Exhibit 10.1
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated
as of February 8, 2008
among
AVERY
DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS COMPANY,
as the Borrower,
AVERY
DENNISON CORPORATION,
as Holdings,
BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent,
The
Other Lenders Party Hereto,
and
BANC
OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
and
J.P.
MORGAN SECURITIES INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section |
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article I |
|
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING
TERMS |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
Defined Terms |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
Other Interpretive Provisions |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
Accounting Terms |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
Rounding |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
Times of Day |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article II |
|
THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
2.01 |
|
The Loans |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
The Making, Conversions and
Continuations of Loans |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
2.03 |
|
Optional Prepayments |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
2.04 |
|
Reduction of Commitments |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
2.05 |
|
Repayment of Loans |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
2.06 |
|
Interest |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
2.07 |
|
Fees |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
2.08 |
|
Computation of Interest and
Fees |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
2.09 |
|
Evidence of Debt |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
2.10 |
|
Payments Generally; Administrative
Agent’s Clawback |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
2.11 |
|
Sharing of Payments by
Lenders |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
Payments by Holdings |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article III |
|
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND
ILLEGALITY |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
3.01 |
|
Taxes |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
3.02 |
|
Illegality |
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
3.03 |
|
Inability to Determine Rates |
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
3.04 |
|
Increased Costs |
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
3.05 |
|
Compensation for Losses |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
3.06 |
|
Mitigation Obligations;
Replacement of Lenders |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
3.07 |
|
Survival |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article IV |
|
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE
LOANS |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
4.01 |
|
Conditions to the Loans |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article V |
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES |
|
|
28 |
|
i
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section |
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
| |
|
|
|
5.01 |
|
Existence and Qualification;
Power; Compliance with Law |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
|
5.02 |
|
Authority; Compliance with Other
Instruments and Government Regulations |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
5.03 |
|
No Governmental Approvals
Required |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
5.04 |
|
Subsidiaries |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
5.05 |
|
Financial Statements |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
5.06 |
|
No Material Adverse Change or
Other Liabilities |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
5.07 |
|
Title to Assets |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
5.08 |
|
Regulated Industries |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
5.09 |
|
Litigation |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
5.10 |
|
Binding Obligations |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
5.11 |
|
No Default |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
5.12 |
|
ERISA |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
5.13 |
|
Regulation U |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
5.14 |
|
Tax Liability |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
5.15 |
|
Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks
and Licenses, etc |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
5.16 |
|
Environmental Matters |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
5.17 |
|
Insurance |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
5.18 |
|
Disclosure |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article VI |
|
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
6.01 |
|
Financial and Business
Information |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
6.02 |
|
Certificates; Other
Information |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
6.03 |
|
Notices |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
6.04 |
|
Payment of Taxes and Other
Potential Liens |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
6.05 |
|
Preservation of Existence |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
6.06 |
|
Maintenance of Properties |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
6.07 |
|
Maintenance of Insurance |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
6.08 |
|
Compliance with Laws |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
6.09 |
|
Inspection Rights |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
6.10 |
|
Keeping of Records and Books of
Account |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
6.11 |
|
ERISA Compliance |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
6.12 |
|
Environmental Laws |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
6.13 |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
|
36 |
|
ii
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section |
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
| |
|
|
|
6.14 |
|
Termination of the Existing Credit
Agreement |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
Assumption of the Obligations by
Holdings |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article VII |
|
NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
7.01 |
|
Type of Business |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
7.02 |
|
Liens |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
7.03 |
|
Investments |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
7.04 |
|
Contingent Obligations |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
7.05 |
|
Subordinated Debt |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
7.06 |
|
Sale of Assets or Merger |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
7.07 |
|
Financial Covenants |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
7.08 |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article VIII |
|
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND
REMEDIES |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
8.01 |
|
Events of Default |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
8.02 |
|
Remedies upon Event of
Default |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article IX |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
9.01 |
|
Appointment and Authority |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
9.02 |
|
Rights as a Lender |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
9.03 |
|
Exculpatory Provisions |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
9.04 |
|
Reliance by Administrative
Agent |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
9.05 |
|
Delegation of Duties |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
9.06 |
|
Resignation of Administrative
Agent |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
