EXHIBIT 10.14
EXECUTION VERSION
CREDIT AGREEMENT
by and among
ADVENT SOFTWARE,
INC.
and
EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES THAT ARE
SIGNATORIES HERETO,
as Borrowers,
THE LENDERS THAT ARE SIGNATORIES
HERETO,
as the Lenders,
and
WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC.,
as the Arranger and Administrative Agent
Dated as of February 14,
2007
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT
(this “ Agreement
”), is entered into as of February 14, 2007, by and among the
lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (such lenders,
together with their respective successors and permitted assigns,
are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “
Lender ” and collectively as the “
Lenders ”), and WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC. , a
California corporation, as the arranger and administrative agent
for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and
assigns in such capacity, “ Agent ”), ADVENT
SOFTWARE, INC. , a Delaware corporation (“ Parent
”), each of Parent’s Subsidiaries identified on the
signature pages hereof (such Subsidiaries, together with Parent,
are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “
Borrower ”, and individually and collectively, jointly
and severally, as the “ Borrowers ”).
The parties agree as
follows:
1.
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1
Definitions . Capitalized terms used in this
Agreement shall have the meanings specified therefor on
Schedule 1.1 .
1.2
Accounting Terms . All accounting terms not
specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with
GAAP. When used herein, the term “financial
statements” shall include the notes and schedules
thereto. Any reference to any Person in respect of a
financial covenant or a related definition shall be understood to
mean such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
1.3
Code . Any terms used in this Agreement that
are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth
in the Code unless otherwise defined herein; provided ,
however , that to the extent that the Code is used to define
any term herein and such term is defined differently in different
Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in
Article 9 of the Code shall govern.
1.4
Construction . Unless the context of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise,
references to the plural include the singular, references to the
singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and
“including” are not limiting, and the term
“or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the
inclusive meaning represented by the phrase
“and/or.” The words “hereof,”
“herein,” “hereby,”
“hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any
other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan
Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the
case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and
exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in any other
Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall
include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions,
modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and
supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any
restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions,
modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and
supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein or in any
other Loan Document to the satisfaction or repayment in full of the
Obligations shall mean the repayment in full in cash (or, in the
case of Letters of Credit or Bank Products, the cash
collateralization or (at the election of Agent) support by a
standby letter of credit in accordance with the terms hereof) of
all Obligations other than unasserted contingent indemnification
Obligations and other than any Bank Product Obligations that, at
such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to
remain outstanding and that are not required by the provisions of
this Agreement to be repaid or cash collateralized. Any
reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such
Person’s successors and permitted assigns. Any
requirement of a writing contained herein or in any other Loan
Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and any
Record so transmitted shall constitute a representation and
warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of the information
contained therein. References to statutes or regulations
are
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to be construed as including all
statutory and regulatory provisions promulgated under,
consolidating, amending, supplementing, interpreting, or replacing
the statute or regulation referred to.
1.5
Schedules and Exhibits . All of the schedules
and exhibits attached to this Agreement or the Disclosure Letter
shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference. For
purposes of any Section of this Agreement which references any
Schedule to the Disclosure Letter, such Schedule is deemed
incorporated in such Section by such reference.
2.
LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.
2.1
Revolver Advances .
(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and during
the term of this Agreement, each Lender with a Commitment agrees
(severally, not jointly or jointly and severally) to make advances
(“ Advances ”) to Borrowers in an amount at any
one time outstanding not to exceed such Lender’s Pro Rata
Share of an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the
Maximum Revolver Amount less the Letter of Credit Usage at
such time, and (ii) the Loan Limit at such time less
the Letter of Credit Usage at such time.
(b)
Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1
notwithstanding, Agent shall have the right to establish reserves
against the Availability in such amounts, and with respect to such
matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion shall deem necessary
or appropriate, including reserves with respect to (i) sums
that any Credit Party is required to pay under any Section of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document (such as taxes, assessments,
insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or
other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay, and
(ii) amounts owing by any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries to
any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any
of the Collateral (other than a Permitted Lien), which Lien or
trust, in the Permitted Discretion of Agent likely would have a
priority superior to the Agent’s Liens (such as Liens or
trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics,
materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad
valorem , excise, sales, or other taxes where given priority
under applicable law) in and to such item of the Collateral.
Agent shall use reasonable efforts to notify Administrative
Borrower at or before the time any such reserves are to be
established, provided, however, the lack of any such notice shall
not affect the validity or effectiveness of any reserve established
by Agent.
(c)
Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be
repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
reborrowed at any time during the term of this Agreement. The
outstanding principal amount of the Advances, together with
interest accrued thereon, shall be due and payable on the Maturity
Date, or if earlier, on the date on which they are declared due and
payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(d)
Borrowers may, no more than once during the term of this Agreement,
request an increase to the Commitment and Maximum Revolver Amount
each by an amount up to $25,000,000 so long as: (i) immediately
prior to and after giving effect to such increase no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (ii) such request
is made on or before the date that is 18 months after the Closing
Date; (iii) Borrowers have paid all fees in connection with such
increase required under the Loan Documents, (iv) such elected
increase amount is no less than $5,000,000 and a multiple of
$5,000,000 and (v) a Successful Syndication shall have occurred
with respect to the aggregate amount of such increase to the
Commitment. Any election made pursuant to this Section
2.1(d) must be submitted in writing to Agent by Administrative
Borrower and contain a representation as to the absence of all
Defaults and Events of Default. The increase to the
Commitment and Maximum Revolver Amount described in this Section
2.1(d) (the “ Line Increase ”) shall become
effective upon written notice to Administrative Borrower by Agent
confirming the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this
Section 2.1(d) .
2.2
[ Reserved ]
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2.3
Borrowing Procedures and Settlements .
(a)
Procedure for Borrowing. Each Borrowing shall be made
by an irrevocable written request by an Authorized Person delivered
to Agent. Unless Swing Lender is not obligated to make a
Swing Loan pursuant to Section 2.3(b) below, such
notice must be received by Agent no later than 10:00 a.m.
(California time) on the Business Day that is the requested Funding
Date specifying (i) the amount of such Borrowing, and
(ii) the requested Funding Date, which shall be a Business
Day; provided , however , that if Swing Lender is not
obligated to make a Swing Loan as to a requested Borrowing, such
notice must be received by Agent no later than 10:00 a.m.
(California time) on the Business Day prior to the date that is the
requested Funding Date. At Agent’s election, in lieu of
delivering the above-described written request, any Authorized
Person may give Agent telephonic notice of such request by the
required time. In such circumstances, Borrowers agree that
any such telephonic notice will be confirmed in writing within 24
hours of the giving of such telephonic notice, but the failure to
provide such written confirmation shall not affect the validity of
the request.
(b)
Making of Swing Loans. In the case of a request for
an Advance and so long as either (i) the aggregate amount of
Swing Loans made since the last Settlement Date plus the amount of
the requested Advance does not exceed $7,500,000, or
(ii) Swing Lender, in its sole discretion, shall agree to make
a Swing Loan notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, Swing Lender
shall make an Advance in the amount of such Borrowing (any such
Advance made solely by Swing Lender pursuant to this
Section 2.3(b) being referred to as a “ Swing
Loan ” and such Advances being referred to collectively
as “ Swing Loans ”) available to Administrative
Borrower on the Funding Date applicable thereto by transferring
immediately available funds to the Designated Account. Each
Swing Loan shall be deemed to be an Advance hereunder and shall be
subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other
Advances, except that all payments on any Swing Loan shall be
payable to Swing Lender solely for its own account. Subject
to the provisions of Section 2.3(d)(ii) , Swing Lender
shall not make and shall not be obligated to make any Swing Loan if
Swing Lender has actual knowledge that (i) one or more of the
applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3
will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for the
applicable Borrowing, or (ii) the requested Borrowing would
exceed the Availability on such Funding Date. Swing Lender
shall not otherwise be required to determine whether the applicable
conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 have been
satisfied on the Funding Date applicable thereto prior to making
any Swing Loan. The Swing Loans shall be secured by the
Agent’s Liens, constitute Obligations hereunder, and bear
interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Advances that
are Base Rate Loans.
(c)
Making of Loans .
(i)
In the event that Swing Lender is not obligated to make a Swing
Loan, then promptly after receipt of a request for a Borrowing
pursuant to Section 2.3(a) , Agent shall notify the
Lenders, not later than 1:00 p.m. (California time) on the
Business Day immediately preceding the Funding Date applicable
thereto, by telecopy, telephone, or other similar form of
transmission, of the requested Borrowing. Each Lender shall
make the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the
requested Borrowing available to Agent in immediately available
funds, to Agent’s Account, not later than 10:00 a.m.
(California time) on the Funding Date applicable thereto.
After Agent’s receipt of the proceeds of such Advances, Agent
shall make the proceeds thereof available to Administrative
Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by transferring immediately
available funds equal to such proceeds received by Agent to
Administrative Borrower’s Designated Account; provided
, however , that, subject to the provisions of
Section 2.3(d)(ii) , Agent shall not request any Lender
to make, and no Lender shall have the obligation to make, any
Advance if Agent shall have actual knowledge that (1) one or
more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in
Section 3 will not be satisfied on the requested
Funding Date for the applicable Borrowing unless such condition has
been waived, or (2) the requested Borrowing would exceed the
Availability on such Funding Date.
(ii)
Unless Agent receives notice from a Lender prior to 9:00 a.m.
(California time) on the date of a Borrowing, that such Lender will
not make available as and when required hereunder to
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Agent for the account of Borrowers
the amount of that Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing,
Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will make such amount
available to Agent in immediately available funds on the Funding
Date and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to Administrative Borrower on such
date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Lender
shall not have made its full amount available to Agent in
immediately available funds and Agent in such circumstances has
made available to Administrative Borrower such amount, that Lender
shall on the Business Day following such Funding Date make such
amount available to Agent, together with interest at the Defaulting
Lender Rate for each day during such period. A notice
submitted by Agent to any Lender with respect to amounts owing
under this subsection shall be conclusive, absent manifest
error. If such amount is so made available, such payment to
Agent shall constitute such Lender’s Advance on the date of
Borrowing for all purposes of this Agreement. If such amount
is not made available to Agent on the Business Day following the
Funding Date, Agent will notify Administrative Borrower of such
failure to fund and, upon demand by Agent, Borrowers shall pay such
amount to Agent for Agent’s account, together with interest
thereon for each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a
rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to
the Advances composing such Borrowing. The failure of any
Lender to make any Advance on any Funding Date shall not relieve
any other Lender of any obligation hereunder to make an Advance on
such Funding Date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the
failure of any other Lender to make the Advance to be made by such
other Lender on any Funding Date.
(iii)
Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any
payments made by Borrowers to Agent for the Defaulting
Lender’s benefit, and, in the absence of such transfer to the
Defaulting Lender, Agent shall transfer any such payments to each
other non-Defaulting Lender member of the Lender Group ratably in
accordance with their Commitments (but only to the extent that such
Defaulting Lender’s Advance was funded by the other members
of the Lender Group) or, if so directed by Administrative Borrower
and if no Default or Event of Default had occurred and is
continuing (and to the extent such Defaulting Lender’s
Advance was not funded by the Lender Group), retain same to be
re-advanced to Borrowers as if such Defaulting Lender had made
Advances to Borrowers. Subject to the foregoing, Agent may
hold and, in its Permitted Discretion, re-lend to Borrowers for the
account of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments
received and retained by Agent for the account of such Defaulting
Lender. Solely for the purposes of voting or consenting to
matters with respect to the Loan Documents, such Defaulting Lender
shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” and such
Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be zero. This
Section shall remain effective with respect to such Lender until
(x) the Obligations under this Agreement shall have been
declared or shall have become immediately due and payable,
(y) the non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent, and Administrative
Borrower shall have waived such Defaulting Lender’s default
in writing, or (z) the Defaulting Lender makes its Pro Rata
Share of the applicable Advance and pays to Agent all amounts owing
by Defaulting Lender in respect thereof. The operation of
this Section shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect
the Commitment of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance
by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and
obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by
Borrowers of their duties and obligations hereunder to Agent or to
the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender. Any such
failure to fund by any Defaulting Lender shall constitute a
material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and
shall entitle Administrative Borrower at its option, upon written
notice to Agent, to arrange for a substitute Lender to assume the
Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, such substitute Lender to be
acceptable to Agent. In connection with the arrangement of
such a substitute Lender, the Defaulting Lender shall have no right
to refuse to be replaced hereunder, and agrees to execute and
deliver a completed form of Assignment and Acceptance in favor of
the substitute Lender (and agrees that it shall be deemed to have
executed and delivered such document if it fails to do so) subject
only to being repaid its share of the outstanding Obligations
(other than Bank Product Obligations, but including an assumption
of its Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability) without
any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever; provided however,
that any such assumption of the Commitment of such Defaulting
Lender shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any of the
Lender Groups’ or Borrowers’ rights or remedies against
any such Defaulting Lender arising out of or in relation to such
failure to fund.
(d)
Protective Advances and Optional Overadvances .
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(i)
Agent hereby is authorized by Borrowers and the Lenders, from time
to time in Agent’s sole discretion, (A) after the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default, or (B) at any time that any of the other applicable
conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 are not
satisfied, to make Advances to Borrowers on behalf of the Lenders
that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion deems necessary or
desirable (1) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any
portion thereof, (2) to enhance the likelihood of repayment of
the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), or
(3) to pay any other amount chargeable to Borrowers pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, including Lender Group Expenses and
the costs, fees, and expenses described in Section 9
(any of the Advances described in this
Section 2.3(d)(i) shall be referred to as “
Protective Advances ”).
(ii)
Any contrary provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, the
Lenders hereby authorize Agent or Swing Lender, as applicable, and
either Agent or Swing Lender, as applicable, may, but is not
obligated to, knowingly and intentionally, continue to make
Advances (including Swing Loans) to Borrowers notwithstanding that
an Overadvance exists or thereby would be created, so long as
(A) after giving effect to such Advances, the outstanding
Revolver Usage does not exceed the Loan Limit by more than
$5,000,000, and (B) after giving effect to such Advances, the
outstanding Revolver Usage (except for and excluding amounts
charged to the Loan Account for interest, fees, or Lender Group
Expenses) does not exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount. In the
event Agent obtains actual knowledge that the Revolver Usage
exceeds the amounts permitted by the immediately foregoing
provisions, regardless of the amount of, or reason for, such
excess, Agent shall notify the Lenders as soon as practicable (and
prior to making any (or any additional) intentional Overadvances
(except for and excluding amounts charged to the Loan Account for
interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses) unless Agent determines
that prior notice would result in imminent harm to the Collateral
or its value), and the Lenders with Commitments thereupon shall,
together with Agent, jointly determine the terms of arrangements
that shall be implemented with Borrowers intended to reduce, within
a reasonable time, the outstanding principal amount of the Advances
to Borrowers to an amount permitted by the preceding
paragraph. In such circumstances, if any Lender with a
Commitment objects to the proposed terms of reduction or repayment
of any Overadvance, the terms of reduction or repayment thereof
shall be implemented according to the determination of the Required
Lenders. Each Lender with a Commitment shall be obligated to
settle with Agent as provided in Section 2.3(e) for the
amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any unintentional
Overadvances by Agent reported to such Lender, any intentional
Overadvances made as permitted under this
Section 2.3(d)(ii) , and any Overadvances resulting
from the charging to the Loan Account of interest, fees, or Lender
Group Expenses.
(iii)
Each Protective Advance and each Overadvance shall be deemed to be
an Advance hereunder, except that no Protective Advance or
Overadvance shall be eligible to be a LIBOR Rate Loan and all
payments on the Protective Advances shall be payable to Agent
solely for its own account. The Protective Advances and
Overadvances shall be repayable on demand, secured by the
Agent’s Liens, constitute Obligations hereunder, and bear
interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Advances that
are Base Rate Loans. The provisions of this
Section 2.3(d) are for the exclusive benefit of Agent,
Swing Lender, and the Lenders and are not intended to benefit any
Borrower in any way.
(e)
Settlement. It is agreed that each Lender’s
funded portion of the Advances is intended by the Lenders to equal,
at all times, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding
Advances. Such agreement notwithstanding, Agent, Swing
Lender, and the other Lenders agree (which agreement shall not be
for the benefit of any Borrower) that in order to facilitate the
administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
settlement among the Lenders as to the Advances, the Swing Loans,
and the Protective Advances shall take place on a periodic basis in
accordance with the following provisions:
(i)
Agent shall request settlement (“ Settlement ”)
with the Lenders on a weekly basis, or on a more frequent basis if
so determined by Agent, (1) on behalf of Swing Lender, with
respect to the outstanding Swing Loans, (2) for itself, with
respect to the outstanding Protective Advances, and (3) with
respect to Borrowers’ or their Subsidiaries’
Collections received, as to each by notifying the Lenders by
telecopy, telephone, or other similar form of transmission, of such
requested Settlement, no later than
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2:00 p.m. (California time) on
the Business Day immediately prior to the date of such requested
Settlement (the date of such requested Settlement being the “
Settlement Date ”). Such notice of a Settlement
Date shall include a summary statement of the amount of outstanding
Advances, Swing Loans, and Protective Advances for the period
since the prior Settlement Date. Subject to the terms and
conditions contained herein (including
Section 2.3(c)(iii) ): (y) if a
Lender’s balance of the Advances (including Swing Loans and
Protective Advances) exceeds such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of
the Advances (including Swing Loans and Protective Advances) as of
a Settlement Date, then Agent shall, by no later than
12:00 p.m. (California time) on the Settlement Date, transfer
in immediately available funds to a Deposit Account of such Lender
(as such Lender may designate), an amount such that each such
Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have as of the
Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Advances (including
Swing Loans and Protective Advances), and (z) if a
Lender’s balance of the Advances (including Swing Loans and
Protective Advances) is less than such Lender’s Pro Rata
Share of the Advances (including Swing Loans and Protective
Advances) as of a Settlement Date, such Lender shall no later than
12:00 p.m. (California time) on the Settlement Date transfer
in immediately available funds to the Agent’s Account, an
amount such that each such Lender shall, upon transfer of such
amount, have as of the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the
Advances (including Swing Loans and Protective Advances).
