BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal Loan Date Maturity Loan No. Call Collateral Account Officer Initials
$600,000.00 12-01-1997 05-31-1998 203-00549
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this
document to any particular loan or item.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrower: MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC. Lender: WESTAMERICA BANK
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ SONOMA CREDIT ADM.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇ ▇▇. ▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
================================================================================
THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT between MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC.
("Borrowers") and WESTAMERICA BANK ("Lender") is made and executed on the
following terms and conditions. Borrower has received prior commercial loans
from Lender or has applied to Lender for a commercial loan or loans and other
financial accommodations, including those which may be described on any exhibit
or schedule attached to this Agreement. All such loans and financial
accommodations, together with all future loans and financial accommodations from
Lender to Borrower, are referred to in this Agreement individually as the "Loan"
and collectively as the "Loans." Borrower understands and agrees that: (a) in
granting, renewing, or extending any Loan, Lender is relying upon Borrower's
representations, warranties, and agreements, as set forth in this Agreement; (b)
the granting, renewing, or extending of any Loan by Lender at all times shall be
subject to Lender's sole judgment and discretion; and (c) all such Loans shall
be and shall remain subject to the following terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
TERM. This Agreement shall be effective as of December 1, 1997, and shall
continue thereafter until all Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender has been
performed in full and the parties terminate this Agreement in writing.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH ADVANCE. Lender's obligation to make the initial
Loan Advance and each subsequent Loan Advance under this Agreement shall be
subject to the fulfillment to Lender's satisfaction of all of the conditions set
forth in this Agreement and in the Related Documents.
Loan Documents. Borrower shall provide to Lender in form satisfactory to
Lender the following documents for the Loan: (a) the Note; (b) Security
Agreements granting to Lender security interests in the Collateral; (c)
Financing Statements perfecting Lender's Security Interests; (d) evidence
of insurance as required below; and (e) any other documents required under
this Agreement or by Lender or its counsel.
Borrower's Authorization. Borrower shall have provided in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender properly certified resolutions, duly
authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Note and the
Related Documents, and such other authorizations and other documents and
instruments as Lender or its counsel, in their sole discretion, may
require.
Payment of Fees and Expenses. Borrower shall have paid to Lender all fees,
charges, and other expenses which are then due and payable as specified in
this Agreement or any Related Document.
Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties set
forth in this Agreement, in the Related Documents, and in any document or
certiticate delivered to Lender under this Agreement are true and correct.
No Event of Default. There shall not exist at the time of any advance a
condition which would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender, as
of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of each disbursement of Loan
proceeds, as of the date of any renewal, extension or modification of any Loan,
and at all times any indebtedness exists:
Organization. Borrower is a corporation which is duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of California
and is validly existing and in good standing in all states in which
Borrower is doing business. Borrower has the full power and authority to
own its properties and to transact the businesses in which it is presently
engaged or presently proposes to engage. Borrower also is duly qualified
as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in all states in which
the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its
businesses or financial condition.
Authorization. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement
by Borrower, to the extent to be executed, delivered or performed by
Borrower, have been duly authorized by all necessary action by Borrower;
do not require the consent or approval of any other person, regulatory
authority or governmental body; and do not conflict with, result in a
violation of, or constitute a default under (a) any provision of its
articles of incorporation or organization, or bylaws, or any agreement or
other instrument binding upon Borrower or (b) any law, governmental
regulation, court decree, or order applicable to Borrower.
Financial Information. Each financial statement of Borrower supplied to
Lender truly and completely disclosed Borrower's financial condition as of
the date of the statement, and there has been no material adverse change
in Borrower's financial condition subsequent to the date of the most
recent financial statement supplied to Lender. Borrower has no material
contingent obligations except as disclosed in such financial statements.
Legal Effect. This Agreement constitutes, and any instrument or agreement
required hereunder to be given by Borrower when delivered will
constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable
against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.
Properties. Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as previously
disclosed in Borrower's financial statements or in writing to Lender and
as accepted by Lender, and except for property tax liens for taxes not
presently due and payable, Borrower owns and has good title to all of
Borrower's properties free and clear of all liens and security interests,
and has not executed any security documents or financing statements
relating to such properties. All of Borrower's properties are titled in
Borrower's legal name, and Borrower has not used, or filed a financing
statement under, any other name for at least the last five (5) years.
Hazardous Substances. Except as disclosed to Lender in writing, no
property of Borrower ever has been, or ever will be so long as this
Agreement remains in effect, used for the generation, manufacture,
storage, treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any
hazardous waste or substance, as those terms are defined in the "CERCLA"
"▇▇▇▇," applicable state or Federal laws, or regulations adopted pursuant
to any of the foregoing. The representations and warranties contained
herein are based on Borrower's due diligence in investigating the
properties for hazardous waste and hazardous substances. Borrower hereby
(a) releases and waives any future claims against Lender for Indemnity or
contribution in the event Borrower becomes liable for cleanup or other
costs under any such laws, and (b) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
Lender against any and all claims and losses resulting from a breach of
this provision of this Agreement. This obligation to indemnify shall
survive the payment of the Indebtedness and the satisfaction of this
Agreement.
