Conduct Prior to the Effective Time 5.1 Conduct of Business by Company, Indirect Parent, Second Intermediary -------------------------------------------------------------------- Parent, First Intermediary Parent and Parent. During the period from the date -------------------------------------------- of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time, Indirect Parent, Second Intermediary Parent, First Intermediary Parent and Parent shall cause the Company to and the Company shall, except to the extent that Purchaser shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), carry on its business, in the usual, regular and ordinary course, in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, pay its debts and taxes when due subject to good faith disputes over such debts or taxes, pay or perform other material obligations when due, and use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practices and policies to (i) preserve intact its present business organization, (ii) keep available the services of its present officers and employees and (iii) preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees, and others with which it has significant business dealings. In addition, except as permitted by the terms of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby, without the prior written consent of Purchaser, during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time, neither Indirect Parent, Second Intermediary Parent, First Intermediary Parent nor Parent shall permit the Company to, and Company shall not do any of the following:
(a) With respect to Indirect Parent, Second Intermediary Parent, First Intermediary Parent or Parent, waive any stock repurchase rights, accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability of options or restricted stock, or reprice options granted under any employee, consultant, director or other stock plans or authorize cash payments in exchange for any options granted under any of such plans to any employee, consultant or director of the Company, except as provided for under this Agreement or the attached exhibits;
(b) Grant any severance or termination pay to any officer or employee except pursuant to written agreements outstanding, or policies existing, on the date hereof and as previously disclosed in writing or made available to Purchaser, or adopt any new severance plan, or amend or modify or alter in any manner any severance plan, agreement or arrangement existing on the date hereof or hire any new employees or consultants;
(c) Transfer or license to any person or entity or otherwise extend, amend or modify any rights to the Company Intellectual Property, or enter into grants to transfer or license to any person future patent rights;
(d) Declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity securities or property) in respect of any capital stock or split, combine or reclassify any capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock;
(e) Purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of Company;
(f) Issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber or propose any of the foregoing with respect to any shares of capital stock, or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares;
(g) Cause, permit or propose any amendments to the Company Charter Documents;
(h) Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing any equity interest in or a portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to enter into any joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances;
(i) Sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of any properties or assets except sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(j) Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Company, enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing other than in connection with the financing of ordinary course trade payables by Indirect Parent, Second Intermediary Parent, First Intermediary Parent or Parent;
(k) Adopt or amend any material employee policy or arrangement, or enter into any employment contract or collective bargaining agreement (other than offer letters and letter agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice with employees who are terminable "at will"), pay any special bonus or special remuneration to any director or employee, or, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, increase the salaries or wage rates or fringe benefits (including rights to severance or indemnification) of its directors, officers, employees or consultants;
(i) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), or litigation (whether or not commenced prior to the date of this Agreement) other than the payment, discharge, settlement or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms, or liabilities recognized or disclosed in the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of Company as provided to the Purchasers or incurred since the date of such financial statements, or (ii) waive the benefits of, agree to modify in any manner, terminate, release any person from or knowingly fail to enforce any confidentiality or similar agreement to which Company is a party or of which Company is a beneficiary;
(m) Make any individual or series of related payments outside of the ordinary course of business in excess of $10,000;
(n) Except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, modify, amend or terminate any Material Contract or agreement to which Company is a party or waive, delay the exercise of, release or assign any material rights or claims thereunder;
(o) Enter into, renew or materially modify any contracts, agreements, or obligations relating to the distribution, sale, license or marketing by third parties of Company's products or products licensed by Company other than renewals of existing nonexclusive contracts, agreements or obligations;
(p) Except as required by GAAP, revalue any of its assets or make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices;
(q) Incur or enter into any agreement, contract or commitment requiring Company to pay in excess of $10,000, excluding routine purchase orders consistent with past practices;
(r) Settle any material litigation;
(s) Make or change any election in respect of Taxes, adopt or change any accounting method in respect of Taxes, file any Tax Returns or any amendment to any Tax Return other than in a manner consistent with prior practices, enter into any closing agreement, settle any claim or assessment in respects of Taxes, or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes;
(t) Agree in writing or otherwise to take any of the actions described in Section 5.1(a) through (s) above.
