------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDIT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JUNE 16, 1998
AMONG
ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,
AS AGENT,
AND
THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO
ARRANGED BY
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1 Certain Defined Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.2 Other Interpretive Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.3 Accounting Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.1 Amounts and Terms of Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.2 Loan Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.3 Procedure for Committed Borrowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.4 Conversion and Continuation Elections for Committed Borrowings . . . . 22
2.5 Bid Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.6 Procedure for Bid Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.7 Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments. . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.8 Optional Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.9 Repayment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.10 Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.11 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.12 Computation of Fees and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.13 Payments by the Borrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.14 Payments by the Lenders to the Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.15 Sharing of Payments, Etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ARTICLE III [RESERVED]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ARTICLE IV TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.1 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.2 Illegality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.3 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.4 Funding Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.5 Inability to Determine Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.6 Certificates of Lenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.7 Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.8 Substitution of Lenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.1 Conditions of Initial Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.2 Conditions to All Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.1 Corporate Existence and Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.2 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.3 Governmental Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
-i-
PAGE
6.4 Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.5 Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.6 No Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.7 ERISA Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.8 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6.9 Title to Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6.10 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6.11 Financial Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6.12 Environmental Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6.13 Regulated Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.14 No Burdensome Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.15 Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc. . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.16 Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.17 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
6.18 Swap Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
6.19 Full Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.1 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.2 Certificates; Other Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7.3 Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7.4 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.5 Maintenance of Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
7.6 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
7.7 Payment of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
7.8 Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.9 Compliance with ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.10 Inspection of Property and Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.11 Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.12 Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
7.13 Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
7.14 Year 2000 Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
8.1 Limitation on Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
8.2 Disposition of Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8.3 Consolidations and Mergers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8.4 Loans and Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8.5 Limitation on Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
8.6 Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
8.7 Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
8.8 Contingent Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
8.9 Lease Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
-ii-
PAGE
8.10 Restricted Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.11 ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.12 Change in Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.13 Accounting Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.14 Negative Pledges, Restrictive Agreements, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.15 Ability to Amend; Restrictive Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL TESTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
9.1 Tangible Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
9.2 Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
9.3 EBITDA to Interest Expense Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
ARTICLE X EVENTS OF DEFAULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
10.1 Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
10.2 Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
10.3 Rights Not Exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
ARTICLE XI THE AGENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
11.1 Appointment and Authorization; "Agent\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
11.2 Delegation of Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
11.3 Liability of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
11.4 Reliance by Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
11.5 Notice of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
11.6 Credit Decision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
11.7 Indemnification of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
11.8 Agent in Individual Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
11.9 Successor Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
11.10 Withholding Tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
12.1 Amendments and Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
12.2 Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
12.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
12.4 Costs and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
12.5 Borrower Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
12.6 Payments Set Aside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
12.7 Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
12.8 Assignments, Participations, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
12.9 Designated Bidders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
12.10 Confidentiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
12.11 Set-off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
12.12 Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . 68
12.13 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
-iii-
PAGE
12.14 Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
12.15 No Third Parties Benefited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
12.16 Governing Law and Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
12.17 Waiver of Jury Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
12.18 Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
-iv-
SCHEDULES
Schedule 2.1 Commitments
Schedule 6.5 Litigation
Schedule 6.7 ERISA
Schedule 6.11 Permitted Liabilities
Schedule 6.12 Environmental Matters
Schedule 6.16 Subsidiaries and Minority Interests
Schedule 6.17 Insurance Matters
Schedule 8.1 Permitted Liens
Schedule 8.5 Permitted Indebtedness
Schedule 8.8 Contingent Obligations
Schedule 12.2 Lending Offices; Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit B Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit C Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D-1 Form of Legal Opinion of Borrower's General Counsel
Exhibit D-2 Form of Legal Opinion of Borrower's Outside Counsel
Exhibit E Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit F Form of Invitation for Competitive Bids
Exhibit G Form of Competitive Bid Request
Exhibit H Form of Competitive Bid
Exhibit I Form of Commitment Loan Note
Exhibit J Form of Bid Loan Note
Exhibit K Form of Designation Agreement
-v-
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of June 16, 1998, among ADC
TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Minnesota corporation (the "BORROWER"), the several
financial institutions from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively,
the "LENDERS"; and individually, a "LENDER") and Deutsche Bank AG, New York
Branch as agent for the Lenders.
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrower a
revolving credit facility, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. The following terms have the following
meanings:
"ABSOLUTE RATE" has the meaning specified in SECTION 2.6(c).
"ABSOLUTE RATE AUCTION" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids
setting forth Absolute Rates pursuant to SECTION 2.6.
"ABSOLUTE RATE BID LOAN" means a Bid Loan that bears interest at a
rate determined with reference to the Absolute Rate.
"ACQUISITION" means any transaction or series of related transactions
for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the
acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of
any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of
50% of the capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or
equity of any Person, or otherwise causing any Person to become a
Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with
another Person (other than a Person that is a Subsidiary) provided that the
Borrower or the Subsidiary is the surviving entity.
"AFFILIATE" means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly
or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another
Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
the other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities,
membership interests, by contract, or otherwise.
"AGENT" means Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch in its capacity as
agent for the Lenders and the Designated Bidders hereunder, and any
successor agent arising under SECTION 11.9.
"AGENT-RELATED PERSONS" means the Agent, together with its respective
Affiliates (including, in the case of Deutsche Bank, the Arranger), and the
officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such
Persons and Affiliates.
"AGENT'S PAYMENT OFFICE" means the address for payments set forth on
SCHEDULE 12.2 or such other address as the Agent may from time to time
specify.
"AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement, as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time.
"APPLICABLE MARGIN"
(a) Prior to receipt by the Agent of a Compliance Certificate
for the first fiscal quarter in which the Borrower obtains an S&P Rating and/or
a ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating, as to any LIBOR Rate Committed Loan, or Commitment Fee, as the
case may be, means as of any date a margin, measured in basis points per annum,
based on the Borrower's Facility Utilization on such date, as follows:
Margin
(bp) for
LIBOR Rate Margin(bp) for
Facility Utilization Committed Loan Commitment Fee
-------------------- -------------- --------------
GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 0.0% and
LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 33.0% 40.0 12.5
GREATER THAN 33.0% and
LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 66.0% 45.0 15.0
GREATER THAN 66.0% 50.0 15.0
For purposes of the foregoing table:
"Facility Utilization" means, for any day, the utilization
of the combined Commitments for such day (or if such day is not a
Business Day the immediately preceding Business Day) as calculated by
the Agent after giving effect to any Borrowings which occur on such
date. For purposes hereof, the combined Commitments shall be deemed
utilized on any given day to the extent of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Committed Loans on such day.
(b) After receipt by the Agent of a Compliance Certificate for
the first fiscal quarter in which the Borrower obtains an S&P Rating and/or a
▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating, as to any LIBOR Rate Committed Loan, or Commitment Fee, as the
case may be, means a margin, measured in
-2-
basis points per annum, based on the Borrower's Pricing Level, as follows:
Margin (bp) for Margin(bp) for
Pricing Level Libor Rate Loan Commitment Fee
------------- ---------------- --------------
Level I 22.5 7.5
Level II 30.0 10.0
Level III 37.5 12.5
Level IV 50.0 15.0
Level V 62.5 17.5
Level VI 75.0 25.0
Level VII 87.5 30.0
For purposes of the foregoing table:
"Pricing Level I" means that either the S&P Rating or the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are A- or A3, respectively, or higher.
"Pricing Level II" means that either the S&P Rating or the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are BBB+ and Baa1, respectively, or higher, and both the S&P Rating
and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than A- or A3, respectively.
"Pricing Level III" means that either the S&P Rating and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are BBB and Baa2, respectively, or higher, and both the S&P Rating
and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than BBB+ or Baa1, respectively.
"Pricing Level IV" means that either the S&P Rating or the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are BBB- and Baa3, respectively, or higher, and both the S&P Rating
and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than BBB or Baa2, respectively.
"Pricing Level V" means that either the S&P Rating and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are BB+ and Ba1, respectively, or higher, and both the S&P Rating
and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than BBB- or Baa3, respectively.
"Pricing Level VI" means that either the S&P Rating or the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are BB and Ba2 respectively, or higher, and both the S&P Rating and
the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than BB+ or Ba1, respectively.
"Pricing Level VII" means that either the S&P Rating or the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Rating are BB- and Ba3, respectively, and both the S&P Rating and the
▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than BB or Ba2, respectively.
"S&P Rating" means the then current rating (if any) by Standard &
Poor's Rating Services Group, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.
of the long term indebtedness of the Borrower (i.e., the actual or implied
corporate rating for long-term unsecured debt). "▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating" means the
then current rating (if any) by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investor Service of the long-term
indebtedness of the
-3-
Borrower (i.e., the actual or implied corporate rating for long-term
unsecured debt) (▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investor Service and Standard & Poor's
Rating Services Group are collectively referred to as the "Rating
Agencies"). The Applicable Margin will be adjusted based on the S&P Rating
and the ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating as and when changed. Each basis point (a "bp")
corresponds to 0.01% per annum. If either Rating Agency ceases to provide
ratings services with respect to the Borrower, then the rating provided by
the remaining Rating Agency shall be determinative of the appropriate
Pricing Level; provided that if both Rating Agencies cease to provide
ratings for the Borrower's long-term indebtedness, Pricing Level V shall
apply.
"ARRANGER" means Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
"ASSIGNEE" has the meaning specified in SECTION 12.8(a).
"ATTORNEY COSTS" means and includes all fees and disbursements of any
law firm or other external counsel, the allocated cost of internal legal
services and all disbursements of internal counsel.
"BANKRUPTCY CODE" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11
U.S.C. Section 101, ET SEQ.).
"BASE RATE" means, for any day, the higher of: (a) 0.50% per annum
above the latest Federal Funds Rate; and (b) the rate of interest in effect
for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Deutsche Bank in
New York, New York, as its "prime lending rate". The "prime lending rate"
shall mean the rate announced by Deutsche Bank from time to time as its
prime lending rate for commercial loans within the United States (but is
not intended to be the lowest rate of interest) charged by Deutsche Bank in
connection with extensions of credit to debtors. Any change in the "prime
lending rate" announced by Deutsche Bank shall take effect at the opening
of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
"BASE RATE COMMITTED LOAN" means a Committed Loan that bears interest
based on the Base Rate.
"BID BORROWING" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of one or more
Bid Loans made to the Borrower on the same day by one or more Lenders or
Designated Holders.
"BID LOAN" means a Loan by a Lender or a Designated Bidder to the
Borrower under SECTION 2.5, which may be a LIBOR Rate Bid Loan or an
Absolute Rate Bid Loan.
"BID LOAN LENDER" means, in respect of any Bid Loan, the Lender or
Designated Bidder making such Bid Loan to the Borrower.
"BID LOAN NOTE" has the meaning specified in SECTION 2.2.
"BORROWER" - see preamble.
-4-
"BORROWING" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the
same Type made to the Borrower on the same day by the Lenders or (in the
case of Bid Borrowings), Designated Bidders under ARTICLE II, and may be a
Committed Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing having, other than in the case of
Base Rate Loans, the same Interest Period.
"BORROWING DATE" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs under
SECTION 2.3.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required
by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any LIBOR
Rate Committed Loan, means such a day on which dealings are carried on in
the applicable London dollar interbank market.
"CAPITAL ADEQUACY REGULATION" means any guideline, request or
directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other
law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each
case, regarding capital adequacy of any bank or institutional lender or of
any Person controlling a bank or institutional lender.
"CERCLA" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Environmental
Laws."
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" of the Borrower means (i) the acquisition by any
Person, entity or "group," within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or
14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (excluding for this purpose, the Borrower or
its Subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries which acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of
the Borrower) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of either the then
outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the
Borrower's then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors; or (ii) individuals who, as of the Closing Date,
constitute the Board of Directors (as of the date hereof the "Incumbent
Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board
of Directors, provided that any Person becoming a director subsequent to
the Closing Date whose election, or nomination for election by the
Borrower's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then compromising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such Person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (iii) approval
by the stockholders of the Borrower of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, with respect to which Persons who were the
stockholders of the Borrower immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 25%
of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated Borrower's then
outstanding voting securities; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the
Borrower (other than pursuant to the United States Bankruptcy Code) or the
conveyance, transfer or leasing of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Borrower.
-5-
"CLOSING DATE" means the date on which all conditions precedent set
forth in SECTION 5.1 are satisfied or waived by all Lenders (or, in the
case of SECTION 5.1(e), waived by the Person entitled to receive such
payment).
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
"COMMITTED BORROWING" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of
Committed Loans made on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to
their respective Pro Rata Shares and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Committed
Loans, having the same Interest Periods.
"COMMITTED LOAN" means a Loan by a Lender to the Borrower under
SECTION 2.1, and may be a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or a Base Rate
Committed Loan (each, a "Type" of Committed Loan).
"COMMITTED LOAN NOTE" has the meaning specified in SECTION 2.2.
"COMMITMENT", as to each Lender, has the meaning specified in SECTION
2.1.
"COMPETITIVE BID" means an offer by a Lender or a Designated Bidder to
make a Bid Loan in accordance with SECTION 2.6(c).
"COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST" has the meaning specified in SECTION 2.6(a).
"COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate substantially in the form
of EXHIBIT C.
"CONTINGENT OBLIGATION" means, as to any Person, any direct or
indirect liability of that Person, whether or not contingent, with or
without recourse, (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend,
letter of credit or other obligation (the "primary obligations") of another
Person (the "primary obligor"), including any obligation of that Person
(i) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such primary obligations
or any security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds for the payment
or discharge of any such primary obligation, or to maintain working capital
or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net
worth or solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial
condition of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or
services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such
primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of
such primary obligation, or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the
holder of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof
(each, a "GUARANTY OBLIGATION"); (b) with respect to any Surety Instrument
issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is
otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings or payments; (c) to purchase
any materials, supplies or other property from, or to obtain the services
of, another Person if the relevant contract or other related document or
obligation requires that payment for such materials, supplies or other
property, or for such services, shall be made regardless of whether
delivery of such materials, supplies or other property is ever made or
tendered, or such services are ever performed or tendered, or (d) in
respect of any Swap Contract. The amount of any Contingent Obligation
shall, in the case of Guaranty Obligations, be deemed equal to the stated
or determinable amount of the primary
-6-
obligation in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made or, if
not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
liability in respect thereof, and in the case of other Contingent
Obligations other than in respect of Swap Contracts, shall be equal to
the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof and, in
the case of Contingent Obligations in respect of Swap Contracts, shall
be equal to the Swap Termination Value.
"CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or
agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.
"CONVERSION/CONTINUATION DATE" means any date on which, under SECTION
2.4, the Borrower either: (a) converts Committed Loans of one Type to
another Type; or (b) continues as Committed Loans of the same Type, but
with a new Interest Period, Committed Loans having Interest Periods
expiring on such date.
"DEFAULT" means any event or circumstance which, with the giving of
notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or otherwise
remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.
"DESIGNATED BIDDER" means an Affiliate of a Lender that is an entity
described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of "Eligible Assignee"
and that has become a party hereto pursuant to SECTION 12.9.
"DESIGNATION AGREEMENT" means a designation agreement entered into by
a Lender and a Designated Bidder and accepted by the Agent, in
substantially the form of EXHIBIT K.
"DEUTSCHE BANK" means Deutsche Bank AG, New York and/or Cayman Islands
Branches, each a branch of Deutsche Bank AG, a German banking corporation,
and their successors and assignees.
