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NOTE AGREEMENT

Promissory Note

NOTE AGREEMENT | Document Parties: CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL INC | CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL, INC You are currently viewing:
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CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL INC | CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL, INC

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Title: NOTE AGREEMENT
Governing Law: New York     Date: 10/22/2009
Industry: Misc. Financial Services     Law Firm: Jenkens Gilchrist;Bingham McCutchen     Sector: Financial

NOTE AGREEMENT, Parties: cash america international inc , cash america international  inc
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Exhibit 10.4

Confidential Treatment Requested by Cash America International, Inc.
Confidential Portions of this document have been redacted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

NOTE AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of December 28, 2005

$40,000,000 6.12% Senior Notes due December 28, 2015

 

 

[**Confidential Treatment Requested] indicates that portions of this document have been deleted and have been separately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF NOTES

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.01 Authorization of Notes

 

 

1

 

1.02 Sale and Purchase of Notes

 

 

1

 

1.03 The Closing

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.01 Definitions

 

 

2

 

2.02 Interpretation

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. CONDITIONS OF CLOSING

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.01 Representations and Warranties

 

 

20

 

3.02 Performance; No Default

 

 

20

 

3.03 Compliance Certificate

 

 

21

 

3.04 Opinions of Counsel

 

 

21

 

3.05 Resolutions, Etc.

 

 

21

 

3.06 Purchase Permitted by Applicable Laws, Etc.

 

 

21

 

3.07 Payment of Closing Fees

 

 

22

 

3.08 Private Placement Number

 

 

22

 

3.09 Notes

 

 

22

 

3.10 Guaranty; Subrogation and Contribution Agreement

 

 

22

 

3.11 Other Loan Documents

 

 

22

 

3.12 Proceedings

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.01 Use of Proceeds

 

 

22

 

4.02 Margin Regulations

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. PREPAYMENTS

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.01 Required Prepayments of the Notes

 

 

23

 

5.02 Optional Prepayments of the Notes

 

 

23

 

5.03 Notice of Optional Prepayments; Officers’ Certificate

 

 

24

 

5.04 Allocation of Partial Prepayments

 

 

24

 

5.05 Maturity; Surrender, Etc.

 

 

24

 

5.06 Retirement of Notes

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.01 Subsidiaries

 

 

25

 

6.02 Organization, Qualification, Authorization, Etc

 

 

25

 

6.03 Disclosure Documents

 

 

26

 

6.04 Changes, Etc.

 

 

27

 

6.05 Tax Returns and Payments

 

 

27

 

6.06 Indebtedness; Solvency

 

 

27

 

6.07 Permits

 

 

28

 

i


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

6.08 Material Contracts

 

 

28

 

6.09 Title to Property, Etc.

 

 

28

 

6.10 Condition of Property

 

 

29

 

6.11 Compliance with Applicable Laws, Permits and Contracts

 

 

29

 

6.12 Litigation, Etc.

 

 

30

 

6.13 ERISA

 

 

30

 

6.14 No Governmental Consents Required for Overall Transaction

 

 

30

 

6.15 Offering of Notes

 

 

30

 

6.16 Use of Proceeds

 

 

31

 

6.17 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc.

 

 

31

 

6.18 Status Under Certain Federal Statutes

 

 

31

 

6.19 Environmental Matters

 

 

32

 

6.20 Books and Records

 

 

34

 

6.21 Fiscal Year

 

 

34

 

6.22 Brokerage

 

 

34

 

6.23 Labor Matters

 

 

35

 

6.24 Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

 

 

35

 

6.25 Chief Executive Office

 

 

35

 

6.26 Permitted Investments

 

 

35

 

6.27 Liens

 

 

35

 

6.28 Full Disclosure

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT; SOURCE OF FUNDS

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.01 Representations of the Purchasers

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.01 Financial Statements, Reports and Documents

 

 

38

 

8.02 Payment of Principal, Interest and Premium

 

 

41

 

8.03 Payment of Taxes, Claims and Indebtedness

 

 

41

 

8.04 Maintenance of Existence and Rights; Conduct of Business

 

 

41

 

8.05 Compliance with Loan Documents

 

 

42

 

8.06 Inspection

 

 

42

 

8.07 Books and Records

 

 

42

 

8.08 Compliance with Legal Requirements

 

 

42

 

8.09 Insurance

 

 

42

 

8.10 Maintenance of Properties

 

 

43

 

8.11 Further Assurances

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.01 Consolidated Indebtedness for Money Borrowed

 

 

43

 

9.02 Consolidated Net Worth

 

 

44

 

9.03 Fixed Charge Coverage

 

 

44

 

9.04 Restricted Payments

 

 

44

 

9.05 Limitation on Indebtedness

 

 

45

 

9.06 Assurances

 

 

48

 

9.07 Negative Pledge

 

 

48

 

9.08 Limitation on Investments

 

 

48

 

ii


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

9.09 Alteration of Contracts, Etc.

 

 

49

 

9.10 Transactions with Affiliates

 

 

49

 

9.11 Limitation on Sale or Issuance of Subsidiary Stock

 

 

50

 

9.12 Limitation on Sale of Properties

 

 

50

 

9.13 Dissolution; Liquidation; Merger; Consolidation

 

 

50

 

9.14 Change of Name, Fiscal Year and Method of Accounting

 

 

51

 

9.15 Lines of Business

 

 

51

 

9.16 Amendment of Organizational Documents

 

 

51

 

9.17 Limitation on Acquisition of New Subsidiaries

 

 

51

 

9.18 ERISA

 

 

54

 

9.19 No Inconsistent Agreements

 

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.01 Events of Default

 

 

55

 

10.02 Other Remedies

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.01 Note Payments

 

 

58

 

11.02 Expenses

 

 

59

 

11.03 Consent to Waivers and Amendments

 

 

60

 

11.04 Solicitation of Holders

 

 

60

 

11.05 Form, Registration, Transfer and Exchange of Notes; Lost Notes

 

 

61

 

11.06 Persons Deemed Owners

 

 

61

 

11.07 Reliance on and Survival of Representations and Warranties

 

 

62

 

11.08 Successors and Assigns

 

 

62

 

11.09 Notices

 

 

62

 

11.10 Substitution of Purchasers

 

 

62

 

11.11 Satisfaction Requirement

 

 

63

 

11.12 Independence of Covenants

 

 

63

 

11.13 Remedies Cumulative

 

 

63

 

11.14 Reproduction of Documents

 

 

63

 

11.15 Notes as Securities

 

 

64

 

11.16 Severability of Provisions

 

 

64

 

11.17 Interest

 

 

64

 

11.18 Representations, Etc. Cumulative

 

 

65

 

11.19 Submission to Jurisdiction

 

 

65

 

11.20 Governing Law

 

 

66

 

11.21 Indemnification

 

 

66

 

11.22 Survival of Indemnities, Etc.

 

 

67

 

11.23 Judgment Currency

 

 

67

 

11.24 Liabilities of Holders

 

 

68

 

11.25 Taxes

 

 

68

 

11.26 Counterparts

 

 

68

 

11.27 Entire Agreement

 

 

68

 

iii


 

Schedules and Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I

 

 

Purchaser Information

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule II

 

 

List of Subsidiaries

Schedule III

 

 

List of Jurisdictions Where Company is Qualified to Do Business

 

 

 

 

as a Foreign Corporation

Schedule IV

 

 

Permitted Liens

Schedule V

 

 

Material Contracts

Schedule VI

 

 

Description of Company Financials

Schedule VII

 

 

Description of Projections

Schedule VIII

 

 

Indebtedness

Schedule IX

 

 

Labor Contracts

Schedule X

 

 

Tradenames

Schedule XI

 

 

Investments

Schedule XII

 

 

Transferee Representations

Schedule XIII

 

 

Outstanding Indebtedness for Money Borrowed

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

 

Form of Note

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

 

Form of Opinion of Company Counsel

Exhibit C

 

 

Form of Opinion of General Counsel

Exhibit D

 

 

Form of Opinion of Purchasers’ Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit E

 

 

Form of Guaranty

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit F

 

 

Form of Subrogation and Contribution Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit G

 

 

Form of Existing Bank Loan Agreement

iv


 

NOTE AGREEMENT

CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.

As of December 28, 2005

To each of the Persons listed on Schedule I
attached hereto (collectively, the “ Purchasers ”)

     Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Cash America International, Inc. (the “ Company ”), a Texas corporation, hereby agrees with each of you as follows:

1.

 

PURCHASE AND SALE OF NOTES.

      1.01 Authorization of Notes.

     The Company will duly authorize the issue and sale of a series of its senior notes designated “6.12% Senior Notes due December 28, 2015” and limited in aggregate original principal amount to $40,000,000 (the “ Notes ”). The Notes will (a) be issuable as registered notes, without coupons, in denominations permitted by Section 11.05, (b) be dated the date of issue thereof, (c) mature December 28, 2015, (d) bear interest on the unpaid balance thereof from the date thereof to, but excluding, the date the principal thereof shall have become due and payable at the rate of 6.12% per annum, (e) bear interest on overdue principal, premium and (to the extent permitted by law) interest at the Default Rate, (f) be entitled to the benefits of the Guaranty and (g) be in the form of Exhibit A.

      1.02 Sale and Purchase of Notes.

     Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers agree to purchase from the Company, the Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof. Such sale and purchase is sometimes herein referred to as the “ Private Placement .” The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.

      1.03 The Closing.

     The closing of the Private Placement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Bingham McCutchen LLP, at 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022 on such Business Day as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Purchasers (the “ Closing Date ”). At the Closing, the Company will deliver the Notes in the form of one or more Notes dated the date of the Closing, payable to the respective Purchasers or their registered assigns as specified on Schedule I against payment of the purchase price therefor by electronic funds transfer to account number 4761053503 at Wells Fargo Bank for credit to such account as the Company may designate in writing delivered to the Purchasers at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date for use in accordance with Section 4.01. By delivering payment on the Closing Date for the Notes, each

 


 

Purchaser shall be deemed to have confirmed as of the Closing Date that the representations and warranties made by such Purchaser in Section 7 remains accurate as of the Closing Date. If, at the Closing, the Company shall fail to tender the Notes to the Purchasers as provided above, or any of the conditions specified in Section 3 shall not have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Purchasers, the Purchasers shall, at their election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any other rights it may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

2.

 

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS.

      2.01 Definitions.

     For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

     “ Affiliate ” means (a) when used with reference to any corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls 5% or more of any class of Voting Stock of such corporation or is a director or officer of such corporation or is a Person in which such corporation has a 10% or greater direct or indirect equity interest, (b) when used with reference to any partnership, any Person that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls 5% or more of either the capital or profit interests of such partnership or is a partner of such partnership or is a Person in which such partnership has a 5% or greater direct or indirect equity interest, (c) when used with reference to any individual, any Person that is related to such individual by blood or marriage or is a present or former ward or, guardian of such individual or is a trust or estate in which such individual owns a 10% or greater beneficial interest or of which such individual serves as trustee, executor or in any similar capacity and (d) when used with reference to a trust or an estate, any Person that is a trustee, executor, administrator or beneficiary thereof. Moreover, the term “Affiliate”, when used with reference to any Person, shall also mean any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. As used in the preceding sentence, the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or to cause the direction of the management and policies of the entity referred to, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controls” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

     “ Agreement ” means this Note Agreement, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.

     “ Anti-Terrorism Order ” means United States Executive Order 13224, effective as of September 24, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism, 66 U.S. Fed. Reg. 49,079 (2001), as amended.

     “ Applicable Contract ” means any contract or agreement to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its Properties is bound or under or

2


 

pursuant to which it owns, maintains or operates any of its Properties or conducts business.

     “ Applicable Percentage ” shall have the meaning set forth in §9.01 hereof.

     “ Applicable Permit ” means any Permit to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its Properties is bound or under or pursuant to which it owns, maintains or operates any of its Properties or conducts business.

