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EXHIBIT 10.1
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
Dated as of
April 9, 2008
among
ALLIED CAPITAL CORPORATION ,
Borrower
BANK OF AMERICA,
N.A. ,
Administrative Agent
BRANCH BANKING AND
TRUST COMPANY ,
Syndication Agent
SUNTRUST BANK
and
MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA ,
Co-Documentation Agents
DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW
YORK BRANCH ,
MORGAN
STANLEY BANK
and
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Managing Agents
and
LENDERS NAMED HEREIN,
Lenders
Up to $632,500,000
1
BANC OF AMERICA
SECURITIES LLC,
Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION 1.DEFINITIONS AND
TERMS.
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1 |
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1.1
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Definitions |
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1 |
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1.2
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General; References to Times |
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17 |
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1.3
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Accounting Principles |
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18 |
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1.4
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Letter of Credit Amounts |
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18 |
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SECTION 2.CREDIT
FACILITY.
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18 |
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2.1
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Loans |
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2.2
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Swing Line Subfacility |
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18 |
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2.3
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LC Subfacility |
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20 |
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2.4
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Borrowing Procedures |
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26 |
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2.5
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Rates and Payment of Interest on
Loans |
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27 |
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2.6
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Number of Interest Periods |
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28 |
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2.7
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Repayment of Loans |
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28 |
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2.8
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Prepayments |
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28 |
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2.9
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Continuation |
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29 |
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2.10
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Conversion |
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29 |
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2.11
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Loan Accounts, Notes |
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29 |
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2.12
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Reductions of the Commitments |
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30 |
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2.13
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Increases of Commitments |
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30 |
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SECTION 3.PAYMENTS, FEES AND OTHER
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
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30 |
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3.1
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Payments |
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31 |
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3.2
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Pro Rata Treatment |
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31 |
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3.3
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Sharing of Payments, Etc |
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31 |
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3.4
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Offset |
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32 |
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3.5
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Booking Borrowings |
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32 |
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3.6
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Several Obligations |
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32 |
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3.7
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Minimum Amounts |
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32 |
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3.8
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Fees |
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32 |
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3.9
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Computations |
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33 |
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3.10
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Maximum Rate |
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33 |
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3.11
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Interest Recapture |
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34 |
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3.12
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Agreement Regarding Interest and
Charges |
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34 |
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3.13
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Defaulting Lenders |
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34 |
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SECTION 4.YIELD PROTECTION,
ETC.
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35 |
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4.1
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Increased Cost and Reduced Return |
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35 |
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4.2
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Inability to Determine Rates |
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37 |
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4.3
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Illegality |
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37 |
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4.4
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Treatment of Affected Loans |
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37 |
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4.5
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Compensation |
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38 |
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4.6
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Taxes |
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38 |
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4.7
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Removal of Lenders |
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40 |
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SECTION 5.CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT.
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41 |
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5.1
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Initial Conditions Precedent |
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41 |
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5.2
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Conditions Precedent to All Loans or
LC Issuances |
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43 |
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SECTION 6.REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES.
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44 |
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6.1
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Representations and Warranties |
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44 |
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6.2
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Survival of Representations and
Warranties, Etc |
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48 |
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SECTION 7.AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS.
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49 |
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7.1
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Preservation of Existence and Similar
Matters |
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49 |
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7.2
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Compliance with Applicable Law and
Material Contracts |
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49 |
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7.3
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Maintenance of Property |
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49 |
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7.4
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Conduct of Business |
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49 |
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7.5
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Insurance |
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49 |
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7.6
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Payment of Taxes and Claims |
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49 |
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7.7
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Visits and Inspections |
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49 |
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7.8
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Use of Proceeds |
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50 |
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7.9
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Environmental Matters |
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50 |
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7.10
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Books and Records |
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50 |
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7.11
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Status of RIC and BDC |
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50 |
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7.12
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ERISA Exemptions |
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50 |
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7.13
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Further Assurances |
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50 |
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SECTION
8.INFORMATION.
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51 |
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8.1
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Quarterly Financial Statements |
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51 |
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8.2
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Year-End Statements |
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51 |
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8.3
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Compliance Certificate; Asset
Reports |
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51 |
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8.4
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Other Information |
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52 |
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SECTION 9.NEGATIVE
COVENANTS.
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54 |
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9.1
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Financial Covenants |
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54 |
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9.2
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Interest Rate Agreements |
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55 |
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9.3
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Liens; Agreements Regarding Liens;
Other Matters |
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55 |
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9.4
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Distributions to Shareholders |
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56 |
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9.5
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Merger, Consolidation and Sales of
Assets |
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56 |
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9.6
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Fiscal Year |
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57 |
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9.7
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Modifications to Material
Contracts |
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57 |
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9.8
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Transactions with Affiliates |
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57 |
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9.9
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Subsidiary Senior Note Guaranty |
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58 |
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9.10
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Employee Benefit Plans |
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58 |
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9.11
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Payment of Obligation |
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58 |
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SECTION
10.DEFAULT.
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58 |
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10.1
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Events of Default |
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58 |
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10.2
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Remedies Upon Event of Default |
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62 |
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10.3
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Remedies Upon Certain Defaults |
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63 |
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10.4
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Allocation of Proceeds |
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63 |
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10.5
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Performance by Administrative
Agent |
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64 |
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10.6
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Rights Cumulative |
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64 |
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10.7
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Company Waivers |
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64 |
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10.8
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Delegation of Duties and Rights |
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64 |
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10.9
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Not in Control |
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64 |
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10.10
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Course of Dealing |
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64 |
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SECTION 11.AGREEMENT AMONG
LENDERS.
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65 |
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11.1
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Appointment, and Authority |
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65 |
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11.2
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Rights as a Lender |
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65 |
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11.3
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Exculpatory Provisions |
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65 |
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11.4
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Reliance by Administrative Agent |
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66 |
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11.5
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Delegation of Duties |
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66 |
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11.6
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Resignation of Administrative
Agent |
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66 |
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11.7
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Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent
and Other Lenders |
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67 |
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11.8
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No Other Duties, Etc |
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67 |
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11.9
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Administrative Agent May File Proofs
of Claim |
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67 |
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SECTION
12.MISCELLANEOUS.
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68 |
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12.1
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Notices |
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68 |
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12.2
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Expenses |
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71 |
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12.3
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Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of
Process; Waiver of Jury Trial |
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71 |
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12.4
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Successors and Assigns |
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72 |
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12.5
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Amendments, Etc |
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75 |
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12.6
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Nonliability of Agent and Lenders |
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77 |
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12.7
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Confidentiality |
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77 |
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12.8
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INDEMNIFICATION |
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77 |
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12.9
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Severability of Provisions |
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78 |
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12.10
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Governing Law |
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79 |
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12.11
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Counterparts |
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79 |
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12.12
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Entirety |
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79 |
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12.13
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Construction |
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79 |
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12.14
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Discharge Only Upon Payment in
Full |
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79 |
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12.15
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Payments Set Aside |
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79 |
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12.16
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USA Patriot Act |
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80 |
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12.17
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Termination of Obligation Under
Existing Agreement |
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80 |
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2
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| SCHEDULES AND
EXHIBITS |
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Schedule 1
Schedule 2
Schedule 6.1(a)
Schedule 6.1(b)
Schedule 6.1(g)
Schedule 6.1(h)
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Existing Letters of Credit
Lenders and Commitments
Qualification
-Ownership Structure
-Debt
-Material Contracts |
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Exhibit A-1
Exhibit A-2
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Exhibit D
Exhibit E-1
Exhibit E-2
Exhibit F
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Form of Assignment and Assumption
Form of Administrative Questionnaire
Form of Notice of Borrowing
Form of Notice of Continuation
Form of Notice of Conversion
Form of Revolving Note
Form of Swing Line Note
Form of Opinion of Counsel |
3
Exhibit G —
Form of Compliance Certificate
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
THIS
CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of April 9, 2008, by
and among ALLIED CAPITAL CORPORATION , a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (“
Borrower ”), each Lender from time to time
party hereto (collectively, the “ Lenders
” and individually, a “ Lender ”),
certain Agents (hereinafter defined), and BANK OF AMERICA,
N.A. , as a Lender and as Administrative Agent (hereinafter
defined) for itself and the other Lenders.
RECITALS
A. Borrower has requested that Lenders extend credit to
Borrower, providing for a revolving loan facility in an amount up
to $632,500,000 as such amount may be increased to $1,500,000,000,
in accordance with the terms of Section 2.13 ,
for the purpose of funding Borrower’s working capital
requirements and for general corporate purposes of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (hereinafter defined).
B. Upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Lenders are willing to extend such credit to
Borrower.
Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein, Borrower, Agents, Administrative Agent, and Lenders agree
as follows:
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SECTION 1. |
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DEFINITIONS AND TERMS. |
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1.1
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Definitions As used
herein: |
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“Adjusted EBIT” means, for any period
with respect to Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, income after deduction of all expenses and
other proper charges other than Taxes, Interest Expense and
non-cash employee stock options expense and excluding (i) net
realized gains or losses, (ii) net change in unrealized
appreciation or depreciation, and (iii) the amount of interest
paid-in-kind ( “PIK” ) to the extent such
amount exceeds the sum of (x) PIK interest collected in
cash and (y) realized gains collected in cash (net of realized
losses); provided that the amount determined pursuant to
this clause (y) shall not be less than 0, all as
determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Adjusted Eurodollar Rate” means, for any
Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per
annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%)
determined by Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (a) the Eurodollar Rate for such
Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period by (b) one minus the
Reserve Requirement for such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest
Period.
“Administrative Agent” means Bank of
America, N.A., and its permitted successors or assigns as “
Administrative Agent ” for Lenders under this
Agreement.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an
Administrative Questionnaire substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2 or any other form approved by
Administrative Agent.
“Affected Lender” has the meaning given
that term in Section 4.7 .
“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any
other Person: (a) directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with such Person; (b) directly or indirectly owning or holding 5.0%
or more of any equity interest in such Person; or (c) 5.0% or more
of whose voting stock or other equity interest is directly or
indirectly owned or held by such Person. For purposes of this
definition, (x) “ control ” (including with
correlative meanings, the terms “ controlling ,”
“ controlled by ,” and “ under common
control with ”) means the possession directly or
indirectly of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership
of voting securities or by contract or otherwise, other than
by investment advisory contracts entered into in the ordinary
course of business of Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower, and
(y) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be
deemed to be an “ Affiliate ” of Borrower.
“Agents” means, collectively, Syndication
Agent, Co-Documentation Agents and Managing Agents.
“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement
(as the same may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, or
restated from time to time).
“Agreement Date” means the date as of
which this Agreement is dated.
“Applicable Law” means all applicable
provisions of constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations, and
orders of all governmental bodies and all orders and decrees of all
courts, tribunals, and arbitrators.
“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.
“Arranger” means Banc of America
Securities LLC and its successors and assignees in its capacity as
“ Lead Arranger ” and “ Book
Manager .”
“Asset Coverage Ratio” shall mean, on a
consolidated basis for Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,
the ratio which the value of total assets, less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by senior securities (all as
determined pursuant to the Investment Company Act and any orders of
the Securities and Exchange Commission issued to Borrower
thereunder), bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities
representing indebtedness of Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries.