Such amounts made available to Agent under clause (z) of the
immediately preceding sentence shall be applied against the amounts
of the applicable Swing Loans or Protective Advances and, together
with the portion of such Swing Loans or Protective Advances
representing Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, shall
constitute Advances of such Lenders. If any such amount is
not made available to Agent by any Lender on the Settlement Date
applicable thereto to the extent required by the terms hereof,
Agent shall be entitled to recover for its account such amount on
demand from such Lender together with interest thereon at the
Defaulting Lender Rate.
(ii)
In determining whether a Lender’s balance of the Advances,
Swing Loans, and Protective Advances is less than, equal to, or
greater than such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Advances,
Swing Loans, and Protective Advances as of a Settlement Date, Agent
shall, as part of the relevant Settlement, apply to such balance
the portion of payments actually received in good funds by Agent
with respect to principal, interest, fees payable by Borrowers and
allocable to the Lenders hereunder, and proceeds of
Collateral. To the extent that a net amount is owed to any
such Lender after such application, such net amount shall be
distributed by Agent to that Lender as part of such next
Settlement.
(iii)
Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to the extent no Protective
Advances or Swing Loans are outstanding, may pay over to Swing
Lender any payments received by Agent, that in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the
Advances, for application to Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share of
the Advances. If, as of any Settlement Date, Collections of
Borrowers or their Subsidiaries received since the then immediately
preceding Settlement Date have been applied to Swing Lender’s
Pro Rata Share of the Advances other than to Swing Loans, as
provided for in the previous sentence, Swing Lender shall pay to
Agent for the accounts of the Lenders, and Agent shall pay to the
Lenders, to be applied to the outstanding Advances of such Lenders,
an amount such that each Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount,
have, as of such Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the
Advances. During the period between Settlement Dates, Swing
Lender with respect to Swing Loans, Agent with respect to
Protective Advances, and each Lender (subject to the effect of
agreements between Agent and individual Lenders) with respect to
the Advances other than Swing Loans and Protective Advances, shall
be entitled to interest at the applicable rate or rates payable
under this Agreement on the daily amount of funds employed by Swing
Lender, Agent, or the Lenders, as applicable.
(f)
Notation. Agent shall record on its books the
principal amount of the Advances owing to each Lender, including
the Swing Loans owing to Swing Lender, and Protective Advances
owing to Agent, and the interests therein of each Lender, from time
to time and such records shall, absent manifest error, conclusively
be presumed to be correct and accurate.
(g)
Lenders’ Failure to Perform. All Advances
(other than Swing Loans and Protective Advances) shall be made by
the Lenders contemporaneously and in accordance with their Pro
Rata
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Shares. It is understood that
(i) no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any
other Lender to perform its obligation to make any Advance (or
other extension of credit) hereunder, nor shall any Commitment of
any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of any failure by
any other Lender to perform its obligations hereunder, and
(ii) no failure by any Lender to perform its obligations
hereunder shall excuse any other Lender from its obligations
hereunder.
2.4
Payments .
(a)
Payments by Borrowers .
(i)
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by
Borrowers shall be made to Agent’s Account for the account of
the Lender Group and shall be made in immediately available funds,
no later than 11:00 a.m. (California time) on the date
specified herein. Any payment received by Agent later than
11:00 a.m. (California time), shall be deemed to have been
received on the following Business Day and any applicable interest
or fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business
Day.
(ii)
Unless Agent receives notice from Administrative Borrower prior to
the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders that Borrowers
will not make such payment in full as and when required, Agent may
assume that Borrowers have made (or will make) such payment in full
to Agent on such date in immediately available funds and Agent may
(but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption,
distribute to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the
amount then due such Lender. If and to the extent Borrowers
do not make such payment in full to Agent on the date when due,
each Lender severally shall repay to Agent on demand such amount
distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at the
Defaulting Lender Rate for each day from the date such amount is
distributed to such Lender until the date repaid.
(b)
Apportionment and Application .
(i)
So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
except as otherwise provided with respect to Defaulting Lenders,
all principal and interest payments shall be apportioned ratably
among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance of the
Obligations to which such payments relate held by each Lender) and
all payments of fees and expenses (other than fees or expenses that
are for Agent’s separate account) shall be apportioned
ratably among the Lenders having a Pro Rata Share of the type of
Commitment or Obligation to which a particular fee or expense
relates. All payments to be made hereunder by Borrowers shall
be remitted to Agent and all (subject to Section 2.4(b)(iv)
hereof) such payments, and all proceeds of Collateral received by
Agent, shall be applied, so long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, to reduce the balance of the Advances
outstanding and, thereafter, to Borrowers (to be wired to the
Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under
applicable law.
(ii)
At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and except as otherwise provided with respect to Defaulting
Lenders, all payments remitted to Agent and all proceeds of
Collateral received by Agent shall be applied as
follows:
(A)
first , to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or
expense reimbursements) and indemnities then due to Agent under the
Loan Documents, until paid in full,
(B)
second , to pay any fees or premiums then due to Agent under
the Loan Documents until paid in full,
(C)
third , to pay interest due in respect of all Protective
Advances until paid in full,
7
(D)
fourth , to pay the principal of all Protective Advances
until paid in full,
(E)
fifth , ratably to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including
cost or expense reimbursements) and indemnities then due to any of
the Lenders under the Loan Documents until paid in full,
(F)
sixth , ratably to pay any fees or premiums then due to any
of the Lenders under the Loan Documents until paid in
full,
(G)
seventh , ratably to pay interest due in respect of the
Advances (other than Protective Advances), and the Swing Loans
until paid in full,
(H)
eighth , ratably (i) to pay the principal of all Swing Loans
until paid in full, (ii) to pay the principal of all Advances until
paid in full, (iii) to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable
benefit of Issuing Lender and those Lenders having a Commitment, as
cash collateral in an amount up to 105% of the Letter of Credit
Usage, and (iv) to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the benefit of
the Bank Product Providers, as cash collateral in an amount up to
the amount of the Bank Product Reserve established prior to the
occurrence of, and not in contemplation of, the subject Event of
Default,
(I)
ninth , to pay any other Obligations (including the
provision of amounts to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the benefit
of the Bank Product Providers, as cash collateral in an amount up
to the amount determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion as
the amount necessary to secure the Bank Product Obligations),
and
(J)
tenth , to Borrowers (to be wired to the Designated Account)
or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable
law.
(iii)
Agent promptly shall distribute to each Lender, pursuant to the
applicable wire instructions received from each Lender in writing,
such funds as it may be entitled to receive, subject to a
Settlement delay as provided in Section 2.3(e)
.
(iv)
In each instance, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, Section 2.4(b) shall not apply to any
payment made by Borrowers to Agent and specified by Borrowers to be
for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or
prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement.
(v)
For purposes of Section 2.4(b)(ii) , “paid in
full” means payment of all amounts owing under the Loan
Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees,
service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically
including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency
Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest, and expense
reimbursements, whether or not any of the foregoing would be or is
allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency
Proceeding.
(vi)
In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions
of this Section 2.4 and any other provision contained
in any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties
hereto that such provisions shall be read together and construed,
to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each
other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict
that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of
this Section 2.4 shall control and govern.
(c)
Mandatory Prepayments. If, at any time, (i) the sum of
the Revolver Usage, the Bank Product Reserve and all other reserves
established pursuant to Section 2.1(b) on any date during
such month exceeds (ii) the product of (A) 0.80 times (B)
TTM Recurring Revenue calculated as of the last month for which a
Loan Limit Certificate has most recently been delivered pursuant to
Section 5.3 (the “ Loan Limit
”
8
and such excess being referred to as
the “ Limiter Excess ”), then Borrowers shall
immediately prepay the Obligations in accordance with Section
2.4(d) in an aggregate amount equal to the Limiter
Excess.
(d)
Application of Mandatory Prepayments. Each prepayment
pursuant to Section 2.4(c) shall, (i) so long as
no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be
applied, first , to the outstanding principal amount of the
Advances that are Base Rate Loans until paid in full, second, to
the outstanding principal amount of the Advances that are LIBOR
Rate Loans until paid in full and third , to cash
collateralize the Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 105% of
the then extant Letter of Credit Usage, and (ii) if an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied in the
manner set forth in Section 2.4(b)(ii) .
2.5
Overadvances; Payment at Maturity . Except as
permitted by Section 2.3(d) , if, at any time or for any
reason, the amount of Obligations owed by Borrowers to the Lender
Group pursuant to Section 2.1 or
Section 2.12 is greater than any of the limitations set
forth in Section 2.1 or Section 2.12 , as
applicable (an “ Overadvance ”), Borrowers
immediately shall pay to Agent, in cash, the amount of such excess,
which amount shall be used by Agent to reduce the Obligations in
accordance with the priorities set forth in
Section 2.4(b) . Borrowers promise to pay the
Obligations (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and
expenses) in Dollars in full on the Maturity Date or, if earlier,
on the date on which the Obligations are declared due and payable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
2.6
Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee: Rates,
Payments, and Calculations .
(a)
Interest Rates. Except as provided in Section
2.6(c) below, all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of
Credit and except for Bank Product Obligations) that have been
charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear
interest on the Daily Balance thereof as follows:
(i)
if the relevant Obligation is a LIBOR Rate Loan, at a per annum
rate equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Margin,
and
(ii)
otherwise, at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate.
(b)
Letter of Credit Fee. Borrowers shall pay Agent (for
the ratable benefit of the Lenders with a Commitment, subject to
any agreements between Agent and individual Lenders), a Letter of
Credit fee (in addition to the charges, commissions, fees, and
costs set forth in Section 2.12(e) ) which shall accrue
at a rate equal to 1.50% per annum times the Daily Balance of the
undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.
(c)
Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default (and at the election of Agent
or the Required Lenders),
(i)
all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit and except
for Bank Product Obligations) that have been charged to the Loan
Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest on the
Daily Balance thereof at a per annum rate equal to 2 percentage
points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder,
and
(ii)
the Letter of Credit fee provided for in Section 2.6(b)
shall be increased to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate
otherwise applicable hereunder.
(d)
Payment. Except as provided to the contrary in
Section 2.11 or Section 2.13(a) , interest,
Letter of Credit fees, and all other fees payable hereunder shall
be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month at
any time that Obligations or Commitments are outstanding.
Borrowers hereby authorize Agent to, from time to time, without
prior notice to Borrowers, and Agent shall, charge all interest and
fees (when due and payable), all Lender Group Expenses (as and when
incurred), all charges,
9
commissions, fees, and costs
provided for in Section 2.12(e) (as and when accrued or
incurred), all fees and costs provided for in
Section 2.11 (as and when accrued or incurred), and all
other payments as and when due and payable under any Loan Document
(including any amounts due and payable to the Bank Product
Providers in respect of Bank Products up to the amount of the Bank
Product Reserve) to Borrowers’ Loan Account, which amounts
thereafter shall constitute Advances hereunder and shall accrue
interest at the rate then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate
Loans. Any interest not paid when due shall be compounded by
being charged to the Loan Account and shall thereafter constitute
Advances hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then
applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans.
(e)
Computation. All interest and fees chargeable under
the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year
for the actual number of days elapsed. In the event the Base
Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the rates of interest
hereunder based upon the Base Rate automatically and immediately
shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such change
in the Base Rate.
(f)
Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no
event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this
Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith,
exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of
competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem
applicable. Borrowers and the Lender Group, in executing and
delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or
rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it;
provided , however , that, anything contained herein
to the contrary notwithstanding, if said rate or rates of interest
or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable
law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrowers
are and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum as
allowed by law, and payment received from Borrowers in excess of
such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce
the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such
excess.
2.7
Cash Management .
(a)
Borrowers shall and shall cause each of their U.S. Subsidiaries to
(i) establish and maintain cash management services of a type
and on terms satisfactory to Agent at one or more of the banks set
forth on Schedule 2.7(a) to the Disclosure Letter (each
a “ Cash Management Bank ”), and shall request
in writing and otherwise take such reasonable steps to ensure that
all of their and their U.S. Subsidiaries’ Account Debtors
forward payment of the amounts owed by them directly to such Cash
Management Bank, and (ii) deposit or cause to be deposited
promptly, and in any event no later than the first Business Day
after the date of receipt thereof, all of their Collections
(including those sent directly by their Account Debtors to
Borrowers or their Subsidiaries) into a bank account listed on
Schedule 2.7(a) (a “ Cash Management
Account ”) at one of the Cash Management
Banks.
(b)
Each Cash Management Bank shall establish and maintain Cash
Management Agreements with Agent and Borrowers, in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to Agent. Each such Cash
Management Agreement shall provide, among other things, that
(i) the Cash Management Bank will comply with any instructions
originated by Agent directing the disposition of the funds in such
Cash Management Account without further consent by Borrowers or
their Subsidiaries, as applicable, (ii) the Cash Management
Bank has no rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim
against the applicable Cash Management Account, other than for
payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to
the administration of such Cash Management Account and for returned
checks or other items of payment, and (iii) upon the
instruction of the Agent (a “ Cash Sweep Instruction
”), it will forward by daily sweep all amounts in the
applicable Cash Management Account to the Agent’s
Account. Agent agrees not to issue a Cash Sweep Instruction
with respect to the Cash Management Accounts unless (m) an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing at the time such Cash Sweep
Instruction is issued or (n) as of the most recent date of delivery
of the reports and certificate required under Section 5.2(a)
, Excess Availability plus Qualified Cash is less than $25,000,000
(either such event referred to herein as a “ Triggering
Event ”). Agent agrees to rescind a Cash Sweep
Instruction (the “ Rescission ”) if: (x) the
Event of Default, if any, giving rise to the Triggering Event upon
which such Cash Sweep Instruction was issued has been waived in
writing in accordance with the terms
10
of this Agreement, (y) no additional
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to
the date of the Rescission (the “ Rescission Date
”) or is reasonably expected to occur on or immediately after
the Rescission Date and (z) during each of the 30 days immediately
prior to and on the Rescission Date, Excess Availability plus
Qualified Cash was and will be $25,000,000 or more.
(c)
So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, Administrative Borrower may amend
Schedule 2.7(a) to the Disclosure Letter to add or
replace a Cash Management Bank or Cash Management Account;
provided , however , that (i) such prospective
Cash Management Bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and
(ii) prior to the time of the opening of such Cash Management
Account, a Borrower (or its Subsidiary, as applicable), and such
prospective Cash Management Bank shall have executed and delivered
to Agent a Cash Management Agreement. Borrowers (or their
Subsidiaries, as applicable) shall close any of their Cash
Management Accounts (and establish replacement cash management
accounts in accordance with the foregoing sentence) promptly and in
any event within 30 days of notice from Agent that the
creditworthiness of any Cash Management Bank is no longer
acceptable in Agent’s reasonable judgment, or as promptly as
practicable and in any event within 60 days of written notice from
Agent that the operating performance, funds transfer, or
availability procedures or performance of the Cash Management Bank
with respect to Cash Management Accounts or Agent’s liability
under any Cash Management Agreement with such Cash Management Bank
is no longer acceptable in Agent’s reasonable
judgment.
(d)
Each Cash Management Account shall be a cash collateral account
subject to a Control Agreement.
2.8
Crediting Payments; Clearance Charge . The
receipt of any payment item by Agent (whether from transfers to
Agent by the Cash Management Banks pursuant to the Cash Management
Agreements or otherwise) shall not be considered a payment on
account unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately
available federal funds made to the Agent’s Account or unless
and until such payment item is honored when presented for
payment. Should any payment item not be honored when
presented for payment, then Borrowers shall be deemed not to have
made such payment and interest shall be calculated
accordingly. Anything to the contrary contained herein
notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by Agent
only if it is received into the Agent’s Account on a Business
Day on or before 11:00 a.m. (California time). If any
payment item is received into the Agent’s Account on a
non-Business Day or after 11:00 a.m. (California time) on a
Business Day, it shall be deemed to have been received by Agent as
of the opening of business on the immediately following Business
Day.
2.9
Designated Account . Agent is authorized to
make the Advances, and Issuing Lender is authorized to issue the
Letters of Credit, under this Agreement based upon telephonic or
other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an
Authorized Person or, without instructions, if pursuant to
Section 2.6(d) . Administrative Borrower agrees
to establish and maintain the Designated Account with the
Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving the proceeds
of the Advances requested by Borrowers and made by Agent or the
Lenders hereunder. Unless otherwise agreed by Agent and
Administrative Borrower, any Advance, Protective Advance, or Swing
Loan requested by Borrowers and made by Agent or the Lenders
hereunder shall be made to the Designated Account.
