LOAN AGREEMENT
LOAN
AGREEMENT
(this
“Agreement”),
is
made and entered into as of the 31st
day of
December, 2007, by and between COMVEST
INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, L.P.,
a
Delaware limited partnership (the “Lender”),
and
EVCI
CAREER COLLEGES HOLDING CORP., a
Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”);
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
through
various subsidiaries, the Borrower is engaged in the business of providing
adult
career training on a for-profit basis (collectively, the “Business”);
and
WHEREAS,
the
Borrower has requested the Lender to extend to the Borrower loans in the
aggregate principal amount of up to $700,000, the proceeds of which will be
used
by the Borrower (i) to pay certain expenses related to the cessation of business
operations by Interboro (as such term is hereinafter defined), and (ii) for
the
Borrower’s working capital and other general corporate purposes;
and
WHEREAS,
the
Lender is willing and able to make such loans to the Borrower on the terms
and
conditions of this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
I. |
DEFINITIONS
|
Section
1.01. Defined
Terms.
In
addition to the other terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used herein,
the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate”
shall
mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person in control of, controlled
by,
or under common control with the first Person, and any other Person who has
a
substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the first Person or any of its
Affiliates, including, without limitation, any officer or director of the first
Person or any of its Affiliates; for the purpose of this definition, a
“substantial interest” shall mean the direct or indirect legal or beneficial
ownership of more than five (5%) percent of any class of stock or similar
interest.
“Agreement”
shall
mean this Loan Agreement as it may from time to time be amended, modified,
supplemented and/or restated.
“Applicable
Law”
shall
mean all applicable provisions of all (a) constitutions, statutes, ordinances,
rules, regulations and orders of all governmental and/or quasi-governmental
bodies, (b) Government Approvals, and (c) orders, judgments and decrees of
all
courts and arbitrators.
“Approved
Budget”
shall
mean the month-by-month budget of the Borrower dated December 31, 2007 which
has
been approved by the Lender, as same may be amended or modified from time to
time by written agreement of the Lender and the Borrower.
1
“Business
Day”
shall
mean a day other than (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday, or (c) in the case of a
day
on which any payment hereunder is to be made in the State of Florida or from
the
State of New York, a day on which commercial banks in the State of Florida
or
the State of New York are authorized or required by law to close.
“Closing
Date”
shall
mean the date of the funding of the initial Loan to the Borrower.
“Closing
Fee”
shall
mean the sum of $35,000, which shall be payable in accordance with Section
2.01(c) of this Agreement.
“Collateral”
shall
have the meaning ascribed thereto in the security provisions of the Xxxxxx
Credit Agreement and related loan documents and/or in the Security
Agreement.
“Commitment”
shall
mean the commitment of the Lender, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to make Loans to the Borrower from
time
to time in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $700,000.
“Contract”
shall
mean any indenture, agreement (other than this Agreement), other contractual
restriction, lease in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a lessor or
lessee, license, instrument, or Organic Documents of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary.
“Convertible
Notes”
shall
mean the Secured Convertible Promissory Notes dated May 23, 2007 issued by
the
Borrower to the Lender, Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx X. XxXxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, respectively.
“Default”
shall
mean any of the events specified in Article VII hereof, whether or not any
requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other
condition, has been satisfied.
“Disclosure
Schedule”
shall
mean the Disclosure Schedule delivered by the Borrower to the Lender in
conjunction with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the numbered
schedules therein corresponding to the Section numbers in this
Agreement.
“Event
of Default”
shall
mean any of the events specified in Article VII hereof, provided that any
requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other
condition, has been satisfied.
“Existing
Events of Default”
shall
mean those events of default set forth on Schedule 2 attached to the Forbearance
Agreement.
“Forbearance
Agreement”
shall
mean the written forebearance or written amendment of the Xxxxxx Credit
Agreement and related loan documents, restructuring the terms thereof in a
manner satisfactory to the Lender and the Borrower.
“Government
Approval”
shall
mean an authorization, consent, non-action, approval, license or exemption
of,
registration or filing with, or report to, any governmental or
quasi-governmental department, agency, body or other unit.
2
“Guarantors”
shall
mean TCI, PSB, Interboro and Interboro Holding.
“Guaranty”
shall
mean the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, pursuant to which
the
Guarantors will guaranty the full and timely payment and performance of all
Obligations.