9.07 |
|
Non-Reliance on Administrative
Agent and Other Lenders |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
9.08 |
|
No Other Duties, Etc |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
9.09 |
|
Administrative Agent May File
Proofs of Claim |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article X |
|
CONTINUING GUARANTY |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
10.01 |
|
Guaranty |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
10.02 |
|
Rights of Lenders |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
10.03 |
|
Certain Waivers |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
10.04 |
|
Obligations Independent |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
10.05 |
|
Subrogation |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
10.06 |
|
Termination; Reinstatement |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
10.07 |
|
Subordination |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
10.08 |
|
Stay of Acceleration |
|
|
46 |
|
iii
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section |
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
| |
|
|
|
10.09 |
|
Condition of the Borrower |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Article XI |
|
MISCELLANENOUS |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
11.01 |
|
Amendments, Etc |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
11.02 |
|
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic
Communications |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
11.03 |
|
No Waiver; Cumulative
Remedies |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
11.04 |
|
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage
Waiver |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
11.05 |
|
Payments Set Aside |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
11.06 |
|
Successors and Assigns |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
11.07 |
|
Treatment of Certain Information;
Confidentiality |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
11.08 |
|
Right of Setoff |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
11.09 |
|
Interest Rate Limitation |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
11.10 |
|
Counterparts; Integration;
Effectiveness |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
11.11 |
|
Survival of Representations and
Warranties |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
11.12 |
|
Severability |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
11.13 |
|
Replacement of Lenders |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
11.14 |
|
Governing Law; Jurisdiction;
Etc |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
11.15 |
|
Waiver of Jury Trial |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
11.16 |
|
California Judicial Reference |
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
11.17 |
|
No Advisory or Fiduciary
Responsibility |
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
11.18 |
|
USA PATRIOT Act Notice |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SIGNATURES |
|
S-1 |
|
|
|
|
iv
| |
|
|
|
|
| SCHEDULES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.01 |
|
Commitments and Applicable
Percentages |
|
|
|
5.04 |
|
Subsidiaries |
|
|
|
5.09 |
|
Litigation |
|
|
|
11.02 |
|
Administrative Agent’s
Office, Certain Addresses for Notices |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| EXHIBITS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Form of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
Committed Loan Notice |
|
|
|
B |
|
Note |
|
|
|
C |
|
Compliance Certificate |
|
|
|
D |
|
Assignment and Assumption |
|
|
|
E-1 |
|
Opinion Matters — Counsel to
Loan Parties |
|
|
|
E-2 |
|
Opinion Matters — Local
Counsel to Loan Parties |
v
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This
CREDIT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into
as of February 8, 2008, among AVERY DENNISON OFFICE PRODUCTS
COMPANY, a Nevada corporation (the “ Borrower
”), AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
(“ Holdings ”), each lender from time to time
party hereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ” and
individually, a “ Lender ”), and BANK OF
AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “
Administrative Agent ”).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS :
The
Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a term loan
facility and the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend
on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
In
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“
Acquisition ” means any transaction, or any series of
related transactions, consummated after the Closing Date, by which
Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly
(a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of
the assets of any firm, corporation, or division thereof, whether
through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) acquires (in
one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of
transactions) control of at least a majority in ordinary voting
power of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or (c) acquires control of
at least a majority ownership interest in any partnership or joint
venture.
“
Administrative Agent ” has the meaning specified in
the introductory paragraph hereto and also means any successor
administrative agent appointed pursuant to Section 9.06
.
“
Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the
Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account
as set forth on Schedule 11.02 , or such other address
or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify
to the Borrower and the Lenders.
“
Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative
Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“
Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with the Person specified.
“
Aggregate Commitments ” means the Commitments of all
the Lenders.
“
Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement.
“
Applicable Percentage ” means with respect to any
Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth
decimal place) of the Loans represented by (i) on or prior to
the Closing Date, such Lender’s Commitment at such time and
(ii) thereafter, the principal amount of such Lender’s
Loans at such time. The initial Applicable Percentage of each
Lender in respect of the Loans is set forth opposite the name of
such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and
Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as
applicable.
“
Applicable Rate ” means, in respect of the Loans, from
time to time, the following percentages per annum, based upon the
Debt Rating as set forth below:
Applicable Rate
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Debt Ratings |
|
Applicable Margin |
|
Applicable Margin |
|
Pricing Level |
|
S&P/Moody’s |
|
for LIBOR Loans |
|
for Base Rate Loans |
|
1
|
|
A+/A1 or better |
|
0.300% |
|
0.000% |
|
2
|
|
A/A2 |
|
0.350% |
|
0.000% |
|
3
|
|
A-/A3 |
|
0.450% |
|
0.000% |
|
4
|
|
BBB+/Baa1 |
|
0.550% |
|
0.000% |
|
5
|
|
BBB/Baa2 or lower |
|
0.850% |
|
0.000% |
“ Debt
Rating ” means, as of any date of determination, the
rating as determined by either S&P or Moody’s
(collectively, the “ Debt Ratings ”) of
Holdings’ non-credit-enhanced, senior unsecured long-term
debt; provided that (a) if the respective Debt Ratings
issued by the foregoing rating agencies differ by one level, then
the Pricing Level for the higher of such Debt Ratings shall apply
(with the Debt Rating for Pricing Level 1 being the highest and the
Debt Rating for Pricing Level 5 being the lowest); (b) if
there is a split in Debt Ratings of more than one level, then the
Pricing Level that is one level lower than the Pricing Level of the
higher Debt Rating shall apply; (c) if Holdings has only one
Debt Rating, the Pricing Level that is one level lower than that of
such Debt Rating shall apply; and (d) if Holdings does not
have any Debt Rating, Pricing Level 5 shall apply.
