Back to top

600,000,000 COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

Loan Agreement

600,000,000 COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT | Document Parties: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO | CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC | DEUTSCHE BANK AG | JP MORGAN SECURITIES INC | UBS AG | WELLS FARGO BANK, NA You are currently viewing:
This Loan Agreement involves

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO | CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC | DEUTSCHE BANK AG | JP MORGAN SECURITIES INC | UBS AG | WELLS FARGO BANK, NA

. RealDealDocs™ contains millions of easily searchable legal documents and clauses from top law firms. Search for free - click here.
Title: 600,000,000 COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT
Governing Law: New York     Date: 10/5/2009
Industry: Airline     Law Firm: Simpson Thacher     Sector: Transportation

600,000,000 COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT, Parties: southwest airlines co , citigroup global markets inc , deutsche bank ag , jp morgan securities inc , ubs ag , wells fargo bank  na
50 of the Top 250 law firms use our Products every day

Exhibit 10.1

E XECUTION V ERSION

 

 

 

$600,000,000 COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

AGREEMENT

among

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.,

THE BANKS PARTY HERETO,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

and

MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.,

as Documentation Agents,

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

As of September 29, 2009

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

and

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

  

 

  

Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

  

1

  

Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms

  

1

  

Section 1.2 Computation of Time Periods

  

14

ARTICLE II LOANS

  

14

  

Section 2.1 Commitments

  

14

  

Section 2.2 Competitive Bid Procedure

  

14

  

Section 2.3 Committed Borrowing Procedure

  

16

  

Section 2.4 Refinancings; Conversions

  

17

  

Section 2.5 Fees

  

18

  

Section 2.6 Termination and Reduction of Commitments

  

18

  

Section 2.7 Loans

  

18

  

Section 2.8 Loan Accounts

  

19

  

Section 2.9 Interest on Loans

  

20

  

Section 2.10 Interest on Overdue Amounts

  

20

  

Section 2.11 Alternate Rate of Interest

  

21

  

Section 2.12 Prepayment of Loans

  

21

  

Section 2.13 Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances

  

21

  

Section 2.14 Change in Legality

  

23

  

Section 2.15 Indemnity

  

24

  

Section 2.16 Pro Rata Treatment

  

24

  

Section 2.17 Sharing of Setoffs

  

25

  

Section 2.18 Payments

  

25

  

Section 2.19 Tax Forms

  

27

  

Section 2.20 Calculation of LIBO Rates

  

28

  

Section 2.21 Booking Loans

  

28

  

Section 2.22 Quotation of Rates

  

28

  

Section 2.23 Defaulting Banks

  

28

  

Section 2.24 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Banks

  

30

ARTICLE III LETTERS OF CREDIT

  

31

  

Section 3.1 L/C Commitment

  

31

  

Section 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit

  

31

  

Section 3.3 Fees and Other Charges

  

32

  

Section 3.4 L/C Participations

  

32

  

Section 3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Company

  

33

  

Section 3.6 Obligations Absolute

  

33

  

Section 3.7 Letter of Credit Payments

  

33

  

Section 3.8 Applications

  

34

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS OF LENDING

  

34

  

Section 4.1 Conditions Precedent

  

34

  

Section 4.2 Conditions Precedent to Each Committed Borrowing

  

35

  

Section 4.3 Conditions Precedent to Each Competitive Borrowing

  

35

  

Section 4.4 Conditions Precedent to Each Letter of Credit Issuance

  

35

  

Section 4.5 Legal Details

  

36

 

i


ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

  

36

  

Section 5.1 Organization, Authority and Qualifications

  

36

  

Section 5.2 Financial Statements

  

37

  

Section 5.3 Compliance with Agreement and Laws

  

37

  

Section 5.4 Authorization; No Breach; and Valid Agreements

  

37

  

Section 5.5 Litigation and Judgments

  

37

  

Section 5.6 Ownership of Properties

  

37

  

Section 5.7 Taxes

  

37

  

Section 5.8 Approvals Required

  

37

  

Section 5.9 Business; Status as Air Carrier

  

38

  

Section 5.10 ERISA Compliance

  

38

  

Section 5.11 Insurance

  

38

  

Section 5.12 Purpose of Loan

  

38

  

Section 5.13 Investment Company Act

  

38

  

Section 5.14 General

  

38

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS

  

38

  

Section 6.1 Performance of Obligations

  

38

  

Section 6.2 Compliance with Laws

  

38

  

Section 6.3 Maintenance of Existence, Licenses and Franchises: Compliance With Agreements

  

39

  

Section 6.4 Maintenance of Properties

  

39

  

Section 6.5 Maintenance of Books and Records

  

39

  

Section 6.6 Inspection

  

39

  

Section 6.7 Insurance

  

40

  

Section 6.8 Appraisals

  

40

  

Section 6.9 Coverage Ratio

  

40

  

Section 6.10 Reporting Requirements

  

40

  

Section 6.11 Use of Proceeds

  

41

  

Section 6.12 Pool Assets

  

41

  

Section 6.13 Restrictions on Liens

  

42

  

Section 6.14 Mergers and Dissolutions

  

43

  

Section 6.15 Assignment

  

43

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

  

43

  

Section 7.1 Events of Default

  

43

  

Section 7.2 Remedies Upon Default

  

45

  

Section 7.3 Remedies in General

  

45

ARTICLE VIII THE AGENTS

  

45

  

Section 8.1 Authorization and Action

  

45

  

Section 8.2 Agents’ Reliance, Etc.

  

46

  

Section 8.3 Rights of Agents as Banks

  

46

  

Section 8.4 Bank Credit Decision

  

46

  

Section 8.5 Agents’ Indemnity

  

47

  

Section 8.6 Successor Administrative Agent

  

47

  

Section 8.7 Notice of Default

  

48

  

Section 8.8 Documentation Agents and Syndication Agent

  

48

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

  

48

  

Section 9.1 Amendments, Etc.

  

48

  

Section 9.2 Notices, Etc.

  

48

  

Section 9.3 No Waiver; Remedies

  

49

 

ii


  

Section 9.4 Costs, Expenses and Taxes

  

49

  

Section 9.5 Indemnity

  

50

  

Section 9.6 Right of Setoff

  

50

  

SECTION 9.7 GOVERNING LAW

  

51

  

Section 9.8 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers

  

51

  

Section 9.9 Survival of Representations and Warranties

  

51

  

Section 9.10 Binding Effect

  

51

  

Section 9.11 Successors and Assigns; Participations

  

51

  

Section 9.12 Independence of Covenants

  

54

  

Section 9.13 Severability

  

54

  

Section 9.14 Integration

  

54

  

Section 9.15 Descriptive Headings

  

54

  

Section 9.16 Execution in Counterparts

  

54

  

Section 9.17 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL

  

54

  

Section 9.18 No Fiduciary Duty

  

55

  

Section 9.19 USA Patriot Act

  

55

 

SCHEDULES

  

Location of Lending Office; Notice Information

  

Schedule I

Pool Assets

  

Schedule II

EXHIBITS

  

Form of Competitive Bid Request

  

Exhibit A-1

Form of Notice of Committed Borrowing

  

Exhibit A-2

Form of Notice to Banks of Competitive Bid Request

  

Exhibit B

Form of Competitive Bid

  

Exhibit C

Form of Competitive Note

  

Exhibit D-1

Form of Committed Note

  

Exhibit D-2

Form of Company’s Internal Counsel Opinion

  

Exhibit E-1

Form of Company’s Outside Counsel Opinion

  

Exhibit E-2

Form of Agents’ Counsel Opinion

  

Exhibit E-3

Form of Financial Report Certificate

  

Exhibit F

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

  

Exhibit G

Form of Appraisal

  

Exhibit H

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

  

Exhibit I

 

iii


COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

COMPETITIVE ADVANCE AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT, dated as of September 29, 2009, among SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. (the “ Company ”), the Banks, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), CITIBANK, N.A., as syndication agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the “ Syndication Agent ”), and Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., as documentation agents for the Banks (collectively, in such capacity, the “ Documentation Agents ”).

The Company has requested the Banks to extend credit to the Company in order to enable it to borrow on a revolving credit basis and to obtain letters of credit on and after the Effective Date and at any time and from time to time prior to the Termination Date (each as herein defined) in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $600,000,000 at any time outstanding. The Company has also requested the Banks to provide a procedure pursuant to which the Company may designate that all of the Banks be invited to bid on an uncommitted basis on borrowings by the Company scheduled to mature on or prior to the Termination Date. The Banks are willing to extend such credit to the Company on the terms and conditions herein set forth. Accordingly, the Company, the Agents, and the Banks agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

Section 1.1 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):

Adjusted Pre-Tax Income ” of any Person means, with respect to any period, income before taxes of such Person for such period, but excluding (i) any gain or loss arising from the sale of capital assets other than capital assets consisting of Aircraft, (ii) any gain or loss arising from any write-up or write-down of assets, (iii) income or loss of any other Person, substantially all of the assets of which have been acquired by such Person in any manner, to the extent that such income or loss was realized by such other Person prior to the date of such acquisition, (iv) income or loss of any other Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which such Person has an ownership interest, (v) the income or loss of any other Person to which assets of such Person shall have been sold, transferred, or disposed of, or into which such Person shall have merged, to the extent that such income or loss arises prior to the date of such transaction, (vi) any gain or loss arising from the acquisition of any securities of such Person, (vii) gains or losses reported as extraordinary in accordance with GAAP not previously excluded in clauses (i) through (vi), and (viii) the cumulative effect of changes in accounting methods permitted by GAAP during such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of determining income before taxes for any period, the component of Operating expenses consisting of GAAP Fuel and oil expense and the component of Other expenses (income) consisting of GAAP Other (gains) losses, shall be adjusted by the amount specified for the relevant period as “Add/(Deduct) : Net Impact from Fuel Contracts” in the Company’s quarterly earnings report “Note regarding use of non-GAAP financial measures” contained in “RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED AMOUNTS TO NON-GAAP ITEMS” as filed on the Company’s Form 8-K; which adjustment excludes from economic results certain gains or losses associated with derivatives that settled in a prior period or will settle in a future period (i.e, the impact of ineffectiveness


2

 

for future period instruments, and changes in market value for future period derivatives that no longer qualify for special hedge accounting, such terms as defined in SFAS 133 , “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended).

