EXHIBIT 10.1
Execution Copy
REVOLVING CREDIT
AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 16, 2003
among
COACH, INC.,
THE LENDERS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO
and
FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Administrative Agent
and
HSBC BANK USA, as Syndication Agent
with
FLEET SECURITIES, INC., as Arranger
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION............................................... 1
1.1. Definitions................................................................. 1
1.2. Rules of Interpretation..................................................... 15
2. THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY......................................................... 16
2.1. Commitment to Lend.......................................................... 16
2.2. Commitment Fee.............................................................. 18
2.3. Reduction of Total Commitment............................................... 18
2.4. The Revolving Credit Notes.................................................. 18
2.5. Interest on Revolving Credit Loans.......................................... 19
2.6. Requests for Revolving Credit Loans......................................... 20
2.6.1. General........................................................... 20
2.6.2. Swing Line........................................................ 20
2.7. Conversion Options.......................................................... 20
2.7.1. Conversion to Different Type of Revolving Credit Loan............. 21
2.7.2. Continuation of Type of Revolving Credit Loan..................... 21
2.7.3. Eurodollar Rate Loans............................................. 21
2.7.4. Applicability of Conversion and Continuation Provisions........... 22
2.8. Funds for Revolving Credit Loan............................................. 22
2.8.1. Funding Procedures................................................ 22
2.8.2. Advances by Administrative Agent.................................. 22
2.9. Settlements................................................................. 23
2.9.1. General........................................................... 23
2.9.2. Failure to Make Funds Available................................... 23
2.9.3. No Effect on Other Lenders........................................ 24
3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS............................................... 24
3.1. Maturity.................................................................... 24
3.2. Mandatory Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans.............................. 24
3.3. Optional Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans............................... 25
4. LETTERS OF CREDIT..................................................................... 25
4.1. Letter of Credit Commitments................................................ 25
4.1.1. Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit............................. 26
4.1.2. Letter of Credit Applications..................................... 26
4.1.3. Terms of Letters of Credit........................................ 26
4.1.4. Reimbursement Obligations of Lenders.............................. 26
4.1.5. Participations of Lenders......................................... 27
4.2. Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower.................................... 27
4.3. Letter of Credit Payments................................................... 28
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4.4. Obligations Absolute........................................................ 28
4.5. Reliance by Issuer.......................................................... 29
4.6. Letter of Credit Fee........................................................ 29
5. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................................ 30
5.1. Closing and Arrangement Fees................................................ 30
5.2. Administrative Agent's Fee.................................................. 30
5.3. Funds for Payments.......................................................... 30
5.3.1. Payments to Administrative Agent.................................. 30
5.3.2. No Offset, etc.................................................... 30
5.4. Computations................................................................ 31
5.5. Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate...................................... 31
5.6. Illegality.................................................................. 31
5.7. Additional Costs, etc....................................................... 32
5.8. Capital Adequacy............................................................ 33
5.9. Certificate................................................................. 34
5.10. Indemnity................................................................... 34
5.11. Interest After Default...................................................... 34
5.11.1. Overdue Amounts.................................................. 34
5.11.2. Amounts Not Overdue.............................................. 34
6. GUARANTIES............................................................................ 34
6.1. Guaranties of Significant Subsidiaries...................................... 34
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................................ 34
7.1. Corporate Authority......................................................... 35
7.1.1. Incorporation; Good Standing..................................... 35
7.1.2. Authorization..................................................... 35
7.1.3. Enforceability.................................................... 35
7.2. Governmental Approvals...................................................... 35
7.3. Title to Properties......................................................... 36
7.4. Financial Statements and Projections........................................ 36
7.4.1. Fiscal Year....................................................... 36
7.4.2. Financial Statements.............................................. 36
7.4.3. Projections....................................................... 36
7.5. No Material Adverse Changes, etc............................................ 36
7.6. Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc........................................ 37
7.7. Litigation.................................................................. 37
7.8. No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc........................................ 37
7.9. Tax Status.................................................................. 37
7.10. No Event of Default......................................................... 37
7.11. Holding Company and Investment Company Acts................................. 37
7.12. Absence of Financing Statements, etc........................................ 38
7.13. Certain Transactions........................................................ 38
7.14. Employee Benefit Plans...................................................... 38
7.14.1. In General....................................................... 38
7.14.2. Terminability of Welfare Plans................................... 38
7.14.3. Guaranteed Pension Plans......................................... 38
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7.14.4. Multiemployer Plans................................................... 39
7.15. Use of Proceeds............................................................... 39
7.15.1. General............................................................... 39
7.15.2. Regulations U and X................................................... 39
7.15.3. Ineligible Securities................................................. 39
7.16. Environmental Compliance...................................................... 39
7.17. Subsidiaries, etc............................................................. 41
7.18. Disclosure.................................................................... 41
7.19. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc....................................... 41
8. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................................. 41
8.1. Punctual Payment.............................................................. 41
8.2. Records and Accounts.......................................................... 42
8.3. Financial Statements, Certificates and Information............................ 42
8.4. Notices....................................................................... 43
8.4.1. Defaults.......................................................... 43
8.4.2. Environmental Events.............................................. 43
8.4.3. Notice of Litigation and Judgments................................ 43
8.4.4. ERISA Events...................................................... 44
8.4.5. Notice of Change of Fiscal Year End............................... 44
8.5. Legal Existence; Maintenance of Properties.................................... 44
8.6. Insurance..................................................................... 44
8.7. Taxes......................................................................... 44
8.8. Inspection of Properties and Books, etc....................................... 45
8.8.1. General........................................................... 45
8.8.2. Communications with Accountants................................... 45
8.9. Compliance with Laws.......................................................... 45
8.10. Use of Proceeds............................................................... 45
8.11. Subsidiaries.................................................................. 45
8.11.1. Additional Subsidiaries.......................................... 45
8.11.2. New Guarantors................................................... 46
8.12. Further Assurances............................................................ 46
9. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS............................................................ 46
9.1. Restrictions on Indebtedness.................................................. 46
9.2. Restrictions on Liens......................................................... 47
9.3. Restrictions on Investments................................................... 49
9.4. Restricted Payments........................................................... 50
9.5. Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets............................... 50
9.5.1. Mergers and Acquisitions.......................................... 50
9.5.2. Disposition of Assets............................................. 51
9.6. Sale and Leaseback............................................................ 51
9.7. Compliance with Environmental Laws............................................ 52
9.8. Employee Benefit Plans........................................................ 52
9.9. Business Activities........................................................... 52
9.10.Transactions with Affiliates.................................................. 53
10. FINANCIAL COVENANTS................................................................... 53
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10.1. Fixed Charge Ratio........................................................... 53
10.2. Leverage Ratio............................................................... 53
11. CLOSING CONDITIONS.................................................................... 53
11.1. Loan Documents............................................................... 53
11.2. Certified Copies of Governing Documents...................................... 53
11.3. Corporate or Other Action.................................................... 53
11.4. Incumbency Certificate....................................................... 53
11.5. Certificates of Location and UCC Search Results.............................. 54
11.6. Certificates of Insurance.................................................... 54
11.7. Opinion of Counsel........................................................... 54
11.8. Payment of Fees.............................................................. 54
11.9. Termination of Existing Credit Facility...................................... 54
11.10. Closing Certificate.......................................................... 54
11.11. Pro Forma Compliance Certificate............................................. 54
12. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.......................................................... 55
12.1. Representations True; No Event of Default.................................... 55
12.2. No Legal Impediment.......................................................... 55
12.3. Proceedings and Documents.................................................... 55
13. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.................................................. 55
13.1. Events of Default and Acceleration........................................... 55
13.2. Termination of Commitments................................................... 58
13.3. Remedies..................................................................... 58
14. THE AGENT............................................................................. 59
14.1. Authorization................................................................ 59
14.2. Employees and Administrative Agents.......................................... 59
14.3. No Liability................................................................. 60
14.4. No Representations........................................................... 60
14.4.1. General.............................................................. 60
14.4.2. Closing Documentation, etc........................................... 60
14.5. Payments..................................................................... 61
14.5.1. Payments to Administrative Agent..................................... 61
14.5.2. Distribution by Administrative Agent................................. 61
14.5.3. Delinquent Lenders................................................... 61
14.6. Holders of Notes............................................................. 62
14.7. Indemnity.................................................................... 62
14.8. Administrative Agent as Lender............................................... 62
14.9. Resignation.................................................................. 62
14.10. Notification of Defaults and Events of Default............................... 63
15. ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.......................................................... 63
15.1. Conditions to Assignment by Lenders.......................................... 63
15.2. Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations;
Covenants........................................................................... 63
15.3. Register..................................................................... 64
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15.4. New Notes.................................................................... 64
15.5. Participations............................................................... 64
15.6. Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower......................... 64
15.7. Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions.......................................... 65
15.8. Assignment by Borrower....................................................... 65
16. PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION..................................................... 65
16.1. Setoff....................................................................... 66
16.2. Expenses..................................................................... 66
16.3. Indemnification.............................................................. 67
16.4. Treatment of Certain Confidential Information................................ 67
16.4.1. Confidentiality...................................................... 67
16.4.2. Prior Notification................................................... 68
16.4.3. Other................................................................ 69
16.5. Survival of Covenants, Etc................................................... 69
16.6. Notices...................................................................... 69
16.7. Governing Law................................................................ 70
16.8. Headings..................................................................... 70
16.9. Counterparts................................................................. 70
16.10. Entire Agreement, Etc........................................................ 71
16.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL......................................................... 71
16.12. Consents, Amendments, Waivers, Etc........................................... 71
16.13. Severability................................................................. 73
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Exhibits
--------
Exhibit A Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit B Form of Loan Request
Exhibit C Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit E Form of Guaranty
Exhibit F Form of Subsidiary Reimbursement Agreement
Schedules
---------
Schedule 1 Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 4.1.1 Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 7.3 Title to Properties
Schedule 7.7 Litigation
Schedule 7.16 Environmental Compliance
Schedule 7.17 Subsidiaries Etc.
Schedule 9.1 Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 9.2 Existing Liens
Schedule 9.3 Existing Investments
BM DRAFT 9/10/03
REVOLVING CREDIT
AGREEMENT
This REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT is made as of October 16, 2003, by and
among COACH, INC. (the "Borrower"), a Maryland corporation having its principal
place of business at 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, FLEET
NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association ("Fleet"), the other lending
institutions listed on Schedule 1 and Fleet, as administrative agent (the
"Administrative Agent") for itself and such other lending institutions.
1. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
1.1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the meanings set
forth in this Section 1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit
Agreement referred to below:
Adjustment Date. With respect to any quarter, the second Business Day
following the Administrative Agent's receipt of the Compliance Certificate
required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.3(c) for such quarter; provided,
however, that in the event that the Borrower fails to deliver any Compliance
Certificate to the Administrative Agent within the time period set forth in
Section 8.3(c), the Adjustment Date shall be the second Business Day following
the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to be delivered
pursuant to Section 8.3(c).
Administrative Agent's Office. The Administrative Agent's office located
at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other location as
the Administrative Agent may designate from time to time.
Administrative Agent. Fleet National Bank, acting as administrative agent
for the Lenders and each other Person appointed as the successor Administrative
Agent in accordance with Section 14.9.
Administrative Agent's Fee. See Section 5.2.
Administrative Agent's Special Counsel. Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxxx LLP or such
other counsel as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate. Any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of any
other Person under Rule 144(a) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as in effect on the date hereof, if such other Person
were issuing securities.
Applicable Margin. Subject to the last paragraph of this definition and
with respect to each period commencing on an Adjustment Date through the date
immediately preceding the next Adjustment Date (each a "Rate Adjustment
Period"), the Applicable Margin with respect to Prime Rate Loans, Eurodollar
Rate Loans, Standby Letter of Credit Fees, Documentary Letter of Credit Fees or
Commitment Fees, as the case may be, shall be the applicable margin set forth
below for each such category with respect to the Fixed Charge Ratio, as
determined for the Reference Period of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ending
on the last day of the
fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ended immediately prior to
the applicable Rate Adjustment Period.
STANDBY DOCUMENTARY
LETTER OF LETTER OF
FIXED CHARGE PRIME RATE EURODOLLAR CREDIT CREDIT COMMITMENT
LEVEL RATIO LOANS RATE LOANS FEES FEES FEE
----- ----- ----- ---------- ---- ---- ---
I Greater than or
equal to 0.000% 0.550% 0.550% 0.2250% 0.125%
8.00:1.00
II Less than
8.00:1.00 but 0.000% 0.625% 0.625% 0.3125% 0.150%
greater than or
equal to
6.50:1.00
III Less than
6.50:1.00 but 0.000% 0.750% 0.750% 0.3750% 0.200%
greater than or
equal to
5.00:1.00
IV Less than
5.00:1.00 but 0.000% 1.000% 1.000% 0.5000% 0.250%
greater than or
equal to
3.50:1.00
V Less than
3.50:1.00 0.000% 1.250% 1.250% 0.6250% 0.300%
During the period commencing on the Closing Date through the date
immediately preceding the first Adjustment Date to occur after the fiscal
quarter ending March 27, 2004, the Applicable Margin with respect to the Loans
outstanding and the Letter of Credit Fees and the Commitment Fee payable shall
be the Applicable Margin set forth in Level III above. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (a) if the Borrower fails to deliver any Compliance Certificate
required under Section 8.3(c) hereof, then, for the period commencing on the
next Adjustment Date to occur subsequent to such failure through the date
immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is
delivered, the Applicable Margin shall be the Applicable Margin set forth in
Level V above, and (b) at all times while an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Margin to be included in the
calculations set forth in Section 5.11 shall be the Applicable Margin set forth
in Level V above.
Applicable Pension Legislation. At any time, any pension or retirement
benefits legislation (be it national, federal, provincial, territorial or
otherwise) then applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Arrangement Fee. See Section 5.1.
Arranger. Fleet Securities, Inc.
Assignment and Acceptance. See Section 15.1.
Balance Sheet Date. June 28, 2003.
Borrower. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Business Day. Any day on which banking institutions in Boston,
Massachusetts and New York, New York, are open for the transaction of banking
business and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, also a day which is a
Eurodollar Business Day.
Capital Expenditures. Amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with (i) additions to
property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries that are (or would be required to be) set forth in a
consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower for such period prepared in
accordance with GAAP, and (ii) without duplication, obligations with respect to
Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Leases (had the Synthetic Lease been treated
for accounting purposes as a Capitalized Lease) incurred by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries during such period.
Capitalized Leases. Leases under which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries is the lessee or obligor, the discounted future rental payment
obligations under which are required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of
the lessee or obligor in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Stock. Any and all shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all
equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any
and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
CERCLA. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 as amended.
Change of Control. An event or series of events by which any person or
group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under said Act), directly or indirectly, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the
outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower; or, during any period of
twelve consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of the
Borrower on the first day of such period (together with any new directors whose
election by such board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of
the Borrower was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors still in
office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved) shall cease to
constitute a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower.
CJI. Coach Japan, Inc., a joint venture of the Borrower with Sumitomo
Corporation.
Closing Date. The first date on which the conditions set forth in Section
11 have been satisfied and any Revolving Credit Loans are to be made or any
Letter of Credit is to be issued hereunder.
Closing Fee. See Section 5.1.
Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commitment. With respect to each Lender, the amount set forth on Schedule
1 hereto as the amount of such Lender's commitment to make Revolving Credit
Loans to, and to participate in the issuance, extension, amendment and renewal
of Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrower, as the same may be
reduced from time to time; or if such commitment is terminated pursuant to the
provisions hereof, zero.
Commitment Fee. See Section 2.2.
Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Lender, the percentage set
forth on Schedule 1 hereto as such Lender's percentage of the aggregate
Commitments of all of the Lenders.
Compliance Certificate. See Section 8.3(c).
Consolidated or consolidated. With reference to any term defined herein,
shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, consolidated in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated EBIT. Consolidated Net Income, plus, to the extent deducted
in determining Consolidated Net Income, consolidated income taxes and
Consolidated Total Interest Expense, in each case as determined in accordance
with GAAP.
Consolidated EBITDA. With respect to any fiscal period, an amount equal to
the sum of (a) Consolidated EBIT for such period plus (b) consolidated
depreciation and consolidated amortization for such period as determined in
accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated EBITDAR. With respect to any fiscal period, an amount equal
to the sum of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period plus (b) Rental Expense
for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Income. The consolidated net income (or loss) of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Total Funded Debt. With respect to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate amount of
Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis,
relating to (i) obligations for borrowed money, (ii) the deferred purchase price
of assets (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of
business), and (iii) obligations under any Synthetic Leases or any Capitalized
Leases, but excluding the Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit
outstanding and the maximum drawing amount of any other letters of credit
outstanding.
Consolidated Total Interest Expense. For any period, interest expense
(without deduction of interest income) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Conversion Request. A notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative
Agent of the Borrower's election to convert or continue a Loan in accordance
with Section 2.7.
Credit Agreement. This Revolving Credit Agreement, including the Schedules
and Exhibits hereto.
Default. See Section 13.1.
Delinquent Lender. See Section 14.5.3.
Distribution. The declaration or payment of any dividend on or in respect
of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Borrower, other than
dividends payable solely in shares of common stock of the Borrower; the
purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, or sinking
fund or other similar payment in respect of, any shares of any class of Capital
Stock of the Borrower, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of the
Borrower or otherwise; the return of capital by the Borrower to its shareholders
as such; or any other distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class
of Capital Stock of the Borrower.
Documentary Letter of Credit Fee. See Section 4.6.
Dollars or $. Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.
Domestic Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Lender designated
as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Lender, if
any, located within the United States that will be making or maintaining Base
Rate Loans.
Drawdown Date. The date on which any Revolving Credit Loan is made or is
to be made, and the date on which any Revolving Credit Loan is converted or
continued in accordance with Section 2.7.
Eligible Assignee. Any of (a) a commercial bank or other financial
institution; (b) a Lender Affiliate; and (c) if, but only if, any Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other bank, insurance
company, commercial finance company or other financial institution or other
Person approved by the Administrative Agent.
Employee Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan, whether single-employer
or multiple-employer, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA maintained or
contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, other than a Guaranteed
Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan.
Environmental Laws. Any judgment, decree, order, law, license, rule or
regulation pertaining to environmental matters, including without limitation,
those arising under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, CERCLA, the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Clean Water
Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or any state,
local or foreign law, statute, regulation, ordinance, order or decree relating
to health, safety or the environment.
EPA. See Section 7.16(b).
ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate. Any Person which is treated as a single employer with the
Borrower under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code.
ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
Pension Plan within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Eurocurrency Reserve Rate. For any day with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which any bank subject
thereto would be required to maintain reserves under Regulation D of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor or similar
regulations relating to such reserve requirements) against "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" (as that term is used in Regulation D), if such liabilities were
outstanding. The Eurocurrency Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on
and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate.
Eurodollar Business Day. Any day on which commercial banks are open for
international business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in London or such
other Eurodollar interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent
in its sole discretion acting in good faith.