Initially,
the Applicable Rate shall be based upon the Debt Rating in effect
as of the Closing Date. Thereafter, each change in the Applicable
Rate resulting from a publicly announced change in the Debt Rating
shall be effective during the period commencing on the date of the
public announcement thereof and ending on the date immediately
preceding the effective date of the next such change.
“
Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or
managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or
(c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or
manages a Lender.
2
“
Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and
assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with
the consent of any party whose consent is required by
Section 11.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative
Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D or any
other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“
Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited
consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the
fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, and the related
consolidated statements of income or operations,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
“
Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its
successors.
“
Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per
annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus
1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day
as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its
“prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate
set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of
America’s costs and desired return, general economic
conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for
pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such
announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of
America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day
specified in the public announcement of such change.
“
Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest
based on the Base Rate.
“
Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the
introductory paragraph hereto.
“
Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to
close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where
the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day
relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which
dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in
the London interbank eurodollar market.
“
Cash Equivalents ” means, when used in connection with
any Person, such Person’s Investments in:
(a) Government Securities due within
one year after the date of the making of the Investment;
(b) certificates of deposit issued
by, bank deposits in, bankers’ acceptances of, and repurchase
agreements covering Government Securities executed by, any Lender
or any bank doing business in and incorporated under the laws of
the United States or any state thereof or Canada and having on the
date of such Investment combined capital, surplus, and undivided
profits of at least $500,000,000 in each case due within one year
after the date of the making of the Investment; and
(c) readily marketable commercial
paper of corporations doing business in and incorporated under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof or Canada or any
province thereof given on the date of such Investment the highest
credit rating by
3
NCO/Moody’s Commercial Paper Division of Moody’s or
S&P, in each case due within six months after the date of the
making of the Investment.
“
Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date
of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption
or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty,
(b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in
the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any
Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any
request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) by any Governmental Authority.
“
Closing Date ” means the first date all the conditions
precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in
accordance with Section 11.01 .
“
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
“
Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, its obligation
to make Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01
in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to
exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on
Schedule 2.01 under the caption
“Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment
and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party
hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to
time in accordance with this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the
Commitments hereunder is $400,000,000.
“
Committed Loan Notice ” means a notice requesting
(a) the Loans to be made on the Closing Date, (b) a
conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a
continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to
Section 2.02(a) , which, if in writing, shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A .
“
Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit C .
“
Consolidated Debt ” means, as of any date of
determination, the Debt of Holdings and the Consolidated
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis as of such
date.
“
Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes ”
means, as of any date of determination, the earnings of Holdings
and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for the twelve month fiscal
period most recently ended on or prior to such date before
deducting interest expense and taxes on or measured by income
charged against earnings for such period.
“
Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period,
Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, to the extent
deducted in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income,
(a) Consolidated Interest for such period, (b) the
provision for income taxes for such period, and
(c) depreciation and amortization expense for such
period.
“
Consolidated Interest ” means, as of any date of
determination, the interest expense of Holdings and the
Consolidated Subsidiaries for the twelve month fiscal period most
recently ended on or prior to such date.
4
“
Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the
consolidated net income of Holdings and the Consolidated
Subsidiaries for such period.
“
Consolidated Net Worth ” means, as of any date of
determination, the consolidated net worth of Holdings and the
Consolidated Subsidiaries, plus Subordinated Debt in an
amount up to but not exceeding 20% of the consolidated net worth of
Holdings and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (minus any Subordinated
Debt carried in the treasury of Holdings and any of its
Subsidiaries); provided that, for purposes of this
definition only, any guaranty by Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries of any Subordinated Debt shall be excluded from the
calculation of Subordinated Debt.
“
Consolidated Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of
Holdings whose financial statements are consolidated with the
financial statements of Holdings in conformity with GAAP.
“
Consolidated Total Tangible Assets ” means, as of any
date of determination, all assets of Holdings and the Consolidated
Subsidiaries that should be reflected in the asset side of a
consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and the Consolidated
Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, excluding any
Intangible Assets.
