NORWEST BANK TEXAS, N.A.
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT") is made as of the 30th day of
September, 1998, by INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AGENCY FOR LIFE INSURANCE, INC.
(hereinafter called "PLEDGOR", whether one or more), in favor of NORWEST BANK
TEXAS, N.A. ("BANK"). Pledgor hereby agrees with Bank as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated below:
"BORROWER" means Pledgor.
"CODE" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of
Texas on the date of this Agreement or as it may hereafter be amended from
time to time.
"COLLATERAL" means all property specifically described on SCHEDULE "A"
attached hereto and made a part hereof. Collateral, as used herein, shall
also include (i) all certificates, instruments and/or other documents
evidencing the foregoing, (ii) all renewals, replacements and substitutions
of all of the foregoing, (iii) all Additional Property (as hereinafter
defined), and (iv) all PRODUCTS and PROCEEDS of all of the foregoing. The
designation of proceeds does not authorize Pledgor to sell, transfer or
otherwise convey any of the foregoing property. The delivery at any time
by Pledgor to Secured Party of any property as a pledge to secure payment
or performance of any indebtedness or obligation whatsoever shall also
constitute a pledge of such property as Collateral hereunder.
"INDEBTEDNESS" means (a) the Promissory Note dated September 30, 1998,
in the original principal amount of $16,000,000.00, executed by Borrower
and payable to the order of Bank, (b) all accrued but unpaid interest on
any of the indebtedness described in (a) above, (c) all obligations owing
to Secured Party under any documents evidencing, securing, governing and/or
pertaining to all or any part of the indebtedness described in (a) and (b)
above, (d) all costs and expenses incurred by Secured Party in connection
with the collection of all or any part of the indebtedness and obligations
described in (a), (b) and (c) above or the protection or preservation of,
or realization upon, the collateral securing all or any part of such
indebtedness and obligations, including without limitation all reasonable
attorneys' fees, and (v) all renewals, extensions, modifications and
rearrangements of the indebtedness and obligations described in (a), (b),
(c) and (d) above.
"LOAN AGREEMENT" means the Loan Agreement dated the Effective Date,
between Bank and Borrower, as such may be amended and/or superseded from
time to time.
"LOAN DOCUMENTS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Loan
Agreement.
"OBLIGATED PARTY" means any party other than Borrower who secures,
guarantees and/or is otherwise obligated to pay all or any portion of the
Indebtedness.
All words and phrases used herein which are expressly defined in Section 1.201,
Chapter 8 or Chapter 9 of the Code shall have the meaning provided for therein.
Other words and phrases defined elsewhere in the Code shall have the meaning
specified therein except to the extent such meaning is inconsistent with a
definition in Section 1.201, Chapter 8 or Chapter 9 of the Code.
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2. SECURITY INTEREST. As security for the Indebtedness, Pledgor, for
value received, hereby grants to Bank a continuing security interest in the
Collateral.
3. ADDITIONAL PROPERTY. Collateral shall also include the following
property (collectively, the "ADDITIONAL PROPERTY") which Pledgor becomes
entitled to receive or shall receive in connection with any other Collateral:
(a) any stock certificate, including without limitation, any certificate
representing a stock dividend or any certificate in connection with any
recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, conversion, sale of
assets, combination of shares, stock split or spin-off; (b) any option, warrant,
subscription or right, whether as an addition to or in substitution of any other
Collateral; (c) any dividends or distributions of any kind whatsoever, whether
distributable in cash, stock or other property; (d) any interest, premium or
principal payments; and (e) any conversion or redemption proceeds; provided,
however, that so long as no Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) has
occurred which is then continuing, Pledgor shall be entitled to all cash
dividends and all interest paid on the Collateral (except interest paid on any
certificate of deposit pledged hereunder) free of the security interest created
under this Agreement. All Additional Property received by Pledgor shall be
received in trust for the benefit of Bank. All Additional Property and all
certificates or other written instruments or documents evidencing and/or
representing the Additional Property that is received by Pledgor, together with
such instruments of transfer as Bank may request, shall immediately be delivered
to or deposited with Bank and held by Bank as Collateral under the terms of this
Agreement.
4. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
5. MAINTENANCE OF COLLATERAL. Bank does not have any obligation, duty or
responsibility with respect to the Collateral. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, Bank shall not have any obligation, duty or responsibility to
do any of the following: (a) ascertain any maturities, calls, conversions,
exchanges, offers, tenders or similar matters relating to the Collateral or
informing Pledgor with respect to any such matters; (b) fix, preserve or
exercise any right, privilege or option (whether conversion, redemption or
otherwise) with respect to the Collateral unless (i) Pledgor makes written
demand to Bank to do so, (ii) such written demand is received by Bank in
sufficient time to permit Bank to take the action demanded in the ordinary
course of its business, and (iii) Pledgor provides additional collateral,
acceptable to Bank in its sole discretion; (c) collect any amounts payable in
respect of the Collateral (Bank being liable to account to Pledgor only for what
Bank may actually receive or collect thereon); (d) sell all or any portion of
the Collateral to avoid market loss; (e) sell all or any portion of the
Collateral unless and until (i) Pledgor makes written demand upon Bank to sell
the Collateral, and (ii) Pledgor provides additional collateral, acceptable to
Bank in its sole discretion; or (f) hold the Collateral for or on behalf of any
party other than Pledgor.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Pledgor hereby represents and
warrants the following to Bank:
(a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(b) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(c) OWNERSHIP AND LIENS. Pledgor has good and marketable title to
the Collateral free and clear of all liens, security interests,
encumbrances or adverse claims, except for the security interest created by
this Agreement. No dispute, right of setoff, counterclaim or defense
exists with respect to all or any part of the Collateral. Pledgor has not
executed any other security agreement currently affecting the Collateral
and no financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering
all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any recording office except
as may have been executed or filed in favor of Bank.
(d) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
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(e) SECURITY INTEREST. Pledgor has and will have at all times full
right, power and authority to grant a security interest in the Collateral
to Bank in the manner provided herein, free and clear of any lien, security
interest or other charge or encumbrance. This Agreement creates a legal,
valid and binding security interest in favor of Bank in the Collateral.
(f) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(g) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(h) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
7. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Pledgor will comply with the covenants
contained in this Section at all times during the period of time this Agreement
is effective unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing.
(a) OWNERSHIP AND LIENS. Pledgor will maintain good and marketable
title to all Collateral free and clear of all liens, security interests,
encumbrances or adverse claims, except for the security interest created by
this Agreement and the security interests and other encumbrances expressly
permitted by the other Loan Documents. Pledgor will not permit any
dispute, right of setoff, counterclaim or defense to exist with respect to
all or any part of the Collateral. Pledgor will cause any financing
statement or other security instrument with respect to the Collateral to be
terminated, except as may exist or as may have been filed in favor of Bank.
Pledgor will defend at its expense Bank's right, title and security
interest in and to the Collateral against the claims of any third party.
(b) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(c) ADVERSE CLAIM. Pledgor covenants and agrees to promptly notify
Bank of any claim, action or proceeding affecting title to the Collateral,
or any part thereof, or the security interest created hereunder and, at
Pledgor's expense, defend Bank's security interest in the Collateral
against the claims of any third party. Pledgor also covenants and agrees
during the continuance of any Event of Default to promptly deliver to Bank
a copy of all written notices received by Pledgor with respect to the
Collateral, including without limitation, notices received from the issuer
of any securities pledged hereunder as Collateral.
(d) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(e) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Pledgor will contemporaneously with the
execution hereof and from time to time thereafter at its expense promptly
execute and deliver all further instruments and documents and take all
further action necessary or appropriate or that Bank may reasonably
request in order (i) to perfect and protect the security interest created
or purported to be created hereby and the first priority of such security
interest, (ii) to enable Bank to exercise and enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder in respect of the Collateral, and (iii) to otherwise
effect the purposes of this Agreement, including without limitation: (A)
executing and filing any financing or continuation statements, or any
amendments thereto; (B) obtaining written confirmation from the issuer of
any securities pledged as Collateral of the pledge of such securities, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank; (C) cooperating with
Bank in registering the pledge of any securities pledged as Collateral with
the issuer of such securities; (D) delivering notice of Bank's security
interest in any securities pledged as Collateral to any securities or
financial intermediary, clearing corporation or other party required by
Bank, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank; and (E)
obtaining written confirmation of the pledge of any securities constituting
Collateral from any securities or financial intermediary, clearing
corporation or other party required by Bank, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Bank. If all or any part of the Collateral is
securities issued by an agency or
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department of the United States, Pledgor covenants and agrees, at Bank's
request, to cooperate in registering such securities in Bank's name or with
Bank's account maintained with a Federal Reserve Bank.
8. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Pledgor will comply with the covenants contained
in this Section at all times during the period of time this Agreement is
effective, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing.
(a) TRANSFER OR ENCUMBRANCE. Pledgor will not (i) sell, assign (by
operation of law or otherwise) or transfer Pledgor's rights in any of the
Collateral, (ii) xxxxx x xxxx or security interest in or execute, file or
record any financing statement or other security instrument with respect to
the Collateral to any party other than Bank, or (iii) deliver actual or
constructive possession of any certificate, instrument or document
evidencing and/or representing any of the Collateral to any party other
than Bank.
(b) IMPAIRMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST. Pledgor will not take or fail
to take any action which would in any manner impair the value or
enforceability of Bank's security interest in any Collateral.
(c) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(d) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
9. RIGHTS OF BANK. Bank shall have the rights contained in this Section
at all times during the period of time this Agreement is effective.
(a) POWER OF ATTORNEY. Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints Bank as
Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, such power of attorney being coupled with an
interest, with full authority in the place and stead of Pledgor and in the
name of Pledgor or otherwise, to take any action and to execute any
instrument which Bank may from time to time in Bank's reasonable discretion
deem necessary or appropriate during the continuance of any Event of
Default to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including without
limitation, the following action: (i) transfer any securities,
instruments, documents or certificates pledged as Collateral in the name of
Bank or its nominee; (ii) use any interest, premium or principal payments,
conversion or redemption proceeds or other cash proceeds received in
connection with any Collateral to reduce any of the Indebtedness; (iii)
exchange any of the securities pledged as Collateral for any other property
upon any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other
readjustment of the issuer thereof, and, in connection therewith, to
deposit and deliver any and all of such securities with any committee,
depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agent upon such
terms and conditions as Bank may deem necessary or appropriate; (iv)
exercise or comply with any conversion, exchange, redemption, subscription
or any other right, privilege or option pertaining to any securities
pledged as Collateral; provided, however, except as provided herein, Bank
shall not have a duty to exercise or comply with any such right, privilege
or option (whether conversion, redemption or otherwise) and shall not be
responsible for any delay or failure to do so; and (v) file any claims or
take any action or institute any proceedings which Bank may deem necessary
or appropriate for the collection and/or preservation of the Collateral or
otherwise to enforce the rights of Bank with respect to the Collateral.
(b) PERFORMANCE BY BANK. If Pledgor fails to perform any agreement
or obligation provided herein, Bank may itself perform, or cause
performance of, such agreement or obligation, and the reasonable expenses
of Bank incurred in connection therewith shall be a part of the
Indebtedness, secured by the Collateral and payable by Pledgor on demand.
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Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, Bank does not have
any duty to exercise or continue to exercise any of the foregoing rights and
shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or for any delay in doing so.
10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following constitutes an "EVENT OF
DEFAULT" under this Agreement:
(a) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(b) NON-PERFORMANCE OF COVENANTS. The failure of Borrower or any
Obligated Party to timely and properly observe, keep or perform any
covenant, agreement, warranty or condition required herein and such failure
continues for more than thirty (30) days after written notice thereof shall
have been given by Bank to Borrower; provided, however, Bank is not
obligated to provide more than three (3) such notices during any twelve
(12) month period; or
(c) DEFAULT UNDER LOAN AGREEMENT. The occurrence of a Default under
the Loan Agreement.