“Assignee Group” means two or more
Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or
more Approved Funds managed by the same investor advisor.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an
Assignment and Assumption agreement among a Lender, an Eligible
Assignee, and Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-1 or such other form as may be agreed
to by such Lender, such Eligible Assignee, and Administrative
Agent.
“Assignment Fee” means a processing and
recordation fee charged by Administrative Agent for each assignment
in the amount of $3,500.
“Attorney Costs” means and includes all
reasonable fees, expenses, and disbursements of any law firm or
other external counsel.
“Bank of America” means Bank of America,
N.A. and its permitted successors and assigns.
“Base Rate” means, for any day, a
fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the
Federal Funds Rate for such day plus one-half of one percent
(0.5%) 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 bearing
interest at a rate based on the Base Rate.
“Benefit Arrangement” means at any time
an employee benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a
Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed
to by any member of the ERISA Group.
“Book Value” means, at any date of
determination with respect to any asset, the value thereof as the
same would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at such time in accordance
with GAAP.
“Borrower” is defined in the preamble to
this Agreement and includes any permitted successors of
Borrower.
“Borrower Materials” means all materials
and/or information provided by or on behalf of Borrower to
Administrative Agent and/or Arranger.
“Business Day” means (a) any day
other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which banks
in New York City, New York, Dallas, Texas, or the state in which
the Principal Office of Administrative Agent is located are
authorized or required to close and (b) in addition to the
foregoing, with reference to a Eurodollar Loan, any such day that
is also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out
in the London interbank market and commercial banks are open for
international business in London.
“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means Debt
represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
GAAP, and the amount of such Debt shall be the capitalized amount
of such obligations determined in accordance with such
principles.
“Change in Law” has the meaning given
such term in Section 4.1(a) .
“Closing Date” means April 9, 2008,
the date of this Agreement.
“Co-Documentation Agents” means,
collectively, Merrill Lynch Bank USA and Suntrust Bank, and their
permitted successors or assigns as “ Co-Documentation
Agents ” under this Agreement.
“Commercial Mortgage Loan” means a loan
secured by a Lien on improved real estate used for commercial
purposes.
“Commitment” means, as to each Lender (
other than LC Issuer or Swing Line Lender), such
Lender’s obligation to make Loans pursuant to
Section 2.1 (or purchase participations in Swing
Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.
2(c) or in LCs pursuant to
Section 2.3(c) ) in an amount up to, but not
exceeding, the amount set forth for such Lender on
Schedule 2 as such Lender’s “
Commitment Amount” or as set forth in the applicable
Assignment and Assumption, as the same may be reduced or increased
from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.12 and
2.13 or as appropriate to reflect any assignments to
or by such Lender effected in accordance with
Section 12.4 .
“Commitment Increase Effective Date”
means, with respect to any increase in the Commitments effected
pursuant to Section 2.13 , the date upon which
such increase in Commitments is effective.
“Commitment Percentage” means, as to each
Lender ( other than LC Issuer or Swing Line Lender), the
ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the amount of such
Lender’s Commitment to (b) the sum of the
aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders ( other
than LC Issuer and Swing Line Lender) hereunder;
provided , however , that if at the time of
determination, the Commitments have terminated or been reduced to
zero, the “ Commitment Percentage ” of
each such Lender shall be the Commitment Percentage of such Lender
in effect immediately prior to such termination or reduction.
“Commitment Usage” means, at the time of
any determination thereof, the sum of (a) the Principal
Debt plus , without duplication, (b) the LC
Exposure.
“Compliance Certificate” means a
certificate signed by the chief financial officer of Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit G .
“Consolidated Debt” shall mean as of the
date of any determination thereof, the aggregate unpaid amount of
all Debt of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Shareholders’
Equity,” as of the date of determination thereof,
shall mean the total shareholders’ equity of Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as the same would appear on a
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP,
including, in any case, common stock of Borrower (valued at cost)
held in deferred compensation trusts and Permitted Preferred Stock
of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, but excluding any
stock, common or preferred, not both issued and outstanding.
“Consolidated Subsidiaries” shall mean
any Subsidiary which is required to be consolidated on financial
statements of Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Contingent Obligation” as applied to any
Person, means any direct or indirect liability, contingent or
otherwise, of that Person: (a) with respect to any
indebtedness, lease, dividend, or other obligation of another
Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring
such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide
assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will
be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will
be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be
protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto;
(b) with respect to any letter of credit issued for the
account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise
liable for reimbursement of drawings; or (c) under Interest Rate
Agreements. “ Contingent Obligations ” shall
include (i) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (
other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course
of business), comaking, discounting with recourse, or sale with
recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (ii) the
obligation to make take or pay or similar payments if required
regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an
agreement, and (iii) any liability of such Person for the
obligations of another through any agreement to purchase,
repurchase, or otherwise acquire such obligation or any property
constituting security therefor, to provide funds for the payment or
discharge of such obligation, or to maintain the solvency,
financial condition, or any balance sheet item or level of income
of another. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal
to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise
supported or, if not a fixed and determined amount, the maximum
amount so guaranteed. The amount of any Contingent Obligation
outstanding under clause (c) shall be determined in
accordance with the definition of Interest Rate Agreement.
“Continue,” “Continuation,”
and “Continued” each refers to the
continuation of a Eurodollar Loan from one Interest Period to
another Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.9
.
“Convert,” “Conversion,” and
“Converted” each refers to the conversion
of a Loan of one Type into a Loan of another Type pursuant to
Section 2.10 .
“Credit Event” means any of the
following: (a) the making (or deemed making) of any Loan
(except the payment by LC Issuer of drafts under LCs), (b) the
Conversion of a Loan, or (c) the issuance of any LC.
“Credit Rating” means, at any time as to
any Person, the lowest rating assigned by a Rating Agency to each
series of rated senior unsecured long term indebtedness of such
Person.
“Debt” means, with respect to any Person,
at the time of computation thereof, all of the following (without
duplication):
(a) its
liabilities for borrowed money and under repurchase agreements
(whether on a recourse or non-recourse basis), excluding any
Interest Rate Agreement structured as a repurchase agreement
entered into for the purpose of protecting against fluctuations in
interest rates with respect to assets;
(b) its
liabilities, whether or not for money borrowed (i) represented
by notes payable or drafts accepted, in each case representing
extensions of credit or (ii) evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes, or similar instruments;
(c) its
liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by
such Person (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary
course of business, but including, without limitation, all
liabilities created or arising under any conditional sales
contracts, title retention debt instruments, or other similar
instruments, upon which interest charges are customarily paid or
that are issued or assumed as full or partial payment for such
property);
(d) its
Capitalized Lease Obligations;
(e) all
liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien with respect to
any property owned by such Person (whether or not it has assumed or
otherwise become liable for such liabilities);
(f) all
reimbursement obligations of such Person under any letters of
credit or acceptances (whether or not the same have been presented
for payment), and all obligations of such Person as the issuer of
any letters of credit or acceptances (whether or not the same have
been presented for payment);
(g) its
liabilities under Interest Rate Agreements entered into for the
purpose of hedging currency risks with respect to Debt; and
(h) any
Contingent Obligation of such Person with respect to liabilities of
a type described in any of clauses (a) through
(g) hereof;
provided
that any amount receivable by Borrower or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries under an Interest Rate Agreement referred
to in the preceding clause (g), as determined in
accordance with the definition of Interest Rate Agreement, shall
apply as an offset in the calculation of the total amount of Debt.
“Debt” of any Person shall include all
obligations of such Person of the character described in
clauses (a) through (g) to the extent
such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof
notwithstanding that any such obligation is deemed to be
extinguished under GAAP.
“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 of the events
specified in Section 10.1 , whether or not there
has been satisfied any requirement for the giving of notice, the
lapse of time, or both.
“Defaulting Lender” has the meaning given
that term in Section 3.13 .
“Dollars” or
“$” means the lawful currency of the
United States of America.
“Effective Date” means the later of:
(a) the Agreement Date; and (b) the date on which all of
the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied or waived,
but (c) must be, if at all, a Business Day occurring no later
than May 15, 2008.
“Eligible Assignee” means (a) a
Lender; (b) an Affiliate of any Lender; (c) an Approved
Fund; and (d) any other Person approved by Administrative
Agent and (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing at the time any assignment is effected in accordance
with Section 12.4 ) Borrower, such approval not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed by Borrower or
Administrative Agent and such approval to be deemed given by
Borrower if no objection is received by the assigning Lender and
Administrative Agent from Borrower within five Business Days after
notice of such proposed assignment has been provided by the
assigning Lender to Borrower; provided , however ,
that neither Borrower nor an Affiliate of Borrower shall qualify as
an Eligible Assignee.
“Environmental Laws” means any Applicable
Law relating to environmental protection or the manufacture,
storage, disposal, or clean-up of Hazardous Materials, including,
without limitation, the following: Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401
et seq .; Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq .; Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et
seq .; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq .; National
Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq .;
regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, and any
applicable rule of common law and any judicial interpretation
thereof relating primarily to the environment or Hazardous
Materials.
“Environmental Liability” means any
liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for
damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or
indemnities), of Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries directly or
indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any
Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling,
transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous
Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials,
(d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement
or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is
assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Issuance” means any issuance or
sale by a Person of its capital stock or other similar equity
security, or any warrants, options, or similar rights to acquire,
or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such capital
stock or other similar equity security.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect from time to time.
“ERISA Group” means Borrower, any
Subsidiary, and all members of a controlled group of corporations
and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under
common control which, together with Borrower or any Subsidiary, are
treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
“Eurodollar Loan” means a Loan bearing
interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.
“Eurodollar Rate” means, for any Interest
Period with respect to a Eurodollar 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
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 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 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.
“Event of Default” means any of the
events specified in Section 10.1 ; provided
that , any requirement for notice or lapse of time or any other
condition has been satisfied.
“Exchange Act” has the meaning given that
term in Section 10. 1(m)
.
“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to
Administrative Agent, any Lender, LC Issuer or any other recipient
of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of
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 Borrower is located, and (c) in the case of a Foreign
Lender ( other than an assignee pursuant to a request by
Borrower under Section 4.7 ), 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 having the force of law) to comply with
Section 4.6(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 Borrower with respect to such withholding
tax pursuant to Section 4.6(a) .
“Existing Agreement” means that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005, as amended
and supplemented to date.
“Existing Letters of Credit” means all
letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Existing
Agreement and identified on Schedule 1 .
“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day,
the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business
Day next succeeding such day; provided 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 upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such
transactions as determined by Administrative Agent.
“Fee Letter” means the letter agreement,
dated March 3, 2008, among Borrower, Administrative Agent, and
Arranger (as amended or modified from time to time).
“Fees” means the fees and commissions
provided for or referred to in Section 3.8 and
any other fees payable by Borrower to Administrative Agent, any
other Agent, LC Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or any Lender hereunder
or under any other Loan Document.
“Foreclosure Property” means assets
acquired by foreclosure (or sale in lieu of foreclosure) of any
Investment ( other than Investments in a Consolidated
Subsidiary) of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is
organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that
in which 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.