2.10
Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of
Obligations . Agent shall maintain an account on its
books in the name of Borrowers (the “ Loan Account
”) on which Borrowers will be charged with all Advances
(including Protective Advances and Swing Loans) made by Agent,
Swing Lender, or the Lenders to Borrowers or for Borrowers’
account, the Letters of Credit issued by Issuing Lender for
Borrowers’ account, and with all other payment Obligations
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (except for Bank
Product Obligations), including, accrued interest, fees and
expenses, and Lender Group Expenses. In accordance with
Section 2.8 , the Loan Account will be credited with
all payments received by Agent from Borrowers or for
Borrowers’ account, including all amounts received in the
Agent’s Account from any Cash Management Bank. Agent
shall render statements regarding the Loan Account to
Administrative Borrower,
11
including principal, interest, fees,
and including an itemization of all charges and expenses
constituting Lender Group Expenses owing, and such statements,
absent manifest error, shall be conclusively presumed to be correct
and accurate and constitute an account stated between Borrowers and
the Lender Group unless, within 30 days after receipt thereof by
Administrative Borrower, Administrative Borrower shall deliver to
Agent written objection thereto describing the error or errors
contained in any such statements.
2.11
Fees . Borrowers shall pay to Agent, as and
when due and payable under the terms of the Fee Letter, the fees
set forth in the Fee Letter.
2.12
Letters of Credit .
(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Issuing
Lender agrees to issue letters of credit for the account of
Borrowers (each, an “ L/C ”) or to purchase
participations or execute indemnities or reimbursement obligations
(each such undertaking, an “ L/C Undertaking ”)
with respect to letters of credit issued by an Underlying Issuer
(as of the Closing Date, the prospective Underlying Issuer is to be
Wells Fargo) for the account of Borrowers. Each request for
the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or the amendment, renewal, or
extension of any outstanding Letter of Credit, shall be made in
writing by an Authorized Person and delivered to the Issuing Lender
and Agent via hand delivery, telefacsimile, or other electronic
method of transmission reasonably in advance of the requested date
of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension. Each such
request shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Issuing
Lender in its Permitted Discretion and shall specify (i) the
amount of such Letter of Credit, (ii) the date of issuance,
amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit,
(iii) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit,
(iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof (or the
beneficiary of the Underlying Letter of Credit, as applicable), and
(v) such other information (including, in the case of an
amendment, renewal, or extension, identification of the outstanding
Letter of Credit to be so amended, renewed, or extended) as shall
be necessary to prepare, amend, renew, or extend such Letter of
Credit. If requested by the Issuing Lender, Borrowers also
shall be an applicant under the application with respect to any
Underlying Letter of Credit that is to be the subject of an L/C
Undertaking. The Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to
issue a Letter of Credit if any of the following would result after
giving effect to the issuance of such requested Letter of
Credit:
(i)
the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Loan Limit less
the outstanding amount of Advances, or
(ii)
the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $10,000,000, or
(iii)
the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount
less the outstanding amount of Advances less the Bank
Product Reserve, and less the aggregate amount of reserves,
if any, established by Agent under Section 2.1(b)
.
Borrowers and the Lender Group
acknowledge and agree that certain Underlying Letters of Credit may
be issued to support letters of credit that already are outstanding
as of the Closing Date. Each Letter of Credit (and
corresponding Underlying Letter of Credit) shall be in form and
substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender (in the exercise of its
Permitted Discretion), including the requirement that the amounts
payable thereunder must be payable in Dollars. If Issuing
Lender is obligated to advance funds under a Letter of Credit,
Borrowers immediately shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement to
Issuing Lender by paying to Agent an amount equal to such L/C
Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., California time, on
the date that such L/C Disbursement is made, if Administrative
Borrower shall have received written or telephonic notice of such
L/C Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., California time, on such
date, or, if such notice has not been received by Administrative
Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than
11:00 a.m., California time, on the Business Day that
Administrative Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is
received prior to 10:00 a.m., California time, on the date of
receipt, and, in the absence of such reimbursement, the L/C
Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be an
Advance hereunder and, initially, shall bear interest at the rate
then applicable to Advances that are Base Rate Loans. To the
extent an L/C
12
Disbursement is deemed to be an
Advance hereunder, Borrowers’ obligation to reimburse such
L/C Disbursement shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting
Advance. Promptly following receipt by Agent of any payment
from Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, Agent shall distribute
such payment to the Issuing Lender or, to the extent that Lenders
have made payments pursuant to Section 2.12(c) to
reimburse the Issuing Lender, then to such Lenders and the Issuing
Lender as their interests may appear.
(b)
Promptly following receipt of a notice of L/C Disbursement pursuant
to Section 2.12(a) , each Lender with a Commitment
agrees to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance deemed made
pursuant to the foregoing subsection on the same terms and
conditions as if Borrowers had requested such Advance and Agent
shall promptly pay to Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it
from the Lenders. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or
an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof)
and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Lender or
the Lenders with Commitments, the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to
have granted to each Lender with a Commitment, and each Lender with
a Commitment shall be deemed to have purchased, a participation in
each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of
the Risk Participation Liability of such Letter of Credit, and each
such Lender agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of the Issuing
Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any payments made by
the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit. In
consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender with
a Commitment hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to
Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender, such Lender’s
Pro Rata Share of each L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Lender
and not reimbursed by Borrowers on the date due as provided in
Section 2.12(a) , or of any reimbursement payment
required to be refunded to Borrowers for any reason. Each
Lender with a Commitment acknowledges and agrees that its
obligation to deliver to Agent, for the account of the Issuing
Lender, an amount equal to its respective Pro Rata Share of each
L/C Disbursement made by the Issuing Lender pursuant to this
Section 2.12(b) shall be absolute and unconditional and
such remittance shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or
continuation of an Event of Default or Default or the failure to
satisfy any condition set forth in Section 3 . If
any such Lender fails to make available to Agent the amount of such
Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each L/C Disbursement made by the
Issuing Lender in respect of such Letter of Credit as provided in
this Section, such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender
and Agent (for the account of the Issuing Lender) shall be entitled
to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with
interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate until paid in
full.
(c)
Each Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and hold
the Lender Group harmless from any loss, cost, expense, or
liability, and reasonable attorneys fees incurred by the Lender
Group arising out of or in connection with any Letter of Credit;
provided , however , that no Borrower shall be
obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or
liability to the extent that it is caused by the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender or any other member of
the Lender Group. Each Borrower agrees to be bound by the
Underlying Issuer’s regulations and interpretations of any
Underlying Letter of Credit or by Issuing Lender’s
interpretations of any L/C issued by Issuing Lender to or for such
Borrower’s account, even though this interpretation may be
different from such Borrower’s own, and each Borrower
understands and agrees that the Lender Group shall not be liable
for any error, negligence, or mistake, whether of omission or
commission, in following Borrowers’ instructions or those
contained in the Letter of Credit or any modifications, amendments,
or supplements thereto. Each Borrower understands that the
L/C Undertakings may require Issuing Lender to indemnify the
Underlying Issuer for certain costs or liabilities arising out of
claims by Borrowers against such Underlying Issuer. Each
Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and hold the
Lender Group harmless with respect to any loss, cost, expense
(including reasonable attorneys fees), or liability incurred by the
Lender Group under any L/C Undertaking as a result of the Lender
Group’s indemnification of any Underlying Issuer;
provided , however , that no Borrower shall be
obligated hereunder to indemnify for any loss, cost, expense, or
liability to the extent that it is caused by the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender or any other member of
the Lender Group. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges and
agrees that neither the Lender Group nor the Issuing Lender shall
be responsible for delays, errors, or omissions resulting from the
malfunction of equipment in connection with any Letter of
Credit.
13
(d)
Each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs any Underlying Issuer
to deliver to the Issuing Lender all instruments, documents, and
other writings and property received by such Underlying Issuer
pursuant to such Underlying Letter of Credit and to accept and rely
upon the Issuing Lender’s instructions with respect to all
matters arising in connection with such Underlying Letter of Credit
and the related application.
(e)
Any and all issuance charges, commissions, fees, and costs incurred
by the Issuing Lender relating to Underlying Letters of Credit
shall be Lender Group Expenses for purposes of this Agreement and
immediately shall be reimbursable by Borrowers to Agent for the
account of the Issuing Lender; it being acknowledged and agreed by
each Borrower that, as of the Closing Date, the issuance charge
imposed by the prospective Underlying Issuer is .825% per annum
times the undrawn amount of each Underlying Letter of Credit, that
such issuance charge may be changed from time to time, and that the
Underlying Issuer also imposes a schedule of charges for
amendments, extensions, drawings, and renewals.
(f)
If by reason of (i) any change after the Closing Date in any
applicable law, treaty, rule, or regulation or any change in the
interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority
(except changes of general applicability in income tax laws), or
(ii) compliance by the Underlying Issuer or the Lender Group
with any direction, request, or requirement (irrespective of
whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority or
monetary authority including, Regulation D of the Federal Reserve
Board as from time to time in effect (and any successor
thereto):
(A)
any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is or shall be imposed
or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit issued hereunder,
or
(B)
there shall be imposed on the Underlying Issuer or the Lender Group
any other condition regarding any Underlying Letter of Credit or
any Letter of Credit issued pursuant hereto;
and the result of the foregoing is
to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost to the Lender Group
of issuing, making, guaranteeing, or maintaining any Letter of
Credit or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof by the
Lender Group, then, and in any such case, Agent may, at any time
within a reasonable period after the additional cost is incurred or
the amount received is reduced, notify Administrative Borrower, and
Borrowers shall pay on demand such amounts as Agent may specify to
be necessary to compensate the Lender Group for such additional
cost or reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from
the date of such demand until payment in full thereof at the rate
then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder. The
determination by Agent of any amount due pursuant to this Section,
as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation thereof
in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest or
demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of
the parties hereto.
2.13
LIBOR Option .
(a)
Interest and Interest Payment Dates. In lieu of
having interest charged at the rate based upon the Base Rate,
Borrowers shall have the option (the “ LIBOR Option
”) to have interest on all or a portion of the Advances be
charged (whether at the time when made (unless otherwise provided
herein), upon conversion from a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate
Loan, or upon continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan as a LIBOR Rate
Loan) at a rate of interest based upon the LIBOR Rate.
Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be payable on the earliest of
(i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto;
provided , however , that, subject to the following
clauses (ii) and (iii), in the case of any Interest Period greater
than 3 months in duration, interest shall be payable at 3 month
intervals after the commencement of the applicable Interest Period
and on the last day of such Interest Period, (ii) the date on
which all or any portion of the Obligations are accelerated
pursuant to the terms hereof, or (iii) the date on which this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms hereof. On the
last day of each applicable Interest Period, unless Administrative
Borrower properly has exercised the LIBOR Option with respect
thereto, the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan
automatically shall convert to the rate of interest then applicable
to Base Rate Loans of the same type
14
hereunder. At any time that an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers no
longer shall have the option to request that Advances bear interest
at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate and Agent shall have the right
to convert the interest rate on all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans to
the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder.
(b)
LIBOR Election .
(i)
Administrative Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, so
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, elect
to exercise the LIBOR Option by notifying Agent prior to
11:00 a.m. (California time) at least 3 Business Days prior to
the commencement of the proposed Interest Period (the “
LIBOR Deadline ”). Notice of Administrative
Borrower’s election of the LIBOR Option for a permitted
portion of the Advances and an Interest Period pursuant to this
Section shall be made by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice
received by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline, or by telephonic
notice received by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline (to be confirmed
by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice received by Agent prior to
5:00 p.m. (California time) on the same day). Promptly
upon its receipt of each such LIBOR Notice, Agent shall provide a
copy thereof to each of the affected Lenders.
(ii)
Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on
Borrowers. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, each
Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders
harmless against any loss, cost, or expense incurred by Agent or
any Lender as a result of (A) the payment of any principal of
any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest
Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of
Default), (B) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than
on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or
(C) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any
LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any LIBOR Notice delivered
pursuant hereto (such losses, costs or expenses, “ Funding
Losses ”). Funding Losses shall, with respect to
Agent or any Lender, be deemed to equal the amount determined by
Agent or such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (1) the
amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount
of such LIBOR Rate Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBOR
Rate that would have been applicable thereto, for the period from
the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest
Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or
continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period
therefor), minus (2) the amount of interest that would
accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest
rate which Agent or such Lender would be offered were it to be
offered, at the commencement of such period, Dollar deposits of a
comparable amount and period in the London interbank market.
A certificate of Agent or a Lender delivered to Administrative
Borrower setting forth any amount or amounts that Agent or such
Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this
Section 2.13 shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.
(iii)
Borrowers shall have not more than 7 LIBOR Rate Loans in effect at
any given time. Borrowers only may exercise the LIBOR Option
for LIBOR Rate Loans of at least $1,000,000 and integral multiples
of $500,000 in excess thereof.
(c)
Conversion. Borrowers may convert LIBOR Rate Loans to
Base Rate Loans or prepay LIBOR Rate Loans at any time;
provided , however , that in the event that LIBOR
Rate Loans are converted or prepaid on any date that is not the
last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, including as a
result of any automatic prepayment through the required application
by Agent of proceeds of Borrowers’ and their
Subsidiaries’ Collections in accordance with
Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason, including early
termination of the term of this Agreement or acceleration of all or
any portion of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, each
Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders
and their Participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses
in accordance with Section 2.13(b)(ii)
above.
(d)
Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate .
(i)
The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Agent with respect to any Lender
on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or
increased costs to such Lender of maintaining or
15
obtaining any Eurodollar deposits or
increased costs, in each case, due to changes in applicable law
occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable
Interest Period, including changes in tax laws (except changes of
general applicability in income tax laws) and changes in the
reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor), excluding the Reserve
Percentage, which additional or increased costs would increase the
cost of funding or maintaining loans bearing interest at the LIBOR
Rate. In any such event, the affected Lender shall give
Administrative Borrower and Agent notice of such a determination
and adjustment and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each
other Lender and, upon its receipt of the notice from the affected
Lender, Administrative Borrower may, by notice to such affected
Lender (y) require such Lender to furnish to Administrative
Borrower a statement setting forth the basis for adjusting such
LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such
adjustment, or (z) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans with respect to
which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under
Section 2.13(b)(ii) ).
(ii)
In the event that any change in market conditions or any law,
regulation, treaty, or directive, or any change therein or in the
interpretation of application thereof, shall at any time after the
date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of any Lender, make it
unlawful or impractical for such Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR
Rate Loans or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to
determine or charge interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, such Lender
shall give notice of such changed circumstances to Agent and
Administrative Borrower and Agent promptly shall transmit the
notice to each other Lender and (y) in the case of any LIBOR
Rate Loans of such Lender that are outstanding, the date specified
in such Lender’s notice shall be deemed to be the last day of
the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the
LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender thereafter shall accrue interest at
the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (z) Borrowers
shall not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option until such Lender
determines that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do
so.
(e)
No Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the
contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither Agent, nor any
Lender, nor any of their Participants, is required actually to
acquire Eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any
Obligation as to which interest accrues at the LIBOR Rate.
The provisions of this Section shall apply as if each Lender or its
Participants had match funded any Obligation as to which interest
is accruing at the LIBOR Rate by acquiring Eurodollar deposits for
each Interest Period in the amount of the LIBOR Rate
Loans.
2.14
Capital Requirements . If, after the date hereof, any Lender
reasonably determines that (i) the adoption of or change in
any law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital
requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or any change in
the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority charged with the administration thereof, or
(ii) compliance by such Lender or its parent bank holding
company with any guideline, request or directive of any such entity
regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of
law), has the effect of reducing the return on such Lender’s
or such holding company’s capital as a consequence of such
Lender’s Commitments hereunder to a level below that which
such Lender or such holding company could have achieved but for
such adoption, change, or compliance (taking into consideration
such Lender’s or such holding company’s then existing
policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming the full
utilization of such entity’s capital) by any amount deemed by
such Lender to be material, then such Lender may, within 180 days
of such Lender making such determination, notify Administrative
Borrower and Agent thereof. Following receipt of such notice,
Borrowers agree to pay such Lender on demand the amount of such
reduction of return of capital as and when such reduction is
determined, payable within 90 days after presentation by such
Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable
detail such Lender’s calculation thereof and the assumptions
upon which such calculation was based (which statement shall be
deemed true and correct absent manifest error). In
determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.
16
2.15
Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers .
(a)
Each Borrower is accepting joint and several liability hereunder
and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the
financial accommodations to be provided by the Lender Group under
this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of
each Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of the other
Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the
Obligations.
(b)
Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a
co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrowers,
with respect to the payment and performance of all of the
Obligations (including any Obligations arising under this
Section 2.15 ), it being the intention of the parties
hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and several
obligations of each Borrower without preferences or distinction
among them.
(c)
If and to the extent that any Borrower shall fail to make any
payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or
to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms
thereof, then in each such event the other Borrowers will make such
payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation.
(d)
The Obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this
Section 2.15 constitute the absolute and unconditional,
full recourse Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each
Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets,
irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this
Agreement or any other circumstances whatsoever.
(e)
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each
Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and
several liability, notice of any Advances or Letters of Credit
issued under or pursuant to this Agreement, notice of the
occurrence of any Default, Event of Default, or of any demand for
any payment under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time
taken or omitted by Agent or Lenders under or in respect of any of
the Obligations, any requirement of diligence or to mitigate
damages and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in
connection with this Agreement (except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement). Each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives
notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the
payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of
any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment
thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by
Agent or Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by
any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term,
covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all
other indulgences whatsoever by Agent or Lenders in respect of any
of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or
release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security
for any of the Obligations or the addition, substitution or
release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to
any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part
of any Agent or Lender with respect to the failure by any Borrower
to comply with any of its respective Obligations, including,
without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert
any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with
applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the
provisions of this Section 2.15 afford grounds for
terminating, discharging or relieving any Borrower, in whole or in
part, from any of its Obligations under this
Section 2.15 , it being the intention of each Borrower
that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain
unsatisfied, the Obligations of each Borrower under this
Section 2.15 shall not be discharged except by
performance and then only to the extent of such performance.
