AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of November 1, 2016 among SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC, as the Lead Borrower For The Borrowers Named Herein SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC., as the Parent BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as...

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 1, 2016

among

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC,

as the Lead Borrower

For

The Borrowers Named Herein

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC.,

as the Parent

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

ACF ▇▇▇▇▇ I LP and SANTANDER BANK, N.A.,

as co-Documentation Agents

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LYNCH, PIERCE, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED and CAPITAL

ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section		Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS			2
1.01 Defined Terms			2
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions			51
1.03 Accounting Terms			52
1.04 Rounding			52
1.05 Times of Day			52
1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts			52
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS			53
2.01 Committed Loans; Reserves			53
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Committed Loans			53
2.03 Letters of Credit			55
2.04 Swing Line Loans			63
2.05 Prepayments			65
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments			67
2.07 Repayment of Obligations			68
2.08 Interest			68
2.09 Fees			69
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees			69
2.11 Evidence of Debt			69
2.12 Payments Generally; Agent’s Clawback			70
2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders			71
2.14 Settlement Amongst Lenders			72
2.15 Increase in Commitments			72
2.16 Defaulting Lenders			74
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY; APPOINTMENT OF LEAD BORROWER			76
3.01 Taxes			76
3.02 Illegality			80
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates			80
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans			81
3.05 Compensation for Losses			82
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders			83
3.07 Survival			83
3.08 Designation of Lead Borrower as Borrowers’ Agent			83
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS			84
4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension			84
4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions			87
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES			87
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power			87
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention			88
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents			88
5.04 Binding Effect			88

 

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5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect			88
5.06 Litigation			89
5.07 Reserved			89
5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens			89
5.09 Environmental Compliance			89
5.10 Insurance			90
5.11 Taxes			90
5.12 ERISA Compliance			90
5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests			91
5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act			91
5.15 Disclosure			92
5.16 Compliance with Laws			92
5.17 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.			92
5.18 Labor Matters			92
5.19 Security Documents			93
5.20 Solvency			93
5.21 Deposit Accounts; Credit Card Arrangements			93
5.22 Brokers			93
5.23 Customer and Trade Relations			93
5.24 Material Contracts			93
5.25 Casualty			94
5.26 Separation Agreements			94
5.27 EEA Financial Institution			94
5.28 Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws			94
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS			94
6.01 Financial Statements			95
6.02 Certificates; Other Information			96
6.03 Notices			97
6.04 Payment of Taxes			98
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc.			99
6.06 Maintenance of Properties			99
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance			99
6.08 Compliance with Laws			100
6.09 Books and Records; Accountants			100
6.10 Inspection Rights			100
6.11 Additional Loan Parties			101
6.12 Cash Management			102
6.13 Information Regarding the Collateral			103
6.14 Physical Inventories			103
6.15 Reserved			104
6.16 Further Assurances			104
6.17 Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds			104
6.18 Material Contracts			104
6.19 Availability			105
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS			105
7.01 Liens			105
7.02 Investments			105
7.03 Indebtedness; Equity Issuances			105
7.04 Fundamental Changes			105

 

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7.05 Dispositions			106
7.06 Restricted Payments			106
7.07 Prepayments of Indebtedness			106
7.08 Change in Nature of Business			106
7.09 Transactions with Affiliates			107
7.10 Burdensome Agreements			107
7.11 Use of Proceeds			108
7.12 Amendment of Organization Documents and Material Indebtedness			108
7.13 Fiscal Year			108
7.14 Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio			108
7.15 Sanctions			108
7.16 Anti-Corruption Laws			108
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES			108
8.01 Events of Default			108
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default			111
8.03 Application of Funds			111
ARTICLE IX THE AGENT			113
9.01 Appointment and Authority			113
9.02 Rights as a Lender			113
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions			113
9.04 Reliance by Agent			114
9.05 Delegation of Duties			114
9.06 Resignation of Agent			115
9.07 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders			115
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc.			115
9.09 Agent May File Proofs of Claim			116
9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters			116
9.11 Notice of Transfer			117
9.12 Reports and Financial Statements			117
9.13 Agency for Perfection			118
9.14 Indemnification of Agent			118
9.15 Relation among Lenders			118
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS			119
10.01 Amendments, Etc.			119
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications			121
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies			123
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver			123
10.05 Payments Set Aside			124
10.06 Successors and Assigns			125
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality			129
10.08 Right of Setoff			129
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation			130
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness			130
10.11 Survival			130
10.12 Severability			131
10.13 Replacement of Lenders			131
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.			131
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial			132

 

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10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility			133
10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice			133
10.18 Foreign Asset Control Regulations			133
10.19 Time of the Essence			134
10.20 Press Releases			134
10.21 Releases			134
10.22 No Strict Construction			135
10.23 Attachments			135
10.24 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents			135
10.25 Existing Credit Agreement Amended and Restated			135
10.26 Keepwell			135
10.27 Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions			136
SIGNATURES			S-1

 

(iv)

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SCHEDULES

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

(v)

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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of November 1, 2016, among

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Borrower”),

the Persons named on Schedule 1.01 hereto (collectively with the Lead Borrower, the “Borrowers”),

SEARS HOMETOWN AND OUTLET STORES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”);

each Person from time to time party hereto as a lender (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”),

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent; and

ACF ▇▇▇▇▇ I LP and SANTANDER BANK, N.A., as co-Documentation Agents.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Parent, certain lenders, CIT Finance LLC, as syndication agent, Barclays Bank PLC, as documentation agent, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated and CIT Finance LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Existing Agent”), are party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 11, 2012 as amended by a First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 29, 2013 (as further amended from time to time and in effect prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, certain Lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement have agreed to become Extending Lenders (as defined below) and have furnished extended Commitments as provided herein; and

WHEREAS, in addition, in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Borrowers, the Parent certain of the Lenders and the Agent desire to otherwise amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement as provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agree that the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated, in its entirety to read as follows:

 

 

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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“ABL Collateral” means all “Collateral” (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) consisting of the following (in each case, as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement to the extent not defined in this Agreement): (a) all Accounts, including all Credit Card Receivables, (b) all Inventory, (c) all cash and cash equivalents, (d) all Deposit Accounts, (e) all Securities Accounts, (f) all General Intangibles (other than Intellectual Property), Letter-of-Credit Rights, Documents, Instruments, Chattel Paper, and Commercial Tort Claims, in each case relating to Accounts, Credit Card Receivables and Inventory, (g) all books and records relating to the foregoing clauses (a) through (f); and (h) to the extent not otherwise included in the foregoing, all Proceeds (including all insurance claims and proceeds thereof), Supporting Obligations and products of each of the foregoing, and all indemnities, warranties, collateral security and guarantees payable to any Loan Party from time to time with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event” means either (i) the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, or (ii) the failure of the Borrowers to maintain Availability at least equal to the greater of (x) $35,000,000 or (y) seventeen and one-half percent (17.5%) of the Loan Cap. For purposes of this Agreement, the occurrence of an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event shall be deemed continuing (i) so long as such Event of Default has not been waived, and/or (ii) if the Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event arises as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to achieve Availability as required hereunder, until Availability has exceeded the greater of (x) $35,000,000 or (y) seventeen and one-half percent (17.5%) for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, in which case an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing for purposes of this Agreement. The termination of an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event as provided herein shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.

“ACH” means automated clearing house transfers.

“Account” means “accounts” as defined in the UCC, and also means a right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, (a) for property that has been or is to be sold, leased, licensed, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, (b) for services rendered or to be rendered, or (c) arising out of the use of a credit or charge card or information contained on or for use with the card.

“Acquisition” means, with respect to any Person (a) a purchase of a Controlling interest in the Equity Interests of any other Person, (b) a purchase or other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or properties of, another Person or of any business unit of another Person, or (c) any merger or consolidation of such Person with any other Person or other transaction or series of transactions resulting in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets, or a Controlling interest in the Equity Interests, of any Person, in each case in any transaction or group of transactions which are part of a common plan, but in each case excluding any transaction resulting in the acquisition solely of Store locations or other interests in real property or of Equity Interests of Persons substantially all of whose assets constitutes Store locations or other interest in real property.

“Act” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.17.

“Additional Commitment Lender” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.15(c).

“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to any LIBOR Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate. The Adjusted LIBOR Rate will be adjusted automatically as to all LIBOR Borrowings then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Statutory Reserve Rate.

“Adjustment Date” means the first day of each Fiscal Quarter.

 

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“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Agent.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person (the “Subject Person”), (i) another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Subject Person, (ii) any director, officer, managing member, partner, trustee, or beneficiary of the Subject Person, and (iii) for purposes of Section 7.09, (a) any other Person directly or indirectly holding 10% or more of any class of the Equity Interests of the Subject Person, and (b) any other Person 10% or more of any class of whose Equity Interests is held directly or indirectly by the Subject Person.

“Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor thereto.

“Agent Parties” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.02(c).

“Agent’s Office” means the Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Agent may from time to time notify the Lead Borrower and the Lenders.

“Aggregate Commitments” means the sum of the Commitments of all the Lenders. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Commitments are $250,000,000.

“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, and all applicable anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction where one or more properties owned or leased by any Loan Party are located or where any Loan Party transacts business.

“Applicable Lenders” means the Required Lenders, all affected Lenders, or all Lenders, as the context may require.

“Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment provided in Section 2.16. If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 2.06 or Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments; provided, that, after the Commitment of any Non-Extending Lender shall have expired or terminated (other than as a result of the termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06 hereof or pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof) and all Obligations owed to such Non-Extending Lender have been paid in full, (x) the Applicable Percentage of such Non-Extending Lender for purposes of Section 9.14 hereof shall be its Applicable Percentage immediately prior to such date, and (y) the Applicable Percentages of the Extending Lenders shall be appropriately adjusted for all other purposes to reflect the termination of the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

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“Applicable Rate” means, at any time of calculation, (a) with respect to Commercial Letters of Credit, a per annum rate equal to (x) with respect to Letter of Credit Fees to be paid to Non-Extending Lenders, fifty percent (50%) of the Non-Extending Applicable Margin for Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans and (y) with respect to Letter of Credit Fees to be paid to Extending Lenders, fifty percent (50%) of the Extended Term Applicable Margin for Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans, and (b) with respect to Standby Letters of Credit, a per annum rate equal to (x) with respect to Letter of Credit Fees to be paid to Non-Extending Lenders, the Non-Extending Applicable Margin for Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans, and (y) with respect to Letter of Credit Fees to be paid to Extending Lenders, the Extended Term Applicable Margin for Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans.

“Appraised Value” means, with respect to Eligible Inventory, the appraised orderly liquidation value, net of costs and expenses to be incurred in connection with any such liquidation, which value is expressed as a percentage of Cost of Eligible Inventory as set forth in the inventory stock ledger of the Borrowers, which value shall be determined from time to time by the most recent appraisal undertaken by an independent appraiser engaged by the Agent.

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender, or (d) the same investment advisor or an advisor under common control with such Lender, Affiliate or advisor, as applicable.

“Arranger” means ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated, in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.

“Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the Agent.

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease Obligation of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease, agreement or instrument were accounted for as a capital lease.

“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended January 30, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).

“Availability” means, as of any date of determination thereof by the Agent, the result, if a positive number, of:

(a) The Loan Cap

 

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Minus

(b) The Total Outstandings.

“Availability Block” means an amount equal to $5,000,000.

“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to the earliest of (a) with respect to the Non-Extending Lenders, the Original Maturity Date, and with respect to the Extending Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender, the Extended Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.

“Availability Reserves” means, without duplication of any other Reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or the definition of “Borrowing Base” or “Appraised Value”, such reserves as the Agent from time to time determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate (a) to reflect the impediments to the Agent’s ability to realize upon the ABL Collateral, (b) to reflect claims and liabilities that the Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the ABL Collateral, (c) to reflect criteria, events, conditions, contingencies or risks which adversely affect any component of the Borrowing Base, or (d) to reflect that a Default or an Event of Default then exists. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Availability Reserves may include, in the Agent’s Permitted Discretion, (but are not limited to) reserves based on: (i) rent; (ii) customs duties, and other costs to release Inventory which is being imported into the United States; (iii) outstanding Taxes and other governmental charges, including, without limitation, ad valorem, real estate, personal property, sales, claims of the PBGC and other Taxes which may have priority over the interests of the Agent in the ABL Collateral; (iv) salaries, wages and benefits due to employees of any Loan Parties, (v) Customer Credit Liabilities, (vi) customer deposits, (viii) reserves for reasonably anticipated changes in the Appraised Value of Eligible Inventory between appraisals, (viii) warehousemen’s or bailee’s charges and other Permitted Encumbrances which may have priority over the interests of the Agent in the ABL Collateral, (ix) amounts due to SHC and its Subsidiaries under the Separation Agreements, (x) commissions and other amounts due to Third Party Dealers and Third Party Franchisees, (xi) Cash Management Reserves, and (xii) Bank Products Reserves.

“Average Daily Availability” shall mean the average daily Availability for the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter.

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

“Bank Products” means any services or facilities provided to any Loan Party by the Agent, any Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates, including, without limitation, on account of (a) Swap Contracts, (b) purchase cards, (c) leasing, (d) factoring, (e) supply chain finance services (including, without limitation, trade payable services and supplier accounts receivable purchases) and (f) other extensions of credit (agreed by the Agent and the Lead Borrower as being a “Bank Product” for purposes of this Agreement) to or for the benefit of any Loan Party or to any other Person to the extent such other Person’s obligations thereunder are guaranteed by any Loan Party, but excluding Cash Management Services.

 

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“Bank Product Reserves” means such reserves as the Agent from time to time determine in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect the liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties with respect to Bank Products then provided or outstanding.

“Banker’s Acceptance” means a time draft or ▇▇▇▇ of exchange or other deferred payment obligation relating to a Commercial Letter of Credit which has been accepted by the L/C Issuer.

“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Agent as its “prime rate”; (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day, plus 0.50%; and (c) the LIBOR Rate for a one month interest period as determined on such day, plus 1.0%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Agent based upon various factors including the Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in the Agent’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate or the LIBOR Rate, respectively, shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

“Blocked Account” means each DDA that is subject to a Blocked Account Agreement.

“Blocked Account Agreement” means with respect to an account established by a Loan Party, an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, establishing control (as defined in the UCC) of such account by the Agent and whereby the bank maintaining such account agrees, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, to comply only with the instructions originated by the Agent without the further consent of any Loan Party.

“Blocked Account Bank” means each bank with whom deposit accounts are maintained in which any funds of any of the Loan Parties from one or more DDAs are concentrated and with whom a Blocked Account Agreement has been, or is required to be, executed in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Borrowers” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Borrowing” means a Committed Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.

“Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to:

(a) the face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables multiplied by 90%;

plus

(b) the lesser of (i) the Cost of Eligible Inventory, net of Inventory Reserves, multiplied by 85% multiplied by the Appraised Value of Eligible Inventory, or (ii) the Cost of Eligible Inventory, net of Inventory Reserves, multiplied by 70%;

 

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minus

(c) the Availability Block;

minus

(d) the then amount of all Availability Reserves.

“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto (with such changes therein as may be required by the Agent to reflect the components of and reserves against the Borrowing Base as provided for hereunder from time to time), executed and certified as accurate and complete by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower which shall include appropriate exhibits, schedules, supporting documentation, and additional reports as reasonably requested by the Agent.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any LIBOR Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank market.

“Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, all expenditures made (whether made in the form of cash or other property) or costs incurred for the acquisition or improvement of fixed or capital assets of such Person (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which are properly charged to current operations), in each case that are (or should be) set forth as capital expenditures in a Consolidated statement of cash flows of such Person for such period, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, capital expenditures constituting IT Transformation Investments, to the extent made during the 2016 and 2017 Fiscal Years of the Borrowers and in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate, shall not constitute “Capital Expenditures” for any purpose under this Agreement and/or any other Loan Document.

“Capital Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and the amount of which obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash Collateral Account” means a non-interest bearing account established by one or more of the Loan Parties with Bank of America, and in the name of, the Agent (or as the Agent shall otherwise direct) and under the sole and exclusive dominion and control of the Agent, in which deposits are required to be made in accordance with Section 2.03(g) or 8.02(c).

“Cash Collateralize” means to deposit in the Cash Collateral Account or to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the L/C Issuer. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

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“Cash Dominion Event” means either (i) the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, or (ii) the failure of the Borrowers to maintain Availability of at least the greater of (x) 17.5% of the Loan Cap and (y) $35,000,000. For purposes of this Agreement, the occurrence of a Cash Dominion Event shall be deemed continuing (i) so long as such Event of Default has not been waived, and/or (ii) if the Cash Dominion Event arises as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to achieve Availability as required hereunder, until Availability has exceeded the greater of (x) 17.5% of the Loan Cap and (y) $35,000,000 for thirty (30) consecutive days, in which case a Cash Dominion Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing for purposes of this Agreement; provided that, a Cash Dominion Event shall be deemed continuing (even if an Event of Default is no longer continuing and/or Availability exceeds the required amount for thirty (30) consecutive days) at all times after a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and been discontinued on two occasions in any twelve month period until both no Event of Default is then continuing and Availability has exceed the amounts set forth above for ninety (90) consecutive days. The termination of a Cash Dominion Event as provided herein shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Cash Dominion Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.

“Cash Management Reserves” means such reserves as the Agent, from time to time, determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect the reasonably anticipated liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties with respect to Cash Management Services then provided or outstanding.

“Cash Management Services” means any cash management services provided to any Loan Party by the Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, including, without limitation, (a) ACH transactions, (b) controlled disbursement services, treasury, depository, overdraft, and electronic funds transfer services, (c) credit card processing services, (d) credit or debit cards and (e) foreign exchange facilities.

“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.

“CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

“CFC” means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the ▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) other than a Permitted Holder becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a

 

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person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of both (i) 35% or more of the Equity Interests of the Parent entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Parent on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such Equity Interests that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right), and (ii) a greater percentage of such Equity Interests than are held by the Permitted Holders in the aggregate; or

(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Parent cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or by a Permitted Holder or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or by a Permitted Holder; or

(c) any “change in control” or similar event as defined in any Material Contract, or any document governing Material Indebtedness of any Loan Party; or

(d) the Parent fails at any time to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of each Borrower.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended and in effect.

“Co-Documentation Agents” means each of ACF ▇▇▇▇▇ I LP and Santander Bank, N.A., each in its capacity as a Documentation Agent hereunder.

“Collateral” means any and all “Collateral” as defined in any applicable Security Document and all other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Security Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Agent.

“Collateral Access Agreement” means an agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent executed by (a) a bailee or other Person in possession of ABL Collateral, and (b) any landlord of Real Estate leased by any Loan Party, pursuant to which such Person (i) acknowledges the Agent’s Lien on the ABL Collateral, (ii) releases or subordinates such Person’s Liens in the ABL Collateral held by such Person or located on such Real Estate, (iii) provides the Agent with access to the ABL Collateral held by such bailee or other Person or located in or on such Real Estate, (iv) provides the Agent with a reasonable time to sell and dispose of the ABL Collateral from such Real Estate, and (v) makes such other agreements with the Agent as the Agent may reasonably require. It is understood and agreed that the Collateral Access Agreements in existence on the Effective Date are reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.

“Collection Account” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12(c).

“Commercial Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit or similar instrument (including, without limitation, Bankers’ Acceptances) issued for the purpose of providing the primary payment mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party.

 

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“Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Committed Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

“Commitment Fee Percentage” means (x) until the occurrence of the Original Maturity Date or earlier termination by the Borrowers of the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders and repayment in full of the Obligations owed to the Non-Extending Lenders pursuant to Section 2.06 hereof, (a) 0.50% per annum if the average daily Total Outstandings during the previous Fiscal Quarter were 50% or less of the Aggregate Commitments, and (b) 0.375% per annum if the average daily Total Outstandings during the previous Fiscal Quarter were more than 50% of the Aggregate Commitments, and (y) at any time thereafter, 0.50% per annum.

“Committed Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Committed Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

“Committed Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

“Committed Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Committed Borrowing, (b) a Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(b), which, if initially given in writing or when confirmed in writing after telephonic notice has been given, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

“Consolidated” means, when used to modify a financial term, test, statement, or report of a Person, the application or preparation of such term, test, statement or report (as applicable) based upon the consolidation, in accordance with GAAP, of the financial condition or operating results of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, at any date of determination, without duplication, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period, plus (a) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) any items of loss resulting from the sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, (v) costs and expenses related to IT Transformation Investments (provided that the amount of such costs and expenses paid in cash and added back pursuant to this clause (v) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate for the Borrowers’ 2016 and 2017 Fiscal Years and $0 thereafter), (vi) non-cash charges associated with accounts receivable owing by a Third Party Franchisee to a Borrower or a Subsidiary arising in connection with the termination of a franchise agreement, or allowances recognized for losses on franchisee receivables in an amount equal to estimated probable losses net of recoveries, with such Third Party Franchisee, and (vii) other expenses reducing such Consolidated Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period

 

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or any future period (in each case of or by the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period), minus (b) the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits, (ii) any items of gain resulting from the sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business and (iii) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (in each case of or by the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period), all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA for such period minus (ii) Capital Expenditures made during such period (other than Financed Capital Expenditures), minus (iii) the aggregate amount of Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash during such period net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such period (but in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (iii) be less than zero) to (b) Debt Service Charges, in each case, of or by the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any Measurement Period, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under applicable Swap Contracts, but excluding any non-cash or deferred interest financing costs, and (b) the portion of rent expense with respect to such period under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case of or by the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, as of any date of determination, the net income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided, however, that there shall be excluded (a) extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses for such Measurement Period, (b) the income (or loss) of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party during such Measurement Period in which any other Person has a joint interest, and of any non-Subsidiary joint venture, except to the extent of the amount of cash dividends or other distributions actually paid in cash to the Parent or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent during such period, (c) the income (or loss) of such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period and accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or is merged into or consolidated with the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) the income of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Parent that is not a Loan Party to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary, except that the Parent’s equity in any net loss of any such Subsidiary for such Measurement Period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Income.

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

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“Convert”, “Conversion” and “Converted” each refers to a conversion of Committed Loans of one Type into Committed Loans of the other Type.

“Cost” means the lower of cost or market value of Inventory, based upon the Borrowers’ accounting practices, known to the Agent, which practices are in effect on the Effective Date as such calculated cost is determined from invoices received by the Borrowers, the Borrowers’ purchase journals or the Borrowers’ stock ledger and on a consistent basis with the calculation of cost set forth in the most recent Inventory appraisal delivered to the Agent. “Cost” does not include inventory capitalization costs or other non-purchase price charges (such as freight) used in the Borrowers’ calculation of cost of goods sold.

“Covenant Compliance Event” means, if at any time Availability is less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the Loan Cap or (ii) $25,000,000. The termination of a Covenant Compliance as provided herein shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Covenant Compliance Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.

“Credit Card Issuer” shall mean any person (other than a Borrower or other Loan Party) who issues or whose members issue credit cards, including, without limitation, MasterCard or VISA bank credit or debit cards or other bank credit or debit cards issued through MasterCard International, Inc., Visa, U.S.A., Inc. or Visa International and American Express, Discover, Diners Club, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and other non-bank credit or debit cards, including, without limitation, credit or debit cards issued by or through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and Novus Services, Inc. and other issuers approved by the Agent.

“Credit Card Processor” shall mean any servicing or processing agent or any factor or financial intermediary who facilitates, services, processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment procedures with respect to any Borrower’s sales transactions involving credit card or debit card purchases by customers using credit cards or debit cards issued by any Credit Card Issuer.

“Credit Card Notifications” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12(a)(ii).