Administrative Agent ” is defined in the introduction to this Agreement.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which each Bank shall complete and provide to the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with another Person.

Agents ” means the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agents.

Agreed Maximum Rate ” means, for any date, 2% per annum above the interest rate then applicable to Alternate Base Loans.

Agreement ” means this Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, or modified from time to time.

Aircraft ” means, collectively, airframes and aircraft engines now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company, together with all appliances, equipment, instruments, and accessories (including radio and radar) from time to time belonging to, installed in, or appurtenant to such airframes and aircraft engines; provided, however , the term “Aircraft” shall not include airframes and engines leased by the Company.

Aircraft Rentals ” means the operating expense attributable to rental of aircraft, calculated in accordance with the line item described as such in the Current Financials.

Alternate Base Loan ” means any Committed Loan with respect to which the Company shall have selected an interest rate based on the Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II .

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the LIBO Rate for a one-month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, and (c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus  1 / 2 of 1%. For purposes hereof: “ Prime Rate ” shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in connection with extensions of credit to debtors). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the LIBO Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the LIBO Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

Applicable Lending Office ” means, with respect to each Bank, such Bank’s Domestic Lending Office in the case of an Alternate Base Loan or a Fixed Rate Loan and such Bank’s Eurodollar Lending Office in the case of a Eurodollar Loan.

Applicable Rate ” means, as of any date, with respect to (a) any Eurodollar Loan that is a Committed Loan, a rate per annum equal to the Credit Default Swap Spread in effect for Eurodollar


3

 

Loans on such day, (b) any Alternate Base Loan that is a Committed Loan, a rate per annum equal to the Credit Default Swap Spread in effect for Alternate Base Loans on such day less 1.0% or (c) commitment fees payable hereunder, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Commitment Fee Rate” determined by reference to the Index Debt Rating in effect on such date as set forth below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Loans and Alternate Base Loans in effect at any time shall not be less than the “Minimum Applicable Rate” (less 1.0% in the case of Alternate Base Loans), and shall not exceed the “Maximum Applicable Rate” (less 1.0% in the case of Alternate Base Loans), determined by reference to the Index Debt Rating in effect on such date as set forth below.

 

Index Debt Ratings
S&P/Moody’s

  

Minimum
Applicable Rate

 

 

Maximum
Applicable Rate

 

 

Commitment Fee

Rate

 

A/A2 or better

  

1.50

 

3.50

 

0.25

A-/A3

  

1.50

 

3.50

 

0.35

BBB+/Baa1

  

2.00

 

4.50

 

0.45

BBB/Baa2

  

2.00

 

4.50

 

0.55

BBB-/Baa3

  

3.00

 

5.50

 

0.65

BB+/Ba1 or below

  

3.00

 

5.50

 

0.75

Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of Moody’s or S&P shall change, the Company and the Banks shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change.

Application ” means an application, in such form as the Issuing Bank may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Bank to open a Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank shall furnish to the Company a form of Application satisfactory to it promptly following the request therefor by the Company.

Appraisal ” means a “desk-top” appraisal report addressed to the Administrative Agent and substantially in the form of Exhibit H , which will not include physical inspection of aircraft, engines or maintenance records and will assume the equipment is half life in its maintenance cycle, dated the date of delivery thereof to the Banks pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, by one or more independent appraisal firms of recognized national standing selected by the Company (such firm to be reasonably satisfactory, at the time of such Appraisal, to the Administrative Agent) setting forth the fair market value, as determined in accordance with the definition of “current market value” promulgated by the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading, as of the date of such appraisal, of each Pool Asset or a proposed Pool Asset, as the case may be.


4

 

Appraisal Delivery Date ” means (a) the Effective Date, (b) each anniversary of the Effective Date (other than such date falling in 2012) and (c) each date of replacement, removal or addition of any Pool Asset if such Pool Asset is an airframe or an airframe and one or more engines installed thereon.

Appraised Value ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate current market value as of such date of each Pool Asset or proposed Pool Asset, as the case may be, as provided in the most recently delivered Appraisal.

Assignment and Acceptance ” is defined in Section 9.11(c) .

Auditors ” means independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Company.

Available Revolving Commitment ” means, as to any Bank at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Bank’s Commitment then in effect over (b) such Bank’s Revolving Credit Exposure then outstanding; provided that any Competitive Loans shall not be included in the calculation of such Bank’s Available Revolving Commitment for the purposes of Section 2.5.

Banks ” means those banks and other financial institutions signatory hereto and other banks or financial institutions which from time to time become party hereto pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

Borrowing ” means a Competitive Borrowing or a Committed Borrowing.

Borrowing Date ” means the Business Day on which the proceeds of any Borrowing are to be made available to the Company.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close, provided , that with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day for trading in London, England by and between banks in dollar deposits in the Eurodollar Interbank Market.

CDS Determination Date ” means (a) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the second Business Day prior to the Business Day such Eurodollar Loan is borrowed and, if applicable, the last Business Day prior to the continuation of such Eurodollar Loan, provided , that, in the case of any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of greater than three months, the last Business Day prior to each three-month period succeeding such initial three-month period shall also be a CDS Determination Date with respect to any such Eurodollar Loan, with the applicable Credit Default Swap Spread, as so determined, to be in effect as to such Eurodollar Loan for each day commencing with the first day of the applicable Interest Period until subsequently re-determined in accordance with the foregoing, and (b) as to Alternate Base Loans, initially on the Effective Date and thereafter on the first Business Day of each succeeding calendar quarter.

Collateral Coverage Test ” means, on any date, the requirement that the Appraised Value of the Pool Assets on such date shall not be less than an amount equal to 1.5 times the Total Commitment on such date (or, after termination of the Commitments, the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of Loans and L/C Obligations).


5

 

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Bank, the obligation of such Bank to make Loans and to issue or participate in Letters of Credit in the aggregate principal and/or face amount set forth opposite the name of such Bank on the signature pages hereof, and, if applicable, amendments hereto, as such amount may be permanently terminated or reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.6, Section 2.13(d) and Section 7.2 , and as such amount may be increased or reduced from time to time by assignment or assumption pursuant to Section 2.13(d ) and Section 9.11(c) . The Commitments shall automatically and permanently terminate on the Termination Date.

Commitment Fee ” is defined in Section 2.5 .

Committed Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Committed Loans from each of the Banks distributed ratably among the Banks in accordance with their respective Commitments.

Committed Loan ” means a loan by a Bank to the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 , and shall be either a Eurodollar Loan or an Alternate Base Loan.

Committed Note ” means a promissory note which a Bank may require the Company to execute in accordance with Section 2.8(b) , payable to the order of such Bank, in substantially the form of Exhibit D-2 hereto, with the blanks appropriately completed, to evidence the aggregate indebtedness of the Company to such Bank resulting from the Committed Loans made by such Bank to the Company, together with all modifications, extensions, renewals, and rearrangements thereof.

Communications ” is defined in Section 9.2 .

Company ” is defined in the introduction to this Agreement.

Competitive Bid ” means an offer by a Bank to make a Competitive Loan pursuant to Section 2.2 .

Competitive Bid Rate ” means, as to any Competitive Bid made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.2(b) , (i) in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the Margin (which will be added to or subtracted from the LIBO Rate), and (ii) in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan, the fixed rate of interest, in each case, offered by the Bank making such Competitive Bid.

Competitive Bid Request ” means a request for Competitive Bids made pursuant to Section 2.2(a ) substantially in the form of Exhibit A-l .

Competitive Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of a single Competitive Loan from a Bank or simultaneous Competitive Loans from one or more of the Banks, in each case, whose Competitive Bid as all or as a part of such Borrowing, as the case may be, has been accepted by the Company under the bidding procedure described in Section 2.2 .

Competitive Loan ” means a loan from a Bank to the Company pursuant to the bidding procedure described in Section 2.2 , and shall be either a Eurodollar Loan or a Fixed Rate Loan.

Competitive Note ” means a promissory note which a Bank may require the Company to execute in accordance with Section 2.8(b) , payable to the order of such Bank, in substantially the form of Exhibit D-l hereto, with the blanks appropriately completed, to evidence the aggregate indebtedness of the Company to such Bank resulting from the Competitive Loans made by such Bank to the Company, together with all modifications, extensions, renewals, and rearrangements thereof.


6

 

Competitive Reduction ” is defined in Section 2.1 .

Consolidated Long-Term Debt ” means, as of any date, all consolidated Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries which is classified as “long term” in accordance with GAAP, together with the aggregate of all portions of Consolidated Long-Term Debt classified as “current maturities” in accordance with GAAP.

Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date, the ratio of (i) for the four fiscal quarter period for which the Company’s annual or quarterly Financial Statements have been most recently required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.10(a ) and Section 6.10(b) (and after taking into account any Form 8-K of the Company that provides for the adjustment to such Financial Statements as provided in the definition of “Adjusted Pre-Tax Income”), the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated Adjusted Pre-Tax Income, plus Aircraft Rentals, plus consolidated Net Interest Expense, depreciation, and amortization, and minus cash dividends paid by the Company, to (ii) consolidated Net Interest Expense and Aircraft Rentals paid within such four-quarter period.

Credit Default Swap Spread ” means, at any CDS Determination Date, the credit default swap spread applicable to Index Debt of the Company interpolated for a period to the Original Termination Date, determined as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such CDS Determination Date, as reported and interpolated by Markit Group Limited or any successor thereto; provided , that if such period is for less than one year, the spread shall be that shown for one year. If at any time the Credit Default Swap Spread is unavailable, the Company and the Banks shall negotiate in good faith (for a period of up to thirty days after the Credit Default Swap Spread becomes unavailable (such thirty-day period, the “ Negotiation Period ”)) to agree on an alternative method for establishing the Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Loans and Alternate Base Loans. The Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Loans and Alternate Base Loans for any day which falls during the Negotiation Period shall be based upon the Credit Default Swap Spread determined as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the last CDS Determination Date falling prior to the Negotiation Period. If no such alternative method is agreed upon during the Negotiation Period, the Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Loans and Alternate Base Loans for any day subsequent to the end of the Negotiation Period shall be a rate per annum equal to the “Maximum Applicable Rate” set forth in the definition of “Applicable Rate” based upon the ratings by Moody’s and S&P, respectively, applicable on such date to the Index Debt.

Current Financials ” means the Financial Statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Debt ” means, without duplication, (a) any indebtedness for borrowed money or incurred in connection with the acquisition or construction of any Property, (b) any obligation under any lease of any Property entered into after the date of this Agreement which is required under GAAP to be capitalized on the lessee’s balance sheet, and (c) any direct or indirect guarantee or assumption of indebtedness or obligations described in clause (a) or (b), including without limitation any agreement to provide funds to or otherwise assure the ability of an obligor to repay indebtedness or meet its obligations.

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America and all other applicable liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, suspension of payments, or similar Laws from time to time in effect affecting the Rights of creditors generally.

Default ” means the occurrence of any event which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would become an Event of Default.


7

 

Defaulting Bank ” means any Bank, as determined by the Administrative Agent, that has (a) failed, in the determination of the Administrative Agent, which determination shall be conclusive subject to manifest error, to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Bank in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under agreements in which it has committed to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Company (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit; provided that any such Bank shall cease to be a Defaulting Bank under this clause (c) upon receipt of such confirmation by the Administrative Agent, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Bank any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (e) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it. No Bank shall be a Defaulting Bank solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in such Bank or a parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof.

Documentation Agents ” is defined in the introduction to this Agreement.

dollars ” and the symbol “ $ ” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.

Domestic Lending Office ” means, with respect to any Bank, the office of such Bank specified as its “Domestic Lending Office” on Schedule I to this Agreement or such other office of such Bank as such Bank may from time to time specify to the Company and the Administrative Agent.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 are first met, which date is September 29, 2009.

Eligible Affiliate Assignee ” means, with respect to any Bank, an Affiliate thereof that is: (i) a commercial bank organized under the Laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii) a commercial bank organized under the Laws of France, Germany, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom, or under the Laws of a political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in such country or the United States; or (iii) a commercial bank organized under the Laws of any other country which is a member of the OECD, or under the Laws of a political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States.

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

Eurocurrency Liabilities ” is defined in Regulation D.

Eurodollar Interbank Market ” means the London eurodollar interbank market.


8

 

Eurodollar Lending Office ” means, with respect to each Bank, the branches or affiliates of such Bank which such Bank has designated on Schedule I as its “Eurodollar Lending Office” or may hereafter designate from time to time as its “Eurodollar Lending Office” by notice to the Company and the Administrative Agent.

Eurodollar Loan ” means any loan with respect to which the Company shall have selected an interest rate based on the LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II .

Event of Default ” means any of the events described in Article VII , provided there has been satisfied any requirement in connection therewith for the giving of notice, lapse of time, or happening of any further condition, event, or act.

Existing Credit Agreement ” means the Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2004, as amended, among the Company, the banks party thereto and the agents referred to therein.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, 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 on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Financial Report Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F .

Financial Statements ” means balance sheets, income and loss statements, statements of stockholders’ equity, and statements of cash flow prepared in accordance with GAAP and in comparative form to the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year.

Fixed Rate Loan ” means any Competitive Loan made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.2 based upon an actual percentage rate per annum offered by such Bank, expressed as a decimal (to no more than four decimal places), and accepted by the Company.

Foreign Bank ” is defined in Section 2.19 .

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are applicable as of the date in question for the purpose of the definition of “ Financial Statements .”

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Index Debt ” means senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt with an original term of longer than one year issued by the Company.

Index Debt Rating ” means, as of any date, the rating that has been most recently announced by S&P and Moody’s for the Index Debt of the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, (a) if only one of S&P and Moody’s shall have in effect an Index Debt Rating, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the available rating; (b) if the Index Debt Ratings established by S&P and Moody’s shall fall


9

 

within different levels, the Applicable Rate shall be based upon the higher rating, except that if the difference is two or more levels, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the rating that is one level below the higher rating; (c) if any Index Debt Rating established by S&P or Moody’s shall be changed, such change shall be effective as of the date on which such change is first announced publicly by the rating agency making such change; (d) if S&P or Moody’s shall change the basis on which ratings are established, each reference to the rating for the Index Debt announced by S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be, shall refer to the then equivalent rating by S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be; and (e) if neither S&P nor Moody’s shall have in effect an Index Debt Rating, the Applicable Rate shall be set in accordance with the lowest level rating and highest percentage rate set forth in the table in the definition of “ Applicable Rate ”.

Interest Payment Date ” means (i) with respect to any Alternate Base Loan, each Quarterly Payment Date, or if earlier the Termination Date or the date of prepayment of such Loan or conversion of such Loan to a Eurodollar Loan, (ii) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and, in addition in the case of a Eurodollar Loan with an Interest Period longer than three months each day that would have been the Interest Payment Date for such Loan had successive Interest Periods of three months been applicable to such Loan, and (iii) in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan with an Interest Period of more than 90 days, on the numerically corresponding day which occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first day of such Interest Period (or, if there is no such corresponding day in any such month, the last day of such month).

Interest Period ” means:

(i) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date of such Loan and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or if there is no corresponding day, the last day) in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six, or, if agreed to by all Banks, nine or twelve, months thereafter, as the Company may elect; and

(ii) as to any Fixed Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date of such Loan and ending on the date specified in the Competitive Bid in which the offer to make the Fixed Rate Loan was extended; provided , however , that each such period shall have a duration of not less than seven calendar days nor more than 360 calendar days;

provided, further , that (x) if any Interest Period would end on a day which shall not be a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, with respect to Eurodollar Loans only, such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (y) no Interest Period may be selected that ends later than the Termination Date. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

Issuing Bank ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and any other Bank that has agreed in writing to act as an “Issuing Bank” hereunder. Each reference herein to “the Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Issuing Bank.

Laws ” means all applicable statutes, laws, treaties, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, writs, injunctions, decrees, judgments, or opinions of any Tribunal.

L/C Commitment ” means $150,000,000.


10

 

L/C Obligations ” means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit, if any, and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5 .

L/C Participants ” means the collective reference to all the Banks other than the Issuing Bank.

Letters of Credit ” is defined in Section 3.1(a) .

LIBO Rate ” means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the rate appearing on the LIBOR Reuters Screen LIBOR01 page (or on any successor or substitute page or any successor to or substitute therefor, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time (or as soon thereafter as practicable), two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “ LIBO Rate ” with respect to such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period shall be the annual rate of interest at which dollar deposits approximately equal in principal amount to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s portion of the Committed Borrowing of which such Eurodollar Loan forms a part (or, in the case of a Competitive Loan, a principal amount which would have been JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s portion of the Committed Borrowing of which such Eurodollar Loan would have formed a part had such Competitive Borrowing been a Committed Borrowing) and with a maturity equal to the applicable Interest Period are offered in immediately available funds to the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in London, England (or if JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. does not at the time any such determination is to be made maintain an office in London, England, the principal office of any Affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in London, England), in the Eurodollar Interbank Market, at approximately 11:00a.m., London time (or as soon thereafter as practicable), two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period. The LIBO Rate for the Interest Period for each Eurodollar Loan comprising part of the same Borrowing shall be determined by the Administrative Agent.

Lien ” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, adverse claim, charge, security interest or other encumbrance in or on, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of any Person under, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease with respect to, any Property or asset of such Person. For avoidance of doubt, the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement by a Person that is not entitled or authorized in accordance with the applicable Uniform Commercial Code to file such financing statement shall not, in and of itself, constitute a Lien.

Litigation ” means any action conducted, pending, or threatened by or before any Tribunal.

Loan ” means a Competitive Loan, a Committed Loan, a Eurodollar Loan, a Fixed Rate Loan, or an Alternate Base Loan.

Loan Papers ” means (i) this Agreement, certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement and exhibits and schedules hereto, (ii) any notes, security documents, guaranties, and other agreements in favor of the Agents and Banks, or any or some of them, ever delivered in connection with this Agreement, and (iii) all renewals, extensions, or restatements of, or amendments or supplements to, any of the foregoing.