The Obligations of each Borrower under this
Section 2.15 shall not be diminished or rendered
unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement,
liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to
any Borrower or any Agent or Lender.
(f)
Each Borrower represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that
such Borrower is currently informed of the financial condition of
Borrowers and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry
would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the
Obligations. Each Borrower further represents and warrants to
Agent and Lenders that such Borrower has read and understands the
terms and conditions of the Loan Documents. Each Borrower
hereby covenants that such Borrower will continue to
keep
17
informed of Borrowers’
financial condition, the financial condition of other guarantors,
if any, and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of
nonpayment or nonperformance of the Obligations.
(g)
Each Borrower waives all rights and defenses arising out of an
election of remedies by Agent or any Lender, even though that
election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with
respect to security for a guaranteed obligation, has destroyed
Agent’s or such Lender’s rights of subrogation and
reimbursement against such Borrower by the operation of
Section 580(d) of the California Code of Civil Procedure, any
comparable statute or otherwise.
(h)
Each Borrower waives all rights and defenses that such Borrower may
have because the Obligations are or may become secured by Real
Property. This means, among other things:
(i)
Agent and Lenders may collect from such Borrower without first
foreclosing on any Real or Personal Property Collateral pledged by
Borrowers.
(ii)
If Agent or any Lender forecloses on any Real Property Collateral
pledged by Borrowers:
(A)
The amount of the Obligations may be reduced only by the price for
which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the
collateral is worth more than the sale price.
(B)
Agent and Lenders may collect from such Borrower even if Agent or
Lenders, by foreclosing on the Real Property Collateral, has
destroyed any right such Borrower may have to collect from the
other Borrowers.
(i)
The provisions of this Section 2.15 are made for the
benefit of Agent, Lenders and their respective successors and
assigns, and may be enforced by it or them from time to time
against any or all Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may
arise and without requirement on the part of Agent, any Lender, any
of their respective successors or assigns first to marshal any of
its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights
against any Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it or
them against any Borrower or to resort to any other source or means
of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to
elect any other remedy. The provisions of this
Section 2.15 shall remain in effect until all of the
Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully
satisfied. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof,
made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must
otherwise be restored or returned by Agent or any Lender upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or
otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.15 will
forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not
been made.
(j)
Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its
rights of contribution or subrogation against any other Borrower
with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents, any payments made by it to Agent or
Lenders with respect to any of the Obligations or any collateral
security therefor until such time as all of the Obligations have
been paid in full in cash. Any claim which any Borrower may
have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to any
Agent or Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Documents are
hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment,
without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising
hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of
the Obligations and, in the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy,
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar
proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction relating to any
Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or
involuntary, all such Obligations shall be paid in full in cash
before any payment or distribution of any character, whether in
cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any other
Borrower therefor.
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3.
CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.
3.1
Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of
Credit . The obligation of each Lender to make its
initial extension of credit provided for hereunder, is subject to
the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Agent and each Lender of
each of the conditions precedent set forth on
Schedule 3.1 (the making of such initial extension of
credit by a Lender being conclusively deemed to be its satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions precedent).
3.2
Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit
. The obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof)
to make any Advances hereunder at any time (or to extend any other
credit hereunder) at any time shall be subject to the following
conditions precedent:
(a)
the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or
in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all
material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not
be applicable to any representations and warranties that already
are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on
and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on
and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations
and warranties relate solely to an earlier date);
(b)
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall
either result from the making thereof;
(c)
no injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order of any
nature restricting or prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the
extending of such credit shall have been issued and remain in force
by any Governmental Authority against any Borrower, Agent or any
Lender; and
(d)
no Material Adverse Change shall have occurred.
3.3
Term . This Agreement shall continue in full
force and effect for a term ending on February 14, 2010 (the
“ Maturity Date ”). The foregoing
notwithstanding, the Lender Group, upon the election of the
Required Lenders, shall have the right to terminate its obligations
under this Agreement immediately and without notice upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default.
3.4
Effect of Termination . On the date of
termination of this Agreement, all Obligations (including
contingent reimbursement obligations of Borrowers with respect to
outstanding Letters of Credit and including all Bank Product
Obligations) immediately shall become due and payable without
notice or demand (including the requirement that Borrowers provide
(a) Letter of Credit Collateralization and (b) Bank Product
Collateralization). No termination of this Agreement,
however, shall relieve or discharge Borrowers or their Subsidiaries
of their duties, Obligations, or covenants hereunder or under any
other Loan Document and the Agent’s Liens in the Collateral
shall remain in effect until all Obligations have been paid in full
and the Lender Group’s obligations to provide additional
credit hereunder have been terminated. When this Agreement
has been terminated and all of the Obligations have been paid in
full and the Lender Group’s obligations to provide additional
credit under the Loan Documents have been terminated irrevocably,
Agent will, as promptly as practicable and at Borrowers’ sole
expense, execute and deliver any termination statements, lien
releases, mortgage releases, discharges of security interests, and
other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable,
in recordable form) as are reasonably necessary to release, as of
record, the Agent’s Liens and all notices of security
interests and liens previously filed by Agent with respect to the
Obligations.
3.5
Early Termination by Borrowers . Borrowers have
the option, at any time upon 10 Business Days prior written notice
by Administrative Borrower to Agent, to terminate this Agreement
and terminate the Commitments hereunder by paying to Agent, in
cash, the Obligations (including (a) providing Letter of
Credit Collateralization with respect to the then existing Letter
of Credit Usage and (b) providing Bank Product Collateralization
with respect to the then existing Bank Products), in full. If
Administrative
19
Borrower has sent a notice of
termination pursuant to the provisions of this Section, then the
Commitments shall terminate and Borrowers shall be obligated to
repay the Obligations (including (a) providing Letter of
Credit Collateralization with respect to the then existing Letter
of Credit Usage and (b) providing Bank Product Collateralization
with respect to the then existing Bank Products), in full, on the
date set forth as the date of termination of this Agreement in such
notice.
4.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
In order to induce the Lender Group
to enter into this Agreement, each Credit Party makes the following
representations and warranties to the Lender Group which shall be
true and correct, in all material respects, as of the date hereof,
and shall be true and correct, in all material respects, as of the
Closing Date, and at and as of the date of the making of each
Advance (or other extension of credit) made thereafter, as though
made on and as of the date of such Advance (or other extension of
credit) (except to the extent that such representations and
warranties relate solely to an earlier date) and such
representations and warranties shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement:
4.1
No Encumbrances . Each Credit Party and its
Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, license or other
right to use, or a valid leasehold interest in, their personal
property assets and good and marketable title to, or a valid
leasehold interest in, its Real Property, in each case, free and
clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.
4.2
Accounts . As to each Account that is
identified as an Account of any Borrower pursuant to any report
submitted to Agent, such Account is, unless otherwise indicated in
such report: (a) a bona fide existing payment obligation of
the applicable Account Debtor created by the sale and delivery of
Inventory or the rendition of services to such Account Debtor in
the ordinary course of such Borrower’s business, and
(b) owed to such Borrower without any known defenses,
disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights of return or
cancellation.
4.3
[ Reserved ]
4.4
Equipment . Each material item of Equipment of
Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries is used or held for use in
their business and is in good working order, ordinary wear and tear
and damage by casualty excepted.
4.5
Location of Inventory and Equipment . The
Inventory and Equipment (other than vehicles or Equipment out for
repair) of any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries are not stored with
a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and are located only at,
or in-transit to or between, the locations identified on
Schedule 4.5 to the Disclosure Letter (as such Schedule
may be updated from time to time and delivered to Agent by the
Credit Parties pursuant to Section 5.9 );
provided , however , (a) Inventory and Equipment may
be stored with a bailee, warehouseman or similar party to the
extent (i) Agent has received a Collateral Access Agreement from
such bailee, warehouseman or similar party or (ii) the aggregate
book value of all Inventory and Equipment stored with such bailee,
warehouseman or similar party, when aggregated with all other
Inventory and Equipment stored at a location of a Credit Party or
Subsidiary of a Credit Party that is not identified on
Schedule 4.5 to the Disclosure Letter, does not exceed
$500,000 at any date of determination and (b) Inventory and
Equipment may be located at locations of a Credit Party or
Subsidiary of a Credit Party that are not identified on
Schedule 4.5 to the Disclosure Letter to the extent the
aggregate book value of all Inventory and Equipment at such
locations, when aggregated with all other Inventory and Equipment
stored with bailees, warehouseman or similar parties from whom
Agent has not received a Collateral Access Agreement, does not
exceed $500,000 at any date of determination.
4.6
[ Reserved ]
20
4.7
Jurisdiction of Organization; Location of Chief Executive
Office; Organizational Identification Number; Commercial Tort
Claims .
(a)
The name of (within the meaning of Section 9-503 of the Code) and
jurisdiction of organization of each Credit Party and each of its
Subsidiaries is set forth on Schedule 4.7(a) to the
Disclosure Letter (as such schedule may be updated from time to
time and delivered to Agent by the Credit Parties to reflect
changes permitted to be made under Section 6.5 ).
(b)
The chief executive office of each Credit Party and each of its
Subsidiaries is located at the address indicated on
Schedule 4.7(b) to the Disclosure Letter (as such
schedule may be updated from time to time and delivered to Agent by
the Credit Parties to reflect changes permitted to be made under
Section 5.9 ).
(c)
Each Credit Party’s and each of its U.S. Subsidiaries’
tax identification numbers and organizational identification
numbers, if any, are identified on Schedule 4.7(c) to
the Disclosure Letter (as such schedule may be updated from time to
time and delivered to Agent by the Credit Parties to reflect
changes permitted to be made under Section 5.9
).
(d)
As of the Closing Date, no Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
holds any commercial tort claims, except as set forth on
Schedule 4.7(d) to the Disclosure Letter.
4.8
Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries
.
(a)
Each Credit Party is duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and
qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so
qualified reasonably could be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change.
(b)
Set forth on Schedule 4.8(b) to the Disclosure Letter
(as such schedule may be updated from time to time and delivered to
Agent by the Credit Parties to reflect changes permitted to be made
under Section 5.16 ), is a complete and accurate
description of the authorized capital Stock of each Credit Party
and each Subsidiary of a Credit Party, by class, and, as of
December 28, 2006, a description of the number of shares of each
such class that are issued and outstanding. Other than as
described on Schedule 4.8(b) to the Disclosure Letter,
there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to
any shares of any Credit Party’s or Subsidiary of any Credit
Party’s capital Stock, including any right of conversion or
exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument which,
if exercised, could reasonably be expected to cause a Change of
Control or other Event of Default. As of the date an update
to Schedule 4.8(b) to the Disclosure Letter is
delivered annually to Agent at the time the Credit Parties’
annual financial statements are delivered to Agent pursuant to
Section 5.3 , other than as described on such updated
Schedule 4.8(b) , there are no subscriptions, options,
warrants, or calls relating to any shares of any Credit
Party’s or Subsidiary of any Credit Party’s capital
Stock, including any right of conversion or exchange under any
outstanding security or other instrument. Other than
Permitted Distributions, no Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital
Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of
its capital Stock.
(c)
Set forth on Schedule 4.8(c) to the Disclosure Letter
(as such schedule may be updated from time to time and delivered to
Agent by the Credit Parties to reflect changes permitted to be made
under Section 5.16 and as such Schedule is to be
updated pursuant to Section 5.20(a) ), is, upon and after
the date such Schedule is updated and delivered pursuant to
Section 5.20(a) , a complete and accurate list of each
Credit Party’s direct and indirect Subsidiaries,
showing: (i) the jurisdiction of their organization,
(ii) the number of shares of each class of common and
preferred Stock authorized for each of such Subsidiaries, and
(iii) the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares
of each such class owned directly or indirectly by the applicable
Credit Party. All of the outstanding capital Stock of each
such Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and
non-assessable.
21
4.9
Due Authorization; No Conflict .
(a)
As to each Credit Party, the execution, delivery, and performance
by such Credit Party of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to
which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary
action on the part of such Credit Party.
(b)
As to each Credit Party, the execution, delivery, and performance
by such Credit Party of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate any
provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable
to any Credit Party, the Governing Documents of any Credit Party,
or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other
Governmental Authority binding on any Credit Party,
(ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with
due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Material
Contract of any Credit Party, (iii) result in or require the
creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon
any properties or assets of any Credit Party, other than Permitted
Liens, or (iv) require any approval of any Credit
Party’s interestholders or any approval or consent of any
Person under any Material Contract of any Credit Party, other than
consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in
force and effect.
(c)
Other than the filing of financing statements, the recordation of
the Mortgages (if any), the filing of applicable security
agreements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or
United States Copyright Office, and other filings or actions
necessary to perfect Liens granted to Agent in the Collateral, the
execution, delivery, and performance by each Credit Party of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Credit Party
is a party do not and will not require any registration with,
consent, or approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by,
any Governmental Authority, other than consents or approvals that
have been obtained and that are still in force and
effect.
(d)
As to each Credit Party, this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which such Credit Party is a party, and all other
documents contemplated hereby and thereby, when executed and
delivered by such Credit Party will be the legally valid and
binding obligations of such Credit Party, enforceable against such
Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as
enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws
relating to or limiting creditors’ rights
generally.
(e)
The Agent’s Liens are validly created, perfected (other than
(i) in respect of motor vehicles and (ii) any Deposit Accounts and
Securities Accounts not subject to a Control Agreement as permitted
by Section 6.12 , and subject only to the filing in the
applicable jurisdiction of organization of each Credit Party of
financing statements describing the Collateral and, if applicalble,
the recordation of the Mortgages), and first priority Liens,
subject only to Permitted Liens.
4.10
Litigation . Other than those matters disclosed
on Schedule 4.10 to the Disclosure Letter (as such
schedule may be updated from time to time and delivered to Agent by
the Credit Parties) and other than matters arising after the
Closing Date that reasonably could not be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change, there are no actions, suits, or
proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of each Credit Party,
threatened in writing against any Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries.
4.11
No Material Adverse Change . All financial
statements relating to the Credit Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries that have been delivered by any Credit Party to the
Lender Group have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in
the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of
footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and
present fairly in all material respects, the Credit Parties’
and their respective Subsidiaries’ financial condition as of
the date thereof and results of operations for the period then
ended. There has not been a Material Adverse Change since
September 30, 2006.
4.12
Fraudulent Transfer .
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(a)
Each Borrower is Solvent and the Credit Parties and their
respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent.
(b)
No transfer of property is being made by any Credit Party or any of
its Subsidiaries and no obligation is being incurred by any Credit
Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either
present or future creditors of any Credit Party or its
Subsidiaries.
4.13
Employee Benefits .
(a)
Set forth on Schedule 4.13(a) to the Disclosure Letter is a
complete and accurate list of all Plans that meet the definition of
an “employee pension benefit plan” under Section 3(2)
of ERISA and that are currently maintained or contributed to by any
Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their
respective ERISA Affiliates as of the Closing Date.
(b)
Each Credit Party, their respective Subsidiaries, and their
respective ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA
and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with
respect to each Plan, and have performed all their obligations in
all material respects under each Plan.
(c)
No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur.
(d)
Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the IRC or
similar state laws, or as described on Schedule 4.13(d) to
the Disclosure Letter, no Plan provides health benefits (through
the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former
employee of any Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries
or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.
(e)
As of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the
amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section
4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the aggregate for all
Pension Plans (excluding for purposes of such computation any
Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed benefit
liabilities), does not exceed $250,000.
(f)
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereunder will not involve any
non-exempt transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of
Section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which taxes could be
imposed for transactions defined in Section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of
the IRC.
(g)
All liabilities under each Plan are (i) funded to at least the
minimum level required by law or, if higher, to the level required
by the terms governing the Plans, (ii) insured with a reputable
insurance company, (iii) provided for or recognized in the
financial statements most recently delivered to Agent pursuant to
Section 5.3 hereof or (iv) estimated in the formal notes to
the financial statements most recently delivered to Agent pursuant
to Section 5.3 hereof.
(h)
To the best knowledge of each Credit Party, there are no
circumstances which may give rise to a material liability in
relation to any Plan which is not funded, insured, provided for,
recognized or estimated in the manner described in subsection
(g) above.
(i)
Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries are not and will
not be a “plan” within the meaning of Section 4975(e)
of the IRC; (ii) excluding contributions for Plans listed on
Schedule 4.13(a) to the Disclosure Letter, the assets of
Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries do not and will
not constitute “plan assets” within the meaning of the
United States Department of Labor Regulations set forth in 29
C.F.R. §2510.3-101; (iii) Credit Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries are not and will not be a “governmental
plan” within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA; and (iv)
transactions by or with Credit
23
Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries are not and will not be subject to state statutes
applicable to Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries
regulating investments of fiduciaries with respect to governmental
plans.
