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EXHIBIT
10.2
EXECUTION
COPY
ESCROW AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT
This ESCROW AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT (this “ Escrow and Security Agreement
”) is made and entered into as of February 4, 2005 among
LFS-Merger Sub, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “
Pledgor ”), The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the
Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “
Trustee ”), The Bank of New York, as securities
intermediary and escrow agent (in such capacity, the “
Escrow Agent ”), and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc
of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated (collectively, the “ Initial
Purchasers ”), in favor of the holders (the “
Holders ”) of the Notes (as defined herein) issued on
the date hereof by the Pledgor under the Indenture referred to
below.
W I T N E S S E T
H
WHEREAS, the Pledgor and the
Initial Purchasers are parties to a Purchase Agreement dated
January 28, 2005 (as such agreement may be amended, the “
Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Pledgor
will issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers an aggregate of
$152,000,000 principal amount of its 10¾% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2015 (the “ Notes ”);
WHEREAS, the Pledgor and the
Trustee have entered into that certain Indenture dated as of the
date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”),
pursuant to which the Pledgor is issuing the Notes on the date
hereof;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, the Pledgor is required on the date hereof (the
“ Closing Date ”) (i) to direct the Initial
Purchasers to deposit $149,712,400.00 (the gross proceeds from the
sale of the Notes, and herein referred to as the “ Gross
Proceeds ”) and (ii) to deposit or cause to be deposited
an additional $2,768,722.22 (the “ Additional Escrow
Amount ” and, together with the Gross Proceeds, the
“ Escrow Amount ”) (to be provided either
through a deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents or a letter of credit
with terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Initial
Purchasers), which in the aggregate shall be an amount sufficient
to redeem the Notes in cash at the redemption price equal to
98.495% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and
unpaid interest from and including the date hereof to but excluding
April 5, 2005, with the Escrow Agent in the Collateral Account (as
defined herein) to be held by the Escrow Agent for the benefit of
the Trustee, the Holders of the Notes and the Initial
Purchasers;
WHEREAS, in the event that
(x) the conditions contained in this Escrow and Security Agreement
for the release of the Escrowed Funds are not satisfied on or prior
to April 1, 2005, or (y) if the Merger Agreement (as defined
herein) is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to such
date, the Pledgor shall be required to redeem the Notes pursuant to
the terms of the Indenture (the “ Obligations
”);
WHEREAS, to secure the
Obligations of Pledgor, the Pledgor has agreed to (i) pledge to the
Trustee for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Holders of
the Notes and the Initial Purchasers, a security interest in and
lien upon the Escrowed Funds and the other Collateral (each as
hereinafter defined) and (ii) execute and deliver this Escrow and
Security Agreement in order to secure the payment and performance
by the Pledgor of the Obligations.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the promises herein contained, and in order to
induce the Holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes, the Pledgor,
the Trustee, the Initial Purchasers and the Escrow Agent hereby
agree, for the benefit of the Trustee and for the ratable benefit
of the Holders of the Notes and the Initial Purchasers, as
follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions;
Appointment; Deposit and Investment
1.1
Definitions
“ Cash
Equivalents ” means any money market fund that invests
solely in U.S. Government Securities.
“ Collateral
Account ” means an account established and maintained by
the Escrow Agent in the name “LFS-Merger Sub Collateral
Account,” which account shall at all times be under the
control (within the meaning of Section 8-106 of the U.C.C. (as
defined below)) of the Trustee and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Escrow and Security Agreement.
“ Escrow Agent
” shall mean the Person named as the “escrow
agent” in the first paragraph of this Escrow and Security
Agreement until a successor escrow agent shall have become such, in
accordance with Section 1 hereof, and thereafter “Escrow
Agent” shall mean the Person who is then the Escrow Agent
hereunder.
“ Escrowed Funds
” means the Escrow Amount and all investments thereof made
hereunder, plus all interest, dividends and other distributions and
payments thereon received by the Escrow Agent.
“ Government
Book-Entry Security ” means U.S. Government Securities
maintained in book-entry form through the United States Federal
Reserve Banks.
“ Initial
Purchasers’ Commission ” means $4,117,091.00, the
amount payable to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement and Section 7(a) hereof unless the Special Redemption
occurs.
“ Merger ”
shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Purchase
Agreement.
“ Merger
Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of December 2, 2004, among ECCA Holdings Corporation, the
Pledgor and Eye Care Centers of America, Inc., as such agreement
may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time so long
as such amendments, modifications or supplements are not,
individually or in the aggregate, material adverse to Eye Care
Centers of America, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries (after giving
effect to the consummation of the Transactions (as defined in the
Offering Memorandum)) or the Holders of the Notes.
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“ Offering
Memorandum ” means the Final Offering Memorandum of the
Pledgor dated January 28, 2005 pursuant to which the Notes were
offered to the Holders.
