantors have agreed to guarantee the obligations of Borrowers hereunder and to secure their respective Obligations by granting to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a First Priority Lien on substantially all of their respective assets, including a pledge of all of the Equity Interests in each of their respective Included Domestic Subsidiaries (including Borrower) and 66% of all the Equity Interests in each of their respective Foreign Subsidiaries; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities of the parties under the Original Credit Agreement and that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Original Credit Agreement and re-evidence the Obligations outstanding on the Effective Date as contemplated hereby;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1. Definitions. The following terms used herein, including in the preamble, recitals, exhibits and schedules hereto, shall have the following meanings:

“Adjusted Eurodollar Rate” means, for any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to an Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (and rounding upward to the next whole multiple of 1/16 of 1%) (a) (i) the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate which appears on the page of the Telerate Screen which displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate (such page currently being page number 3740 or 3750, as applicable) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, or (ii) in the event the rate referenced in the preceding clause (i) does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service shall cease to be available, the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service which displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, or (iii) in the event the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are not available, the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the offered quotation rate to first class banks in the London interbank market by [ name of Issuing Bank ] for deposits (for delivery on the first day of the relevant period) in Dollars of amounts in same day funds comparable to the principal amount of the applicable Loan of Administrative Agent, in its capacity as a Lender, for which the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate is then being

 

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determined with maturities comparable to such period as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, by (b) an amount equal to (i) one minus (ii) the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

“Administrative Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Affected Lender” as defined in Section 2.18(b).

“Affected Loans” as defined in Section 2.18(b).

“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote 10% or more of the Securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

“Agent” means each of Administrative Agent, Syndication Agent, Arrangers and Collateral Agent.

“Aggregate Amounts Due” as defined in Section 2.17.

“Aggregate Payments” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2007, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Applicable Margin” and “Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage” mean (a) with respect to Tranche C Term Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans, (i) from the Effective Date until the date of delivery of the Compliance Certificate and the financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2006, 2.00% per annum and (ii) thereafter, 2.00% per annum, which shall be reduced to 1.75% per annum if (x) the Total Leverage Ratio then in effect is less than 5.50:1 or (y) the credit facilities provided hereunder have ratings of at least B1 from Moody’s and at least B+ from S&P; (b) with respect to Tranche C Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, an amount equal to (i) the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans as set forth in clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, as applicable, minus (ii) 1.00% per annum; (c) with respect to Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans and the Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage, (i) from the Closing Date until the date of delivery of the Compliance Certificate and the financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2006, a percentage, per annum, determined by reference to the following table as if the Total Leverage Ratio then in effect were 6.00:1.00 and (ii) thereafter, a percentage, per annum, determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio in effect from time to time as set forth below:

 

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and (d) with respect to Swing Line Loans and Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans, an amount equal to (i) the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans as set forth in clause (c)(i) or (c)(ii) above, as applicable, minus (ii) 1.00% per annum. No change in the Applicable Margin or the Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage shall be effective until three Business Days after the date on which Administrative Agent shall have received the applicable financial statements and a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.2(b) calculating the Total Leverage Ratio. At any time Company has not submitted to Administrative Agent the applicable information as and when required under Section 5.2(b), the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage shall be determined as if the Total Leverage Ratio were in excess of 6.00:1.00. Within one Business Day of receipt of the applicable information under Section 5.2(b), Administrative Agent shall give each Lender telefacsimile or telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) of the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage in effect from such date.

“Applicable Reserve Requirement” means, at any time, for any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the maximum rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including, without limitation, any basic marginal, special, supplemental, emergency or other reserves) are required to be maintained with respect thereto against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is defined in Regulation D) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors or other applicable banking regulator. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Applicable Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks with respect to (i) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the applicable Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or any other interest rate of a Loan is to be determined, or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include Eurodollar Rate Loans. A Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credit for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the applicable Lender. The rate of interest on Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

“Arrangers” means, collectively, Credit Suisse and GSCP in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners for the credit facilities provided hereunder.

 

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“Asset Sale” means a sale, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with, any Person (other than a Credit Party), in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of Holdings’ or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the Equity Interests in any of Holdings’ Subsidiaries, other than (i) inventory (or other assets) sold or leased in the ordinary course of business (excluding any such sales by operations or divisions discontinued or to be discontinued), (ii) sales of assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions for consideration of less than $1,000,000, and (iii) sales of other assets for aggregate consideration of less than $5,000,000 in the aggregate during any Fiscal Year.

“Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with such amendments or modifications as may be approved by Administrative Agent.

“Assignment Effective Date” as defined in Section 10.6(b).

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, in respect of any Capitalized 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.

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

“Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus  ¹ / 2 of 1%. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

“Beneficiary” means each Agent, Issuing Bank, Lender and Lender Counterparty.

“BNP” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States, or any successor thereto.

“Borrowers” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Business Day” means (i) any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close and (ii) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings and payments in connection

 

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with the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or any Eurodollar Rate Loans, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures of Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “purchase of property, plant and equipment” or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries; provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed with (x) insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced, restored or repaired or (y) awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced, (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (iii) expenditures that constitute any part of Consolidated Lease Expense, (iv) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by Holdings or any Subsidiary and that actually are paid for by a Person other than Holdings or any Subsidiary and for which neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period), (v) the book value of any asset owned by Holdings or any Subsidiary prior to or during such period to the extent that such book value is included as a capital expenditure during such period as a result of such Person reusing or beginning to reuse such asset during such period without a corresponding expenditure actually having been made in such period, provided that (A) any expenditure necessary in order to permit such asset to be reused shall be included as a Capital Expenditure during the period in which such expenditure actually is made and (B) such book value shall have been included in Capital Expenditures when such asset was originally acquired, (vi) expenditures that constitute Permitted Acquisitions or (vii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment to the extent financed with the proceeds of Dispositions that are not required to be applied to prepay Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.14.

“Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases; provided that for all purposes hereunder the amount of obligations under any Capitalized Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, (a) marketable securities (i) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government or any member nation of the European Union or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States or any member nation of the European Union, the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or such member nation of the European Union, in each case maturing within one year after such date; (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof or by any foreign government having an investment grade rating from either S&P or Moody’s, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-2 from S&P or

 

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at least P-2 from Moody’s; (c) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-2 from S&P or at least P-2 from Moody’s; (d) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any member nation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that (i) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator) and (ii) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000; and (e) shares of any money market mutual fund that (i) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, (ii) has net assets of not less than $500,000,000, and (iii) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.

“Cash Management Obligations” means obligations owed by Holdings, Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds.

“Casualty Event” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by Holdings, Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as subsequently amended.

“CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Certificate re Non-Bank Status” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

“Change of Control” means, at any time, (a) (i) prior to the consummation of a Qualifying IPO of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, including without limitation, Education Management (each of Holdings and any such parent, a “ Parent ”), the Sponsors shall cease to beneficially own and control at least 51% on a fully diluted basis of the voting interests in the Equity Interests of each such Parent and (ii) after the consummation of a Qualifying IPO of any Parent, the Sponsors shall cease to beneficially own and control on a fully diluted basis at least 35% of the voting interests in the Equity Interests of such Parent; (b) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than the Sponsors (i) shall have acquired beneficial ownership of 35% or more on a fully diluted basis of the voting interest in the Equity Interests of such Parent, and the percentage of the voting interest in the Equity Interests of such Parent acquired by such person or group exceeds, in the aggregate, the percentage held by the Sponsors taken as a whole or (ii) shall have obtained the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Parent; (c) the majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors (or similar governing body) of any Parent shall cease to be

 

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occupied by Persons who either (i) were members of the board of directors of such Parent on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transaction) or (ii) were nominated for election by the board of directors of such Parent, a majority of whom were directors on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transaction) or whose election or nomination for election was previously approved by a majority of such directors; (d) Holdings shall cease to beneficially own and control 100% on a fully diluted basis of the voting interests in the Equity Interests of Company; or (e) any “change of control” (or any comparable term) in the Senior Notes Indenture or the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture.

