CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 23, 2004, by and among PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., a Virginia corporation, PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, GmbH a company organized under the laws of Germany, PHARM RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (UK)...
$75,000,000
dated as of December 23, 2004,
by and among
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.,
a Virginia corporation,
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, GmbH
a company organized under the laws of Germany,
PHARM RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (UK) LIMITED,
a company organized under the laws of England and Wales,
as Borrowers,
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a company organized under the laws of Canada,
as the Canadian Borrower,
PRA INTERNATIONAL,
a Delaware corporation,
PRA SUB, INC.,
a Delaware corporation,
PRA INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, INC.
a Delaware corporation,
as Parents
the Lenders referred to herein,
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent,
Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender,
CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
as Canadian Dollar Lender,
XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Syndication Agent and
Issuing Lender,
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
as Co-Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
and
XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Co-Lead Arranger
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions |
23 | |||
SECTION 1.3 Accounting Terms |
23 | |||
SECTION 1.4 UCC Terms |
24 | |||
SECTION 1.5 Rounding |
24 | |||
SECTION 1.6 References to Agreement and Laws |
24 | |||
SECTION 1.7 Times of Day |
24 | |||
SECTION 1.8 Letter of Credit Amounts; Other Amounts |
24 | |||
SECTION 1.9 Effectiveness of Euro Provisions |
24 | |||
ARTICLE II REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY |
24 | |||
SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans |
24 | |||
SECTION 2.2 Canadian Dollar Loans |
25 | |||
SECTION 2.3 Swingline Loans |
27 | |||
SECTION 2.4 Procedure for Advances of Loans |
29 | |||
SECTION 2.5 Repayment of Loans |
31 | |||
SECTION 2.6 Permanent Reduction of the Aggregate Commitment |
34 | |||
SECTION 2.7 Termination of Revolving Credit Facility |
35 | |||
SECTION 2.8 Nature of Obligations |
35 | |||
SECTION 2.9 Increase of Aggregate Commitment |
35 | |||
ARTICLE III LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY |
37 | |||
SECTION 3.1 L/C Commitment |
37 | |||
SECTION 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit |
37 | |||
SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges |
38 | |||
SECTION 3.4 L/C Participations |
38 | |||
SECTION 3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers |
40 | |||
SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute |
41 | |||
SECTION 3.7 Effect of Letter of Credit Application |
41 | |||
ARTICLE IV GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS |
41 | |||
SECTION 4.1 Interest |
41 | |||
SECTION 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Revolving Credit Loans |
44 | |||
SECTION 4.3 Fees |
45 | |||
SECTION 4.4 Manner of Payment |
45 | |||
SECTION 4.5 Evidence of Indebtedness |
47 | |||
SECTION 4.6 Adjustments |
48 | |||
SECTION 4.7 Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of
Credit; Assumption by the Administrative Agent |
48 | |||
SECTION 4.8 Redenomination of Alternative Currency Loans |
49 |
i
SECTION 4.9. Regulatory Limitation |
50 | |||
SECTION 4.10 Changed Circumstances |
50 | |||
SECTION 4.11 Indemnity |
51 | |||
SECTION 4.12 Increased Costs |
52 | |||
SECTION 4.13 Taxes |
54 | |||
SECTION 4.14 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders |
57 | |||
SECTION 4.15 Redenomination of Canadian Dollar Loans |
58 | |||
SECTION 4.16 U.S. Borrower as Agent for the Foreign Borrowers |
58 | |||
SECTION 4.17. Rounding and Other Reasonable Changes |
58 | |||
ARTICLE V CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING |
58 | |||
SECTION 5.1 Closing |
58 | |||
SECTION 5.2 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit |
58 | |||
SECTION 5.3 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit |
62 | |||
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWERS |
62 | |||
SECTION 6.1 Representations and Warranties |
62 | |||
SECTION 6.2
Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc. |
70 | |||
ARTICLE VII FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES |
70 | |||
SECTION 7.1 Financial Statements and Projections |
70 | |||
SECTION 7.2 Officer’s Compliance Certificate |
72 | |||
SECTION 7.3 Accountants’ Certificate |
72 | |||
SECTION 7.4 Other Reports |
72 | |||
SECTION 7.5 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters |
72 | |||
ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
73 | |||
SECTION 8.1 Preservation of Corporate Existence and Related Matters |
73 | |||
SECTION 8.2 Maintenance of Property |
74 | |||
SECTION 8.3 Insurance |
74 | |||
SECTION 8.4 Accounting Methods and Financial Records |
74 | |||
SECTION 8.5 Payment and Performance of Obligations |
74 | |||
SECTION 8.6 Compliance With Laws and Approvals |
74 | |||
SECTION 8.7 Environmental Laws |
74 | |||
SECTION 8.8 Compliance with ERISA |
75 | |||
SECTION 8.9 Compliance With Agreements |
75 | |||
SECTION 8.10 Visits and Inspections |
75 | |||
SECTION 8.11 Additional Subsidiaries |
76 | |||
SECTION 8.12 Use of Proceeds |
76 | |||
SECTION 8.13 Further Assurances |
76 | |||
ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL COVENANTS |
76 | |||
SECTION 9.1 Maximum Total Leverage Ratio |
76 |
ii
SECTION 9.2 Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio |
77 | |||
SECTION 9.3 Minimum Net Worth |
77 | |||
ARTICLE X NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
77 | |||
SECTION 10.1 Limitations on Indebtedness |
77 | |||
SECTION 10.2 Limitations on Liens |
79 | |||
SECTION 10.3 Limitations on Loans, Advances, Investments and Acquisitions |
80 | |||
SECTION 10.4 Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation |
82 | |||
SECTION 10.5 Limitations on Sale of Assets |
83 | |||
SECTION 10.6 Limitations on Dividends and Distributions |
84 | |||
SECTION 10.7 Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Capital Stock |
84 | |||
SECTION 10.8 Transactions with Affiliates |
85 | |||
SECTION 10.9 Certain Accounting Changes; Organizational Documents |
85 | |||
SECTION 10.10 Amendments; Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Indebtedness |
85 | |||
SECTION 10.11 Restrictive Agreements |
85 | |||
SECTION 10.12 Nature of Business |
86 | |||
ARTICLE XI UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY |
86 | |||
SECTION 11.1 Guaranty of Obligations |
86 | |||
SECTION 11.2 Bankruptcy Limitations on each Parent Guarantor |
86 | |||
SECTION 11.3 Nature of Guaranty |
87 | |||
SECTION 11.4 Demand by the Administrative Agent |
88 | |||
SECTION 11.5 Waivers |
88 | |||
SECTION 11.6 Modification of Loan Documents etc. |
88 | |||
SECTION 11.7 Reinstatement |
89 | |||
SECTION 11.8 No Subrogation |
89 | |||
SECTION 11.9 Agreements for Reimbursement |
90 | |||
ARTICLE XII DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
90 | |||
SECTION 12.1 Events of Default |
90 | |||
SECTION 12.2 Remedies |
93 | |||
SECTION 12.3
Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. |
93 | |||
SECTION 12.4 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds |
94 | |||
SECTION 12.5 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim |
94 | |||
SECTION 12.6 Judgment Currency |
95 | |||
ARTICLE XIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
96 | |||
SECTION 13.1 Appointment and Authority |
96 | |||
SECTION 13.2 Delegation of Duties |
96 | |||
SECTION 13.3 Exculpatory Provisions |
96 | |||
SECTION 13.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent |
97 | |||
SECTION 13.5 Notice of Default |
97 | |||
SECTION 13.6 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders |
98 | |||
SECTION 13.7 Indemnification |
98 |
iii
SECTION 13.8 The Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity |
99 | |||
SECTION 13.9 Resignation of the Administrative Agent; Successor Administrative Agent |
99 | |||
SECTION 13.10 Guaranty Matters |
100 | |||
SECTION 13.11 Other Agents, Arrangers and Managers |
100 | |||
SECTION 13.12 Hedging Counterparties |
100 | |||
SECTION 13.13 Mandatory Cost Information |
100 | |||
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS |
101 | |||
SECTION 14.1 Notices |
101 | |||
SECTION 14.2 Amendments, Waivers and Consents |
102 | |||
SECTION 14.3 Expenses; Indemnity |
104 | |||
SECTION 14.4 Set-off |
105 | |||
SECTION 14.5 Governing Law |
105 | |||
SECTION 14.6 Jurisdiction and Venue |
106 | |||
SECTION 14.7 Waiver of Jury Trial |
106 | |||
SECTION 14.8 Reversal of Payments |
107 | |||
SECTION 14.9 Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages |
107 | |||
SECTION 14.10 Accounting Matters |
107 | |||
SECTION 14.11 Successors and Assigns; Participations |
108 | |||
SECTION 14.12 Confidentiality |
110 | |||
SECTION 14.13 Acknowledgement |
111 | |||
SECTION 14.14 Performance of Duties |
111 | |||
SECTION 14.15 All Powers Coupled with Interest |
111 | |||
SECTION 14.16 Survival of Indemnities |
111 | |||
SECTION 14.17 Titles and Captions |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.18 Severability of Provisions |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.19 Counterparts |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.20 Integration |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.21 Term of Agreement |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.22 Advice of Counsel, No Strict Construction |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.23 Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent Effect of Covenants |
112 | |||
SECTION 14.24 Continuity of Contract |
113 | |||
SECTION 14.25 Language |
113 |
iv
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A-1
|
- | Form of Revolving Credit Note | ||
Exhibit A-2
|
- | Form of Swingline Note | ||
Exhibit A-3
|
- | Form of Canadian Dollar Note | ||
Exhibit B
|
- | Form of Notice of Borrowing | ||
Exhibit C
|
- | Form of Notice of Account Designation | ||
Exhibit D
|
- | Form of Notice of Prepayment | ||
Exhibit E
|
- | Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation | ||
Exhibit F
|
- | Form of Officer’s Compliance Certificate | ||
Exhibit G
|
- | Form of Assignment and Assumption | ||
Exhibit H
|
- | Form of Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement |
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1(a)
|
- | Mandatory Cost Calculation | ||
Schedule 1.1(b)
|
- | Existing Letters of Credit | ||
Schedule 1.1(c)
|
- | EBITDA Addbacks | ||
Schedule 6.1(a)
|
- | Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification | ||
Schedule 6.1(b)
|
- | Subsidiaries and Capitalization | ||
Schedule 6.1(i)
|
- | ERISA Plans | ||
Schedule 6.1(l)
|
- | Material Contracts | ||
Schedule 6.1(m)
|
- | Labor and Collective Bargaining Agreements | ||
Schedule 6.1(t)
|
- | Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations | ||
Schedule 6.1(u)
|
- | Litigation | ||
Schedule 10.2
|
- | Existing Liens | ||
Schedule 10.3
|
- | Existing Loans, Advances and Investments | ||
Schedule 10.8
|
- | Transactions with Affiliates |
v
CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 23, 2004, by and among PRA INTERNATIONAL, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), PRA SUB, INC., a Delaware Corporation (“PRA Sub”), PRA INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“PRA International”, and collectively with the Company and PRA Sub, the “Parents”), PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., a Virginia corporation (the “U.S. Borrower”), PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC., a company organized under the laws of Canada (the “Canadian Borrower”), PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES GmbH, a company organized under the laws of Germany (the “German Borrower”), PHARM RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (UK) LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the “UK Borrower”) (each of the Canadian Borrower, the German Borrower and the UK Borrower, a “Foreign Borrower”, and collectively, the “Foreign Borrowers” and, together with the U.S. Borrower, the “Borrowers”) the lenders who are or may become a party to this Agreement (collectively, the “Lenders”), WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as Canadian Dollar Lender and XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Borrowers have requested, and the Lenders have agreed, to extend certain credit facilities to the Borrowers on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below:
“Administrative Agent” means Wachovia in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 13.9.
“Administrative Agent’s Correspondent” means Wachovia Bank, National Association, London Branch, or any other financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent to act as its correspondent hereunder with respect to the distribution and payment of Alternative Currency Loans.
“Administrative Agent’s Office” means the office of the Administrative Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.1(c).
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of any Credit Party) which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person or any of its Subsidiaries. The term “control” means (a) the power to vote twenty percent (20%) or more of the securities or other equity interests of a Person having ordinary voting power, or (b) the possession, directly or indirectly, of any other power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate Commitment” means the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Commitments hereunder, as such amount may be increased, reduced or otherwise modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. On the Closing Date, the Aggregate Commitment shall be Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000).
“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Alternative Currency” means (a) the euro, (b) the Pound Sterling, and (c) the Canadian Dollar, and, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders, any other lawful currency (other than Dollars) which is freely transferable and convertible into Dollars in the United States currency market and freely available to all of the Revolving Credit Lenders in the London interbank deposit market.
“Alternative Currency Amount” means with respect to each Loan made or continued (or to be made or continued), or Letter of Credit issued or extended (or to be issued or extended), in an Alternative Currency, the amount of such Alternative Currency which is equivalent to the principal amount in Dollars of such Loan or Letter of Credit at the most favorable spot exchange rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be available to it at approximately 11:00 a.m. two (2) Business Days before such Loan is made or continued (or to be made or continued), or Letter of Credit issued or extended (or to be issued or extended). When used with respect to any other sum expressed in Dollars, “Alternative Currency Amount” shall mean the amount of such Alternative Currency which is equivalent to the amount so expressed in Dollars at the most favorable spot exchange rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be available to it at the relevant time.
“Alternative Currency Commitment” means the lesser of (a) the greater of (i) one-third of the Aggregate Commitment and (ii) $25,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Commitment, as such amount may be reduced or modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
“Alternative Currency Loan” means any Revolving Credit Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency or a Canadian Dollar Loan, as the context requires, and all such Alternative Currency Loans and Canadian Dollar Loans collectively as the context requires.
2
“Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.
“Applicable Margin” means the corresponding percentages per annum as set forth below provided, that with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan made in an Alternative Currency other than Canadian Dollars, the Applicable Margin shall be increased by an amount equal to the applicable Mandatory Cost:
Applicable Base | ||||||||||||
Rate and Canadian | Applicable | |||||||||||
Tier |
Total Leverage Ratio |
Base Rate Margin |
LIBOR Margin |
Commitment Fee |
||||||||
I
|
Greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 | 0.50 | % | 1.75 | % | 0.375 % | ||||||
II
|
Greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00, but less than 1.50 to 1.00 | 0.25 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.375 % | ||||||
III
|
Less than 1.00 to 1.00 | 0.00 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.250 % |
The Applicable Margin shall be determined and adjusted quarterly on the date (each a “Calculation Date”) five (5) Business Days after the date by which the Company and the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of the Borrowers, is required to provide an Officer’s Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2 for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company; provided, however, that (a) the Applicable Margin shall be based on Pricing Level III until the first Calculation Date occurring after the Closing Date and, thereafter the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company preceding the applicable Calculation Date, and (b) if the Company and the U.S. Borrower fail to provide the Officer’s Compliance Certificate as required by Section 7.2 for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company preceding the applicable Calculation Date, the Applicable Margin from such Calculation Date shall be based on Pricing Level I until such time as an appropriate Officer’s Compliance Certificate is provided, at which time the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company preceding such Calculation Date. Except as set forth above, the Applicable Margin shall be effective from one Calculation Date until the next Calculation Date. Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin shall be applicable to all Extensions of Credit then existing or subsequently made or issued.
“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person), including, without limitation, any special purpose entity, that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; provided, that such Approved Fund must be administered by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Arbitration Rules” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 14.7(a).
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by
3
Section 14.11), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount or principal amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a Capital Lease.
“Available Cash” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all cash and cash equivalents of the Credit Parties as determined in accordance with GAAP for presentation on the Company’s financial statements as of such date of determination.
“Base Rate” means, at any time, the higher of (a) the Prime Rate and (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate.
“Base Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).
“Benefited Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.6.
“Borrowers” has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Applicable Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars is located and:
(a) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, any funding, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any LIBOR Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market;
(b) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in euro in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, or any other dealings in euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, means a TARGET Day;
(c) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or euro, means any such day on which
4
dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency;
(d) if such day relates to any interest rate settings or payments of principal and interest on Canadian Dollar Loans, means any day on which banks are open for business in Toronto, Ontario; and
(e) if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or euro in respect of a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.
“Calculation Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of Applicable Margin.
“Canadian Base Rate” means at any time, the greater of (a) the rate of interest publicly announced from time to time by the Canadian Reference Bank as its prime rate in effect for determining interest rates on Canadian Dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada (which such rate is not necessarily the most favored rate of the Canadian Reference Bank and the Canadian Reference Bank may lend to its customers at rates that are at, above or below such rate) or, if the Canadian Reference Bank ceases to announce a rate so designated, any similar successor rate designated by the Canadian Reference Bank and (b) the annual rate of interest equal to the sum of (i) the CDOR Rate at such time plus (ii) one percent (1%) per annum.
“Canadian Base Rate Loan” means any Canadian Dollar Loan which bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Canadian Base Rate.
“Canadian Borrower” has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble.
“Canadian Dollar” or “C$” means, at any time of determination, the then official currency of Canada.
“Canadian Dollar Commitment” means the lesser of (a) Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) and (b) the Alternative Currency Commitment.
“Canadian Dollar Lender” means Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, in its capacity as Canadian Dollar Lender hereunder and any successor in such capacity.
“Canadian Dollar Loan” means any revolving credit loan made by the Canadian Dollar Lender pursuant to Section 2.2.
“Canadian Dollar Note” means the Canadian Dollar Note made by the Canadian Borrower payable to the order of the Canadian Dollar Lender, substantially in the form of
5
Exhibit A-3 hereto, evidencing the Canadian Dollar Loans, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extensions thereof, in whole or in part.
“Canadian Facility” means the Canadian dollar facility established pursuant to Section 2.2.
“Canadian Reference Bank” means Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, or its successor and assigns, or such other bank as the Canadian Dollar Lender may from time to time designate.
“Capital Asset” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, any asset that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital asset on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
“Capital Expenditures” means with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries for any period, the aggregate cost of all Capital Assets acquired by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that for purposes of this definition, the following shall be excluded from Capital Expenditures: (a) the purchase price of assets that are purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing assets of a similar type and nature or with the application of Net Cash Proceeds from the sale or disposition of assets (to the extent permitted hereunder) or from any payment under an insurance policy or in connection with a condemnation proceeding shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount of such purchase price less the credit granted by the seller of such assets for the assets being traded in at such time or the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds, as the case may be, and (b) Permitted Acquisitions.
“Capital Lease” means any lease of any property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests and shares and (e) any other interest or participation (but not including an employment agreement) that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“CDOR Rate” means the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of an average thirty (30) day rate applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances appearing on the “Reuters Screen CDOR Page” (as defined in the International Swap Dealer Association, Inc.’s definitions, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) as of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) one Canadian Business Day prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%). If, for any reason, such rate does not appear on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page, then the “CDOR Rate”
6
shall be determined by the Canadian Dollar Lender to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Canadian Dollars would be offered by first class banks in Canada to the Canadian Dollar Lender. Each calculation by the Canadian Dollar Lender of the CDOR Rate shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
“Change in Control” means (a) any event or series of events in which any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) other than Genstar Capital shall at any time own or obtain ownership or control in one or more series of transactions of more than thirty percent (30%) of the Capital Stock or thirty percent (30%) of the voting power of the Company entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of directors of the Company, or (b) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of the board of directors on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to the board of directors was approved by individuals who comprised a majority of the board of directors on the first day of such period or (iii) whose election or nomination to the board of directors was approved by (A) individuals who were members of the board of directors on the first day of such period or (B) individuals whose election or nomination to the board of directors was approved by a majority of the board of directors on the first day of such period; provided that in each case such individuals constituted a majority of the board of directors at the time of such election or nomination.
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.
“Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement or such later Business Day upon which each condition described in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied or waived in all respects in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
“Commitment” means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Loans (including, without limitation, to participate in Canadian Dollar Loans and Swingline Loans) and issue or participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of any Borrower hereunder, in an aggregate principal or face amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on the Register, as the same may be increased, reduced or modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
“Commitment Percentage” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the ratio of (a) the amount of the Commitment of such Revolving Credit Lender to (b) the Aggregate Commitment.
“Company” has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble.
7
“Consolidated” means, when used with reference to financial statements or financial statement items of the Company and its Subsidiaries, such statements or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with applicable principles of consolidation under GAAP.
“Credit Facility” means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Canadian Facility, the Swingline Facility and the L/C Facility.
“Credit Parties” means, collectively, the Parents, the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
“Default” means any of the events specified in Section 12.1 which with the passage of time, the giving of notice or any other condition, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, participations in Canadian Dollar Loans, participations in Swingline Loans or participations in L/C Obligations required to be funded by it hereunder within one (1) Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one (1) Business Day of the date when due, unless such amount is the subject of a good faith dispute, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
“Disputes” means any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
“Dollar Amount” means (a) with respect to each Loan made or continued (or to be made or continued), or Letter of Credit issued or extended (or to be issued or extended), in Dollars, the principal amount thereof and (b) with respect to each Loan made or continued (or to be made or continued), or Letter of Credit issued or extended (or to be issued or extended), in an Alternative Currency, the amount of Dollars which is equivalent to the principal amount of such Loan, or the face amount of such Letter of Credit, at the most favorable spot exchange rate determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (the time of the location of the office of the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent) two (2) Business Days before such Loan is made or continued (or to be made or continued) or such Letter of Credit issued or extended (or to be issued or extended). When used with respect to any other sum expressed in an Alternative Currency, “Dollar Amount” shall mean the amount of Dollars which is equivalent to the amount so expressed in such Alternative Currency at the most favorable spot exchange rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be available to it at the relevant time.