“Xxxxxx
Credit Agreement”
shall
mean the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September
16,
2005 (as heretofore amended) among the Borrower, the guarantors parties thereto,
and Xxxxxx X.X., which has been assigned by Xxxxxx X.X. to the Lender or an
Affiliate of the Lender.
“Interboro”
shall
mean Interboro Institute, Inc., a New York corporation, which is a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Interboro
Holding”
shall
mean Interboro Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Intercreditor
Agreement”
shall
mean the Intercreditor Agreement dated April 24, 2007 by and among the Lender
or
an Affiliate of the Lender (as assignee of the “Senior Debt” thereunder
previously held by Xxxxxx X.X.) and the holders of certain junior secured
promissory notes of the Borrower.
“Loan(s)”
shall
mean the loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $700,000 to be made
by
the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
“Loan
Documents”
shall
mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Note, the Guaranty, the Security
Agreement, and any and all agreements, instruments, certificates and other
documents executed and delivered by the Borrower, or any Affiliate thereof
pursuant to any of the foregoing Loan Documents.
“Loan
Party”
shall
mean each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, and each other
Guarantor.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
any event, circumstance, condition, change or effect that is or that is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to (a) the business, assets,
liabilities, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of
the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan
Party to perform any of its obligations under any of the Loan Documents, or
(c)
the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.
“Maturity
Date”
shall
mean March 31, 2009.
“Note”
shall
mean the Promissory Note, dated the Closing Date, in the maximum principal
amount of $700,000 issued by the Borrower and payable to the Lender or
registered assigns, to represent the Loans, as same may be amended, modified,
or
supplemented and/or restated from time to time in accordance
therewith.
“Obligations”
shall
mean the collective reference to all indebtedness and other liabilities and
obligations of every kind and description owed by any Loan Party to the Lender
from time to time under or pursuant to this Agreement, the Note and/or the
other
Loan Documents, and/or otherwise in respect of the Loans (including, without
limitation, interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or
allowable in such proceeding), however evidenced, created or incurred, fixed
or
contingent, now or hereafter existing, due or to become due.
3
“Organic
Documents”
shall
mean the certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate
of
limited partnership, trust agreement, by-laws, operating agreement, limited
liability company agreement, limited partnership agreement or other such
document of any Person.
“Person”
shall
mean any individual, partnership, limited partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, banking association, business trust, joint stock company,
trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or
other entity of whatever nature.
“PSB”
shall
mean Pennsylvania School of Business, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, which
is
a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Interboro Holding.
“Sale”
shall
mean any transaction or series of related transactions (a) whereby a majority
of
the outstanding capital stock of the Borrower which ordinarily has voting power
for the election of directors (including preferred stock counted on an “as
converted” basis into Common Stock and Common Stock counted on a fully diluted
basis) is sold, assigned or transferred, (b) whereby shares of capital stock
of
the Borrower which ordinarily have voting power for the election of directors
(calculated in accordance with clause (a) of this definition) are issued, which
shares constitute a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the of the
Borrower which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors
(calculated as aforesaid) after giving effect to such transaction(s), (c) in
which the Borrower is a constituent party to any merger or consolidation and
as
a result thereof (i) the holders of the outstanding capital stock of the
Borrower which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors
(including preferred stock counted on an “as converted” basis into common stock)
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation cease to own a majority of
the
outstanding capital stock of the Borrower which ordinarily has voting power
for
the election of directors (including preferred stock counted on an “as
converted” basis into common stock), or (ii) the Borrower is not the surviving
corporation, (d) whereby all or any material portion of the assets of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the transfer of the shares of TCI and
PSB
pursuant to any “Restructuring” effected upon request of the Lender pursuant to
the Subsidiary Revolving Credit Agreement) are sold, assigned or transferred,
or
(e) the consummation of any “Sale” under and as defined in the Subsidiary
Revolving Credit Agreement.
“Security
Agreement”
shall
mean the Security Agreement dated as of May 23, 2007 by and among the Borrower,
its Subsidiaries and the Lender, as same may be amended, modified, supplemented
and/or restated from time to time.