Eurodollar Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Lender designated
as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Lender, if
any, that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans.
Eurodollar Rate. For any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the rate of interest equal to (a) the arithmetic average of the rates per
annum for the Reference Lender (rounded upwards to the nearest 1/16 of one
percent) of the rate at which such Reference Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office
is offered Dollar deposits two Eurodollar Business Days prior to the beginning
of such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar market where the eurodollar
and foreign currency and exchange operations of such Eurodollar Lending Office
are customarily conducted, for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period
for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount comparable to the
principal amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan of the Reference Lender to which
such Interest Period applies, divided by (b) a number equal to 1.00 minus the
Eurocurrency Reserve Rate, if applicable.
Eurodollar Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans bearing interest calculated
by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.
Event of Default. See Section 13.1.
Executive Order. See Section 7.19.
Extension Notice. See Section 2.1(c).
Fee Letter. The fee letter dated as of the Closing Date, among the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.
Fees. Collectively, the Commitment Fee, the Letter of Credit Fees, the
Administrative Agent's Fee, the Closing Fee, the Arrangement Fee and any other
fee agreed to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to or in connection with this
Credit Agreement.
Financial Affiliate. A Subsidiary of the bank holding company controlling
any Lender, which Subsidiary is engaging in any of the activities permitted by
Section 4(e) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. Section 1843).
Fixed Charge Ratio. As at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the
sum of Consolidated EBITDAR minus Capital Expenditures for the Reference Period
ending on such date, to (b) the sum of Consolidated Total Interest Expense plus
Rental Expense for such Reference Period.
Fixed Rate. With respect to any Swing Line Loan, the fixed rate of
interest quoted by the Swing Line Lender on any date or whenever the Borrower
requests a Swing Line Loan, which rate the Swing Line Lender is willing to
charge with respect to a Swing Line Loan made by it.
Fixed Rate Loans. A Swing Line Loan bearing interest at the Fixed Rate for
a period of time agreed to by the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender pursuant to
Section 2.5(c).
Fleet. Fleet National Bank, a national banking association, in its
individual capacity.
Foreign Assets Control Regulations. See Section 7.19.
GAAP or generally accepted accounting principles. (a) When used in Section
10, whether directly or indirectly through reference to a capitalized term used
therein, means (i) principles that are consistent with the principles
promulgated or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its
predecessors, in effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and
(ii) to the extent consistent with such principles, the accounting practice of
the Borrower reflected in its financial statements for the year ended on the
Balance Sheet Date, and (b) when used in general, other than as provided above,
means principles that are consistent with the principles promulgated or adopted
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors, which are
applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently
applied.
Governing Documents. With respect to any Person, its certificate or
articles of incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting
trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any of its Capital Stock.
Governmental Authority. Any foreign, federal, state, regional, local,
municipal or other government, or any department, commission, board, bureau,
agency, public authority or instrumentality thereof, or any court or arbitrator.
Guaranteed Pension Plan. Any employee pension benefit plan within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full
or in part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer
Plan.
Guarantors. Collectively, each Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower
existing on the Closing Date and each other Person which is required to be or
become a guarantor from time to time pursuant to Section 8.11 hereof. Each such
Person shall be a party to a Guaranty.
Guaranty(ies). Collectively, the guaranties dated as of the date required
by Section 8.11 from each Person required to become a Guarantor pursuant to
Section 8.11 in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in each case
of the payment and performance of the Obligations, and in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit E.
Hazardous Substances. Any hazardous waste, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section
6903(5), any hazardous substances as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(14), any
pollutant or contaminant as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(33) and any toxic
substances, oil or hazardous materials or other chemicals or substances
regulated by any Environmental Laws.
Indebtedness. As to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is
otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person
and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:
(a) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,
(b) every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in
connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,
(c) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to
letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for
the account of such Person,
(d) every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities
repurchase agreements but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued
liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not
overdue or which are being contested in good faith),
(e) every obligation of such Person under any Capitalized Lease,
(f) every obligation of such Person under any Synthetic Lease,
(g) all sales by such Person of (i) accounts or general intangibles
for money due or to become due, (ii) chattel paper, instruments or
documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (iii)
other receivables (collectively "receivables"), whether pursuant to a
purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the
disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or
a disposition of defaulted receivables for collection and not as a
financing arrangement, and together with any obligation of such Person to
pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse,
expenses or other amounts in connection therewith,
(h) every obligation of such Person under any forward contract,
futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement
(including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar
agreements), the value of which is
dependent upon interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities or
other indices (a "derivative contract"),
(i) every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity
(including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to
the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such
Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity,
except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such
Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under
applicable law, and
(j) every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guarantying or otherwise
acting as surety for, any obligation of a type described in any of clauses
(a) through (i) of another Person, in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly.
Ineligible Securities. Securities which may not be underwritten or dealt
in by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the Banking
Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C. Section 24, Seventh), as amended.
Interest Payment Date. (a) As to any Prime Rate Loan, the first day of the
next succeeding calendar quarter with respect to interest accrued during such
calendar quarter, including, without limitation, the calendar quarter which
includes the Drawdown Date of such Prime Rate Loan; (b) as to any Eurodollar
Rate Loan in respect of which the Interest Period is (i) 3 months or less, the
last day of such Interest Period and (ii) more than 3 months, the date that is 3
months from the first day of such Interest Period and, in addition, the last day
of such Interest Period; and (c) as to any Swing Line Loan which is also a Fixed
Rate Loan, on the first day of the next succeeding calendar quarter with respect
to interest accrued during such calendar quarter.
Interest Period. With respect to each Revolving Credit Loan, (a)
initially, the period commencing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan and ending on
the last day of one of the periods set forth below, as selected by the Borrower
in a Loan Request or as otherwise required by the terms of this Credit Agreement
(i) for any Prime Rate Loan, the last day of the calendar quarter; (ii) for any
Fixed Rate Loan, the period (not to exceed ten (10) days) requested by the
Borrower and agreed to by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.5(c); and
(iii) for any Eurodollar Rate Loan, 1, 2, 3, or 6 months; and (b) thereafter,
each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period
applicable to such Revolving Credit Loan and ending on the last day of one of
the periods set forth above, as selected by the Borrower in a Conversion
Request; provided that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest
Periods are subject to the following:
(A) if any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan would otherwise end on a day that is not a Eurodollar Business
Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding
Eurodollar Business Day unless the result of such extension would be
to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which
event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding
Eurodollar Business Day;
(B) if any Interest Period with respect to a Prime Rate Loan
would end on a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period
shall end on the next succeeding Business Day;
(C) if the Borrower shall fail to give notice as provided in
Section 2.7, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a
conversion of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Prime Rate Loan
and the continuance of all Prime Rate Loans as Prime Rate Loans on
the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
thereto;
(D) any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan
that begins on the last Eurodollar 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 Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month; and
(E) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the
Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date shall end on the Revolving
Credit Loan Maturity Date.
International Standby Practices. With respect to any standby Letter of
Credit, the International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of
Commerce Publication No. 590, or any successor code of standby letter of credit
practices among banks adopted by the Issuing Lender in the ordinary course of
its business as a standby letter of credit issuer and in effect at the time of
issuance of such Letter of Credit.
Investments. All expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock or Indebtedness of, or
for loans, advances, capital contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect of any guaranties (or other commitments as described under
Indebtedness), or obligations of, any Person.
Issuing Lender. With respect to standby Letters of Credit, Fleet, and with
respect to documentary Letters of Credit, any Lender acceptable to the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower. As used herein, the term Issuing Lender
shall refer, as the context requires, to the Issuing Lender issuing, extending,
renewing or amending any particular Letter of Credit or collectively to each and
every Lender which acts as an Issuing Lender hereunder.
Lender Affiliate. (a) With respect to any Lender, (i) an Affiliate of such
Lender or (ii) for all purposes hereof other than the definition of "Eligible
Assignee", any entity (whether a corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, trust or legal entity) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding
or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the
ordinary course of its business and is administered or managed by such Lender or
an Affiliate of such Lender, and (b) following a Default or an Event of Default,
with respect to any Lender that is a fund which invests in bank loans and
similar extensions of credit, any other entity (whether a corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, trust or other legal entity) that is a
fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit and is managed
by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such
investment advisor.
Lenders. Fleet and the other lending institutions listed on Schedule 1
hereto and any other Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and
obligations of a Lender pursuant to Section 15.
Letter of Credit. See Section 4.1.1.
Letter of Credit Application. See Section 4.1.1.
Letter of Credit Fee. See Section 4.6.
Letter of Credit Participation. See Section 4.1.4.
Leverage Ratio. As at any date of determination, the ratio of (a)
Consolidated Total Funded Debt outstanding on such date to (b) Consolidated
EBITDA for the Reference Period ending on such date.
Lien. Any mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, attachment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
(statutory, judgment or otherwise), or other security agreement or preferential
arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement, any Capitalized Lease, any Synthetic Lease, any
financing lease involving substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing and the filing of any financing statement under the UCC or comparable
law of any jurisdiction).
Loan Documents. This Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit
Applications, the Letters of Credit, the Guaranties and the Fee Letter.
Loan Request. See Section 2.6.
Loans. The Revolving Credit Loans.
Material Adverse Effect. With respect to any change or effect, a material
adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, as the case may be, (i)
business, properties, condition (economic, financial or otherwise), assets,
operations or income of the Borrower, individually, or the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or any
Guarantor to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a
party, or (iii) the ability of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce
the Loan Documents.
Maximum Drawing Amount. The maximum aggregate amount that the
beneficiaries may at any time draw under outstanding Letters of Credit, as such
aggregate amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms of the
Letters of Credit.
Minimum Liquidity. Before and after giving effect to a proposed
transaction under Sections 9.3(h) or 9.4, the Borrower shall have (i) at least
twenty-five percent (25%) of Total Commitment as unused availability, or (ii) at
least $25,000,000 unrestricted excess cash or cash equivalents on the Balance
Sheet, which shall be certified by the Borrower in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Minority Owned Joint Venture. Any joint venture or other entity which is
not a Subsidiary, other than CJI.
Xxxxx'x. Xxxxx'x Investors Services, Inc.
Multiemployer Plan. Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section
3(37) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate.
Notes. The Revolving Credit Notes.
Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of any of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders (including the Swing Line
Lender), any Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent arising or incurred
under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of
any of the Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations incurred or any Note, Letter
of Credit Application, Letter of Credit or other instrument at any time
evidencing any thereof, whether any of such indebtedness, obligations or
liabilities (a) arise or are incurred individually or collectively, directly or
indirectly, jointly or severally, absolutely or contingently, (b) arise by
contract, operation of law or otherwise, (c) are matured or unmatured,
liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, or (d) exist on the date of
this Credit Agreement or arise thereafter.
outstanding. With respect to the Loans, the aggregate unpaid principal
thereof as of any date of determination.
PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by Section 4002 of
ERISA and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.
Permitted Liens. Liens permitted by Section 9.2.
Person. Any individual, corporation, limited liability company
partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, other unincorporated
association, business, or other legal entity, and any Governmental Authority.
Prime Rate. The higher of (a) the variable annual rate of interest
publicly announced from time to time by Fleet as its "prime rate", such rate
being a reference rate, and (b) one-half of one percent (0.5%) above the Federal
Funds Effective Rate. For the purposes of this definition, "Federal Funds
Effective Rate" shall mean 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 and published by federal funds brokers for such
day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business
Day), by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so
published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for
such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three
funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
Changes in the Prime Rate resulting from any changes in Fleet's "prime rate"
shall take place immediately without notice or demand of any kind.
Prime Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans bearing interest calculated by
reference to the Prime Rate.
Real Estate. All real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or
sublessee of such leasehold interest) by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Record. The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid, or
any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by any Lender
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.
Reference Lender. Fleet, or, in the event that Fleet is unable to provide
a quote for the Eurodollar Rate, such other Lender as Fleet shall select.
Reference Period. As of any date of determination, the period of four (4)
consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ending on the
last day of any fiscal quarter, treated as a single accounting period.
Register. See Section 15.3.
Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrower's obligation to reimburse the
Issuing Lender and the Lenders on account of any drawing under any Letter of
Credit as provided in Section 4.2.
Rental Expense. All rental expenses of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries during any applicable fiscal period with respect to Rental
Obligations, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Rental Obligations. All obligations of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries under any rental agreements or leases of real or personal property,
other than (a) obligations that can be terminated by the giving of notice
without liability to the Borrower or such Subsidiary in excess of the liability
for rent due as of the date on which such notice is given and under which no
penalty or premium is paid as a result of any such termination, and (b)
obligations in respect of any Capitalized Leases or any Synthetic Leases.
Replacement Lender. See Section 2.1(c).
Required Lenders. As of any date, the Lender(s) holding greater than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Notes
on such date; and if no such principal is outstanding, the Lender(s) whose
aggregate Commitment(s) constitute(s) greater than fifty percent (50%) of the
Total Commitment.
Restricted Payment. In relation to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any
(a) Distribution, or (b) payment by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries (i) to the
Borrower's or any such Subsidiary's shareholders (or other equity holders), in
each case, other than to the Borrower, or (ii) to any Affiliate of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's
shareholders (or other equity holders), in each case, other than to the
Borrower.
Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date. October 16, 2006, as the same may be
extended pursuant to Section 2.1(c).
Revolving Credit Loans. Revolving credit loans (including the Swing Line
Loans) made or to be made by the Lenders or the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.
Revolving Credit Note Record. A Record with respect to a Revolving Credit
Note.
Revolving Credit Notes. See Section 2.4.
Settlement. The making or receiving of payments, in immediately available
funds, by the Lenders, to the extent necessary to cause each Lender's actual
share of the outstanding amount of Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect
to any Loan Request) to be equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the
outstanding amount of such Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to any
Loan Request), in any case where, prior to such event or action, the actual
share is not so equal.
Settlement Amount. See Section 2.9.1.
Settlement Date. (a) The Drawdown Date relating to any Loan Request, (b)
the date which is no more than ten (10) days after the making of a Swing Line
Loan pursuant to Section 2.6.2, (d) at the option of the Administrative Agent,
on any Business Day following a day on which the account officers of the
Administrative Agent active upon the Borrower's account become aware of the
existence of an Event of Default, (e) any day on which any conversion of a Prime
Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan occurs, or (f) any Business Day on which (i)
the amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans decreases and (ii) the amount
of the Administrative Agent's Revolving Credit Loans outstanding equals zero
Dollars ($0).
Settling Lender. See Section 2.9.1.
Significant Subsidiary. Each domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower which
qualifies as "significant", as such term is defined under Regulation S-X
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
S&P. Standard & Poor's Ratings Group.
Standby Letter of Credit Fee. See Section 4.6.
Subsidiary. At any time and from time to time, any corporation,
association, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other
business entity of which the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,
directly or indirectly at such time, either (a) owns or controls more than fifty
percent (50%) of the Voting Stock, or (b) is entitled to share in more than
fifty percent (50%) of the profits and losses, however determined, but excluding
CJI for all purposes hereof, other than when used in Sections 8.3(a) and (b),
unless and until Borrower shall own or control one hundred percent (100%) of the
Voting Stock of, or be entitled to share in one hundred percent (100%) of the
profits and losses of, CJI.
Swing Line Lender. Fleet.
Swing Line Loans. Revolving Credit Loans made by Fleet pursuant to Section
2.6.2.
Synthetic Lease. Any lease of goods or other property, whether real or
personal, which is treated as an operating lease under GAAP and as a loan or
financing for U.S. income tax purposes.
Total Commitment. The sum of the Commitments of the Lenders, as in effect
from time to time.
Trading with the Enemy Act. See Section 7.19.
Type. As to any Revolving Credit Loan which is not a Swing Line Loan, its
nature as a Prime Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
Uniform Customs. With respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs
and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of
Commerce Publication No. 500 or any successor version thereto adopted by the
Issuing Lender in the ordinary course of its business as a letter of credit
issuer and in effect at the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit.
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Any Reimbursement Obligation for which
the Borrower does not reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and
the Lenders on the date specified in, and in accordance with, Section 4.2.
Voting Stock. Stock or similar interests, of any class or classes (however
designated), the holders of which are at the time entitled, as such holders, to
vote for the election of a majority of the directors (or persons performing
similar functions) of the corporation, association, trust or other business
entity involved, whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason of the
happening of a contingency.
1.2. RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
(a) A reference to any document or agreement shall include
such document or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms of this
Credit Agreement.
(b) The singular includes the plural and the plural includes
the singular.
(c) A reference to any law includes any amendment or
modification to such law.
(d) A reference to any Person includes its permitted
successors and permitted assigns.
(e) Accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them by GAAP applied on a consistent basis by
the accounting entity to which they refer.
(f) The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not
limiting.
(g) All terms not specifically defined herein or by GAAP,
which terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect
in the State of New York, have the meanings assigned to them
therein, with the term "instrument" being that defined under Article
9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
(h) Reference to a particular "Section" refers to that section
of this Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
(i) The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of
like import shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not
to any particular section or subdivision of this Credit Agreement.
(j) Unless otherwise expressly indicated, 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."
2. THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.
2.1. COMMITMENT TO LEND.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Credit
Agreement, each of the Lenders severally agrees to lend to the Borrower
and the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow from time to time from
the Closing Date up to but not including the Revolving Credit Loan
Maturity Date upon notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent
given in accordance with Section 2.6, such sums as are requested by the
Borrower up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding (after giving effect
to all amounts requested) at any one time equal to such Lender's
Commitment minus such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the sum of the
Maximum Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, provided
that the sum of the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans
(after giving effect to all amounts requested), including the Swing Line
Loans, plus the Maximum Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations shall not at any time exceed the Total Commitment at such
time. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be made pro rata in accordance with
each Lender's Commitment Percentage. Each request for a Revolving Credit
Loan hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the
Borrower that the conditions set forth in Section 11 and Section 12, in
the case of the initial Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the Closing
Date, and Section 12, in the case of all other Revolving Credit Loans,
have been satisfied on the date of such request.