“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
business.
“GAAP” means, subject to
Section 1.3 , accounting principles as
promulgated from time to time in statements, opinions, and
pronouncements by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the Financial Accounting Standards Board and in
such statements, opinions, and pronouncements of such other
entities with respect to financial accounting of for-profit
entities as shall be accepted by a substantial segment of the
accounting profession in the United States.
“Governmental Approvals” means all
authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses, and exemptions of,
registrations and filings with, and reports to, all Governmental
Authorities.
“Governmental Authority” means any
national, state, or local government (whether domestic or foreign),
any political subdivision thereof or any other governmental,
quasi-governmental, judicial, public, or statutory instrumentality,
authority, body, agency, bureau, or entity (including, without
limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
Comptroller of the Currency, or the Federal Reserve Board, any
central bank, or any comparable authority) or any arbitrator with
authority to bind a party at law.
“Hazardous Materials” means all or any of
the following: (a) substances that are defined or listed in,
or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable Environmental
Laws as “ hazardous substances ,” “
hazardous materials ,” “ hazardous wastes
,” “ toxic substances ,” or any other
formulation intended to define, list or classify substances by
reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity,
reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, “
TLCP ” toxicity, or “ EP toxicity
”; (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances,
natural gas, natural gas liquids, or synthetic gas and drilling
fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the
exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas,
or geothermal resources; (c) any flammable substances or
explosives or any radioactive materials; (d) asbestos in any form;
or (e) electrical equipment which contains any oil or
dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in
excess of fifty parts per million.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other
than Excluded Taxes.
“Intercreditor Agreement” means an
intercreditor agreement pursuant to which Lenders and the holders
of any other Debt of Borrower have agreed to share payments made by
any Consolidated Subsidiary under a Subsidiary Bank Guaranty, a
Subsidiary Senior Note Guaranty, or any other guaranty of any Debt
of Borrower on an equal and ratable basis.
“Interest Expense” means, with respect to
a Person and for any period, the total consolidated interest
expense (including, without limitation, capitalized interest
expense and interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease
Obligations) of such Person and in any event shall include all
interest expense with respect to any Debt in respect of which such
Person is wholly or partially liable.
“Interest Period” means, with respect to
any Eurodollar Loan, each period commencing on the date such
Eurodollar Loan is made or the last day of the next preceding
Interest Period for such Loan and ending on the date 7, 14, or
21 days or on the numerically corresponding day in the first,
second, third, or sixth calendar month thereafter, as Borrower may
select in a Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Continuation, or Notice
of Conversion, as the case may be, except that each Interest Period
for a Eurodollar Loan ( other than a 7, 14, or 21 day
Interest Period) that commences on the last Business Day of a
calendar month (or on any day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month)
shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent
calendar month. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) if any
Interest Period would otherwise end after the Termination Date,
such Interest Period shall end on the Termination Date,
(ii) each Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day
which is not a Business Day shall end on the next succeeding
Business Day (or, except in the case of a 7, 14, or 21 day
Interest Period, if such next succeeding Business Day falls in the
next succeeding calendar month, on the next preceding Business
Day), and (iii) notwithstanding the immediately preceding
clause (i) , no Interest Period for any Eurodollar
Loan shall have a duration of less than one month ( other
than a 7, 14, or 21 day Interest Period), and, if the
Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan would otherwise be a
shorter period, such Loan shall not be available hereunder for such
period.
“Interest Rate Agreement” means any
interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest
rate collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement, repurchase agreement, or other similar contractual
agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of protecting
against fluctuations in interest rates or in currency values. For
the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of any obligation
(whether positive or negative) under any Interest Rate Agreement
shall be the amount payable or receivable by Borrower or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries determined in respect thereof as of the
end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of such Person, based
on the assumption that such Interest Rate Agreement had terminated
at the end of such fiscal quarter, and in making such
determination, if such Interest Rate Agreement provides for the
netting of amounts payable by and to such Person thereunder or if
such Interest Rate Agreement provides for the simultaneous payment
of amounts by and to such Person, then in each such case, the
amount of such obligation shall be the net amount so determined;
provided that , with respect to Interest Rate Agreements
structured as U.S. Treasury securities repurchase programs which
Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary may enter into from time to
time to protect against fluctuations in interest rates with respect
to Commercial Mortgage Loans or other assets owned by Borrower or
any Consolidated Subsidiary and which are structured substantially
similar to the repurchase programs historically entered into by
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such purpose, the
aggregate amount of all obligations under such Interest Rate
Agreements at any time shall be deemed to be equal to the excess of
(i) the aggregate balances at such time of the repurchase
accounts maintained under such U.S. Treasury securities repurchase
programs over (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate portion
of such balances constituting net sale proceeds of U.S. Treasury
securities plus (y) $7,000,000.
“Internal Revenue Code” means the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, together with the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Investment” means, with respect to any
Person and whether or not such investment constitutes a controlling
interest in such Person (a) the purchase or other acquisition
of any share of capital stock, evidence of Debt, or other security
issued by any other Person; (b) any loan, advance, or
extension of credit to, or contribution (in the form of money or
goods) to the capital of, or the acquisition of a sale leaseback
asset from and the lease thereof to, any other Person; (c) any
guaranty of the Debt of any other Person; (d) any other
investment in any other Person; and (e) any commitment or
option to make an Investment in any other Person.
“Investment Company Act” means the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a Credit
Rating of BBB– or higher by S&P, Baa3 or higher by
Moody’s, or the equivalent or higher of either such rating by
another Rating Agency.
“ISP” means, with respect to any LC, the
rules of the “International Standby Practices 1998”
published by the Institute of International Banking Law &
Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the
time of issuance).
“LC” means the letter(s) of credit issued
hereunder in the form agreed upon among Borrower, LC Issuer, and
the beneficiary thereof at the time of issuance thereof pursuant to
the terms and conditions of Section 2.3 hereof
and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.
“LC Agreement” means a letter of credit
application and agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to
Administrative Agent) submitted by Borrower to LC Issuer for an LC
for its own account, which LC Agreement (A) in the case of an
initial issuance of an LC, shall specify (i) the proposed
issuance date of the requested LC (which shall be a Business Day);
(ii) the amount thereof; (iii) the expiry date thereof;
(iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (v) the
documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any
drawing thereunder; (vi) the full text of any certificate to
be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder;
and (vii) such other matters as LC Issuer may require, and
(B) in the case of a request for an amendment of any
outstanding LC, such LC Agreement shall specify (i) the LC to
be amended; (ii) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which
shall be a Business Day); (iii) the nature of the proposed
amendment; and (iv) such other matters as LC Issuer may
require.
“LC Commitment” means, on any date of
determination, an aggregate stated amount (subject to availability,
reduction, or cancellation as herein provided) not to exceed the
sum of (i) $175,000,000 plus ; (ii) if, on such date,
the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders exceeds $1,000,000,000
(whether on the Effective Date or as a result of the operation of
Section 2.13 ), an amount equal to 15.0% of the
excess of the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders on such date
over $1,000,000,000.
“LC Expiration Date” means the day that
is seven days prior to the Termination Date then in effect (or if
such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business
Day).
“LC Exposure” means, at any time and
without duplication, the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn portion of all uncancelled and unexpired LCs plus
(b) the aggregate unpaid reimbursement obligations of Borrower
in respect of drawings of drafts under any LC. For purposes of
computing the amount available to be drawn under any LC, the amount
of such LC shall be determined in accordance with
Section 1.4 . For all purposes of this
Agreement, if on any date of determination an LC has expired by its
terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the
operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such LC shall be
deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining
available to be drawn.
“LC Fee” has the meaning specified in
Section 3.8 .
“LC Issuer” means Bank of America and its
permitted successors as “ LC Issuer ” under this
Agreement.
“LC Subfacility” means a subfacility for
the issuance of LCs (the LC Exposure in connection with which may
never exceed the LC Commitment), as described in and subject to the
limitations of Section 2.3 .
“Lenders” has the meaning specified in
the introductory paragraph hereto, and, as the context requires,
includes LC Issuer and Swing Line Lender.
“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 Borrower and
Administrative Agent.
“Lien” as applied to the property of any
Person means: (a) any security interest, encumbrance,
mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust, pledge, lien, charge,
ground lease, or lease constituting a Capitalized Lease Obligation,
conditional sale, or other title retention agreement, or other
security title or encumbrance of any kind in respect of any
property of such Person, or upon the income or profits therefrom;
(b) any arrangement, express or implied, under which any
property of such Person is transferred, sequestered, or otherwise
identified for the purpose of subjecting the same to the payment of
Debt or performance of any other obligation in priority to the
payment of the general, unsecured creditors of such Person; and
(c) any agreement by such Person to grant, give, or otherwise
convey any of the foregoing.
“Loan Documents” means (a) this
Agreement, the Notes, any Subsidiary Bank Guaranty, LCs, and LC
Agreements, (b) all agreements, documents, or instruments in
favor of Administrative Agent, LC Issuer, or Lenders ever delivered
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise delivered in connection
with all or any part of the Obligations on and after the Effective
Date, and (c) any and all future renewals, extensions,
restatements, reaffirmations, amendments of, or supplements to, all
or any part of the foregoing.
“Loans” means any amount disbursed
(a) by one or more Lenders to or for the account of Borrower
under the Loan Documents (whether under the Revolving Facility, the
LC Subfacility, or the Swing Line Subfacility), whether such amount
constitutes an original disbursement of funds or the continuation
of any amount outstanding, or payment of a draft under an LC, or
(b) by any Lender in accordance with, and to satisfy the
obligations of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower under,
any Loan Document.
“Managing Agents” means, collectively,
Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Morgan Stanley Bank and PNC Bank,
National Association, and their respective permitted successors or
assigns as “ Managing Agents ” under this
Agreement.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a
materially adverse effect on (a) the business, assets,
liabilities (actual or contingent), financial condition,
operations, or business prospects of Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of Borrower to
perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a
party which does not result from a material adverse effect on the
items described in the immediate preceding clause (a)
, (c) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan
Documents, (d) the rights and remedies of Lenders and
Administrative Agent under any of such Loan Documents, or
(e) the timely payment of the principal of or interest on the
Loans or other amounts payable in connection therewith. Except with
respect to representations made or deemed made by Borrower or any
Subsidiary in any of the other Loan Documents to which it is a
party, all determinations of materiality shall be made by the
Requisite Lenders in their reasonable judgment unless expressly
provided otherwise.
“Material Contract” means any contract or
other arrangement ( other than (i) Loan Documents and
(ii) contracts or other arrangements constituting
Investments), whether written or oral, to which Borrower or any
Subsidiary is a party as to which the breach, nonperformance,
cancellation, or failure to renew by any party thereto could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
“Material Plan” means at any time a Plan
or Plans having aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess of
$25,000,000.
“Material Subsidiary” means, as of the
date of any determination thereof, any Subsidiary which has total
assets having a value (determined in accordance with the market
valuation method pursuant to GAAP) greater than or equal to
$60,000,000.
“Maximum Amount” and “Maximum
Rate” respectively mean, for each Lender, the maximum
non-usurious amount and the maximum non-usurious rate of interest
which, under Applicable Law, such Lender is permitted to contract
for, charge, take, reserve, or receive on the Obligations.