“
Contingent Obligation ” means any guarantee of any
obligation of another Person, or any agreement to become directly
or indirectly responsible for an obligation of another Person,
(including, without limitation, any agreement to maintain the net
worth or liquidity of another Person or to purchase any obligation,
goods or services of another Person, or otherwise to provide credit
assurances to the holder of an obligation of another Person), or
any agreement in the nature of a guarantee or having the effect of
creating responsibility for the obligation of another Person,
except the guarantee or agreement in the nature of a guarantee by
Holdings or a Consolidated Subsidiary of the obligations of a
Consolidated Subsidiary.
“
Control ” means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to
exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “
Controlling ” and “ Controlled ”
have meanings correlative thereto.
“
Debt ” of any Person means at any date, without
duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed
money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (c) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of
property or services, except trade accounts payable and deferred
employee compensation obligations arising in the ordinary course of
business, (d) all obligations of such Person as lessee which
are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (e) all unpaid
reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of
credit or similar instruments but only to the extent that either
(i) the issuer has honored a drawing thereunder or
(ii) payment of such obligation is otherwise due under the
terms thereof, (f) all Debt secured by a Lien on real property
which is otherwise an obligation of such Person, and (g) all
Debt of others in excess of $1,000,000 guaranteed by such
Person.
“
Debt Rating ” has the meaning specified in the
definition of “Applicable Rate.”
5
“
Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the
United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship,
bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium,
rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar
debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable
jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights
of creditors generally.
“
Default ” means any event or condition that
constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any
notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of
Default.
“
Default Rate ” means an interest rate equal to
(i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate,
if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per
annum; provided , however , that with respect to a
Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate
equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate)
otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum.
“
Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has
failed to fund any portion of the Loans required to be funded by it
hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded
by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required
to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when
due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (c) has
been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or
insolvency proceeding.
“
Designated Officer ” means the chief executive
officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant
treasurer or controller of a Loan Party and any other officer of
the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing
officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent. Any document
delivered hereunder that is signed by a Designated Officer of a
Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized
by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the
part of such Loan Party and such Designated Officer shall be
conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan
Party.
“
Dollar ” and “ $ ” mean lawful
money of the United States.
“
Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of Holdings
that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of
the United States.
“
Eligible Assignee ” means, (a) a Lender;
(b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; and
(d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by
(i) the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), and (ii) unless
(A) such Person is taking delivery of an assignment in
connection with physical settlement of a credit derivative
transaction or (B) an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower (each such consent to be within the
discretion of the consenting party); provided that
notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee”
shall not include the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s
Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
“
Environmental Claims ” means all claims, however
asserted, by any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging
potential liability or responsibility for violation of any
Environmental Law, or for release or injury to the
environment.
6
“
Environmental Laws ” means all federal, state or local
laws, statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances
and codes, together with all administrative orders, directed
duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and
agreements with, any Governmental Authorities, in each case
relating to environmental, health, safety and land use
matters.
“
ERISA ” means, at any date, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 and the regulations thereunder.
“
Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with
respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the
British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“ BBA LIBOR
”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available
source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the
Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately
11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for
delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term
equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available
at such time for any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate”
for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by
the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in
Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in
same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate
Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with
a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank
of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London
interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately
11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.
“
Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears
interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.
“
Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in
Section 8.01 .
“
Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the
Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any other recipient of any
payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the
Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its
overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes
imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction
(or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such
recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located
or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending
Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the
United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction
in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a
Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the
Borrower under Section 11.13 ), any withholding tax
that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the
time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a
new Lending Office) or is attributable to such Foreign
Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a
Change in Law) to comply with Section 3.01(e) , except to
the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was
entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or
assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with
respect to such withholding tax pursuant to
Section 3.01(a) .
7
“
Existing Credit Agreement ” means that certain bridge
credit agreement dated as of June 13, 2007 by and among
Holdings, the lenders party thereto, and J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc., as arranger.
“
Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per
annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight
Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve
System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next
succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is
not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be
such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day
as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and
(b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding
Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the
average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of
1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such
transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
“
Fee Letters ” means, collectively, (i) the letter
agreement, dated January 4, 2008, among the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and Banc of America Securities LLC, and
(ii) the letter agreement, dated January 8, 2008, among
the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc., as either letter agreement may be amended, modified, replaced
or restated from time to time.
“
Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is organized
under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the
Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this
definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District
of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single
jurisdiction.
“
FRB ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System of the United States.
“
Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person)
that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or
otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of
credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
“
GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles
in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements
of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles
as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession in the United States, that are applicable to the
circumstances as of the date of determination.