(b) Limited Increase In Total Commitment. Unless a Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may request, on
one or more occasions, that the Total Commitment in effect on the date of
such request be increased by up to $25,000,000, provided, however, that
(i) the aggregate amount of any and all increases pursuant to this Section
2.1(b) shall not exceed $25,000,000, (ii) any Lender which is a party to
this Agreement prior to such increase shall have the right to elect to
fund its pro rata share of the increase and any additional amounts
allocated by the Administrative Agent, thereby increasing its Revolving
Credit Commitment
hereunder, but no Lender shall be required to do so, (iii) in the event
that it becomes necessary to include one or more new Lenders to provide
additional funding under this Section 2.1(b) in order to enable such
increase in the Total Commitment to occur, such new Lender must be
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (iv)
the Lenders' Commitment Percentages shall be correspondingly adjusted, (v)
each new Lender shall make all (if any) such payments to the other Lenders
as may be necessary to result in the sum of the Revolving Credit Loans to
be made by such new Lender plus such new Lender's proportionate share of
the Maximum Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations being
equal to such new Lender's Commitment Percentage (as then in effect) of
the aggregate principal amount of the sum of all Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding to the Borrower as of such date plus the Maximum Drawing
Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations as of such date), and (vi)
Revolving Credit Notes issued or amended and such other changes shall be
made to the Loan Documents, as shall be necessary to reflect any such
increase in the Total Commitment. Any such increase in the Total
Commitment (whether by $25,000,000 or by a lesser amount) shall require,
among other things, the satisfaction of such conditions precedent as the
Administrative Agent may require, including, without limitation, the
obtaining by any applicable Lender of requisite internal approvals, the
Administrative Agent's receipt of evidence of applicable corporate
authorization and other corporate documentation from the Borrower and the
legal opinion of counsel to the Borrower, each in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and such Lenders as are
participating in such increase.
(c) Extension of Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date. The Borrower
may, provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no
later than sixty (60) days prior to October 16, 2005 (the "Extension
Notice") request that the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date be extended
to a date one year after the then existing Revolving Credit Loan Maturity
Date. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such request
promptly after receipt, and request each Lender to notify the
Administrative Agent of its determination to consent or not to consent to
such extension. If each Lender consents to the extension by so notifying
the Administrative Agent in writing no later than thirty (30) Business
Days after notice of the Extension Request, the Revolving Credit Loan
Maturity Date shall be extended to October 16, 2007. The determination
with respect to such extension shall be in the sole discretion of each
Lender. Any Lender which fails to give written notice of its consent or
non-consent within such period shall be deemed not to have consented to
the extension hereunder (a "Dissent"); provided that the Borrower may,
within sixty (60) days of such Dissent, obtain a replacement lender
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the "Replacement Lender") to
assume the dissenting Lender's Loans and Commitments by (i) requesting the
non-dissenting Lenders acquire and assume all of the dissenting Lender's
Loans and Commitments, as provided herein, but no such Lenders shall be
under an obligation to do so; or (ii) designating a Replacement Lender
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. If any satisfactory
Replacement Lender shall be obtained, and/or any of the non-dissenting
Lenders shall agree to acquire and assume all of the dissenting Lender's
Loans and Commitment, then such dissenting Lender shall, so long as no
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
assign, in accordance with Section 15, all of its Commitment, Loans, or
Notes and other rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement and all
other Loan Documents to such Replacement Lender or non-dissenting Lenders,
as the case may be, in exchange for payment of the principal amount so
assigned and all interest and fees accrued on the amount so assigned, plus
all other Obligations then due and payable to the dissenting Lender;
provided, however, that (i) such assignment shall be without recourse,
representation or warranty and shall be on terms and conditions reasonably
satisfactory to such dissenting Lender and such Replacement Lender and/or
non-dissenting Lenders, as the case may be, and (ii) prior to any such
assignment, the Borrowers shall have paid to such dissenting Lender all
amounts properly demanded and unreimbursed hereunder, if applicable. Upon
the effective date of such assignment, the Borrower shall issue
replacement Notes in favor of such Replacement Lender and/or
non-dissenting Lenders, as the case may be, and such institution shall
become a "Lender" for all purposes under this Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.
2.2. COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the accounts of the Lenders in accordance with
their respective Commitment Percentages a commitment fee (the "Commitment
Fee") calculated at the rate per annum of the Applicable Margin with
respect to the Commitment Fee as in effect from time to time on the
average daily amount during each calendar quarter or portion thereof from
the date hereof to the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date by which the
Total Commitment minus the sum of the Maximum Drawing Amount and all
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations exceeds the outstanding amount of
Revolving Credit Loans (other than Swing Line Loans which shall not be
considered usage for purposes of this calculation only) during such
calendar quarter. The Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears
on the first day of each calendar quarter for the immediately preceding
calendar quarter commencing on the first such date following the date
hereof, with a final payment on the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date or
any earlier date on which the Commitments shall terminate.
2.3. REDUCTION OF TOTAL COMMITMENT. The Borrower shall have the
right at any time and from time to time upon three (3) Business Days prior
written notice to the Administrative Agent to reduce by $5,000,000 or an
integral multiple thereof or to terminate entirely the Total Commitment,
whereupon the Commitments of the Lenders shall be reduced pro rata in
accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages of the amount
specified in such notice or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly
after receiving any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this
Section 2.3, the Administrative Agent will notify the Lenders of the
substance thereof. Upon the effective date of any such reduction or
termination, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
respective accounts of the Lenders the full amount of any Commitment Fee
then accrued on the amount of the reduction. No reduction or termination
of the Commitments may be reinstated.
2.4. THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be
evidenced by separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially
the form of Exhibit A hereto (each a "Revolving Credit Note"), dated as of
the Closing Date (or such other date on which a Lender may become a party
hereto in accordance with
Section 15 hereof) and completed with appropriate insertions. One
Revolving Credit Note shall be payable to the order of each Lender in a
principal amount equal to such Lender's Commitment or, if less, the
outstanding amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender, plus
interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The Borrower irrevocably
authorizes each Lender to make or cause to be made, at or about the time
of the Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loan or at the time of
receipt of any payment of principal on such Lender's Revolving Credit
Note, an appropriate notation on such Lender's Revolving Credit Note
Record reflecting the making of such Revolving Credit Loan or (as the case
may be) the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans set forth on such Lender's Revolving Credit Note
Record shall be prima facie evidence, absent manifest error, of the
principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Lender, but the failure
to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on such Lender's
Revolving Credit Note Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Revolving Credit Note
to make payments of principal of or interest on any Revolving Credit Note
when due.
2.5. INTEREST ON REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 5.11,
(a) Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Prime Rate Loan
shall bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date
thereof and ending on the last day of the Interest Period with
respect thereto at the rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus
the Applicable Margin with respect to Prime Rate Loans as in effect
from time to time.
(b) Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Eurodollar Rate Loan
shall bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date
thereof and ending on the last day of the Interest Period with
respect thereto at the rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate
determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin with
respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans as in effect from time to time.
(c) Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest from the period
commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof and ending on the last day
of the Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum
equal to, at the Borrower's option (i) the Prime Rate plus the
Applicable Margin with respect to Prime Rate Loans in effect from
time to time, and (ii) the Fixed Rate, which interest shall be paid
on each Interest Payment Date for Swing Line Loans for the account
of the Swing Line Lender. Interest periods for Swing Line Loans
which are also Fixed Rate Loans shall be for a period of ten (10)
days or less. The Borrower shall give the Swing Line Lender notice
no later than 1:00 p.m. on the last day of the Interest Period that
is a Fixed Rate Loan of its intention to repay such Swing Line Loan
or to refund such Swing Line Loan with a Revolving Credit Loan which
is not a Swing Line Loan in accordance with Section 2.9. In the
event that the Borrower fails to give such notice, such Swing Line
Loan shall, on the last day of such Interest Period cease to be a
Fixed Rate Loan.
The Borrower promises to pay interest on each Revolving Credit Loan in arrears
on each Interest Payment Date with respect thereto.
2.6. REQUESTS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
2.6.1. GENERAL. The Borrower shall give to the Administrative
Agent written notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or telephonic
notice confirmed promptly in a writing in the form of Exhibit B
hereto) of each Revolving Credit Loan requested hereunder (a "Loan
Request") (a) by no later than 11:00 a.m. (Boston time) on the
proposed Drawdown Date of any Prime Rate Loan and (b) by no later
than 12:00 noon (Boston time) no less than three (3) Eurodollar
Business Days prior to the proposed Drawdown Date of any Eurodollar
Rate Loan. Each such notice shall specify (i) the principal amount
of the Revolving Credit Loan requested, (ii) the proposed Drawdown
Date of such Revolving Credit Loan, (iii) the Interest Period for
such Revolving Credit Loan and (iv) the Type of such Revolving
Credit Loan. Promptly upon receipt of any such notice, the
Administrative Agent shall notify each of the Lenders thereof. Each
Loan Request shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower and
shall obligate the Borrower to accept the Revolving Credit Loan
requested from the Lenders on the proposed Drawdown Date. With
respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, each Loan Request shall be in a
minimum aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of
$500,000 in excess thereof, and with respect to Prime Rate Loans,
each Loan Request shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $500,000
or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof.
2.6.2. SWING LINE. Notwithstanding the notice and minimum
amount requirements set forth in Section 2.6.1 but otherwise in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement,
the Swing Line Lender may, at the Borrower's request and in the
Swing Line Lender's sole discretion and without conferring with the
Lenders, make Revolving Credit Loans (each a "Swing Line Loan") to
the Borrower in an amount requested by the Borrower provided, that
(a) each such Swing Line Loan shall be in a minimum aggregate amount
of $500,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof,
and (b) the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swing Line Loans
made by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to this Section 2.6.2 shall
not exceed $10,000,000 at any one time. The Borrower hereby requests
and authorizes the Swing Line Lender to make from time to time such
Swing Line Loans as may be so requested. The Borrower acknowledges
and agrees that the making of such Swing Line Loans shall, in each
case, be subject in all respects to the provisions of this Credit
Agreement as if they were Swing Line Loans covered by a Loan Request
including, without limitation, the limitations set forth in Section
2.1 and the requirements that the applicable provisions of Section
11 (in the case of Swing Line Loans made on the Closing Date) and
Section 12 be satisfied. All actions taken by the Swing Line Lender
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6.2 shall be conclusive
and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders absent the Swing Line
Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
2.7. CONVERSION OPTIONS.
2.7.1. CONVERSION TO DIFFERENT TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN.
The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any outstanding
Revolving Credit Loan to a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type,
provided that (a) with respect to any such conversion of a
Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Prime Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give
the Administrative Agent at least one (1) Business Day prior written
notice of such election; (b) with respect to any such conversion of
a Prime Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give
the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Eurodollar Business Days
prior written notice of such election; (c) with respect to any such
conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan into a Prime Rate Loan, such
conversion shall only be made on the last day of the Interest Period
with respect thereto and (d) no Revolving Credit Loan may be
converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan when any Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing. On the date on which such
conversion is being made each Lender shall take such action as is
necessary to transfer its Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
Credit Loans to its Domestic Lending Office or its Eurodollar
Lending Office, as the case may be. All or any part of outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans of any Type may be converted into a Revolving
Credit Loan of another Type as provided herein, provided that any
partial conversion to a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of
$500,000 in excess thereof, and any partial conversion to a Prime
Rate Loan shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or
an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Conversion
Request relating to the conversion of a Revolving Credit Loan to a
Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be irrevocable by the Borrower.
2.7.2. CONTINUATION OF TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. Any
Revolving Credit Loan of any Type may be continued as a Revolving
Credit Loan of the same Type upon the expiration of an Interest
Period with respect thereto by compliance by the Borrower with the
notice provisions contained in Section 2.7.1; provided that no
Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued as such when any Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, but shall be
automatically converted to a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of the
first Interest Period relating thereto ending during the continuance
of any Default or Event of Default of which officers of the
Administrative Agent active upon the Borrower's account have actual
knowledge. In the event that the Borrower fails to provide any such
notice with respect to the continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan
as such, then such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be automatically
converted to a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of the first Interest
Period relating thereto. The Administrative Agent shall notify the
Lenders promptly when any such automatic conversion contemplated by
this Section 2.7 is scheduled to occur.
2.7.3. EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Any conversion to or from
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant
to such elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the
aggregate principal amount of all Eurodollar Rate Loans having the
same Interest Period shall not be less than $1,000,000 or an
integral multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. No more than
ten (10) Eurodollar Rate Loans having different Interest Periods may
be outstanding at any time.
2.7.4. APPLICABILITY OF CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION
PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein
contained, the provisions of this Section 2.7 shall not apply to
Swing Line Loans.
2.8. FUNDS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN.
2.8.1. FUNDING PROCEDURES. Not later than 3:00 p.m. (Boston
time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loans,
each of the Lenders will make available to the Administrative Agent,
at the Administrative Agent's Office, in immediately available
funds, the amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the
amount of the requested Revolving Credit Loans. Upon receipt from
each Lender of such amount, and upon receipt of the documents
required by Sections 11 and 12 and the satisfaction of the other
conditions set forth therein, to the extent applicable, the
Administrative Agent will make available to the Borrower the
aggregate amount of such Revolving Credit Loans made available to
the Administrative Agent by the Lenders. The failure or refusal of
any Lender to make available to the Administrative Agent at the
aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the amount of its
Commitment Percentage of the requested Revolving Credit Loans shall
not relieve any other Lender from its several obligation hereunder
to make available to the Administrative Agent the amount of such
other Lender's Commitment Percentage of any requested Revolving
Credit Loans.
2.8.2. ADVANCES BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative
Agent may, unless notified to the contrary by any Lender prior to a
Drawdown Date, assume that such Lender has made available to the
Administrative Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount of such
Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be
made on such Drawdown Date, and the Administrative Agent may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If any Lender makes available to the
Administrative Agent such amount on a date after such Drawdown Date,
such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand an
amount equal to the product of (a) the average computed for the
period referred to in clause (c) below, of the weighted average
interest rate paid by the Administrative Agent for federal funds
acquired by the Administrative Agent during each day included in
such period, times (b) the amount of such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans, times (c) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and
including such Drawdown Date to the date on which the amount of such
Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans shall
become immediately available to the Administrative Agent, and the
denominator of which is 360. A statement of the Administrative Agent
submitted to such Lender with respect to any amounts owing under
this paragraph shall be prima facie evidence (absent manifest error)
of the amount due and owing to the Administrative Agent by such
Lender. If the amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such
Revolving Credit Loans is not made available to the Administrative
Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days following such
Drawdown Date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover
such amount from the Borrower on demand, with interest thereon at
the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans made on
such Drawdown Date.
2.9. SETTLEMENTS.
2.9.1. GENERAL. On each Settlement Date, the Administrative
Agent shall, not later than 1:00 p.m. (Boston time), give
telephonic, facsimile or electronic mail notice (a) to the Lenders
and the Borrower of the respective outstanding amount of Revolving
Credit Loans made by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the
Lenders or in the form of Swing Line Loans from the immediately
preceding Settlement Date through the close of business on the prior
day and the amount of any Eurodollar Rate Loans to be made
(following the giving of notice pursuant to Section 2.6.1(b)) on
such date pursuant to a Loan Request and (b) to the Lenders of the
amount (a "Settlement Amount") that each Lender (a "Settling
Lender") shall pay to effect a Settlement of any Revolving Credit
Loan. A statement of the Administrative Agent submitted to the
Lenders and the Borrower or to the Lenders with respect to any
amounts owing under this Section 2.9 shall be prima facie evidence
(absent manifest error) of the amount due and owing. Each Settling
Lender shall, not later than 3:00 p.m. (Boston time) on such
Settlement Date, effect a wire transfer of immediately available
funds to the Administrative Agent in the amount of the Settlement
Amount for such Settling Lender. All funds advanced by any Lender as
a Settling Lender pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall for all
purposes be treated as a Revolving Credit Loan made by such Settling
Lender to the Borrower and all funds received by any Lender pursuant
to this Section 2.9 shall for all purposes be treated as repayment
of amounts owed with respect to Revolving Credit Loans made by such
Lender. In the event that any bankruptcy, reorganization,
liquidation, receivership or similar cases or proceedings in which
the Borrower is a debtor prevent a Settling Lender from making any
Revolving Credit Loan to effect a Settlement as contemplated hereby,
such Settling Lender will make such dispositions and arrangements
with the other Lenders with respect to such Revolving Credit Loans,
either by way of purchase of participations, distribution, pro tanto
assignment of claims, subrogation or otherwise as shall result in
each Lender's share of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans being
equal, as nearly as may be, to such Lender's Commitment Percentage
of the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans.
2.9.2. FAILURE TO MAKE FUNDS AVAILABLE. The Administrative
Agent may, unless notified to the contrary by any Settling Lender
prior to a Settlement Date, assume that such Settling Lender has
made or will make available to the
Administrative Agent on such Settlement Date the amount of such
Settling Lender's Settlement Amount, and the Administrative Agent
may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
Borrower a corresponding amount. If any Settling Lender makes
available to the Administrative Agent such amount on a date after
such Settlement Date, such Settling Lender shall pay to the
Administrative Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (a)
the average computed for the period referred to in clause (c) below,
of the weighted average interest rate paid by the Administrative
Agent for federal funds acquired by the Administrative Agent during
each day included in such period, times (b) the amount of such
Settlement Amount, times (c) a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days that elapse from and including such Settlement
Date to the date on which the amount of such Settlement Amount shall
become immediately available to the Administrative Agent, and the
denominator of which is 360. A statement of the Administrative Agent
submitted to such Settling Lender with respect to any amounts owing
under this Section 2.9.2 shall be prima facie evidence (absent
manifest error) of the amount due and owing to the Administrative
Agent by such Settling Lender. If such Settling Lender's Settlement
Amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such
Settling Lender within three (3) Business Days following such
Settlement Date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to
recover such amount from the Borrower on demand, with interest
thereon at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit
Loans as of such Settlement Date.
2.9.3. NO EFFECT ON OTHER LENDERS. The failure or refusal of
any Settling Lender to make available to the Administrative Agent at
the aforesaid time and place on any Settlement Date the amount of
such Settling Lender's Settlement Amount shall not (a) relieve any
other Settling Lender from its several obligations hereunder to make
available to the Administrative Agent the amount of such other
Settling Lender's Settlement Amount or (b) impose upon any Lender,
other than the Settling Lender so failing or refusing, any liability
with respect to such failure or refusal or otherwise increase the
Commitment of such other Lender.
3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
3.1. MATURITY. The Borrower promises to pay on the Revolving Credit
Loan Maturity Date, and there shall become absolutely due and payable on
the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date, all of the Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding on such date, together with any and all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon. Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower promises to
pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account, and there shall
become absolutely due and payable, the outstanding principal amount of
each Swing Line Loan made to the Borrower on the earlier of the Settlement
Date with respect thereto and the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.
3.2. MANDATORY REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
(a) If at any time the sum of the outstanding amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans (including the Swing Line Loans), the Maximum
Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations exceeds the Total
Commitment at such time, then the Borrower shall immediately pay the
amount of such excess to the Administrative Agent for the respective
accounts of the Lenders for application: first,
to the Swing Line Loans; second, to any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations;
third, to the Revolving Credit Loans; and fourth, to provide to the
Administrative Agent cash collateral for Reimbursement Obligations as
contemplated by Section 4.2(b) and (c).
(b) During the period from November 1st of each calendar year from
the Closing Date until the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date through
June 30th of each calendar year during such period, the Borrower shall pay
to the Administrative Agent such amounts as are necessary to reduce the
sum of the outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans (including
Swing Line Loans) to no more than $25,000,000 for a period of at least
thirty (30) consecutive days during such period.