"DOLLARS", "DOLLARS" and "$" each mean lawful money of the United
States.
"EBITDA" means, for any applicable period, Net Income for such period,
plus, to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the
aggregate amount of (i) Interest Expense, (ii) federal, state, local and
foreign income taxes and (iii) depletion, depreciation and amortization of
tangible and intangible assets.
"ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (a) a commercial bank or institutional
investor organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof
or any other OECD country, and having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $100,000,000, PROVIDED, that any such bank or investor organized
under the laws of a non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be exempt from U.S.
withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code as of the date it
becomes an Assignee hereunder; or (b) a Person that is primarily engaged in
the business of commercial banking or institutional investor and that is
(i) a Subsidiary of a
-7-
Lender, (ii) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a Lender is a Subsidiary,
or (iii) a Person of which a Lender is a Subsidiary.
"ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS" means all claims, however asserted, by any
Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or
injury to the environment or threat to public health, personal injury
(including sickness, disease or death), property damage, natural resources
damage, or otherwise alleging liability or responsibility for damages
(punitive or otherwise), cleanup, removal, remedial or response costs,
restitution, civil or criminal penalties, injunctive relief, or other type
of relief, resulting from or based upon the presence, placement, discharge,
emission or release (including intentional and unintentional, negligent and
non-negligent, sudden or non-sudden, accidental or non-accidental,
placement, spills, leaks, discharges, emissions or releases) of any
Hazardous Material at, in, or from property, whether or not owned by the
Borrower.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all federal, state or local laws, statutes,
common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with
all administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental
Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and
land use matters; including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the Clean Air Act, the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, the Solid Waste Disposal Act,
the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances
Control Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
"ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS" - see SECTION 6.12(b).
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA AFFILIATE" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code
for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
"ERISA EVENT" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which
it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA)
or a cessation of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal under
Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification
that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice
of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination
under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by
the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or
condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or
-8-
(f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than
PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.
"EURODOLLAR RESERVE PERCENTAGE" has the meaning specified in the
definition of "LIBOR Rate".
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" means any of the events or circumstances specified
in SECTION 10.1.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
"FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
"FEDERAL FUNDS RATE" means, for any day, the rate set forth in the
weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor
publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including
any such successor, "H.15(519)") on the preceding Business Day opposite the
caption "Federal Funds (Effective)"; or, if for any relevant day such rate
is not so published on any such preceding Business Day, the rate for such
day will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the Agent of the rates for
the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m.
(New York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of
Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the Agent.
"FEE LETTER" has the meaning specified in SECTION 2.11(A).
"FUNDED DEBT" of a Person means "Indebtedness" of such Person of the
types described in CLAUSES (a), (b), (c), and (f) of the definition
thereof, together with all Indebtedness of the type described in such
clauses secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an
existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or
in property (including accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person,
even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of
such Indebtedness.
"FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and
any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
"FURTHER TAXES" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
assessments, imposts, duties, deductions, fees, withholdings or similar
charges (including, without limitation, net income taxes and franchise
taxes), and all liabilities with respect thereto, imposed by any
jurisdiction on account of incremental amounts payable or paid pursuant to
SECTION 4.1.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from
time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
and statements and pronouncements
-9-
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar
functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting
profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of
determination.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary
or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or
controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the
foregoing.
"GUARANTY OBLIGATION" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Contingent Obligation."
"HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means all those substances that are regulated
by, or which may form the basis of liability under, any Environmental Law,
including any substance identified under any Environmental Law as a
pollutant, contaminant, hazardous waste, hazardous constituent, special
waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, or toxic substance, or
petroleum or petroleum derived substance or waste.
"INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than
trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business on ordinary
terms); (c) all non-contingent reimbursement or payment obligations with
respect to Surety Instruments; (d) all obligations evidenced by notes,
bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so
evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets
or businesses; (e) all indebtedness created or arising under any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as
financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by the Person
(even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such
agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of
such property); (f) all obligations with respect to capital leases; (g) all
indebtedness referred to in CLAUSES (a) through (f) above secured by (or
for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent
or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including
accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person, even though such
Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such
Indebtedness; and (h) all Guaranty Obligations in respect of indebtedness
or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in CLAUSES (a) through
(g) above. For all purposes of this Agreement, the Indebtedness of any
Person shall include all recourse Indebtedness of any partnership or joint
venture or limited liability company in which such Person is a general
partner or a joint venturer or a member and shall exclude all Indebtedness
(or any portion of such Indebtedness) which is non-recourse to the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries with respect to the securitization of assets of the
Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries.
"INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" has the meaning specified in SECTION 12.5.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning specified in SECTION 12.5.
-10-
"INDEPENDENT AUDITOR" has the meaning specified in SECTION 7.1(a).
"INSOLVENCY PROCEEDING" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any
case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person before any court or
other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of
debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
composition, marshalling of assets for creditors, or other, similar
arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial
portion of its creditors; undertaken under U.S. Federal, state or foreign
law, including the Bankruptcy Code.
"INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any applicable period, the aggregate
consolidated interest expense (both cash and non-cash and determined
without regard to original issue discount) of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such period PLUS, without duplication, any interest
expense which would have accrued during such period if all Indebtedness
which existed immediately after the consummation of any merger to which the
Borrower is a party or of any Acquisition by the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries, in each case, during such period was in existence on the
first day of such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP, including,
to the extent allocable to interest expense in accordance with GAAP, (i)
all other fees paid or owed with respect to the issuance or maintenance of
Contingent Obligations (including letters of credit of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries), (ii) net costs or benefits payable under Swap Contracts of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (iii) the portion of any payments
made in respect of obligations in respect of capitalized leases of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries allocable to interest expense.
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means, as to any Loan other than a Base Rate
Committed Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such
Loan and, as to any Base Rate Committed Loan, the last Business Day of each
calendar quarter, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (a) if any Interest Period for a
LIBOR Rate Committed Loan exceeds three months the date that falls three
months after the beginning of such Interest Period and after each Interest
Payment Date thereafter is also an Interest Payment Date and (b) as to any
Bid Loan, such intervening dates prior to the maturity thereof as may be
specified by the Borrower and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender
in the applicable Competitive Bid shall also be Interest Payment Dates.
"INTEREST PERIOD" means, (a) as to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the period
commencing on the Borrowing Date that such Loan is disbursed or (in the
case of any LIBOR Rate Committed Loan) on the Conversion/Continuation
Date on which such Loan is converted into or continued as a LIBOR Rate
Committed Loan, and ending on the date one, two, three or six months
thereafter (and any other period that is 12 months or less and is
consented to by all Lenders in the given instance) as selected by the
Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation
or Competitive Bid Request, as the case may be, and (b) as to any
Absolute Rate Bid Loan, a period of not less than 14 days and not more
than 365 days as selected by the Borrower in the applicable Competitive
Bid Request;
PROVIDED that:
-11-
(i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended
to the following Business Day unless in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan
the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period
into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall
end on the preceding Business Day;
(ii) any Interest Period in the case of a LIBOR Rate
Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a
day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the
last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest
Period; and
(iii) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend
beyond the Termination Date.
"INVITATION FOR COMPETITIVE BIDS" means a solicitation for Competitive
Bids, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.
"JOINT VENTURE" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture or other similar legal arrangement (whether created
by contract or conducted through a separate legal entity) now or hereafter
formed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with another Person in
order to conduct a common venture or enterprise with such Person.
"LENDER" means each of the institutions specified in the introductory
clause hereto. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, "Lender"
includes any such institution in its capacity as Swap Provider. Unless the
context otherwise clearly requires, references to any such institution as a
"Lender" shall also include any of such institution's Affiliates that may
at any time of determination be Swap Providers.
"LENDING OFFICE" means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of
such Lender specified as its "Lending Office" or "Domestic Lending Office"
or "LIBOR Lending Office", as the case may be, on SCHEDULE 12.2, or such
other office or offices as the Lender may from time to time notify the
Borrower and the Agent.
"LIBOR AUCTION" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids setting forth
a LIBOR Bid Margin pursuant to SECTION 2.6.
"LIBOR BID MARGIN" has the meaning specified in SECTION 2.6(c)(i)(c).
"LIBOR RATE" means, for any Interest Period, with respect to LIBOR
Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR Rate Bid Loans comprising part of the same
Borrowing, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upward to the next
1/16th of 1%) determined by the Agent as follows:
-▇▇-
▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ Rate = ------------------------------------
1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage
Where,
"EURODOLLAR RESERVE PERCENTAGE" means for any day for
any Interest Period the maximum reserve percentage
(expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the next 1/100th
of 1%) in effect on such day (whether or not applicable to
any Lender) under regulations issued from time to time by
the FRB for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal
reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as "Eurocurrency liabilities"); and
"LIBOR" means the rate of interest per annum determined
by the Agent as the rate of interest at which dollar
deposits in the approximate amount of the Loan to be made as
a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or a LIBOR Rate Bid Loan or (in
the case of a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan) continued as, or
converted into, a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan and for the
relevant Interest Period therefor as quoted on the Telerate
Page 3750 (as defined herein) as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on the day two (2) Business Days before the commencement of
such Interest Period. If Telerate Page 3750 is not
available, such rate of interest shall be that quoted by the
Reference Bank and having a maturity comparable to such
Interest Period as would be offered to major banks in the
London interbank market at their request at approximately
11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.
The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted automatically as to
all LIBOR Rate Committed Loans and LIBOR Rate Bid Loans then
outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the
Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
"LIBOR RATE BID LOAN" means any Bid Loan that bears interest at a rate
based upon the LIBOR Rate.
"LIBOR RATE COMMITTED LOAN" means a Committed Loan that bears interest
based on the LIBOR Rate.
"LIEN" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
(statutory or other) or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever in respect of any property (including those created by, arising
under or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, the interest of a lessor under a capital lease, any financing
lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing, or the filing of any financing statement naming the owner of the
asset to which such lien relates as debtor, under the UCC or any comparable
law) and any contingent or other
-13-
agreement to provide any of the foregoing, but not including the
interest of a lessor under an operating lease.
"LOAN" means an extension of credit by a Lender or a Designated Bidder
to the Borrower under ARTICLE II, and may be a Base Rate Committed Loan or
a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or a Bid Loan (each, a "TYPE" of Loan).
"LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, any Notes, the Fee Letter, and
all other documents delivered to the Agent or any Lender or any Designated
Bidder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"MARGIN STOCK" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
Regulation T, U or X of the FRB.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a
material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (b) a material adverse
effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Loan Document.
"▇▇▇▇▇'▇ RATING" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Applicable Margin".
"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means a "multiemployer plan", within the meaning
of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions or,
during the preceding three calendar years, has made, or been obligated to
make, contributions.
"NET INCOME" means, for any applicable period, the aggregate of all
amounts which, in accordance with GAAP, would be included as net income (or
net loss (including any extraordinary losses)) on a consolidated statement
of income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, PLUS,
without duplication, the net income (or net loss (including any
extraordinary losses)) for such period attributable to the assets or
capital stock of any Person which was the subject of a merger with the
Borrower or of an Acquisition by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries during
such period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that "NET INCOME" shall exclude (i) the
effect of any extraordinary or other non-recurring non-cash gains outside
the ordinary course of business and (ii) any write-up in the value of any
asset (to the extent such write-up exceeds any write-down taken in
connection with the same transaction or event which gave rise to such
write-up).
"NET ISSUANCE PROCEEDS" means, as to any issuance of debt or equity by
any Person, cash proceeds and non-cash proceeds received or receivable by
such Person in connection therewith, net of reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith in favor of any
Person not an Affiliate of such Person, such costs and expenses not to
exceed 5% of the gross proceeds of such issuance.
"NOTE" means a promissory note executed by the Borrower in favor of a
Lender pursuant to SECTION 2.2(b).
-14-
"NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT A.
"NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION" means a notice in substantially
the form of EXHIBIT B.
"OBLIGATIONS" means all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations,
covenants and duties arising under any Loan Document owing by the Borrower
to any Lender, any Designated Bidder, the Agent, or any Indemnified Person,
whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment),
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter
arising.
"ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS" means as to any Person which is (i) a
corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and by-laws of
such Person, (ii) a limited liability company, the limited liability
company agreement or similar agreement of such Person, (iii) a partnership,
the partnership agreement or similar agreement of such Person, or (iv) any
other form of entity or organization, the organizational documents
analogous to the foregoing..
"OTHER TAXES" means any present or future stamp, court or documentary
taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
(which are understood not to include income taxes) which arise from any
payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance,
enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this
Agreement or any other Loan Documents.
"PARTICIPANT" has the meaning specified in SECTION 12.8(d).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under
ERISA.
"PENSION PLAN" means a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which the Borrower sponsors, maintains,
or to which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions, or
in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of
ERISA) has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding
five (5) plan years.
"PERMITTED LIENS" has the meaning specified in SECTION 8.1.
"PERMITTED SWAP OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations (contingent or
otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising under Swap
Contracts, provided that each of the following criteria is satisfied:
(a) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the
ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks
associated with liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably
anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by
such Person in conjunction with a securities repurchase program not
otherwise prohibited hereunder, and not for purposes of speculation or
taking a "market view"; and (b) such Swap Contracts do not contain (i) any
provision ("walk-away" provision) exonerating the non-defaulting party from
its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the
defaulting party, or (ii) any provision creating or permitting the
declaration of an event of default,
-15-
termination event or similar event upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default hereunder (other than an Event of Default under SECTION 10.1(a)
with respect to principal payment defaults).
"PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated association, joint venture or Governmental Authority.
"PLAN" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA) which the Borrower sponsors or maintains or to which the Borrower
makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions and includes any
Pension Plan.
"PRO RATA SHARE" means, as to any Lender at any time, the percentage
equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at
such time of such Lender's Commitment divided by the combined Commitments
of all Lenders.
"REFERENCE BANK" means Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and any other
Lender from time to time designated by the Required Lenders as a Reference
Bank.
"REPLACEMENT LENDER" has the meaning specified in SECTION 4.8.
"REPORTABLE EVENT" means, any of the events set forth in Section
4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event
for which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in
regulations issued by the PBGC.
"REQUIRED LENDERS" means, at any time when there is more than one
Lender, at least two Lenders having in excess of 51% of the Commitments or,
if the Commitments have been terminated, at least two Lenders then holding
in excess of 51% of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
Loans. If at any time there is only one Lender, then Required Lender means
such Lender. For purposes of this definition, each Lender shall be deemed
to hold all outstanding Bid Loans of such Lender's Designated Bidders.
"REQUIREMENT OF LAW" means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or
common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or of
a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon the
Person or any of its property or to which the Person or any of its property
is subject.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means the chief executive officer or the
president of the Borrower, or any other officer having substantially the
same authority and responsibility; or, with respect to compliance with
financial covenants, the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the
Borrower, or any other officer having substantially the same authority and
responsibility.
"S&P RATING" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Applicable Margin".
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
-16-
"SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary which would be a
"significant subsidiary" under either clause (2) or clause (3) of the
definition of "significant subsidiary" in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under
the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof, assuming that
the Borrower is the "registrant" referred to in such definition.
"SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any corporation, association,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other business
entity of which more than 50% of the voting stock, membership interests or
other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than corporations), is
owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Person, or one or more of
the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination thereof. Unless the
context otherwise clearly requires, references herein to a "Subsidiary"
refer to a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
"SURETY INSTRUMENTS" means all letters of credit (including standby
and commercial), bankers' acceptances, bank guaranties, shipside bonds,
surety bonds and similar instruments.
"SWAP CONTRACT" means any agreement, whether or not in writing,
relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate
transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap
or option, bond, note or ▇▇▇▇ option, interest rate option, forward foreign
exchange transaction, cap, collar or floor transaction, currency swap,
cross-currency rate swap, swaption, currency option or any other, similar
transaction (including any option to enter into any of the foregoing) or
any combination of the foregoing, and, unless the context otherwise clearly
requires, any master agreement relating to or governing any or all of the
foregoing.
"SWAP PROVIDER" means any Lender, or any Affiliate of any Lender, that
is at the time of determination party to a Swap Contract with the Borrower
or any Subsidiary.
"SWAP TERMINATION VALUE" means, in respect of any one or more Swap
Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or
after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination
value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and
(b) for any date prior to the date referenced in CLAUSE (a) the amount(s)
determined as the ▇▇▇▇-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as
reasonably determined by the Borrower based upon one or more mid-market or
other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in
such Swap Contracts (which may include any Lender.)
"TANGIBLE NET WORTH" means, as of any date of determination, total
consolidated assets of the Borrower as of such date MINUS total
consolidated liabilities of the Borrower as of such date and MINUS the
carrying value on a consolidated basis of (a) goodwill, organizational
expenses, patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark
applications, trade names, service marks, service ▇▇▇▇ applications,
copyrights, designs and other intellectual property and licenses
therefor and rights therein, and other similar intangibles, (b) all
amortizing debt issuance carried as an asset, (c) all reserves carried
-17-
and not deducted from assets or not reflected as a liability, and (d)
cash held in a sinking or other analogous fund established for the
purpose of redemption, retirement or prepayment of any capital stock or
any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation, if no offsetting liability
exists with respect to such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation on the
balance sheet of the Borrower.
"TAXES" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
assessments, imposts, duties, deductions, fees, withholdings or similar
charges, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the
case of each Lender and the Agent, respectively, taxes imposed on or
measured by its gross income, net income or capital gains by the
jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of
which such Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Agent, as the case may be,
is organized or maintains a lending office.
"TELERATE PAGE 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on
the Telerate Service (or other such page as may replace Page 3750 on
that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of
displaying British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for
U.S. Dollar deposits).
"TERMINATION DATE" means the earlier to occur of: (a) June 16,
2003; and (b) the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement.
"TYPE" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Committed
Loan."
"UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY" means the excess of a Plan's benefit
liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of
that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for
funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the
applicable plan year.
"UNITED STATES" and "U.S." each means the United States of America.
"WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means any corporation in which (other than
directors' qualifying shares required by law) 100% of the capital stock of
each class having ordinary voting power, and 100% of the capital stock of
every other class, in each case, at the time as of which any determination
is being made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by the Borrower, or by
one or more of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or both.
1.2 OTHER INTERPRETIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the
singular and plural forms of the defined terms.
(b) The words "hereof", " herein", "hereunder" and similar words
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement; and clause, Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this
Agreement unless otherwise specified.
-18-
(i) The term "documents" includes any and all instruments,
documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other
writings, however evidenced.
(ii) The term "including" is not limiting and means "including
without limitation."
(iii) In the computation of periods of time from a specified
date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including";
the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding", and the word
"through" means "to and including."
(iv) The term "property" includes any kind of property or
asset, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.
(c) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references to
agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments shall be
deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but
only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by
the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation
are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions
consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or
regulation.
(d) The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
(e) This Agreement and other Loan Documents may use several
different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar
matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall
each be performed in accordance with their terms. Unless otherwise expressly
provided, any reference to any action of the Agent or the Lenders by way of
consent, approval or waiver shall be deemed modified by the phrase "in its/their
sole discretion."
(f) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of
negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to the Agent, the Borrower
and the other parties, and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, they
shall not be construed against the Lenders or the Agent merely because of the
Agent's or the Lenders' involvement in their preparation.
1.3 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.
(a) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting
terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial
computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with
GAAP, consistently applied.
(b) In the event that GAAP changes during the term of this Agreement
such that the covenants contained in ARTICLE IX would then be calculated in a
different manner or with different components or with components which are
calculated differently, (i) the parties hereto agree to enter into negotiations
with respect to amendments to this Agreement to conform those covenants as
criteria for evaluating the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' financial condition
to substantially the same criteria as were effective prior to such change in
GAAP, and (ii) the
-19-
Borrower shall be deemed to be in compliance with the affected covenants
contained in ARTICLE IX during the 90 days following any change in GAAP if
and to the extent that the Borrower would have been in compliance therewith
under GAAP as in effect immediately before such change; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that this paragraph shall not be deemed to require the Borrower, the Agent or
the Lenders to agree to modify any provision of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents to reflect any such change to GAAP and, if, after such
90 days, the parties, in their sole discretion, fail to reach agreement on
such modifications, the terms of this Agreement will remain unchanged and the
compliance by the Borrower with the covenants contained in ARTICLE IX will be
calculated in accordance with GAAP as in effect immediately before such
change.
(c) References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter" refer to
such fiscal periods of the Borrower.
ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS
2.1 AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS. Each Lender severally agrees, on
the terms and conditions set forth herein, to make loans to the Borrower (each
such loan, a "COMMITTED LOAN") from time to time on any Business Day during the
period from the Closing Date to the Termination Date, in an aggregate amount not
to exceed at any time outstanding the amount set forth on SCHEDULE 2.1 (such
amount as the same may be reduced under SECTION 2.7 or as a result of one or
more assignments under SECTION 12.8, the Lender's "COMMITMENT"); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that, after giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, the aggregate
principal amount of all Committed Loans together with the aggregate principal
amount of all Bid Loans outstanding, shall not at any time exceed the combined
Commitments; and FURTHER PROVIDED, that the aggregate principal amount of all
Committed Loans of any Lender, shall not at any time exceed such Lender's
Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender's Commitment, and subject to the
other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this
SECTION 2.1, prepay under SECTION 2.8 and reborrow under this SECTION 2.1.
2.2 LOAN ACCOUNTS.
(a) The Loans made by each Lender or Designated Bidder shall be
evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender or
Designated Bidder, in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records
maintained by each Lender or Designated Bidder shall be conclusive absent
manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders and Designated
Bidders to the Borrower for the account of the Borrower, and the interest and
payments thereon. Any failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not,
however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to
pay any amount actually owing with respect to the Loans.
(b) Upon the request of any Lender made through the Agent, the
Committed Loans made by such Lender may be evidenced by one or more notes in the
form of EXHIBIT I ("Committed Loan Notes") and the Bid Loans made by such Lender
or any Designated Bidder may be evidenced by one or more notes in the form of
EXHIBIT J ("Bid Loan Notes"), instead of
-20-
or in addition to loan accounts. Each such Lender and Designated Bidder may
endorse on the schedules annexed to its Note(s) the date, amount and maturity
of each Loan made by it and the amount of each payment of principal made by
the Borrower with respect thereto. Each such Lender and Designated Bidder is
irrevocably authorized by the Borrower to endorse its Note(s) and each
Lender's or Designated Bidder's record shall be conclusive absent manifest
error; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure of a Lender or Designated Bidder
to make, or an error in making, a notation thereon with respect to any Loan
shall not limit or otherwise affect the actual obligations of the Borrower
hereunder or under any such Note to such Lender or Designated Bidder.
2.3 PROCEDURE FOR COMMITTED BORROWING.
(a) Each Committed Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower's
irrevocable telephonic notice, confirmed in writing, delivered to the Agent in
the form of a Notice of Borrowing (which notice must be received by the Agent
prior to 11:30 a.m. New York City time) (i) three Business Days prior to the
requested Borrowing Date, in the case of LIBOR Rate Committed Loans; and (ii) on
the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans, specifying:
(A) the amount of the Committed Borrowing, which
shall be (i) in the case of Base Rate Committed Loans, in an aggregate
minimum amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in
excess thereof and (ii) in the case of LIBOR Rate Committed Loans, in
an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(B) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a
Business Day;
(C) the Type of Loans comprising the Committed
Borrowing; and
(D) if such Committed Borrowing is to be a LIBOR Rate
Committed Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable to such
Committed Loan included in such notice. If the Notice of Borrowing
fails to specify the duration of the Interest Period for any such
Committed Borrowing, such Interest Period shall be one month.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to any Committed Borrowing to be made on
the Closing Date, the Notice of Borrowing shall be delivered to the Agent not
later than 11:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date and such
Committed Borrowing will consist of Base Rate Committed Loans only.
(b) The Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of any
Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of that
Committed Borrowing.
(c) Each Lender will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of each
Committed Borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Borrower at
the Agent's Payment Office by 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) (or 2:30 p.m. New
York City time in the case of a Base Rate Committed Loan) on the Borrowing Date
requested by the Borrower in funds immediately available to the Agent. The
proceeds of all such Committed Loans will then be made available
-21-
to the Borrower by the Agent by wire transfer by 4:00 p.m. New York City time
on the Borrowing Date in accordance with written instructions provided to the
Agent by the Borrower of like funds in United States dollars as received by
the Agent.
(d) After giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, unless the Agent
shall otherwise consent, there may not be more than six different Interest
Periods in effect in respect of all Committed Loans and Bid Loans then
outstanding.
2.4 CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION ELECTIONS FOR COMMITTED BORROWINGS.
(a) The Borrower may, upon irrevocable written notice to the Agent
in accordance with SECTION 2.4(b):
(i) with respect to any Base Rate Committed Loans, elect, as
of any Business Day, to convert any such Base Rate Committed Loans, or any
part thereof, in an amount not less than $5,000,000 or that is in an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof into LIBOR Rate Committed
Loans; or
(ii) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Committed Loans, elect,
as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, to (x) continue any
LIBOR Rate Committed Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such day, or
any part thereof, in an amount not less than $5,000,000 or that is in an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or (y) convert any LIBOR
Rate Committed Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such date, or any
part thereof, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 or that is an integral
multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof into Base Rate Committed Loans;
PROVIDED, that if at any time the aggregate amount of LIBOR Rate Committed Loans
in respect of any Committed Borrowing is reduced, by payment, prepayment, or
conversion of part thereof to be less than $5,000,000 such LIBOR Rate Committed
Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Committed Loans, and on and
after such date the right of the Borrower to continue such Committed Loans as,
and convert such Committed Loans into, LIBOR Rate Committed Loans shall
terminate unless and until the aggregate of all such Loans (including any other
Base Rate Committed Loans then outstanding) is $5,000,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
(b) The Borrower shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation
to be received by the Agent not later than 11:30 a.m. (New York City time) at
least (i) three Business Days in advance of the Conversion/Continuation Date, if
the Committed Loans are to be converted into or continued as LIBOR Rate
Committed Loans; and(ii) one Business Day in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be converted into Base Rate
Committed Loans, specifying:
(A) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;
(B) the aggregate amount of Committed Loans to be
converted or continued;
-22-
(C) the Type of Committed Loans resulting from the
proposed conversion or continuation; and
(D) in the case of continuations of or conversions
into LIBOR Rate Committed Loans, the duration of the requested
Interest Period.
(c) If upon the expiration of any Interest Period, the Borrower has
failed to select timely a new Interest Period applicable to LIBOR Rate Committed
Loans, or if any Default or Event of Default then exists, the Borrower shall be
deemed to have elected to convert the relevant LIBOR Rate Committed Loans into
Base Rate Committed Loans effective as of the expiration date of such Interest
Period.
(d) The Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation, or, if no timely notice is provided by the
Borrower, the Agent will promptly notify each Lender of the details of any
automatic conversion. All conversions and continuations shall be made ratably
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Committed Loans
with respect to which the notice was given held by each Lender.
(e) Unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent, during the
existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Borrower may not elect to have a
Committed Loan converted into or continued as a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan.
(f) After giving effect to any conversion or continuation of
Committed Loans, unless the Agent shall otherwise consent, there may not be more
than six different Interest Periods in effect in respect of all Committed Loans
and Bid Loans then outstanding.
2.5 BID BORROWINGS. In addition to Committed Borrowings pursuant to
SECTION 2.1, each Lender severally agrees that the Borrower may, as set forth in
SECTION 2.6, from time to time request the Lenders prior to the Termination Date
to submit offers to make Bid Loans to the Borrower; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Lenders may, but shall have no obligation to, submit such offers and the
Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers, and any
Lender may designate one or more Designated Bidders to make such offers from
time to time and, if such offers are accepted by the Borrower, to make such Bid
Loans; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that at no time shall (a) the outstanding
aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans made by all Lenders and Designated
Bidders, plus the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Committed Loans
made by all Lenders exceed the combined Commitments; or (b) the number of
Interest Periods for Bid Loans then outstanding plus the number of Interest
Periods for Committed Loans then outstanding exceeds six.
2.6 PROCEDURE FOR BID BORROWINGS.
(a) When the Borrower wishes to request the Lenders to submit offers
to make Bid Loans hereunder, it shall transmit to the Agent by telephone call
followed promptly by facsimile transmission a notice in substantially the form
of EXHIBIT G (a "COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST") so as to be received no later than
9:00 a.m. (New York time) (x) four Business Days prior to the date of a proposed
Bid Borrowing in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or (y) one Business Day prior to
the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction,
specifying:
-23-
(i) the date of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a
Business Day;
(ii) the aggregate amount of such Bid Borrowing, which shall
be a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof;
(iii) whether the Competitive Bids requested are to be for
LIBOR Rate Bid Loans or Absolute Rate Bid Loans or both; and
(iv) the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
subject to the provisions of the definition of "Interest Period" herein.
Subject to SECTION 2.6(c), the Borrower may not request Competitive Bids for
more than three Interest Periods in a single Competitive Bid Request and may not
request Competitive Bids more than once in any period of five Business Days.
(b) Upon receipt of a Competitive Bid Request, the Agent will
promptly send to the Lenders and Designated Bidders by facsimile transmission
an Invitation for Competitive Bids, which shall constitute an invitation by
the Borrower to each Lender and Designated Bidder to submit Competitive Bids
offering to make the Bid Loans to which such Competitive Bid Request relates
in accordance with this SECTION 2.6.
(c) Each Lender and Designated Bidder may at its discretion submit a
Competitive Bid containing an offer or offers to make Bid Loans in response to
any Invitation for Competitive Bids. Each Competitive Bid must comply with the
requirements of this SECTION 2.6(c) and must be submitted to the Agent by
facsimile transmission at the Agent's office for notices set forth on the
signature pages hereto not later than (1) 9:30 a.m. (New York time) three
Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR
Auction or (2) 9:30 a.m. (New York time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in
the case of an Absolute Rate Auction; PROVIDED that Competitive Bids submitted
by the Agent (or any Affiliate of the Agent) in the capacity of a Lender or
Designated Bidder may be submitted, and may only be submitted, if the Agent or
such Affiliate notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer or offers
contained therein not later than (A) 9:00 a.m. (New York time) three Business
Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction or
(B) 9:00 a.m. (New York time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of
an Absolute Rate Auction.