“
Governmental Authority ” means the government of the
United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision
thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other
entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing,
regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining
to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the
European Union or the European Central Bank).
8
“
Government Securities ” means readily marketable
direct obligations of the United States or obligations fully
guaranteed by the United States.
“
Guarantied Parties ” means, collectively, the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and each co-agent or sub-agent
appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to
Section 9.05 .
“
Guaranty ” means the Guaranty made by Holdings under
Article X in favor of the Guarantied Parties.
“
Holdings ” has the meaning specified in the
introductory paragraph hereto.
“
Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded
Taxes.
“
Indemnitees ” has the meaning specified in
Section 11.04(b) .
“
Information ” has the meaning specified in
Section 11.07 .
“
Intangible Assets ” means assets having no physical
existence and that, in conformity with GAAP, should be classified
as intangible assets, including without limitation such intangible
assets as patents, trademarks, copyrights, franchises, licenses and
goodwill.
“
Interest Payment Date ” means, (a) as to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period
applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided ,
however , that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate
Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every
three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also
be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan,
the first Business Day of each April, July, October and January and
the Maturity Date.
“
Interest Period ” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan
is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan
and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as
selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice;
provided that:
(a) any
Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a
Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which
case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business
Day;
(b) any
Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar
month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall
end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of
such Interest Period; and
(c) no
Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.
“
IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue
Service.
9
“
Investment ” means, when used in connection with any
Person, any investment by such Person, whether by means of purchase
or other acquisition of stock or other securities or by means of
loan, advance, capital contribution, guarantee, or other debt or
equity participation or interest in any other Person.
“
Joint Lead Arrangers ” means, collectively, Banc of
America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. in their
capacities as joint lead arrangers.
“
Laws ” means, collectively, all international,
foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules,
guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or
judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or
administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with
the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all
applicable executive orders, administrative orders, directed
duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and
agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether
or not having the force of law.
“
Lender ” has the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph hereto.
“
Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office
or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s
Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a
Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent.
“
Leverage Ratio ” means, at any date, the ratio of
Consolidated Debt at such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on
or prior to such date.
“
Lien ” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement,
any lease in the nature thereof, and any financing statement filed
under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction).
“
Loan ” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the
Borrower under Article II .
“
Loan Documents ” means, collectively, (a) this
Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) the Guaranty, and
(d) the Fee Letters.
“
Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and
Holdings.
“
Loan Party Materials ” has the meaning specified in
Section 6.03 .
“
Majority Lenders ” means, as of any date of
determination, a Lender or Lenders holding more than 50% of the
Outstanding Amount on such date; provided that the portion of the
Outstanding Amount held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender
shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of
Majority Lenders.
“
Margin Stock ” means “margin stock” as
such term is defined in Regulation U of the FRB.
10
“
Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse
change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations,
business, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of Holdings
or Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
“
Maturity Date ” means February 8, 2011;
provided , however , that if such date is not a
Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding
Business Day.
“
Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service,
Inc. and any successor thereto.
“
Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in
favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made or held by such Lender,
substantially in the form of Exhibit B .
“
Obligations ” means all advances to, and debts,
liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party
arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any
Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by
assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now
existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that
accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any
Affiliate of any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor
Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding,
regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in
such proceeding.
“
Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect
to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation
and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents
with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect
to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of
formation or organization and operating agreement; and
(c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or
other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or
other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any
agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed
in connection with its formation or organization with the
applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its
formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or
articles of formation or organization of such entity.
“
Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any
other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement
of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.
“
Outstanding Amount ” means, on any date, the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of Loans after giving effect to any
borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Loans occurring on such
date.
“
Participant ” has the meaning specified in
Section 11.06(d) .
“
Pension Plan ” means any “employee pension
benefit plan” (as such term is defined in ERISA) which is
subject to ERISA and which is from time to time maintained by
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.
11
“
Person ” means any natural person, corporation,
limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association,
company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“
Platform ” has the meaning specified in
Section 6.03 .
“
Public Lender ” means any Lender that may have
personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public
information with respect to Holdings or its Affiliates, or the
respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be
engaged in investment and other market-related activities with
respect to any such Person’s securities.
“
Register ” has the meaning specified in
Section 11.06(c) .
“
Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person,
such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors,
officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such
Person’s Affiliates.
“
Restricted Margin Stock ” means, as of any date of
determination, all of the Margin Stock owned by Holdings and its
Subsidiaries to the extent that the fair market value thereof is
not more than 25% of the aggregate fair market value of the assets
of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated
basis.