Each payment of any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or prepayment of
Revolving Credit Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) shall be allocated
among the Lenders, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to each
Reimbursement Obligation or (as the case may be) the respective unpaid
principal amount of each Lender's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments
to the extent practicable to equalize any prior payments or repayments not
exactly in proportion. Each payment or prepayment of Swing Line Loans
shall be allocated to the Swing Line Lender.
3.3. OPTIONAL REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. The Borrower
shall have the right, at its election, to repay the outstanding amount of
the Revolving Credit Loans and Fixed Rate Loans, as a whole or in part, at
any time without penalty or premium, provided that any full or partial
prepayment of the outstanding amount of any Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant
to this Section 3.3 may be made only on the last day of the Interest
Period relating thereto unless breakage costs described in Section 5.10 in
connection therewith are paid by the Borrower. The Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent, no later than 11:00 a.m., Boston time, on such day
written notice of any proposed prepayment pursuant to this Section 3.3 of
Prime Rate Loans, and no later than 12:00 noon, Boston time, three (3)
Eurodollar Business Days notice of any proposed prepayment pursuant to
this Section 3.3 of Fixed Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each
case specifying the proposed date of prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans
and the principal amount to be prepaid. Each such partial prepayment of
the Revolving Credit Loans shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of
$1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, shall be
accompanied by the payment of accrued interest on the principal prepaid to
the date of prepayment and shall be applied, in the absence of instruction
by the Borrower, first to the principal of Fixed Rate Loans, second to the
principal of Prime Rate Loans and third to the principal of Eurodollar
Rate Loans. Each partial prepayment shall be allocated among the Lenders,
in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid
principal amount of each Lender's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments
to the extent practicable to equalize any prior repayments not exactly in
proportion.
4. LETTERS OF CREDIT.
4.1. LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENTS.
4.1.1. COMMITMENT TO ISSUE LETTERS OF CREDIT. Subject to the
terms and conditions hereof and the execution and delivery by the
Borrower of a letter of credit application on the Issuing Lender's
customary form (a "Letter of Credit Application"), the Issuing
Lender on behalf of the Lenders and in reliance upon the agreement
of the Lenders set forth in Section 4.1.4 and upon the
representations and warranties of the Borrower contained herein,
agrees, in its individual capacity, to issue, extend, amend and
renew for the account of the Borrower one or more standby or
documentary letters of credit (individually, a "Letter of Credit"),
in such form as may be requested from time to time by the Borrower
and agreed to by the Issuing Lender; provided, however, that, after
giving effect to such request, (a) with respect to all Letters of
Credit, the sum of the aggregate Maximum Drawing Amount and all
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations shall not exceed $80,000,000 at any
one time, (b) with respect to standby Letters of Credit, the sum of
the aggregate Maximum Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations shall not exceed $40,000,000 at any one time, and (c)
the sum of (i) the Maximum Drawing Amount on all Letters of Credit,
(ii) all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, and (iii) the amount of
all Revolving Credit Loans (including Swing Line Loans) outstanding
shall not exceed the Total Commitment at such time. As of the
Closing Date, the letters of credit existing for the account of the
Borrower under that certain Revolving Credit Agreement by and among
the Borrower, Fleet, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent dated
as of February 27, 2001, as well as the letter of credit for the
account of the Borrower and naming Xxxx Xxx Corporation as
beneficiary, set forth on Schedule 4.1.1 attached hereto, shall
become a Letter of Credit under this Credit Agreement for all
purposes.
4.1.2. LETTER OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS. Each Letter of Credit
Application shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing
Lender. In the event that any provision of any Letter of Credit
Application shall be inconsistent with any provision of this Credit
Agreement, then the provisions of this Credit Agreement shall, to
the extent of any such inconsistency, govern.
4.1.3. TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Each Letter of Credit
issued, extended, amended or renewed hereunder shall, among other
things, (a) provide for the payment of drafts for honor thereunder
when presented in accordance with the terms thereof and when
accompanied by the documents described therein, and (b) have an
expiry date no later than the date which is ten (10) days (or, if
the Letter of Credit is confirmed by a confirmer or otherwise
provides for one or more nominated persons, thirty (30) days) prior
to the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date. Each Letter of Credit so
issued, extended, amended or renewed shall be subject to the Uniform
Customs or, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit, either the
Uniform Customs or the International Standby Practices.
4.1.4. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS OF LENDERS. Each Lender
severally agrees that it shall be absolutely liable, without regard
to the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any other
condition precedent whatsoever, to the extent of such Lender's
Commitment Percentage, to reimburse the Issuing
Lender on demand for the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing
Lender under each Letter of Credit to the extent that such amount is
not reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.2 (such
agreement for a Lender being called herein the "Letter of Credit
Participation" of such Lender).
4.1.5. PARTICIPATIONS OF LENDERS. Each such payment made by a
Lender shall be treated as the purchase by such Lender of a
participating interest in the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligation
under Section 4.2 in an amount equal to such payment. Each Lender
shall share in accordance with its participating interest in any
interest which accrues pursuant to Section 4.2.
4.2. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS. (a) In order to induce the Issuing
Lender to issue, extend, amend and renew each Letter of Credit and the
Lenders to participate therein, the Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse or
pay to the Issuing Lender, for the account of the Issuing Lender or (as
the case may be) the Lenders, with respect to each Letter of Credit
issued, extended, amended or renewed by the Issuing Lender hereunder
(including without limitation those issued for its Subsidiaries),
(i) except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.2(b)
and (c), on each date that any draft presented under such Letter of
Credit is honored by the Issuing Lender, or the Issuing Lender
otherwise makes a payment with respect thereto, (A) the amount paid
by the Issuing Lender under or with respect to such Letter of
Credit, and (B) the amount of any taxes and customary fees and
expenses whatsoever incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection
with any payment made by the Issuing Lender under, or with respect
to, such Letter of Credit,
(ii) upon the reduction (but not termination) of the Total
Commitment to an amount less than the Maximum Drawing Amount, an
amount equal to such difference, which amount shall be held by the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, the Issuing
Lender and the Administrative Agent as cash collateral (to be held
in an interest bearing account administered by the Administrative
Agent) for all Reimbursement Obligations, and
(iii) upon the termination of the Total Commitment, or the
acceleration of the Reimbursement Obligations with respect to all
Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 13, an amount equal to
the then Maximum Drawing Amount on all Letters of Credit, which
amount shall be held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent as cash
collateral (to be held in an interest bearing account administered
by the Administrative Agent) for all Reimbursement Obligations.
Each such payment shall be made to the Issuing Lender at the Issuing
Lender's office designated on Schedule 1 hereto in immediately available
funds. Interest on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the Borrower
under this Section 4.2 at any time from the date such amounts become due
and payable (whether as stated in this Section 4.2,
by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full (whether before or
after judgment) shall be payable to the Issuing Lender on demand at the
rate specified in Section 5.11 for overdue principal on the Revolving
Credit Loans.
(b) If the Borrower requests a Letter of Credit under this Credit
Agreement be issued for the account of a Subsidiary, the Borrower and such
Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally liable for such Letter of Credit
and the Borrower shall require such Subsidiary (other than the Guarantor)
to (i) enter into a reimbursement agreement in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit F and (ii) provide evidence satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent that all corporate (or other) action necessary for the valid
execution, delivery and performance by such Subsidiary of such
reimbursement agreement shall have been duly and effectively taken.
4.3. LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS. If any draft shall be presented or
demand for payment made, and, with respect to documentary Letters of
Credit with discrepancies between the draft presented and the requirements
of the Letter of Credit, if the approval of the Borrower is required under
applicable law to make payment and the Borrower has approved payment of
such non-conforming draft, then the Issuing Lender shall notify the
Borrower of the date and amount of the draft presented or demand for
payment and of the date and time when it expects to pay such draft or
honor such demand for payment. If the Borrower fails to reimburse the
Issuing Lender as provided in Section 4.2 by the date that such draft is
paid or other payment is made by the Issuing Lender, the Administrative
Agent, on behalf of, and at the request of, the Issuing Lender, may at any
time thereafter notify the Lenders of the amount of any such Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation. No later than 3:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the
Business Day next following the receipt of such notice, each Lender shall
make available to the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent's
Office for distribution to the Issuing Lender, in immediately available
funds, such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligation, together with an amount equal to the product of (a) the
average, computed for the period referred to in clause (c) below, of the
weighted average interest rate paid by the Issuing Lender for federal
funds acquired by the Issuing Lender during each day included in such
period, times (b) the amount equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage
of such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, times (c) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and including
the date the Issuing Lender paid the draft presented for honor or
otherwise made payment to the date on which such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation shall become
immediately available to the Issuing Lender, and the denominator of which
is 360. The responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower and the
Lenders shall be only to determine that the documents (including each
draft) delivered under each Letter of Credit in connection with such
presentment shall be in conformity in all material respects with such
Letter of Credit and to perform standard operating functions related to
the administration of Letters of Credit.
4.4. OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Borrower's obligations under this
Section 4 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances and irrespective of the occurrence of any Default or Event
of Default or any condition precedent whatsoever or any setoff,
counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may
have or have had against the Issuing Lender, any Lender or any beneficiary
of a Letter of Credit. The Borrower further agrees with the Issuing
Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that the Issuing Lender,
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be responsible for, and
the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations under Section 4.2 shall not be
affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents
or of any endorsements thereon even if such documents should in fact prove
to be in any or all respects invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute
between or among the Borrower, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or
any financing institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit may
be transferred or any claims or defenses whatsoever of the Borrower
against the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee,
provided that the Borrower shall not be responsible for, and the
Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations shall not include, amounts or
liabilities arising solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of the Issuing Lender in determining whether a request presented under any
Letter of Credit complied with the terms of such Letter of Credit. The
Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be
liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission,
dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in
connection with any Letter of Credit. The Borrower agrees that any action
taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent or any
Lender under or in connection with each Letter of Credit and the related
drafts and documents, if done in good faith, shall be binding upon the
Borrower and shall not result in any liability on the part of the Issuing
Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower.
4.5. RELIANCE BY ISSUER. To the extent not inconsistent with Section
4.4, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully
protected in relying upon, any Letter of Credit, draft, writing,
resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram,
telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other
document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed,
sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and
statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts
selected by the Issuing Lender. The Issuing Lender shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Credit
Agreement unless it shall first have received such advice or concurrence
of the Required Lenders as it reasonably deems appropriate or it shall
first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders against
any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of
taking or continuing to take any such action. The Issuing Lender shall in
all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,
under this Credit Agreement in accordance with a request of the Required
Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant
thereto shall be binding upon the Lenders and all future holders of the
Revolving Credit Notes or of a Letter of Credit Participation.
4.6. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. The Borrower shall pay a fee (in each
case, a "Letter of Credit Fee") to the Administrative Agent (a) quarterly
in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower for the
immediately preceding fiscal quarter of the Borrower, in respect of each
standby Letter of Credit, an amount equal to the Applicable Margin per
annum with respect to Standby Letter of Credit Fees multiplied by the
result of (i) the average daily face amount of such standby Letter of
Credit
during such period, multiplied by the number of days such standby Letter
of Credit is outstanding and divided by (ii) three hundred and sixty (360)
(a "Standby Letter of Credit Fee"), and (b) quarterly in arrears on the
first day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower for the immediately
preceding fiscal quarter of the Borrower, in respect of each documentary
Letter of Credit, an amount equal to the Applicable Margin per annum with
respect to documentary Letter of Credit Fees multiplied by the result of
(i) the average daily face amount of such documentary Letter of Credit
during such period, multiplied by the number of days such documentary
Letter of Credit is outstanding, divided by (B) three hundred and sixty
(360) (a "Documentary Letter of Credit Fee"), in each case which Letter of
Credit Fee shall be for the accounts of the Lenders in accordance with
their respective Commitment Percentages. In respect of each Letter of
Credit, the Borrower shall also pay to the Issuing Lender for the Issuing
Lender's own account, at such other time or times as such charges are
customarily made by the Issuing Lender, the Issuing Lender's customary
fronting, issuance, amendment, negotiation or document examination and
other administrative fees as in effect from time to time.
5. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.
5.1. CLOSING AND ARRANGEMENT FEES. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the accounts of the Lenders on the Closing Date a
closing fee (the "Closing Fee") as set forth in the Fee Letter. The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Arranger, on the Closing Date an arrangement fee (the "Arrangement Fee")
as set forth in the Fee Letter.
5.2. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S FEE. The Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Agent's fee as set forth in the Fee
Letter.
5.3. FUNDS FOR PAYMENTS.
5.3.1. PAYMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. All payments of
principal, interest, Reimbursement Obligations, Fees and any other
amounts due hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall
be made on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent in
Dollars, for the respective accounts of the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent's Office or at
such other place that the Administrative Agent may from time to time
designate, in each case at or about 3:00 p.m. (Boston,
Massachusetts, time or other local time at the place of payment) and
in immediately available funds.
5.3.2. NO OFFSET, ETC. All payments by the Borrower hereunder
and under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without
recoupment, setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without
deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees,
deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or
conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any
jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other
authority therein unless the Borrower is compelled by law to make
such deduction or withholding. If any such obligation is imposed
upon the Borrower with respect to any amount payable by it hereunder
or under any of the other
Loan Documents, the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent,
for the account of the Lenders or (as the case may be) the
Administrative Agent, on the date on which such amount is due and
payable hereunder or under such other Loan Document, such additional
amount in Dollars as shall be necessary to enable the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent to receive the same net amount which the
Lenders or the Administrative Agent would have received on such due
date had no such obligation been imposed upon the Borrower. The
Borrower will deliver promptly to the Administrative Agent
certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other charges
deducted from or paid with respect to payments made by the Borrower
hereunder or under such other Loan Document.
5.4. COMPUTATIONS. All computations of interest on (a) the Loans
(other than Eurodollar Rate Loans) and of Fees shall, unless otherwise
expressly provided herein, be based on a 365/366-day year and (b)
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be based on a 360-day year and, in each case,
paid for the actual number of days elapsed. Except as otherwise provided
in the definition of the term "Interest Period" with respect to Eurodollar
Rate Loans, whenever a payment hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents becomes due on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date
for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day,
and interest and Fees shall accrue during such extension. The outstanding
amount of the Loans as reflected on the Revolving Credit Note Records from
time to time shall be considered correct and binding on the Borrower
unless within five (5) Business Days after receipt of any notice by the
Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders of such outstanding amount, the
Administrative Agent or such Lender shall notify the Borrower to the
contrary.
5.5. INABILITY TO DETERMINE EURODOLLAR RATE. In the event, prior to
the commencement of any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the Administrative Agent shall determine or be notified by the
Required Lenders that adequate and reasonable methods do not exist for
ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate that would otherwise determine the rate
of interest to be applicable to any Eurodollar Rate Loan during any
Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice of
such determination (which shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower
and the Lenders) to the Borrower and the Lenders. In such event (a) any
Loan Request or Conversion Request with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans
shall be automatically withdrawn and shall be deemed a request for Prime
Rate Loans, (b) each Eurodollar Rate Loan will automatically, on the last
day of the then current Interest Period relating thereto, become a Prime
Rate Loan, and (c) the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders determine that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no
longer exist, whereupon the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be,
the Administrative Agent upon the instruction of the Required Lenders,
shall so notify the Borrower and the Lenders.
5.6. ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
present or future law, regulation, treaty or directive or in the
interpretation or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any
Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans, such Lender shall
forthwith give notice of such circumstances to the Borrower and the
other Lenders and thereupon (a) the commitment of such Lender to make
Eurodollar Rate Loans or convert Prime Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans
shall forthwith be suspended and (b) such Lender's Revolving Credit Loans
then outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Loans, if any, shall be converted
automatically to Prime Rate Loans on the last day of each Interest Period
applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans or within such earlier period as
may be required by law. The Borrower hereby agrees promptly to pay the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, upon demand by such
Lender, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for any
costs incurred by such Lender in making any conversion in accordance with
this Section 5.6, including any interest or fees payable by such Lender to
lenders of funds obtained by it in order to make or maintain its
Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder.
5.7. ADDITIONAL COSTS, ETC. If any present or future applicable law,
which expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations
thereunder and interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any
governmental or other regulatory body or official charged with the
administration or the interpretation thereof and requests, directives,
instructions and notices at any time or from time to time hereafter made
upon or otherwise issued to any Lender or the Administrative Agent by any
central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other authority (whether or not
having the force of law), shall:
(a) subject any Lender or the Administrative Agent to any tax,
levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any
nature with respect to this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents, any Letters of Credit, such Lender's Commitment or the
Loans (other than taxes based upon or measured by the income or
profits of such Lender or the Administrative Agent), or
(b) materially change the basis of taxation (except for
changes in taxes on income or profits) of payments to any Lender of
the principal of or the interest on any Loans or any other amounts
payable to any Lender or the Administrative Agent under this Credit
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or
(c) impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the
extent specifically provided for elsewhere in this Credit Agreement)
any special deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital
adequacy or other similar requirements (whether or not having the
force of law) against assets held by, or deposits in or for the
account of, or loans by, or letters of credit issued by, or
commitments of an office of any Lender, or
(d) impose on any Lender or the Administrative Agent any other
conditions or requirements with respect to this Credit Agreement,
the other Loan Documents, any Letters of Credit, the Loans, such
Lender's Commitment, or any class of loans, letters of credit or
commitments of which any of the Loans or such Lender's Commitment
forms a part, and the result of any of the foregoing is
(i) to increase the cost to any Lender of making,
funding, issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any of
the Loans or such Lender's Commitment or any Letter of Credit,
or
(ii) to reduce the amount of principal, interest,
Reimbursement Obligation or other amount payable to such
Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder on account of
such Lender's Commitment, any Letter of Credit or any of the
Loans, or
(iii) to require such Lender or the Administrative Agent
to make any payment or to forego any interest or Reimbursement
Obligation or other sum payable hereunder, the amount of which
payment or foregone interest or Reimbursement Obligation or
other sum is calculated by reference to the gross amount of
any sum receivable or deemed received by such Lender or the
Administrative Agent from the Borrower hereunder,
then, and in each such case, the Borrower will, upon demand made by such
Lender or (as the case may be) the Administrative Agent at any time and
from time to time and as often as the occasion therefor may arise, pay to
such Lender or the Administrative Agent such additional amounts as will be
sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Administrative Agent for such
additional cost, reduction, payment or foregone interest or Reimbursement
Obligation or other sum.
