[FIRST UNION LOGO]
SECURITY AGREEMENT
April 25, 1997
Optical Cable Corporation, a Virginia Corporation
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
(Individually and collectively "Debtor")
First Union National Bank of Virginia
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
(Hereinafter referred to as the "Bank")
For value received and to secure the payment and performance of the Promissory
Note executed by the Debtor of even date herewith, in the original principal
amount of $10,000,000.00, payable to Bank, and any extensions, renewals,
modifications or novations thereof (the "Note"), this Security Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and any other obligations of Debtor to Bank however
created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, now existing or hereafter arising or acquired, including swap
agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. ss. 101), future advances, and all costs and
expenses incurred by Bank to obtain, preserve, perfect and enforce the security
interest granted herein and to maintain, preserve and collect the property
subject to the security interest (collectively, "Obligations"), Debtor hereby
grants to Bank a continuing security interest in and lien upon the following
described property, now owned or hereafter acquired, any additions, accessions,
or substitutions thereof and thereto (including but not limited to investment
property and security entitlements), and all cash and non-cash proceeds and
products thereof (collectively, "Collateral"):
All accounts, contract rights, inventory, furniture, fixtures, machinery,
equipment and general intangibles now existing or hereafter arising and proceeds
and products thereof.
Debtor hereby represents and agrees that:
OWNERSHIP. Debtor owns the Collateral or Debtor will purchase and acquire rights
in the Collateral within ten days of the date advances are made under the Loan
Documents. If Collateral is being acquired with the proceeds of an advance under
the Loan Documents, Debtor authorizes Bank to disburse proceeds directly to the
seller of the Collateral. The Collateral is free and clear of all liens,
security interests, and claims except those previously reported in writing to
Bank, and Debtor will keep the Collateral free and clear from all liens,
security interests and claims, other than those granted to Bank.
NAME AND OFFICES. There has been no change in the name of Debtor, or the name
under which Debtor conducts business, within the 5 years preceding the date of
execution of this Security Agreement and Debtor has not moved its executive
offices or residence within the 5 years preceding the date of execution of this
Security Agreement except as previously reported in writing to Bank. The
taxpayer identification number of Debtor as provided herein is correct.
TITLE/TAXES. Debtor has good and marketable title to Collateral and will warrant
and defend same against all claims. Debtor will not transfer, sell, or lease
Collateral (except in the ordinary course of business). Debtor agrees to pay
promptly all taxes and assessments upon or for the use of Collateral and on this
Security Agreement. At its option, Bank may discharge taxes, liens, security
interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on Collateral.
Debtor agrees to reimburse Bank, on demand, for any such payment made by Bank.
Any amounts so paid shall be added to the Obligations.
WAIVERS. Debtor waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, notice
of default, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate, and notice of
acceleration of maturity. Debtor further agrees not to assert against Bank as a
defense (legal or equitable), as a set-off, as a counterclaim, or otherwise, any
claims Debtor may have against any seller or lessor that provided personal
property or services relating to any part of the Collateral. Debtor waives all
exemptions and homestead rights with regard to the Collateral. Debtor waives any
and all rights to notice or to hearing prior to Bank's taking immediate
possession or control of any Collateral, and to any bond or security which might
be required by applicable law prior to the exercise of any of Bank's remedies
against any Collateral.
EXTENSIONS, RELEASES. Debtor agrees that Bank may extend, renew or modify any of
the Obligations and grant any releases, compromises or indulgences with respect
to any security for the Obligations, or with respect to any party liable for the
Obligations, all without notice to or consent of Debtor and without affecting
the liability of Debtor or the enforceability of this Security Agreement.
NOTIFICATIONS OF CHANGE. Debtor will notify Bank in writing at least 30 days
prior to any change in: (i) Debtor's chief place of business and/or residence;
(ii) Debtor's name or identity; or (iii) Debtor's corporate/organizational
structure. Debtor will keep Collateral at the location(s) previously provided to
Bank until such time as Bank provides written advance consent to a change of
location. Debtor will bear the cost of preparing and filing any documents
necessary to protect Bank's liens.