“Credit Card Receivables” means each “Account” or “payment intangible” (each as defined in the UCC) together with all income, payments and proceeds thereof, owed by a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to a Loan Party resulting from charges by a customer of a Loan Party on credit or debit cards issued by such Credit Card Issuer in connection with the sale of goods by a Loan Party, or services performed by a Loan Party, in each case in the ordinary course of its business.

“Credit Extensions” mean each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

“Credit Party” or “Credit Parties” means (a) individually, (i) each Lender, (ii) the Agent, (iii) each L/C Issuer, (iv) the Arranger, (v) any other Person to whom Obligations are owing, and (vi) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing, and (b) collectively, all of the foregoing.

“Credit Party Expenses” means (a) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent, the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without limitation (i) the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of (A) one primary counsel and of one local counsel for the Agent and the Arranger, (B) outside consultants for the Agent, (C) appraisers and (D) commercial finance examiners, and (ii) in connection with (A) the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, (B) the preparation, negotiation, administration, management, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any

 

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amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (C) the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with this Agreement or the Loan Documents or efforts to preserve, protect, collect, or enforce the Collateral or in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, or (D) any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of any Loan Agreement Obligations, and (b) with respect to the L/C Issuer, and its Affiliates, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder; and (c) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders who are not the Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer or any Affiliate of any of them in connection with the enforcement of the Loan Documents after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, provided that such Lenders shall be entitled to reimbursement for no more than one counsel representing all such Lenders (absent a conflict of interest in which case the Lenders may engage and be reimbursed for additional counsel).

“Customer Credit Liabilities” means at any time, the aggregate remaining value at such time of (a) outstanding gift certificates and gift cards of the Borrowers entitling the holder thereof to use all or a portion of the certificate or gift card to pay all or a portion of the purchase price for any Inventory, and (b) outstanding merchandise credits of the Borrowers.

“DDA” means each checking, savings or other demand deposit account maintained by any of the Loan Parties other than Excluded Accounts.

“Debt Service Charges” means for any Measurement Period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Charges paid or required to be paid in cash for such Measurement Period, plus (b) scheduled principal payments made or required to be made on account of Indebtedness (excluding the Loan Agreement Obligations and any Synthetic Lease Obligations but including, without limitation, principal payments made in respect of Capital Lease Obligations) for such Measurement Period, in each case determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Loans, an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including the Non-Extending Applicable Margin or the Extended Term Applicable Margin, as applicable) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus two percent (2%) per annum, (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate for Standby Letters of Credit or Commercial Letters of Credit, as applicable, plus two percent (2%) per annum, and (c) with respect to all other Loan Agreement Obligations, an interest rate equal to the Base Rate, plus the then Non-Extending Applicable Margin or the Extended Term Applicable Margin, as applicable, plus two percent (2%) per annum.

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder, or (ii) pay to the Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the

 

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Borrower, the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Agent and the Borrower), or (d) after the Effective Date, has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

“Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the target of any Sanction, which countries or territories, as of the Effective Date, are Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction), whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions, of any property (including, without limitation, any Equity Interests other than Equity Interests of the Parent) by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Extended Maturity Date. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Agreement will be the maximum amount that the Parent and its Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock or portion thereof, plus accrued dividends.

“Dollars” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

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“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

“Effective Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.

“Eligible Assignee” means (a) a Lender or any of its Affiliates; (b) a bank, insurance company, or company engaged in the business of making commercial loans, which Person, together with its Affiliates, has a combined capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000; (c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any Person to whom a Lender assigns its rights and obligations under this Agreement as part of an assignment and transfer of such Lender’s rights in and to a material portion of such Lender’s portfolio of asset based credit facilities; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include a Permitted Holder, a Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries or any natural Person.

“Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means at the time of any determination thereof, each Credit Card Receivable that satisfies the following criteria at the time of creation and continues to meet the same at the time of such determination: such Credit Card Receivable (i) has been earned by performance and represents the bona fide amounts due to a Loan Party from a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (or from SHC and its Subsidiaries on behalf of any such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor as set forth below), and in each case is originated in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party, and (ii) in each case is not ineligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Borrowing Base pursuant to any of clauses (a) through (i) below. Without limiting the foregoing, to qualify as an Eligible Credit Card Receivable, a Credit Card Receivable shall indicate no Person other than a Loan Party as payee or remittance party; provided that from the Effective Date until the date which is sixty (60) days following the Effective Date (as such time period may be extended by the Agent in its sole discretion), proceeds of Credit Card Receivables due from SHC and its Subsidiaries to the Loan Parties under the Separation Agreements on account of amounts received by SHC or any of its Subsidiaries from a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor which represent amounts due from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (or from SHC and its Subsidiaries, as set forth above) on Credit Card Receivables of the Loan Parties and which are not otherwise ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set below shall be included as “Eligible Credit Card Receivables” hereunder. In determining the amount to be so included, the face amount of a Credit Card Receivable shall be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that a Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to a customer, a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor pursuant to the terms of any written agreement or understanding) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Credit Card Receivable but not yet applied by the Loan Parties to reduce the amount of such Credit Card Receivable. Except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, any Credit Card Receivable included within any of the following categories shall not constitute an Eligible Credit Card Receivable:

(a) Credit Card Receivables which do not constitute an “Account” or “payment intangible” (each as defined in the UCC);

(b) Credit Card Receivables that have been outstanding for more than five (5) Business Days from the date of sale;

 

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(c) except with respect to amounts due from SHC and its Subsidiaries as provided above, Credit Card Receivables (i) that are not subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Agent (subject to Permitted Encumbrances having priority over the Lien of the Agent by operation of applicable Law), or (ii) with respect to which a Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances);

(d) Credit Card Receivables which are disputed or with respect to which a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted (to the extent of such dispute, claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback);

(e) Credit Card Receivables as to which a Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor has the right under certain circumstances to require a Loan Party to repurchase the entire portfolio of Credit Card Receivables from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor;

(f) Credit Card Receivables due from a Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor of the applicable credit card which is the subject of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;

(g) Credit Card Receivables which are not a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the applicable Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor with respect thereto;

(h) Credit Card Receivables which do not conform to all representations, warranties or other provisions in the Loan Documents relating to Credit Card Receivables; or

(i) Credit Card Receivables which the Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion to be uncertain of collection or which do not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Credit Card Receivables as the Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.

“Eligible Inventory” means, as of the date of determination thereof, items of Inventory of a Loan Party that are finished goods, merchantable and readily saleable to the public in the ordinary course of the Loan Parties’ business, in each case that, except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, (A) complies with each of the representations and warranties respecting Inventory made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents, and (B) is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set forth below. Except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, the following items of Inventory shall not be included in Eligible Inventory:

(a) Inventory (i) that is not subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Agent (subject to Permitted Encumbrances having priority over the Lien of the Agent by operation of applicable Law), or (ii) with respect to which a Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances);

(b) Inventory that is leased or consigned from a vendor to a Loan Party;

(c) Inventory that is consigned by a Loan Party to a Person which is not a Loan Party other than Inventory that is consigned to Third Party Dealers and Third Party Franchisees for which the Loan Parties have met the Third Party Dealer and Franchisee Eligibility Requirements;

(d) Inventory that is not located in the United States of America (excluding territories or possessions of the United States) or Puerto Rico at a location that is owned or leased by a Loan Party, except (i) Inventory in transit between such owned or leased locations, or (ii) Inventory at locations owned or leased by Third Party Dealers and Third Party Franchisees for which the Loan Parties have met the Third Party Dealer and Franchisee Eligibility Requirements;

 

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(e) (i) Inventory that is located in a distribution center leased by a Loan Party unless the applicable lessor has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement; provided, that if such a Collateral Access Agreement is not obtained within thirty (30) days following such time as the applicable Loan Party has entered into such arrangement with such applicable lessor (or such later date as the Agent may agree in its Permitted Discretion), Inventory at such locations shall constitute Eligible Inventory as long as the Agent has established an Availability Reserve in such amount as the Agent in its Permitted Discretion deemed appropriate or (ii) Inventory that is located in a distribution or warehouse center unless the applicable owner or lessee of such distribution or warehouse center has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement; provided, that if such a Collateral Access Agreement is not obtained within thirty (30) days following such time as the applicable Loan Party has entered into such arrangement with such applicable distribution or warehouse center owner or lessee (or such later date as the Agent may agree in its Permitted Discretion), Inventory at such locations shall constitute Eligible Inventory as long as the Agent has established an Availability Reserve in such amount as the Agent in its Permitted Discretion deemed appropriate;

(f) Other than Inventory customarily sold at outlet locations in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in a manner consistent with past practice, Inventory that is comprised of goods which (i) are damaged, defective, “seconds,” or otherwise unmerchantable, (ii) are to be returned to the vendor, (iii) are obsolete, or custom items, work-in-process, raw materials, or that constitute samples, spare parts, promotional, marketing, labels, bags and other packaging and shipping materials or supplies used or consumed in a Loan Party’s business, (iv) which have been packed away and stored for more than 12 months, (v) are not in material compliance with all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Inventory, its use or sale, or (vi) are ▇▇▇▇ and hold goods;

(g) Inventory that is not insured in compliance with the provisions of Section 5.10 hereof;

(h) Inventory that has been sold but not yet delivered or as to which a Loan Party has accepted a deposit from a third party;

(i) Inventory that exhibits, includes or is identified by any trademark, tradename or other Intellectual Property right which trademark, tradename or other Intellectual Property right (i) is subject to a restriction that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Agent’s ability to liquidate such Inventory or (ii) the relevant Loan Party does not have the right to use in connection with the sale of such Inventory, either through direct ownership or through a written license or sublicense;

(j) Inventory acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, unless and until the Agent has completed or received (A) an appraisal of such Inventory from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and establishes Inventory Reserves (if applicable) therefor, and (B) such other due diligence as the Agent may reasonably require, all of the results of the foregoing to be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; provided that such Inventory shall be deemed to constitute Eligible Inventory for a period of 45 days after the date of its acquisition notwithstanding that the Agent has not completed such due diligence as long as such Inventory is of the same kind and quality as other of the Loan Parties’ Inventory and would otherwise constitute Eligible Inventory;

 

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(k) Inventory (other than Inventory acquired in a Permitted Acquisition which is governed by clause (j) above) which is not of the type usually sold in the ordinary course of any Loan Party’s business, unless and until the Agent agrees in its Permitted Discretion that such Inventory shall be deemed Eligible Inventory; or

(l) Inventory which does not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Inventory as the Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, obligation, damage, loss, claim, action, suit, judgment, order, fine, penalty, fee, expense, or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal or presence of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or non-voting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Parent 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) the withdrawal of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Parent 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 a Pension Plan, or the treatment of a Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan; (f) any event or condition determined by the PBGC to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to

 

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administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or that a Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate.

“ETSA” means the Employee Transition and Administrative Services Agreement dated August 31, 2012, by and between SHC and the Parent.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01. An Event of Default shall be deemed to be continuing unless and until that Event of Default has been duly waived as provided in Section 10.01 hereof.

“Excluded Accounts” means payroll, trust, tax withholding and zero balance disbursement accounts funded in the ordinary course of business.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty of such Loan Party under the Guarantee of, or the grant under a Loan Document by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act (or the application or official interpretation thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.26 hereof and any and all guarantees of such Loan Party’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the guaranty of such Loan Party, or grant by such Loan Party of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such guaranty or security interest becomes illegal.

“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated and including any Taxes imposed in lieu of income Taxes), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Recipient acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 10.13) or (ii) in the case of a Lender, such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (d) any Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

“Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

 

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“Existing Letters of Credit” means each of the Letters of Credit described on Schedule 1.02 issued and outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Date.

“Extended Maturity Date” means the earlier of (a) February 29, 2020, or (b) the date that is six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Separation Agreements (other than the Separation Agreement described in clause (g) of the definition of such term), unless such Separation Agreements have been extended to a date later than that set forth in clause (a) above or terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

“Extended Term Applicable Margin” means:

(a) From and after the Effective Date until the Adjustment Date that occurs after the expiration of two full Fiscal Quarters following the Effective Date, the percentages set forth in Level II of the pricing grid below; and

(b) From and after the Adjustment Date that occurs after the expiration of two full Fiscal Quarters following the Effective Date, and on each Adjustment Date thereafter, the Extended Term Applicable Margin shall be determined from the following pricing grid based upon the Average Daily Availability as of the Fiscal Quarter ended immediately preceding such Adjustment Date; provided that, if any Borrowing Base Certificate is at any time restated or otherwise revised (including as a result of an audit) or if the information set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate otherwise proves to be false or incorrect such that the Extended Term Applicable Margin would have been higher than was otherwise in effect during any period, without constituting a waiver of any Default or Event of Default arising as a result thereof, interest due under this Agreement shall be immediately recalculated at such higher rate for any applicable periods and shall be due and payable on demand.

 

Level		Average Daily Availability		LIBOR Margin				Base Rate Margin
I		Equal to or greater than 75% of the Loan Cap			3.50%				2.50%
II		Equal to or greater than 50% of the Loan Cap but less than 75% of the Loan Cap			3.75%				2.75%
III		Equal to or greater than 25% of the Loan Cap but less than 50% of the Loan Cap			4.00%				3.00%
IV		Less than 25% of the Loan Cap			4.50%				3.50%

“Extending Lender” means each Lender listed on Schedule 2.01 under the heading Extending Lenders, whose Commitment has been extended on the Effective Date and shall terminate on the Termination Date.

 

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“Extraordinary Receipt” means any cash received by or paid to or for the account of any Person not in the ordinary course of business, including tax refunds, pension plan reversions, indemnity payments and any purchase price adjustments.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Agent.

“Fee Letter” means the letter agreement dated as of August 4, 2016, among the Borrowers, the Agent and the Arranger.

“Financed Capital Expenditures” shall mean Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of Indebtedness (other than from Credit Extensions hereunder), including capital lease transactions permitted hereunder.

“Fiscal Quarter” means any fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, which quarters shall generally end on (i) with respect to the first fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the thirteenth week of such Fiscal Year, (ii) with respect to the second fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the twenty- sixth week of such Fiscal Year, (iii) with respect to the third fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the thirty-ninth week of such Fiscal Year, and (iv) with respect to the last fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the last day of such Fiscal Year, as such Fiscal Quarters may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.13 hereof.

“Fiscal Year” means any period of twelve consecutive months ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of any calendar year, as such Fiscal Year may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.13 hereof.

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Parent is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary, all or substantially all of the assets of which consist of, directly or indirectly, the equity interests in one or more CFCs.

“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to

 

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other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantor” means the Parent and each wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary of the Parent (other than any Borrower and any Immaterial Subsidiary) existing on the Effective Date and each other wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary of the Parent that shall be required to execute and deliver a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 6.11 (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Immaterial Subsidiary).

“Guaranty and Security Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of the Effective Date among the Loan Parties and the Agent.

 

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“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

“Honor Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Subsidiary that, on an unconsolidated basis, does not have (a) assets in excess of 1.0% of consolidated total assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries as set forth on the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), or (b) four quarter revenues in excess of 1.0% of the consolidated revenues of Parent and its Subsidiaries as set forth on the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b); provided that, if at any time the aggregate amount of revenues or assets attributable to all Subsidiaries that are Immaterial Subsidiaries exceeds three percent (3%) of consolidated revenues of Parent and its Subsidiaries for any such period or three percent (3%) of consolidated total assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of any such fiscal quarter, the Borrower shall designate sufficient domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Subsidiaries. As of the Effective Date, the Immaterial Subsidiaries are listed on Schedule 1.03.

“Increase Effective Date” shall have the meaning provided therefor in Section 2.15(d).

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and, in each case, not past due for more than sixty (60) days;

(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) All Attributable Indebtedness of such Person;

(g) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Stock of such Person; and

(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company unless the Indebtedness of such joint venture is Guaranteed by such Person and covered by

 

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clause (h) above) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

“Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

“Intellectual Property” means all present and future: trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary information; trademarks, trademark applications, internet domain names, service marks, trade dress, trade names, business names, designs, logos, slogans (and all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations of the foregoing) indicia and other source and/or business identifiers, and all registrations or applications for registrations which have heretofore been or may hereafter be issued thereon throughout the world; copyrights and copyright applications; (including copyrights for computer programs) and all tangible and intangible property embodying the copyrights, unpatented inventions (whether or not patentable); patents and patent applications; industrial design applications and registered industrial designs; license agreements related to any of the foregoing and income therefrom; books, records, writings, computer tapes or disks, flow diagrams, specification sheets, computer software, source codes, object codes, executable code, data, databases and other physical manifestations, embodiments or incorporations of any of the foregoing; all other intellectual property; and all common law and other rights throughout the world in and to all of the foregoing.

“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, with respect to Non-Extending Lenders, the Original Maturity Date, and with respect to Extending Lenders, the Extended Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the first Business Day of each month and, with respect to Non-Extending Lenders, the Original Maturity Date, and with respect to Extending Lenders and the Swing Line Lender, the Extended Maturity Date.

“Interest Period” means, as to each LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan is disbursed or Converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter (or, if available to all Lenders and consented to by the Agent, one week or twelve months thereafter), as selected by the Lead Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:

(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period 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;

 

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(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan made by the Non-Extending Lenders, the Original Maturity Date, and with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan made by the Extending Lenders, the Extended Maturity Date; and

(iv) notwithstanding the provisions of clause (iii), no Interest Period shall have a duration of less than one (1) month (or, if available to all Lenders and consented to by the Agent, one week), and if any Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing would be for a shorter period, such Interest Period shall not be available hereunder.

For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent Conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

“Internal Control Event” means a material weakness in, or fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in, the Parent’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ internal controls over financial reporting, in each case as described in the Securities Laws.

“Inventory” has the meaning given that term in the UCC, and shall also include, without limitation, all: (a) goods which (i) are leased by a Person as lessor, (ii) are held by a Person for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service, (iii) are furnished by a Person under a contract of service, or (iv) consist of raw materials, work in process, or materials used or consumed in a business; (b) goods of said description in transit; (c) goods of said description which are returned, repossessed or rejected; and (d) packaging, advertising, and shipping materials related to any of the foregoing.

“Inventory Reserves” means such reserves as may be established from time to time by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, without duplication of any other Reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or the definition of “Borrowing Base” or “Appraised Value”, with respect to the determination of the saleability, at retail, of the Eligible Inventory, which reflect such other factors as affect the market value of the Eligible Inventory or which reflect claims and liabilities that the Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Inventory. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Inventory Reserves may, in the Agent’s Permitted Discretion, include (but are not limited to) reserves based on:

(a) Obsolescence;

(b) Seasonality;

(c) Shrink;

(d) Imbalance;

(e) Change in Inventory character;

(f) Change in Inventory composition;

(g) Change in Inventory mix;

(h) ▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ (both permanent and point of sale);

 

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(i) Retail ▇▇▇▇-ons and ▇▇▇▇-ups inconsistent with prior period practice and performance, industry standards, current business plans or advertising calendar and planned advertising events; and

(j) Out-of-date and/or expired Inventory.

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect (a) purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person, or (c) any Acquisition. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and any Borrower or in favor the L/C Issuer and relating to any such Letter of Credit.

“IT Transformation Investments” means investments and expenditures by Parent and its Subsidiaries in connection with transferring certain of their information technology systems and corporate services (including, without limitation, store point of sale systems and corporate enterprise resource planning systems) from those operated or supplied by SHC to those operated by one or more of Parent and its Subsidiaries.

“Joinder Agreement” means an agreement, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent pursuant to which, among other things, a Person becomes a party to, and bound by the terms of, this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents in the same capacity and to the same extent as either a Borrower or a Guarantor, as the Agent may determine.

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Committed Borrowing.

“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

 

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“L/C Issuer” means each of (a) Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder (including the Existing Letters of Credit), and (b) any other Lender agreed to by the Agent and the Lead Borrower that agrees to become an “L/C Issuer”. The L/C Issuer may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the L/C Issuer, in which case the term “L/C Issuer” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

“L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all outstanding L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

“Lease” means any written agreement, no matter how styled or structured, pursuant to which a Loan Party is entitled to the use or occupancy of any real property for any period of time.

“Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender, all Extending Lenders and all Non-Extending Lenders.

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Lead Borrower and the Agent.

“Letter of Credit” means each Banker’s Acceptance, each Standby Letter of Credit and each Commercial Letter of Credit issued hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement.

“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Extended Maturity Date then in effect.

“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an aggregate amount equal to $75,000,000; provided that, (i) the Letter of Credit Sublimit with respect to Bank of America as L/C Issuer shall be $25,000,000 and (ii) the Letter of Credit Sublimit with respect to any other additional L/C Issuer shall be the Letter of Credit Sublimit agreed to between such L/C Issuer and the Lead Borrower, as communicated to the Agent in writing by such L/C Issuer and the Lead Borrower. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments. A permanent reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided, however, that if the Aggregate Commitments are reduced to an amount less than the Letter of Credit Sublimit, then the Letter of Credit Sublimit shall be reduced to an amount equal to (or, at Lead Borrower’s option, less than) the Aggregate Commitments. Any reduction of the aggregate Letter of Credit Sublimit shall result in a pro rata reduction of the portion of the Letter of Credit Sublimit held by each of Bank of America and any other L/C Issuer.

“LIBOR Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Rate Loans.

 

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“LIBOR Rate” means:

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the per annum rate of interest (rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of 1% and in no event less than zero) determined by the Agent at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to an Interest Period for a term equivalent to such period, equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or comparable or successor rate approved by the Agent, as published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or other commercially available source designated by the Agent from time to time); provided, that any comparable or successor rate shall be applied by the Agent, if administratively feasible, in a manner consistent with market practice, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBOR Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the LIBOR Rate Loan being made, continued or Converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and

(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) the rate calculated pursuant to subparagraph (a), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at the date and time of determination.

“LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Committed Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, but excluding the interests of lessors under operating leases).

“Liquidation” means the exercise by the Agent of those rights and remedies accorded to the Agent under the Loan Documents and applicable Laws as a creditor of the Loan Parties with respect to the realization on the Collateral, including (after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default) the conduct by the Loan Parties acting with the consent of the Agent, of any public, private or “going-out-of-business”, “store closing” or other similar sale or any other disposition of the Collateral for the purpose of liquidating the Collateral. Derivations of the word “Liquidation” (such as “Liquidate”) are used with like meaning in this Agreement.

“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Committed Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

“Loan Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a).

 

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“Loan Agreement Obligations” means all advances to, and debts (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses), liabilities, obligations, covenants, indemnities, and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit (including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral therefor), whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, fees, costs, expenses and indemnities that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, fees costs, expenses and indemnities are allowed claims in such proceeding.

“Loan Cap” means, at any time of determination, the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Commitments or (b) the Borrowing Base.

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, the Perfection Certificate, the Fee Letter, all Borrowing Base Certificates, the Blocked Account Agreements, the Credit Card Notifications, the Security Documents, the Sears Tri-Party Agreement, and any other instrument or agreement now or hereafter executed and delivered in connection herewith, each as amended and in effect from time to time.

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are a party; or (c) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents taken as a whole or a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are a party taken as a whole. In determining whether any individual event would result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that such event in and of itself does not have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event and all other then existing events would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

“Material Contract” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the Separation Agreements unless, with respect to any Separation Agreement, such Separation Agreement has been terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, and (b) each contract to which such Person is a party set forth in the Perfection Certificate as a Material Contract, and (c) any replacements of, or substitutions for, any of the foregoing.

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan Agreement Obligations) of the Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indebtedness incurred under clause (j) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” shall at all times be deemed Material Indebtedness hereunder. For purposes of determining the amount of Material Indebtedness at any time, (a) the amount of the obligations in respect of any Swap Contract at such time shall be calculated at the Swap Termination Value thereof, (b) undrawn and committed amounts shall be included, and (c) all amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement shall be included.

“Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“Maturity Date” means the Original Maturity Date or the Extended Maturity Date, as applicable.

 

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“Maximum Rate” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 10.09.

“Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed twelve fiscal month period.

“Moody’s” means ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions or has any continuing liability.

“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

“Net Proceeds” means (a) with respect to any Disposition by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Extraordinary Receipt received or paid to the account of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or cash equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) minus (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset by a Lien permitted hereunder which is senior to the Agent’s Lien (if any) on such asset and that is required to be repaid (or to establish an escrow for the future repayment thereof) in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), and (B) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction (including, without limitation, appraisals, and brokerage, legal, title and recording or transfer tax expenses and commissions) paid by any Loan Party to third parties (other than Affiliates)); and

(b) with respect to the sale or issuance of any Equity Interest by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such transaction minus (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection therewith.

“Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 10.01.

“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

“Non-Extending Applicable Margin” means:

(a) From and after the Effective Date until the first Adjustment Date following the Effective Date, the percentages set forth in Level I of the pricing grid below; and

(b) From and after the first Adjustment Date following the Effective Date and on each Adjustment Date thereafter, the Non-Extending Applicable Margin shall be determined from the following pricing grid based upon the Average Daily Availability as of the Fiscal Quarter ended immediately preceding such Adjustment Date; provided that, if any Borrowing Base Certificate is at any time restated or otherwise revised (including as a result of an audit) or if the information set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate otherwise proves to be false or incorrect such that the Non-Extending Applicable Margin would have been higher than was otherwise in

 

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effect during any period, without constituting a waiver of any Default or Event of Default arising as a result thereof, interest due under this Agreement shall be immediately recalculated at such higher rate for any applicable periods and shall be due and payable on demand.

 

Level		Average Daily Availability		LIBOR Margin		Base Rate Margin
I		Equal to or greater than 66.67% of the Loan Cap		2.00%		1.00%
II		Greater than 33.33% of the Loan Cap but less than 66.67% of the Loan Cap		2.25%		1.25%
III		Less than or equal to 33.33% of the Loan Cap		2.50%		1.50%

“Non-Extending Lender” means each Lender listed on Schedule 2.01 under the heading Non-Extending Lenders, who has not agreed to extend the Original Maturity Date for its Commitment on the Effective Date.

“Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).

“Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrowers in favor of a Lender evidencing Committed Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, as each may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.

“NPL” means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.

“Obligations” means, collectively, all Loan Agreement Obligations and all Other Liabilities; provided that Obligations of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.

“Operating Segment” means each of (a) the hometown dealer business, including the hardware business and the appliance showroom business, and (b) the outlet stores business.

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity, and (d) in each case, all shareholder or other equity holder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements to which such Person is a party.

 

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“Original Maturity Date” means the earlier of (a) October 11, 2017, or (b) the date that is six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Separation Agreements (other than the Separation Agreement described in clause (g) of the definition of such term), unless such Separation Agreements have been extended to a date later than that set forth in clause (a) above or terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising solely from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

“Other Liabilities” means any obligation on account of (a) any Cash Management Services furnished to any of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries and/or (b) any Bank Product furnished to any of the Loan Parties and/or any of their Subsidiaries.

“Other Property” shall have the meaning provided in clause (r) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”.

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Excluded Taxes (other than with respect to an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).

“Outstanding Amount” means (i) with respect to Committed Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Loans occurring on such date; and (ii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrowers of Unreimbursed Amounts.

“Overadvance” means a Credit Extension to the extent that, immediately after its having been made, Availability is less than zero.

“Parent” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

“Participation Register” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 10.06(d).

“Payment Conditions” means, at the time of determination with respect to any specified transaction or payment, that (a) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of entering into such transaction or the making of such payment, (b) after giving effect to such transaction or payment, the Pro Forma Availability Condition has been satisfied, and (c) after giving effect to such transaction or payment, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as calculated on a pro forma basis for the Measurement Period preceding such transaction or payment, is equal to or greater than 1.0:1.0. Prior to undertaking any transaction or payment which is subject to the Payment Conditions, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Agent evidence of satisfaction of the conditions contained in clauses (b) and (c) above on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, including pursuant to good faith projections prepared consistent with past practice, which projections shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

 

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“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and Multiemployer Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan but excluding a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Parent and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

“Perfection Certificate” means the Perfection Certificate dated as of the Effective Date by the Loan Parties.

“Permitted Acquisition” means an Acquisition in which all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) such Acquisition shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Person (or similar governing body if such Person is not a corporation) which is the subject of such Acquisition and such Person shall not have announced that it will oppose such Acquisition or shall not have commenced any action which alleges that such Acquisition shall violate applicable Law;

(b) the Lead Borrower shall have furnished the Agent with thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such intended Acquisition and a current draft of the Acquisition documents (and final copies thereof as and when executed);

(c) if the total consideration payable in connection such Acquisition is $20,000,000 or more, the Lead Borrower shall have furnished the Agent with a summary of any due diligence undertaken by the Loan Parties in connection with such Acquisition, customary historical financial statements of the Person which is the subject of such Acquisition to the extent available, pro forma financial statements for the most recently completed Measurement Period of the Parent after giving effect to such Acquisition (including a balance sheet and income statement), and such other information as the Agent may reasonably require;

(d) if the Acquisition is of Equity Interests and if any of the proceeds of the Credit Extensions are to be used to consummate the Acquisition, the legal structure of the Acquisition shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent;

 

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(e) any assets acquired shall be utilized in, and if the Acquisition involves a merger, consolidation or acquisition of Equity Interests, the Person which is the subject of such Acquisition shall be engaged in, a business otherwise permitted to be engaged in by the Parent and its Subsidiaries under this Agreement;

(f) any Subsidiary acquired or formed in such Acquisition shall be joined as a Loan Party, shall grant a first priority security interest in such property of such Subsidiary of the same nature as constitutes Collateral under the Security Documents and shall take such further actions within the time set forth in, and subject to and in accordance with the provisions of, Section 6.11 hereof, to the extent required thereunder; and

(g) the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied.

“Permitted Cash Equivalents” shall mean:

(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;

(b) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a) above (without regard to the limitation on maturity contained in such clause) and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above or with any primary dealer and having a market value at the time that such repurchase agreement is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of such counterparty entity with whom such repurchase agreement has been entered into; and

(e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Loan Parties, in any money market fund, mutual fund, or other investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are administered by financial institutions that have the highest rating obtainable from either ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or S&P, and which invest solely in one or more of the types of securities described in clauses (a) through (d) above.

“Permitted Discretion” means a determination made by the Agent in good faith and in the exercise of commercially reasonable business judgment.

“Permitted Disposition” means any of the following:

(a) Dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(b) bulk sales or other Dispositions of the Inventory of a Loan Party not in the ordinary course of business in connection with Permitted Store Closings, at arm’s length;

(c) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property of a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to Third Party Dealers and Third Party Franchisees in the ordinary course of business;

(d) licenses for the conduct of licensed departments within the Loan Parties’ Stores in the ordinary course of business; provided that, with respect to licensed departments established after the Effective Date or with respect to any material increase in revenue after the Effective Date of any existing licensed departments as of the Effective Date, if requested by the Agent, the Lead Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Person operating such licensed department to enter into an intercreditor agreement with the Agent on terms and conditions similar to those entered into in connection with other credit agreements in which Bank of America acts as agent or on other current market agreements;

(e) Dispositions of equipment and other property in the ordinary course of business that is worn, damaged, obsolete or, in the judgment of a Loan Party, no longer useful or necessary in its business or that of any Subsidiary;

(f) sales, transfers and other Dispositions among the Loan Parties or by any Subsidiary to a Loan Party;

(g) sales, transfers and other Dispositions by any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

(h) Dispositions which constitute Restricted Payments that are otherwise permitted hereunder;

(i) Dispositions permitted pursuant to Sections 7.02 and 7.04 hereof;

(j) the Disposition of defaulted receivables and the compromise, settlement and collection of receivables in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or other proceedings concerning the other account party thereon and not as part of an accounts receivable financing transaction;

(k) leases, licenses or subleases or sublicenses of any real or personal property not constituting ABL Collateral in the ordinary course of business;

(l) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind (other than, in each case, with respect to rights to license the Related Intellectual Property, unless the limited license granted to the Agent in such Related Intellectual Property pursuant to the Loan Documents remains in effect and is acknowledged by the licensee) to the extent that any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(m) the sale of other Permitted Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

(n) sales of Inventory (other than Eligible Inventory) determined by the management of the applicable Loan Party not to be saleable in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party or any of the Loan Parties;

 

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(o) Dispositions of Related Intellectual Property to Persons that have entered into an agreement, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, acknowledging the limited license granted to the Agent in such Related Intellectual Property pursuant to the Loan Documents and agreeing to abide by, and not interfere with, such limited license;

(p) Dispositions of property not constituting ABL Collateral in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate as to all such dispositions occurring after the Effective Date, irrespective of whether the Payment Conditions have been satisfied;

(q) Dispositions of other property not constituting ABL Collateral so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied; and

(r) Dispositions pursuant to Permitted Sale Leaseback transactions.

“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by applicable Laws, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04;

(c) Liens, pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation and other casualty insurance lines, unemployment insurance and other types of social security laws or regulations, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

(d) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Liens in respect of judgments that would not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

(f) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions, building code laws, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by Law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of a Loan Party and such other minor title defects or survey matters that are disclosed by current surveys that, in each case, do not materially interfere with the current use of the real property;

(g) Liens existing on the Effective Date listed in the Perfection Certificate and Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancings of the Indebtedness with respect thereto;

(h) Liens on fixed or capital assets of any Loan Party which secure Indebtedness permitted under clause (c) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness so long as (i) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after the acquisition thereof, (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquisition of the applicable assets, and (iii) such Liens shall attach only to the assets acquired, improved or refinanced with such Indebtedness and shall not extend to any other property or assets of the Loan Parties;

 

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(i) Liens in favor of the Agent securing the Obligations;

(j) landlords’ and lessors’ statutory Liens in respect of rent not in default;

(k) possessory Liens in favor of brokers and dealers arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition of Investments owned as of the Effective Date and other Permitted Investments, provided that such liens (a) attach only to such Investments and (b) secure only obligations incurred in the ordinary course and arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition of such Investments and not any obligation in connection with margin financing;

(l) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions or customary contractual provisions relating to banker’s Liens, Liens in favor of securities intermediaries, rights of setoff or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or securities accounts or other funds maintained with depository institutions or securities intermediaries, including rights of setoff relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Loan Parties to permit the satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(m) any interest of a lessor or sublessor under, and Liens arising from, precautionary UCC filings (or equivalent filings) regarding leases and subleases permitted under the Loan Documents (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with Permitted Sale Leasebacks);

(n) any interest of, and Liens granted to consignors in the ordinary course of business with respect to the consignment of goods to a Loan Party;

(o) voluntary Liens on property (other than property of the type included in the Borrowing Base) in existence at the time such property is acquired or on such property of a Subsidiary in existence at the time such Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition; provided, that such Liens are not incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such Permitted Acquisition and do not attach to any other assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary;

(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenues authorities imposed by applicable Laws arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the importation of goods and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04;

(q) Liens on Related Intellectual Property with Persons that have entered into an agreement, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, acknowledging the limited license granted to the Agent in such Related Intellectual Property pursuant to the Loan Documents and agreeing to abide by, and not interfere with, such limited license;

(r) Liens on property of the Loan Parties to secure Permitted Indebtedness under clause (j) or (k) of the definition thereof and any Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided that, (i) any Liens on the ABL Collateral granted by the Loan Parties pursuant to this clause (r) shall be

 

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junior and subordinate to the Agent’s Lien on the ABL Collateral and shall be subject to an intercreditor agreement on commercially reasonable terms similar to those entered into in connection with other credit agreements in which Bank of America acts as agent or on other current market agreements, and (ii) if the Loan Parties grant Liens on both ABL Collateral and on other Collateral or other property or assets which do not constitute ABL Collateral (such other Collateral, property or assets not constituting ABL Collateral hereinafter referred to as “Other Property”) pursuant to this clause (r), the Loan Parties may grant a first priority Lien on such Other Property and shall grant a second priority Lien on such Other Property to the Agent and shall cause the holder of such Permitted Indebtedness to enter into an intercreditor agreement with the Agent on commercially reasonable terms similar to those entered into in connection with other credit agreements in which Bank of America acts as agent or on other current market agreements;

(s) other Liens securing obligations in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

(t) Liens in favor of Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors arising in the ordinary course of business securing the obligation to pay customary fees and expenses in connection with credit card arrangements;

(u) Liens on premium rebates securing financing arrangements with respect to insurance premiums;

(v) Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Permitted Cash Equivalents;

(w) Liens on cash or Permitted Cash Equivalents posted as margin to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to section (e) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness; and

(x) Liens solely on any ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ money deposits made by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted hereunder.

“Permitted Holder” means ESL Investments, Inc. and any of its Affiliates other than SHC and its Subsidiaries.

“Permitted Indebtedness” means each of the following:

(a) Indebtedness outstanding on the Effective Date listed in the Perfection Certificate and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(b) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any other Loan Party;

(c) purchase money Indebtedness of the Parent or any Subsidiary to finance the acquisition of any real or personal property consisting solely of fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations, and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and Permitted Refinancings thereof, provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (c) shall not exceed $75,000,000 at any time outstanding and further provided that, if reasonably requested by the Agent with respect to property that is material to the realization on the ABL Collateral, the Loan Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the holders of such Indebtedness to enter into a use and access agreement on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

 

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(d) contingent liabilities under surety bonds or similar instruments incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the construction or improvement of Stores;

(e) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) 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 fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

(f) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Parent or any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price, deferred purchase price or similar obligations with respect to any Acquisition permitted under Section 7.02 or Disposition permitted by Section 7.05;

(g) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party in a Permitted Acquisition, which Indebtedness is existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than Indebtedness incurred solely in contemplation of such Person’s becoming a Subsidiary of a Loan Party);

(h) the Obligations;

(i) Indebtedness that is unsecured or subordinated so long as the terms of such Indebtedness and the subordination provisions relating to such Indebtedness are reasonably acceptable to the Agent;

(j) Indebtedness under one or more term loan facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000,000, which facilities have a maturity date of not earlier than 91 days following the Extended Maturity Date described in clause (a) of the definition thereof, which do not require the repayment of principal prior to the Extended Maturity Date described in clause (a) of the definition thereof in excess of one percent (1.00%) per annum of the original principal amount thereof (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, repayments required as a result of asset sales, change of control or events of default thereunder) and which term loan facilities if secured by Liens on ABL Collateral, shall be subject to an intercreditor agreement with the holder of such Indebtedness subordinating such Liens on the ABL Collateral to the Liens of the Agent and otherwise on commercially reasonable terms similar to those entered into in connection with other credit agreements in which Bank of America acts as agent or on other current market agreements;

(k) other Indebtedness not otherwise permitted hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(l) (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of the Parent that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, provided such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the Extended Maturity Date described in clause (a) of the definition thereof, and (iii) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party arising from a Permitted Investment by such Loan Party in such Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

 

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(m) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations (including, in each case, letters of credit issued to provide such bonds, guaranties and similar obligations), in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(n) Indebtedness arising from overdraft facilities and/or the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services (including, but not limited to, intraday, ACH and purchasing card/T&E services) in the ordinary course of business; provided, that (x) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within ten Business Days of notification to the applicable Loan Party of its incurrence and (y) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within 60 days from its incurrence;

(o) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(p) To the extent constituting Indebtedness, obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of private label trade letters of credit not constituting Obligations;

(q) Indebtedness that is Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(r) Indebtedness arising from a Guarantee of any Indebtedness otherwise constituting Permitted Indebtedness;

(s) Guarantees issued to vendors in connection with invoices and purchase orders in the ordinary course of business; and

(t) Indebtedness arising from any lease classified as Indebtedness and entered into pursuant to any Permitted Sale Leaseback; provided that the aggregate Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (t) shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding.

“Permitted Investments” means each of the following:

(a) Permitted Cash Equivalents;

(b) Investments existing on the Effective Date and listed in the Perfection Certificate, but not any increase in the amount thereof or any other modification of the terms thereof;

(c) (i) Investments by any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries outstanding on the Effective Date, (ii) additional Investments by any Loan Party and the Subsidiaries in Loan Parties (other than the Parent), (iii) additional Investments by Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties that are not Loan Parties in other Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and (iv) additional Investments by the Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount invested after the Effective Date not to exceed $15,000,000;

 

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(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(e) Guarantees constituting Permitted Indebtedness and Guarantees of operating leases or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(f) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Investment, Investments by any Loan Party in Swap Contracts permitted hereunder;

(g) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(h) advances to officers, directors and employees of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to any individual at any time outstanding or in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for ordinary business purposes;

(i) Investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions and Investments held by the Person acquired in such Acquisition at the time of such Acquisition (and not acquired in contemplation of the Acquisition);

(j) Investments arising out of the receipt of non-cash consideration for the sale of assets otherwise permitted under this Agreement;

(k) Investments in Swap Contracts not entered into for speculative purposes;

(l) advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the applicable Loan Party;

(m) Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of Intellectual Property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons, provided that no such Investment shall impair in any manner the limited license granted to the Agent in such Intellectual Property pursuant to the Loan Documents; and

(n) Investments in joint ventures that solely own real properties (and ancillary assets) upon which Stores are located existing as of the Effective Date and entered into hereafter in the ordinary course of business;

(o) other Investments not otherwise specifically described herein not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding irrespective of whether the Payment Conditions have been satisfied; and

(p) other Investments not otherwise specifically described herein so long as the Payment Conditions have been satisfied.

“Permitted Overadvance” means an Overadvance made by the Agent, in its discretion, which:

 

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(a) (i) Is made to maintain, protect or preserve the Collateral and/or the Credit Parties’ rights under the Loan Documents or which is otherwise for the benefit of the Credit Parties; or

(ii) Is made to enhance the likelihood of, or to maximize the amount of, repayment of any Obligation; or

(iii) Is made to pay any other amount chargeable to any Loan Party hereunder; and

(b) Together with all other Permitted Overadvances then outstanding, shall not (i) exceed five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base at any time or (ii) unless a Liquidation is occurring, remain outstanding for more than forty-five (45) consecutive Business Days, unless in each case, the Required Lenders otherwise agree;

provided however, that the foregoing shall not (i) modify or abrogate any of the provisions of Section 2.03 regarding the Lenders’ obligations with respect to Letters of Credit or Section 2.04 regarding the Lenders’ obligations with respect to Swing Line Loans, or (ii) result in any claim or liability against the Agent (regardless of the amount of any Overadvance) for Unintentional Overadvances, and such Unintentional Overadvances shall not reduce the amount of Permitted Overadvances allowed hereunder, and further provided that in no event shall the Agent make an Overadvance, if after giving effect thereto, the principal amount of the Credit Extensions (including any such Overadvance) would exceed the Aggregate Commitments (as in effect prior to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Sections 2.06 or 8.02 hereof).

“Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting a Permitted Refinancing); provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premiums thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses), (b) the weighted average life to maturity of such Permitted Refinancing is greater than or equal to the weighted average life to maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced (c) such Permitted Refinancing shall not have a final maturity earlier than the final maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (d) in the case of a Permitted Refinancing of Indebtedness of the type described in clause (j) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not require any repayment of principal prior to the Extended Maturity Date described in clause (a) of the definition thereof in excess of one percent (1.00%) per annum of the original principal amount thereof (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, repayments required as a result of assets sales, change of control or events of default thereunder), (e) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Agreement Obligations, such Permitted Refinancing shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Loan Agreement Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Agent and the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (f) no Permitted Refinancing shall have direct or indirect obligors who were not also obligors of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, or greater guarantees or security, than the Indebtedness being Refinanced.

“Permitted Sale Leaseback” shall mean any Sale Leaseback consummated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that any such Sale Leaseback not between (a) a Loan Party and another Loan Party or (b) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party is consummated for fair value as determined at the time of consummation in good faith by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; and provided further that, if requested by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a Collateral Access Agreement from any lessor with respect to any such Permitted Sale Leaseback.

 

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“Permitted Store Closings” means (a) Store closures and related Inventory dispositions which do not exceed (i) in any Fiscal Year of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, Stores representing ten (10%) percent of the amount of Inventory of the Loan Parties’ as of the beginning of such Fiscal Year and (ii) in the aggregate from and after the Effective Date, Stores representing forty (40%) percent of the amount of Inventory of the Loan Parties’ as of the Effective Date; provided that, for purposes of this clause (a), Store closures and related Inventory dispositions occurring with respect to a “Sears Home Appliance Showroom” or a “Sears Hardware Store” shall be excluded from the calculations of such ten (10%) percent and forty (40%) percent limitations, as applicable, and (b) the related Inventory is either moved to a distribution center or another retail location of the Loan Parties for future sale in the ordinary course of business or is disposed of at such Stores in accordance with liquidation agreements and with professional liquidators reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan but excluding a Multiemployer Plan) maintained for employees of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Pro Forma Availability Condition” shall mean, as of any date of calculation, Pro Forma Excess Availability will be equal to or greater than the greater of (a) 20% of the Loan Cap and (b) $40,000,000.

“Pro Forma Excess Availability” shall mean, as of any date of calculation, after giving pro forma effect to the transaction then to be consummated or payment to be made, Availability as of the date of such transaction or payment and projected average monthly Availability for each month during the subsequent projected twelve (12) fiscal months.

“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Real Estate” means all Leases and all land, together with the buildings, structures, parking areas, and other improvements thereon, now or hereafter owned by any Loan Party, including all easements, rights-of-way, and similar rights relating thereto and all leases, tenancies, and occupancies thereof.

“Recipient” means the Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.

“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

 

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“Registered Public Accounting Firm” has the meaning specified by the Securities Laws and shall be independent of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as prescribed by the Securities Laws.

“Related Intellectual Property” means such rights with respect to the Intellectual Property of the applicable Subsidiaries of SHC (other than Sears Canada Inc. and its Subsidiaries) as are reasonably necessary to permit the Agent to enforce its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents with respect to the ABL Collateral.

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived as of the date hereof.

“Reports” has the meaning provided in Section 9.12(c).

“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, Conversion or continuation of Committed Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding at least 51% of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated, Lenders holding in the aggregate at least 51% of the Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition); provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

“Reserves” means all Inventory Reserves and Availability Reserves. The Agent shall have the right, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date in its Permitted Discretion to establish, modify or eliminate Reserves.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of a Loan Party or any of the other individuals designated in writing to the Agent by an existing Responsible Officer of a Loan Party as an authorized signatory of any certificate or other document to be delivered hereunder. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or on account of any return of capital to Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof), or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment. Without limiting the foregoing, “Restricted Payments” with respect to any Person shall also include all payments made by such Person with any proceeds of a dissolution or liquidation of such Person.

 

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“Restricted Payment Conditions” means, with respect to any Restricted Payment, either (a) (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of the making of such Restricted Payment, (ii) the Borrowers have demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that monthly Availability, immediately following the making of such Restricted Payment and as projected on a pro forma basis for the twelve (12) months following and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, will be at least equal to the greater of (x) 25% of the Loan Cap, and (y) $50,000,000, and (iii) after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment as if such Restricted Payment constituted a “Debt Service Charge”, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as calculated on a trailing twelve months basis, is equal to or greater than 1.1:1.0, or (b) (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of the making of such Restricted Payment, and (ii) the Borrowers have demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that monthly Availability, immediately following the making of such Restricted Payment and as projected on a pro forma basis for the twelve (12) months following and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, will be at least equal to the greater of (x) 50% of the Loan Cap, and (y) $100,000,000. Any projections provided by the Borrowers o the Agent in order to demonstrate compliance with the forgoing Restricted Payment Conditions shall be good faith projections prepared consistent with past practice, which projections shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

“Rights Offering” means the planned distribution by SHC to each holder of its common stock of transferable subscription rights to purchase the Equity Interests of the Parent on the terms and conditions set forth in the Form S-1 Registration Statement dated April 26, 2012 (as amended and in effect on the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement)).