“ Special Redemption
Date ” means the earlier of (x) the date specified by the
Pledgor in an officers’ certificate delivered in accordance
with Section 7(b) hereof and (y) April 5, 2005.
“ Special Redemption
Price ” means the price equal to 98.495% of the principal
amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and
including the date hereof to but excluding the Special Redemption
Date.
“ U.S. Government
Securities ” means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of
which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a
Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment
of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America which, in either case,
are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof
and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as
defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian,
with respect to any such U.S. Government Securities or a specific
payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government
Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depository receipt; provided , however , that
(except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the U.S. Government Securities or the specific payment
of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation
evidenced by such depository receipt.
All capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to them in the Indenture. Unless otherwise defined herein
or in the Indenture, terms used in Articles 8 or 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York (the “
U.C.C. ”) are used herein as therein
defined.
1.2 Appointment of the
Escrow Agent . The Pledgor hereby appoints The Bank of New York
as Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions set
forth herein and The Bank of New York hereby accepts such
appointment. Any and all Escrowed Funds shall be deposited with the
Escrow Agent in the Collateral Account, in U.S. Dollars, by wire
transfer as follows: The Bank of New York, ABA# 021000018, A/C#
427101, Account Name: LFS-Merger Sub, Inc. Collateral Account, Ref:
LFS-Merger Sub, Inc., Attn.: Patricia Gallagher. The Escrow Agent
shall not be required, or have any duty, to notify anyone of any
payment or maturity under the terms of any instrument deposited
hereunder, nor to take any legal action to enforce payment of any
check, note or security deposited hereunder or to exercise any
right or privilege which may be afforded to the holder of any such
security.
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1.3 Establish Account
. The Escrow Agent shall establish and maintain the Collateral
Account herein provided for in accordance with the terms of this
Escrow and Security Agreement.
1.4 Pledge and Grant of
Security Interest . The Pledgor hereby pledges to the Trustee
for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the
Notes and, solely with respect to the Initial Purchasers’
Commission (but only to the extent payable hereunder and under the
Purchase Agreement), the Initial Purchasers, and hereby grants to
the Trustee for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of the
Holders of the Notes and the Initial Purchasers, as applicable, a
continuing first-priority security interest in and to all of the
Pledgor’ s right, title and interest in, to and under the
following, whether characterized as investment property,
certificated securities, uncertificated securities, general
intangibles or otherwise: (a) the Collateral Account, all funds
held therein and all certificates and instruments, if any, from
time to time representing or evidencing the Collateral Account, (b)
all Collateral Investments (as hereinafter defined) and all
certificates and instruments, if any, representing or evidencing
the Collateral Investments, and any and all security entitlements
to the Collateral Investments, and any and all related securities
accounts in which security entitlements to the Collateral
Investments are carried, (c) all cash, notes, deposit accounts,
checks and other instruments, if any, from time to time hereafter
delivered to or otherwise possessed by the Escrow Agent, as Escrow
Agent only and not in any other capacity, for or on behalf of the
Pledgor in substitution for or in addition to any or all the then
existing Collateral (as hereinafter defined), and (d) all proceeds
of and other distributions on or with respect to any and all of the
foregoing Collateral (including, without limitation, all dividends,
interest, principal payments, cash, options, warrants, rights,
investments, subscriptions and other property or proceeds,
including proceeds that constitute property of the types described
in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 1.4) (clauses (a)
through (d) being hereinafter collectively referred to as the
“ Collateral ”). The Escrow Agent (in its
capacity as a securities intermediary) hereby agrees that it will
comply with entitlement orders originated by the Trustee (in its
capacity as a secured party/purchaser) without further consent by
the Pledgor (in its capacity as a debtor/entitlement holder), it
being acknowledged and agreed that so long as no Event of Default
exists, the Escrow Agent shall honor entitlement orders issued by
the Pledgor in accordance with Sections 5 or 7 hereof.
1.5 Deposit of Escrowed
Funds . On the Closing Date, the Pledgor shall deposit, or
direct the deposit, of the Escrow Amount into the Collateral
Account.
SECTION 2. Security for
Obligations . The pledge and lien granted by Pledgor pursuant
to Section 1.4 hereof secures the prompt and complete performance
when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
of the Obligations.
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SECTION 3. Delivery of
Collateral . All certificates or instruments representing or
evidencing the Collateral, including, without limitation, amounts
invested as provided in Section 5 hereof, shall be delivered to and
held by Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms hereof and shall be in
suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by
duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all
in form and substance sufficient to convey a valid security
interest in such Collateral to the Trustee, or shall be credited to
the Collateral Account which shall be maintained as a securities
account by the Escrow Agent.
