364-DAY LC AGREEMENT AMONG THE GAP AND HSBC BANK

Exhibit 10.7

 

U.S. $100,000,000

 

364-DAY LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of May 6, 2005

 

 

among

 

THE GAP, INC.

 

as Company ,

 

THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY NAMED HEREIN,

 

as LC Subsidiaries ,

 

and

 

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as LC Issuer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

i

 

ii

 

iii

SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

 

 

iv

364-DAY LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of May 6, 2005 (this “ Agreement ”), among The Gap, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the LC Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) and HSBC Bank USA, National Association (the “ LC Issuer ”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

 

(1) The Company, certain of its subsidiaries, and the LC Issuer entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement dated as of June 25, 2003 (the “ Existing Letter of Credit Agreement ”).

 

(2) The Company and the LC Subsidiaries are to enter into a 3-year letter of credit agreement on or about the date hereof with the LC Issuer, on substantially similar terms to the terms hereof (the “ 3-Year Agreement ”).

 

(3) The Company, the LC Subsidiaries and the LC Issuer desire to enter into this Agreement to provide a trade letter of credit facility to the Company and the LC Subsidiaries as set forth below and, together with the 3-Year Agreement, to replace the Existing Letter of Credit Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, the Company, the LC Subsidiaries and the LC Issuer agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01 Certain Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

 

“ Account Parties ” means, collectively, the Company and each of the LC Subsidiaries.

 

“ Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.

 

“ Alternative Currency ” means any lawful currency other than Dollars which is freely transferable and convertible into Dollars and which the LC Issuer can obtain in the ordinary course of its business.

 

“ Applicable Issuing Office ” means the office of the LC Issuer specified as its “Issuing Office” on the signature page hereto, or such other office of the LC Issuer as the LC Issuer may from time to time specify to the Company.

 

“ Base Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to the highest of:

 

(a) the rate of interest announced publicly by the LC Issuer in New York, New York, from time to time, as the LC Issuer’s base rate;

 

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(b) 1/2% per annum above the latest three-week moving average of secondary market morning offering rates in the United States for three-month certificates of deposit of major United States money market banks, such three-week moving average being determined weekly on each Monday (or, if any such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) for the three-week period ending on the previous Friday by the LC Issuer on the basis of such rates reported by certificate of deposit dealers to and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if such publication shall be suspended or terminated, on the basis of quotations for such rates received by the LC Issuer from three New York certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing selected by the LC Issuer, in either case adjusted to the nearest 1/4 of one percent or, if there is no nearest 1/4 of one percent, to the next higher 1/4 of one percent; and

 

(c) 1/2% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate.

 

“ Business Day ” means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in New York City or San Francisco, California and a day on which wire transfers may be effectuated among member banks of the Federal Reserve System through use of the fedwire funds transfer system and if the applicable Business Day relates to any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, a day on which commercial banks are open for business in the country of issue of such Alternative Currency and on which dealings in such Alternative Currency are carried on by such commercial banks in such country of issue (if such Alternative Currency is other than the Euro) or if such Alternative Currency is the Euro, a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System is in operation.

 

“ Capital Lease ” of any Person means any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee, which lease should, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

“ Capital Lease Obligations ” means the obligations of any Person to pay rent or other amounts under a Capital Lease, the amount of which is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“ Change of Control ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of (i) any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert acquiring beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly,

 

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of securities of the Company (or other securities convertible into such securities) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors; or (ii) during any period of up to 24 consecutive months, commencing before or after the date of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such 24-month period were directors of the Company ceasing for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company unless the Persons replacing such individuals were nominated by the Board of Directors of the Company; or (iii) any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert acquiring by contract or otherwise, or entering into a contract or arrangement which upon consummation will result in its or their acquisition of, control over securities of the Company (or other securities convertible into such securities) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors; provided , that , the Person or group of Persons referred to in clauses (i) and (iii) of this definition of Change of Control shall not include any Person listed on Schedule I hereto or any group of Persons in which one or more of the Persons listed on Schedule I are members.

