Exhibit 10.1(a)
364-DAY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of June 14, 2002, is by and between
ALLEGHANY CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware (the "Borrower"), the banks which are signatories hereto or are added
as parties hereto by assignment as provided herein (individually, a "Bank" and,
collectively, the "Banks") and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national
banking association and one of the Banks, as agent for the Banks (in such
capacity, the "Agent").
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
Section 1.1. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement the following
terms shall have the following respective meanings (and such meanings shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined, as
the context may require):
"Adjusted Eurodollar Rate": With respect to each Interest Period
applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the rate determined by dividing the
Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period by 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve
Percentage.
"Advance": Any portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans by a Bank as
to which one of the available interest rate options and, if pertinent, an
Interest Period, is applicable. An Advance may be a Eurodollar Rate Advance or a
Base Rate Advance.
"Affiliate": When used with reference to any Person, another person
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with the person specified. The term
control (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with")
means the possession, directly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of the Person in question.
"Agent": As defined in the opening paragraph hereof.
"Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts": As of any date, the sum of
the Revolving Commitment Amounts of all the Banks.
"AIHL": Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company.
"API": Alleghany Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
"API Agreement": Note Purchase Agreement by and among Alleghany
Corporation, API and the Purchasers signatories thereto of $40 million principal
amount of API Notes, whereby Alleghany Corporation has agreed to purchase from
API certain real properties owned by API to the extent required to permit API to
make required payments on the API Notes, together with all
documents related thereto, as such agreement or other documents may be amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"API Notes:" API 6.83% Senior Notes due December 11, 2004.
"Applicable Lending Office": For each Bank and for each type of
Advance, the office of such Bank identified as such Bank's Applicable Lending
Office on the signature pages hereof or such other domestic or foreign office of
such Bank (or of an Affiliate of such Bank) as such Bank may specify from time
to time, by notice given pursuant to Section 9.4, to the Agent and the Borrower
as the office by which its Advances of such type are to be made and maintained.
"Applicable Margin": With respect to Eurodollar Advances the Applicable
Margin (in basis points) set forth in the applicable table below as in effect on
the first day of each Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advance for such
Interest Period; in each case, determined based on the actual rating of the
Borrower's senior unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term debt by either or
both of Xxxxx'x or S&P in effect on the date of determination:
Applicable Margin
Level Rating (basis points per annum)
----- ------ ------------------------
I A/A2 or higher 50.0
II A-/A3 55.0
III BBB+/Baa1 67.5
IV BBB/Baa2 80.0
V BBB-/Baa3 or lower 92.5
(a) If the Ratings established by S&P and Xxxxx'x shall fall
within different Levels, the Applicable Margin shall be based on the
Rating listed on the higher Level (Level V being the lowest Level),
provided the Ratings are not more than two Levels apart. If the Ratings
are more than two Levels apart, the Applicable Margin shall be based on
the Rating that is one Level below the highest of the Levels.
(b) It is acknowledged that as of the date of this Agreement,
Level IV applies. If any Rating shall be established or changed, it
shall be effective on the date first announced publicly by the agency
establishing such Rating or making such change.
(c) If S&P or Xxxxx'x shall change the basis on which Ratings
are established, each reference to the Rating announced by S&P or
Xxxxx'x, as the case may be, shall refer to the then equivalent Rating
by S&P or Xxxxx'x, as the case may be.
(d) If only one of S&P or Xxxxx'x shall have in effect a
Rating, the Applicable Margin shall be determined by reference to the
available Rating.
"Asset Coverage Ratio": The ratio which (a) the sum of (i) the amount
that would be shown as stockholders' equity on the balance sheet of the Borrower
in accordance with GAAP, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness that
would be included in liabilities on the balance sheet of the Borrower in
accordance with GAAP, less (iii) that portion of the Permitted Intercompany
Indebtedness that would be included in liabilities on the balance sheet of the
2
Borrower in accordance with GAAP, bears to (b) all Indebtedness of the Borrower
(including amounts guaranteed by the Borrower but excluding Permitted
Intercompany Indebtedness) for borrowed money or evidenced by notes, bonds,
debentures or like instruments.
"Bank": As defined in the opening paragraph hereof.
"Base Rate": For any day, the higher of: (a) 0.50% per annum above the
latest Federal Funds Rate and (b) the Prime Rate then in effect.
"Base Rate Advance": An Advance with respect to which the interest rate
is determined by reference to the Base Rate.
"Board": The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any
successor thereto.
"Borrower": As defined in the opening paragraph hereof.
"Business Day": Any day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday
in the State of Minnesota or in the State of New York) on which banks are
permitted to be open in Minneapolis, Minnesota and in New York, New York.
"Capitalized Lease": A lease of (or other agreement conveying the right
to use) real or personal property with respect to which at least a portion of
the rent or other amounts thereon constitute Capitalized Lease Obligations.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations": As to any Person, the obligations of
such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or other agreement
conveying the right to use) real or personal property which obligations are
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance
sheet of such Person under GAAP (including Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 13 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board), and, for purposes
of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized
amount thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP (including such Statement No.
13).
"Change of Control": The occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of
the following: (a) any person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission as in effect on the date hereof) other than
the current principal stockholders of the Borrower identified in the Borrower's
proxy statement dated March 25, 2002, or any of their respective children,
spouses or issue thereof or any entity controlled or substantially all of whose
equity is beneficially owned by one or more of them as of the date of this
Agreement, shall own directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, shares
representing 25% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by
the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower; (b) a majority of the
seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower shall
at any time be occupied by persons who were neither nominated or appointed by a
majority of the directors of the Borrower who were in office as of the date of
this Agreement nor who were nominated or appointed by directors so nominated; or
(c) any person or group other than the current principal stockholders of the
Borrower identified in the Borrower's proxy statement dated March 25, 2002, or
any of their respective children, spouses or issue thereof or any entity
3
controlled or substantially all of whose equity is beneficially owned by one or
more of them as of the date of this Agreement shall otherwise directly or
indirectly control the Borrower.
"Closing Date": Any Business Day between the date of this Agreement and
June 28, 2002 on which all of the conditions precedent to the obligation of the
Banks to make the initial Revolving Loan hereunder, as set forth in Section 3.1,
have been, or, on such Closing Date, are, satisfied. The Borrower shall give the
Agent not less than one Business Day's prior notice of the day selected as the
Closing Date.
"Code": The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Combined Total Utilization Percentage": The ratio, stated as a
percentage, that (a) the sum of (i) outstanding Revolving Loans under this
Agreement, plus (ii) outstanding Revolving Loans of all Banks under the
Three-Year Credit Agreement (as "Revolving Loans" and "Banks" are defined in the
Three-Year Credit Agreement), bears to (b) the sum of (i) aggregate Revolving
Commitments of all of the Banks under this Agreement, plus (ii) aggregate
Revolving Commitments of all of the Banks under the Three-Year Credit Agreement
(as "Revolving Commitments" and "Banks" are defined in the Three-Year Credit
Agreement).
"Compliance Certificate": A certificate in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit 5.1 signed by either the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Borrower or the Vice President, Controller and Treasurer of the
Borrower demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance (or non-compliance, as
the case may be) with each of Sections 6.11, 6.13, 6.14 and 6.15 as at the end
of such quarter and stating that as at the end of such quarter there did not
exist any Default or Event of Default or, if such Default or Event of Default
existed, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action
the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.
"Contingent Obligation": With respect to any Person at the time of any
determination, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any
Indebtedness of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
directly or otherwise, including without limitation any agreement: (a) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of)
any direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to purchase property, securities
or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the
payment of such Indebtedness, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or
other financial statement condition of the primary obligor so as to enable the
primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or otherwise to protect the owner
thereof against loss in respect thereof, or (d) entered into for the purpose of
assuring in any manner the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such
Indebtedness or to protect the owner against loss in respect thereof; provided,
that the term "Contingent Obligation" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit, in each case in the ordinary course of business.
"Current Liabilities": As of any date, the consolidated current
liabilities of the Borrower, determined in accordance with GAAP.
4
"Default": Any event which, with the giving of notice (whether such
notice is required under Section 7.1, or under some other provision of this
Agreement, or otherwise) or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of
Default.
"Defaulting Bank": At any time, any Bank that, at such time (a) has
failed to make a Revolving Loan required pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, (b) has failed to pay to the Agent or any Bank an amount owed by such
Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (c) has been deemed insolvent
or has become subject to a bankruptcy, receivership or insolvency proceeding, or
to a receiver, trustee or similar official.
"ERISA": The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"ERISA Affiliate": Any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
that is a member of a group of which the Borrower is a member and which,
together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of
the Code.
"Eurodollar Business Day": A Business Day which is also a day for
trading by and between banks in United States dollar deposits in the interbank
Eurodollar market and a day on which banks are open for business in New York
City.
"Eurodollar Rate": With respect to each Interest Period applicable to a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, the offered rate for deposits in United States Dollars
for delivery of such deposits on the first day of an Interest Period of a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, for the number of days comprised therein, quoted by the
Agent from Page 3750 of the Telerate Service as of approximately 11:00 a.m.,
London time, on the day that is two Eurodollar Business Days preceding the first
day of the Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Advance, or the rate for such
deposits determined by the Agent at such time based on such other published
service of general application as shall be selected by the Agent for such
purpose; provided, that in lieu of determining the rate in the foregoing manner,
the Agent may determine the rate based on rates offered to the Agent for
deposits in United States Dollars in the interbank eurodollar market at such
time for delivery on the first day of the Interest Period for the number of days
comprised therein.
"Eurodollar Rate Advance": An Advance with respect to which the
interest rate is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage": As of any day, that percentage
(expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the
Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any basic,
supplemental or emergency reserves) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve
System, with deposits comparable in amount to those held by the Agent, in
respect of "Eurocurrency Liabilities" as such term is defined in Regulation D of
the Board. The rate of interest applicable to any outstanding Eurodollar Rate
Advances shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any
change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
"Event of Default": Any event described in Section 7.1.
5
"Federal Funds Rate": For any period of determination, a fluctuating
interest rate per annum (based on a 360-day year) equal for each day during such
period to the average of the rates of interest charged on overnight federal
funds transactions, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System only, as
arranged by Federal Funds brokers, as reasonably determined by the Agent.
"GAAP": Generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of any date of
determination.
"Immediately Available Funds": Funds with good value on the day and in
the city in which payment is received.
"Indebtedness": With respect to any Person at the time of any
determination, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for
borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are
customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or
other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by
such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property or services, other than accounts payable
incurred and paid on terms customary in the business of such Person (it being
understood that the "deferred purchase price" in connection with any purchase of
property or assets shall include only that portion of the purchase price which
shall be deferred beyond the date on which the purchase is actually
consummated), (1) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder
of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be
secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or
not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (h) all net obligations of such Person in respect of
interest rate protection agreements, (i) all obligations of such Person, actual
or contingent, as an account party in respect of issued letters of credit or
bankers' acceptances, (j) all Contingent Obligations of such Person, and (k) all
obligations of a type described in clause (a) through (j) above of any
partnership or joint venture as to which such Person is or may become personally
liable.
"Interest Period": With respect to each Eurodollar Rate Advance, the
period commencing on the date of such Advance or on the last day of the
immediately preceding Interest Period, if any, applicable to an outstanding
Advance and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may
elect in the applicable notice of borrowing, continuation or conversion;
provided that:
(a) Any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day
which is not a Eurodollar Business Day shall be extended to the next
succeeding Eurodollar Business Day unless such Eurodollar Business Day
falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period
shall end on the next preceding Eurodollar Business Day;
6
(b) Any Interest Period that begins on the last Eurodollar
Business Day of a calendar month (or 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
(c) Any Interest Period that would otherwise end after the
Revolving Commitment Ending Date shall end on the Revolving Commitment
Ending Date.
"Levels": The numbered levels listed on the Rating grid contained in
the definition of Applicable Margin.
"Lien": With respect to any Person, any security interest, mortgage,
pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, title retention agreement or analogous
instrument or device (including the interest of each lessor under any
Capitalized Lease), in, of or on any assets or properties of such Person, now
owned or hereafter acquired, whether arising by agreement or operation of law.
"Loan Documents": This Agreement, the Revolving Notes, and all other
agreements, instruments and documents heretofore, herewith or hereafter executed
and delivered by the Borrower in connection with this Agreement.
"Majority Banks": At any time, Banks other than Defaulting Banks
holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving
Notes, excluding Revolving Notes held by Defaulting Banks or, if no Revolving
Loans are at the time outstanding hereunder, Banks other than Defaulting Banks
holding more than 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts excluding
Revolving Commitment Amounts held by Defaulting Banks, provided, that at no time
shall Majority Banks include less than two Banks (unless there is only one Bank
that is party to this Agreement).
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean (a) a materially adverse effect on
the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) material impairment of the
ability of the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under any Loan
Document to which it is a party.
"Mellon Credit Agreement": An agreement between AIHL, as Account Party,
the Borrower, as Guarantor, and Mellon Bank, N.A. (in such capacity, the
"Issuing Bank"), dated November 26, 2001, pursuant to which the Issuing Bank may
issue letters of credit in aggregate amounts not to exceed $27,500,000.
"Mineral Holdings": Mineral Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Xxxxx'x": Xxxxx'x Investors Service.