COLLATERAL CONDITION AND LAWFUL USE. Debtor represents that Collateral is in
good repair and condition and that Debtor shall use reasonable care to prevent
Collateral from being damaged or depreciating. Debtor shall immediately notify
Bank of any material loss or damage to Collateral. Debtor shall not permit any
item of equipment to become a fixture to real estate or an accession to other
personal property. Debtor represents it is in compliance in all respects with
all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its
properties, Collateral, operations, business, and finances, including without
limitation, any federal or state laws relating to liquor (including 18 U.S.C.
ss. 3617, et seq.) Or narcotics (including 21 U.S.C. ss. 801, et seq.) And all
applicable federal, state and local laws, and regulations intended to protect
the environment.
RISK OF LOSS AND INSURANCE. Debtor shall bear all risk of loss with respect to
the Collateral. The injury to or loss of Collateral, either partial or total,
shall not release Debtor from payment or other performance hereof. Debtor agrees
to obtain and keep in force casualty and hazard insurance on Collateral naming
Bank as loss payee. Such insurance is to be in form and amounts satisfactory to
Bank. All such policies shall provide to Bank a minimum of 30 days written
notice of cancellation. Debtor shall furnish to Bank such policies, or other
evidence of such policies satisfactory to Bank. Bank is authorized, but not
obligated, to purchase any or all insurance or "Single Interest Insurance"
protecting such interest as Bank deems appropriate against such risks and for
such coverage and for such amounts, including either the loan amount or value of
the Collateral, all at its discretion, and at Debtor's expense. In such event,
Debtor agrees to reimburse Bank for the cost of such insurance and Bank may add
such cost to the Obligations. Debtor shall bear the risk of loss to the extent
of any deficiency in the effective insurance coverage with respect to loss or
damage to any of the Collateral. Debtor hereby assigns to Bank to proceeds of
all such insurance and directs any insurer to make payments directly to Bank.
Debtor hereby appoints Bank its attorney-in-fact, which appointment shall be
irrevocable and coupled with any interest for so long as the Obligations are
unpaid, to file proof of loss and/or any other forms required to collect from
any insurer any amount due from any damage or destruction of Collateral, to
agree to and find Debtor as to the amount of said recovery, to designate
payee(s) of such recovery, to grant releases to insurer, to grant subrogation
rights to any insurer, and to endorse any settlement check or draft.
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Debtor agrees not to exercise any of the foregoing powers granted to Bank
without the Bank's prior written consent.
ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL. If at any time Collateral is unsatisfactory to Bank, then
on demand of Bank, Debtor shall immediately furnish such additional Collateral
satisfactory to Bank to be held by Bank as if originally pledged hereunder and
shall execute such additional security agreements and financing statements as
requested by Bank.
FINANCING STATEMENTS. No financing statement (other than any filed by Bank or
disclosed above) covering any of Collateral or proceeds thereof is on file in
any public filing office. This Security Agreement, or a copy thereof, or any
financing statement executed hereunder may be recorded. On request of Bank,
Debtor will execute one or more financing statements in form satisfactory to
Bank and will pay all costs and expenses of filing the same or of filing this
Security Agreement in all public filing offices, where filing is deemed by Bank
to be desirable. Bank is authorized to file financing statements relating to
Collateral without Debtor's signature where authorized by law. Debtor appoints
Bank as its attorney-in-fact to execute such documents necessary to accomplish
perfection of Bank's security interest. The appointment is coupled with an
interest and shall be irrevocable as long as any Obligations remain outstanding.
Debtor further agrees to take such other actions as might be requested for the
perfection, continuation and assignment, in whole or in part, of the security
interests granted herein. If certificates are issued or outstanding as to any of
the Collateral, Debtor will cause the security interests of Bank to be properly
protected, including perfection of notation thereon.
LANDLORD/MORTGAGE WAIVERS. Debtor shall cause each mortgagee of real property
owned by Debtor and each landlord of real property leased by Debtor to execute
and deliver instruments satisfactory in form and substance to Bank by which such
mortgagee or landlord waives its rights, if any, in the Collateral
STOCK, DIVIDENDS. If, with respect to any security pledged hereunder, a stock
dividend is declared, any stock split made or right to subscribe is issued, all
the certificates for the shares representing such stock dividend, stock split or
right to subscribes will be immediately delivered, duly endorsed, to the Bank as
additional collateral, and any cash or non-cash proceeds and products thereof,
including investment property and security entitlements will be immediately
delivered to Bank. If Debtor has granted to Bank a security interest in
securities, Debtor acknowledges that such grant includes all investment property
and security entitlements, now existing or hereafter arising, relating to such
securities. In addition, Debtor agrees to execute such notices and instructions
to securities intermediaries as Bank may reasonably request.