4.14
Environmental Condition . Except as set forth
on Schedule 4.14 to the Disclosure Letter, (a) to
each Credit Party’s knowledge, no Credit Party’s or its
Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been used by such
Person, or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or
to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any
Hazardous Materials, where such use, production, storage, handling,
treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any material
respect, of any applicable Environmental Law, (b) to each
Credit Party’s knowledge, no Credit Party’s or its
Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been designated
or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental
protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site,
(c) none of the Credit Parties nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries have received notice that a Lien arising under any
Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real
Property owned or operated by any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries,
and (d) none of the Credit Parties nor any of their
Subsidiaries have received a summons, citation, notice, or
directive from the United States Environmental Protection Agency or
any other federal or state governmental agency concerning any
action or omission by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
resulting in the releasing or disposing of Hazardous Materials into
the environment.
4.15
Intellectual Property . Each Credit Party and
each Subsidiary of a Credit Party owns, or holds licenses in or
otherwise has the right to use, all trademarks, trade names,
copyrights, patents, patent rights, and licenses that are necessary
to the conduct of its business as currently conducted, and attached
hereto as Schedule 4.15 to the Disclosure Letter (as
such Schedule is deemed updated to reflect any updates to Schedules
1, 2, 3 and 5 to the Disclosure Letter made pursuant to the terms
of the Security Agreement) is a true, correct, and complete listing
of all such registered patents, patent applications, trademarks,
trademark applications, copyrights and copyright applications as to
which such Credit Party or one of its Subsidiaries is the owner or
is an exclusive licensee.
4.16
Leases . Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries
enjoy undisturbed possession under all leases material to their
business and to which they are parties or under which they are
operating and all of such material leases are valid and subsisting
and no material default by such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries
exists under any of them.
4.17
Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts . Set
forth on Schedule 4.17 to the Disclosure Letter is a
listing of all of each Credit Party’s and its U.S.
Subsidiaries’ Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts,
including, with respect to each bank or securities intermediary
(a) the name and address of such Person, and (b) the
account numbers of the Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts
maintained with such Person.
4.18
Complete Disclosure . All factual information
(taken as a whole) furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or
their respective Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender
(including all information contained in the Schedules hereto, to
the Disclosure Letter or in the other Loan Documents) for purposes
of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents,
or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other
such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by
or on behalf of any Credit Party or their respective Subsidiaries
in writing to Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate in all
material respects on the date as of which such information is dated
or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact
necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not
misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the
circumstances under which such information was provided. On
the Closing Date, the Closing Date Projections represent, and as of
the date on which any other Projections are delivered to Agent,
such additional Projections represent the Credit Parties’
good faith estimate of their and their respective
Subsidiaries’ future performance for the periods covered
thereby based upon assumptions believed by the Credit Parties to be
reasonable at the time of the delivery thereof to Agent (it being
understood that such projections and forecasts are subject to
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are
beyond
24
the control of the Credit Parties
and their Subsidiaries and no assurances can be given that such
projections or forecasts will be realized).
4.19
Indebtedness . Set forth on
Schedule 4.19 to the Disclosure Letter is a true and
complete list of all Indebtedness of each Credit Party and each
Subsidiary of a Credit Party outstanding immediately prior to the
Closing Date that is to remain outstanding after the Closing Date
and such Schedule accurately sets forth the aggregate principal
amount of such Indebtedness, the amount and frequency of all
scheduled payments of such Indebtedness, the interest rate on such
Indebtedness and the maturity date of such Indebtedness.
4.20
Material Contracts . Set forth on Schedule
4.20 to the Disclosure Letter (which the Credit Parties may
amend from time to time to delete Material Contracts no longer in
effect or to add additional Material Contracts so long as such
amendment occurs by written notice to Agent not less than 5
Business Days after the date on which a Credit Party enters into
such Material Contract after the Closing Date and a copy thereof is
delivered to Agent with such notice) is a complete and accurate
list, of all Material Contracts. True, correct and complete
copies of all Material Contracts, and all material amendments,
modifications and supplements thereto, have been delivered to
Agent. Except for matters which, either individually or in
the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change, each Material Contract (other than those
that have expired at the end of their normal terms): (a) is in full
force and effect and is binding upon and enforceable against each
Credit Party, and to the Credit Parties’ best knowledge, each
other Person that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms,
(b) has not been otherwise amended or modified in any manner except
to the extent that such amendment or modification could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Change, and (c) is not in default due to the
action or inaction of any Credit Party.
4.21
Issuance of Stock Options . As of the Closing
Date, the Parent has conducted an initial investigation of the
issuance of all Stock options issued by the Parent since the Parent
became a public reporting company under the Exchange Act in order
to determine whether (a) all publicly reported grants were in fact
authorized by appropriate action of the Board of Directors of the
Parent and (b) whether the effective dates of such Stock option
grants are consistent with what is publicly reported and appear in
the Parent’s human resource records. The results of
such investigation have not, in the reasonable determination of the
Parent, resulted in the need for reporting of any matters to any
applicable Governmental Authority or other reporting necessary to
comply with any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
5.
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
Each Credit Party covenants and
agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and
payment in full of the Obligations, such Credit Party shall and
shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to do all of the
following:
5.1
Accounting System . Maintain a system of
accounting that enables the Credit Parties to produce financial
statements in accordance with GAAP and maintain records pertaining
to the Collateral that contain information as from time to time
reasonably may be requested by Agent. Borrowers also shall
keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims,
returns, and allowances with respect to their and their
Subsidiaries’ sales.
5.2
Collateral Reporting . Provide Agent (and if so
requested by Agent, with copies for each Lender: (a) as soon as
available, but in any event within 10 Business Days after the end
of each of Parent’s fiscal months (i) a Loan Limit
Certificate, (ii) a detailed report (which shall include the
Borrowers’ internally prepared monthly statement as to
compliance with the Investment Policy and, to the extent not
already provided by the applicable banks, financial institutions
and securities intermediaries pursuant to a Control Agreement,
copies of the monthly statements issued by such Persons) regarding
Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ cash and Cash
Equivalents, including an indication of which amounts (A)
constitute Qualified Cash, (B) are held by Second Street or any
other Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Credit Party, (C)
are
25
held in Deposit Accounts or
Securities Accounts not located within the United States and (D)
constitute cash collateral subject to the Lien of any Person other
than Agent, and (iii) a detailed report regarding Borrowers’
and their Subsidiaries’ deferred revenue analysis, and (b) in
the event Excess Availability plus Qualified Cash is less than
$50,000,000 as of any date of determination or a Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each of the
reports set forth on Schedule 5.2 at the times
specified therein.
5.3
Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates .
Provide Agent (and if so requested by Agent, with copies for each
Lender): (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days
prior to the start of each of Parent’s fiscal years, copies
of Parent’s Projections, in form and substance (including as
to scope and underlying assumptions) satisfactory to Agent, in its
Permitted Discretion, for the forthcoming 3 years, year by year,
and for the forthcoming fiscal year, quarter by quarter, certified
by the chief financial officer of Parent as being such
officer’s good faith estimate of the financial performance of
Parent during the period covered thereby, (b) as soon as available,
but in any event within 90 days after the end of each of
Parent’s fiscal years, consolidated and consolidating
financial statements of Parent and its Subsidiaries for each such
fiscal year, audited by independent certified public accountants
reasonably acceptable to Agent and certified, without any
qualifications (including any (A) ”going concern”
or like qualification or exception, (B) qualification or
exception as to the scope of such audit, or (C) qualification
which relates to the treatment or classification of any item and
which, as a condition to the removal of such qualification, would
require an adjustment to such item, the effect of which would be to
cause any noncompliance with the provisions of
Section 6.16 ), by such accountants to have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP (such audited financial statements
to include a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash
flow and, if prepared, such accountants’ letter to
management), (c) if and when filed by any Credit Party, such Credit
Party’s Form 10-Q quarterly reports, Form 10-K annual
reports, and Form 8-K current reports filed with the SEC, and (d)
in the event Excess Availability plus Qualified Cash is less than
$50,000,000 as of the most recent date of delivery of the reports
and certificate required under Section 5.2(a) , or a Default
or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each of
the financial statements, reports, or other items set forth on
Schedule 5.3 at the times specified therein. In
addition, each Credit Party agrees that none of its Subsidiaries
will have a fiscal year different from that of such Credit
Party.
5.4
Credit Party Reports . Cause each Credit Party
to deliver its annual financial statements at the time when Parent
provides its audited financial statements to Agent, but only to the
extent such Credit Party’s financial statements are not
consolidated with Parent’s financial statements.
5.5
Inspection . Permit Agent, each Lender (if
accompanied by Agent), and each of their duly authorized
representatives or agents to visit any of its properties and audit
and inspect any of its assets or books and records, to examine and
make copies of its books and records, and to discuss its affairs,
finances, and accounts with, and to be advised as to the same by,
its officers and employees at such reasonable times (which, unless
a Default or Event of Default exists, shall be during normal
business hours) and intervals (which, unless a Default or Event of
Default exists, shall (a) be no more than twice in any one calendar
year, (b) not occur during the 15 days prior to the end of each of
Parent’s fiscal quarters nor during the 15 days after the end
of each of Parent’s fiscal quarters and (c) not exceed 10
Business Days in duration in the aggregate during any one calendar
year) as Agent or any such Lender may designate and, so long as no
Default or Event of Default exists, with reasonable prior notice to
Administrative Borrower.
5.6
Maintenance of Properties . Maintain and
preserve all of their properties which are necessary or useful in
the proper conduct of their business in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear, tear, and casualty excepted (and except
where the failure to do so could not be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change), and comply at all times with the
provisions of all material leases to which it is a party as lessee,
so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or
thereunder.
5.7
Taxes . Cause all assessments and taxes,
whether real, personal, or otherwise, in excess of $250,000, in the
aggregate, due or payable by, or imposed, levied, or assessed
against such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries, or any of their
respective assets to be paid in full, before delinquency or before
the expiration of
26
any extension period, except to the
extent that the validity of such assessment or tax shall be the
subject of a Permitted Protest. Each Credit Party will and
will cause their Subsidiaries to make timely payment or deposit of
all tax payments and withholding taxes in excess of $250,000, in
the aggregate, required of them by applicable laws, including those
laws concerning F.I.C.A., F.U.T.A., state disability, and local,
state, and federal income taxes, and will, upon written request,
furnish Agent with proof satisfactory to Agent (such as a copy of
the receipt evidencing payment) indicating that the applicable
Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party has made such payments
or deposits. It is understood and agreed that nothing set
forth in this Section 5.7 shall preclude Agent from imposing
any reserve under Section 2.1(b) with respect to any unpaid
assessments or taxes.
5.8
Insurance .
(a)
At the Credit Parties’ expense, maintain insurance respecting
their respective, and their respective Subsidiaries’, assets
wherever located, covering loss or damage by fire, theft,
explosion, and all other hazards and risks as the Credit Parties
deem advisable in the exercise of their reasonable business
judgment. The Credit Parties also shall maintain business
interruption, public liability, and product liability insurance, as
well as insurance against larceny, embezzlement, and criminal
misappropriation. All such policies of insurance shall be in
such amounts and with such insurance companies as are reasonably
satisfactory to Agent. Except as otherwise required pursuant
to Schedule 3.1 , within 30 days after the Closing Date,
Credit Parties shall deliver certified copies of all such policies
to Agent with an endorsement naming Agent as a loss payee (as its
interests may appear) under a satisfactory lender’s loss
payable endorsement or additional insured, as appropriate.
Each policy of insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause
requiring the insurer to give not less than 30 days prior written
notice to Agent in the event of cancellation of the policy for any
reason whatsoever.
(b)
Administrative Borrower shall give Agent prompt notice of any loss
exceeding $250,000 covered by such insurance. So long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the applicable
Credit Party shall have the exclusive right to adjust any losses
payable under any such insurance policies which are less than
$250,000. Following the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default, or in the case of any losses
payable under such insurance exceeding $250,000, Agent shall have
the exclusive right to adjust any losses payable under any such
insurance policies, without any liability to any Credit Party
whatsoever in respect of such adjustments; provided ,
however , so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and is continuing, (B) Administrative Borrower
shall have given Agent prior written notice of the applicable
Credit Party’s intention to apply such insurance proceeds to
the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the
subject of such loss or the cost of purchase or construction of
other assets useful in the business of such Credit Party, (C) such
insurance proceeds are held in a cash collateral account in which
Agent has a perfected first-priority security interest, and (D) the
applicable Credit Party completes such replacement, purchase, or
construction within 180 days after the initial receipt of such
insurance proceeds, the applicable Credit Party shall have the
option to apply such insurance proceeds to the costs of replacement
of the property or assets that are the subject of such loss or the
costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the
business of such Credit Party unless and to the extent that such
applicable period shall have expired without such replacement,
purchase or construction being made or completed, in which case,
any amounts remaining in the cash collateral account shall be paid
to Agent and applied to the Obligations.
(c)
Credit Parties will not, and will not suffer or permit any of their
respective Subsidiaries to, take out separate insurance concurrent
in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to
be maintained under this Section 5.8 , unless Agent is
included thereon as an additional insured or a loss payee, as its
interests may appear, under a lender’s loss payable
endorsement. Administrative Borrower promptly shall notify
Agent whenever such separate insurance is taken out, specifying the
insurer thereunder and full particulars as to the policies
evidencing the same, and copies of such policies promptly shall be
provided to Agent.
27
5.9
Location of Inventory and Equipment . Keep the
Credit Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ Inventory and
Equipment (other than vehicles and Equipment out for repair and
Inventory and Equipment in transit to or between the locations
identified on Schedule 4.5 to the Disclosure Letter)
and material books and records only at the locations identified on
Schedule 4.5 to the Disclosure Letter and their chief
executive offices only at the locations identified on
Schedule 4.7(b) to the Disclosure Letter;
provided , however , that (a) Administrative Borrower
may amend Schedule 4.5 to the Disclosure Letter or
Schedule 4.7(b) to the Disclosure Letter by written
notice to Agent to include (i) locations for which Agent has
received a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) other locations
within the continental United States to the extent the aggregate
book value of all Inventory and Equipment at such locations does
not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate as of any date of
determination and (b) the Credit Parties agree, upon the request of
Agent, to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Agent with
a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to any location of
Inventory or Equipment of a Credit Party established after the
Closing Date and with respect to any bailee, warehousing or other
such arrangement entered into by a Credit Party after the Closing
Date which contain or relate to Inventory and/or Equipment having a
book value in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate for all such
locations or arrangements. Nothing in this Section 5.9
shall preclude Agent from imposing any reserve under Section
2.1(b) with respect to any location of Inventory or Equipment
for which Agent has not received a Collateral Access Agreement or
has received a Collateral Access Agreement that is not satisfactory
to Agent.
5.10
Compliance with Laws . Comply with the
requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders
of any Governmental Authority, other than laws, rules, regulations,
and orders the non-compliance with which, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Change.
5.11
Leases . Pay when due all rents and other
material amounts payable under any material leases to which such
Credit Party or any Subsidiary of such Credit Party is a party or
by which any Credit Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’
properties and assets are bound, unless such payments are the
subject of a Permitted Protest.
5.12
Existence . Except as permitted by Section
6.3 , at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect
each Credit Party’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ (a)
valid existence, (b) good standing, except as could not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, and (c) rights,
franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or
other approvals material to their businesses.
5.13
Environmental .
(a)
Keep any property either owned or operated by any Credit Party or
any Subsidiary of a Credit Party free of any Environmental Liens or
post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the
obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens,
(b) comply with Environmental Laws, except where failure to do
so could not reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental
Lien on any Collateral or result in a Material Adverse Change, and
provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent
reasonably requests, (c) promptly notify Agent of any release
of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto
property owned or operated by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of
a Credit Party and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said
release or otherwise to come into compliance with applicable
Environmental Law, except where failure to come into compliance
could not reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental Lien
on any Collateral or result in a Material Adverse Change, and
(d) promptly, but in any event within 5 Business Days of its
receipt thereof, provide Agent with written notice of any of the
following: (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has
been filed against any of the real or personal property of any
Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party,
(ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or notice that
an Environmental Action will be filed against any Credit Party or
any Subsidiary of a Credit Party, and (iii) notice of a
violation, citation, or other administrative order which reasonably
could be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Change.
28
5.14
Disclosure Updates . Promptly and in no event
later than 5 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, (a)
notify Agent if any written information, exhibit, or report
furnished to the Lender Group contained, at the time it was
furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made
and (b) provide to Agent notice of any changes or other
modifications to the Investment Policy. The foregoing to the
contrary notwithstanding, any notification pursuant to the
foregoing provision will not cure or remedy the effect of the prior
untrue statement of a material fact or omission of any material
fact nor shall any such notification have the effect of amending or
modifying this Agreement or any of the Schedules hereto or to the
Disclosure Letter.
5.15
Control Agreements . Take all reasonable steps
requested by Agent in order for Agent to obtain control in
accordance with Sections 8-106, 9-104, 9-105, 9-106, and 9-107
of the Code with respect to (subject to the proviso contained in
Section 6.12 ) all of its Securities Accounts, Deposit
Accounts, electronic chattel paper, investment property, and
letter-of-credit rights.