 

“ Confidential Information ” means certain non-public, confidential or proprietary information and material disclosed, from time to time, either orally, in writing, electronically or in some other form by the Company in connection with the LC Facility Documents. Confidential Information shall include, but not be limited to non-public, confidential or proprietary information, trade secrets, know-how, inventions, techniques, processes, algorithms, software programs, documentation, screens, icons, schematics, software programs, source documents and other MIS related information; contracts, customer lists, financial information, financial forecasts, sales and marketing plans and information and business plans, products and product designs; textile projections and results; ideas, designs and artwork for all types of marketing, advertising, public relations and commerce (including ideas, designs and artwork related to the World Wide Web and any Web Site of the Company or any Subsidiary); textile designs; advertising, strategies, plans and results; sourcing information; vendor lists, potential product labeling and marking ideas; all materials including, without limitation, documents, drawings, samples, sketches, designs, and any other information concerning, color palette and color standards furnished to the LC Issuer by the Company or any Subsidiary; customer base(s); and other non-public information relating to the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s business.

 

“ Consolidated ” and any derivative thereof each means, with reference to the accounts or financial reports of any Person, the consolidated accounts or financial reports of such Person and each Subsidiary of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP, including principles of consolidation, consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Consolidated financial statements of the Company referred to in Section 5.01(e) hereof.

 

“ Constitutive Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the certificate of incorporation or registration (including, if applicable, certificate of change of name), articles of incorporation or association, memorandum of association, charter, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, trust agreement, joint venture agreement, certificate of formation, articles of organization, limited liability company operating or members agreement, joint venture agreement or one or more similar agreements, instruments or documents constituting the organization or formation of such Person.

 

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“ Debt ” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price (excluding any deferred purchase price that constitutes an account payable incurred in the ordinary course of business) of property or services, (ii) all obligations of such Person in connection with any agreement to purchase, redeem, exchange, convert or otherwise acquire for value any capital stock of such Person or to purchase, redeem or acquire for value any warrants, rights or options to acquire such capital stock, now or hereafter outstanding, (iii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures, convertible debentures or other similar instruments, (iv) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement (other than under any such agreement which constitutes or creates an account payable incurred in the ordinary course of business) with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default, acceleration, or termination are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (v) all Capital Lease Obligations, (vi) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above, (vii) all Debt referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), or (vi) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance upon or in property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Debt and (viii) all mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of such Person, valued at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid dividends payable in respect of such redeemable preferred stock.

 

“ Default ” means an event which would constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse, or both.

 

“ Dollars ,” “ dollars ” and the sign “ $ ” each means lawful money of the United States.

 

“ Domestic Subsidiary ” means, at any time, any of the direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

 

“ EBITDA ” means, for any period, Net Income plus , to the extent deducted in determining such Net Income, the sum of (a) Interest Expense, (b) income tax expense, (c) depreciation expense and (d) amortization expense, all determined on a Consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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“ Effective Date Rating ” means, with respect to the non-credit-enhanced long-term senior unsecured debt issued by the Company, BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s.

 

“ Eligible Assignee ” means (i) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (ii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the OECD, or a political subdivision of any such country, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; provided , that , such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States; (iii) a Person that is primarily engaged in the business of commercial banking and that is (a) a Subsidiary of the LC Issuer, (b) a Subsidiary of a Person of which the LC Issuer is a Subsidiary, or (c) a Person of which the LC Issuer is a Subsidiary; (iv) an Affiliate of the LC Issuer; (v) except with respect to an assignment of the obligation to Issue Letters of Credit, any other entity which is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses, including but not limited to, insurance companies, mutual funds and lease financing companies; and (vi) any other Person acceptable to the LC Issuer and, provided no Event of Default is continuing, the Company. No Account Party or any Affiliate thereof shall be an Eligible Assignee.

 

“ Environmental Law ” means any Requirement of Law relating to (a) the generation, use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release or discharge of Hazardous Substances, (b) pollution or the protection of the environment, health, safety or natural resources or (c) occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare, including, without limitation, CERCLA, in each case as amended from time to time, and including the regulations promulgated and the rulings issued from time to time thereunder.