“
Rights of Others ” means, as to any property in which
a Person has an interest, any legal or equitable claim or other
interest (other than a Lien) in or with respect to that property
held by any other Person, and any option or right held by any other
Person to acquire any such claim or other interest, including a
Lien.
“
S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings
Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any
successor thereto.
“
SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal
functions.
“
Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of
Holdings with assets in excess of 3% of Consolidated Total Tangible
Assets.
“
Subordinated Debt ” means, as of any date of
determination, the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of
Debt of Holdings and its Subsidiaries that is subordinated to the
Obligations, on terms that (a) prohibit any payment on that
Debt (whether principal, premium, if any, interest, or otherwise)
if: (i) any event not waived hereunder has occurred and is
continuing that is a Default or an Event of Default, or
(ii) the payment would cause the occurrence of a Default or an
Event of Default; and (b) require that, upon acceleration of
that Debt or upon dissolution, liquidation, or reorganization of
Holdings or any such Subsidiary, the Obligations must be paid in
full before any payment (whether of principal, premium, if any,
interest, or otherwise) may be made on that Debt.
“
Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation,
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other
business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or
other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of
directors or other governing body
12
(other
than securities or interests having such power only by reason of
the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned,
or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such
Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a
“ Subsidiary ” or to “ Subsidiaries
” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of
Holdings.
“
Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or
other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any
interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“
to the best knowledge of ” means, when modifying a
representation, warranty, or other statement of any Person, that
the fact or situation described therein is known by such Person
(or, in the case of a Person other than a natural person, known by
a responsible officer, director or partner of such Person) making
the representation, warranty, or other statement, or with the
exercise of reasonable due diligence under the circumstances (in
accordance with the standard of what a reasonable person in similar
circumstances would have done) should have been known by the Person
(or, in the case of a Person other than a natural person, should
have been known by a responsible officer, director or partner of
such Person).
“
Type ” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as
a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
“
United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean
the United States of America.
“
Unrestricted Margin Stock ” means, as of any date of
determination, all of the Margin Stock owned by Holdings and its
Subsidiaries that is not Restricted Margin Stock.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference
to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise
specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein
shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The
words “ include ,” “ includes
” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word
“ will ” shall be construed to have the same
meaning and effect as the word “ shall .” Unless
the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or
reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including
any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such
agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any
restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set
forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any
reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such
Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “
herein ,” “ hereof ” and “
hereunder ,” and words of similar import when used in
any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan
Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision
thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles,
Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be
construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary
Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which
such references
13
appear,
(v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and
regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or
interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation
shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation
as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and
(vi) except where the context provides otherwise, the words
“ asset ” and “ property ”
shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer
to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties,
including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of
time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word
“ from ” means “ from and including
;” the words “ to ” and “
until ” each mean “ to but excluding
;” and the word “ through ” means “
to and including .”
(c) Section headings herein and in
the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference
only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms . (a) Generally. All
accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein
shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data
(including financial ratios and other financial calculations)
required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be
prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as
in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with
that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as
otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
(b)
Changes in GAAP . If at any time any change in GAAP would
affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set
forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Majority
Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and
the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or
requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of
such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Majority
Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such
ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance
with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower
shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial
statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as
reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation
between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and
after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
1.04 Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be
maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be
calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other
component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of
places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the
result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if
there is no nearest number).
1.05 Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified, all
references herein to times of day shall be references to Pacific
time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
14
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS
2.01 The Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make a single
loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount not to exceed
such Lender’s Commitment. The Loans shall be made
simultaneously by the Lenders in accordance with their respective
Applicable Percentages. Amounts borrowed under this Section
2.01 and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Loans may be
Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided
herein.
2.02 The Making, Conversions and Continuations of
Loans . (a) The Loans, each conversion of Loans from one
Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans
shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the
Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such
notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than
9:00 a.m. (i) in the case of any Eurodollar Rate Loans to be
made on the Closing Date, three Business Days prior to the Closing
Date, and, in the case of any conversion to or continuation of
Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans
to Base Rate Loans, three Business Days prior to the requested date
of such continuation or conversion, and (ii) in the case of
Base Rate Loans to be made on the Closing Date, on the Closing
Date. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this
Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery
to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice,
appropriately completed and signed by a Designated Officer of the
Borrower. Each Eurodollar Rate Loan made on the Closing Date, and
each conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, shall
be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each conversion to Base Rate Loans
shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of
$100,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan Notice (whether
telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower
is requesting the Loans be made, a conversion of Loans from one
Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans,
(ii) the Closing Date or the requested date of the conversion
or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day
in any event), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be
borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be
borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and
(v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with
respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in
a Committed Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely
notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable
Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such
automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of
the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to
the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests
Eurodollar Rate Loans to be made on the Closing Date or requests
conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such
Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it
will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one
month.