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

“Sale Leaseback” shall mean any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (a) sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of any property, real or personal (other than Inventory), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and (b) as part of such transaction, thereafter rents or leases such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold, transferred or disposed.

“Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

“▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇” means the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act of 2002.

“Sears Tri-Party Agreement” means the Tri-Party Agreement dated October 11, 2012 among the Agent, the Loan Parties and SHC and certain of its Subsidiaries, as ratified on the Effective Date, and as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇, and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the SEC or the PCAOB.

 

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“Security Documents” means the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Blocked Account Agreements, the Credit Card Notifications, and each other security agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document granting a Lien to secure any of the Obligations.

“Separation” means the Disposition by SHC on October 11, 2012 of 100% of the Equity Interests of the Parent, as a result of which the Parent became a publicly traded company independent from SHC and its Subsidiaries.

“Separation Agreements” means each of: (a) the Services Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between Sears Holding Management Corporation and the Parent, (b) the Merchandising Agreement dated August 8, 2012 by and among Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co., Kmart Corporation and SHC, on the one hand, and the Parent, the Lead Borrower, and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., on the other hand, (c) the Store License Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co. and the Lead Borrower, (d) the Store License Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co. and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C., (e) the Store License Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co. and Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC, (f) the Trademark License Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co. and the Parent, (g) the Shop Your Way Rewards Retail Establishment Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between Sears Holdings Management Corporation and the Parent, (h) the Tax Sharing Agreement dated August 8, 2012 between SHC and the Parent, and (i) the ETSA, in each case, as amended from time to time following the Rights Offering, including by the applicable amendments to such agreements as disclosed on the Parent’s Form 8-K on May 17, 2016.

“Settlement Date” has the meaning provided in Section 2.14(a).

“Shareholders’ Equity” means, as of any date of determination, consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of that date determined in accordance with GAAP.

“SHC” means Sears Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

“Shrink” means Inventory which has been lost, misplaced, stolen, or is otherwise unaccounted for.

“Solvent” and “Solvency” means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis on a particular date, that on such date (a) at fair valuation, all of the properties and assets of such Person are greater than the sum of the debts, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the properties and assets of such Person is not less than the amount that would be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its properties and assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or transaction, for which such Person’s properties and assets would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practices in the industry in which such Person is engaged. The amount of all guarantees at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

“Specified Loan Party” means any Loan Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 10.26).

 

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“Standby Letter of Credit” means any Letter of Credit that is not a Commercial Letter of Credit and that (a) is used in lieu or in support of performance guaranties or performance, surety or similar bonds (excluding appeal bonds) arising in the ordinary course of business, (b) is used in lieu or in support of stay or appeal bonds, (c) supports the payment of insurance premiums for reasonably necessary casualty insurance carried by any of the Loan Parties, or (d) supports payment or performance for identified purchases or exchanges of products or services in the ordinary course of business.

“Stated Amount” means at any time the maximum amount for which a Letter of Credit may be honored.

“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the FRB to which the Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. LIBOR Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Store” means any retail store (which may include any real property, fixtures, equipment, inventory and other property related thereto) operated, or to be operated, by any Loan Party (other than any location operated by a Third Party Dealer or a Third Party Franchisee).

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, an “Immaterial Subsidiary” shall not be considered a “Subsidiary” of the Parent or any other Loan Party for purposes of Articles V, VI, VII and VIII of this Agreement except for purposes of Section 8.01(h).

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

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“Swap Obligations” means with respect to any Loan Party any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“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 determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).

“Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

“Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $25,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Commitments. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments. A permanent reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the Swing Line Sublimit; provided, however, that if the Aggregate Commitments are reduced to an amount less than the Swing Line Sublimit, then the Swing Line Sublimit shall be reduced to an amount equal to (or, at Lead Borrower’s option, less than) the Aggregate Commitments.

“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the obligations of a Person under any lease that is treated as an operating lease for financial accounting purposes and a financing lease for tax purposes.

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (i) the Extended Maturity Date, (ii) the date on which the maturity of the Loan Agreement Obligations is accelerated (or deemed accelerated) and the Commitments are irrevocably terminated (or deemed terminated) in accordance with Article VIII, or (iii) the termination of all of the Commitments in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.06 hereof.

“Third Party Dealers” means, as of the Effective Date, the individuals and entities listed in the Perfection Certificate as “third party dealers”, and thereafter, any additional individual or entity that meets the Third Party Dealer and Franchisee Eligibility Requirements.

 

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“Third Party Dealer and Franchisee Eligibility Requirements” means, collectively, each of the following:

(a) The applicable Loan Party has executed an agreement (i) with the applicable Third Party Dealer to operate a “Sears Authorized Hometown Store”, “Sears Home Appliance Showroom” or “Sears Hardware Store” at a location owned or leased and operated by such Third Party Dealer, substantially on the standard form agreements containing terms and conditions established by the Loan Parties from time to time, and with respect to any agreement executed or renewed or extended after October 11, 2012, to include (A) an acknowledgement from such Third Party Dealer that the Loan Parties, or the Agent, acting on behalf of the Loan Parties, are authorized to transfer proceeds of the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to such Third Party Dealer from the bank account maintained by such Third Party Dealer to an account in the name of a Loan Party, and (B) an acknowledgement by the Third Party Dealer that the applicable Loan Party has granted a Lien to the Agent on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Dealer and an agreement by the Third Party Dealer to reasonably cooperate with the Agent in the event of the exercise by the Agent of its rights and remedies with respect to such Lien, or (ii) with the applicable Third Party Franchisee to operate a “Sears Home Appliance Showroom” or a “Sears Hardware Store” at a location owned or leased and operated by such Third Party Franchisee, substantially on the standard form agreements containing terms and conditions established by the Loan Parties from time to time, and with respect to any agreement executed or renewed or extended after October 11, 2012, to include (A) an acknowledgement from such Third Party Franchisee that the Loan Parties, or the Agent, acting on behalf of the Loan Parties, are authorized to transfer proceeds of the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to such Third Party Franchisee from the bank account maintained by such Third Party Franchisee to an account in the name of a Loan Party, and (B) an acknowledgement by the Third Party Franchisee that the applicable Loan Party has granted a Lien to the Agent on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee and an agreement by the Third Party Franchisee to reasonably cooperate with the Agent in the event of the exercise by the Agent of its rights and remedies with respect to such Lien;

(b) The applicable Loan Party has provided the Agent with evidence that such Loan Party has filed appropriate UCC financing statements against the applicable Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee evidencing the consignment arrangement between such Loan Party and the applicable Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee with respect to the Inventory consigned by the such Loan Party to the applicable Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, and has taken all other action required under applicable Law to obtain a valid, first priority perfected security interest in such Inventory (including, without limitation, providing notification to other secured parties of the applicable Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee as required by the UCC);

(c) If requested by the Agent, the applicable Loan Party has provided the Agent with an assignment of the UCC financing statements set forth in clause (b) above;

(d) The applicable Loan Party has complied with all representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents relating to federal and state franchise and other regulatory Law in connection with the operation of “Sears Authorized Hometown Stores”, “Sears Home Appliance Showrooms” and “Sears Hardware Stores” by the applicable Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee; and

(e) The agreements between the applicable Loan Party and the applicable Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee provide that all amounts owed by such Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee to such Loan Party shall be swept daily into a Blocked Account.

 

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For the purposes of paragraph (a) above, “reasonably cooperate with the Agent” means that the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be, will, at the Agent’s expense, (i) give the Agent and its representatives access during normal business hours to all Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be, (ii) permit the Agent and its representatives to take possession and control of the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be, and to remove the Inventory from the premises of the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be, (iii) to the extent not prohibited by applicable location occupancy agreements (such as leases), conduct “going out of business sales” and engage in similar activities with respect to the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be, and (iv) take all other commercially reasonable actions with respect to the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be, that, upon the Agent’s request, may be reasonably necessary to permit the Agent to exercise all of its rights and remedies with respect to the Lien on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, as the case may be.

“Third Party Franchisees” means, as of the Effective Date, the individuals and entities listed in the Perfection Certificate as “third party franchisees”, and thereafter, any additional individual or entity that meets the Third Party Dealer and Franchisee Eligibility Requirements.

“Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

“Type” means, with respect to a Committed Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

“UCC” or “Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the state of New York; provided, however, that if a term is defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code differently than in another Article thereof, the term shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9; provided further that, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, perfection, or the effect of perfection or non-perfection, of a security interest in any Collateral or the availability of any remedy hereunder is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, “Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or availability of such remedy, as the case may be.

“UCP 600” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

“Unintentional Overadvance” means an Overadvance which, to the Agent’s knowledge, did not constitute an Overadvance when made but which has become an Overadvance resulting from changed circumstances beyond the control of the Agent and the Lenders, including, without limitation, a reduction in the Appraised Value of property or assets included in the Borrowing Base or misrepresentation by the Loan Parties.

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

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“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(III).

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(b) 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.”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(d) Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean the repayment in Dollars in full in cash or immediately available funds (or, in the case of contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, providing Cash Collateralization) of all of the Obligations (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Swap Contracts) other than (i) unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations, (ii) any Obligations relating to Bank Products (including Swap Contracts) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or Cash Collateralized, and (iii) any Obligations relating to Cash Management Services that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable provider of such Cash Management Services to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid.

 

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1.03 Accounting Terms

(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Lead Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Agent, the Lenders and the Lead Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Lead Borrower shall provide to the Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Loan Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding up if there is no nearest number).

1.05 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Documents related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the Stated Amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum Stated Amount is in effect at such time. Any Letter of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof in a currency other than Dollars shall be issued in an amount equivalent to Dollars in such currency, such equivalent amount thereof in the applicable currency to be determined by the Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (as defined below) for the purchase of such currency with Dollars. For purposes of this Section 1.06, the “Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date of such determination; provided that the Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

2.01 Committed Loans; Reserves. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans in Dollars (each such loan, a “Committed Loan”) to the Borrowers from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the lesser of (x) the amount of such Lender’s Commitment, or (y) such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base; subject in each case to the following limitations:

(i) after giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Loan Cap, and

(ii) after giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment.

Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01.

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Committed Loans.

(a) Committed Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) shall be either Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans as the Lead Borrower may request subject to and in accordance with this Section 2.02. All Swing Line Loans shall be only Base Rate Loans. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.02, Committed Borrowings of more than one Type may be incurred at the same time.

(b) Each Committed Borrowing, each Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be made upon the Lead Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Agent not later than (i) 12:00 p.m. three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or of any Conversion of LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) 1:00 p.m. on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each telephonic notice by the Lead Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(b) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower. Each Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, provided that one Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans may be in a principal amount of less than $5,000,000 but in all events shall be greater than $2,000,000. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or Conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in minimum amounts of $500,000. Each Committed Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Lead Borrower is requesting a Committed Borrowing, a Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, Conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Committed Loans to be borrowed, Converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Committed Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Committed Loans are to be Converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Lead Borrower fails to specify a Type of Committed Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the Lead Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a Conversion or continuation, then the applicable Committed Loans shall be made as, or

 

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Converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic Conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable LIBOR Rate Loans. If the Lead Borrower requests a Borrowing of, Conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be Converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan.

(c) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender in writing of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Committed Loans, and if no timely notice of a Conversion or continuation is provided by the Lead Borrower, the Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic Conversion to Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(b). In the case of a Committed Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Committed Loan available to the Agent in immediately available funds at the Agent’s Office not later than 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrowers in like funds as received by the Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Lead Borrower on the books of the Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transferring such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Agent by the Lead Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date the Committed Loan Notice with respect to such Borrowing is given by the Lead Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrowers as provided above.

(d) The Agent, without the request of the Lead Borrower, may advance any interest, fee, service charge (including direct wire fees), expenses, or other payment to which the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender is entitled from the Loan Parties pursuant hereto or any other Loan Document and may charge the same to the Loan Account notwithstanding that an Overadvance may result thereby. The Agent shall advise the Lead Borrower of any such advance or charge promptly after the making thereof. Such action on the part of the Agent shall not constitute a waiver of the Agent’s rights and the Borrowers’ obligations under Section 2.05(c). Any amount which is added to the principal balance of the Loan Account as provided in this Section 2.02(d) shall bear interest at the interest rate then and thereafter applicable to Base Rate Loans (including the Default Rate).

(e) Except as otherwise provided herein, a LIBOR Rate Loan may be continued or Converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, Converted to or continued as LIBOR Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

(f) The Agent shall promptly notify the Lead Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for LIBOR Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Agent shall notify the Lead Borrower and the Lenders of any change in the Agent’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(g) After giving effect to all Committed Borrowings, all Conversions of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Committed Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than seven (7) Interest Periods in effect with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans.

 

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(h) The Agent, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer shall have no obligation to make any Loan or to provide any Letter of Credit if an Overadvance would result. The Agent may, in its discretion, make Permitted Overadvances without the consent of the Borrowers, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer and the Borrowers and each Lender and L/C Issuer shall be bound thereby; provided that the Required Lenders may suspend the Agent’s authorization to make any or all Permitted Overadvances. Any Permitted Overadvance may constitute a Swing Line Loan. A Permitted Overadvance is for the account of the Borrowers and shall constitute a Base Rate Loan and a Loan Agreement Obligation and shall be repaid by the Borrowers in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.05(c). The making of any such Permitted Overadvance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Agent or any Lender to make or permit any Permitted Overadvance on any other occasion or to permit such Permitted Overadvances to remain outstanding. The making by the Agent of a Permitted Overadvance shall not modify or abrogate any of the provisions of Section 2.03 regarding the Lenders’ obligations to purchase participations with respect to Letter of Credits or of Section 2.04 regarding the Lenders’ obligations to purchase participations with respect to Swing Line Loans. Except as expressly provided in Section 9.03, the Agent shall have no liability for, and no Loan Party or Credit Party shall have the right to, or shall, bring any claim of any kind whatsoever against the Agent with respect to Unintentional Overadvances regardless of the amount of any such Overadvance.

2.03 Letters of Credit.

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Loan Cap, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Lead Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrowers that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers’ ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrowers may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. Each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars or any other lawful foreign currency which is approved in writing on a case by case basis by the L/C Issuer and the Agent in their sole and absolute discretion.

(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if:

(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of such requested Standby Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of such requested Commercial Letter of Credit would occur more than 180 days after the date of issuance, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

 

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(C) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless either such Letter of Credit is Cash Collateralized on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date (or such later date as to which the Agent may agree) or all the Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

(D) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the L/C Issuer in good ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ material to it;

(E) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

(F) such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the Stated Amount after any drawing thereunder; or

(G) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrowers or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.

(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof or if the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

(iv) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Lead Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by

 

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overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such other date and time as the Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Lead Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Agent may reasonably require.

(ii) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.02(b)(iv) hereof, promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Lead Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV is not then satisfied or unless the L/C Issuer would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.03(a)(ii) or otherwise), then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Borrower (or the applicable Loan Party) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance or amendment of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to (without any further action), and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer, without recourse or warranty, a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit. Upon any change in the Commitments under this Agreement, it is hereby agreed that with respect to all L/C Obligations, there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations hereby created to reflect the new Applicable Percentages of the assigning and assignee Lenders.

(iii) If the Lead Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Standby Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Standby Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Standby Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Lead Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Standby Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than (i) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, or (ii) to a date later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, if the

 

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Borrowers Cash Collateralize such Letter of Credit on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Standby Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.03(a)(ii) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Agent, any Lender or the Lead Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

(iv) Any L/C Issuer (other than Bank of America or any of its Affiliates) shall notify the Agent in writing one Business Day prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit or amendment by such L/C Issuer. The L/C Issuer will also deliver (contemporaneously with the notification set forth in the first sentence hereof) to the Lead Borrower and the Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(v) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Lead Borrower and the Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Lead Borrower and the Agent thereof. Not later than 12:00 p.m. on (i) the Business Day that the Lead Borrower receives notice of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit, if such notice is received on such day prior to 10:00 a.m. or (ii) if clause (i) above does not apply, the Business Day immediately following the day that the Lead Borrower receives such notice (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrowers shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrowers fail to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Loan Cap and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(ii) Each Lender shall upon any notice from the Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available to the Agent (and the Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers in such amount. The Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

 

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(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate for Base Rate Loans. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

(iv) Until each Lender funds its Committed Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Lead Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Repayment of Participations.

(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender its L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the L/C Issuer, or the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, receives any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrowers or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(g)), the L/C Issuer shall distribute any payment it receives to the Agent and the Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s L/C Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those received by the Agent.

 

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(ii) If any payment received by the L/C Issuer or by Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrowers or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv) waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrowers or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrowers;

(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;

(vi) any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

(vii) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

 

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(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries; or

(ix) the fact that any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Lead Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of non-compliance with the Lead Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Lead Borrower will promptly notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrowers shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrowers agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Loan Party or to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct; (iii) any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit or any error in interpretation of technical terms; or (iv) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not such Letter of Credit). The Borrowers hereby assume all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrowers’ pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrowers may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrowers, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrowers which the Borrowers prove were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, fraud or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

(g) Cash Collateral. If, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrowers shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations in an amount equal to 105% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably

 

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satisfactory to the Agent and the L/C Issuer (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). The Borrowers hereby grant to the Agent a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing to secure all Obligations. Such cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. If at any time the Agent reasonably determines that any funds held as cash collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, the Borrowers will, forthwith upon demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as cash collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as cash collateral that the Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as cash collateral, such funds shall be applied to reimburse the L/C Issuer and, to the extent not so applied, shall thereafter be applied to satisfy other Loan Agreement Obligations and other Obligations to the extent applied pursuant to Section 8.03 hereof. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all reimbursement obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrowers (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto).

(h) Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Lead Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each Commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrowers for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrowers shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade—International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

(i) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily Stated Amount under each such Letter of Credit (whether or not such maximum amount is then in effect under such Letter of Credit). For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of the Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the 5^th day subsequent to the last day of each April, July, October and January, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, and as to each Letter of Credit, on the expiry date of such Letter of Credit, and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate as provided in Section 2.08(b) hereof.

(j) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrowers shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under each such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fees shall be due and payable on the 5^th day subsequent to the last day of each April, July, October and January, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit and on the expiry date thereof. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount

 

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of the Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In addition, the Borrowers shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

(k) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

2.04 Swing Line Loans.

(a) The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender may, in its discretion, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrowers from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Committed Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed Loan Cap, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Lender (other than the Swing Line Lender) at such time, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations at such time, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans at such time shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment, and provided, further, that the Borrowers shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and provided further that the Swing Line Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage multiplied by the amount of such Swing Line Loan. The Swing Line Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Swing Line Lender in connection with Swing Line Loans made by it or proposed to be made by it as if the term “Agent” as used in Article IX included the Swing Line Lender with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the Swing Line Lender.

(b) Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Lead Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Agent or the Required Lenders prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the

 

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proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender may, not later than 4:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrowers either by (i) crediting the account of the Lead Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transferring such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Swing Line Lender by the Lead Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date of the proposed Swing Line Loan, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrowers as provided above.

(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.

(i) In addition to settlements required under Section 2.14 hereof, the Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrowers (which hereby irrevocably authorize the Swing Line Lender to so request on their behalf), that each Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Loan Cap and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Lead Borrower with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Committed Loan Notice available to the Agent in immediately available funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Committed Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers in such amount. The Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Committed Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

(iii) If any Lender fails to make available to the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(iv) Each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrowers or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

(d) Repayment of Participations.

(i) At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender, or the Agent on behalf of the Swing Line Lender, receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute such payment to the Agent and the Agent shall distribute to each such Lender its Applicable Percentage of such payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s risk participation was funded) in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender, or the Agent on behalf of the Swing Line Lender, in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrowers for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrowers shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

2.05 Prepayments.

(a) The Borrowers may, upon irrevocable notice from the Lead Borrower to the Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Committed Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Agent not later than (A) 5:00 p.m. three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans and (B) 1:00 p.m. on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; and (ii) any prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such

 

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notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Lead Borrower, the Borrowers shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.16, each such prepayment shall be applied to the Committed Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.

(b) The Borrowers may, upon irrevocable notice from the Lead Borrower to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Lead Borrower, the Borrowers shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

(c) If for any reason the Total Outstandings at any time exceed the Loan Cap as then in effect, the Borrowers shall immediately prepay the Loans and L/C Borrowings and Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Borrowers shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than L/C Borrowings) pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) unless after the prepayment in full of such excess the Total Outstandings continue to exceed the Loan Cap as then in effect.

(d) The Borrower shall prepay the Loans and, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or, to the extent required by the provisions of Section 2.06(c), Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations to the extent required pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.12 hereof.

(e) Prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.05(c) and (d) above, first, shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Committed Loans, third, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations; fourth, shall be applied ratably to any other Loan Agreement Obligations that are then due and owing, and, fifth, the amount remaining, if any, after the application of prepayments pursuant to clauses first through fourth above shall be deposited by the Agent in a deposit account of the Lead Borrower and may be utilized by the Borrowers in the ordinary course of its business to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrowers or any other Loan Party) to reimburse the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as applicable, and, to the extent not so applied, shall thereafter be applied to satisfy other Loan Agreement Obligations that are then due and owing.

(f) In addition to the Borrowers’ rights under Section 2.05(a), as long as the Restricted Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied, the Borrowers may, without penalty or premium and without regard to the provisions of Section 2.14, prepay, in whole or in part as applicable (a “Designated Prepayment”), the Loan Agreement Obligations owing to any one or more Non-Extending Lender(s) solely in connection with a reduction or termination of the Commitments of such Non-Extending Lenders pursuant to Section 2.06(d), provided: (i) each Designated Prepayment shall be upon notice given not later than 12:00 p.m. on the date of such Designated Prepayment to the Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the Designated Prepayment; (ii) each Designated Prepayment, if not ratable to all Non-Extending Lenders, shall repay the entire outstanding amount of all Loan Agreement Obligations held by the applicable Non-Extending Lender (but solely in the capacity of

 

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a Non-Extending Lender) (including principal, interest, fees, expense reimbursements and other amounts due under the Loan Documents) at par, or at such discount to par as the Borrowers and each applicable Non-Extending Lender may separately agree in writing, and (iii) the Commitment of each Non-Extending Lender receiving such prepayment shall be permanently reduced or terminated by a corresponding amount. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, prepayments hereunder may be made to any Non-Extending Lender and the Commitments of Non-Extending Lenders may be reduced or terminated without a pro rata repayment to, or reduction or termination of the Commitments of, any other Lender.

2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments.

(a) The Borrowers may, upon irrevocable notice from the Lead Borrower to the Agent, terminate the Aggregate Commitments or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Commitments.

(b) If, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Commitments, such Letter of Credit Sublimit or Swing Line Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

(c) The Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swing Line Sublimit or the Aggregate Commitments under this Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments, the Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount. If, as a result of such termination or reduction, (i) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Borrowers shall contemporaneously with such reduction or termination, Cash Collateralize such excess amount, and (B) the Total Outstandings hereunder would exceed the Aggregate Commitments or the Swing Line Loans hereunder would exceed the Swing Line Sublimit, as applicable, the Borrowers shall contemporaneously with such reduction or termination, pay the Agent an amount equal to such excess, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05).