"Multiemployer Plan": A multiemployer plan, as such term is defined in
Section 4001 (a) (3) of ERISA, which is maintained (on the Closing Date, within
the five years preceding the Closing Date, or at any time after the Closing
Date) for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.
7
"Obligations": The Borrower's obligations in respect of the due and
punctual payment of principal and interest on the Revolving Notes, when and as
due, whether by acceleration or otherwise and all fees (including Revolving
Commitment Fees and Utilization Fees), expenses, indemnities, reimbursements and
other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, in all cases whether now existing or hereafter arising or incurred.
"PBGC": The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, established pursuant
to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA, and any successor thereto or to the
functions thereof.
"Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness": Indebtedness of the Borrower:
(a) under the API Agreement, not to exceed $24,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount of such Indebtedness; (b) to Mineral Holdings, not to exceed $12,100,000
in aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness; (c) to Alleghany Funding
Corporation, not to exceed $19,200,000 in aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness; and (d) in addition to the foregoing, to any one or more of its
Subsidiaries, not to exceed $10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness as to all such Subsidiaries taken as a whole at any time
outstanding.
"Person": Any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, firm, association, trust,
unincorporated organization, government or governmental agency or political
subdivision or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or
other capacity.
"Plan": Each employee pension benefit plan (whether in existence on the
Closing Date or thereafter instituted), as such term is defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum
funding standards under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code as to
which the Borrower may have liability.
"Prime Rate": The rate of interest from time to time announced by the
Agent as its "prime rate." For purposes of determining any interest rate which
is based on the Prime Rate, such interest rate shall be adjusted each time that
the prime rate changes.
"Rating": As such term is used in the definition of Applicable Margin.
"Regulatory Change": Any change after the Closing Date in federal,
state or foreign laws or regulations or the adoption or making after such date
of any interpretations, directives or requests applying to a class of banks
including any Bank under any federal, state or foreign laws or regulations
(whether or not having the force of law) by any court or governmental or
monetary authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof.
"Reportable Event": A reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of
ERISA and the regulations issued under such Section, with respect to a Plan,
excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC by regulation has waived
the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days
of the occurrence of such event, provided that a failure to meet the minimum
funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and of Section 302 of ERISA shall be
a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of any waiver in accordance with
Section 412(d) of the Code.
8
"Restricted Payments": With respect to the Borrower, collectively, all
dividends or other distributions of any nature (cash, securities other than
common stock of the Borrower, assets or otherwise), and all payments on any
class of equity securities (including warrants, options or rights therefor)
issued by the Borrower, whether such securities are authorized or outstanding on
the Closing Date or at any time thereafter and any redemption or purchase of, or
distribution in respect of, any of the foregoing, whether directly or
indirectly.
"Revolving Commitment": With respect to a Bank, the agreement of such
Bank to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount
outstanding at any time not to exceed such Bank's Revolving Commitment Amount
upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations of this Agreement.
"Revolving Commitment Amount": With respect to a Bank, initially the
amount set opposite such Bank's name on the signature page hereof as its
Revolving Commitment Amount, but as the same may be reduced from time to time
pursuant to Section 2.8.
"Revolving Commitment Ending Date": As defined in Section 2.12.
"Revolving Commitment Fees": As defined in Section 2.9.
"Revolving Loan": As defined in Section 2.1.
"Revolving Loan Date": The date of the making of any Revolving Loans
hereunder.
"Revolving Note": A promissory note of the Borrower in the form of
Exhibit 1.1(A) hereto.
"Revolving Percentage": With respect to any Bank, the percentage
equivalent of a fraction, the numerator of which is the Revolving Commitment
Amount of such Bank and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving
Commitment Amounts.
"S&P": Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc.
"Significant Subsidiary": Any of: (a) Mineral Holdings, Heads & Threads
International LLC, and AIHL; (b) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) the
securities or other ownership interests of which are, as of the date of
determination, directly owned by the Borrower and (ii) which, with respect to
the most recent fiscal year of the Borrower, accounted for 10% or more of the
net income of the Borrower or represented 10% or more of the Borrower's total
assets (valued as provided in Section 1.2 hereof), and (c) any Subsidiary of the
Borrower with which a Significant Subsidiary is merged pursuant to Section 6.1
and which is the surviving corporation of such merger. If any assets of a
Significant Subsidiary are transferred to another Subsidiary, (A) the transferor
Significant Subsidiary shall remain a Significant Subsidiary, irrespective of
whether or not it meets either of the percentage tests set forth in clause
(b)(ii) of the first sentence of this definition after giving effect to such
transfer and (B) the transferee Subsidiary shall be deemed a Significant
Subsidiary if either (1) it was a Significant Subsidiary prior to such transfer
or (2) it meets either of the percentage tests set forth in clause (b)(ii) of
the first sentence of this definition after giving effect to such transfer.
9
"Subordinated Debt": Any Indebtedness of the Borrower, now existing or
hereafter created, incurred or arising, which is subordinated in right of
payment to the payment of the Obligations in a manner and to an extent (a) that
Majority Banks have approved in writing prior to the creation of such
Indebtedness, or (b) as to any Indebtedness of the Borrower existing on the date
of this Agreement, that Majority Banks have approved as Subordinated Debt in a
writing delivered by Majority Banks to the Borrower on or prior to the Closing
Date.
"Subordination Agreement": Subordination Agreement dated as of March
17, 1999, between the Borrower and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative
agent and collateral agent for the Banks (as defined therein), relating to the
liabilities and obligations of Mineral Holdings and its subsidiaries to the
Borrower.
"Subsidiary": Any corporation or other entity of which securities or
other ownership interests having ordinary voting power for the election of a
majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions
are owned by the Borrower either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries.
"Tangible Net Worth": As of any date of determination, the excess of
(i) the net book value of the assets of the Borrower (other than patents, patent
rights, trademarks, trade names, franchises, copyrights, licenses, permits,
goodwill and other intangible assets of the Borrower classified as such in
accordance with GAAP) after all appropriate deductions in accordance with GAAP
(including, without limitation, reserves for doubtful receivables, obsolescence,
depreciation and amortization) over (ii) the liabilities (including tax and
other proper accruals) of the Borrower, in each case computed in accordance with
GAAP.
"Termination Date": The earliest of (a) the Revolving Commitment Ending
Date, (b) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to
Section 7.2 hereof or (c) the date on which the Revolving Commitment Amounts are
reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof.
"Three-Year Credit Agreement": That certain Three-Year Revolving Credit
Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the Borrower and the Agent
and the Banks, together with all documents related thereto, as such agreement or
other documents may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time.
"Unrestricted Liquid Assets": Assets of the Borrower that are not
subject to any assignment, right of setoff or any Lien or any restriction of a
type described in Section 6.4 hereof (other than any of the same in favor of the
Agent) that consist of any of the following:
(a) cash and deposits in any commercial bank organized under
the laws of the United States or any State thereof which has combined
capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000;
(b) investments in readily marketable direct obligations
issued or guaranteed by the United States or any government agency
retaining a stated or implied rating of Aaa or better;
10
(c) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances issued by
any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof which has (i) combined capital and surplus of at
least $100,000,000, and (ii) a credit rating with respect to its
unsecured indebtedness of A-/A3 or better from either or both of S&P
and Xxxxx'x;
(d) commercial paper given the highest rating by a nationally
recognized rating service;
(e) repurchase agreements relating to securities issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States of
America;
(f) other readily marketable investments in debt or equity
securities traded without volume or other restrictions on a national
exchange; and
(g) debt consisting of investment grade corporate bonds with a
duration of not more than one year.
"Unused Revolving Commitment": With respect to any Bank as of any date
of determination, the amount by which such Bank's Revolving Commitment Amount
exceeds the principal amount of unpaid Revolving Loans owing to such Bank on
such date.
"USBNA": U.S. Bank National Association in its capacity as one of the
Banks hereunder.
"Utilization Fee Rate": The following rates, based on the Levels,
determined as provided in the definition of "Applicable Margin":
Utilization Fee Rate
Level (basis points per annum)
----- ------------------------
I 0.0
II 20.0
III 32.5
IV 45.0
V 57.5
"Utilization Fee": As defined in Section 2.9(b).
"Verification Report" means a computation signed by either the Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower or the Vice
President, Controller and Treasurer of the Borrower indicating the amount of
Unrestricted Liquid Assets required to be held by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 6.15 as of a specified date, accompanied by a custodial statement or
other report furnished to the Borrower by a third party demonstrating that such
custodian or other third party held for the account of the Borrower, as of such
specified date, an amount of Unrestricted Liquid Assets equal to or exceeding
the required amount.
Section 1.2. Accounting Terms, Calculations and Valuations. Except as
may be expressly provided to the contrary herein, (i) all accounting terms used
herein shall be interpreted
11
and all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with
GAAP and (ii) all accounting determinations made hereunder with respect to the
Borrower shall be made on an unconsolidated basis. To the extent any change in
GAAP affects any computation or determination required to be made pursuant to
this Agreement, such computation or determination shall be made as if such
change in GAAP had not occurred unless the Borrower and Majority Banks agree in
writing on an adjustment to such computation or determination to account for
such change in GAAP. The valuation of securities for which market quotations are
readily available shall be based upon the market value of such securities, and
the valuation of other securities and assets shall be based upon financial
statement values as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis.
Section 1.3. Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement, in the
computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
unless otherwise stated the word "from" means "from and including" and the word
"to" or "until" each means "to but excluding".
Section 1.4. Other Definitional Terms. The words "hereof," "herein" and
"hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. References to Sections, Exhibits, and schedules and like references
are to this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided. The words "include,"
"includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without
limitation." Unless the context in which used herein otherwise clearly requires,
"or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or."
ARTICLE 2
TERMS OF THE CREDIT FACILITIES
Section 2.1. The Revolving Commitments. On the terms and subject to the
conditions hereof, each Bank severally agrees to make loans (each, a "Revolving
Loan" and, collectively, the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower on a revolving
basis at any time and from time to time from the Closing Date to the Termination
Date, during which period the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow in
accordance with the provisions hereof, provided, that the unpaid principal
amount of outstanding Revolving Loans of a Bank shall not at any time exceed the
Revolving Commitment Amount of such Bank. Revolving Loans hereunder shall be
made by the several Banks ratably in the proportion of their respective
Revolving Commitment Amounts. Revolving Loans may be obtained and maintained, at
the election of the Borrower but subject to the limitations hereof, as Base Rate
Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances. Notwithstanding any provision hereof, this
Agreement and the Revolving Commitments shall terminate and the Banks shall have
no obligation hereunder if the Closing Date hereunder shall not have occurred on
or before June 15, 2002, provided, however, that the obligations of the Borrower
under Section 9.2 shall survive any such termination.
Section 2.2. Procedure for Revolving Loans. Any request by the Borrower
for Revolving Loans hereunder shall be in writing or by telephone and must be
given so as to be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (Minneapolis
time) two Eurodollar Business Days prior to the requested Revolving Loan Date if
the Revolving Loans (or any portion thereof) are requested as Eurodollar Rate
Advances and not later than 10:00 a.m. (Minneapolis time) on
12
the requested Revolving Loan Date if the Revolving Loans are requested as Base
Rate Advances. Each request for Revolving Loans hereunder shall be irrevocable
and shall be deemed a representation by the Borrower that on the requested
Revolving Loan Date and after giving effect to the requested Revolving Loans the
applicable conditions specified in Article III have been and will be satisfied.
Each request for Revolving Loans hereunder shall specify (a) the requested
Revolving Loan Date, (b) the aggregate amount of Revolving Loans to be made on
such date which shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 or, if more, an
integral multiple thereof, (c) whether such Revolving Loans are to be funded as
Base Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances (and, if such Revolving Loans are
to be made with more than one applicable interest rate choice, specifying the
amount to which each interest rate choice is applicable) and (d) in the case of
Eurodollar Rate Advances, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable
thereto. The Agent may rely on any telephone request for Revolving Loans
hereunder which it believes in good faith to be genuine; and the Borrower hereby
waives the right to dispute the Agent's record of the terms of such telephone
request. The Agent shall promptly notify each other Bank of the receipt of such
request, the matters specified therein, and of such Bank's ratable share of the
requested Revolving Loans. On the date of the requested Revolving Loans, each
Bank shall provide its share of the requested Revolving Loans to the Agent in
Immediately Available Funds not later than 12:00 noon, Minneapolis time. Unless
the Agent determines that any applicable condition specified in Article III has
not been satisfied, the Agent will make available to the Borrower at the Agent's
principal office in Minneapolis, Minnesota in Immediately Available Funds not
later than 3:00 p.m. (Minneapolis time) on the requested Revolving Loan Date the
amount of the requested Revolving Loans. If the Agent has made a Revolving Loan
to the Borrower on behalf of a Bank but has not received the amount of such
Revolving Loan from such Bank by the time herein required, such Bank shall pay
interest to the Agent on the amount so advanced at the overnight Federal Funds
rate from the date of such Revolving Loan to the date funds are received by the
Agent from such Bank, such interest to be payable with such remittance from such
Bank of the principal amount of such Revolving Loan (provided, however, that the
Agent shall not make any Revolving Loan on behalf of a Bank if the Agent has
received prior notice from such Bank that it will not make such Revolving Loan).