(i) Each Competitive Bid shall be in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT H, specifying therein:
(A) the proposed date of Borrowing;
(B) the principal amount of each Bid Loan for which
such Competitive Bid is being made, which principal amount (x) may be
equal to, greater than or less than the Commitment of the quoting
Lender, (y) must be $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof, and (z) may not exceed the principal amount of Bid Loans for
which Competitive Bids were requested;
(C) in case the Borrower elects a LIBOR Auction, the
margin
-24-
above or below LIBOR (the "LIBOR BID MARGIN") offered for each
such Bid Loan, expressed in multiples of 1/1000th of one basis point
to be added to or subtracted from the applicable LIBOR and the
Interest Period applicable thereto;
(D) in case the Borrower elects an Absolute Rate
Auction, the rate of interest per annum expressed in multiples of
1/1000th of one basis point (the "ABSOLUTE RATE") offered for each
such Bid Loan; and
(E) the identity of the quoting Lender or Designated
Bidder.
A Competitive Bid may contain up to three separate offers by the
quoting Lender or Designated Bidder with respect to each Interest
Period specified in the related Invitation for Competitive Bids.
(ii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it:
(A) is not substantially in conformity with EXHIBIT H or
does not specify all of the information required by CLAUSE (c)(ii) of
this Section;
(B) contains qualifying, conditional or similar
language;
(C) proposes terms other than or in addition to those
set forth in the applicable Invitation for Competitive Bids; or
(D) arrives after the time set forth in SUBSECTION
(c)(i).
(d) Promptly on receipt and not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York time)
three Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing in the case of a
LIBOR Auction, or 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the proposed date of Borrowing,
in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, the Agent will notify the Borrower of
the terms (i) of any Competitive Bid submitted by a Lender or Designated Bidder
that is in accordance with SECTION 2.6(c), and (ii) of any Competitive Bid that
amends, modifies or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Competitive Bid
submitted by such Lender or Designated Bidder with respect to the same
Competitive Bid Request. Any such subsequent Competitive Bid shall be
disregarded by the Agent unless such subsequent Competitive Bid is submitted
solely to correct a manifest error in such former Competitive Bid and only if
received within the times set forth in SECTION 2.6(c). The Agent's notice to
the Borrower shall specify (1) the aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans for
which offers have been received for each Interest Period specified in the
related Competitive Bid Request; and (2) the respective principal amounts and
LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, so offered. Subject
only to the provisions of SECTIONS 4.2, 4.5 and 5.2 hereof and the provisions of
this SUBSECTION (d), any Competitive Bid shall be irrevocable except with the
written consent of the Agent given on the written instructions of the Borrower.
(e) Not later than 10:30 a.m. (New York time) three Business Days
prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or
10:30 a.m. (New York time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an
Absolute Rate Auction, the Borrower shall notify the Agent of its acceptance or
non-acceptance of the offers so notified to it pursuant to SECTION 2.6(d). The
Borrower shall be under no obligation to accept any offer and may choose to
-25-
reject all offers. In the case of acceptance, such notice shall specify the
aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that is accepted.
The Borrower may accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part; PROVIDED that:
(i) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing may
not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid
Request;
(ii) the principal amount of each Bid Borrowing must be
$5,000,000 or in any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of
ascending LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest Period,
as the case may be; and
(iv) the Borrower may not accept any offer that is described
in SECTION 2.6(c)(i) or that otherwise fails to comply with the
requirements of this Agreement.
(f) If offers are made by two or more Lenders or Designated Bidders
with the same LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a
greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which such
offers are accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid
Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the
Agent among such Lenders or Designated Bidders as nearly as possible (in such
multiples, not less than $1,000,000, as the Agent may deem appropriate) in
proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such offers. Determination by
the Agent of the amounts of Bid Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error.
(g) The Agent will promptly notify each Lender or Designated Bidder
having submitted a Competitive Bid if its offer has been accepted and, if its
offer has been accepted, of the amount of the Bid Loan or Bid Loans to be made
by it on the date of the Bid Borrowing.
(i) Each Lender or Designated Bidder, which has received notice
pursuant to SECTION 2.6(g)(i) that its Competitive Bid has been accepted,
shall make the amounts of such Bid Loans available to the Agent for the
account of the Borrower at the Agent's Payment Office, by 11:00 a.m. (New
York time) in the case of Absolute Rate Bid Loans, and by 11:00 a.m. (New
York time) in the case of LIBOR Rate Bid Loans, on such date of Bid
Borrowing, in funds immediately available to the Agent for the account of
the Borrower at the Agent's Payment Office.
(ii) Promptly following each Bid Borrowing, the Agent shall
notify each Lender and Designated Bidder of the ranges of bids submitted
and the highest and lowest Bids accepted for each Interest Period
requested by the Borrower and the aggregate amount borrowed pursuant to
such Bid Borrowing.
(iii) From time to time, the Borrower and the Lenders and
Designated Bidders shall furnish such information to the Agent as the Agent
may request relating to the making of Bid Loans, including the amounts,
interest rates, dates of borrowings and
-26-
maturities thereof, for purposes of the allocation of amounts received
from the Borrower for payment of all amounts owing hereunder.
(h) If, on or prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, the
Commitments have not been terminated and if, on such proposed date of Borrowing
all applicable conditions to funding referenced in SECTIONS 4.2, 4.5 and 5.2
hereof are satisfied, the Lenders and Designated Bidders whose offers the
Borrower has accepted will fund each Bid Loan so accepted. Nothing in this
SECTION 2.6 shall be construed as a right of first offer in favor of the Lenders
or Designated Bidders or to otherwise limit the ability of the Borrower to
request and accept credit facilities from any Person (including any of the
Lenders or Designated Bidders), provided that no Default or Event of Default
would otherwise arise or exist as a result of the Borrower executing, delivering
or performing under such credit facilities.
2.7 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS. The Borrower may,
upon not less than three Business Days' prior notice to the Agent, terminate the
Commitments, or permanently reduce the Commitments by an aggregate minimum
amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; UNLESS,
after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of Committed Loans made on
the effective date thereof, the outstanding principal amount of all Loans
together would exceed the amount of the combined Commitments then in effect.
Once reduced in accordance with this Section, the Commitments may not be
increased. Any reduction of the Commitments shall be applied to each Lender
according to its Pro Rata Share. All accrued commitment fees to, but not
including, the effective date of any reduction or termination of Commitments,
shall be paid on the next quarter end date.
2.8 OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS.
(a) Subject to SECTION 4.4, the Borrower may, at any time or from
time to time, upon not less than three Business Days' irrevocable notice by
11:30 a.m. New York City time (or on the same Business Day's irrevocable notice
by 1:30 p.m. New York City time in the case of Base Rate Loans) to the Agent,
ratably prepay Committed Loans in whole or in part, in minimum amounts of
$5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (in the case of LIBOR
Rate Committed Loans) or in minimum amounts of $1,000,000 or any multiple of
$100,000 in excess thereof (in the case of Base Rate Loans). Such notice of
prepayment shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s)
of Committed Loans to be prepaid. The Agent will promptly notify each Lender of
its receipt of any such notice, and of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such
prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make
such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and
payable on the date specified therein, together with accrued interest to each
such date on the amount prepaid (in the case of LIBOR Rate Committed Loans only)
and any amounts required pursuant to SECTION 4.4. If requested by the Borrower
in connection with a potential prepayment, the Agent shall promptly provide a
reasonable good faith estimate of the amounts which would be payable under
SECTION 4.4 in connection with such potential prepayment.
(b) Bid Loans may not be voluntarily prepaid other than with the
consent of the applicable Bid Loan Lender.
-27-
2.9 REPAYMENT.
(a) The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Termination Date
the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding on such date.
(b) The Borrower shall repay each Bid Loan on the last day of the
relevant Interest Period.
2.10 INTEREST.
(a) Each Committed Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the LIBOR Rate PLUS the Applicable Margin or the Base Rate, as the case
may be (and subject to the Borrower's right to convert to other Types of Loans
under SECTION 2.4). Each Bid Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof from the relevant Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Bid Margin, or at the Absolute Rate, as
the case may be.
(b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any prepayment of
Committed Loans under SECTION 2.8 for the portion of the Loans so prepaid (for
LIBOR Rate Committed Loans only) and upon payment (including prepayment) in full
thereof and, during the existence of any Event of Default, interest shall be
paid on demand of the Agent at the request or with the consent of the Required
Lenders.
(c) Notwithstanding CLAUSE (a) of this Section, while any Event of
Default exists or after acceleration, the Borrower shall pay interest (after as
well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on the
principal amount of all outstanding Obligations, at a rate per annum which is
determined by adding 2% per annum to the Applicable Margin then in effect for
such Loans and, in the case of Obligations not subject to an Applicable Margin,
at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, on
and after the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any LIBOR Rate
Committed Loan outstanding on the date of occurrence of such Event of Default or
acceleration, the principal amount of such Loan shall, during the continuation
of such Event of Default or after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%.
(d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations
of the Borrower to any Lender or Designated Bidder hereunder shall be subject to
the limitation that payments of interest shall not be required for any period
for which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent)
that contracting for or receiving such payment by such Lender or Designated
Bidder would be contrary to the provisions of any law applicable to such Lender
or Designated Bidder limiting the highest rate of interest that may be lawfully
contracted for, charged or received by such Lender or Designated Bidder, and in
such event the Borrower shall pay such Lender or Designated Bidder interest at
the highest rate permitted by applicable law.
-28-
2.11 FEES.
(a) FEE LETTER. The Borrower shall pay the fees to the Arranger and
to the Agent, as required by the letter agreement between the Borrower and the
Agent dated May 14, 1998 (such letter agreement referred to as the "Fee
Letter").
(b) COMMITMENT FEES. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the
account of each Lender a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of
such Lender's Commitment, computed on a quarterly basis in arrears on the last
Business Day of each calendar quarter based upon the daily utilization for that
quarter as calculated by the Agent, equal to the Applicable Margin for
Commitment Fees. For purposes of calculating utilization under this clause, the
Commitments shall be deemed used to the extent of the aggregate principal amount
of Committed Loans then outstanding. Such commitment fee shall accrue from the
Closing Date to the Termination Date and shall be due and payable quarterly in
arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter through the
Termination Date, commencing with the calendar quarter ending June 30, 1998 with
the final payment to be made on the Termination Date; PROVIDED that, in
connection with any reduction or termination of Commitments under SECTION 2.7,
the accrued commitment fee calculated for the period ending on such date shall
also be paid on the next following quarter end, with the following quarterly
payment being calculated on the basis of the period from such reduction or
termination date to such quarterly payment date. The commitment fees provided
in this clause shall accrue at all times after the above-mentioned commencement
date, including at any time during which one or more conditions in ARTICLE V are
not met.
2.12 COMPUTATION OF FEES AND INTEREST.
(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Committed Loans when
the Base Rate is determined by Deutsche Bank's "prime lending rate" shall be
made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual
days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the
basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more interest
being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest and fees
shall accrue during each period during which interest or such fees are computed
from the first day thereof to the last day thereof.
(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders and Designated Bidders in
the absence of manifest error.
(c) If any Reference Bank's Commitment terminates (other than on
termination of all the Commitments), or for any reason whatsoever the Reference
Bank ceases to be a Lender hereunder, that Reference Bank shall thereupon cease
to be a Reference Bank, and the LIBOR Rate shall be determined on the basis of
the rates as notified by the remaining Reference Banks.
(d) Each Reference Bank shall use its best efforts to furnish
quotations of rates to the Agent as contemplated hereby. If any of the
Reference Banks fails to supply such rates to the Agent upon its request, the
rate of interest shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the
remaining Reference Bank(s).
-29-
2.13 PAYMENTS BY THE BORROWER.
(a) All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without
set-off, recoupment or counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, all payments by the Borrower shall be made to the Agent for the account
of the Lenders and Designated Bidders at the Agent's Payment Office, and shall
be made in dollars and in immediately available funds, no later than 11:00 a.m.
(New York City time) on the date specified herein. The Agent will promptly
distribute to each Lender (or Designated Bidder) its Pro Rata Share (or other
applicable share as expressly provided herein) of such payment in like funds as
received. Any payment received by the Agent later than 11:00 a.m. (New York
City time) shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day
and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.
(b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of
"Interest Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest
or fees, as the case may be.
(c) Unless the Agent receives notice from the Borrower prior to the
date on which any payment is due to the Lenders or Designated Bidders that the
Borrower will not make such payment in full as and when required, the Agent may
assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date
in immediately available funds and the Agent may (but shall not be so required),
in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to each Lender or Designated
Bidders on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender or
Designated Bidders. If and to the extent the Borrower has not made such payment
in full to the Agent, each Lender or Designated Bidder shall repay to the Agent
on demand such amount distributed to such Lender or Designated Bidder, together
with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the date such
amount is distributed to such Lender or Designated Bidder until the date repaid.
2.14 PAYMENTS BY THE LENDERS TO THE AGENT.
(a) Unless the Agent receives notice from a Lender at least one
Business Day prior to the Closing Date or, with respect to any Committed
Borrowing after the Closing Date, at least one Business Day prior to the date of
such Committed Borrowing, that such Lender will not make available as and when
required hereunder to the Agent for the account of the Borrower the amount of
that Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Committed Borrowing, the Agent may assume
that each Lender has made such amount available to the Agent in immediately
available funds on the Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but shall not be so
required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on
such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Lender shall not
have made its full amount available to the Agent in immediately available funds
and the Agent in such circumstances has made available to the Borrower such
amount, that Lender shall on the Business Day following such Borrowing Date make
such amount available to the Agent, together with interest at the Federal Funds
Rate for each day during such period. A notice of the Agent submitted to any
Lender with respect to amounts owing under this CLAUSE (a) shall be conclusive,
absent manifest error. If such amount is so made available, such payment to the
Agent shall constitute such Lender's Loan on the date of
-30-
Borrowing for all purposes of this Agreement. If such amount is not made
available to the Agent on the Business Day following the Borrowing Date, the
Agent will notify the Borrower of such failure to fund and, upon demand by
the Agent, the Borrower shall pay such amount to the Agent for the Agent's
account, together with interest thereon for each day elapsed since the date
of such Committed Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate
applicable at the time to the Committed Loans comprising such Committed
Borrowing.
(b) The failure of any Lender to make any Committed Loan on any
Borrowing Date shall not relieve any other Lender of any obligation hereunder to
make a Committed Loan on such Borrowing Date, but no Lender shall be responsible
for the failure of any other Lender to make the Committed Loan to be made by
such other Lender on any Borrowing Date.
2.15 SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC. If, other than as expressly provided
elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain on account of the Committed Loans
in its favor any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the
exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable
share (or other share contemplated hereunder), such Lender shall immediately
(a) notify the Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders
such participations in the Committed Loans made by them as shall be necessary
to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment pro rata with
each of them according to their respective Pro Rata Shares; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter
recovered from the purchasing Lender, such purchase shall to that extent be
rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the
purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying
Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such
paying Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from
the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the
purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower
agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off, but subject to SECTION 12.11) with respect
to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of
the Borrower in the amount of such participation. The Agent will keep records
(which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of
participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the
Lenders following any such purchases or repayments. Any Lender having
outstanding both Committed Loans and Bid Loans at any time a right of set off
is exercised by such Lender and applying such set off to the Loans shall
apply the proceeds of such set off first to such Lender's Committed Loans,
until its Committed Loans are reduced to zero, and thereafter to its Bid Loan
Loans.