     “ Assurance ” means, as to any Person, any contract, agreement or understanding to guarantee, or in effect guarantee, any indebtedness or obligation (the “ Primary Obligation ”) of any other Person (the “ Primary Obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including agreements:

     (a) to purchase the Primary Obligation or any Property constituting security therefor;

     (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of the Primary Obligation or (ii) to maintain working capital or other balance sheet conditions, or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of the Primary Obligation; or

     (c) to purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of the Primary Obligation of the ability of the Primary Obligor to make payment of the Primary Obligation;

provided, however, that “Assurance” shall not include the endorsement by any Person, in the ordinary course of business, of negotiable instruments or documents for deposit or collection. The amount of any Assurance shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Primary Obligation in respect of which such Assurance is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming the Person giving such Assurance is required to perform in respect thereof) as determined by such Person in good faith.

     “ Bankruptcy Law ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(j).

     “ Benefit Arrangement ” means an employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is not a Plan and with respect to which the Company or a member of the ERISA Group has an obligation or liability, whether or not current or contingent, to make contributions or pay benefits.

     “ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York or Fort Worth, Texas are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

     “ Called Principal ” means, with respect to any Note, the principal of such Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 5.02 (any partial prepayment being applied in satisfaction of required payments of principal in inverse order of their scheduled due

3


 

dates) or is declared to be or becomes immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 10.01, as the context requires.

     “ CERCLA ” means the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended from time to time, together with all regulations and rulings thereunder and all interpretations thereof by the Environmental Protection Agency.

     “ Closing ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.03.

     “ Closing Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.03.

     “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with all regulations and rulings thereunder and all interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service.

     “ Company ” has the meaning specified in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

     “ Company Financials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.03(a)(5).

     “ Consolidated Adjusted Net Income ” means, with respect to any period, consolidated net income (after income taxes) of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding, (i) any gain or loss in excess of $1,000,000 (before income taxes) arising from the sale of capital assets during such period and (ii) any other items during such period which would be considered extraordinary items, in accordance with GAAP).

      “Consolidated Assets” means, as of any date, the total assets as would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

     “ Consolidated EBITDA ” means, in respect of any period, Consolidated Adjusted Net Income for such period plus , to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Adjusted Net Income, interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and any non-cash gains or losses attributable to market fluctuations in the value of derivative contracts provided that, with respect to any period during which a Person shall have become, or ceased to be, a Subsidiary, or during which the Company or any Subsidiary shall have acquired or disposed of an On-Going Business, the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA shall (a) include the EBITDA (as defined below) for such period of each Person who shall have become a Subsidiary, and of each On-Going Business acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary, during such period as if such Person had been a Subsidiary or such On-Going Business had been owned by the Company or a Subsidiary for the entire period, or (b) exclude the EBITDA for such period of each Person who shall have ceased to be a Subsidiary, and of each On-Going Business disposed of by the Company or any Subsidiary, during such period as if such Person had not been a Subsidiary at any time during the entire period or such On-Going Business had not been owned or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary at any time during such period. As used in this

4


 

definition, “EBITDA” with respect to any Person or On-Going Business for any period shall mean, the net income (after income taxes) of such Person or On-Going Business for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP plus , to the extent deducted in calculating such net income, interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and any non-cash gains or losses attributable to market fluctuations in the value of derivative contracts.

     “ Consolidated Indebtedness for Money Borrowed ” means, at any date, the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries consolidated as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

     “ Consolidated Net Worth ” means, as of any date, the total shareholders’ equity which would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

     “ Consolidated Subsidiary ” means, at any date, any Subsidiary the accounts of which would, in accordance with GAAP, be consolidated with those of the Company in its consolidated financial statements as of such date.

      “Consumer Obligations” [means any Assurance by the Company or any Subsidiary entered into in the ordinary course of business described in Section 9.15 pursuant to which the Company or such Subsidiary guaranties financial commitments or obligations of its customers to third party funding sources pursuant to an established customer financing program.

     “ Default ” means, with respect to any Loan Document, any event or condition that constitutes, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute, a default thereunder or breach thereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, “Default” shall include any Event of Default as well as any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     “ Default Rate ” means, at any time, a rate of interest per annum equal to the lesser of (a) 2% above the interest rate then payable on the Notes and (b) the Highest Lawful Rate.

     “ Discounted Value ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on a semiannual basis) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

     “ Dollar Equivalent ” shall have the meaning set forth in §11.23 hereof.

     “ Dollars ” and the sign “ $ ” means lawful currency of the United States of America.

5


 

      “Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary other than a Non-Domestic Subsidiary.

     “ Environmental Claim ” shall mean any investigation, notice, violation, demand, allegation, action, suit, injunction, judgment, order, consent decree, penalty, fine, lien, proceeding or claim (whether administrative, judicial or private in nature) arising (a) pursuant to, or in connection with an actual or alleged violation of, any Environmental Law, (b) in connection with any Hazardous Material, (c) from any abatement, removal, remedial, corrective or other response action in connection with a Hazardous Material, Environmental Law or other order of a Governmental Authority or (d) from any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

     “ Environmental Laws ” means applicable laws (including the common law), regulations or rules, and any applicable judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, as well as any applicable judicial or administrative orders, decrees or judgments, relating to pollution, environmental, health, safety, industrial hygiene or similar matters.

     “ Environmental Permit ” means any Permit required under applicable Environmental Laws.

     “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and all rules, regulations, rulings and interpretations adopted by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor thereunder.

     “ ERISA Group ” means all corporations, trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) and other persons or entities which, together with the Company, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

     “ Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01.

     “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

     “ Executive Officer ” means (a) the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer(s), the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer or the chief legal officer of the Company or (b) any other officer of the Company who has been elected by the Board of Directors of the Company and designated as an executive officer in any Form 10-K or successor Form filed by the Company with the SEC.

     “ Existing Bank Loan Agreement ” means that certain First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 24, 2005, among the Company, the banks party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as syndication agent, as in effect on the Closing Date.

      “Existing Notes” means the 1995 Notes, the 1997 Notes and the 2002 Notes.

6


 

     “ Fiscal Quarter ” means a fiscal quarter of the Company.

     “ Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company.

     “ Funded Debt ” means, in respect of any Person, all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of such Person (other than Indebtedness for Money Borrowed described in clauses (h), (i) and (k) of the definition thereof).

     “ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time as set forth in the opinions, statements and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and such other Persons who shall be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and concurred in by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

     “ Governmental Authority ” means any foreign governmental authority, the United States of America, any State of the United States or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, and any agency, department, commission, board, bureau, court or other tribunal having jurisdiction over any Loan Party, the Purchasers or any other Holder or their respective Property, including the Texas Consumer Credit Commissioner, the United States Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and any other governmental authority charged with the enforcement of the Regulatory Acts or otherwise having authority with respect to the regulation, supervision and licensing of pawnshop activities in any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries conducts business.

     “ Guarantors ” means the Subsidiaries listed in Schedule II and each other Person that becomes bound by the Guaranty as contemplated by Section 9.17(a).

     “ Guaranty ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10.

     “ Hazardous Materials ” means any hazardous substance, hazardous or toxic waste, pollutant, contaminant, oil, petroleum product or other substance (a) which is listed, regulated or designated as toxic or hazardous (or words of similar meaning and regulatory effect), or with respect to which remedial obligations may be imposed, under any Environmental Laws or (b) exposure to which may pose a health or safety hazard.

      “Hedging Obligations” means, in respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person in respect of options, warrants, caps, floors, collars, swaps, swaptions, forwards and futures which is entered into and at all times maintained to reduce: (a) the risk of economic loss due to a change in the value, yield, price, cash flow or quantity of assets or liabilities which such Person has acquired or incurred or anticipates acquiring or incurring or (b) the risk of economic loss due to changes in the currency exchange rate or the degree of exposure as to assets or liabilities denominated in a foreign currency which such Person has acquired or incurred or anticipates acquiring or incurring.

     “ Highest Lawful Rate ” means the maximum nonusurious rate of interest permitted to be charged by applicable federal or state law (whichever shall permit the

7


 

higher lawful rate, without conflict with other applicable federal or state laws) from time to time in effect. The parties agree that, insofar as the provisions of Chapter 306 of the Texas Finance Code are at any time applicable to the determination of the Highest Lawful Rate, the Highest Lawful Rate shall be the “applicable ceiling” (as such term is used in such Chapter 306) from time to time in effect, provided that, to the extent permitted by such Chapter 306, each Holder may from time to time by notice to the Company revise the election of such interest rate ceiling as such ceiling affects the then current or future amounts outstanding under the Notes held by such Holder.

     “ Holder ” means (a) the Purchasers so long as any such Purchaser is obligated to purchase the Notes hereunder or holds any outstanding Note and (b) any other holder from time to time of any outstanding Note.

     “ Indebtedness for Money Borrowed ” means, with respect to any Person and without duplication:

     (a) the principal amount of all indebtedness of such Person, current or funded, secured or unsecured, incurred in connection with borrowings (including the sale of debt securities),

     (b) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any Property acquired by such Person,

     (c) all indebtedness of such Person issued, incurred or assumed in respect of the purchase price of Property or services except for accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business,

     (d) all obligations of such Person evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument,

     (e) the present value (determined in accordance with GAAP) of all obligations of such Person under leases which shall have been or should be recorded as capitalized leases in accordance with GAAP or under any Synthetic Lease of such Person,

     (f) all Assurances (other than Consumer Obligations) of such Person in respect of indebtedness of any other Person of any of the types described in the preceding clauses (a) through (e), provided that, when calculating the amount of any Person’s Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, no Assurance of such Person of the type described in this clause (f) shall be included in such calculation unless, and then only to the extent that, the indebtedness relating to such Assurance, when aggregated with the total indebtedness relating to all other outstanding Assurances of the Loan Parties of the type described in this clause (f), exceeds $1,000,000,

     (g) the amount of all sinking fund payments or other mandatory redemption or payments on any class of capital stock of such Person,

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     (h) the maximum stated amount from time to time available for drawing under any letters of credit issued at the request of such Person,

     (i) the amount of any unreimbursed drawings under letters of credit issued at the request of such Person,

     (j) Receivables Facility Attributed Indebtedness of such Person, and

     (k) accrued obligations of such Person in respect of earnout or similar payments which (i) are due and payable or (ii) constitute “Indebtedness” under the Existing Bank Loan Agreement.

     For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of any Person shall include the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of any partnership or joint venture in which such person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed is non-recourse to such Person.

     “ Indemnified Liabilities ” has the meaning specified in §11.21 hereof.

     “ Indemnitees ” means, collectively, the Purchasers, each Transferee and each Holder and their respective successors and assigns, and the officers, trustees, directors and employees of each of the foregoing.

     “ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ” means PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or another firm of independent public accountants of recognized national standing and registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board selected by the Company.

     “ Investment ” means, as applied to any Person, (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by such Person of stocks, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person, (ii) any direct or indirect loan, advance, extension of credit or capital contribution by such Person to any other Person, (iii) any Assurance by such Person of any indebtedness of any other Person, (iv) the subordination by such Person of any claim against any other Person to other indebtedness of such other Person and (v) any other item which would be classified as an “investment” on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, including any direct or indirect contribution by such Person of Property to a joint venture, partnership or other business entity in which such Person retains an interest.

     “ Judgment Currency ” and “ Judgment Currency Conversion Date ” have the meanings set forth in §11.23 hereof.

     “ Legal Requirements ” means any and all (a) applicable constitutional provisions, laws (statutory, administrative, judicial or otherwise, including those established pursuant to common law or equity) ordinances, treaties, rules, codes, standards and regulations (or any interpretation of any of the foregoing), whether foreign or domestic, including, without limitation, the Anti-Terrorism Order, the USA Patriot Act and Environmental Laws, (b) judgments, orders, injunctions and decrees, (c) Permits and

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(d) contracts with Governmental Authorities relating to compliance with the items described in (a), (b) or (c) above.

     “ Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, charge, encumbrance, security interest, collateral assignment, conditional sale or title retention arrangement or other lien or restriction of any kind, whether based on common law, constitutional provision, statute or contract.

     “ Loan Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement and all other instruments and documents executed and delivered to the Purchasers by the Loan Parties, or any of them, pursuant to this Agreement.