SECTION 4. Maintaining the
Collateral Account . Except as otherwise provided by the
provisions of Section 7 and Section 14 hereof:
(a) So long as the
Obligations shall remain outstanding, the Pledgor will maintain the
Collateral Account with the Escrow Agent.
(b) Except as provided in
Section 7 hereof, it shall be a term and condition of the
Collateral Account, notwithstanding any term or condition to the
contrary in any other agreement relating to the Collateral Account,
that no amount (including interest on Collateral Investments) shall
be paid or released to or for the account of, or withdrawn by or
for the account of, the Pledgor or any other Person from the
Collateral Account.
(c) The Collateral Account
shall be established and maintained as a securities account (as
defined in Section 8-501 of the U.C.C.).
(d) The Collateral Account
shall be subject to such applicable laws, and such applicable
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and of any other appropriate banking or governmental authority, as
may now or hereafter be in effect.
SECTION 5. Investing of
Amounts in the Collateral Account . The Escrow Agent shall
invest all amounts on deposit in the Collateral Account in the name
of the Escrow Agent in Cash Equivalents (“ Collateral
Investment ”). In no event shall the Escrow Agent be
liable for any loss in the investment or reinvestment of amounts
held in the Collateral Account unless such loss results from the
Escrow Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or wilful
misconduct.
SECTION 6. Delivery of
Collateral Investments; Filing . (a) The Escrow Agent shall
become the holder on behalf of the Trustee of the Collateral
Investments (or applicable security entitlements thereto) through
the following delivery procedures: (i) in the case of Collateral
Investments which are uncertificated securities, registration of
one of the following as owner of such uncertificated securities:
the Escrow Agent or a Person designated by the Escrow Agent, or
Person other than a securities intermediary or financial
intermediary, that becomes the registered owner of such
uncertificated securities and acknowledges that it holds the same
for the Escrow Agent; and (ii) in the case of Collateral
Investments in the form of Government Book-Entry Securities, the
making by securities intermediary (other than a clearing
corporation) to whose account such Government Book-Entry Securities
have been credited on the books of a Federal Reserve Bank (or on
the books of another such securities intermediary (other than a
clearing corporation)) of book entries indicating that such
Government Book-Entry Securities have been credited to an account
of the Escrow Agent, and the sending by such securities
intermediary to the Escrow Agent of confirmation of such transfer
to the Escrow Agent’s account.
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(b) Prior to or concurrently
with the execution and delivery hereof and prior to the transfer to
the Escrow Agent of Collateral Investments (or acquisition by the
Escrow Agent of any security entitlement thereto) the Escrow Agent
shall establish the Collateral Account on its books as an account
segregated from all other custodial or collateral accounts. All
investments made from funds in the Collateral Account including
Collateral Investments shall be credited to the Collateral Account
and the Escrow Agent hereby agrees to treat all property credited
to the Collateral Account as a “financial asset” as
defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the U.C.C. Subject to the other
terms and conditions of this Escrow and Security Agreement, all
Collateral Investments held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this
Escrow and Security Agreement shall be held in the Collateral
Account subject (except as expressly provided in Sections 7(a) and
7(b) hereof) to the control (within the meaning of Section 8-106 of
the U.C.C.) of the Escrow Agent and exclusively for the benefit of
the Trustee and for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes
and segregated from all other funds or other property otherwise
held by the Escrow Agent.
(c) All Collateral shall be
retained in the Collateral Account and pending disbursement
pursuant to the terms hereof.
SECTION 7.
Disbursements . The Escrow Agent shall hold the assets in
the Collateral Account and release the same only as
follows:
(a) If the Escrow Agent
receives, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on
April 1, 2005, an Officers’ Certificate in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A, the Escrow Agent shall, on the date specified
on such certificate (which date shall be at least one (1) Business
Day after delivery of such certificate), upon receipt of an
Officers’ Certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B on such date, disburse from the Collateral Account (A) first, to
pay any expenses (x) payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent
hereunder or (y) payable by the Peldgor pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, in each case that have not been paid, (B) second, to the
Initial Purchasers an amount equal to 100% of the Initial
Purchasers’ Commission (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)
and (C) third, to, or at the written direction of, the Pledgor the
remainder of all Escrowed Funds (after payment of the Initial
Purchasers’ Commission) held in the Collateral Account or
otherwise;
(b) If (i) the Escrow Agent
receives, at any time prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on
April 1, 2005, an Officers’ Certificate from the Pledgor
certifying that the Merger Agreement has been terminated in
accordance with its terms or (ii) the Escrow Agent has not
received the Officers’ Certificates in accordance with
paragraph (a) above or clause (i) of this paragraph prior to 11:00
a.m. (New York City time) on April 1, 2005, the Escrow Agent shall
promptly notify the Trustee in writing and the Trustee, on the same
Business Day, shall promptly notify each Holder in accordance with
the provisions of the Indenture that all of the outstanding Notes
shall be redeemed on the Special Redemption Date (which shall be
two (2) Business Days after delivery of such notice to the Holders
but in any event on or prior to April 5, 2005), at the Special
Redemption Price, and shall state that the Notes must be
surrendered to the Paying Agent in order to collect the Special
Redemption Price. Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the
Special Redemption Date, the Escrow Agent shall release cash in an
amount equal to the Special Redemption Price to the Paying Agent as
per the written instructions of the Trustee (which shall specify
the Special Redemption Price and the wire payment instructions).