 

“ ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a controlled group of which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is a member or which is under common control with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

 

“ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

 

“ ERISA Event ” means a reportable event with respect to a Plan within the meaning of §4043 of ERISA.

 

“ Euro ” means the single currency of participating member states of the European Union.

 

“ Events of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01 hereof.

 

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“ Existing Letter of Credit Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Preliminary Statement (1).

 

“ Existing Letters of Credit ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.10 hereof.

 

“ Facility Amount ” means $100,000,000 as such amount may be reduced or increased from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“ Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the LC Issuer from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

“ Fiscal Quarter ” means any quarter in any Fiscal Year, the duration of such quarter being defined in accordance with GAAP applied consistently with that applied in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements referred to in Section 5.01(e) hereof.

 

“ Fiscal Year ” means a fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

“ Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, for any period, the ratio of (a) the amount equal to the sum of (i) Consolidated EBITDA and (ii) Lease Expense in each case for the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, to (b) the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense and (ii) Lease Expense, in each case for the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period.

 

“ Foreign Subsidiary ” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“ Funded Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, all indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations but excluding all accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business) of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis that would (or would be required to) appear as liabilities for long-term Debt, short-term Debt, current maturities of Debt, and other similar interest-bearing obligations on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, applied on a basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by the Company’s independent public accountants) with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.04.

 

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“ Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state, province, city, municipal entity or other political subdivision thereof, and any governmental, executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory agency, department, authority, instrumentality, commission, board or similar body, whether federal, state, provincial, territorial, local or foreign.

 

“ Governmental Authorization ” means any authorization, approval, consent, franchise, license, covenant, order, ruling, permit, certification, exemption, notice, declaration or similar right, undertaking or other action of, to or by, or any filing, qualification or registration with, any Governmental Authority.

 

“ Hazardous Substance ” means (i) any hazardous substance or toxic substance as such terms are presently defined or used in § 101(14) of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. § 9601(14)), in 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et . seq . (Clean Water Act), or 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et . seq . (Toxic Substances Control Act) and (ii) as of any date of determination, any additional substances or materials which are hereafter incorporated in or added to the definition of “hazardous substance” or “toxic substance” for purposes of CERCLA or any other applicable law.

 

“ Hedge Agreements ” means (a) any and all interest rate swaps, 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 swaps, cross-currency rate swaps, 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., the International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such agreement.

 

“ Information Memorandum ” means the information memorandum dated August 2004 prepared in connection with the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

“ Interest Expense ” of any Person for any period means the aggregate amount of interest or fees paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued in respect of any Debt (including the interest portion of rentals under Capital Leases) and all but the principal component of payments in respect of conditional sales, equipment trust or other title retention agreements paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such Person during such period, net of interest income, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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“ Issue ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, either to issue, or to extend the expiry of, or to renew, or to increase the amount of, such Letter of Credit, and the term “Issued” or “Issuance” shall have corresponding meanings.

 

“ LC Collateral Account ” means a deposit account in the name of the Company to be designated by the LC Issuer from time to time in which cash has been deposited as collateral security for the reimbursement of drawings under any outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with Sections 2.15 and 7.01.

 

“ LC Facility Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement, and each application or agreement and other documents delivered in connection with Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof, in each case as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified hereafter from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and Section 8.01 hereof.

 

“ LC Issuer ” means HSBC Bank USA, National Association. or any Affiliate thereof as agreed to from time to time by the Company and the LC Issuer, that may from time to time Issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Company or for the account of any LC Subsidiary.

 

“ LC Subsidiary ” means, as of the date hereof, the Subsidiaries of the Company listed on Schedule III hereto and, after the date hereof, any other Subsidiary of the Company that may from time to time become a party hereto and in connection therewith such other Subsidiary shall execute such documents as are reasonably requested by the LC Issuer to evidence its agreement to be bound hereunder as an LC Subsidiary, and for whose account the LC Issuer may from time to time Issue Letters of Credit.

 

“ Lease Expense ” means, with respect to any Person, for any period for such Person and its subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, lease and rental expense accrued during such period under all leases and rental agreements, other than Capital Leases and leases of personal property, determined in conformity with GAAP.