CONTRACTS, CHATTEL PAPER, ACCOUNTS, GENERAL INTANGIBLES. Debtor warrants that
Collateral consisting of contract rights, chattel paper, accounts, or general
intangibles is (i) genuine and enforceable in accordance with its terms except
as limited by law; (ii) not subject to any defense, set-off, claim or
counterclaim of a material nature against Debtor except as to which Debtor has
notified Bank in writing; and (iii) not subject to any other circumstances that
would impair the validity, enforceability, value, or amount of such Collateral
except as to which Debtor has notified Bank in writing. Debtor shall not amend,
modify or supplement any lease, contract or agreement contained in Collateral or
waive any provision therein, without prior written consent of Bank.
ACCOUNT INFORMATION. From time to time, at the Bank's request, Debtor shall
provide Bank with schedules describing all accounts and contracts, including
customers' addresses, credited or acquired by Debtor and at the Bank's request
shall execute and deliver written assignments of contracts and other documents
evidencing such accounts and contracts to Bank. Together with each schedule,
Debtor shall, if requested by Bank, furnish Bank with copies of Debtor's sales
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journals, invoices, customer purchase orders or the equivalent, and original
shipping or delivery receipts for all goods sold, and Debtor warrants the
genuineness thereof.
ACCOUNT AND CONTRACT DEBTORS. After a Default occurs, Bank shall have the right
to notify the account and contract debtors obligated on any or all of the
Collateral to make payment thereof directly to Bank and Bank may take control of
all proceeds of any such Collateral, which rights Bank may exercise at any time.
The cost of such collection and enforcement, including attorneys' fees and
expenses, shall be borne solely by Debtor whether the same is incurred by Bank
or Debtor. After a Default occurs, upon demand of Bank, Debtor will, upon
receipt of all checks, drafts, cash and other remittances in payment on
Collateral, deposit the same in a special bank account maintained with Bank,
over which Bank also has the power of withdrawal.
If a Default occurs, no discount, credit, or allowance shall be granted by
Debtor to any account or contract debtor and no return of merchandise shall be
accepted by Debtor without Bank's consent. Bank may, after Default, settle or
adjust disputes and claims directly with account contract debtors for amounts
and upon terms that Bank considers advisable, and in such cases, Bank will
credit the Obligations with the net amounts received by Bank, after deducting
all of the expenses incurred by Bank. Debtor agrees to indemnify and defend Bank
and hold it harmless with respect to any claim or proceeding arising out of any
matter related to collection of Collateral.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. If any Collateral covered hereby arises from obligations
due to Debtor from any governmental unit or organization, Debtor shall
immediately notify Bank in writing and execute all documents and take all
actions demanded by Bank to ensure recognition by such governmental unit or
organization of the rights of Bank in the Collateral.
INVENTORY. So long as no Default has occurred, Debtor shall have the right in
the regular course of business, to process and sell Debtor's inventory, unless
Bank shall hereafter otherwise direct in writing. Upon demand of Bank, Debtor
will, upon receipt of all checks, drafts, ash and other remittances, in payment
of Collateral sold, deposit the same in a special bank account maintained with
Bank, over which Bank also has the power of withdrawal. Debtor shall comply with
all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, rulings, and orders applicable
to Debtor or its assets or business, in all respects. Without limiting the
generality of the previous sentence, Debtor shall comply with all requirements
of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act in the conduct of its business and the
production of inventory. Debtor shall notify Bank immediately of any violation
by Debtor of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and a failure of Debtor to so notify
Bank shall constitute a continuing representation that all inventory then
existing has been produced in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
INSTRUMENTS, CHATTEL PAPER. Any Collateral that is instruments, chattel paper
and negotiable documents will be properly assigned to, deposited with and held
Bank, unless Bank shall hereafter otherwise direct or consent in writing. Bank
may, without notice, before or after maturity of the Obligations, exercise any
or all rights of collection, conversion, or exchange and other similar rights,
privileges and options pertaining to Collateral, but shall have no duty to do
so.