“Dollars” or “$” means, unless otherwise qualified, the lawful currency of the United States.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or organized.
8
“EBITDA” means, for any period, the sum of the following determined on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP: (a) Net Income for such period plus (b) the sum of the following to the extent deducted in determining Net Income: (i) income, franchise and capital taxes, (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges, (iv) the amounts set forth on Schedule 1.1(c), in each case for the corresponding period set forth on such Schedule, in respect of bonus payments to holders of vested and unvested employee stock options, (v) one-time non-recurring charges relating to the termination of Cambridge, England lease, in an amount not to exceed $840,000, which such charges were incurred in the second fiscal quarter of 2004 and (vi) one-time charges relating to the termination of the McLean, Virginia lease, in an amount not to exceed $1,400,000, to the extent such charges are incurred no later than the first fiscal quarter of 2006 less (c) interest income and any extraordinary gains; provided, that EBITDA for such period of any entity acquired in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be included as of the first day of such period in the EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a pro forma, historical basis (after giving effect to any adjustments thereto, which such adjustments have been (x) identified in writing by the Company at the time of such acquisition and (y) approved by the Administrative Agent).
“Eligible Assignee” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, (ii) the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lenders, and (iii) unless a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the U.S. Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
“Employee Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (a) is maintained for employees of the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) for which any of the Credit Parties or any current or former ERISA Affiliate has any continuing liability.
“EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
“EMU Legislation” means legislative measures of the Council of European Union for the introduction of, change over to or operation of the euro.
“Environmental Claims” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal reports prepared by any Person in the ordinary course of business and not in response to any third party action or request of any kind) or proceedings relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or relating to any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any and all claims by Governmental Authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages, contribution, indemnification cost recovery,
9
compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from injury or threat of injury to the environment.
“Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, foreign, state, provincial and local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, standards and regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities, relating to the protection of human health or the environment, including, but not limited to, requirements pertaining to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or remediation of Hazardous Materials.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any Person who together with any Credit Party is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.
“euro” means the single currency to which the Participating Member States of the European Union have converted.
“Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” means, for any day with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, the percentage (expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.
“Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 12.1; provided that any requirement for passage of time, giving of notice, or any other condition, has been satisfied.
“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender (including the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender) or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes or capital taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which such Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrowers under Section 4.14(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender (or its assignee) at the time such Foreign Lender (and its assignee) becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to deliver such evidence of exemption from applicable withholding taxes and otherwise comply with Section 4.13(e), except to the extent
10
that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the applicable Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 4.13(a). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, “Excluded Taxes” shall not include any withholding tax imposed at any time on payments made by or on behalf of the Canadian Borrower or any other Foreign Subsidiary of the Company to any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, provided that such Lender shall have complied with the last paragraph of Section 4.13(e).
“Existing Facilities” means:
(a) the credit facility established pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2003 by and among the Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, and Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (as amended);
(b) the credit facility established pursuant to that certain Credit Facility Agreement dated as of May 17, 2004 by and between Pharmaceutical Research Associates International, Inc., as borrower, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as lender (as amended); and
(c) the credit facility established pursuant to that certain Multicurrency Revolving Cash Advance, Letter of Credit and Sterling Overdraft Facilities Agreement dated as of May 17, 2004 by and among Pharmaceutical Research Associates, GmbH and Pharm Research Associates (UK) Limited, as co-borrowers and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as lender (as amended).
“Existing Letters of Credit” means all letters of credit described on Schedule 1.1(b).
“Extensions of Credit” means (a) as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, (i) an amount equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (B) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding, (C) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loans then outstanding and (D) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Canadian Dollar Loans then outstanding, or (ii) the making of any Loan or participation in any Letter of Credit by such Lender, as the context requires and (b) as to the Canadian Dollar Lender, (i) an amount equal to the sum of all Canadian Dollar Loans made by the Canadian Dollar Lender or (ii) the making of any Canadian Dollar Loan by the Canadian Dollar Lender.
“FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any successor thereto.
“Federal Funds Rate” means, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) representing the daily effective federal funds rate as quoted by the Administrative Agent and confirmed in Federal Reserve Board Statistical Release H.15 (519) or any successor or substitute publication selected by the Administrative Agent. If, for any reason, such rate is not available, then “Federal Funds Rate” shall mean a daily rate which is determined, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to be the rate at which federal funds are being offered
11
for sale in the national federal funds market at 9:00 a.m. Rates for weekends or holidays shall be the same as the rate for the most immediately preceding Business Day.
“Fee Letter” means the separate fee letter agreement executed by the Company and the Administrative Agent and/or certain of its affiliates dated November 9, 2004.
“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31.
“Fixed Charges” means, for any period, the sum of the following determined on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP: (a) the cash component of Interest Expense, (b) scheduled principal payments with respect to any Indebtedness, (c) Capital Expenditures, (d) cash taxes, and (e) cash dividends and distributions to third parties.
“Foreign Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Foreign Lender” means, with respect to any Borrower, any Lender that is either (a) organized or incorporated under the laws of a jurisdiction or (b) resident for tax purposes in a jurisdiction, other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles, as recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, consistently applied and maintained on a consistent basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries throughout the period indicated and (subject to Section 14.10) consistent with the prior financial practice of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
“Genstar Capital” means Genstar Capital Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and Stargen III, L.P. a Delaware limited partnership and other affiliated investing funds of the foregoing.
“Governmental Approvals” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other public entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the government of Canada, the European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Guaranteed Obligations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
12
“Guaranty Obligation” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person pursuant to which such Person has directly or indirectly guaranteed any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement condition or otherwise) or (b) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, that the term Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
“Hazardous Materials” means any substances or materials (a) which are or become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants or toxic substances under any Environmental Law, (b) which are toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise harmful to human health or the environment and are or become regulated as such by any Governmental Authority, (c) the presence of which require investigation or remediation or give rise to liability under any Environmental Law or common law, (d) the discharge or emission or release of which requires a permit or license under any Environmental Law or (e) which consist of underground or aboveground storage tanks, whether empty, filled or partially filled with any substance, or which contain asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.
“Hedging Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any Interest Rate Contract, forward rate agreement, commodity swap, forward foreign exchange agreement, currency swap agreement, cross-currency rate swap agreement, currency option agreement or other agreement or arrangement designed to alter the risks of any Person arising from fluctuations in interest rates, currency values or commodity prices, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Hedging Obligations” means all existing or future payment and other obligations owing by any Borrower under any Hedging Agreement (which such Hedging Agreement is permitted hereunder) with any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedging Agreement is executed.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries at any date and without duplication, the sum of the following calculated in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all liabilities, obligations and indebtedness for borrowed money including, but not limited to, obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments of any such Person;
13
(b) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services of any such Person (including, without limitation, all obligations under non-competition, earn-out or similar agreements), except trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business not more than one hundred and eighty (180) days past due;
(c) the Attributable Indebtedness of such Person with respect to such Person’s obligations in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases (regardless of whether accounted for as indebtedness under GAAP);
(d) all Indebtedness of any other Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse (the amount of which shall be the lesser of such Indebtedness and the fair market value of Liened assets;
(e) all Guaranty Obligations of any such Person;
(f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person relative to the face amount of letters of credit, whether or not drawn, including, without limitation, any Reimbursement Obligation, and banker’s acceptances issued for the account of any such Person; and
(g) all obligations of any such Person to redeem, repurchase, exchange, defease or otherwise make payments in respect of Capital Stock of such Person.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes and Other Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
“Interest Expense” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries for any period, the gross interest expense (including, without limitation, interest expense attributable to Capital Leases and all Net Hedging Obligations) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, all determined for such period on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP.
“Interest Period” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1(b).
“Interest Rate Contract” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate floor agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate option or any other agreement regarding the hedging of interest rate risk exposure executed in connection with hedging the interest rate exposure of a Person and any confirming letter executed pursuant to such agreement, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“IPO” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.2(e).
14
“ISP98” means the International Standby Practices (1998 Revision, effective January 1, 1999), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.
“Issuing Lender” means (a) Wachovia (or any successor thereto), in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit under this Agreement and as the issuer of certain of the Existing Letters of Credit and (b) Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association (or any successor thereto), in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit under this Agreement and as the issuer of certain of the Existing Letters of Credit.
“L/C Commitment” means the lesser of (a) Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) and (b) the Aggregate Commitment.
“L/C Facility” means the letter of credit facility established pursuant to Article III.
“L/C Obligations” means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired face amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.
“L/C Participants” means the collective reference to all the Lenders other than the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender and with respect to each Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender thereof.
“Lender” means each Person executing this Agreement as a Lender (including, without limitation, the Canadian Dollar Lender, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender unless the context otherwise requires) set forth on the signature pages hereto and each Person that hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to Section 14.11.
“Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender maintaining such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Extensions of Credit, or in the case of the Canadian Dollar Lender, the office of the Canadian Dollar Lender maintaining such Lender’s Canadian Dollar Loans.
“Letter of Credit Application” means an application, in the form specified by the applicable Issuing Lender from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.
“Letters of Credit” means the collective reference to the standby letters of credit issued pursuant to Section 3.1 and the Existing Letters of Credit.
“LIBOR” means the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in the relevant Permitted Currency in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 (calculated at the Alternative Currency Amount for Loans not denominated in Dollars) for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on the Telerate Page 3750 (or any replacement pages on that service) or the applicable Reuters Screen Page at approximately 11:00
15
a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%). If, for any reason, such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 (or any replacement pages on that service) or the applicable Reuters Screen Page, then “LIBOR” shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in the relevant Permitted Currency in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 (calculated at the Alternative Currency Amount for Loans not denominated in Dollars) would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for a period equal to such Interest Period. Each calculation by the Administrative Agent of LIBOR shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
“LIBOR Rate” means:
(i) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:
LIBOR Rate
|
= | LIBOR | ||
1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage |
and
(ii) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) equal to LIBOR.
Each calculation by the Administrative Agent of the LIBOR Rate shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
“LIBOR Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, leasehold mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, hypothecation or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each Note, the Letter of Credit Applications, the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement and each other document, instrument, certificate and agreement executed and delivered by any Credit Party or, if applicable, any Subsidiary thereof in connection with this Agreement (excluding any Hedging Agreement), all as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
16
“Loans” means the collective reference to Revolving Credit Loans, Alternative Currency Loans (including Canadian Dollar Loans) and the Swingline Loans and “Loan” means any of such Loans.
“Mandatory Cost” means the percentage rate per annum calculated by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Schedule 1.1(a) hereto.
“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect upon the business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) the impairment of the ability of any Credit Party to perform, or of Administrative Agent or Lenders to enforce, the Obligations.
“Material Contract” means any contract or agreement, written or oral, of any Credit Party or any of their Subsidiaries the failure to comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
“Maturity Date” means the earliest to occur of (a) December 23, 2008, (b) the date of termination by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.6, or (c) the date of termination by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders pursuant to Section 12.2(a).
“Multiemployer Plan” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or is accruing an obligation to make, or has any continuing liability.
“Net Hedging Obligations” means, as of any date, the Termination Value of any such Hedging Agreement on such date.
“Net Income” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, for any period of determination, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from Net Income (a) the net income (or loss) of any Person (other than Pharma eMarket, LLC and any Subsidiary which shall be subject to clause (c) below), in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has a joint interest with a third party, except to the extent such net income is actually paid to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by dividend or other distribution during such period, (b) the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of such Person or is merged into or consolidated with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries except to the extent included pursuant to the foregoing clause (a), (c) the net income (if positive) of Pharma eMarket, LLC and any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of such net income (i) is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Person or (ii) would be subject to any taxes payable on such dividends or distributions.
17
“Net Worth” means, as of any date of determination, for the Company and its Subsidiaries, total stockholder’s equity calculated in accordance with GAAP and without duplication.
“Note” means any of the following as the context requires: a Revolving Credit Note, a Canadian Dollar Note or a Swingline Note and “Notes” is the collective reference to all such notes.
“Notice of Account Designation” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.4(b).
“Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.4(a).
“Notice of Conversion/Continuation” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.2.
“Notice of Prepayment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.5(c).
“Obligations” means, in each case, whether now in existence or hereafter arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans, (b) the L/C Obligations, (c) all Hedging Obligations and (d) all other fees and commissions (including attorneys’ fees), charges, indebtedness, loans, liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, in each case under any Loan Document, with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit made, issued or carried hereunder of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note.
“Officer’s Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of the Company and the U.S. Borrower signed by the chief financial officer or the treasurer of each substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
“Operating Lease” means, as to any Person as determined in accordance with GAAP, any lease of property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which is not a Capital Lease.
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
“Parent” has the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph.
“Parent Guarantor” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 11.1.
“Participant” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 14.11(d).
“Participating Member State” means each state so described in any EMU Legislation.
18
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.
“Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and (a) which is maintained for the employees of the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliates or (b) to which any of the Credit Parties or any of its current or former ERISA Affiliates has any continuing liability.
“Permitted Acquisition” means any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(c).
“Permitted Currency” means Dollars or any Alternative Currency, or each such currency, as the context requires.
“Permitted Liens” means the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 10.2.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or other entity.
“Pounds Sterling” means, at any time of determination, the then official currency of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
“Prime Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Wachovia as its prime rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by Wachovia as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.
“Register” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 14.11(c).
“Reimbursement Obligation” means the obligation of the U.S. Borrower to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Required Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means as of the date of making any dividend or distribution pursuant to Section 10.6(c), and for each of the next four (4) fiscal quarters immediately following such date, 3.00 to 1.00, and at all other times, 2.00 to 1.00.
“Required Lenders” means, at any date, any combination of Lenders, excluding the Canadian Dollar Lender, whose Commitments aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Commitment or, if the Credit Facility has been terminated, any combination of Lenders, excluding the Canadian Dollar Lender, holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Extensions of Credit (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations being deemed “held” by such Lender for the purposes of this definition); provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Extensions of Credit, as applicable, held or deemed held
19
by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or managing director of a Credit Party or any other officer of a Credit Party named by the Company as such and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Credit Party.
“Revolving Credit Facility” means the revolving credit facility established pursuant to Article II.
“Revolving Credit Loans” means any revolving credit loan denominated in any Permitted Currency made to the U.S. Borrower, the UK Borrower or the German Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1, and all such revolving credit loans collectively as the context requires.
“Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note made by a Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender to such Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extensions thereof, in whole or in part.
“Solvent” means, as to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a particular date, that any such Person (a) has capital sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about to engage and is able to pay its indebtedness as such indebtedness matures, (b) has assets having a value, both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value, greater than the amount required to pay its probable liabilities (including contingencies), and (c) does not believe that it will incur indebtedness or liabilities beyond its ability to pay such indebtedness or liabilities as they mature.
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means the collective reference to any Indebtedness of the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary thereof subordinated in right and time of payment to the Obligations and containing such other terms and conditions, in each case as are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Subsidiary” means as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity is at the time owned by or the management is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person (irrespective of whether, at the time, Capital Stock of any other class or classes of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). Unless otherwise qualified references to “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” herein shall refer to those of the Company.
20
“Subsidiary Guarantors” means each Domestic Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower in existence on the Closing Date or which becomes a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement pursuant to Section 8.11.
“Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement” means the unconditional guaranty agreement of even date executed by the Subsidiary Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Swingline Commitment” means the lesser of (a) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) and (b) the Aggregate Commitment.
“Swingline Facility” means the swingline facility established pursuant to Section 2.3.
“Swingline Lender” means Wachovia in its capacity as swingline lender hereunder and any successor in such capacity.
“Swingline Loan” means any swingline loan made by the Swingline Lender to the U.S. Borrower pursuant to Section 2.3, and all such swingline loans collectively as the context requires.
“Swingline Note” means the Swingline Note made by the U.S. Borrower payable to the order of the Swingline Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, evidencing the Swingline Loans, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extensions thereof, in whole or in part.
“Swingline Termination Date” means the first to occur of (a) the resignation of Wachovia as Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 13.9 (unless Wachovia is replaced as the Swingline Lender on or before the effective date of such resignation) and (b) the Maturity Date.
“Synthetic Lease” means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an Operating Lease in accordance with GAAP.
“TARGET” shall mean Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system (or, if such system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) determined by the Agent to be a suitable replacement).
“TARGET Day” means any day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in euro.
21
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Termination Event” means except for any such event or condition that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) a “Reportable Event” described in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the notice requirement has not been waived by regulation or the PBGC, or (b) the withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, or (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan, or (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or (g) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan if withdrawal liability is asserted by such plan, or (h) any event or condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or (i) any event or condition which results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA.
“Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Hedging Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Hedging Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Hedging Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the xxxx-to-market value(s) for such Hedging Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Hedging Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
“Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, the sum of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis without duplication.
“Total Leverage Ratio” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.1.
“Treaty on European Union” means the Treaty of Rome of March 25, 1957, as amended by the Single European Act of 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty (signed February 7, 1992), as amended from time to time.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York, as amended or modified from time to time.
“Unconditional Guaranty” means the unconditional guaranty of the payment of the Obligations of the Borrowers by the Parents and the U.S. Borrower under Article XI hereof.
22
“Uniform Customs” means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), effective January, 1994 International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500.
“United States” means the United States of America.
“U.S. Borrower” has the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Wachovia” means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, and its successors.
“Wholly-Owned” means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the shares of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary are, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the Company and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (except for directors’ qualifying shares or other shares required by Applicable Law to be owned by a Person other than the Company).
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document: (a) the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, (b) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms, (c) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (d) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”, (e) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (f) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (g) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (h) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (i) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (j) the term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form, and (k) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including”.
SECTION 1.3 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time,
23
applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited financial statements required by Section 7.1(b), except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
SECTION 1.4 UCC Terms. Terms defined in the UCC and not otherwise defined herein shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings provided by those definitions.
SECTION 1.5 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Credit Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
SECTION 1.6 References to Agreement and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to formation documents, governing documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document.
SECTION 1.7 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
SECTION 1.8 Letter of Credit Amounts; Other Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit Application therefor, whether or not such maximum face amount is in effect at such time. With respect to the amount of any basket set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, any utilization of such basket shall be calculated based on the Dollar Amount thereof.
SECTION 1.9 Effectiveness of Euro Provisions. With respect to any state (or the currency of such state) that is not a Participating Member State on the date of this Agreement, the provisions of Sections 4.1(f), 4.8(b), 4.8(c) and 4.17 shall become effective in relation to such state (and the currency of such state) at and from the date on which such state becomes a Participating Member State.
ARTICLE II
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans in a Permitted Currency to the U.S. Borrower, and (subject to subsection 2.1(d) below), to the UK Borrower
24
and the German Borrower, from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Maturity Date as requested by the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of the applicable Borrower, in accordance with the terms of Section 2.4; provided, that, based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations:
(a) | the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations; | |||
(b) | the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars, Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations and (B) the Alternative Currency Commitment; | |||
(c) | the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from any Lender to the Borrowers shall not at any time exceed such Lender’s Commitment less such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and outstanding L/C Obligations; and | |||
(d) | any Revolving Credit Loan made to the U.S. Borrower, the UK Borrower or the German Borrower may be denominated in any Permitted Currency; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans to the Foreign Borrowers shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Commitment (whether in Dollars or an Alternative Currency). |
Each Revolving Credit Loan shall be funded by each Revolving Credit Lender in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion in the requested Permitted Currency. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the U.S. Borrower, the UK Borrower and the German Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans hereunder until the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.2 Canadian Dollar Loans.
(a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, the Canadian Dollar Lender agrees to make Canadian Dollar Loans to the Canadian Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Maturity Date as requested by the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of the Canadian Borrower, in accordance with the terms of Section 2.4; provided that, based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations and (ii) the Canadian Dollar Commitment. Subject to the
25
terms and conditions hereof, the Canadian Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Canadian Dollar Loans hereunder until the Maturity Date.
(b) Refunding of Canadian Dollar Loans.
(i) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Canadian Dollar Loan may, at the discretion of the Canadian Dollar Lender, be converted immediately to a Base Rate Loan funded in Dollars to the U.S. Borrower by the Revolving Credit Lenders in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount of such Canadian Dollar Loan; provided that the Canadian Borrower shall pay to the Canadian Dollar Lender any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and other expenses incurred by the Canadian Dollar Lender in effecting such conversion. Such Base Rate Loan shall thereafter be reflected as a Revolving Credit Loan of the Revolving Credit Lenders to the U.S. Borrower on the books and records of the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall fund its respective Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loan as required to repay Canadian Dollar Loans outstanding to the Canadian Dollar Lender upon such demand by the Canadian Dollar Lender in no event later than 1:00 p.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand is made. No Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to fund its respective Commitment Percentage of any Revolving Credit Loan required to repay such Canadian Dollar Loan shall be affected by any other Revolving Credit Lender’s failure to fund its Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to fund its Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loan.
(ii) The Canadian Borrower shall pay to the Canadian Dollar Lender on demand the amount of such Canadian Dollar Loans to the extent that the Revolving Credit Lenders fail to refund in full the outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans requested or required to be refunded. In addition, each of the U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge any account maintained thereby with the Canadian Dollar Lender or any Affiliate thereof (up to the amount available therein) in order to immediately pay the Canadian Dollar Lender the amount of such Canadian Dollar Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans requested or required to be refunded. If any portion of any such amount paid to the Canadian Dollar Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Canadian Borrower from the Canadian Dollar Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages.