 

“ Letter of Credit ” means a Trade Letter of Credit which is in form and substance satisfactory to the LC Issuer, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ Letter of Credit Liability ” means, as of any date of determination, all then existing liabilities of the Company and the LC Subsidiaries to the LC Issuer in respect of the Letters of Credit Issued for the Company’s account and for the account of the LC Subsidiaries, whether such liability is contingent or fixed, and shall, in each case, consist of the sum of (i) the aggregate maximum amount (the determination of such maximum amount to assume compliance with all conditions for drawing) then available to be drawn under such Letters of Credit (including, without limitation, amounts available under such Letters of Credit for which a draft has been presented but not yet honored) and (ii) the aggregate amount which has then been paid by, and not been reimbursed to, the LC Issuer under such Letters of Credit. For the purposes of determining the Letter of Credit Liability, the face amount of Letters of Credit outstanding in an Alternative Currency shall be expressed as the equivalent of such Alternative Currency in Dollars as determined in Section 2.11(a) hereof.

 

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“ Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the amount equal to Consolidated Funded Debt for the most recently completed four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to such date, to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to such date, in each case for the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such date.

 

“ Lien ” means any assignment, chattel mortgage, pledge or other security interest or any mortgage, deed of trust or other lien, or other charge or encumbrance, upon property or rights (including after acquired property or rights), or any preferential arrangement with respect to property or rights (including after acquired property or rights) which has the practical effect of constituting a security interest or lien.

 

“ Loan Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

“ Margin Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

 

“ Material Adverse Change ” means any material adverse change in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided , that a downgrade of the Company’s public debt ratings or a Negative Pronouncement shall not by itself be deemed to be a material adverse change; provided , further , the occurrence or subsistence of any such material adverse change which has been disclosed (a) by the Company in any filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, (b) by the Company in a public announcement prior to the date of this Agreement, or (c) in the Information Memorandum, shall not constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

“ Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

“ Material LC Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, an LC Subsidiary that, either individually or together with its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, has assets exceeding      percent (      %) of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

 

“ Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

“ Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

 

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“ Negative Pronouncement ” means a public announcement by either S&P or Moody’s in respect to a possible downgrade of, or negative outlook with respect to, the public debt rating of the Company.

 

“ Net Income ” of any Person means, for any period, net income before (i) extraordinary items, (ii) the results of discontinued operations and (iii) the effect of any cumulative change in accounting principles, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ Obligation ” means, with respect to any Person, any payment, performance or other obligation of such Person of any kind, including, without limitation, any liability of such Person on any claim, whether or not the right of any creditor to payment in respect of such claim is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured, and whether or not such claim is discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by any proceeding referred to in Section 7.01(e) hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Account Parties under the LC Facility Documents include (a) the obligation to pay any reimbursement amount, interest, commissions, charges, expenses, fees, attorneys’ fees and disbursements, indemnity payments and other amounts payable by any Account Party under any LC Facility Document and (b) the obligation of any Account Party to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing items that the LC Issuer, in its sole discretion, may elect to pay or advance on behalf of such Account Party.

 

“ OECD ” means the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

 

“ Other LC Facilities ” means the letter of credit facilities entered into on or about the date hereof among the Company, the L/C Subsidiaries and each of Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, each on terms substantially similar to the terms hereof and of the 3-Year Agreement, respectively, as each such agreement may be replaced, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ Other Taxes ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02(b) hereof.

 

“ Payment Office ” means the office of the LC Issuer as shall be from time to time selected by the LC Issuer and notified by the LC Issuer to the Company and the LC Subsidiaries.