“Subsidiary”
or
“Subsidiaries”
shall
mean the individual or collective reference to any corporation, limited
liability company or other entity of which 50% or more of the outstanding shares
of stock or other equity interests of each class having ordinary voting power
and/or rights to profits (other than stock having such power only by reason
of
the happening of a contingency) is at the time owned by the Borrower, directly
or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
4
“Subsidiary
Revolving Credit Agreement”
shall
mean the Revolving Credit Agreement of even date herewith by and among the
Lender, TCI and PSB, as same may be amended, modified, supplemented and/or
restated from time to time.
“TCI”
shall
mean Technical Career Institutes, Inc., a New York corporation, which is a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
Section
1.02. Use
of
Defined Terms.
All
terms defined in this Agreement shall have their defined meanings when used
in
the Note and the other Loan Documents and all certificates, reports or other
documents made or delivered pursuant to his Agreement or any other Loan
Document, unless otherwise defined therein or unless the specific context shall
otherwise require.
II. |
GENERAL
TERMS
|
Section
2.01. The
Loans.
(a) Subject
at all times to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lender
hereby agrees to make Loans to the Borrower (i) upon the satisfaction of the
conditions precedent set forth in Article IV below, in the principal amount
of
$350,000, and (ii) upon written request of the Borrower made after the
60th
day
after the Closing Date (but prior to the Maturity Date), in the principal amount
of $350,000. The Commitment shall terminate and the principal of the Loans
shall
be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date, unless sooner due and payable
in accordance with any other provisions of this Agreement.
(b) The
Borrower shall pay the Lender interest on the Loans at the rates per annum
as in
effect from time to time, and at the times and in the manner, in accordance
with
the Note.
(c) The
Closing Fee shall be deemed earned upon the Closing Date, and shall not be
refundable in whole or in part and shall not be subject to reduction or set-off
under any circumstances. The Closing Fee shall be due and payable on the
Maturity Date or the acceleration of the Obligations in accordance with this
Agreement.
(d) The
Borrower shall have the right to prepay the Loans in whole or in part, without
premium or penalty, at any time and from time to time; and the Borrower shall
be
required to make prepayment under certain circumstances as provided in Section
2.03 below. Each such prepayment shall be accompanied by payment of all unpaid
accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid, accrued to the date
of
prepayment. Any and all prepayments shall be applied first to unpaid accrued
interest and then to principal of the Loans, provided that, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, then the application of any payments
or
prepayments shall be as determined by the Lender in its sole and absolute
discretion. Any amounts prepaid may not be reborrowed.
5
(e) The
Loans
shall be evidenced by the Note, the terms and conditions of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
(f) The
Loans
and the other Obligations shall be secured by the Collateral. The Lender hereby
consents, acknowledges and confirms that the Obligations shall be secured on
a
pari passau
basis
with the “Senior Debt” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement, and
shall constitute “Secured Obligations” as defined in the Security Agreement
secured on a pari passu
basis
with all other such Secured Obligations).
Section
2.02. Use
of
Proceeds.
The
Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely (a) to pay expenses related
to the cessation of operations of Interboro, and (b) for the Borrower’s working
capital and other general corporate purposes.
Section
2.03. Mandatory
Prepayments.
(a) All
Obligations shall become immediately due and payable, and the Commitment shall
terminate, (i) upon the consummation of any Sale, (ii) upon the acceleration
of
the Obligations by reason of an Event of Default, or (iii) on the Maturity
Date.
(b) Anything
elsewhere contained in any Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, any
amounts collected by the Lender in respect of the Obligations during the
continuance of an Event of Default may be applied to such of the Obligations
and
in such order as the Lender may determine in its sole and absolute
discretion.
Section
2.04. Further
Obligations.
With
respect to all Obligations for which the interest rate is not otherwise
specified herein (whether such Obligations arise hereunder, pursuant to the
Note
or otherwise), such Obligations shall bear interest at the rates in effect
from
time to time pursuant to the Note.
Section
2.05. Obligations
Unconditional.