The
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Notes shall be redeemed as specified in
Article 5.9 of the Indenture. The balance of any Collateral
remaining in the Collateral Account and not required by the Trustee
to fund the Special Redemption Price shall be disbursed (A) first,
to pay any expenses (x) payable by the Pledgor to the Escrow Agent
hereunder or by (y) payable by the Pledgor pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, in each case that have not been paid and (B) second, to,
or at the written direction of, the Pledgor in an amount equal to
the remainder of all Escrowed Funds held in the Collateral Account
or otherwise.
(c) If the Pledgor is
required to effect the redemption contemplated by subclause (b)
above and for any reason the amount of Collateral to be released is
insufficient to pay the Special Redemption Price to redeem all of
the outstanding Notes as provided in the Indenture, the Pledgor
agrees to pay to the Paying Agent on or prior to the Special
Redemption Date, the amount of funds necessary to permit all
outstanding Notes to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions
in the Indenture.
(d) Upon the release of any
Collateral from the Collateral Account or otherwise in accordance
with the terms of this Escrow and Security Agreement, the security
interest evidenced by this Escrow and Security Agreement in such
released Collateral will automatically terminate and be of no
further force and effect.
(e) The Escrow Agent shall
not be required to liquidate any Collateral Investment in order to
make any release hereunder unless (i) required to do so to effect
any distribution pursuant to Section 7(a) or Section 7(b) hereof;
(ii) instructed to do so by written instructions executed by the
Pledgor, the Trustee and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (the “
Representative ”); or (iii) pursuant to Section 13
hereof.
(f) Notwithstanding anything
in this Escrow and Security Agreement to the contrary, the Escrow
Agent shall disburse Escrowed Funds as directed pursuant to (i) a
final judgment (without further right of appeal) or (ii) a written
notice executed by the Pledgor, the Trustee and the
Representative.
SECTION 8. Representations
and Warranties . (a) The Pledgor hereby represents and warrants
that:
(1) The execution, delivery
and performance by the Pledgor of this Escrow and Security
Agreement will not (x) result in a breach or violation of any of
the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or,
except for those created by under this Escrow and Security
Agreement, result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge
or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Pledgor pursuant
to, any agreement or instrument to which the Pledgor is a party or
by which the Pledgor is bound or to which any of the property or
assets of the Pledgor is subject, (y) result in any violation of
the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational
documents of the Pledgor or (z) result in the violation of any law
or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court
or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority.
(2) Pursuant to the
Indenture, the Pledgor has directed the Trustee to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
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(3) Other than filings of
U.C.C. financing statements, no consent, approval, authorization or
order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is
required (i) for the performance by the Pledgor of its obligations
under this Escrow and Security Agreement, (ii) for the pledge by
the Pledgor of the Collateral pursuant to this Escrow and Security
Agreement or (iii) for the exercise by the Escrow Agent of the
rights provided for in this Escrow and Security Agreement or the
remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Escrow and
Security Agreement.
(4) The Pledgor is the
beneficial owner of the Collateral, free and clear of any Lien or
claims of any Person (except for the security interests granted
under this Escrow and Security Agreement). No financing statement
covering the Pledgor’s interest in the Collateral is on file
in any public office, other than financing statements, if any,
filed pursuant to this Escrow and Security Agreement. Upon the
execution and delivery of this Escrow and Security Agreement by all
parties hereto, the Trustee will have a first-priority perfected
security interest in the Collateral prior to any other security
interest created under the U.C.C.
(5) This Escrow Agreement and
Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Pledgor and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance
with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute
a valid and legally binding agreement of the Pledgor enforceable
against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to
enforceability.
(6) To the Pledgor’s
knowledge, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory
investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the
Pledgor is or may be a party or to which any property of the
Pledgor is or may be the subject that, if decided adversely to the
Pledgor, could have an adverse effect of the ability of the Pledgor
to perform its obligations under this Escrow and Security Agreement
or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(7) The Pledgor has
delivered, or caused to be delivered, the Escrow Amount to the
Escrow Agent on the date hereof in an amount sufficient to redeem
the Notes on April 5, 2005 (the last possible Special Redemption
Date) at the Special Redemption Price in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture. The Escrow Agent shall have no
responsibilities to calculate or verify such amount at any
time.