5.8. CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If after the date hereof any Lender or the
Administrative Agent determines that (a) the adoption of or change in any
law, governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) regarding capital requirements
for Lenders or Lender holding companies or any change in the
interpretation or application thereof by a Governmental Authority with
appropriate jurisdiction, or (b) compliance by such Lender or the
Administrative Agent or any corporation controlling such Lender or the
Administrative Agent with any law, governmental rule, regulation, policy,
guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any
such entity regarding capital adequacy, has the effect of reducing the
return on such Lender's or the Administrative Agent's commitment with
respect to any Loans to a level below that which such Lender or the
Administrative Agent could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or the Administrative
Agent's then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy and
assuming full utilization of such entity's capital) by any amount deemed
by such Lender or (as the case may be) the Administrative Agent to be
material, then such Lender or the Administrative Agent may notify the
Borrower of such fact. To the extent that the amount of such reduction in
the return on capital is not reflected in the Prime Rate, the Borrower
agrees to pay such Lender or (as the case may be) the Administrative Agent
for the amount of such reduction in the return on capital as and when such
reduction is determined upon presentation by such Lender or (as the case
may be) the Administrative Agent of a certificate in accordance with
Section 5.9 hereof. Each Lender shall allocate such cost increases among
its customers in good faith and on an equitable basis.
5.9. CERTIFICATE. A certificate setting forth any additional amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 5.7 or 5.8 and a brief explanation of such
amounts which are due, submitted by any Lender or the Administrative Agent
to the Borrower, shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, that such
amounts are due and owing.
5.10. INDEMNITY. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and to
hold each Lender harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense
actually incurred (excluding loss of anticipated profits) that such Lender
may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in
payment of the principal amount of or any interest on any Eurodollar Rate
Loans or Fixed Rate Loans as and when due and payable, including any such
loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by such Lender to
banks of funds obtained by it in order to maintain its Eurodollar Rate
Loans or Fixed Rate Loans, (b) default by the Borrower in making a
borrowing or conversion after the Borrower has given (or is deemed to have
given) a Loan Request or a Conversion Request relating thereto in
accordance with Section 2.6 or Section 2.7, or (c) the making of any
payment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Fixed Rate Loan or the making of
any conversion of any such Loan which is not a Swing Line Loan or any such
Fixed Rate Loan to a Prime Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of
the applicable Interest Period with respect thereto, including interest or
fees payable by such Lender to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to
maintain any such Loans.
5.11. INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT.
5.11.1. OVERDUE AMOUNTS. Overdue principal and (to the extent
permitted by applicable law) interest on the Loans and all other
overdue amounts payable hereunder (including Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations) or under any of the other Loan Documents shall bear
interest (or fees in the case of Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations)
compounded monthly and payable on demand at a rate per annum equal
to two percent (2.00%) above the rate of interest or Letter of
Credit Fee (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable thereto
(or, if no rate of interest is then applicable thereto, the Prime
Rate) until such amount shall be paid in full (after as well as
before judgment).
5.11.2. AMOUNTS NOT OVERDUE. During the continuance of a
Default or an Event of Default, until such Default or Event of
Default has been cured or remedied or such Default or Event of
Default has been waived by the Lenders or the Required Lenders
pursuant to Section 16.12, (a) the principal of the Revolving Credit
Loans not overdue shall, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
two percent (2.00%) above the rate of interest otherwise applicable,
and (b) the Applicable Margin applicable to Letter of Credit Fees
shall be equal to two percent (2.00%) above the Letter of Credit Fee
otherwise applicable.
6. GUARANTIES.
6.1. GUARANTIES OF SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES. The Obligations shall
also be guaranteed by the Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms
of the Guaranties.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent as follows:
7.1. CORPORATE AUTHORITY.
7.1.1. INCORPORATION; GOOD STANDING. Each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation (or similar business entity)
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation except, solely
with respect to Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are not
Significant Subsidiaries, where a failure to be so organized,
existing or formed would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has
all requisite corporate (or the equivalent entity) power to own its
property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently
contemplated except, solely with respect to Subsidiaries of the
Borrower which are not Significant Subsidiaries, where such a
failure would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) is in good
standing as a foreign corporation (or similar business entity) and
is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where such
qualification is necessary except, solely with respect to
Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are not Significant Subsidiaries,
where a failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.1.2. AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the
Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is or is to become a
party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) are
within the corporate (or the equivalent entity) authority of such
Person, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or
the equivalent entity) proceedings, (c) do not and will not conflict
with or result in any breach or contravention of any provision of
law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Borrower or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries is subject or any judgment, order, writ,
injunction, license or permit applicable to the Borrower or any of
its Significant Subsidiaries and (d) do not conflict with any
provision of the Governing Documents of, or any agreement or other
instrument binding upon, the Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries.
7.1.3. ENFORCEABILITY. The execution and delivery of this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower
or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is or is to become a party
will result in valid and legally binding obligations of such Person
enforceable against it in accordance with the respective terms and
provisions hereof and thereof, except as enforceability is limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws
relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors'
rights and except to the extent that availability of the remedy of
specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
7.2. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance
by the Borrower and any of its Significant Subsidiaries of this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries is
or is to become a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby do not require the approval or consent of, or filing with, any
governmental agency or authority other than those already obtained.
7.3. TITLE TO PROPERTIES. Except as indicated on Schedule 7.3
hereto, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected
in the consolidated and combined balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date
(except property and assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary
course of business since that date and Real Estate leased by the Borrower
or its Subsidiaries), subject to no Liens or other rights of others,
except Permitted Liens.
7.4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS.
7.4.1. FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
has a fiscal or financial year which is the twelve months ending on
or about June 30 of each calendar year.
7.4.2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. There has been furnished to each
of the Lenders an audited consolidated and combined balance sheet of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, an
audited consolidated and combined statement of income of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, and an
audited consolidated and combined cash flow statement for the fiscal
year then ended. Such balance sheet and statements of income have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present the
financial condition of the Borrower as at the close of business on
the date thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal year
then ended. There are no contingent liabilities of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries as of such date involving material amounts,
known to the officers of the Borrower, which were not disclosed in
such balance sheet and the notes related thereto.
7.4.3. PROJECTIONS. The projections of the income statements,
balance sheets and cash flow statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated and combined basis for each of the
next three (3) fiscal years ending on or about June 30, 2006, copies
of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent. To the
best knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at the
time such projections were made, no facts exist that (individually
or in the aggregate) would result in any material change in any of
such projections. The projections are based upon estimates and
assumptions that were reasonable at the time such estimates and
assumptions were made, have been prepared on the basis of the
assumptions stated therein and reflect the reasonable estimates of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the results of operations and
other information projected therein.
7.5. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES, ETC. Since the Balance Sheet Date
there has been no event or occurrence which has had a Material Adverse
Effect. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Borrower has not made any
Restricted Payment other than those permitted under Sections 9.4 (a) and
(b).
7.6. FRANCHISES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, ETC. The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, trade names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of
the foregoing, adequate for the conduct of its business substantially as
now conducted without known conflict with any rights of others, except any
franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses and
permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, where the lack of such
would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
7.7. LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.7 hereto, there
are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any kind pending
or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, threatened
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental
Authority, that, (a) if adversely determined, might, either in any case or
in the aggregate, (i) have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) materially
impair the right of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a
whole, to carry on business substantially as now conducted by them, or (b)
which question the validity of this Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or
thereto.
7.8. NO MATERIALLY ADVERSE CONTRACTS, ETC. Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of any provision of, or
subject to, any Governing Document, or any applicable judgment, decree,
order, law, statute, license, rule or regulation in a manner that has or
is expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) is a
party to any contract or agreement that has or is expected, in the
judgment of the Borrower's officers, to have any Material Adverse Effect,
or is in violation of any provision of any agreement or instrument to
which it may be subject or by which it or any of its properties may be
bound, in any of the foregoing cases in a manner that could have a
Material Adverse Effect.
7.9. TAX STATUS. To the extent required, the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (a) have made or filed all federal, state and foreign income
and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any
jurisdiction to which any of them is subject, (b) have paid all taxes and
other governmental assessments and charges shown or determined to be due
on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in
good faith and by appropriate proceedings and (c) have, in the reasonable
opinion of management, set aside on their books adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent
to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There
are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing
authority of any jurisdiction, and none of the officers of the Borrower
know of any basis for any such claim.
7.10. NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing.
7.11. HOLDING COMPANY AND INVESTMENT COMPANY ACTS. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a
"holding company", as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935; nor is it an "investment company",
or an "affiliated company" or a "principal underwriter" of an "investment
company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
7.12. ABSENCE OF FINANCING STATEMENTS, ETC. Except with respect to
Permitted Liens, there is no financing statement, security agreement,
chattel mortgage, real estate mortgage or other document filed or recorded
with any filing records, registry or other public office, that purports to
cover, affect or give notice of any present or possible future Lien on any
assets or property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
rights relating thereto.
7.13. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. To the best knowledge of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, none of the officers, directors, or employees of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is presently a party to any
transaction with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than for
services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract,
agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to
or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or
otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such
employee or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any
such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director,
trustee or partner.
7.14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
7.14.1. IN GENERAL. Each Employee Benefit Plan and each
Guaranteed Pension Plan has been maintained and operated in
compliance in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA and
all Applicable Pension Legislation and, to the extent applicable,
the Code, including but not limited to the provisions thereunder
respecting prohibited transactions and the bonding of fiduciaries
and other persons handling plan funds as required by Section 412 of
ERISA, unless noncompliance could not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.14.2. TERMINABILITY OF WELFARE PLANS. No Employee Benefit
Plan, which is an employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning
of Section 3(1) or Section 3(2)(B) of ERISA, provides benefit
coverage subsequent to termination of employment, except as required
by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA or the applicable state insurance laws.
The Borrower may terminate, to the extent sponsored by it, each such
Plan at any time (or at any time subsequent to the expiration of any
applicable bargaining agreement) in the discretion of the Borrower
without liability to any Person other than for claims arising prior
to termination.
7.14.3. GUARANTEED PENSION PLANS. Except as could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) each contribution required to be
made to a Guaranteed Pension Plan, whether required to be made to
avoid the incurrence of an accumulated funding deficiency, the
notice or lien provisions of Section 302(f) of ERISA, or otherwise,
has been timely made; and (b) no waiver of an accumulated funding
deficiency or extension of amortization periods has been received
with respect to any
Guaranteed Pension Plan, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA
Affiliate is obligated to or has posted security in connection with
an amendment to a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to Section 307 of
ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the Code. Based on the latest
valuation of each Guaranteed Pension Plan (which in each case
occurred within twelve months of the date of this representation),
and on the actuarial methods and assumptions employed for that
valuation, the aggregate benefit liabilities of all such Guaranteed
Pension Plans within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA did not
exceed the aggregate value of the assets of all such Guaranteed
Pension Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities
and assets of any Guaranteed Pension Plan with assets in excess of
benefit liabilities, except as could not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.14.4. MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. Except as could not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred any liability (including secondary liability) to any
Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal
from such Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 of ERISA or as a
result of a sale of assets described in Section 4204 of ERISA. After
due inquiry, the Borrower is not aware that any Multiemployer Plan
is in reorganization or insolvent under and within the meaning of
Section 4241 or Section 4245 of ERISA or is at risk of entering
reorganization or becoming insolvent, or that any Multiemployer Plan
intends to terminate or has been terminated under Section 4041A of
ERISA.
7.15. USE OF PROCEEDS.
7.15.1. GENERAL. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used for
working capital, stock repurchases and dividends permitted by
Section 9.4 and general corporate purposes. The Borrower will obtain
Letters of Credit solely for general corporate purposes.
7.15.2. REGULATIONS U AND X. No portion of any Loan is to be
used, and no portion of any Letter of Credit is to be obtained, for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or
"margin stock" as such terms are used in Regulations U and X of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts
221 and 224.
7.15.3. INELIGIBLE SECURITIES. No portion of the proceeds of
any Loans is to be used, and no portion of any Letter of Credit is
to be obtained, for the purpose of knowingly purchasing, or
providing credit support for the purchase of, during the
underwriting or placement period or within thirty (30) days
thereafter, any Ineligible Securities underwritten or privately
placed by a Financial Affiliate.
7.16. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.
(a) None of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or, to the best
knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any operator
of the Real Estate or any operations thereon is in violation, or has
notice of an alleged violation, of any judgment, decree, order, law,
license, rule or regulation pertaining to environmental matters,
including without limitation, those arising under Environmental
Laws, which violation would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received written notice from any Governmental Authority, or, to the
best of the Borrower's and any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any
other third party, (i) that any one of them has been identified by
the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") as a
potentially responsible party under CERCLA with respect to a site
listed on the National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R. Part 000 Xxxxxxxx
X; (ii) that any Hazardous Substances which any one of them has
generated, transported or disposed of has been found at any site at
which a Governmental Authority has conducted or has ordered that any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct a remedial
investigation, removal or other response action pursuant to any
Environmental Law; or (iii) that it is or shall be a named party to
any claim, action, cause of action, complaint, or legal or
administrative proceeding (in each case, contingent or otherwise),
the result of which could have a Material Adverse Effect, arising
out of any third party's incurrence of costs, expenses, losses or
damages of any kind whatsoever in connection with the release of
Hazardous Substances;
(c) except as set forth on Schedule 7.16 attached hereto, to
the best of the Borrower's knowledge: (i) no underground tank or
other underground storage receptacle for Hazardous Substances is
located on any portion of the Real Estate in violation of applicable
Environmental Laws; (ii) in the course of any activities conducted
by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or operators of its properties, no
Hazardous Substances have been generated or are being used on the
Real Estate except in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws;
(iii) there have been no releases (i.e. any past or present
releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
discharging, injecting, escaping, disposing or dumping) or
threatened releases of Hazardous Substances on, upon, into or from
the properties of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, which releases
would have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iv) any Hazardous
Substances that have been generated on any of the Real Estate have
been transported offsite only by carriers having an identification
number issued by the EPA (or the equivalent thereof in any foreign
jurisdiction), treated or disposed of only by treatment or disposal
facilities maintaining valid permits as required under applicable
Environmental Laws, which transporters and facilities have been and
are, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, operating in
compliance with such permits and applicable Environmental Laws; and
(d) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received written notice that it is required to conduct an
environmental clean-up under any Environmental Law by virtue of the
transactions set forth herein and contemplated hereby.
7.17. SUBSIDIARIES, ETC. Schedule 7.17 (as amended and in effect
from time to time pursuant to Section 8.11) sets forth a complete and
accurate list of all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower. As of the
Closing Date, none of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower is a Significant
Subsidiary.
7.18. DISCLOSURE. None of this Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact (known to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
in the case of any document or information not furnished by it or any of
its Subsidiaries) necessary in order to make the statements herein or
therein not misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries which has a Material Adverse Effect, or which is
reasonably likely in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect,
exclusive of effects resulting from changes in general economic
conditions, legal standards or regulatory conditions.
7.19. FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS, ETC. None of the
requesting or borrowing of the Loans, the requesting or issuance,
extension or renewal of any Letters of Credit or the use of the proceeds
of any thereof will violate the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C.
Sections 1 et seq., as amended) (the "Trading With the Enemy Act") or any
of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury
Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) (the "Foreign
Assets Control Regulations") or any enabling legislation or executive
order relating thereto (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include,
but shall not be limited to (a) Executive Order 13224 of September 21,
2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who
Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079
(2001)) (the "Executive Order") and (b) the Uniting and Strengthening
America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56)). Furthermore, neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates (a) is or will
become a "blocked person" as described in the Executive Order, the Trading
With the Enemy Act or the Foreign Assets Control Regulations or (b)
engages or will engage in any dealings or transactions, or be otherwise
associated, with any such "blocked person".
8. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan, Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is outstanding or any Lender
has any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Lender has any obligation to
issue, extend, amend or renew any Letters of Credit:
8.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENT. Subject to the grace periods set forth in
Section 13.1(b), the Borrower will duly and punctually pay or cause to be
paid the principal and interest on the Loans, all Reimbursement
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Fees, the commitment fees, the
Administrative Agent's fee and all other amounts provided for in this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party, all in accordance with the terms of this
Credit Agreement and such other Loan Documents.
8.2. RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS. The Borrower will (a) keep, and cause
each of its Subsidiaries to keep, true and accurate records and books of
account in which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance
with GAAP, (b) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for all taxes
(including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and
amortization of its properties and the properties of its Subsidiaries,
contingencies, and other reserves, and (c) at all times engage an
independent certified public accountant.
8.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CERTIFICATES AND INFORMATION. The
Borrower will deliver to each of the Lenders:
(a) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower,
the consolidated and combined balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and the related
consolidated and combined statement of income and consolidated and
combined statement of cash flow for such year, each setting forth in
comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year and all
such consolidated and combined statements to be in reasonable
detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and audited by an
independent certified public accountant;
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters of
the Borrower, copies of the unaudited consolidated and combined
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
such quarter, and the related consolidated and combined statement of
income and consolidated and combined statement of cash flow for the
portion of the Borrower's fiscal year then elapsed, all in
reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, together
with a certification by the chief financial officer or treasurer of
the Borrower that the information contained in such financial
statements fairly presents the financial position of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on the date thereof (subject to year-end
adjustments);
(c) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a statement
certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of the
Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (a
"Compliance Certificate") and setting forth in reasonable detail
computations evidencing compliance with the covenants contained in
Section 10;
(d) as soon as practicable after the filing or mailing
thereof, copies of all financial statements, disclosure statements,
reports and proxies filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or sent to the stockholders of the Borrower;
(e) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
thirty (30) days after the filing of the 10K of the Borrower, annual
income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements for the
immediately succeeding fiscal
year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the
Administrative Agent; and
(f) from time to time such other additional information
regarding the financial position of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
8.4. NOTICES.
8.4.1. DEFAULTS. The Borrower will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in writing of the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, together with a
reasonably detailed description thereof, and the actions the
Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto. If any Person shall
give any notice to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or, to the
best knowledge of the Borrower, take any other action in respect of
a claimed default (whether or not constituting an Event of Default)
under this Credit Agreement or any other note, evidence of
indebtedness, indenture or other obligation to which or with respect
to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or
obligor, whether as principal, guarantor, surety or otherwise, the
Borrower shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, describing the notice
or action and the nature of the claimed default.
8.4.2. ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS. The Borrower will promptly give
notice to the Administrative Agent (a) of any violation of any
Environmental Law that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
reports in writing (or for which any written report supplemental to
any oral report is made) to any Governmental Authority and (b) upon
receipt of notice thereof, of any inquiry, proceeding,
investigation, or other action, including a notice from any agency
or any Governmental Authority of potential environmental liability,
that could have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.4.3. NOTICE OF LITIGATION AND JUDGMENTS. The Borrower will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in writing promptly of
becoming aware of any litigation or proceedings threatened in
writing or any pending litigation and proceedings affecting the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a party involving an uninsured
claim against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and stating the nature and
status of such litigation or proceedings. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, in writing, in form
and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
within ten (10) days of any judgment not covered by insurance, final
or otherwise, against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an
amount in excess of $5,000,000.