 

“ Permitted Liens ” means:

 

(i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies to the extent not past due or to the extent contested, in good faith, by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established;

 

(ii) Liens imposed by law, such as materialman’s, mechanic’s, carrier’s, worker’s, landlord’s and repairman’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which relate to obligations which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith, by appropriate proceedings and for which reserves required by GAAP have been established;

 

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(iii) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations (including to secure letters of credit posted in connection therewith) under worker’s compensation or unemployment laws or similar legislation or to secure the performance of leases or contracts (including insurance contracts issued by insurance companies which are Subsidiaries of the Company) entered into in the ordinary course of business or of public or statutory obligations, bids, or appeal bonds;

 

(iv) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, landlord’s Liens or restrictions on the use of property which do not materially impair the use of such property in the operation of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(v) Liens upon assets subject to a Capital Lease and securing payment of the obligations arising under such Capital Lease;

 

(vi) Liens of the Company and its Subsidiaries not described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) existing on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule VIII and any extensions, renewals or replacements of such Liens for the same or lesser amount, provided , that , no such extension, renewal or replacement shall extend to or cover any property not theretofore subject to the Lien being extended, renewed or replaced;

 

(vii) judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(f); and

 

(viii) Liens arising out of or pursuant to this Agreement and the Other LC Facilities.

 

“ Person ” means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

 

“ Plan ” means an employee benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) maintained by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate for its employees and subject to Title IV of ERISA.

 

“ Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, all laws, constitutions, statutes, treaties, ordinances, rules and regulations, all orders, writs, decrees, injunctions, judgments, determinations and awards of an arbitrator, a court or any other Governmental Authority, and all Governmental Authorizations, binding upon or applicable to such Person or to any of its properties, assets or businesses.

 

“ Responsible Officer ” means, with respect to any certificate, report or notice to be delivered or given hereunder, unless the context otherwise requires, the president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer or treasurer of the Company or other executive officer of the Company who in the normal performance of his or her operational duties would have knowledge of the subject matter relating to such certificate, report or notice.

 

“ Revolving Credit Agreement ” means that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 30, 2004 between the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions listed therein, as such agreement may be replaced, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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“ S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

“ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, trust or other Person of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock (or similar property right in the case of partnerships and trusts and other Persons) having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (or similar governing body or Person with respect to partnerships and trusts and other Persons) (irrespective of whether or not at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

“ Subsidiary LC Obligations ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(b) hereof.

 

“ Tangible Net Worth ” means the consolidated shareholder’s equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP less goodwill and other intangibles (other than patents, trademarks, licenses, copyrights and other intellectual property and prepaid assets).

 

“ Taxes ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02(a) hereof.

 

“ Termination Date ” means May      , 2006.

 

“ 3-Year Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preliminary Statements hereto.

 

“ Total Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries at the end of the Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ Trade Letter of Credit ” means a direct-pay trade or documentary letter of credit issued for the benefit of a vendor in connection with the purchase of goods by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

 

“ UCP ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08 hereof.

 

“ Withdrawal Liability ” has the meaning specified in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

SECTION 1.02 Computation of Time Periods . In this Agreement in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”.

 

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SECTION 1.03 Accounting Terms . All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP applied in a consistent manner with that applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.01(e) hereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

SECTION 2.01 Letters of Credit . The LC Issuer agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to Issue for the account of the Company or any LC Subsidiary, one or more Letters of Credit from time to time during the period from the date of this Agreement until the day that is five Business Days prior to the Termination Date in an aggregate undrawn amount not to exceed at any time the Facility Amount in effect at such time (inclusive of the Dollar equivalent of Letters of Credit Issued in Euro, or in any other Alternative Currency if the LC Issuer agrees to issue Letters of Credit in such other Alternative Currency), each such Letter of Credit upon its Issuance to expire on or before the date which occurs one year from the date of its initial Issuance; provided, however, that the LC Issuer shall not be obligated to, and shall not, Issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(a) after giving effect to the Issuance of such Letter of Credit, the then outstanding aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liability shall exceed the Facility Amount then in effect; or

 

(b) the LC Issuer shall have notified the Company that no further Letters of Credit are to be Issued by the LC Issuer due to failure to meet any of the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV, and such notice has not been withdrawn.