(8) The pledge of the
Collateral pursuant to this Escrow and Security Agreement is not
prohibited by law or governmental regulation (including, without
limitation, Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System) applicable to the Pledgor.
(9) No Default or Event of
Default exists under the terms of the Indenture.
(b) The Escrow Agent hereby
represents and warrants that:
(1) The Escrow Agent may act
as a securities intermediary, as defined in Section 8-102 of the
U.C.C.
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(2) The execution, delivery
and performance by the Escrow Agent of this Escrow and Security
Agreement will not (x) conflict with or result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
default under any material agreement or material instrument known
to the signer hereof to which the Escrow Agent is a party or by
which the Escrow Agent is bound, (y) result in any violation of the
provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational
documents of the Escrow Agent or (z) result in the violation of any
law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any
court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority; no
consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification
with, any governmental body or agency is required for the
performance by the Escrow Agent of its obligations and rights under
this Escrow and Security Agreement.
(3) This Escrow Agreement and
Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Escrow Agent and, when duly executed and delivered in
accordance with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will
constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Escrow
Agent enforceable against the Escrow Agent in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles
relating to enforceability.
(4) There are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending or, to the best of the Escrow
Agent’s knowledge, threatened to which the Escrow Agent or
any of its respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of
the properties of the Escrow Agent or any such subsidiary is
subject that would materially adversely affect the power or ability
of the Escrow Agent to perform its respective obligations under
this Escrow and Security Agreement or to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) The Trustee hereby
represents and warrants that:
(1) The execution, delivery
and performance by the Trustee of this Escrow and Security
Agreement will not (x) conflict with or result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
default under any material agreement or material instrument known
to the signer hereof to which the Trustee is a party or by which
the Trustee is bound, (y) result in any violation of the provisions
of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of
the Trustee or (z) result in the violation of any law or statute or
any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator
or governmental or regulatory authority; no consent, approval,
authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental
body or agency is required for the performance by the Trustee of
its obligations and rights under this Escrow and Security
Agreement.
(2) This Escrow Agreement and
Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Trustee and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance
with its terms by each of the other parties hereto, will constitute
a valid and legally binding agreement of the Trustee enforceable
against the Trustee in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to
enforceability.
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(3) There are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending or, to the best of the
Trustee’s knowledge, threatened to which the Trustee or any
of its respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the
properties of the Trustee or any such subsidiary is subject that
would materially adversely affect the power or ability of the
Trustee to perform its respective obligations under this Escrow and
Security Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
SECTION 9. Further
Assurances . The Pledgor will, promptly upon request by the
Escrow Agent (which request the Escrow Agent will submit at the
direction of the Trustee), execute and deliver or cause to be
executed and delivered, or use its reasonable best efforts to
procure, all assignments, instruments and other documents, deliver
any instruments to the Escrow Agent and take any other actions that
are necessary or desirable to perfect, continue the perfection of,
or protect the first priority of the Trustee’s security
interest in and to the Collateral, to protect the Collateral
against the rights, claims, or interests of third persons (other
than any such rights, claims or interests created by or arising
through the Escrow Agent) or to effect the purposes of this Escrow
and Security Agreement. The Pledgor also hereby authorizes the
Trustee to file any financing or continuation statements in the
United States with respect to the Collateral without the signature
of the Pledgor (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The
Pledgor will promptly pay all reasonable costs incurred in
connection with any of the foregoing within 60 days of receipt of
an invoice therefor. The Pledgor also agrees, whether or not
requested by the Trustee, to take all actions that are necessary to
perfect, continue the perfection of, or to protect the first
priority of, the Trustee’s security interest in and to the
Collateral, including the filing of all necessary financing and
continuation statements, and to protect the Collateral against the
rights, claims or interests of third persons (other than any such
rights, claims or interests created by or arising through the
Trustee).
Section 10. Covenants
. The Pledgor covenants and agrees with the Escrow Agent, the
Initial Purchasers and the Trustee that from and after the date of
this Escrow and Security Agreement until the earlier of (i) the
release of all Collateral to the Initial Purchasers and the Pledgor
in accordance with Section 7(a) hereof and (ii) the payment of the
Special Redemption Price for all Notes redeemed as provided by
Section 5.9 of the Indenture and Section 7(b) hereof and the
payment of the other amounts pursuant to Section 7(b)
hereof:
(a) that (i) it will not (and
will not purport to) sell or otherwise dispose of, or grant any
option or warrant with respect to, any of the Collateral, (ii) it
will not create or permit to exist any Lien on any of the
Collateral (except for the security interests granted under this
Escrow and Security Agreement and any Lien created by or arising
through the Trustee) and at all times will be the sole beneficial
owner of the Collateral and (iii) it will not take any action to
enable the secured parties under the Existing Credit Agreement to
obtain “control” within the meaning of Section 9-106 of
the U.C.C. with respect to the Collateral; and
(b) that it will not (i)
enter into any agreement or understanding that restricts or
inhibits or purports to restrict or inhibit the Trustee’s
rights or remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, the
Trustee’s right to direct the sale or disposal of the
Collateral as otherwise permitted hereunder or (ii) fail to pay or
discharge any tax, assessment or levy of any nature with respect to
the Collateral not later than the date of any proposed sale under
any judgment, writ or warrant of attachment with respect to the
Collateral.