Conduct of Business Prior to the Effective Time 6.1 Conduct of Business of the Company. During the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the Effective Time, the Company and the Sole Stockholder agree that the Company, except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or agreed to in writing by the Parent:
(a) will carry on its business only in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice;
(b) will not declare or pay any dividend on or make any other distribution (however characterized) in respect of shares of its capital stock;
(c) will not, directly or indirectly, redeem or repurchase, or agree to redeem or repurchase, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock;
(d) will not amend its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws;
(e) will not issue, or agree to issue, any shares of its capital stock, or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of its capital stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock;
(f) will not combine, split or otherwise reclassify any shares of its capital stock;
(g) will not form any subsidiaries;
(h) will use its best efforts to preserve intact its present business organization, keep available the services of its officers and key employees and preserve its relationships with clients and others having business dealings with it to the end that its goodwill and ongoing business shall not be materially impaired at the Effective Time;
(i) will not (i) make any capital expenditures individually or in the aggregate in excess of $10,000, (ii) enter into any license, distribution, OEM, reseller, joint venture or other similar agreement other than in the ordinary course, (iii) enter into or terminate any lease of, or purchase or sell, any real property, (iv) enter into any leases of personal property involving individually or in the aggregate in excess of $10,000 annually, (v) incur or guarantee any additional indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the ordinary course, (vi) create or permit to become effective any security interest, mortgage, lien, charge or other encumbrance on any of its properties or assets, or (vii) enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing;
(j) will not adopt or amend any Benefit Plan for the benefit of Employees, or increase the salary or other compensation (including, without limitation, bonuses or severance compensation) payable or to become payable to its Employees or accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability or the vesting schedule of options or restricted stock granted under any stock option plan or agreements or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing, except as specifically required by the terms of such plans or agreements;
(k) will not accelerate receivables or delay payables;
(l) will promptly advise the Parent of the commencement of, or threat of (to the extent that such threat comes to the knowledge of the Company or the Sole Stockholder) any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against, relating to or involving the Company or any of its respective officers, employees, agents or consultants in connection with their businesses or the transactions contemplated hereby;
(m) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all insurance policies maintained by the Company on the date hereof;
(n) will not enter into any agreement to dissolve, merge, consolidate or, sell any material assets of the Company (other than in the ordinary course) or acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate; and
(o) will not make any payments to officers or directors other than in the ordinary course;
(p) will not enter into any agreements with contractors or consultants (or amend or authorize additional work orders with respect to any such existing agreements); and
(q) will not change, accelerate or alter, in each case, the payment terms of any existing contract or agreement nor enter into any contract or agreement with payment terms (including timing) not materially consistent with past practice.
6.2 Conduct of Business of Acquisition Corp. During the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the Effective Time, Acquisition Corp. shall not engage in any activities of any nature except as provided in or contemplated by this Agreement.
COVENANTS PRIOR TO CLOSING 37 7.1 Access and Cooperation; Due Diligence...........................37 7.2 Conduct of Business Pending Closing.............................38 7.3
The Effective Time Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company will cause the Merger to be consummated pursuant to the DGCL by filing a certificate of merger in customary form and substance (the “Certificate of Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing and acceptance for record by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such later time as may be agreed in writing by Parent, Merger Sub and the Company and specified in the Certificate of Merger, being referred to herein as the “Effective Time”).
Covenants of Parent Parent agrees that:
Covenants of the Companies Each of the Companies covenants with the Underwriters as follows:
A. Subject to Section 5(B), it will comply with the requirements of Rules 424(b) and 430D and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, of (i) the effectiveness of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or the filing of any supplement or amendment to the Prospectus, (ii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement, any Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus, or the Prospectus, (iii) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or for additional information, (iv) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Free Writing Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, and (v) the happening of any event during the period referred to in Section 5(D) which, in the judgment of the Sponsor, makes the Registration Statement or the Prospectus contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. The Companies will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain as soon as possible the lifting thereof.
