MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT
No. A
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This Master Lease Agreement (the "MLA") is entered into by and between Ascend
Credit Corporation ("Lessor"), having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ and Pointe Communications Corporation
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("Lessee"), having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
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#▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
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1. LEASE AGREEMENT. Lessor agrees to lease to Lessee, and Lessee agrees to
lease from Lessor, the equipment (the "Equipment") referenced in each of the
Schedules (the "Schedule" or "Schedules") which incorporate this MLA therein
(the "Lease").
2. TERM. Each Lease shall be effective upon the execution of the MLA and
the related Schedule by the Lessor and the Lessee. The lease term (the "Lease
Term") of the Equipment referenced in each of the Schedules shall commence on
the rent commencement date specified in each Schedule (the "Rent Commencement
Date"). The Rent Commencement Date shall be the date 30 days from the date that
the Equipment is shipped by the supplier (the "Ship Date") as evidenced by a
shipping document provided by the supplier related to the Equipment (the
"Shipping Document"). Lessor will provide Lessee with a copy of the Shipping
Document evidencing the Ship Date.
3. RENT. The rent (the "Rent") for the Equipment referenced in any Schedule
shall be as stated in such Schedule and shall be payable according to the
provisions of such Schedule. If any amount payable under a Schedule is not
received by Lessor within 10 days of the due date, Lessee agrees to pay an
Overdue Charge, as defined herein, with respect to such amount.
4. SELECTION AND ASSIGNMENT. Lessee will select the type, quantity and
Supplier of each item of Equipment designated in a Schedule, and Lessee hereby
assigns to Lessor all of its right, title and interest in and to the related
equipment purchase agreement, a copy of which has been provided to Lessor by
Lessee (the "Agreement"). The Agreement may be amended with the consent of
Lessor. Any such assignment with respect to Equipment shall become binding upon
Lessor when Lessor and Lessee have entered into a Lease with respect to such
Equipment and as of the Rent Commencement Date referenced in such Lease. Upon
such an assignment becoming effective, Lessor shall be obligated to purchase the
Equipment from the Supplier in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
It is expressly agreed that Lessee shall at all times remain liable to Supplier
under the Agreement to perform all duties and obligations of Lessee thereunder,
except for the obligation to purchase the Equipment to the extent expressly
assumed by the Lessor hereunder, and that the Lessee shall be entitled to the
same rights of the purchaser of the Equipment under the Agreement, except such
right, title and interest in the Equipment retained exclusively by the Lessor as
owner of the Equipment. Lessor shall have no liability for a Supplier's failure
to meet the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
5. DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION. Lessee shall be responsible for payment of
all transportation, packing, installation, testing and other charges associated
with the delivery, installation or use of any Equipment which are not included
in the Agreement with respect to such Equipment.
6. WARRANTIES. LESSOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT, ITS MERCHANTABILITY,
OR ITS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. LESSOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO LESSEE
OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM LESSEE'S USE OF THE EQUIPMENT, OR FOR DAMAGES BASED ON
STRICT OR ABSOLUTE TORT LIABILITY OR LESSOR'S PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE. LESSEE HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY MANUFACTURER'S OR SUPPLIER'S WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO
THE EQUIPMENT ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH LESSOR AND LESSEE. NOTWITHSTANDING
THE FOREGOING, LESSEE'S OBLIGATIONS TO PAY EACH RENT PAYMENT DUE, OR OTHERWISE
PERFORM ITS OBLIGATIONS, UNDER THIS LEASE ARE ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL.
7. TITLE TO AND LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT. Lessor shall retain title to each
item of Equipment. Lessee, at its expense, shall protect Lessor's title and
keep the Equipment free from all claims, liens, encumbrances and legal
processes. The Equipment is personal property and is not to be regarded as part
of the real estate on which it may be situated. If requested by Lessor, Lessee
will, at Lessee's expense, furnish a landlord or mortgagee waiver with respect
to the Equipment. The Equipment shall not be removed from the location
specified in the Schedule without the written consent of Lessor. Lessee shall,
upon Lessor's request, affix and maintain plates, tags or other identifying
labels, showing Lessor's ownership of the Equipment in a prominent position on
the Equipment.
8. USE OF EQUIPMENT, INSPECTION AND REPORTS. The use of the Equipment by
Lessee shall conform with all applicable laws, insurance policies, and
warranties of the manufacturer or Supplier of the Equipment. Lessor shall have
the right to inspect the Equipment at the premises where the Equipment is
located. Lessee shall notify Lessor promptly of any claims, liens, encumbrances
or legal processes with respect to the Equipment.
9. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Lessee shall execute and deliver to Lessor such
instruments as Lessor deems necessary for the confirmation of this Lease and
Lessor's rights hereunder. Lessor is authorized to file financing statements
signed only by the Lessor in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code, or
financing statements signed by Lessor as Lessee's attorney-in-fact. Any such
filing with respect to the Equipment leased pursuant to a true lease shall not
be deemed evidence of any intent to create a security interest under the Uniform
Commercial Code.
10. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. Lessee shall, at its expense, maintain each
item of Equipment in good condition, normal wear and tear excepted. Lessee
shall not make any addition, alteration, or attachment to the Equipment without
Lessor's prior written consent. Lessee shall make no repair, addition,
alteration or attachment to the Equipment which interferes with the normal
operation or maintenance thereof, creates a safety hazard, or might result in
the creation of a mechanic's or materialman's lien.
11. LESSOR'S PERFORMANCE OF LESSEE'S OBLIGATIONS. If Lessee fails to
perform any of its obligations under a Lease, Lessor may perform any act or make
any payment which Lessor deems necessary for the maintenance and preservation of
the Equipment subject thereto and Lessor's title thereto. All sums so paid by
Lessor (together with all related Overdue Charges), and reasonable attorneys'
fees incurred by Lessor in connection therewith, shall be additional rent
payable to Lessor on demand. The performance of any such act or the making of
any such payment by Lessor shall not be deemed a waiver or release of any
obligation or default on the part of Lessee.
12. INDEMNIFICATION. Lessee assumes liability for, and hereby agrees to
indemnify, protect and hold harmless, Lessor, and its agents, employees,
officers, directors, partners and successors and assigns, from and against, all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, injuries, claims, demands, penalties,
actions, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees, of whatever kind and nature, in contract or in tort, arising
out of the use, condition, operation, ownership, selection, delivery, leasing or
return of any item of Equipment, regardless of when, how and by whom operated,
or any failure on the part of Lessee to perform or comply with any of its
obligations under a Lease, excluding, however, any of the foregoing which result
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessor. Such indemnities and
assumptions of liabilities and obligations shall continue in full force and
effect, notwithstanding the expiration or other termination of such Lease.
Nothing contained in any Lease shall authorize Lessee to operate the Equipment
subject thereto so as to incur or impose any liability on, or obligation for or
on behalf of, Lessor.
13. NO OFF-SET. All Rents shall be paid by Lessee irrespective of any
off-set, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which Lessee may have
against Lessor, the manufacturer or Supplier of the Equipment or any other
party.
14. ASSIGNMENT BY LESSEE. Lessee shall not, without Lessor's prior written
consent, (a) sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose
of, encumber or suffer to exist a lien upon or against, any of the Equipment or
any Lease or any interest therein, by operation of law or otherwise, or (b)
sublease or lend any of the Equipment or permit any of the Equipment to be used
by anyone other than Lessee.
15. ASSIGNMENT BY LESSOR. Lessor may assign, sell or encumber its interest
in any of the Equipment and any Lease. Upon Lessor's written consent, Lessee
shall pay directly to the assignee of any such interest all Rent and other sums
due under an assigned Lease. THE RIGHTS OF ANY SUCH ASSIGNEE SHALL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO ANY ABATEMENT, DEDUCTION, OFF-SET, COUNTERCLAIM, RECOUPMENT, DEFENSE
OR OTHER RIGHT WHICH LESSEE MAY HAVE AGAINST LESSOR OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR
ENTITY. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such assignment (a) shall be subject
to Lessee's right to possess and use the Equipment subject to a Lease so long as
Lessee is not in default thereunder, and (b) shall not release any of Lessor's
obligations hereunder.
16. RETURN OF EQUIPMENT. Unless Lessee has exercised its option, if any, to
renew a lease or purchase the Equipment subject thereto, upon expiration of the
then current Lease Term of such Lease, Lessee shall, at its expense, cause such
Equipment to be removed, disassembled, and placed in the same condition as when
delivered to Lessee (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and properly crate such
Equipment for shipment and deliver it to a common carrier designated by Lessor.
Lessee will ship such Equipment, F.O.B. destination, to any address specified in
writing by Lessor within the continental United States. All additions,
attachments, alterations and repairs made or placed upon any of the Equipment
shall become part of such Equipment and shall be the property of Lessor.
17. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following shall be
deemed to constitute an Event of Default hereunder: (a) Lessee fails to pay
Rent, any other amount it is obligated to pay under a Lease or any other amount
it is obligated to pay to Lessor and does not cure such failure within 10 days
of such amount becoming due; (b) Lessee fails to perform or observe any
obligation or covenant to be performed or observed by Lessee hereunder or under
any Schedule, including, without limitation, supplying all requested
documentation, and does not cure such failure within 10 days of receiving
written notice thereof from Lessor; (c) any warranty, representation or
statement made or furnished to Lessor by or on behalf of Lessee is proven to
have been false in any material respect when made or furnished; (d) the
attempted sale or encumbrance by Lessee of the Equipment, or the making of any
levy, seizure or attachment thereof or thereon; or (e) the dissolution,
termination of existence, discontinuance of business, insolvency, or appointment
of a receiver of any part of the property of Lessee, assignment by Lessee for
the benefit of creditors, the commencement of proceedings under any bankruptcy,
reorganization or arrangement laws by or against Lessee, or any other act of
bankruptcy on the part of Lessee.
18. REMEDIES OF LESSOR. At any time after the occurrence of any Event of
Default, Lessor may exercise one or more of the following remedies: (a) Lessor
may terminate any or all of the Leases with respect to any or all items of
Equipment subject thereto; (b) Lessor may recover from Lessee all Rent and other
amounts then due and to become due under any or all of the Leases; (c) Lessor
may take possession of any or all items of Equipment, wherever the same may be
located, without demand or notice, without any court order or other process of
law and without liability to Lessee for any damages occasioned by such taking of
possession, and any such taking of possession shall not constitute a termination
of any Lease; (d) Lessor may demand that Lessee return any or all items of
Equipment to Lessor in accordance with Paragraph 16; and (e) Lessor may pursue
any other remedy available at law or in equity, including, without limitation,
seeking damages, specific performance or an injunction.
Upon repossession or return of any item of the Equipment, Lessor shall
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of such item in a commercially reasonable
manner, with or without notice and on public or private bid, and apply the net
proceeds thereof (after deducting the estimated fair market value of such item
at the expiration of the term of the applicable Lease, in the case of a sale, or
the rents due for any period beyond the scheduled expiration of such Lease, in
the case of any subsequent lease of such item, and all expenses, including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in connection
therewith) towards the Rent and other amounts due under such Lease, with any
excess net proceeds to be retained by Lessor.
Each of the remedies under this Lease shall be cumulative, and not
exclusive, and in addition to any other remedy referred to herein or otherwise
available to Lessor in law or in equity. Any repossession or subsequent sale or
lease by Lessor of any item of Equipment shall not bar an action for a
deficiency as herein provided, and the bringing of an action or the entry of
judgment against Lessee shall not bar Lessor's right to repossess any or all
items of Equipment.
19. CREDIT AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Within 90 days of the close of each
of Lessee's fiscal years, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor a copy of Lessee's
annual report, if any, and an audited balance sheet and profit and loss
statement with respect to such year. If audited financial statements of Lessee
for such year are not prepared, Lessee may provide financial statements
certified by an officer of Lessee. At Lessor's request, Lessee shall deliver to
Lessor a balance sheet and profit and loss statement for any of its fiscal
quarters, certified by an officer of Lessee.
20. INSURANCE. As of the date that risk of loss for the Equipment passes
from the Supplier to the Lessee under the terms of the Agreement, Lessee shall
obtain and maintain through the end of the Lease Term of each Lease (and any
renewal or extension thereof), at its own expense, property damage and personal
liability insurance and insurance against loss or damage to the Equipment,
including, without limitation, loss by fire (with extended coverage), theft and
such other risks of loss as are customarily insured against with respect to the
types of Equipment leased hereunder and by the types of businesses in which such
Equipment will be used by Lessee. Such insurance shall be in such amounts, with
such deductibles, in such form and with such insurers as shall be satisfactory
to Lessor; provided, however, that the amount of the insurance against loss or
damage to the Equipment shall not be less than the greater of the replacement
value of the Equipment, from time to time, or the original purchase price of the
Equipment. Each insurance policy shall name Lessee as an insured and Lessor as
an additional insured or loss payee, and shall contain a clause requiring the
insurer to give Lessor at least 30 days prior written notice of any alteration
in the terms of such policy or of the cancellation thereof. Lessee shall
furnish to Lessor a certificate of insurance or other evidence satisfactory to
Lessor that such insurance coverage is in effect; provided, however, that Lessor
shall be under no duty either to ascertain the existence of or to examine such
insurance policy or to advise Lessee in the event such insurance coverage shall
not comply with the requirements hereof. Lessee shall give Lessor prompt notice
of any damage to, or loss of, any of the Equipment, or any part thereof, or any
personal injury or property damage occasioned by the use of any of the
Equipment.