     “ Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Company and the Guarantors.

     “ Make-Whole Premium ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, a premium equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of such Called Principal over such Called Principal. The Make-Whole Premium shall in no event be less than zero.

     “ Material Adverse Effect ” means any circumstance or event of whatever nature which (a) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations or Properties of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) could reasonably be expected to diminish or impair in any material respect the ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) could reasonably be expected to diminish or impair in any material respect the ability of the Purchasers or any other Holder to enforce any of the Obligations or to exercise or enforce any of their rights and remedies under the Loan Documents, (d) causes an Event of Default, (e) causes a Default which could reasonably be expected to become an Event of Default or (f) could reasonably be expected to subject the Purchasers or any other Holder to civil or criminal liability.

     “ Material Contract ” means any contract, agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party (a) which calls for payments to or from the Company or such Subsidiary of more than $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) during any 12-month period or (b) pursuant to which the Company or such Subsidiary acquires any right to an interest in Property or a right to obtain services if the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s inability to obtain such interest or services, as the case may be, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that “Material Contract” shall not include any Loan Document or any agreement creating or evidencing Indebtedness for Money Borrowed.

     “ Net Equity Proceeds ” means the proceeds, after payment of all underwriters fees and other expenses, received by the Company in consideration of its sale of its equity securities, provided that the gross amount of such proceeds shall be deemed to be the amount of cash received or the fair value of any property received or obligations satisfied in connection with such sale.

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     “ New Entity ” has the meaning specified in §9.17 hereof.

     “ 1995 Guaranty ” means that certain Joint and Several Guaranty dated as of July 7, 1995 delivered by the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries in connection with the issuance and sale of the 1995 Notes.

     “ 1995 Loan Documents ” means the “ Loan Documents ” — as defined in the 1995 Note Agreement.

     “ 1995 Note Agreement ” means that certain Note Agreement dated as of July 7, 1995 between the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, as amended.

     “ 1995 Notes ” means those certain 8.14% Senior Notes due July 7, 2007 issued by the Company under and pursuant to the 1995 Note Agreement.

     “ 1997 Guaranty ” means that certain Joint and Several Guaranty dated as of December 1, 1997 delivered by the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries in connection with the issuance and sale of the 1997 Notes.

     “ 1997 Loan Documents ” means the “ Loan Documents ” as defined in the 1997 Note Agreement.

     “ 1997 Note Agreement ” means that certain Note Agreement dated as of December 1, 1997 between the Company and the purchasers listed on Schedule I thereto, as amended.

     “ 1997 Notes ” means those certain 7.10% Senior Notes due January 2, 2008 issued by the Company under and pursuant to the 1997 Note Agreement.

     “ Non-Domestic Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of one or more Non-Domestic Subsidiaries.

      “Non-Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary which is incorporated in, or conducts a significant portion of its business activities in, any one or more jurisdictions outside of the United States.

     “ Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary (other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary).

     “ Notes ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.01.

     “ Obligations ” means all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of every nature of the Loan Parties from time to time owing to the Purchasers and the other Holders under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, (a) all obligations of the Company under the Loan Documents to pay principal, premium and interest in respect of the Notes, (b) all obligations of the Guarantors in respect of the Guaranty, (c) all obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents to reimburse or indemnify the

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Purchasers or any other Indemnitee and (d) all obligations of the Loan Parties to pay fees and expenses pursuant to Section 11.02 and similar sections of the other Loan Documents.

     “ Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate executed on behalf of the Company by at least two of its Responsible Officers (in their representative capacities and not in their individual capacities).

     “ On-Going Business ” means a distinct operating business, whether operated as a division of a larger business operation or operated independently, which regardless of the form of legal entity, owns or operates the assets and has the liabilities, of such business.

     “ Organizational Documents ” means (i) with reference to any Person that is a corporation, its articles or certificate of incorporation and its bylaws and (ii) with reference to any Person that is a partnership, its partnership agreement and all other instruments relating to its formation, existence or governance.

     “ Overall Transaction ” means the Private Placement and the guarantees and other transactions and activities contemplated by the Loan Documents.

     “ Permits ” means any and all permits, authorizations, certificates, approvals, registrations, variances, licenses, franchises, exemptions or orders issued, granted or otherwise made available by any Governmental Authority.

     “ Permitted Liens ” means:

     (a) Liens (if any) granted to, or for the benefit of, all of the Holders to secure the Obligations;

     (b) Liens in existence on the date hereof and described in Schedule IV;

     (c) bonds, pledges or deposits made to secure payment of worker’s compensation (or to participate in any fund in connection with worker’s compensation), unemployment insurance, pensions or social security programs;

     (d) Liens imposed by mandatory provisions of law such as for materialmen’s, mechanics, warehousemen’s and other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, securing indebtedness whose payment is not yet due, and landlords liens, whether arising through contract or by operation by law, but only if the same are not yet due and payable or if the same are being contested in good faith and the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.03,

     (e) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon a Person or upon such Person’s income or profits or property, but only if the same are not yet due and payable or if the same are being contested in good faith and the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.03;

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     (f) good faith deposits in connection with tenders, leases, real estate bids or contracts (other than contracts involving the borrowing of money), bonds, pledges or deposits to secure insurance policies or to secure public or statutory obligations, deposits to secure (or in lieu of) surety, stay, appeal or customs bonds and deposits to secure the payment of taxes, assessments, customs duties or other similar charges;

     (g) encumbrances consisting of zoning restrictions, easements, or other restrictions on the use of real property, provided that such do not materially impair the use of such property for the uses intended, and none of which is violated by existing or proposed structures or land use;

     (h) Liens on Property of any Consolidated Subsidiary securing obligations of such Consolidated Subsidiary owing to the Company or to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

     (i) Liens created to secure (A) purchase money indebtedness incurred to finance the purchase price of the Property acquired in the ordinary course of business, but only if each such Lien shall secure only the purchase money indebtedness incurred to purchase the Property so acquired and shall be confined solely to such Property and (B) the indebtedness permitted by Section 9.05(b)(11); provided, however, that the aggregate amount, without duplication, of all obligations at any time secured by all Liens referred to in this clause (i) and Liens referred to in clause (l) and clause (m) of this definition of Permitted Liens does not exceed the greater of $10,000,000 or 2% of Consolidated Assets];

     (j) Liens on Temporary Cash Investments, but only if (A) such Liens secure short-term indebtedness owed by the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary to the broker or investment banking firm which is holding such Temporary Cash Investments for the account of the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary and (B) such indebtedness is to be repaid, in the ordinary course of business, by the collection or liquidation of such Temporary Cash Investments at the maturity of such Temporary Cash Investments;

     (k) Liens arising by operation of law (and not by contract) in connection with judgments being appealed to the extent such judgment or judgments would not otherwise result in an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(p)

     (l) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that (i) such Liens were not incurred in contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary and (ii) the aggregate amount, without duplication, of all obligations at any time secured by Liens referred to in this clause (l) and Liens referred to in clause (i) and clause

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     (m) of this definition of Permitted Liens does not exceed the greater of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) 2% of Consolidated Assets;

     (m) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, provided (i) that such Liens were not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition and (ii) the aggregate amount, without duplication, of all obligations at any time secured by Liens referred to in this clause (m) and Liens referred to in clause (i) and clause (l) of this definition of Permitted Liens does not exceed the greater of (i) $10,000,000 or (ii) 2% of Consolidated Assets;

     (n) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (b), (i), (l) and (m) of this definition, provided that such Liens do not extend to any other property of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and the principal amount of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased; and

     (r) Liens securing other Indebtedness for Money Borrowed not exceeding $2,500,000 at any time outstanding.

      “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than intercompany indebtedness); provided that: (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus accrued interest or premium (including any make-whole premium), if any, on, the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith), (ii) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; provided that if the original maturity date of such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed is after the stated maturity of the Notes, then such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have maturity at least 180 days after the Notes, (iii) if the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed being extended, refinanced renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of the Notes and is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded, and (iv) such Indebtedness for Money Borrowed is incurred either by the Company or by the Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

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     “ Person ” means and includes an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a Governmental Authority.

     “ Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is or has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or have been made, by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Related Person or as to which the Company, any Subsidiary or any Related Person would be treated as a contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA if such plan were to be terminated.

     “ Private Placement ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.02.

     “ Projections ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.03(a)(6).

     “ Property ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.

     “ Purchasers ” has the meaning specified in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.

     “ Receivables Facility Attributed Indebtedness ” means, in respect of any Person, the amount of obligations outstanding under a receivables purchase facility on any date of determination that would be characterized as principal payment obligations of such Person if such facility were structured under GAAP as a secured lending transaction other than a purchase.

     “ Regulatory Acts ” means (a) the Texas Pawnshop Act and (b) all other foreign, Federal or state laws (statutory, administrative, judicial or otherwise) relating to pawnshops and activities incidental thereto in any jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts business.

     “ Reinvestment Yield ” means with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the sum of 50 basis points (0.50%) over the yield to maturity implied by (a) the yields reported, as of 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) two Business Days next preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as page PX1 as reported by the Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such other display as may replace page PX1 on Bloomberg Financial Markets), or if Page PX1 (or its successor screen on Bloomberg Financial Markets) is unavailable, the Telerate Access Service screen which corresponds most closely to Page PX1, for the most recently issued traded U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or, if such yields shall not be reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time shall not be ascertainable, (b) the Treasury Constant Maturity Series yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields shall have been so reported as of the Business Day next preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. Such implied yield shall be determined, if necessary, by (i) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in

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accordance with accepted financial practice and (ii) interpolating linearly between reported yields. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Note.

     “ Related Person ” means any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, which, together with the Company, would be treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

     “ Release ” has the meaning specified in CERCLA § 101(22) (42 U.S.C. § 9601(22)).

     “ Remaining Average Life ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (a) such Called Principal into (b) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment of such Called Principal (but not of interest thereon) by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) which will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the respective scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment of such Called Principal.

      “Remaining Dollar-Years” means, with respect to any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed at any time, the amount obtained by (1) multiplying the amount of each then remaining required repayment, including repayment at final maturity, by the number of years (calculated at the nearest one-twelfth) which shall elapse between such time and the date of that required repayment, and (2) totaling all the products obtained in (1).

     “ Remaining Scheduled Payments ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due on or after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date provided that, if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Notes, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 5.02 or Section 10.01, as the case may be.

     “ Required Holders ” means, at any time, the Holder or Holders of at least 51% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

     “ Responsible Officer ” means, as to any Loan Party, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer(s), the chief financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the chief legal officer, the vice president of finance or the treasurer of such Loan Party.

     “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

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     “ Settlement Date ” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 5.02 or is declared to be or becomes immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 10, as the context requires.

     “ Stock ” means (i) in the case of any corporation, capital stock of any class of such corporation (however designated) and warrants or options to purchase such capital stock, (ii) in the case of any partnership, partnership interests of such partnership (however designated) and warrants or options to purchase such partnership interests and (iii) in the case of any other entity, equity interests of such entity (however designated) and warrants or options to purchase such equity interests.

     “ Subrogation and Contribution Agreement ” means the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement of even date herewith among the Company and the Guarantors substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

     “ Subsidiary ” means, at any time, (a) any corporation 50% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company at such time and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, a 50% or greater equity interest (however designated) at such time.

     “ Synthetic Lease ” means, in respect of any Person, the monetary obligation of such Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

     “ Temporary Cash Investment ” mean any of the following investments: (a) Investments in open market commercial paper maturing within 180 days after acquisition thereof and rated at least A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (or any successor thereto which is a nationally recognized rating agency) or at least P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor thereto which is a nationally recognized rating agency), (b) Investments in marketable obligations, maturing within 180 days after acquisition thereof, issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or an instrumentality or agency thereof and entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States of America, (c) Investments in money market funds that invest solely in the types of Investments permitted under clauses (a) and (b) above, (d) Investments in repurchase agreements of any financial institution or brokerage firm acceptable to the Required Holders which are fully secured by securities described in clause (b) above, (e) certificates of deposit and time deposits (including Eurodollar deposits), maturing within 180 days from the date of deposit thereof, with a domestic office of (i) any national or state bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state therein and having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $100,000,000 or (ii) any other national or state bank so long as all such deposits are federally insured and (f) in the case of any

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Non-Domestic Subsidiary, certificates of deposit and other instruments substantially equivalent to a certificate of deposit maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition and issued by a bank or trust company organized and located in the jurisdiction where such Non-Domestic Subsidiary maintains its headquarters having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies).