B. Prior to the termination of the offering of the Notes, the Sponsor will not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the Preliminary Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or to the Prospectus, unless the Sponsor has furnished the Underwriters with a copy for their review prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Underwriters shall reasonably object.
C. It has furnished or will deliver to the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, a signed copy of the Original Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or otherwise deemed to be a part thereof) and a signed copy of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, a conformed copy of the Original Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for the Underwriters. The copies of the Original Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to XXXXX, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
D. The Sponsor will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, electronic copies of the Preliminary Prospectus, each Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus, and hereby consents to the use of such electronic copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to XXXXX, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
E. It will comply with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations thereunder so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Notes as contemplated in this Agreement and the other Agreements, the Registration Statement, any Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Notes, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel to the Companies, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Sponsor will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the review and approval provisions afforded to the Underwriters described in Section 5(B), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, the Sponsor will use its best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable and the Depositor will furnish to the Underwriters, without charge, such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. Any such filing shall not operate as a waiver or limitation of any right of the Underwriters hereunder.
F. The Depositor will use its best efforts, in cooperating with the Sponsor and the Underwriters, to qualify the Notes for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the United States as the Underwriters may designate, and maintain or cause to be maintained such qualifications in effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of the Notes. The Depositor will cause the filing of such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each jurisdiction in which the Notes have been so qualified.
G. The Depositor will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, contract to sell any automobile receivables-backed certificates, automobile receivables-backed notes or other similar securities either directly or indirectly (as through the Sponsor) for a period of five (5) business days after the later of the termination of the syndicate or the Closing Date.
H. So long as the Notes remain outstanding, the Companies will, upon the request of any Underwriter, deliver to such Underwriter as soon as such statements are furnished to the Indenture Trustee: (i) any annual statements as to compliance of the Servicer (and any subservicer) and any annual assessments of compliance with the terms of the Servicing Agreement delivered to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Servicing Agreement, (ii) the annual accountants’ attestations in respect of the annual assessments of compliance and any other statement of a firm of independent public accountants furnished to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Servicing Agreement, and (iii) the monthly reports furnished to the Noteholders pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.
I. So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Companies will, upon request of any Underwriter, furnish to such Underwriter (i) all documents distributed or required to be distributed by it to the holders of the Notes pursuant to the Indenture as soon as such statements and reports are furnished to such holders, (ii) any filings with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, or any order of the Commission thereunder, with respect to any securities issued by any of the GMF Companies or the Trust that are either the Notes or non-structured equity or debt offered by any of the GMF Companies, and (iii) from time to time, any other information concerning the GMF Companies or the Trust as the Underwriters may reasonably request in writing.
J. It will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes in the manner set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
K. If, between the date hereof or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Closing Date, to the knowledge of the Depositor or the Sponsor, there has been any material change, or any development involving a prospective material change in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Sponsor or the Depositor, the Sponsor will give prompt written notice thereof to the Underwriters.
L. To the extent, if any, that the ratings provided with respect to the Notes by the rating agency or agencies that initially rate the Notes are conditional upon the furnishing of documents or the taking of any other actions by the Companies, the Companies will use their best efforts to furnish or cause to be furnished such documents and take any such other actions.
M. Each of the GMF Companies will comply with the 17g-5 Representations made by the Sponsor to Fitch and S&P with respect to the Notes. The GMF Companies and the Trust will timely comply with all requirements of Rules 15Ga-2 and 17g-10 under the Exchange Act to the satisfaction of the Representatives.
N. The Depositor, as registrant, will file a certification executed by the chief executive officer of GMF Leasing LLC (the “CEO Certification”) with the Commission in accordance with Item 601(b)(36) of Regulation S-K.
O. The Sponsor will comply with all requirements imposed on the “sponsor of a securitization transaction” in accordance with the Credit Risk Retention Rules, and will cause the Depositor and each other affiliate of GM Financial to comply with all applicable requirements of the Credit Risk Retention Rules, in each case with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Agreements and for the period of time required by the Credit Risk Retention Rules, and without any impermissible sale, transfer, financing, hedging or pledging of the Retained Interest. The Sponsor is and will be solely responsible for the disclosure requirements of the Credit Risk Retention Rules, including the contents of all such disclosures and ensuring that any required post-closing disclosures are timely provided to investors by an appropriate method that does not require any involvement of the Underwriters.