“Class” means (a) with respect to Lenders, each of the following classes of Lenders: (i) Lenders having Tranche C Term Loan Exposure, (ii) Lenders having Revolving Exposure (including Swing Line Lender) and (iii) Lenders having New Term Loan Exposure of each applicable Series, and (b) with respect to Loans, each of the following classes of Loans: (i) Tranche C Term Loans, (ii) Revolving Loans (including Swing Line Loans) and (iii) each Series of New Term Loans.

“Closing Date” means the date of the initial Credit Extension under the Original Credit Agreement, which occurred on June 1, 2006.

“Closing Date Mortgaged Property” as defined in Original Section 3.1(g).

“Collateral” means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property (including Equity Interests) in which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

“Collateral Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Collateral Documents” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Mortgages, and all other instruments, documents and agreements delivered by any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents in order to grant to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of that Credit Party as security for the Obligations.

“Commitment” means any Revolving Commitment or Term Loan Commitment.

“Company” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Compliance Certificate” means a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus:

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) total interest expense and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, any losses on hedging obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, net of interest income and gains on such hedging obligations, and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,

 

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(ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, including state, franchise and similar taxes (such as the Pennsylvania capital tax) and foreign withholding taxes paid or accrued during such period,

(iii) depreciation and amortization,

(iv) other non-cash charges, including non-cash asset impairment charges and write-offs (but excluding any non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period),

(v) severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans,

(vi) restructuring charges or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions after the Closing Date and to closure or consolidation of facilities),

(vii) other unusual or non-recurring charges during such period identified in reasonable detail in the applicable Compliance Certificate,

(viii) any losses attributable to minority interests,

(ix) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees and related expenses paid to the Sponsors,

(x) any costs or expenses incurred by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Holdings or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings (other than Disqualified Equity Interests),

(xi) cash fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction,

(xii) any non-cash purchase accounting adjustment and any step-ups with respect to re-valuing assets and liabilities in connection with the Transaction or any Investment permitted under Section 6.2, and

(xiii) any non-cash compensation costs or expenses under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No 123(R), “Share Based payment”, pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock or shareholder agreement, less

 

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(b) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) unusual or non-recurring gains,

(ii) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period),

(iii) gains on asset sales (other than asset sales in the ordinary course of business),

(iv) any net after-tax income from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, and

(v) all gains attributable to minority interests.

“Consolidated Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, an amount (if positive) equal to: (a) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (i) Consolidated EBITDA, plus (ii) the Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment, minus (b) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (i) repayments of Indebtedness for borrowed money (including (A) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Leases and (B) the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.14(a) to the extent required due to a Disposition that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase, but excluding (1) all other prepayments of Term Loans and (2) all repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments), (ii) Capital Expenditures (net of any proceeds of any related financings with respect to such expenditures), other than Capital Expenditures financed with Cumulative Excess Cash Flow that is Not Otherwise Applied pursuant to Section 6.15(a)(y), (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense, (iv) provisions for current taxes based on income of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and payable in cash with respect to such period and (v) the amount of Investments and acquisitions made during such period pursuant to Section 6.2 (other than Section 6.2(a)) to the extent that such Investments and acquisitions were financed with internally generated cash flow of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, (vi) cash payments by Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness, and (vii) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness.

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that portion attributable to Capitalized Leases in accordance with GAAP and capitalized interest), net of cash interest income, of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (but excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Transaction or any Permitted Acquisition), including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and net costs under Swap Agreements, but excluding, however, (i) any amount not payable in cash and (ii) any amounts referred to in Section 2.11(d) payable on or before the Closing Date.

 

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“Consolidated Lease Expense” means, for any period, all rental expenses of Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period under operating leases for real or personal property, excluding real estate taxes, insurance costs and common area maintenance charges and net of sublease income, other than (a) obligations under vehicle leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, (b) all such rental expenses associated with assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition to the extent such rental expenses relate to operating leases in effect at the time of (and immediately prior to) such acquisition and related to periods prior to such acquisition and (c) all obligations under Capitalized Leases, all as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, (a) the net income (or loss) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP, minus (b) (i) the income (or loss) of any entity (other than a Subsidiary of Holdings) in which any other Person (other than Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such entity of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, governmental regulation or Education Law applicable to such entity, (ii) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Holdings or is merged into or consolidated with Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the income of any Subsidiary of Holdings to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, governmental regulation or Education Law applicable to that Subsidiary, and (iv) (to the extent not included in clauses (i) through (iii) above) any net extraordinary gains or net extraordinary losses.

“Consolidated Total Debt” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Transaction or any Permitted Acquisition), consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, obligations in respect of Capitalized Leases and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes or similar instruments, minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens, other than nonconsensual Liens permitted by Section 6.1 and Liens permitted by Section 6.1(s) and clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 6.1(t)) that are included in the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of such date.

“Consolidated Working Capital” means, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries at such date over (b) the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on such date, including deferred revenue but excluding, without duplication, (i) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (ii) all Indebtedness consisting of Loans and Letter of Credit Usage to the extent otherwise included therein, (iii) the current portion of interest and (iv) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes.

 

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“Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment” means, for any period on a consolidated basis, the amount (which may be a negative number) by which Consolidated Working Capital as of the beginning of such period exceeds (or is less than) Consolidated Working Capital as of the end of such period.

“Continuing Lender” means each Original Lender that has delivered a Lender Consent Letter agreeing to convert all of the Original Term Loans made by such Original Lender to Tranche C Term Loans.

“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.

“Contributing Guarantors” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Control” as set forth in the definition of “Affiliate.”

“Conversion/Continuation Date” means the effective date of a continuation or conversion, as the case may be, as set forth in the applicable Conversion/Continuation Notice.

“Conversion/Continuation Notice” means a Conversion/Continuation Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

“Counterpart Agreement” means a Counterpart Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J delivered by a Credit Party pursuant to Section 5.12.

“Credit Date” means the date of a Credit Extension.

“Credit Document” means any of this Agreement, the Notes, if any, the Collateral Documents, any documents or certificates executed by Borrower in favor of Issuing Bank relating to Letters of Credit, and all other documents, instruments or agreements executed and delivered by a Credit Party for the benefit of any Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection herewith.

“Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan or the issuing of a Letter of Credit.

“Credit Party” means each Person (other than any Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender or any other representative thereof) from time to time party to a Credit Document.

“Credit Suisse” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Cumulative Excess Cash Flow” as defined in Section 6.6(i).

 

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“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 specified therein, or both, would be an Event of Default.

“Default Excess” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the excess, if any, of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans of all Lenders (calculated as if all Defaulting Lenders (including such Defaulting Lender) had funded all of their respective Defaulted Loans) over the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans of such Defaulting Lender.

“Default Period” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the period commencing on the date of the applicable Funding Default and ending on the earliest of the following dates: (i) the date on which all Commitments are cancelled or terminated and/or the Obligations are declared or become immediately due and payable, (ii) the date on which (a) the Default Excess with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero (whether by the funding by such Defaulting Lender of any Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender or by the non-pro rata application of any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Loans in accordance with the terms of Section 2.13 or Section 2.14 or by a combination thereof) and (b) such Defaulting Lender shall have delivered to Company and Administrative Agent a written reaffirmation of its intention to honor its obligations hereunder with respect to its Commitments, and (iii) the date on which Company, Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders waive all Funding Defaults of such Defaulting Lender in writing.

“Defaulted Loan” as defined in Section 2.22.

“Defaulting Lender” as defined in Section 2.22.

“Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by Company or a Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 6.5(k) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer, setting forth the basis of such valuation (which amount will be reduced by the fair market value of the portion of the non-cash consideration converted to cash within 180 days following the consummation of the applicable Disposition).

“Designated Subsidiary Borrower” means any Qualified Subsidiary as to which an Election to Participate shall have been delivered to Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.25; provided that the status of any of the foregoing as a Designated Subsidiary Borrower shall terminate if and when an Election to Terminate is delivered to Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.25.

 

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“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any sale of Equity Interests) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith; provided that “Disposition” and “Dispose” shall not be deemed to include any issuance by Holdings of any of its Equity Interests to another Person.

“Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date of the Term Loans.

“Dollars” and the sign “$” mean the lawful money of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Education Laws” as defined in Section 5.8.

“Education Management” means Education Management Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation.