(d) In addition to the Borrowers’ rights under Section 2.06(a), the Borrowers shall have the right, without penalty or premium and upon at least three Business Days’ irrevocable notice to the Agent and without any reduction in the Commitments of the Extending Lenders, to permanently reduce or terminate, (i) in whole or in part, on a ratable basis, the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders, without the consent of any Lender and (ii) in whole, but not in part, the Commitments of any one or more Non-Extending Lenders, non-ratably, without the consent of any Lender, and in each case to repay the Obligations held by such Non-Extending Lenders to the extent such Obligations exceed the remaining Commitments of such Lenders, as long as, immediately after giving effect to such reduction, termination and repayment, the Restricted Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied. The Agent will promptly notify the applicable Non-Extending Lenders of any reduction or termination of their Commitments under this Section 2.06(d).

(e) In connection with any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments hereunder that results in Aggregate Commitments in an amount less than $250,000,000, the amounts set forth in (i) clause (x) of the definition of “Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event”, (ii) clause (y) of the

 

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definition of “Cash Dominion Event”, and (iii) clause (ii) of the definition of “Covenant Compliance Event”) shall reduce on a ratable basis; provided that, in no event shall the amounts referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) above be less than $25,000,000 at any time, and in no event shall the amount referenced in clause (iii) above be less than $17,500,000 at any time.

2.07 Repayment of Obligations.

(a) The Borrower shall repay to the Non-Extending Lenders on the Original Maturity Date (or, if sooner, the Termination Date), all Loan Agreement Obligations outstanding on such date and due and owing to such Non-Extending Lenders (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which claims have not been asserted).

(b) The Borrower shall repay to the Extending Lenders on the Termination Date all Loan Agreement Obligations outstanding on such date and due and owing to such Extending Lenders (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which claims have not been asserted), and shall cause each Letter of Credit to be returned to the L/C Issuer undrawn or shall Cash Collateralize all L/C Obligations (to the extent not previously Cash Collateralized as required herein).

2.08 Interest.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b) below, (i) each LIBOR Rate Loan owing to Non-Extending Lenders shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period plus the Non-Extending Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans; (ii) each LIBOR Rate Loan owing to Extending Lenders shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period plus the Extended Term Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans; (iii) each Base Rate Loan owing to Non-Extending Lenders shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Non-Extending Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; (iv) each Base Rate Loan owing to Extending Lenders shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Extended Term Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; and (v) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Extended Term Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans.

(b) If any Event of Default exists, then the Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall, notify the Lead Borrower that all outstanding Loan Agreement Obligations shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate and thereafter (for so long as such Event of Default is continuing) such Loan Agreement Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Law. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c) Except as provided in Section 2.08(b), interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

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2.09 Fees. In addition to certain fees described in subsections (i) and (j) of Section 2.03:

(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the Commitment Fee Percentage multiplied by the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the Total Outstandings (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16) during the immediately preceding quarter. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the 5^th day subsequent to the last day of each April, July, October and January, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period.

(b) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Arranger and the Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Agent’s “prime 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. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

2.11 Evidence of Debt.

(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by the Agent (the “Loan Account”) in the ordinary course of business. In addition, each Lender may record in such Lender’s internal records, an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each Loan from such Lender, each payment and prepayment of principal of any such Loan, and each payment of interest, fees and other amounts due in connection with the Loan Agreement Obligations due to such Lender. The accounts or records maintained by the Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loan Agreement Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Agent, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. Upon receipt of an affidavit of a Lender as to the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such Lender’s Note and upon cancellation of such Note, the Borrowers will issue, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note in favor of such Lender, in the same principal amount thereof and otherwise of like tenor.

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

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2.12 Payments Generally; Agent’s Clawback.

(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrowers shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall, at the option of the Agent, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrowers shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day (other than with respect to payment of a LIBOR Loan), and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Agent. Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to (A) the proposed date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans (or in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing), or (B) the date that such Lender’s participation in a Letter of Credit or Swing Line Loan is required to be funded, that such Lender will not make available to the Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing or participation, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02), Section 2.03 or Section 2.05, as applicable, and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing or participation available to the Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrowers and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by the Borrowers for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing or participation to the Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in such Committed Borrowing or participation in such Letter of Credit or Swing Line Loan. Any payment by the Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrowers may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Agent.

(ii) Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Agent. Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Lead Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to the Agent for the account of any of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of the Agent to any Lender or the Lead Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrowers by the Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof (subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 4.02 hereof), the Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Committed Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments hereunder are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Committed Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment hereunder on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Committed Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment hereunder.

(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of, interest on, or other amounts with respect to, any of the Loan Agreement Obligations resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loan Agreement Obligations greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein (including as in contravention of the priorities of payment set forth in Section 8.03), then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loan Agreement Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably and in the priorities set forth in Section 8.03, provided that:

(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Loan Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender) or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Committed Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

 

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2.14 Settlement Amongst Lenders.

(a) The amount of each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of outstanding Loans (including, for clarity, outstanding Swing Line Loans), shall be computed weekly (or more frequently in the Agent’s discretion) and shall be adjusted upward or downward based on all Loans and repayments of Loans received by the Agent as of 3:00 p.m. on the first Business Day (such date, the “Settlement Date”) following the end of the period specified by the Agent.

(b) The Agent shall deliver to each of the Lenders promptly after a Settlement Date a summary statement of the amount of outstanding Loans for the period and the amount of repayments received for the period. As reflected on the summary statement, (i) the Agent shall transfer to each Lender its Applicable Percentage of repayments, and (ii) each Lender shall transfer to the Agent (as provided below) or the Agent shall transfer to each Lender, such amounts as are necessary to insure that, after giving effect to all such transfers, the amount of Loans made by each Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all Loans outstanding as of such Settlement Date. If the summary statement requires transfers to be made to the Agent by the Lenders and is received prior to 1:00 p.m. on a Business Day, such transfers shall be made in immediately available funds no later than 3:00 p.m. that day; and, if received after 1:00 p.m., then no later than 3:00 p.m. on the next Business Day. The obligation of each Lender to transfer such funds is irrevocable, unconditional and without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. If and to the extent any Lender shall not have so made its transfer to the Agent, such Lender agrees to pay to the Agent, forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to the Agent, equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing, or similar fees customarily charged by the Agent in connection with the foregoing.

2.15 Increase in Commitments.

(a) Request for Increase. Provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise therefrom, upon notice to the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), the Lead Borrower may from time to time, request an increase in the Aggregate Commitments by an amount (for all such requests) not exceeding $100,000,000; provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000, and (ii) the Lead Borrower may make a maximum of five (5) such requests. At the time of sending such notice, the Lead Borrower (in consultation with the Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than ten Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders unless the Lead Borrower, in its discretion, specifies a longer time period).

(b) Lender Elections to Increase. Each Lender shall notify the Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees to increase its Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Percentage of such requested increase. Any Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Commitment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Lender shall have any obligation to increase its Commitment under this Section 2.15, and no Non-Extending Lender shall have the ability to increase its Commitment under this Section 2.15 unless such Lender agrees to become an Extending Lender hereunder.

(c) Notification by Agent; Additional Lenders. The Agent shall notify the Lead Borrower and each Lender of the Lenders’ responses to each request made hereunder. To achieve the full amount of a requested increase and subject to the approval of the Agent and the Borrower (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), to the extent that the existing Lenders decline to increase their Commitments, or decline to increase their Commitments to the amount requested by the Lead Borrower, the Agent, in consultation with the Lead

 

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Borrower, will use its reasonable efforts to arrange for other Eligible Assignees to become a Lender hereunder (each such Lender, an “Additional Commitment Lender”) and to issue commitments in an amount equal to the amount of the increase in the Aggregate Commitments requested by the Lead Borrower and not accepted by the existing Lenders, provided, however, that without the consent of the Agent, at no time shall the Commitment of any Additional Commitment Lender be less than $5,000,000.

(d) Effective Date and Allocations. If the Aggregate Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section, the Agent, in consultation with the Lead Borrower, shall determine the effective date (the “Increase Effective Date”) and the final allocation of such increase. The Agent shall promptly notify the Lead Borrower and the Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Increase Effective Date and on the Increase Effective Date (i) the Aggregate Commitments under, and for all purposes of, this Agreement shall be increased by the aggregate amount of such Commitment Increases, and (ii) Schedule 2.01 shall be deemed modified, without further action, to reflect the revised Commitments and Applicable Percentages (taking into account such increase) of the Lenders.

(e) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase. As a condition precedent to such increase, (i) the Lead Borrower shall deliver to the Agent (a) a certificate of each Borrower dated as of the Increase Effective Date signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Borrower approving or consenting to such increase, (b) a certificate of the Lead Borrower that (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (B) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects, and (C) except that for purposes of this Section 2.15, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (2) before and after giving effect to such increase, no Default or Event of Default exists or would arise therefrom, (ii) the Loan Parties, the Agent, and any Additional Commitment Lender shall have executed and delivered a joinder to the Loan Documents in such form as the Agent shall reasonably require; (iii) the Borrowers shall have paid such fees and other compensation to the Additional Commitment Lenders as the Lead Borrower and such Additional Commitment Lenders shall agree; (iv) the Borrowers shall have paid such arrangement fees to the Agent as the Lead Borrower and the Agent may agree; (v) if requested by the Agent, the Borrowers shall deliver an opinion or opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, from counsel to the Borrowers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and dated such date; (vi) the Borrowers and the Additional Commitment Lender shall have delivered such other instruments, documents and agreements as the Agent may reasonably have requested; and (vii) no Default or Event of Default exists. Any Committed Loans outstanding on the Increase Effective Date shall be automatically adjusted to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Committed Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Commitments under this Section. Any increase under this Section 2.15 shall be on terms identical to those applicable to the existing Commitments of the Extending Lenders, except with respect to any commitment, arrangement, upfront or similar fees that may be agreed to among the Loan Parties and the Lenders and Additional Commitment Lenders agreeing to participate in such increase.

(f) Conflicting Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in Sections 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.

 

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2.16 Defaulting Lenders.

(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 10.01.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)); fourth, as the Lead Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Agent and the Lead Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)); sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Non-Defaulting Lenders, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrowers against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees.

 

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(A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.03(g).

(C) With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrowers shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrowers shall have otherwise notified the Agent at such time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Loan Agreement Obligations of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to them hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders’ Fronting Exposure (provided that such prepayment shall be applied to reduce such Defaulting Lender’s participation in such Swing Line Loans, and shall not reduce the participation of any Non-Defaulting Lender in such Swing Line Loans) and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.03(g).

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Lead Borrower, the Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Agent may determine to

 

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be necessary to cause the Committed Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY;

APPOINTMENT OF LEAD BORROWER

3.01 Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.

(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Agent or a Loan Party, then the Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.

(ii) If any Loan Party or the Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers. Without limitation or duplication of the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law, or at the option of the Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c) Tax Indemnifications.

(i) The Loan Parties shall, and each Loan Party does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including

 

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Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Lead Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Agent), or by the Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(ii) Each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (y) the Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Agent or a Loan Party in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Agent under this clause (ii).

(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Lead Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Lead Borrower or by the Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Lead Borrower shall deliver to the Agent or the Agent shall deliver to the Lead Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be.

(e) Status of Recipients; Tax Documentation.

(i) Any Recipient that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Lead Borrower and the Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Lead Borrower or the Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Lead Borrower or the Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Recipient, if reasonably requested by the Lead Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Lead Borrower or the Agent as will enable the Lead Borrower or the Agent to determine whether or not such Recipient is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Recipient’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Recipient to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Recipient.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Lead Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Lead Borrower and the Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Lead Borrower or the Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Lead Borrower and the Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Lead Borrower or the Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(I) (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of a tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(II) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(III) (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or

(IV) executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 or Exhibit G-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

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(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Lead Borrower and the Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Lead Borrower or the Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Lead Borrower or the Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Lead Borrower and the Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Lead Borrower or the Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Lead Borrower or the Agent as may be necessary for the Lead Borrower and the Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Lead Borrower and the Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to the Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Loan Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.

 

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(g) For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the effective date of this Agreement, the Borrowers and the Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Agent to treat) this Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i) of the United States Treasury Regulations.

(h) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Loan Agreement Obligations.

3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Rate Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Lead Borrower through the Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Rate Loans or to Convert Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case, until such Lender notifies the Agent and the Lead Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Agent), prepay or, if applicable, Convert all LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, the Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the LIBOR Rate component thereof until the Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate. Upon any such prepayment or Conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or Converted.

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or a Conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan, or (c) the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the Lead Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the LIBOR Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the until the Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Lead Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have Converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

 

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3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law occurring after the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer first became a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e) or otherwise reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the L/C Issuer;

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Excluded Taxes and (C) Other Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law occurring after the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer first became a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital or liquidity of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Lead Borrower shall include a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating such amount or amounts and be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Lead Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e) Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrowers shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Lead Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender, together with a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 3.04(e). If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Agent), which demand shall include a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating amounts owed to such Lender pursuant to this Section 3.05, from time to time, the Borrowers shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense actually incurred, without duplication of any amounts to which a Lender is otherwise entitled pursuant to the other provisions of this Article III, by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, Conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

(b) any failure by the Borrowers (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or Convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Lead Borrower; or

(c) any assignment of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Lead Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;

including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained (but excluding any loss of anticipated profits). The Borrowers shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

 

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For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each LIBOR Rate Loan made by it at the LIBOR Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender or L/C Issuer requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrowers to pay any additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or L/C Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or L/C Issuer to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or L/C Issuer. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, has invoked the provisions of Section 3.02, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different Lending Office in accordance with Section 3.06(a) that eliminates such increased compensation or other additional amounts, the Borrowers may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.

3.07 Survival. All of the Borrowers’ obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Loan Agreement Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Agent.

3.08 Designation of Lead Borrower as Borrowers’ Agent.

(a) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Lead Borrower as such Borrower’s agent to obtain Credit Extensions, the proceeds of which shall be available to each Borrower for such uses as are permitted under this Agreement. As the disclosed principal for its agent, each Borrower shall be obligated to the Lender and the L/C Issuer, as applicable, on account of Credit Extensions so made as if made directly by the applicable Lender or the L/C Issuer to such Borrower, notwithstanding the manner by which such Credit Extensions are recorded on the books and records of the Lead Borrower and of any other Borrower. In addition, each Loan Party other than the Borrowers hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Lead Borrower as such Loan Party’s agent to represent such Loan Party in all respects under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(b) Each Borrower recognizes that credit available to it hereunder is in excess of and on better terms than it otherwise could obtain on and for its own account and that one of the reasons therefor is its joining in the credit facility contemplated herein with all other Borrowers.

(c) The Lead Borrower shall act as a conduit for each Borrower (including itself, as a “Borrower”) on whose behalf the Lead Borrower has requested a Credit Extension. Neither the Agent nor any other Credit Party shall have any obligation to see to the application of such proceeds therefrom.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension. The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals, telecopies or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif ” via e-mail) (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each dated the Effective Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Effective Date):

(i) counterparts of this Agreement each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party and the Extending Lenders in such number as the Agent may request;

(ii) a Note executed by the Borrowers in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Agent may require evidencing (A) the authority of each Loan Party to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to become a party and (B) the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to become a party and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

(iv) copies of each Loan Party’s Organization Documents and such other documents and certifications as the Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing, and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to so qualify in such jurisdiction could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(v) a favorable opinion of each of (i) Shearman & Sterling LLP, (ii) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Finger, P.A. and (iii) general counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

(vi) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 have been satisfied, (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (C) to the Solvency of the Loan Parties as of the Effective Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and (D) to the knowledge of such Responsible Officer, that all consents, licenses or approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are party, if any, have been obtained and are in full force and effect;

 

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(vii) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents and all endorsements in favor of the Agent required under the Loan Documents have been obtained and are in effect;

(viii) the Security Documents and certificates evidencing any stock being pledged thereunder, together with undated stock powers executed in blank, each duly executed by the applicable Loan Parties;

(ix) all other Loan Documents (to the extent to be executed on the Effective Date), each duly executed by the applicable Loan Parties;

(x) (A) an appraisal (based on net liquidation value) by a third party appraiser acceptable to the Agent of all Inventory of the Loan Parties, the results of which are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, and (B) a written report regarding the results of a commercial finance examination of the Loan Parties, which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

(xi) results of searches or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (in each case dated as of a date reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) indicating the absence of Liens on the assets of the Loan Parties, except for Liens permitted by Section 7.01 and Liens for which termination statements satisfactory to the Agent are being tendered concurrently with such extension of credit or other arrangements satisfactory to the Agent for the delivery of such termination statements have been made;

(xii) evidence that the Loan Parties have established DDAs in the name of the Loan Parties into which amounts owed by Third Party Dealers and Third Party Franchisees will be deposited;

(xiii) (A) all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements reasonably requested by the Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create or perfect the Liens intended to be created under the Loan Documents shall have been so filed, registered or recorded to the satisfaction of the Agent, (B) the Credit Card Notifications and Blocked Account Agreements to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.12 hereof shall have been obtained, and (C) control agreements with respect to the Loan Parties’ securities and investment accounts have been obtained to the extent required under the Security Documents;

(xiv) the Agent shall have received a duly executed agreement from each applicable Subsidiary of SHC (other than Sears Canada Inc. and its Subsidiaries) which owns any Real Estate constituting a warehouse or distribution center that houses ABL Collateral or owns Related Intellectual Property, pursuant to which each such Subsidiary grants to the Agent a rent-free or royalty-free (as applicable) license to use such Real Estate and Related Intellectual Property in connection with the Agent’s enforcement of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents with respect to the ABL Collateral, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default; and

(xv) the Agent shall have received such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Agent reasonably may require.

 

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(b) After giving effect to transactions contemplated hereby and any Credit Extensions to be made on the Effective Date hereunder, Availability shall be not less than $100,000,000.

(c) The Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate dated the Effective Date, relating to the month ended on September 30, 2016, and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower.

(d) The Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that any financial statements delivered to it and the Lenders fairly present the business and financial condition of the Loan Parties and that there has been no Material Adverse Effect since the date of the Audited Financial Statements.

(e) There shall not be pending any litigation or other proceeding, the result of which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) There shall not have occurred any default of any Material Contract of any Loan Party.

(g) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall not violate any Law or any Organization Document of any Loan Party.

(h) All fees required to be paid to the Agent or the Arranger on or before the Effective Date shall have been paid in full, and all fees required to be paid to the Lenders on or before the Effective Date shall have been paid in full.

(i) The Borrowers shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent to the extent invoiced at least one Business Day prior to or on the Effective Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the Effective Date (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrowers and the Agent).

(j) To the extent requested in writing at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, the Agent and the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA PATRIOT Act.

(k) The Required Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have consented to this Agreement, after giving effect to reductions and/or reallocations of commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

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4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a Conversion of Committed Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) and of each L/C Issuer to issue each Letter of Credit is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Separation Agreements shall be in full force and effect, unless terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, consistent with the definitions of “Original Maturity Date” and “Extended Maturity Date”.

(b) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in Article V or in any other Loan Document, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (ii) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects and (iii) for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.

(c) No Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(d) The Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

(e) After giving effect to the Credit Extension requested to be made on any such date and the use of proceeds thereof, Availability shall be not less than zero.

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a Conversion of Committed Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) submitted by the Lead Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension. The conditions set forth in this Section 4.02 are for the sole benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, but until the Required Lenders otherwise direct the Agent to cease making Loans and issuing Letters of Credit, the Lenders will fund their Applicable Percentage of all Loans and L/C Advances and participate in all Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit whenever made or issued, which are requested by the Lead Borrower and which, notwithstanding the failure of the Loan Parties to comply with the provisions of this Article IV, agreed to by the Agent, provided, however, the making of any such Loans or the issuance of any Letters of Credit shall not be deemed a modification or waiver by the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender of the provisions of this Article IV on any future occasion or a waiver of any rights or the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender as a result of any such failure to comply.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

To induce the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans and to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, the Parent and the Borrowers, on behalf of each Loan Party, represent and warrant to the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders that:

5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party (a) is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, duly incorporated, organized or formed, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental

 

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licenses, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, where applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Perfection Certificate sets forth, as of the Effective Date, each Loan Party’s name as it appears in official filings in its state of incorporation or organization, its state of incorporation or organization, organization type, organization number, if any, issued by its state of incorporation or organization, and its federal employer identification number.

5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is or is to be a party, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and does not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach, termination, or contravention of, or constitute a default under (i) any Material Contract or any Material Indebtedness to which such Person is a party or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; (c) result in or require the creation of any Lien upon any asset of any Loan Party (other than Liens in favor of the Agent under the Security Documents and Liens permitted by Section 7.01); or (d) violate any Law, except in each case referred to in clauses (b) and (d), to the extent that any such conflict, breach, termination, contravention or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for (a) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Security Documents or (b) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

(b) The unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries dated July 30, 2016, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

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(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, no Internal Control Event has occurred and is continuing that could reasonably be expected to materially impair the calculation of the Borrowing Base.

(e) The Consolidated forecasted balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were reasonable in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts.

5.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of its properties or revenues that either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.07 Reserved.

5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens.

(a) Each of the Loan Parties has good record and marketable title in fee simple to or valid leasehold interests in, all Real Estate necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Loan Parties has good and marketable title to, valid leasehold interests in, or valid licenses to use all personal property and assets used in the conduct of its business except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Perfection Certificate sets forth the address of all Real Estate (excluding Leases) that is owned by the Loan Parties, together with a list of the holders of any mortgage or other Lien thereon as of the Effective Date. The Perfection Certificate sets forth the address of all Leases of the Loan Parties, together with the name of each lessor and its contact information with respect to each such Lease as of the Effective Date. Each of such Leases is in full force and effect and the Loan Parties are not in default of the terms thereof except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.09 Environmental Compliance.

(a) No Loan Party (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: none of the properties currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party is listed or proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or is adjacent to any such property; there are no and never have been any underground or above-ground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or, to the best of the knowledge of the Loan Parties, on any property formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party; there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party; and Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on any property, including any currently or formerly owned or operated property, by any Loan Party.

(c) Except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party is undertaking, and no Loan Party has completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law. All Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.10 Insurance. The properties of the Loan Parties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Loan Parties, in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards), with such deductibles and covering such risks (including, without limitation, worker’s compensation, commercial general liability, insurance on real and personal property and directors and officers liability insurance) as are reasonably determined by the Parent and customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Loan Parties operate. The Perfection Certificate sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, each insurance policy listed in the Perfection Certificate is in full force and effect and all premiums in respect thereof that are due and payable have been paid.

5.11 Taxes. The Loan Parties have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state 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 being diligently conducted, for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Party that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party to any tax sharing agreement other than in connection with the Separation Agreements.

5.12 ERISA Compliance.

(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Plan and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, any Multiemployer Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws, and (ii) each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service. To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

 

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(b) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, any Multiemployer Plan that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Parent nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Parent and each ERISA Affiliate meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 80% or higher; (iv) neither the Parent nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any unsatisfied liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Parent nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction described in Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.

5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests. As of the Effective Date, the Loan Parties have no Subsidiaries other than those disclosed in the Perfection Certificate, which sets forth the legal name, jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and authorized Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Loan Parties (other than the Parent) and such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, as of the Effective Date, are owned by the Persons specified and in the amounts specified in the Perfection Certificate free and clear of all Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01. Except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, there are no outstanding rights to purchase any Equity Interests in any Subsidiary as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, the Loan Parties have no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in the Perfection Certificate. The copies of the Organization Documents of each Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 4.01 are true and correct copies of each such document as of the Effective Date, each of which was valid and in full force and effect as of the Effective Date.

5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

(a) No Loan Party is engaged or will be engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock in violation of Regulations T, U, or X issued by the FRB. None of the proceeds of the Credit Extensions shall be used directly or indirectly for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness that was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin stock or for any other purpose that might cause any of the Credit Extensions to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulations T, U, or X issued by the FRB.

 

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(b) None of the Loan Parties is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

5.15 Disclosure. No report, financial statement, certificate or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

5.16 Compliance with Laws. Each of the Loan Parties is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.17 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Loan Parties own, or possess the right to use, all of the Intellectual Property, licenses, permits and other authorizations that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, conflict with the rights of any other Person or infringement upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.18 Labor Matters.

Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there are no strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or other material labor disputes against any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened; (ii) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act and any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign Law dealing with such matters; (iii) no Loan Party has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act or similar state Law; and (iv) all payments due from any Loan Party, or for which any claim may be made against any Loan Party, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or properly accrued in accordance with GAAP as a liability on the books of such Loan Party. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.18, as of the Effective Date, no Loan Party is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement. As of the Effective Date, there are no representation proceedings pending or, to any Loan Party’s knowledge, threatened to be filed with the National Labor Relations Board, and no labor organization or group of employees of any Loan Party has made a pending demand for recognition. There are no complaints, unfair labor practice charges, grievances, arbitrations, unfair employment practices charges or any other claims or complaints against any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened to be filed with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or termination of employment of any employee of any Loan Party which would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which any Loan Party is bound.

 

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5.19 Security Documents.

The Guaranty and Security Agreement creates in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein, a legal, valid, continuing and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement), the enforceability of which is subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. Upon the making of the filings contemplated in the Guaranty and Security Agreement and/or the obtaining of “control” (as defined in the UCC) of the Collateral under the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Agent will have a perfected Lien on, and security interest in, to and under all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in all Collateral that may be perfected under the UCC (in effect on the date this representation is made) by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document (including without limitation the proceeds of such Collateral subject to the limitations relating to such proceeds in the UCC) or by obtaining control, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than Permitted Encumbrances having priority to the Liens securing the Obligations).

5.20 Solvency.

After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and before and after giving effect to each Credit Extension, the Loan Parties, on a Consolidated basis, are and will be Solvent.

5.21 Deposit Accounts; Credit Card Arrangements.

(a) The Perfection Certificate sets forth a list of all DDAs maintained by the Loan Parties as of the Effective Date, which Schedule includes, with respect to each DDA (i) the name and address of the depository; (ii) the account number(s) maintained with such depository; (iii) a contact person at such depository, and (iv) the identification of each Blocked Account Bank.

(b) The Perfection Certificate sets forth a list describing all arrangements as of the Effective Date to which any Loan Party is a party with respect to the processing and/or payment to such Loan Party of the proceeds of any credit card charges and debit card charges for sales made by such Loan Party.

5.22 Brokers. No Loan Party or Affiliate thereof has any obligation to any Person in respect of any finder’s or brokerage fees in connection with the entry into this Agreement, other than as set forth in the Fee Letter.

5.23 Customer and Trade Relations. There exists no actual or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing, termination or cancellation of, or any adverse modification or change in the business relationship of any Loan Party with any supplier that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.24 Material Contracts. The Loan Parties have delivered to the Agent true, correct and complete copies of the Material Contracts, as in effect on the Effective Date. The Loan Parties are not in breach or in default in any material respect of or under any Material Contract and have not received any notice of material default under, or of the intention of any other party thereto to terminate, any Material Contract.

 

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5.25 Casualty. Neither the businesses nor the properties of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, have been affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.26 Separation Agreements.

The Loan Parties have delivered to the Agent a complete and correct copy of each Separation Agreement, including all schedules and exhibits thereto, as of the Effective Date. Such Separation Agreements sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties thereto relating to the subject matter thereof, and there are no other agreements, arrangements or understandings, written or oral, relating to the matters covered thereby, in each case as of the Effective Date. The execution, delivery and performance of each such Separation Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each such Person. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to filing with or license from, any Governmental Authority is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreements other than such as have been obtained on or prior to the Effective Date. Each Separation Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto and, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, the other parties thereto, enforceable against such parties in accordance with its terms (other than (i) the Separation Agreement described in clause (g) of the definition of such term or (ii) to the extent terminated on a basis reasonably acceptable to the Agent, consistent with the definitions of “Original Maturity Date” and “Extended Maturity Date”).

5.27 EEA Financial Institution.

None of the Borrowers is an EEA Financial Institution.

5.28 Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.

(a) No Loan Party, nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

(b) The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws, and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and applicable Sanctions, and to the knowledge of each Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries are in compliance with such Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.

ARTICLE VI

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Loan Agreement Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification claims for which a claim has not been asserted), or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless Cash Collateralized), the Parent shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, and 6.03) cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

 

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6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to the Agent, in form and detail satisfactory to the Agent:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 95 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Parent, (i) a Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and unqualified opinion of a Registered Public Accounting Firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included in the financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i), a reasonably detailed build-up of operating income for each Operating Segment for such period, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent as stating fairly in all material respects the financial position of each Operating Segment;

(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 50 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Parent, (i) a Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Parent’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (A) the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such Consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included in the financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i), a reasonably detailed build-up of operating income for each Operating Segment for such period, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent as stating fairly in all material respects the financial position of each Operating Segment;

(c) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each month, a Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such month, and for the portion of the Parent’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (A) the corresponding month of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such Consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent as, to its knowledge, fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(d) as soon as available, but in any event no more than 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Parent, forecasts prepared by management of the Parent, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, consisting of a projected balance sheet, income statement, cash flows and Availability of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a monthly basis for the immediately following Fiscal Year (including the Fiscal Year in which the Extended Maturity Date occurs).

 

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6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Agent:

(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a), (b) and (c), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower, and in the event of any change in generally accepted accounting principles used in the preparation of such financial statements, a statement of reconciliation conforming such financial statements to GAAP;

(b) Within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each fiscal month, a Borrowing Base Certificate showing the Borrowing Base as of the close of business as of the last day of the immediately preceding month, each Borrowing Base Certificate to be certified as complete and correct by a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower; provided that at any time that an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event has occurred and is continuing, such Borrowing Base Certificate shall be delivered on Friday of each week (or, if Friday is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Saturday (it being understood that any weekly Borrowing Base Certificate shall constitute the results of rolled forward information regarding Eligible Inventory and other items, as applicable);

(c) promptly upon receipt, copies of any report submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of any Loan Party by its Registered Public Accounting Firm in connection with any Internal Control Event or any other event that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate with other events, to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Loan Parties, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which any Loan Party may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or with any national securities exchange;

(e) the financial and collateral reports described on Schedule 6.02 hereto, at the times set forth in such Schedule;

(f) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02; (other than borrowing notices or other routine communications thereunder)

(g) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Loan Parties, a report summarizing the insurance coverage (specifying type, amount and carrier) in effect for each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and containing such additional information as the Agent, or any Lender through the Agent, may reasonably specify;

(h) promptly after the Agent’s request therefor, copies of all Material Contracts and documents evidencing Material Indebtedness, and promptly after receipt thereof by any Loan Party, copies of all notices (other than notices delivered in the ordinary course) received from SHC and its Subsidiaries under the Separation Agreements;

 

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(i) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction)) concerning any proceeding with, or investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such Governmental Authority regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any other matter which, if adversely determined, could reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(j) promptly, such additional information regarding the business affairs, financial condition or operations of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 or Section 6.02 may be delivered by electronic mail or by posting to a website and, if so delivered by posting to a website, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Lead Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Lead Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Lead Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Agent and including, without limitation, the website of the SEC). The Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Loan Parties with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that (a) the Agent and/or the Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Loan Parties hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Loan Parties hereby agree that so long as any Loan Party is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities they will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized the Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities for purposes of the Securities Laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor”; and (z) the Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

6.03 Notices Promptly notify the Agent upon obtaining knowledge:

(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) of any matter that has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,

 

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(c) of any breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Material Contract or with respect to Material Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

(d) of any material breach or non-performance of, or any material default under, any agreements with any Third Party Dealer or Third Party Franchisee, or of any material failure of SHC or any of its Subsidiaries to make rent payments due with respect to any location operated by a Third Party Franchisee, that, in either case, would materially and adversely impact the Borrowing Base or materially and adversely impact the ability of the Agent to realize upon the ABL Collateral;

(e) of any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and any Governmental Authority; or the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, in each case which would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(f) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;

(g) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

(h) of any change in any Loan Party’s senior executive officers;

(i) of the discharge by any Loan Party of its present Registered Public Accounting Firm or any withdrawal or resignation by such Registered Public Accounting Firm;

(j) of the filing of any Lien for unpaid Taxes against any Loan Party in excess of $5,000,000;

(k) of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any interest in a material portion of the Collateral under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding or if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed;

(l) of any failure by any Loan Party to pay rent at (i) any of the Loan Parties’ distribution centers or warehouses; or (ii) any of such Loan Party’s other locations if such failure would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(m) to the extent written notice of such failure is received by any Loan Party, of any failure by any Third Party Dealer to pay rent at any of such Third Party Dealer location if such failure by Third Party Dealer location or such failure by a number of other Third Party Dealer locations would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Lead Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

6.04 Payment of Taxes. Pay and discharge before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its property (ii) all payments required to be made to any Pension Plan, and (iii) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon its property; provided that neither Parent, the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries

 

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shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (x) that is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained, unless and until any Lien resulting therefrom attaches to its property and becomes enforceable against its other creditors or (y) if such non-payments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its Intellectual Property, except to the extent the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.06 Maintenance of Properties Except, in each case, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof.

6.07 Maintenance of Insurance. (a) Maintain or cause to be maintained with financially sound and reputable insurance companies and not Affiliates of the Loan Parties, 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 and operating in the same or similar locations or as is required by Law, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

(b) Maintain for themselves and their Subsidiaries, a Directors and Officers insurance policy, and a “Blanket Crime” policy with responsible companies in such amounts as are customarily carried by business entities engaged in similar businesses similarly situated, and will upon request by the Agent furnish the Agent certificates evidencing renewal of each such policy.

(c) Cause fire and extended coverage policies maintained with respect to any ABL Collateral to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include (i) a lenders’ loss payable clause (regarding personal property), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, which endorsements or amendments shall provide that the insurer shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Loan Parties under the policies directly to the Agent and (ii) a provision to the effect that none of the Loan Parties, Credit Parties or any other Person shall be a co-insurer.

(d) Cause commercial general liability policies to be endorsed to name the Agent as an additional insured.

(e) Cause business interruption policies, if any, to name the Agent as a loss payee and to be endorsed or amended to include (i) a provision that, from and after the Effective Date, the insurer shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Loan Parties under the policies directly to the Agent, and (ii) a provision to the effect that none of the Loan Parties, the Agent, the Agent or any other party shall be a co-insurer.

 

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(f) Cause each such policy referred to in this Section 6.07 to also provide that it shall not be canceled, modified or non-renewed (i) by reason of nonpayment of premium except upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Agent (giving the Agent the right to cure defaults in the payment of premiums) or (ii) for any other reason except upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Agent.

(g) Deliver to the Agent, prior to the cancellation or non-renewal of any such policy of insurance, evidence of a renewal or replacement policy, including an insurance binder therefor, together with evidence satisfactory to the Agent of payment of the premium therefor.

None of the Credit Parties, or their agents or employees shall be liable for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 6.07. Each Loan Party shall look solely to its insurance companies or any other parties other than the Credit Parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and such insurance companies shall have no rights of subrogation against any Credit Party or its agents or employees. If, however, the insurance policies do not provide waiver of subrogation rights against such parties, as required above, then the Loan Parties hereby agree, to the extent permitted by law, to waive their right of recovery, if any, against the Credit Parties and their agents and employees. The designation of any form, type or amount of insurance coverage by any Credit Party under this Section 6.07 shall in no event be deemed a representation, warranty or advice by such Credit Party that such insurance is adequate for the purposes of the business of the Loan Parties or the protection of their properties.

6.08 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws (including all Environmental Laws) and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside and maintained by the Loan Parties in accordance with GAAP; and (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.09 Books and Records; Accountants.

(a) 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 Loan Parties or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (ii) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Loan Parties or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

(b) at all times retain a Registered Public Accounting Firm which is reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and instruct such Registered Public Accounting Firm to cooperate with, and be available to, the Agent or its representatives to discuss the Loan Parties’ financial performance, financial condition, operating results, controls, and such other matters, within the scope of the retention of such Registered Public Accounting Firm, as may be raised by the Agent.

6.10 Inspection Rights.

(a) Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, the insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and Registered Public

 

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Accounting Firm, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Lead Borrower; provided, however, that when a Default or an Event of Default exists the Agent (or any of its representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Loan Parties at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

(b) Upon the request of the Agent after reasonable prior notice, permit the Agent or professionals (including investment bankers, consultants, accountants, and lawyers) retained by the Agent to conduct commercial finance examinations and other evaluations, including, without limitation, of (i) the Lead Borrower’s practices in the computation of the Borrowing Base (ii) the assets included in the Borrowing Base and related financial information such as, but not limited to, sales, gross margins, payables, accruals and reserves, and (iii) the Loan Parties’ business plan, forecasts and cash flows. The Loan Parties shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent and such professionals with respect to (i) (x) if Availability is equal to or greater than 50% of the Loan Cap, one (1) commercial finance examination during each twelve month period, and (y) if Availability is less than 50% of the Loan Cap, up to two (2) commercial finance examinations in any twelve month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent may cause additional commercial finance examinations to be undertaken (i) as it in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate, at the Credit Parties’ expense or, (ii) if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(c) Upon the request of the Agent after reasonable prior notice, permit the Agent or professionals (including appraisers) retained by the Agent to conduct appraisals of the ABL Collateral, including, without limitation, the assets included in the Borrowing Base. The Loan Parties shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent and such professionals with respect to (i) (x) if Availability is equal to or greater than 50% of the Loan Cap, one (1) inventory appraisal during any twelve month period, and (y) if Availability is less than 50% of the Loan Cap, up to two (2) inventory appraisals in each twelve month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent may cause additional appraisals to be undertaken (i) as it in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate, at the Credit Parties’ expense or, (ii) if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the expense of the Loan Parties.

6.11 Additional Loan Parties. Notify the Agent at the time that any Person becomes a Subsidiary, and promptly thereafter (and in any event within thirty (30) days or such later date as the Agent may agree), cause any such Person that is a wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary (other than any wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary that is an Immaterial Subsidiary or that is owned by a CFC or that is a Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company), or cause any wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary (other than any such Subsidiary that is owned by a CFC or that is a Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company) previously designated as an Immaterial Subsidiary that thereafter becomes a Material Subsidiary, to (a) become a Loan Party by executing and delivering to the Agent a Joinder Agreement or such other documents as the Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, (b) ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇ to the Agent on such Person’s assets of the same type that constitute Collateral to secure the Obligations, and (c) deliver to the Agent documents of the types referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 4.01(a) and, if requested by the Agent, customary favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to in clause (a)), in each case in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; provided that, if any such wholly-owned domestic Subsidiary owns assets of the type which would be included in the Borrowing Base, such Subsidiary shall join the Loan Documents as a Borrower thereunder. In no event shall compliance with this Section 6.11 waive or be deemed a waiver or consent to any transaction giving rise to the need to comply with this Section 6.11 if such transaction was not otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement or constitute or be deemed to constitute, with respect to any Subsidiary, an approval of such Person as a Borrower or permit the inclusion of any acquired assets in the computation of the Borrowing Base.

 

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6.12 Cash Management.

(a) To the extent not previously delivered prior to the Effective Date, deliver to the Agent copies of notifications in the form of Exhibit H hereto (each, a “Credit Card Notification”), or otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent which have been executed by the applicable Loan Parties and delivered to such Loan Party’s Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors listed in the Perfection Certificate with respect to which the Loan Parties have established credit card processing arrangements independent of SHC and its Subsidiaries, and (ii) enter into a Blocked Account Agreement with each Blocked Account Bank set forth on Schedule 6.12.

(b) ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than daily (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Loan Agreement Obligations) to a Blocked Account all amounts on deposit in each DDA (net of any minimum balance as may be required to be kept in the subject DDA by the depository institution at which such DDA is maintained) and all payments received from all Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors and from SHC and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Separation Agreements.

(c) After the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, cause the ACH or wire transfer to the collection account maintained by the Agent at Bank of America or with another financial institution acceptable to the Agent in its sole discretion (the “Collection Account”), no less frequently than daily (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Loan Agreement Obligations), all cash receipts and collections received by each Loan Party from all sources, including, without limitation, the following:

(i) all available cash receipts from the sale of Inventory (including without limitation, proceeds of credit card charges) and other assets (whether or not constituting Collateral);

(ii) all proceeds of collections of Accounts;

(iii) all Net Proceeds received by a Loan Party from any Person or from any source or on account of any Disposition or other transaction or event;

(iv) the then contents of each DDA (net of any minimum balance, not to exceed $2,500.00, as may be required to be kept in the subject DDA by the depository institution at which such DDA is maintained); and

(v) the then entire ledger balance of each Blocked Account (net of any minimum balance, not to exceed $50,000.00, as may be required to be kept in the subject Blocked Account by the Blocked Account Bank);

All funds in each DDA and each Blocked Account shall be conclusively presumed to be Collateral and proceeds of Collateral and the Agent and the Lenders shall have no duty to inquire as to the source of the amounts on deposit in any DDA or Blocked Account.

(d) The Collection Account shall at all times during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event be under the sole dominion and control of the Agent. The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, the Loan Parties have no right of withdrawal from the Collection Account, (ii) the funds on deposit in the Collection Account shall at all times be collateral security for all of the Obligations and (iii) during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, (A) unless the Loan Agreement Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof, the funds on deposit in the Collection Account shall be applied to the Loan Agreement

 

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Obligations as provided in Section 2.05(e) hereof, and (B) if the Loan Agreement Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof, the funds on deposit in the Collection Account shall be applied to the Obligations as provided in Section 8.03 hereof. In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.12, any Loan Party receives or otherwise has dominion and control of any such cash receipts or collections, such receipts and collections shall be held in trust by such Loan Party for the Agent, shall not be commingled with any of such Loan Party’s other funds or deposited in any account of such Loan Party and shall, not later than the Business Day after receipt thereof, be deposited into the Collection Account or dealt with in such other fashion as such Loan Party may be instructed by the Agent.

(e) Upon entering into any agreements with any new Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Agent a Credit Card Notification as set forth in Section 6.12(a) hereof.

(f) The Agent agrees that (1) it shall not direct any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to transfer any proceeds pursuant to any Credit Card Notification unless a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing and (2) if any Loan Party shall so request, unless a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing, the Agent shall countersign any notification, request, order or direction from such Loan Party to any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor directing payments from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to be made to a new or different DDA, provided such DDA is a Blocked Account.

(g) Upon the request of the Agent, cause bank statements and/or other reports to be delivered to the Agent not less often than monthly, accurately setting forth all amounts deposited in each Blocked Account to ensure the proper transfer of funds as set forth above.

6.13 Information Regarding the Collateral.

Furnish to the Agent at least ten (10) days prior written notice of any change in: (i) any Loan Party’s name or in any trade name used to identify it in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its properties; (ii) the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, its principal place of business, any office in which it maintains books or records relating to ABL Collateral (including the establishment of any such new office); (iii) any Loan Party’s organizational structure or jurisdiction of incorporation or formation; or (iv) any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number assigned to it by its state of organization.

6.14 Physical Inventories.

(a) Cause not less than one physical inventory to be undertaken, at the expense of the Loan Parties, in each Fiscal Year and periodic cycle counts, in each case consistent with past practices, conducted by such inventory takers as are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and following such methodology as is consistent with past practice or as otherwise may be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent, at the expense of the Loan Parties, may participate in and/or observe each scheduled physical count of Inventory which is undertaken on behalf of any Loan Party. The Lead Borrower, within 45 days following the completion of such inventory, shall provide the Agent with a reconciliation of the results of such inventory (as well as of any other physical inventory or cycle counts undertaken by a Loan Party) and shall post such results to the Loan Parties’ stock ledgers and general ledgers, as applicable.

 

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(b) Permit the Agent, in its discretion, if any Default or Event of Default exists, to cause additional such inventories to be taken as the Agent reasonably requests (each, at the expense of the Loan Parties).

6.15 Reserved.

6.16 Further Assurances.

(a) Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents), that may be required under any Law, or which the Agent may reasonably request, to grant, preserve, protect or perfect the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents or the validity or priority of any such Lien, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(b) If any material assets of the type which constitute Collateral under the Security Documents are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Documents that become subject to the perfected first priority Lien under the Security Documents upon acquisition thereof), notify the Agent thereof, and the Loan Parties will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Obligations and will take such actions as shall be necessary or shall be reasonably requested by the Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section 6.16, all at the expense of the Loan Parties. In no event shall compliance with this Section 6.16(b) waive or be deemed a waiver or consent to any transaction giving rise to the need to comply with this Section 6.16(b) if such transaction was not otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement or constitute or be deemed to constitute consent to the inclusion of any acquired assets in the computation of the Borrowing Base.

(c) Upon the reasonable request of the Agent, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its customs brokers, freight forwarders, consolidators and/or carriers to deliver an agreement to the Agent providing for a customary lien waiver and an acknowledgement of Agent’s Lien in the Collateral.

6.17 Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds.

Except as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, (a) make all payments and otherwise perform all obligations in respect of all Leases to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, to the extent necessary to keep such Leases in full force and effect (b) not allow such Leases to lapse or be terminated or any rights to renew such Leases to be forfeited or cancelled except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, (c) notify the Agent of any default by any party with respect to such Leases and cooperate with the Agent in all respects to cure any such default, and (d) cause each of its Subsidiaries to do the foregoing, except, in any case, where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.18 Material Contracts. (a) Perform and observe all the terms and provisions of each Material Contract to be performed or observed by it to the extent required to maintain each such Material Contract in full force and effect and enforce each such Material Contract in accordance with its terms, except (i) in each case to the extent such Material Contract is no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other than with respect to the Separation Agreements, where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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6.19 Availability.

The Loan Parties shall maintain, for each of the thirty (30) consecutive days immediately preceding the Original Maturity Date (or any earlier date upon which the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders are voluntarily reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.06(d) hereof) and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the termination of the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders and repayment of the Obligations due and owing to the Non-Extending Lenders on the Original Maturity Date, Availability of not less than an amount equal to twenty-five (25%) of the Commitments of the Extending Lenders.

ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Loan Agreement Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification claims for which a claim has not been asserted), or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless Cash Collateralized), Parent shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

7.01 Liens Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or on any Related Intellectual Property, other than, as to all of the above, Permitted Encumbrances.

7.02 Investments Make any Investments, except Permitted Investments; provided that, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, no further Permitted Investments of the types specified in clauses (a), (o), and (p) of the definition thereof shall be permitted to be made unless (i) either no Loans or, if then required to be Cash Collateralized, Letters of Credit are then outstanding, and (ii) such Investments shall be pledged to the Agent as additional collateral for the Obligations pursuant to such agreements as may be reasonably required by the Agent.

7.03 Indebtedness; Equity Issuances.

(a) Create, incur, assume, guarantee, suffer to exist or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except Permitted Indebtedness; or (b) issue and sell any other Equity Interests of the Borrowers unless such Equity Interests are issued only to the Parent or another Borrower.

7.04 Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, except that, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing prior to or immediately after giving effect to any action described below or would result therefrom:

(a) any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party may merge or consolidate with (i) a Loan Party, provided that the Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries which are not Loan Parties, provided that when any wholly-owned Subsidiary is merging with another Subsidiary, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a wholly-owned Subsidiary;

(b) any Subsidiary which is a Loan Party may merge into or consolidate with any Subsidiary which is a Loan Party; provided that in any merger involving a Borrower, a Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

 

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(c) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, any Subsidiary of a Loan Party may merge with or into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge with or into or consolidate with it; provided that (i) the Person surviving such merger shall be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party and such Person shall become a Loan Party to the extent required in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.11 hereof, and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person;

(d) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve into its parent entity to the extent the Lead Borrower reasonably determines that the continued existence of such Subsidiary is no longer in the best interests of the Parent and its Subsidiaries; and

(e) in connection with a Permitted Disposition of a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary may merge or consolidate into any Person that is not a Subsidiary.