Commercial Purposes. Borrower intends to use the Loan proceeds solely for
business or commercial related purposes.
12-01-1997 BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT Page 2
Loan No 203-00549 (Continued)
================================================================================
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that, while
this Agreement is in effect, Borrower will:
Litigation. Promptly inform Lender in writing of (a) all material adverse
changes in Borrower's financial condition, and (b) all existing and all
threatened litigation, claims, investigations, administrative proceedings
or similar actions affecting Borrower or any guarantor of the Loan which
could materially affect the financial condition of Borrower or the
financial condition of any guarantor of the Loan.
Financial Records. Maintain its books and records in accordance with
accounting principles acceptable to Lender, applied on a consistent basis,
and permit Lender to examine and audit Borrower's books and records at all
reasonable times.
Financial Statements. Furnish Lender with, as soon as available, but in no
event later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each
fiscal year, Borrower's balance sheet and income statement for the year
ended, audited by a certified public accountant satisfactory to Lender,
and, as soon as available, but in no event later than forty five (45) days
after the end of each fiscal quarter, Borrower's balance sheet and profit
and loss statement for the period ended, prepared and certified as correct
to the best knowledge and belief by Borrower's chief financial officer or
other officer or person acceptable to Lender. All financial reports
required to be provided under this Agreement shall be prepared in
accordance with accounting principles acceptable to Lender, applied on a
consistent basis, and certified by Borrower as being true and correct.
Additional Information. Furnish such additional information and
statements, lists of assets and liabilities, agings of receivables and
payables, inventory schedules, budgets, forecasts, tax returns, and other
reports with respect to Borrower's financial condition and business
operations as Lender may request from time to time.
Loan Proceeds. Use all Loan proceeds solely for the following specific
purposes: SUPPORT BUSINESS OPERATIONS.
Performance. Perform and comply with all terms, conditions, and provisions
set forth in this Agreement and in the Related Documents in a timely
manner, and promptly notify Lender if Borrower learns of the occurrence of
any event which constitutes an Event of Default under this Agreement or
under any of the Related Documents.
Operations. Maintain executive and management personnel with substantially
the same qualifications and experience as the present executive and
management personnel; provide written notice to Lender of any change in
executive and management personnel; conduct its business affairs in a
reasonable and prudent manner and in compliance with all applicable
federal, state and municipal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
respecting its properties, charters, businesses and operations, including
without limitation, compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act
and with all minimum funding standards and other requirements of ERISA and
other laws applicable to Borrower's employee benefit plans.
Inspection. Permit employees or agents of Lender at any reasonable time to
inspect any and all Collateral for the Loan or Loans and Borrower's other
properties and to examine or audit Borrower's books, accounts, and records
and to make copies and memoranda of Borrower's books, accounts, and
records. If Borrower now or at any time hereafter maintains any records
(including without limitation computer generated records and computer
software programs for the generation of such records) in the possession of
a third party, Borrower, upon request of Lender, shall notify such party
to permit Lender free access to such records at all reasonable times and
to provide Lender with copies of any records it may request, all at
Borrower's expense.
RECOVERY OF ADDITIONAL COSTS. If the imposition of or any change in any law,
rule, regulation or guideline, or the interpretation or application of any
thereof by any court or administrative or governmental authority (including any
request or policy not having the force of law) shall impose, modify or make
applicable any taxes (except U.S. federal, state or local income or franchise
taxes imposed on Lender), reserve requirements, capital adequacy requirements or
other obligations which would (a) increase the cost to Lender for extending or
maintaining the credit facilities to which this Agreement relates, (b) reduce
the amounts payable to Lender under this Agreement or any related documents, or
(c) reduce the rate of return on Lender's capital as a consequence of Lender's
obligations with respect to the credit facilities to which this Agreement
relates, then Borrower agrees to pay Lender such additional amounts as will
compensate Lender therefor, within five (5) days after Lender's written demand
for such payment, which demand shall be accompanied by an explanation of such
imposition or charge and a calculation in reasonable detail of the additional
amounts payable by Borrower, which explanation and calculation shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that while this
Agreement is in effect, Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of
Lender:
Indebtedness and Liens. (a) Except for trade debt incurred in the normal
course of business and indebtedness to Lender contemplated by this
Agreement, create, incur or assume indebtedness for borrowed money,
including capital leases, (b) except as allowed as a Permitted Lien, sell,
transfer, mortgage, assign, pledge, lease, grant a security interest in,
or encumber any of Borrower's assets, or (c) sell with recourse any of
Borrower's accounts, except to Lender.