(iii) Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to refund Canadian Dollar Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.2 is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article V. Further, each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that if prior to the refunding in full of any outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans pursuant to this Section 2.2, an Event of Default shall have occurred, and the Canadian Dollar Lender shall have requested the conversion of such Canadian Dollar Loan each Revolving Credit Lender will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan would have been made to refund such Canadian Dollar Loans, purchase an undivided participating interest in such Canadian
26
Dollar Loans in an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of such outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Canadian Dollar Lender, in immediately available funds in Canadian Dollars, the amount of its participation. Whenever, at any time after the Canadian Dollar Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lender’s participating interest in the refunded Canadian Dollar Loans, the Canadian Dollar Lender receives any payment on account thereof, the Canadian Dollar Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Credit Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded).
(iv) In the event that any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make payment to the Canadian Dollar Lender of any amount due under this Section 2.2, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Canadian Dollar Lender, shall be entitled to receive, retain and apply against such obligation the principal and interest otherwise payable to such Revolving Credit Lender hereunder until the Canadian Dollar Lender receives such payment from such Revolving Credit Lender or such obligation is otherwise fully satisfied. In addition to the foregoing, if for any reason any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make payment to the Canadian Dollar Lender of any amount due under this Section 2.2, such Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed, at the option of the Administrative Agent, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Canadian Dollar Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the applicable Canadian Dollar Loan, and such interest and participation may be recovered from such Revolving Credit Lender together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for each day during the period commencing on the date of demand and ending on the date such amount is received.
SECTION 2.3 Swingline Loans.
(a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the U.S. Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Swingline Termination Date; provided, that (i) all Swingline Loans shall be denominated in Dollars and (ii) based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Canadian Dollar Loans and L/C Obligations and (ii) the Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the U.S. Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans hereunder until the Maturity Date.
(b) Refunding.
(i) Swingline Loans shall be refunded by the Revolving Credit Lenders on demand by the Swingline Lender. Such refundings shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages and shall thereafter be reflected as Revolving Credit Loans of the Revolving Credit Lenders on the books and records of the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall fund its respective Commitment
27
Percentage of Revolving Credit Loans as required to repay Swingline Loans outstanding to the Swingline Lender upon demand by the Swingline Lender but in no event later than 1:00 p.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand is made. No Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to fund its respective Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Revolving Credit Lender’s failure to fund its Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to fund its Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan.
(ii) The U.S. Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender on demand the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. In addition, the U.S. Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge any account maintained by the U.S. Borrower with the Swingline Lender or any Affiliate thereof (up to the amount available therein) in order to immediately pay the Swingline Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. If any portion of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the U.S. Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages.
(iii) Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to refund Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.3 is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article V. Further, each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees and acknowledges that if prior to the refunding of any outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.3, one of the Events of Default described in Sections 12.1(i) or (j) shall have occurred, each Revolving Credit Lender will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan would have been made, purchase an undivided participating interest in the Swingline Loan to be refunded in an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loan. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation and upon receipt thereof the Swingline Lender will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a certificate evidencing such participation dated the date of receipt of such funds and for such amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Lender’s participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account thereof, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Credit Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded).
(iv) In the event that any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make payment to the Swingline Lender of any amount due under this Section, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Swingline Lender, shall be entitled to receive, retain and apply against such obligation the principal and interest otherwise payable to such Revolving Credit Lender hereunder until the
28
Swingline Lender receives such payment from such Revolving Credit Lender or such obligation is otherwise fully satisfied. In addition to the foregoing, if for any reason any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make payment to the Swingline Lender of any amount due under this Section, such Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed, at the option of the Administrative Agent, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Swingline Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the applicable Swingline Loan, and such interest and participation may be recovered from such Revolving Credit Lender together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for each day during the period commencing on the date of demand and ending on the date such amount is received.
SECTION 2.4 Procedure for Advances of Loans.
(a) Requests for Borrowing. The U.S. Borrower, on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (a “Notice of Borrowing”) not later than Noon (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan, each Canadian Dollar Loan and each Swingline Loan, and (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan of its intention to borrow, specifying the following:
(A) | the applicable Borrower; | |||
(B) | the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day; | |||
(C) | whether such Loan is to be a Revolving Credit Loan, a Canadian Dollar Loan or a Swingline Loan; | |||
(D) | if such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan, whether such Revolving Credit Loan shall be denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency; | |||
(E) | if such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan in Dollars, whether such Revolving Credit Loan shall be a LIBOR Rate Loan or a Base Rate Loan; | |||
(F) | the amount of such borrowing, which shall be in an amount (or the Alternative Currency Amount, if applicable) equal to the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Alternative Currency Commitment, the Canadian Dollar Commitment or the Swingline Commitment, as applicable, then available to the Borrowers, or if less, (1) with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans), in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, (2) with respect to Canadian Base Rate Loans, in an aggregate principal amount of C$100,000 or a whole multiple of C$100,000 in excess thereof (3) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, (4) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in euro in an aggregate principal amount of € 500,000 or a whole multiple of €250,000 in excess thereof, (5) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans |
29
denominated in Pounds Sterling in an aggregate principal amount of £500,000 or a whole multiple of £250,000 in excess thereof, (6) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in a Permitted Currency (other than Pounds Sterling, Canadian Dollars, or euro), based upon the Alternative Currency Amount thereof, in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (7) with respect to Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof; and |
(H) | in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto. |
A Notice of Borrowing received after Noon shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing.
(b) Disbursement of Loans.
(i) Not later than 2:00 p.m. on the proposed borrowing date for any Revolving Credit Loan denominated in Dollars, each Revolving Credit Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in Dollars in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such borrowing date.
(ii) Not later than Noon (the time of the location of the office of the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent) on or before the proposed borrowing date for any Revolving Credit Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, each Revolving Credit Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Borrower, at the location of the office of the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent in the requested Alternative Currency in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loan to be made on such borrowing date.
(iii) Not later than 1:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the proposed borrowing date for any Canadian Base Rate Loan, the Canadian Dollar Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Canadian Borrower, at the office of the Canadian Dollar Lender in Canadian Dollars in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the Canadian Dollar Loan to be made on such borrowing date.
(iv) Not later than 2:00 p.m. on the proposed borrowing date for any Swingline Loan, as applicable, the Swingline Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the U.S. Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in Dollars in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Loans to be made on such borrowing date.
30
(v) The Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly, disburse the proceeds of each borrowing requested pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) in immediately available funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the applicable Borrower identified in the most recent notices substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (a “Notice of Account Designation”) delivered by the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of itself and the other Borrowers, to the Administrative Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of itself and the other Borrowers, and the Administrative Agent from time to time. Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to disburse any amount with respect to any Loan requested pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) to the extent that such amount has not been made available by the applicable Lenders to the Administrative Agent.
(vi) Revolving Credit Loans to be made for the purpose of (A) refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders as provided in Section 2.3(b) and (B) refunding Canadian Dollar Loans shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders as provided in Section 2.2(b).
SECTION 2.5 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Repayment on Maturity Date. The Borrowers agree to repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) all Revolving Credit Loans in full in the Permitted Currency in which the Revolving Credit Loan was initially funded on the Maturity Date, (ii) all Canadian Dollar Loans in full in Canadian Dollars on the Maturity Date, and (iii) all Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.3(b) or, if earlier, on the Maturity Date, together, in each case, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon.
(b) Mandatory Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans.
(i) Aggregate Commitment. If at any time (as determined by the Administrative Agent under Section 2.5(b)(vi)), based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, (A) solely because of currency fluctuation, the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Extensions of Credit exceeds one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Aggregate Commitment or (B) for any other reason, the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Extensions of Credit exceeds the Aggregate Commitment, then, in each such case, the Borrowers shall designate which Revolving Credit Loans to be repaid or, in the event of no such designation, shall (1) first, if (and to the extent) necessary to eliminate such excess, immediately repay outstanding Swingline Loans (and/or reduce any pending request for a borrowing of such Loans submitted in respect of such Loans on such day) by the Dollar Amount of such excess, (2) second, if (and to the extent) necessary to eliminate such excess, immediately repay outstanding Revolving Credit Loans which are Base Rate Loans (and/or reduce any pending requests for a borrowing or continuation or conversion of such Loans submitted in respect of such Loans on such day) by the Dollar Amount of such excess, (3) third, if (and to the extent) necessary to eliminate such excess, immediately repay outstanding Revolving Credit Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (and/or reduce any pending requests for a borrowing or continuation or conversion of such Loans submitted in respect of such Loans on such day) by the Dollar Amount of such excess, (4) fourth, if (and to the extent)
31
necessary to eliminate such excess, immediately repay outstanding Alternative Currency Loans (other than Canadian Dollar Loans) (and/or reduce any pending requests for a borrowing or continuation or conversion of such Loans submitted in respect of such Loans on such day) by the Dollar Amount of such excess, (5) fifth, if (and to the extent) necessary to eliminate such excess, immediately repay outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans (and/or reduce any pending requests for a borrowing of such Loans submitted in respect of such Loans on such day) by the Dollar Amount of such excess, and (6) sixth, with respect to any Letters of Credit then outstanding, if (and to the extent) necessary to eliminate such excess make a payment of cash collateral into a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders in an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit (such cash collateral to be applied in accordance with Section 12.2(b)).
(ii) Alternative Currency Commitment. If at any time (as determined by the Administrative Agent under Section 2.5(b)(vi)), based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, (A) solely because of currency fluctuation, the outstanding principal amount of all Alternative Currency Loans exceeds the lesser of (1) one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations and (2) one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Alternative Currency Commitment or (B) for any other reason, the outstanding principal amount of all Alternative Currency Loans exceeds the lesser of (1) the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars and L/C Obligations and (2) the Alternative Currency Commitment, then, in each such case, Alternative Currency Loan(s) shall be immediately repaid, in the currency in which such Alternative Currency Loan(s) were initially funded, by the applicable Borrower or Borrowers to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, in such amount as is necessary to reduce the outstanding Dollar Amount of Alternative Currency Loans to an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the Aggregate Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars and L/C Obligations and (2) the Alternative Currency Commitment. Such payments will be applied to such Alternative Currency Loans as directed by the Borrower.
(iii) Canadian Dollar Commitment. If at any time (as determined by the Administrative Agent under Section 2.5(b)(vi)), based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, (A) solely because of currency fluctuation, the outstanding principal amount of all Canadian Dollar Loans exceeds one hundred five percent (105%) of the Canadian Dollar Commitment or (B) for any other reason, the outstanding principal amount of all Canadian Dollar Loans exceeds the Canadian Dollar Commitment, then, in each such case, Canadian Dollar Loan(s) shall be immediately repaid, in Canadian Dollars, by the Canadian Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Canadian Dollar Lender, in such amount as is necessary to reduce the outstanding Dollar Amount of Canadian Dollar Loan(s) to an amount equal to the Canadian Dollar Commitment. Such payments will be applied to such Canadian Dollars Loans as directed by the Borrower.
(iv) Swingline Commitment. If at any time (as determined by the Administrative Agent under Section 2.5(b)(vi)), based upon the Dollar Amount of all Outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, and for any reason, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all
32
Swingline Loans exceeds the Swingline Commitment, then, in each such case, such excess shall be immediately repaid, in Dollars, by the U.S. Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender. Such payments will be applied to such Swingline Loans as directed by the Borrower.
(v) Excess L/C Obligations. If at any time (as determined by the Administrative Agent under Section 2.5(b)(vi)), based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, and for any reason, the outstanding amount of all L/C Obligations exceeds the L/C Commitment, then, in each such case, the U.S. Borrower shall make a payment of cash collateral into a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Lenders, in an amount equal to the lesser of such excess and the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit (such cash collateral to be applied in accordance with Section 12.2(b)).
(vi) Compliance and Payments. The Borrowers’ compliance with this Section 2.5(b) shall be tested from time to time by the Administrative Agent at its sole discretion, but in any event shall be tested on the date on which (A) the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of the applicable Borrower, requests that the Lenders make a Loan, or (B) the U.S. Borrower requests that the applicable Issuing Lender issue, extend or renew a Letter of Credit, and thereafter at each six (6) month anniversary thereof. Each such repayment pursuant to this Section 2.5(b) shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.11.
(c) Optional Prepayments. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans (in the same Permitted Currency in which the applicable Loan was funded), in whole or in part, (i) upon at least three (3) Business Days’ irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, (ii) upon at least one (1) Business Day irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent with respect to Canadian Dollar Loans, and (iii) upon irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent by Noon on the same Business Day with respect to Base Rate Loans or Swingline Loans, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (a “Notice of Prepayment”), specifying (A) the date of prepayment, (B) the amount of prepayment, (C) whether the prepayment is of Revolving Credit Loans, Alternative Currency Loan, Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each, (D) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, Base Rate Loans, Canadian Dollar Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate amount of:
(i) $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans),
(ii) C$100,000 or a whole multiple of C$100,000 in excess thereof with respect to Canadian Base Rate Loans,
33
(iii) $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars,
(iv), €500,000 or a whole multiple of €250,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in euro,
(v) £500,000 or a whole multiple of £250,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Pounds Sterling,
(vi) $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in a Permitted Currency (other than Pounds Sterling, Canadian Dollars, or euro), based upon the Alternative Currency Amount thereof, and
(vii) $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof with respect to Swingline Loans.
A Notice of Prepayment received after applicable time set forth above shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Each such prepayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.11 (to the extent that the Borrower has received notice of the amount due pursuant to such Section at the time of such prepayment); provided that any such amounts due under Section 4.11 that are not paid at the time of such prepayment shall be paid by the Borrower promptly upon demand therefor.
(d) Limitation on Prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrowers may not prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless such prepayment is accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof.
(e) Payment of Interest. Each repayment pursuant to this Section 2.5(e) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid.
(f) Hedging Agreements. All Hedging Agreements, if any, between any Credit Party and a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of said Hedging Agreements which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayment, acceleration, reduction, increase or change in the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, except as may be otherwise provided in said Hedging Agreement, and any payoff statement from the Administrative Agent relating to the Credit Facility shall not apply to said Hedging Agreements except as otherwise expressly provided in such payoff statement.
SECTION 2.6 Permanent Reduction of the Aggregate Commitment.
(a) Voluntary Reduction. The U.S. Borrower, on behalf of the Borrowers, shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon at least three (3) Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, (i) the entire Aggregate Commitment at any time or (ii) portions of the Aggregate Commitment, from
34
time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitment shall (i) be applied to the Commitment of each Lender according to its Commitment Percentage and (ii) permanently reduce the Alternative Currency Commitment and the Canadian Dollar Commitment pro rata in accordance with the relative amount of the Alternative Currency Commitment, the Canadian Dollar Commitment and the Revolving Credit Commitment. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
(b) Corresponding Payment. Each permanent reduction permitted pursuant to this Section 2.6(b) shall be accompanied, if necessary, by a payment of principal sufficient to reduce (i) the aggregate Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, as applicable, after such reduction to the Aggregate Commitment as so reduced, (ii) to the extent that the Canadian Commitment is reduced, the aggregate Dollar Amount of all outstanding Canadian Dollar Loans to the Canadian Commitment as so reduced and (iii) to the extent that the outstanding Alternative Currency Commitment is reduced, the aggregate Dollar Amount of all outstanding Alternative Currency Loans to the Alternative Currency Commitment as so reduced. If the Aggregate Commitment as so reduced is less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, the U.S. Borrower shall be required to deposit cash collateral in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the lesser of the difference and the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Such cash collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 12.2(b). Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by payment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and Canadian Dollar Loans (and furnishing of cash collateral satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for all L/C Obligations) and shall result in the termination of the Aggregate Commitment, the Alternative Currency Commitment, the Swingline Commitment, the Canadian Commitment and the Revolving Credit Facility. Such cash collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 12.2(b). If the reduction of the Aggregate Commitment requires the repayment of any LIBOR Rate Loan, such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof.
SECTION 2.7 Termination of Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.8 Nature of Obligations. The obligations of the U.S. Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall be joint and several with the Obligations of the Foreign Borrowers; provided, that no Foreign Borrower shall be liable for the Obligations of the U.S. Borrower nor any other Foreign Borrower. The Obligations of each of the UK Borrower, the German Borrower and the Canadian Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall be several and not joint and several.
SECTION 2.9 Increase of Aggregate Commitment. So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time prior to and including the third (3rd) anniversary of the Closing Date, the U.S. Borrower shall have the right, in consultation with the Administrative Agent, from time to time and upon not less than fifteen (15) days prior
35
written notice to the Administrative Agent to increase the Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that:
(a) Each increase in the Aggregate Commitment shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof up to a maximum total increase in the Aggregate Commitment of $50,000,000. Increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall not increase or otherwise affect the Canadian Dollar Commitment or the Swingline Commitment.
(b) (i) Each existing Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to commit to all or a portion of the proposed increase, (ii) the failure by any existing Lender to respond to a request for such increase shall be deemed to be a refusal of such request by such existing Lender and (iii) if the Administrative Agent does not receive sufficient commitments from the existing Lenders to fund the entire amount of the proposed increase, the U.S. Borrower may then solicit commitments from other banks, financial institutions or investment funds that are reasonably acceptable to both the Administrative Agent and the U.S. Borrower.
(c) Any increase in the Aggregate Commitment which is accomplished by increasing the Commitment of any Lender or Lenders who are at the time of such increase party to this Agreement (which Lender or Lenders shall consent to such increase in their sole and absolute discretion) shall be accomplished as follows: (i) this Agreement will be amended by the Parents, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and those Lender(s) whose Commitment(s) is or are being increased (but notwithstanding Section 14.2 without any requirement that the consent of any other Lender be obtained) to reflect the revised Commitment of each of the Lenders, (ii) entries in the Register will be revised to reflect the revised Commitment and Commitment Percentage of each of the Lenders, (iii) the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Commitment Percentages of Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations will be reallocated on the effective date of such increase among the Lenders in accordance with their revised Commitment Percentages (and the Lenders agree to make all payments and adjustments necessary to effect the reallocation and the Borrowers shall pay any and all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs required pursuant to Section 4.11 in connection with such reallocation as if such reallocation were a repayment) and (iv) if requested by such Lender or Lenders, the Borrowers will deliver new Revolving Credit Note(s) to the Lender or Lenders whose Commitment(s) is or are being increased reflecting the revised Commitment of such Lender(s).
(d) Any increase in the Aggregate Commitment which is accomplished by addition of a new Lender or Lenders under the Agreement shall be accomplished as follows: (i) each new Lender shall be an Eligible Assignee and shall be subject to the consent of the Administrative Agent and the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of itself and the Foreign Borrowers, which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) this Agreement will be amended by the Parents, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and each new Lender (but notwithstanding Section 14.2 without any requirement that the consent of any other Lender be obtained) to reflect the addition of each new Lender as a Lender hereunder, (iii) entries in the Register will be revised to reflect the revised Commitment and Commitment Percentages of each of the Lenders (including each new Lender), (iv) the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Commitment Percentages of Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations will be reallocated on the effective date of such
36
increase among the Revolving Credit Lenders (including each new Lender) in accordance with their revised Commitment Percentages (and the Lenders (including each new Lender) agree to make all payments and adjustments necessary to effect the reallocation and the Borrowers shall pay any and all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs required pursuant to Section 4.11 in connection with such reallocation as if such reallocation were a repayment) and (v) at the request of any new Lender, the Borrowers will deliver a Revolving Credit Note to such new Lender.
ARTICLE III
LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 3.1 L/C Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lenders, in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agree to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the U.S. Borrower on any Business Day from the Closing Date through five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date in such form as may be approved from time to time by the applicable Issuing Lender; provided, that the Issuing Lenders shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, based upon the Dollar Amount of all outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations, the aggregate amount of all outstanding L/C Obligations would exceed the lesser of (i) the L/C Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Commitment less the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans. Each Letter of Credit (other than the Existing Letters of Credit) shall (i) be denominated in a Permitted Currency in a minimum amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) (or the Alternative Currency Amount thereof with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency) or a lesser amount acceptable to the applicable Issuing Lender, (ii) be a standby letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) expire on a date satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Lender, which date shall be no later than the earlier of (A) five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date and (B) one year after its date of issuance, and (iv) be subject to the Uniform Customs and/or ISP98, as set forth in the applicable Letter of Credit Application or as determined by the applicable Issuing Lender and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York or such other jurisdiction as is agreed to by the applicable Issuing Lender. As of the Closing Date, each of the Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, a Letter of Credit issued and outstanding hereunder. An Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or cause such Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any Applicable Law. References herein to “issue” and derivations thereof with respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any Existing Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit. The U.S. Borrower may from time to time request that the applicable Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the applicable Issuing Lender at the applicable address therefore and to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office a Letter of Credit Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the applicable Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the applicable Issuing Lender may
37
request (which information shall include the Permitted Currency in which the Letters of Credit shall be denominated). Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the applicable Issuing Lender shall process such Letter of Credit Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall, subject to Section 3.1 and Article V, promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the applicable Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business Days after its receipt of the Letter of Credit Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the applicable Issuing Lender and the applicable Borrower. The applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the U.S. Borrower a copy of such Letter of Credit and promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance and upon request by any Revolving Credit Lender, furnish to such Revolving Credit Lender a copy of such Letter of Credit and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s participation therein.
SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.
(a) Letter of Credit Commissions. The U.S. Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit commission with respect to each Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the face amount of such Letter of Credit multiplied by the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans (determined on a per annum basis). Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute to the applicable Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants all commissions received pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages.