“Money Market Rate” means as to any Swing
Line Loan made pursuant to Section 2.2 , a rate
per annum equal to the sum of (i) 2.00% and
(ii) the rate per annum equal to Bank of America’s cost
of funds.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s
Investors Services, Inc.
“Multiemployer Plan” means at any time an
employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member
of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make
contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made
contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased
to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five year period.
“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to an
Equity Issuance by a Person, the aggregate amount of all cash
(including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to
a promissory note, or otherwise, but only as and when received)
received by such Person in respect of such Equity Issuance net of
investment banking fees, legal fees, accountants fees, underwriting
discounts and commissions, and other customary fees and expenses
actually incurred by such Person in connection with such Equity
Issuance.
“Notes” means, at the time of any
determination thereof, all outstanding and unpaid Revolving Notes
and Swing Line Notes.
“Notice of Borrowing” means a notice in
the form of Exhibit B to be delivered to
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.4(a)
, evidencing Borrower’s request for a borrowing of Loans.
“Notice of Continuation” means a notice
in the form of Exhibit C to be delivered to
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.9 ,
evidencing Borrower’s request for the Continuation of a
Eurodollar Loan.
“Notice of Conversion” means a notice in
the form of Exhibit D to be delivered to
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.10 ,
evidencing Borrower’s request for the Conversion of a Loan
from one Type to another Type.
“Obligations” means, individually and
collectively: (a) the aggregate principal balance of and all
accrued and unpaid interest on, all Loans, and (b) all other
indebtedness, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of
Borrower owing to Administrative Agent, LC Issuer, Swing Line
Lender, or any Lender of every kind, nature and description, under
or in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
including, without limitation, all Fees and indemnification
obligations, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or
unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any promissory
note.
“Other Relevant Subsidiary” means any
Subsidiary, individually or together with other Subsidiaries, with
respect to which the occurrence of any of the events described in
Sections 10. 1(f) or
10. 1(g) could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
“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.
“Participant” has the meaning given that
term in Section 12.4(d) .
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation and any successor agency.
“Permitted Liens” means, as to any
Person: (a) Liens securing taxes, assessments, and other
charges or levies imposed by any Governmental Authority (excluding
any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA) or the
claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, or
landlords for labor, materials, supplies, or rentals incurred in
the ordinary course of business, which are not at the time required
to be paid or discharged under Section 7.6 ;
(b) Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made, in the
ordinary course of business, in connection with, or to secure
payment of, obligations under workmen’s compensation,
unemployment insurance, or similar Applicable Laws; (c) Liens
in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders;
(d) covenants, restrictions, rights of way, easements, and
other matters of public record, and other matters to which like
properties are commonly subject, that singly or in the aggregate do
not materially and adversely affect the value or marketability of,
or materially interfere with the use or enjoyment of any asset of
such Person; and (e) judgment Liens not constituting an Event
of Default.
“Permitted Preferred Stock” means
preferred stock that is issued from time to time by a Subsidiary
for the purpose of qualifying such Subsidiary as a real estate
investment trust under Sections 856 through 860
of the Internal Revenue Code and having an aggregate stated value
not exceeding $500,000 at any one time outstanding; provided
that , in any event Permitted Preferred Stock shall not include
any voting stock.
“Person” means an individual,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association,
trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or any agency
or political subdivision thereof.
“Plan” means at any time an employee
pension benefit plan ( other than a Multiemployer Plan)
which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the
minimum funding standards under Section 412 and
430 of the Internal Revenue Code and either (i) is
maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for
employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any
time within the preceding five years been maintained, or
contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of
the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time
a member of the ERISA Group.
“Platform” has the meaning given that
term in Section 8.4(o) .
“Post-Default Rate” means (a) when
used with respect to Obligations other than LC Fees, an
interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus
(ii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a
Eurodollar Loan, the Post-Default Rate shall be an interest rate
equal to the interest rate applicable to such Loan as specified in
Section 2. 5(a)(ii) plus 2% per
annum, and (b) when used with respect to LC Fees, a rate equal
to the rate specified in Section 3.
8(d) plus 2% per annum.
“Principal Debt” means, at any time of
determination thereof, the aggregate unpaid principal balance of
all Loans.
“Principal Office” means either
(a) so long as Bank of America is Administrative Agent, the
office of Bank of America presently located at 2001 Clayton Rd,
Concord, CA 94520; or (b) if Bank of America is no longer
Administrative Agent, then the office of the successor
Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to
Section 11.6 .
“Priority Debt” means, without
duplication, the sum of (i) all Secured Debt of Borrower and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (ii) all unsecured Debt of
Consolidated Subsidiaries which are not Subsidiary Bank Guarantors,
(iii) all secured liabilities under Interest Rate Agreements
of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries ( other than
liabilities under Interest Rate Agreements entered into for the
purpose of hedging currency risks with respect to Debt which are
otherwise covered by the preceding clause (i) ),
determined in accordance with the definition of Interest Rate
Agreement, (iv) all unsecured liabilities of Consolidated
Subsidiaries which are not Subsidiary Bank Guarantors under
Interest Rate Agreements ( other than liabilities under
Interest Rate Agreements entered into for the purpose of hedging
currency risks with respect to Debt which are otherwise covered by
the preceding clause (ii) ), determined in accordance
with the definition of Interest Rate Agreement (excluding in the
case of the preceding clauses (i) ,
(ii) , (iii) , and (iv) ,
any Debt or liability owing to Borrower or another Consolidated
Subsidiary), and (v) all Unfunded Liabilities.
“Quarterly Date” means the last Business
Day of March, June, September, and December in each year, the first
of which shall be June 30, 2008.
“Rating Agency” means S&P,
Moody’s, or any other nationally recognized securities rating
agency selected by Borrower and acceptable to the Requisite
Lenders.
“Reference 10-K” means the Form 10-K
filed by Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
“Register” has the meaning given that
term in Section 12.4(c) .
“Related Parties” means, with respect to
any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners,
directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of
such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Requisite Lenders” means (a) on any
date of determination prior to the Termination Date, those Lenders
holding more than 51% of the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders;
and (b) on any date of determination on or after the
Termination Date, those Lenders holding more than 51% of the
aggregate Principal Debt.
“Reserve Requirement” means, at any time,
the maximum rate at which reserves (including, without limitation,
any marginal, special, supplemental, or emergency reserves) are
required to be maintained under regulations issued from time to
time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or
any successor) by member banks of the Federal Reserve System
against, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, “ Eurocurrency
liabilities ” (as such term is used in
Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, as amended). Without limiting the effect of the
foregoing, the Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves
required to be maintained by such member banks with respect to
(i) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by
reference to which the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate is to be
determined, or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or
other assets which include Eurodollar Loans. The Adjusted
Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the
effective date of any change in the Reserve Requirement.
“Revolving Facility” means the credit
facility as described in and subject to the limitations of
Section 2 , including the Swing Line Subfacility
and the LC Subfacility.
“Revolving Loan” means any Loan under the
Revolving Facility other than a Swing Line Loan or the
issuance of an LC.
“Revolving Note” means a promissory note
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1 , and
all renewals and extensions of all or any part thereof.
“RIC” means a Person qualifying for
treatment as a “ regulated investment company ”
under the Internal Revenue Code.
“S&P” means Standard &
Poor’s Rating Group, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc.
“Secured Debt” means, with respect to any
Person, any Debt of such Person that is secured in any manner by
any Lien.
“Senior Debt” means Debt under the Senior
Note Agreements or any similar facility entered into by Borrower or
its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
“Senior Note Agreements” means
(i) the Note Agreement dated as of May 14, 2003, among
Borrower and the purchasers named therein, pursuant to which
Borrower has issued its $153,000,000 5.45% Senior Notes,
Series A due May 14, 2008, and its $147,000,000 6.05%
Senior Notes, Series B due May 14, 2010, and any replacement
or renewal thereof, (ii) the Note Agreement dated as of
March 25, 2004, among Borrower and the purchasers named
therein, pursuant to which Borrower has issued its € 5,000,000 5.703% Senior Notes, Euro
Series due March 25, 2009, and its £5,000,000 7.343%
Senior Notes, Sterling Series due March 25, 2009, and any
replacement or renewal thereof, (iii) the Note Agreement dated
as of November 15, 2004, among Borrower and the purchasers
named therein, pursuant to which Borrower has issued its
$252,500,000 5.53% Senior Notes, Series A due
November 15, 2009, and $72,500,000 5.99% Senior Notes,
Series B due November 15, 2011, and any replacement or
renewal thereof, (iv) the Note Agreement dated as of
October 13, 2005, among Borrower and the purchasers named
therein, pursuant to which Borrower has issued its $261,000,000
6.15% Senior Notes, Series A due October 13, 2010, and
$89,000,000 6.34% Senior Notes, Series B due October 13,
2012, and any replacement or renewal thereof, (v) the Note
Agreement dated as May 1, 2006, among Borrower and the
purchasers named therein, pursuant to which Borrower has issued its
$50,000,000 6.75% Senior Notes, due May 1, 2013, and any
replacement or renewal thereof, and (vi) the Indenture by and
between Borrower and The Bank of New York, dated as of
June 16, 2006, as supplemented by (x) the First
Supplemental Indenture by and between Borrower and The Bank of New
York, dated as of July 25, 2006, pursuant to which Borrower
has issued its $400,000,000 6.625% Notes due July 15, 2011,
and any replacement or renewal thereof, (y) the Second
Supplemental Indenture by and between Borrower and The Bank of New
York, dated as of December 8, 2006, pursuant to which Borrower
has issued its $250,000,000 6.0% Notes due April 1, 2012, and
any replacement or renewal thereof, and (z) the Third
Supplemental Indenture by and between Borrower and The Bank of New
York, dated as of March 28, 2007, pursuant to which Borrower has
issued its $230,000,000 6.875% Notes due April 15, 2047, and
any replacement or renewal thereof.
“Senior Notes” means the notes issued by
Borrower pursuant to the Senior Note Agreements.
“Solvent” means, when used with respect
to any Person, that (a) the fair value of its assets
(excluding any Debt due from any Affiliate of such Person, except
to the extent such Debt is included in such Person’s
portfolio Investments as accounted for in accordance with GAAP) is
in excess of the fair valuation of its total liabilities (including
all contingent liabilities); (b) such Person is able to pay its
debts or other obligations in the ordinary course as they mature;
and (c) such Person has capital not unreasonably small to
carry on its business and all business in which it proposes to be
engaged.
“Special Purpose Subsidiary” means a
Subsidiary ( other than a Consolidated Subsidiary) of
Borrower the sole purpose of which is to purchase assets from
Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower and to effect a sale to a
third party (directly or through one or more Subsidiaries of such
purchasing Subsidiary) of the assets so purchased or of securities
or Debt secured by or evidencing an interest in such assets or in
the holder thereof, and matters incidental to the foregoing.
“Subfacility” means, either of the LC
Subfacility or the Swing Line Subfacility.