 

Within the limits of the obligations of the LC Issuer set forth above and in Section 2.02 hereof, the Company and each LC Subsidiary may request the LC Issuer to Issue one or more Letters of Credit, reimburse the LC Issuer for payments made thereunder pursuant to Section 2.04(a) hereof and request the LC Issuer to Issue one or more additional Letters of Credit under this Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 2.02 Limitation on Obligation to Issue Letters of Credit Denominated in Alternative Currencies . The LC Issuer agrees to Issue from time to time Letters of Credit denominated in Euro and in its sole discretion upon request agrees to Issue from time to time Letters of Credit denominated in other Alternative Currencies, provided , that the LC Issuer shall not be obligated to Issue any Letter of Credit denominated in Euro if, after giving effect to the Issuance of any such Letter of Credit denominated in Euro, the then outstanding aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liability with respect to all Letters of Credit denominated in Euro equals or exceeds (on a Dollar equivalent basis) $50,000,000.

 

SECTION 2.03 Issuing the Letters of Credit . Each Letter of Credit shall be Issued on a Business Day on reasonable prior notice by hand delivery, telecopier or transmitted by electronic communication (if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the LC Issuer) from the Company or any LC Subsidiary, as the case may be, to the LC Issuer as provided in the application and agreement governing such Letter of Credit specifying the date,

 

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amount, currency, expiry and beneficiary thereof, accompanied by such documents as the LC Issuer may specify to the Company or LC Subsidiary, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the LC Issuer. On the date specified by the Company or LC Subsidiary, as the case may be, in such notice and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 2.01 hereof, the LC Issuer will Issue such Letter of Credit.

 

SECTION 2.04 Reimbursement Obligations . The Company or the appropriate LC Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall:

 

(a) pay to the LC Issuer an amount equal to, and in reimbursement for, each amount which the LC Issuer pays under any Letter of Credit not later than the date which occurs one Business Day after notice from the LC Issuer to the Company of the payment of such amount by the LC Issuer under such Letter of Credit; and

 

(b) pay to the LC Issuer interest on each amount which the LC Issuer pays under any Letter of Credit from the date on which the LC Issuer pays such amount until such amount is reimbursed in full to the LC Issuer pursuant to subclause (i) above, payable on demand, at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to 2% per annum above the Base Rate in effect from time to time.

 

SECTION 2.05 Letter of Credit Facility Fees . The Company hereby agrees to pay to the LC Issuer a letter of credit facility fee, accruing from the date hereof until the Termination Date, at a rate per annum equal to 0.100% per annum (i) on the Facility Amount in effect from time to time from and after such date (regardless of the actual or deemed usage thereof), payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each January, April, July and October and on the Termination Date and (ii) on the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Liability under all Letters of Credit that are outstanding beyond the Termination Date payable in arrears on the last day of each January, April, July and October after the Termination Date and on the first day after the Termination Date on which no Letters of Credit are outstanding.

 

SECTION 2.06 Indemnification; Nature of the LC Issuer’s Duties . (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and save harmless the LC Issuer from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which the LC Issuer may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the Issuance of any Letter of Credit or (ii) any action or proceeding relating to a court order, injunction, or other process or decree restraining or seeking to restrain the LC Issuer from paying any amount under any Letter of Credit; provided , that , the LC Issuer shall not be indemnified for any of the foregoing caused by its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(b) The obligations of the Company and each LC Subsidiary hereunder with respect to Letters of Credit shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following circumstances:

 

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

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(ii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Company or any LC Subsidiary may have at any time against the beneficiary, or any transferee, of any Letter of Credit, the LC Issuer, or any other Person;

 

(iii) any draft, certificate, 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) any lack of validity, effectiveness, or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part;

 

(v) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof;

 

(vi) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guarantee, for all or any of the obligations of the Company or an LC Subsidiary in respect of the Letters of Credit;

 

(vii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the obligations of the Company or any LC Subsidiary in respect of the Letters of Credit or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from all or any of this Agreement;

 

(viii) any failure of the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit to strictly comply with the conditions required in order to draw upon any Letter of Credit;

 

(ix) any misapplication by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or

 

(x) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to the foregoing;