5.16
Formation of Subsidiaries . At the time that
any Credit Party forms any direct or indirect Subsidiary or
acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary after the Closing Date,
such Credit Party shall, as Agent may request (a) cause such
new Subsidiary to provide to Agent a joinder hereto, to the
Guaranty and the Security Agreement, together with such other
security documents (including Mortgages with respect to any Real
Property of such new Subsidiary having a value of $250,000 or more)
and joinders to such other Loan Documents as Agent may request, as
well as appropriate financing statements (and with respect to all
property subject to a Mortgage, fixture filings), all in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion
(including being sufficient to grant Agent a first priority Lien
(subject to Permitted Liens) in and to the assets of such newly
formed or acquired Subsidiary), (b) provide to Agent a pledge
agreement and appropriate certificates and powers and/or financing
statements, hypothecating all of the direct or beneficial ownership
interest in such new Subsidiary, in form and substance satisfactory
to Agent in its Permitted Discretion, and (c) provide to Agent
all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel
satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion, which in its
opinion is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery
of the applicable documentation referred to above (including
policies of title insurance or other documentation with respect to
all property subject to a Mortgage). Any document, agreement,
or instrument executed or issued by a Credit Party pursuant to this
Section 5.16 shall be a Loan Document.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) a Subsidiary that is so
formed or acquired is a Controlled Foreign Corporation, then clause
(a) of the immediately preceding sentence shall not be applicable
and, with respect to clause (b) of the immediately preceding
sentence, such pledge shall be limited to 65% of the voting power
of all classes of capital Stock of such Subsidiary entitled to vote
and 100% of all other classes of Stock of such Subsidiary;
provided , that immediately upon any amendment of the IRC
that would allow the pledge of a greater percentage of the voting
power of capital Stock in such Subsidiary without adverse tax
consequences, such pledge shall include such greater percentage of
capital Stock of such Subsidiary from that time forward or (y) at
the time of acquisition of any such direct or indirect Subsidiary,
the Credit Party acquiring such Subsidiary delivers to Agent a
certificate, duly executed by the chief financial officer of such
Credit Party indicating that such Subsidiary is to be merged into a
Credit Party, then, unless such merger has not occurred within 30
days after the date of acquisition of such Subsidiary (or, if such
acquisition constituted a Permitted Non-Cash Acquisition, 60 days
after the date of such acquisition), such Subsidiary shall not be
required to execute any joinder or other such documentation as
otherwise required by this Section 5.16 ;
provided , however , with respect to any such
Subsidiary to be merged into a Credit Party, all certificates
evidencing the Stock of such Subsidiary, if any, shall be delivered
to Agent along with all related documentation required under this
Section 5.16 within 5 Business Days of the acquisition
of such Subsidiary.
5.17
ERISA Compliance .
(a)
Each Credit Party shall do, and shall cause each of their
respective Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates to do, each of the
following: (i) maintain each Plan in compliance in all
material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the IRC
and each other applicable federal or state law; (ii) cause
each
29
Qualified Plan to maintain its
qualified status under Section 401(a) of the IRC; (iii) make all
required contributions to each Pension Plan and all material
contributions to each other Plan; (iv) not become a party to any
Multiemployer Plan; (v) ensure that all liabilities under each Plan
are (A) funded to at least the minimum level required by law or, if
higher, to the level required by the terms governing such Plan; (B)
insured with a reputable insurance company, if applicable; and (C)
provided for or recognized in the financial statements most
recently delivered to Agent under Section 5.3 (to the extent
required by GAAP); and (vi) ensure that the contributions or
premium payments to or in respect of each Plan are and continue to
be promptly paid at no less than the rates required under the rules
of such Plan and in accordance with the most recent actuarial
advice received in relation to such Plan and applicable
law.
(b)
Deliver to Agent such certifications or other evidence of
compliance with the provisions of Section 4.13 for any
Pension Plans as Agent may from time to time reasonably
request.
(c)
Promptly notify Agent of each of the following ERISA Events
affecting any Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or
any ERISA Affiliates (but in no event more than ten (10) days after
such event), together with a copy of each notice with respect to
such event that may be required to be filed with a Governmental
Authority and each notice delivered by a Governmental Authority to
any Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliates with respect to such event:
(i)
an ERISA Event;
(ii)
the adoption of any new Pension Plan by any Credit Party, any of
their respective Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates;
(iii)
the adoption of any amendment to a Pension Plan, if such amendment
will result in a material increase in benefits or unfunded benefit
liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA);
or
(iv)
the commencement of contributions by any Credit Party, any of their
respective Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate to any Plan that is
subject to Title IV of ERISA or section 412 of the IRC;
(d)
Promptly deliver to Agent copies of (i) each Schedule B (Actuarial
Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by any
Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each
Pension Plan; (ii) all notices received by any Credit Party, any of
their respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA
Event; and (iii) such other documents or governmental reports or
filings relating to any Plan as Agent shall reasonably
request.
5.18
Restructuring of Cash Management . In the
event, as of the most recent date of delivery of the reports and
certificate required under Section 5.2(a) , Excess
Availability plus Qualified Cash is less than $35,000,000 or a
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then
(a) within 5 Business Days after the date such reports and
certificates are delivered, the Administrative Borrower shall
establish two separate Deposit Accounts to serve as the Designated
Account and Cash Management Account of the Administrative Borrower
and provide to Agent, within 5 Business Days after the date such
Deposit Accounts are established, Control Agreements with respect
to such Deposit Accounts and (b) within 5 Business Days after the
date such reports and certificates are delivered, the other
Borrowers, as necessary, shall establish Cash Management Accounts
that do not serve as operating Deposit Accounts for such Borrowers
and provide to Agent, within 5 Business Days after the date such
Deposit Accounts are established, Control Agreements with respect
to such Deposit Accounts.
5.19
Further Assurances . At any time upon the
request of Agent, the Credit Parties shall execute or deliver to
Agent, and shall cause their Subsidiaries to execute or deliver to
Agent, any and all financing
30
statements, fixture filings,
security agreements, pledges, assignments, endorsements of
certificates of title, mortgages, deeds of trust, opinions of
counsel, and all other documents (collectively, the “
Additional Documents ”) that Agent may reasonably
request in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its
Permitted Discretion, to create, perfect, and continue perfected or
to better perfect the Agent’s Liens in all of the properties
and assets of such Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries (whether
now owned or hereafter arising or acquired, tangible or intangible,
real or personal), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Agent in
any Real Property acquired by any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries
after the Closing Date which has a value of $250,000 or more, and
in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated
hereby and under the other Loan Documents. To the maximum
extent permitted by applicable law, the Credit Parties authorize
Agent to execute any such Additional Documents in such Credit
Party’s or its Subsidiaries’ names, as applicable, and
authorizes Agent to file such executed Additional Documents in any
appropriate filing office. Without limiting the foregoing and
notwithstanding the provisions of item (d)(vii) on Schedule
3.1 , at any time upon the request of Agent, the Credit Parties
shall cause all original certificates evidencing Stock which is or
is intended to be subject to Agent’s Lien to be promptly
delivered to Agent along with stock powers therefor, executed in
blank and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to
Agent.
5.20
Post Closing Requirements . Within 30 days
after the Closing Date, deliver to Agent:
(a)
all original certificates evidencing the Stock of all non-U.S.
Subsidiaries of Parent pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement
along with stock powers therefor duly executed in blank and
otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, or, to the
extent no such certificate is available, evidence of the notation
of Agent’s Lien on such Stock in the share registry of such
non-U.S. Subsidiary, together with updated Schedules 4.8(c)
and 4 to the Disclosure Letter which are complete and
accurate as of such date;
(b)
evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, of either
(i) the acknowledgment by the applicable Governmental Authority of
the receipt of all documentation and payments necessary to release
the tax Liens listed on Schedule 5.20(b) to the Disclosure
Letter or (ii) the Credit Parties’ non-affiliation with the
debtor listed on such tax Liens, it being understood and agreed
that nothing set forth in this Section 5.20(b) shall
preclude Agent from imposing any reserve under Section
2.1(b) with respect to such tax Liens;
(c)
evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, that Parent
has submitted all filings necessary to register in Parent’s
name all intellectual property listed on Schedule 4.15 to
the Disclosure Letter which is registered in the name of a
predecessor in interest to Parent; and
(d)
evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, that each
Credit Party has filed applications and taken any and all other
actions reasonably necessary to register the set or collection of
Copyrights (as defined in the Security Agreement) relating to each
item of Software (as defined in the Security Agreement), and each
new major release of such Software, of such Credit Party
constituting the Required Library (as defined in the Security
Agreement) as of the Closing Date, in good faith and in accordance
with the procedures and regulations of the United States Copyright
Office and in a manner sufficient to impart constructive notice of
such Credit Party’s ownership thereof.
6.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
Each Credit Party covenants and
agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and
payment in full of the Obligations, such Credit Party will not and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the
following:
6.1
Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume, suffer to
exist, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or
indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness,
except:
31
(a)
Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with Indebtedness owed to Underlying Issuers
with respect to Underlying Letters of Credit,
(b)
Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 4.19 to the
Disclosure Letter and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of
such Indebtedness,
(c)
Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and any Refinancing
Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness,
(d)
endorsement of instruments or other payment items for
deposit,
(e)
Indebtedness comprising Permitted Investments,
(f)
to the extent subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement,
Indebtedness owing to any Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit
Party who is a party to the Intercompany Subordination
Agreement,
(g)
unsecured Indebtedness under Hedge Agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business and not for speculative
purposes,
(h)
unsecured Indebtedness that is (i) on terms and conditions
satisfactory to Agent and (ii) subordinated to the Obligations
pursuant to a Subordination Agreement satisfactory to Agent in form
and substance,
(i)
guaranties by any Credit Party of Indebtedness otherwise permitted
under this Section 6.1 ,
(j)
unsecured Indebtedness of a Credit Party that is incurred on the
date of the consummation of a Permitted Non-Cash Acquisition solely
for the purpose of consummating such Permitted Non-Cash Acquisition
so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or would result therefrom, (ii) such unsecured Indebtedness is not
incurred for working capital purposes, (iii) such unsecured
Indebtedness does not mature prior to the date that is 12 months
after the Maturity Date, and (iv) such Indebtedness is subordinated
in right of payment to the Obligations pursuant to a Subordination
Agreement satisfactory to Agent in form and substance;
(k)
Indebtedness in respect of deferred consideration payable under
Section 2.3 of that certain Share Acquisition Agreement, dated as
of December 1, 2006, by and among Parent, East Circle Solutions,
Inc. and Scott Bieker, as in effect on the date hereof and
disclosed to Agent, and
(l)
other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding;
provided , however , no Credit Party shall
guaranty or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly,
liable with respect to any obligations of Second Street.
6.2
Liens . Create, incur, assume, or suffer to
exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any
of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted
Liens.
6.3
Restrictions on Fundamental Changes . Except
for (w) mergers entered into in connection with Permitted
Acquisitions; provided , that , if Parent is a party
to any such merger, Parent must be the surviving entity with
respect to such merger, (x) any merger or dissolution of which
Agent has received prompt written notice and which is a merger or
dissolution of (i) a Borrower with respect to which
another
32
Borrower is the surviving entity or
recipient of all proceeds of such dissolution, (ii) a Guarantor
with respect to which any Credit Party is the surviving entity or
recipient of all proceeds of such dissolution, or (iii) any
Subsidiary of any Credit Party that is not also a Credit Party with
respect to which a Credit Party or another Subsidiary of a Credit
Party (other than Second Street) is the surviving entity or
recipient of all proceeds of such dissolution, (y) Permitted
Dispositions and (z) mergers which will result in the termination
of this Agreement and the repayment in full of the Obligations in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement:
(a)
enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or
recapitalization, or reclassify its Stock,
(b)
liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation
or dissolution), or
(c)
suspend or go out of a substantial portion of its or their
business.
6.4
Disposal of Assets . Other than Permitted
Dispositions and Permitted Investments, convey, sell, lease,
license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into
an agreement to convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of unless, as a result of the transactions
contemplated by such agreement, this Agreement will be terminated
and the Obligations repaid in full in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement) any of the assets of any Credit Party or any
Subsidiary of a Credit Party, whether in one transaction or in a
series of transactions.
6.5
Change Name . Change any Credit Party’s
or any of its Subsidiaries’ name, organizational
identification number, state of organization, or organizational
identity; provided , however , that a Credit Party or
a Subsidiary of a Credit Party may change its name so long as such
Credit Party notifies Agent thereof in writing and: (a) at the time
of such written notification, such Credit Party provides any
financing statements or other such documentation necessary to
perfect and continue perfected the Agent’s Liens and (b)
within 5 Business Days after such name change is effective, such
Credit Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, provides Agent with
evidence of such name change (including copies of any related
public filings).
6.6
Nature of Business . Make any change in the
principal nature of their business as conducted on the Closing Date
and disclosed to Agent, other than engaging in business activities
related, complimentary or incidental thereto; provided ,
that in the case of Second Street, Second Street shall not
(a) engage in any business activity other than acting as an
SEC-registered broker/dealer that provides independent research and
brokerage services to institutional investors and registered
investment advisors on a fully-disclosed basis, and the ability for
such investors and advisors to pay for products and other
third-party provided services through brokerage commissions and
other fee-based arrangements and (b) incur any liabilities other
than in the ordinary course of its business.
6.7
Payments and Amendments . Except in connection
with Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1
,
(a)
optionally prepay, redeem, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire
any Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit
Party prior to the maturity thereof, other than (i) the Obligations
in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) the conversion of
Indebtedness to equity and in connection therewith, payments of
cash in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Stock.
(b)
make any payment on account of any Indebtedness if such payment is
not permitted at such time under the Subordination Agreement
related to such Indebtedness (if any), or
(c)
directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter, increase, or change
any of the terms or conditions of any agreement, instrument,
document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning (i)
any Subordinated Indebtedness unless expressly permitted under the
terms of the applicable Subordination Agreement or (ii)
Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1(b)
.
33
6.8
[ Reserved .]
6.9
Consignments . Consign any of their Inventory
or sell any of their Inventory on bill and hold, sale or return,
sale on approval, or other conditional terms of sale.
6.10
Distributions . Except for Permitted
Distributions, make any distribution or declare or pay any
dividends (in cash or other property) on, or purchase, acquire,
redeem, or retire any of any Credit Party’s Stock, of any
class, whether now or hereafter outstanding.
6.11
Accounting Methods . Modify or change their
fiscal year or their method of accounting (other than as may be
required to conform to GAAP).
6.12
Investments . Except for Permitted Investments,
directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment, or incur
any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in
connection with any Investment; provided , however ,
that (a) no Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
Second Street) shall have cash, Cash Equivalents and other
Permitted Investments (other than in the Cash Management Accounts)
in Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts (other than Deposit
Accounts exclusively used to fund payroll obligations): (i) located
in the United States in an amount in excess of $25,000 in the
aggregate at any one time unless such Credit Party or such
Subsidiary, as applicable, and the applicable securities
intermediary or bank have entered into a Control Agreement
governing such cash, Cash Equivalents and other Permitted
Investments in order to perfect (and further establish) the
Agent’s Liens therein or (ii) located outside the United
States in an amount in excess of $5,500,000 in the aggregate at any
one time unless such Credit Party or such Subsidiary, as
applicable, and the applicable securities intermediary or bank have
entered into a Control Agreement governing such cash, Cash
Equivalents and other Permitted Investments in order to perfect
(and further establish) the Agent’s Liens therein and (b)
Second Street shall not have cash, Cash Equivalents and other
Permitted Investments in an aggregate amount in excess of
$5,500,000 for more than five (5) consecutive Business Days.
Subject to the foregoing proviso, the Credit Parties shall not and
shall not permit their respective Subsidiaries to establish or
maintain any Deposit Account or Securities Account unless Agent
shall have received a Control Agreement in respect of such Deposit
Account or Securities Account.
6.13
Transactions with Affiliates . Directly or
indirectly enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any
Affiliate of any Credit Party except for:
(a)
transactions (other than the payment of management, consulting,
monitoring, or advisory fees) between Credit Parties or their
Subsidiaries (other than Second Street), on the one hand, and any
Affiliate of Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries (other than
Second Street), on the other hand, so long as such transactions
(i) are upon fair and reasonable terms, (ii) are fully
disclosed to Agent if they involve one or more payments by any
Credit Party or any of Subsidiary of a Credit Party in excess of
$500,000 for any single transaction or series of transactions, and
(iii) are no less favorable to Credit Parties or their
Subsidiaries, as applicable, than would be obtained in an
arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate;
(b)
the payment of reasonable fees, compensation, or employee benefit
arrangements to, and any indemnity provided for the benefit of,
officers, employees and outside directors of Parent and any of its
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
industry practice;
(c)
transactions contemplated by that certain Service Agreement, dated
May 3, 2004, by and between Parent and Advent Europe Limited, as
such agreement is in effect on the date hereof and disclosed to
Agent, and transactions contemplated by any other agreement on
substantially the same terms between any Credit Party and any of
its Subsidiaries; and
(d)
transactions that are expressly permitted under the terms of
Sections 6.3 or 6.4 .
34
6.14
Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the
Advances for any purpose other than (a) to finance the
repurchase of Parent’s Stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase
Program so long as both before and after giving effect to any such
repurchase (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred or would
occur and (ii) Excess Availability plus Qualified Cash equals or
exceeds $25,000,000, (b) to pay transactional fees, costs, and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
and (c) consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, for
its lawful and permitted purposes.
6.15 [
Reserved .]
6.16
Financial Covenant . In the event either (a) an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (b) as of the
most recent date of delivery of the reports and certificate
required under Section 5.2(a) , Excess Availability plus
Qualified Cash is less than $50,000,000, have a Leverage Ratio,
measured as of the calendar quarter ending on or immediately prior
to such date of determination, of more than 3.0 to 1.00.