(b) Issuance Fee. In addition to the foregoing commission, the U.S. Borrower shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender, an issuance fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued thereby in an amount equal to the face amount of such Letter of Credit multiplied by one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) per annum. Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the applicable Issuing Lender.
(c) Other Costs. In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the U.S. Borrower shall pay or reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses as are incurred or charged by the applicable Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.4 L/C Participations.
(a) The Issuing Lenders irrevocably agree to grant and hereby grant to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C
38
Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the applicable Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage in the applicable Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by the applicable Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lenders that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the applicable Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the U.S. Borrower through a Revolving Credit Loan or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender in the applicable Permitted Currency upon demand at the applicable Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Commitment Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
(b) Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by any Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender shall notify each L/C Participant of the amount and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender in the applicable Permitted Currency the amount specified on the applicable due date. If any such amount is paid to the applicable Issuing Lender after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender in the applicable Permitted Currency on demand, in addition to such amount, the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate as determined by the Administrative Agent during the period from and including the date such payment is due to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the applicable Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the Issuing applicable Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 3.4 shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to payment to any Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts described in this Section 3.4, if the L/C Participants receive notice that any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due that Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.
(c) Whenever, at any time after the applicable Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its Commitment Percentage of such payment in accordance with this Section 3.4(c), the applicable Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the U.S. Borrower or otherwise), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the applicable Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by the applicable Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the applicable Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the applicable Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the applicable Issuing Lender to it.
39
(d) The commissions, reasonable, out-of-pocket fees, charges, costs and expenses payable pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be payable in the Permitted Currency in which the applicable Letter of Credit is denominated.
SECTION 3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers.
(a) In the event of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the U.S. Borrower agrees to reimburse (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided for in this Section 3.5 or with funds from other sources), in same day funds in the applicable Permitted Currency in which the Letter of Credit was denominated, the applicable Issuing Lender on each date on which the applicable Issuing Lender notifies the U.S. Borrower of the date and amount of a draft paid under any Letter of Credit for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by the applicable Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Unless the U.S. Borrower shall immediately notify the applicable Issuing Lender that it intends to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for such drawing from other sources or funds, the U.S. Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Revolving Credit Lenders make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate on such date in the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by the applicable Issuing Lender in connection with such payment (including, without limitation, any and all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs, fees and other expenses incurred by the applicable Issuing Lender in effecting the payment of the Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency), and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate in such amount, the proceeds of which shall be applied to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for the amount of the related drawing and costs and expenses. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to fund a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with this Section 3.5(a) to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for any draft paid under a Letter of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.5(a) or Article V. If the U.S. Borrower has elected to pay the amount of such drawing with funds from other sources and shall fail to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender as provided above, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate which would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full.
(b) Exchange Indemnification and Increased Costs. The U.S. Borrower shall, upon demand from any Issuing Lender or L/C Participant, pay to such Issuing Lender or L/C Participant, the amount of (i) any loss or reasonable cost or increased cost incurred by such Issuing Lender or L/C Participant, (ii) any reduction in any amount payable to or in the effective return on the capital to such Issuing Lender or L/C Participant, (iii) any currency exchange loss, in each case that such Issuing Lender or L/C Participant sustains as a result of the U.S. Borrower’s repayment in Dollars of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency. A certificate of such Issuing Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for determining such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Issuing Lender shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.
40
SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute. The U.S. Borrower’s obligations under this Article III (including, without limitation, the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment which the U.S. Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing Lender or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The U.S. Borrower also agrees that the Issuing Lenders and the L/C Participants shall not be responsible for, and the U.S. Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligation under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the U.S. Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the U.S. Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. Neither Issuing Lender shall be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions caused by such Issuing Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The U.S. Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the applicable Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall be binding on the U.S. Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the applicable Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to the U.S. Borrower. The responsibility of the applicable Issuing Lender to the U.S. Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are in conformity with such Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.7 Effect of Letter of Credit Application. To the extent that any provision of any Letter of Credit Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Article III, the provisions of this Article III shall govern.
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.1 Interest.
(a) Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.1, at the election of the applicable Borrower, (i) Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars shall bear interest at (A) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or (B) the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin (provided that the LIBOR Rate shall not be available until (3) Business Days after the Closing Date), (ii) Revolving Credit Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall bear interest at the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin (provided that the LIBOR Rate shall not be available until (3) Business Days after the Closing Date), (iii) Canadian Dollar Loans shall bear interest at the Canadian Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and (iv) Swingline Loans shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The applicable Borrower shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any Loan at the time a Notice
41
of Borrowing is given pursuant to Section 2.4 or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.2. Each Loan or portion thereof bearing interest based on the Base Rate (including, without limitation, each Swingline Loan) shall be a “Base Rate Loan” and each Loan or portion thereof bearing interest based on the LIBOR Rate shall be a “LIBOR Rate Loan.” Any Loan or any portion thereof as to which such Borrower has not duly specified an interest rate (excluding Alternative Currency Loans) as provided herein shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan denominated in Dollars. Requests for Alternative Currency Loans (other than Canadian Dollar Loans) as to which the Borrower has not duly specified an interest rate and interest period shall be deemed a LIBOR Rate Loan for a one (1) month interest period.
(b) Interest Periods. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of itself or the applicable Borrower, by giving notice at the times described in Section 2.4 or 4.2, as applicable, shall elect an interest period (each, an “Interest Period”) to be applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan, which Interest Period shall be a period of one (1), two (2), three (3), or six (6) months; provided that:
(i) the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;
(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided, that if any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(iii) any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(iv) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date; and
(v) there shall be no more than eight (8) Interest Periods in effect at any time.
(c) Default Rate. (i) Automatically upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Sections 12.1(a), (b), (i) and (j) and (ii) subject to Section 12.3, at the election of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, (A) the Borrowers shall no longer have the option to request LIBOR Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit, (B) all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans in Dollars shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to LIBOR Rate Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period and thereafter, during the continuation of such Event of Default, at a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, (C) all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans in Alternative
42
Currencies (other than Canadian Dollar Loans) shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to LIBOR Rate Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period and thereafter during the continuation of such Event of Default, shall be converted to Base Rate Loans in Dollars bearing interest at a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, (D) all outstanding Canadian Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to Canadian Base Rate Loans and (E) all outstanding Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans and other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans. Interest shall continue to accrue on the Obligations after the filing by or against any Borrower of any petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any act or law pertaining to insolvency or debtor relief, whether state, federal or foreign. The interest accrued pursuant to this Section 4.1(c) shall be payable by the applicable Borrower on demand of the Administrative Agent.
(d) Interest Payment and Computation.
(i) Interest on each Base Rate Loan and each Canadian Base Rate Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing March 31, 2005; and interest on each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and if such Interest Period extends over three (3) months, at the end of each three (3) month interval during such Interest Period. Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans (except for Alternative Currency Loans denominated in Pounds Sterling which should be computed on the basis of a 365 day year) and all fees payable hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed and interest on Base Rate Loans and Canadian Base Rate Loans shall be computed on the basis of a 365/66-day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed.
(ii) For greater certainty, whenever any amount is payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Canadian Borrower as interest or as a fee which requires the calculation of an amount using a percentage per annum, each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that such amount shall be calculated as of the date payment is due without application of the “deemed reinvestment principle” or the “effective yield method” (e.g. when interest is calculated and payable monthly, the rate of interest payable per month is 1/12 of the stated rate of interest per annum).
(e) Maximum Rate.
(i) In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest under this Agreement charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable Law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that the Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the highest applicable rate, the rate in effect hereunder shall automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Law and the
43
Lenders shall at the Administrative Agent’s option (A) promptly refund to the Borrowers any interest received by the Lenders in excess of the maximum lawful rate or (B) apply such excess to the principal balance of the Obligations on a pro rata basis. It is the intent hereof that the Borrowers not pay or contract to pay, and that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by the Borrowers under Applicable Law.
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.1 or any other provision of this Agreement, in no event shall the aggregate “interest” (as such term is defined in Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada)) exceed the effective annual rate of interest on the “credit advanced” (as such term is defined in Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada)) lawfully permitted under Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). The effective annual rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles over the term of the applicable Loan, and in the event of a dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries qualified for a period of ten (10) years and appointed by the Canadian Dollar Lender will be conclusive for the purposes of such determination. A certificate of an authorized signing officer of the Canadian Dollar Lender as to each amount and/or each rate of interest payable hereunder from time to time shall be conclusive evidence of such amount and of such rate, absent manifest error.
(f) Basis of Accrual. Subject to Section 1.9 hereof, with respect to the currency of any state that becomes a Participating Member State, the accrual of interest or fees expressed in this Agreement with respect to such currency shall be based upon the applicable convention or practice in the London Interbank Market for the basis of accrual of interest or fees in respect of the euro, which such convention or practice shall replace such expressed basis effective as of and from the date on which such state becomes a Participating Member State; provided that if any Loan in the currency of such state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Loan, at the end of the then current Interest Period.
SECTION 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Revolving Credit Loans. Provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Borrowers shall have the option to (a) convert at any time following the third Business Day after the Closing Date all or any portion of any outstanding Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in a principal amount equal to $500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof into one or more LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, convert all or any part of its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars in a principal amount equal to $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof into Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) or (c) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, continue any LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in any Permitted Currency in a principal amount of (a) $500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, if denominated in Dollars; (b) €500,000 or any whole multiple of €500,000 in excess thereof, if denominated in euros (c) £500,000 or whole multiple of £500,000 in excess thereof, if denominated in Pounds Sterling; and (d) $500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess
44
thereof (or with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Alternative Currency Amount in each case thereof) as a LIBOR Rate Loan in the same Permitted Currency. Whenever a Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as provided above, the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of such Borrower, shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit E (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) not later than 11:00 a.m. (Charlotte time) four (4) Business Days (with respect to any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency) and three (3) Business Days (with respect to any Loan denominated in Dollars) before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the Permitted Currency in which such Loan is denominated, (C) the effective date of such conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (D) the principal amount of such Loans to be converted or continued, and (E) the Interest Period to be applicable to such converted or continued LIBOR Rate Loan. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of such Notice of Conversion/Continuation.
SECTION 4.3 Fees.
(a) Commitment Fee. Commencing on the Closing Date, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders (other than the Canadian Dollar Lender), a non-refundable commitment fee at a rate per annum corresponding to the Applicable Margin set forth in the table in the definition of Applicable Margin, on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that (i) the amount of Canadian Dollar Loans shall not be considered usage of the Revolving Credit Commitment for the purpose of calculating the commitment fee payable to the Lenders and (ii) the amount of Swingline Loans shall not be considered usage of the Revolving Credit Commitment for purposes of calculating the commitment fee payable to the Lenders (other than the Swingline Lender). The commitment fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter during the term of this Agreement commencing March 31, 2005, and on the Maturity Date. Such commitment fee shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders (other than the Canadian Dollar Lender) pro rata in accordance with the Lenders’ respective Commitment Percentages.
(b) Administrative Agent’s and Other Fees. In order to compensate the Administrative Agent for structuring and syndicating the Loans and for its obligations hereunder, the Company and the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent and its affiliates, for their own account, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
SECTION 4.4 Manner of Payment.
(a) Loans and Letters of Credit Denominated in Dollars. Each payment by the Borrowers (other than the Canadian Borrower) on account of the principal of or interest on any Loan or Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars or of any fee, commission or other amounts (including the Reimbursement Obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars) payable to the Lenders under this Agreement or any Note (except as set forth in Section 4.4(b)) shall be made in Dollars not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the account
45
of the Lenders (other than as set forth below) pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages as applicable, (except as specified below) in immediately available funds and shall be made without any set-off, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 12.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. With respect to each Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars, each payment to the Administrative Agent of the Issuing Lenders’ fees or L/C Participants’ commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants, as the case may be.
(b) Loans and Letters of Credit Denominated in Alternative Currencies. Each payment by the Borrowers (other than the Canadian Borrower) on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency or any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency (including the Reimbursement Obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency) shall be made in such Alternative Currency not later than 1:00 p.m. (the time of the location of the office of the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent) on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent’s account with the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent for the account of the Lenders (other than as set forth below) pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (except as set forth below) in immediately available funds, and shall be made without any set-off, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. (the time of the location of the office of the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent) on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 12.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. (the time of the location of the office of the Administrative Agent’s Correspondent) shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. With respect to each Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, each payment to the Administrative Agent of the Issuing Lenders’ fees or L/C Participants’ commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants, as the case may be.
(c) Canadian Dollar Loans. Each payment by or on behalf of the Canadian Borrower, on account of the principal of or interest on the Canadian Dollar Loans shall be made in Canadian Dollars not later than 1:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent’s account with the Canadian Dollar Lender for the account of the Canadian Dollar Lender (other than as set forth below) in immediately available funds, and shall be made without any set-off, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 12.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes.
(d) General Payment Provisions. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of each such payment, the Administrative Agent shall distribute to each Lender at its address for notices
46
set forth herein its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with such Lender’s Commitment Percentage (except as specified below) and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of the Issuing Lenders’ fees or L/C Participants’ commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants, as the case may be. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agent’s fees or expenses shall be made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any amount payable to any Lender under Sections 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 or 14.2 shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent with respect to Swingline Loans (including, without limitation, the Swingline Lender’s fees or expenses) shall be made for the account of the Swingline Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent with respect to the Canadian Dollar Loans (including, without limitation, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s fees or expenses) shall be made for the account of the Canadian Dollar Lender. Subject to Section 4.1(b)(ii) if any payment under this Agreement shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such payment.
SECTION 4.5 Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Extensions of Credit. The Extensions of Credit made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Extensions of Credit made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers shall promptly execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Revolving Credit Note, a Canadian Dollar Note and/or a Swingline Note, as applicable, which shall evidence such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans, Canadian Dollar Loans and/or Swingline Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) Participations. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
47
SECTION 4.6 Adjustments. If any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations (other than pursuant to Sections 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 or 14.3 hereof) greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that
(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and
(ii) the provisions of this Section 4.6 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Canadian Dollar Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit to any assignee or participant, other than to a Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 4.6 shall apply).
Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Credit Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Credit Party in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 4.7 Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of Credit; Assumption by the Administrative Agent. The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement to make, to issue or to participate in Loans and Letters of Credit, as applicable, are several and are not joint or joint and several. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to a proposed borrowing date that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable portion of the amount to be borrowed on such date (which notice shall not release such Lender of its obligations hereunder), the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the proposed borrowing date in accordance with Sections 2.4(b), and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers on such date a corresponding amount. If such amount is made available to the Administrative Agent on a date after such borrowing date, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand an amount, until paid, equal to (a) with respect to any Loan denominated in Dollars the product of (i) the amount not made available by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate during such period as determined by the Administrative Agent, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and including such borrowing date to the date on which such amount not made
48
available by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof shall have become immediately available to the Administrative Agent and the denominator of which is 360 and (b) with respect to any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, the amount not made available by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof and interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the Administrative Agent’s aggregate marginal cost (including the cost of maintaining any required reserves or deposit insurance and of any fees, penalties, overdraft charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent as a result of the failure to deliver funds hereunder) of carrying such amount. A certificate of the Administrative Agent with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 4.7 shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days after such borrowing date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount made available by the Administrative Agent with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder, on demand, from the Borrowers. The failure of any Lender to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan requested by the Borrowers shall not relieve it or any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, any Lender that fails to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan shall not (a) have any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document (except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender) or (b) constitute a “Lender” (or be included in the calculation of Required Lenders hereunder) for any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document.
SECTION 4.8 Redenomination of Alternative Currency Loans.
(a) Conversion to the Base Rate. If any Alternative Currency Loan is required to bear interest based at the Base Rate rather than the LIBOR Rate pursuant to Section 4.1(c), Section 4.10 or any other applicable provision hereof, such Loan shall be funded in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount of such Alternative Currency Loan, all subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(b). The Borrowers shall reimburse the Lenders upon any such conversion for any amounts required to be paid under Section 4.11.
(b) Redenomination of Loans. Subject to Section 1.9 hereof, any Loan to be denominated in the currency of the applicable Participating Member State shall be made in the euro.
(c) Redenomination of Obligations. Subject to Section 1.9 hereof, any obligation of any party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document which has been denominated in the currency of a Participating Member State shall be redenominated into the euro.
(d) Further Assurances. The terms and provisions of this Agreement will be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Company to reflect the implementation of the EMU in any Participating Member State or any market conventions relating to the fixing and/or calculation of interest
49
being changed or replaced and to reflect market practice at that time, and subject thereto, to put the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrowers in the same position, so far as possible, that they would have been if such implementation had not occurred.
SECTION 4.9. Regulatory Limitation. In the event, as a result of increases in the value of Alternative Currencies against the Dollar or for any other reason, the obligation of any of the Lenders to make Loans (taking into account the Dollar Amount of the Obligations and all other indebtedness required to be aggregated under 12 U.S.C.A. §84, as amended, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any other Applicable Law) is determined by such Lender to exceed its then applicable legal lending limit under 12 U.S.C.A. §84, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or any other Applicable Law, the amount of additional Extensions of Credit such Lender shall be obligated to make or issue or participate in hereunder shall immediately be reduced to the maximum amount which such Lender may legally advance (as determined by such Lender), the obligation of each of the remaining Lenders hereunder shall be proportionately reduced, based on their applicable Commitment Percentages and, to the extent necessary under such laws and regulations (as determined by each of the Lenders, with respect to the applicability of such laws and regulations to itself), and the Borrowers shall reduce, or cause to be reduced, complying to the extent practicable with the remaining provisions hereof, the Obligations outstanding hereunder by an amount sufficient to comply with such maximum amounts.
SECTION 4.10 Changed Circumstances.
(a) Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate, Alternative Currency Availability and Canadian Dollar Availability. If with respect to any Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan the Administrative Agent or any Lender (after consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall determine that (i) by reason of circumstances affecting the foreign exchange and interbank markets generally, deposits in eurodollars or an Alternative Currency in the applicable amounts are not being quoted via Telerate Page Screen 3750 (or any replacement pages on that service) or the applicable Reuters Screen Page or offered to the Administrative Agent or such Lender for such Interest Period, (ii) a fundamental change has occurred in the foreign exchange or interbank markets with respect to any Alternative Currency (including, without limitation, changes in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls), (iii) it has become otherwise materially impractical for the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to make such Loan in an Alternative Currency, (iv) a fundamental change has occurred in the foreign exchange or interbank markets with respect to Canadian Dollars (including, without limitation, changes in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls) or (v) it has become otherwise materially impractical for the Canadian Dollar Lender to make any Canadian Dollar Loans, then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrowers. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers that such circumstances no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders or the Canadian Dollar Lender, as applicable, to make LIBOR Rate Loans or Alternative Currency Loans (including Canadian Dollar Loans), as applicable, and the right of the Borrowers to convert any Loan to or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan, an Alternative Currency Loan (including a Canadian Dollar Loan), as applicable, shall be suspended, and the Borrowers shall repay in full (or cause to be repaid in
50
full) the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan, Alternative Currency Loan or Canadian Dollar Loan, as applicable, together with accrued interest thereon, on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan, Alternative Currency Loan or Canadian Dollar Loan, as applicable, or convert the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan, Alternative Currency Loan or Canadian Dollar Loan, as applicable, to a Base Rate Loan in Dollars as of the last day of such Interest Period; provided that if a Borrower elects to make such conversion, such Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders any and all costs, fees and other expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in effecting such conversion.
(b) Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate, Alternative Currency and Canadian Dollar Availability. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, first made after the date hereof, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, any Alternative Currency Loan or Canadian Dollar Loans, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Borrowers and the other Lenders. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers that such circumstances no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders or the Canadian Dollar Lender to make LIBOR Rate Loans or Alternative Currency Loans (including Canadian Dollar Loans), as applicable, and the right of the Borrowers to convert any Loan or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan, an Alternative Currency Loan (including a Canadian Dollar Loan), as applicable, shall be suspended and thereafter the Borrowers may select only Base Rate Loans hereunder, and (ii) if any of the Lenders may not lawfully continue to maintain a LIBOR Rate Loan or an Alternative Currency Loan, as applicable, to the end of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto as a LIBOR Rate Loan or Alternative Currency Loan, as applicable, the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan or an Alternative Currency Loan, as applicable, shall immediately be converted to a Base Rate Loan in Dollars for the remainder of such Interest Period and (iii) if the Canadian Dollar Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain Canadian Dollar Loans, the applicable Canadian Dollar Loans shall immediately be repaid in full (together with accrued interest thereon); provided that if a Borrower elects to make such conversion, such Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders any and all costs, fees and other expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in effecting such conversion.
SECTION 4.11 Indemnity. Each Borrower hereby indemnifies each of the Lenders against any loss or expense (including, without limitation, any foreign exchange costs) which may arise or be attributable to each Lender’s obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits or other funds acquired to effect, fund or maintain any Revolving Credit Loan (a) as a consequence of any failure by any Borrower to make any payment when due of any amount due hereunder in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan or a Canadian Dollar Loan, (b) due to any failure of any Borrower to borrow, continue or convert on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation or (c) due to any payment, prepayment or conversion of any
51
LIBOR Rate Loan or Canadian Dollar Loan on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor. The amount of such loss or expense shall be determined, in the applicable Lender’s sole discretion, based upon the assumption that such Lender funded its Commitment Percentage of the LIBOR Rate Loans in the London interbank market and using any reasonable attribution or averaging methods which such Lender deems appropriate and practical. A certificate of such Lender setting forth the basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be forwarded to the U.S. Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.