COLLATERAL DUTIES. Bank shall have no custodial or ministerial duties to perform
with respect to Collateral pledged except as set forth herein; and by way of
explanation and not by way of limitation, Bank shall incur no liability for any
of the following: (i) loss or depreciation of Collateral (unless caused by its
willful misconduct), (ii) its failure to present any paper for payment or
protest, to protest or give notice of nonpayment, or any other notice with
respect to any paper or Collateral, or (iii) its failure to present or surrender
for redemption, conversion or exchange any bond, stock, paper or other security
whether in connection with any merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or
reorganization, arising out of the refunding of the original security, or for
any other reason, or its failure to notify any party hereto that Collateral
should be so presented or surrendered.
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TRANSFER OF COLLATERAL. The Bank may assign its right in the Collateral or any
part thereof to any assignee who shall thereupon become vested with all the
powers and rights herein given to the Bank with respect to the property so
transferred and delivered, and the Bank shall thereafter be forever relieved and
fully discharged from any liability with respect to such property so
transferred, but with respect to any property not so transferred the Bank shall
retain all rights and powers hereby given.
SUBSTITUTE COLLATERAL. With prior written consent of Bank, other Collateral may
be substituted for the original Collateral herein in which event all rights,
duties, obligations, remedies and security interests provided for, created or
granted shall apply fully to such substitute Collateral.
INSPECTION, BOOKS AND RECORDS. Debtor will at all times keep accurate and
complete records covering each item of Collateral, including the proceeds
therefrom. Bank, or any of its agents, shall have the right, at intervals to be
determined by Bank and without hindrance or delay, to inspect, audit, and
examine the Collateral and to make extracts from the books, records, journals,
orders, receipts, correspondence and other data relating to Collateral, Debtor's
business or any other transaction between the parties hereto. Debtor will at its
expense furnish Bank copies thereof upon request.
CROSS COLLATERALIZATION LIMITATION. As to any other existing or future consumer
purpose loan made by Bank to Debtor, within the meaning of the Federal Consumer
Credit Protection Act, Bank expressly waives any security interest granted
herein in Collateral that Debtor uses as a principal dwelling and household
goods.
ATTORNEY'S FEES AND OTHER COSTS OF COLLECTION. Debtor shall pay all of Bank's
reasonable expenses incurred in enforcing this Agreement and in preserving and
liquidating Collateral, including but not limited to, reasonable arbitration,
paralegals', attorneys' and experts' fees and expenses, whether incurred without
the commencement of a suit, in any trial, arbitration, or administrative
proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding.
DEFAULT. If any of the following occurs, a default ("Default") under this
Security Agreement shall exist: (i) The failure of timely payment or performance
of any of the Obligations or a default under any Loan Document; (ii) Any breach
of any representation or agreement contained or referred to in this Security
Agreement or other Loan Document; (iii) Any loss, theft, substantial damage, or
destruction of Collateral not fully covered by insurance, or as to which
insurance proceeds are not remitted to Bank within 30 days of the loss; any sale
(except the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business), lease, or
encumbrance of any of collateral without prior written consent of Bank; or the
making of any levy, seizure, or attachment on or of Collateral which is not
removed within 10 days; or (iv) the death of, appointment of guardian for,
dissolution of, termination of existence of, loss of good standing status by,
appointment of a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or
commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against Debtor,
its Subsidiaries or Affiliates ("Affiliate" shall have the meaning as defined in
11 U.S.C. ss. 101; and "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which more
than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting stock is owned directly or
indirectly by Debtor), if any, or any general partner of or the holder(s) of the
majority ownership interests in Debtor or any party to the Loan Documents.