7.05 Dispositions Make any Disposition, except Permitted Dispositions.

7.06 Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except the following:

(a) each Subsidiary of a Loan Party, and each Loan Party other than the Parent, may make Restricted Payments to the holder of its Equity Interests, provided that any such Restricted Payment to a Person that is not a Loan Party shall not exceed such Person’s ratable share of the Restricted Payments so made;

(b) the Loan Parties and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person; and

(c) if the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied, the Parent may (i) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests issued by it and (ii) declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders; provided that in no event shall such distributions or repurchases exceed $37,500,000 in any Fiscal Year or $75,000,000 in the aggregate.

7.07 Prepayments of Indebtedness. Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner any Indebtedness for borrowed money, except (a) as long as no Default or Event of Default then exists, regularly scheduled or mandatory repayments, repurchases, redemptions or defeasances of Permitted Indebtedness, (b) as long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied, voluntary prepayments, repurchases, redemptions or defeasances of Permitted Indebtedness, (c) Permitted Refinancings of any such Indebtedness and (d) as long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, up to $20,000,000 of aggregate Indebtedness so long as any individual facility or tranche of Indebtedness prepaid, redeemed, purchased or otherwise satisfied pursuant to this clause (d) does not individually have an original principal amount of more than $10,000,000.

7.08 Change in Nature of Business.

(a) In the case of the Parent, engage in any business or activity other than (i) the direct or indirect ownership of all outstanding Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries, including the other Loan Parties, (ii) maintaining its corporate existence and complying with its obligations as a public company, (iii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative activities as the parent of the consolidated group of companies, including the Loan Parties, (iv) the execution and delivery of the Separation Agreements and the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the performance of its obligations thereunder, and (v) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 7.08(a).

 

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(b) In the case of each of the Loan Parties, engage in any line of business substantially different from the business conducted by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on the Effective Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.

7.09 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into, renew, extend or be a party to any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of any Loan Party, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Loan Parties or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Loan Parties or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (a) transactions between or among the Loan Parties, (b) transactions described in the Separation Agreements, (c) transactions described in the Parent’s Form S-1 under the Section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”, (d) advances for commissions, travel and other similar purposes in the ordinary course of business to directors, officers and employees, (e) the payment of reasonable fees and out-of-pocket costs to directors, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (f) the provision of ordinary course administrative services to the Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (g) transactions permitted under Sections 7.01, 7.02, 7.03, 7.04 and 7.06, and (h) as long as no Change of Control results therefrom, any issuances of securities of the Parent (other than Disqualified Stock) or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans (in each case in respect of Equity Interests in the Parent) of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

7.10 Burdensome Agreements. Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments or other distributions to any Loan Party or to otherwise transfer property to or invest in a Loan Party, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Obligations or (iii) of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person in favor of the Agent except for encumbrances and restrictions under Contractual Obligations existing under or by reason of (i) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the documents governing the Other Liabilities; (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the disposition of all or any portion of the equity interests or assets of such Subsidiary; (iii) the provisions contained in any Permitted Indebtedness (and in any refinancing of such indebtedness so long as no more restrictive than those contained in the respective Indebtedness so refinanced); (iv) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of any Borrower or a Subsidiary of any Borrower entered into in the ordinary course of business; (v) customary provisions restricting assignment of any contract entered into by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower in the ordinary course of business; (vi) any agreement or instrument governing acquired Indebtedness permitted hereunder, which restriction is not applicable to any Person or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person acquired pursuant to the respective acquisition and so long as the respective encumbrances or restrictions were not created (or made more restrictive) in connection with or in anticipation of the respective acquisition; (vii) customary provisions restricting the assignment of licensing agreements, management agreements or franchise agreements entered into by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; (viii) restrictions on the transfer of assets securing purchase money obligations and capitalized lease obligations which are permitted hereunder; and (ix) customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by Subsidiaries of any Borrower, so long as the applicable Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations.

 

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7.11 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (a) to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, in each case in a manner that violates the provisions of Regulations T, U, or X issued by the FRB, or (b) for any purposes other than (i) to refinance the Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) the acquisition of working capital assets in the ordinary course of business, (iii) to finance Capital Expenditures of the Loan Parties, and (iv) for general corporate purposes, in each case to the extent expressly permitted under Law and the Loan Documents.

7.12 Amendment of Organization Documents and Material Indebtedness.

Amend, modify or waive any of a Loan Party’s rights under (a) its Organization Documents in a manner materially adverse to the Agent and the Lenders, or (b) any Material Indebtedness if such amendment, modification or waiver would be in violation of any intercreditor agreement among the Agent and the holder of such Material Indebtedness.

7.13 Fiscal Year.

Change the Fiscal Year of any Loan Party, or the accounting policies or reporting practices of the Loan Parties, except as required by GAAP or to coincide with the calendar year.

7.14 Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

During the continuance of a Covenant Compliance Event, permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, to be less than 1.0:1.0, commencing with the month ending immediately preceding the date on which a Covenant Compliance Event first occurred.

7.15 Sanctions.

Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Agent, L/C Issuer or otherwise) of Sanctions.

7.16 Anti-Corruption Laws.

Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach any Anti-Corruption Laws.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Non-Payment. The Borrowers or any other Loan Party fails to pay when and as required to be paid, (i) any amount of principal of, any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) within three (3) days after the same is due, any amount of interest due on any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

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(b) Specific Covenants. (i) Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03(a), 6.05, 6.07 (with respect to property of the type included in the Borrowing Base), 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.18 (with respect to the Separation Agreements) or 6.19 or Article VII; or

(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe (i) any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(a)), 6.13 or 6.18 (other than with respect to the Separation Agreements, and such failure continues for 15 days, or (ii) any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a), (b) or (c)(i) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or

(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, or certification made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith (including, without limitation, any Borrowing Base Certificate) shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

(e) Cross-Default. Any Loan Party (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Material Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of any Guarantee thereof (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; provided, that this clause (e)(B) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the document providing for such Indebtedness; or

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or a proceeding shall be commenced or a petition filed, without the application or consent of such Person, seeking or requesting the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed and the appointment continues undischarged, undismissed or unstayed for 45 calendar days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 45 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

(g) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof one or more judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding $25,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least “A” by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), and (i) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (ii) there is a period of 20 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

 

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(h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails 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 which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(i) Invalidity of Loan Documents. (i) Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any Affiliate contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document or seeks in writing to avoid, limit or otherwise adversely affect any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document; or (ii) any Lien on a significant portion of the Collateral purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party or any other Person not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any significant portion of the Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document; or

(j) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control; or

(k) Cessation of Business. Except as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, shall take any action to suspend the operation of their business in the ordinary course, liquidate all or substantially all of their assets or Store locations, or employ an agent or other third party to conduct a program of closings, liquidations or “Going-Out-Of-Business” sales of substantially all of their business; or

(l) Separation Agreements. The Separation Agreements are terminated, whether by rejection as part of any insolvency proceeding of SHC and its Subsidiaries under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, by SHC and its Subsidiaries, unless terminated on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, consistent with the definitions of “Original Maturity Date” and “Extended Maturity Date”; or

(m) Indictment. Any Loan Party is (A) criminally indicted or convicted of a felony for fraud or dishonesty in connection with the Loan Parties’ business, or (B) charged by a Governmental Authority under any law that would reasonably be expected to lead to forfeiture of any material portion of Collateral, or (B) charged by a Governmental Authority under any law that would reasonably be expected to lead to forfeiture of any material portion of Collateral; or

(n) Guaranty. The termination of any guaranty set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any Joinder Agreement except as expressly permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

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8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Agent may, or, at the request of the Required Lenders shall, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the Commitments of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments and obligations shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other Loan Agreement Obligations 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 Loan Parties;

(c) require that the Loan Parties Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations; and

(d) whether or not the maturity of the Loan Agreement Obligations shall have been accelerated pursuant hereto, proceed to protect, enforce and exercise all rights and remedies of the Agent under this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or Law, including, but not limited to, by suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the Loan Agreement Obligations are evidenced, and, if such amount shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of the Agent;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default with respect to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof under Section 8.01(f), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued thereon and all other Loan Agreement Obligations shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Loan Parties to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Agent or any Lender.

No remedy herein is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or any other provision of Law.

8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Obligations have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.16, be applied by the Agent in the following order:

First, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, Credit Party Expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Agent;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting indemnities (including indemnities due under Section 10.03 hereof), Credit Party Expenses, and other amounts (other than principal, interest and fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including Credit Party Expenses to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

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Third, to the extent not previously reimbursed by the Lenders, to payment to the Agent of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting principal and accrued and unpaid interest on any Permitted Overadvances;

Fourth, to the extent that Swing Line Loans have not been refinanced by a Committed Loan, payment to the Swing Line Lender of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the Swing Line Loans;

Fifth, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Committed Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Loan Agreement Obligations, and fees (including Letter of Credit Fees), ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth payable to them;

Sixth, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Committed Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Sixth held by them;

Seventh, to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit;

Eighth, to payment of all other Obligations (including without limitation the cash collateralization of unliquidated indemnification obligations, but excluding any Other Liabilities), ratably among the Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Eighth held by them;

Ninth, to payment of that portion of the Other Liabilities arising from Cash Management Services, ratably among the Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Ninth held by them;

Tenth, to payment of all Other Liabilities arising from Bank Products, ratably among the Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Tenth held by them; and

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Loan Parties or as otherwise required by Law.

Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Seventh above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Loan Party shall not be paid with amounts received from such Loan Party, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to the Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.

 

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ARTICLE IX

THE AGENT

9.01 Appointment and Authority.

Each of the Lenders (in its capacity as a Lender), the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the administrative agent and collateral agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof (including, without limitation, acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations), together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Agent and the other Credit Parties, and no Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) 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 as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Lenders, provided that the Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Loan Parties or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

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The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Lenders (as the Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Agent by a Loan Party, a Lender or the L/C Issuer. In the event that the Agent obtains such actual knowledge or receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the L/C Issuer and the Lenders. Upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, the Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Applicable Lenders. Unless and until the Agent shall have received such direction, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to any such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Credit Parties. In no event shall the Agent be required to comply with any such directions to the extent that the Agent believes that its compliance with such directions would be unlawful.

The Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Agent.

9.04 Reliance by Agent.

The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including, but not limited to, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Agent shall have received written notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for any Loan Party), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

9.05 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Agent. The Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Agent. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

 

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9.06 Resignation of Agent. The Agent may at any time give written notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Lead Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Lead Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Agent shall notify the Lead Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any Collateral held by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Lead Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent hereunder.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Except as provided in Section 9.12, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Credit Party with any other credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of any Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Agent.

9.08 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunners, Arrangers, or co-Documentation Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity as the Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.

 

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9.09 Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Agent shall have made any demand on the Loan Parties) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Agent and the other Credit Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Agent, such Credit Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer the Agent and such Credit Parties under Sections 2.03(i), 2.03(j), 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Agent and to pay to the Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Credit Party any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Credit Party or to authorize the Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Credit Party in any such proceeding.

9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. The Credit Parties irrevocably authorize the Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Loan Agreement Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted), and/or the expiration, termination or Cash Collateralization of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection with the release of a Guarantor permitted pursuant to Section 9.10(c), or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Applicable Lenders in accordance with Section 10.01;

(b) to subordinate any Lien on any Other Property granted to or held by the Agent as Collateral under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property, as contemplated by clause (r) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances or otherwise under this Agreement and to enter into the intercreditor agreements contemplated under clause (r) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances or otherwise under this Agreement;

(c) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Loan Documents if such Person becomes an Immaterial Subsidiary or ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder and to release any Loan Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents in the event that such Loan Party shall dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and shall cease to own any Collateral in a transaction permitted hereunder; and

 

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(d) to release any Lien on any Other Property that is granted to or held by the Agent under any Loan Document if such Other Property is no longer subject to a Lien in favor of the lenders of Permitted Indebtedness under clause (j) or (k) of the definition thereof (or any Permitted Refinancings of such Indebtedness).

Upon request by the Agent at any time, the Applicable Lenders will confirm in writing the Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and Security Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.10 and its authority to give the releases set forth in Section 10.21.

9.11 Notice of Transfer.

The Agent may deem and treat a Lender party to this Agreement as the owner of such Lender’s portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations for all purposes, unless and until, and except to the extent, an Assignment and Acceptance shall have become effective as set forth in Section 10.06.

9.12 Reports and Financial Statements.

By signing this Agreement, each Lender:

(a) agrees to furnish the Agent after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event (and thereafter at such frequency as the Agent may reasonably request) with a summary of all Other Liabilities due or to become due to such Lender. In connection with any distributions to be made hereunder, the Agent shall be entitled to assume that no amounts are due to any Lender on account of Other Liabilities unless the Agent has received written notice thereof from such Lender and if such notice is received, the Agent shall be entitled to assume that the only amounts due to such Lender on account of Other Liabilities is the amount set forth in such notice;

(b) is deemed to have requested that the Agent furnish, and the Agent agrees to furnish, such Lender, promptly after they become available, copies of all Borrowing Base Certificates and financial statements required to be delivered by the Lead Borrower hereunder;

(c) is deemed to have requested that the Agent furnish, and the Agent agrees to furnish, such Lender, promptly after they become available, copies of all commercial finance examinations and appraisals of the Collateral received by the Agent (collectively, the “Reports”);

(d) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Agent makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the Borrowing Base Certificates, financial statements or Reports, and shall not be liable for any information contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate, financial statement or Report;

(e) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that the Agent or any other party performing any audit or examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel;

(f) agrees to keep all Borrowing Base Certificates, financial statements and Reports confidential in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.07 hereof; and

 

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(g) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold the Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any Credit Extensions that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrowers, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including attorney costs) incurred by the Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

9.13 Agency for Perfection.

Each Credit Party hereby appoints each other Credit Party as agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens for the benefit of the Credit Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other Law of the United States can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Credit Party (other than the Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Credit Party shall notify the Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Agent’s instructions.

9.14 Indemnification of Agent. Without limiting the obligations of Loan Parties hereunder, to the extent that the Loan Parties for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 10.04 to be paid by them to the Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Lenders shall indemnify the Agent, any sub-agent thereof, the L/C Issuer and any Related Party, as the case may be ratably according to their Applicable Percentages, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agent, any sub-agent thereof, the L/C Issuer and their Related Parties in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent, any sub-agent thereof, the L/C Issuer and their Related Parties in connection therewith; provided, that no Non-Extending Lender shall be obligated to indemnify the Agent for any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which relate to matters subsequent to the termination of such Non-Extending Lender’s Commitment and repayment of all Obligations to such Non-Extending Lender (for clarity, such Non-Extending Lenders shall remain liable for any claims which relate to a period during which they were a “Lender” hereunder, even if first asserted after the termination of such Non-Extending Lender’s Commitment and repayment of all Obligations to such Non-Extending Lender); provided further, that, no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Agent’s, any sub-agent’s, the L/C Issuer’s and their Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

9.15 Relation among Lenders. The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.01 Amendments, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders or by the Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Lead Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and each 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 amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(i) increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;

(ii) as to any Lender, postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for (i) any scheduled payment (including on the Maturity Date) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents without the written consent of such Lender, or (ii) any scheduled or mandatory reduction or termination of the Aggregate Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of such Lender;

(iii) as to any Lender, reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing held by such Lender, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to or for the account of such Lender, without the written consent of such Lender; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate;

(iv) as to any Lender, change Section 2.13 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the priorities set forth therein or the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of such Lender;

(v) change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders”, or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

(vi) except as expressly permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, release, or limit the liability of, any Loan Party without the written consent of each Lender;

(vii) except for Permitted Dispositions or as provided in Section 9.10, release any material portion of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents without the written consent of each Lender;

(viii) change the definition of the term “Borrowing Base” or any component definition thereof if, as a result thereof, the amounts available to be borrowed by the Borrowers would be increased without the written consent of each Lender, provided that the foregoing shall not limit the discretion of the Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Reserves;

 

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(ix) modify the definition of Permitted Overadvance so as to increase the amount thereof or, except as otherwise provided in such definition, the time period for which a Permitted Overadvance may remain outstanding without the written consent of each Lender; and

(x) except as expressly permitted herein or in any other Loan Document, subordinate the Loan Agreement Obligations hereunder or the Liens granted hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, to any other Indebtedness or Lien, as the case may be without the written consent of each Lender;

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of any Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (x) no provider or holder of any Bank Products or Cash Management Services shall have any voting or approval rights hereunder (or be deemed a Lender) solely by virtue of its status as the provider or holder of such agreements or products or the Other Liabilities owing thereunder, nor shall the consent of any such provider or holder be required (other than in their capacities as Lenders, to the extent applicable) for any matter hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, including as to any matter relating to the Collateral or the release of Collateral or any Loan Party, and (y) any Loan Document may be amended and waived with the consent of the Agent at the request of the Lead Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local Law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause any Loan Document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(c) If any Lender does not consent (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender, as applicable, and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Lead Borrower may replace such Non-Consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Lead Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

 

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(d) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Agent and the Borrowers (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement, and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share (on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Agent and approved by the Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.

(e) Notwithstanding and in addition to the foregoing, the Agent may, with the consent of Lead Borrower only, amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein, so long as such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Credit Party.

10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i) if to a Loan Party, the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. Each of the Agent and the Lead Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

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Unless the Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Loan Parties’ or the Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet.

(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Loan Parties, the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, electronic mail address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by written notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, electronic mail address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by written notice to the Lead Borrower, the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Agent from time to time to ensure that the Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their securities for purposes of the Securities Laws.

(e) Reliance by Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Loan Parties even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Loan Parties. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Agent may be recorded by the Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

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10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by any Credit Party to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, 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 or under any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided herein and in the other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether any Credit Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at Law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, or (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13); and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrowers shall pay all Credit Party Expenses.

(b) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Lenders, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless (on an after tax basis) from, any and all losses, claims, causes of action, damages, liabilities, settlement payments, costs, and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and out-of-pocket disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by any Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or the actions of any other Person seeking to enforce the rights of a Borrower, beneficiary, transferee, or assignee of Letter of Credit proceeds), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Loan Party

 

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or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any claims of, or amounts paid by any Indemnitee to, a Blocked Account Bank or other Person in connection with or arising under a control agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement with any Indemnitee hereunder, or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of the Loan Parties’ directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from (1) the gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (2) a breach of such Indemnitee’s material obligations under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the obligation to fund a Borrowing under the credit facility provided for hereunder to the extent that the conditions precedent to such Borrowing have been satisfied) or (3) in respect of disputes solely among Indemnitees that do not result from an act or omission of a Loan Party. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 10.4(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Loan Parties shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable on demand therefor.

(e) Limitation of Liability. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of any Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, the assignment of any Commitment or Loan by any Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Loan Agreement Obligations.

10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Loan Parties is made to any Credit Party, or any Credit Party exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Credit Party in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law 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 setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer

 

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severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon demand its Applicable Percentage (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

10.06 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection Section 10.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Credit Parties) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.06(b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (i) no assignment of a Commitment may be made by an Extending Lender to a Non-Extending Lender unless such Non-Extending Lender shall agree to become an Extending Lender for purposes of the assigned rights and obligations pursuant to documentation acceptable to the Agent and the Borrowers; and (ii) any assignment of a Commitment by a Non-Extending Lender to an Extending Lender shall, without further action, result in the Commitments so assigned being extended to the Extended Maturity Date and otherwise entitle such Lender to the rights and obligations of Commitments of Extending Lenders hereunder (including the applicable fee and interest rates); provided, further, that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A)of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and participations in the L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Lead Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be

 

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unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Lead Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; provided that, to the extent the consent of the Lead Borrower is required, it shall be reasonable for the Borrower to withhold consent based on the nature of the proposed assignee’s business; and provided further that, to the extent the consent of the Lead Borrower is required, the Lead Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to such assignment if the Lead Borrower has been given ten (10) Business Days’ prior notice of such assignment and has not objected to such assignment within such period; and

(B) the consent of the Agent, (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, provided, however, that the Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Loan Parties or any of the Loan Parties’ Subsidiaries or Affiliates (including any Permitted Holder), (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural Person.

(vi) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Lead Borrower and the Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment

 

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liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrowers (at their expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.06(d).

(c) Register. The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Loan Parties, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Lead Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. (i) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Loan Parties or the Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a Defaulting Lender, a natural person or the Loan Parties or any of the Loan Parties’ Affiliates or Subsidiaries (including any Permitted Holder)) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Loan Parties, the Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any Participant shall agree in writing to comply with all confidentiality obligations set forth in Section 10.07 as if such Participant was a Lender hereunder.

 

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(ii) Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Loan Parties agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.

(iii) Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other Obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other Obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Lead Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Lead Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Loan Parties, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.

(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment or Resignation. Any resignation or assignment by Bank of America as Agent under this Agreement shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Credit Parties agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates, Approved Funds, and to its and its Affiliates’ and Approved Funds’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, funding sources, attorneys, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority), (c) to the extent required by Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; provided that any Person that discloses any Information pursuant to this clause (c) shall notify the Lead Borrower in advance of such disclosure (if permitted by Law) or shall provide the Lead Borrower with prompt written notice of such disclosure, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement (including any electronic agreement contained in any Platform) containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Contract relating to any Loan Party and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Lead Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to any Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Loan Parties not known by such source to be in breach of any duty of confidentiality with respect to such Information.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof relating to the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to any Credit Party on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary thereof. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Each of the Credit Parties acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Loan Parties or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with Law, including Federal and state securities Laws.

10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or if any Lender shall have been served with a trustee process or similar attachment relating to property of a Loan Party, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Agent or the Required Lenders, 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, in whatever currency) or other property at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party against any and all of the Loan Agreement Obligations now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, regardless of the adequacy of the Collateral, and irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrowers or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over

 

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immediately to the Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Lead Borrower and the Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans and other Obligations (other than Other Liabilities not then due and owing) or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Agent and when the Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, pdf or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.11 Survival. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Credit Parties, regardless of any investigation made by any Credit Party or on their behalf and notwithstanding that any Credit Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Loan Agreement Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (it being understood and agreed that the relevant provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that require the Loan Parties to make representations and warranties only require that the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties be made (or deemed made) only on, and as of, a certain date, and the provisions of this Section 10.11 shall not be deemed to change any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires that such representations and warranties be made (or deemed made) only on, and as of, a certain date). Further, the provisions of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 10.04 and Article IX shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the repayment of the Loan Agreement Obligations, the expiration of the Letters of Credit or the termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

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10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If the Borrower is entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender (if permitted by Law) and the Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06; provided that the consent of the assigned Lender shall not be required in connection with any such assignment and delegation), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(a) the Borrowers shall have paid to the Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts);

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(d) such assignment does not conflict with Laws; and

(e) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE LOAN PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY CREDIT PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE LOAN PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

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10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Loan Parties each acknowledge and agree that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Loan Parties, on the one hand, and the Credit Parties, on the other hand, and each of the Loan Parties is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each Credit Party is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) none of the Credit Parties has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Loan Parties with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether any of the Credit Parties has advised or is currently advising any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and none of the Credit Parties has any obligation to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and none of the Credit Parties has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Credit Parties have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and each of the Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. Each of the Loan Parties hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against each of the Credit Parties with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Act. Each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with the Act. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used by the Loan Parties, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended. The Loan Parties shall, promptly following a request by the Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.

10.18 Foreign Asset Control Regulations. Neither of the advance of the Loans nor the use of the proceeds of any thereof will directly or indirectly be used (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Designated Jurisdiction or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation Sanctions by the Borrowers or their Affiliates.

 

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10.19 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.