The
payment and performance of all Obligations shall constitute the absolute and
unconditional obligations of the Borrower, and shall be independent of any
defense or rights of set-off, recoupment or counterclaim which the Borrower
might otherwise have against the Lender, and regardless of the value or adequacy
of any Collateral. All payments required by this Agreement and/or the Note
shall
be paid free of any deductions or withholdings for any taxes or other amounts
and without abatement, diminution or set-off. If the Borrower is required by
law
to make such a deduction or withholding from a payment, the Borrower shall
pay
to the Lender such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that, after
the
making of such deduction or withholding, the Lender receives (free from any
liability in respect of any such deduction or withholding) a net sum equal
to
the sum which it would have received and so retained had no such deduction
or
withholding been made or required to be made. The Borrower shall: (a) pay the
full amount of any deduction or withholding, which it is required to make by
law, to the relevant authority within the payment period set by the relevant
law; and (b) promptly after any such payment, deliver to the Lender an original
(or certified copy) official receipt issued by the relevant authority in respect
of the amount withheld or deducted or, if the relevant authority does not issue
such official receipts, such other evidence of payment of the amount withheld
or
deducted as is reasonably acceptable to the Lender.
6
Section
2.06. Reversal
of Payments.
To the
extent that any payment or payments made to or received by the Lender pursuant
to this Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document are subsequently
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, or required
to be repaid to any trustee, receiver or other person under any state or federal
bankruptcy or other such law, then, to the extent thereof, such amounts shall
be
revived as Obligations and continue in full force and effect hereunder as if
such payment or payments had not been received by the Lender.
Section
2.07. Cancellation
of Prior Commitments.
The
Borrower hereby acknowledges and confirms that the Commitment supersedes any
and
all prior unfunded credit commitments or financial support commitments made
by
the Lender to the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries, all of which prior
unfunded credit commitments and financial support commitments shall be deemed
terminated on the Closing Date.
III. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
The
Borrower hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the
Lender, all of which representations and warranties shall survive the Closing
Date, the delivery of the Note and the making of the Loans, shall be continuing
in nature so long as any Obligations are outstanding, and are as
follows:
Section
3.01. Financial
Matters.
(a) All
financial statements included in reports filed by the Borrower with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and heretofore provided by the Borrower
to
the Lender in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries were prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are correct and
complete in all material respects, and fairly present the consolidated financial
condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and
for
the periods covered thereby.
(b) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
3.01
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since September 30, 2007, there has been no Material
Adverse Effect.
Section
3.02. Organization;
Corporate Existence.
The
Borrower (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) has all requisite company
power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now
conducted and as proposed hereafter to be conducted, (iii) is not required
to be
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which
the failure of the Borrower to be so qualified would have a Material Adverse
Effect, and (iv) has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver,
and perform all of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Note and the
other
Loan Documents to which it is a party. True and complete copies of the Organic
Documents of the Borrower, together with all amendments thereto, have been
furnished to the Lender.
Section
3.03. Authorization;
No Conflict.
The
execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of its obligations under
this Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents have been duly authorized
by all requisite company or corporate action and will not, either prior to
or as
a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:
(a) violate any provision of Applicable Law, any order of any court or other
agency of government, any provision of the Organic Documents of any Loan Party,
or, except as set forth in Schedule
3.03
of the
Disclosure Schedule, any Contract, indenture, agreement or other instrument
to
which any Loan Party is a party, or by which any Loan Party or any of its assets
or properties are bound, or (b) be in conflict with, result in a breach of,
or
constitute (after the giving of notice of lapse of time or both) a default
under, or, except as may be provided in this Agreement, result in the creation
or imposition of any lien of any nature whatsoever upon any of the property
or
assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to, any such
Contract, indenture, agreement or other instrument. No Loan Party is required
to
obtain any Government Approval, consent or authorization from, or to file any
declaration or statement with, any governmental instrumentality or agency in
connection with or as a condition to the execution, delivery or performance
of
this Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents. All Loan Documents
to which the Borrower is a party have been or will be duly and validly executed
and delivered by the Borrower.
7
Section
3.04. Xxxxxx
Credit Agreement.
Except
for Existing Events of Default, all representations and warranties made by
the
Borrower in the Xxxxxx Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material
respects as of the date hereof, and shall remain true and correct in all
material respects so long as any Obligations are outstanding.
IV. |
CONDITIONS
OF MAKING THE LOANS
|
The
obligation of the Lender to make the Loans hereunder and to consummate the
other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions precedent:
Section
4.01. Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof and in the
Security Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date
and
on each subsequent date on which any portion of the Loan is to be
funded.
Section
4.02. Loan
Documents.