If the Agent does not receive payment from such Bank within three Business Days
after the date of any Revolving Loan, the Agent shall be entitled to recover
such Revolving Loan, with interest thereon at the rate (or rates) then
applicable to the such Revolving Loan, on demand, from the Borrower, without
prejudice to the Agent's and the Borrower's rights against such Bank. If such
Bank pays the Agent the amount herein required with interest at the overnight
Federal Funds rate before the Agent has recovered from the Borrower, such Bank
shall be entitled to the interest payable by the Borrower with respect to the
Revolving Loan in question accruing from the date the Agent made such Revolving
Loan.
Section 2.3. Revolving Notes. The Advances of each Bank shall be
evidenced by a single Revolving Note payable to the order of such Bank in a
principal amount equal to such Bank's Revolving Commitment Amount originally in
effect. Upon receipt of each Bank's Revolving Note from the Borrower, the Agent
shall mail such Revolving Note to such Bank. Each Bank shall enter in its
ledgers and records the amount of each Revolving Loan, the various Advances
made, converted or continued and the payments made thereon, and each Bank is
authorized by the Borrower to enter on a schedule attached to its Revolving Note
a record of such Revolving Loans, Advances and payments; provided, however that
the failure by any Bank to make any such entry or any error in making such entry
shall not limit or otherwise affect the
13
obligation of the Borrower hereunder and on the Revolving Notes, and, in all
events, the principal amounts owing by the Borrower in respect of the Revolving
Notes shall be the aggregate amount of all Revolving Loans made by the Banks
less all payments of principal thereof made by the Borrower.
Section 2.4. Conversions and Continuations. On the terms and subject to
the limitations hereof, the Borrower shall have the option at any time and from
time to time to convert all or any portion of the Advances into Base Rate
Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, or to continue a Eurodollar Rate Advance
as such; provided, however that if a Eurodollar Rate Advance is converted or
continued on a day which is other than the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, the Borrower shall compensate the Banks in accordance with
Section 2.18, and further provided that no Advance may be converted to or
continued as a Eurodollar Rate Advance if a Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and the Majority Banks have determined that such
conversion or continuation is not appropriate. Advances may be converted to, or
continued as, Eurodollar Rate Advances only in integral multiples, as to the
aggregate amount of the Advances of all Banks so converted or continued, of
$1,000,000. The Borrower shall give the Agent written notice of any continuation
or conversion of any Advances and such notice must be given so as to be received
by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (Minneapolis time) two Eurodollar
Business Days prior to requested date of conversion or continuation in the case
of the continuation of, or conversion to, Eurodollar Rate Advances and on the
date of the requested conversion to Base Rate Advances. Each such notice shall
specify (a) the amount to be continued or converted, (b) the date for the
continuation or conversion (which must be (i) the last day of the preceding
Interest Period for any continuation or conversion of Eurodollar Rate Advances,
and (ii) a Eurodollar Business Day in the case of continuations as or
conversions to Eurodollar Rate Advances and a Business Day in the case of
conversions to Base Rate Advances), and (c) in the case of conversions to or
continuations as Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Interest Period applicable
thereto. Any notice given by the Borrower under this Section shall be
irrevocable. Absent timely notice of continuation, following expiration of an
Interest Period unless the Eurodollar Rate Advance is paid in full the Agent may
at any time thereafter convert the Eurodollar Rate Advance into a Base Rate
Advance. Until such time as such Eurodollar Rate Advance is converted into a
Base Rate Advance by the Agent or the Borrower or is continued as a Eurodollar
Rate Advance with a new Interest Period by notice by the Borrower as provided
above, such Advance shall continue to accrue interest at a rate equal to the
interest rate applicable during the expired Interest Period adjusted from time
to time to reflect changes in the Applicable Margin. All conversions and
continuation of Advances must be made uniformly and ratably among the Banks.
(E.g., when continuing a two-month Eurodollar Rate Advance of one Bank to a
three-month Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Borrower must simultaneously continue
all two-month Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Banks having Interest Periods
ending on the date of continuation as three-month Eurodollar Rate Advances.)
Section 2.5. Interest Rates, Interest Payments and Default Interest.
Interest shall accrue and be payable on the Revolving Loans as follows:
2.5(a) Subject to Section 2.5(c) and Section 2.10, each
Eurodollar Rate Advance shall bear interest on the unpaid principal
amount thereof during the Interest
14
Period applicable thereto at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i)
the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, plus (ii) the
Applicable Margin.
2.5(b) Subject to Section 2.5(c) and Section 2.10, each Base
Rate Advance shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof
at a varying rate per annum equal to the Base Rate.
2.5(c) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each
Advance shall, at the option of the Majority Banks, bear interest until
paid in full (i) during the balance of any Interest Period applicable
to such Advance, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the rate
applicable to such Advance during such Interest Period plus 2.0%, and
(ii) otherwise, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (1) the Base
Rate, plus (2) 2.0%.
2.5(d) Interest shall be payable (i) with respect to each
Eurodollar Rate Advance having an Interest Period of three months or
less, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; (ii)
with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advance having an Interest Period
greater than three months, on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto and on each day that would have been the last day of
the Interest Period for such Advance had successive Interest Periods of
three months duration been applicable to such Advance; (iii) with
respect to any Base Rate Advance, on the last day of each quarter; (iv)
with respect to all Advances, upon any permitted prepayment (on the
amount prepaid); and (v) with respect to all Advances, on the
Termination Date; provided that interest under Section 2.5 (c) shall be
payable on demand.
Section 2.6. Repayment and Mandatory Prepayment. The unpaid principal
amount of all Advances, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon,
shall be due and payable on the Termination Date. If at any time the aggregate
unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Notes exceeds the Aggregate Revolving
Commitment Amounts, the Borrower shall immediately repay to the Agent for the
account of the Banks the amount of such excess. Any such payments shall be
applied first against Base Rate Advances and then to Eurodollar Rate Advances in
order starting with the Eurodollar Rate Advances having the shortest time to the
end of the applicable Interest Period.
Section 2.7. Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may prepay Base Rate
Advances, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. Any such
prepayment must be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the amount
prepaid. Each partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate amount for all the
Banks of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof. If the Borrower pays
Eurodollar Rate Advances on a day which is other than the last day of the
Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall compensate the Banks in
accordance with Section 2.18. Amounts paid (unless following an acceleration or
upon termination of the Revolving Commitments in whole) or prepaid on Advances
under this Section 2.7 may be reborrowed upon the terms and subject to the
conditions and limitations of this Agreement. Amounts paid or prepaid on the
Advances under this Section 2.7 shall be for the account of each Bank in
proportion to its share of outstanding Revolving Loans.
Section 2.8. Optional Reduction of Revolving Commitment Amounts or
Termination of Revolving Commitments. The Borrower may, at any time, upon not
less than three Business
15
Days prior written notice to the Agent, reduce the Revolving Commitment Amounts,
ratably, with any such reduction in a minimum aggregate amount for all the Banks
of $1,000,000 or, if more, in an integral multiple of $1,000,000; provided,
however, that the Borrower may not at any time reduce the Aggregate Revolving
Commitment Amounts below the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all the
Revolving Notes, after giving affect to any repayments effected on the date of
such reduction. The Borrower may, at any time, upon not less than three Business
Days prior written notice to the Agent, terminate the Revolving Commitments in
their entirety. Upon termination of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this
Section, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of the Banks the
full amount of all outstanding Advances, all accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, all unpaid Revolving Commitment Fees accrued to the date of such
termination, any indemnities payable with respect to Advances pursuant to
Section 2.18 and all other unpaid Obligations of the Borrower to the Agent and
the Banks hereunder.
Section 2.9. Revolving Commitment Fee; Utilization Fees.
2.9(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the account of
each Bank, fees (the "Revolving Commitment Fees") in an amount
determined by applying a rate of 0.15% per annum to the average daily
Unused Revolving Commitment of such Bank for the period from the
Closing Date to the Termination Date. Such Revolving Commitment Fees
are payable in arrears quarterly on the last day of each calendar
quarter and on the Termination Date.
2.9(b) At any time that the Combined Total Utilization
Percentage shall exceed 33%, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for
the amount of each Bank fees (the "Utilization Fees") in an amount
determined by applying the Utilization Fee Rate to the outstanding
Revolving Loans for each day that the Combined Total Utilization
Percentage exceeds 33%. Such Utilization Fees are payable in arrears
quarterly on the last day of each calendar quarter and on the
Termination Date.
Section 2.10. Computation. Revolving Commitment Fees, Utilization Fees
and interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances and Base Rate Advances based on the
Federal Funds Rate shall be computed on the basis of actual days elapsed in a
year of 360 days. Interest on Base Rate Advances based on the Prime Rate shall
be computed on the basis of actual days elapsed in a year of 365 days (or 366
days in the case of a leap year).
Section 2.11. Payments. Payments and prepayments of principal of, and
interest on, the Revolving Notes and all fees, expenses and other obligations
under this Agreement payable to the Agent or the Banks shall be made without
setoff or counterclaim in Immediately Available Funds not later than 11:00 a.m.
(Minneapolis time) on the dates called for under this Agreement and the
Revolving Notes to the Agent at its main office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Funds
received after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the next
Business Day. The Agent will promptly distribute in like funds to each Bank its
ratable share of each such payment of principal, interest and fees received by
the Agent for the account of the Banks. Whenever any payment to be made
hereunder or on the Revolving Notes shall be stated to be due on a day which is
not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business
Day and such extension of time, in the case of a payment of principal, shall be
included in the computation of any interest on such principal payment.
16
Section 2.12. Revolving Commitment Ending Date. The "Revolving
Commitment Ending Date" is June 13, 2003.
Section 2.13. Use of Loan Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans
shall be used for the Borrower's general business purposes (including, without
limitation, acquisitions) in a manner not in conflict with any of the Borrower's
covenants in this Agreement.
Section 2.14. Interest Rate Not Ascertainable, Etc. If, on or prior to
the date for determining the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in respect of the Interest
Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any Bank determines (which determination
shall be conclusive and binding, absent error) that:
2.14(a) deposits in dollars (in the applicable amount) are not
being made available to such Bank in the relevant market for such
Interest Period, or
2.14(b) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and
fairly reflect the cost to such Bank of funding or maintaining
Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Interest Period, such Bank shall
forthwith give notice to the Borrower and the other Banks of such
determination, whereupon the obligation of such Bank to make or
continue, or to convert any Advances to, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall
be suspended until such Bank notifies the Borrower and the Agent that
the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist. While
any such suspension continues, all further Advances by such Bank shall
be made as Base Rate Advances. No such suspension shall affect the
interest rate then in effect during the applicable Interest Period for
any Eurodollar Rate Advance outstanding at the time such suspension is
imposed.
Section 2.15. Increased Cost. If any Regulatory Change:
2.15(a) shall subject any Bank (or its Applicable Lending
Office) to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to its Eurodollar
Rate Advances, its Revolving Note or its obligation to make Eurodollar
Rate Advances or shall change the basis of taxation of payment to any
Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) of the principal of or interest
on its Eurodollar Rate Advances or any other amounts due under this
Agreement in respect of its Eurodollar Rate Advances or its obligation
to make Eurodollar Rate Advances (except for changes in the rate of tax
on the overall net income or overall gross receipts, profits or gains
of such Bank or its Applicable Lending Office imposed by the
jurisdiction in which such Bank's principal office or Applicable
Lending Office is located); or
2.15(b) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve,
special deposit or similar requirement (including, without limitation,
any such requirement imposed by the Board, but excluding with respect
to any Eurodollar Rate Advance any such requirement to the extent
included in calculating the applicable Adjusted Eurodollar Rate)
against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit
extended by, any Bank's Applicable Lending Office or shall impose on
any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the interbank Eurodollar
market any other condition affecting its Eurodollar Rate Advances, its
Revolving Note or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances;
17
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such
Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making or maintaining any
Eurodollar Rate Advance, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or
receivable by such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this
Agreement or under its Revolving Note, then, within 30 days after
demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrower shall pay
to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Bank for such increased cost or reduction. Each Bank will promptly
notify the Borrower and the Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such
Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section and will designate a
different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the
need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in
the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank.
If any Bank fails to give such notice within 45 days after it obtains
knowledge of such an event, such Bank shall, with respect to
compensation payable pursuant to this Section, only be entitled to
payment under this Section for costs incurred from and after the date
45 days prior to the date that such Bank does give such notice. A
certificate of any Bank claiming compensation under this Section,
setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it
hereunder and stating in reasonable detail the basis for the charge and
the method of computation, shall be conclusive in the absence of error.
In determining such amount, any Bank may use any reasonable averaging
and attribution methods. Failure on the part of any Bank to demand
compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received
or receivable with respect to any Interest Period shall not constitute
a waiver of such Bank's rights to demand compensation for any increased
costs or reduction in amounts received or receivable in any subsequent
Interest Period.
Section 2.16. Illegality. If any Regulatory Change shall make it
unlawful or impossible for any Bank to make, maintain or fund any Eurodollar
Rate Advances, such Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Agent, whereupon the
obligation of such Bank to make or continue, or to convert any Advances to,
Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until such Bank notifies the
Borrower and the Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no
longer exist. Before giving any such notice, such Bank shall designate a
different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for
giving such notice and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank. If such Bank determines that it may not lawfully
continue to maintain any Eurodollar Rate Advances to the end of the applicable
Interest Periods, all of the affected Advances shall be automatically converted
to Base Rate Advances as of the date of such Bank's notice, and upon such
conversion the Borrower shall indemnify such Bank in accordance with Section
2.18.