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SECTION 11. Escrow Agent
Rights and Duties . (a) The duties, responsibilities and
obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be limited to those expressly
set forth herein and no duties, responsibilities or obligations
shall be inferred or implied. The Escrow Agent shall not be subject
to, nor required to comply with, any other agreement between or
among any or all of the other parties hereto or to which any of
them is a party, even though reference thereto may be made herein,
or to comply with any direction or instruction (other than those
contained herein or delivered in accordance with this Escrow and
Security Agreement) from any such party or any entity acting on its
behalf. The Escrow Agent shall not be required to, and shall not,
expend or risk any of its own funds or otherwise incur any
financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
hereunder.
(b) If at any time the Escrow
Agent is served with any judicial or administrative order,
judgment, decree, writ or other form of judicial or administrative
process which in any way affects Escrowed Funds (including but not
limited to orders of attachment or garnishment or other forms of
levies or injunctions or stays relating to the transfer of Escrowed
Funds), the Escrow Agent is authorized to comply therewith in any
manner as it or its legal counsel of its own choosing deems
appropriate; and if the Escrow Agent complies with any such
judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, writ or other
form of judicial or administrative process, the Escrow Agent shall
not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other Person
even though such order, judgment, decree, writ or process may be
subsequently modified or vacated or otherwise determined to have
been without legal force or effect.
(c) The Escrow Agent shall
not be liable for any action taken or omitted or for any loss or
injury resulting from its actions or its performance or lack of
performance of its duties hereunder in the absence of bad faith,
willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part. In no event
shall the Escrow Agent be liable (i) for acting in accordance with
or relying upon any instruction, notice, demand, certificate or
document from Pledgor or any Person acting on behalf of the Pledgor
so long as such action is taken in accordance with the provisions
of this Escrow and Security Agreement, (ii) for the acts or
omissions of its nominees, correspondents, designees, subagents or
subcustodians, or (iii) for an amount in excess of the value of the
Escrowed Funds, valued as of the date of deposit, plus any accrued
interest thereon. Anything in this Escrow and Security Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Escrow Agent be
liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any
kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even
if the Escrow Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss
or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(d) The Escrow Agent may
consult with legal counsel of its own selection (with the expense
to be reimbursed in accordance with the terms of Section 14 hereof)
as to any matter relating to this Escrow and Security Agreement,
and the Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability in acting in
good faith in accordance with any advice from such
counsel.
(e) The Escrow Agent shall
not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling
any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any
occurrence beyond the control of the Escrow Agent (including but
not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or
regulation or governmental authority, any act of God, war,
terrorism or other catastrophe, or the unavailability of the
Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex or other wire or communication
facility).
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(f) The Pledgor, with the
consent of the Representative and the Trustee may remove the Escrow
Agent at any time by giving to Escrow Agent five (5) calendar
days’ prior notice in writing signed by the Pledgor, the
Representative and Trustee. The Escrow Agent may resign at any time
by giving to the Pledgor, the Representative and Trustee fifteen
(15) calendar days’ prior written notice thereof.
(i) Within two (2) calendar
days after giving the foregoing notice of removal to Escrow Agent
or receiving the foregoing notice of resignation from Escrow Agent,
the Pledgor, the Representative and the Trustee shall reasonably
agree on and appoint a successor Escrow Agent. If a successor
Escrow Agent has not accepted such appointment by the end of such
two-day period, the Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, apply
to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Escrow Agent or for other appropriate relief. The costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
expenses) incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with such
proceeding shall be paid by, and be deemed an obligation of, the
Pledgor.
(ii) Upon receipt of the
identity of the successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall
either deliver the Escrowed Funds then held hereunder to the
successor Escrow Agent, less Escrow Agent’s fees, costs and
expenses or other obligations owed to the Escrow Agent, or hold
such Escrowed Funds (or any portion thereof), pending distribution,
until all such fees, costs and expenses or other obligations are
paid.
(iii) Upon delivery of the
Escrowed Funds to such successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent
shall have no further duties, responsibilities or obligations
hereunder.
(g) Any corporation or other
company into which the Escrow Agent may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other
company resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to
which the Escrow Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or
other company succeeding to all or substantially all of the
corporate trust business of the Escrow Agent, shall be the
successor of the Escrow Agent hereunder without the execution or
filing of any paper or any further action on the part of any of the
parties hereto.