 

provided , that , notwithstanding the foregoing, the LC Issuer shall not be relieved of any liability it may otherwise have as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 2.07 Increased Costs . (a) Change in Law . If, at any time after the date of this Agreement, any change in any law or regulation or in the interpretation thereof by any court or administrative or governmental authority charged with the administration thereof shall either (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against letters of credit or guarantees issued by, or assets held by or deposits in or for the account of, the LC Issuer or (ii) impose on the LC Issuer any other condition regarding this Agreement or the Letters of Credit or any collateral thereon, and the result of any event referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above shall be to increase the cost (other than an increase in taxes, which increase is dealt with exclusively in Article III) to the LC Issuer of issuing, maintaining or funding the Letters of Credit, then, upon demand by the LC Issuer, the Company shall pay to the

 

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LC Issuer, from time to time as specified by the LC Issuer, additional amounts sufficient to compensate the LC Issuer for such increased cost; provided , that , the Company shall have no obligation to reimburse the LC Issuer for increased costs incurred more than 60 days prior to the date of such demand. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost setting forth the basis for the calculation of such increased costs, submitted by the LC Issuer to the Company, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(b) Capital . If, at any time after the date of this Agreement, the LC Issuer determines that compliance with any law or regulation or any guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by the LC Issuer or any corporation controlling the LC Issuer and that the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of the LC Issuer’s commitment hereunder and other commitments of this type or the issuance of the Letters of Credit (or similar contingent obligations), then, upon written demand by the LC Issuer, the Company shall pay to the LC Issuer, from time to time as specified by the LC Issuer, additional amounts sufficient to compensate the LC Issuer or such corporation in the light of such circumstances, to the extent that the LC Issuer reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the existence of the LC Issuer’s commitment hereunder; provided , that , the Company shall have no obligation to pay such compensatory amounts that relate to an actual increase in the capital of the LC Issuer undertaken by the LC Issuer more than 60 days prior to the date of such demand. A certificate as to such amounts setting forth the basis for the calculation of such amount submitted to the Company by the LC Issuer shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(c) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Company hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Company contained in this Section 2.07 shall survive the payment in full (after the Termination Date) of all Obligations.

 

(d) Without affecting its rights under Sections 2.07(a) or 2.07(b) hereof or any other provision of this Agreement, the LC Issuer agrees that if there is any increase in any cost to or reduction in any amount receivable by the LC Issuer with respect to which the Company would be obligated to compensate the LC Issuer pursuant to Sections 2.07(a) or 2.07(b) hereof, the LC Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to select an alternative Applicable Issuing Office, which would not result in any such increase in any cost to or reduction in any amount receivable by the LC Issuer; provided , however , that the LC Issuer shall not be obligated to select an alternative Applicable Issuing Office if the LC Issuer determines that (i) as a result of such selection the LC Issuer would be in violation of any applicable law, regulation, treaty, or guideline, or would incur additional costs or expenses or (ii) such selection would be inadvisable for regulatory reasons or inconsistent with the interests of the LC Issuer.

 

SECTION 2.08 Uniform Customs and Practice . The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (“ UCP ”) shall in all respects be deemed a part of this Article II as if incorporated herein and shall apply to the Letters of Credit.

 

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SECTION 2.09 Reductions in Facility Amount . The Company shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days’ notice to the LC Issuer, to reduce in whole or in part the Facility Amount, provided , that , each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof and no such reduction shall reduce the Facility Amount below the then outstanding aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liability.

 

SECTION 2.10 Existing Letters of Credit . There currently are outstanding certain Trade Letters of Credit issued by the LC Issuer under the Existing Letter of Credit Agreement the outstanding balance of each of which is set forth on Schedule II hereto (as such Schedule may be modified between the date hereof and the fifth Business Day after the Effective Date) (collectively, the “ Existing Letters of Credit ”). From and after the date hereof and upon fulfillment of the conditions to initial Issuance specified in Section 4.01 hereof, each such Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed and treated for all purposes hereof (including, without limitation, the calculation of fees payable under Section 2.05 hereof, and calculating the usage of the Facility Amount under Section 2.01 hereof) as a “Letter of Credit” hereunder, any participation interest existing prior to the date hereof of the LC Issuer in such Existing Letters of Credit shall, without further action on its part, be deemed extinguished in full and the LC Issuer, without further act on its part, shall be deemed to have Issued each such Existing Letter of Credit as provided in Section 2.01 hereof.

 

SECTION 2.11 Currency Provisions .