ARTICLE III
[RESERVED]
-31-
ARTICLE IV
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
4.1 TAXES.
(a) Any and all payments by the Borrower to each Lender, Designated
Bidder or the Agent under this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall be
made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any Taxes. In
addition, the Borrower shall pay all Other Taxes.
(b) If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct or withhold
any Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable
hereunder to any Lender, Designated Bidder or the Agent, then:
(i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that,
after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions
and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section),
such Lender, Designated Bidder or the Agent, as the case may be, receives
and retains an amount equal to the sum it would have received and retained
had no such deductions or withholdings been made;
(ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and
withholdings;
(iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted or
withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance
with applicable law; and
(iv) the Borrower shall also pay to each Lender, Designated
Bidder or the Agent for the account of such Lender, at the time interest is
paid, Further Taxes in the amount that the respective Lender specifies as
necessary to preserve the after-tax yield the Lender would have received if
such Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes had not been imposed.
(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Lender,
Designated Bidder and the Agent for the full amount of (i) Taxes, (ii) Other
Taxes, and (iii) Further Taxes (except, in each case, to the extent arising from
a Lender's or Designated Bidder's failure to provide an appropriately completed
and accurate (in all material respects) form under SECTION 11.10) in the amount
that the respective Lender specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax
yield such Lender or Designated Bidder would have received if such Taxes, Other
Taxes or Further Taxes had not been imposed, and any liability (including
penalties, interest, additions to tax and expenses) arising therefrom or with
respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes were
correctly or legally asserted; provided, that if requested in writing by the
Borrower (with such request to include a reaffirmation of the indemnification
provisions hereunder), such Lender or Designated Bidder shall, at the sole cost
and expense of the Borrower (such costs and expenses to be subject to
reimbursement by the Lender or Designated Bidder on a basis which is
proportionate to the amount of the refund paid to the Lender or Designated
Bidder, on the one hand, and the amount of the refund paid to the Borrower, on
the other hand), provide reasonable cooperation in attempting to obtain a refund
of
-32-
such Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes. Payment under this indemnification
shall be made within 30 days after the date the Lender, Designated Bidder or
the Agent makes written demand therefor.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the Borrower of
Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes, the Borrower shall furnish to each Lender
or the Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof, or other evidence of payment satisfactory to such Lender, Designated
Bidder or the Agent.
(e) If the Borrower is required to pay any amount to any Lender,
Designated Bidder or the Agent pursuant to CLAUSE (b) or (c) of this Section,
then such Lender or Designated Bidder shall use reasonable efforts (consistent
with legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its
Lending Office so as to eliminate any such additional payment by the Borrower
which may thereafter accrue, if such change in the sole judgment of such Lender
is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
4.2 ILLEGALITY.
(a) If any Lender determines that the introduction of any
Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the
interpretation or administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it
unlawful, or that any central Lender or other Governmental Authority has
asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office,
or such Lender's Designated Bidder, in the case of LIBOR Rate Bid Loans, to make
LIBOR Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR Rate Bid Loans, as the case may be, then, on
notice thereof by the Lender to the Borrower through the Agent, any obligation
of that Lender or Designated Bidder to make LIBOR Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR
Rate Bid Loans, as the case may be, (including in respect of any LIBOR Rate Bid
Loan as to which the Borrower has accepted such Lender's or Designated Bidder's
Competitive Bid, but as to which the Borrowing Date has not arrived) shall be
suspended until the Lender notifies the Agent and the Borrower that the
circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. While such
obligation is so suspended, any LIBOR Rate Committed Loans requested by the
Borrower shall be deemed for purposes of such Lender to be a request for a Base
Rate Committed Loan, which Base Rate Committed Loan shall be deemed to have the
same Interest Period as the LIBOR Rate Committed Loans actually requested.
(b) If a Lender determines that it is unlawful for such Lender or
such Lender's Designated Bidder to maintain any LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or
LIBOR Rate Bid Loans, as the case may be, the Borrower shall, upon its receipt
of notice of such fact and demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Agent),
prepay in full such LIBOR Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR Rate Bid Loans, as the
case may be, of that Lender or Designated Bidder then outstanding, together with
interest accrued thereon, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof,
if the Lender or Designated Bidder may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR
Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR Rate Bid Loans, as the case may be, to such day,
or immediately, if the Lender or Designated Bidder may not lawfully continue to
maintain such LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or LIBOR Rate Bid Loans. If the
Borrower is required to so prepay any LIBOR Rate Committed Loan then
concurrently with such prepayment, the Borrower shall borrow from the affected
Lender, in the amount of such repayment, a Base Rate Committed
-33-
Loan which Base Rate Committed Loan shall be deemed to have the same Interest
Period as the LIBOR Rate Committed Loan which is concurrently repaid. If the
Borrower is required to so prepay any LIBOR Rate Bid Loan, then concurrently
with such prepayment, subject to compliance with SECTION 5.2 the Borrower
shall borrow from the affected Lender, in the amount of such repayment, a
Base Rate Committed Loan which Base Rate Committed Loan shall be deemed to
have the same Interest Period as the LIBOR Rate Bid Loan which is
concurrently repaid.
(c) Before giving any notice to the Agent under this Section, the
affected Lender shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its
LIBOR Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR Rate Bid Loans if such designation will
avoid the need for giving such notice or making such demand and will not, in the
judgment of the Lender, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Lender.
4.3 INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCTION OF RETURN.
(a) If any Lender reasonably determines that, due to either (i) the
introduction of or any change (other than any change by way of imposition of or
increase in reserve requirements included in the calculation of the LIBOR Rate
or in respect of the assessment rate payable by any Lender to the FDIC for
insuring U.S. deposits) in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation or
(ii) the compliance by that Lender with any guideline or request from any
central Lender or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force
of law) not due to an adverse change in the financial condition of such Lenders,
there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make or
making, funding or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Committed Loans or LIBOR Rate Bid
Loans, then the Borrower shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, upon
demand (with a copy of such demand to be sent to the Agent), pay to the Agent
for the account of such Lender, additional amounts as are sufficient to
compensate such Lender for such increased costs.
(b) If any Lender shall have determined that (i) the introduction of
any Capital Adequacy Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy
Regulation, (iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any
Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central Lender or other Governmental
Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or
(iv) compliance by the Lender (or its Lending Office) or any corporation
controlling the Lender not due to an adverse change in the financial condition
of such Lender with any Capital Adequacy Regulation, affects or would affect the
amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by the Lender or any
corporation controlling the Lender and (taking into consideration such Lender's
or such corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy and such
Lender's desired return on capital generally for similarly situated borrowers)
determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its
Commitment, loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, upon
demand of such Lender to the Borrower through the Agent, the Borrower shall pay
to the Lender, from time to time as specified by the Lender, additional amounts
sufficient to compensate the Lender for such increase.
4.4 FUNDING LOSSES. The Borrower shall reimburse each Lender and hold
each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which the Lender may sustain or
incur as a consequence of:
-34-
(a) the failure of the Borrower to make on a timely basis any
payment of principal of any LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or Bid Loan due to the
Borrower's failure to comply with the conditions set forth in SECTION 5.2;
(b) the failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert a
Committed Loan after the Borrower has given (or is deemed to have given) a
Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation;
(c) the failure of the Borrower to make any prepayment of any
Committed Loan in accordance with any notice delivered under SECTION 2.8;
(d) the prepayment or other payment (including after acceleration
thereof) of a LIBOR Rate Committed Loan or Bid Loan on a day that is not the
last day of the relevant Interest Period; or
(e) the automatic conversion under SECTION 2.4 of any LIBOR Rate
Committed Loan to a Base Rate Committed Loan on a day that is not the last day
of the relevant Interest Period;
including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its LIBOR Rate Committed Loans or Bid Loans,
as the case may be, or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which
such funds were obtained. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the
Borrower to the Lenders under this Section and under SECTION 4.3(a), each LIBOR
Rate Committed Loan or LIBOR Rate Bid Loan made by a Lender (and each related
reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to
have been funded at the LIBOR used in determining the LIBOR Rate for such LIBOR
Rate Bid Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank
eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether
or not such LIBOR Rate Bid Loan is in fact so funded.
4.5 INABILITY TO DETERMINE RATES. If any Reference Bank or the Required
Lenders determine that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist
for determining the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to
a proposed LIBOR Rate Committed Loan, or that the LIBOR Rate applicable pursuant
to SECTION 2.10(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
LIBOR Rate Committed Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to
such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the
Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or
maintain LIBOR Rate Committed Loans, hereunder shall be suspended until the
Agent upon the instruction of the Required Lenders revokes such notice in
writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may at least 4 days prior to
date of the proposed Borrowing or Conversion/Continuation revoke any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it by written
notice to Agent. If the Borrower does not revoke such Notice, the Lenders shall
make, convert or continue the Committed Loans, as proposed by the Borrower, in
the amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Borrower, but
such Committed Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate
Committed Loans instead of LIBOR Rate Committed Loans.
-35-
4.6 CERTIFICATES OF LENDERS. Any Lender or Designated Bidder claiming
reimbursement or compensation under this ARTICLE IV shall deliver to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable
detail the amount payable to such Lender or Designated Bidder hereunder and the
basis for, and calculation of, such claim and such certificate shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower in the absence of manifest error.
4.7 SURVIVAL. The agreements and obligations of the Borrower in this
ARTICLE IV shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.
4.8 SUBSTITUTION OF LENDERS. Upon the receipt by the Borrower from any
Lender (an "Affected Lender") of a claim for compensation under ARTICLE IV, the
Borrower may designate a replacement lender satisfactory to the Borrower and to
the Agent (the "Replacement Lender") to acquire and assume pursuant to
SECTION 12.8 all or a ratable part of all of such Affected Lender's Commitment.
Any such designation of a Replacement Lender shall be subject to the prior
written consent of the Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
be binding on the Affected Lender and any such Replacement Lender shall in any
event be required to meet the requirements of an Eligible Assignee. The
Affected Lender agrees to effect an assignment (without recourse) to the
Replacement Lender pursuant to SECTION 12.8.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
5.1 CONDITIONS OF INITIAL LOANS. The obligation of each Lender to make
its initial Committed Loan hereunder, and to receive through the Agent the
initial Competitive Bid Request, is subject to the condition that the Agent
shall have received on or before the Closing Date all of the following, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and each Lender, and in
sufficient copies for each Lender:
(a) CREDIT AGREEMENT AND NOTES. This Agreement and (to the extent
required under SECTION 2.2) the Notes executed by each party thereto;
(b) RESOLUTIONS; INCUMBENCY.
(i) Copies of the resolutions of the board of directors of
the Borrower authorizing the transactions contemplated hereby, certified as
of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Borrower; and
(ii) A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of
the Borrower authorized to execute, deliver and perform, as applicable,
this Agreement, and all other Loan Documents to be delivered by it
hereunder;
(c) ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS; GOOD STANDING. Each of the following
documents:
(i) the articles or certificate of incorporation and the
bylaws of the Borrower as in effect on the Closing Date, certified by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower as of the Closing Date;
and
-36-
(ii) a good standing certificate for the Borrower from the
Secretary of State (or similar, applicable Governmental Authority) of its
state of incorporation as of a recent date;
(d) LEGAL OPINIONS. An opinion of the Borrower's general counsel
addressed to the Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D-1
and an opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, outside counsel to Borrower, addressed
to the Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D-2;
(e) PAYMENT OF FEES. Evidence of payment by the Borrower of all
accrued and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due and payable
on the Closing Date, together with Attorney Costs of Deutsche Bank to the extent
invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of
Attorney Costs as shall constitute Deutsche Bank's reasonable estimate of
Attorney Costs incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings
(provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude final settling of
accounts between the Borrower and Deutsche Bank); including any such costs, fees
and expenses arising under or referenced in SECTIONS 2.10 and 12.4;
(f) CERTIFICATE. A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer,
dated as of the Closing Date, stating that:
(i) the representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE
VI are true and correct on and as of such date, as though made on and as of
such date;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result
from the initial Borrowing;
(iii) there has occurred since October 31, 1997, no event or
circumstance that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect; and
(g) OTHER DOCUMENTS. Such other approvals, opinions, documents or
materials as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
5.2 CONDITIONS TO ALL LOANS. The obligation of each Lender to make any
Committed Loan to be made by it, and the obligation of a Lender or Designated
Bidder to make any Bid Loan as to which the Borrower has accepted the relevant
Competitive Bid (including its initial Loan) or to continue or convert any Loan
under SECTION 2.4 is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent on the relevant disbursement date or Conversion/Continuation Date:
(a) NOTICE, APPLICATION. As to any Committed Loan, the Agent shall
have received (with, in the case of the initial Loan only, a copy for each
Lender) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as
applicable;
(b) CONTINUATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties in ARTICLE VI shall be true and correct on and as
of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date with the same effect as
if made on and as of such disbursement
-37-
date or Conversion/Continuation Date (except to the extent such
representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier date, in which
case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the representations and warranties in SECTIONS 6.5 and 6.11(b)
shall not apply in the case of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation; and
(c) NO EXISTING DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default shall exist
or shall result from such Borrowing or continuation or conversion.
Each Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion/Continuation and Competitive Bid
Request submitted by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation
and warranty by the Borrower hereunder, as of the date of each such notice and
as of each disbursement date or Conversion/Continuation Date, as applicable,
that the conditions in this SECTION 5.2 are satisfied.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and each Lender that:
6.1 CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND POWER. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries:
(a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;
(b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on its business
and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents;
(c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is licensed and
in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease
or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification or license; and
(d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law; except, in each
case referred to in CLAUSE (c) or CLAUSE (d), to the extent that the failure to
do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.2 CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION; NO CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery
and performance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, if any, of this Agreement
and each other Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not:
(a) contravene the terms of any of that Person's Organization
Documents;
(b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or
the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual
Obligation to which such Person is a party or any order, injunction, writ or
decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its property is
subject; or
-38-
(c) violate any Requirement of Law.
6.3 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION. No approval, consent, exemption,
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Borrower (or
to the extent party thereto, any of its Subsidiaries) of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document.
6.4 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if any, is a party constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries
to the extent it is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in
accordance with their respective 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.
6.5 LITIGATION. Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.5, there
are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the best
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, at law, in equity, in arbitration or
before any Governmental Authority, against the Borrower, or its Subsidiaries or
any of their respective properties which:
(a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or
(b) if determined adversely to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No injunction,
writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been issued by
any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
or directing that the transactions provided for herein or therein not be
consummated as herein or therein provided.
6.6 NO DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result
from the incurring of any Obligations by the Borrower. As of the Closing Date,
neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to
any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with
all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or that would, if such default had occurred after the Closing Date,
create an Event of Default under SECTION 10.1(e).
6.7 ERISA COMPLIANCE. Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.7:
(a) Each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of
ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law except for such non-compliance as
could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the IRS and to the best knowledge
of the Borrower, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of such
qualification. The Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has made all required
contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no application
for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to
Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.
-39-
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of Borrower,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction
or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan
which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any material Unfunded Pension Liability;
(iii) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably
expects to incur, any material liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to
any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007
of ERISA); (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or
reasonably expects to incur, any material liability (and no event has occurred
which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in
such liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a
Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of
ERISA; provided that the aggregate of all such amounts in cases of clauses (ii),
(iii) and (iv) cannot exceed $5,000,000.