The
applicable Loan Parties shall have duly executed and/or delivered to the Lender,
upon the execution of this Agreement, all of the following:
(a) The
Note;
(b) The
Guaranty;
(c) Evidence
of all insurance required by this Agreement and the Security
Agreement;
(d) A
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and
each
Guarantor, respectively, certifying the resolutions authorizing and directing
the execution and delivery by the Borrower and each Guarantor of this Agreement,
the Note, the other Loan Documents to which any of them is a party, and all
further agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents pursuant
hereto and thereto;
(e) A
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and
each
Guarantor, respectively, certifying the names of the officers of the Borrower
and each Guarantor who are authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement,
the
Note, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements, instruments,
certificates and other documents to be delivered pursuant hereto and thereto,
together with the true signatures of such officers. The Lender may conclusively
rely on such certificate until the Lender shall receive any further such
certificate canceling or amending the prior certificate and submitting the
signatures of the officers named in such further certificate;
8
(f) Certificates
of the Secretary of State of Delaware, dated reasonably prior to the Closing
Date, stating that the Borrower and Interboro Holding are duly organized and
subsisting in such jurisdiction;
(g) A
certificate of the Secretary of State of New York, dated reasonably prior to
the
Closing Date, stating that TCI is duly organized and subsisting in such
jurisdiction;
(h) A
certificate of the Secretary of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, dated reasonably
prior to the Closing Date, stating that PSB is duly organized and in good
standing in such jurisdiction;
(i)
Such
other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates as the Lender or
its
counsel may reasonably request.
Section
4.03. Warrant
Amendment.
The
Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Lender amendments to the
outstanding warrants held by the Lender to purchase shares of common stock
of
the Borrower, providing for (a) the reduction of the exercise price of one-half
of such warrants to $.01 per share, and granting to the Lender the right, with
respect to the other one-half of such warrants, to require the Borrower to
repurchase such warrants for cash at a price of $.50 per warrant, all such
exercise and purchase prices to be subject to adjustment in a manner consistent
with the adjustment provisions of the warrants; such amendments to be in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.
Section
4.04. Forbearance
Agreement.
The
Borrower shall have executed and delivered the Forbearance
Agreement.
Section
4.05. Other
Financing.
The
transactions contemplated by the Subsidiary Revolving Credit Agreement shall
have been consummated on terms and conditions satisfactory to the
Lender.
Section
4.06. Interboro
Closing.
The
Borrower shall have made a public announcement of the cessation of all
instruction and other services by Interboro at the close of the current teaching
semester (provided that same shall not preclude the use of Interboro’s
facilities by TCI in order to continue instruction programs for existing
Interboro students).
Section
4.07. Board
of Directors.
The
Board of Directors of the Borrower shall be expanded such that the entire such
Board of Directors shall be increased from seven (7) members to eleven (11)
members, and, prior to the making of the Loan referred to in Section 2.01(a)(ii)
above, the Borrower shall have used its best efforts to fill the four (4)
vacancies thereby created with individuals, acceptable to both the Lender and
the Borrower, who are independent of and not affiliated with the Borrower,
any
of its Subsidiaries, or the Lender; and, to the extent that any such vacancies
remain after the making of the Loan referred to in Section 2.01(a)(ii), the
Borrower shall thereafter continue to use its best efforts to fill such
vacancies.
9
Section
4.08. Funding
Request.
The
Borrower shall make written request to the Lender for the funding of the subject
Loan at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested funding date, which
written request shall (a) state the amount of the requested Loan, the requested
funding date of such Loan, and the bank account(s) to which the requested Loan
is to be funded, (b) certify that no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, and (c) include a general description of the
proposed use of the proceeds of such Loan, which shall be generally consistent
with the Approved Budget.
Section
4.09. Fees
and Reimbursements.
The
Borrower shall have paid or reimbursed the Lender for its out-of-pocket costs,
charges and expenses incurred hereunder to the date of funding of the subject
Loan. Failure of the Lender to make any such deduction or charge shall not
excuse the Borrower from its obligation to pay any and all such
amounts.
Section
4.10. Further
Matters.
All
legal matters, the form and substance of all documents, and any inspection
of
the Aircraft required by the Lender, incident to the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel.
Section
4.11. No
Default.
No
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
V. |
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
|
The
Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that, from the date hereof and until all
Obligations (whether now existing or hereafter arising) have been paid in full,
the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
Section
5.01. Xxxxxx
Credit Agreement.