(d) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(e) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(f) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(g) EXECUTION ON COLLATERAL. The Collateral or any portion thereof
is taken on execution or other process of law in any action against
Pledgor; or
(h) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(i) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(j) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(k) INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
(l) BANKRUPTCY OF ISSUER. (i) The issuer of any securities
constituting Collateral files a petition for relief under any Applicable
Bankruptcy Law, (ii) an involuntary petition for relief is filed against
any such issuer under any Applicable Bankruptcy Law and such involuntary
petition is not dismissed within thirty (30) days after the filing thereof,
or (iii) an order for relief naming any such issuer is entered under any
Applicable Bankruptcy Law.
11. REMEDIES AND RELATED RIGHTS. If an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, and without limiting any other rights and remedies
provided herein, under any of the other Loan Documents or otherwise available to
Bank, Bank may exercise one or more of the rights and remedies provided in this
Section.
(a) REMEDIES. Bank may from time to time at its discretion, without
limitation and without notice except as expressly provided in any of the
Loan Documents:
(i) exercise in respect of the Collateral all the rights and
remedies of a secured party under the Code (whether or not the Code
applies to the affected Collateral);
5
(ii) reduce its claim to judgment or foreclose or otherwise
enforce, in whole or in part, the security interest granted hereunder
by any available judicial procedure;
(iii) sell or otherwise dispose of, at its office, on the premises
of Pledgor or elsewhere, the Collateral, as a unit or in parcels, by
public or private proceedings, and by way of one or more contracts (it
being agreed that the sale or other disposition of any part of the
Collateral shall not exhaust Bank's power of sale, but sales or other
dispositions may be made from time to time until all of the Collateral
has been sold or disposed of or until the Indebtedness has been paid
and performed in full), and at any such sale or other disposition it
shall not be necessary to exhibit any of the Collateral;
(iv) buy the Collateral, or any portion thereof, at any public
sale;
(v) buy the Collateral, or any portion thereof, at any private
sale if the Collateral is of a type customarily sold in a recognized
market or is of a type which is the subject of widely distributed
standard price quotations;
(vi) apply for the appointment of a receiver for the Collateral,
and Pledgor hereby consents to any such appointment; and
(vii) at its option, retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the
Indebtedness whenever the circumstances are such that Bank is entitled
to do so under the Code or otherwise.
Pledgor agrees that in the event Pledgor is entitled to receive any notice
under the Uniform Commercial Code, as it exists in the state governing any
such notice, of the sale or other disposition of any Collateral, reasonable
notice shall be deemed given when such notice is deposited in a depository
receptacle under the care and custody of the United States Postal Service,
postage prepaid, at Pledgor's address set forth on the signature page
hereof, ten (10) days prior to the date of any public sale, or after which
a private sale, of any of such Collateral is to be held. Bank shall not be
obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale
having been given. Bank may adjourn any public or private sale from time
to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale
may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was
so adjourned. Pledgor further acknowledges and agrees that the redemption
by Bank of any certificate of deposit pledged as Collateral shall be deemed
to be a commercially reasonable disposition under Section 9.504(c) of the
Code.
(b) PRIVATE SALE OF SECURITIES. Pledgor recognizes that Bank may be
unable to effect a public sale of all or any part of the securities pledged
as Collateral because of restrictions in applicable federal and state
securities laws and that Bank may, therefore, determine to make one or more
private sales of any such securities to a restricted group of purchasers
who will be obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire such
securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the
distribution or resale thereof. Pledgor acknowledges that each any such
private sale may be at prices and other terms less favorable then what
might have been obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the
foregoing, agrees that each such private sale shall be deemed to have been
made in a commercially reasonable manner and that Bank shall have no
obligation to delay the sale of any such securities for the period of time
necessary to permit the issuer to register such securities for public sale
under any federal or state securities laws. Pledgor further acknowledges
and agrees that any offer to sell such securities which has been made
privately in the manner described above to not less than five (5) BONA FIDE
offerees shall be deemed to involve a "public sale" for the purposes of
Section 9.504(c) of the Code, notwithstanding that such sale may not
constitute a "public offering" under any federal or state securities laws
and that Bank may, in such event, bid for the purchase of such securities.