6.8 USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS. The proceeds of the Loans are
to be used solely for the purposes set forth in and permitted by SECTION 7.12
and SECTION 8.7. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is generally engaged
in the business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.
6.9 TITLE TO PROPERTIES. The Borrower and each Subsidiary have good
record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in,
all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective
businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, the
property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than
Permitted Liens.
6.10 TAXES. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal and
other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all
Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets
otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in
accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower
or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
-40-
6.11 FINANCIAL CONDITION.
(a) The audited consolidated financial statements (and footnotes
thereto) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated October 31, 1997, and the
unaudited financial statements (and footnotes thereto) of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries dated April 30, 1998, in each case together with the related
consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the fiscal period ended on that date:
(i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise
expressly noted therein;
(ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of operations for
the period covered thereby; and
(iii) except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.11, show
all material indebtedness and other material liabilities, direct or
contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the
date thereof, including liabilities for material taxes, material
commitments and Contingent Obligations.
(b) Since April 30, 1998, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.
6.12 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.12, the on-going
operations of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries comply in all respects
with all Environmental Laws, except such non-compliance which would not (if
enforced in accordance with applicable law) result in liability in excess of
$5,000,000 in the aggregate.
(b) Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.12, the Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained all licenses, permits, authorizations
and registrations required under any Environmental Law ("ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS")
and necessary for their respective ordinary course operations, all such
Environmental Permits are in good standing, and the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all material terms and conditions of such
Environmental Permits.
(c) Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.12, none of the
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective present property or
operations, is subject to any outstanding written order from or agreement with
any Governmental Authority, nor subject to any judicial or docketed
administrative proceeding, respecting any Environmental Law, Environmental Claim
or Hazardous Material which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.12, there are no
Hazardous Materials or other conditions or circumstances existing with respect
to any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or arising from operations
prior to the Closing Date, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would
reasonably be expected to give rise to Environmental Claims with a potential
liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of
-41-
$5,000,000 in the aggregate for any such condition, circumstance or property.
In addition, (i) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any underground
storage tanks (x) that are not properly registered or permitted under
applicable Environmental Laws, or (y) that are leaking or disposing of
Hazardous Materials off-site, and (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have
notified all of their employees of the existence, if any, of any health
hazard arising from the conditions of their employment (which is either
material or for which notification is required by applicable law) and have
met all notification requirements under Title III of CERCLA and all other
Environmental Laws.
6.13 REGULATED ENTITIES. None of the Borrower, any Person controlling
the Borrower, or any Subsidiary, is an "Investment Company" within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Borrower is not subject to
regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal
Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, any state public utilities code, or any
other Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur
Indebtedness.
6.14 NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
is a party to or bound by any Contractual Obligation, or subject to any
restriction in any Organization Document, or any Requirement of Law, which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.15 COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES, ETC. The Borrower or
its Subsidiaries own or are licensed or otherwise have the right to use all of
the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, contractual
franchises, authorizations and other rights that are reasonably necessary for
the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights
of any other Person except where such failure to own or license would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge
of the Borrower, no material slogan or other advertising device, product,
process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now
contemplated to be employed, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary infringes upon
any rights held by any other Person. Except as specifically disclosed in
SCHEDULE 6.5, no claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending
or threatened in writing, and no patent, invention, device, application,
principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code is pending or,
to the knowledge of the Borrower, proposed, which, in either case, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.16 SUBSIDIARIES. As of the date hereof, the Borrower has no
Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in part (a) of SCHEDULE
6.16 hereto and has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity
other than those specifically disclosed in part (b) of SCHEDULE 6.16.
6.17 INSURANCE. Except as specifically disclosed in SCHEDULE 6.17, the
properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such
amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties
in localities where the Borrower or such Subsidiary operates.
-42-
6.18 SWAP OBLIGATIONS. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
has incurred any outstanding obligations under any Swap Contracts, other than
Permitted Swap Obligations. The Borrower has undertaken its own independent
assessment of its consolidated assets, liabilities and commitments and has
considered appropriate means of mitigating and managing risks associated with
such matters and has not relied on any Swap Provider or any Affiliate of any
Swap Provider in determining whether to enter into any Swap Contract.
6.19 FULL DISCLOSURE. None of the representations or warranties made by
the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the Loan Documents as of the date such
representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the
statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished
by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Loan
Documents (including the offering and disclosure materials delivered by or on
behalf of the Borrower to the Lenders prior to the Closing Date), contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made
or delivered.
ARTICLE VII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Required Lenders
waive compliance in writing:
7.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent, in
form and detail satisfactory to the Agent and the Required Lenders, with
sufficient copies for each Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but not later than 90 days after the end
of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998), a
copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related consolidated statements
of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for such year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous
fiscal year, and accompanied by the opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP or another
nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm ("INDEPENDENT AUDITOR")
which report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present
fairly the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with prior years; it being understood that if the
Borrower's annual report filed on Form 10K with the SEC contains the information
and the report required above, delivery of such 10K shall be sufficient for
purposes of satisfying the foregoing. Such opinion shall not be qualified or
limited because of a restricted or limited examination by the Independent
Auditor of any material portion of the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's records;
and
(b) as soon as available, but not later than 45 days after the end
of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (commencing with
the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 1998), a copy of the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter
and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity
-43-
and cash flows for the period commencing on the first day and ending on the
last day of such quarter, and certified by a Responsible Officer as fairly
presenting, in accordance with GAAP (subject to ordinary, good faith year-end
audit adjustments), the financial position and the results of operations of
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; it being understood that if the Borrower's
quarterly report filed on Form 10Q with the SEC contains the information
required above, delivery of such 10Q shall be sufficient for purposes of
satisfying the foregoing.
7.2 CERTIFICATES; OTHER INFORMATION. The Borrower shall furnish to the
Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in SECTION 7.1(a), a certificate of the Independent Auditor stating
that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of
any Default or Event of Default, except as specified in such certificate;
(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in SECTIONS 7.1(a) and (b), a Compliance Certificate executed by a
Responsible Officer;
(c) promptly, copies of all financial statements and reports that
the Borrower sends to its shareholders, and copies of all financial statements
and regular, periodical or special reports (including Forms 10K, 10Q and 8K)
that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may make to, or file with, the SEC;
(d) promptly, such additional information regarding the business,
financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as the Agent or
any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
7.3 NOTICES. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent and each
Lender:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, and of the
occurrence or existence of any event or circumstance which with the passage of
time would become a Default or Event of Default;
(b) of (i) any breach or non-performance of, or any default under,
any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which
would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
(ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may
exist at any time between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any
Governmental Authority which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) of the commencement of, or entry of judgment or disposition of,
any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) in
which the amount of damages claimed is $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in another
currency or currencies) or more, (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is
sought and which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) in which the relief sought is an injunction
or other stay of the performance of this Agreement or any Loan Document;
-44-
(d) upon, but in no event later than 15 days after, becoming aware
of any and all Environmental Claims and other enforcement, cleanup, removal or
other governmental or regulatory actions instituted, completed or threatened
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties
pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) of any other litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries which the Borrower would be required to report to the
SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, within four days after reporting the same to
the SEC;
(f) of the occurrence of any of the following events affecting the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate (but in no event more than 15 days after such
event), and deliver to the Agent and each Lender a copy of any notice with
respect to such event that is filed with a Governmental Authority and any notice
delivered by a Governmental Authority to the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
with respect to such event:
(i) an ERISA Event;
(ii) a material increase in the Unfunded Pension Liability of
any Pension Plan;
(iii) the adoption of, or the commencement of contributions
to, any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code by the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate; or
(iv) the adoption of any amendment to a Plan subject to
Section 412 of the Code, if such amendment results in a material increase
in contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability;
(g) of any material change in accounting policies or financial
reporting practices by the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries;
(h) upon the request from time to time of the Agent, the Swap
Termination Values, together with a description of the method by which such
amounts were determined, relating to any then-outstanding Swap Contracts to
which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is party; and
(i) of any change in any S&P Rating or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating; and
Each notice under this Section shall be accompanied by a written
statement by a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence
referred to therein, and stating what action the Borrower or any affected
Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice
under SECTION 7.3(a) shall describe with particularity any and all clauses or
provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have been (or
foreseeably will be) breached or violated.
7.4 PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC. Subject to SECTION 8.3,
the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to:
-45-
(a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its corporate
existence and good standing under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of
incorporation;
(b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all governmental
rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary
or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except in connection with
transactions permitted by SECTION 8.3 and sales of assets permitted by SECTION
8.2, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(c) use reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of business, to
preserve its business organization and goodwill; and
(d) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks,
trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.5 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY. The Borrower shall maintain, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its property which is used
or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and
tear excepted and make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and
replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and each Subsidiary
shall use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and
maintenance of its facilities.
7.6 INSURANCE. The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and reputable independent
insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or
damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same
or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily
carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons; including workers'
compensation insurance, public liability and property and casualty insurance.
Upon request of the Agent or any Lender, the Borrower shall furnish the Agent,
with sufficient copies for each Lender, at reasonable intervals (but not more
than once per calendar year) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower (and, if requested by the Agent, any insurance broker of the Borrower)
setting forth the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries in accordance with this Section (and which, in the case of
a certificate of a broker, were placed through such broker).
7.7 PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective material obligations and material liabilities, including:
(a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or
levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in accordance
with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary;
(b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, could by law become a Lien
upon its property unless the same are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and
-46-
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary; and
(c) all indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to
any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing
such Indebtedness.
7.8 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Borrower shall comply, and shall cause
each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements of Law
of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), except such as may be
contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist.
7.9 COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or
state law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code to maintain such qualification; and (c) make all required contributions to
any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code.
7.10 INSPECTION OF PROPERTY AND BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Borrower shall
maintain and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain proper books of record and
account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP
consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters
involving the assets and business of the Borrower and such Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the books of record and account for any newly acquired Subsidiary
organized under a jurisdiction outside of the United States, its possessions and
territories shall not be required to be kept in accordance with GAAP until 12
months after the Acquisition of such Subsidiary by the Borrower. Subject to the
requirements set forth in SECTION 12.10, the Borrower shall permit, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to permit, representatives and independent contractors of
the Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of their respective properties,
to examine their respective corporate, financial and operating records, and make
copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs,
finances and accounts with their respective officers, and independent public
accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon
reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, when an Event of
Default exists the Agent or any Lender (A) may do any of the foregoing at the
expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without
advance notice and (B) may directly contact directors.
7.11 ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.
(a) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, conduct
its operations and keep and maintain its property in compliance with all
Environmental Laws, except to the extent that the aggregate of all such
instances of noncompliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, result
in liability in excess of $5,000,000.
(b) Upon the written request of the Agent or any Lender, the
Borrower shall submit and cause each of its Subsidiaries to submit, to the Agent
with sufficient copies for each
-47-
Lender, at the Borrower's sole cost and expense, at reasonable intervals, a
report providing an update of the status of any environmental, health or
safety compliance, hazard or liability issue identified in any notice or
report required pursuant to SECTION 7.3(d), that could, individually or in
the aggregate, result in liability in excess of $5,000,000.
7.12 USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans for
working capital and other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any
Loan Document.
7.13 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower shall ensure that all written
information, exhibits and reports furnished to the Agent or the Lenders do not
and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and do not and will
not omit to state any material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made,
and will promptly disclose to the Agent and the Lenders and correct any defect
or error that may be discovered therein or in any Loan Document or in the
execution, acknowledgement or recordation thereof.
7.14 YEAR 2000 COMPATIBILITY The Borrower shall take all reasonable
actions necessary to ensure that the Borrower's computer based systems are able
in all material respects to operate and effectively process data, including
dates, on and after January 1, 2000. At the request of the Agent, the Borrower
shall provide the Agent and the Lenders opportunity to discuss the actions being
taken to ensure year 2000 compatibility.
ARTICLE VIII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Required Lenders
waive compliance in writing:
8.1 LIMITATION ON LIENS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following ("PERMITTED
LIENS"):
(a) any Lien existing on property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
on the Closing Date and set forth in SCHEDULE 8.1 securing Indebtedness
outstanding on such date including any continuations thereof, or concurrent
replacements or substitutions therefor (or in the case of filings which
inadvertently lapsed, non-concurrent refilings), in respect of such Indebtedness
or Indebtedness incurred to refinance such Indebtedness (which Lien shall not
extend to categories, types, classes or items of collateral not previously
serving as collateral for such Indebtedness or the Indebtedness so refinanced);
(b) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges
which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the extent
that non-payment thereof is permitted by SECTION 7.7, provided that no notice of
lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;
-48-
(c) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords',
materialmen's, repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course
of business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which
are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property
subject thereto;
(d) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of
pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business in connection
with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
legislation;
(e) Liens on the property of the Borrower or its Subsidiary securing
(i) the non-delinquent performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for
borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, (ii) contingent obligations on
surety and appeal bonds, and (iii) other non-delinquent obligations of a like
nature; in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided all
such Liens in the aggregate would not (even if enforced) cause a Material
Adverse Effect;
(f) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens,
provided that the enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and all such
liens in the aggregate at any time outstanding for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries do not exceed $10,000,000;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case
materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere
with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries;
(h) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law
provision relating to bankers' liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and
remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor
depository institution; PROVIDED, that (i) such deposit account is not a
dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against
access by the Borrower in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated
by the FRB, and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;
(i) purchase money security interests on any property acquired or
held by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, securing Indebtedness incurred or
assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring
such property; PROVIDED, that (i) any such Lien attaches to such property
concurrently with or within 20 days after the acquisition thereof, (ii) such
Lien attaches solely to the property so acquired in such transaction, and (iii)
the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of
the cost of such property;
(j) Liens securing obligations in respect of capital leases on
assets subject to such leases, PROVIDED, that such capital leases are otherwise
permitted hereunder; and
(k) other Liens not of the type described in the foregoing CLAUSES
(a) through (j); PROVIDED, that (i) both before and after giving effect to the
creation of such Lien no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing and (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness and/or other
liabilities secured by such Liens shall at no time exceed $25,000,000.
-49-
8.2 DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:
(a) dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus
equipment, all in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment is
exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement
equipment, or the proceeds of such sale are reasonably promptly applied to the
purchase price of such replacement equipment;
(c) dispositions of equipment by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to
the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to reasonable business requirements;
(d) dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are made for
fair market value; PROVIDED, that (i) at the time of any disposition, no Default
or Event of Default shall exist or shall result from each such disposition,
(ii) the aggregate value of all assets so sold by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, together, shall not exceed in any fiscal year 20.0% of Tangible
Net Worth as of the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which
financial statements have been delivered pursuant to SECTION 7.1(a) or (b), as
the case may be.
8.3 CONSOLIDATIONS AND MERGERS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:
(a) The Borrower may merge with any Person; PROVIDED, that (i) the
Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, (ii) both before and
after giving effect to the consummation of such merger no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) if such merger had been
consummated on the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which financial
statements have been delivered pursuant to SECTION 7.1(a) or (b), as the case
may be, no Default or Event of Default would have occurred as a result thereof;
(b) any Subsidiary may merge with the Borrower, provided that the
Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, or with any one or
more Subsidiaries, provided that if any transaction shall be between a
Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation; and
(c) any Subsidiary may sell all or substantially all of its assets
(upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise), to the Borrower or another
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.