Majority Banks ” means, at any time, Banks having Revolving Credit Exposures (excluding Competitive Loans) and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures (excluding Competitive Loans) and unused Commitments at such time;


11

 

provided that, for purposes of declaring the Loans to be due and payable pursuant to Article VII, and for all purposes after the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Article VII or the Commitments expire or terminate, the outstanding Competitive Loans of the Banks shall be included in their respective Revolving Credit Exposures in determining the Majority Banks.

Margin ” means, as to any Competitive Bid made by a Bank relating to a Eurodollar Loan, the margin (expressed as a percentage rate per annum in the form of a decimal to no more than four decimal places) to be added to or subtracted from the LIBO Rate for any such Loan in order to determine the interest rate acceptable to such Bank with respect to such Eurodollar Loan.

Margin Stock ” means “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation T, U, or X of the Board.

Material Adverse Change ” or “ Material Adverse Effect ” means an act, event or circumstance which materially and adversely affects the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Loan Paper.

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any time, any Subsidiary of the Company having at such time either (i) total assets, as of the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter, having a net book value greater than or equal to 10% of the total assets of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or (ii) Adjusted Pre-Tax Income, as of the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter, greater than or equal to 10% of the total Adjusted Pre-Tax Income of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

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

Net Interest Expense ” means interest expense minus interest income, excluding in either case capitalized interest, but including payments in the nature of interest under capital leases if and to the extent characterized as such in accordance with GAAP.

Note ” means a Competitive Note or a Committed Note.

Notice of Committed Borrowing ” is defined in Section 2.3 .

Obligation ” means all present and future indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities, and all renewals, extensions, and modifications thereof, owed to the Agents and Banks, or any or some of them, by the Company, arising pursuant to any Loan Paper, together with all interest thereon and costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in the enforcement or collection thereof.

OECD ” means the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development as constituted on the date hereof (excluding Mexico, Poland and the Czech Republic).

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed in the name of the Company by either its Chairman, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, one of its Vice Presidents, its Treasurer, or its Assistant Treasurer, in each case without personal liability.

Original Termination Date ” means October 5, 2012.

Permitted Liens ” means: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies which either are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves are established in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens securing judgments,


12

 

but only to the extent, for an amount and for a period not resulting in an Event of Default under Section 7.1(d ); (c) Liens arising under this Agreement; (d) Liens constituting normal operational usage of the affected Property, including charter, third party maintenance, storage, leasing, pooling or interchange thereof; and (e) Liens imposed by law such as materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s and repairmen’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business securing obligations that (i) are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days, provided that no enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure proceeding shall have been commenced with respect thereto, or (ii) are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves are established in accordance with GAAP.

Person ” means and includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, trust, limited liability company or other entity, Tribunal, unincorporated organization, or government, or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof.

Plan ” means any plan defined in Section 4021(a) of ERISA in respect of which the Company is an “employer” or a “substantial employer” as such terms are defined in ERISA.

Pool Assets ” means assets of the Company listed on Schedule II , to the extent modified pursuant to Section 6.12 and shall include only Stage 3 Equipment owned legally by the Company.

Prime Rate ” is defined in the definition of the term Alternate Base Rate.

Principal Office ” of the Administrative Agent means 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10017, or such other office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter designate from time to time as its “Principal Office” by notice to the Company and the Banks.

Property ” means all types of real, personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed property.

Quarterly Payment Date ” means the 15th day of each March, June, September and December of each year, the first of which shall be the first such day after the Effective Date.

Register ” is defined in Section 9.11(e) .

Regulation D ” means Regulation D of the Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulatory Change ” means, with respect to any Bank, (a) any adoption or change after the Effective Date of or in United States federal, state or foreign laws, rules, regulations (including Regulation D) or guidelines applying to a class of banks including such Bank, (b) the adoption or making after the Effective Date of any interpretations, directives or requests applying to a class of banks including such Bank of or under any United States federal, state or foreign laws, rules, regulations or guidelines (whether or not having the force of law) by any Tribunal, monetary authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (c) any change in the interpretation or administration of any United States federal, state or foreign laws, rules, regulations or guidelines applying to a class of banks including such Bank by any Tribunal, monetary authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof.

Reimbursement Obligation ” means the obligation of the Company to reimburse the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.

Reserve Percentage ” of any Bank for the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan means the reserve percentage applicable during such Interest Period under regulations issued from time to time by


13

 

the Board (or if more than one such percentage shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any marginal reserve requirement) for such Bank with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such Interest Period.

Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Bank at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Bank’s Loans and its L/C Obligations at such time. For the purposes of this definition each Bank shall be deemed to hold a pro rata share of the total L/C Obligations based on the percentage which its Commitment represents of the aggregate Commitments.

Rights ” means rights, remedies, powers, and privileges.

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

Stage 3 Airframes ” and “ Stage 3 Engines ” mean airframes or engines, respectively, owned by the Company and, when taken together (i.e., one airframe and two engines), qualifying as Stage 3 airplanes, as set forth in Federal Aviation Regulation 36.1(f)(6), 14 C.F.R. §36.1(f)(6) or any successor regulation, as amended; and “ Stage 3 Engines ” also include spare engines which are suitable for use on Stage 3 Airframes and are being maintained according to the Company’s normal and customary standards.

Stage 3 Equipment ” means Stage 3 Airframes and not less than two nor more than four Stage 3 Engines per Stage 3 Airframe.

Stated Rate ” is defined in Section 9.8 .

Subsidiary ” of a Person means any entity of which an aggregate of more than 50% (in number of votes) of the stock (or equivalent interests) is owned of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

Syndication Agent ” is defined in the introduction to this Agreement.

Taxes ” means all taxes, assessments, fees, or other similar charges at any time imposed by any Laws or Tribunal, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Termination Date ” means, at any time, the Original Termination Date or the earlier date of termination in whole of the Total Commitment pursuant to Section 2.6 or Section 7.2 .

Total Commitment ” means at any time the aggregate amount of the Banks’ Commitments, as in effect at such time.

Tribunal ” means any municipal, state, commonwealth, federal, foreign, territorial, or other court, governmental body, subdivision, agency, department, commission, board, bureau, or instrumentality.

Type ” refers to the distinction between Committed Loans that are Alternate Base Loans and Committed Loans that are Eurodollar Loans.

United States ” and “ U.S. ” each means United States of America.


14

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” is defined in Section 2.19 .

Section 1.2 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.”

ARTICLE II

LOANS

Section 2.1 Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Bank, severally and not jointly, agrees to make revolving credit loans to the Company, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date and until the earlier of the Termination Date and the termination of the Commitment of such Bank in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding of all Committed Loans of a Bank shall not exceed such Bank’s Commitment and (b) the Total Commitment shall be deemed used from time to time to the extent of the aggregate principal amount of the Competitive Loans then outstanding, and such deemed use of the Total Commitment shall be applied to the Banks ratably according to their respective Commitments (such deemed use of the Total Commitment being a “ Competitive Reduction ”) and (c) the Total Commitment shall be deemed further used from time to time to the extent of the L/C Obligations, and such deemed use of the Total Commitment shall be applied to the Banks ratably according to their respective Commitments, subject, however, to the conditions that (i) at no time shall (A) the sum of (x) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Committed Loans made by all Banks, (y) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Competitive Loans made by all Banks and (z) the L/C Obligations exceed (B) the Total Commitment, and (ii) at all times the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Committed Loans made by a Bank shall equal the product of (x) the percentage which its Commitment represents of the Total Commitment times (y) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Committed Loans obligated to have been made by all Banks.

Within the foregoing limits, the Company may borrow, repay, prepay, and reborrow hereunder, on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Termination Date, subject to the terms, provisions, and limitations set forth herein.

Section 2.2 Competitive Bid Procedure

(a) In order to request Competitive Bids, the Company shall hand deliver or telecopy to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Competitive Bid Request, to be received by the Administrative Agent (i) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, four Business Days before the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed Competitive Borrowing and (ii) in the case of Fixed Rate Loans, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed Competitive Borrowing. No Alternate Base Loan shall be requested in, or, except pursuant to Section 2.14 , made pursuant to, a Competitive Bid Request. A Competitive Bid Request that does not conform substantially to the format of Exhibit A-1 may be rejected at the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Company of such rejection by telecopier. Each Competitive Bid Request shall in each case refer to this Agreement and specify (x) whether the Competitive Loans then being requested are to be Eurodollar Loans or Fixed Rate Loans, (y) the Borrowing Date of such Competitive Loans (which shall be a Business Day) and the aggregate principal amount thereof (which shall not be less than $10,000,000 or greater than the unused Total Commitment on such Borrowing Date and shall be an integral multiple of


15

 

$1,000,000), and (z) the Interest Period with respect thereto (which may not end after the Termination Date). Promptly after its receipt of a Competitive Bid Request that is not rejected as aforesaid, the Administrative Agent shall invite by telecopier (substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto) the Banks to bid, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make Competitive Loans pursuant to such Competitive Bid Request.