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(c) APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. If any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, Bank may at its discretion apply or use any
cash held by Bank as Collateral, and any cash proceeds received by Bank in
respect of any sale or other disposition of, collection from, or other
realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral as follows in such
order and manner as Bank may elect:
(i) to the repayment or reimbursement of the reasonable costs
and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses) incurred by Bank in connection with (A) the
custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection
from, or other realization upon, the Collateral, and (B) the exercise
or enforcement of any of the rights and remedies of Bank hereunder;
(ii) to the payment or other satisfaction of any liens and other
encumbrances upon the Collateral;
(iii) to the satisfaction of the Indebtedness;
(iv) by holding such cash and proceeds as Collateral;
(v) to the payment of any other amounts required by applicable
law (including without limitation, Section 9.504(a)(3) of the Code or
any other applicable statutory provision); and
(vi) by delivery to Pledgor or any other party lawfully entitled
to receive such cash or proceeds whether by direction of a court of
competent jurisdiction or otherwise.
(d) DEFICIENCY. In the event that the proceeds of any sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon, all or any part of the
Collateral by Bank are insufficient to pay all amounts to which Bank is
legally entitled, Borrower and any party who guaranteed or is otherwise
obligated to pay all or any portion of the Indebtedness shall be liable for
the deficiency, together with interest thereon as provided in the Loan
Documents.
(e) NON-JUDICIAL REMEDIES. In granting to Bank the power to enforce
its rights hereunder without prior judicial process or judicial hearing,
Pledgor expressly waives, renounces and knowingly relinquishes any legal
right which might otherwise require Bank to enforce its rights by judicial
process. Pledgor recognizes and concedes that non-judicial remedies are
consistent with the usage of trade, are responsive to commercial necessity
and are the result of a bargain at arm's length. Nothing herein is
intended to prevent Bank or Pledgor from resorting to judicial process at
either party's option.
(f) OTHER RECOURSE. Pledgor waives any right to require Bank to
proceed against any third party, exhaust any Collateral or other security
for the Indebtedness, or to have any third party joined with Pledgor in any
suit arising out of the Indebtedness or any of the Loan Documents, or
pursue any other remedy available to Bank. Pledgor further waives any and
all notice of acceptance of this Agreement and of the creation,
modification, rearrangement, renewal or extension of the Indebtedness.
Pledgor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or
other defense of any third party or by reason of the cessation from any
cause whatsoever of the liability of any third party. Until all of the
Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, Pledgor shall have no right of
subrogation and Pledgor waives the right to enforce any remedy which Bank
has or may hereafter have against any third party, and waives any benefit
of and any right to participate in any other security whatsoever now or
hereafter held by Bank. Pledgor authorizes Bank, and without notice or
demand and without any reservation of rights against Pledgor and without
affecting Pledgor's liability hereunder or on the Indebtedness, to (i) take
or hold any other property of any type from any third party as security for
the Indebtedness,
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and exchange, enforce, waive and release any or all of such other property,
(ii) apply such other property and direct the order or manner of sale
thereof as Bank may in its discretion determine, (iii) renew, extend,
accelerate, modify, compromise, settle or release any of the Indebtedness
or other security for the Indebtedness, (iv) waive, enforce or modify any
of the provisions of any of the Loan Documents executed by any third party,
and (v) release or substitute any third party.
(g) VOTING RIGHTS. During the continuance of an Event of Default,
Pledgor will not exercise any voting rights with respect to securities
pledged as Collateral. Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints Bank as
Pledgor's attorney-in-fact (such power of attorney being coupled with an
interest) and proxy to exercise any voting rights with respect to Pledgor's
securities pledged as Collateral during the continuance of an Event of
Default.
(h) DIVIDEND RIGHTS AND INTEREST PAYMENTS. During the continuance of
an Event of Default:
(i) all rights of Pledgor to receive and retain the dividends
and interest payments which it would otherwise be authorized to
receive and retain pursuant to Section 3 shall automatically cease,
and all such rights shall thereupon become vested with Bank which
shall thereafter have the sole right to receive, hold and apply as
Collateral such dividends and interest payments; and
(ii) all dividend and interest payments which are received by
Pledgor contrary to the provisions of clause (i) of this Subsection
shall be received in trust for the benefit of Bank, shall be
segregated from other funds of Pledgor, and shall be forthwith paid
over to Bank in the exact form received (properly endorsed or assigned
if requested by Bank), to be held by Bank as Collateral.