8.4.4. ERISA EVENTS. The Borrower will (a) promptly upon
receipt or dispatch, furnish to the Administrative Agent any notice,
report or demand sent or received in respect of a Guaranteed Pension
Plan under Sections 302, 4041, 4042, 4043, 4063, 4065, 4066 and 4068
of ERISA, or in respect of a Multiemployer Plan, under Sections
4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245 of ERISA and (b) upon the request
of the Administrative Agent, promptly furnish to the Administrative
Agent a copy of all actuarial statements required to be submitted
under all Applicable Pension Legislation.
8.4.5. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF FISCAL YEAR END. The Borrower will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the
Administrative Agent in writing thirty (30) days prior to any change
of the date of the end of its fiscal or financial year from that set
forth in Section 7.4.1.
8.5. LEGAL EXISTENCE; MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. The Borrower will
do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve and
keep in full force and effect its legal existence, rights and franchises
and that of its Subsidiaries. It (i) will cause all of its properties and
those of its Subsidiaries used or useful in the conduct of its business or
the business of its Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment, (ii) will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment
of the Borrower may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all
times, and (iii) will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
continue to engage primarily in the businesses now conducted by them and
in related businesses; provided that nothing in this Section 8.5 shall
prevent the Borrower from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of
any of its properties or any of those of its Subsidiaries if such
discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Borrower, desirable in the
conduct of its or their business and that do not in the aggregate have a
Material Adverse Effect.
8.6. INSURANCE. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business against such
casualties and contingencies as shall be in accordance with the general
practices of businesses engaged in similar activities in similar
geographic areas and in amounts, containing such terms, in such forms and
for such periods as may be reasonable and prudent.
8.7. TAXES. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and
discharged, before the same shall become overdue, all taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges imposed upon it and its Real Estate, sales
and activities, or any part thereof, or upon the income or profits
therefrom, as well as all claims for labor, materials, or supplies that if
unpaid might by law become a Lien or charge upon any of its property;
provided that any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim need not be
paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Borrower or such
Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with
respect thereto; and provided further that the Borrower and each
Subsidiary of the
Borrower will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims
forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any Lien that
may have attached as security therefor.
8.8. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS, ETC.
8.8.1. GENERAL. The Borrower will keep, and will cause each
Subsidiary to keep, proper books of record and account in which
full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and
transactions in relation to its business and activities; and will
permit, and will cause each Subsidiary to permit, representatives of
the Administrative Agent and any Lender (prior to the occurrence or
continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, at the
Administrative Agent's or such Lender's expense, as applicable,
unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent or such
Lender, as applicable, and the Borrower, and following the
occurrence or continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, at
the Borrower's expense) to visit and inspect any of their respective
properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their
respective books and records and to discuss their respective
affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers,
employees and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable
times, upon reasonable notice and as often as may reasonably be
desired.
8.8.2. COMMUNICATIONS WITH ACCOUNTANTS. If a Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred or be continuing, the Borrower
authorizes the Administrative Agent and, if accompanied by the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders to communicate directly with the
Borrower's independent certified public accountants and authorizes
such accountants to disclose to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders any and all financial statements and other supporting
financial documents and schedules including copies of any management
letter with respect to the business, financial condition and other
affairs of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
8.9. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, comply with (a) the applicable laws and regulations
wherever its business is conducted, including all Environmental Laws, (b)
the provisions of its Governing Documents, (c) all agreements and
instruments by which it or any of its properties may be bound and (d) all
applicable decrees, orders, and judgments.
8.10. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the
Loans and obtain Letters of Credit solely for the purposes set forth in
Section 7.15.1.
8.11. SUBSIDIARIES.
8.11.1. ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES. If, after the Closing Date,
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries creates or acquires, either
directly or indirectly, any Subsidiary, (a) it will promptly notify
the Administrative Agent of such creation or acquisition, as the
case may be, and provide the Administrative Agent (for itself and
the Lenders) with an updated Schedule 7.17, and (b)
contemporaneously with the formation of such Subsidiary, the
Borrower shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, take all other
action required by this Section 8.11.
8.11.2. NEW GUARANTORS. The Borrower will cause each
Significant Subsidiary (including any Subsidiary which, on or after
the Closing Date, becomes a Significant Subsidiary) created,
acquired (including any Significant Subsidiary acquired pursuant to
Section 9.5.1 hereof) or otherwise existing, on or after the Closing
Date to promptly become a Guarantor and shall cause such Significant
Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for
the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, a Guaranty
in the form of Exhibit E hereto and to comply with all conditions
precedent set forth therein.
8.12. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent and execute such further instruments and documents as the Lenders or
the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to carry out to their
satisfaction the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents.
9. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan, Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is outstanding or any Lender
has any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Lender has any obligations
to issue, extend, amend or renew any Letters of Credit:
9.1. RESTRICTIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, guarantee or
be or remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any
Indebtedness other than:
(a) Indebtedness to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the
Administrative Agent arising under any of the Loan Documents;
(b) endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and
warranties of products or services, in each case incurred in the
ordinary course of business;
(c) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and listed and
described on Schedule 9.1 hereto;
(d) Indebtedness incurred in connection with guarantees and/or
comfort letters issued by the Borrower in respect of obligations of
its Subsidiaries, CJI or Minority Owned Joint Ventures, provided
that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness of the Borrower shall
not exceed $30,000,000 at any one time;
(e) Indebtedness in respect of derivative contracts described
in clause (i) of the definition of the term "Indebtedness"
consisting of foreign exchange
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and for
non-speculative purposes;
(f) Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and
Synthetic Leases, provided that the aggregate principal amount of
such Indebtedness of the Borrower shall not exceed the aggregate
amount of $10,000,000 at any one time;
(g) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit in the
ordinary course of business (other than Letters of Credit);
(h) Indebtedness in respect of Investments permitted pursuant
to Section 9.3(g) hereof;
(i) Indebtedness of the type described in clause (g) of the
definition of "Indebtedness" in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$10,000,000 at any time; and
(j) other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not exceed the aggregate
amount of $15,000,000 at any one time.
9.2. RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS.
9.2.1. PERMITTED LIENS. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) create or incur or suffer to be
created or incurred or to exist any Lien upon any of its property or
assets of any character whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon
the income or profits therefrom; (b) transfer any of such property or
assets or the income or profits therefrom for the purpose of subjecting
the same to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other
obligation in priority to payment of its general creditors; (c) acquire,
or agree or have an option to acquire, any property or assets upon
conditional sale or other title retention or purchase money security
agreement, device or arrangement; (d) suffer to exist for a period of more
than thirty (30) days after the same shall have been incurred any
Indebtedness or claim or demand against it that if unpaid might by law or
upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be given any priority
whatsoever over its general creditors; or (e) sell, assign, pledge or
otherwise transfer any "receivables" as defined in clause (g) of the
definition of the term "Indebtedness," with or without recourse; provided
that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may create or incur or suffer
to be created or incurred or to exist:
(i) Liens in favor of the Borrower on all or part of the
assets of Subsidiaries of the Borrower securing Indebtedness owing
by Subsidiaries of the Borrower to the Borrower;
(ii) Liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government
charges in respect of obligations not overdue or Liens on properties
to secure claims for labor, material or supplies in respect of
obligations not overdue;
(iii) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to
secure payment of, workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance,
old age pensions or other social security obligations;
(iv) Liens on properties in respect of judgments or awards
that have been in force for less than the applicable period for
taking an appeal so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in
respect of which the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall at the time
in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and
in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained
pending such appeal or review;
(v) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and
materialmen, and other like Liens on properties, in respect of
obligations not overdue or which the Borrower is diligently
contesting in good faith;
(vi) encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements,
rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real
property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto,
landlord's or lessor's liens and other minor Liens, provided that
none of such Liens (A) interferes materially with the use of the
property affected in the ordinary conduct of the business of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (B) individually or in the
aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;
(vii) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule
9.2 hereto;
(viii) Liens to secure the performance of bids, tenders,
contracts (other than contracts for the payment of Indebtedness),
leases, statutory obligations, surety, customs, appeal, performance
and payment bonds and other obligations of like nature, in each such
case arising in the ordinary course of business;
(ix) Liens with respect to Indebtedness permitted under
Sections 9.1(f) and (i) hereof; and
(x) other Liens not otherwise permitted hereunder, provided
that such Liens do not secure more than Indebtedness in an aggregate
amount outstanding or committed in excess of $10,000,000, which
Indebtedness is also permitted under Section 9.1 hereof.
9.2.2. RESTRICTIONS ON NEGATIVE PLEDGES AND UPSTREAM
LIMITATIONS. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to (a) enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or
agreement (other than the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents) which directly or indirectly prohibits the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries from creating, assuming or incurring any
Lien upon its properties, revenues or assets or those of any of its
Subsidiaries whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or (b) enter
into any agreement, contract or arrangement (other than the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents) restricting the ability of
any Subsidiary of the Borrower
to pay or make dividends or distributions in cash or kind to the
Borrower, to make loans, advances or other payments of whatsoever
nature to the Borrower, or to make transfers or distributions of all
or any part of its assets to the Borrower, in each case other than
customary anti-assignment provisions contained in leases and
licensing agreements entered into by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
in the ordinary course of its business.
9.3. RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to
remain outstanding any Investment except Investments in:
(a) marketable direct or guaranteed obligations of the United
States of America that mature within one (1) year from the date of
purchase by the Borrower;
(b) demand deposits, certificates of deposit, bank acceptances
and time deposits of (i) United States banks having total assets in
excess of $1,000,000,000, (ii) any Lender or (iii) a commercial bank
organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the
"OECD"), or a political subdivision of such country, and having
total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; provided that such bank is
acting through a branch or agency located in the country in which it
is organized or another country which is a member of the OECD;
(c) securities commonly known as "commercial paper" issued by
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America or any state thereof that at the time of purchase
have been rated and the ratings for which are not less than "P 1" if
rated by Xxxxx'x, and not less than "A 1" if rated by S&P;
(d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven
(7) days for underlying securities of the types described in
Sections 9.3(a) and (b);
(e) mutual funds which invest solely in the items described in
Sections 9.3(a) - (d);
(f) Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on
Schedule 9.3 hereto;
(g) (i) Investments consisting of the Guaranties, (ii)
Investments by the Borrower in any Guarantor hereunder or by any
Guarantor in the Borrower or any other Guarantor, (iii) Investments
in Subsidiaries which are not Guarantors provided that the aggregate
of such Investments of the Borrower in Subsidiaries (other than CJI)
which are not Guarantors shall not exceed the aggregate amount of
$15,000,000, and (iv) Investments in Minority Owned Joint Ventures
not to exceed $15,000,000;
(h) Investments in CJI, provided that at the time of and after
giving effect to any such Investment (i) no Default or Event of
Default has occurred
and is continuing, and (ii) the Borrower provides the Administrative
Agent with evidence of Borrower's Minimum Liquidity;
(i) Investments consisting of promissory notes received as
proceeds of asset dispositions permitted by Section 9.5.2;
(j) Investments consisting of loans and advances to employees
for moving, entertainment, travel and other similar expenses in the
ordinary course of business not to exceed $1,000,000 in the
aggregate at any time outstanding;
(k) Investments in Permitted Acquisitions (other than Minority
Owned Joint Ventures or CJI) permitted by Section 9.5.1(a) hereof;
and
(l) other Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not
to exceed the aggregate amount of $10,000,000.
9.4. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Borrower will not make any Restricted
Payments; provided, however, that so long as no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing or would exist as a result thereof,
the Borrower shall be permitted to make repurchases of or pay dividends
with respect to its Capital Stock, so long as (a) the aggregate amount of
the consideration paid by the Borrower for all such Distributions does not
exceed the sum of $200,000,000 plus, on a cumulative basis, seventy-five
percent (75%) of positive Consolidated Net Income for each fiscal quarter
subsequent to September 27, 2003, and (b) at the time of and after giving
effect to any Distribution (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, and (ii) the Borrower provides the Administrative Agent
with evidence of Borrower's Minimum Liquidity.
9.5. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
9.5.1. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to any
merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or agree to or effect any
asset acquisition or stock acquisition (other than the acquisition
of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices) except (a) the merger or consolidation of one or more of
the Subsidiaries of the Borrower with and into the Borrower; (b) the
merger or consolidation of two or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower;
and (c) any asset or stock or other equity interest acquisition by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Persons in the same or
similar line of business as the Borrower (a "Permitted Acquisition")
where (1) the Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent of such
Permitted Acquisition; (2) the business to be acquired would not
subject the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any additional
regulatory or third party approvals in connection with the exercise
of its rights and remedies under this Credit Agreement or any other
Loan Document; (3) no contingent liabilities will be incurred or
assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and any
Indebtedness incurred or assumed
in connection with such Permitted Acquisition shall have been
permitted to be incurred or assumed pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof;
(4) the Borrower has provided the Administrative Agent with such
other information as was reasonably requested by the Administrative
Agent; (5) after the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition
(other than with respect to a Minority Owned Joint Venture or CJI),
to the extent such acquisition was a stock acquisition, the Person
so acquired is merged with and into the Borrower or its Subsidiary,
with the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, being the
survivor of such merger; (6) the aggregate amount of the purchase
price for all Permitted Acquisitions (or series of related
acquisitions) and Minority Owned Joint Ventures (other than CJI)
shall not exceed $50,000,000 in any fiscal year and shall not exceed
$75,000,000 (with the amount of the purchase price for all Minority
Owned Joint Ventures and CJI in any fiscal year or over the life of
this Credit Agreement not to exceed the Investment amounts permitted
under Sections 9.3(g) and 9.3(h), respectively); (7) the board of
directors and the shareholders (if required by applicable law), or
the equivalent, of each of the Borrower and the Person to be
acquired has approved such merger, consolidation or acquisition and
such Permitted Acquisition is otherwise considered "friendly"; (8)
if the Permitted Acquisition is of a Significant Subsidiary, the
Borrower complies with the requirements of Section 8.11 hereof with
respect to the Significant Subsidiary so acquired; and (9) the
Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a
certificate of the chief financial officer or treasurer of the
Borrower (A) to the effect that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
on a consolidated and consolidating basis, will be solvent upon the
consummation of the Permitted Acquisition; (B) certifying and
attaching a pro forma Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance
with Section 10 hereof immediately prior to and immediately after
giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, and fairly presenting
the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
the date thereof and after giving effect to such Permitted
Acquisition; and (C) to the effect that no Default or Event of
Default then exists or would result after giving effect to the
Permitted Acquisition.
9.5.2. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to or agree to
or effect any disposition of assets, other than (a) the sale of
inventory, the licensing of intellectual property and the
disposition of obsolete assets, in each case in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practices; (b) the disposition of
individual stores in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices; and (c) dispositions with respect to Indebtedness
permitted under Section 9.1(i) hereof.
9.6. SALE AND LEASEBACK. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or
indirectly, whereby the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
sell or transfer any property owned by it in order then or thereafter to
lease such property that the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower
intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being
sold or transferred.
9.7. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, in any manner that would
violate any Environmental Law or bring such Real Estate in violation of
any Environmental Law, (a) use any of the Real Estate or any portion
thereof for the handling, processing, storage or disposal of Hazardous
Substances, (b) cause or permit to be located on any of the Real Estate
any underground tank or other underground storage receptacle for Hazardous
Substances, (c) generate any Hazardous Substances on any of the Real
Estate, (d) conduct any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real Estate
in any manner so as to cause a release or threatened release of Hazardous
Substances on, upon or into the Real Estate or (e) otherwise violate any
Environmental Law or bring such Real Estate in violation of any
Environmental Law, in each case which would have a Material Adverse
Effect.
9.8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Except as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate will:
(a) engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning
of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code which could
result in a material liability for the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries; or
(b) permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an
"accumulated funding deficiency", as such term is defined in Section
302 of ERISA, whether or not such deficiency is or may be waived; or
(c) fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an
extent which, or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner
which, could result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on
the assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to
Section 302(f) or Section 4068 of ERISA; or
(d) amend any Guaranteed Pension Plan in circumstances
requiring the posting of security pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA
or Section 401(a)(29) of the Code;
(e) permit or take any action which would result in the
aggregate benefit liabilities (with the meaning of Section 4001 of
ERISA) of all Guaranteed Pension Plans exceeding the value of the
aggregate assets of such Plans, disregarding for this purpose the
benefit liabilities and assets of any such Plan with assets in
excess of benefit liabilities; or
(f) permit or take any action which would contravene any
Applicable Pension Legislation.
9.9. BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly (whether through
Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than the
businesses conducted by them on the Closing Date and in related
businesses.
9.10. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any transaction with any
Affiliate (other than for services as employees, officers and directors),
including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the
furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal
property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such
Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any such Affiliate has a
substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on
terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable on an
arm's-length basis in the ordinary course of business.
10. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.
The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan, Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is outstanding or any Lender
has any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Lender has any obligation to
issue, extend, amend or renew any Letters of Credit:
10.1. FIXED CHARGE RATIO. The Borrower will not permit the Fixed
Charge Ratio at the end of any Reference Period to be less than 2.50 to 1.
10.2. LEVERAGE RATIO. The Borrower will not permit the Leverage
Ratio at the end of any Reference Period to be greater than 1.50 to 1.
11. CLOSING CONDITIONS.
The obligations of the Lenders to make the initial Revolving Credit Loans
and of the Issuing Lender to issue any initial Letters of Credit shall be
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on or prior to
October 16, 2003:
11.1. LOAN DOCUMENTS. Each of the Loan Documents shall have been
duly executed and delivered by the respective parties thereto, shall be in
full force and effect and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to
each of the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall have received fully
executed copies of each such document in sufficient quantities to deliver
one (1) fully executed original of each such document to each Lender.
11.2. CERTIFIED COPIES OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. The Administrative
Agent shall have received from the Borrower and each of the Guarantors
copies, certified by a duly authorized officer of such Person to be true
and complete on the Closing Date, of each of its Governing Documents as in
effect on such date of certification.
11.3. CORPORATE OR OTHER ACTION. All corporate (or other) action
necessary for the valid execution, delivery and performance by the
Borrower and each of the Guarantors of this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which it is or is to become a party shall have been duly
and effectively taken, and evidence thereof satisfactory to the Lenders
shall have been provided to the Administrative Agent.
11.4. INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE. The Administrative Agent shall have
received from the Borrower and each of the Guarantors an incumbency
certificate, dated as of
the Closing Date, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower or
such Guarantor, and giving the name and bearing a specimen signature of
each individual who shall be authorized: (a) to sign, in the name and on
behalf of each of the Borrower or such Guarantor, each of the Loan
Documents to which the Borrower or such Guarantor is or is to become a
party; (b) in the case of the Borrower, to make Loan Requests and
Conversion Requests and to apply for Letters of Credit; and (c) to give
notices and to take other action on its behalf under the Loan Documents.