10.20 Press Releases.

(a) Each Credit Party executing this Agreement agrees that neither it nor its Affiliates will in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure (other than periodic filings with the SEC) using the name of the Agent or its Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without at least two (2) Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and without the prior written consent of the Agent unless (and only to the extent that) such Credit Party or Affiliate is required to do so under Law and then, in any event, such Credit Party or Affiliate will consult with the Agent before issuing such press release or other public disclosure.

(b) Each Loan Party consents to the publication by the Agent or any Lender of advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement using any Loan Party’s name, product photographs, logo or trademark. The Agent or such Lender shall provide a draft reasonably in advance of any advertising material to the Lead Borrower prior to the publication thereof. The Agent reserves the right to provide to industry trade organizations information necessary and customary for inclusion in league table measurements.

10.21 Releases.

(a) Any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Agent under any Loan Document shall terminate upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations for which claims have not been asserted and (B) unless the Obligations have been accelerated as a result of the occurrence of any Event of Default or the Loan Parties are liquidating substantially all of their assets, subject to the first proviso hereto, Obligations in respect of Bank Products and Cash Management Services) and the expiration, termination or Cash Collateralization (or issuance of a supporting letter of credit satisfactory to the L/C Issuer and the Agent) of all Letters of Credit; provided, however, that in connection with the termination of this Aggregate Commitments and satisfaction of the Loan Agreement Obligations as set forth above, the Agent may require such indemnities or, in the case of the succeeding clause (y) only, collateral security as they shall reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to protect the Credit Parties against (x) loss on account of credits previously applied to the Obligations that may subsequently be reversed or revoked, and (y) any Obligations that may then exist or thereafter arise with respect to Bank Products and Cash Management Services to the extent not provided for thereunder; provided, further, that any such Liens granted pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be reinstated if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Loan Agreement Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Credit Party upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party. At the request and sole expense of any Loan Party following any such termination, the Agent shall deliver to such Loan Party any Collateral held by the Agent under any Loan Document, and execute and deliver to such Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

(b) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Loan Party in a transaction permitted by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then such Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens created by the Loan Documents without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Loan Party or its transferee, as the case may be, and the Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Loan Party, shall execute and deliver to such Loan Party all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable to evidence the release of the Liens created by the Loan Documents on such Collateral. At the request and sole expense of the Borrowers, the Agent shall release any Loan Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents, including the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and shall

 

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execute and deliver to the Loan Parties all releases or other documentation reasonably necessary or desirable to evidence such release, in the event that all the equity interest of such Loan Party shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by this Agreement and/or in the event that such Loan Party shall dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and shall cease to own any Collateral.

10.22 No Strict Construction.

The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

10.23 Attachments.

The exhibits, schedules and annexes attached to this Agreement are incorporated herein and shall be considered a part of this Agreement for the purposes stated herein, except that in the event of any conflict between any of the provisions of such exhibits and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

10.24 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

10.25 Existing Credit Agreement Amended and Restated.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement, (a) this Agreement shall amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety, and (b) the rights and obligations of the parties under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be subsumed within and be governed by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Parent and the Borrowers hereby agree that (i) each Existing Letter of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement on the Effective Date shall be a Letter of Credit hereunder, and (ii) all obligations and other liabilities of the Loan Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement shall remain outstanding, shall constitute continuing Obligations secured by the Collateral, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to evidence or result in a novation or repayment and reborrowing of such obligations and other liabilities.

10.26 Keepwell.

Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty and Security Agreement or the grant of a security interest under the Loan Documents, in each case, by any Specified Loan Party becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap

 

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Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under the Guaranty and Security Agreement voidable under applicable Law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

10.27 Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

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Schedule 1.01

Borrowers

 

1.	Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC

 

2.	Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC

 

3.	Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.

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Schedule 1.02

Existing Letters of Credit

 

1.		Amount:		$6,049,867.00
		LOC number:		68087802
		Date Issued:		September 30, 2016
		Effective Date:		October 1, 2016
		Issuer:		Bank of America, NA
				▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
				▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇-▇▇
				▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇

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Schedule 1.03

Immaterial Subsidiaries

 

1.	▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ No. 6, LLC

 

2.	Outlet Merchandise, LLC

 

3.	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLC

 

4.	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Hills LLC

 

5.	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley LLC

 

6.	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Square LLC

 

7.	Prayosha Norristown LLC

 

8.	Prayosha Phoenixvile LLC

 

9.	Prayosha Quakertown LLC

 

10.	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLC

 

11.	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLC

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Schedule 2.01

Commitments and Applicable Percentages

 

Lender		Commitment				Applicable Percentage
Extending Lenders
Bank of America, N.A.		$	40,000,000.00				16.000000000	%
Capital One, National Association		$	35,000,000.00				14.000000000	%
Santander Bank, N.A.		$	30,000,000.00				12.000000000	%
ACF ▇▇▇▇▇ I LP		$	30,000,000.00				12.000000000	%
CIT Bank, N.A.		$	20,000,000.00				8.000000000	%
Siemens Financial Services, Inc.		$	15,000,000.00				6.000000000	%
Non – Extending Lenders
HSBC Bank USA, National Association		$	20,000,000.00				8.000000000	%
People’s United Bank		$	20,000,000.00				8.000000000	%
Amalgamated Bank		$	20,000,000.00				8.000000000	%
KeyBank National Association		$	20,000,000.00				8.000000000	%
TOTAL		$	250,000,000.00				100.000000000	%

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Schedule 5.18

Collective Bargaining Agreements

 

1.

Agreement, made and entered into on October 27, 2011, by and between Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Company, local management, Livonia, Michigan, and Local Union No. 243, located at 39420 Schoolcraft, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Contract Term: 10/27/11 – 10/26/14. The rights and obligations of Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Company under the foregoing agreement were transferred to Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C. pursuant to the General Conveyance, ▇▇▇▇ of Sale, Assignment and Assumption dated as of August 31, 2012.

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Schedule 6.02

Financial and Collateral Reporting

 

A. Within 10 business days after the end of each fiscal month1
1. Borrowing Base Certificate
2. Summary Source document of Stock Ledger
3. Summary Source document of inventory ineligibles
4. Summary Source document showing Credit Card A/R
5. Summary Source document showing Credit Card A/R ineligibles
6. Gift Card Liability Report
7. Monthly Store Rent in WA, VA, PA
8. Report identifying Customer Deposits
9. Report with Dealer Commission Payable accrual
10. Report identifying A/P & A/R for Discover
B. Within 30 days after the end of each month
1. Consolidated Balance Sheet
2. Consolidated Statement of Income or Operations
3. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
4. Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
5. Compliance Certificate

 

1

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event, such Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information shall be delivered on Friday of each week (or, if Friday is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Saturday (it being understood that any weekly Borrowing Base Certificate shall constitute the result of rolled forward information regarding Eligible Inventory and other items, as applicable).

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C. Within 50 days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters
1. Consolidated Balance Sheet
2. Consolidated Statement of Income or Operations
3. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
4. Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
5. Compliance Certificate
6. Reasonably detailed build-up of Operating Income by Operating Segment
D. Within 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Year
1. Reasonably detailed forecast (including projected balance sheet, income statement, cash flows and Availability model on a monthly basis) for the succeeding Fiscal Year
E. Within 95 days after the end of each Fiscal Year
1. Annual Audited Consolidated Balance Sheet
2. Annual Audited Consolidated Statement of Income or Operations
3. Annual Audited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
4. Annual Audited Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
5. Compliance Certificate
6. Reasonably detailed build-up of Operating income by Operating Segment

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Schedule 6.12

Blocked Account Banks

 

1.	Bank of America, N.A.

 

2.	First Tennessee Bank National Association

 

3.	PNC Bank, National Association

 

4.	▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, National Association

 

5.	First Hawaiian Bank

 

6.	U.S. Bank National Association

 

7.	Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

 

8.	HSBC Bank USA National Association

 

9.	Capital One, National Association

 

10.	KeyBank National Association

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Schedule 10.02

Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

Agent, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender

Bank of America, N.A.

▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

with a copy to:

▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP

▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

The Lead Borrower and the Other Loan Parties

c/o Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC

▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

with a copy to:

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.

▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF COMMITTED LOAN NOTICE

Date:                     ,             

 

To:	Bank of America, N.A., as Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for itself and as Lead Borrower (in such capacity, the “Lead Borrower”) for the other Borrowers party thereto from time to time, (ii) the other Borrowers and Guarantors party thereto from time to time, (iii) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for the benefit of the Credit Parties referred to therein, (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, (v) the other L/C Issuers from time to time party thereto, and (vi) the lenders from time to time party thereto (individually, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

ARTICLE XIThe Lead Borrower hereby requests [a Committed Borrowing][a Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other][a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans]²:

 

11.01

On                          (a Business Day)3

 

11.02

In the principal amount of $                                    4

 

2	A Committed Borrowing must be a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, must have the same Interest Period.

3

Each notice of a Committed Borrowing, Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans must be received by the Agent not later than (i) 12:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans, and (ii) 1:00 p.m. on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Notice may be given by telephone, but must be confirmed promptly in writing in accordance with Section 2.02(b) of the Credit Agreement.

4

Each Borrowing, conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans must be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, provided that one Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans may be in a principal amount of less than $5,000,000 but in all events shall be greater than $2,000,000.

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11.03

Comprised of a [Base Rate][LIBOR Rate] Loan (Type of Committed Loan)5

 

11.04

For LIBOR Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of              month(s)6

The Lead Borrower hereby represents and warrants (for itself and on behalf of the other Borrowers) that (a) the Borrowing requested herein complies with Sections 2.02(b) and 2.02(g) of the Credit Agreement, and (b) the conditions specified in Sections 4.01 (as to Borrowings requested on the Effective Date only) and 4.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date specified in Item 1(a) above.

 

 

5	Committed Loans may be either Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans. If the Type of Committed Loan is not specified, then the applicable Committed Loans will be made as Base Rate Loans.

6

The Lead Borrower may request a Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans with an Interest Period of one, two, three or six months (or, if available to all Lenders and consented to by the Agent, one week or twelve months). If no election of Interest Period is specified, then the Lead Borrower will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

 

Signature Page to Committed Loan Notice

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE

Date:                     ,             

 

To:	Bank of America, N.A., as Swing Line Lender

Bank of America, N.A., as Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for itself and as Lead Borrower (in such capacity, the “Lead Borrower”) for the other Borrowers party thereto from time to time, (ii) the other Borrowers and Guarantors party thereto from time to time, (iii) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for the benefit of the Credit Parties referred to therein, (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, (v) the other L/C Issuers from time to time party thereto, and (vi) the lenders from time to time party thereto (individually, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

The Lead Borrower hereby requests a Swing Line Borrowing:

 

1.

On                                                                       (a Business Day)7

 

2.

In the principal amount of $                                    8

The Swing Line Borrowing requested herein complies with the provisions of Sections 2.04(a) and 2.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

7	Each notice of a Swing Line Borrowing must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date. Notice may be given by telephone, but must be confirmed promptly in writing in accordance with Section 2.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

8	Each Swing Line Borrowing must be in a minimum amount of $100,000.

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF NOTE

 

 

NOTE

 

 

 

$

,

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (individually, a “Borrower” and, collectively, the “Borrowers”), jointly and severally promise to pay to the order of                          (hereinafter, with any subsequent permitted holders, the “Lender”), c/o Bank of America, N.A. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇^▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, the principal sum of                          ($                    ), or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal balance of Committed Loans made by the Lender to or for the account of any Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) the Borrowers and Guarantors party thereto, (ii) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein, (iii) Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, (iv) the other L/C Issuers from time to time party thereto, and (v) the lenders from time to time party thereto (individually, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”), with interest at the rate and payable in the manner stated therein.

This is a “Note” to which reference is made in the Credit Agreement and is subject to all terms and provisions thereof. The principal of, and interest on, this Note shall be payable at the times, in the manner, and in the amounts as provided in the Credit Agreement and shall be subject to prepayment and acceleration as provided therein. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

15

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The Agent’s books and records concerning the Committed Loans, the accrual of interest thereon, and the repayment of such Committed Loans, shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, evidence of the indebtedness to the Lender hereunder.

No delay or omission by the Agent or the Lender in exercising or enforcing any of the Agent’s or such Lender’s powers, rights, privileges, remedies, or discretions hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof on that occasion nor on any other occasion. No waiver of any Event of Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Event of Default.

Each Borrower waives presentment, demand, notice, and protest, and also waives any delay on the part of the holder hereof.

This Note shall be binding upon each Borrower and upon their respective successors, assigns, and representatives, and shall inure to the benefit of the Lender and its successors, endorsees, and assigns.

Subject to the terms of the Loan Documents, the liabilities of each Borrower are joint and several, provided, however, the release by the Agent or the Lender of any one or more such Persons shall not release any other Person obligated on account of this Note. Each reference in this Note to any Borrower is to such Person individually and also to all such Persons jointly.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

EACH OF THE BORROWERS IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE BORROWERS IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE BORROWERS AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS NOTE OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE AGENT OR THE LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY OF THE BORROWERS OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

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EACH OF THE BORROWERS IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

Each Borrower makes the following waiver knowingly, voluntarily, and intentionally, and understands that the Agent and the Lender, in the establishment and maintenance of their respective relationship with the Borrowers contemplated by this Note, are each relying thereon. EACH BORROWER AND THE LENDER, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH BORROWER (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE AGENT AND THE LENDER HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THIS NOTE BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS HEREIN.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have caused this Note to be duly executed as of the date set forth above.

 

 

Signature Page to Note

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To:		Bank of America, N.A., as Agent ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇		Date: _____________________

Re: Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by, among others, Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the Lead Borrower (in such capacity, the “Lead Borrower”), the Borrowers and Guarantors party thereto from time to time, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto as Lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for the benefit of the Credit Parties referred to therein. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned, a duly authorized and acting Responsible Officer of the Lead Borrower, hereby certifies to you as follows:

ARTICLE XII No Default.

 

12.01

To the knowledge of the undersigned Responsible Officer, since              (the date of the last similar certification) and except as set forth in Appendix I, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

12.02

If a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing since              (the date of the last similar certification), the Borrowers propose to take action as set forth in Appendix I with respect to such Default or Event of Default.

ARTICLE XIII Financial Calculations. Attached hereto as Appendix II are reasonably detailed calculations necessary to determine the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (whether or not compliance therewith is then required under Section 7.14 of the Credit Agreement).

ARTICLE XIV Financial Statements.

    [Use following paragraph (a) for fiscal month-end financial statements]

 

(a)

Attached hereto as Appendix III (or, if not attached, delivered to the Agent in accordance with the penultimate paragraph of Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement) are the Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal month ended             , and the related Consolidated

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statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such month, and for the portion of the Parent’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (A) the corresponding month of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, which Consolidated statements, to my knowledge, fairly present the financial condition, results of operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

    [Use following paragraph (b) for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

 

(b)

Attached hereto as Appendix III (or, if not attached, delivered to the Agent in accordance with the penultimate paragraph of Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement) are (i) a Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of the Fiscal Quarter ended             , and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Parent’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (A) the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, which Consolidated statements fairly present the financial condition, results of operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included in the financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i), a reasonably detailed build-up of operating income for each Operating Segment for such period, which state fairly in all material respects the financial position of each Operating Segment.

    [Use following paragraph (c) for fiscal year-end financial statements]

 

(c)

Attached hereto as Appendix III (or, if not attached, delivered to the Agent in accordance with the penultimate paragraph of Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement) are (i) a Consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the Fiscal Year ended             , and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and unqualified opinion of a Registered Public Accounting Firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Agent, which report and opinion have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and are not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included in the financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i), a reasonably detailed build-up of operating income for each Operating Segment for such period, which state fairly in all material respects the financial position of each Operating Segment.

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ARTICLE XV No Material Accounting Changes. There has been no material change in GAAP or the application thereof since the date of the audited financial statements furnished to the Agent for the Fiscal Year ending [            ], other than as disclosed on Appendix IV hereto.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate as of the date first written above.

 

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APPENDIX I

Except as set forth below, no Default or Event of Default presently exists. [If a Default or Event of Default exists, describe the nature of the Default in reasonable detail and the steps being taken or contemplated by the Borrowers to be taken on account thereof.]

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APPENDIX II

Calculation of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

 

A.	Calculation of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for trailing twelve month period ending _________________:

 

1.      Consolidated EBITDA for such period (see detailed calculation of Consolidated EBITDA attached hereto):		__________________
2.      Minus the following:
(a)    Capital Expenditures made during such period (other than Financed Capital Expenditures):		__________________
(b)    the aggregate amount of Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash during such period net of refunds of such Taxes received during such period (but in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (2)(b) be less than zero):		__________________

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3.      Line 1, minus the sum of Lines 2(a) and 2(b):		__________________
4.      The sum of the following:
(a)    Consolidated Interest Charges paid or required to be paid in cash for such period:		__________________
plus
(b)    scheduled principal payments made or required to be made on account of Indebtedness (excluding the Loan Agreement Obligations and any Synthetic Lease Obligations but including, without limitation, principal payments made in respect of Capital Lease Obligations) for such period:		__________________
(c)    The sum of Lines 4(a) and 4(b):		__________________
5.      CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO AS OF THE LAST TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED		__________________
(Line 3 divided by Line 4(c):		__________________

 

B.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Covenant: During the continuance of a Covenant Compliance Event, Parent shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, to be less than 1.0:1.0, commencing with the month ending immediately preceding the date on which a Covenant Compliance Event first occurred.

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1.	Is a Covenant Compliance Event9 continuing?                                 Yes _________ No _________

 

2.	If yes (covenant required to be tested), in compliance?                    Yes _________ No _________

 

 

9

“Covenant Compliance Event” means, if at any time Availability is less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the Loan Cap or (ii) $25,000,000. The termination of a Covenant Compliance shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Covenant Compliance Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.

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APPENDIX III

[Attach financial statements.]

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APPENDIX IV

[If material changes in GAAP or the application thereof have occurred since [the date of the most recently delivered financial statements to the Agent prior to the date of this Certificate], describe the nature of such changes in reasonable detail and the effect, if any, of each such material change in GAAP or in application thereof in the determination of the calculation of the financial statements described in the Credit Agreement.]

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EXHIBIT E

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]¹⁰ Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each]¹¹ Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]¹² hereunder are several and not joint.]¹³ Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [each, the] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, participations in Letters of Credit included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable Law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold

 

10	For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

11	For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

12	Select as appropriate.

13	Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.

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and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 

1.	Assignor[s]:

 

 

2.	Assignee[s]:

 

 

3.	Borrowers: Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC and Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.

 

4.	Agent: Bank of America, N.A., as the Agent under the Credit Agreement.

 

5.

Credit Agreement: Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016, by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the Borrowers and Guarantors party thereto from time to time, (ii) Bank of America, N.A., as Agent for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein, (iii) Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, (iv) the other L/C Issuers from time to time party thereto, and (v) the lenders from time to time party thereto.

 

7.	Assigned Interest[s]:

 

Assignor[s]14

Assignee[s]15

Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders16

Amount of Commitment/ Loans Assigned17

Percentage Assigned of Commitment/ Loans18

$

$

%

$

$

%

 

14	List each Assignor, as appropriate.

15	List each Assignee, as appropriate.

16	Amounts in this column and in the column immediately to the right to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

17	Subject to minimum amount requirements pursuant to Section 10.06(b) of the Credit Agreement and subject to proportionate amount requirements pursuant to Section 10.06(b) of the Credit Agreement.

18	Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitments/ Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

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[7. Trade Date: __________________]¹⁹

Effective Date: __________________, 20__ [TO BE INSERTED BY AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE DATE OF DELIVERY OF THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION FOR RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

19	To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

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The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

[Consented to and]²⁰ Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
Agent
By:
Name:
Title:

 

20	To the extent that the Agent’s consent is required under Section 10.06 of the Credit Agreement.

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[Consented to:]²¹

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC, as Lead Borrower

 

By:
Name:
Title:

 

21	To the extent required under Section 10.06 of the Credit Agreement.

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ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for itself and as Lead Borrower (in such capacity, the “Lead Borrower”) for the other Borrowers party thereto from time to time (individually, a “Borrower” and, collectively, the “Borrowers”), (ii) the Borrowers and Guarantors party thereto from time to time, (iii) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein, (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, (v) the other L/C Issuers from time to time party thereto, and (vi) the lenders from time to time party thereto (individually, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1. Assignor. [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Credit Parties or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Loan Parties or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee. [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an Eligible Assignee under the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required by Section 10.06 of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender

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thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of Section 3.01 the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued up to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

4. Fees. Unless waived by the Agent in accordance with Section 10.06(b) of the Credit Agreement, this Assignment and Assumption shall be delivered to the Agent with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500.

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EXHIBIT F

[On File with the Administrative Agent]

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EXHIBIT G-1

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Borrower”), (ii) the other Borrowers and Guarantors named therein, (iii) the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Agent and the Lead Borrower and any other relevant Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Lead Borrower, any other relevant Borrower and the Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Lead Borrower, any other relevant Borrower and the Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

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EXHIBIT G-2

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Borrower”), (ii) the other Borrowers and Guarantors named therein, (iii) the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

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EXHIBIT G-3

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Borrower”), (ii) the other Borrowers and Guarantors named therein, (iii) the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

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EXHIBIT G-4

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated hereafter, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among (i) Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Lead Borrower”), (ii) the other Borrowers and Guarantors named therein, (iii) the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and (iv) Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties referred to therein. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Lead Borrower or any other Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Agent, the Lead Borrower and any other relevant Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Lead Borrower, any other relevant Borrower and the Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Lead Borrower, any other relevant Borrower and the Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

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[NAME OF LENDER]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

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EXHIBIT H

FORM OF CREDIT CARD NOTIFICATION

PREPARE ON BORROWER LETTERHEAD - ONE FOR EACH PROCESSOR

__________, ____

 

To:	[Name and Address of Credit Card Processor] (The “Processor”)

Re:     [___________] (the “Company”)

        Merchant Account Number: ____________

Dear Sir/Madam:

In connection with that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) between, among others, the Company, certain affiliates of the Company, and Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association with offices at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇^▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Agent”) for a syndicate of lenders and other credit parties (together with the Agent, collectively, the “Credit Parties”), the Company has granted to the Agent, for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Credit Parties, a security interest in and to certain assets of the Company, including, without limitation, all payments with respect to credit card charges (the “Charges”) submitted by the Company to the Processor for processing and the amounts which the Processor owes to the Company on account thereof (the “Credit Card Proceeds”).

ARTICLE XVI The undersigned hereby instructs the Processor that, until the Processor receives written notification (i) executed by the Company and the Agent to the contrary, or (ii) executed by Agent to the contrary, all amounts as may become due from time to time from the Processor to the Company shall be transferred only by ACH, Depository Transfer Check, or Electronic Depository Transfer to:

 

[____________________________________]

ABA # _______________________________

Account No. ___________________________

Re: __________________________________

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The Company further instructs the Processor to follow any subsequent instructions received in writing and (i) executed by the Company and the Agent, or (ii) executed by Agent, in each case with respect to the transfer of amounts as may become due from time to time from the Processor to the Company.

ARTICLE XVII Upon request of the Agent, a copy of each periodic statement provided by the Processor to the Company should be provided to the Agent at the following address (which address may be changed upon seven (7) days’ written notice given to the Processor by the Agent):

Bank of America, N.A.

▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇^▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇

Re: Sears Hometown Stores

ARTICLE XVIII The Processor shall be fully protected in acting on any written order or direction executed (i) by the Company and the Agent, or (ii) by the Agent, in each case respecting the Charges and the Credit Card Proceeds without making any inquiry whatsoever as to the Company’s right or authority (so long as such order or direction is also executed by the Agent) or Agent’s right or authority to give such order or direction or as to the application of any payment made pursuant thereto.

This letter may be amended only by the written agreement of the Processor, the Company, and an officer of the Agent and may be terminated solely by written notice signed by an officer of the Agent.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

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cc:	Bank of America, N.A.