“Subsidiary” means, for any Person, any
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other
entity of which at least a majority of the securities or other
ownership interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other
Persons performing similar functions of such corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, or other entity (without
regard to the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time
directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or
more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
Person that is accounted for under GAAP as a portfolio Investment
of either Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower shall not, for
purposes hereof, be deemed a “ Subsidiary ” of
Borrower or such Subsidiary.
“Subsidiary Bank Guarantor” means any
Consolidated Subsidiary which undertakes to be liable for the
Obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents by execution of a
Subsidiary Bank Guaranty.
“Subsidiary Bank Guaranty” means
(a) any agreement pursuant to which a Consolidated Subsidiary
has guaranteed the Obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents
and (b) any amendments, modifications, supplements,
restatements, ratifications, or reaffirmations of any Subsidiary
Bank Guaranty made in accordance with the Loan Documents.
“Subsidiary Senior Note Guaranty” means
any agreement pursuant to which a Consolidated Subsidiary has
guaranteed the Debt of Borrower under the Senior Notes.
“Swing Line Commitment” means an amount
(subject to reduction or cancellation as herein provided) not to
exceed $100,000,000.
“Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America
and its permitted successors as “ Swing Line Lender
” under this Agreement.
“Swing Line Loan” means any Loan made
under the Swing Line Subfacility.
“Swing Line Note” means a promissory note
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 , and
all renewals and extensions of all or any part thereof.
“Swing Line Subfacility” means the
subfacility under the Revolving Facility (the portion of the Loans
attributable to which may never, on any date of determination,
exceed in the aggregate the Swing Line Commitment then in effect),
as described in, and subject to the limitations of,
Section 2.2 .
“Swing Principal Debt” means, on any date
of determination, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all
Loans outstanding under the Swing Line Subfacility.
“Syndication Agent” means Branch Banking
and Trust Company, and its permitted successors or assigns as
“ Syndication Agent ” under this Agreement.
“Taxes” means, for any Person, taxes,
assessments, duties, imposts, or other governmental charges,
deductions, withholdings, or levies imposed upon such Person, its
income, or any of its properties, franchises, or assets, and all
liabilities with respect thereto.
“Termination Date” means the earlier of
either (a) April 11, 2011, or (b) such earlier date
upon which the whole of the Commitments are terminated pursuant to
Sections 2.12 , 10.2(a) , or
otherwise.
“Type” with respect to any Loan, refers
to whether such Loan is a Eurodollar Loan or Base Rate Loan.
“Unfunded Liabilities” means, with
respect to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which
(a) the value of all benefit liabilities under such Plan,
determined on a plan termination basis using the assumptions
prescribed by the PBGC for purposes of Section 4044 of
ERISA, exceeds (b) the fair market value of all Plan assets
allocable to such liabilities under Title IV of ERISA
(excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions), all determined as
of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan.
“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning
given such term in Section 2.3(d) .
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means a
Subsidiary of Borrower (a) that is not a Consolidated
Subsidiary or (b) is a Consolidated Subsidiary the sole
purpose of which is to acquire, hold, manage, and dispose of
Foreclosure Property, and matters incidental to such purposes.
“Wholly Owned” when used in connection
with any Subsidiary means any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, or other entity of which all of the equity
securities or other ownership interests ( other than
Permitted Preferred Stock and, in the case of a corporation,
directors’ qualifying shares) are so owned or controlled.
1.2
General; References to Times References in this
Agreement to “ Sections ,” “
Exhibits ,” and “ Schedules ” are
to sections, exhibits, and schedules herein and hereto unless
otherwise indicated. References in this Agreement to any document,
instrument, or agreement (a) shall include all exhibits, schedules,
and other attachments thereto, (b) shall include all
documents, instruments, or agreements issued or executed in
replacement thereof, to the extent permitted hereby and
(c) shall mean such document, instrument, or agreement, or
replacement or predecessor thereto, as amended, supplemented,
restated, or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent
permitted hereby and in effect at any given time. Wherever from the
context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the
singular or plural shall include the singular and plural, and
pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall
include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter. Unless
explicitly set forth to the contrary, a reference to
“Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of Borrower or a
Subsidiary of such Subsidiary, and a reference to an
“Affiliate” means a reference to an Affiliate of
Borrower. Titles and captions of Sections, subsections, and clauses
in this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor
amplify the provisions of this Agreement. Unless otherwise
indicated, all references to time are references to Dallas, Texas,
time.
1.3
Accounting Principles All accounting and financial
terms used in the Loan Documents and the compliance with each
financial covenant therein shall be determined in accordance with
GAAP (except as otherwise specified in the definition of
Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity), and, for such purposes,
to the extent consistent with GAAP, all accounting principles shall
be applied on a consistent basis so that the accounting principles
in a current period are comparable in all material respects to
those applied during the preceding comparable period. If Borrower
or any Lender determines that a change in GAAP from that in effect
on the date hereof has altered the treatment of certain financial
data to its detriment under this Agreement, such party may, by
written notice to the others and Administrative Agent not later
than 30 days after Borrower’s delivery of any financial
statements pursuant to Section 8.1 or
8.2 reflecting such change in GAAP, request
renegotiation of the financial covenants affected by such change.
If Borrower and Requisite Lenders have not agreed on revised
covenants within 30 days after delivery of such notice, then,
for purposes of this Agreement, GAAP will mean generally accepted
accounting principles on the date immediately prior to the date on
which the change that gave rise to the renegotiation occurred.
1.4
Letter of Credit Amounts Unless otherwise specified
herein, the amount of an LC at any time shall be deemed to be the
stated amount of such LC in effect at such time; provided ,
however , that with respect to any LC that, by its terms or
the terms of any LC Agreement or other document, agreement, or
instrument entered into by LC Issuer and Borrower (or any
Subsidiary) related thereto, provides for one or more automatic
increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such LC shall
be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such LC after giving
effect to all such increases, whether or not the maximum stated
amount is in effect at such time.
SECTION 2.
CREDIT FACILITY.
2.1
Loans Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
during the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the
Termination Date, each Lender severally and not jointly agrees to
make Revolving Loans to Borrower in an aggregate principal amount
at any one time outstanding up to, but not exceeding, the amount of
such Lender’s Commitment; provided , however ,
that on any date of determination, (i) the Commitment Usage
shall never exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments as in
effect from time to time and (ii) on any date of
determination, each Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the
Commitment Usage (including any such Lender’s participation
in Swing Line Loans and any LC Exposure) shall not exceed such
Lender’s Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, during the period from the Effective Date to but
excluding the Termination Date, Borrower may borrow, repay, and
reborrow Revolving Loans hereunder.
2.2
Swing Line Subfacility
(a) Swing
Line Loans. For the convenience of the parties and as an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents, Swing Line Lender may make any requested Loan of
$250,000 or a greater integral multiple thereof, subject to those
terms and conditions applicable to Loans set forth in clauses
(a) , (b) , and (c) of the
first sentence of Section 5.2 , directly to
Borrower as a Swing Line Loan without requiring any other Lender to
fund its ratable portion thereof unless and until
Section 2. 2(c) is applicable;
provided that : (i) each such Swing Line Loan must
occur on a Business Day prior to, and not on or after, the
Termination Date; (ii) the aggregate Swing Principal Debt
outstanding on any date of determination shall not exceed the Swing
Line Commitment then in effect; (iii) on any date of
determination, the Commitment Usage shall never exceed the
aggregate amount of the Commitments of Lenders; (iv) on any
date of determination, each Lender’s Commitment Percentage of
the Commitment Usage (including any such Lender’s
participation in Swing Line Loans and any LC Exposure) shall not
exceed such Lender’s Commitment; (v) such Swing Line
Loan shall not be used to refinance any outstanding Swing Line
Loan; (vi) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest at a rate
per annum equal to the lesser of (x) the Money Market
Rate, and (y) the Maximum Rate; provided further that
at any time after Lenders are required to fund their participations
in any Swing Line Loan pursuant to
Section 2.2(c) , such Loan shall bear interest
at the Post-Default Rate; and (vii) no additional Swing Line
Loan shall be made at any time after any Lender has refused,
notwithstanding the requirements of
Section 2.2(c) , to fund its participation in
any Swing Line Loan as provided in such Section, and until such
funding shall occur or until the Swing Line Loan has been
repaid.
(b) Borrowing
Procedure and Repayment . Each Swing Line Loan under the Swing
Line Subfacility shall be available and may be prepaid on same day
telephonic notice from Borrower to Swing Line Lender and
Administrative Agent, so long as such notice is received by
Swing Line Lender and Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 p.m.
Dallas, Texas time. Promptly after receipt by Swing Line Lender of
any telephonic notice, Swing Line Lender will confirm with
Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that
Administrative Agent has also received such notice and, if not,
Swing Line Lender will notify Administrative Agent (by telephone or
in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless Swing Line Lender has
received notice (by telephone or in writing) from Administrative
Agent prior to 2:00 p.m. Dallas, Texas time, on the date of the
proposed Swing Line Loan (i) directing Swing Line Lender not to
make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth
in the first proviso to the first sentence of
Section 2.2(a) , or (ii) that one or more
of the applicable conditions specified in
Section 5.2 is not then satisfied, then, subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, Swing Line Lender will, not
later than 3:00 p.m. Dallas, Texas time, on the borrowing date
specified in such notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan
available to Borrower. The principal amount of each Swing Line Loan
shall be repaid in full not later than the eighth Business Day
after the date on which such Swing Line Loan was funded. All
accrued and unpaid interest on any Swing Line Loan shall be repaid
monthly, in arrears, on the first Business Day of each calendar
month.
(c)
Participations . Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line
Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees to, purchase from Swing Line Lender a risk
participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to its
Commitment Percentage of such Swing Line Loan. If Borrower fails to
repay any Swing Line Loan as provided herein, and funds cannot be
or are not advanced under the Revolving Facility to satisfy the
obligations under the Swing Line Subfacility (and in any event upon
the earlier to occur of a Default or the Termination Date),
Administrative Agent shall timely notify each Lender of such
failure and of the date and amount not paid. No later than the
close of business on the date such notice is given (if such notice
was given prior to 12:00 noon on any Business Day, or, if made at
any other time, on the next Business Day following the date of such
notice), each Lender shall fund its participation in the relevant
Swing Line Loan, and each Lender shall make available to
Administrative Agent for the account of Swing Line Lender in
immediately available funds such Lender’s ratable part of
such unpaid principal amount. All such amounts payable by any
Lender shall include interest thereon from the date on which such
payment is payable by such Lender to, but not including, the date
such amount is paid by such Lender to Administrative Agent, at the
Federal Funds Rate. Each payment by Borrower of all or any part of
any Swing Line Loan shall be paid to Administrative Agent for the
ratable benefit of Swing Line Lender and those Lenders who have
funded their participations in such Swing Line Loan under this
Section 2.2(c) ; provided that , with
respect to any such participation, all interest accruing on the
Swing Principal Debt to which such participation relates prior to
the date of funding such participation shall be payable solely to
Swing Line Lender for its own account.