11.5. CERTIFICATES OF LOCATION AND UCC SEARCH RESULTS. The
Administrative Agent shall have received a completed and fully executed
certificate of location and the results of UCC searches (and the
equivalent thereof in all applicable foreign jurisdictions), indicating no
Liens other than Permitted Liens and otherwise in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
11.6. CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE. The Administrative Agent shall have
received a certificate of insurance from an independent insurance broker
dated on or before the Closing Date and/or such other evidence of
insurance as is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, identifying
insurers, types of insurance, insurance limits, and policy terms, and
otherwise describing the insurance obtained in accordance with the
provisions of the Loan Documents.
11.7. OPINION OF COUNSEL. The Administrative Agent shall have
received a favorable legal opinion addressed to the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent, dated as of the Closing Date and in sufficient
quantities to deliver one (1) original of each such opinion to each
Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
from:
(a) Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, counsel to the Borrower and the
Guarantors; and
(b) Xxxxxxx LLP, Maryland counsel to the Borrower.
11.8. PAYMENT OF FEES. The Borrower shall have paid to the Lenders
or the Administrative Agent, as appropriate, the Fees pursuant to Sections
5.1 and 5.2.
11.9. TERMINATION OF EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY. The Administrative
Agent shall have received evidence that the existing Revolving Credit
Agreement by and among the Borrower, Fleet, the lenders thereto and Fleet,
as administrative agent, dated as of February 27, 2001 has been terminated
and all obligations thereunder have been discharged.
11.10. CLOSING CERTIFICATE. The Borrower shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, stating
that, as of such date (a) the representations and warranties set forth
herein or in any other Loan Document are true and correct, and (b) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
11.11. PRO FORMA COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The Borrower shall have
delivered to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders a statement
certified by the chief
financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower in substantially the form
of Exhibit C hereto (a "Compliance Certificate") and setting forth in
reasonable detail computations evidencing pro forma compliance as of the
Balance Sheet Date with the covenants contained in Section 10.
12. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.
The obligations of the Lenders to make any Loan and of the Issuing Lender
to issue, extend, amend or renew any Letter of Credit, in each case whether on
or after the Closing Date, shall also be subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions precedent:
12.1. REPRESENTATIONS TRUE; NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Each of the
representations and warranties of any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
contained in this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or in any
document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this
Credit Agreement shall be true as of the date as of which they were made
and shall also be true at and as of the time of the making of such Loan or
the issuance, extension, amendment or renewal of such Letter of Credit,
with the same effect as if made at and as of that time (except to the
extent of changes resulting from transactions contemplated or permitted by
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and changes occurring
in the ordinary course of business that singly or in the aggregate are not
materially adverse, and to the extent that such representations and
warranties relate expressly to an earlier date) and no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
12.2. NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT. No change shall have occurred in any law
or regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the
reasonable opinion of any Lender would make it illegal for such Lender to
make such Loan or to participate in the issuance, extension, amendment or
renewal of such Letter of Credit or in the reasonable opinion of the
Administrative Agent would make it illegal for the Issuing Lender to
issue, extend, amend or renew such Letter of Credit.
12.3. PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS. All proceedings in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents and all other documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory
in substance and in form to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent
and the Administrative Agent's Special Counsel, and the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent and such counsel shall have received all information
and such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such
documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
13. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.
13.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION. If any of the following
events ("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of
time or both is required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time,
"Defaults") shall occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans
or any Reimbursement Obligation when the same shall become due and
payable (including, without limitation, under and pursuant to
Section 3.2(a) and (b)),
whether at the stated date of maturity or any accelerated date of
maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;
(b) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay
any interest on the Loans, any Fees, or other sums due hereunder or
under any of the other Loan Documents, within three (3) Business
Days after the same shall become due and payable, whether at the
stated date of maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at
any other date fixed for payment;
(c) the Borrower shall fail to comply with any of its
covenants contained in Section 8.1, the first sentence of Section
8.4.1, the first sentence of Section 8.5, Sections 9.1 - 9.6 or
Section 10;
(d) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
perform any term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any
of the other Loan Documents (other than those specified elsewhere in
this Section 13.1) for thirty (30) days after written notice of such
failure has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent;
(e) any representation or warranty of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries (whether in this Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or in any other document or instrument
delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Credit Agreement)
shall prove to have been false in any material respect upon the date
when made or deemed to have been made or repeated;
(f) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay
at maturity, or within any applicable period of grace, any
obligation for borrowed money or credit received or in respect of
any Capitalized Leases, in an aggregate principal amount in excess
of $5,000,000, or fail to observe or perform any material term,
covenant or agreement contained in any agreement by which it is
bound, evidencing or securing borrowed money or credit received or
in respect of any Capitalized Leases, in an aggregate principal
amount in excess of $5,000,000, for such period of time as would
permit (assuming the giving of appropriate notice if required) the
holder or holders thereof or of any obligations issued thereunder to
accelerate the maturity thereof, or any such holder or holders shall
rescind or shall have a right to rescind the purchase of any such
obligations;
(g) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admit in writing its
inability to pay or generally fail to pay its debts as they mature
or become due, or shall petition or apply for the appointment of a
trustee or other custodian, liquidator or receiver of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries or of any substantial part of the assets
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or shall commence any
case or other proceeding relating to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation or
similar law of any jurisdiction, now or hereafter in
effect, or shall take any action to authorize or in furtherance of
any of the foregoing, or if any such petition or application shall
be filed or any such case or other proceeding shall be commenced
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries shall indicate its approval thereof, consent
thereto or acquiescence therein or such petition or application
shall not have been dismissed within sixty (60) days following the
filing thereof;
(h) a decree or order is entered appointing any such trustee,
custodian, liquidator or receiver or adjudicating the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a
petition in any such case or other proceeding, or a decree or order
for relief is entered in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
of the Borrower in an involuntary case under federal bankruptcy laws
as now or hereafter constituted;
(i) there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and
unstayed, for more than sixty days, whether or not consecutive, any
final judgment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that,
with other outstanding final judgments, undischarged, against the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries exceeds in the aggregate
$5,000,000;
(j) if any of the Loan Documents shall be cancelled,
terminated, revoked or rescinded, in each case otherwise than in
accordance with the terms thereof or with the express prior written
agreement, consent or approval of the Lenders, or any action at law,
suit or in equity or other legal proceeding to cancel, revoke or
rescind any of the Loan Documents shall be commenced by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries party thereto or any of
their respective stockholders, or any court or any other
governmental or regulatory authority or agency of competent
jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or issue a judgment,
order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more of the
Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance
with the terms thereof;
(k) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurs any liability
to the PBGC or a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to Title IV of
ERISA in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000, or the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate is assessed withdrawal liability pursuant to
Title IV of ERISA by a Multiemployer Plan requiring aggregate annual
payments exceeding $5,000,000, or any of the following occurs with
respect to a Guaranteed Pension Plan: (i) an ERISA Reportable Event,
or a failure to make a required installment or other payment (within
the meaning of Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA), provided that the
Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that
such event (A) could be expected to result in liability of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the PBGC or such Guaranteed
Pension Plan in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000 and (B)
could constitute grounds for the termination of such Guaranteed
Pension Plan by the PBGC, for the appointment by the appropriate
United States District Court of a trustee to administer such
Guaranteed Pension Plan or for the imposition of a lien in
favor of such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or (ii) the appointment by a
United States District Court of a trustee to administer such
Guaranteed Pension Plan; or (iii) the institution by the PBGC of
proceedings to terminate such Guaranteed Pension Plan;
(l) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to
repurchase $5,000,000 or more of receivables of the type described
in clause (g) of the definition of "Indebtedness" hereof, whether
sold under a purchase facility or otherwise, or a termination event
occurs in connection with any such sale or with respect to any such
facility; or
(m) a Change of Control shall occur;
then, and in any such event, so long as the same may be continuing, the
Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders
shall, by notice in writing to the Borrower declare all amounts owing with
respect to this Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents
and all Reimbursement Obligations to be, and they shall thereupon
forthwith become, immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by the Borrower; provided that in the event of any Event of Default
specified in Sections 13.1(g) or 13.1(h), all such amounts shall become
immediately due and payable automatically and without any requirement of
notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
13.2. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS. If any one or more of the Events
of Default specified in Section 13.1(g) or Section 13.1(h) shall occur,
any unused portion of the credit hereunder shall forthwith terminate and
each of the Lenders shall be relieved of all further obligations to make
Loans to the Borrower and the Issuing Lender shall be relieved of all
further obligations to issue, extend, amend or renew Letters of Credit. If
any other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Administrative Agent may and, upon the request of the Required Lenders,
shall, by notice to the Borrower, terminate the unused portion of the
credit hereunder, and upon such notice being given such unused portion of
the credit hereunder shall terminate immediately and each of the Lenders
shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans and the Issuing
Lender shall be relieved of all further obligations to issue, extend,
amend or renew Letters of Credit. No termination of the credit hereunder
shall relieve the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the
Obligations.
13.3. REMEDIES. In case any one or more of the Events of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Lenders
shall have accelerated the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 13.1,
each Lender, if owed any amount with respect to the Loans or the
Reimbursement Obligations, may, with the consent of the Administrative
Agent and the Required Lenders but not otherwise, proceed to protect and
enforce its rights by suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate
proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or
agreement contained in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents
or any instrument pursuant to which the Obligations to such Lender are
evidenced, including as permitted by applicable law the obtaining of the
ex parte appointment of a receiver, 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 such Lender. No remedy
herein conferred upon any Lender or the Administrative Agent or the holder
of any Note or purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation 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.
14. THE AGENT.
14.1. AUTHORIZATION.
(a) The Administrative Agent is authorized to take such action
on behalf of each of the Lenders and to exercise all such powers as
are hereunder and under any of the other Loan Documents and any
related documents delegated to the Administrative Agent, together
with such powers as are reasonably incident thereto, provided that
no duties or responsibilities not expressly assumed herein or
therein shall be implied to have been assumed by the Administrative
Agent.
(b) The relationship between the Administrative Agent and each
of the Lenders is that of an independent contractor. The use of the
term "Administrative Agent" is for convenience only and is used to
describe, as a form of convention, the independent contractual
relationship between the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders. Nothing contained in this Credit Agreement nor the other
Loan Documents shall be construed to create an agency, trust or
other fiduciary relationship between the Administrative Agent and
any of the Lenders.
(c) As an independent contractor empowered by the Lenders to
exercise certain rights and perform certain duties and
responsibilities hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the
Administrative Agent is nevertheless a "representative" of the
Lenders, as that term is defined in Article 1 of the Uniform
Commercial Code, for purposes of actions for the benefit of the
Lenders and the Administrative Agent with respect to all cash
collateral for Letters of Credit described in Sections 4.2(b) and
(c) hereof and guaranties contemplated by the Loan Documents.
14.2. EMPLOYEES AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS. The Administrative Agent
may exercise its powers and execute its duties by or through employees or
agents and shall be entitled to take, and to rely on, advice of counsel
concerning all matters pertaining to its rights and duties under this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to the existence of a
Default or an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may utilize the
services of such Persons as the Administrative Agent in consultation with
the Borrower may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and
expenses of any such Persons shall be paid by the Borrower. Following the
occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of
Default, the Administrative Agent may utilize the services of such Persons
as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion
may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and expenses of any such
Persons shall be paid by the Borrower.
14.3. NO LIABILITY. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its
shareholders, directors, officers or employees nor any other Person
assisting them in their duties nor any agent or employee thereof, shall be
liable for any waiver, consent or approval given or any action taken, or
omitted to be taken, in good faith by it or them hereunder or under any of
the other Loan Documents, or in connection herewith or therewith, or be
responsible for the consequences of any oversight or error of judgment
whatsoever, except that the Administrative Agent or such other Person, as
the case may be, may be liable for losses due to its willful misconduct or
gross negligence.
14.4. NO REPRESENTATIONS.
14.4.1. GENERAL. The Administrative Agent shall not be
responsible for the execution or validity or enforceability of this
Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit, any of the other
Loan Documents or any instrument at any time constituting, or
intended to constitute, cash collateral for Letters of Credit
described in Sections 4.2(b) and (c) hereof for the Notes, or for
the value of any such cash collateral for Letters of Credit or for
the validity, enforceability or collectability of any such amounts
owing with respect to the Notes, or for any recitals or statements,
warranties or representations made herein or in any of the other
Loan Documents or in any certificate or instrument hereafter
furnished to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants
or agreements herein or in any instrument at any time constituting,
or intended to constitute, cash collateral for Letters of Credit
described in Sections 4.2(b) and (c) hereof for the Notes or to
inspect any of the properties, books or records of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries. The Administrative Agent shall not be bound
to ascertain whether any notice, consent, waiver or request
delivered to it by the Borrower or any holder of any of the Notes
shall have been duly authorized or is true, accurate and complete.
The Administrative Agent has not made nor does it now make any
representations or warranties, express or implied, nor does it
assume any liability to the Lenders, with respect to the credit
worthiness or financial conditions of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently
and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other
Lender, and based upon such information and documents as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to
enter into this Credit Agreement.
14.4.2. CLOSING DOCUMENTATION, ETC. For purposes of
determining compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 11,
each Lender that has executed this Credit Agreement shall be deemed
to have consented to, approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with,
each document and matter either sent, or made available, by the
Administrative Agent or the Arranger to such Lender for consent,
approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be
to be
consent to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to such
Lender, unless an officer of the Administrative Agent or the
Arranger active upon the Borrower's account shall have received
notice from such Lender prior to the Closing Date specifying such
Lender's objection thereto and such objection shall not have been
withdrawn by notice to the Administrative Agent or the Arranger to
such effect on or prior to the Closing Date.
14.5. PAYMENTS.
14.5.1. PAYMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. A payment by the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent hereunder or any of the other
Loan Documents for the account of any Lender shall constitute a
payment to such Lender. The Administrative Agent agrees promptly to
distribute to each Lender such Lender's pro rata share of payments
received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders
except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any of the other
Loan Documents.
14.5.2. DISTRIBUTION BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. If in the
opinion of the Administrative Agent the distribution of any amount
received by it in such capacity hereunder, under the Notes or under
any of the other Loan Documents might involve it in liability, it
may refrain from making distribution until its right to make
distribution shall have been adjudicated by a court of competent
jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge
that any amount received and distributed by the Administrative Agent
is to be repaid, each Person to whom any such distribution shall
have been made shall either repay to the Administrative Agent its
proportionate share of the amount so adjudged to be repaid or shall
pay over the same in such manner and to such Persons as shall be
determined by such court.
14.5.3. DELINQUENT LENDERS. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, any Lender that fails (a) to make available to the
Administrative Agent its pro rata share of any Loan or to purchase
any Letter of Credit Participation or (b) to comply with the
provisions of Section 16.1 with respect to making dispositions and
arrangements with the other Lenders, where such Lender's share of
any payment received, whether by setoff or otherwise, is in excess
of its pro rata share of such payments due and payable to all of the
Lenders, in each case as, when and to the full extent required by
the provisions of this Credit Agreement, shall be deemed delinquent
(a "Delinquent Lender") and shall be deemed a Delinquent Lender
until such time as such delinquency is satisfied. A Delinquent
Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments due to
it from the Borrower, whether on account of outstanding Loans,
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees or otherwise, to
the remaining nondelinquent Lenders for application to, and
reduction of, their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding
Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations. The Delinquent Lender hereby authorizes the
Administrative Agent to distribute such payments to the
nondelinquent Lenders in proportion to their respective pro rata
shares of all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations. A Delinquent Lender shall be deemed to have satisfied
in full a delinquency when and if, as a result of application of the
assigned payments to all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations of the nondelinquent Lenders, the Lenders' respective
pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations have returned to those in effect immediately prior to
such delinquency and without giving effect to the nonpayment causing
such delinquency.
14.6. HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat
the payee of any Note or the purchaser of any Letter of Credit
Participation as the absolute owner or purchaser thereof for all purposes
hereof until it shall have been furnished in writing with a different name
by such payee or by a subsequent holder, assignee or transferee.
14.7. INDEMNITY. The Lenders ratably agree hereby to indemnify and
hold harmless the Administrative Agent and its affiliates from and against
any and all claims, actions and suits (whether groundless or otherwise),
losses, damages, costs, expenses (including any expenses for which the
Administrative Agent or such affiliate has not been reimbursed by the
Borrower as required by Section 16.2), and liabilities of every nature and
character arising out of or related to this Credit Agreement, the Notes,
or any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated or
evidenced hereby or thereby, or the Administrative Agent's actions taken
hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent that any of the same shall
be directly caused by the Administrative Agent's willful misconduct or
gross negligence.
14.8. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS LENDER. In its individual capacity,
Fleet shall have the same obligations and the same rights, powers and
privileges in respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, and as
the holder of any of the Notes and as the purchaser of any Letter of
Credit Participations, as it would have were it not also the
Administrative Agent.
14.9. RESIGNATION. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time
by giving sixty (60) days prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and
the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have
the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. Unless a Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such successor
Administrative Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. If no
successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the
Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty
(30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of
resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the
Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a
financial institution having a rating of not less than A or its equivalent
by S&P. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor
Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all
the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative
Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its
duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation, the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents shall continue in effect for its
benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was acting as Administrative Agent.
14.10. NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each Lender
hereby agrees that, upon learning of the existence of a Default or an
Event of Default, it shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent
thereof. The Administrative Agent hereby agrees that upon receipt of any
notice under this Section 14.10 it shall promptly notify the other Lenders
of the existence of such Default or Event of Default.
15. ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.
15.1. CONDITIONS TO ASSIGNMENT BY LENDERS. Except as provided
herein, each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees, all or a
portion of its interests, rights and obligations under this Credit
Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment Percentage and
Commitment and the same portion of the Loans at the time owing to it, the
Notes held by it and its participating interest in the risk relating to
any Letters of Credit); provided that (a) each of the Administrative Agent
and, unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Borrower shall have given its prior written consent to
such assignment, which consent, in the case of the Borrower, will not be
unreasonably withheld; except that the consent of the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent shall not be required in connection with any
assignment by a Lender to (i) an existing Lender or (ii) a Lender
Affiliate of such Lender, (b) each assignment (or, in the case of
assignments by a Lender to its Lender Affiliates, the aggregate holdings
of such Lender and its Lender Affiliates after giving effect to such
assignments), shall be in an amount which, if less than all of such
assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, is
a whole multiple of $5,000,000 or a lesser amount agreed to by the
Administrative Agent, the Borrower and such assigning Lender, and (c) the
parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent, for recording in the Register (as hereinafter defined), an
Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto
(an "Assignment and Acceptance"), together with any Notes subject to such
assignment. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from
and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance,
which effective date shall be at least five (5) Business Days after the
execution thereof, (y) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto
and, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the
rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder, and (z) the assigning Lender
shall, to the extent provided in such assignment and upon payment to the
Administrative Agent of the registration fee referred to in Section 15.3,
be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement.
15.2. CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; LIMITATIONS;
COVENANTS. By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the
parties to the assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other
and the other parties hereto that the representations and warranties and
agreements set forth in Section 3 of the Assignment and Acceptance are
true and correct as of the date such Assignment and Acceptance is
executed.