     “ Transferee ” means any direct or indirect transferee of all or any part of any Note purchased by the Purchasers under this Agreement.

     “ 2002 Guaranty ” means that certain Joint and Several Guaranty dated as of August 12, 2002, delivered by the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries in connection with the issuance and sale of the 2002 Notes.

     “ 2002 Loan Documents ” means the “Loan Documents” as defined in the 2002 Note Agreement.

     “ 2002 Note Agreement ” means that certain Note Agreement dated as of August 12, 2002 between the Company and the purchasers listed on Schedule I thereto, as amended.

     “ 2002 Notes ” means those certain 7.20% Senior Notes due August 12, 2009 issued by the Company under and pursuant to the 2002 Note Agreement.

     “ USA Patriot Act ” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

     “ Voting Stock ” means, when used with respect to any Person, any Stock of such Person having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of the board of directors (or other governing body) of such Person (irrespective of whether at the time any Stock of such Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

      “Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, with respect to any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, as at the time of the determination thereof the number of years obtained by dividing the then Remaining Dollar-Years of such indebtedness at such time by the then outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness.

     “ Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means a Consolidated Subsidiary, all of the outstanding Stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares, if required by law) of which are at the time owned directly by the Company or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

      2.02 Interpretation.

     (a) In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

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     (1) the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;

     (2) reference to any gender includes each other gender;

     (3) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision;

     (4) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually, provided that nothing in this clause (4) is intended to authorize any assignment not otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

     (5) reference to any agreement, document, instrument or report means, unless the context otherwise requires, such agreement, document, instrument or report as in effect when delivered to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement and as the same may thereafter be amended, supplemented or modified in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof, and reference to any Note includes any note issued pursuant hereto in renewal, rearrangement, reinstatement, enlargement, amendment, modification, extension, substitution or replacement therefor;

     (6) reference to any Section, Schedule or Exhibit means such Section hereof or such Schedule or Exhibit hereto;

     (7) the words “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including, without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term;

     (8) with respect to the determination of any period of time, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “ to ” means “ to but excluding” ;

     (9) reference to any Legal Requirement means such Legal Requirement as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time;

     (10) accounting terms used but not defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, and whenever the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined, or any consolidation or accounting computation is required to be made, for purposes hereof, such determination or computation shall be made in accordance with GAAP;

     (11) the word “knowledge”, when used in any representation or warranty of the Company contained herein, means the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer;

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     (12) where any provision of this Agreement refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person; and

     (13) if any action or failure to act by the Company violates any covenant or obligation of the Company contained herein, such violation shall not be excused by the fact that such action or failure to act is permitted by any other covenant or obligation of the Company contained herein.

     (b) Should there be a change in GAAP following the date of this Agreement and should either (i) the Company determine (in good faith) that the requirements of one or more of the covenants contained in Section 9 are materially increased or made more severe as a result thereof or (ii) the Required Holders determine (in good faith) that the requirements of one or more of the covenants contained in Section 9 are materially reduced or relaxed as a result thereof, then the Company and such Required Holders shall enter into good faith negotiations with the desired result being that such covenant(s) shall be amended in such a way that the criteria therein set forth for evaluating the financial condition of the Company and/or the Subsidiaries shall be the same after such amendment as if such change in GAAP had not been made.

     (c) The Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     (d) No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because that Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

3.

 

CONDITIONS OF CLOSING.

     The obligation of the Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Notes hereunder is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

      3.01 Representations and Warranties.

     The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in the following instruments shall be true and correct at the time of Closing: (i) this Agreement, (ii) the other Loan Documents and (iii) the instruments delivered by one or more of the Loan Parties pursuant to this Section 3.

      3.02 Performance; No Default.

     The Loan Parties shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents required to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the Closing. At the time of Closing, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the Overall Transaction.

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      3.03 Compliance Certificate.

     The Purchasers shall have received an Officers’ Certificate, dated the Closing Date and satisfactory in form and substance to the Purchasers, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 have been fulfilled. If required by the Purchasers, such Officers’ Certificate will also certify as to such matters of fact as the Purchasers may reasonably request to enable the Purchasers to determine compliance with such conditions.

      3.04 Opinions of Counsel.

     The Purchasers shall have received (a) a favorable opinion from Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, in the form of Exhibit B, (b) a favorable opinion of J. Curtis Linscott, General Counsel to the Company and the Guarantors, in the form of Exhibit C and (c) a favorable opinion from Bingham McCutchen LLP, special counsel for the Purchasers, in the form of Exhibit D. Each such opinion shall (i) be addressed to the Purchasers, (ii) be dated the Closing Date and (iii) state that all Transferees are entitled to rely thereon as though it were addressed to them.

      3.05 Resolutions, Etc.

     The Purchasers shall have received (a) copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Loan Party, certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Loan Party, duly authorizing the Overall Transaction, (b) a certificate as to the incumbency and authority of the Person or Persons executing and delivering Loan Documents on behalf of such Loan Party and (c) such other documents and evidence as the Purchasers or its special counsel may request with respect to any Loan Party or the Overall Transaction, including the taking of all corporate proceedings in connection therewith and compliance with the conditions set forth herein, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers.

      3.06 Purchase Permitted by Applicable Laws, Etc.

     The consummation of the Private Placement on the terms and conditions herein provided (including the use of the proceeds of such Notes by the Company) shall (i) not violate any Legal Requirement (including, without limitation, section 5 of the Securities Act or Regulation U, T or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), (ii) not subject the Purchasers to any tax (other than routine income taxes), penalty, liability or other onerous condition under or pursuant to any Legal Requirement and (iii) constitute a legal investment under the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which the Purchasers are subject, but without resort to provisions (such as Section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) which permit the making of an investment without restriction as to the character of the particular investment being made. If required by the Purchasers, the Purchasers shall have received an Officers’ Certificate, dated the Closing Date, certifying as to such matters of fact as the Purchasers may reasonably specify to enable the Purchasers to determine compliance with the conditions set forth in the preceding sentence.

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      3.07 Payment of Closing Fees.

     The Company shall have paid the fees and disbursements which it is obligated to pay pursuant to Section 11.02 and which have been invoiced to the Company prior to the time of Closing.

      3.08 Private Placement Number.

     The CUSIP Service Bureau of Standard & Poor’s Information Group shall have issued to the Purchasers a private placement number with respect to the Notes.

      3.09 Notes.

     The Purchasers shall have received the Notes complying with the requirements of Section 1.03.

      3.10 Guaranty; Subrogation and Contribution Agreement.

     Each Guarantor and the Company shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Purchasers a Joint and Several Guaranty, dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit E (as may be amended from time to time, the “ Guaranty ”) and a Subrogation and Contribution Agreement.

      3.11 Other Loan Documents.

     Each of the other Loan Documents shall (a) have been duly authorized, executed, acknowledged (if appropriate) and delivered by the respective Loan Parties thereto, (b) be dated as of the Closing Date, (c) be in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers and (d) be in full force and effect on the Closing Date without any default existing thereunder. A counterpart of each Loan Document executed by the Loan Parties thereto shall have been delivered to the Purchasers or its special counsel. Each Loan Document shall constitute the valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with the terms thereof.

      3.12 Proceedings.

     All proceedings taken or to be taken in connection with the Overall Transaction prior to or on the Closing Date (and all documents incident thereto) shall be satisfactory in substance and form to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as the Purchasers may reasonably request.

4. USE OF PROCEEDS.

      4.01 Use of Proceeds.

     The Company will apply the proceeds of the Private Placement solely to pay the costs and expenses described in Section 11.02 and to repay indebtedness of the Company. Nothing in

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this Section 4.01 is intended to prohibit the Company from borrowing or re-borrowing under the Existing Bank Loan Agreement.

      4.02 Margin Regulations.

     The Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds of the Private Placement for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying a “margin stock” or of maintaining, reducing or retiring any indebtedness originally incurred to purchase a stock that is currently a “margin stock”, or for any other purpose which might constitute the private placement of a “purpose credit,” in each case within the meaning of Regulation U (12 C.F.R. 221, as amended) or Regulation T (12 C.F.R. 220, as amended) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or otherwise take or permit to be taken any action which would involve a violation of such Regulation U or T or of Regulation X (12 C.F.R. 224, as amended) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board.

5. PREPAYMENTS.

      5.01 Required Prepayments of the Notes.

     (a) Unless the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 10.01, the Company shall apply to the prepayment of the Notes, without premium, and there shall become due and payable, the sum of $6,666,666.67 on December 28 in each of the years 2010 through 2014 (or, in the case of any such prepayment, such lesser principal amount of the Notes as shall then be outstanding), leaving $6,666,666.67 principal amount (or such other principal amount thereof as then remains unpaid) of the Notes for payment at their stated maturity on December 28, 2015. Each such prepayment shall be at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes so prepaid, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment. No partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 5.02 shall relieve the Company from its obligation to make the required prepayments provided for in this Section 5.01.

     (b) Whenever any prepayment to be made under this Section 5.01 shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and the amount of such prepayment shall bear interest at the applicable rate during such extension.

      5.02 Optional Prepayments of the Notes.

     The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided in Section 5.03, at any time or from time to time, prepay any part (in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof) or all of the Notes at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of prepayment, plus a premium equal to the Make-Whole Premium, if any, on the amount so prepaid, determined as of two Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment pursuant to this Section 5.02.

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      5.03 Notice of Optional Prepayments; Officers’ Certificate.

     The Company shall give each Holder irrevocable written notice of each optional prepayment of Notes made under Section 5.02 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), in each case specifying (a) such prepayment date, (b) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid, (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by such Holder to be prepaid, (d) that a Make-Whole Premium may be payable, (e) the date when such Make-Whole Premium will be calculated, (f) the estimated Make-Whole Premium together with a reasonably detailed calculation of such Make-Whole Premium and (g) the accrued interest applicable to the prepayment. The Company will give each Holder, one Business Day prior to the date scheduled for any such prepayment, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the conditions of Section 5.02 have been fulfilled and specifying the particulars of such fulfillment, and setting forth the calculations used in computing such Make-Whole Premium, or stating that no Make-Whole Premium is due and including the reason for such statement.

      5.04 Allocation of Partial Prepayments.

     Any partial prepayment of the Notes shall be allocated among all Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Notes so outstanding, with adjustments, to the extent practicable, to compensate for any prior payments not made exactly in such proportion. All partial prepayments shall be applied to the Notes in anticipation and satisfaction of the prepayments required to be made by the provisions of Section 5.01, in inverse order of the maturity thereof.

      5.05 Maturity; Surrender, Etc.

     In the case of any prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 5, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Premium, if any. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Premium, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall, after such payment or prepayment in full, be surrendered to the Company and be cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

      5.06 Retirement of Notes.

     The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, prepay or otherwise retire, in whole or in part, prior to their stated final maturity (other than by prepayment pursuant to this Section 5 or upon acceleration of such final maturity pursuant to Section 10.01), or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, Notes held by any Holder unless the Company or such Affiliate shall have offered to prepay or otherwise retire or purchase or otherwise acquire, as the case may be, the same proportion of the aggregate principal amount of Notes held by each other Holder at the time outstanding upon the same terms and conditions. Any Notes prepaid pursuant to this Section 5 or Section 10.01 or otherwise retired or purchased

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or otherwise acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose under this Agreement, provided that, with respect to each prepayment pursuant to this Section 5, all Notes then held by the Company and its Affiliates shall nonetheless be entitled to participate in such prepayment the same as if such Notes were deemed outstanding.