2.3
LC Subfacility
(a) LC
Commitment . Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and Applicable Law, (1) LC Issuer agrees, in
reliance upon the agreement of the other Lenders in this
Section 2.3 , from time to time on any Business
Day during the period from the Effective Date until the LC
Expiration Date, to issue LCs for the account of Borrower or its
Subsidiaries and to amend or extend LCs previously issued by it,
upon Borrower’s application therefor (denominated in Dollars)
by delivering to LC Issuer (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a
properly completed LC Agreement with respect thereto no later than
10:00 a.m. Dallas, Texas time two Business Days (or such later
time as Administrative Agent and LC Issuer may agree in a
particular instance in their sole discretion) before such LC is to
be issued or amended and (2) Lenders agree to participate in
LCs issued for the account of Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any
drawings thereunder; provided that , (i) on any date of
determination and after giving effect to any LC to be issued,
amended, or extended on such date, the Commitment Usage shall never
exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments then in effect,
(ii) on any date of determination and after giving effect to
any LC to be issued, amended, or extended on such date, the LC
Exposure shall never exceed the LC Commitment then in effect,
(iii) on any date of determination and after giving effect to
any LC to be issued, amended, or extended on such date, each
Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Commitment Usage
(including such Lender’s participations in any Swing Line
Loans or any LC Exposure) shall not exceed such Lender’s
Commitment; (iv) at the time of issuance or amendment of such LC,
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, (v) each LC must expire no later than the
earlier of the LC Expiration Date or one year from its
issuance; and (vi) LC Issuer shall not have received notice
from any Lender, Administrative Agent, Borrower or any Subsidiary,
at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance
or amendment of the applicable LC, that one or more applicable
conditions contained in Section 5 shall not then
be satisfied; provided further that , (x) LC Issuer
shall be under no obligation to issue any LC if (A) any order,
judgment, or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain LC Issuer from
issuing such LC, or any law applicable to LC Issuer or any request
or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over LC Issuer shall
prohibit, or request that LC Issuer refrain from, the issuance of
letters of credit generally or such LC in particular or shall
impose upon LC Issuer with respect to such LC any restriction,
reserve, or capital requirement (for which LC Issuer is not
otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective
Date, or shall impose upon LC Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost,
or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which
LC Issuer in good faith deems material to it; (B) the issuance
of such LC would violate one or more policies of LC Issuer; or
(C) a default of any Lender’s obligations to fund under
Section 2.3(f) exists or any Lender is at such
time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless LC Issuer has entered
into satisfactory arrangements with Borrower or such Lender to
eliminate LC Issuer’s risk with respect to such Lender; and
(y) LC Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any LC if
(A) LC Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue
such LC in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the
beneficiary of such LC does not accept the proposed amendment to
such LC. Promptly after receipt of any LC Agreement, LC Issuer will
confirm with Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that
Administrative Agent has received a copy of such LC Agreement from
Borrower and, if not, LC Issuer will provide Administrative Agent
with a copy thereof. Upon receipt by LC Issuer of confirmation from
Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is
permitted in accordance with the terms hereof, LC Issuer shall, on
the requested date, issue an LC for the account of Borrower or the
applicable Subsidiary or enter into the applicable amendment, as
the case may be, in each case in accordance with LC Issuer’s
usual and customary business practices. Promptly after its delivery
of any LC or any amendment to an LC to an advising bank with
respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, LC Issuer will also
deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent a true and complete
copy of such LC or amendment. Borrower shall promptly examine a
copy of each LC and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it
and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with
Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, Borrower will
immediately notify LC Issuer. Borrower shall be conclusively deemed
to have waived any such claim against LC Issuer and its
correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid. Within the
foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
Borrower’s ability to obtain LCs shall be fully revolving;
accordingly, Borrower may, prior to the LC Expiration Date, obtain
LCs to replace LCs that have expired or that have been drawn upon
and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to
have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Effective
Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions
hereof.
(b)
Auto-Extension . If Borrower so requests in any applicable
LC Agreement, LC Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion,
agree to issue an LC that has automatic extension provisions (each,
an “ Auto-Extension LC ”); provided
that any such Auto-Extension LC must permit LC Issuer to
prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month
period (commencing with the date of issuance of such LC) by giving
prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the
“ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each
such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such LC is
issued. Unless otherwise directed by LC Issuer, Borrower shall not
be required to make a specific request to LC Issuer for any such
renewal. Once an Auto-Extension LC has been issued, Lenders shall
be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) LC Issuer to
permit the extension of such LC at any time to an expiry date not
later than the LC Expiration Date; provided , however
, that LC Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (i) LC
Issuer has determined that it would have no obligation at such time
to issue such LC in its renewed form under the terms hereof (by
reason of the provisions of Section 2.
3(a) or otherwise), or (ii) it has received
notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the
day that is five Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date
(A) from Administrative Agent that the Requisite Lenders have
elected not to permit such extension or (B) from
Administrative Agent, any Lender, or Borrower that one or more of
the applicable conditions specified in
Section 5.2 is not then satisfied.
(c)
Participations . Immediately upon the issuance by LC Issuer
of any LC, LC Issuer shall be deemed to have sold and transferred
to each other Lender, and each other such Lender shall be deemed
irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from
LC Issuer, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and
participation, equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage
of such LC, the LC Agreement, and all rights of LC Issuer in
respect thereof ( other than rights to receive certain fees
provided for in Section 3.8(d) ).
(d)
Reimbursement Obligations . To induce LC Issuer to issue and
maintain LCs and to induce Lenders to participate in issued LCs,
Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse LC Issuer (through
Administrative Agent) (i) on or prior to the date of any
payment by LC Issuer under an LC (each such date, an “
Honor Date ”), the amount of any draft paid or
to be paid by LC Issuer, and (ii) promptly, upon demand, the
amount of any applicable fees (in addition to the Fees described in
Section 3.8 ) which LC Issuer customarily
charges to a Person similarly situated in the ordinary course of
its business for amending LC Agreements, for honoring drafts under
letters of credit, and taking similar action in connection with
letters of credit. If Borrower has not reimbursed LC Issuer for any
drafts paid or to be paid by 10:00 a.m. on any Honor Date,
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor
Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “
Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such
Lender’s Commitment Percentage thereof. In such event,
Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan
consisting of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in
an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, to the extent of
availability, and if the conditions precedent in this Agreement for
such a Revolving Loan ( other than any notice requirements
or minimum funding amounts) have, to Administrative Agent’s
knowledge, been satisfied. Any notice given by LC Issuer or
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.
3(d) may be given by telephone if immediately
confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an
immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or
binding effect of such notice. Each Lender shall upon any notice
pursuant to this Section 2. 3(d)
make funds available to Administrative Agent for the account of LC
Issuer in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment
Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than
12:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by
Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of
Section 2.3(f) , each Lender that so makes funds
available shall be deemed to have made Base Rate Loans to Borrower
in such amount. The funds so received shall be remitted by
Administrative Agent directly to LC Issuer in payment of
Borrower’s reimbursement obligation with respect to the draft
under the LC; and if and to the extent that for any reason, funds
are not advanced pursuant to this Agreement to fully refinance the
Unreimbursed Amount, then Borrower’s reimbursement obligation
shall continue to be due and payable. Borrower’s obligations
under this Section 2. 3(d) shall
be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim, or defense to payment
which Borrower may have at any time against LC Issuer or any other
Person, and shall be made in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including,
without limitation, any of the following circumstances:
(A) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents; (B) the existence of any claim,
setoff, defense, or other right which Borrower may have at any time
against a beneficiary named in an LC, any transferee of any LC (or
any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), LC Issuer,
any Lender, or any other Person, whether in connection with this
Agreement, any LC, the transactions contemplated herein, or any
unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction
between Borrower and the beneficiary named in any such LC);
(C) any draft, certificate, or any other document presented
under the LC proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid, or
insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue
or inaccurate in any respect; (D) any payment by LC Issuer
under such LC against presentation of a draft or certificate that
does not strictly comply with the terms of such LC; or any payment
made by LC Issuer under such LC to any Person purporting to be a
trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the
benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative
of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such LC,
including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any
Debtor Relief Law; (E) any other circumstance or happening
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing,
including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a
defense available to, or a discharge of, Borrower or any
Subsidiary; and (F) the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default. To the extent any funding of a draft has been made by
Lenders pursuant to Section 2.
3(f) or under this Section 2.3(d)
, LC Issuer shall promptly distribute any such payments received
for the account of LC Issuer in respect of any Unreimbursed Amount
or interest thereon (whether directly from Borrower or otherwise,
including, proceeds of cash collateral applied thereto by
Administrative Agent) to all Lenders funding such draft according
to their ratable share. Interest on any amounts remaining unpaid by
Borrower (and unfunded by the proceeds of a Loan under this
Section 2.3(d) ) at any time from and after the
date such amounts become payable until paid in full shall be
payable by Borrower to LC Issuer at the Post-Default Rate. In the
event any payment by Borrower received by LC Issuer with respect to
an LC and distributed to Lenders on account of their participations
therein is required to be returned under any of the circumstances
described in Section 12.15 (including pursuant
to any settlement entered into by LC Issuer in its discretion) each
Lender shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of LC
Issuer its Commitment Percentage thereof on demand of
Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of
such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at
a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time
in effect. The obligations of Lenders under this clause shall
survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination
of this Agreement.
(e)
General . Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any LC of any
notice of a drawing under such LC, LC Issuer shall promptly notify
Borrower of the date and amount of any draft presented for honor
under any LC; provided that , failure to give any such
notice shall not affect the obligations of Borrower hereunder. LC
Issuer shall make payment upon presentment of a draft for honor
unless it appears that presentment on its face does not comply with
the terms of such LC, regardless of whether (i) any default or
potential default under any other agreement has occurred and
(ii) the obligations under any other agreement have been
performed by the beneficiary or any other Person (and LC Issuer
shall not be liable for any obligation of any Person thereunder).
LC Issuer, Lenders, Administrative Agent and their respective
Related Parties and any correspondent, participant or assignee of
LC Issuer shall not be responsible for, and Borrower’s
reimbursement obligations for honored drafts shall not be affected
by, (i) any matter or event whatsoever (including, without
limitation, the validity, enforceability, sufficiency, accuracy, or
genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereof, even if
such document should in fact prove to be in any respect invalid,
unenforceable, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent, or forged),
(ii) any dispute by Borrower or any Subsidiary with or any
Borrower or any Subsidiary’s claims, setoffs, defenses,
counterclaims, or other rights against LC Issuer, any Lender, or
any other Person, (iii) the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default, (iv) any action taken or omitted in connection
herewith at the request or with the approval of Lenders or the
Requisite Lenders, as applicable; (v) any action taken or
omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct;
or (vi) any matters set forth in clauses (A)
through (F) of Section 2.3(d) .
However, nothing in this Section 2.3 constitutes
a waiver of the rights of Borrower to assert any claim or defense
based upon the gross negligence or willful misconduct of LC Issuer
to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to
consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by Borrower which
Borrower proves were caused by LC Issuer’s willful misconduct
or gross negligence or LC Issuer’s willful failure to pay
under any LC after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a
sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms
and conditions of the LC. Any notice given by LC Issuer or
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.
3(e) may be given by telephone if immediately
confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an
immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or
binding effect of such notice.