Section 2.17. Capital Adequacy. In the event that any Regulatory Change
reduces or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on any Bank's
capital or the capital of its parent corporation (by an amount such Bank deems
material) as a consequence of its Revolving Commitment and/or Advances to a
level below that which such Bank or its parent corporation could have achieved
but for such Regulatory Change (taking into account such Bank's policies and the
policies of its parent corporation with respect to capital adequacy), then the
Borrower shall, within 30 days after written notice and demand from such Bank
(with a copy to the Agent), pay to such Bank additional amounts sufficient to
compensate such Bank or its parent corporation for such reduction. If any Bank
fails to give such notice within 45 days after it obtains knowledge of such an
event, such Bank shall, with respect to compensation payable pursuant to this
Section, only be entitled to payment under this Section for diminished returns
as
18
a result of such reduction for the period from and after the date 45 days prior
to the date that such Bank does give such notice. Any determination by such Bank
under this Section and any certificate as to the amount of such reduction given
to the Borrower by such Bank shall be final, conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent error.
Section 2.18. Funding Losses; Eurodollar Rate Advances. In the event of
(a) any failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert a Eurodollar Rate
Advance on a date specified in a notice thereof, or (b) any payment (including,
without limitation, any payment pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8 or 7.2), prepayment
or conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Advance on a date other than the last day
of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Borrower agrees to
pay each Bank's costs, expenses and Interest Differential incurred as a result
of such event. The determination by each Bank of the amount of such costs,
expenses and Interest Differential (if any) as a result of such event shall be
conclusive absent manifest error, provided that such amounts are determined by
the Bank in good faith. The term "Interest Differential" shall mean an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that otherwise would
have accrued on the principal amount so paid, prepaid, converted or not borrowed
for the period from the date of such payment, prepayment, or conversion to the
last day of the then current Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advance
(or, in the case of a failure to borrow, continue or convert a Eurodollar Rate
Advance on a date specified in a notice thereof, the Interest Period for such
Eurodollar Rate Advance that would have commenced on the date specified in such
notice) (such period or Interest Period, as the case may be, the "Interest
Differential Determination Period") at the applicable rate of interest for such
Eurodollar Rate Advance provided for herein over (ii) the amount of interest
that would have accrued on such principal amount during the Interest
Differential Determination Period calculated at a rate of interest per annum
equal to the rate at which deposits in United States Dollars in amounts
comparable to such principal amount and with maturities comparable to the
duration of the Interest Differential Determination Period would have been
available to the Bank in the interbank eurodollar market on the first day of the
Interest Differential Determination Period. Because of the short-term nature of
this facility, the Borrower agrees that the Interest Differential shall not be
discounted to its present value.
Section 2.19. Discretion of Banks as to Manner of Funding. Each Bank
shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of Eurodollar Rate Advances
in any manner it may elect, it being understood, however, that for the purposes
of this Agreement all determinations hereunder (including, but not limited to,
determinations under Section 2.18) shall be made as if such Bank had actually
funded and maintained each Eurodollar Rate Advances during the Interest Period
for such Advance through the purchase of deposits having a maturity
corresponding to the last day of the Interest Period and bearing an interest
rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.
Section 2.20. Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by the Borrower hereunder or under
the Notes shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any
and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges
of withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding,
in the case of each Bank and the Agent, taxes imposed on its overall
income, profits and gains, and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of
income taxes (all
19
such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
withholdings and liabilities in respect of payments hereunder or under
the Notes being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or under the
Notes or from the execution, delivery or registration of, performing
under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or the Notes
(hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify each Bank and the Agent for
the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on or paid by such Bank
or the Agent and any penalties, interest and expenses with respect
thereto. This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the
date such Bank or the Agent makes written demand therefor.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the
Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, at its address referred to on the
signature page hereof a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof. In the case of any payment hereunder or under the Notes by or
on behalf of the Borrowers through an account or branch outside the
United States or by or on behalf of the Borrower by a payor that is not
a United States person, if the Borrower determines that no Taxes are
payable in respect thereof, the Borrower shall furnish or shall cause
such payor to furnish, to the Agent, at such address, an opinion of
counsel acceptable to the Agent stating that such payment is exempt
from Taxes. For purposes of this subsection (d) and subsection (e), the
terms "United States" and "United States person" shall have the
meanings specified in Section 7701 of the Code.
(e) Banks to Submit Forms. Each Bank represents to the
Borrower and the Agent that it is either (i) a corporation organized
under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or (ii) is
entitled to complete exemption from United States withholding tax
imposed on or with respect to any payments, including fees, to be made
pursuant to this Agreement (x) under an applicable provision of a tax
convention to which the United States is a party or (y) because it is
acting through a branch, agency or office in the United States and any
payment to be received by it hereunder is effectively connected with a
trade or business in the United States. Each Bank that is not a United
States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701 (a)(30) of the
Code) shall submit to the Borrower and the Agent, on or before the day
on which such Bank becomes a Bank, duly completed and signed copies of
either Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI (relating to such Bank and entitling it to
a complete exemption from withholding on all payments to be received by
such Bank hereunder) of the United States Internal Revenue Service (or
any successor forms thereto). Thereafter and from time to time, each
such Bank shall submit to the Borrower and the Agent such additional
duly completed and signed copies of one or the other of such Forms (or
such successor Forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the
relevant United States taxing authorities) as may be (i) reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Agent and (ii) required and permitted
under then-current United States law or regulations to avoid United
States withholding taxes on payments in respect of all payments to be
received by such Bank hereunder. Upon the request of the Borrower or
20
the Agent, each Bank that is a United States person (as such term is
defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall submit to the
Borrower and the Agent a certificate in such form as is reasonably
satisfactory to the Borrower and the Agent to the effect that it is
such a United States person and not otherwise subject to backup
withholding pursuant to section 3406 of the Code.
(f) Inability of a Bank. If the Borrower shall be required by
law or regulation to make any deduction, withholding or backup
withholding of any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, liabilities or
similar charges of the United States of America, any possession or
territory of the United States of America (including the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico) or any area subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States of America from any payments to a Bank pursuant to any Loan
Document in respect of the Obligations payable to such Bank then or
thereafter outstanding, the Borrower shall make such withholdings or
deductions and pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant
taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable
law.
ARTICLE 3
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 3.1. Conditions of Initial Transaction. The making of the
initial Revolving Loans shall be subject to the prior or simultaneous
fulfillment of the following conditions:
3.1(a) Documents. The Agent shall have received the following
in sufficient counterparts (except for the Revolving Notes) for each
Bank:
(i) A Revolving Note drawn to the order of each Bank
executed by a duly authorized officer (or officers) of the
Borrower and dated the Closing Date.
(ii) A copy of the corporate resolutions of the
Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance
of the Loan Documents, certified as of the Closing Date by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower.
(iii) An incumbency certificate showing the names and
titles and bearing the signatures of the officers of the
Borrower authorized to execute the Loan Documents and to
request Revolving Loans and conversions and continuations of
Advances hereunder, certified as of the Closing Date by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower.
(iv) A copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the
Borrower with all amendments thereto, certified by the
appropriate governmental official of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation as of a date not more than 30 days prior to the
Closing Date.
(v) A certificate of good standing for the Borrower
in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and in the States of
New Jersey and New York, certified by
21
the appropriate governmental officials as of a date not more
than 30 days prior to the Closing Date.
(vi) A copy of the bylaws of the Borrower, certified
as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower.
(vii) A certificate dated the Closing Date of the
chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the
Borrower certifying as to (x) the matters set forth in
Sections 3.2 (a) and 3.2 (b) below and (y) execution of the
Three-Year Credit Agreement and satisfaction of all conditions
to its effectiveness.
3.1(b) Opinion. The Borrower shall have requested Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx LLP, its counsel, to prepare a written opinion, addressed to
the Banks and dated the Closing Date, covering the matters set forth in
Exhibit 3.1(A) hereto, and such opinion shall have been delivered to
the Agent in sufficient counterparts for each Bank.
3.1(c) Compliance. The Borrower shall have performed and
complied with all agreements, terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement required to be performed or complied with by the Borrower
prior to or simultaneously with the Closing Date.
3.1(d) Other Matters. All corporate and legal proceedings
relating to the Borrower and all instruments and agreements in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be satisfactory in scope, form and substance to the Agent, the Banks
and the Agent's special counsel, and the Agent shall have received all
information and copies of all documents, including records of corporate
proceedings, as any Bank or such special counsel may reasonably have
requested in connection therewith, such documents where appropriate to
be certified by proper corporate or governmental authorities.
3.1(e) Fees and Expenses. The Agent shall have received for
itself and for the account of the Banks all fees and other amounts due
and payable by the Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date and the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent payable pursuant
to Section 9.2.
Section 3.2. Conditions Precedent to all Loans. The obligation of the
Banks to make any Revolving Loans hereunder (including the initial Revolving
Loans) shall be subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions:
3.2(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties contained in Article IV shall be true and correct on and as
of the Closing Date and on the date of each Revolving Loan (other than
those which speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and
correct as of such date), with the same force and effect as if made on
such date.
3.2(b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing on the Closing Date and on the date of each
Revolving Loan or will exist after giving effect to the Revolving Loans
made on such date so issued.
22
3.2(c) Notices and Requests. The Agent shall have received the
Borrower's request for such Revolving Loans as required under Section
2.2.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make Revolving
Loans hereunder, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Banks:
Section 4.1. Organization, Standing, Etc. The Borrower is a corporation
duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this
Agreement and to issue the Revolving Notes and to perform its obligations under
the Loan Documents. Each Significant Subsidiary is duly organized and validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business
as now conducted. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (a) holds all
certificates of authority, licenses and permits necessary to carry on its
business as presently conducted in each jurisdiction in which it is carrying on
such business, except where the failure to hold such certificates, licenses or
permits would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
(b) is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation (or other
organization) in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties
owned, leased or operated by it or the business conducted by it makes such
qualification necessary and the failure so to qualify would not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.2. Authorization and Validity. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action by the Borrower, and this Agreement constitutes,
and the Revolving Notes and other Loan Documents when executed will constitute,
the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against
the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, subject to limitations
as to enforceability which might result from bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium
and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to
limitations on the availability of equitable remedies.
Section 4.3. No Conflict; No Default. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents will not (a) violate any
provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award of any court, governmental agency or
arbitrator presently in effect having applicability to the Borrower, (b) violate
or contravene any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
By-laws of the Borrower, or (c) result in a breach of or constitute a default
under any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or
instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its
properties may be bound or result in the creation of any Lien thereunder which
breach or default would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under or in
violation of any such law,
23
statute, rule or regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award or any such indenture, loan or credit agreement or other
agreement, lease or instrument in any case in which the consequences of such
default or violation would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 4.4. Government Consent. No order, consent, approval, license,
authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or
exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority is required on the
part of the Borrower to authorize, or is required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of, or the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability of, the Loan Documents.
Section 4.5. Financial Statements and Condition. The Borrower's audited
consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2001 heretofore furnished
to the Banks were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto
regarding the adoption of new accounting policies) and present fairly in all
material respects the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries at the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of
operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then
ended. The Borrower's unaudited interim financial statements as at March 31,
2002 heretofore furnished to the Banks were prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied throughout the periods involved and in a manner consistent
with that employed in the Borrower's audited consolidated financial statements
as at December 31, 2001. The Borrower's unaudited interim financial statements
as at March 31, 2002 do not contain any footnote disclosures and are subject to
normal recurring year-end adjustments, but otherwise present fairly in all
material respects the consolidated financial condition and consolidated results
of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the
periods indicated therein except as otherwise set forth therein. As of the dates
of such financial statements, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary had any
material obligation, contingent liability, liability for taxes or long-term
lease obligation which is not reflected in such financial statements or in the
notes thereto. Since December 31, 2001, there has been no material adverse
change in the business, operations, property, assets or condition, financial or
otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 4.6. Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting
the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their properties before any court or
arbitrator, or any governmental department, board, agency or other
instrumentality which, if determined adversely to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.7. Compliance. The Borrower and each Significant Subsidiary
is in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments,
injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject, except where the
failure to be in compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 4.8. Environmental Health and Safety Laws. There does not exist
any violation by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any applicable federal, state
or local law, rule or regulation or order of any government, governmental
department, board, agency or other instrumentality relating to environmental,
pollution, health or safety matters, which violation
24
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received any notice to the effect that any part
of its operations or properties is not in material compliance with any such law,
rule, regulation or order or notice that it or its property is the subject of
any governmental investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed
to respond to any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the
environment, which non-compliance or remedial action would be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set out on Exhibit 4.8
attached hereto, the Borrower does not have knowledge that it or its property or
any Subsidiary or the property of any Subsidiary will become subject to
environmental laws or regulations during the term of this Agreement, compliance
with which could reasonably be expected to require capital expenditures to be
made prior to the Revolving Commitment Ending Date which would be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.9. ERISA. Each Plan is in substantial compliance with all
applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code and with all material applicable
rulings and regulations issued under the provisions of ERISA and the Code
setting forth those requirements. No Reportable Event has occurred and is
continuing with respect to any Plan. All of the minimum funding standards
applicable to such Plans have been satisfied and there exists no event or
condition which would reasonably be expected to result in the institution of
proceedings to terminate any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA. With respect to
each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, as of the most recent valuation date for
such Plan (December 31, 2001), the present value (determined on the basis of
assumptions set forth in Exhibit 4.9) of such Plan's projected benefit
obligations did not exceed the fair market value of such Plan's assets, except
as set forth in Exhibit 4.9.