Conduct of Businesses Prior to the Effective Time (a) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as otherwise required by Law or regulatory directive, each of FNB and HBI shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to (i) conduct its business in the ordinary course in all material respects, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization, employees and advantageous business relationships and retain the services of its key officers and key employees and (iii) take no action that would reasonably be likely to prevent or materially impede or delay the obtaining of, or materially adversely affect the ability of the parties expeditiously to obtain, any necessary approvals of any Regulatory Agency, Governmental Entity or any other person or entity required for the transactions this Agreement contemplates or to perform its respective covenants and agreements under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Subject to applicable Law, including Laws with respect to the exchange of information, the disclosure of confidential supervisory information, the protection of personally identifiable information and the exercise of a controlling influence over the management or policies of another Person, HBI agrees that between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time:
(1) the materials to be presented at the meetings of any HBI Bank loan committee shall be provided to a designated representative of FNB at the same time such materials are provided to such loan committee; (2) HBI shall provide the minutes of each such meeting to the designated FNB representative promptly after such meeting; (3) HBI shall prepare and furnish to FNB at least quarterly an update of the reserves and other allowances for loan losses reflected in HBI’s financial statements included in the HBI Reports as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021; (4) HBI shall promptly notify FNB if HBI or any HBI Subsidiary has been notified by any state or federal bank Regulatory Agency that its reserves are inadequate or that its practices for establishing its reserves or in accounting for delinquent and classified assets generally fail to comply with applicable accounting or regulatory requirements, or that any Regulatory Agency having jurisdiction over HBI or any HBI Subsidiary or HBI’s independent auditor believes such reserves to be inadequate or inconsistent with the historical loss experience of HBI; and (5) HBI shall prepare and furnish to FNB at least quarterly an updated list of all extensions of credit and OREO that have been classified by HBI or any HBI Subsidiary as other loans specifically mentioned, special mention, substandard, doubtful, loss, classified or criticized, credit risk assets, concerned loans or words of similar import;
(ii) upon request of FNB, HBI shall furnish to FNB such information to which HBI has access or prepares in the ordinary course of business as FNB may reasonably request regarding any loans, loan relationships and commitments of HBI Bank entered into between June 10, 2021, and the date hereof; and
(iii) upon request of FNB, HBI shall furnish to FNB such information to which HBI has access or prepares in the ordinary course of business as FNB may reasonably request regarding any loans, loan relationships and commitments of HBI Bank entered into after the date hereof in which the amount involved is equal to or greater than (i) $10,000,000 on a secured basis and (ii) $2,500,000 on an unsecured or undersecured basis.
Termination Prior to Closing Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties will be relieved of the obligation to consummate the Closing and purchase or sell the Assets:
(a) By the mutual written consent of the Buyer and the Seller;
(b) By the Seller in writing, without liability, if the Buyer (i) fails to perform in any material respect its agreements contained herein required to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein, which in either case is not cured within ten (10) days after the Seller has notified the Buyer of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph;
(c) By the Buyer in writing, without liability, if the Seller (i) fails to perform in any material respect its agreements contained herein required to be performed by them on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) materially breaches any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein, which in either case is not cured within ten (10) days after the Buyer has notified the Seller of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph;
(d) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, by either the Seller or the Buyer in writing, without liability, if there is issued any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental or regulatory agency binding on the Buyer or the Seller which prohibits or materially restrains the Buyer or the Seller from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that the Buyer and the Seller have used their reasonable, good faith efforts to have any such order, writ, injunction or decree lifted and the same has not been lifted within sixty (60) days after entry, by any such court or governmental or regulatory agency;
(e) By the Buyer in writing, without liability, if Buyer elects to terminate pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 hereof;
(f) By either the Seller or the Buyer in writing, without liability, if for any reason the Closing has not occurred by March 31, 1999 other than as a result of the breach of this Agreement by the party attempting to terminate this Agreement;
(g) By Seller in writing, without liability, upon a "Change of Control" of Buyer (for purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" means (i) the acquisition by any individual, corporation, company, association, joint venture or other entity, of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the voting securities of the Buyer; or (ii) individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board of Directors of the Buyer cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Buyer; or (iii) the consummation by the Buyer of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or exchange of shares or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Buyer, if immediately after giving effect to such transaction the individuals or entities who beneficially own voting securities immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own