(b) Each Bank may, in its sole discretion, make one or more Competitive Bids to the Company responsive to each Competitive Bid Request. Each Competitive Bid by a Bank must be received by the Administrative Agent via telecopier, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, (i) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed Competitive Borrowing and (ii) in the case of Fixed Rate Loans, not later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Competitive Borrowing. Competitive Bids that do not conform substantially to the format of Exhibit C may be rejected by the Administrative Agent after conferring with, and upon the instruction of, the Company, and the Administrative Agent shall notify the non-conforming Bank of such rejection as soon as practicable. Each Competitive Bid shall refer to this Agreement and (x) specify the principal amount (which shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and which may equal the entire principal amount of the Competitive Borrowing requested by the Company) of the Competitive Loan the Bank is willing to make to the Company, (y) specify the Competitive Bid Rate(s) at which the Bank is prepared to make the Competitive Loan and (z) confirm the Interest Period with respect thereto specified by the Company in its Competitive Bid Request. A Competitive Bid submitted by a Bank pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be irrevocable.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Company by telecopier of all the Competitive Bids made, the Competitive Bid Rate and the principal amount of each Competitive Loan in respect of which a Competitive Bid was made and the identity of the Bank that made each bid. The Administrative Agent shall send a copy of all Competitive Bids to the Company for its records as soon as practicable after completion of the bidding process set forth in this Section 2.2 .

(d) The Company may in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the provisions of this Section 2.2(d) , accept or reject any or all of the Competitive Bids referred to in paragraph (c) above; provided , however , that the aggregate amount of the Competitive Bids so accepted by the Company may not exceed the principal amount of the Competitive Borrowing requested by the Company. The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent by telecopier whether and to what extent it has decided to accept or reject any or all of the bids referred to in paragraph (c) above, (i) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed Competitive Borrowing and (ii) in the case of Fixed Rate Loans, not later than 10:30 a.m., New York City time, on the day specified for a proposed Competitive Borrowing; provided , however , that (w) the failure by the Company to give such notice shall be deemed to be a rejection of all the bids referred to in paragraph (c) above, (x) the Company shall not accept a bid made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate if the Company has decided to reject a bid made at a lower Competitive Bid Rate, (y) if the Company shall accept bids made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate but shall be restricted by other conditions hereof from borrowing the full principal amount of Competitive Loans in respect of which bids at such Competitive Bid Rate have been made or shall not require the full amount offered thereby, then the Company shall accept a pro rata portion of each bid made at such Competitive Bid Rate based as nearly as possible on the respective principal amounts of Competitive Loans for which such bids were made and (z) no bid shall be accepted for a Competitive Loan unless such Competitive Loan is in a minimum principal amount


16

 

of $5,000,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (z), if it is necessary for the Company to accept a pro rata allocation of the bids made in response to a Competitive Bid Request (whether pursuant to the events specified in clause (y) above or otherwise) and the available principal amount of Competitive Loans to be allocated among the Banks is not sufficient to enable Competitive Loans to be allocated to each Bank in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000, then the Company shall select the Banks to be allocated such Competitive Loans and shall round allocations up or down to the next higher or lower multiple of $500,000 as it shall deem appropriate. A notice given by the Company pursuant to this paragraph (d) shall be irrevocable.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each bidding Bank whether or not its Competitive Bid has been accepted (and if so, in what amount and at what Competitive Bid Rate) by telecopier, and each successful bidder will thereupon become bound, subject to the other applicable conditions hereof, to make the Competitive Loan in respect of which its bid has been accepted. After completing the notifications referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Bank of the aggregate principal amount of all Competitive Bids accepted.

(f) Upon receipt from the Administrative Agent of the LIBO Rate applicable to any Eurodollar Loan to be made by any Bank pursuant to a Competitive Bid that has been accepted by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(d) , the Administrative Agent shall notify such Bank of (i) the applicable LIBO Rate and (ii) the sum of the applicable LIBO Rate plus the Margin bid by such Bank.

(g) No Competitive Bid Request shall be made within five Business Days of the date of any other Competitive Bid Request, unless the Company and the Administrative Agent shall mutually agree otherwise.

(h) If the Administrative Agent shall at any time have a Commitment hereunder and shall elect to submit a Competitive Bid in its capacity as a Bank, it shall submit such bid directly to the Company one quarter of an hour earlier than the latest time at which the other Banks are required to submit their bids to the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) above.

(i) All notices required by this Section 2.2 shall be made in accordance with Section 9.2 .

Section 2.3 Committed Borrowing Procedure . In order to effect a Committed Borrowing, the Company shall hand deliver or telecopy to the Administrative Agent a duly completed request for Committed Borrowing, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (a “ Notice of Committed Borrowing ”), (i) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed Committed Borrowing, and (ii) in the case of Alternate Base Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day which is the Borrowing Date specified for a proposed Committed Borrowing. No Fixed Rate Loan shall be requested or made pursuant to a Notice of Committed Borrowing. Such notice shall be irrevocable and shall in each case refer to this Agreement and specify (x) whether the Loans then being requested are to be Eurodollar Loans, or Alternate Base Loans, (y) the Borrowing Date of such Loans (which shall be a Business Day) and the aggregate amount thereof (which shall not be less than $10,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $1,000,000) and (z) in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the Interest Period with respect thereto (which shall not end later than the Termination Date). If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan is specified in any such Notice of Committed Borrowing, then the Company shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly, and


17

 

in any event on the same day the Administrative Agent receives a Notice of Committed Borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.3 if such notice is received by 11:00 a.m., New York City time on a Business Day and otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall advise the other Banks of such Notice of Committed Borrowing and of each Bank’s portion of the requested Committed Borrowing by telecopier. Each Committed Borrowing shall consist of Loans of the same Type made on the same day and having the same Interest Period.

Section 2.4 Refinancings; Conversions

(a) The Company may refinance all or any part of any Loan with a Loan of the same or a different type made pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 , subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein and elsewhere in this Agreement, including, without limitation, refinancings of Competitive Loans with Committed Loans and Committed Loans with Competitive Loans. Any Loan or part thereof so refinanced shall be deemed to be repaid in accordance with Section 2.18 with the proceeds of a new Borrowing hereunder and the proceeds of the new Loan, to the extent they do not exceed the principal amount of the Loan being refinanced, shall not be paid by the Banks to the Administrative Agent or by the Administrative Agent to the Company pursuant to Section 2.7(c) ; provided , however , that (i) if the principal amount extended by a Bank in a refinancing is greater than the principal amount extended by such Bank in the Borrowing being refinanced, then such Bank shall pay such difference to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Banks described in (ii) below, (ii) if the principal amount extended by a Bank in the Borrowing being refinanced is greater than the principal amount being extended by such Bank in the refinancing, the Administrative Agent shall return the difference to such Bank out of amounts received pursuant to (i) above, (iii) to the extent any Bank fails to pay the Administrative Agent amounts due from it pursuant to (i) above, any Loan or portion thereof being refinanced shall not be deemed repaid in accordance with Section 2.18 to the extent of such failure and the Company shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.18 and (iv) to the extent the Company fails to pay to the Administrative Agent any amounts due in accordance with Section 2.18 as a result of the failure of a Bank to pay the Administrative Agent any amounts due as described in (iii) above, the portion of any refinanced Loan deemed not repaid shall be deemed to be outstanding solely to the Bank which has failed to pay the Administrative Agent amounts due from it pursuant to (i) above to the full extent of such Bank’s portion of such refinanced Loan.

(b) Subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have the right from time to time to convert all or part of one Type of Committed Loan into another Type of Committed Loan or to continue all or a part of any Committed Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan from one Interest Period to another Interest Period by giving the Administrative Agent written notice (by means of a Notice of Committed Borrowing) (i) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date specified for such proposed conversion or continuation, and (ii) in the case of Alternate Base Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day which is the date specified for such proposed conversion or continuation. Such notice shall specify (A) the proposed date for conversion or continuation, (B) the amount of the Committed Loan to be converted or continued, (C) in the case of conversions, the Type of Committed Loan to be converted into, and (D) in the case of a continuation of or conversion into a Eurodollar Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided that (1) Eurodollar Loans may be converted only on the last day of the applicable Interest Period, (2) except for conversions to Alternate Base Loans, no conversion shall be made while a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and no continuations of any Eurodollar Loan from one Interest Period to another Interest Period shall be made while a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is


18

 

continuing, unless such conversion or continuation has been approved by Majority Banks, and (3) each such conversion or continuation shall be in an amount not less than $10,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $1,000,000. All notices given under this Section shall be irrevocable. If the Company shall fail to give the Administrative Agent the notice as specified above for continuation or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period with respect thereto, such Eurodollar Loan shall automatically be converted into an Alternate Base Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan.

Section 2.5 Fees . The Company agrees to pay to each Bank, through the Administrative Agent, on each Quarterly Payment Date and on the Termination Date in arrears, in immediately available funds, a commitment fee (a “ Commitment Fee ”) calculated by multiplying the Applicable Rate by the amount of the average daily Available Revolving Commitment of such Bank during the preceding three-month period (or shorter period commencing with the Effective Date and/or ending with the Termination Date). All Commitment Fees shall be computed by the Administrative Agent on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days, and shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Commitment Fee due to each Bank shall commence to accrue on the Effective Date and shall cease to accrue on the Termination Date or, if earlier, the date of the termination of the Commitment of such Bank as provided herein.

Section 2.6 Termination and Reduction of Commitments

(a) Subject to Section 2.12(b) , the Company may permanently terminate, or from time to time in part permanently reduce, the Total Commitment, in each case upon at least three Business Days’ prior (or, in the case of a refinancing or new facility with one or more of the Agents, on a same-day basis with) written notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly forward a copy thereof to each Bank). Such notice shall specify the date and the amount of the termination or reduction of the Total Commitment. Each such partial reduction of the Total Commitment shall be in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 and in an integral multiple of $1,000,000.

(b) On the Termination Date the Total Commitment shall be zero.