Section 4.10. Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of
any Advance hereunder will be used for any purpose which violates, or which
would be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation U of the Board as now
and from time to time in effect. If requested by any Bank, the Borrower will
furnish to each Bank a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the
requirements of Form F.R. U-1 referred to in said Regulation U.
Section 4.11. Title to Property; Leases; Liens; Subordination. The
Borrower has (a) good and marketable title to its real properties and (b) good
and sufficient title to, or valid, subsisting and enforceable leasehold interest
in, its other material properties, including all real properties, other
properties and assets, referred to as owned by the Borrower in the unaudited
interim financial statement referred to in Section 5.1 (other than property
disposed of since the date of such financial statement in the ordinary course of
business, or in transactions reported in Form 8-K or 10-Q reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission since the date of such financial statement).
None of such properties is subject to a Lien, except as allowed under Section
6.10. Except as provided in the Subordination Agreement, the Borrower has not
subordinated any of its rights under any obligation owing to it to the rights of
any other person.
Section 4.12. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has
filed (or joined in filing) all federal income tax and all other material
federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed and has paid or made
provision for the payment of all taxes due and payable pursuant to such returns
and pursuant to any assessments made against it or any of its property and all
other taxes, fees and other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any
governmental authority
25
(other than taxes, fees or charges the amount or validity of which is currently
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to
which reserves in accordance with GAAP have been provided on the books of the
Borrower). No tax Liens for any tax currently due have been filed and no
material claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes, fees or
charges. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower in
respect of taxes and other governmental charges are adequate and the Borrower
has no knowledge of any proposed material tax assessment against it or any
Subsidiary.
Section 4.13. Trademarks, Patents. Each of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries owns or has the right to use all of the patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks and copyrights, and applications therefor, and all
technology, know-how, processes, methods and designs used in or necessary for
the conduct of its business, to the knowledge of the Borrower or a Subsidiary,
without known conflict with the rights of others, except where the failure to do
so would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.14. Force Majeure. Since the date of the most recent
financial statement referred to in Section 5.1, the business, properties and
other assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been affected as the
result of any fire or other casualty, strike, lockout, or other labor trouble,
embargo, sabotage, confiscation, condemnation, riot, civil disturbance, activity
of armed forces or act of God in any way which has had, or would be reasonably
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.15. Investment Company Act. The Borrower is not an
"investment company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 4.16. Public Utility Holding Company Act. Borrower is not a
"holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a holding company or an
"affiliate" of a holding company or of a subsidiary company of a holding company
within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended.
Section 4.17. Retirement Benefits. Except as required under Section
4980B of the Code, Section 601 of ERISA or applicable state law, neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary is obligated to provide post-retirement medical or
insurance benefits with respect to employees or former employees, which, in the
aggregate, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.18. Full Disclosure. Subject to the following sentence,
neither the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1 nor any other
certificate, written statement, exhibit or report furnished by or on behalf of
the Borrower in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
Certificates or statements furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the
Banks on or prior to the Closing Date and consisting of projections or forecasts
of future results or events have been prepared in good faith and based on good
faith estimates and assumptions of the management of the Borrower, and, at the
time such projections and forecasts were delivered, the Borrower had no reason
to believe that such projections or forecasts were not reasonable.
26
Section 4.19. Subsidiaries. Exhibit 4.19 sets forth as of the date of
this Agreement a list of all Subsidiaries and the number and percentage of the
shares of each class of capital stock owned beneficially or of record by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, and the jurisdiction of incorporation of
each Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 5
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until any obligation of the Banks hereunder to make the Revolving Loans
shall have expired or been terminated and the Revolving Notes and all of the
other Obligations have been paid in full, unless the Majority Banks shall
otherwise consent in writing:
Section 5.1. Financial Statements and Reports. The Borrower will
furnish to the Banks:
5.1(a) As soon as available and in any event within 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated
financial statements of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries consisting of
at least statements of income, cash flow and changes in stockholders'
equity, and a consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form corresponding figures
from the previous annual audit, certified without qualification by KPMG
LLP or other independent certified public accountants of recognized
national standing selected by the Borrower and acceptable to the Agent.
5.1(b) Together with the audited financial statements required
under Section 5.1(a), (i) a statement by the accounting firm performing
such audit to the effect that it has reviewed this Agreement and that
in the course of performing its examination nothing came to its
attention that caused it to believe that any Default or Event of
Default exists, insofar as such Default or Event of Default relates to
accounting matters, or, if such Default or Event of Default exists,
describing its nature, and (ii) a Compliance Certificate.
5.1(c) As soon as available and in any event within 45 days
after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower other than the
fourth quarter, unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flow
and changes in stockholders' equity for the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third
quarters) for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the
end of such quarter, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
as at the end of such quarter, setting forth in comparative form
figures for the corresponding period for the preceding fiscal year,
accompanied by a certificate signed by the chief financial officer of
the Borrower stating that such unaudited interim financial statements
do not contain any footnote disclosures and are subject to normal
recurring year-end adjustments, but otherwise present fairly in all
material respects the consolidated financial condition and consolidated
results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the
dates and for the periods indicated therein except as otherwise set
forth therein.
27
5.1(d) As soon as practicable and in any event within 45 days
after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower other than the
fourth quarter, a Compliance Certificate.
5.1(e) As soon as practicable and in any event within 7 days
after each calendar month end, a Verification Report dated as of the
date of such calendar month end, provided, that such Verification
Reports shall only be required to be furnished if Revolving Loans are
outstanding as of any such calendar month end.
5.1(f) Upon request of the Agent, but not more than one time
per calendar month, an additional Verification Report (in addition to
the Verification Reports specified in Section 5.1(e)), dated as of the
date specified by the Agent, to be provided within 7 days after such
request, provided, that such Verification Report shall only be required
to be furnished if Revolving Loans are outstanding as of the time of
the Agent's request.
5.1(g) Promptly upon any officer of the Borrower becoming
aware of any Default or Event of Default, a notice describing the
nature thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with
respect thereto.
5.1(h) Promptly upon any officer of the Borrower becoming
aware of the occurrence, with respect to any Plan, of any Reportable
Event, a notice specifying the nature thereof and what action the
Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when received,
copies of any notice from PBGC of intention to terminate or have a
trustee appointed for any Plan.
5.1(i) Promptly upon the mailing or filing thereof, copies of
all financial statements, reports and proxy statements mailed to the
Borrower's shareholders, and copies of all registration statements,
periodic reports and other documents filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any national
securities exchange.
5.1(j) From time to time, such other information regarding the
business, operation and financial condition of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries as any Bank may reasonably request.
Section 5.2. Continued Existence. The Borrower will maintain, and cause
each Significant Subsidiary to maintain, its existence in good standing under
the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and its qualification to transact
business in each jurisdiction where failure so to qualify would permanently
preclude the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary from enforcing its rights
with respect to any material asset or would expose the Borrower or such
Significant Subsidiary to any material liability; provided, however, that
nothing herein shall prohibit the merger or liquidation of any Subsidiary
allowed under Section 6.1.
Section 5.3. Insurance. The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause
each Significant Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies such insurance as may be required by law and such other
insurance in such amounts and against such hazards as is customary in the case
of reputable firms engaged in the same or similar business and similarly
28
situated; provided, however, that, in lieu of or supplemental to any insurance
referred to in this Section 5.3, the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary may
adopt such other plan or method of protection in respect of its properties or
other risks, whether by establishment of an insurance fund or reserve or by
otherwise conforming to the practices of similar corporations maintaining
systems of self insurance, as may be determined by the Borrower or such
Significant Subsidiary in its reasonable business judgment.
Section 5.4. Payment of Taxes and Claims. The Borrower shall file, and
cause each Subsidiary to file (or join in filing), all federal income tax
returns and all other material tax returns and reports which are required by law
to be filed by it and will pay, and cause each Subsidiary to pay, before they
become delinquent all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges and
levies imposed upon it or its property and all claims or demands of any kind
(including but not limited to those of suppliers, mechanics, carriers,
warehouses, landlords and other like Persons) which, if unpaid, might result in
the creation of a Lien upon its property; provided that the foregoing items need
not be paid if they are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, and as long as the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's title to its
property is not affected in a manner which would be reasonably expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, its use of such property in the ordinary course of
its business is not interfered with in a manner which would be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and adequate reserves with respect
thereto have been set aside on the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's books in
accordance with GAAP.
Section 5.5. Inspection. The Borrower shall permit any Person
designated by the Agent or the Majority Banks to visit and inspect any of the
properties, corporate books and financial records of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries, to examine and to make copies of the books of accounts and other
financial records of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and to discuss the
affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with, and to
be advised as to the same by, its officers at such reasonable times and
intervals as the Agent or the Majority Banks may designate. So long as no Event
of Default exists, the expenses of the Agent or the Banks for such visits,
inspections and examinations shall be at the expense of the Agent and the Banks,
but any such visits, inspections and examinations made while any Event of
Default is continuing shall be at the expense of the Borrower.
Section 5.6. Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will maintain, and
cause each Significant Subsidiary to maintain, its properties used or useful in
the conduct of its business in good condition, repair and working order, and
supplied with all necessary equipment, and make all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereto, all as may be necessary so
that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and
advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section 5.6 shall prevent the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary from
discontinuing the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance
is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Borrower or in the judgment
of the Board of Directors of such Significant Subsidiary, desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary.
Section 5.7. Books and Records. The Borrower will keep, and will cause
each Significant Subsidiary to keep, adequate and proper records and books of
account in which full and correct entries will be made of its dealings, business
and affairs.
29
Section 5.8. Compliance. The Borrower will comply, and will cause each
Significant Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all laws, rules,
regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which
it may be subject; provided, however, that failure so to comply shall not be a
breach of this covenant if such failure does not have, and would not be
reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect and the Borrower or such
Significant Subsidiary is acting in good faith and with reasonable dispatch to
cure such noncompliance.
Section 5.9. Notice of Litigation. The Borrower will give prompt
written notice to the Agent of the commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding before any court or arbitrator or any governmental department, board,
agency or other instrumentality affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any
property of the Borrower or a Subsidiary or to which the Borrower or a
Subsidiary is a party in which an adverse determination or result would be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, stating the nature and
status of such action, suit or proceeding.
Section 5.10. ERISA. The Borrower will maintain, and cause each
Subsidiary to maintain, each Plan in substantial compliance with all material
applicable requirements of ERISA and of the Code and with all material
applicable rulings and regulations issued under the provisions of ERISA and of
the Code and will not, and will not permit any of the ERISA Affiliates to (a)
engage in any transaction in connection with which the Borrower or any of the
ERISA Affiliates would be subject to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to
Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax imposed by Section 4975 of the Code, in either
case in an amount which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, (b) fail to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the
provisions of any Plan, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay
as contributions thereto, or permit to exist any accumulated funding deficiency
(as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code),
whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan in an aggregate amount which
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (c) fail to
make any payments to any Multiemployer Plan that the Borrower or any of the
ERISA Affiliates may be required to make under any agreement relating to such
Multiemployer Plan or any law pertaining thereto in an aggregate amount that
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.11. Environmental Matters; Reporting. The Borrower will
observe and comply with, and cause each Subsidiary to observe and comply with,
all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any government or government agency
relating to health, safety, pollution, hazardous materials or other
environmental matters except to the extent that non-compliance would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will give
the Agent prompt written notice of any violation as to any environmental matter
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and of the commencement of any judicial or
administrative proceeding relating to health, safety or environmental matters in
which an adverse determination or result would be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
30
ARTICLE 6
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until any obligation of the Banks hereunder to make the Revolving Loans
shall have expired or been terminated and the Revolving Notes and all of the
other Obligations have been paid in full, unless the Majority Banks shall
otherwise consent in writing:
Section 6.1. Merger. The Borrower will not merge or consolidate or
enter into any analogous reorganization or transaction with any Person or
liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution)
or permit any Subsidiary to do any of the foregoing; except:
6.1(a) any Subsidiary may be merged with or liquidated into
the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary (if the Borrower or such
wholly-owned Subsidiary is the surviving corporation);
6.1(b) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may consolidate with or
merge into any other corporation, or permit any corporation to merge
into it if:
(i) the surviving corporation shall be the Borrower
or such Subsidiary and, if the surviving corporation is a
Subsidiary, the Borrower shall maintain control of such
Subsidiary;
(ii) as of the date 20 Business Days prior to the
execution of the agreement providing for such merger, the fair
value of the consideration to be paid in connection therewith
does not exceed (A) in the case of a merger involving the
Borrower, the greater of (l) $50,000,000 or (2) 10% of the
total assets of the Borrower, (B) in the case of a merger
involving Mineral Holdings, the greater of (1) $50,000,000 or
(2) 10% of the total assets of Mineral Holdings, or (C) in the
case of a merger involving AIHL, the greater of (1)
$50,000,000 or (2) 10% of the total assets of AIHL. For the
purposes of this Section 6.1(c)(ii), the consideration to be
paid in connection with any merger shall be valued as provided
in the last sentence of Section 1.2; and
(iii) no Event of Default or Default hereunder has
occurred and is continuing or would occur upon the
consummation of any such consolidation or merger; and
6.1(c) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate or enter into
an analogous reorganization or transaction with another Person as part
of a disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.2 hereof.