SECTION 4.12 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or advances, loans or other credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate), the Canadian Dollar Lender or any Issuing Lender (or any of their respective Lending Offices);
(ii) subject any Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or any Issuing Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Canadian Dollar Loan, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Canadian Dollar Loan or a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or any Issuing Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 4.13 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender); or
(iii) impose on any Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or any Issuing Lender (or any of their respective Lending Offices) or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement, any Canadian Dollar Loan, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Canadian Dollar Loan or a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender of making, converting into or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency or Canadian Dollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Canadian Dollar Loan or Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Canadian Dollar Loan or Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender, the Borrowers shall promptly pay to any such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Canadian
52
Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or any Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender or any lending office of such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender, the Canadian Lender or such Issuing Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender, the Canadian Dollar or such Issuing Lender or such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrowers shall promptly pay to such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender or such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or the applicable Issuing Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 4.12(c) and delivered to the Borrowers shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
(d) Exchange Indemnification and Increased Costs. The Borrowers shall, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender, the amount of (i) any customary loss or cost or increased cost incurred by the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender, (ii) any reduction in any amount payable to or in the effective return on the capital to the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender, (iii) any interest or any other return, including principal, foregone by the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender as a result of the introduction of, change over to or operation of the euro, or (iv) any currency exchange loss, that Administrative Agent or any Lender sustains as a result of any payment being made by a Borrower in a currency other than that originally extended to such Borrower or as a result of any other currency exchange loss incurred by the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender under this Agreement. A certificate of the Administrative Agent setting forth the basis for determining such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Administrative Agent or the applicable Lender shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.
53
(e) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or the applicable Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 4.12 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrowers of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s, the Canadian Dollar Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
SECTION 4.13 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Except as otherwise required by this Agreement, any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if any Borrower shall be required by Applicable Law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.13) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Issuing Lenders, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) such Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrowers shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
(c) Indemnification by the Borrowers. The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Lender, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 4.13) paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the U.S. Borrower by a Lender or the applicable Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the applicable Issuing Lender executed by an officer of the party providing the certificate, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by any Borrower to a Governmental Authority, such Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such
54
Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which a Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the applicable Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement and at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by Applicable Law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that applicable Borrower is a resident for tax purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,
(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the applicable Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or
(iv) any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit applicable Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
Without limiting the obligations of the Lenders set forth above regarding delivery of certain forms and documents to establish each Lender’s status for U.S. withholding tax purposes, each Lender agrees promptly to deliver to the Administrative Agent and the U.S. Borrower, on
55
behalf of itself and the Foreign Borrowers, as the Administrative Agent or the U.S. Borrower, on behalf of itself and the Foreign Borrowers, shall reasonably request, on or prior to the Closing Date, and in a timely fashion thereafter (including, without limitation, on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement and at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law), such other documents and forms required by any relevant taxing authorities under the Applicable Laws of any other jurisdiction, duly executed and completed by such Lender, as are required under such Applicable Laws to confirm such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Lender by the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in such other jurisdiction. Each Lender shall promptly (i) notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any such claimed exemption or reduction, and (ii) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably necessary (including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid any requirement of Applicable Laws of any such jurisdiction that any Borrower make any deduction or withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such Lender. Additionally, each Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall reasonably request, on or prior to the Closing Date, and in a timely fashion thereafter, such documents and forms required by any relevant taxing authorities under the Applicable Laws of any jurisdiction, duly executed and completed by such Borrower, as are required to be furnished by such Lender or the Administrative Agent under such Applicable Laws in connection with any payment by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of Taxes or Other Taxes, or otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents, with respect to such jurisdiction.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrowers or with respect to which the Borrowers have paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.13, it shall pay to the Borrowers an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrowers under this Section 4.13 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrowers, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender, agree to repay the amount paid over to the Borrowers (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrowers or any other Person.
(g) Survival. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrowers hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrowers contained in this Section 4.13 shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of the Commitments.
56
SECTION 4.14 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.12, or requires the Borrowers to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.13, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.12 or Section 4.13, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all customary and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender (or Participant) requests compensation under Section 4.12, or if the Borrowers are required to suspend requests for types or amounts of loans or pay any additional amount to any Lender (or Participant) or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.9, 4.10, or 4.13, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender (or Participant) to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 14.11), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:
(i) the Borrowers shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 14.11;
(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letters of Credit, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 4.11) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 4.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 4.13, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(iv) such assignment does not conflict with Applicable Law; and
(v) the Canadian Dollar Lender may not be replaced without the prior consent of the Administrative Agent.
57
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
SECTION 4.15 Redenomination of Canadian Dollar Loans. If any Canadian Dollar Loan is required to bear interest based at the Base Rate rather than the Canadian Base Rate pursuant to any applicable provision hereof, such Loan shall be funded in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount of such Canadian Dollar Loan, all subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(b). The U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrower shall reimburse the Lenders upon any such conversion for any amounts required to be paid under Section 4.11.
SECTION 4.16 U.S. Borrower as Agent for the Foreign Borrowers. Each Foreign Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the U.S. Borrower (a) to provide the Administrative Agent with all notices with respect to Extensions of Credit obtained for the benefit of such Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement, (b) to take such action on behalf of the Borrowers as the U.S. Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Extensions of Credit and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and (c) to act as its agent for service of process and notices required to be delivered under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that receipt by the U.S. Borrower of any summons, notice or other similar item shall be deemed effective receipt by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.17. Rounding and Other Reasonable Changes. Subject to Section 1.9 hereof, without prejudice and in addition to any method of conversion or rounding prescribed by any EMU Legislation and without prejudice to the respective obligations of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to the Borrowers under or pursuant to this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, each provision of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right to combine currencies to effect a set-off, shall be subject to such reasonable changes of interpretation as the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Company may from time to time specify to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the introduction of or change over to the euro in Participating Member States.
ARTICLE V
CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING
SECTION 5.1 Closing. The closing shall take place at the offices of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, L.L.P. at 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2004, or on such other place, date and time as the parties hereto shall mutually agree.
SECTION 5.2 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The obligation of the Lenders to close this Agreement and to make the initial Loan or issue or participate in the initial Letter of Credit, if any, is subject to the satisfaction or waiver in accordance with Section 14.2 of each of the following conditions:
58
(a) Executed Loan Documents. This Agreement, a Revolving Credit Note in favor of each Lender requesting a Revolving Credit Note, a Canadian Dollar Note in favor of the Canadian Dollar Lender (if requested thereby), a Swingline Note in favor of the Swingline Lender (if requested thereby), the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, together with any other applicable Loan Documents, shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by the parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect and no Default or Event of Default shall exist hereunder or thereunder.
(b) Closing Certificates; Etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) Officer’s Certificate of the Company and the Borrowers. A certificate of the Company and Borrowers signed by a Responsible Officer thereof, to the effect that all representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the Closing Date; provided that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or by reference to Material Adverse Effect shall be true, correct and complete in all respects as of the Closing Date; that none of the Credit Parties are in violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and that each of the Credit Parties, as applicable, has satisfied each of the conditions to be satisfied thereby as set forth in Section 5.2 and Section 5.3.
(ii) Certificate of Responsible Officer of each Credit Party. A certificate of each Credit Party signed by a Responsible Officer thereof certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Credit Party executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (A) the articles of incorporation (or equivalent documentation) of such Credit Party and all amendments thereto, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (B) the bylaws (or equivalent documentation) of such Credit Party as in effect on the Closing Date, (C) resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Credit Party authorizing the transactions contemplated hereunder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or, in the event resolutions are not applicable under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction of formation or any Credit Party, the corresponding evidence of corporate, company, partnership or other applicable action of such Credit Party and (D) each certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.2(b)(iii).
(iii) Certificates of Good Standing. Certificates as of a recent date of the good standing of each Credit Party under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or the equivalent, if any, in any foreign jurisdiction of organization and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each other jurisdiction where such Credit Party is qualified to do business and, to the extent available, a certificate of the relevant taxing authorities of such jurisdictions certifying that such Credit Party has filed required tax returns and owes no delinquent taxes.
59
(iv) Opinions of Counsel. Opinions of counsel to the Credit Parties addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Credit Parties, the Loan Documents and such other matters as the Lenders shall request, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, opinions of foreign counsel to the Credit Parties).
(v) Tax Forms. Copies of the United States Internal Revenue Service or other forms required by Section 4.13(e).
(vi) Liability Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of property, hazard, business interruption and liability insurance, evidence of payment of all insurance premiums for the current policy year of each, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, copies (certified by a Responsible Officer) of insurance policies in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(c) Consents; Defaults.
(i) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Credit Parties shall have received all material governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all such consents and approvals shall be in full force and effect.
(ii) No Injunction, Etc. No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any Governmental Authority to enjoin, restrain, or prohibit, or to obtain substantial damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(d) Financial Matters.
(i) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the interim quarterly period ended at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and prepared in accordance with GAAP (and, with respect to all audited financial statements, to be audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent):
(ii) Financial Projections. The Administrative Agent shall have received financial projections with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared by a Responsible Officer of the Company, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements on an annual basis for the first four years following the Closing Date.
(iii) Financial Condition Certificate. The Company and the U.S. Borrowers, on behalf of itself and the other Borrowers, shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a
60
certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and certified as accurate by a Responsible Officer of each of the Company and the U.S. Borrower, that (A) the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent and (B) attached thereto are calculations evidencing compliance on a pro forma basis with the covenants contained in Article IX hereof.
(iv) Payment at Closing; Fee Letters. The Company and the Borrowers shall have paid to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the fees set forth or referenced in Section 4.3 and any other accrued and unpaid fees or commissions due hereunder (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent (which shall be limited to one counsel per jurisdiction of formation of the Borrowers)) and to any other Person such amount as may be due thereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including all taxes, fees and other charges in connection with the execution, delivery, recording, filing and registration of any of the Loan Documents.
(e) Miscellaneous.
(i) Notice of Account Designation. The Administrative Agent shall have received Notice of Account Designation from the U.S. Borrower specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any Loans made after the Closing Date are to be disbursed.
[(ii) Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent shall have completed, to its satisfaction, all legal and other due diligence with respect to the business, assets, liabilities, operations and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries in scope and determination satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion. In connection therewith, the Administrative Agent may request the results of a Lien search (including a search as to judgments, pending litigation and tax matters), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto, made against the Credit Parties under the Uniform Commercial Code (or applicable judicial docket) as in effect in any state (or foreign jurisdiction) or comparable legislation in other jurisdictions in which any of the assets of such Credit Party are located, indicating among other things that its assets are free and clear of any Lien except for Permitted Liens.]
(iii) Existing Facility. The Existing Facility (other than the Existing Letters of Credit) shall be repaid in full and terminated and all collateral security therefor shall be irrevocably and unconditionally released (or satisfactory arrangements made therefor), and the Administrative Agent shall have received a pay-off letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it evidencing such repayment, termination, reconveyance and release.
[(iv) Other Documents. All opinions, certificates and other instruments and all proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of all other documents, certificates and instruments reasonably requested thereby, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.]
61
SECTION 5.3 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. The obligations of the Lenders to make any Extensions of Credit (including the initial Extension of Credit), convert or continue any Loan and/or the Issuing Lenders to issue or extend any Letter of Credit are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing, continuation, conversion, issuance or extension date:
(a) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in Article VI shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such borrowing, continuation, conversion, issuance or extension date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date, except for any representation and warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or by reference to Material Adverse Effect shall be true, correct and complete in all respects as of such applicable date.
(b) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) on the borrowing, continuation or conversion date with respect to such Loan or after giving effect to the Loans to be made, continued or converted on such date or (ii) on the issuance or extension date with respect to such Letter of Credit or after giving effect to the issuance or extension of such Letter of Credit on such date.
(c) Notices. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as applicable, from the applicable Borrower in accordance with Section 2.4(a) and Section 4.2.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWERS
SECTION 6.1 Representations and Warranties. To induce the Administrative Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make Extensions of Credit, each Parent and each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and Lenders both before and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder that:
(a) Organization; Power; Qualification. Each of the Credit Parties and its Subsidiaries are duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, has the power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization, except where the failure to be qualified or authorized, individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be excepted to have a Material Adverse Effect. The jurisdictions in which each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries are organized and qualified to do business as of the Closing Date are described on Schedule 6.1(a).
62
(b) Ownership. Each Subsidiary of the Company as of the Closing Date is listed on Schedule 6.1(b). As of the Closing Date, the capitalization of the Subsidiaries of the Company consists of the number of shares, authorized, issued and outstanding, of such classes and series, with or without par value, described on Schedule 6.1(b). All outstanding shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof, and not subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The shareholders of the Subsidiaries of the Company and the number of shares owned by each as of the Closing Date are described on Schedule 6.1(b). As of the Closing Date, there are no outstanding stock purchase warrants, subscriptions, options, securities, instruments or other rights of any type or nature whatsoever, which are convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise provide for or permit the issuance of Capital Stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except as described on Schedule 6.1(b).
(c) Authorization of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing. Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and other action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers or authorized representative of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto, and each such document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party or its Subsidiary party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state, federal or provincial debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.
(d) Compliance of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing with Laws, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries of the Loan Documents to which each such Person is a party, in accordance with their respective terms, the Extensions of Credit hereunder and the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not, by the passage of time, the giving of notice or otherwise, (i) require any Governmental Approval or violate any Applicable Law relating to the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of any Credit Party or any of their Subsidiaries or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which such Person is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or any Governmental Approval relating to such Person, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person other than Liens arising under the Loan Documents or (iv) require any consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act in respect of, an arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, in each case, expect as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals.
63
(i) Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries (i) has all Governmental Approvals required by any Applicable Law for it to conduct its business, each of which is in full force and effect, is final and not subject to review on appeal and is not the subject of any pending or, to the best of its knowledge, threatened attack by direct or collateral proceeding, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) is in compliance with each Governmental Approval applicable to it and in compliance with all other Applicable Laws relating to it or any of its respective properties, except where the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) has timely filed all material reports, documents and other materials required to be filed by it under all Applicable Laws with any Governmental Authority and has retained all material records and documents required to be retained by it under Applicable Law, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) No Credit Party, Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or any Affiliate of a Credit Party or any Parent Guarantor or Subsidiary Guarantor: (i) is a person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) available at xxxx://xxx.xxxxx.xxx/xxxxxxx/xxxxxx/xxxx/xxx/xxxxx.xxxx, or as otherwise published from time to time; or (ii) is (A) an agency of the government of a country, (B) an organization controlled by a country, or (C) a person resident in a country that is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at xxxx://xxx.xxxxx.xxx/xxxxxxx/xxxxxx/xxxx/xxxxxxxxx/xxxxx.xxxx, or as otherwise published from time to time, as such program may be applicable to such agency, organization or person; or (iii) does business in such country or with any such agency, organization or person, in violation of the economic sanctions of the United States administered by OFAC.
(f) Tax Returns and Payments. Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries has duly filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, provincial, local and other material tax returns required by Applicable Law to be filed, and has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, all federal, state, provincial, local and other taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it and its property, income, profits and assets which are due and payable (other than any amount the validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided for on the books of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and no Lien exists), except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Such returns accurately reflect in all material respects all liability for taxes of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby. There is no ongoing audit or examination or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, other investigation by any Governmental Authority of the tax liability of any Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, other than Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable. No Governmental Authority has asserted any Lien or other claim against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof with respect to unpaid taxes which has not been discharged or resolved. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Credit Parties and any of their Subsidiaries in respect of federal, state, provincial, local and other taxes for all Fiscal Years and portions thereof since the organization of any Credit Party and any of its Subsidiaries are in the
64
judgment of the Credit Parties adequate, and the Credit Parties do not anticipate any additional taxes or assessments for any of such years.
(g) Intellectual Property Matters. Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries owns or possesses rights to use all franchises, licenses, copyrights, copyright applications, patents, patent rights or licenses, patent applications, trademarks, trademark rights, service xxxx, service xxxx rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights and rights with respect to the foregoing which are required to conduct its business, except, in each case, as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of any such rights, and neither the Credit Parties nor any Subsidiary thereof is liable to any Person for infringement under Applicable Law with respect to any such rights as a result of its business operations, except any such revocation, termination or liability as could not reasonably be expected, in each case, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) Environmental Matters.
(i) The properties owned, leased or operated by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries now or in the past do not contain, and to their knowledge have not previously contained, any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations which (A) constitute or constituted a violation of applicable Environmental Laws or (B) could give rise to liability under applicable Environmental Laws, except, where such violation or liability could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) The Credit Parties, each Subsidiary and such properties and all operations conducted in connection therewith are in compliance, to the knowledge of the Credit parties and have been in compliance, with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at, under or about such properties or such operations which could interfere with the continued operation of such properties or impair the fair saleable value thereof, except for any such noncompliance or contamination, that could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) No Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof has received any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters, Hazardous Materials, or compliance with Environmental Laws, nor does any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being threatened, except where such violation, alleged violation, noncompliance, liability or potential liability which is the subject of such notice could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) Hazardous Materials have not been transported or disposed of to or from the properties owned, leased or operated by the Credit Parties and its Subsidiaries in violation of, or in a manner or to a location which could give rise to liability under, Environmental Laws, nor have any Hazardous Materials been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of such properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give
65
rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Laws, except where such violation or liability could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(v) No judicial proceedings or governmental or administrative action is pending under any Environmental Law to which the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary thereof is or will be named as a potentially responsible party with respect to such properties or operations conducted in connection therewith, nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the Credit Parties, any Subsidiary or such properties or such operations; except where such proceeding, action, degree, order or other requirement could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(vi) There has been no release, or to the best of the Credit Parties’ knowledge, threat of release, of Hazardous Materials at or from properties owned, leased or operated by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary, now or in the past, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws, except where such violation or liability could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) ERISA; Pension Act.
(i) As of the Closing Date, no Credit Party nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any obligation under, any Pension Plans other than those identified on Schedule 6.1(i);
(ii) Each Credit Party and each ERISA Affiliate is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of ERISA with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans except for any required amendments for which the remedial amendment period as defined in Section 401(b) of the Code has not yet expired and except where a failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified, and each trust related to such plan has been determined to be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code except for such plans that have not yet received determination letters but for which the remedial amendment period for submitting a determination letter has not yet expired or plans which are master or prototype plans. No liability has been incurred by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate which remains unsatisfied for any taxes or penalties with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or any Multiemployer Plan except for a liability that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) As of the Closing Date, no Pension Plan has been terminated, nor has any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 412 of the Code) been incurred (without regard to any waiver granted under Section 412 of the Code), nor has any funding waiver from the Internal Revenue Service been received or requested with respect to any Pension Plan, nor has any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate failed to make any contributions or to pay
66
any amounts due and owing as required by Section 412 of the Code, Section 302 of ERISA or the terms of any Pension Plan prior to the due dates of such contributions under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, nor has there been any event requiring any disclosure under Section 4041(c)(3)(C) or 4063(a) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan;
(iv) Except where the failure of any of the following representations to be correct in all material respects could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate has: (A) engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in Section 406 of the ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, (B) incurred any liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment of premiums and there are no premium payments which are due and unpaid, (C) failed to make a required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan, or (D) failed to make a required installment or other required payment under Section 412 of the Code;
(v) No Termination Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur;
(vi) Except where the failure of any of the following representations to be correct in all material respects could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no proceeding, claim (other than a benefits claim in the ordinary course of business), lawsuit and/or investigation is existing or, to the best knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, threatened concerning or involving any Employee Benefit Plan; and
(vii) Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries incorporated in or with an established place of business in the United Kingdom has a final salary pension scheme or is associated or connected with any Person that has a final salary pension scheme.
(j) Margin Stock. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is engaged principally or as one of its activities in the business of extending credit for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock” (as each such term is defined or used, directly or indirectly, in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). No part of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used for purchasing or carrying margin stock or for any purpose which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of such Board of Governors.
(k) Government Regulation. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” (as each such term is defined or used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and no Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is, or after giving effect to any Extension of Credit will be, subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or the Interstate Commerce Act, each as amended, or any other Applicable Law which limits its ability to incur or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(l) Material Contracts. Schedule 6.1(l) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Material Contracts of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in effect as of the Closing Date not listed on any other Schedule hereto; other than as set forth in Schedule 6.1(l), each such Material
67
Contract is, and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will be, in full force and effect in accordance with the material terms thereof. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary (nor, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, any other party thereto) is in breach of or in default under any Material Contract in any material respect.
(m) Employee Relations. There is no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened involving the Company of any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Burdensome Provisions. No Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party to any indenture, agreement, lease or other instrument, or subject to any corporate or partnership restriction, Governmental Approval or Applicable Law which is so unusual or burdensome as in the foreseeable future could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries do not presently anticipate that future expenditures needed to meet the provisions of any statutes, orders, rules or regulations of a Governmental Authority will be so burdensome as to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Subsidiary is party to any agreement or instrument or otherwise subject to any restriction or encumbrance that restricts or limits its ability to make dividend payments or other distributions in respect of its Capital Stock to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary or to transfer any of its assets or properties to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary in each case other than existing under or by reason of the Loan Documents or Applicable Law.
(o) Financial Statements. The (i) audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and the related audited statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2004 and related unaudited interim statements of income and retained earnings, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, are correct in all material respects and fairly present on a Consolidated basis the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at such dates, and the results of the operations and changes of financial position for the periods then ended (other than customary year-end adjustments for unaudited financial statements). All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP subject to year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes and, in the case of the statements referred to in (ii) above, by the absence of footnotes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have no material indebtedness, obligation or other unusual forward or long-term commitment which is not fairly reflected in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto.