Comply
with all covenants and agreements applicable to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries under the Xxxxxx Credit Agreement.
Section
5.02. Notice
of Proceedings.
Give
prompt written notice to the Lender of (a) any proceedings instituted against
the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any federal or state court or before any
commission or other regulatory body, whether federal, state or local, which,
if
adversely determined, could have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) the
occurrence of any material casualty to any of the Collateral or any Default
or
Event of Default, and the action that the Borrower has taken, is taking, or
proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section
5.03. Information.
Furnish
to the Lender (a) as and when delivered to any other holder(s) of Indebtedness
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, all financial statements and other
information and notices provided to any such holder(s), and (b) from time to
time, such other financial and other information regarding the Borrower and
the
Subsidiaries as may reasonably be requested by the Lender.
Section
5.04. Books
and Records; Inspection.
Maintain centralized books and records regarding the Business at the Borrower’s
principal place of business, and permit agents or representatives of the Lender
to inspect, at any time during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice,
and without undue material disruption of the Business, all of the Borrower’s and
its Subsidiaries’ various books and records, to make copies, abstracts and/or
reproductions thereof, and to discuss the Business and affairs of the Borrower
and the Subsidiaries with the management of the Borrower.
10
Section
5.05. Reimbursements.
Pay or
reimburse the Lender or other appropriate Persons on demand for (a) all costs,
expenses and other charges incurred or payable in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, regardless of whether the
transactions are in fact consummated, including but not limited to any and
all
search fees, recording fees and legal fees, and (b) all costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees and search fees) incurred by the Lender
from time to time in connection with any waiver, amendment or other modification
with respect to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Loan, any
enforcement, restructuring or “workout” of any of the foregoing and/or in
connection with any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the Borrower
or any other Loan Party, and/or any other matter (other than the Lender’s
customary overhead expenses) relating to this Agreement, any Loan Document
and/or any Loan.
Section
5.06. Interboro
Closing.
Cease
the provision of all instruction and other services by Interboro not later
than
January 1, 2008, except that Interboro may make available to TCI the use of
Interboro’s facilities as and to the extent requested by TCI in order for TCI to
continue the instruction programs for existing Interboro students.
Section
5.07. Officer
Hiring.
Hire a
new chief financial officer or chief restructuring officer of the Borrower
reasonably acceptable to the Lender, who shall begin full-time employment with
the Borrower not later than February 29, 2008.
VI. |
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
|
The
Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that, until all Obligations (whether now
existing or hereafter arising) have been paid in full, unless the Lender shall
otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
any
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
Section
6.01. Xxxxxx
Credit Agreement.
Fail to
comply with any of the negative covenants contained in the Xxxxxx Credit
Agreement.
Section
6.02. Restricted
Payments.
Directly or indirectly (a) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any equity interests or membership interests in the Borrower
or
any other Person, or create any sinking fund therefor, (b) make payment of
any
fees or other compensation or remuneration to current directors of the Borrower
except in the form of common stock of the Borrower, (c) make any payments that
are not included in the Approved Budget without the prior written consent of
the
Lender, or (d) make any loans or advances to any Affiliates of the Borrower,
or
engage in any other transaction with any Affiliate of the Borrower other than
(i) loans or advances to Interboro for the purpose of paying expenses relating
to the cessation of the operations of Interboro, and (ii) with TCI and/or PSB
on
an arm’s length basis in the normal course of business.
11
VII. |
DEFAULTS
|
Section
7.01. Events
of Default.