Section 6.2. Disposition of Assets. The Borrower will not directly or
indirectly, sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of
(whether in one transaction or a series of transactions) any property (including
accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse) or enter into any
agreement to do any of the foregoing, except:
31
6.2(a) dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus
equipment, all in the ordinary course of business;
6.2(b) the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment
is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar
replacement equipment, or the proceeds of such sale are applied with
reasonable promptness to the purchase price of such replacement
equipment; and
6.2(c) other dispositions of property during the term of this
Agreement whose net book value in the aggregate does not exceed 50% of
the Borrower's total consolidated asset as shown on its balance sheet
for its most recent prior fiscal quarter; provided, that, absent the
written consent of the Majority Banks, the Borrower shall not sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the capital stock of
Mineral Holdings, except that the written consent of the Majority Banks
to such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any of the
capital stock of Mineral Holdings shall not be required (x) for any
issuances of capital stock by Mineral Holdings in connection with
employee compensation and incentive arrangements or (y) to the extent
that the proceeds therefrom are used to reduce ratably the Revolving
Commitment under this Agreement and the "Revolving Commitment" under
the Three-Year Credit Agreement (whereupon the outstanding unpaid
principal balance of each Note (whether under this Agreement or under
the Three-Year Credit Agreement) given in favor of a Bank shall be
prepaid in an amount equal to the excess of the outstanding unpaid
principal balance of such Note over the Revolving Commitment of such
Bank as so reduced in accordance with Sections 2.8 of this Agreement
and the Three-Year Credit Agreement), nor shall the Borrower, absent
the written consent of the Majority Banks, permit Mineral Holdings,
directly or indirectly to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of
any properties or assets, tangible or intangible, now owned or
hereafter acquired, representing more than 50% of the total
consolidated operating assets of Mineral Holdings as shown on its
balance sheet for the most recent prior fiscal quarter.
Section 6.3. Plans. The Borrower will not permit, and will not allow
any Subsidiary to permit, any event to occur or condition to exist which would
permit any Plan to terminate under any circumstances which would cause the Lien
provided for in Section 4068 of ERISA to attach to any assets of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary if such Lien would be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; and the Borrower will not permit, as of the most recent
valuation date for any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, the present value
(determined on the basis of reasonable assumptions employed by the independent
actuary for such Plan and previously furnished in writing to the Banks) of such
Plan's projected benefit obligations to exceed the fair market value of such
Plan's assets by an amount which would be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 6.4. Negative Pledges. Except for restrictions for the benefit
of the holder of any Lien that is permitted by Section 6.10 hereof which
restriction relates solely to the property which is the subject of such Lien,
the Borrower will not enter into any agreement, bond, note or other instrument
with or for the benefit of any Person other than the Banks which would (i)
prohibit the Borrower from granting, or otherwise limit the ability of the
Borrower to grant, to the Banks any Lien on any assets or properties of the
Borrower, except for provisions of the
32
Mellon Credit Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.4, or (ii)
require the Borrower to xxxxx x Xxxx to any other Person if the Borrower grants
any Lien to the Banks.
Section 6.5. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not make any
Restricted Payments, unless:
6.5(a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate of all
Restricted Payments declared or paid on the Borrower's capital stock
subsequent to December 31, 2001, shall be less than the sum of (w) the
Borrower's net earnings subsequent to December 31, 2001, (x) the cash
proceeds received by the Borrower from the issuance of any shares of
its capital stock after December 31, 2001, and (y) $50,000,000; and
6.5(b) no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is
continuing or would occur as a result of the declaration or payment of
a Restricted Payment.
Section 6.6. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate
of the Borrower (other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower),
except upon terms no less favorable to the Borrower, or such Subsidiary, than
those that would be reasonably expected to be obtained in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.
Section 6.7. Accounting Changes. The Borrower will not make any
significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as
permitted by GAAP, or change its fiscal year.
Section 6.8. Subordinated Debt. The Borrower will not (a) make any
scheduled payment of the principal of or interest on any Subordinated Debt which
would be prohibited by the terms of such Subordinated Debt and any related
subordination agreement; or (b) amend or cancel the subordination provisions
applicable to any Subordinated Debt.
Section 6.9. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not incur, create, issue,
assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
6.9(a) The Obligations;
6.9(b) Current Liabilities, other than for borrowed money,
incurred in the ordinary course of business;
6.9(c) Indebtedness existing on the date of this Agreement and
disclosed on Exhibit 6.9 hereto, including any extension or refinancing
thereof (including, in the case of Indebtedness which is a Contingent
Obligation, any extension or refinancing of the supported obligation),
but not including any increase in the principal amount thereof (or, in
the case of Indebtedness which is a Contingent Obligation, any increase
in the amount of the supported obligation);
6.9(d) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Section
6.10 hereof;
6.9(e) Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness;
33
6.9(f) Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to
refinance, in whole or in part, the Obligations, in which event the
Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts shall be reduced by a like
amount; and
6.9(g) Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness included in any
of Sections 6.9(a) through 6.9(f), in an aggregate amount outstanding
at any time not to exceed an amount equal to the remainder of (x)
$125,000,000 minus (y) Indebtedness under the Mellon Credit Agreement
(including letters of credit issued thereunder).
Section 6.10. Liens. The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien, or enter into, or make any commitment to enter into,
any arrangement for the acquisition of any property through conditional sale,
lease-purchase or other title retention agreements, with respect to any property
now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower, except:
6.10(a) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement and
disclosed on Exhibit 6.10 hereto.
6.10(b) Any Lien extending, renewing or replacing any Lien
permitted by Section 6.10 (a) above, provided that such Lien may relate
solely to the property subject thereto as of the date hereof and
provided further that such Lien may secure only (i) the Indebtedness
secured by such Lien as of the date hereof or (ii) Indebtedness
extending, replacing or renewing such Indebtedness the incurrence of
which is permitted by Section 6.9 hereof.
6.10(c) Deposits or pledges to secure payment of workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social
security obligations, in the ordinary course of business of the
Borrower.
6.10(d) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments and governmental
charges not delinquent or to the extent that payment therefor shall not
at the time be required to be made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.4.
6.10(e) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and
materialmen, and other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of
business, for sums not due or to the extent that payment therefor shall
not at the time be required to be made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.4.
6.10(f) Liens incurred or deposits or pledges made or given in
connection with, or to secure payment of, indemnity, performance or
other similar bonds.
6.10(g) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or
common law provision relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or
similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds
maintained with a creditor depository institution, or security
interests retained by depositary banks pursuant to their standard
banking services agreements; provided that (i) such deposit account is
not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to
restriction against access by the Borrower in excess of those set forth
by regulations promulgated by the Board, and (ii) such deposit account
is not intended by the Borrower to provide collateral to the depository
institution.
34
6.10(h) Encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions,
easements and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real
property and landlord's Liens under leases on the premises rented,
which do not materially detract from the value of such property or
impair the use thereof in the business of the Borrower.
6.10(i) The interest of any lessor under any Capitalized Lease
entered into after the Closing Date or purchase money Liens on property
acquired after the Closing Date; provided, that, (i) the Indebtedness
secured thereby is otherwise permitted by this Agreement and (ii) such
Liens are limited to the property acquired and do not secure
Indebtedness other than the related Capitalized Lease Obligations or
the purchase price of such property.
6.10(j) Liens, other than Liens included in any of Sections
6.10(a) through 6.10(i), that secure in the aggregate obligations not
in excess of an amount equal to 5% of the Tangible Net Worth of the
Borrower, provided, that during such time as the Mellon Credit
Agreement shall include the negative pledge described and permitted
under Section 6.4 hereof, Liens securing creditors other than Mellon
Bank, N.A. in its capacity as Issuing Bank under the Mellon Credit
Agreement shall not secure in the aggregate obligations in excess of
the remainder of (a) 5% of the Tangible Net Worth of the Borrower, less
(b) the aggregate face amount of letters of credit or other principal
amount of credit that may be extended to the Borrower under the Mellon
Credit Agreement.
Section 6.11. Tangible Net Worth. The Borrower will not permit its
Tangible Net Worth to be less than the sum of $1,020,000,000 plus $10,000,000
per fiscal quarter for each fiscal quarter commencing on or after April 1, 2002,
and ended at the time of determination.
Section 6.12. Loan Proceeds. The Borrower will not use any part of the
proceeds of any Revolving Loan or Advances directly or indirectly, and whether
immediately, incidentally or ultimately for any purpose which entails a
violation of the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Board.
Section 6.13. Rental Obligations. The Borrower will not incur, create
or assume any rental obligation for real or personal property under any lease,
rental or other arrangements for the use of property of any other person if the
aggregate present value of such fixed rental obligations for such personalty and
realty (including such rental obligations currently in effect) of the Borrower
would, at any time, exceed $20,000,000. For purposes of this Section 6.13,
rental obligations shall mean any commitment to make any direct or indirect
payment, whether as rent or otherwise, under any lease or rental of personal
property or other arrangements for the use of personal property of others and
any such payment made in advance, but rental obligations shall not include any
amounts payable under any Capitalized Lease which constitutes Indebtedness for
the purposes of Section 6.9. Any determination of present value made for
purposes of this Section 6.13 shall use a discount rate equal to the Federal
Funds Rate at the date of determination.
Section 6.14. Asset Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the
Asset Coverage Ratio for any period beginning on and including the last day of
any fiscal quarter and ending 30 days thereafter to be less than 4.00 to 1.00.
35
Section 6.15. Unrestricted Liquid Assets. The Borrower will not at any
time permit the ratio of (a) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Liquid Assets
to (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the
Revolving Loans under this Agreement and the "Revolving Loans" under the
Three-Year Credit Agreement, plus (ii) without duplication, Indebtedness
permitted under Section 6.9 to be less than 1.25 to 1.00.
ARTICLE 7
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 7.1. Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of
the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:
7.1(a) The Borrower shall fail to make (i) when due, whether
by acceleration or otherwise, any payment of principal of any Revolving
Note or (ii) within two days after the applicable due date, any payment
of interest on any Revolving Note or payment of any other Obligation
required to be made to the Agent or any Bank pursuant to this
Agreement.
7.1(b) Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower in
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or by the Borrower in any
certificate, statement, report or document herewith or hereafter
furnished to any Bank or the Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any
other Loan Document shall prove to have been false or misleading in any
material respect on the date as of which the facts set forth are stated
or certified.
7.1(c) The Borrower shall fail to comply with Section 5.2
hereof or any Section of Article VI hereof.
7.1(d) The Borrower shall fail to comply with any other
agreement, covenant, condition, provision or term contained in this
Agreement (other than those hereinabove set forth in this Section 7.1)
and such failure to comply shall continue for 15 calendar days after
whichever of the following dates is the earliest: (i) the date the
Borrower gives notice of such failure to the Banks, (ii) the date the
Borrower should have given notice of such failure to the Banks pursuant
to Section 5.1, or (iii) the date the Agent or any Bank gives notice of
such failure to the Borrower.
7.1(e) The Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall become
insolvent or shall generally not pay its debts as they mature or shall
apply for, shall consent to, or shall acquiesce in the appointment of a
custodian, trustee or receiver of the Borrower or such Significant
Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property thereof or, in the
absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, a custodian,
trustee or receiver shall be appointed for the Borrower or a
Significant Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property
thereof and shall not be discharged within 60 days, or the Borrower or
any Significant Subsidiary shall make an assignment for the benefit of
creditors.
7.1(f) Any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or
other proceedings under any bankruptcy or insolvency law shall be
instituted by or against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary,
and, if instituted against the Borrower or any Significant
36
Subsidiary, shall have been consented to or acquiesced in by the
Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary, or shall remain undismissed
for 60 days, or an order for relief shall have been entered against the
Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary.
7.1(g) Any dissolution or liquidation proceeding not permitted
by Section 6.1 shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or a
Significant Subsidiary, and, if instituted against the Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary, shall be consented to or acquiesced in by the
Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary or shall remain for 60 days
undismissed.
7.1(h) A judgment or judgments for the payment of money in
excess of the sum of $5,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered
against the Borrower or a Significant Subsidiary and either (i) the
judgment creditor executes on such judgment or (ii) such judgment
remains unpaid or undischarged for more than 60 days from the date of
entry thereof or more than 60 days from the last day that execution of
such judgment shall have been stayed during an appeal from such
judgment.
7.1(i) The maturity of any material Indebtedness of the
Borrower (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement) or a
Significant Subsidiary shall be accelerated, or the Borrower or a
Significant Subsidiary shall fail to pay any such material Indebtedness
when due (after the lapse of any applicable grace period) or, in the
case of such Indebtedness payable on demand, when demanded (after the
lapse of any applicable grace period), or any event shall occur or
condition shall exist and shall continue for more than the period of
grace, if any, applicable thereto and shall have the effect of causing,
or permitting the holder of any such Indebtedness or any trustee or
other Person acting on behalf of such holder to cause, such material
Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or to realize
upon any collateral given as security therefor. For purposes of this
Section 7.1(i), Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Significant
Subsidiary shall be deemed "material" if it exceeds $5,000,000 as to
any item of Indebtedness or in the aggregate for all items of
Indebtedness with respect to which any of the events described in this
Section 7.1(i) has occurred.