6.17
ERISA . (a) Terminate or permit any of their
ERISA Affiliates to, terminate any Pension Plan so as to result in
any material liability to any Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate, (b) permit to exist any ERISA
Event, or any other event or condition, which presents the risk of
a material liability to any ERISA Affiliate, (c) make a complete or
partial withdrawal (within the meaning of ERISA Section 4201) from
any Multiemployer Plan so as to result in any material liability to
any Credit Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate,
(d) except as may be required by applicable law, enter into any new
Plan or modify any existing Plan so as to increase its obligations
thereunder which could result in any material liability to any
ERISA Affiliate, (e) permit the present value of all nonforfeitable
accrued benefits under any Pension Plan (using the actuarial
assumptions utilized by the PBGC upon termination of a Pension
Plan) materially to exceed the fair market value of Pension Plan
assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the most
recent valuation date for each such Pension Plan, or (f) engage in
any transaction which would cause any obligation, or action taken
or to be taken, hereunder (or the exercise by Agent or any Lender
of any of their rights under this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents) to be a non-exempt (under a statutory or administrative
class exemption) prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975
of the IRC.
7.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
Any one or more of the following
events shall constitute an event of default (each, an “
Event of Default ”) under this Agreement:
7.1
If any Borrower fails to pay when due and payable, or when declared
due and payable, (a) all or any portion of the Obligations
consisting of interest, fees, or charges due the Lender Group,
reimbursement of Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts (other
than any portion thereof constituting principal) constituting
Obligations (including any portion thereof that accrues after the
commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether
allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such
Insolvency Proceeding), and such failure continues for a period of
3 Business Days, or (b) all or any portion of the principal of
the Obligations;
7.2
If any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit
Party:
(a)
fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement
contained in any of Sections 2.7 , 5.2 ,
5.3 , 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.8 , 5.12 ,
5.14 , 5.16 , 5.17 , 5.18 , 5.20
and 6.1 through 6.17 of this Agreement or Sections 6,
8 or 10 of the Security Agreement;
(b)
fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement
contained in any of Sections 5.6 , 5.7 ,
5.9 , 5.10 , 5.11 , 5.15 and
5.19 of this Agreement and such failure continues for a
period of 10 Business Days after the earlier of (i) the date
on which such failure shall first become known to any officer
of
35
the applicable Credit Party or
applicable Material Subsidiary or (ii) written notice thereof
is given to Administrative Borrower by Agent; or
(c)
fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement
contained in this Agreement, or in any of the other Loan Documents
to which such Credit Party is a party; in each case, other than any
such covenant or agreement that is the subject of another provision
of this Section 7 (in which event such other provision
of this Section 7 shall govern), and such failure
continues for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the
date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer
of such Credit Party or (ii) written notice thereof is given
to Administrative Borrower by Agent;
7.3
If any material portion of any Credit Party’s or any of its
Subsidiaries’ assets is attached, seized, subjected to a writ
or distress warrant, or is levied upon, or comes into the
possession of any third Person and the same is not discharged
before the earlier of 30 days after the date it first arises or 5
days prior to the date on which such property or asset is subject
to forfeiture by such Credit Party or the applicable
Subsidiary;
7.4
If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by any Credit Party or any
Subsidiary of a Credit Party;
7.5
If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against any Credit Party
or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party, and any of the following
events occur: (a) the applicable Credit Party or
Subsidiary consents to the institution of such Insolvency
Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the
Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the
petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed
within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof,
(d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all
or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to
operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, any
Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or (e) an
order for relief shall have been issued or entered
therein;
7.6
If any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Borrower is enjoined,
restrained, or in any way prevented by court order from continuing
to conduct all or any material part of its business
affairs;
7.7
If one or more judgments, orders, or awards involving an aggregate
amount of $5,000,000 or more (excluding amounts covered by
insurance pursuant to which the insurer has accepted liability
therefor in writing), or any lesser amount at any time when
Availability is less than the amount of such judgment, order or
award, shall, in either case, be entered or filed against any
Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party or with
respect to any of their respective assets, and the same is not
released, discharged, bonded against, or stayed pending appeal
before the earlier of 30 days after the date it first arises or 5
days prior to the date on which such asset is subject to being
forfeited by the applicable Credit Party or the applicable Material
Subsidiary;
7.8
If, with respect to any other Indebtedness of any Credit Party or
Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party involving an aggregate
amount of $1,000,000 or more or any other Indebtedness which is
subject to a Subordination Agreement, (a) there is a default in one
or more agreements to which any Credit Party or any Material
Subsidiary of a Credit Party is a party with one or more third
Persons relative to such Indebtedness, and such default
(i) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations
thereunder, or (ii) results in a right by such third
Person(s), irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the
maturity of the applicable Credit Party’s or Material
Subsidiary’s obligations thereunder or otherwise seek payment
or institute action with respect to such Indebtedness or (b) any
such Indebtedness shall be required to be prepaid or redeemed
(other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or
redemption permitted to be made under the terms of the Loan
Documents), prior to the stated maturity thereof;
7.9
If any warranty, representation, statement, or Record made herein
or in any other Loan Document or made or delivered to Agent or any
Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other
Loan
36
Document by any Credit Party, any
Material Subsidiary of a Credit Party or any of their respective
officers, directors or managers proves to be untrue in any material
respect (or in any respect if such warranty, representation or
statement, by its terms, is already subject to a materiality
qualifier) as of the date of issuance or making or deemed making
thereof;
7.10 If
the obligation of any Guarantor under the Guaranty is limited or
terminated by operation of law or by such Guarantor;
7.11 If
the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to
create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a
valid and perfected and, except to the extent permitted by the
terms hereof or thereof, first priority Lien on or security
interest in the Collateral covered hereby or thereby, except as a
result of a disposition of the applicable Collateral in a
transaction permitted under this Agreement; or
7.12 Any
material provision of any Loan Document shall at any time for any
reason be declared to be null and void, or the validity or
enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Credit Party or
any Material Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or a proceeding shall be
commenced by any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of a
Credit Party, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
over any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of a Credit Party,
seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or
any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of a Credit Party shall
deny that it has any liability or obligation purported to be
created under any Loan Document.
7.13 If
there occurs one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the
aggregate results in or otherwise is associated with liability of
any Credit Party, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their
respective ERISA Affiliates (collectively, the “
Controlled Group ERISA Affiliates ”) (or is reasonably
likely ,
as
determined in the reasonable discretion of Agent,
to result in liability to any Credit Party, any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective Controlled Group ERISA Affiliates in the
case of liability of any of their respective ERISA Affiliates that
are not Controlled Group ERISA Affiliates) in excess of $1,000,000;
or there exists, an amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the
aggregate for all Pension Plans maintained, sponsored or obligated
to be contributed by any Credit Party, any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their Controlled Group ERISA Affiliates (excluding for
purposes of such computation any Pension Plans with respect to
which assets exceed benefit liabilities) which exceeds $1,000,000;
or there exists, an amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA), individually or in the
aggregate for all Pension Plans maintained, sponsored or obligated
to be contributed by ERISA Affiliate (excluding for purposes of
such computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets
exceed benefit liabilities) which exceeds $1,000,000 and which is
reasonably likely , as
determined in the reasonable discretion of Agent,
to result in liability of any Credit Party, any of its
Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Controlled Group ERISA
Affiliates.
7.14
[Reserved.]
7.15 If,
in the event any bank at which any Cash Management Account is
maintained or any bank at which any Deposit Account of any Credit
Party containing deposits is maintained shall fail to comply with
any of the material terms of any Cash Management Agreement or
Control Agreement to which such bank is a party or any securities
intermediary, commodity intermediary or other financial institution
at any time in custody, control or possession of any investment
property of any Credit Party shall fail to comply with any of the
material terms of any Control Agreement to which such Person is a
party, and, in each case, any Credit Party or any Material
Subsidiary of any Credit Party fails to transfer such Deposit
Account or Securities Account to a bank, securities intermediary,
commodity intermediary or other financial institution reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent within 30 days from the date such Credit
Party or such Material Subsidiary of a Credit party becomes aware
of the failure of such bank, securities intermediary, commodity
intermediary or other financial institution fails to comply with
any of the material terms of the applicable Cash Management
Agreement or Control Agreement.
37
7.16 If
any Change of Control shall occur.
8.
THE LENDER GROUP’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
8.1
Rights and Remedies . Upon the occurrence, and
during the continuation, of an Event of Default, the Required
Lenders (at their election but without notice of their election and
without demand) may authorize and instruct Agent to do any one or
more of the following on behalf of the Lender Group (and Agent,
acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, shall do the
same on behalf of the Lender Group), all of which are authorized by
each Credit Party:
(a)
Declare all or any portion of the Obligations, whether evidenced by
this Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise,
immediately due and payable;
(b)
Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for the benefit of
Borrowers under this Agreement, under any of the Loan Documents, or
under any other agreement between Borrowers and the Lender
Group;
(c)
Terminate this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents as to
any future liability or obligation of the Lender Group, but without
affecting any of the Agent’s Liens in the Collateral and
without affecting the Obligations; and
(d)
The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies available
at law or in equity or pursuant to any other Loan
Document.
The foregoing to the contrary
notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default
described in Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 ,
in addition to the remedies set forth above, without any notice to
any Credit Party or any other Person or any act by the Lender
Group, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the
Obligations then outstanding, together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon and all fees and all other amounts due under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall automatically and
immediately become due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest, or notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived
by each Credit Party.
8.2
Remedies Cumulative . The rights and remedies
of the Lender Group under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents,
and all other agreements shall be cumulative. The Lender
Group shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent
herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No
exercise by the Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed
an election, and no waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of
Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by the
Lender Group shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence
by it.
9.
TAXES AND EXPENSES.
If any Credit Party or any of their
respective Subsidiaries fails to pay any monies (whether taxes,
assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased
properties or assets, rents or other amounts payable under such
leases) due to third Persons, or fails to make any deposits or
furnish any required proof of payment or deposit, all as required
under the terms of this Agreement, then, Agent, in its sole
discretion and without prior notice to any such Credit Party or
Subsidiary, may do any or all of the following: (a) make
payment of the same or any part thereof, (b) set up such
reserves against the Availability or the Maximum Revolver Amount as
Agent deems necessary to protect the Lender Group from the exposure
created by such failure, or (c) in the case of the failure to
comply with Section 5.8 hereof, obtain and maintain
insurance policies of the type described in Section 5.8
and take any action with respect to such policies as Agent deems
prudent. Any such amounts paid by Agent shall constitute
Lender Group Expenses and any such payments shall not constitute an
agreement by the Lender Group to make similar payments in the
future or a waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default
under this Agreement. Agent need not inquire as to, or
contest the validity of,
38
any such expense, tax, or Lien and
the receipt of the usual official notice for the payment thereof
shall be conclusive evidence that the same was validly due and
owing.
10.
WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.
10.1
Demand; Protest; etc . Each Credit Party waives
demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor,
notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release,
compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents,
instruments, chattel paper, and guaranties at any time held by the
Lender Group on which any such Credit Party may in any way be
liable.
10.2
The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral
. Each Credit Party hereby agrees that: (a) so
long as Agent complies with its obligations, if any, under the Code
or other applicable law, the Lender Group shall not in any way or
manner be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping
of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage thereto occurring
or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any
diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of
any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other
Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of
the Collateral shall be borne by the Credit Parties.
10.3
Indemnification . Each Credit Party shall
jointly and severally pay, indemnify, defend, and hold the
Agent-Related Persons, the Lender-Related Persons, and each
Participant (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”)
harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against
any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations,
proceedings, liabilities, fines, penalties and damages, and all
reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts and
consultants and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in
connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this
indemnification (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of
whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed
upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as
a result of or related to the execution, delivery, enforcement,
performance, or administration (including any restructuring or
workout with respect hereto) of this Agreement, any of the other
Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
or the monitoring of any Credit Party’s or its
Subsidiaries’ compliance with the terms of the Loan
Documents, (b) with respect to any investigation, litigation,
or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document,
or the use of the proceeds of the credit provided hereunder
(irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party
thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any
manner related thereto and (c) in connection with or arising out of
any presence or release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, to or
from any assets or properties owned, leased or operated by any
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental
Actions, Environmental Liabilities and Costs or Remedial Actions
related in any way to any such assets or properties of any Credit
Party or any of its Subsidiaries (all the foregoing, collectively,
the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”). The
foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, the Credit Parties shall
have no obligation to any Indemnified Person under this
Section 10.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability
that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have
resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Indemnified Person. This provision shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the repayment of the
Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to
any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified
Liability as to which the Credit Parties were required to indemnify
the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified
Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and
reimbursed by the Credit Parties with respect thereto.
WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH
INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN
WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR
OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER
PERSON.
10.4
Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Credit Party shall
assert, and each Credit Party hereby waives, any claim against any
Indemnified Person, on any theory of liability, for special,
indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct
or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement
or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, any Advance, or Letter of Credit or the use of
the proceeds thereof. No Indemnified Person shall be liable
for any
39
damages arising from the use by
unintended recipients of any information or other materials
distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other
information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby.
11.
NOTICES.
Unless otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all notices or demands by any Credit Party or Agent to
the other relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document
shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other
informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail,
postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by
registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email
addresses as Administrative Borrower or Agent, as applicable, may
designate to each other in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile
to Borrowers in care of Administrative Borrower or to Agent, as the
case may be, at its address set forth below:
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If to any Credit Party, in care of
Administrative Borrower at:
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ADVENT SOFTWARE, INC.
600 Townsend Street San Francisco,
California 94103
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Vice President of Finance
Chief Legal Officer
Fax No.: (415) 369-2912
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with copies to:
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WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI,
P.C. 650 Page Mill
Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
Attn: Mark A. Bertelsen, Esq.
Fax No.: (650) 493.6811
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If to Agent:
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WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC.
2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 3000
West
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Attn: Business Finance Division
Manager
Fax No.: (310) 453-7413
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with copies to:
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BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Attn: Sandra L. Montgomery, Esq.
Fax No.: (213) 680-6499
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Agent and the Credit Parties may
change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder,
by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other
parties. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this
Section 11 , other than notices by Agent in connection
with enforcement rights against the Collateral under the provisions
of the Code, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of
actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the
mail. Each Credit Party acknowledges and agrees that notices
sent by the Lender Group in connection with the exercise of
enforcement rights against Collateral under the provisions of the
Code shall be deemed sent when deposited in the mail or personally
delivered, or, where permitted by law, transmitted by telefacsimile
or any other method set forth above.
40
12.
CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL
REFERENCE.
(a)
THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN
RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION,
INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS
OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS
ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL
BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
(b)
THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL
BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY
OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PROVIDED ,
HOWEVER , THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY
COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S
OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO
BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE
FOUND. EACH CREDIT PARTY AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP
WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH
MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR
TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12(b) .
(c)
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH CREDIT PARTY AND EACH MEMBER
OF THE LENDER GROUP HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY
TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF
ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY
CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH
CREDIT PARTY AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP REPRESENT THAT
EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY
WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL
COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT
MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE
COURT.
(d)
NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION (c) ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION,
CONTROVERSIES OR OTHER DISPUTES ARISING FROM, OR RELATED TO, THIS
AGREEMENT (EACH, A “ CLAIM ”), INCLUDING ANY AND
ALL QUESTIONS OF LAW OR FACT RELATING THERETO, SHALL, AT THE
WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PARTY HERETO, BE HEARD AND DETERMINED BY A
REFEREE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 6, SECTION 638 ET SEQ ., OF THE
CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (A “ REFERENCE
”). SUCH PARTIES SHALL SELECT A SINGLE NEUTRAL REFEREE,
WHO SHALL BE A RETIRED STATE OR FEDERAL JUDGE. IN THE EVENT
THAT SUCH PARTIES CANNOT AGREE UPON A REFEREE, THE REFEREE SHALL BE
APPOINTED BY THE APPLICABLE COURT. THE REFEREE SHALL REPORT A
STATEMENT OF DECISION TO THE COURT. NOTHING IN THIS
SECTION 12(d) SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THE
REFERENCE AT ANY TIME TO EXERCISE SELF-HELP REMEDIES, FORECLOSE
AGAINST COLLATERAL OR OBTAIN PROVISIONAL REMEDIES. THE
PARTIES TO THE REFERENCE SHALL BEAR THE FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE
REFEREE EQUALLY UNLESS THE REFEREE ORDERS OTHERWISE. THE
REFEREE SHALL ALSO DETERMINE ALL ISSUES RELATING TO THE
APPLICABILITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS SECTION
12(d) . THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT NONE OF
THE CLAIMS WILL BE ADJUDICATED OR HEARD BY A JURY.
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13.
ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.
13.1
Assignments and Participations .
(a)
Any Lender may assign and delegate to one or more assignees (each
an “ Assignee ”) that are Eligible Transferees
all or any portion of the Obligations, the Commitments and the
other rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents, in a minimum amount of, unless waived by the
Agent, of $5,000,000 (except such minimum amount shall not apply to
(x) an assignment or delegation by any Lender to any other Lender
or an Affiliate of any Lender or (y) a group of new Lenders, each
of whom is an Affiliate of each other or a fund or account managed
by any such new Lender or an Affiliate of such new Lender to the
extent that the aggregate amount to be assigned to all such new
Lenders is at least $5,000,000); provided , however ,
that (A) Borrowers and Agent may continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with the interest so
assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such
assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and
related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given
to Administrative Borrower and Agent by such Lender and the
Assignee, (ii) such Lender and its Assignee have delivered to
Administrative Borrower and Agent an Assignment and Acceptance and
Agent has notified the assigning Lender of its receipt thereof in
accordance with Section 13.1(b) , and (iii) unless waived by
the Agent, the assigning Lender or Assignee has paid to Agent
for Agent’s separate account a processing fee in the amount
of $3,500 and (B) unless an Event of Default then exists, prior to
making such an assignment, such assigning Lender shall use good
faith efforts to consult with Administrative Borrower as to the
proposed Assignee. Anything contained herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the payment of any fees shall not be required and
the Assignee need not be an Eligible Transferee if such assignment
is in connection with any merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, or
other disposition of all or any substantial portion of the business
or loan portfolio of the assigning Lender.