(f)
Obligation of Lenders . In the event any Unreimbursed Amount
that is not fully refinanced for any reason by Revolving Loans
consisting of Base Rate Loans pursuant to
Section 2.3(d) , then LC Issuer shall so notify
Administrative Agent, which, in turn, shall promptly notify each
Lender of the Unreimbursed Amount and such Lender’s
Commitment Percentage thereof. Each Lender shall promptly and
unconditionally make available to Administrative Agent (for the
account of LC Issuer) in immediately available funds such
Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such unpaid reimbursement
obligation, which funds shall be paid to Administrative Agent on or
before the close of business on the Business Day on which such
notice was given by Administrative Agent to Lenders (if given prior
to 1:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time) or on the next succeeding
Business Day (if notice was given after 1:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas
time). All such amounts payable by any such Lender shall include
interest thereon accruing at a rate per annum equal to the greater
of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by LC Issuer in
accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation
from the day the applicable draft is paid by LC Issuer to (but not
including) the date such amount is paid by such Lender to
Administrative Agent. Until each Lender funds its participation
pursuant to this Section 2. 3(f)
to reimburse LC Issuer for any amount drawn under any LC, interest
in respect of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such
amount shall be solely for the account of LC Issuer; provided
that , once a Lender funds its participation (together with any
interest owed with respect thereto) in accordance with this
Section 2.3(f) , then interest with respect to
such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Unreimbursed
Amount shall accrue for the account of such Lender from the date
such funding from such Lender was due hereunder. The obligations of
Lenders to make payments to Administrative Agent (for the account
of LC Issuer) with respect to LCs shall be irrevocable and not
subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever ( other
than the gross negligence or willful misconduct of LC Issuer)
and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without
limitation, any of the following circumstances: (i) any lack
of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents; (ii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense, or
other right which such Lender may have at any time against a
beneficiary named in an LC, any transferee of any LC (or any Person
for whom any such transferee may be acting), LC Issuer, any Lender,
or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any
LC, the transactions contemplated herein, or any unrelated
transactions (including any underlying transaction between Borrower
and the beneficiary named in any such LC); (iii) any draft,
certificate, or any other document presented under the LC proving
to be forged, fraudulent, invalid, or insufficient in any respect
or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
and (iv) the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default.
(g) Duties of
LC Issuer . LC Issuer agrees with each Lender that it will
exercise and give the same care and attention to each LC as it
gives to its other letters of credit, and LC Issuer’s sole
liability to each Lender with respect to such LCs ( other
than liability arising from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of LC Issuer) shall be to distribute promptly to each
Lender who has acquired a participating interest therein such
Lender’s ratable portion of any payments made to LC Issuer by
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.3(d) . Each
Lender and Borrower agree that, in paying any draft under any LC,
LC Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document
( other than any documents required by the respective LC) or
to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such
document or the authority of the Person delivering any such
document, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary,
and LC Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or
sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign an LC or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may
prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. LC Issuer,
Lenders, and their respective representatives shall not be liable
to any other Lender or Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the
use which may be made of any LC or for any acts or omissions of any
beneficiary thereof in connection therewith; provided ,
however , that this is not intended to, and shall not,
preclude Borrower from pursuing such rights and remedies as it may
have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any
other agreement. Any action, inaction, error, delay, or omission
taken or suffered by LC Issuer or any of its representatives under
or in connection with any LC, the draws, drafts, or documents
relating thereto, or the transmission, dispatch, or delivery of any
message or advice related thereto, if in good faith and in
conformity with such laws as LC Issuer or any of its
representatives may deem applicable and (unless otherwise expressly
agreed by LC Issuer and Borrower when an LC is issued) the ISP
shall be binding upon Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Lenders and
shall not place LC Issuer or any of its representatives under any
resulting liability to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
Lender.
(h) Cash
Collateral . On the LC Expiration Date, or on any date that the
LC Exposure exceeds the LC Commitment, or upon any demand by
Administrative Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, Borrower shall provide to Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, (i) cash collateral in an
amount equal to 100% of the LC Exposure existing on such date, such
cash and all interest thereon shall constitute cash collateral for
all LCs, and (ii) such additional cash collateral as
Administrative Agent may from time to time require, so that the
cash collateral amount shall at all times equal or exceed 100% of
the LC Exposure. Any cash collateral deposited under this
clause (h) shall be maintained by Administrative
Agent in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of
America. Borrower hereby grants to Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of LC Issuer and Lenders, a security interest in all such
cash and deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all
proceeds of the foregoing.
(i)
Indemnification . In addition to amounts payable as
elsewhere provided in this Agreement, Borrower hereby agrees to
protect, indemnify, pay, and save Administrative Agent, LC Issuer,
and each Lender harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, liabilities, damages, or losses of, or owed to third
parties (including any of the foregoing arising from the negligence
of Administrative Agent, LC Issuer, Lenders, or their respective
representatives), and any and all related costs, charges, and
expenses (including Attorney Costs), which Administrative Agent, LC
Issuer, or any Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence,
direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any LC, or
(B) the failure of LC Issuer to honor a draft under such LC as
a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of
any present or future Governmental Authority; provided that
, Borrower shall have no liability to indemnify Administrative
Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender in respect of any liability arising
out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such party or
any representatives of such party. The provisions of and
undertakings and indemnifications set forth in this
Section 2. 3(i) shall survive the
satisfaction and payment of the Obligation and termination of this
Agreement.
(j) LC
Agreements . Although referenced in any LC, terms of any
particular agreement or other obligation to the beneficiary are not
in any manner incorporated herein. The fees and other amounts
payable with respect to each LC shall be as provided in this
Agreement, drafts under any LC shall be deemed part of the
Obligations, and in the event of any conflict between the terms of
this Agreement and any LC Agreement, the terms of this Agreement
shall be controlling.
(k) Letters
of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that an LC
issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations
of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, Borrower shall be
obligated to reimburse LC Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings
under such LC. Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of
LCs for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of
Borrower, and that Borrower’s business derives substantial
benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
(l)
Applicability of ISP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by
LC Issuer and Borrower when an LC is issued (including any such
agreement applicable to an Existing Letters of Credit), the rules
of the ISP shall apply to each LC.
2.4
Borrowing Procedures The following procedures apply
to all Loans ( except Swing Line Loans or the payment by LC
Issuer of drafts under LCs):
(a)
Requesting Loans . Borrower shall give Administrative Agent
notice pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or telephonic notice of
each borrowing of Revolving Loans; provided that during the
existence of a Default or Event of Default, no Loans may be
requested as, Converted to, or Continued as Eurodollar Loans. Each
Notice of Borrowing shall be delivered to Administrative Agent
before 12:00 noon (i) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, on the
date two Business Days prior to the proposed date of such borrowing
and (ii) in the case of Base Rate Loans, on the proposed date of
such borrowing. Any such telephonic notice shall include all
information to be specified in a written Notice of Borrowing and
shall be promptly confirmed in writing by Borrower pursuant to a
Notice of Borrowing sent to Administrative Agent by telecopy on the
same day of the giving of such telephonic notice. Administrative
Agent will transmit by telecopy the Notice of Borrowing (or the
information contained in such Notice of Borrowing) to each Lender
promptly upon receipt by Administrative Agent (but in any event not
later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of receipt thereof). Each Notice
of Borrowing or telephonic notice of each borrowing shall be
irrevocable once given and binding on Borrower.
(b)
Disbursements of Loan Proceeds . No later than 3:00 p.m. on
the date specified in the Notice of Borrowing, each Lender will
make available for the account of its applicable Lending Office to
Administrative Agent at the Principal Office, in immediately
available funds, the proceeds of the Revolving Loan to be made by
such Lender. Subject to satisfaction of the applicable conditions
set forth in Section 5 for such borrowing,
Administrative Agent will make the proceeds of such borrowing
available to Borrower no later than 4:00 p.m. on the date and at
the account specified by Borrower in such Notice of Borrowing.
(c) Lender
Disbursements/Payments Generally . Unless Administrative Agent
shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date
of any Eurodollar Loan that is a Revolving Loan (or, in the case of
any Base Rate Loan, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such
Revolving Loan) that such Lender will not make available to
Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Revolving
Loan, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made
such share available on such date in accordance with
Section 2. 4(b) (or, in the case
of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available
in accordance with and at the time required by
Section 2.4(b) ) and may, in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. In
such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the
applicable Revolving Loan available to Administrative Agent, then
the applicable Lender and Borrower severally agree to pay to
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
Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to 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 Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules
on interbank compensation, and (B) in the case of a payment to
be made by Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate
Loans. If Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to
Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period,
Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to Borrower the amount of
such interest paid by Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays
its share of the applicable Revolving Loan to Administrative Agent,
then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s
Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Loan. Any payment by
Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim Borrower may have
against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to
Administrative Agent.
(d) Payments
by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from Borrower prior
to the date on which any payment is due to Administrative Agent for
the account of Lenders or LC Issuer hereunder that Borrower will
not make such payment, Administrative Agent may assume that
Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith
and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to Lenders or
LC Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if
Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each Lender or LC
Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to
Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed
to such Lender or LC Issuer, 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
Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and
a rate determined by Administrative Agent in accordance with
banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of
Administrative Agent to any Lender or LC Issuer with respect to any
amount owing under this subsection (d) shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error.
(e) Failure
to Satisfy Conditions Precedent . If any Lender makes available
to Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such
Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.4 , and such funds are not made
available to Borrower by Administrative Agent because the
conditions to the applicable Loan funding or issuance of an LC set
forth in Section 5 are not satisfied or waived
in accordance with the terms hereof, then, within one Business Day,
Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as
received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
2.5
Rates and Payment of Interest on Loans
(a) Rates
. Borrower promises to pay to Administrative Agent, for the account
of each Lender, interest on the unpaid principal amount of each
Revolving Loan for the period from and including the date of the
making of such Revolving Loan to but excluding the date such
Revolving Loan shall be paid in full, at the following per annum
rates:
(i) during
such periods as such Revolving Loan is a Base Rate Loan, the lesser
of (A) the Base Rate (as in effect from time to time) and
(B) the Maximum Rate; and
(ii) during
such periods as such Revolving Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, the
lesser of (A) the sum of the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such
Revolving Loan for the Interest Period therefor, plus 2.00% and
(B) the Maximum Rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the continuance of an Event
of Default, Borrower hereby promises to pay to Administrative Agent
(for the account of each Lender) interest at the applicable
Post-Default Rate on the aggregate outstanding principal balance
under all Revolving Loans made by such Lender and on any other
amount payable by Borrower to such Lender hereunder or under any
other Loan Document, including without limitation, any overdue
accrued but unpaid interest to the extent permitted under
Applicable Law.
(b) Payment
of Interest . Accrued interest on each Revolving Loan shall be
payable as provided in each of the following clauses which apply to
such Revolving Loan: (i) in the case of a Base Rate Loan,
monthly on the last Business Day of each calendar month,
(ii) in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, on the last day of each
Interest Period therefor; provided that , with respect to
Eurodollar Loans having an Interest Period in excess of three
months, then accrued interest shall also be due and payable at the
end of each three-month period occurring after the commencement of
such Interest Period until such Eurodollar Rate borrowing is paid
or converted, and (iii) in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, upon
the payment, prepayment or Continuation thereof or the Conversion
of such Loan to a Loan of another Type (but only on the principal
amount so paid, prepaid, Continued, or Converted). Interest payable
at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on
demand. Promptly after the determination of any interest rate
provided for herein or any change therein, Administrative Agent
shall give notice thereof to Lenders to which such interest is
payable and to Borrower. All determinations by Administrative Agent
of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on
Lenders and Borrower for all purposes, absent manifest error.