8.4 LOANS AND INVESTMENTS. The Borrower shall not purchase or acquire,
or suffer or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire, or make any
commitment therefor, any capital stock, equity interest, or any obligations or
other securities of, or any interest in, any Person, or make or commit to make
any Acquisitions, or make or commit to make any advance, loan,
-50-
extension of credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in,
any Person including any Affiliate of the Borrower (together, "INVESTMENTS"),
except for:
(a) Investments held by the Borrower or Subsidiary in the form of
cash equivalents;
(b) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or
notes receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the
ordinary course of business;
(c) extensions of credit by the Borrower to any of its Subsidiaries
or by any of its Subsidiaries to another of its Subsidiaries;
(d) Investments of cash, notes and Indebtedness incurred in order to
consummate Acquisitions or make Investments in other Persons which do not
constitute Acquisitions ("Minority Investments") otherwise permitted herein
(other than the allowance for Investments in Joint Ventures under SECTION
8.4(e)
which shall be in addition hereto), PROVIDED that (i) both before and after
giving effect to the consummation of such Acquisition or the making of such
Minority Investment no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, (ii) any such Acquisitions and Minority Investments are undertaken
in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law; (iii) the prior,
effective written consent or approval to any such Acquisition of the board of
directors or equivalent governing body of the acquiree is obtained and (iv) if
such Investment had been consummated on the last day of the most recent fiscal
period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to SECTION
7.1(a) or (b), as the case may be, no Default or Event of Default would have
occurred as a result thereof;
(e) Investments in Joint Ventures;
(f) Investments constituting Permitted Swap Obligations or payments
or advances under Swap Contracts relating to Permitted Swap Obligations; and
(g) Investments listed on part (b) of SCHEDULE 6.16.
8.5 LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, or
otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any
Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) Indebtedness consisting of Contingent Obligations permitted
pursuant to SECTION 8.8;
(c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth in
SCHEDULE 8.5;
(d) other Indebtedness not of the type described in the foregoing
CLAUSES (a) through (c);
PROVIDED, that in the case of Indebtedness of the type described in the
foregoing clause (d), (i) both before and after giving effect to the
incurrence of such Indebtedness no Default or Event of
-51-
Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) if such Indebtedness
were incurred on the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which
financial statements have been delivered pursuant to SECTION 7.1(a) or (b),
as the case may be, no Default or Event of Default would have occurred as a
result thereof; PROVIDED FURTHER, that the aggregate principal amount of
Indebtedness of Significant Subsidiaries arising under the foregoing CLAUSE
(d) shall at no time exceed $25,000,000.
8.6 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate of the Borrower, except upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtainable in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the
Borrower or such Subsidiary.
8.7 USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or
indirectly, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock, (ii) to repay or otherwise
refinance indebtedness of the Borrower or others incurred to purchase or carry
Margin Stock, (iii) to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any Margin Stock, or (iv) to acquire any security in any transaction that is
subject to Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act.
8.8 CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Contingent Obligations except:
(a) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business;
(b) Surety Instruments issued for the account of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Permitted Swap Obligations;
(d) Contingent Obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
existing as of the Closing Date and listed in SCHEDULE 8.8; and
(e) other Contingent Obligations; PROVIDED, that at the time such
Contingent Obligations are incurred, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries would be
permitted pursuant to SECTION 8.5 to incur Indebtedness in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the amount of such Contingent Obligations (as
determined in accordance with the definition of Contingent Obligation).
8.9 LEASE OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any obligations for the
payment of rent for any property under lease or agreement to lease, except for:
(a) leases of the Borrower and of Subsidiaries in existence on the
Closing Date and any renewal, extension or refinancing thereof;
(b) operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
after the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business; and
-52-
(c) capital leases other than those permitted under CLAUSE (a) of
this SECTION, entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Closing
Date to finance the acquisition of equipment; provided that such capital leases
are otherwise permitted hereunder.
8.10 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any dividend payment or other
distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on
account of any shares of any class of its capital stock, or purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants,
rights or options to acquire such shares, now or hereafter outstanding or
following consummation of any Acquisition make any "earn-out" payment of assets,
properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities in connection with such
Acquisition; except that the Borrower and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may:
(a) declare and make dividend payments or other distributions
payable solely in its common stock;
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock
or warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the proceeds received
from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock; and
(c) declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders, purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or warrants, rights or
options to acquire any such shares for cash and make "earn-out" payments in
connection with Acquisitions; PROVIDED, that (i) both before and after giving
effect thereto no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing and (ii) if such declaration, payment, purchase, redemption or other
acquisition were made on the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which
financial statements have been delivered pursuant to SECTION 7.1(a) or (b), as
the case may be, no Default or Event of Default would have occurred as a result
thereof.
8.11 ERISA. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any of
its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) engage in a prohibited transaction or violation of
the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which has resulted
or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower in an
aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000; or (b) engage in a transaction that
could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
8.12 CHANGE IN BUSINESS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any material line of business substantially
different from those lines of business carried on by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on the date hereof.
8.13 ACCOUNTING CHANGES. The Borrower shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or
reporting practices, except for changes in accounting treatment or reporting
practices (a) required by GAAP and (b) of newly acquired businesses which are
made to bring such businesses into conformity with the Borrower's accounting
treatment or reporting practices; the Borrower shall not change the fiscal year
of the Borrower or of any Subsidiary.
8.14 NEGATIVE PLEDGES, RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS, ETC. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement
(excluding this Agreement and any
-53-
other Loan Document) prohibiting:
(a) the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties,
revenues or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; or
(b) the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to make any
payments, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower by way of dividends,
advances, repayments of loans or advances, reimbursements of management and
other intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on
investments, or any other agreement or arrangement which restricts the ability
of any such Subsidiary to make any payment, directly or indirectly, to the
Borrower.
8.15 ABILITY TO AMEND; RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, or accept obligations
under, any agreement (a) prohibiting (including subjecting to any condition) the
ability of the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries to amend, supplement or
otherwise modify this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) containing any
provision that would contravene any provision of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.
ARTICLE IX
FINANCIAL TESTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any
Loan or other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the
Required Lenders waive compliance in writing:
9.1 TANGIBLE NET WORTH. The Borrower shall not permit at any time
Tangible Net Worth to be less than the sum of (a) 80% of Tangible Net Worth as
of April 30, 1998, PLUS (b) 50% of positive net income for the period from and
after April 30, 1998, PLUS (c) with respect to the issuance or sale of capital
stock of the Borrower or the conversion of Indebtedness of the Borrower into
equity of the Borrower, in each case occurring after the date hereof, 50% of the
aggregate Net Issuance Proceeds received by the Borrower from such issuance or
sale of capital stock plus 50% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness so
converted if such issuance, sale or conversion occurs at a time when the
Borrower shall have no S&P Rating and no ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating or at a time when the
Borrower's S&P Rating or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is lower than BBB- and Baa3,
respectively; such covenant to be calculated as of the end of each fiscal
quarter.
9.2 FUNDED DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO. The Borrower shall not permit, as of
the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) the aggregate principal amount
of Funded Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to (b) EBITDA for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters then ending, to exceed 3.0:1.
9.3 EBITDA TO INTEREST EXPENSE RATIO. The Borrower shall not permit for
any period consisting of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ending the ratio
of EBITDA for such period to Interest Expense for such period to be less than
4.0:1.
-54-
ARTICLE X
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
10.1 EVENT OF DEFAULT. Any of the following shall constitute an "EVENT OF
DEFAULT":
(a) NON-PAYMENT. The Borrower fails to make any payment of
principal when due or to make, within 5 days after the same becomes due, payment
of any interest, fee or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other
Loan Document; or
(b) REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. Any representation or warranty by
the Borrower or any Subsidiary made herein or deemed remade, in any other Loan
Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or financial or
other statement by the Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any Responsible Officer,
furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under any other Loan
Document, is incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made herein
or deemed remade; or
(c) SPECIFIC DEFAULTS. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any
term, covenant or agreement contained in any of SECTION 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.9 or
7.10 or in ARTICLE VIII or ARTICLE IX; or
(d) OTHER DEFAULTS. The Borrower or any Subsidiary party thereto
fails to perform or observe any other covenant or material term contained in
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue
unremedied for a period of 20 days after the earlier of (i) the date upon which
a Responsible Officer knew or reasonably should have known of such failure or
(ii) the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrower by the
Agent or any Lender; or
(e) CROSS-DEFAULT. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary:
(A) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness
or Contingent Obligation (other than in respect of Swap Contracts), having
an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available
amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or
syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $10,000,000 when due (whether
by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or
otherwise) and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice
period, if any, specified in the relevant document on the date of such
failure; or
(B) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant,
or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or
instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation, and
such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any,
specified in the relevant document on the date of such failure if the
effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the
holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of
such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to be
declared to be due and payable prior to
-55-
its stated maturity, or such Contingent Obligation to become payable or
cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or
(ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined
in such Swap Contract) resulting from (1) any event of default under such Swap
Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as
defined in such Swap Contract) or (2) any Termination Event (as so defined) as
to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined),
and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $10,000,000; or
(f) INSOLVENCY; VOLUNTARY PROCEEDINGS. The Borrower or any
Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be solvent, or generally fails to pay, or
admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to
applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise;
(ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary course;
(iii) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (iv) takes
any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or
(g) INVOLUNTARY PROCEEDINGS. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency
Proceeding is commenced or filed against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any
writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued
or levied against a material part of the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's
properties, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such
writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be
released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after commencement, filing or
levy; (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary admits the material allegations of a
petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or
similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or
(iii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary acquiesces in the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession
(or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a material portion of
its property or business; or
(h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan,
Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000;
or (ii) the aggregate amount of Unfunded Pension Liability among all Pension
Plans at any time exceeds $5,000,000; or (iii) the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate shall fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable
grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability
under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in
excess of $5,000,000; or
(i) MONETARY JUDGMENTS. One or more non-interlocutory judgments,
non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards is entered against the
Borrower or any Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability (to the extent
not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does
not dispute coverage) as to any single or related series of transactions,
incidents or conditions, of $10,000,000 or more, and the same shall remain
unsatisfied, unvacated and unstayed pending appeal for a period of 20 days after
the entry thereof; or
-56-
(j) NON-MONETARY JUDGMENTS. Any non-monetary non-interlocutory
judgment, order or decree is entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary
which does or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and there shall be any period of 20 consecutive days during which a stay of
enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or
otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
(k) CHANGE OF CONTROL. There occurs any Change of Control.
10.2 REMEDIES. If any Event of Default occurs, the Agent shall, at the
request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders,
(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Committed Loans to
be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans,
all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and
(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and
remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable
law;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in CLAUSE (f)
or (g) of SECTION 10.1 (in the case of CLAUSE (g)(i) upon the expiration of the
60-day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans
shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding
Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become
due and payable without further act of the Agent or any Lender. If any Event of
Default occurs and within 45 days after the Required Lenders have not taken the
action referred to in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall, at the request of
Lenders which hold at least 66-2/3 percent in principal amount of the
outstanding Bid Loans, declare the principal amount of all such Bid Loans
immediately due and payable (together with accrued interest thereon and all
other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder with respect to such Bid Loans),
whereupon the same shall become immediately due and payable.
10.3 RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE. The rights provided for in this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.
ARTICLE XI
THE AGENT
11.1 APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION; "AGENT". Each Lender hereby
irrevocably (subject to SECTION 11.9) appoints, designates and authorizes the
Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement
and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties
as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
-57-
thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in
this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Agent shall not have any
duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor
shall the Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any
Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties,
obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Agent. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term "agent" in this
Agreement with reference to the Agent is not intended to connote any
fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency
doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter
of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative
relationship between independent contracting parties.
11.2 DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Agent may execute any of its duties under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with
reasonable care.
11.3 LIABILITY OF AGENT. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i) be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Borrower, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement
or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other
document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in
connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the Borrower or any other party
to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No
Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or
to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements
contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to
inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of the
Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
11.4 RELIANCE BY AGENT. The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall
be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message,
statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons,
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the
Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The
Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such
advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate and, if it
so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders
against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason
of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the
Required Lenders and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.
-58-
For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in
SECTION 5.1, each Lender that has executed this Agreement shall be deemed to
have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document
or other matter either sent by the Agent to such Lender for consent, approval,
acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or
approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lender.
11.5 NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge
or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with
respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to
be paid to the Agent for the account of the Lenders, unless the Agent shall have
received written notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this
Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such
notice is a "notice of default". The Agent will notify the Lenders of its
receipt of any such notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to
such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in
accordance with ARTICLE X; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless and until the Agent
has received any such request, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to)
take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such
Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest
of the Lenders.
11.6 CREDIT DECISION. Each Lender acknowledges that none of the
Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that
no act by the Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender. Each
Lender represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without
reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial
and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, and all applicable Lender regulatory laws relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into
this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
hereunder. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and
without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make
its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking
action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such
investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of the Borrower. Except for notices, reports and other
documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by the
Agent, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business,
prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or
creditworthiness of the Borrower which may come into the possession of any of
the Agent-Related Persons.
11.7 INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENT. Whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the
Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the
Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), pro
rata, from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of
any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting from such Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each
Lender shall reimburse the Agent upon
-59-
demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses
(including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Agent in connection with the
preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or
enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise)
of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this
Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or
referred to herein, to the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed for such
expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower. The undertaking in this Section
shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or
replacement of the Agent.
11.8 AGENT IN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch and
its Affiliates may make loans to accept deposits from, acquire equity interests
in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory,
underwriting or other business with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
Affiliates as though Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch were not the Agent
hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Lenders. The Lenders
acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch
or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower or its
Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality
obligations in favor of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) and acknowledge that
the Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them.
With respect to its Loans, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch shall have the same
rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the
same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders"
include Deutsche Bank in its individual capacity.
11.9 SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may, and at the request of the Required
Lenders shall, resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Lenders. If the
Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall appoint from
among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders. If no successor agent is
appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of the Agent, the Agent
may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and the Borrower, a successor
agent from among the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as
successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to all the rights,
powers and duties of the retiring Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean such
successor agent and the retiring Agent's appointment, powers and duties as Agent
shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent,
the provisions of this ARTICLE XI and SECTIONS 12.4 and 12.5 shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent
under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent
by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent's notice of resignation,
the retiring Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective
and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Agent hereunder until
such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided
for above.
11.10 WITHHOLDING TAX.
(a) If any Lender is a "foreign corporation, partnership or trust"
within the meaning of the Code and such Lender claims exemption from, or a
reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such
Lender agrees with and in favor of the Agent and Borrower, to deliver to the
Agent and Borrower:
-60-
(i) if such Lender claims an exemption from, or a reduction
of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, two properly
completed and executed copies of IRS Form 1001 before the payment of any
interest in the first calendar year and before the payment of any interest
in each third succeeding calendar year during which interest may be paid
under this Agreement;
(ii) if such Lender claims that interest paid under this
Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is
effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such
Lender, two properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form 4224 before
the payment of any interest is due in the first taxable year of such Lender
and in each succeeding taxable year of such Lender during which interest
may be paid under this Agreement; and
(iii) such other form or forms as may be required under the
Code or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from,
or reduction of, United States withholding tax.