“Effective Date” means February 13, 2007, the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 shall have been satisfied or waived.

“Effective Date Certificate” means an Effective Date Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1.

“Election to Participate” means an Election to Participate substantially in the form of Exhibit M hereto.

“Election to Terminate ” means an Election to Terminate substantially in the form of Exhibit N hereto.

 

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“Eligible Assignee” means (i) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and any Related Fund (any two or more Related Funds being treated as a single Eligible Assignee for all purposes hereof), and (ii) any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund or other entity that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) and which extends credit or buys loans; provided , no Affiliate of (x) Holdings or (y) any Sponsor shall be an Eligible Assignee.

“Environmental Claim” means any investigation, notice, notice of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) in connection with any Hazardous Material or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity; or (iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, Laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution, the protection of the environment, natural resources, or, to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, human health or to 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 Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

“Equity Contributions” means, collectively, (a) the contribution by the Equity Investors on or prior to the Closing Date of an aggregate amount of cash of not less than 27.5% of the total capitalization of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (excluding for the avoidance of doubt any Letters of Credit issued on the Closing Date) to EM Acquisition Corporation, Holdings or one or more direct or indirect holding company parents of Holdings, and (b) the further contribution to Company of any portion of such cash contribution proceeds not directly received by Company or used by Holdings to pay Transaction Expenses.

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares, interests, rights, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests or units in) such Person and all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase, acquisition or exchange from such Person of any of the foregoing (including through convertible securities).

“Equity Investors” means the Sponsors and the Management Stockholders.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is under common control with any Credit Party within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

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“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 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 by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification 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 Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate.

“Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

“Event of Default” means each of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.1.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that directly owns or operates a school and as such is restricted by applicable Law or applicable accreditation requirements or other Education Laws from guaranteeing the Obligations, (b) any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary and (c) any inactive Subsidiary having less than $100,000 of assets.

“Existing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 18, 2003 between Education Management and the lenders and agents party thereto, as amended prior to the Closing Date.

“Fair Share Contribution Amount” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Fair Share” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) 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 of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided , (i) 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 (ii) 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 charged to Administrative Agent, in its capacity as a Lender, on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent.

 

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“First Priority” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that such Lien is the only Lien to which such Collateral is subject, other than any Lien permitted pursuant to Section 6.1.

“Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ending on June 30 of each calendar year, subject to Section 6.11.

“Forecasts” as defined in Section 4.5(c).

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Funded Debt” means all Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for borrowed money that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

“Funding Default” as defined in Section 2.22.

“Funding Guarantors” as defined in Section 7.2.

“Funding Notice” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

“GAAP” means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.2, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

“Governmental Acts” means any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority.

“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.

“Governmental Authorization” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

“Grantor” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“GSCP” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

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“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other monetary 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 monetary obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other monetary 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 monetary obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other monetary 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 monetary obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). 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” as defined in Section 7.1.

“Guarantor Subsidiary” means each Guarantor other than Holdings.

“Guarantors” means each of Holdings, Company (in the case of Obligations of the Designated Subsidiary Borrowers) and each other Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings (other than Excluded Subsidiaries and the relevant Designated Subsidiary Borrower in the case of its Obligations).

“Guaranty” means the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Section 7.

“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or 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.

“Hazardous Materials Activity” means any past, current, proposed or threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials, including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence, existence, location, Release, threatened

 

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Release, discharge, placement, generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement, removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

“Historical Financial Statements” means as of the Closing Date, (i) the audited financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, for the immediately preceding three Fiscal Years, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Years, and (ii) the unaudited financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the three-, six- or nine-month period, as applicable, ending on such date, and, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Company that they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

“Holdings” as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Holdings Restricted Payments Election” as defined in Section 6.6(c).

“Included Domestic Subsidiary” means a Domestic Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary.

“Increased Amount Date” as defined in Section 2.24.

“Increased-Cost Lenders” as defined in Section 2.23.

“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) the maximum amount (after giving effect to any prior drawings or reductions which may have been reimbursed) of all letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds, performance bonds and similar instruments issued or created by or for the account of such Person;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Agreement;

 

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(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP);

(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 and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) all Attributable Indebtedness;

(g) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests; and

(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall (A) 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, except to the extent such Person’s liability for such Indebtedness is otherwise limited and only to the extent such Indebtedness would be included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Debt and (B) in the case of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, exclude all Indebtedness of a Credit Party having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary of business consistent with past practice. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Agreement on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

“Indemnified Liabilities” means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, claims (including Environmental Claims), actions, judgments, suits, costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Lenders’ agreement to make Credit Extensions or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Credit Documents (including any sale of,

 

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collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty)); or (ii) any Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Indemnitee” as defined in Section 10.3.

“Installment” as defined in Section 2.12.

“Intercompany Note” means a global promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit K evidencing Indebtedness owed among the Credit Parties.

“Interest Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Holdings for the Test Period ending on such date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense.

“Interest Payment Date” means with respect to (i) any Base Rate Loan, each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date and the final maturity date of such Loan; and (ii) any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan; provided , in the case of each Interest Period of longer than three months “Interest Payment Date” shall also include each date that is three months, or an integral multiple thereof, after the commencement of such Interest Period.

“Interest Period” means, in connection with a Eurodollar Rate Loan, an interest period of one-, two-, three- or six-months (or nine- or twelve-months if available to all Lenders), as selected by a Borrower in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, (i) initially, commencing on the Credit Date or Conversion/Continuation Date thereof, as the case may be; and (ii) thereafter, commencing on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires; provided , (a) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day unless no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day; (b) 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, subject to clauses (c) and (d), of this definition, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; (c) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of any Class of Term Loans shall extend beyond such Class’s Term Loan Maturity Date; and (d) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Revolving Loans shall extend beyond the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, each of which is for the purpose of hedging the interest rate exposure associated with Holdings’ and its Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes.

“Interest Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

 

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“Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor statute.

“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 Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness 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 (excluding, in the case of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made to a Credit Party in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division 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.

“Issuance Notice” means an Issuance Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3.

“Issuing Bank” means BNP as Issuing Bank hereunder, together with its permitted successors and assigns in such capacity.

“Joinder Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit L.

“Junior Financing” as defined in Section 6.12.

“Junior Financing Documentation” means any documentation governing any Junior Financing.

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, 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 administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

“Lender” means each financial institution listed on the signature pages hereto as a Lender, and any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment Agreement or a Joinder Agreement.

“Lender Consent Letters” means the lender consent letters authorizing the amendment and restatement of the Original Credit Agreement and, in the case of any Continuing Lender, the conversion of all of the Original Term Loans held by such Lender to a Tranche C Term Loan.

 

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“Lender Counterparty” means each Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender counterparty to a Swap Agreement (including any Person who is a Lender (and any Affiliate thereof) as of the Closing Date but subsequently, whether before or after entering into a Swap Agreement, ceases to be a Lender).

“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued hereunder. A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit.

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means the lesser of (i) $175,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate unused amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

“Letter of Credit Usage” means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the maximum aggregate amount which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available for drawing under all Letters of Credit then outstanding, and (ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by Issuing Bank and not theretofore reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrower.

“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 Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

“Loan” means a Tranche C Term Loan, a Revolving Loan, a Swing Line Loan and a New Term Loan.

“Management Stockholders” means the members of management of Company or its Subsidiaries who are investors in Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof.

“Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent) or financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of any Borrower or the Credit Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective payment obligations under any Credit Document to which any Borrower or any of the Credit Parties is a party or (c) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Lenders under any Credit Document.

“Material Real Estate Asset” means any fee interest owned by any Credit Party in any real property having a fair market value in excess of $2,500,000 as of the date of the acquisition thereof.

“Merger” means the merger of EM Corporation Acquisition with and into Education Management pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

 

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“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 3, 2006 between Education Management and EM Acquisition Corporation.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.

“Mortgage” means, collectively, the deeds of trust, trust deeds, hypothecs and mortgages made by the Credit Parties in favor or for the benefit of Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders substantially in the form of Exhibit I (with such changes as may be customary to account for local Law matters), and any other mortgages executed and delivered pursuant to Section 5.13.

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

“NAIC” means The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and any successor thereto.