(b) Following
receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable
Percentage, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation
is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify
each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate
Loans described in Section 2.02(a) . Each Lender shall make
the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s
Office not
15
later
than 11:00 a.m. on the Closing Date. Upon satisfaction of the
applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.01 , the
Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to
the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent
either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the
books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or
(ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance
with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the
Administrative Agent by the Borrower.
(c) Except
as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be
continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period
for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default,
no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as
Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Majority
Lenders.
(d) The
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the
Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for
Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At
any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative
Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in
Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base
Rate promptly following the public announcement of such
change.
(e) After
making the Loans on the Closing Date, all conversions of Loans from
one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same
Type, there shall not be more than eight Interest Periods in effect
in respect of the Loans.
2.03 Optional Prepayments . The Borrower may, upon
notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to
time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium
or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by
the Administrative Agent not later than 9:00 a.m. (1) three
Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate
Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans;
(B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a
principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans
shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of
$100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire
principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall
specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of
Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be
prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative
Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such
notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of
such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable
Percentage). If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower
shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such
notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any
prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all
accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any
additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 .
Each prepayment of the outstanding Loans pursuant to this
Section 2.03 shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance
with their respective Applicable Percentages.
16
2.04 Reduction of Commitments . The aggregate
Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced to zero
upon the funding of the Loans on the Closing Date.
2.05 Repayment of Loans . The Borrower shall repay to
the Lenders the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans
on the Maturity Date.
2.06 Interest . (a) Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.06(b) , (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall
bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each
Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate
for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; and
(ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the
outstanding principal amount thereof from the Closing Date or the
date on which such Loan was converted to a Base Rate Loan, as the
case may be, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the
Applicable Rate.
(b)
(i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when
due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at
stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall
thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum
at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If any amount (other than
principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan
Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable
grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise, then upon the request of the Majority Lenders such
amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest
rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) While any other Event of
Default exists, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), then, upon the request of the Majority Lenders, the
Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all
outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate
per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on
past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be
due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest
on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be
specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in
accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and
before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any
Debtor Relief Law.
2.07 Fees . (a) The Borrower shall pay to the
Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own
respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified
in the Fee Letters. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and
shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
17
(a) The
Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been
separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times
so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall
not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.08 Computation of Interest and Fees . All
computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is
determined by Bank of America’s “prime rate”
shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as
the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of
fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and
actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as
applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day
year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the
Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion
thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid,
provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it
is made shall, subject to Section 2.10(a) , bear
interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative
Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and
binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
2.09 Evidence of Debt . The Loans made by each Lender
shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by
such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course
of business. The accounts or records maintained by the
Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent
manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to
the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to
so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or
otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay
any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of
any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any
Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in
respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the
Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest
error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the
Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to
such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall
evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or
records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse
thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its
Loans and payments with respect thereto.
2.10 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s
Clawback . (a) General . All payments to be made by the
Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any
counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder
shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the
Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately
available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date
specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute
to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share
as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by
wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments
received by the Administrative Agent after 11:00 a.m. shall be
deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any
applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment
to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a
Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business
Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected on computing
interest or fees, as the case may be.
18
(b) (i)
Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent .
Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a
Lender prior to the Closing Date in the case of Eurodollar Rate
Loans (or, in the case of any Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon
on the Closing Date) that such Lender will not make available to
the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Loans,
the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such
share available on such date in accordance with
Section 2.02 (or, in the case of any Base Rate Loans,
that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with
and at the time required by Section 2.02 ) and may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact
made its share of the Loans available to the Administrative Agent,
then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay
to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding
amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for
each day from and including the date such amount is made available
to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the
Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by
such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate
determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking
industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative,
processing or similar fees customarily charged by the
Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and
(B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the
interest rate applicable to the Loans made available to the
Borrower by the Administrative Agent on such Lender’s behalf.
If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the
Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the
amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If
such Lender pays its share of the Loans to the Administrative
Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s
Loan. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any
claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed
to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Payments by the Borrower;
Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower
prior to the time at which any payment is due to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower
will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume
that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance
herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to
the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not
in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally
agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the
amount so distributed to such Lender, in immediately available
funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the
date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of
payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal
Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in
accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation.