7.1(j) Any execution or attachment shall be issued whereby any
substantial part of the property of the Borrower or any Significant
Subsidiary shall be taken or attempted to be taken and the same shall
not have been vacated or stayed within 30 days after the issuance
thereof. For purposes of this Section 7.1(j), a portion of the property
of any Person shall be deemed "substantial" if its value exceeds
$5,000,000 as to any one portion of such Person's property or in the
aggregate for all portions of such Person's property with respect to
which any of the events described in this Section 7.1(j) has occurred.
7.1(k) Any Change of Control shall occur.
7.1(l) At any time (i) the Borrower's senior unsecured,
non-credit enhanced long-term debt shall not have a rating by at least
one of Xxxxx'x and S&P, or (ii) the rating of the Borrower's senior
unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term debt shall be: (x) below BBB-
by S&P and below Baa3 or not rated by Xxxxx'x, or (y) below Baa3 by
Xxxxx'x and below BBB- or not rated by S&P.
37
Section 7.2. Remedies. If (a) any Event of Default described in
Sections 7.1 (e), (f) or (g) shall occur with respect to the Borrower, the
Revolving Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Revolving Notes and
all other Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable; or
(b) any other Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, then, upon receipt
by the Agent of a request in writing from the Majority Banks, the Agent shall
take any of the following actions so requested: (i) declare the Revolving
Commitments terminated, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall terminate and
(ii) declare the outstanding unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Notes,
the accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other Obligations to be
forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Revolving Notes, all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon and all such Obligations shall immediately become due and
payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything in this Agreement
or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. Upon the occurrence of any of
the events described in clause (a) of the preceding sentence, or upon the
occurrence of any of the events described in clause (b) of the preceding
sentence when so requested by the Majority Banks, the Agent may exercise all
rights and remedies under any of the Loan Documents, and enforce all rights and
remedies under any applicable law.
Section 7.3. Offset. In addition to the remedies set forth in Section
7.2, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and thereafter while the same
be continuing, the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Bank to set off
any Obligations owed to such Bank against all deposits and credits of the
Borrower with, and any and all claims of the Borrower against, such Bank. Such
right shall exist whether or not such Bank shall have made any demand hereunder
or under any other Loan Document, whether or not the Obligations, or any part
thereof, or deposits and credits held for the account of the Borrower is or are
matured or unmatured, and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any
collateral, guaranty or any other security, right or remedy available to such
Bank or the Banks. Each Bank agrees that, as promptly as is reasonably possible
after the exercise of any such setoff right, it shall notify the Borrower of its
exercise of such setoff right; provided, however, that the failure of such Bank
to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of the exercise of such
setoff rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver or prohibition
of or restriction on any Bank to all rights of banker's Lien, setoff and
counterclaim available pursuant to law.
ARTICLE 8
THE AGENT
The following provisions shall govern the relationship of the Agent
with the Banks.
Section 8.1. Appointment and Authorization. Each Bank appoints and
authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such respective powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by
the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in
connection with the Loan Documents, except for its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Agent shall act as an independent contractor in
performing its obligations as Agent hereunder and
38
nothing herein contained shall be deemed to create any fiduciary relationship
among or between the Agent, the Borrower or the Banks.
Section 8.2. Note Holders. The Agent may treat the payee of any
Revolving Note as the holder thereof until written notice of transfer shall have
been filed with it, signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to the Agent.
Section 8.3. Consultation With Counsel. The Agent may consult with
legal counsel selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or
suffered in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel.
Section 8.4. Loan Documents. The Agent shall not be under a duty to
examine or pass upon the validity, effectiveness, genuineness or value of any of
the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
thereto, and the Agent shall be entitled to assume that the same are valid,
effective and genuine and what they purport to be.
Section 8.5. USBNA and Affiliates. With respect to its Revolving
Commitment and the Revolving Loan made by it, USBNA shall have the same rights
and powers under the Loan Documents as any other Bank and may exercise the same
as though it were not the Agent consistent with the terms thereof, and USBNA and
its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in
any kind of business with the Borrower as if it were not the Agent.
Section 8.6. Action by Agent. Except as may otherwise be expressly
stated in this Agreement, the Agent shall be entitled to use its discretion with
respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any rights which may be
vested in it by, or with respect to taking or refraining from taking any action
or actions which it may be able to take under or in respect of, the Loan
Documents. The Agent shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and
shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the
instructions of the Majority Banks, and such instructions shall be binding upon
all holders of Revolving Notes; provided, however, that the Agent shall not be
required to take any action which exposes the Agent to personal liability or
which is contrary to the Loan Documents or applicable law. The Agent shall incur
no liability under or in respect of any of the Loan Documents by acting upon any
notice, consent, certificate, warranty or other paper or instrument believed by
it to be genuine or authentic or to be signed by the proper party or parties and
to be consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 8.7. Credit Analysis. Each Bank has made, and shall continue to
make, its own independent investigation or evaluation of the operations,
business, property and condition, financial and otherwise, of the Borrower in
connection with entering into this Agreement and has made its own appraisal of
the creditworthiness of the Borrower. Except as explicitly provided herein, the
Agent has no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis,
to provide any Bank with any credit or other information with respect to such
operations, business, property, condition or creditworthiness, whether such
information comes into its possession on or before the first Event of Default or
at any time thereafter.
39
Section 8.8. Notices of Event of Default, Etc. In the event that the
Agent shall have acquired actual knowledge of any Event of Default or Default,
the Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Banks.
Section 8.9. Indemnification. Each Bank agrees to indemnify the Agent,
as Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to
such Bank's share of the aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts from and against
any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on or incurred by the Agent in any way relating
to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by the
Agent under the Loan Documents, provided that no Bank shall be liable for any
portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Agent's
gross negligence or willful misconduct. No payment by any Bank under this
Section shall relieve the Borrower of any of its obligations under this
Agreement.
Section 8.10. Payments and Collections. All funds received by the Agent
in respect of any payments made by the Borrower on the Revolving Notes or
Revolving Commitment Fees shall be distributed forthwith by the Agent among the
Banks, in like currency and funds as received, ratably according to each Bank's
Revolving Percentage. After any Event of Default has occurred, all funds
received by the Agent, whether as payments by the Borrower or as realization on
collateral or on any guaranties, shall (except as may otherwise be required by
law) be distributed by the Agent in the following order: (a) first to the Agent
or any Bank who has incurred unreimbursed costs of collection with respect to
any Obligations hereunder, ratably to the Agent and each Bank in the proportion
that the costs incurred by the Agent or such Bank bear to the total of all such
costs incurred by the Agent and all Banks; (b) next to the Agent for the account
of the Banks (in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages) for
application on the Revolving Notes; and (c) last to the Agent for the account of
the Banks (in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages) for any
unpaid Revolving Commitment Fees owing by the Borrower hereunder.
Section 8.11. Sharing of Payments. If any Bank shall receive and retain
any payment, voluntary or involuntary, whether by setoff, application of deposit
balance or security, or otherwise, in respect of Indebtedness under this
Agreement or the Revolving Notes in excess of such Bank's share thereof as
determined under this Agreement, then such Bank shall purchase from the other
Banks for cash and at face value and without recourse, such participation in the
Revolving Notes held by such other Banks as shall be necessary to cause such
excess payment to be shared ratably as aforesaid with such other Banks;
provided, that if such excess payment or part thereof is thereafter recovered
from such purchasing Bank, the related purchases from the other Banks shall be
rescinded ratably and the purchase price restored as to the portion of such
excess payment so recovered, but without interest. Subject to the participation
purchase obligation above, each Bank agrees to exercise any and all rights of
setoff, counterclaim or banker's lien first fully against any Revolving Notes
and participations therein held by such Bank, next to any other Indebtedness of
the Borrower to such Bank arising under or pursuant to this Agreement and to any
participations held by such Bank in Indebtedness of the Borrower arising under
or pursuant to this Agreement, and only then to any other Indebtedness of the
Borrower to such Bank.
40
Section 8.12. Advice to Banks. The Agent shall forward to the Banks
copies of all notices, financial reports and other communications received
hereunder from the Borrower by it as Agent, excluding, however, notices, reports
and communications which by the terms hereof are to be furnished by the Borrower
directly to each Bank.
Section 8.13. Defaulting Bank.
8.13(a) Remedies Against a Defaulting Bank. In addition to the
rights and remedies that may be available to the Agent or the Borrower
under this Agreement or applicable law, if at any time a Bank is a
Defaulting Bank such Defaulting Bank's right to participate in the
administration of the Revolving Loans, this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, including without limitation, any right to vote in
respect of, to consent to or to direct any action or inaction of the
Agent or to be taken into account in the calculation of the Majority
Banks, shall be suspended while such Bank remains a Defaulting Bank. If
a Bank is a Defaulting Bank because it has failed to make timely
payment to the Agent of any amount required to be paid to the Agent
hereunder (without giving effect to any notice or cure periods), in
addition to other rights and remedies which the Agent or the Borrower
may have under the immediately preceding provisions or otherwise, the
Agent shall be entitled (i) to collect interest from such Defaulting
Bank on such delinquent payment for the period from the date on which
the payment was due until the date on which the payment is made at the
overnight Federal Funds Rate, (ii) to withhold or setoff and to apply
in satisfaction of the defaulted payment and any related interest, any
amounts otherwise payable to such Defaulting Bank under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document until such defaulted payment and related
interest has been paid in full and such default no longer exists and
(iii) to bring an action or suit against such Defaulting Bank in a
court of competent jurisdiction to recover the defaulted amount and any
related interest. Any amounts received by the Agent in respect of a
Defaulting Bank's Revolving Loans shall not be paid to such Defaulting
Bank and shall be held uninvested by the Agent and either applied
against the purchase price of such Loans under the following subsection
(b) or paid to such Defaulting Bank upon the default of such Defaulting
Bank being cured.
8.13(b) Purchase from Defaulting Bank. Any Bank that is not a
Defaulting Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its
sole discretion, to acquire all of a Defaulting Bank's Revolving
Commitment. If more than one Bank exercises such right, each such Bank
shall have the right to acquire such proportion of such Defaulting
Bank's Commitment on a pro rata basis. Upon any such purchase, the
Defaulting Bank's interest in its Revolving Loans and its rights
hereunder (but not its liability in respect thereof or under the Loan
Documents or this Agreement to the extent the same relate to the period
prior to the effective date of the purchase) shall terminate on the
date of purchase, and the Defaulting Bank shall promptly execute all
documents reasonably requested to surrender and transfer such interest
to the purchaser thereof subject to and in accordance with the
requirements set forth in Section 9.6, including an Assignment in form
acceptable to the Agent. The purchase price for the Revolving
Commitments of a Defaulting Bank shall be equal to the amount of the
principal balance of the Loans outstanding and owed by the Borrower to
the Defaulting Bank. The purchaser shall pay to the Defaulting Bank in
Immediately Available Funds on the date of such purchase the principal
of and accrued
41
and unpaid interest and fees on the Loans made by such Defaulting Bank
hereunder (it being understood that such accrued and unpaid interest
and fees may be paid pro rata to the purchasing Bank and the Defaulting
Bank by the Agent at a subsequent date upon receipt of payment of such
amounts from the Borrower). Prior to payment of such purchase price to
a Defaulting Bank, the Agent shall apply against such purchase price
any amounts retained by the Agent pursuant to the last sentence of the
immediately preceding subsection (a). The Defaulting Bank shall be
entitled to receive amounts owed to it by the Borrower under the Loan
Documents which accrued prior to the date of the default by the
Defaulting Bank, to the extent the same are received by the Agent from
or on behalf of the Borrower. There shall be no recourse against any
Bank or the Agent for the payment of such sums except to the extent of
the receipt of payments from any other party or in respect of the
Loans.
Section 8.14. Resignation. If at any time USBNA shall deem it
advisable, in its sole discretion, it may submit to each of the Banks and the
Borrower a written notification of its resignation as Agent under this
Agreement, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor
Agent, but in no event later than 30 days from the date of such notice. Upon
submission of such notice, the Majority Banks may appoint a successor Agent.
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1. Modifications. Notwithstanding any provisions to the
contrary herein, any term of this Agreement may be amended with the written
consent of the Borrower; provided that no amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any
departure therefrom by the Borrower or other party thereto shall in any event be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Banks,
and then such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. (The Agent may
enter into amendments or modifications of, and grant consents and waivers to
departure from the provisions of, those Loan Documents to which the Banks are
not signatories without the Banks joining therein, provided the Agent has first
obtained the separate prior written consent to such amendment, modification,
consent or waiver from the Majority Banks.) Notwithstanding the forgoing, no
such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall:
9.1(a) Reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal thereof, or
modify any of the provisions of any Revolving Note with respect to the
payment or repayment thereof, without the consent of the holder of each
Revolving Note so affected; or
9.1(b) Increase the amount or extend the time of any Revolving
Commitment of any Bank, without the consent of such Bank; or
9.1(c) Reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any
fee payable to a Bank, without the consent of the Bank affected; or
42
9.1(d) Amend the definition of Majority Banks or otherwise
reduce the percentage of the Banks required to approve or effectuate
any such amendment, modification, waiver, or consent, without the
consent of all the Banks; or
9.1(e) Amend any of the foregoing Sections 9.1(a) through (d)
or this Section 9.1(e) without the consent of all the Banks; or
9.1(f) Amend any provision of this Agreement relating to the
Agent in its capacity as Agent without the consent of the Agent.