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     The Company represents and warrants that:

      6.01 Subsidiaries.

     (a) The Company has no Subsidiaries on the date hereof except those listed in Schedule II, each of which is a Consolidated Subsidiary, other than RATI Holding, Inc., a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

     (b) Schedule II sets forth, with respect to each of the Subsidiaries listed therein, (i) whether such Subsidiary is a corporation or partnership, (ii) the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation (as the case may be) and (iii) each jurisdiction in which it is qualified to do business as a foreign Person.

     (c) All of the issued and outstanding Stock or partnership interests of each Subsidiary is validly issued, fully-paid and is nonassessable and, except for directors’ qualifying shares of partnership interests (if any), is owned (beneficially and of record) by the Company or other Subsidiaries free and clear of any Lien.

     (d) No Subsidiary owns any Stock of the Company.

      6.02 Organization, Qualification, Authorization, Etc.

     (a) The Company and each Subsidiary (i) is a corporation or partnership (as the case may be) duly organized or formed (as the case may be) and existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation (as the case may be), (ii) is duly qualified or registered and in good standing as a foreign Person in each jurisdiction in which the nature of such qualification or registration is necessary and in which the failure to so qualify or register could have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) has the corporate or partnership (as the case may be) power (A) to own its Properties, (B) to carry on its business as now being conducted and (C) to consummate the Overall Transaction. Schedule III sets forth each jurisdiction in which the Company is qualified or registered to do business as a foreign corporation.

     (b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or partnership (as the case may be) action on the part of such Loan Party. This Agreement constitutes, and the Notes and such other Loan Documents (when executed and delivered as contemplated hereby) will each constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability

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thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights.

      6.03 Disclosure Documents.

     (a) The Company has heretofore furnished the Purchasers with true, correct and complete copies of the following documents, and each of the Purchasers has acknowledged receipt of same:

     (1) the Organizational Documents of the Company and each Subsidiary as in effect on the date hereof;

     (2) the Company’s Annual Reports to Stockholders for the Fiscal Years ended December 31, 2000 through 2004 (inclusive);

     (3) the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Years ended December 31, 2000 through 2004 (inclusive), as filed with the SEC;

     (4) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2005 as filed with the SEC;

     (5) the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries described in Schedule VI (the “ Company Financials ”);

     (6) the projections described in Schedule VII (the “ Projections ”); and

     (7) the Existing Bank Loan Agreement (in the form of Exhibit G).

     (b) The Company Financials (including any related schedules and/or notes) (i) were true and correct in all material respects as at the dates thereof, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently followed throughout the periods involved and (iii) show all liabilities, direct and contingent, of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries required to be shown in accordance with GAAP. The balance sheets included in the Company Financials fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the dates thereof, and the statements of operations and statements of cash flows included in the Company Financials fairly present the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for the periods indicated.

     (c) The Projections are based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Purchasers that the Projections, insofar as they relate to future events, are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ materially from the projected results. Since the preparation of the Projections, nothing has occurred to cause the Company to believe that the estimates and assumptions on which the Projections are based are no longer reasonable.

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      6.04 Changes, Etc.

     (a) Since December 31, 2004, (i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered into any material transactions not in the ordinary course of business, nor incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, except for the Loan Documents, the Existing Bank Loan Agreement and Material Contracts listed on Schedule V hereto entered into subsequent to December 31, 2004 and (ii) except as has been disclosed in Company’s public filings with the SEC, no events have occurred which, individually or in the aggregate, have had, or in the future could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) Neither the business nor the Properties of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are presently affected by any fire, explosion, accident, labor controversy, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      6.05 Tax Returns and Payments.

     (a) The Company and each Subsidiary has filed all tax returns required by law to be filed by it (or obtained extensions with respect thereto) and has paid all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges levied upon it or any of its Properties, income or franchises which are shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments payable by it, other than (i) those which are not past due, (ii) those which are presently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted for which such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP have been made and (iii) those not reflected on such returns the non-payment of which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No contest referred to in the foregoing clause (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) After due inquiry, the Company knows of no proposed tax assessment against the Company or any Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. In the opinion of the Company, all tax liabilities of the Company and the Subsidiaries are adequately provided for on their respective books. The Federal income tax returns of the Company and the Subsidiaries for 2002 and subsequent Fiscal Years are open to examination by the IRS.

      6.06 Indebtedness; Solvency.

     (a) The Company and the Subsidiaries have no outstanding Indebtedness for Money Borrowed other than (i) the indebtedness evidenced by the Notes and the Guaranty, (ii) the indebtedness evidenced by the 1995 Notes and the 1995 Guaranty, (iii) the indebtedness evidenced by the 1997 Notes and the 1997 Guaranty, (iv) the indebtedness evidenced by the 2002 Notes and the 2002 Guaranty, (v) indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Bank Loan Agreement, (vi) the indebtedness described in

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Schedule XIII, and (vii) other indebtedness permitted under Section 9.05 which indebtedness does not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate.

     (b) Each of the Loan Parties (i) has, and after giving effect to the Overall Transaction will have, capital sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all the business and transactions in which it is about to engage, (ii) is, and after giving effect to the Overall Transaction will be, solvent and able to pay its debts as they mature and (iii) owns, and after giving effect to the Overall Transaction will own, Property having a value, both at fair valuation and present fair salable value, greater than the amount required to pay the probable liability on its debts.

      6.07 Permits.

     The Company and each Subsidiary possess all Permits that are necessary or desirable in connection with the ownership, use or operation by it of its Properties and the conduct by it, in the ordinary course, of its business as now conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted, except those Permits the absence of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect. None of such Permits impose any material burden or restriction on the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all terms of such Permits. All such Permits are valid and in full force and effect and, to the Company’s knowledge (after due inquiry), none are threatened to be revoked, cancelled, suspended or modified for any reason.

      6.08 Material Contracts.

     Schedule V describes all Material Contracts existing on the date hereof. Each of such Material Contracts (a) has been duly executed and delivered by, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of, each Loan Party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, (b) is in full force and effect and (c) except as reflected in Schedule V, has not been amended or modified, nor any provision thereof waived, in any respect. The Company and each Subsidiary has, and, to the Company’s knowledge, all other parties to such Material Contracts have, performed and complied in all material respects with all of the terms and conditions set forth therein. No default by the Company, any Subsidiary or, to the Company’s knowledge, any such other party exists under any such Material Contract, which individually, or in the aggregate for all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      6.09 Title to Property, Etc.

     (a) The Company and each Subsidiary has good and indefeasible fee simple title to its real property and good and defensible title to all of its other Property, including the Property reflected in the balance sheets included in the Company Financials (other than Properties disposed of in the ordinary course of business), subject to no Lien of any kind except Permitted Liens which do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect or interfere with, or if used or availed of will not materially affect or interfere with, the occupancy, use or operation of such item of Property for its intended purpose or the peaceful and quiet use and enjoyment thereof by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

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     (b) No lease under which the Company or any Subsidiary is the lessee or is operating contains any provision which individually or in the aggregate interferes with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary or otherwise could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each Subsidiary enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases under which it is the lessee or is operating, except where the absence of such possession would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All of such leases are valid and subsisting and no default by the Company, such Subsidiary or, to the Company’s knowledge, any such other party exists thereunder, which individually, or in the aggregate for all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      6.10 Condition of Property.

     The facilities of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are in a condition and state of repair which are sufficient and adequate to operate their respective businesses in a proper and efficient manner.

      6.11 Compliance with Applicable Laws, Permits and Contracts.

     (a) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of (i) any provision of its Organizational Documents, (ii) any Applicable Permit or Applicable Contract (including the Existing Bank Loan Agreement, the 1995 Note Agreement, the 1997 Note Agreement and the 2002 Note Agreement) or (iii) any instrument evidencing or otherwise relating to Indebtedness for Money Borrowed (other than, in the case of the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), violations which, individually or collectively, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), and the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the consummation of the Overall Transaction will not result in any violation of or constitute a default under any of the foregoing or result in the creation of (or impose any obligation on the Company or any Subsidiary to create) any Lien that is not a Permitted Lien upon any Property of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any Legal Requirement other than violations which, individually or collectively, will not have a Material Adverse Effect, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the consummation of the Overall Transaction will not result in a violation of any Legal Requirement.

     (c) Except for this Agreement, the Existing Bank Loan Agreement, the 1995 Note Agreement, the 1997 Note Agreement and the 2002 Note Agreement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Permit, agreement or instrument (including its Organizational Documents) which contains any restrictions or limitations on the incurrence by the Company or such Subsidiary of any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed.

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     (d) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company or such Subsidiary.

      6.12 Litigation, Etc.

     No action, suit, investigation or proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company (after due inquiry), threatened against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or any Property of the Company or any Subsidiary which (a) individually or collectively, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) questions the validity of any Loan Document or any action taken or to be taken pursuant thereto.

      6.13 ERISA.

     Each Benefit Arrangement is (and has been) maintained and operated in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Legal Requirements. Neither the Company nor any member of the ERISA Group has failed to timely make any required contribution or payment to or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement. No Benefit Arrangement provides post employment health benefits except as required by Part 6 of Subtitle B of ERISA. No litigation, investigation or claim (other than a routine claim for benefits) is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company (after due inquiry), threatened or anticipated concerning any Benefit Arrangement. The Company and/or the members of its ERISA Group may at any time unilaterally, without the consent of any Person, terminate any and/or all Benefit Arrangement(s) without incurring any material liability. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the issue and sale of the Notes will not involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975 of the Code. The representation by the Company in the next preceding sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of the representation of the Purchasers in Section 7 as to the source of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes.

      6.14 No Governmental Consents Required for Overall Transaction.

     Neither the nature of the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor the business or Properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, nor any relationship between the Company or any Subsidiary and any other Person, nor any circumstance in connection with the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Notes is such as to require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice to or filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the Overall Transaction other than routine SEC filings by the Company under the Exchange Act.

      6.15 Offering of Notes.

     Neither the Company nor its Affiliates nor anyone acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, (a) offered the Notes or any similar security of the Company for sale to, or solicited any offers to buy the Notes or any similar security of the Company from, or otherwise approached or negotiated with respect thereto with, any Person other than the Purchasers and not more than 70 other institutional investors, each of which has been offered the Notes at a private

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sale for investment or (b) taken or will take any action which would require the issuance or sale of the Notes to be registered pursuant to the provisions of section 5 of the Securities Act or pursuant to the provisions of any securities or Blue Sky law of any jurisdiction.

      6.16 Use of Proceeds.

     The Company will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes in accordance with Section 4. No indebtedness being reduced or retired, directly or indirectly, out of the proceeds of the sale of the Notes was incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any stock which is currently a “margin stock” (as defined in Section 4.02), and the Company neither owns nor has any present intention of acquiring any amount of “margin stock.” None of the proceeds of the sale of the Notes will be used to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject to section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act, including particularly sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.

      6.17 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc.

     (a) Neither the issue and sale of the Notes by the Company nor its use of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by this Agreement will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, (50 U.S.C. App. §§1 et seq ., as amended), or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.

     (b) No Loan Party is a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) knowingly engages in any dealings or transactions with any such Person. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, in all material respects, with the USA Patriot Act.

     (c) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, assuming in all cases that such Act applies to the Company.

      6.18 Status Under Certain Federal Statutes.

     No Loan Party is (a) an “investment company” or a Person “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company,” in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (b) a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, (c) subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, as amended, (d) subject to the ICC Termination Act of 1995, as amended, or (e) a “rail carrier” or a “person controlled by or affiliated with a rail carrier”, within the meaning of Title 49, U.S.C.

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      6.19 Environmental Matters.