“Net Asset Sale Proceeds” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (a) cash payments (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) received by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale, minus (b) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (i) income or gains taxes payable by the seller (or a direct or indirect parent of such seller) as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale, (ii) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale and (iii) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale.

“Net Cash Proceeds” means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the Net Asset Sale Proceeds, (b) with respect to any Casualty Event, the Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds, and (c) with respect to any issuance of Equity Interests or any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds from such issuance or incurrence, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

“Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds” means an amount equal to: (a) any cash payments or proceeds received by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (i) under any casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss thereunder or (ii) as a result of the taking of any assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (b) (i) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any

 

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claims of Holdings or such Subsidiary in respect thereof, and (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in clause (a)(ii) of this definition, including income taxes payable as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith.

“New Notes” means the Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes.

“New Notes Documentation” means the New Notes, and all documents executed and delivered with respect to the New Notes, including the Senior Notes Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture.

“New Revolving Loan Commitments” as defined in Section 2.24.

“New Revolving Loan Lender” as defined in Section 2.24.

“New Revolving Loans” as defined in Section 2.24.

“New Term Loan Commitments” as defined in Section 2.24.

“New Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the New Term Loans of such Lender.

“New Term Loan Lender” as defined in Section 2.24.

“New Term Loan Maturity Date” means the date that New Term Loans of a Series shall become due and payable in full hereunder, as specified in the applicable Joinder Agreement, including by acceleration or otherwise.

“New Term Loans” as defined in Section 2.24.

“Nonpublic Information” means information which has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD.

“Non-US Lender” as defined in Section 2.20(c).

“Note” means a Tranche C Term Loan Note, a Revolving Loan Note or a Swing Line Note.

“Notice” means a Funding Notice, an Issuance Notice, or a Conversion/ Continuation Notice.

“Not Otherwise Applied” means, with reference to any amount of Net Cash Proceeds of any transaction or event or of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow, that such amount (a) was not required to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.14, and (b) was not previously applied in determining the permissibility of a transaction under the Credit Documents where such permissibility was (or may have been) contingent on receipt of such amount or utilization of such amount for a specified purpose (including without limitation, (i) Investments pursuant to Section 6.2, (ii) Restricted Payments to Holdings pursuant to Section 6.6 (or loans or

 

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advances to Holdings in lieu thereof pursuant to Section 6.2(m)), (iii) prepayments, repurchases or redemptions of any Junior Financing pursuant to Section 6.12) and (iv) Capital Expenditures pursuant to Section 6.15). Company shall promptly notify Administrative Agent of any application of such amount as contemplated by (b) above.

“NPL” means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.

“Obligations” means all (a) advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party and its Subsidiaries arising under any Credit Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or Subsidiary of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, (b) obligations of any Credit Party and its Subsidiaries arising under any Swap Agreement with a Lender Counterparty and (c) Cash Management Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Credit Parties under the Credit Documents (and of their Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Credit Documents) include (i) the obligation (including guarantee obligations) to pay principal, interest, Letter of Credit commissions, reimbursement obligations, charges, expenses, fees, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries under any Credit Document and (ii) the obligation of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that any Lender, in its sole discretion, may elect to pay or advance on behalf of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary.

“Obligee Guarantor” as defined in Section 7.7.

“Original Sections 3.1(g) and 3.1(h)” mean Sections 3.1(g) and 3.1(h) of the Original Credit Agreement, which Sections are set forth in Annex C hereto.

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

“Original Credit Agreement” has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Original Lenders” has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Original Term Loans” has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

“Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate or to which any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.

“Perfection Certificate” means a certificate in form satisfactory to Collateral Agent that provides information relating to UCC filings of each Credit Party.

“Permitted Acquisition” means any acquisition by Company or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, 90% or more of the Equity Interests in or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person; provided ,

(i) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;

(ii) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable laws and in conformity with all applicable Governmental Authorizations;

(iii) in the case of the acquisition of Equity Interests, 90% or more of the Equity Interests (except for any such Securities in the nature of directors’ qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable law not to exceed 5% of the outstanding Equity Interests) acquired or otherwise issued by such Person or any newly formed Subsidiary of Company in connection with such acquisition shall be owned by Company or a Guarantor Subsidiary thereof (any such Person or newly formed Subsidiary that is not Wholly Owned by Company after such acquisition is referred to as an “ Acquired Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ”), and Company shall have taken, or caused to be taken, as of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Company, each of the actions set forth in Sections 5.12 and/or 5.13, as applicable;

(iv) Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.10 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended, (as determined in accordance with Section 6.10(c));

(v) Company shall have delivered to Administrative Agent (A) on or prior to the date such proposed acquisition is consummated, (1) a Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with Section 6.10 as required under clause (iv) above and (2) with respect to any acquisition with consideration exceeding $15,000,000, all other relevant financial information with respect to such acquired assets to the extent available to the Credit Parties, including, without limitation, the aggregate consideration for such acquisition and any other information required to demonstrate compliance with Section 6.10 and (B) promptly upon request by

 

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Administrative Agent, a copy of the purchase agreement related to the proposed Permitted Acquisition (and any related documents reasonably requested by Administrative Agent); and

(vi) any Person or assets or division as acquired in accordance herewith shall be in same business or lines of business in which Company and/or its Subsidiaries are engaged as of the Closing Date.

“Permitted Equity Issuance” means any sale or issuance of any Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings to the extent permitted hereunder.

“Permitted Holdings Debt” as defined in Section 6.3(p).

“Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.3(e), such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.3(e), at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (d) if such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.3(b), 6.3(r) or 6.12(a), (i) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (ii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate and redemption premium) of any such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Credit Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless Administrative Agent notifies Company within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees) and (iii) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is incurred by the Person who is the obligor of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended.

 

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“Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

“Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by any Credit Party or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

“Pledge and Security Agreement” means the Pledge and Security Agreement to be executed by Company and each Guarantor substantially in the form of Exhibit H, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest quoted in The Wall Street Journal , Money Rates Section as the Prime Rate (currently defined as the base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 75% of the nation’s thirty (30) largest banks), as in effect from time to time. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. Agent or any other Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

“Principal Office” means, for each of Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Bank, such Person’s “Principal Office” as set forth on Appendix B, or such other office or office of a third party or sub-agent, as appropriate, as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to Company, Administrative Agent and each Lender.

“Pro Forma Balance Sheet” as defined in Section 4.5(a)(ii).

“Pro Forma Financial Statements” as defined in Section 4.5(a)(ii).

“Projections” as defined in Section 5.1(c).

“Pro Rata Share” means (a) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Tranche C Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Tranche C Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate Tranche C Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders; (b) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Revolving Commitment or Revolving Loans of any Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or participations purchased therein by any Lender or any participations in any Swing Line Loans purchased by any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Revolving Exposure of that Lender by (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all Lenders; and (c) with respect to all payments, computations, and other matters relating to New Term Loan Commitments or New Term Loans of a particular Series, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the New Term Loan Exposure of that Lender with respect to that Series by (ii) the aggregate New Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders with respect to that Series. For all other purposes with respect to each Lender, “Pro Rata Share” means the percentage obtained by dividing (A) an amount equal to the sum of the Tranche C Term Loan Exposure, the Revolving Exposure and the

 

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New Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (B) an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate Tranche C Term Loan Exposure, the aggregate Revolving Exposure and the aggregate New Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

“Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

“Qualified Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means (a) any Acquired Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (as defined in clause (iii) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions”), provided that (i) such Subsidiary is acquired after the Closing Date in accordance with Section 6.2(i) and (ii) Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries own no less than the percentage of the outstanding Equity Interests of such Subsidiary owned by them on the date such Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to Section 6.2(i) and (b) any Subsidiary that is formed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date, provided that (i) Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries own at least 90% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such Subsidiary (except for any such Securities in the nature of directors’ qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable law not to exceed 5% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such Subsidiary) and (ii) such Subsidiary is not formed in connection with, or used in, the acquisition (whether by purchase, merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the assets of, 90% or more of the Equity Interests in or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person.

“Qualified Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Company (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) that satisfies the following criteria: (a) the jurisdiction of organization or incorporation of such Subsidiary is the United States of America (or any State thereof or the District of Columbia) and (b) such Subsidiary is a wholly owned Subsidiary of Company.