15.3. REGISTER. The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of
each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar
list (the "Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of
the Lenders and the Commitment Percentage of, and principal amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans owing to and Letter of Credit Participations
purchased by, the Lenders from time to time. The entries in the Register
shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name
is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Credit Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the
Borrower and the Lenders at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice. Upon each such recordation, the assigning Lender
agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent a registration fee in the sum of
$3,500.
15.4. NEW NOTES. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
executed by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note
subject to such assignment, the Administrative Agent shall record the
information contained therein in the Register. Promptly upon the request
of the assignee or the assignor thereunder, the Borrower, at its own
expense, shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, in
exchange for each surrendered Note, a new Note to the order of such
assignee in an amount equal to the amount assumed by such assignee
pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the assigning Lender
has retained some portion of its obligations hereunder, a new Note to the
order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the amount retained by
it hereunder. Such new Notes shall provide that they are replacements for
the surrendered Note(s), shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate principal amount of the surrendered Note(s), shall be
dated the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance and shall
otherwise be in substantially the form of the assigned Notes. The
surrendered Note(s) shall be cancelled and returned to the Borrower.
15.5. PARTICIPATIONS. Each Lender may sell participations to one or
more Lenders or other entities in all or a portion of such Lender's rights
and obligations under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
provided that (a) each such participation shall be in an amount of not
less than $2,500,000, (b) any such sale or participation shall not affect
the rights and duties of the selling Lender hereunder to the Borrower and
(c) the only rights granted to the participant pursuant to such
participation arrangements with respect to waivers, amendments or
modifications of the Loan Documents shall be the rights to approve
waivers, amendments or modifications that would reduce the principal of or
the interest rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the amount of
the Commitment of such Lender as it relates to such participant, reduce
the amount of any Commitment Fee or Letter of Credit Fees to which such
participant is entitled or extend any regularly scheduled payment date for
principal or interest.
15.6. ASSIGNEE OR PARTICIPANT AFFILIATED WITH THE BORROWER. If any
assignee Lender is an Affiliate of the Borrower, then any such assignee
Lender shall have no right to vote as a Lender hereunder or under any of
the other Loan Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or
for purposes of agreeing to amendments or other modifications to any of
the Loan Documents or for purposes of making requests
to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 13.1 or Section 13.2, and
the determination of the Required Lenders shall for all purposes of this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to
such assignee Lender's interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement
Obligations. If any Lender sells a participating interest in any of the
Loans or Reimbursement Obligations to a participant, and such participant
is the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower, then such transferor
Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the sale of such
participation. A transferor Lender shall have no right to vote as a Lender
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for purposes of
granting consents or waivers or for purposes of agreeing to amendments or
modifications to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes of making
requests to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 13.1 or Section
13.2 to the extent that such participation is beneficially owned by the
Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower, and the determination of the
Required Lenders shall for all purposes of this Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents be made without regard to the interest of such
transferor Lender in the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations to the extent
of such participation.
15.7. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENT PROVISIONS. Any assigning Lender
shall retain its rights to be indemnified pursuant to Section 16.3 with
respect to any claims or actions arising prior to the date of such
assignment. If any assignee Lender is not incorporated under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof, it shall, prior to the
date on which any interest or fees are payable hereunder or under any of
the other Loan Documents for its account, deliver to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent certification satisfactory in form and substance to
the Administrative Agent as to its exemption from deduction or withholding
of any United States federal income taxes. If any Reference Lender
transfers all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Credit
Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall, in consultation with the
Borrower and with the consent of the Borrower and the Required Lenders,
appoint another Lender to act as a Reference Lender hereunder. Anything
contained in this Section 15 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Lender
may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion
of its interest and rights under this Credit Agreement (including all or
any portion of its Notes) to secure obligations of such Lender, including
any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to any of the twelve
Federal Reserve Banks organized under Section 4 of the Federal Reserve
Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 341. Any foreclosure or similar action by any
Person in respect of such pledge or assignment shall be subject to the
other provisions of this Section 15. No such pledge or the enforcement
thereof shall release the pledgor Lender from its obligations hereunder or
under any of the other Loan Documents, provide any voting rights hereunder
to the pledgee thereof, or affect any rights or obligations of the
Borrower or Administrative Agent hereunder.
15.8. ASSIGNMENT BY BORROWER. The Borrower shall not assign or
transfer any of its rights or obligations under any of the Loan Documents
without the prior written consent of each of the Lenders.
16. PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION.
16.1. SETOFF. Regardless of the adequacy of any cash collateral for
Letters of Credit described in Sections 4.2(b) and (c) hereof, following
the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, any
deposits or other sums credited by or due from any of the Lenders to the
Borrower in the possession of such Lender may be applied to or set off
against the payment of Obligations of the Borrower to such Lender. Each of
the Lenders agree with each other Lender that (a) if an amount to be set
off is to be applied to Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender, other
than Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes held by such Lender or
constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Lender, such amount
shall be applied ratably to such other Indebtedness and to the
Indebtedness evidenced by all such Notes held by such Lender or
constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Lender, and (b) if
such Lender shall receive from the Borrower, whether by voluntary payment,
exercise of the right of setoff, counterclaim, cross action, enforcement
of the claim evidenced by the Notes held by, or constituting Reimbursement
Obligations owed to, such Lender by proceedings against the Borrower at
law or in equity or by proof thereof in bankruptcy, reorganization,
liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings, or otherwise, and shall
retain and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes held by, or
Reimbursement Obligations owed to, such Lender any amount in excess of its
ratable portion of the payments received by all of the Lenders with
respect to the Notes held by, and Reimbursement Obligations owed to, all
of the Lenders, such Lender will make such disposition and arrangements
with the other Lenders with respect to such excess, either by way of
distribution, pro tanto assignment of claims, subrogation or otherwise as
shall result in each Lender receiving in respect of the Notes held by it
or Reimbursement Obligations owed it, its proportionate payment as
contemplated by this Credit Agreement; provided that if all or any part of
such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such Lender, such
disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount restored to
the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
16.2. EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay (a) any taxes (including
any interest and penalties in respect thereto) payable by the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender or any of
the Lenders (other than taxes based upon or measured by the income or
profits of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line
Lender or any Lender) on or with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Credit Agreement (the Borrower hereby agreeing to indemnify the
Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender and each
Lender with respect thereto), (b) the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of the Administrative Agent's Special Counsel or any local
counsel to the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with the
preparation, syndication or administration of the Loan Documents and other
instruments mentioned herein, each closing hereunder, any amendments,
modifications, approvals, consents or waivers hereto or hereunder, or the
cancellation of any Loan Document upon payment in full in cash of all of
the Obligations or pursuant to any terms of such Loan Document for
providing for such cancellation, (c) the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates
incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Affiliate in connection with
the preparation, syndication, administration or interpretation of the Loan
Documents and other instruments mentioned herein and subject to the
limitations contained in the Fee Letter, (d) all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and
costs, which attorneys
may be employees of any Lender, any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender
or the Administrative Agent, and reasonable consulting, accounting,
appraisal, investment bankruptcy and similar professional fees and
charges) incurred by any Lender, any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender
or the Administrative Agent in connection with (i) the enforcement of or
preservation of rights under any of the Loan Documents against the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the administration thereof after
the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default and (ii) any litigation,
proceeding or dispute whether arising hereunder or otherwise, in any way
related to any Lender's, any Issuing Lender's, the Swing Line Lender's or
the Administrative Agent's relationship with the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, except, in each case, to the extent resulting solely from
the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such party. The
covenants contained in this Section 16.2 shall survive payment or
satisfaction in full of all Obligations.
16.3. INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, their affiliates, the
Issuing Lender(s), the Swing Line Lender and the Lenders from and against
any and all claims, actions and suits whether groundless or otherwise, and
from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages and expenses of
every nature and character arising out of this Credit Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby
including, without limitation, (a) any actual or proposed use by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the proceeds of any of the Loans or
Letters of Credit, (b) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries entering
into or performing this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or (c) with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
their respective properties and assets, the violation of any Environmental
Law or laws related to Hazardous Substances or any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation in relation thereto, in each case including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other
proceeding, except to the extent resulting from the bad faith, willful
misconduct or gross negligence of such indemnified party. In litigation,
or the preparation therefor, the Lenders, the Issuing Lender(s), the Swing
Line Lender and the Administrative Agent and its affiliates shall be
entitled to select their own counsel and, in addition to the foregoing
indemnity, the Borrower agrees to pay promptly the reasonable fees and
expenses of such counsel. If, and to the extent that the obligations of
the Borrower under this Section 16.3 are unenforceable for any reason, the
Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment in
satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable
law. The covenants contained in this Section 16.3 shall survive payment or
satisfaction in full of all other Obligations.
16.4. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
16.4.1. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Lenders, the Issuing
Lender(s), the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent
agrees, on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates, directors,
officers, employees and representatives, to use reasonable
precautions to keep confidential, in accordance with their customary
procedures for handling confidential information of the same nature
and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices, any
non-public information
supplied to it by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant
to this Credit Agreement that is identified by such Person as being
confidential at the time the same is delivered to the Lenders, the
Issuing Lender(s), the Swing Line Lender or the Administrative
Agent, provided that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure of
any such information (a) after such information shall have become
public other than through a violation of this Section 16, (b) to the
extent required by statute, rule, regulation or judicial process,
(c) to counsel for any of the Lenders, any Issuing Lender, the Swing
Line Lender or the Administrative Agent, (d) to bank examiners or
any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any Lender,
any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the Administrative
Agent, or to auditors or accountants, (e) to the Administrative
Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, any Lender or any
Financial Affiliate, (f) in connection with any litigation to which
any one or more of the Lenders, any Issuing Lender, the Swing Line
Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Financial Affiliate is a
party, or in connection with the enforcement of rights or remedies
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (g) to a Lender
Affiliate or a Subsidiary of the Administrative Agent, or (h) with
the consent of the Borrower. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the respective
Affiliates of each of the foregoing (and the respective partners,
directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other
representatives of the aforementioned Persons), and any other party,
may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind
(a) any information with respect to the U.S. federal and state
income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby and any
facts that may be relevant to understanding the U.S. federal or
state income tax treatment of such transactions ("tax structure"),
which facts shall not include for this purpose the names of the
parties or any other Person named herein, or information that would
permit identification of the parties or such other Persons, or any
pricing terms or other nonpublic business or financial information
that is unrelated to such tax treatment or tax structure, and (b)
all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses)
that are provided to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or such
Lender relating to such tax treatment or tax structure.
16.4.2. PRIOR NOTIFICATION. Unless specifically prohibited by
applicable law or court order, each of the Lenders, the Issuing
Lender(s), the Swing Line Lender, the Financial Affiliate(s) and the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any request for
disclosure of any such non-public information by any governmental
agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in
connection with an examination of the financial condition of such
Lender by such governmental agency) or pursuant to legal process;
provided, however, that in the event such disclosure is required
pursuant to such order of a court or the order, request or demand of
any administrative or regulatory agency or authority, such Lender,
such Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, such Financial Affiliate
and the Administrative Agent will provide the Borrower with notice
prior to its disclosure of the same in order to allow (to the extent
practicable) sufficient time for the Borrower to respond to or
defend such order, request or demand.
16.4.3. OTHER. In no event shall any Lender, any Issuing
Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the Administrative Agent be
obligated or required to return any materials furnished to it or any
Financial Affiliate by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. The
obligations of each Lender under this Section 16 shall supersede and
replace the obligations of such Lender under any confidentiality
letter in respect of this financing signed and delivered by such
Lender to the Borrower prior to the date hereof and shall be binding
upon any assignee of, or purchaser of any participation in, any
interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations from any
Lender.
16.5. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made herein, in the Notes, in any of the
other Loan Documents or in any documents or other papers delivered by or
on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant hereto shall
be deemed to have been relied upon by the Lenders, the Issuing Lender(s),
the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, notwithstanding any
investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any of them, and shall
survive the making by the Lenders of any of the Loans and the issuance,
extension, amendment or renewal of any Letters of Credit, as herein
contemplated, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any
Letter of Credit or any amount due under this Credit Agreement or the
Notes or any of the other Loan Documents remains outstanding or any Lender
has any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Lender has any
obligation to issue, extend, amend or renew any Letter of Credit, and for
such further time as may be otherwise expressly specified in this Credit
Agreement.
16.6. NOTICES. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit
Agreement, all notices and other communications made or required to be
given pursuant to this Credit Agreement or the Notes or any Letter of
Credit Applications shall be in writing and shall be delivered in hand,
mailed by United States registered or certified first class mail, postage
prepaid, sent by overnight courier, or sent by telegraph, telecopy,
facsimile or telex and confirmed by delivery via courier or postal
service, addressed as follows:
(a) if to the Borrower, at 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000, Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxx, Treasurer, with a copy to the General
Counsel of the Borrower, or at such other address for notice as the
Borrower shall last have furnished in writing to the Person giving the
notice;
(b) if to the Administrative Agent, at 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, XXX, Attention: Xxxxx Alto, Director, or such other
address for notice as the Administrative Agent shall last have furnished
in writing to the Person giving the notice; and
(c) if to any Lender, at such Lender's address set forth on Schedule
1 hereto, or such other address for notice as such Lender shall have last
furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice.
Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
and to have become effective (i) if delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile to a responsible officer of the party to which it is directed, at the
time of the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile and
(ii) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, on
the third Business Day following the mailing thereof. Any notice or other
communication to be made hereunder or under the Notes or any Letter of Credit
Applications, even if otherwise required to be in writing under other provisions
of this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications, may
alternatively be made in an electronic record transmitted electronically under
such authentication and other procedures as the parties hereto may from time to
time agree in writing (but not an electronic record), and such electronic
transmission shall be effective at the time set forth in such procedures. Unless
otherwise expressly provided in such procedures, such an electronic record shall
be equivalent to a writing under the other provisions of this Credit Agreement,
the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications, and such authentication, if made
in compliance with the procedures so agreed by the parties hereto in writing
(but not an electronic record), shall be equivalent to a signature under the
other provisions of this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any Letter of Credit
Applications.
16.7. GOVERNING LAW. THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED THEREIN, EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE
CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL FOR ALL
PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID
STATE OF NEW YORK (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF
LAW OTHER THAN GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION
5-1402). THE BORROWER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE
COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND
CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE
ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 16.6. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT
OR ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.
16.8. HEADINGS. The captions in this Credit Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions
hereof.
16.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Credit Agreement and any amendment hereof
may be executed in several counterparts and by each party on a separate
counterpart, each of which when executed and delivered shall be an
original, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. In
proving this Credit Agreement it shall not be necessary to produce or
account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against
whom enforcement is sought. Delivery by facsimile by any of the parties
hereto of an executed counterpart hereof or of any amendment or waiver
hereto shall be as effective as an original executed counterpart hereof or
of such amendment or waiver and shall
be considered a representation that an original executed counterpart
hereof or such amendment or waiver, as the case may be, will be delivered.
16.10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC. The Loan Documents and any other
documents executed in connection herewith or therewith express the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby. Neither this Credit Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived, discharged or terminated, except as provided in Section 16.12.
16.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM
ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE
NOTES OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS
HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL
OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY, INCLUDING ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT,
COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY
ISSUING LENDER, THE SWING LINE LENDER OR ANY LENDER RELATING TO THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE LOANS OR ENFORCEMENT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND
AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION WITH ANY OTHER
ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. Except as
prohibited by law, each party hereto hereby waives any right it may have
to claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding
sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any
damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Borrower
acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Lender(s), the Swing Line Lender and the Lenders have been induced to
enter into this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it
is a party by, among other things, the waivers and certifications
contained herein and that no representative, agent or attorney of any such
party has represented to the Borrower that such party would not, in the
event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers.
16.12. CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC. Any consent or approval
required or permitted by this Credit Agreement to be given by the Lenders
may be given, and any term of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other instrument related hereto or mentioned herein may
be amended, and the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries of any terms of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or such other instrument or the continuance of any Default or
Event of Default may be waived (either generally or in a particular
instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with, but only with,
the written consent of the Borrower and the written consent of the
Required Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment,
modification or waiver shall:
(a) without the written consent of the Borrower and each
Lender directly affected thereby:
(i) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loans
or Reimbursement Obligations, or reduce the rate of interest
on the Notes or the amount of the Commitment Fee or Letter of
Credit Fees, including, for purposes of calculation of the
Applicable Margin, as a result of a change in the definition
of Fixed Charge Ratio or any of the components thereof or the
method of calculation thereto (it being understood that any
change to the definition of Fixed Charge Ratio or any of the
components thereof or the method of calculation thereto for
purposes of calculating the covenants in Section 10 hereof
shall only require the written consent of the Borrower and the
Required Lenders), but excluding interest accruing pursuant to
Section 5.11.2 following the effective date of any waiver by
the Required Lenders of the Default or Event of Default
relating thereto;
(ii) increase the amount of such Lender's Commitment or
extend the expiration date of such Lender's Commitment; and
(iii) postpone or extend the Revolving Credit Loan
Maturity Date or any other regularly scheduled dates for
payments of principal of, or interest on, the Loans or
Reimbursement Obligations or any Fees or other amounts payable
to such Lender (it being understood that (A) a waiver of the
application of the default rate of interest pursuant to
Section 5.11.2, (B) any vote to rescind any acceleration made
pursuant to Section 13.1 of amounts owing with respect to the
Loans and other Obligations and (C) any modifications of the
provisions relating to amounts, timing or application of
prepayments of Loans and other Obligations shall require only
the approval of the Required Lenders);
(b) without the written consent of all of the Lenders, amend
or waive this Section 16.12 or the definition of Required Lenders;
(c) without the written consent of the Administrative Agent,
amend or waive Section 14, the amount or time of payment of the
Administrative Agent's Fee payable for the Administrative Agent's
account or any other provision applicable to the Administrative
Agent; and
(d) without the written consent of the Swing Line Lender,
amend or waive Section 2.6.2, the amount or time of payment of the
Swing Line Loans or any other provision applicable to the Swing Line
Lender; and
(e) without the written consent of the Issuing Lender, amend
or waive any Letter of Credit Fees payable for the Issuing Lender's
account or any other provision applicable to the Issuing Lender.
No waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or
impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing or delay or
omission on the part of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender, the
Swing Line Lender or any Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a
waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial
thereto. No notice to or demand upon the Borrower shall entitle the
Borrower to other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.
16.13. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Credit Agreement are
severable and if any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid
or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such
invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision,
or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect
such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any other clause or
provision of this Credit Agreement in any jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Credit
Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
COACH, INC.
By: ____________________________________
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
Coach, Inc.
Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement
FLEET NATIONAL BANK, individually and as
Administrative Agent
By: ___________________________________
Name: Xxxxx Alto
Title: Director
[Lenders--To be determined]