 

(a) Equivalents . For purposes of the provisions of Article II, (i) the equivalent in Dollars of any Alternative Currency shall be determined by using the mean of the bid and offer quoted spot rates at which the LC Issuer’s principal office in New York, New York offers to exchange Dollars for such Alternative Currency in New York, New York at 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the Business Day on which such equivalent is to be determined and (ii) the equivalent in any Alternative Currency of Dollars shall be determined by using the mean of the bid and offer quoted spot rates at which the LC Issuer’s principal office in New York, New York offers to exchange such Alternative Currency for Dollars in New York, New York at 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the Business Day on which such equivalent is to be determined.

 

(b) Commitment . For purposes of determining the unused portion of the Facility Amount of the LC Issuer specified in Section 2.01 hereof, the equivalent in Dollars of each Letter of Credit issued by the LC Issuer in an Alternative Currency as determined on the date of the Issuance of such Letter of Credit shall be the amount of the Facility Amount of the LC Issuer used in connection with the Issuance of such Letter of Credit. Further adjustments shall be made with respect to the unused portion of the Facility Amount of the LC Issuer to Issue Letters of Credit based upon fluctuations thereafter in the value of the Alternative Currency of such Letter of Credit as provided in subsection (c) below.

 

(c) Mark to Market . If, on any day, the equivalent in Dollars of the aggregate face amount of all Letters of Credit then outstanding exceeds the Facility Amount then in effect, the Company shall, upon demand by the LC Issuer, immediately deposit with the

 

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LC Issuer, in Dollars, (i) the Dollar amount of such excess plus (ii) a Dollar amount equal to the lesser of (A) $1,000,000 and (B) 5% of the Dollar equivalent of all then existing Letter of Credit Liability relating to Letters of Credit denominated in Alternative Currencies, which amount shall be held by the LC Issuer as collateral for the Company’s and LC Subsidiaries’ obligations with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

SECTION 2.12 Company Guaranty .

 

(a) Generally . The LC Issuer may, from time to time, Issue Letters of Credit for the account of each LC Subsidiary provided , that , the reimbursement and other obligations of each such LC Subsidiary are and remain unconditionally guaranteed by the Company pursuant to this Section 2.12.

 

(b) Guaranty . The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the LC Subsidiaries now or hereafter existing under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued for the account of any of the LC Subsidiaries, including any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments and renewals thereof, whether for reimbursement obligations, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise (such obligations being the “ Subsidiary LC Obligations ”), and agrees to pay any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof) incurred by the LC Issuer in enforcing any rights hereunder with respect to the Subsidiary LC Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company’s liability shall extend to all amounts which constitute part of the Subsidiary LC Obligations and would be owed by any LC Subsidiary to the LC Issuer hereunder, or under the Letters of Credit issued for the account of an LC Subsidiary, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such LC Subsidiary.

 

(c) Guaranty Absolute . The Company guarantees that the Subsidiary LC Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the LC Issuer with respect thereto. The obligations of the Company hereunder are independent of the Subsidiary LC Obligations and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against the Company to enforce the guaranty contained in this Section 2.12, irrespective of whether any action is brought against any LC Subsidiary or whether any LC Subsidiary is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of the Company under the guaranty contained in this Section 2.12 shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any of the Subsidiary LC Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto against any LC Subsidiary or any other Person;

 

(ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Subsidiary LC Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure herefrom with respect to

 

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Letters of Credit issued for the account of an LC Subsidiary including, without limitation, any increase in the Subsidiary LC Obligations resulting from the Issuance of Letters of Credit beyond the aggregate limitation specified in Section 2.01 hereof to any and all LC Subsidiaries or otherwise;

 

(iii) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Subsidiary LC Obligations;

 

(iv) any manner of application of collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Subsidiary LC Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any collateral for all or any of the Subsidiary LC Obligations or any other assets of an LC Subsidiary;

 

(v) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of an LC Subsidiary or any LC Subsidiary’s lack of corporate power or authority; or

 

(vi) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, a third party guarantor.

 

The guaranty provided in this Section 2.12 shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Subsidiary LC Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the LC Issuer upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reo