21. TAXES. Lessee hereby assumes liability for, and shall pay when due,
and, on a net after-tax basis, shall indemnify, protect and hold harmless Lessor
against all fees, taxes and governmental charges (including, without limitation,
interest and penalties) of any nature imposed on or in any way relating to
Lessor, Lessee, any item of Equipment or any Lease, except state and local taxes
on or measured by Lessor's net income (other than any such tax which is in
substitution for or relieves Lessee from the payment of taxes it would otherwise
be obligated to pay or reimburse to Lessor as herein provided) and federal taxes
on Lessor's net income. Lessee shall, at its expense, file when due with the
appropriate authorities any and all tax and similar returns, and reports
required to be filed with respect thereto, for which it has indemnified Lessor
hereunder or, if requested by Lessor, notify Lessor of all such requirements and
furnish Lessor with all information required for Lessor to effect such filings.
Any fees, taxes or other charges paid by Lessor upon failure of Lessee to make
such payments shall, at Lessor's option, become immediately due from Lessee to
Lessor and shall be subject to the Overdue Charge from the date paid by Lessor
until the date reimbursed by Lessee.
22. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of any Lease is held to be invalid by a
court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the other
provisions of such Lease or any provision of any other Lease.
23. NOTICES. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given when sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
addressed to the party to which it is being sent at its address set forth herein
or to such other address as such party may designate in writing to the other
party.
24. AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND EXTENSIONS. This MLA and each Schedule
constitute the entire agreement between Lessor and Lessee with respect to the
lease of the Equipment subject to such Schedule, and supersede all previous
communications, understandings, and agreements, whether oral or written, between
the parties with respect to such subject matter. No provision of any Lease may
be changed, waived, amended or terminated except by a written agreement,
specifying such change, waiver, amendment or termination, signed by both Lessee
and Lessor, except that Lessor may insert, on the appropriate schedule, the
serial number of Equipment, after delivery of such Equipment, and the Rent
Commencement Date for the Equipment. No waiver by Lessor of any Event of
Default shall be construed as a waiver of any future Event of Default or any
other Event of Default. At the expiration of the Lease Term with respect to a
Lease, upon notice given by Lessee at least ninety (90) days prior thereto, (a)
such Lease shall be renewed or the Equipment subject thereto shall be purchased
under the terms and conditions set forth herein for a term and rent amount or
purchase price, as the case may be, to be agreed upon, or (b) if no such
agreement is reached prior to the expiration of such Lease Term or such notice
specifies that Lessee intends to return the Equipment, then Lessee shall return
the Equipment to Lessor in the manner prescribed in Paragraph 16 of this MLA.
In the absence of Lessor's timely receipt of the notice contemplated by the
preceding sentence, the Lease shall be automatically extended, on a
month-to-month basis, until terminated (upon notice by either party given at
least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the month on which the termination is
to be effective) or until renewed or the Equipment subject thereto is purchased
by agreement of the parties. Unless otherwise agreed, Lessee shall continue to
pay Rent for each month following such Lease Term until the Equipment subject to
such Lease is returned pursuant to Paragraph 16 of this MLA.
25. CONSTRUCTION. This MLA shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws, but not the choice of laws provisions, of the State of
California. The titles of the sections of this MLA are for convenience only and
shall not define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof. Time is of the
essence in each of the provisions hereof.
26. PARTIES. This MLA shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
the permitted assigns, representatives and successors of the Lessor and Lessee.
If there is more than one Lessee named in this MLA, the liability of each shall
be joint and several.
27. COUNTERPARTS. Each Lease may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
28. OVERDUE CHARGE. Overdue Charge shall mean an amount equal to 2% per
month of any payment under a Lease which is past due, including, without
limitation, any amounts not included in any payment of Rent hereunder, or the
highest charge permitted by law, whichever is lower.
The person executing this MLA on behalf of Lessee hereby certifies that he or
she has read, and is duly authorized to execute, this MLA.
Accepted by:
Ascend Credit Corporation LESSEE: Pointe Communications Corporation
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BY: BY:
NAME: NAME:
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