(p) No Material Adverse Change. Since the consummation of the IPO, there has been no material adverse change in the properties, business, operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and no event has occurred or condition arisen that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Solvency. As of the Closing Date and after giving effect to each Extension of Credit made hereunder, the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be Solvent.
68
(r) Titles to Properties. Each of the Credit Parties and its Subsidiaries has such title to or valid leasehold interest in (as applicable) the material real property owned or leased by it as is necessary or desirable to the conduct of its business and valid and legal title to all of its material personal property and assets, including, but not limited to, those reflected on the balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(o), except those which have been disposed of by Credit Parties or its Subsidiaries subsequent to such date of such balance sheets which dispositions have been in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder.
(s) Liens. None of the properties and assets of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof is subject to any Lien, except Permitted Liens. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any state or comparable legislation in other jurisdiction which names any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective trade names or divisions as debtor and which has not been terminated (or satisfactory provision for termination has been made), has been filed in any state or other jurisdiction and no Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof has signed any such financing statement or any security agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file any such financing statement, except to perfect those Permitted Liens.
(t) Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations. Schedule 6.1(t) is a complete and correct listing of all Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date in excess of $2,500,000.
(u) Litigation. Except for matters existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.1(u), there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending nor, to the knowledge of any Credit Party (without obligation to investigate), overtly threatened against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that (a) purport to adversely affect or invalidate this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions provided for herein or therein, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(v) Absence of Defaults. No event has occurred or is continuing which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, or which constitutes, or which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute, a default or event of default by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof under any material judgment, decree or order to which any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or which would require any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries to make any payment thereunder prior to the scheduled maturity date therefor.
(w) Senior Indebtedness Status. The Obligations of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents ranks and shall continue to rank at least senior in priority of payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness and all senior unsecured Indebtedness of each such Person and is designated as “Senior Indebtedness” (or the equivalent term) under all instruments and documents, now or in the future, relating to all Subordinated Indebtedness and all senior unsecured Indebtedness of such Person.
69
(x) Accuracy of Information. All written information, reports and other papers and data produced by or on behalf of the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary thereof (other than financial projections, which shall be subject to the standard set forth in Section 6.1(y)) and furnished to the Lenders were, at the time the same were so furnished, correct in all material respects to the extent necessary to give the recipient a true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter.
(y) Disclosure. No financial statement, material report, material certificate or other material information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any of the Credit Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by publicly available material filed with the SEC regarding the Credit Parties and their respective subsidiaries (so long as the Administrative Agent and Lenders have received notice of the filing of such supplemental material) and by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projections and other projected financial information, pro forma financial information, estimated financial information and other projected or estimated information, the Credit Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the applicable Credit Party to be reasonable at the time.
SECTION 6.2 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc. All representations and warranties set forth in this Article VI and all representations and warranties contained in any certificate, or any of the Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such representation or warranty made in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations and warranties made under this Agreement. All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be made or deemed to be made at and as of the Closing Date (except those that are expressly made as of a specific date), shall survive the Closing Date and shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders or any borrowing hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES
Until all the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner set forth in Section 14.2, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office at the address set forth in Section 14.1, or such other office as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time:
SECTION 7.1 Financial Statements and Projections.
(a) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and in any event within forty-five (45) days (or, if earlier, on the date of any required public filing thereof) after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each Fiscal Year, an unaudited Consolidated
70
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and unaudited Consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the fiscal quarter then ended and that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures as of the end of and for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by the Company in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of operations of any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during the period, and certified by the chief financial officer of the Company to present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis as of their respective dates and the results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended, subject to normal year end adjustments. Delivery by the Company to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Company’s quarterly report to the SEC on Form 10-Q with respect to any fiscal quarter, or the availability of such report on XXXXX Online, within the period specified above shall be deemed to be compliance by the Company with this Section 7.1(a).
(b) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and in any event within ninety (90) days (or, if earlier, on the date of any required public filing thereof) after the end of each Fiscal Year, an audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such Fiscal Year and audited Consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures as of the end of and for the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of operations of any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during the year. Such annual financial statements shall be audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a report thereon by such certified public accountants that is not qualified with respect to scope limitations imposed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to accounting principles followed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not in accordance with GAAP. Delivery by the Company to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Company’s annual report to the SEC on Form 10-K with respect to any fiscal year, or the availability of such report on XXXXX Online, within the period specified above shall be deemed to be compliance by the Company with this Section 7.1(b).
(c) Annual Business Plan and Financial Projections. As soon as practicable and in any event within forty-five (45) days after each Fiscal Year end commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2005, a business plan of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the ensuing four (4) fiscal quarters, such plan to be prepared in accordance with GAAP and to include, on a quarterly basis, the following: a quarterly operating and capital budget, a projected income statement, statement of cash flows and balance sheet and a report containing management’s discussion and analysis of such projections, which such projections were prepared in good faith (utilizing assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable) of the financial condition and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such four (4) quarter period.
71
SECTION 7.2 Officer’s Compliance Certificate. At each time financial statements are delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or (b) and at such other times as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request following receipt of any notice pursuant to Section 7.5, an Officer’s Compliance Certificate.
SECTION 7.3 Accountants’ Certificate. At each time financial statements are delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(b), a certificate of the independent public accountants certifying such financial statements that in connection with their audit, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof failed to comply with the terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of Article IX and X, insofar as they relate to financial and accounting matters or, if such is not the case, specifying such non-compliance and its nature and period of existence.
SECTION 7.4 Other Reports.
(a) Promptly after becoming available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Company generally, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Company may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto; provided, however, that if any such report is available publicly, the Borrower shall not be required to deliver such report separately;
(b) Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all material reports, if any, submitted to any Credit Party or its Board of Directors by its independent public accountants in connection with their auditing function, including, any management letter commenting on any Credit Party’s internal controls submitted by such accountants to management in connection with such auditing function, if the matters stated therein are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, without limitation, any management report and any management responses thereto; and
(c) Such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
SECTION 7.5 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters. Prompt written notice of:
(a) the commencement of any proceedings and investigations by or before any Governmental Authority and all actions and proceedings in any court or before any arbitrator against or involving any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties, assets or businesses that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any notice of any violation received by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof from any Governmental Authority including, without limitation, any notice of violation of Environmental Laws, which in any such case could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
72
(c) any labor controversy that has resulted in, or threatens to result in, a strike or other work action against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) any attachment, judgment, lien, levy or order exceeding $5,000,000 that may be assessed against or which has been overtly threatened against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof;
(e) (i) any Default or Event of Default or (ii) any event which constitutes or which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a default or event of default under any Material Contract to which any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties may be bound;
(f) (i) any unfavorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code (along with a copy thereof), (ii) all notices received by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of the PBGC’s intent to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (iii) all notices received by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA and (iv) the Credit Parties obtaining knowledge or reason to know that any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate has filed or intends to file a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA; and
Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Company and the U.S. Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 7.5(e)(i) shall describe with particularity, to the best ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries, any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
The Credit Parties are delivering the information required in Article VII in reliance on the provisions of Section 14.12 hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated unless consent has been obtained in the manner provided for in Section 14.2, each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 8.1 Preservation of Corporate Existence and Related Matters. Except as permitted by Section 10.4, preserve and maintain (i) its separate corporate existence and (ii)
73
all rights, franchises, licenses and privileges necessary to the conduct of its business, and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except, in each case, where the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 8.2 Maintenance of Property. (i) Protect and preserve all properties useful in and material to its business, including copyrights, patents, trade names, service marks and trademarks; (ii) maintain in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all buildings, equipment and other tangible real and personal property, except, in each case, as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 8.3 Insurance. Maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as are customarily maintained by similar businesses and as may be required by Applicable Law (including, without limitation, hazard and business interruption insurance), and on the Closing Date and from time to time thereafter deliver to the Administrative Agent upon its request a detailed list of the insurance then in effect, stating the names of the insurance companies, the amounts and rates of the insurance, the dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks covered thereby.
SECTION 8.4 Accounting Methods and Financial Records. Maintain a system of accounting, and keep such books, records and accounts (which shall be true and complete in all material respects) as may be required or as may be necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with the regulations of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or any of its properties.
SECTION 8.5 Payment and Performance of Obligations. Pay and perform (a) all Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (b) all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges that may be levied or assessed upon it or any of its property; provided, that any Credit Party or such Subsidiary may contest any item described in clause (b) of this Section in good faith so long as adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 8.6 Compliance With Laws and Approvals. Observe and remain in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and maintain in full force and effect all Governmental Approvals, in each case applicable to the conduct of its business, except where the failure to so comply or maintain such Governmental Approval could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 8.7 Environmental Laws. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 8.6, (a) comply with, and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure such compliance by all tenants and subtenants with all applicable Environmental Laws and obtain and comply with and maintain, and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that all tenants and subtenants, if any, obtain and comply with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) conduct and complete all investigations,
74
studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws, and promptly comply with all lawful orders and directives of any Governmental Authority regarding Environmental Laws, except where the failure to conduct or complete such actions, or comply with such orders or directions, could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, employees, agents, officers and directors, from and against any claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials, or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Laws applicable to the operations of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or any orders, requirements or demands of Governmental Authorities related thereto, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s and consultant’s fees, investigation and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, except to the extent that any of the foregoing are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnification therefor.
SECTION 8.8 Compliance with ERISA. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 8.6, (a) except where the failure to so comply could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) comply with all material applicable provisions of ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans, (ii) not take any action or fail to take action the result of which could result in liability to the PBGC or to a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) not participate in any prohibited transaction that could result in any civil penalty under ERISA or tax under the Code and (iv) operate each Employee Benefit Plan in such a manner that will not incur any tax liability under Section 4980B of the Code or any liability to any qualified beneficiary as defined in Section 4980B of the Code and (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent upon the Administrative Agent’s request such additional information about any Employee Benefit Plan as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 8.9 Compliance With Agreements. Comply in all respects with each term, condition and provision of all leases, agreements and other instruments entered into in the conduct of its business including, without limitation, any Material Contract except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof may contest any such lease, agreement or other instrument in good faith through applicable proceedings so long as adequate reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 8.10 Visits and Inspections. Permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, from time to time, to visit and inspect its properties, subject to the proviso at the end of this Section 8.10, no more than once per fiscal year upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours; inspect, audit and make extracts from its books, records and files, including, but not limited to, management letters prepared by independent accountants; and discuss with its principal officers, and its independent accountants, its business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects; provided that
75
(a) any such visits shall be coordinated by the Administrative Agent and (b) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default, no such notice shall be required, such visit shall be conducted during reasonable business hours, and the other limits set forth in the first sentence of this Section 8.10 shall not apply, the Administrative Agent or applicable Lender shall give reasonable prior to notice to the Company of its intention to visit and inspect the properties and records pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 8.11 Additional Subsidiaries. Notify the Administrative Agent of the creation or acquisition of any Domestic Subsidiary and promptly thereafter (and in any event within thirty (30) days), cause such Person to (i) become a Subsidiary Guarantor by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed supplement to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement or such other document as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent such documents and certificates referred to in Section 5.2(b) as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, (iii) deliver to the Administrative Agent such updated Schedules to the Loan Documents as requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to such Person, and (iv) deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 8.12 Use of Proceeds. The Credit Parties shall use the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit (a) to finance the acquisition of Capital Assets in the ordinary course of business, (b) to refinance the Existing Facilities, and (c) for working capital and general corporate requirements of any Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, including Permitted Acquisitions, dividends, stock repurchases and the payment of certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Credit Facility.
SECTION 8.13 Further Assurances. Make, execute and deliver all such additional and further acts, things, deeds and instruments as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably require to document and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to vest completely in the Administrative Agent and the Lenders their respective rights under this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and the other Loan Documents.
ARTICLE IX
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner set forth in Section 14.2, the Company and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis will not:
SECTION 9.1 Maximum Total Leverage Ratio. Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending, March 31, 2005, as of any fiscal quarter end, permit the ratio of (a) Total Indebtedness on such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters
76
ending on or immediately prior to such date, (such ratio, the “Total Leverage Ratio”), to exceed the corresponding ratio set forth below:
Period |
Ratio |
|||
From and including March 31, 2005 through and including
December 31, 2006 |
2.25 to 1.00 | |||
From January 1, 2008 through and including the Maturity Date |
2.00 to 1.00 |
SECTION 9.2 Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending, March 31, 2005, as of any fiscal quarter end, permit the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to (b) Fixed Charges for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to be less than the Required Fixed Charge Ratio.
SECTION 9.3 Minimum Net Worth. As of any fiscal quarter end, permit Net Worth for the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately prior to such date to be less than the sum of (a) $117,980,000 plus (b) 50% of Net Income (to the extent positive) for each fiscal quarter end occurring after the Closing Date.
ARTICLE X
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner set forth in Section 14.2, the Credit Parties will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 10.1 Limitations on Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:
(a) the Obligations (including Hedging Obligations to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(d));
(b) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and not otherwise permitted under this Section 10.1, as set forth on Schedule 6.1(t), and the renewal, refinancing, extension and replacement (but not the increase in the aggregate principal amount) thereof;
(c) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries incurred in connection with Capital Leases, including those Capital Leases existing on the Closing Date and including Capital Leases incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition (so long as such Capital Lease was not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 on any date of determination;
77
(d) purchase money Indebtedness, including all purchase money Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and including purchase money Indebtedness incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition (so long as such purchase money Indebtedness was not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition), of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 on any date of determination;
(e) Guaranty Obligations in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;
(f) Guaranty Obligations with respect to Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsections (a) through (d) and (k) through (n) of this Section;
(g) Indebtedness owed by any Subsidiary Guarantor to a Borrower, by a Borrower to any Subsidiary Guarantor and by any Subsidiary Guarantor to any other Subsidiary Guarantor;
(h) Indebtedness owed by any Foreign Subsidiary (i) to any other Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) to a Credit Party or any Domestic Subsidiary thereof; provided, that the aggregate amount of all intercompany Indebtedness incurred by Foreign Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 10.1(h)(ii), plus the aggregate amount of all investments in Foreign Subsidiaries made pursuant to Section 10.3(a)(iii) shall not at any time exceed an aggregate amount of $5,000,000;
(i) Subordinated Indebtedness incurred on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that in the case of each incurrence of Subordinated Indebtedness, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused by the issuance of such Subordinated Indebtedness and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory written evidence that the Borrowers would be in compliance with all covenants contained in this Agreement on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the issuance of any such Subordinated Indebtedness;
(j) endorsements of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business;
(k) unsecured Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, worker’s compensation claims, surety or appeal bonds and payment obligations in connection with self insurance or similar obligations, in each case to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business; and
(l) Indebtedness in the form of earn-outs and other contingent payments in respect of Permitted Acquisitions (both before and after any liability associated therewith becomes fixed);
(m) Indebtedness (i) incurred in respect of customary netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) incurred in connection with Hedging Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(d) to the extent not already permitted under any other clause of this Section 10.1; and
78
(n) unsecured Indebtedness in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding.
SECTION 10.2 Limitations on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets or properties (including, without limitation, shares of Capital Stock), real or personal, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or Environmental Laws) not yet due or as to which the grace period (not to exceed thirty (30) days), if any, related thereto has not expired or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP;
(b) the claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, processors or landlords for labor, materials, supplies or rentals incurred in the ordinary course of business, (i) which are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or (ii) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
(c) Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made in the ordinary course of business in connection with, or to secure payment of, obligations under workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or similar legislation;
(d) Liens constituting encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions, easements and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character, which in the aggregate are not substantial in amount and which do not, in any case, materially detract from the value of such property or materially impair the use thereof in the ordinary conduct of business;
(e) Liens securing the Obligations;
(f) Liens not otherwise permitted hereunder securing obligations not at any time exceeding in the aggregate $2,000,000;
(g) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section and in existence on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 10.2;
(h) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Sections 10.1(c), (d) and (m); provided that (i) such Liens shall be created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition or lease of the related asset, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and (iv) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the original purchase price or lease payment amount of such property at the time it was acquired;
(i) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real estate;
79
(j) Liens solely on any xxxx xxxxxxx money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;
(k) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases for personal property entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(l) receipt of progress payments and advances from customers in the ordinary course of business to the extent same creates a Lien on the related inventory and proceeds thereof.
SECTION 10.3 Limitations on Loans, Advances, Investments and Acquisitions. Purchase, own, invest in or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock, interests in any partnership or joint venture (including, without limitation, the creation or capitalization of any Subsidiary), evidence of Indebtedness or other obligation or security, substantially all or a portion of the business or assets of any other Person or any other investment or interest whatsoever in any other Person, or make or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any loans, advances or extensions of credit to, or any investment in cash or by delivery of property in, any Person or enter into any Hedging Agreement or other Interest Rate Contract except:
(a) investments (i) existing on the Closing Date in Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date, (ii) in Domestic Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the Closing Date so long as the Company and its Subsidiaries comply with the applicable provisions of Section 8.11, (iii) by the U.S. Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary in Foreign Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the Closing Date; provided that the aggregate amount of all investments in Foreign Subsidiaries made pursuant to this Section 10.3(a)(iii) plus all intercompany Indebtedness incurred by Foreign Subsidiaries under Section 10.1(h) shall not at any time exceed an aggregate amount of $10,000,000, (iv) by Foreign Subsidiaries in other Foreign Subsidiaries and (v) the other loans, advances and investments described on Schedule 10.3 existing on the Closing Date;
(b) investments in (A) cash and (B) (i) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof (including, without limitation, those of government sponsored enterprises such as the Farm Credit System, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank, Student Loan Marketing Association, Financing Corporation, The Resolution Funding Corporation, Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, and the Federal Housing Finance Board), (ii) commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof and currently having the highest rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) of at least A-1 or Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) of at least P-1, (iii) certificates of deposit maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof issued by commercial banks incorporated under the laws of the United States, each having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 and having a rating of “A” or better by a nationally recognized rating agency; provided, that the aggregate amount invested in such certificates of deposit shall not at any time exceed $5,000,000 for any one such certificate of deposit and $10,000,000 for any one such bank, (iv) time deposits maturing no more than
80
thirty (30) days from the date of creation thereof with commercial banks or savings banks or savings and loan associations each having membership either in the FDIC or the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC and in amounts not exceeding the maximum amounts of insurance thereunder, (v) demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business, (vi) municipal bonds, issued by municipalities having the highest available rating from a nationally recognized rating agency, (vii) asset backed securities rated “AA” or better by S&P’s, Moody’s or Xxxxx Ratings (“Fitch”), (viii) mortgage backed pass through and collateralized mortgage obligations rated “AAA” by S&P’s, Moody’s or Fitch, (ix) tax exempt mutual funds to the extent such funds are over-collateralized by at least two percent (2%) or are backed by a letter of credit issued by a bank that meets the requirements of clause (iii) above or (x) funds regulated by the U.S. Government under the Investment Companies Act Rule 2a-7;
(c) investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in the form of acquisitions of all or substantially all of the business or a line of business (whether by the acquisition of Capital Stock, assets or any combination thereof) of any other Person if each such acquisition meets all of the following requirements (such acquisition being referred to herein as a “Permitted Acquisition”):
(i) if involving a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the surviving Person and no Change of Control shall have been effected thereby;
(ii) the Person to be acquired shall not be subject to any material pending litigation which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) prior to the closing of such acquisition, the acquisition is approved by the board of directors (or a majority of the holders of the Capital Stock of such Person) of the Person whose assets or Capital Stock are being acquired pursuant to such acquisition;
(iv) prior to consummation of the acquisition, the applicable Borrower or Subsidiary shall have delivered written evidence that demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent pro forma compliance with each covenant contained in Article IX, both prior to (with respect to Company and its Subsidiaries only) and after giving effect to (with respect to the Company, its Subsidiaries and the target of such acquisition) the acquisition, and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing both before and after giving effect to such proposed acquisition;
(v) the aggregate cash consideration paid for all Permitted Acquisitions accomplished under this Section 10.3(c) shall not exceed an aggregate amount of $25,000,000 in any twelve (12) month period; provided that any Permitted Acquisition accomplished at a time when the amount of Available Cash less the aggregate amount of all outstanding Loans under this Agreement equals or exceeds $25,000,000 (determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the proposed Permitted Acquisition) shall not be subject to the basket limitation set forth in this Section 10.3(c)(v);
81
(vi) after giving pro forma effect to any such acquisition or series of related acquisitions, the Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be at least 0.25 less than the maximum Total Leverage Ratio applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the fiscal quarter end immediately following the consummation of such proposed acquisition or series of related acquisitions; and
(vii) the applicable Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 8.11 to be delivered at the time required pursuant to Section 8.11.
(d) investments in the form of non-speculative Hedging Agreements with counterparties and upon terms and conditions (including interest rate) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided, that any counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender shall be deemed satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(e) purchases of assets in the ordinary course of business;
(f) investments in the form of loans and advances to employees in the ordinary course of business, which, in the aggregate, do not exceed at any time $2,500,000;
(g) intercompany Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(g);
(h) other additional investments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section not exceeding $2,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year; and
(i) Investments of any Person in existence at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided such Investment was not made in connection with or anticipation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
SECTION 10.4 Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation. Merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination with any other Person or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) except:
(a) any Parent may be merged or consolidated with or into any other Parent;
(b) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower may be merged or consolidated with or into the U.S. Borrower (provided that the U.S. Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person);
(c) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower (other than a Borrower) may be merged or consolidated with or into any Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that the Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person);
(d) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the U.S.