(h) The Escrow Agent shall
upon the request of the Pledgor from time to time, provide a
statement identifying transactions, transfers or holdings of
Escrowed Funds and each such statement shall be deemed to be
correct and final upon receipt thereof by the other parties hereto
unless the Escrow Agent is notified in writing to the contrary
within thirty (30) Business Days of the date of such
statement.
(i) The Escrow Agent shall
not be responsible in any respect for the form, execution,
validity, value or genuineness of documents or securities deposited
hereunder, or for any description therein, or for the identity,
authority or rights of Persons executing or delivering or
purporting to execute or deliver any such document, security or
endorsement.
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(j) In the event of any
ambiguity or uncertainty hereunder or in any notice, instruction or
other communication received by the Escrow Agent hereunder, the
Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any
action other than retain possession of the Escrowed Funds, unless
the Escrow Agent receives joint written instructions, signed by
Pledgor, Representative and the Trustee, which eliminates such
ambiguity or uncertainty.
(k) In the event of any
dispute between or conflicting claims, demands or instructions by
or among the other parties to this Escrow and Security Agreement
and/or any other Person with respect to any Escrowed Funds, the
Escrow Agent shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to refuse
to comply with any and all claims, demands or instructions with
respect to such Escrowed Funds so long as such dispute or conflict
shall continue, and the Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable
in any way for failure or refusal to comply with such conflicting
claims, demands or instructions. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled
to refuse to act until, in its sole discretion, either (i) such
conflicting or adverse claims or demands shall have been determined
by a final order, judgment or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction, which order, judgment or decree is not subject to
appeal, or settled by agreement between the conflicting parties as
evidenced in a writing satisfactory to the Escrow Agent or (ii) the
Escrow Agent shall have received security or an indemnity
satisfactory to it sufficient to hold it harmless from and against
any and all Losses (as defined below) which it may incur by reason
of so acting. The Escrow Agent may, in addition, elect, in its sole
discretion, to commence an interpleader action or seek other
judicial relief or orders as it may deem, in its sole discretion,
necessary. The costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with
such proceeding shall be paid by, and shall be deemed an obligation
of, the Pledgor.
(l) The rights and remedies
conferred upon the Escrow Agent and the Pledgor hereto shall be
cumulative, and the exercise or waiver of any such right or remedy
shall not preclude or inhibit the exercise of any additional rights
or remedies. The waiver of any right or remedy hereunder shall not
preclude the subsequent exercise of such right or
remedy.
(m) The Escrow Agent does not
have any interest in the Escrowed Funds hereunder but is serving as
escrow holder only and having only possession thereof. Pledgor
shall pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent upon request for any
transfer taxes or other taxes relating to the Escrowed Funds
incurred in connection herewith and shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Escrow Agent any amounts that it is obligated to pay
in the way of such taxes. Upon execution of this Agreement, the
parties hereto shall provide the Escrow Agent with a fully executed
W-9 IRS form. The parties hereto agree that (i) for tax reporting
purposes, and for any tax year, all interest or other income earned
under the Escrow and Security Agreement shall be allocable to the
Pledgor and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Pledgor will include all amounts earned under the Escrow and
Security Agreement in its gross income for federal, state and local
income tax (collectively, “income tax”) purposes and
pay any income tax resulting therefrom, and the Escrow Agent shall
allocate all such earnings for tax reporting purposes to the
Pledgor. Any payments of income from the account established
hereunder may be subject to withholding regulations then in force
with respect to United States taxes, and if required, the parties
hereto will promptly provide the Escrow Agent with completed and
executed W-9, W-8BEN or other appropriate forms. It is understood
that the Escrow Agent shall be responsible for income reporting
only with respect to any income which may be earned on investment
of funds which are a part of the Escrowed Funds and is not
responsible for any other reporting.
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(n) The rights and powers
granted to the Escrow Agent hereunder are being granted in order to
preserve and protect the security interest of the Trustee and the
Holders of the Notes in and to the Collateral granted hereby and
shall not be interpreted to and shall not impose any duties on the
Escrow Agent in connection therewith other than those expressly
provided herein or imposed under applicable law. Except as provided
by applicable law or by the Indenture, the Escrow Agent shall be
deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral
is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Escrow
Agent accords similar property held by the Escrow Agent for similar
accounts, it being understood that the Escrow Agent in its capacity
as such shall not have any responsibility for (a) ascertaining or
taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges,
maturities or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or
not the Escrow Agent has or is deemed to have knowledge of such
matters, (b) taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against
any parties with respect to any Collateral or (c) investing or
reinvesting any of the Collateral, provided , however
, that nothing contained in this Escrow and Security Agreement
shall relieve the Escrow Agent of any responsibilities in its
capacity as a securities intermediary under applicable
law.