“Qualifying IPO” means the issuance by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings of its common Equity Interests in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering).

“Refunded Swing Line Loans” as defined in Section 2.3(b)(iv).

“Register” as defined in Section 2.7(b).

“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors, as in effect from time to time.

“Regulation FD” means Regulation FD as promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act and Exchange Act as in effect from time to time.

“Reimbursement Date” as defined in Section 2.4(d).

“Related Fund” means, with respect to any Lender that is an investment fund, any other investment fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

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“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of any Hazardous Material into the indoor or outdoor environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material), including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

“Replacement Lender” as defined in Section 2.23.

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

“Required Prepayment Date” as defined in Section 2.15(c).

“Requisite Lenders” means one or more Lenders having or holding Tranche C Term Loan Exposure, New Term Loan Exposure and/or Revolving Exposure and representing more than 50% of the sum of (i) the aggregate Tranche C Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all Lenders and (iii) the aggregate New Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders; provided that the Tranche C Term Loan Exposure, New Term Loan Exposure and Revolving Exposure of, and the portion of the aggregate Tranche C Term Loan Exposure, aggregate New Term Loan Exposure and aggregate Revolving Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Lenders.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer of a Credit Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Credit Party.

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest in Holdings, Company or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to Holdings or Company’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof).

“Revolving Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund any Revolving Loan and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans hereunder and “Revolving Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, if any, is set forth on Appendix A-2 or in the applicable Assignment Agreement or Joinder Agreement, as applicable, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments as of the Closing Date is $300,000,000.

 

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“Revolving Commitment Period” means the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

“Revolving Commitment Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (i) October 3, 2006, if the Term Loans are not made on or before that date; (ii) the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date, (iii) the date the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.13(b), and (iv) the date of the termination of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 8.1.

“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender as of any date of determination, (i) prior to the termination of the Revolving Commitments, that Lender’s Revolving Commitment; and (ii) after the termination of the Revolving Commitments, the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender, (b) in the case of Issuing Bank, the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by that Lender (net of any participations by Lenders in such Letters of Credit), (c) the aggregate amount of all participations by that Lender in any outstanding Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawing under any Letter of Credit, (d) in the case of Swing Line Lender, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Loans (net of any participations therein by other Lenders), and (e) the aggregate amount of all participations therein by that Lender in any outstanding Swing Line Loans.

“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made by a Lender to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and/or Section 2.24.

“Revolving Loan Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B-2, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Rollover Amount” as defined in Section 6.15(b).

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

“Securities” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

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“Senior Notes” means $375,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Company’s 8.75% senior unsecured notes due 2014.

“Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Senior Notes, dated as of June 1, 2006.

“Senior Subordinated Notes” means $385,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Company’s 10.25% senior subordinated notes due 2016.

“Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Senior Subordinated Notes, dated as of June 1, 2006.

“Series” as defined in Section 2.24.

“Settlement Service” as defined in Section 10.6(d).

“Solvency Certificate” means a Solvency Certificate of the chief financial officer or treasurer of Holdings substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2.

“Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature and (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

“Sponsors” means Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Providence Equity Partners Inc., Leeds Equity Partners, and their respective Affiliates, but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

“Sponsor Management Agreement” means the Management Agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsors and Company.

“Sponsor Termination Fees” means the one-time payment under the Sponsor Management Agreement of a termination fee to one or more of the Sponsors and their Affiliates in the event of either a Change of Control or the completion of a Qualifying IPO.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the

 

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power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided , in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of Holdings.

“Successor Company” as defined in Section 6.4(d).

“Swap Agreement” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

“Swing Line Lender” means BNP in its capacity as Swing Line Lender hereunder, together with its permitted successors and assigns in such capacity.

“Swing Line Loan” means a Loan made by Swing Line Lender to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.3.

“Swing Line Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B-3, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Swing Line Sublimit” means the lesser of (i) $20,000,000, and (ii) the aggregate unused amount of Revolving Commitments then in effect.

“Syndication Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

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“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, assessment, charge, fee, deduction or withholding imposed by any Governmental Authority; provided , “Tax on the overall net income” of a Person shall mean a tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which that Person is organized or in which that Person’s applicable principal office (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is located or in which that Person (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing business on all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide, or only insofar as such income, profits or gains are considered to arise in or to relate to a particular jurisdiction, or otherwise) of that Person (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its applicable lending office).

“Term Loan” means a Tranche C Term Loan and a New Term Loan.

“Term Loan Commitment” means the Tranche C Term Loan Commitment or the New Term Loan Commitment of a Lender, and “Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders.

“Term Loan Maturity Date” means the Tranche C Term Loan Maturity Date and the New Term Loan Maturity Date of any Series of New Term Loans.

“Terminated Lender” as defined in Section 2.23.

“Test Period” means, for any determination under this Agreement, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of Company then last ended.

“Threshold Amount” means $50,000,000.

“Title Company” as defined in Original Section 3.1(g).

“Title Policy” as defined in Original Section 3.1(g).

“Total Assets” means the total assets of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of Company or such other Person as may be expressly stated.

“Total Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period.

“Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments” means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans (other than Revolving Loans made for the purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans or reimbursing Issuing Bank for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, but not yet so applied), (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swing Line Loans, and (iii) the Letter of Credit Usage.

“Tranche C Term Loan” means a Tranche C Term Loan made by a Lender to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

 

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“Tranche C Term Loan Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund a Tranche C Term Loan and “Tranche C Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Tranche C Term Loan Commitment, if any, is set forth on Appendix A-1 or in the applicable Assignment Agreement, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. The aggregate amount of the Tranche C Term Loan Commitments as of the Effective Date is $1,179,075,000.

“Tranche C Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Tranche C Term Loans of such Lender; provided , at any time prior to the making of the Tranche C Term Loans, the Tranche C Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Tranche C Term Loan Commitment.

“Tranche C Term Loan Maturity Date” means the earlier of (i) the seventh anniversary of the Closing Date, and (ii) the date that all Tranche C Term Loans shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

“Tranche C Term Loan Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B-1, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Transaction” means, collectively, (a) the Equity Contributions, (b) the Merger, (c) the issuance of the New Notes, (d) the funding of the Original Term Loans on the Closing Date, (e) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing, and (f) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

“Transaction Documents” means the Merger Agreement and all other material documents, instruments and certificates contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

“Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by Holdings, Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

“Type of Loan” means (i) with respect to either Term Loans or Revolving Loans, a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan, and (ii) with respect to Swing Line Loans, a Base Rate Loan.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

“Waivable Mandatory Prepayment” as defined in Section 2.15(c).

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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“Wholly Owned” means, with respect to a Subsidiary of a Person, a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) director’s qualifying shares and (y) shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Law) are owned by such Person and/or by one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

1.2. Accounting Terms. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information required to be delivered by Holdings to Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Credit Document, and either Company or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Lenders, Administrative Agent and Company shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein. Subject to the foregoing, calculations in connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions hereof shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the Historical Financial Statements.

1.3. Interpretation, etc. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. References herein to any Section, Appendix, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to a Section, an Appendix, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.

SECTION 2. LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

2.1. Term Loans.

(a) Loan Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make, on the Effective Date, a Tranche C Term Loan to Company in an amount equal to such Lender’s Tranche C Term Loan Commitment.

Company may make only one borrowing under the Tranche C Term Loan Commitment which shall be on the Effective Date. Any amount borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Subject to Sections 2.13(a) and 2.14, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Tranche C Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than the

 

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Tranche C Term Loan Maturity Date. Each Lender’s Tranche C Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Effective Date after giving effect to the funding of such Lender’s Tranche C Term Loan Commitment on such date.

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Term Loans. Each Lender shall make its Tranche C Term Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Effective Date, by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at the Principal Office designated by Administrative Agent. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Tranche C Term Loans available to Company on the Effective Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited to the account of Company at the Principal Office designated by Administrative Agent or to such other account as may be designated in writing to Administrative Agent by Company.

2.2. Revolving Loans.

(a) Revolving Commitments . During the Revolving Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans to Borrowers in an aggregate amount up to but not exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , that after giving effect to the making of any Revolving Loans in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect. Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) may be repaid and reborrowed during the Revolving Commitment Period. Each Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and all Revolving Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Commitments shall be paid in full no later than such date.