(b)
From and after the date that Agent notifies the assigning Lender
(with a copy to Administrative Borrower) that it has received an
executed Assignment and Acceptance and, if applicable, payment of
the required processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall
be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations
hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and
Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under
the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assigning Lender shall, to
the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (except with
respect to Section 10.3 hereof) and be released from
any future obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of
an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to
be a party hereto and thereto), and such assignment shall effect a
novation among Borrowers, the assigning Lender and the Assignee;
provided , however , that nothing contained herein
shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive
the termination of this Agreement, including such assigning
Lender’s obligations under Section 15 and
Section 17.9 of this Agreement.
(c)
By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the
assigning Lender thereunder and the Assignee thereunder confirm to
and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as
follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment
and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection
with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement
or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto,
(ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty
and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial
condition of any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries or the
performance or observance by any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries
of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document furnished pursuant hereto, (iii) such Assignee
confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement and the
Subordination Agreements (if any), together with such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its
own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and
Acceptance, (iv) such Assignee will, independently and without
reliance upon Agent, such assigning Lender or
42
any other Lender, and based on such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under this Agreement, (v5) such Assignee appoints and
authorizes Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated
to Agent, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto, (vi) such Assignee agrees that
it will perform all of the obligations which by the terms of this
Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender and (vii)
such Assignee expressly assumes all rights and obligations of such
assigning Lender under the Subordination Agreements (if any) and
agrees to be bound by the terms thereof.
(d)
Immediately upon Agent’s receipt of the required processing
fee, if applicable, and delivery of notice to the assigning Lender
pursuant to Section 13.1(b) , this Agreement shall be deemed
to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to
reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment
of the Commitments arising therefrom. The Commitment
allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the
assigning Lender pro tanto .
(e)
Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks,
financial institutions, or other Persons (a “
Participant ”) participating interests in all or any
portion of its Obligations, its Commitment, and the other rights
and interests of that Lender (the “ Originating Lender
”) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
provided , however , that (i) the Originating
Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant
receiving the participating interest in the Obligations, the
Commitments, and the other rights and interests of the Originating
Lender hereunder shall not constitute a “Lender”
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and the Originating
Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall remain solely
responsible for the performance of such obligations,
(iii) Borrowers, Agent, and the Lenders shall continue to deal
solely and directly with the Originating Lender in connection with
the Originating Lender’s rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall
transfer or grant any participating interest under which the
Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any
consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or
waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document
would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations
hereunder in which such Participant is participating,
(B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations
hereunder in which such Participant is participating,
(C) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or
guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in
any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in
which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the
payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable
to such Participant through such Lender, or (E) change the
amount or due dates of scheduled principal repayments or
prepayments or premiums, and (v) all amounts payable by
Borrowers hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not
sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under
this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or
shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of
set off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing
under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its
participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under
this Agreement. The rights of any Participant only shall be
derivative through the Originating Lender with whom such
Participant participates and no Participant shall have any rights
under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct
rights as to the other Lenders, Agent, Borrowers, the Collections
of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, the Collateral, or otherwise in
respect of the Obligations. No Participant shall have the
right to participate directly in the making of decisions by the
Lenders among themselves.
(f)
In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed
assignment or participation, a Lender may, subject to the
provisions of Section 17.9 , disclose all documents and
information which it now or hereafter may have relating to the
Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries and their
respective businesses.
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(g)
Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender
may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or
any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in
favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A
of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR
§ 203.24, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such
pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under
applicable law.
13.2
Successors . This Agreement shall bind and
inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of
each of the parties; provided , however , that no
Credit Party may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or
duties hereunder without the Lenders’ prior written consent
and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab
initio . No consent to assignment by the Lenders shall
release any Credit Party from its obligations hereunder or under
any other Loan Document. A Lender may assign this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder
and thereunder pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof and,
except as expressly required pursuant to Section 13.1
hereof, no consent or approval by any Credit Party is required in
connection with any such assignment.
14.
AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.
14.1
Amendments and Waivers . Except for actions
expressly permitted to be taken by Agent, no amendment or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other
than Bank Product Agreements or the Fee Letter), and no consent
with respect to any departure by any Credit Party or a Subsidiary
of a Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent
at the written request of the Required Lenders) and then any such
waiver or consent shall be effective, but only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given;
provided , however , that no such waiver, amendment,
or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the
Lenders directly affected thereby, do any of the
following:
(a)
increase or extend any Commitment of any Lender,
(b)
postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other
Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or
other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan
Document,
(c)
reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any loan or
other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other
amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan
Document,
(d)
change the Pro Rata Share that is required to take any action
hereunder,
(e)
amend or modify this Section or any provision of this Agreement
providing for consent or other action by all Lenders,
(f)
other than as permitted by Section 15.11 , release
Agent’s Lien in and to any of the Collateral,
(g)
change the definition of “Required Lenders” or
“Pro Rata Share,”
(h)
contractually subordinate any of the Agent’s
Liens,
(i)
other than in connection with a merger, liquidation, dissolution or
sale of such Person expressly permitted by the terms hereof or the
other Loan Documents, release any Credit Party from any obligation
for the payment of money or from any guaranty thereof,
(j)
amend any of the provisions of Sections 2.4(b)(i) or
2.4(b)(ii) ,
44
(k)
change the definitions of Loan Limit, Maximum Revolver Amount or
change Section 2.1(b) , or
(l)
amend any of the provisions of Section 15 ;
provided further
, however , that no
amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by
Agent, Issuing Lender, or Swing Lender, as applicable, affect the
rights or duties of Agent, Issuing Lender, or Swing Lender, as
applicable, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and
provided further , however , any amendment or
modification that directly affects or alters the express rights or
obligations of any Credit Party shall also require the consent or
agreement of such Credit Party (which, in the case of any Borrower,
may be given by the Administrative Borrower). The foregoing
notwithstanding, any amendment, modification, waiver, consent,
termination, or release of, or with respect to, any provision of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the
relationship of the Lender Group among themselves, and that does
not affect the rights or obligations of any Credit Party, shall not
require consent by or the agreement of any Credit Party.
Without limiting the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, such Event of Default shall be deemed to continue and
exist until such time as it has been waived in accordance with the
terms of this Section 14.1 .
14.2
Replacement of Holdout Lender .
(a)
If any action to be taken by the Lender Group or Agent hereunder
requires the unanimous consent, authorization, or agreement of all
Lenders, and a Lender (“ Holdout Lender ”) fails
to give its consent, authorization, or agreement, then Agent, upon
at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice to the Holdout
Lender, may permanently replace the Holdout Lender with one or more
substitute Lenders (each, a “ Replacement Lender
”), and the Holdout Lender shall have no right to refuse to
be replaced hereunder. Such notice to replace the Holdout
Lender shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which
date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such
notice is given.
(b)
Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Holdout Lender
and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment
and Acceptance, subject only to the Holdout Lender being repaid its
share of the outstanding Obligations (including an assumption of
its Pro Rata Share of the Risk Participation Liability) without any
premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever. If the Holdout
Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such
Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such
replacement, the Holdout Lender shall be deemed to have executed
and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance. The replacement
of any Holdout Lender shall be made in accordance with the terms of
Section 13.1 . Until such time as the Replacement
Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the
Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Holdout
Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Holdout
Lender shall remain obligated to make the Holdout Lender’s
Pro Rata Share of Advances and to purchase a participation in each
Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the
Risk Participation Liability of such Letter of Credit.
14.3
No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by
Agent or any Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Agent or any
Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver
thereof. No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective
unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically
stated. No waiver by Agent or any Lender on any occasion
shall affect or diminish Agent’s and each Lender’s
rights thereafter to require strict performance by the Credit
Parties of any provision of this Agreement. Agent’s and
each Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right
or remedy that Agent or any Lender may have.
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15.
AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.
15.1
Appointment and Authorization of Agent . Each
Lender hereby designates and appoints WFF as its representative
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and each Lender
hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to execute and deliver each of
the other Loan Documents on its behalf and to take such other
action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and
each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform
such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent by the terms of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent agrees to
act as such on the express conditions contained in this
Section 15 . The provisions of this
Section 15 are solely for the benefit of Agent and the
Lenders, and the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries
shall have no rights as third party beneficiaries of any of the
provisions contained herein. Any provision to the contrary
contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document
notwithstanding, Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor
shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship
with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read
into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist
against Agent; it being expressly understood and agreed that the
use of the word “Agent” is for convenience only, that
WFF is merely the representative of the Lenders, and only has the
contractual duties set forth herein. Except as expressly
otherwise provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use
its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from
exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from
taking any actions that Agent expressly is entitled to take or
assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides
rights or powers to Agent, Lenders agree that Agent shall have the
right to exercise the following powers as long as this Agreement
remains in effect: (a) maintain, in accordance with its
customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the
status of the Obligations, the Collateral, the Collections of
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, and related matters,
(b) execute or file any and all financing or similar
statements or notices, amendments, renewals, supplements,
documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written
agreements with respect to the Loan Documents, (c) make
Advances, for itself or on behalf of Lenders as provided in the
Loan Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute
the Collections of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as provided in
the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts
and cash management arrangements as Agent deems necessary and
appropriate in accordance with the Loan Documents for the foregoing
purposes with respect to the Collateral and the Collections of
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, (f) perform, exercise, and
enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lender Group
with respect to the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries, the
Obligations, the Collateral, the Collections of Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, or otherwise related to any of same as provided in
the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group
Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the
performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to
the Loan Documents.
15.2
Delegation of Duties . Agent may execute any of
its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or
through agents, employees or attorneys in fact and shall be
entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to
such duties. Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney in fact that it
selects as long as such selection was made without gross negligence
or willful misconduct.
15.3
Liability of Agent . None of the Agent Related
Persons shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to
be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement
or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby
(except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or
(b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any
recital, statement, representation or warranty made by any Credit
Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any officer or
director thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan
Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other
document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under
or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or
sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for
any failure of any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries or any other
party to any
46
Loan Document to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent Related Person
shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to
inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the
agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, or to inspect the books and records or
properties of any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries.
15.4
Reliance by Agent . Agent shall be entitled to
rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing,
resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter,
telegram, telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission,
telex or telephone message, statement or other document or
conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have
been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and
upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to
any Credit Party or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants
and other experts selected by Agent. Agent shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems
appropriate and until such instructions are received, Agent shall
act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable. If Agent
so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable
satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and
expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. Agent shall in all cases
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a
request or consent of the requisite Lenders and such request and
any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be
binding upon all of the Lenders.
15.5
Notice of Default or Event of Default . Agent
shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence
of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults
in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and expenses required
to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders and, except with
respect to Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge,
unless Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or
Administrative Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing
such Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a
“notice of default.” Agent promptly will notify
the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of
Default of which Agent has actual knowledge. If any Lender
obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such Lender
promptly shall notify the other Lenders and Agent of such Event of
Default. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving
any notices to its Participants, if any. Subject to
Section 15.4 , Agent shall take such action with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by
the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 8 ;
provided , however , that unless and until Agent has
received any such request, Agent may (but shall not be obligated
to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem
advisable.
15.6
Credit Decision . Each Lender acknowledges that
none of the Agent Related Persons has made any representation or
warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken,
including any review of the affairs of any Credit Party or its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any
Lender. Each Lender represents to Agent that it has,
independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person
and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any other
Person party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory
laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its
own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to
Borrowers. Each Lender also represents that it will,
independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person
and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis,
appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such
investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any other
Person party to a Loan Document. Except for notices, reports,
and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to
the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or
responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other
information concerning the business, prospects,
47
operations, property, financial and
other condition or creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any
other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the
possession of any of the Agent Related Persons.
15.7
Costs and Expenses; Indemnification . Agent may
incur and pay Lender Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably
deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment
of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan
Documents, including court costs, reasonably attorneys fees and
expenses, fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors,
consultants, and appraisers, costs of collection by outside
collection agencies, auctioneer fees and expenses, and costs of
security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the
Collateral, whether or not any Credit Party is obligated to
reimburse Agent or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise. Agent is authorized and directed to
deduct and retain sufficient amounts from the Collections of any
Credit Party and their Subsidiaries received by Agent to reimburse
Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the
distribution of any amounts to Lenders. In the event Agent is
not reimbursed for such costs and expenses by Borrowers or their
Subsidiaries, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be
obligated to pay to Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share
thereof. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the Agent
Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of
any Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of any Credit
Party to do so), according to their Pro Rata Shares, from and
against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided ,
however , that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to
any Agent Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified
Liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross
negligence or willful misconduct nor shall any Lender be liable for
the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make an
Advance or other extension of credit hereunder. Without
limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon
demand for such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any costs or out
of pocket expenses (including attorneys, accountants, advisors, and
consultants fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with
the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification,
amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights
or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document,
or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the
extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on
behalf of any Credit Party. The undertaking in this Section
shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the
resignation or replacement of Agent.
15.8
Agent in Individual Capacity . WFF and its
Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the
account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in, and
generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory,
underwriting, or other business with any Credit Party or its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan
Documents as though WFF were not Agent hereunder, and, in each
case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the
Lender Group. The other members of the Lender Group
acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, WFF or its
Affiliates may receive information regarding the Credit Parties or
their respective Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan
Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor
of such Credit Parties, Affiliates or such other Person and that
prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the
Lenders acknowledge that, in such circumstances (and in the absence
of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver Agent
will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), Agent shall not be
under any obligation to provide such information to them. The
terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include WFF in
its individual capacity.
15.9
Successor Agent . Agent may resign as Agent
upon 45 days notice to the Lenders (unless such notice is waived by
the Required Lenders). If Agent resigns under this Agreement,
the Required Lenders shall appoint a successor Agent for the
Lenders. If no successor Agent is appointed prior to the
effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint,
after consulting with the Lenders, a successor Agent. If
Agent has materially breached or failed to perform any material
provision of this Agreement or of applicable law, the Required
Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace Agent with a
successor Agent from among the Lenders. In any such event,
upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent
hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights,
powers, and duties of the retiring Agent and the term
“Agent” shall mean such successor Agent and the
retiring Agent’s appointment, powers, and duties as Agent
shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent’s
resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this
Section 15 shall
48
inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under
this Agreement. If no successor Agent has accepted
appointment as Agent by the date which is 45 days following a
retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring
Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become
effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a
successor Agent as provided for above.
15.10 Lender in
Individual Capacity . Any Lender and its respective
Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the
account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and
generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory,
underwriting or other business with any Credit Party or its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan
Documents as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder without
notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender
Group. The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge
that, pursuant to such activities, such Lender and its respective
Affiliates may receive information regarding a Credit Party or its
Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is
subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Credit
Party or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such
information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge that, in
such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such
confidentiality obligations, which waiver such Lender will use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain), such Lender shall not be under
any obligation to provide such information to them.
15.11 Collateral
Matters .
(a)
The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize Agent, at its option and
in its sole discretion, to release any Lien on any Collateral
(i) upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and
satisfaction in full of all Obligations, (ii) constituting
property being sold or disposed of if a release is required or
desirable in connection therewith and if Administrative Borrower
certifies to Agent that the sale or disposition is permitted under
Section 6.4 of this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate,
without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property in which
no Credit Party or its Subsidiaries owned any interest at the time
the Agent’s Lien was granted nor at any time thereafter, or
(iv) constituting property leased to a Credit Party or its
Subsidiaries under a lease that has expired or is terminated in a
transaction permitted under this Agreement. Except as
provided above, Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any
Lien on any Collateral without the prior written authorization of
(y) if the release is of all or substantially all of the
Collateral, all of the Lenders, or (z) otherwise, the Required
Lenders. Upon request by Agent or Administrative Borrower at
any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing Agent’s
authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of
Collateral pursuant to this Section 15.11 ;
provided , however , that (1) Agent shall not be
required to execute any document necessary to evidence such release
on terms that, in Agent’s opinion, would expose Agent to
liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other
than the release of such Lien without recourse, representation, or
warranty, and (2) such release shall not in any manner
discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other
than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of any
Credit Party in respect of) all interests retained by the
applicable Credit Party, including, the proceeds of any sale, all
of which shall continue to constitute part of the
Collateral.
(b)
Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders to
assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by any Credit Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected, or insured
or has been encumbered, or that the Agent’s Liens have been
properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected,
or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to
exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of
care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the
rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Agent
pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and
agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or
event related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions
contained herein, Agent may act in any manner it may deem
appropriate, in its sole discretion given Agent’s own
interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders
and that Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to
any Lender as to any of the foregoing, except as otherwise provided
herein.
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15.12
Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of
Payments .
(a)
Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, without the express
written consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is
lawfully e