82
Borrower or any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Subsidiary Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the U.S. Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor;
(e) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the U.S. Borrower may merge into the Person such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary was formed to acquire in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; and
(f) any Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) of the U.S. Borrower may wind up into a Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
(g) any Foreign Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated with or wound up into another Foreign Subsidiary, provided that in any such merger or consolidation or winding up involving a Foreign Borrower, such Foreign Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing Person; and
(h) an amalgamation of the Canadian Borrower with Pharmaceutical Research Associates Global, Inc., Pharm Research Associates RX, Inc. and Pharmaceutical Research Associates Inc., all of which are corporations existing under the laws of Canada, to continue under the name Pharmaceutical Research Associates Inc.; provided that the amalgamated entity delivers confirmation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of its obligations under the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents as applicable.
SECTION 10.5 Limitations on Sale of Assets. Convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property, business or assets (including, without limitation, the sale of any receivables and leasehold interests and any sale-leaseback or similar transaction), whether now owned or hereafter acquired except:
(a) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the sale or lease of obsolete assets no longer used or usable in the business of any Credit Party or any of their Subsidiaries;
(c) the transfer of assets pursuant to a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 10.4;
(d) the sale or discount without recourse of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof;
(e) the disposition of any Hedging Agreement;
(f) additional dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000 in any Fiscal Year.
(g) the Company or any Subsidiary may sell or dispose of shares of Capital Stock of itself or any of its Subsidiaries in order to qualify members of the board of directors (or similar body) of such entity if required by Applicable Law.
83
SECTION 10.6 Limitations on Dividends and Distributions. Declare or pay any dividends upon any of its Capital Stock; purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its Capital Stock, or make any distribution of cash, property or assets among the holders of shares of its Capital Stock, or make any change in its capital structure which such change in its capital structure could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that:
(a) the Company or any Subsidiary may pay dividends in shares of its own Capital Stock;
(b) any Subsidiary may pay cash dividends to the Borrowers;
(c) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would result therefrom, any Subsidiary of the Company may pay cash dividends to the Company to permit the Company to make cash dividends and distributions with respect to shares of the common stock of the Company; provided that (i) prior to making any such dividend or distribution, the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Compliance Certificate demonstrating, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, that the Company and its Subsidiaries will be in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Article IX after giving pro forma effect to such proposed dividend or distribution, and (ii) the aggregate amount of such dividends and distributions pursuant to this Section 10.6(c) shall not exceed $15,000,000 during any Fiscal Year of the Company;
(d) any Subsidiary of the Company may pay dividends to the Company to permit the Company to purchase the Company’s common stock or common stock options from present or former officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such officer or employee; provided, that the aggregate amount of payments under this clause (c) (net of any proceeds received by the Company and contributed to a Subsidiary of the Company in connection with substantially contemporaneous resales of any common stock or common stock options so purchased) shall not exceed $2,000,000; and
(e) any Subsidiary of the Company may pay dividends to the Company to (i) pay general and administrative expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year and (ii) pay any taxes which are due and payable by the Company and the Borrower as part of a consolidated group.
SECTION 10.7 Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Capital Stock. Issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any class or series of Capital Stock that, by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be, (a) convertible or exchangeable into Indebtedness or (b) required to be redeemed or repurchased, including at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, or has, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would have, a redemption or similar payment due.
84
SECTION 10.8 Transactions with Affiliates. Except for (i) transactions permitted by Sections 10.3, Section 10.4 and (ii) transactions described on Schedule 10.8, directly or indirectly (a) make any loan or advance to, or purchase or assume any note or other obligation to or from, any of its officers, directors, shareholders or other Affiliates, or to or from any member of the immediate family of any of its officers, directors, shareholders or other Affiliates, or subcontract any operations to any of its Affiliates or (b) enter into, or be a party to, any other transaction not described in clause (a) above with any of its Affiliates, except pursuant to the reasonable requirements of its business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not its Affiliate.
SECTION 10.9 Certain Accounting Changes; Organizational Documents. (a) Change its Fiscal Year end, or make any change in its accounting treatment and reporting practices except as required by GAAP or (b) amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation (or corporate charter or other similar organizational documents) or amend, modify or change its bylaws (or other similar documents) in any manner materially adverse in any respect to the rights or interests of the Lenders.
SECTION 10.10 Amendments; Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Indebtedness.
(a) Amend or modify (or permit the modification or amendment of) any of the terms or provisions of any Subordinated Indebtedness in any respect which would materially adversely affect the rights or interests of the Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder.
(b) Cancel, forgive, make any payment or prepayment on, or redeem or acquire for value (including, without limitation, (i) by way of depositing with any trustee with respect thereto money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due and (ii) at the maturity thereof) any Subordinated Indebtedness, except refinancings, refundings, renewals, extensions or exchange of any Subordinated Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(i).
SECTION 10.11 Restrictive Agreements.
(a) Enter into any Indebtedness which contains any negative pledge on assets or any covenants more restrictive than the provisions of Articles VIII, IX and X hereof, or which restricts, limits or otherwise encumbers its ability to incur Liens on or with respect to any of its assets or properties other than the assets or properties securing such Indebtedness.
(b) Enter into or permit to exist any agreement (including, without limitation, any instrument or agreement with respect to Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1, other than this Agreement or any Loan Document) which impairs, restricts, limits or otherwise encumbers (by covenant or otherwise) the ability of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party to make any payment to such Credit Party (in the form of dividends, distributions, intercompany advances or otherwise).
85
SECTION 10.12 Nature of Business. Substantively alter in any material respect the character or conduct of the business conducted by any Credit Party and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.
ARTICLE XI
UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY
SECTION 11.1 Guaranty of Obligations. Each of the Parents, and the U.S. Borrower (collectively, the “Parent Guarantors” and each a “Parent Guarantor”) hereby jointly and severally with each other, unconditionally guarantees to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective successors, endorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt payment of all Obligations of the Borrowers (including the U.S. Borrower with regards to the guarantees made herein by the Parents), whether primary or secondary (whether by way of endorsement or otherwise), whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not from time to time reduced or extinguished (except by payment thereof) or hereafter increased or incurred, whether or not recovery may be or hereafter become barred by the statute of limitations, whether enforceable or unenforceable as against any Borrower, whether or not discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or proceeding, whether created directly with the Administrative Agent or any Lender or acquired by the Administrative Agent or any Lender through assignment, endorsement or otherwise, whether matured or unmatured, whether joint or several, as and when the same become due and payable (whether at maturity or earlier, by reason of acceleration, mandatory repayment or otherwise), in accordance with the terms of any such instruments evidencing any such obligations, including all renewals, extensions or modifications thereof (all Obligations of the Foreign Borrowers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, including all of the foregoing, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Guaranteed Obligations”).
SECTION 11.2 Bankruptcy Limitations on each Parent Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 11.1, it is the intention of each Parent Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, in any proceeding involving the bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, relief of debtors, dissolution or insolvency or any similar proceeding with respect to any Parent Guarantor or its assets, the amount of such Parent Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be equal to, but not in excess of, the maximum amount thereof not subject to avoidance or recovery by operation of Applicable Insolvency Laws. To that end, but only in the event and to the extent that such Parent Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any payment made pursuant to such Guaranteed Obligations would, but for the operation of the first sentence of this Section 11.2, be subject to avoidance or recovery in any such proceeding under Applicable Insolvency Laws, the amount of each Parent Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be limited to the largest amount which, after giving effect thereto, would not, under Applicable Insolvency Laws, render such Parent Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations unenforceable or avoidable or otherwise subject to recovery under Applicable Insolvency Laws. To the extent any payment actually made pursuant to the Guaranteed Obligations exceeds the limitation of the first sentence of this
86
Section 11.2 and is otherwise subject to avoidance and recovery in any such proceeding under Applicable Insolvency Laws, the amount subject to avoidance shall in all events be limited to the amount by which such actual payment exceeds such limitation and the Guaranteed Obligations as limited by the first sentence of this Section 11.2 shall in all events remain in full force and effect and be fully enforceable against each Parent Guarantor. The first sentence of this Section 11.2 is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder against each Parent Guarantor in such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Insolvency Laws and neither such Parent Guarantor, any other Parent Guarantor, any Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under such sentence that would not otherwise be available under Applicable Insolvency Laws in such proceeding.
SECTION 11.3 Nature of Guaranty. Each Parent Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty is a continuing, unconditional guaranty of payment and not of collection, and that its obligations under this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and unaffected by (a) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability or any future amendment of, or change in, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement, document or instrument to which any Borrower is or may become a party, (b) the absence of any action to enforce this Guaranty, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the waiver or consent by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any of the provisions of this Guaranty, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (c) the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect a Lien, if any, against, any security for or other guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in respect of such security or guaranty (including, without limitation, the release of any such security or guaranty), (d) any structural change in, restructuring of or other similar change of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (e) any other action or circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor; it being agreed by each Parent Guarantor, subject to Section 11.2, that its obligations under this Guaranty shall not be discharged until the final and indefeasible payment, in full, of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Commitments. To the extent permitted by law, each Parent Guarantor expressly waives all rights it may now or in the future have under any statute (including, without limitation, New York or similar law), or at law or in equity, or otherwise, to compel the Administrative Agent or any Lender to proceed in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations against any Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor or any other party or against any security for or other guaranty of the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations before proceeding against, or as a condition to proceeding against, any Parent Guarantor. To the extent permitted by law, each Parent Guarantor further expressly waives and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any defense based upon the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to commence an action in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations against any Borrower (including the U.S. Borrower), any Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor or any other party or any security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Parent Guarantor agrees that any notice or directive given at any time to the Administrative Agent or any Lender which is inconsistent with the waivers in the preceding two sentences shall be null and void and may be ignored by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, and, in addition, may not be pleaded or introduced as evidence in any litigation relating to this Guaranty for the reason that such pleading or introduction would be at variance with the written terms of this Guaranty, unless the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders have specifically agreed otherwise in
87
writing. The foregoing waivers are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and, but for this Guaranty and such waivers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders would decline to enter into this Agreement.
SECTION 11.4 Demand by the Administrative Agent. In addition to the terms set forth in Section 11.3, and in no manner imposing any limitation on such terms, if all or any portion of the then outstanding Guaranteed Obligations under this Agreement are declared to be immediately due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, then the Parent Guarantors shall, upon demand in writing therefor by the Administrative Agent to the Parent Guarantors, pay all or such portion of the outstanding Guaranteed Obligations then declared due and payable. Payment by the Parent Guarantors shall be made to the Administrative Agent, to be credited and applied upon the Guaranteed Obligations, in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Administrative Agent or at the Administrative Agent’s Office or at any other address that may be specified in writing from time to time by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 11.5 Waivers. In addition to the waivers contained in Section 11.4, each Parent Guarantor waives, and agrees that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead or in any manner whatever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any appraisal, valuation, stay, extension, marshalling of assets or redemption laws, or exemption, whether now or at any time hereafter in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance by any Parent Guarantor of its obligations under, or the enforcement by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders of, this Guaranty. Each Parent Guarantor further hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand, protest and notice of whatever kind or nature with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and waives the benefit of all provisions of law which are or might be in conflict with the terms of this Guaranty. Each Parent Guarantor represents, warrants and agrees that its obligations under this Guaranty are not and shall not be subject to any counterclaims, offsets or defenses of any kind against the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Borrowers whether now existing or which may arise in the future.
SECTION 11.6 Modification of Loan Documents etc. If the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall at any time or from time to time, with or without the consent of, or notice to, the Parent Guarantors (a) change or extend the manner, place or terms of payment of, or renew or alter all or any portion of, the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) take any action under or in respect of the Loan Documents in the exercise of any remedy, power or privilege contained therein or available to it at law, in equity or otherwise, or waive or refrain from exercising any such remedies, powers or privileges, (c) amend or modify, in any manner whatsoever, the Loan Documents, (d) extend or waive the time for performance by any Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor, any Borrower or any other Person of, or compliance with, any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under a Loan Document (other than this Guaranty), or waive such performance or compliance or consent to a failure of, or departure from, such performance or compliance, (e) take and hold security or collateral for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or sell, exchange, release, dispose of, or otherwise deal with, any property pledged, mortgaged or conveyed, or in which the Administrative Agent or any Lender has been granted a Lien, to secure any Indebtedness of any Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor or any Borrower to the
88
Administrative Agent or any Lender, (f) release anyone who may be liable in any manner for the payment of any amounts owed by any Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor or any Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (g) modify or terminate the terms of any intercreditor or subordination agreement pursuant to which claims of other creditors of any Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor or any Borrower are subordinated to the claims of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or (h) apply any sums by whomever paid or however realized to any Guaranteed Obligations owing by any Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any other guarantor or any Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such manner as the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall determine in its reasonable discretion; then neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to any Parent Guarantor as a result thereof, and no such action shall impair or release the obligations of any Parent Guarantor under this Guaranty.
SECTION 11.7 Reinstatement. Each Parent Guarantor agrees that, if any payment made by any Borrower or any other Person applied to the Obligations is at any time annulled, set aside, rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or otherwise required to be refunded or repaid, or the proceeds of any collateral are required to be returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any Borrower, its estate, trustee, receiver, liquidator, administrator or any other Person, including, without limitation, any Parent Guarantor, under any Applicable Law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or repayment, each Parent Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall be and remain in full force and effect, as fully as if such payment had never been made, and, if prior thereto, this Guaranty shall have been canceled or surrendered, this Guaranty shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of such Parent Guarantor in respect of the amount of such payment.
SECTION 11.8 No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments by any of the Parent Guarantors hereunder, or any set-off or application of funds of any of the Parent Guarantors by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the receipt of any amounts by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations, none of the Parent Guarantors shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Borrower, any other Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other guarantor or against any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations nor shall any Parent Guarantor seek any reimbursement from any Borrower, any other Parent Guarantor, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of the other guarantors in respect of payments made by such Parent Guarantor in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on account of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full and the Aggregate Commitment is terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Parent Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Parent Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent, segregated from other funds of such Parent Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Parent Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Parent Guarantor (duly endorsed by such Parent Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required) to be applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as set forth herein.
89
SECTION 11.9 Agreements for Reimbursement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, as the Borrowers are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Parent Guarantors and part of an integrated financial enterprise to which the Parent Guarantors are a party, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall have a right of reimbursement and indemnity from the Parent Guarantors for any amount paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor in lieu of a right of contribution between the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Parent Guarantors.
ARTICLE XII
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 12.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority or otherwise:
(a) Default in Payment of Principal of Loans and Reimbursement Obligations. The Borrowers shall default in any payment of principal of any Loan when due or in any payment of a Reimbursement Obligation whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise.
(b) Other Payment Default. The Borrowers or any other Credit Party shall default in the payment when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) of interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or the payment of any other Obligation, and such default shall continue for a period of five (5) days.
(c) Misrepresentation. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith that is subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be incorrect or misleading in any respect when made or deemed made or any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith that is not subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made
(d) Default in Performance of Certain Covenants. Any Borrower or Subsidiary thereof shall default in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.5(e)(i) or Articles IX or X of this Agreement.
(e) Default in Performance of Other Covenants and Conditions. Any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof shall default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than as specifically provided for otherwise in this Section) or any other Loan Document and such default shall continue for a
90
period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Administrative Agent.
(f) Hedging Agreement. Any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof shall default in the performance or observance of any terms, covenant, condition or agreement (after giving effect to any applicable grace or cure period) under any Hedging Agreement and such default causes the termination of such Hedging Agreement and the Termination Value owned by such Person as a result thereof exceeds $2,500,000.
(g) Indebtedness Cross-Default. Any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof shall (i) default in the payment of any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $5,000,000 beyond the period of grace if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other material term or condition relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $5,000,000 or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity (any applicable grace period having expired).
(h) Change in Control. A Change in Control shall occur.
(i) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof shall (i) commence a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or composition for adjustment of indebtedness, (iii) consent to or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other laws, (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, preliminary insolvency administrator, custodian, trustee, liquidator or manager of itself or of a substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its indebtedness as they become due, (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vii) take any corporate action for the purpose of authorizing any of the foregoing.
(j) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. (i) A case or other proceeding shall be commenced against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any petition shall be presented in any court of competent jurisdiction or in the case of administration application made, seeking (A) relief under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or adjustment of indebtedness, or (B) the appointment of a trustee, administrator, administrative receiver, preliminary insolvency administrator, receiver, custodian, liquidator, manager or
91
similar official for any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or for all or any substantial part of their respective assets, domestic or foreign, and such case (save in the case of the appointment of an administrator) or proceeding shall continue without dismissal or stay for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or an order granting the relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not limited to, an order for relief under such federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered, (ii) any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries organized under the laws of England and Wales is deemed unable to pay its indebtedness within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Xxx 0000 or becomes unable to pay its indebtedness as they become due or otherwise becomes insolvent, (iii) any order is made or any resolution passed for the winding-up or administration of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries except for the purposes of a solvent amalgamation or reconstruction previously approved by the Required Lenders in writing or where such presentation or application for winding up is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged within twenty-one (21) days of presentation or application or in any event prior to being published, or (iv) the German Borrower becomes insolvent in the meaning of Section 17 German Insolvency Code (InsO) or over-indebted in the meaning of Section 19 German Insolvency Code (InsO), its insolvency is imminent in the meaning of Section 18 German Insolvency Code (InsO), and/or the insolvency court takes any protective measures in the meaning of Section 21 German Insolvency Code (InsO).
(k) Failure of Agreements. Any provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on any Credit Party or any Subsidiary party thereto or any such Person shall so state in writing.
(l) Termination Event. The occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Pension Plan or Section 412 of the Code, any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto, (ii) an accumulated funding deficiency in excess of $2,000,000 occurs or exists, whether or not waived, with respect to any Pension Plan, (iii) a Termination Event or (iv) any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate as employers under one or more Multiemployer Plans makes a complete or partial withdrawal from any such Multiemployer Plan and the plan sponsor of such Multiemployer Plans notifies such withdrawing employer that such employer has incurred a withdrawal liability requiring payments in an amount exceeding $2,000,000.
(m) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money which causes the aggregate amount of all such judgments to exceed $5,000,000 in any Fiscal Year (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), shall be entered against any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof by any court and such judgment or order shall continue without having been discharged, vacated or stayed for a period of sixty (60) days after the entry thereof.
(n) Analogous Proceedings. There occurs, in relation to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or its assets, in any jurisdiction any event which appears to the Administrative Agent (on its reasonable discretion) to correspond in that jurisdiction with any of those events mentioned in paragraph (i) (Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceedings), or paragraph (j) (Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceedings).
92
SECTION 12.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Company:
(a) Acceleration; Termination of Facilities. Terminate the Commitments and declare the principal of and interest on the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations at the time outstanding, and all other amounts owed to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented or shall be entitled to present the documents required thereunder) and all other Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations), to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and terminate the Credit Facility and any right of the Borrowers to request borrowings or Letters of Credit thereunder; provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 12.1(i) or (j), the Credit Facility shall be automatically terminated and all Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations) shall automatically become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.
(b) Letters of Credit. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to the preceding subsection, the Borrowers shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit (which such cash collateral shall be deposited in the applicable Permitted Currency in which each Letter of Credit is denominated). Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay the other Obligations on a pro rata basis. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, the Reimbursement Obligation shall have been satisfied and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrowers.
(c) Rights of Collection. Exercise on behalf of the Lenders all of its other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Borrowers’ Obligations.
SECTION 12.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders set forth in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist at law or
93
in equity or by suit or otherwise. No delay or failure to take action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing between the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or their respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to constitute a waiver of any Event of Default.
SECTION 12.4 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds. In the event that the Borrowers shall fail to pay any of the Obligations when due and the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 12.2, all payments received by the Lenders upon the Obligations and all net proceeds from the enforcement of the Obligations shall be applied:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such and the Issuing Lenders in their capacity as such (ratably among the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause First payable to them);
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders, including attorney fees (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them);
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and any Hedging Obligations (including any termination payments and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them);
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them);
Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lenders, to cash collateralize any L/C Obligations then outstanding on a pro rata basis; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by Applicable Law.
SECTION 12.5 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of
94
whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.3, 4.3 and 14.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 4.3 and 14.3.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
SECTION 12.6 Judgment Currency.
(a) The obligation of the Borrowers to make payments of principal and interest hereunder and the obligation of any such Person to make payments of any other amounts payable hereunder or pursuant to any other Loan Document in the currency specified for such payment shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment, which is expressed in or converted into any other currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt by each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders of the full amount of the particular currency expressed to be payable pursuant to the applicable Loan Document. The Administrative Agent shall, using all amounts obtained or received from the Borrowers pursuant to any such tender or recovery in payment of principal of and interest on the Obligations, promptly purchase the applicable currency at the most favorable spot exchange rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be available to it. The obligation of the Borrowers to make payments in the applicable currency shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action solely for the purpose of recovering in the applicable currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the currency expressed to be payable pursuant to the applicable Loan Document.
95
(b) Without limiting Section 12.6(a), the Borrowers shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, as applicable, against any loss incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender as a result of any payment or recovery described in Section 12.6(a) and as a result of any variation having occurred in rates of exchange between the date of any such amount becoming due under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and the date of actual payment thereof. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Borrowers and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such payment or recovery.
ARTICLE XIII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 13.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Wachovia to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents for the term hereof and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes Wachovia, as Administrative Agent for such Lender, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and such other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or such other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. Any reference to the Administrative Agent in this Article XIII shall be deemed to refer to the Administrative Agent solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent and not in its capacity as a Lender.