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Revolving Loans .

(i) Except pursuant to Section 2.4(d), Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount, and Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii) Whenever a Borrower desires that Lenders make Revolving Loans, such Borrower shall give notice to Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone, no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Credit Date in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, and at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed Credit Date in the case of a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan. Except as otherwise provided herein, a notice for a Revolving Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and the relevant Borrower shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith. Each telephonic notice by a Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to Administrative Agent of a fully executed Funding Notice. Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender

 

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shall incur any liability to any Borrower in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a Responsible Officer or other person authorized to borrow on behalf of such Borrower or for otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2.2(b), and upon funding of Loans by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice a Borrower shall have effected Loans hereunder.

(iii) Notice of receipt of each Funding Notice in respect of Revolving Loans, together with the amount of each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, if any, together with the applicable interest rate, shall be provided by Administrative Agent to each applicable Lender by telefacsimile with reasonable promptness.

(iv) Each Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Credit Date by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at the Principal Office designated by Administrative Agent. Except as provided herein, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Revolving Loans available to the relevant Borrower on the applicable Credit Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Revolving Loans received by Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited to the account of such Borrower at the Principal Office designated by Administrative Agent or such other account as may be designated in writing to Administrative Agent by such Borrower.

2.3. Swing Line Loans.

(a) Swing Line Loans Commitments . During the Revolving Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Swing Line Lender hereby agrees to make Swing Line Loans to Borrowers in the aggregate amount up to but not exceeding the Swing Line Sublimit; provided , that after giving effect to the making of any Swing Line Loan, in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect. Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.3 may be repaid and reborrowed during the Revolving Commitment Period. Swing Line Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and all Swing Line Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Swing Line Loans and the Revolving Commitments shall be paid in full no later than such date.

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Swing Line Loans .

(i) Swing Line Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $100,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii) Whenever a Borrower desires that Swing Line Lender make a Swing Line Loan, such Borrower shall give notice to Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone, no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the proposed Credit Date. Each telephonic notice by a Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to Administrative Agent of a fully executed Funding Notice.

 

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Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to any Borrower in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a Responsible Officer or other person authorized to borrow on behalf of such Borrower or for otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2.3(b), and upon funding of Loans by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice a Borrower shall have effected Loans hereunder.

(iii) Swing Line Lender shall make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Credit Date by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office. Except as provided herein, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Swing Line Loans available to the relevant Borrower on the applicable Credit Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Swing Line Loans received by Administrative Agent from Swing Line Lender to be credited to the account of such Borrower at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office, or to such other account as may be designated in writing to Administrative Agent by such Borrower.

(iv) With respect to any Swing Line Loans which have not been voluntarily prepaid by the relevant Borrower pursuant to Section 2.13, Swing Line Lender may at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, deliver to Administrative Agent (with a copy to Company), no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed Credit Date, a notice (which shall be deemed to be a Funding Notice given by the relevant Borrower) requesting that each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans to such Borrower on such Credit Date in an amount equal to the amount of such Swing Line Loans (the “Refunded Swing Line Loans” ) outstanding on the date such notice is given which Swing Line Lender requests Lenders to prepay. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (1) the proceeds of such Revolving Loans made by the Lenders other than Swing Line Lender shall be immediately delivered by Administrative Agent to Swing Line Lender (and not to Borrowers) and applied to repay a corresponding portion of the Refunded Swing Line Loans and (2) on the day such Revolving Loans are made, Swing Line Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Refunded Swing Line Loans shall be deemed to be paid with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan made by Swing Line Lender to the relevant Borrower, and such portion of the Swing Line Loans deemed to be so paid shall no longer be outstanding as Swing Line Loans and shall no longer be due under the Swing Line Note of Swing Line Lender but shall instead constitute part of Swing Line Lender’s outstanding Revolving Loans to such Borrower and shall be due under the Revolving Loan Note issued by such Borrower to Swing Line Lender. Each Borrower hereby authorizes Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender to charge such Borrower’s accounts with Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender (up to the amount available in each such account) in order to immediately pay Swing Line Lender the amount of the Refunded Swing Line Loans to the extent the proceeds of such Revolving Loans made by Lenders, including the Revolving Loans deemed to be made by Swing Line Lender, are not sufficient to repay in full the Refunded Swing Line Loans. If any portion of any such amount paid (or deemed

 

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to be paid) to Swing Line Lender should be recovered by or on behalf of Borrower from Swing Line Lender in bankruptcy, by assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all Lenders in the manner contemplated by Section 2.17.

(v) If for any reason Revolving Loans are not made pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(iv) in an amount sufficient to repay any amounts owed to Swing Line Lender in respect of any outstanding Swing Line Loans on or before the third Business Day after demand for payment thereof by Swing Line Lender, each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment shall be deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have purchased a participation in such outstanding Swing Line Loans, and in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the applicable unpaid amount together with accrued interest thereon. Upon one Business Day’s notice from Swing Line Lender, each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment shall deliver to Swing Line Lender an amount equal to its respective participation in the applicable unpaid amount in same day funds at the Principal Office of Swing Line Lender. In order to evidence such participation each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment agrees to enter into a participation agreement at the request of Swing Line Lender in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Swing Line Lender. In the event any Lender holding a Revolving Commitment fails to make available to Swing Line Lender the amount of such Lender’s participation as provided in this paragraph, Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for three Business Days at the rate customarily used by Swing Line Lender for the correction of errors among banks and thereafter at the Base Rate, as applicable.

(vi) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (1) each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans for the purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans pursuant to the second preceding paragraph and each Lender’s obligation to purchase a participation in any unpaid Swing Line Loans pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including without limitation (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against Swing Line Lender, any Credit Party or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default; (C) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Credit Party; (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Credit Document by any party thereto; or (E) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided that such obligations of each Lender are subject to the condition that Swing Line Lender believed in good faith that all conditions under Section 3.2 to the making of the applicable Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line Loans, were satisfied at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans or unpaid Swing Line Loans were made, or the satisfaction of any such condition not satisfied had been waived by the Requisite Lenders prior to or at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line Loans were made; and (2) Swing Line Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swing Line Loans if it has elected not to do so after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default.

 

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2.4. Issuance of Letters of Credit and Purchase of Participations Therein.

(a) Letters of Credit . During the Revolving Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit for the account of a Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the aggregate amount for all Borrowers and their Subsidiaries up to but not exceeding the Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided , (i) each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars; (ii) the stated amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than $25,000 or such lesser amount as is acceptable to Issuing Bank; (iii) after giving effect to such issuance, in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect; (iv) after giving effect to such issuance, in no event shall the Letter of Credit Usage exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in effect; and (v) in no event shall any Letter of Credit have an expiration date later than the earlier of (1) the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and (2) unless otherwise agreed by the Issuing Bank, the date which is one year from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit. Subject to the foregoing, Issuing Bank may agree that a standby Letter of Credit will automatically be extended for one or more successive periods not to exceed one year each, unless Issuing Bank elects not to extend for any such additional period; provided , Issuing Bank shall not extend any such Letter of Credit if it has received written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time Issuing Bank must elect to allow such extension.

(b) Notice of Issuance . Whenever a Borrower desires the issuance of a Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Administrative Agent an Issuance Notice no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least two Business Days, or in each case such shorter period as may be agreed to by Issuing Bank in any particular instance, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.2, Issuing Bank shall issue the requested Letter of Credit only in accordance with Issuing Bank’s standard operating procedures. Upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit, Issuing Bank shall promptly notify each Lender with a Revolving Commitment of such issuance, which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit and the amount of such Lender’s respective participation in such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.4(e).

(c) Responsibility of Issuing Bank With Respect to Requests for Drawings and Payments . In determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, Issuing Bank shall be responsible only to examine the documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit. As between Borrowers and Issuing Bank, Borrowers assume all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit issued by Issuing Bank, by the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Issuing Bank shall not be responsible for: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with

 

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any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of Issuing Bank, including any Governmental Acts; none of the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of Issuing Bank’s rights or powers hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing and in furtherance thereof, any action taken or omitted by Issuing Bank under or in connection with the Letters of Credit or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not give rise to any liability on the part of Issuing Bank to Borrowers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.4(c), Borrowers shall retain any and all rights they may have against Issuing Bank for any liability arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Issuing Bank.