Covenants of the Company The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
Negative Covenants of the Company Except as otherwise required or expressly contemplated by this Agreement or consented to in writing by Buyer, the Company will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, from the date hereof until the Effective Time:
(a) split, combine, or reclassify any shares of its capital stock or make any other changes in its equity capital structure;
(b) purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock or any options, rights, or warrants to purchase any such capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such capital stock;
(c) declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of shares of its capital stock;
(d) amend its charter, bylaws, or similar organizational documents;
(e) issue any shares of its capital stock or any options, rights, or warrants to purchase any such capital stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such capital stock, except for issuances of shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of any options or of any Rights under the Rights Agreement, or designate any class or series of capital stock from its authorized but undesignated preferred stock;
(f) purchase any capital assets or make any capital expenditures (except as set forth in the Company's current capital expenditures budget, a copy of which has been delivered to Buyer) in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate, purchase any business, purchase any stock of any corporation, or merge or consolidate with any person;
(g) sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of any assets or properties, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, which sales, leases, licenses, encumbrances or other dispositions of assets other than inventory, in any event, are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(h) incur, assume, or guarantee any indebtedness for money borrowed other than (i) borrowings incurred for working capital purposes under the Company's existing revolving credit facility or (ii) intercompany indebtedness;
(i) enter into any new Benefit Plan or program or severance or employment agreement, modify in any respect any existing Benefit Plan or program (except as required by law) or any existing employment or severance agreement, or, except as required under existing agreements or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, grant any increases in compensation or benefits of any Company Employee, officer or director;
(j) enter into any collective bargaining agreement or enter into any substantive negotiations with respect to any collective bargaining agreement, except as required by law;
(k) change or modify in any material respect any existing accounting method, principle, or practice, other than as required by GAAP;
(l) enter into any new Company Material Contract (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or modify in any respect adverse to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any existing Company Material Contract;
(m) fund or take any action to cause a rabbi trust to be funded;
(n) agree to pay R. Xxxxx Xxxxxx a transaction bonus of more than $5,000;
(o) except as expressly provided in the amendment thereto dated May 30, 2001, change, modify or commence a new phase pursuant to the Company Stock Purchase Plan;
(p) (i) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any material claims against the Company or its Subsidiaries (including claims of shareholders), liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), other than (x) the payment, discharge, settlement or satisfaction of such claim, liability or obligation in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (y) modifications, refinancings or renewals of existing indebtedness as permitted by the terms thereof as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or (z) the payment, discharge, settlement or satisfaction of claims, liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved against in the most recent audited financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in the Company SEC Reports (for amounts not in excess of such reserves) or incurred since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (ii) waive, release, grant or transfer any right of material value, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(q) enter into any agreement with any of their respective affiliates (other than wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company);
(r) (i) relinquish, waive or release any material contractual or other right or claim of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (ii) knowingly dispose of or permit to lapse any rights in any material Company Proprietary Rights or knowingly disclose to any person not an employee of, or consultant or adviser to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the Company or otherwise knowingly dispose of any trade secret, process or knowhow not a matter of public knowledge prior to the date of this Agreement, except pursuant to judicial order or process or commercially reasonable disclosures in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or pursuant to any existing contract or agreement;
(s) except pursuant to the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of the Company as set forth in Sections 7.01(a) and (b), or as expressly permitted pursuant to Sections 7.02 or 9.01, take any action or omit to take any action that would or is reasonably likely to (i) result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VIII not being satisfied, or (ii) prevent, materially delay or materially impede the consummation of the Merger; or
(t) enter into any commitment to do any of the foregoing.