(i) BANKRUPTCY. IN THE EVENT THAT DEBTOR IS THE SUBJECT OF ANY
INSOLVENCY, BANKRUPTCY, RECEIVERSHIP, DISSOLUTION, REORGANIZATION OR
SIMILAR PROCEEDING, FEDERAL OR STATE, VOLUNTARY OR INVOLUNTARY, UNDER ANY
PRESENT OR FUTURE LAW OR ACT, BANK IS ENTITLED TO THE AUTOMATIC AND
ABSOLUTE LIFTING OF ANY AUTOMATIC STAY AS TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF ITS
REMEDIES UNDER THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AGAINST THE COLLATERAL INCLUDING
SPECIFICALLY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE STAY IMPOSED BY XXXXXXX 000 XX XXX
XXXXXX XXXXXX FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY CODE, AS AMENDED. DEBTOR HEREBY CONSENTS
TO THE IMMEDIATE LIFTING OF ANY SUCH AUTOMATIC STAY, AND WILL NOT CONTEST
ANY MOTION BY BANK TO LIFT SUCH STAY. DEBTOR EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
(a) THERE IS NO EQUITY IN THE COLLATERAL AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE AMOUNT
OWED BANK, AND (b) THE COLLATERAL IS NOT NOW, AND WILL NEVER BE NECESSARY
TO ANY PLAN OF REORGANIZATION OF ANY TYPE.
12. INDEMNITY. Pledgor hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless
Bank, and its officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (each
an "Indemnified Person") from and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
or disbursements of any kind or nature (collectively, the "Claims") which may be
imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, any Indemnified Person arising in
connection with the Loan Documents, the Indebtedness or the Collateral
(including without limitation, the enforcement of the Loan Documents and the
defense of any Indemnified Person's actions and/or inactions in connection with
the Loan Documents); provided, however, that no Indemnified Person will be
indemnified hereunder for such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful
misconduct. The indemnification provided for in this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and shall extend and continue to benefit each
individual or entity who is or has at any time been an Indemnified Person
hereunder.
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13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
of Bank and Pledgor with respect to the Collateral. If the parties hereto
are parties to any prior agreement, either written or oral, relating to the
Collateral, the terms of this Agreement shall amend and supersede the terms
of such prior agreements as to transactions on or after the effective
date of this Agreement, but all security agreements, financing statements,
guaranties, other contracts and notices for the benefit of Bank shall
continue in full force and effect to secure the Indebtedness unless Bank
specifically releases its rights thereunder by separate release.
(b) AMENDMENT. No modification, consent or amendment of any
provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be
valid or effective unless the same is in writing and signed by the party
against whom it is sought to be enforced.
(c) ACTIONS BY BANK. The lien, security interest and other security
rights of Bank hereunder shall not be impaired by (i) any renewal,
extension, increase or modification with respect to the Indebtedness, (ii)
any surrender, compromise, release, renewal, extension, exchange or
substitution which Bank may grant with respect to the Collateral, or (iii)
any release or indulgence granted to any endorser, guarantor or surety of
the Indebtedness. The taking of additional security by Bank shall not
release or impair the lien, security interest or other security rights of
Bank hereunder or affect the obligations of Pledgor hereunder.
(d) WAIVER BY BANK. Bank may waive any Event of Default without
waiving any other prior or subsequent Event of Default. Bank may remedy
any default without waiving the Event of Default remedied. Neither the
failure by Bank to exercise, nor the delay by Bank in exercising, any right
or remedy upon any Event of Default shall be construed as a waiver of such
Event of Default or as a waiver of the right to exercise any such right or
remedy at a later date. No single or partial exercise by Bank of any right
or remedy hereunder shall exhaust the same or shall preclude any other or
further exercise thereof, and every such right or remedy hereunder may be
exercised at any time. No waiver of any provision hereof or consent to any
departure by Pledgor therefrom shall be effective unless the same shall be
in writing and signed by Bank and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instances, for the purpose for which given
and to the extent therein specified. No notice to or demand on Pledgor in
any case shall of itself entitle Pledgor to any other or further notice or
demand in similar or other circumstances.