(d) Reimbursement by Borrowers of Amounts Drawn or Paid Under Letters of Credit . In the event Issuing Bank has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit, it shall immediately notify the relevant Borrower and Administrative Agent, and such Borrower shall reimburse Issuing Bank on or before the Business Day immediately following the date on which such drawing is honored (the “Reimbursement Date” ) in an amount in Dollars and in same day funds equal to the amount of such honored drawing; provided , anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless such Borrower shall have notified Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date such drawing is honored that such Borrower intends to reimburse Issuing Bank for the amount of such honored drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Revolving Loans, such Borrower shall be deemed to have given a timely Funding Notice to Administrative Agent requesting Lenders with Revolving Commitments to make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an amount in Dollars equal to the amount of such honored drawing, and (ii) subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in Section 3.2, Lenders with Revolving Commitments shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans in the amount of such honored drawing, the proceeds of which shall be applied directly by Administrative Agent to reimburse Issuing Bank for the amount of such honored drawing; and provided further , if for any reason proceeds of Revolving Loans are not received by Issuing Bank on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount of such honored drawing, such Borrower shall reimburse Issuing Bank, on demand, in an amount in same day funds equal to the excess of the amount of such honored drawing over the aggregate amount of such Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received. Nothing in this Section 2.4(d) shall be deemed to relieve any Lender with a Revolving Commitment from its obligation to make Revolving Loans on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and Borrowers shall retain any and all rights they may have against any such Lender resulting from the failure of such Lender to make such Revolving Loans under this Section 2.4(d).

(e) Lenders’ Purchase of Participations in Letters of Credit . Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender having a Revolving Commitment shall be deemed to have purchased, and hereby agrees to irrevocably purchase, from Issuing Bank a participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored thereunder in an amount equal to

 

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such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (with respect to the Revolving Commitments) of the maximum amount which is or at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder. In the event that Borrowers shall fail for any reason to reimburse Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.4(d), Issuing Bank shall promptly notify each Lender with a Revolving Commitment of the unreimbursed amount of such honored drawing and of such Lender’s respective participation therein based on such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Commitments. Each Lender with a Revolving Commitment shall make available to Issuing Bank an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars and in same day funds, at the office of Issuing Bank specified in such notice, not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first business day (under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such office of Issuing Bank is located) after the date notified by Issuing Bank. In the event that any Lender with a Revolving Commitment fails to make available to Issuing Bank on such business day the amount of such Lender’s participation in such Letter of Credit as provided in this Section 2.4(e), Issuing Bank shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for three Business Days at the rate customarily used by Issuing Bank for the correction of errors among banks and thereafter at the Base Rate. Nothing in this Section 2.4(e) shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender with a Revolving Commitment to recover from Issuing Bank any amounts made available by such Lender to Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section in the event that it is determined that the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit in respect of which payment was made by such Lender constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Issuing Bank. In the event Issuing Bank shall have been reimbursed by other Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.4(e) for all or any portion of any drawing honored by Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank shall distribute to each Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under this Section 2.4(e) with respect to such honored drawing such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all payments subsequently received by Issuing Bank from Borrowers in reimbursement of such honored drawing when such payments are received. Any such distribution shall be made to a Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on Appendix B or at such other address as such Lender may request.

(f) Obligations Absolute . The obligation of a Borrower to reimburse Issuing Bank for drawings honored under the Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any Revolving Loans made by Lenders pursuant to Section 2.4(d) and the obligations of Lenders under Section 2.4(e) shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances including any of the following circumstances: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit; (ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which such Borrower or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), Issuing Bank, Lender or any other Person or, in the case of a Lender, against such Borrower, whether in connection herewith, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between such Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured); (iii) any draft or other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iv) payment by Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document which does not substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; (v) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; (vi) any breach hereof or any other Credit

 

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Document by any party thereto; (vii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; or (viii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided , in each case, that payment by Issuing Bank under the applicable Letter of Credit shall not have constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct of Issuing Bank under the circumstances in question.

(g) Indemnification . Without duplication of any obligation of Borrowers under Section 10.2 or 10.3, in addition to amounts payable as provided herein, each Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless Issuing Bank from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which Issuing Bank may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit to such Borrower by Issuing Bank, other than as a result of (1) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Issuing Bank or (2) the wrongful dishonor by Issuing Bank of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit issued by it, or (ii) the failure of Issuing Bank to honor a drawing under any such Letter of Credit as a result of any Governmental Act.

2.5. Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds.

(a) Pro Rata Shares . All Loans shall be made, and all participations purchased, by Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby nor shall any Term Loan Commitment or any Revolving Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby.

(b) Availability of Funds . Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the applicable Credit Date that such Lender does not intend to make available to Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender’s Loan requested on such Credit Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on such Credit Date and Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the relevant Borrower a corresponding amount on such Credit Date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from such Credit Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the customary rate set by Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks for three Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Borrower and such Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from such Credit Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans for such Class of Loans. Nothing in this Section 2.5(b) shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Term Loan Commitments and Revolving Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that a Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

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2.6. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans made on the Effective Date shall be applied by Company to refinance the Original Term Loans. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit made after the Closing Date shall be applied by Borrowers for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including Permitted Acquisitions) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries. No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension shall be used in any manner that causes or might cause such Credit Extension or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act.

2.7. Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Notes.

(a) Lenders’ Evidence of Debt . Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of each Borrower to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on each Borrower, absent manifest error; provided , that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Revolving Commitments or any Borrower’s Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; and provided further , in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

(b) Register . Administrative Agent (or its agent or sub-agent appointed by it) on behalf of the Borrowers shall maintain at the Principal Office a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and the Revolving Commitments and Loans of each Lender from time to time (the “Register” ). The Register shall be available for inspection by any Borrower or any Lender (with respect to any entry relating to such Lender’s Loans) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall record, or shall cause to be recorded, in the Register the Revolving Commitments and the Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, and any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on each Borrower and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided , failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Revolving Commitments or any Borrower’s Obligations in respect of any Loan. Each Borrower hereby designates BNP to serve as such Borrower’s agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this Section 2.7, and each Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent BNP serves in such capacity, BNP and its officers, directors, employees, agents, sub-agents and affiliates shall constitute “ Indemnitees .”

(c) Notes . If so requested by any Lender by written notice to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) at least two Business Days prior to the Effective Date, or at any time thereafter, each relevant Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.6) on the Effective Date (or, if such notice is delivered after the Effective Date, promptly after Borrower’s receipt of such notice) a Note or Notes to evidence such Lender’s Tranche C Term Loan, New Term Loan, Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan, as the case may be.

 

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2.8. Interest on Loans.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Class of Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made through repayment (whether by acceleration or otherwise) thereof as follows:

(i) in the case of Tranche C Term Loans and Revolving Loans:

(A) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin; or

(B) if a Eurodollar Rate Loan, at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and

(ii) in the case of Swing Line Loans, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

(b) The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan (except a Swing Line Loan which can be made and maintained as Base Rate Loans only), and the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall be selected by the relevant Borrower and notified to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, as the case may be. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with respect to which a Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice has not been delivered to Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day such Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.

(c) In connection with Eurodollar Rate Loans there shall be no more than ten (10) Interest Periods outstanding at any time. In the event a Borrower fails to specify between a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Loan (if outstanding as a Eurodollar Rate Loan) will be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then-current Interest Period for such Loan (or if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan will remain as, or (if not then outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan). In the event a Borrower fails to specify an Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. As soon as practicable after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the Eurodollar Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to each Borrower and each Lender.

(d) Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.8(a) shall be computed (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as the case may be, and (ii) in the

 

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case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, on the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Term Loan, the last Interest Payment Date with respect to such Term Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Eurodollar Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such Eurodollar Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided , if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

(e) Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan (i) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect to interest accrued on and to each such payment date; (ii) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears upon any prepayment of that Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid; and (iii) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears at maturity of the Loans, including final maturity of the Loans; provided , however , with respect to any voluntary prepayment of a Base Rate Loan, accrued interest shall instead be payable on the applicable Interest Payment Date.