SECTION 13.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its respective duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care.
SECTION 13.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (except for actions occasioned solely by its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrowers or any of the Credit Parties or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for any failure of
96
the Borrowers or any of the Credit Parties to perform their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrowers or any of the Credit Parties.
SECTION 13.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Credit Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby or by the relevant other Loan Documents, all the Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby, all the Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders.
(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 5.2, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
SECTION 13.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless it has received notice from a Lender or the Borrowers referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby, all the Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders, except to the extent that other provisions of this Agreement expressly require that any such action be taken or not be taken only
97
with the consent and authorization or the request of the Lenders or Required Lenders, as applicable.
SECTION 13.6 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Credit Parties or their Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and made its own decision to make its Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrowers or any Credit Party. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder or by the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrowers or any of the Credit Parties which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
SECTION 13.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such and (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), ratably according to the respective amounts of their Commitment Percentages from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or any documents, reports or other information provided to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting solely from the Administrative Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
98
SECTION 13.8 The Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Administrative Agent and its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers as though the Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. With respect to any Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by it or participated in by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.
SECTION 13.9 Resignation of the Administrative Agent; Successor Administrative Agent.
(a) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor as provided below, Wachovia may resign as the Administrative Agent at any time by giving thirty (30) days written notice thereof to the Lenders and the U.S. Borrower. Upon the effectiveness of any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor administrative agent for the Lenders, which successor administrative agent shall be consented to by the U.S. Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the U.S. Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor administrative agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor administrative agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor administrative agent, such successor administrative agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder without any other or further act or deed on the part of such retiring Administrative Agent or any other Lender. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article XIII and Section 14.3 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement. If no successor administrative agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is thirty (30) days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Wachovia may, (i) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the U.S. Borrower and the Lenders, resign as Issuing Lender and/or (ii) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the U.S. Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, the U.S. Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided that no failure by the U.S. Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Wachovia as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Wachovia resigns as Issuing Lender, it shall retain all the rights and obligations of the Issuing
99
Lender hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it and outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Lender and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans or fund risk participations for unreimbursed amounts of Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3.4. If Wachovia resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(b).
SECTION 13.10 Guaranty Matters.
(a) The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder.
(b) Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 13.11 Other Agents, Arrangers and Managers. None of the Lenders or other Persons identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Agreement as a “syndication agent,” “documentation agent,” “co-agent,” “book manager,” “lead manager,” “arranger,” “lead arranger” or “co-lead arranger” shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than, in the case of such Lenders, those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.
SECTION 13.12 Hedging Counterparties. Each reference in this Section 13 to a “Lender” includes, where the context so allows, such Lender as agent of its Affiliate in the event that any Affiliate of it is party to a Hedging Agreement.
SECTION 13.13 Mandatory Cost Information. Each Lender shall supply the Administrative Agent with any information required by the Administrative Agent in order to calculate the Mandatory Cost in accordance with Schedule 1.1(a).
100
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 14.1 Notices.
(a) Method of Communication. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing (for purposes hereof, the term “writing” shall include information in electronic format such as electronic mail and internet web pages), or by telephone subsequently confirmed in writing. Any notice shall be effective if delivered by hand delivery or sent via electronic mail, posting on an internet web page, telecopy, recognized overnight courier service or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be presumed to be received by a party hereto (i) on the date of delivery if delivered by hand or sent by electronic mail, posting on an internet web page, telecopy, (ii) on the next Business Day if sent by recognized overnight courier service and (iii) on the third (3rd) Business Day following the date sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. A telephonic notice to the Administrative Agent as understood by the Administrative Agent will be deemed to be the controlling and proper notice in the event of a discrepancy with or failure to receive a confirming written notice.
(b) Addresses for Notices. Notices to any party shall be sent to it at the following addresses, or any other address as to which all the other parties are notified in writing.
If to any Credit Party:
|
PRA International | |
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attention: Chief Financial Officer with a copy to the Chief Executive Officer | ||
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000 | ||
Telecopy No.: 000-000-0000 | ||
With a Copy to:
|
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP | |
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX | ||
Xxxxx 0000 | ||
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. | ||
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000 | ||
Telecopy No.: 000-000-0000 |
101
For all notices other than |
||
Notices of Borrowing, to |
||
Wachovia as |
||
Administrative Agent:
|
Wachovia Bank, National Association | |
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
XxXxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000 | ||
For Notices of Borrowing, |
||
to Wachovia as |
||
Administrative Agent
|
Wachovia Bank, National Association | |
Charlotte Plaza, CP-8 | ||
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000 | ||
Attention: Syndication Agency Services | ||
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000 | ||
If to any Lender:
|
To the address set forth on the Register |
(c) Administrative Agent’s Office. The Administrative Agent hereby designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the U.S. Borrower and Lenders, as the Administrative Agent’s Office referred to herein, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed and Letters of Credit requested.
SECTION 14.2 Amendments, Waivers and Consents. Except as set forth below or as specifically provided in any Loan Document, any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended or waived by the Lenders, and any consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent is in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an amendment, signed by the Parents and the Borrowers; provided, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) waive any condition set forth in Section 5.2 without the written consent of each Lender;
(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 12.2) or the amount of Loans of any Lender without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment or mandatory repayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders
102
(or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or (subject to clause (v) of the second proviso to this Section) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest at the rate set forth in Section 4.1(c) during the continuance of an Event of Default, or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(e) change Section 4.4 or Section 12.4 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(f) change any provision of this Section 14.2 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; or
(g) release all of the Subsidiary Guarantors or release Subsidiary Guarantors comprising substantially all of the credit support for the Obligations, in either case, from the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement (other than as authorized in Section 13.10), or release any Parent Guarantors from the Unconditional Guaranty contained in Article XI herein, in each case without the written consent of each Lender;
provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the applicable Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of such Issuing Lender under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit Application relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Canadian Dollar Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Canadian Dollar Lender under this Agreement; (iv) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (v) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender.
103
SECTION 14.3 Expenses; Indemnity. The Borrowers will (a) pay all reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, all costs of electronic or internet distribution of any information hereunder) of the Administrative Agent in connection with (i) the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and each other Loan Document, whenever the same shall be executed and delivered, including, without limitation, all out-of-pocket syndication and due diligence expenses and reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Administrative Agent and (ii) the preparation, execution and delivery of any waiver, amendment or consent by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (which shall be limited to one counsel per jurisdiction of formation of the Borrowers), (b) pay all reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent and each Lender actually incurred in connection with the administration and enforcement of any rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and Lenders under the Credit Facility, including, without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, creating and perfecting Liens in favor of Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders, enforcing any Obligations of, or collecting any payments due from, the Borrowers or any Subsidiary Guarantor by reason of an Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any collateral or the enforcement of the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement); consulting with appraisers, accountants, engineers, attorneys and other Persons concerning the nature, scope or value of any right or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any factual matters in connection therewith, which expenses shall include without limitation the reasonable fees and disbursements of such Persons, (c) any civil penalty or fine assessed by the U. S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control against, and all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with defense thereof by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of the funding of Loans, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the acceptance of payments or of collateral due under the Loan Documents and (d) defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, employees, agents, officers, advisors and directors, from and against any losses, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses, suffered by any such Person arising out of or in connection with any claim (including, without limitation, any Environmental Claims), investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or in any way connected with the Loans, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any documents, reports or other information provided to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s and consultant’s fees, except to the extent that any of the foregoing (a) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnification therefor or (b) result from a claim brought by any Credit Party against an indemnitee for breach in bad faith of the obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents of the party seeking indemnification if such Credit Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
104
SECTION 14.4 Set-off. (a) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender and each of their respective Affiliates, is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency, but excluding trust accounts expressly prohibiting any such set-off rights) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrowers or such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or the Swingline Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, such Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or the Swingline Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrowers or such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender or the Swingline Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such the Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender, each Issuing Lender, the Canadian Dollar Lender and the Swingline Lender agrees to notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
(b) Any amount to be set-off pursuant to Section 14.4(a) shall be denominated in Dollars and any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount of such amount at the most favorable spot exchange rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be available to it; provided that if at the time of any such determination no such spot exchange rate can reasonably be determined, the Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method as it deems applicable to determine such rate, any such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error.
(c) Each Lender and any assignee or participant of such Lender in accordance with Section 14.11 are hereby authorized by the Borrower to combine currencies, as deemed necessary by such Person, in order to effect any set-off pursuant to Section 14.4(a).
SECTION 14.5 Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, unless otherwise expressly set forth therein, shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including Section 5-1401 and Section 5-1402 of the General Obligation Law of the State of New York, without reference to any other conflicts of law principles thereof.
105
SECTION 14.6 Jurisdiction and Venue.
(a) Jurisdiction. The Credit Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York, New York (and any courts from which an appeal from any of such courts must or may be taken), in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of any dispute in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations. The Credit Parties hereby irrevocably consent to the service of a summons and complaint and other process in any action, claim or proceeding brought by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations, on behalf of itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 14.1. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to bring any action or proceeding against the Credit Parties or their respective properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.
(b) Venue. The Credit Parties hereby irrevocably waive any objection they may have now or in the future to the laying of venue in the aforesaid jurisdictions in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder or thereunder. The Credit Parties irrevocably waive, in connection with such action, claim or proceeding, any plea or claim that the action, claim or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(c) Appointment of the U.S. Borrower as Agent for the Borrowers. Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the U.S. Borrower to act as its agent for service of process and notices required to be delivered under this Agreement or under the other Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that receipt by the U.S. Borrower of any summons, notice or other similar item shall be deemed effective receipt by each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 14.7 Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Jury Trial. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER AND EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION, CLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
(b) Preservation of Certain Remedies. The parties hereto and the other Loan Documents preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that such Persons may employ or exercise freely, either alone, in conjunction with or during a Dispute. Each such Person shall have and hereby reserves the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any
106
real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale granted in the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law or by judicial foreclosure and sale, including a proceeding to confirm the sale, (ii) all rights of self help including peaceful occupation of property and collection of rents, set off, and peaceful possession of property, (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and in filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an arbitrator to grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.
SECTION 14.8 Reversal of Payments. To the extent a Borrower makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent receives any payment or proceeds of the collateral which payments or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state, provincial or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 14.9 Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages.
(a) The Credit Parties recognize that, in the event the Credit Parties fail to perform, observe or discharge any of their obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders. Therefore, the Credit Parties agree that the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders, at the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ option, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.
(b) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and each Credit Party hereto (on behalf of itself and the Credit Parties) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that they may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
SECTION 14.10 Accounting Matters. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrowers or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrowers shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrowers shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting
107
forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
SECTION 14.11 Successors and Assigns; Participations.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Borrower nor any other Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that
(i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment, unless such assignment is made to an existing Lender, to an Affiliate thereof, or to an Approved Fund, in which case no minimum amount shall apply, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company, otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the Company shall be deemed to have given its consent five (5) Business Days after the date written notice thereof has been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) unless such consent is expressly refused by the Company prior to such fifth (5th) Business Day;
(ii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned;
108
(iii) any assignment of a Commitment must be approved by the Administrative Agent, the Canadian Dollar Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lenders unless the Person that is the proposed assignee is itself a Lender with a Commitment (whether or not the proposed assignee would otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee); and
(iv) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits and obligations of Sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 and 14.14 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the U.S. Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the U.S. Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the U.S. Borrower and any Lender, solely to the extent of any entries applicable to such Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or a Borrower or any of the Borrowers’ Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.
109
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver or modification described in the Section 14.2 that directly affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.13 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 14.4 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.7 as though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.12 and 4.13 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the U.S. Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.13 unless the U.S. Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the U.S. Borrower, to comply with Section 4.13(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
SECTION 14.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s regulatory compliance policy, to the extent requested by, or required to be disclosed to, in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s regulatory compliance policy, any rating agency, or regulatory or similar authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement with a Lender or the Administrative Agent) or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement with a Lender or the Administrative Agent) or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any purchasing Lender, proposed purchasing Lender, Participant or proposed Participant or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the
110
Company, (h) to Gold Sheets and other similar bank trade publications, such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications, or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Credit Party relating to any Credit Party or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Credit Party; provided that, in the case of information received from a Credit Party after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
SECTION 14.13 Acknowledgement. Each of the parties hereto is aware of the restrictions imposed by the United States securities laws on the purchase or sale of securities by any person who has received material, non-public information from the issuer of such securities and on the communication of such information to any other person when it is reasonably foreseeable that such other person is likely to purchase or sell such securities in reliance upon such information. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and understands that (i) the federal securities laws, in addition to applicable state laws, prohibit any person from trading in any security on the basis of material nonpublic information about the security or its issuer; (ii) information should be regarded as material if there is a likelihood that it would be considered important by an investor in making a decision regarding the purchase or sale of a security; (iii) theses laws apply to all person who possess, or have access to, material nonpublic information concerning an issuer or its securities; (iv) the information includes, or may include, material non-public information about the Company and its Subsidiaries; and (v) violation of such federal and state laws can result in sever civil and criminal penalties.
SECTION 14.14 Performance of Duties. Each of the Credit Party’s obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall be performed by such Credit Party at its sole cost and expense.
SECTION 14.15 All Powers Coupled with Interest. All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied, any of the Commitments remain in effect or the Credit Facility has not been terminated.
SECTION 14.16 Survival of Indemnities. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities to which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of this Article XIV and any other provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against events arising after such termination as well as before.
111
SECTION 14.17 Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 14.18 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 14.19 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 14.20 Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.
SECTION 14.21 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Closing Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full and all Commitments have been terminated. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision of this Agreement which survives such termination.
SECTION 14.22 Advice of Counsel, No Strict Construction. Each of the parties represents to each other party hereto that it has discussed this Agreement with its counsel. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 14.23 Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent Effect of Covenants.
(a) In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall control; provided that any provision of
112
the Security Documents which imposes additional burdens on any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries or further restricts the rights of any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries or gives the Administrative Agent or Lenders additional rights shall not be deemed to be in conflict or inconsistent with this Agreement and shall be given full force and effect.
(b) The Credit Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that each covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX, or X hereof shall be given independent effect. Accordingly, the Credit Parties shall not engage in any transaction or other act otherwise permitted under any covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX, or X if, before or after giving effect to such transaction or act, the Credit Parties shall or would be in breach of any other covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX, or X.
SECTION 14.24 Continuity of Contract. The parties hereto agree that the occurrence or non-occurrence of EMU, any event or events associated with EMU and/or the introduction of the euro in all or any part of the European Union (a) will not result in the discharge, cancellation, rescission or termination in whole or in part of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) will not give any party the right to cancel, rescind, terminate or vary this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (c) will not give rise to an Event of Default, in each case other than as specifically provided in this Agreement.
SECTION 14.25 Language. The parties acknowledge that they have required that this agreement and all related documents be drawn up in English. Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé que la présente convention et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés en anglais.
SECTION 14.26 USA Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Company and its Subsidiaries that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Credit parties, which information includes the name and address of Credit Parties and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Credit Parties in accordance with the Act.
[Signature pages to follow]
113
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above.
PRA INTERNATIONAL, a Delaware corporation, as Company and a Parent Guarantor |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer | |||
PRA SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation, as a Parent Guarantor |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer | |||
PRA INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation, as a Parent Guarantor |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer | |||
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC., a
Virginia
corporation, as U.S. Borrower |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer | |||
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a company organized
under the laws of Canada, as Canadian
Borrower |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer |
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, GmbH.,
a company organized under the laws of
Germany, as German Borrower |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Director |
PHARM RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (UK) LIMITED, a
company organized under the laws of England
and Wales, as UK Borrower |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer | |||
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
AGENTS AND LENDERS: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender, Issuing Lender and Lender |
||||
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Lender |
||||
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
CIBC INC., as Lender |
||||
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Lender |
||||
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Lender |
||||
[Credit Agreement — PRA International]
Schedule 1.1(a)
To Credit Agreement
Mandatory Cost Formulae
1. | The Mandatory Cost is an addition to the interest rate to compensate Lenders for the cost of compliance with (a) the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority (the “Financial Services Authority”) (or, in either case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) or (b) the requirements of the European Central Bank. | |||
2. | On the first day of each Interest Period (or as soon as possible thereafter), the Administrative Agent shall calculate, as a percentage rate, a rate (the “Additional Cost Rate”) for each Lender in accordance with the paragraphs set out below. The Mandatory Cost will be calculated by the Administrative Agent as a weighted average of the Lenders’ Additional Cost Rates (weighted in proportion to the percentage participation of each Lender in the relevant Loan) and will be expressed as a percentage rate per annum. | |||
3. | The Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Lending Office in a Participating Member State will be the percentage notified by that Lender to the Administrative Agent. This percentage will be certified by that Lender in its notice to the Administrative Agent to be its reasonable determination of the cost (expressed as a percentage of that Lender’s participation in all Loans made from that Lending Office) of complying with the minimum reserve requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of loans made from that Lending Office. | |||
4. | The Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Lending Office in the United Kingdom will be calculated by the Administrative Agent as follows: |
(a) | in relation to a Loan denominated in Pounds Sterling: |
AB +
C(B - D) + E x 0.01 100 - (A + C) |
percent per annum |
(b) | in relation to a Loan denominated in any currency other than Pounds Sterling: |
E x 0.01 300 |
percent per annum. |
Where: |
A | is the percentage of Eligible Liabilities (assuming these to be in excess of any stated minimum) which that Lender is from time to time required to maintain as an interest free cash ratio deposit with the Bank of England to comply with cash ratio requirements. |
B | is the percentage rate of interest (excluding the Applicable Margin and Mandatory Cost and, if the same would otherwise apply, the additional Default Rate) payable for the relevant Interest Period on the relevant Loan. | |||
C | is the percentage (if any) of Eligible Liabilities which that Lender is required from time to time to maintain as interest bearing Special Deposits with the Bank of England. | |||
D | is the percentage rate per annum payable by the Bank of England to the Administrative Agent on interest bearing Special Deposits. | |||
E | is designed to compensate Lenders for amounts payable under the Fees Rules and is calculated by the Administrative Agent as being the average of the most recent rates of charge supplied by the Reference Banks to the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph 7 below and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000. |
5. | For the purposes of this Schedule 1.01(e): |
(a) | “Eligible Liabilities” has the meaning given to it from time to time under or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be appropriate) by the Bank of England; | |||
(b) | “Fees Rules” means the rules on periodic fees contained in the FSA Supervision Manual or such other law or regulation as may be in force from time to time in respect of the payment of fees for the acceptance of deposits; | |||
(c) | “Fee Tariffs” means the fee tariffs specified in the Fees Rules under the activity group A.1 Deposit acceptors (ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required pursuant to the Fees Rules but taking into account any applicable discount rate); | |||
(d) | “Reference Banks” means the principal London Office of Wachovia Bank, National Association or such other bank as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent after consultation with the Borrower; | |||
(e) | “Special Deposits” has the meanings given to it from time to time under or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be appropriate) by the Bank of England; and | |||
(f) | “Tariff Base” has the meaning given to it in, and will be calculated in accordance with, the Fees Rules. |
6. | In application of the above formulae, A, B, C and D will be included in the formulae as percentages (i.e., 5 percent will be included in the formula as 5 and not as 0.05). A negative result obtained by subtracting D from B shall be taken as zero. The resulting figures shall be rounded to four decimal places. |
7. | If requested by the Administrative Agent, each Reference Bank shall, as soon as practicable after publication by the Financial Services Authority, supply to the Administrative Agent the rate of charge payable by that Reference Bank to the Financial Services Authority pursuant to the Fees Rules in respect of the relevant financial year of the Financial Services Authority (calculated for this purpose by that Reference Bank as being the average of the Fee Tariffs applicable to that Reference Bank for that financial year) and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000 of the Tariff Base of that Reference Bank. |
8. Each Lender shall supply any information required by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of calculating its Additional Cost Rate. In particular, but without limitation, each Lender shall supply the following information on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender:
(a) | the jurisdiction of its Lending Office; and | |||
(b) | any other information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably require for such purpose. |
Each Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any change to the information provided by it pursuant to this paragraph. | ||||
9. | The percentages of each Lender for the purpose of A and C above and the rates of charge of each Reference Bank for the purpose of E above shall be determined by the Administrative Agent based upon the information supplied to it pursuant to paragraphs 7 and 8 above and on the assumption that, unless a Lender notifies the Administrative Agent to the contrary, each Lender’s obligations in relation to cash ratio deposits and Special Deposits are the same as those of a typical bank from its jurisdiction of incorporation with a Lending Office in the same jurisdiction as its Lending Office. | |||
10. | The Administrative Agent shall have no liability to any person if such determination results in an Additional Cost Rate which over or under compensates any Lender and shall be entitled to assume that the information provided by any Lender or Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above is true and correct in all respects. | |||
11. | The Administrative Agent shall distribute the additional amounts received as a result of the Mandatory Cost to the Lenders on the basis of the Additional Cost Rate for each Lender based on the information provided by each Lender and each Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above. | |||
12. | Any determination by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Schedule 1.01(e) in relation to a formula, the Mandatory Cost, an Additional Cost Rate or any amount payable to a Lender shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties. | |||
13. | The Administrative Agent may from time to time, after consultation with the Borrower and the Lenders, determine and notify to all parties of any amendments which are |
required to be made to this Schedule 1.01(e) in order to comply with any change in law, regulation or any requirements from time to time imposed by the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank (or, in any case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) and any such determination shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties. |