     (a) The Company and each Subsidiary has all Environmental Permits necessary for the conduct of its business and for the ownership, use, maintenance and operation of its assets, and is in compliance with all material terms thereof. All such Environmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect and, to the Company’s knowledge, none are threatened to be revoked, cancelled, suspended or modified adversely for any reason. As to any such Environmental Permit that is about to expire or is needed for the proposed conduct of its business, the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has timely and properly applied for renewal or receipt of the same or, if such Permit is not reasonably expected to be renewed, such nonrenewal will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) Without in any manner limiting any other representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement:

     (i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any real property or facility presently owned, used, maintained or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary, nor any of the other assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is in violation of or is in noncompliance with, any Environmental Laws, except for violations or noncompliances which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

     (ii) without in any manner limiting the generality of clause (i) above:

     (A) no Hazardous Materials have been used, generated, manufactured, transported, stored or treated, or disposed of, landfilled or in any other way Released by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, except for those of the foregoing activities which, individually or in the aggregate, could not have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (B) to the Company’s knowledge, no Hazardous Materials have been used, generated, manufactured, stored or treated, or disposed of, landfilled or in any other way Released (and no Release is threatened), by any Person other than the Company or any Subsidiary on, under, about or from any Property now or previously owned, used, maintained or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary or any Property adjacent to any such Property except for those of the foregoing activities (including Releases and threatened Releases) which, individually or in the aggregate, could not have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (C) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject, as a result of the operation or condition of its business or assets prior to or at Closing, to any (1) contingent liability in connection with any Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment

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whether on or off any Property owned, used, maintained or operated by the Company or such Subsidiary or (2) reclamation or remediation requirements under Environmental Laws, or any reporting requirements related thereto, except for liabilities or requirements which, individually or in the aggregate, could not have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (D) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been named as a potentially responsible party under, and none of its Property has been nominated or identified as a facility which is subject to an existing or potential claim under, CERCLA or comparable Environmental Laws, and no such Property is subject to any Lien arising under Environmental Laws;

     (E) to the Company’s knowledge, the Company and each Subsidiary has all environmental and pollution control equipment necessary for (1) compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws (including all applicable Permits) and (2) operation of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary as it is presently conducted;

     (F) no Hazardous Materials have been incorporated into or contained in any of the personal property or improvements to real property owned, used, maintained or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary such that such Hazardous Materials could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (G) none of the locations where Hazardous Materials have been used, generated, manufactured, stored, treated, recycled, disposed of or Released by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary has been nominated or identified as a facility which may be subject to an existing or potential claim under CERCLA or comparable Environmental Laws;

     (H) to the knowledge of the Company, none of the offsite locations where Hazardous Materials from any of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary have been stored, treated, recycled, disposed of or Released has been nominated or identified as a facility which may be subject to an existing or potential claim under CERCLA or comparable Environmental Laws;

     (I) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any written notices of (1) any violation of, noncompliance with or remedial obligation under Environmental Laws relating to the ownership, use, maintenance, operation of, or conduct of business related to, any Property of the Company or such Subsidiary or (2) any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, except for violations, noncompliances, obligations, Releases or threatened Releases which,

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individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (J) there are no writs, injunctions, decrees, orders or judgments outstanding, or lawsuits, claims, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened relating to the ownership, use, maintenance, operation of, or conduct of business related to, any Property of the Company or any Subsidiary arising out of or relating to Environmental Laws, nor does the Company or any Subsidiary have knowledge (after due inquiry) of any basis for any of the foregoing, except for writs, injunctions, decrees, orders, judgments, lawsuits, claims, proceedings or investigations which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (K) no underground or aboveground storage tanks or surface impoundments are located at any Property owned, used, maintained or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary other than those which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

     (L) there are no material obligations, undertakings or liabilities arising out of or relating to Environmental Laws which the Company or any Subsidiary has agreed to, assumed or retained, by contract or otherwise.

      6.20 Books and Records.

     The Company maintains books, records and accounts with respect to itself and the Subsidiaries which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect their transactions and dispositions of their assets, and maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) to maintain accountability for assets, (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

      6.21 Fiscal Year.

     The fiscal year of the Company and each Subsidiary coincides with the calendar year.

      6.22 Brokerage.

     All negotiations relative to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby have been carried on by the Company and the other Loan

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Parties without the intervention of any Person which might give rise to a valid claim against the Purchasers for a brokerage commission or other like payment.

      6.23 Labor Matters.

     Schedule IX lists each employment, consultant or similar agreement and all labor contracts and collective bargaining agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound. Except as otherwise listed on Schedule IX, no strikes or other labor disputes are pending or threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary. All payments due from the Company or any Subsidiary on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid or, if not due, have been accrued as liabilities on the books of the Company or such Subsidiary.

      6.24 Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

     The Company and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the lawful right to use, all patents, trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes necessary for the conduct of its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. All tradenames used by the Company or any Subsidiary are listed on Schedule X. Assumed name certificates have been duly filed of record with appropriate Governmental Authorities for each of such tradenames, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect..

      6.25 Chief Executive Office.

     The chief executive office of the Company and the office where it maintains its records is located at 1600 West 7 th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-2599.

      6.26 Permitted Investments.

     Schedule XI specifies the aggregate amount of each investment held by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries on the date hereof other than those permitted by clauses (a) through (k) of Section 9.08.

      6.27 Liens.

     None of the Properties of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens.

      6.28 Full Disclosure.

     (a) Neither this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto), the other Loan Documents, the Company Financials, the instruments described in Section 6.03(a) nor any document delivered by the Company or any of its Affiliates pursuant to Section 3 contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which the same were made.

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     (b) There is no fact (excluding general economic or industry conditions not peculiar to the Company or any Subsidiary) which (i) has had a Material Adverse Effect or, in the opinion of any Responsible Officer of the Company, could reasonably be expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) has not been set forth in this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto) or in the Company Financials.

7.

 

PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT; SOURCE OF FUNDS

      7.01 Representations of the Purchasers.

     (a) Each of the Purchasers hereby represents to the Company that it (i) is purchasing the Notes for its own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution thereof or with any present intention of distributing or selling any of the Notes, provided that the disposition of the Purchaser’s property shall at all times be within its control, (ii) is an “accredited investor”, as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act, and (iii) (x) has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Notes and (y) is able to bear the economic risk of such investment. Each of the Purchasers understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be sold or otherwise transferred by the Purchasers except pursuant to an effective registration statement under such Act or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom under such Act.

     (b) Each of the Purchasers further represents to the Company that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “ Source”) to be used by it to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by it hereunder:

     (i) the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption (“ PTE ”) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “ NAIC Annual Statement ”)) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile; or

     (ii) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary

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of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or

     (iii) the Source is either (1) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (2) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (iii), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or

     (iv) (1) the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part V of PTE 84-14 (the “ QPAM Exemption ”)) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), (2) no employee benefit plan’s assets that are included in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Section V(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, exceed 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, (3) the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, (4) neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section V(e) of the QPAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (5) the identity of such QPAM and the names of all employee benefit plans whose assets are included in such investment fund have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (iv); or

     (v) the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Section IV of PTE 96-23 (the “ INHAM Exemption ”)) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV of the 1NHAM exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section IV(d) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (1) the identity of such INHAM and (2) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (v); or

     (vi) the Source is a governmental plan; or

     (vii) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (vii); or

     (viii) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.

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     As used in this Section 7.01(b), the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

     (c) Purchasers have received all of the items described in Section 6.03.

8.

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

      8.01 Financial Statements, Reports and Documents.

     The Company shall deliver to each Holder (in duplicate):

     (a) as soon as available, and in any event within 45 days, after the end of each Fiscal Quarter (other than the last Fiscal Quarter in any Fiscal Year), a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (in reasonable detail) as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (in reasonable detail) for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the current Fiscal Year ending on the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, in each case (i) prepared in accordance with GAAP and (ii) setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period of the preceding Fiscal Year, which financial statements shall be certified (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, compliance with GAAP and consistency with prior periods by a Responsible Officer of the Company, it being understood that no such statement need be accompanied by complete footnotes;

     (b) as soon as available, and in any event within 90 days, after the end of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (in reasonable detail) as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (in reasonable detail) for such Fiscal Year, in each case (i) prepared in conformity with GAAP and (ii) setting forth in comparative form the figures for the preceding Fiscal Year, which financial statements shall be accompanied by an opinion thereon (which shall not be qualified by reason of any limitation imposed by the Company) of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm stating that such financial statements, in the opinion of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for such period in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (except for noted changes in which the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm concurs) and that the examination of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), and such examination includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the

38


 

financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation;

     (c) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, an Officers’ Certificate (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the requirements of Sections 9.01, 9.02, 9.03 and 9.04, on the date of such financial statements, (ii) stating that the signers have reviewed this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and have made, or caused to be made under their supervision, a review of the transactions and condition of the Company during the accounting period covered by such financial statements and (iii) stating that such review did not disclose the existence during or at the end of such accounting period of any Default or, if any Default exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

     (d) so long as the Existing Notes are outstanding, simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clause (b) above, a written statement by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm giving the opinion thereon stating (i) that their audit has included a review of the terms of this Agreement and that such review is sufficient to enable them to make the statement referred to in clause (iv) of this paragraph (d) (it being understood that such Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm shall not be required to conduct or make any special or additional audit procedures or examinations for purposes of such written statement, other than those required by generally accepted auditing standards, and that their audit will not have been directed primarily toward obtaining knowledge of any Default), (ii) whether, in the course of their audit, they obtained knowledge (and whether, as of the date of such written statement, they have knowledge) of the existence and continuance of any Default and, if so, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, (iii) that they have examined the Officers’ Certificate delivered in connection therewith pursuant to clause (c) above and (iv) that the matters set forth in such Officers’ Certificate pursuant to subclause (i) of clause (c) above have been properly stated in accordance with this Agreement;

     (e) so long as the Existing Notes are outstanding, promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each management letter submitted to the Company by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (and each response of the Company thereto), it being understood and agreed that all material items which are furnished to the Holders pursuant to this clause (e) shall be treated as confidential if such items are not previously known to any Holder and if, and so long as, such items are not generally available to the public, but nothing herein contained shall limit or impair the right of any Holder to (i) disclose such items to any other Holder, any prospective Transferee, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any Governmental Authority pursuant to an applicable legal requirement or agreement, (ii) disclose such items in connection with any litigation, investigation or similar proceeding, (iii) use such information to the extent pertinent to an evaluation of the Obligations or to enforce compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (iv) take any action required by law or (v) take any lawful action which such Holder deems necessary to protect its interests under this Agreement or any other

39


 

Loan Document provided that such Holder shall use reasonable efforts to provide to the Company notice of such disclosure and a reasonable opportunity to contest or limit such disclosure;

     (f) so long as the Existing Notes are outstanding, promptly upon becoming available, a copy of each consolidating balance sheet and income statement of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared by or on behalf of the Company after the date hereof;

     (g) promptly upon transmission thereof, a copy of each (i) financial statement, proxy statement, notice and report sent or made available by the Company to its security holders in compliance with the Exchange Act or any comparable federal or state laws relating to the disclosure by any Person of information to its security holders, (ii) regular and periodic report, registration statement (excluding exhibits) and prospectus filed by the Company with any securities exchange or with the SEC or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its functions (other than any such reports, registration statements or prospectuses transmitted after the Existing Notes are no longer outstanding and which are not material to the business of the Company) and (iii) press release or other statement made available by the Company to the public concerning material developments in the business of the Company;

     (h) as soon as practicable, and in any event within two Business Days, after the Company obtains knowledge of any Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

     (i) as soon as practicable, and in any event within ten Business Days, after the Company obtains knowledge of any condition (excluding general economic or industry conditions not peculiar to the Company or any Subsidiary), happening or event which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors or any Responsible Officer of the Company, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, an Officers’ Certificate specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

     (j) promptly, a copy of each Material Contract entered into or assumed by the Company after the date hereof and each material amendment, supplement or modification entered into after the date hereof in respect of any Material Contract; and

     (k) such other information concerning the business, financial condition, results of operation, prospects or Properties of the Company or any Subsidiary as any Holder shall reasonably request.

     Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 8.01(a), 8.01(b), 8.01(c) or 8.01(g) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Company posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Company’s website on the Internet at

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http://www.cashamerica.com or any other website on the Internet designated in writing to each of the Holders or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Company’s behalf on http://www.sec.gov ; provided that, in each case, the Company (A) shall have notified each Holder (by telecopier or to an electronic mail address provided to the Company by such Holder) of the posting of each of such documents and (B) shall deliver paper copies of such documents to any Holder that requests the Company to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by such Holder.