A
notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower
with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b)
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c)
Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent . If any Lender
makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to
be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of
this Article II , and such funds are not made available
to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions
to the Loans set forth in Article IV are not
19
satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the
Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as
received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d)
Obligations of Lenders Several . The obligations of the
Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make payments pursuant to
Section 11.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure
of any Lender to make any Loan or to make any payment under
Section 11.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall
not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do
so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure
of any other Lender to so make its Loan or to make its payment
under Section 11.04(c) .
(e)
Funding Source . Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate
any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place
or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it
has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any
particular place or manner.
(f)
Insufficient Funds . If at any time insufficient funds are
received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully
all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder,
such funds shall be applied (i) first , toward payment of
interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties
entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and
fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second , toward
payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties
entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then
due to such parties.
2.11 Sharing of Payments by Lenders . If any Lender
shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or
otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due
and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to
the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and
payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate
amount of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder
and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on
account of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder
and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the
Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations owing (but not due and
payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to
the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing
(but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to
(ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not
due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan
Parties at such time) of payment on account of the Obligations
owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under
the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the
Lenders at such time then the Lender receiving such greater
proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such
fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in
the Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as
shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall
be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate
amount of Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing
(but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be,
provided that:
(i) if any such participations are
purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto
is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the
purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without
interest; and
20
(ii) the provisions of this Section
shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the
Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of
this Agreement or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as
consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in
any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (as to which the
provisions of this Section shall apply).
Each
Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it
may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender
acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements
may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such
Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of
such participation.
2.12 Payments by Holdings . Any payment made
hereunder by Holdings on the Borrower’s behalf shall be
deemed to be a payment by the Borrower for purposes of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes . (a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and
all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or
Holdings hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made
free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if the Borrower
shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes
(including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the
sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making
all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative
Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal
to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
(ii) the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be, shall make
such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or Holdings, as the
case may be, shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable
law.
(b)
Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower and Holdings .
Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the
Borrower and Holdings shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable
law.
(c)
Indemnification by the Borrower and Holdings . The Borrower
and Holdings shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the
Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after
demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or
asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section)
paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may
be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising
therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted
by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the
amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a
Lender (with a copy to the
21
Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own
behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.
(d)
Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any
payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or
Holdings, as the case may be, to a Governmental Authority, the
Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt
issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a
copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such
payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e)
Status of Lenders . Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to
an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of
the jurisdiction in which the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may
be, is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or
under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and
Holdings (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or
times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the
Borrower, Holdings or the Administrative Agent, such properly
completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law
as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a
reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested
by the Borrower, Holdings or the Administrative Agent, shall
deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or
reasonably requested by the Borrower, Holdings or the
Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower, Holdings or the
Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is
subject to backup withholding or information reporting
requirements.
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Borrower or
Holdings, as the case may be, is resident for tax purposes in the
United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower,
Holdings and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as
shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on
which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement
(and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower,
Holdings or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign
Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is
applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an
income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,
(ii) duly completed copies of
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender
claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under
section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate to the effect
that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank”
within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a
“10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower or
Holdings within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or
(3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described
in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (B) duly completed
copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or
22
(iv) any other form prescribed by
applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a
reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed
together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed
by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the
withholding or deduction required to be made.
(f)
Treatment of Certain Refunds . If the Administrative Agent
or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has
received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has
been indemnified by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be,
or with respect to which the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may
be, has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall
pay to the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be, an amount
equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments
made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower or Holdings under
this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise
to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and
without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant
Governmental Authority with respect to such refund),
provided that the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be,
upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees
to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower ( plus any
penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant
Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender
if the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay
such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall
not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender
to make available its tax returns (or any other information
relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower,
Holdings or any other Person.
3.02 Illegality . If any Lender determines that any
Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has
asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable
Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or
to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar
Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material
restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell,
or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market,
then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the
Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or
continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies
the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances
giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of
such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with
a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable,
convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate
Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if
such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate
Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully
continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such
prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued
interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates . If the Majority
Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any
request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or
continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being
offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the
applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan,
(b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining
the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect
to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Rate
for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
Eurodollar Rate
23
Loan
does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of
funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify
the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the
Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be
suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of
the Majority Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such
notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for the making
of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or,
failing that, will be deemed to have, in the case of any such
request for the making of or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans,
converted such request into a request for the making of or
conversion to Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein, and,
in the case of any such request for the conversion to Eurodollar
Rate Loans, revoked such request.
3.04 Increased Costs . (a) Increased Costs
Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable
any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or
similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the
account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender
(except any reserve requirement contemplated by
Section 3.04(e) );
(ii) subject any Lender to any tax of
any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any
Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of
paymen
|