(e) COSTS AND EXPENSES. Pledgor will upon demand pay to Bank the
amount of any and all reasonable costs and expenses (including without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses), which Bank may incur
in connection with (i) the preparation of this Agreement and the perfection
and preservation of the security interests granted under the Loan
Documents, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the
sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, the Collateral, (iii)
the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Bank under the Loan
Documents, or (iv) the failure by Pledgor to perform or observe any of the
provisions hereof.
(f) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL
LAWS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OR
NON-PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF
ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL, ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER
THAN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
(g) VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO IN THE COUNTY IN
TEXAS WHERE BANK'S ADDRESS FOR NOTICE PURPOSES IS LOCATED, AND IT SHALL BE
PERFORMABLE FOR ALL PURPOSES IN SUCH COUNTY. COURTS WITHIN THE STATE OF
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TEXAS SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING UNDER OR
PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND VENUE FOR ANY SUCH DISPUTES SHALL BE IN
THE COUNTY OR JUDICIAL DISTRICT WHERE THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXECUTED AND
DELIVERED.
(h) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable
under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully severable,
shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement and the
effect thereof shall be confined to the provision held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable.
(i) NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands or other communications
required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in
writing and given as set forth in the Loan Agreement.
(j) BINDING EFFECT AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement (i) creates a
continuing security interest in the Collateral, (ii) shall be binding on
Pledgor and the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of Pledgor, and (iii) shall inure to the benefit of
Bank and its successors and assigns. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, Bank may pledge, assign or otherwise transfer the
Indebtedness and its rights under this Agreement and any of the other Loan
Documents to any other party. Pledgor's rights and obligations hereunder
may not be assigned or otherwise transferred without the prior written
consent of Bank.
(k) TERMINATION. It is contemplated by the parties hereto that from
time to time there may be no outstanding Indebtedness, but notwithstanding
such occurrences, this Agreement shall remain valid and shall be in full
force and effect as to subsequent outstanding Indebtedness. Upon (i) the
satisfaction in full of the Indebtedness, and (ii) the termination or
expiration of any commitment of Bank to extend credit to Borrower, this
Agreement and the security interests created hereby shall terminate. Upon
termination of this Agreement and Pledgor's written request, Bank will, at
Pledgor's sole cost and expense, return to Pledgor such of the Collateral
as shall not have been sold or otherwise disposed of or applied pursuant to
the terms hereof and execute and deliver to Pledgor such documents as
Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination. In
addition, Pledgor is entitled to one or more partial releases of Bank's
security interest in the Collateral pursuant to provisions in Section 3.1
of the Loan Agreement.
(l) CUMULATIVE RIGHTS. All rights and remedies of Bank hereunder are
cumulative of each other and of every other right or remedy which Bank may
otherwise have at law or in equity or under any of the other Loan
Documents, and the exercise of one or more of such rights or remedies shall
not prejudice or impair the concurrent or subsequent exercise of any other
rights or remedies.
(m) GENDER AND NUMBER. Within this Agreement, words of any gender
shall be held and construed to include the other gender, and words in the
singular number shall be held and construed to include the plural and words
in the plural number shall be held and construed to include the singular,
unless in each instance the context requires otherwise.
(n) DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall in no way enlarge, limit or define the scope or
meaning of the various and several provisions hereof.
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EXECUTED as of the date first written above.
Pledgor's Address: PLEDGOR:
4100 South Xxxxx INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AGENCY
X.X. Xxx 0000 FOR LIFE INSURANCE, INC.
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------
Title: Chief Executive Officer
------------------------
Bank's Address:
NORWEST BANK TEXAS, N.A.
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxx Xxxxxxx
---------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
--------------------------
Address for mail delivery and notices:
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
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SCHEDULE "A"
TO
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
BY AND BETWEEN
NORWEST BANK TEXAS, N.A.
AND
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AGENCY FOR LIFE INSURANCE, INC.
The following property is a part of the Collateral as defined in Section 1:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Mutual Fund Name Account # Shares
------------------------- ----------- ---------------
AIM Summit Mutual Fund 7029424545 343,764.247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Destiny I 7029163488-8 8,120.56
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Destiny IIA 7010746901-1 27,314.691
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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