2.6
Number of Interest Periods There may be no more than
twelve different Interest Periods for Eurodollar Loans outstanding
at the same time.
2.7
Repayment of Loans Borrower shall repay the entire
outstanding Principal Debt and all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon on the Termination Date.
2.8
Prepayments
(a)
Optional. Subject to Section 4.5 ,
Borrower may prepay any Loan made to it at any time without premium
or penalty.
(b)
Mandatory.
(i) If at
any time the Commitment Usage exceeds the aggregate amount of the
Commitments of Lenders in effect at such time, or the Swing
Principal Debt exceeds the Swing Line Commitment, then Borrower
shall immediately pay to Administrative Agent for the respective
accounts of the appropriate Lenders the amount of such excess;
provided that , on any such date that a mandatory prepayment
is due under this Section 2.
8(b)(i) , if no Principal Debt is then outstanding,
but the LC Exposure exceeds the aggregate Commitments of Lenders
then in effect, then Borrower shall provide to Administrative Agent
(for itself and for the benefit of Lenders holding participations
in the LC Subfacility) cash collateral in an amount at least equal
to 100% of such excess.
(ii) If
(A) as a result of any asset disposition by Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, Borrower or any such Subsidiary is required to
redeem or prepay (or to offer to redeem or prepay) any Debt (
other than the Obligations) by a particular date (the
“ Subject Date ”) in an amount equal to
all or a portion of the net cash proceeds received by such entity
from such asset disposition (the “ Asset Disposition
Proceeds ”), and (B) such obligations to redeem
or prepay (or to offer to redeem or prepay) such other Debt may be
avoided by prepayment of the Obligations in an amount equal to such
Asset Disposition Proceeds on or prior to the Subject Date, then
not less than 30 days prior to the Subject Date, Borrower
shall pay to Administrative Agent (for the ratable benefit of
Lenders) a mandatory prepayment of the Obligations (and the
Commitments shall be concurrently reduced) in an amount equal to
such Asset Disposition Proceeds.
If Borrower
is required to pay any outstanding Eurodollar Loans by reason of
this Section prior to the end of the applicable Interest Period
therefor, then Borrower shall pay all amounts due under
Section 4.5 .
2.9
Continuation So long as no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower may on any
Business Day, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, elect to
maintain such Eurodollar Loan or any portion thereof as a
Eurodollar Loan, as applicable, by selecting a new Interest Period
for such Loan. Each new Interest Period selected under this Section
shall commence on the last day of the immediately preceding
Interest Period. Each selection of a new Interest Period shall be
made by Borrower giving to Administrative Agent a Notice of
Continuation not later than 12:00 noon on the second Business Day
prior to the date of any such Continuation. Such notice by Borrower
of a Continuation shall be by telephone or telecopy, confirmed
immediately in writing if by telephone, in the form of a Notice of
Continuation, specifying (a) the proposed date of such
Continuation, (b) the Eurodollar Loan, or portion thereof,
subject to such Continuation and (c) the duration of the
selected Interest Period, all of which shall be specified in such
manner as is necessary to comply with all limitations on Loans
outstanding hereunder. Each Notice of Continuation shall be
irrevocable by and binding on Borrower once given. Promptly after
receipt of a Notice of Continuation (and in any event not later
than 1:00 p.m. on the date of receipt thereof), Administrative
Agent shall notify each Lender by telex or telecopy, or other
similar form of transmission of the proposed Continuation. If
Borrower shall fail to select in a timely manner a new Interest
Period for any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section,
such Loan will automatically, on the last day of the current
Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Loan.
2.10 Conversion Borrower may on any Business
Day, upon Borrower’s giving of a Notice of Conversion to
Administrative Agent, Convert all or a portion of a Revolving Loan
of one Type into a Revolving Loan of another Type. Any Conversion
of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan shall be made on, and
only on, the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar
Loan. Each such Notice of Conversion shall be given by Borrower not
later than 12:00 noon (a) on the Business Day prior to the
date of any proposed Conversion into Base Rate Loans or (b) on
the second Business Day prior to the date of any proposed
Conversion into Eurodollar Loans. Promptly upon receipt of a Notice
of Conversion (and in any event not later than 1:00 p.m. on the
date of receipt thereof), Administrative Agent shall notify each
Lender by telecopy or other similar form of transmission of the
proposed Conversion. Subject to the restrictions specified above,
each Notice of Conversion shall be by telephone or telecopy
confirmed immediately in writing if by telephone, in the form of a
Notice of Conversion, specifying (i) the requested date of
such Conversion, (ii) the Type of Revolving Loan to be
Converted, (iii) the portion of such Type of Revolving Loan to
be Converted, (iv) the Type of Revolving Loan into which such
Revolving Loan is to be Converted, and (v) if such Conversion
is into a Eurodollar Loan, the requested duration of the Interest
Period of such Revolving Loan. Each Notice of Conversion shall be
irrevocable by and binding on Borrower once given. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the right to convert from a Base Rate Loan to a
Eurodollar Loan, or to continue a Eurodollar Loan, shall not be
available during the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default.
2.11 Loan Accounts, Notes
(a) Loan
Accounts; Noteless Transaction . The Principal Debt owed to
each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or
records maintained by such Lender and by Administrative Agent in
the ordinary course of business. The loan accounts or records
maintained by Administrative Agent (including, without limitation,
the Register) and each Lender shall be conclusive evidence absent
manifest error of the amount of the Loans made to Borrower from
each Lender under this Agreement (and subfacilities thereunder) and
the interest and principal payments thereon. Any failure to so
record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or
otherwise affect the obligation of Borrower under the Loan
Documents 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
Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and
records of such Lender shall control absent manifest error.
(b) Notes
. Upon the request of any Lender made through Administrative Agent,
the Principal Debt owed to such Lender may be evidenced by one or
more of the following Notes (as the case may be): (i) a
Revolving Note (with respect to Principal Debt other than
under the Swing Line Subfacility) and (ii) a Swing Line Note
(with respect to Principal Debt arising under the Swing Line
Subfacility).
2.12 Reductions of the Commitments Borrower
shall have the right to terminate or reduce the aggregate unused
amount of the Commitments of Lenders ( other than the
portion of the Commitments applicable to Swing Line Loans or issued
and outstanding LCs) at any time and from time to time without
penalty or premium upon not less than two Business Days prior
written notice to Administrative Agent of each such termination or
reduction, which notice shall specify the effective date thereof
and the amount of any such reduction and shall be irrevocable once
given and effective only upon receipt by Administrative Agent.
Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such notice to each
Lender. If a Commitment reduction is effected pursuant to this
Section 2.12 at a time when the LC Commitment
exceeds $175,000,000, then the LC Commitment shall be automatically
and permanently reduced by an amount equal to the lesser of
(i) 15.0% of the amount of such Commitment reduction and
(ii) the amount by which the LC Commitment exceeds
$175,000,000. Additionally, the Swing Line Commitment and the LC
Commitment (as the case may be) shall be automatically and
permanently reduced from time to time, on the date of any reduction
in the Commitments of Lenders, by the amount, if any, by which the
applicable Subfacility exceeds the aggregate Commitments of Lenders
then in effect, after giving effect to such reduction of the
Commitments. Additionally, the Commitments, once terminated or
reduced, may not be increased or reinstated.
2.13 Increases of Commitments Provided there
exists no Default or Event of Default, Borrower may from time to
time request any one or more Lenders to increase their respective
Commitments or request other financial institutions first approved
by Administrative Agent to agree to a Commitment, so that the total
Commitments may be increased by an amount (for all such requests)
not to exceed the sum of (i) $250,000,000 and (ii) the amount,
if any, by which the aggregate Commitments of Lenders on the
Closing Date were less than $1,250,000,000. Any such Commitment
increase must be effected by an amendment that is executed in
accordance with Section 12.5 by Borrower,
Administrative Agent, and the one or more Lenders who have agreed
to increase their Commitments or by new Lenders who have agreed to
new Commitments in accordance with Section 12.5
. No Lender is obligated to increase its Commitment under any
circumstances, and no Lender’s Commitment may be increased
except by its execution of an amendment to this Agreement in
accordance with Section 12.5 . Each new Lender
providing such additional Commitment shall be a “
Lender ” hereunder, entitled to the rights and
benefits, and subject to the duties, of a Lender under the Loan
Documents. In such case, each Lender’s Commitment Percentage
shall be recalculated to reflect the new proportionate share of the
revised total Commitments. Borrower shall prepay any Loans
outstanding on the effective date of any Commitment Increase
effected hereby (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant
to Section 4.5 ) to the extent necessary to keep
the outstanding Revolving Loans (and any funded participations by
Lenders under the Swing Line Subfacility and the LC Subfacility)
ratable with any revised Commitment Percentages arising from any
nonratable increase in the Commitments under this
Section 2.13 . Additionally, on the effective
date of any Commitment increase, any unfunded participations in any
Swing Line Loans or LC shall be adjusted to reflect the revised
Commitment Percentages. All new Revolving Loans occurring after an
increase of the total Commitments shall be funded in accordance
with Lender’s revised Commitment Percentages.
SECTION 3.
PAYMENTS, FEES AND OTHER GENERAL PROVISIONS.
3.1
Payments Each payment or prepayment on the
Obligations shall be made in Dollars, without condition or
deduction for setoff, counterclaim, defense, or recoupment, and is
due and must be paid at Administrative Agent’s Principal
Office in funds which are or will be available for immediate use by
Administrative Agent by 12:00 noon on the day due. Payments made
after 12:00 noon shall be deemed made on the Business Day next
following. If no Default or Event of Default exists and if no order
of application is otherwise specified in the Loan Documents,
payments and prepayments of the Obligations shall be applied first
to Fees, second to accrued interest then due and payable on the
Principal Debt, and then to the remaining Obligations in the order
and manner as Borrower may direct. If a Default or Event of Default
exists (or if Borrower fails to give direction as permitted in the
preceding sentence), any payment or prepayment shall be applied to
the Obligations in accordance with Section 10.4
. Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender any payment or
prepayment to which such Lender is entitled hereunder on the same
day Administrative Agent shall have received the same from
Borrower; provided such payment or prepayment is received by
Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 noon, and otherwise before
12:00 noon on the Business Day next following. If and to the extent
Administrative Agent shall not make such payments to Lenders when
due as set forth in the preceding sentence, such unpaid amounts
shall accrue interest, payable by Administrative Agent, at the
Federal Funds Rate from the due date until (but not including) the
date on which Administrative Agent makes such payments to
Lenders.
3.2
Pro Rata Treatment Except to the extent otherwise
provided herein: (a) each borrowing of a Revolving Loan from
Lenders under Section 2.1 shall be made from
Lenders, each payment of the Fees under
Sections 3. 8(a) and
3. 8(d) shall be made for account of
Lenders, an
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