Section 9.2. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby are consummated, the Borrower agrees to reimburse the Agent upon demand
for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred by the Agent
(including fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent) in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, approval, review, execution, delivery, administration,
amendment, modification and interpretation of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and any commitment letters relating thereto. The Borrower shall also
reimburse the Agent and each Bank upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses (including expenses of legal counsel) paid or incurred by the Agent or
any Bank in connection with the collection and enforcement of this Agreement and
any other Loan Document. The obligations of the Borrower under this Section
shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
Section 9.3. Waivers, etc. No failure on the part of the Agent or the
holder of a Revolving Note to exercise and no delay in exercising any power or
right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or
right. The remedies herein and in the other Loan Documents provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
Section 9.4. Notices. Except when telephonic notice is expressly
authorized by this Agreement, any notice or other communication to any party in
connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by manual
delivery, telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, overnight courier or United
States mail (postage prepaid) addressed to such party at the address specified
on the signature page hereof, or at such other address as such party shall have
specified to the other party hereto in writing. All periods of notice shall be
measured from the date of delivery thereof if manually delivered, from the date
of sending thereof if sent by telegram, telex or facsimile transmission, from
the first Business Day after the date of sending if sent by overnight courier,
or from four days after the date of mailing if mailed; provided, however, that
any notice to the Agent or any Bank under Article II hereof shall be deemed to
have been given only when received by the Agent or such Bank.
Section 9.5. Taxes. The Borrower agrees to pay, and save the Agent and
the Banks harmless from all liability for, any stamp or other taxes which may be
payable with respect to the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the
issuance of the Revolving Notes, which obligation of the Borrower shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.
Section 9.6. Successors and Assigns; Disposition of Loans; Transferees.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their
43
respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign its
rights or delegate its obligations hereunder or under any other Borrower Loan
Document without the prior written consent of all the Banks. Each Bank may at
any time sell, assign, transfer, grant participations in, or otherwise dispose
of any portion of its Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Loans and/or Advances
(each such interest so disposed of being herein called a "Transferred Interest")
to banks or other financial institutions ("Transferees"); provided, however,
that a Bank may dispose of a Transferred Interest only with the consent of the
Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), and, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld) and only upon payment to the Agent by the
parties to such disposition of a processing and recording fee in the amount of
$3,500 for each party and, in the case of an assignment, execution and delivery
to the Agent of an assignment agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 9.6
hereto and provided further, that concurrently with the assignment of a portion
of any Bank's Revolving Percentage hereunder, such Bank shall assign a like
Revolving Percentage under the Three-Year Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise
agreed by the Agent and the Borrower, the minimum assignment amount of such
Bank's interest hereunder is $5,000,000. The Borrower agrees that each
Transferee shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.18
and 9.2 with respect to its Transferred Interest (provided that a Transferee
which is a participant and not an assignee shall not be entitled to the benefits
of Section 9.2) and that each Transferee may exercise any and all rights of
banker's Lien, setoff and counterclaim as if such Transferee were a direct
lender to the Borrower. If any Bank makes any assignment to a Transferee, then
upon notice to the Borrower such Transferee, to the extent of such assignment
(unless otherwise provided therein), shall become a "Bank" hereunder and shall
have all the rights and obligations of such Bank hereunder and such Bank shall
be released from its duties and obligations under this Agreement to the extent
of such assignment. Notwithstanding the sale by any Bank of any participation
hereunder, (a) no participant shall be deemed to be or have the rights and
obligations of a Bank hereunder except that any participant shall have a right
of setoff under Section 7.3 as if it were such Bank and the amount of its
participation were owing directly to such participant by the Borrower and (b)
such Bank shall not in connection with selling any such participation condition
such Bank's rights in connection with consenting to amendments or granting
waivers concerning any matter under any Loan Document upon obtaining the consent
of such participant other than on matters relating to (i) any reduction in the
amount of any principal of, or the amount of or rate of interest on, any
Revolving Note or Advance in which such participation is sold, (ii) any
postponement of the date fixed for any payment of principal of or interest on
any Revolving Note or Advance in which such participation is sold, (iii) the
release or subordination of any material portion of any collateral or (iv) the
release of any guaranty.
Section 9.7. SPC's. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, any Bank (a "Granting Bank") may grant to a special purpose funding
vehicle (an "SPC") the option to fund all or any part of any Revolving Loan that
such Granting Bank would otherwise be obligated to fund pursuant to this
Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any
SPC to fund any Revolving Loan, (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such
option or otherwise fails to fund all or any part of such Revolving Loan, the
Granting Bank shall be obligated to fund such Revolving Loan pursuant to the
terms hereof, (iii) no SPC shall have any voting rights pursuant to Section 9.1
(all such voting rights shall be retained by the Granting Banks), (iv) with
respect to notices, payments and other matters hereunder, the Credit Parties,
the Administrative Agent and the Banks shall not be obligated to deal with an
SPC, but may limit
44
their communications and other dealings relevant to such SPC to the applicable
Granting Bank, (v) an SPC shall be deemed a Bank for purposes of Section 2.20(e)
and shall submit any forms required by Section 2.20(e), and (vi) the provisions
of this Section 9.7 shall not impose any increased cost or liability on the
Borrower. No additional Notes, if any, shall be required to evidence the
Revolving Loans or portions of Revolving Loans made by an SPC and the Granting
Bank shall be deemed to hold its Note, if any, as agent for the SPC to the
extent of the Revolving Loans or portions of Revolving Loans funded by such SPC.
Each Granting Bank shall act as administrative agent for its SPC and give and
receive notices and other communications on its behalf. Any payments for the
account of any SPC shall be paid to its Granting Bank as administrative agent
for such SPC and neither the Borrower nor the Administrative Agent shall be
responsible for any Granting Bank's application of such payments. The funding of
a Revolving Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Revolving Commitment of
the Granting Bank to the same extent that, and as if, such Revolving Loan were
funded by such Granting Bank. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall
be liable for any indemnity or payment under this Agreement for which a Bank
would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the Granting Bank
provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing,
each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreements shall survive termination of
this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the
payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness
of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in
instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, any SPC may disclose on a confidential basis any non-public
information relating to its funding of Revolving Loans to any rating agency,
commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or guarantee to such SPC. This
Section 9.7 may not be amended without the prior written consent of each
Granting Bank, all or any part of whose Revolving Loan is being funded by an SPC
at the time of such amendment. The SPC shall not be deemed to replace the
Granting Bank for purposes of Section 8.9 hereof, and payment of the $3,500 fee
provided in Section 9.6 for assignments shall not be required in the instance of
a grant under this Section 9.7.
Section 9.8. Confidentiality of Information. The Agent and each Bank
shall use reasonable efforts to assure that information about the Borrower and
its operations, affairs and financial condition, not generally disclosed to the
public or to trade and other creditors, which is furnished to the Agent or such
Bank pursuant to the provisions hereof is used only for the purposes of this
Agreement and any other relationship between any Bank and the Borrower and shall
not be divulged to any Person other than the Banks, their Affiliates and their
respective officers, directors, employees and agents, except: (a) to their
attorneys and accountants, (b) in connection with the enforcement of the rights
of the Banks hereunder and under the Revolving Notes or otherwise in connection
with applicable litigation, (c) in connection with assignments and
participations and the solicitation of prospective assignees and participants
referred to in the immediately preceding Section, provided that such prospective
assignees or participants agree to keep such information confidential in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.7, and (d) as may otherwise be
required or requested by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any
Bank or by any applicable law, rule, regulation or judicial process, the opinion
of such Bank's counsel concerning the making of such disclosure to be binding on
the parties hereto. No Bank shall incur any liability to the Borrower by reason
of any disclosure permitted by this Section 9.8.
45
Section 9.9. Governing Law and Construction. THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION
AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE REVOLVING NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL BANKS. Whenever possible, each provision of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other statement, instrument
or transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or relating hereto or thereto
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under such
applicable law, but, if any provision of this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other statement, instrument or transaction contemplated hereby
or thereby or relating hereto or thereto shall be held to be prohibited or
invalid under such applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to
the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder
of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other statement, instrument or transaction contemplated hereby
or thereby or relating hereto or thereto.
Section 9.10. Consent to Jurisdiction. AT THE OPTION OF THE AGENT, THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OR
MINNESOTA STATE COURT SITTING IN HENNEPIN; AND THE BORROWER CONSENTS TO THE
JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN
SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT THE BORROWER COMMENCES ANY ACTION IN
ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY
OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE AGENT AT ITS
OPTION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE
JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES ABOVE-DESCRIBED, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE
ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE.
Section 9.11. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
Section 9.12. Survival of Agreement. All representations, warranties,
covenants and agreement made by the Borrower herein or in the other Loan
Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in
connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall
be deemed to have been relied upon by the Banks and shall survive the making of
the Revolving Loans by the Banks and the execution and delivery to the Banks by
the Borrower of the Revolving Notes, regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the Banks, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as
any Obligation is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Revolving
Commitments have not been terminated; provided, however, that the obligations of
the Borrower under Section 9.2, 9.5 and 9.12 shall survive payment in full of
the Obligations and the termination of the Revolving Commitments.
46
Section 9.13. Indemnification. The Borrower hereby agrees to defend,
protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Banks and their
respective Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, attorneys and
agents of the Agent and the Banks and their respective Affiliates (each of the
foregoing being an "Indemnitee" and all of the foregoing being collectively the
"Indemnitees") from and against any and all claims, actions, damages,
liabilities, judgments, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel which may be incurred in the investigation or defense
of any matter) imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee,
whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal,
state, local or foreign laws or regulations (including securities laws,
environmental laws, commercial laws and regulations), under common law or on
equitable cause, or on contract or otherwise:
(a) by reason of, relating to or in connection with the
execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any Loan Document,
any commitments relating thereto, or any transaction contemplated by
any Loan Document; or
(b) by reason of, relating to or in connection with any credit
extended or used under the Loan Documents or any act done or omitted by
any Person, or the exercise of any rights or remedies thereunder,
including the acquisition of any collateral by the Banks by way of
foreclosure of the Lien thereon, deed or xxxx of sale in lieu of such
foreclosure or otherwise;
provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be liable to any Indemnitee for
any portion of such claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from
such Indemnitee's gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the event this
indemnity is unenforceable as a matter of law as to a particular matter or
consequence referred to herein, it shall be enforceable to the full extent
permitted by law.
This indemnification applies, without limitation, to any act, omission,
event or circumstance existing or occurring on or prior to the later of the
Termination Date or the date of payment in full of the Obligations, including
specifically Obligations arising under clause (b) of this Section. The
indemnification provisions set forth above shall be in addition to any liability
the Borrower may otherwise have. Without prejudice to the survival of any other
obligation of the Borrower hereunder the indemnities and obligations of the
Borrower contained in this Section shall survive the payment in full of the
other Obligations.
Section 9.14. Captions. The captions or headings herein and any table
of contents hereto are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or
describe the scope or intent of any provision of this Agreement.
Section 9.15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Borrower,
the Agent and the Banks with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to
the subject matter hereof. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other
Loan Document, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Persons
other than the parties hereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities
hereunder or thereunder.
47
Section 9.16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by
signing any such counterpart.
Section 9.17. Borrower Acknowledgments. The Borrower hereby
acknowledges that (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b)
neither the Agent nor any Bank has any fiduciary relationship to the Borrower,
the relationship being solely that of debtor and creditor, (c) no joint venture
exists between the Borrower and the Agent or any Bank, and (d) neither the Agent
nor any Bank undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform
the Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of the business or
operations of the Borrower and the Borrower shall rely entirely upon its own
judgment with respect to its business, and any review, inspection or supervision
of, or information supplied to, the Borrower by the Agent or any Bank is for the
protection of the Banks and neither the Borrower nor any third party is entitled
to rely thereon.
(signature pages follow)
48
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first above written.
ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
By /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Address for Borrower:
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx,
Senior Vice President
With a copy to:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Fax: 000-000-0000
Revolving Commitment Amount:
$57,500,000 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Agent and as a Bank
By /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------------------
Xxx X. Xxxxxx
Its: Vice President
Address:
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xx.
XX-XX-X0XX
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Telephone: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xxx X. Xxxxxx, Vice President
Revolving Commitment Amount:
$17,500,000 LaSALLE BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as a Bank
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Vice President
Address:
000 X. XxXxxxx Xx.
00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX
Fax: 000 000-0000
Telephone: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Vice President
Revolving Commitment Amount:
$10,000,000 M&I XXXXXXXX & ILSLEY BANK,
as a Bank
By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------
Title: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
---------------------------
and
By: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------
Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
---------------------------
Xxx Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: 000 000-0000
Telephone: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Vice President
Revolving Commitment Amount:
$10,000,000 THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as a Bank
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Industry Head
----------------
0000 Xxxxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Fax: 000 000-0000
Telephone: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xxx Xxxxx
Vice President
Revolving Commitment Amount:
$5,000,000 BANK HAPOALIM B.M., as a Bank
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxx
--------------------------------
Title: FVP and Branch Manager
--------------------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------------------
Title: VP-SR. Lending Officer
--------------------------------
000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Fax: 000 000-0000
Telephone: 000 000-0000
Attention: Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Vice President