Continuity of Operations. (a) Engage in any business activities
substantially different than those in which Borrower is presently engaged,
(b) cease operations, liquidate, merge, transfer, acquire or consolidate
with any other entity, change ownership, change its name, dissolve or
transfer or sell Collateral out of the ordinary course of business, (c)
pay any dividends on Borrower's stock (other than dividends payable in its
stock), provided, however that notwithstanding the foregoing, but only so
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
from the payment of dividends, if Borrower is a "Subchapter S Corporation"
(as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), Borrower
may pay cash dividends on its stock to is shareholders from time to time
in amounts necessary to enable the shareholders to pay income taxes and
make estimated income tax payments to satisfy their liabilities under
federal and state law which arise solely from their status as Shareholders
of a "Subchapter S Corporation" because of their ownership of shares of
stock of Borrower, or (d) purchase or retire any of Borrower's outstanding
shares or alter or amend Borrower's capital structure.
Loans, Acquisitions and Guaranties. (a) Loan, invest in or advance money
or assets, (b) purchase, create or acquire any interest in any other
enterprise or entity, or (c) incur any obligation as surety or guarantor
other than in the ordinary course of business.
CESSATION OF ADVANCES. If Lender has made any commitment to make any Loan to
Borrower, whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, Lender
shall have no obligation to make Loan advances or to disburse Loan proceeds if:
(a) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of this Agreement or
any other agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender; (b) Borrower
or any Guarantor becomes insolvent, files a petition in bankruptcy or similar
proceedings, or is adjudged a bankrupt; (c) there occurs a material adverse
change in Borrower's financial condition, in the financial condition of any
guarantor, or in the value of any collateral securing any Loan; or (d) any
guarantor seeks, claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such
guarantor's guaranty of the Loan or any other loan with Lender.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:
BORROWER SHALL PROVIDE TO BANK A COPY OF BORROWER'S AGING OF ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND INVENTORY REPORT (IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE
SATISFACTORY TO BANK) WITHIN I5 DAYS OF THE END OF EACH MONTH.
BORROWER SHALL PROVIDE COPIES OF FEDERAL TAX RETURNS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF FlLING.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default
("Event of Default") under this Agreement:
Default of Indebtedness. Faliure of Borrower to make any payment when due
on the Loans.
12-01-1997 BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT Page 3
Loan No 203-00549 (Continued)
================================================================================
Other Defaults. Failure of Borrower to comply with or to perform when due
any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this
Agreement.
Default in Favor of Third Parties. Should Borrower default under any loan,
extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or
any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may
materially affect any of Borrower's property or Borrower's ability to
repay the Loans or perform Borrower's obligations under this Agreement or
any related document.
False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or
furnished to Lender by or on behalf of Borrower is false or misleading in
any material respect at the time made or furnished or becomes false or
misleading at any time thereafter.
Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower's existence as a
going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver
for any part of Borrower's property, any assignment for the benefit of
creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any
proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.
Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or
forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help,
repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower, any
creditor of any grantor of collateral for the Loan. This includes a
garnishment, attachment, or levy on or of any of Borrower's deposit
accounts with Lender.
Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with
respect to any Guarantor of any of the indebtedness or any Guarantor dies
or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or
liability under, any Guaranty of the Indebtedness.
Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%)
or more of the common stock of Borrower.
Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial
condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of
the Indebtedness is impaired.
EFFECT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT. If any Event of Default shall occur, except where
otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Related Documents, all commitments
and obligations of Lender under this Agreement immediately will terminate
(including any obligation to make Loan Advances or disbursements), and, at
Lender's option, all Indebtedness immediately will become due and payable, all
without notice of any kind to Borrower, except that in the case of an Event of
Default of the type described in the "Insolvency" subsection above, such
acceleration shall be automatic and not optional. In addition, Lender shall have
all the rights and remedies provided in the Related Documents or available at
law, in equity, or otherwise. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, all
of Lender's rights and remedies shall be cumulative and may be exercised
singularly or concurrently. Election by Lender to pursue any remedy shall not
exclude pursuit of any other remedy, and an election to make expenditures or to
take action to perform an obligation of Borrower or of any Grantor shall not
affect Lender's right to declare a default and to exercise its rights and
remedies.
BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BUSINESS LOAN
AGREEMENT, AND BORROWER AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED AS OF
DECEMBER 1, 1997.
BORROWER:
MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ H. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, PRESIDENT By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------
H. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, PRESIDENT ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
LENDER:
WESTAMERICA BANK
By:
----------------------------
Authorized Officer
================================================================================