(c) Each reduction in the Total Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be made ratably among the Banks in accordance with their respective Commitments. Simultaneously with any termination of Commitments pursuant to this Section, the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for account of the Banks the Commitment Fees on the amount of the Total Commitment so terminated, accrued through the date of such termination.

Section 2.7 Loans

(a) Each Borrowing made by the Company on any date shall be (i) in the case of Competitive Loans, in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 and (ii) in the case of Committed Loans, in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000. Competitive Loans shall be made by the Banks in accordance with Section 2.2(d) , and Committed Loans shall be made by the Banks ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments on the Borrowing Date of the Committed Borrowing; provided , however , that the failure of any Bank to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Bank of its obligation to lend hereunder.

(b) Each Competitive Loan shall be a Eurodollar Loan or a Fixed Rate Loan, and each Committed Loan shall be a Eurodollar Loan or an Alternate Base Loan, as the Company


19

 

may request subject to and in accordance with Section 2.2 , Section 2.3 or Section 2.4(b) , as applicable. Each Bank may at its option make any Eurodollar Loan by causing a foreign branch or Affiliate of such Bank to make such Loan; provided , however , that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Company to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or increase the Company’s obligations to such Bank hereunder. Loans of more than one interest rate option may be outstanding at the same time; provided , however , that the Company shall not be entitled to request any Loan which, if made, would result in an aggregate of more than ten separate Interest Periods being outstanding hereunder at any one time. For purposes of the foregoing, Loans having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Loans.

(c) Subject to Section 2.4 , each Bank shall make its portion of each Competitive Borrowing and each Committed Borrowing on the proposed Borrowing Date thereof by paying the amount required to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office in immediately available funds not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, and the Administrative Agent shall by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, credit the amounts so received to the general deposit account of the Company with the Administrative Agent or, if Loans are not made on such date because any condition precedent to a Borrowing herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Banks as soon as practicable; provided , however , if and to the extent the Administrative Agent fails to return any such amounts to a Bank on the Borrowing Date for such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall pay interest on such unreturned amounts, for each day from such Borrowing Date to the date such amounts are returned to such Bank, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

(d) The outstanding principal amount of each Competitive Loan shall be due and payable on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Competitive Loan, and the outstanding principal balance of each Committed Loan shall be due and payable on the Termination Date.

Section 2.8 Loan Accounts

(a) The Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of business. Absent manifest error, the loan accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Bank shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of the Loans made by the Banks to the Company and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Company hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loans.

(b) Upon the request of any Bank made through the Administrative Agent, the Loans made by such Bank may be evidenced by one or more Notes, instead of or in addition to loan accounts, and upon any such request the Company shall execute and deliver such Notes to such Bank. Each such Bank shall, and is hereby authorized by the Company to, endorse on the schedule attached to the relevant Note held by such Bank (or on a continuation of such schedule attached to each such Note and made a part thereof) or in its records relating to such Note an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each Competitive Loan or Committed Loan, as applicable, of such Bank, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Competitive Loan or Committed Loan, as applicable, and the other information provided for on such schedule. The failure of any Bank to make such a notation or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Company to repay the Competitive Loans or Committed Loans, as applicable, made by such Bank in accordance with the terms of the relevant Note.


20

 

Section 2.9 Interest on Loans

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10 , each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal to the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Loan (A)  plus or minus , as the case may be, in the case of each Competitive Loan, the Margin specified by a Bank with respect to such Loan in its Competitive Bid submitted pursuant to Section 2.2(b ) or (B)  plus in the case of each Committed Loan, the Applicable Rate. Interest on each Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto. The applicable LIBO Rate for each Interest Period shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10 , each Alternate Base Loan shall bear interest at the rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate (if the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be; if the Alternate Base Rate is based on the LIBO Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days). Interest on each Alternate Base Loan shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto. The applicable Alternate Base Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10 , each Fixed Rate Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal to the fixed rate of interest offered by the Bank making such Loan and accepted by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2 . Interest on each Fixed Rate Loan shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto.

(d) The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Bank that has made a Eurodollar Loan to the Company, so long as such Bank shall be required under regulations of the Board to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Eurodollar Loan of such Bank, from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum for such number of days during the Interest Period for such Loan as shall be pertinent equal to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing such LIBO Rate referred to in clause (i) above by that percentage equal to 100% minus the Reserve Percentage of such Bank for such Interest Period, payable on the next Interest Payment Date applicable to such Loan. Such additional interest shall be determined by such Bank as, if and to the extent incurred, and shall be payable as aforesaid upon notification thereof by such Bank to the Company through the Administrative Agent. Each determination by a Bank of additional interest under this Section 2.9(d ) shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes in the absence of manifest error.

Section 2.10 Interest on Overdue Amounts . If the Company shall default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount becoming due hereunder, the Company shall on demand from time to time pay interest, to the extent permitted by Law, on such defaulted amount up to (but not including) the date of actual payment (after as well as before judgment) at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of the principal amount of any Eurodollar Loan or any Competitive Loan, 2% above the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (ii) in all other cases, the Agreed Maximum Rate (if the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be; if the Alternate Base Rate is based on the LIBO Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days).


21

 

Section 2.11 Alternate Rate of Interest . In the event, and on each occasion, that on the day two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan that is a Committed Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have determined that dollar deposits in the amount of the requested principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan are not generally available in the Eurodollar Interbank Market, or that dollar deposits are not generally available in the Eurodollar Interbank Market for the requested Interest Period, or that the rate at which such dollar deposits are being offered will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Majority Banks of making or maintaining such Eurodollar Loan during such Interest Period, or that reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give telecopy notice of such determination to the Company and the Banks. In the event of any such determination, any request by the Company for a Eurodollar Loan that is a Committed Loan shall, until the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, be deemed to be a request for an Alternate Base Loan. Each determination by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.12 Prepayment of Loans

(a) Prior to the Termination Date, the Company shall have the right at any time to prepay any Committed Borrowing, in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of Section 2.15 or Section 2.16 but otherwise without premium or penalty, upon at least five Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided , however , that each such partial prepayment shall be in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000. Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date and the aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing to be prepaid, shall be irrevocable and shall commit the Company to prepay such Borrowing by the amount stated therein. The Company shall not have the right to prepay any Competitive Borrowing.

(b) On the date of any termination or reduction of the Total Commitment pursuant to Section 2.6(a) , the Company shall pay or prepay so much of the Loans as shall be necessary in order that the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding and (y) the L/C Obligations will not exceed the Total Commitment following such termination or reduction. Subject to the foregoing, any such payment or prepayment shall be applied to such Borrowing or Borrowings as the Company shall select. All prepayments under this paragraph shall be subject to Section 2.15 and Section 2.16 .

(c) All prepayments under this Section 2.12 shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid to the date of prepayment.

Section 2.13 Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if after the date of this Agreement any Regulatory Change (i) shall change the basis of taxation of payments to any Bank of the principal of or interest on any Eurodollar Loan or Fixed Rate Loan made by such Bank or any other fees or amounts payable hereunder (other than (x) Taxes imposed on or measured by the capital, receipts or franchises of such Bank or the overall gross or net income of such Bank by the jurisdiction in which such Bank has its principal office or by any political subdivision or taxing authority therein (or any Tax which is enacted or adopted by such jurisdiction, political subdivision, or taxing authority as a direct substitute for any such Taxes) or (y) any Tax, assessment, or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for the failure of


22

 

any Bank to comply with any certification, information, documentation, or other reporting requirement), (ii) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, or similar requirement with respect to any Eurodollar Loan against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, such Bank under this Agreement (without duplication of any amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.9(d) ), or (iii) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, shall impose on such Bank or the Eurodollar Interbank Market any other condition affecting this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loan made by such Bank, and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to materially increase the actual cost to such Bank of maintaining its Commitment or of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan or Fixed Rate Loan or to materially reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest, or otherwise) in respect thereof, then the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Bank, within ten days following delivery to the Company of the certificate specified in paragraph (c) below by such Bank, such additional amount or amounts as will reimburse such Bank for such increase or reduction to such Bank to the extent reasonably allocable to this Agreement.

(b) If any Bank shall have determined in good faith that any Regulatory Change regarding capital adequacy or compliance by any Bank (or its parent or any lending office of such Bank) with any request or directive issued subsequent to the Effective Date regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of Law) of any Tribunal, monetary authority, central bank, or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Bank’s (or its parent’s) capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank (or its parent) could have achieved but for such Regulatory Change, or compliance (taking into consideration such Bank’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then from time to time, the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Bank, within ten days following delivery to the Company of the certificate specified in paragraph (c) below by such Bank, such additional amount or amounts as will reimburse such Bank (or its parent) for such reduction.

(c) Each Bank shall notify the Company of any event occurring after the date hereof entitling such Bank to compensation under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.13 (together with a good faith estimate of the amounts it would be entitled to claim in respect of such event) as promptly as practicable, but in any event on or before the date which is 60 days after the related Regulatory Change or other event; provided that (i) if such Bank fails to give such notice by such date, such Bank shall, with respect to compensation payable pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.13 in respect of any costs resulting from such Regulatory Change or other event, only be entitled to payment under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.13 for costs incurred from and after the date of such notice and (ii) such Bank will take such reasonable actions, if any (including the designation of a different Applicable Lending Office for the Loans of such Bank affected by such event) to avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation so long as such actions will not, in the reasonable opinion of such Bank, be materially disadvantageous to such Bank. A certificate of a Bank setting forth in reasonable detail (i) the Regulatory Change or other event giving rise to any costs, (ii) such amount or amounts as shall be necessary to reimburse such Bank (or participating banks or other entities pursuant to Section 9.11 ) as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.13 , as the case may be, and (iii) the calculation of such amount or amounts, shall be delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) promptly after such Bank determines it is entitled to payment under this Section 2.13 , and shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error. In preparing such certificate, such Bank may employ such assumptions and allocations of costs and expenses as it shall in good faith deem reasonable and may use any reasonable averaging and attribution method.