REMEDIES ON DEFAULT (INCLUDING POWER OF SALE). If a Default occurs, all of the
Obligations shall be immediately due and payable, without notice and Bank shall
have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial
Code. Without limitation thereto, Bank shall have the following rights and
remedies: (i) to take immediate possession of Collateral, without notice or
resort to legal process, and for such purpose, to enter upon any premises on
which Collateral or any part thereof may be situated and to remove the same
therefrom, or, at its option, to render the Collateral unusable or dispose of
said Collateral on Debtor's premises; (ii) to require
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Debtor to assemble the Collateral and make it available to Bank at a place to be
designated by Bank; (iii) to exercise its right of set-off or bank lien as to
any monies of Debtors deposited in demand, checking, time, savings, certificate
of deposit or other accounts of any nature maintained by Debtor with Bank or
Affiliates of Bank, without advance notice, regardless of whether such accounts
are general or special; (iv) to dispose of Collateral, as a unit or in parcels,
separately or with any real property interests also securing the Obligations, in
any county or place to be selected by Bank, at either private or public sale (at
which public sale bank may be the purchaser) with or without having the
Collateral physically present at said sale. Any notice of sale, disposition or
other action by Bank required by law and sent to Debtor at Debtor's address
shown above, or at such other address of debtor as may from time to time be
shown on the records of Bank, at least 5 days prior to such action, shall
constitute reasonable notice to Debtor. Notice shall be deemed given or sent
when mailed postage prepaid to Debtor's address as provided herein. Bank shall
be entitled to apply the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the
Collateral, and the payments received by Bank with respect to any of the
Collateral, to the Obligations in such order and manner as Bank may determine.
Collateral that is subject to rapid declines in value and is customarily sold in
recognized markets may be disposed of by Bank in a recognized market for such
collateral without providing notice of sale.
REMEDIES ARE CUMULATIVE. No failure on the part of Bank to exercise, and no
delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by Bank or any right,
power or remedy hereunder preclude any or other further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any right, power or remedy. The remedies herein provided are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law, in equity, or
in other Loan Documents.
MISCELLANEOUS. (i) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No waiver, amendment or modification
of any provision of this Security Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and
signed by an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank of any Default shall operate as
a waiver of any other Default or of the same Default on a future occasion.
Neither the failure of, nor any delay by, Bank in exercising any right, power or
privilege granted pursuant to this Security Agreement shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or
further exercise of any other right, power or privilege. (ii) ASSIGNMENT. All
rights of Bank hereunder are freely assignable, in whole or in part, and shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Bank, its successors, assigns and
affiliates. Debtor shall not assign its rights and interest hereunder without
the prior written consent of Bank, and any attempt by Debtor to assign without
Bank's prior written consent is null and void. Any assignment shall not release
Debtor from the Obligations. This Security Agreement shall be binding upon
Debtor, and the heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns of
Debtor. (iii) APPLICABLE LAW: CONFLICT BETWEEN DOCUMENTS. This Security
Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state in
which the office of Bank as stated above is located without regard to that
state's conflict of laws principles. If any terms of this Security Agreement
conflict with the terms of any commitment letter or loan proposal, the terms of
this Security Agreement shall control. (iv) JURISDICTION. Debtor irrevocably
agrees to non-exclusive personal jurisdiction in the state in which the office
of Bank as stated above is located. (v) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this
Security Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such
provision shall be ineffective but only to the extent or such prohibition or
invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the
remaining provisions of this Security Agreement. (vi) NOTICES. Any notices to
Debtor shall be sufficiently given. If in writing and mailed or delivered to the
address of Debtor shown above or such other address as provided hereunder; and
to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Bank's office address shown
above or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. In
the event that the Debtor changes Debtor's mailing address at any time prior to
the date the Obligations are paid in full, Debtor agrees to promptly give
written notice of said change of address by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, all charges prepaid. (vii) CAPTIONS. The captions contained
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herein are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Security Agreement or any provision thereof. The use of
the plural shall also mean the singular, and vice versa, (viii) LOAN DOCUMENTS.
The term "Loan Documents" refers to all documents, whether now or hereafter
existing, executed in connection with the Obligations and may include, without
limitation and whether executed by Borrower, Debtor or others, commitment
letters, loan agreements, guaranty agreements, other security agreements,
letters of credit, instruments, financing statements, mortgages, deeds of trust,
deeds to secure debt, and any amendments or supplements (excluding swap
agreements as defined in 11 U.S.C. ss. 101). (ix) JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY.
If more than one person has signed this Security Agreement, such parties are
jointly and severally obligated hereunder. (x) BINDING CONTRACT. Debtor by
execution and Bank by acceptance of this Security Agreement, agree that each
party is bound by all terms and provisions of this Security Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor, on the day and year first written above, has caused
this Security Agreement to be executed under seal.
Optical Cable Corporation, a Virginia Corporation
Taxpayer Identification Number: ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
CORPORATE By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SEAL -------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, President
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