      8.02 Payment of Principal, Interest and Premium.

     The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and interest and premium (if any) on, the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.

      8.03 Payment of Taxes, Claims and Indebtedness.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay and discharge, as and when due and payable, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or any of its Properties or in respect of any of its franchises, business, income or profits, (b) all claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums which, if unpaid, might become a Lien upon any of its Property and (c) all of its other indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000; provided, however, that no such tax, assessment, charge or levy, claim or indebtedness (other than the Obligations) need be paid if and so long as (i) (A) no Default shall be in existence, (B) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly initiated and diligently conducted and (C) such reserves or other appropriate provision (if any) as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor or (ii) the nonpayment of all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies, claims or indebtedness in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      8.04 Maintenance of Existence and Rights; Conduct of Business.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) preserve and keep in full force and effect (except as permitted by Section 9.13) its corporate or partnership, as the case may be, existence and all of its rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, (b) qualify and remain qualified as a foreign Person authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required except where the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (c) carry on and conduct its business (i) in the ordinary course, (ii) in an orderly and efficient manner consistent with good business practices and (iii) in accordance, in all material respects, with all Legal Requirements.

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      8.05 Compliance with Loan Documents.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, promptly comply with any and all covenants and provisions of each Loan Document to which it is a party.

      8.06 Inspection.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, permit any Person designated by any Holder, at all reasonable times, to (i) visit and inspect any of its Properties, (ii) examine, copy or make excerpts from, any and all books, records, software, documents and other information in the possession of the Company or such Subsidiary and relating to its affairs and (iii) discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers and its then current Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; and, by this provision, the Company (on behalf of itself and each Subsidiary) irrevocably authorizes such accountants to discuss with such Person the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and such Subsidiary. All such visits and inspections shall be at the expense of such Holder unless a Default shall exist, in which event the reasonable costs and expenses associated with all such events and inspections shall be at the expense of the Company.

      8.07 Books and Records.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) maintain (in accordance with good accounting practices and all Legal Requirements) complete and accurate books, records and accounts accurately and fairly reflecting its transactions in reasonable detail and (b) maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that its transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and (ii) to maintain accountability for its assets.

      8.08 Compliance with Legal Requirements.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, comply with all Legal Requirements applicable to it or any of its Properties, business, operations or transactions except for noncompliances which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      8.09 Insurance.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain in full force and effect, with sound and reputable insurers, such insurance on its Properties and business against such casualties, risks, liabilities and contingencies, and in such types and amounts, as are consistent with customary practices and standards of companies engaged in similar businesses; provided, however, except as may be required by any Legal Requirement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be required to maintain (i) business interruption insurance, (ii) insurance on its inventories, (iii) plate glass insurance, or (iv) flood or earthquake insurance.

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      8.10 Maintenance of Properties.

     The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, their respective properties in good repair, working order and condition (other than ordinary wear and tear), so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times, provided that this Section shall not prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from discontinuing the operation and the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business and the Company has concluded that such discontinuance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      8.11 Further Assurances.

     The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, promptly take all such actions as the Required Holders may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably request in order to (i) further carry out and consummate the Overall Transaction or (ii) comply with or accomplish the covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties in any of the Loan Documents.

9.

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     Until payment in full of the Notes and all other Obligations, the Company covenants and agrees as follows:

      9.01 Consolidated Indebtedness for Money Borrowed.

     (a) The Company will not permit Consolidated Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter ending on or after the Closing Date, to be greater than the amount determined by multiplying the Applicable Percentage times the sum of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness for Money Borrowed as of such date and (b) Consolidated Net Worth as of such date. As used in this Section 9.01, “Applicable Percentage” means 75%.

     (b) The Company will not permit the ratio of

     (i) Consolidated Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, minus an amount equal to what would be classified as cash or cash equivalents on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, in each case determined as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, to

     (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending with such Fiscal Quarter

     to be greater than 3.0 to 1.00, as of each Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date.

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      9.02 Consolidated Net Worth.

     The Company will not permit Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of (a) $270,000,000 plus (b) 50% of Consolidated Adjusted Net Income (but only if positive) for each Fiscal Quarter ending on or after September 30, 2005 plus (c) 100% of Net Equity Proceeds received after the Closing Date.

      9.03 Fixed Charge Coverage.

     The Company will not at any time permit the ratio of (a) the sum of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters then most recently ended plus the aggregate amount of all rents and leases deducted in the calculation of such Consolidated EBITDA to (b) the aggregate amount of (i) all such rents, leases and interest expenses deducted in the calculation of such Consolidated EBITDA plus (ii) all regularly scheduled principal payments on Funded Debt of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries (after elimination of intercompany items) made in such period to be less than 1.75 to 1.

      9.04 Restricted Payments.

     (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) declare or make any dividends or distributions on any of its Stock (other than dividends payable in shares of its Stock), (ii) purchase, redeem or acquire for value any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s Stock, (iii) make any principal payment on (or make any payment, transfer or deposit for the purpose of canceling, extinguishing, satisfying or defeasing) any indebtedness of the Company which is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or any other Obligation, (iv) set aside funds for any such purposes or (v) become liable to do any of the foregoing (in each case, a “ Restricted Payment ”) unless, immediately after giving effect thereto, (A) no Default shall exist and (B) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by the Company and all Subsidiaries on or after August 12, 2002 does not exceed the sum of $42,000,000 plus 50% of Consolidated Adjusted Net Income for the period (treated as one accounting period) from August 12, 2002 to the end of the calendar month then most recently ended.

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.04, the Company may, so long as no Default shall be in existence or shall result therefrom, purchase, redeem or acquire shares of the Company’s capital stock with the net cash proceeds received by the Company during the immediately preceding 18-month period from the sale of other shares of the Company’s capital stock, in which event both the receipt and expenditure of such proceeds shall be excluded from any calculation under paragraph (a) above.

     (c) Nothing in this Section 9.04 shall prohibit any Subsidiary from making any Restricted Payment to the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, and no such Restricted Payment shall be taken into account in any calculation under paragraph (a) above.

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      9.05 Limitation on Indebtedness.

     (a) The Company will not incur, create, assume or have outstanding any indebtedness, except:

     (1) (A) indebtedness of the Company arising out of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (B) indebtedness of the Company arising out of the 1995 Note Agreement and the other 1995 Loan Documents, (C) indebtedness of the Company arising out of the 1997 Note Agreement and the other 1997 Loan Documents, and (D) indebtedness of the Company arising out of the 2002 Note Agreement and the other 2002 Loan Documents;

     (2) indebtedness of the Company arising out of the Existing Bank Loan Agreement or any extension, renewal or refinancing of the Indebtedness for Money Borrowed outstanding thereunder;

     (3) purchase money indebtedness (not to exceed the greater of $10,000,000 or 2% of Consolidated Assets in the aggregate for the Company and all Subsidiaries at any time outstanding);

     (4) current liabilities for taxes and assessments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not yet due, and other liabilities for unpaid taxes being contested in good faith by the obligor the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.03;

     (5) current indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for Money Borrowed) for accounts payable or other claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that all such accounts and claims shall be promptly paid and discharged when due or in conformity with customary trade terms, except for those being contested in good faith by the obligor and the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.03;

     (6) contingent liabilities resulting from the endorsement of negotiable instruments in the ordinary course of business;

     (7) indebtedness constituting Assurances of the Company permitted by Section 9.06;

     (8) Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company owing to any Subsidiary, but only if permitted by Section 9.08;

     (9) indebtedness secured by Liens described in clause (i), clause (l) and clause (m) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in Section 2.01;

     (10) Hedging Obligations of the Company, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business and not for purposes of speculation, and (ii) the agreement or document

45


 

creating such obligations does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

     (11) Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company not otherwise permitted by the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.05(a) if (A) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence or assumption thereof by the Company, the Company is in compliance with Sections 9.01, 9.02 and 9.03 and (B) at the time of the incurrence or assumption thereof by the Company and immediately thereafter, no Default shall exist;

     (12) Non-Domestic Indebtedness, so long as the aggregate amount of all such Non-Domestic Indebtedness together with the indebtedness described in clause (10) and clause (11) of Section 9.05(b) does not exceed the greater of $20,000,000 or 7.5% of Consolidated Net Worth, and;

     (13) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness for Money Borrowed described in each of the other clauses of this Section 9.05(a) so long as the Company shall be in compliance with the specific limitations set forth in each of such clauses.

     (b) The Company will not permit any Subsidiary to incur, create, assume or have outstanding any indebtedness, except:

     (1) (A) indebtedness of Subsidiaries arising out of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (B) indebtedness of Subsidiaries arising out of the 1995 Guaranty, (C) indebtedness of Subsidiaries arising out of the 1997 Guaranty, and (D) indebtedness of Subsidiaries arising out of the 2002 Guaranty;

     (2) Assurances issued by the Subsidiaries pursuant to the Existing Bank Loan Agreement;

     (3) purchase money indebtedness (not to exceed the greater of $10,000,000 or 2% of the Consolidated Assets in the aggregate for the Company and all Subsidiaries at any time outstanding);

     (4) current liabilities for taxes and assessments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not yet due, and other liabilities for unpaid taxes being contested in good faith by the obligor the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.03;

     (5) current indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for Money Borrowed) for accounts payable or other claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that all such accounts and claims shall be promptly paid and discharged when due or in conformity with customary trade terms, except for those being contested in good faith by the obligor and the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.03;

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     (6) contingent liabilities resulting from the endorsement of negotiable instruments in the ordinary course of business;

     (7) indebtedness constituting Assurances of Subsidiaries permitted by Section 9.06;

     (8) Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of any Subsidiary owing to the Company or to any other Subsidiary, but only if permitted by Section 9.08;

     (9) indebtedness secured by Liens described in clause (i), clause (l) and clause (m) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in Section 2.01;

     (10) indebtedness of Non-Domestic Subsidiaries or Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate amount of all such indebtedness together with the indebtedness described in clause (11) of this Section 9.05(b) does not at any time exceed the greater of $20,000,000 or 7.5% of Consolidated Net Worth;

     (11) in the case of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary acquired by the Company after the date hereof in accordance with Section 9.17(a)(1), all indebtedness of such Subsidiary outstanding on the date of its acquisition by the Company, but only if (i) the amount of such indebtedness, when aggregated with the total amount of all other indebtedness of all Persons (including such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) outstanding pursuant to this clause (11), and all indebtedness described in clause (10) of this Section 9.05(b), does not exceed the greater of $20,000,000 or 7.5% of Consolidated Net Worth and (ii) such indebtedness was incurred, created or assumed by such Subsidiary prior to its acquisition by the Company and not in anticipation of, or in connection with, such acquisition;

     (12) Hedging Obligations of any Subsidiary, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and not for purposes of speculation, and (ii) the agreement or document creating such obligations does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

     (13) other indebtedness of any Subsidiary not otherwise permitted by the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.05(b), but only if such indebtedness is outstanding on the date hereof and described in Schedule VIII and (B) excluding any extensions, renewals and rearrangements of such indebtedness; and

     (14) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness for Money Borrowed described in each of the other clauses of this Section 9.05(b) so long as the Company shall be in compliance with the specific limitations set forth in each of such clauses.

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      9.06 Assurances.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into, assume or become or be liable in respect of any Assurance, except for (i) Assurances by the Company of indebtedness of Subsidiaries permitted by Section 9.05(b), (ii) Assurances by one or more Guarantors of indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the Company permitted by Section 9.05(a) (including, without limitation, Hedging Obligations) but only if and so long as the Guaranty is in full force and effect, (iii) Assurances of the Guarantors evidenced by the Guaranty, (iv) Assurances by the Company and the Guarantors of the Non-Domestic Indebtedness, (v) Assurances under any of the Material Contracts, (vi) Consumer Obligations, and (vii) other Assurances not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.06 but only to the extent that the aggregate amount of all indebtedness relating to such Assurances does not exceed $5,000,000.