23

 

(d) In the event any Bank shall seek payment pursuant to this Section 2.13 or the events contemplated under Section 2.11 or Section 2.14 shall have occurred with respect to any Bank, the Company may, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, give notice to such Bank (with copies to the Agents) that it wishes to seek one or more assignees (which may be one or more of the Banks, but which may not be a Person who would be entitled at such time to claim payment pursuant to this Section 2.13 or with respect to which any of the events contemplated under Section 2.11 or Section 2.14 would exist at such time if such Person were a Bank under this Agreement) to assume the Commitment of such Bank and to purchase its outstanding Loans and Notes (if any). Each Bank requesting payment pursuant to this Section 2.13 , or with respect to which any of the events contemplated under Section 2.11 or Section 2.14 have occurred, agrees to sell its Commitment, Loans, Notes (if any), and interest in this Agreement and the other Loan Papers pursuant to Section 9.11(c ) to any such assignee approved by the Company and the Administrative Agent for an amount equal to the sum of the outstanding unpaid principal of and accrued interest on such Loans and Notes (if any) plus all other fees and amounts (including, without limitation, any payment claimed by such Bank under this Section, 2.13 and as to which such Bank has delivered the certificate required by Section 2.13(c ) on or before the date such Commitment, Loans, and Notes (if any) are purchased) due such Bank hereunder calculated, in each case, to the date such Commitment, Loans, Notes (if any) and interest are purchased, whereupon such Bank shall have no further Commitment or other obligation to the Company hereunder or under any other Loan Paper.

(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Bank or participant shall be entitled to any payment under this Section 2.13 with respect to any Competitive Loan.

(f) Without prejudice to the survival of any other obligations of the Company hereunder, the obligations of the Company under this Section 2.13 shall survive for one year after the termination of this Agreement and/or the payment or assignment of any of the Loans or Notes.

Section 2.14 Change in Legality

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, if any Regulatory Change shall make it unlawful for any Bank to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loan or to give effect to its obligations in respect of Eurodollar Loans as contemplated hereby, then, by prompt written notice to the Company and to the Administrative Agent, such Bank may:

(i) declare that Eurodollar Loans will not thereafter be made by such Bank hereunder, whereupon the Company shall be prohibited from requesting Eurodollar Loans from such Bank hereunder unless such declaration is subsequently withdrawn; and

(ii) if such unlawfulness shall be effective prior to the end of any Interest Period of an outstanding Eurodollar Loan, require that all outstanding Eurodollar Loans with such Interest Periods made by it be converted to Alternate Base Loans, in which event (A) all such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to Alternate Base Loans as of the effective date of such notice as provided in paragraph (b) below and (B) all payments and prepayments of principal which would otherwise have been applied to repay the converted Eurodollar Loans shall instead be applied to repay the Alternate Base Loans resulting from the conversion of such Eurodollar Loans.

(b) For purposes of this Section 2.14 , a notice to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) by any Bank pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall be effective on the date


24

 

of receipt thereof by the Company. Any Bank having furnished such a notice agrees to withdraw the same promptly following any Regulatory Change that makes it lawful for such Bank to make and maintain Eurodollar Loans.

(c) If, with respect to any Bank, a condition arises or an event occurs which would, or would upon the giving of notice, result in the payment of amounts pursuant to Section 2.13 or permit such Bank, pursuant to this Section 2.14 , to suspend its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, such Bank, promptly upon becoming aware of the same, shall notify the Company thereof and shall take such steps as may reasonably be available to it (including, without limitation, changing its Applicable Lending Office) to mitigate the effects of such condition or event, provided that such Bank shall be under no obligation to take any step that, in its good faith opinion, would (a) result in its incurring any additional costs in performing its obligations hereunder and under any outstanding Loan (unless the Company has notified such Bank of the Company’s agreement to reimburse it for the same) or (b) be otherwise adverse to such Bank in a material respect.

Section 2.15 Indemnity . The Company shall indemnify each Bank against any loss or reasonable expense which such Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) any failure by the Company to fulfill on the date of any Borrowing hereunder the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV, (b) any failure by the Company to borrow hereunder after a Notice of Committed Borrowing pursuant to Article II has been given or after Competitive Bids have been accepted, (c) any payment, prepayment, or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan or Fixed Rate Loan required by any other provision of this Agreement or otherwise made on a date other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period for any reason, including without limitation the acceleration of outstanding Loans as a result of any Event of Default or (d) any failure by the Company for any reason (including without limitation the existence of a Default or an Event of Default) to pay, prepay or convert a Eurodollar Loan on the date for such payment, prepayment or conversion, specified in the relevant notice of payment, prepayment or conversion under this Agreement. The indemnity of the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall include, but not be limited to, any loss or reasonable expense sustained or incurred or to be sustained or incurred in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties acquired to effect or maintain such Loan or any part thereof as a Eurodollar Loan or Fixed Rate Loan. Such loss or reasonable expense shall include, without limitation, an amount equal to the excess, if any, as reasonably determined by each Bank of (i) its cost of obtaining the funds for the Loan being paid, prepaid, or converted or not borrowed, paid, prepaid or converted (based on the LIBO Rate or, in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan, the fixed rate of interest applicable thereto) for the period from the date of such payment, prepayment, or conversion or failure to borrow, pay, prepay or convert to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, pay, prepay or convert, the Interest Period for the Loan which would have commenced on the date of such failure to borrow, pay, prepay or convert) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Bank) that would be realized by such Bank in reemploying the funds so paid, prepaid, or converted or not borrowed, paid, prepaid or converted for such period or Interest Period, as the case may be. A certificate of each Bank setting forth any amount or amounts and, in reasonable detail, the computations thereof, which such Bank is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive, if made in good faith, absent manifest error. The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Bank the amount shown as due on any certificate within 30 days after its receipt of the same.

Section 2.16 Pro Rata Treatment . Except as permitted under Section 2.9(d) , Section 2.13(c) and Section 2.15 with respect to interest, (a) each payment or prepayment of principal and each payment of interest with respect to a Competitive Borrowing (at a particular Competitive Bid Rate) or a Committed Borrowing shall be made pro rata among the Banks in accordance with the respective


25

 

principal amounts of the Loans extended by each Bank, if any, with respect to such Competitive Borrowing or Committed Borrowing, and (b) conversions of Committed Loans to Committed Loans of another Type, continuations of Committed Loans that are Eurodollar Loans from one Interest Period to another Interest Period, refinancings of Competitive Loans with Committed Loans, and Committed Loans which are not refinancings of other Loans shall be made pro rata among the Banks in accordance with their respective Commitments.

Section 2.17 Sharing of Setoffs . Each Bank agrees that if it shall through the exercise of a right of banker’s lien, setoff, or counterclaim against the Company (pursuant to Section 9.6 or otherwise), including, but not limited to, a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Bank under any applicable Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Committed Loans held by it (other than pursuant to Section 2.9(d) , Section 2.13 , or Section 2.15 ) as a result of which the unpaid principal portion of the Committed Loans held by it shall be proportionately less than the unpaid principal portion of the Committed Loans held by any other Bank, it shall be deemed to have simultaneously purchased from such other Bank a participation in the Committed Loans held by such other Bank, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Committed Loans and participations in Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.17 held by each Bank shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Committed Loans then outstanding as the principal amount of the Committed Loans held by it prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff, or counterclaim was to the principal amount of all Committed Loans outstanding prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff, or counterclaim; provided , however , that if any such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.17 and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered, such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without interest. The Company expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any Bank holding a participation in a Committed Loan deemed to have been so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, setoff, or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by the Company to such Bank as fully as if such Bank had made a Committed Loan directly to the Company in the amount of such participation.

Section 2.18 Payments

(a) The Company shall make each payment hereunder and under any instrument delivered hereunder not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the day when due in dollars to the Administrative Agent at its Principal Office for the account of the Banks, in federal or other immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal of or interest on Committed Loans (other than pursuant to Section 2.9(d) , Section 2.13 , and Section 2.15 ) or Commitment Fees ratably to the Banks and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount (including, without limitation, payments of principal or interest on Competitive Loans which are not made ratably to the Banks) payable to any Bank to such Bank for the account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) Whenever any payment hereunder or under any Note shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in all such cases be included in the computation of payment of interest or Commitment Fee, as the case may be; provided , however , if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of a Eurodollar Loan to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.


26

 

(c) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Company prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks hereunder that the Company will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Company has made or will make such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Bank. If and to the extent the Company shall not have so made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Bank together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until the date such Bank repays such amount to the Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

(d) (i) Except as expressly provided in this Section 2.18 or Section 2.19 , all payments (whether of principal, interest, fees, reimbursements, or otherwise) by the Company under this Agreement shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any present or future Tax, levy, impost, or any other charge, if any, of any nature whatsoever now or hereafter imposed by any Tribunal. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.18 or Section 2.19 , if the making of such payments by the Company is prohibited by Law, unless such a Tax, levy, impost, or other charge is deducted or withheld therefrom, the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on the date of each such payment, such additional amounts (without duplication of any other amounts required to be paid by the Company pursuant to Section 2.13 ) as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the Banks after such deduction or withholding shall equal the amounts which would have been received if such deduction or withholding were not required. The Company shall confirm that all applicable Taxes, if any, imposed on this Agreement or transactions hereunder shall have been properly and legally paid by it to the appropriate taxing authorities by sending official Tax receipts or notarized copies of such receipts to the Administrative Agent within 30 days after payment of any applicable Tax.