Section 12. Indemnity
. The Pledgor shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Escrow
Agent and its directors, officers, agents and employees, from and
against any and all claims, actions, obligations, liabilities,
damages, costs and expenses (“ Losses ”)
directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to or in connection
with its acceptance of its appointment hereunder or its performance
as Escrow Agent, provided that such Losses do not arise from
the Escrow Agent’s bad faith, wilful misconduct or gross
negligence.
SECTION 13. Remedies upon
Event of Default . If any Event of Default under the Indenture
or any default hereunder (any such Event of Default or default
being referred to in this Escrow and Security Agreement as an
“ Event of Default ”) not cured within 30 days
after notice thereof to the Pledgor shall have occurred and be
continuing:
(a) The Trustee and the
Holders of the Notes shall have, in addition to all other rights
given by law or by this Escrow and Security Agreement or the
Indenture, all of the rights and remedies with respect to the
Collateral of a secured party under the U.C.C. in effect in the
State of New York at that time. In addition, with respect to any
Collateral that shall then be in or shall thereafter come into the
possession or custody of the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent, at the
written direction of the Trustee, shall, sell or cause the same to
be sold at any broker’s board or at public or private sale,
in one or more sales or lots, at such price or prices as the
Trustee may deem commercially reasonable, for cash or on credit or
for future delivery, without assumption of any credit risk. The
purchaser of any or all Collateral so sold shall thereafter hold
the same absolutely, free from any claim, encumbrance or right of
any kind whatsoever created by or through the Pledgor. Unless any
of the Collateral threatens, in the reasonable judgment of the
Trustee, to decline speedily in value or is or becomes of a type
sold on a recognized market, the Trustee will give the Pledgor
reasonable notice of the time and place of any public sale thereof,
or of the time after which any private sale or other intended
disposition is to be made. Any sale of the Collateral conducted in
conformity with reasonable commercial practices of
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banks, insurance companies, commercial
finance companies, or other financial institutions disposing of
property similar to the Collateral shall be deemed to be
commercially reasonable. Any requirements of reasonable notice
shall be met if such notice is mailed to the Pledgor as provided in
Section 16.1 hereof at least five (5) days before the time of the
sale or disposition. The Trustee, Escrow Agent or any Holder of
Notes may, in its own name or in the name of a designee or nominee,
buy any of the Collateral at any public sale and, if permitted by
applicable law, at any private sale. All expenses (including court
costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and
disbursements) of, or incident to, the enforcement of any of the
provisions hereof shall be recoverable from the proceeds of the
sale or other disposition of the Collateral.
(b) The Pledgor further
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to do or cause to be done
all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales
of all or any portion of the Collateral pursuant to this Section 13
valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other
applicable requirements of law. The Pledgor further agrees that a
breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 13 will
cause irreparable injury to the Trustee, Escrow Agent and the
Holders of the Notes, that the Trustee, Escrow Agent and the
Holders of the Notes have no adequate remedy at law in respect of
such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant
contained in this Section 13 shall be specifically enforceable
against the Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives and agrees not
to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance
of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has
occurred.
SECTION 14. Compensation;
Expenses . The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to receive an
administrative fee of $1,500.00 from the Pledgor upon execution of
this Escrow and Security Agreement. If any fees, expenses or costs
incurred by, or any obligations owed to, the Escrow Agent hereunder
are not promptly paid when due, the Escrow Agent may reimburse
itself therefor from the Escrowed Funds and may sell, convey or
otherwise dispose of any Escrowed Funds for such purpose. As
security for the due and punctual performance of the obligations to
the Escrow Agent under this Section 14, Section 12 hereof and all
other obligations owing to the Escrow Agent hereunder, now or
hereafter arising, the Pledgor hereby pledges, assigns and grants
to the Escrow Agent a continuing security interest in, and a lien
on, the Escrowed Funds and all distributions thereon or additions
thereto. The security interest of the Escrow Agent shall at all
times be valid, perfected and enforceable by the Escrow Agent
against all such parties and all third parties in accordance with
the terms of this Escrow Agreement. The Pledgor will upon demand
pay to the Escrow Agent the amount of any and all reasonable
expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees,
expenses and disbursements of its counsel, experts and agents
retained by the Escrow Agent, that the Escrow Agent may incur in
connection with (a) the review, negotiation and administration of
this Escrow and Security Agreement, (b) the custody or preservation
of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
of the Collateral, (c) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
rights of the Escrow Agent, the Holders of the Notes and the
Initial Purchasers hereunder or (d) the failure by the Pledgor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 15. Security
Interest Absolute . All rights of the Trustee, Escrow Agent,
the Holders of the Notes and the Initial Purchasers and security
interests hereunder, and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder,
shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:
(a) any lack of validity or
enforceability of the Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument relating thereto;
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(b) any change in the time,
manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any
of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any
consent to any dep
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