Such Lender agrees to promptly notify the Agent and Borrower of any
change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed
exemption or reduction.
(b) If any Lender claims exemption from, or reduction of,
withholding tax under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form 1001 and
such Lender sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers
all or part of the Obligations of the Borrower to such Lender, such Lender
agrees to notify the Agent of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the
beneficial owner of Obligations of the Borrower to such Lender. To the extent
of such percentage amount, the Agent will treat such Lender's IRS Form 1001 as
no longer valid.
(c) If any Lender claiming exemption from United States withholding
tax by filing IRS Form 4224 with the Agent sells, assigns, grants a
participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the
Borrower to such Lender, such Lender agrees to undertake sole responsibility for
complying with the withholding tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and
1442 of the Code.
(d) If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in the applicable
withholding tax, the Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Lender
an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account
such reduction. However, if the forms or other documentation required by CLAUSE
(a) of this Section are not delivered to the Agent, then the Agent may withhold
from any interest payment to such Lender not providing such forms or other
documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax imposed by
Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, without reduction.
(e) If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United
States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Agent did not properly
withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the
appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed, or because such
Lender failed to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered
the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any
other reason) such Lender shall indemnify the Agent fully for all amounts paid,
-61-
directly or indirectly, by the Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties
and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts
payable to the Agent under this Section, together with all costs and expenses
(including Attorney Costs). The obligation of the Lenders under this clause
shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement
of the Agent.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Borrower or any applicable Subsidiary therefrom, shall be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders
(or by the Agent at the written request of the Required Lenders) and the
Borrower and acknowledged by the Agent, and then any such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose
for which given; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent
shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders and the Borrower and
acknowledged by the Agent, do any of the following:
(a) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate
any Commitment terminated pursuant to SECTION 10.2);
(b) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other
Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due
to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document;
(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified
herein on any Loan, or (subject to CLAUSE (ii) below) any fees or other amounts
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document;
(d) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Loans which is required for the Lenders or any of
them to take any action hereunder or change the definition of Required Lenders;
or
(e) amend this Section, or SECTION 2.14, or any provision herein
providing for consent or other action by all Lenders;
and, PROVIDED FURTHER, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Required Lenders or all the
Lenders, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document.
-62-
12.2 NOTICES.
(a) All notices, requests, consents, approvals, waivers and other
communications shall be in writing (including, unless the context expressly
otherwise provides, by facsimile transmission, provided that any matter
transmitted by the Borrower by facsimile (i) shall be immediately confirmed by a
telephone call to the recipient at the number specified, in the case of the
Borrower, on its signature page hereto, and in the case of the other parties
hereto, on SCHEDULE 12.2, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by delivery of a
hard copy original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the address or
facsimile number specified for notices, in the case of the Borrower, on its
signature page hereto, and in the case of the other parties hereto, on SCHEDULE
12.2; or, as directed to the Borrower or the Agent, to such other address as
shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties, and
as directed to any other party, at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to the Borrower and the Agent.
(b) All such notices, requests and communications shall, when
transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for
overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile
machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date
deposited into the U.S. mail, or if delivered, upon delivery; except that
notices pursuant to ARTICLE II or XI to the Agent shall not be effective until
actually received by the Agent.
(c) Any agreement of the Agent and the Lenders herein to receive
certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at
the request of the Borrower. The Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to
rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the
Borrower to give such notice and the Agent and the Lenders shall not have any
liability to the Borrower or other Person on account of any action taken or not
taken by the Agent or the Lenders in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile
notice. The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans shall not be affected
in any way or to any extent by any failure by the Agent and the Lenders to
receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the
receipt by the Agent and the Lenders of a confirmation which is at variance with
the terms understood by the Agent and the Lenders to be contained in the
telephonic or facsimile notice.
12.3 NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure to exercise and no delay
in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power
or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
remedy, power or privilege.
12.4 COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Borrower shall:
(a) whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, pay or reimburse Deutsche Bank (including in its capacity as Agent)
within five Business Days after demand (subject to SECTION 5.1(e)) for all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Deutsche Bank (including in its
capacity as Agent) in connection with the development, preparation, delivery,
administration and execution of, and any amendment, supplement, waiver or
-63-
modification to (in each case, whether or not consummated), this Agreement, any
Loan Document and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or
therewith, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including reasonable Attorney Costs incurred by Deutsche Bank
(including in its capacity as Agent) with respect thereto; and
(b) pay or reimburse the Agent, the Arranger and each Lender within
five Business Days after demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including
Attorney Costs) incurred by them in connection with the enforcement, attempted
enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or
any other Loan Document during the existence of an Event of Default or after
acceleration of the Loans (including in connection with any "workout" or
restructuring regarding the Loans, and including in any Insolvency Proceeding or
appellate proceeding); and
(c) pay or reimburse Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (including in
its capacity as Agent) within five Business Days after demand (subject to
SECTION 5.1(e)) for all appraisal (including the allocated cost of internal
appraisal services), audit, environmental inspection and review (including the
allocated cost of such internal services), search and filing costs, fees and
expenses, incurred or sustained by Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (including
in its capacity as Agent) in connection with the matters referred to under
CLAUSES (a) and (b) of this Section.
12.5 BORROWER INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, the Borrower shall indemnify, defend and hold the Agent-Related
Persons, and each Lender and each of its respective officers, directors,
employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON")
harmless from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, charges, expenses and disbursements
(including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any
time (including at any time following repayment of the Loans, the termination,
resignation or replacement of the Agent or replacement of any Lender) be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Person in any way relating
to or arising out of this Agreement or any document contemplated by or referred
to herein, or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any action taken or
omitted by any such Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing,
including with respect to any investigation, litigation or proceeding (including
any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceeding) related to or arising out of
this Agreement or the Loans or the use of the proceeds thereof, whether or not
any Indemnified Person is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the
"INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES"); PROVIDED, that the Borrower shall have no obligation
hereunder to any Indemnified Person with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to
the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Indemnified Person. The agreements in this Section shall survive payment of all
other Obligations.
(b) SURVIVAL; DEFENSE. The obligations in this Section shall
survive payment of all other Obligations. At the election of any Indemnified
Person, the Borrower shall defend such Indemnified Person using legal counsel
satisfactory to such Indemnified Person in such Person's sole discretion, at the
sole cost and expense of the Borrower. All amounts owing under this
-64-
Section shall be paid within 30 days after demand.
12.6 PAYMENTS SET ASIDE. To the extent that the Borrower makes a payment
to the Agent or the Lenders, or the Agent or the Lenders exercise their right of
set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof
are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set
aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the
Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or
any other party, in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, then
(a) to the extent of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and
(b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon demand its pro rata
share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Agent.
12.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the Agent and each Lender.
12.8 ASSIGNMENTS, PARTICIPATIONS, ETC.
(a) Any Lender may, with the written consent of the Borrower (at all
times other than during the existence of an Event of Default) and the Agent,
which consent of the Borrower and the Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
at any time assign and delegate to one or more Eligible Assignees (provided that
no written consent of the Borrower or the Agent shall be required in connection
with any assignment and delegation by a Lender to an Eligible Assignee that is
an Affiliate of such Lender or which is an existing Lender) (each an "ASSIGNEE")
all, or any ratable part of all, of the Loans, the Commitments and the other
rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder, in a minimum amount of
$5,000,000; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Borrower and the Agent may continue to
deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the interest so
assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment, together
with payment instructions, addresses and related information with respect to the
Assignee, shall have been given to the Borrower and the Agent by such Lender and
the Assignee; (ii) such Lender and its Assignee shall have delivered to the
Borrower and the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of EXHIBIT E
("ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE") together with any Note or Notes subject to such
assignment and (iii) the assignor Lender or Assignee has paid to the Agent a
processing fee in the amount of $3,500 (except with respect to assignments to
Affiliates).
(b) From and after the date that the Agent notifies the assignor
Lender that it has received (and provided its consent with respect to) an
executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the above-referenced
processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the
extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant
to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a
Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assignor Lender shall, to the
extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents
have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish
its rights and be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents.
-65-
(c) Within five Business Days after its receipt of notice by the
Agent that it has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of
the processing fee, (and provided that it consents to such assignment in
accordance with and to the extent required by SECTION 12.8(a)), the Borrower
shall execute and deliver to the Agent, new Notes evidencing such Assignee's
assigned Loans and Commitment and, if the assignor Lender has retained a portion
of its Loans and its Commitment, replacement Notes in the principal amount of
the Loans retained by the assignor Lender (such Notes to be in exchange for, but
not in payment of, the Notes held by such Lender). Immediately upon each
Assignee's making its processing fee payment under the Assignment and
Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only
to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the
resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom. The Commitment
allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Lender
PRO TANTO.
(d) Any Lender or Designated Bidder may at any time sell to one or
more commercial Lenders or other Persons not Affiliates of the Borrower (a
"PARTICIPANT") participating interests in any Loans, the Commitment of that
Lender and the other interests of that Lender or Designated Bidder (the
"originating Lender") hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) the originating Lender's obligations under this Agreement
shall remain unchanged, (ii) the originating Lender shall remain solely
responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower and the
Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with the originating Lender in
connection with the originating Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall transfer or grant
any participating interest under which the Participant has rights to approve any
amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment, consent or waiver
would require unanimous consent of the Lenders as described in the FIRST PROVISO
to SECTION 12.1 and (v) no Participant shall, without the written consent of the
Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) be a direct competitor (or
an Affiliate thereof) of the Borrower. In the case of any such participation,
the Participant shall be entitled to the benefit of SECTIONS 4.1, 4.3 and 12.5
as though it were also a Lender or Designated Bidder (as the case may be)
hereunder, and, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid,
or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the
right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under
this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest
were owing directly to it as a Lender or Designated Bidder (as the case may be)
under this Agreement.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any
Lender or Designated Bidder may at any time create a security interest in, or
pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement
and the Note held by it in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with
Regulation A of the FRB or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR Section 203.14, and
such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security interest in any
manner permitted under applicable law.
12.9 DESIGNATED BIDDERS. Any Lender may designate a Designated Bidder to
have a right to offer and make Bid Loans pursuant to SECTION 2.6; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) no such Lender may make more than one such designation, (ii)
each such Lender making any such designation shall retain the right to make Bid
Loans, and (iii) the parties to each such designation
-66-
shall execute and deliver to the Agent a Designation Agreement. Upon its
receipt of an appropriately completed Designation Agreement executed by a
designating Lender and a designee representing that it is a Designated
Bidder, the Agent will accept such Designation Agreement and give prompt
notice thereof to the Borrower, whereupon such designation of such Designated
Bidder shall become effective and shall become a party to this Agreement as a
"Designated Bidder."
12.10 CONFIDENTIALITY. Each Lender and Designated Bidder agrees to
take and to cause its Affiliates to take normal and reasonable precautions and
exercise due care to maintain the confidentiality of all information identified
as "confidential" or "secret" by the Borrower and provided to it by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary, or by the Agent on the Borrower's or such
Subsidiary's behalf, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and
neither it nor any of its Affiliates shall use any such information other than
in connection with or in enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents or in connection with other business now or hereafter existing or
contemplated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary; except to the extent such
information (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of disclosure by the Lender or Designated Bidder, or (ii) was or becomes
available on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower,
provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the
Borrower known to the Lender or Designated Bidder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any
Lender may disclose such information (A) at the request or pursuant to any
requirement of any Governmental Authority to which the Lender or Designated
Bidder is subject or in connection with an examination of such Lender or
Designated Bidder by any such authority; (B) after having given notice to the
Borrower and a reasonable opportunity, in light of the circumstances (unless
such notice or opportunity is prohibited by applicable law), for the Borrower to
obtain a confidentiality agreement or protective order (substantially similar to
the requirements herein), as applicable (I) pursuant to subpoena or other court
process; (II) when required to do so in accordance with the provisions of any
applicable Requirement of Law; (III) to the extent reasonably required in
connection with any litigation or proceeding to which the Agent, any Lender or
Designated Bidder or their respective Affiliates may be party; (C) to the extent
reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or
under any other Loan Document; (D) to such Lender's or Designated Bidder's
independent auditors and other professional advisors; (E) to any Participant or
Assignee, actual or potential, provided that such Person agrees in writing to
keep such information confidential to the same extent required of the Lenders
hereunder; (F) as to any Lender or Designated Bidder or its Affiliate, as
expressly permitted under the terms of any other document or agreement regarding
confidentiality to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is party or is deemed
party with such Lender or such Affiliate; and (G) to its Affiliates.
12.11 SET-OFF. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders
provided by law, if an Event of Default exists or the Loans have been
accelerated, each Lender and Designated Bidder is authorized at any time and
from time to time, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being
waived by the Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and
apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or
final) at any time held by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such
Lender or Designated Bidder to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower
against any and all Obligations owing to such Lender or Designated Bidder, now
or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Agent or such Lender
or Designated Bidder shall have made demand under this Agreement or any Loan
-67-
Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each
Lender and Designated Bidder agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the
Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender or Designated
Bidder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect
the validity of such set-off and application.
12.12 NOTIFICATION OF ADDRESSES, LENDING OFFICES, ETC. Each Lender
and Designated Bidder shall notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the
address to which notices to the Lender and Designated Bidder should be directed,
of addresses of any Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all
payments to be made to it hereunder and of such other administrative information
as the Agent shall reasonably request.
12.13 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute but one and the same instrument.
12.14 SEVERABILITY. The illegality or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder
shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the
remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required
hereunder.
12.15 NO THIRD PARTIES BENEFITED. This Agreement is made and entered
into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Borrower, the Lenders, the
Designated Bidders, the Agent and the Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted
successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal
beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in
connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
12.16 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE AGENT
AND THE LENDERS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR
OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS
CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND
THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION
TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH
JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. THE
BORROWER, THE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS EACH WAIVE PERSONAL
SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR
-68-
OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY NEW YORK LAW.
12.17 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE LENDERS, THE DESIGNATED
BIDDERS AND THE AGENT EACH WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF
ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS
AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR
THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY
ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON,
PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS,
OR OTHERWISE. THE BORROWER, THE LENDERS, THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS AND THE AGENT
EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BY A COURT
TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE
THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED BY OPERATION OF THIS
SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE
OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF. THIS WAIVER SHALL
APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO
THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
12.18 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the other Loan
Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Borrower,
the Lenders and the Agent, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous
agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to
the subject matter hereof and thereof.
-69-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered in New York by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.
ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
---------------------------------
Address for notice:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: General Counsel
-----------------------------------
Telephone Number: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
---------------
Facsimile Number: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
---------------
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Agent
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Assistant Vice President
---------------------------------
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK AND/OR
CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCHES, as a Lender
By: /s/ Andre Heitbaum
-----------------------------------
Title: Asst. Vice President
---------------------------------
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Asst. Vice President
---------------------------------
FLEET NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI LTD.,
CHICAGO BRANCH
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President and Manager
---------------------------------
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By: /s/ J. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Title: Managing Director
---------------------------------
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Van Metre
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------