      9.07 Negative Pledge.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, assume, create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its Properties (whether now owned hereafter acquired) except Permitted Liens.

      9.08 Limitation on Investments.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, make or have outstanding any Investments in any Person, except for:

     (a) pawn transactions and pawn loans made in the ordinary course of business;

     (b) travel advances and other similar advances made to employees in the ordinary course of business;

     (c) consumer loans, advances and extensions of credit (in the form of accounts receivable or otherwise) made to customers in the ordinary course of business;

     (d) advances and deposits made by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in connection with products or services provided to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or in connection with leases of real property;

     (e) in the case of the Company or any Subsidiary, Investments in Non-Domestic and Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (including Subsidiaries acquired after the date hereof in accordance with Section 9.17(a)(1)) resulting from its acquisition or ownership of Stock of, or capital contributions to, such Subsidiaries but, in each case, only to the extent not prohibited by Section 9.17(a), provided that after giving effect to each such Investment the aggregate book value of all Investments of the Company and all Subsidiaries in Non-Domestic Subsidiaries and Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at such time does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth;

48


 

     (f) in the case of any Subsidiary, Investments in the Company;

     (g) loans and advances by the Company to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

     (h) loans and advances made by any Subsidiary to the Company or to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

     (i) Temporary Cash Investments;

     (j) to the extent permitted by applicable law, loans to officers of the Company and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not exceeding $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

     (k) Assurances permitted in Section 9.06;

     (l) other Investments not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.08, but only if owned by the Company and/or any Subsidiary on the date hereof and described in Schedule XI; and

     (m) other Investments made after the date hereof and not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.08, provided that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall make any Investment under this clause (m) if a Default shall be in existence immediately before or after such Investment or if the amount of such Investment, when aggregated with the total amount of all other Investments then outstanding under this clause (m), exceeds 7.5% of Consolidated Net Worth as of the date of such Investment.

      9.09 Alteration of Contracts, Etc.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (a) cancel, terminate, surrender, release, alter, amend, modify or supplement any Material Contract or Applicable Permit, (b) waive timely performance of any of the provisions of any Material Contract or Applicable Permit or (c) consent or agree to, or permit, any of the foregoing, provided that any such action may be taken if the Company shall determine in good faith that such action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      9.10 Transactions with Affiliates.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with, or pay any management fees to, any of its Affiliates except in the ordinary course of business and then only upon terms that are no less favorable to Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than would be obtainable at the time in arms’-length transactions with Persons which are not Affiliates of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, provided that this Section 9.10 shall not apply to transactions between the Company and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or to any management fees payable by any Subsidiary to the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

49


 

      9.11 Limitation on Sale or Issuance of Subsidiary Stock.

     (a) The Company will not permit any Subsidiary to issue or sell any shares of Stock (or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to subscribe for shares of Stock) of such Subsidiary to any Person if after giving effect thereto the Company would be in violation of its obligations set forth in Section 9.08.

     (b) The Company will not (i) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of Stock (or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to subscribe for shares of Stock) of any Subsidiary or (ii) permit any Subsidiary to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of Stock (or any securities, convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to subscribe for shares of Stock) of any other Subsidiary.

      9.12 Limitation on Sale of Properties.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign, convey, exchange, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its Properties (including accounts receivable and pawn loans), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except in the ordinary course of its business; provided, however, that the Company and the Subsidiaries may sell Properties during any Fiscal Year having an aggregate net book value (at the time of the disposition thereof) not in excess of 7.5% of Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the immediately previous Fiscal Year and, provided further, that this Section 9.12 shall not operate to prevent the transactions permitted by Section 9.11 or Section 9.13 or any sale, transfer or lease of Property by a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the Company or to another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and, provided further, that the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign, discount or otherwise dispose of any accounts receivable, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with the Company’s collection practices as in effect from time to time and not a part of a financing.

      9.13 Dissolution; Liquidation; Merger; Consolidation.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, dissolve or liquidate or consolidate or merge with, or sell, assign, convey, exchange, lease or otherwise dispose of its Properties as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, any other Person except that:

     (a) any corporation may consolidate with or merge into the Company if (i) the Company shall be the surviving corporation, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (B) the Company is solvent and no less creditworthy than immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction and (C) the consummation of such transaction did not have, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) each Holder shall have received an Officers’ Certificate, dated not more than 10 days prior to the effective date of such transaction, describing such transaction and stating that such transaction is permitted by this Section 9.13;

     (b) the Company may consolidate with or merge into, or sell, assign, convey, exchange, lease or otherwise dispose of its Properties as an entirety or substantially as an

50


 

entirety to, any Person if (i) such Person shall be a solvent corporation organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America, (ii) such Person shall, by written instrument in form and substance acceptable to the Required Holders, expressly and unconditionally assume, agree to pay and perform all the Obligations and to be bound by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents the same as if such Person had originally executed this Agreement in place of the Company and had been the original maker of the Notes, (iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (B) such Person is no less creditworthy than was the Company immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction and (C) the consummation of such transaction did not have, and could not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect and (iv) each Holder shall have received an Officers’ Certificate, dated not more than ten days prior to the effective date of such transaction, describing such transaction and stating that such transaction is permitted by this Section 9.13;

     (c) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into, or sell, assign, convey, exchange, lease or otherwise dispose of its Properties as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, the Company or any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; and

     (d) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may consolidate or merge with any Person solely for the purpose of the Company’s acquisition of such Person in accordance with Section 9.17(a)(1).

      9.14 Change of Name, Fiscal Year and Method of Accounting.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) change its name, except for Subsidiary name changes that could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) change its fiscal year, (iii) change its principal accounting firm to an accounting firm other than an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm or (iv) change its method of accounting unless required under GAAP.

      9.15 Lines of Business.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than (i) the pawnshop business, (ii) the business of cashing checks and conducting related cash dispensing transactions, (iii) the business of offering consumer loans and other consumer financial services, and (iv) activities related to the above.

      9.16 Amendment of Organizational Documents.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend its Organizational Documents if such action could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      9.17 Limitation on Acquisition of New Subsidiaries.

     (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (i) acquire any Stock of any Person, (ii) enter into any partnership or joint venture or (iii) take any

51


 

action which would result in the Company having any Subsidiary other than those listed in Schedule II except that, from time to time, the Company may:

     (1) acquire (whether by purchase, merger or other similar transaction) any Person, but only if:

 

(A)

 

immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, such Person shall constitute a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or, a Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary subject to limits set forth in Section 9.08(e) hereof;

 

 

(B)

 

immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, no Default shall be in existence, and the consummation of such acquisition did not have, and could not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

 

(C)

 

each Holder shall have received an Officers’ Certificate, dated not more than ten days prior to the effective date of such acquisition, describing such acquisition (including the name of such Person and the business conducted by it) and stating that such acquisition is permitted by this Section 9.17, which Officers’ Certificate shall be accompanied by complete and accurate copies of the Organizational Documents of such Person;

 

 

(D)

 

promptly (and in any event within 15 days) after the consummation of such acquisition, such Person (if such Person is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof) shall duly authorize, execute and deliver to each Holder an instrument in writing pursuant to which such Person agrees to become a Guarantor under, and to be bound as a Guarantor by the terms of, the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement; and

 

 

(E)

 

promptly (and in any event within 15 days) after the consummation of such acquisition, if an opinion of counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary or such Person is delivered to any other holder of Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company in connection with such acquisition, the Company shall obtain or cause to be provided in favor of the Holders an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Required Holders that opines (a) to such Person’s (i) existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of formation, (ii) due authority to become a Guarantor under, and to be bound as a Guarantor by the terms of, the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement and (iii) due execution, delivery and performance of the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, and (b) to the enforceability of the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement against such Person; and

52


 

     (2) create or form a new corporation or limited partnership (the “ New Entity ”) and thereupon cause the New Entity to become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, but only if:

 

(A)

 

no Default shall exist immediately after the New Entity becomes a Subsidiary;

 

 

(B)

 

subject to paragraph (b) below, promptly (and in any event within 15 days) after its creation or formation, the New Entity (if such New Entity is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof) shall duly authorize, execute and deliver to each Holder an instrument in writing pursuant to which the New Entity agrees to become a Guarantor under, and to be bound as a Guarantor by the terms of, the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement;

 

 

(C)

 

except as required by clause (B) above, the New Entity shall not conduct any business prior to becoming a Subsidiary;

 

 

(D)

 

subject to paragraph (b) below, promptly (and in any event within 15 days) after the creation or formation of the New Entity, the Company shall deliver to each Holder an Officers’ Certificate notifying the Holders of the formation or creation of the New Entity, which Officers’ Certificate shall (i) specify the name of the New Entity and the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, (ii) describe, in reasonable detail, the business proposed to be conducted by the New Entity, (iii) state that the Company is authorized to form or create the New Entity and to cause it to become a Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 9.17 and (iv) be accompanied by complete and accurate copies of the Organizational Documents of the New Entity; and

 

 

(E)

 

promptly (and in any event within 15 days) after the consummation of such acquisition, if an opinion of counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary or such Person is delivered to any other holder of Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company in connection with such acquisition, the Company shall obtain or cause to be provided in favor of the Holders an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Required Holders that opines (a) to such Person’s (i) existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of formation, (ii) due authority to become a Guarantor under, and to be bound as a Guarantor by the terms of, the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement and (iii) due execution, delivery and performance of the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, and (b) to the enforceability of the Guaranty and the Subrogation and Contribution Agreement against such Person; and

53


 

     (b) In no event shall any New Entity created or formed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) above be required to execute and deliver a written instrument with respect to the Guaranty as contemplated by clause (B) thereof nor shall the Company be required to deliver the documents described with respect to such New Entity in clause (D) thereof until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company makes an Investment in such New Entity (other than the incurrence of routine organizational expenses and other than capital contributions totaling less than $250,000) and (ii) the date on which such New Entity first conducts business.

     (c) Subject to provisions of Sections 9.08(e), nothing in this Section 9.17 shall operate to prevent any transaction permitted by Section 9.08 or Section 9.13.

     (d) If any Person becomes a Subsidiary at any time after the date hereof, such Person shall be deemed to have incurred or made, as the case may be, at the time it becomes a Subsidiary (i) all Assurances, indebtedness, loans, advances and Investments of such Person which are outstanding at such time and (ii) all Liens then in effect with respect to any of its Properties.

     (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Non-Domestic Subsidiary be required to be or become a Guarantor so long as such Non-Domestic Subsidiary is not obligated as a guarantor or obligor for any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Company or any Subsidiary.

      9.18 ERISA.

     The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary or Related Person to,

     (a) engage in any transaction in connection with which the Company or any Subsidiary could be subject to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax imposed by section 4975 of the Code, terminate any Plan (other than a multiemployer plan) in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any such Plan, which could result in any liability of the Company or any Subsidiary to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, fail to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of applicable law, or the terms of any Plan or collective bargaining agreement, the Company or any Subsidiary is required to pay as contributions thereto, or permit to exist any accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan (other than a multiemployer plan), if, in any such case, such penalty or tax or such liability, or the failure to make such payment, or the existence of such deficiency, as the case may be, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (b) permit the aggregate present value of all benefit liabilities under all Plans maintained at such time by the Company, any Subsidiary and any Related Persons (other than multiemployer plans) that are subject to Title IV of ERISA to exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Plans allocable to such benefit liabilities by more than $500,000; or

54


 

     (c) permit the aggregate complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to multiemployer plans incurred by the Company, the Subsidiaries and Related Persons to exceed $250,000.

As used in this Section 9.18, (i) the term “accumulated funding deficiency” has the meaning specified in section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the Code, (ii) the terms “present value,” “benefit liabilities” and “current value” have the respective meanings specified in sections 3 and 4001 of ERISA and (iii) “multiemployer plan” means a Plan which is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

      9.19 No Inconsistent Agreements.

     The Company will not enter into, assume or otherwise become obligated under any agreement or instrument which restricts the ability of the Company to consummate the Private Placement or perform its obligations under any Loan Document.

10.

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

      10.01 Events of Default.

     If any of the following events (each such event being an “ Event of Defaul


 
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