(f) Each Borrower agrees to pay to Issuing Bank, with respect to drawings honored under any Letter of Credit, interest on the amount paid by Issuing Bank in respect of each such honored drawing from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by or on behalf of such Borrower at a rate equal to (i) for the period from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the applicable Reimbursement Date, the rate of interest otherwise payable hereunder with respect to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans, and (ii) thereafter, a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the rate of interest otherwise payable hereunder with respect to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans.

(g) Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.8(f) shall be computed on the basis of a 365/366-day year for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues, and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand is made, on the date on which the related drawing under a Letter of Credit is reimbursed in full. Promptly upon receipt by Issuing Bank of any payment of interest pursuant to Section 2.8(f), Issuing Bank shall distribute to each Lender, out of the interest received by Issuing Bank in respect of the period from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the date on which Issuing Bank is reimbursed for the amount of such drawing (including any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of any Revolving Loans), the amount that such Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the letter of credit fee that would have been payable in respect of such Letter of Credit for such period if no drawing had been honored under such Letter of Credit. In the event Issuing Bank shall have been reimbursed by Lenders for all or any portion of such honored drawing, Issuing Bank shall distribute to each Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under Section 2.4(e) with respect to such honored drawing such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any interest received by Issuing Bank in respect of that portion of such honored drawing so reimbursed by Lenders for the period from the date on which Issuing Bank was so reimbursed by Lenders to but excluding the date on which such portion of such honored drawing is reimbursed by Borrowers.

 

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2.9. Conversion/Continuation.

(a) Subject to Section 2.18 and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing, Borrowers shall have the option:

(i) to convert at any time all or any part of any Term Loan or Revolving Loan equal to $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount from one Type of Loan to another Type of Loan; provided , a Eurodollar Rate Loan may only be converted on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan unless Borrowers shall pay all amounts due under Section 2.18 in connection with any such conversion; or

(ii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount as a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

(b) The relevant Borrower shall deliver a Conversion/Continuation Notice to Administrative Agent no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan). Except as otherwise provided herein, a Conversion/Continuation Notice for conversion to, or continuation of, any Eurodollar Rate Loans (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and the related Borrower shall be bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

2.10. Default Interest. If any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment (and including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable on demand (x) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, at a rate that is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to such Loan and (y) in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans that are Revolving Loans. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.10 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Administrative Agent or any Lender.

2.11. Fees.

(a) Borrowers agree to pay to Lenders having Revolving Exposure:

(i) commitment fees equal to (A) the average of the daily difference between (1) the Revolving Commitments and (2) the aggregate principal amount of (x) all outstanding Revolving Loans plus (y) the Letter of Credit Usage, times (B) the Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage; and

 

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(ii) letter of credit fees equal to (A) the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans, times (B) the average aggregate daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all such Letters of Credit (regardless of whether any conditions for drawing could then be met and determined as of the close of business on any date of determination).

All fees referred to in this Section 2.11(a) shall be paid to Administrative Agent at its Principal Office and upon receipt, Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof.

(b) Borrowers agree to pay directly to Issuing Bank, for its own account, the following fees:

(i) a fronting fee equal to 0.125% per annum, times the average aggregate daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all Letters of Credit (determined as of the close of business on any date of determination); and

(ii) such documentary and processing charges for any issuance, amendment, transfer or payment of a Letter of Credit as are in accordance with Issuing Bank’s standard schedule for such charges and as in effect at the time of such issuance, amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be.

(c) All fees referred to in Section 2.11(a) and 2.11(b)(i) shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year during the Revolving Commitment Period, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

(d) In addition to any of the foregoing fees, Borrowers agree to pay to Agents such other fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon.

2.12. Scheduled Amortization of Term Loans. The principal amounts of the Tranche C Term Loans shall be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments (each, an “Installment” ) on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, an “Installment Date” ), commencing September 30, 2006, in an aggregate amount of 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans that would have been outstanding on the Closing Date (assuming for this Section 2.12 only that such Tranche C Term Loans were issued on June 1, 2006 in an amount equal to the Original Term Loans issued under the Original Credit Agreement and that all scheduled amortization payments prior to the Effective Date had been made), with the remaining balance due on the maturity date for such Term Loans; provided , in the event any New Term Loans are made, such New Term Loans shall be repaid on each Installment Date occurring on or after the applicable Increased Amount Date in an amount equal to (i) the aggregate principal amount of New Term Loans of the applicable Series of New Term Loans, times (ii) the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (A) the amount of all other Term Loans being repaid on such Installment Date and (B) the total aggregate principal amount of all other Term Loans outstanding on such Increased Amount Date.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) such Installments shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Tranche C Term Loans in accordance with Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15, as applicable; and (y) the Tranche C Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall, in any event, be paid in full no later than the Tranche C Term Loan Maturity Date.

2.13. Voluntary Prepayments/Commitment Reductions.

(a) Voluntary Prepayments .

(i) Any time and from time to time:

(A) with respect to Base Rate Loans, Borrowers may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount;

(B) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, Borrowers may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount; and

(C) with respect to Swing Line Loans, Borrowers may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum amount of $100,000, and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii) All such prepayments shall be made:

(A) upon not less than one Business Day’s prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Base Rate Loans;

(B) upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans; and

(C) upon written or telephonic notice on the date of prepayment, in the case of Swing Line Loans;

in each case given to Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date required and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing to Administrative Agent (and Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such telephonic or original notice for Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as the case may be, by

 

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telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender) or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. Upon the giving of any such notice, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.15(a).

(b) Voluntary Commitment Reductions .

(i) Company may, upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice confirmed in writing to Administrative Agent (which original written or telephonic notice Administrative Agent will promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to each applicable Lender), at any time and from time to time terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or penalty, the Revolving Commitments in an amount up to the amount by which the Revolving Commitments exceed the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments at the time of such proposed termination or reduction; provided , any such partial reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii) Company’s notice to Administrative Agent shall designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and the amount of any partial reduction, and such termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be effective on the date specified in Company’s notice and shall reduce the Revolving Commitment of each Lender proportionately to its Pro Rata Share thereof.

2.14. Mandatory Prepayments/Commitment Reductions.

(a) Asset Sales . No later than three Business Days following the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrowers shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries, to invest Net Asset Sale Proceeds (x) within 365 days following receipt of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds or (y) if a Credit Party enters into a legally binding commitment to reinvest such Net Asset Sale Proceeds within 365 days following receipt thereof (and such commitment remains in effect), within 180 days of the date of such legally binding commitment, in assets useful to the business of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (such Net Asset Sale Proceeds so reinvested or committed to be reinvested, “ Asset Sale Reinvestment Deferred Amount ”).

(b) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds . No later than three Business Days following the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or Administrative Agent as loss payee, of any Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds, Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrowers shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries to invest such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds (x) within 365 days following receipt of such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds or (y) if a Credit Party enters into a legally binding commitment to reinvest such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds within 365 days following

 

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receipt thereof (and such commitment remains in effect), within 180 days of the date of such legally binding commitment, in assets useful to the business of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, which investment may include the repair, restoration or replacement of the applicable assets thereof (such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds so reinvested or committed to be reinvested, “ Insurance/Condemnation Reinvestment Deferred Amount ”).

(c) Issuance of Debt . No later than three Business Days following the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Cash Proceeds from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.3), Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.

(d) Consolidated Excess Cash Flow . In the event that (x) there shall be Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Year (commencing with the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2007) and (y) the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year (determined for any such period by reference to the Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.2(b) calculating the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year) shall be greater than 5:00:1, Borrowers shall, no later than ninety days after the end of such Fiscal Year, prepay the Term Loans in an aggregate amount equal to (i) 50% of such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow minus (ii) voluntary repayments of the Loans (excluding repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments).

(e) Revolving Loans and Swing Loans . Borrowers shall from time to time prepay first , the Swing Line Loans, and second , the Revolving Loans to the extent necessary so that the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

(f) Prepayment Certificate . Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Sections 2.14(a) through 2.14(d), Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable net proceeds or Consolidated Excess Cash Flow, as the case may be. In the event that Company shall subsequently determine that the actual amount received exceeded (an “e