(ii) The Company shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Bank and the Issuing Bank, within 30 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.18 and Section 2.19 ) payable by the Administrative Agent, such Bank (or its beneficial owner) or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Tribunal. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Company by a Bank or the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Bank or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive, if made in good faith, absent manifest error.

(iii) Each Bank shall indemnify the Administrative Agent within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Taxes attributable to such Bank that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent, and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Bank by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no double recovery under this paragraph where the indemnified party has been indemnified for the same loss under a separate provision of the agreement.


27

 

The provisions of this Section 2.18(d) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the payment or assignment of any of the Loans or Notes.

Section 2.19 Tax Forms . Any Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of any applicable withholding Tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Papers shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent or as otherwise required by law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by Law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Bank, if requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Law or requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Company or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Bank is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, in the case of any withholding Tax other than the U.S. federal withholding Tax, the completion, execution and submission of such forms shall not be required if in the Bank’s good faith judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Bank to any material unreimbursed cost or expense, unless indemnified by the Company in an amount reasonably satisfactory to such Bank, or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Bank.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Bank organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States (a “ Foreign Bank ”) shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Bank becomes a lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Company or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(a) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,

(b) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

(c) in the case of a Foreign Bank claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the Form of Exhibit I to the effect that (i) such Foreign Bank is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Company within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, and (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (ii) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the United States trade or business conducted by such Bank (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN,

(d) to the extent a Foreign Bank is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Bank is a partnership or participating Bank granting a typical participation), an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that, if the Foreign Bank is a partnership (and not a participating Bank) and one or more beneficial owners of such Foreign Bank are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Bank may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such beneficial owner, or

(e) any other form prescribed by Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Company to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.


28

 

Each Bank agrees that if any form or certification previously delivered by it expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Company and the Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.18 or this Section 2.19 , unless the Company and the Administrative Agent have received such forms or such documents indicating that payments hereunder are not subject to United States withholding Tax, the Company or the Administrative Agent (after notice from the Administrative Agent to such Bank of such non-receipt) shall withhold Taxes from such payments at the applicable statutory rate (or any reduced applicable Tax treaty rate) in the case of payments to or for any Bank organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States; provided that, should a Foreign Bank which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding Tax become subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required pursuant to this Section 2.19 , the Company shall take such steps as such Foreign Bank shall reasonably request to assist such Foreign Bank to recover such Taxes at the cost and expense of such Bank.

The provisions of this Section 2.19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the payment or assignment of any of the Loans or Notes.

Section 2.20 Calculation of LIBO Rates . The provisions of this Agreement relating to calculation of the LIBO Rate are included only for the purpose of determining the rate of interest or other amounts to be paid hereunder that are based upon such rate, it being understood that each Bank shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of a Eurodollar Loan as it sees fit. All such determinations hereunder, however, shall be made as if each Bank had actually funded and maintained funding of each Eurodollar Loan through the purchase in the Eurodollar InterBank Market of one or more eurodollar deposits in an amount equal to the principal amount of such Loan and having a maturity corresponding to the Interest Period for such Loan.

Section 2.21 Booking Loans . Subject to Section 2.19 , any Bank may make, carry, or, transfer Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of any Affiliate.

Section 2.22 Quotation of Rates . It is hereby acknowledged that the Company may call the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which notice of a Borrowing is to be delivered by the Company in order to receive an indication of the rate or rates then in effect, but that such projection shall not be binding upon the Administrative Agent or any Bank nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually in effect when the election is made.

Section 2.23 Defaulting Banks . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Bank becomes a Defaulting Bank, the Administrative Agent shall deliver written notice to such effect, upon the Administrative Agent’s obtaining knowledge of such event, to the Company and such Defaulting Bank, and the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Bank is a Defaulting Bank:

(a) Commitment Fees shall cease to accrue with respect to the Commitment of such Defaulting Bank pursuant to Section 2.5.

(b) The Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Bank shall not be included in determining whether all Banks or the Majority Banks have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.1), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Banks or each affected Bank which affects such Defaulting Bank differently than other affected Banks shall require the consent of such Defaulting Bank.


29

 

(c) If any L/C Obligations exist at the time a Bank becomes a Defaulting Bank, then:

(i) all or any part of such L/C Obligations shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Banks ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments but only to the extent that (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Banks’ Revolving Credit Exposures does not then exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Banks’ Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 4.4 are satisfied at such time;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Company shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent cash collateralize the percentage such Defaulting Bank’s Commitment represents of the Total Commitment of the L/C Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 7.2 for so long as such L/C Obligations are outstanding;

(iii) if the Company cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Bank’s L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.23(c), the Company shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Bank pursuant to Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Bank’s portion of the L/C Obligations during the period of such collateralization;

(iv) if the L/C Obligations of the non-Defaulting Banks are reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.23(c), then the fees payable to the Banks pursuant to Section 3.3 shall be adjusted ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments; and

(v) if any Defaulting Bank’s L/C Obligations are neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.23(c), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the applicable Issuing Bank or any Bank hereunder, all Commitment Fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Bank (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Bank’s Commitment that was utilized by such L/C Obligations) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Bank’s L/C Obligations shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Bank until such L/C Obligations are cash collateralized and/or reallocated.

(d) So long as any Bank is a Defaulting Bank, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Banks and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Company in accordance with this Section 2.23(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Banks in a manner consistent with Section 2.23(c)(i) (and Defaulting Banks shall not participate therein).

(e) Any amount payable to such Defaulting Bank hereunder (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise and including any amount that would otherwise be payable to such Defaulting Bank pursuant to Section 2.17, but excluding amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.24) shall, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Bank, subject to any applicable requirements of law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent (i) first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Bank to the


30

 

Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Bank to the Issuing Bank hereunder, (iii) third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by an Issuing Bank, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Bank in respect of any existing or future participating interest in any Letter of Credit, (iv) fourth, to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Bank has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (v) fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Company, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Bank in respect of any Loans under this Agreement, (vi) sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Banks or an Issuing Bank as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Bank or such Issuing Bank against such Defaulting Bank as a result of such Defaulting Bank’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, (vii) seventh, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Company as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Company against such Defaulting Bank as a result of such Defaulting Bank’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, and (viii) eighth, to such Defaulting Bank or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided , with respect to this clause (viii), that if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans or reimbursement obligations in respect of any drafts paid by an Issuing Bank under any Letters of Credit which a Defaulting Bank has funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.4 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and reimbursement obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Banks pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or reimbursement obligations owed to, any Defaulting Bank.

In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Company each agrees that a Defaulting Bank has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Bank to be a Defaulting Bank or upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of the confirmation referred to in clause (c) of the definition of “Defaulting Bank”, as applicable, then on such date such Bank shall purchase at par such portion of the Loans of the other Banks (other than Competitive Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Bank to hold such Loans ratably in accordance with its Commitment.

Section 2.24 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Banks .

(a) If any Bank requests compensation under Section 2.13 or 2.18(d), or if the Company is required to pay any additional amount to any Bank or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Bank pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.18(d), then such Bank shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Bank, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.18(d) in the future and (ii) would not subject such Bank to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Bank. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Bank in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If any Bank requests compensation under Section 2.13 or 2.18(d), or if the Company is required to pay any additional amount to any Bank or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Bank pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.18(d), or if any Bank becomes a Defaulting Bank, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Bank and the Administrative Agent, require such Bank to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.10), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (other than any outstanding Competitive Loans held by it)


31

 

to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Bank, if a Bank accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Bank shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans (other than Competitive Loans) and participations in any drafts paid by an Issuing Bank under any Letters of Credit, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or 2.18(d) or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.18(d), such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Bank shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Bank or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

ARTICLE III

LETTERS OF CREDIT

Section 3.1 L/C Commitment

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank, in reliance on the agreements of the other Banks set forth in Section 3.4(a) , agrees to issue letters of credit (“ Letters of Credit ”) for the account of the Company on any Business Day on and after the Effective Date and until the termination of the Commitment of the Issuing Bank in accordance with the terms hereof, in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Bank; provided that the Issuing Bank shall not issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (ii) the excess of the Total Commitment over the aggregate amount of Loans and L/C Obligations then outstanding would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in dollars and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Original Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above).

(b) The Issuing Bank shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Bank or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Laws.

Section 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit . The Company may from time to time request that the Issuing Bank issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Bank at its address for notices specified herein an Application therefor, completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Issuing Bank, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Bank may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Bank will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Bank be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Company. The Issuing Bank shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Company promptly following the


32

 

issuance thereof. The Issuing Bank shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Banks, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof).

Section 3.3 Fees and Other Charges

(a) The Company will pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks on each Quarterly Payment Date after the issuance date and on the Termination Date a fee on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Rate then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans. In addition, the Company shall pay to the Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee at a per annum rate separately agreed upon between the Compan


 
SITE SEARCH

AGREEMENTS / CONTRACTS

Document Title:

Entire Document: (optional)

Governing Law:(optional)


Try our advanced search >>
 

CLAUSES

Search Contract Clauses >>

Browse Contract Clause Library>>

Get Email Updates
Email:
This is only a partial view of this document. We have millions of legal documents and clauses drafted by top law firms. learn more search for free browse for free learn more