Each of
the following events is herein, and in the Note and the other Loan Documents,
sometimes referred to as an Event of Default:
(a) if
any
representation or warranty made herein or in any other Loan Document, or in
any
report, certificate, financial statement, instrument or other statement
furnished in connection with this Agreement or the borrowing hereunder, shall
be
false, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect when made or when deemed
made hereunder;
(b) any
default in the payment of any principal or interest under the Note or any other
Obligations of the Borrower to the Lender when the same shall be due and
payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date required for prepayment
or
by acceleration or otherwise, and the continuance of any such non-payment (in
whole or in part) for a period of three (3) Business Days;
(c) any
default in the due observance or performance of any covenant, condition or
agreement contained in any Section of Article VI hereof, which, if capable
of
being cured, is not fully cured within thirty (30) days after the occurrence
thereof (provided that, in the case of Section 6.01, the applicable cure period
shall be the cure period, if any, provided in the Xxxxxx Credit
Agreement);
(d) any
default in the due observance or performance of any covenant, condition or
agreement to be observed or performed under Article V hereof, or otherwise
pursuant to the terms hereof or of any other Loan Document, and the continuance
of such default unremedied for a period of ten (10) Business Days after written
notice thereof to the Borrower (provided that (i) if such Default is not
objectively capable of being cured with ten (10) Business Days, then, provided
that the Borrower has commenced the cure within such ten (10) Business Day
and
at all times diligently pursues the completion of such cure, such cure period
shall be extended for such period of time as may reasonably be required to
complete such cure, but in no event to a date later than sixty (60) calendar
days after the occurrence of the subject Default, (ii) no grace period shall
apply to any failure to maintain any required insurance, and (iii) in the case
of Section 5.01 above, the cure period shall be the cure period, if any,
provided in the Xxxxxx Credit Agreement);
(e) (i)
any
default with respect to any indebtedness for money borrowed of the Borrower
or
any of the Subsidiaries (other than to under this Agreement) in an amount
(individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $100,000, if the effect of
such
default is to permit the holder to accelerate the maturity of any such
indebtedness for money borrowed or to cause such indebtedness for money borrowed
to become due prior to the stated maturity thereof, or (ii) the occurrence
of
any “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Xxxxxx Credit Agreement or
under the Subsidiary Revolving Credit Agreement (other than, in the case of
clauses (i) and (ii), Existing Events of Default, and any default under the
Convertible Notes resulting from the consummation of this Agreement);
(f) if
any
Loan Party (other than Interboro) shall: (i) apply for or consent to the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of it or any of
its
properties, (ii) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature,
(iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) be
adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent or be the subject of an order for relief
under Title 11 of the United States Code, or (v) file a voluntary petition
in
bankruptcy, or a petition or an answer seeking reorganization or an arrangement
with creditors or to take advantage or any bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute,
or
an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against him
or
it in any proceeding under any such law, or (vi) take or permit to be taken
any
action in furtherance of or for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;
12
(g) if
any
order, judgment or decree shall be entered against any Loan Party (other than
Interboro), without the application, approval or consent of such Loan Party,
by
any court of competent jurisdiction, approving a petition seeking reorganization
of such Loan Party, or appointing a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator
of such Loan Party, or of all or any substantial part of its assets, and such
order, judgment or decree shall continue unstayed and in effect for any period
of sixty (60) days;
(h) if
final
judgment(s) for the payment of money in an uninsured amount in excess of
$250,000 individually or in the aggregate shall be rendered against the Borrower
and/or any of the Subsidiaries, and the same shall remain undischarged or
unbonded for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days, during which execution
shall not be effectively stayed;
(i) any
disclaimer by any Loan Party of any Obligations under any Loan Document, or
any
purported termination by any Loan Party of any Loan Document;
(j) any
use
of any proceeds of any Loan other than as provided in Sections 2.02 and 4.03
above;
(k) it
is or
becomes unlawful for any Loan Party to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(l) if
any
regulatory or accrediting authority having jurisdiction over any Loan Party
shall assert or impose any fines or penalties exceeding $25,000 in the aggregate
on any Loan Party (other than Interboro) which have not been asserted or imposed
in writing prior to the date of this Agreement; or if any such regulatory or
accrediting authority shall assert or impose any such fines or penalties against
Interboro and shall also assert that any other Loan Party has liability for
the
payment thereof; or
(m) the
Borrower exceeds by more than 10% its expenses projected in the Approved Budget
for any month or on a cumulative basis from the Closing Date.
Section
7.02. Remedies.
Upon
the occurrence of any Event of Default, and at all times thereafter during
the
continuance thereof: (a) the Note, and any and all other Obligations of the
Borrower to the Lender, shall, at the Lender’s option (except in the case of
Sections 7.01(f) and 7.01(g) hereof, the occurrence of which shall automatically
effect acceleration of the Obligations and termination of the Commitment,
regardless of any action or forbearance in respect of any prior or ongoing
Default or Event of Default which may be inconsistent with such automatic
acceleration and termination), become immediately due and payable, both as
to
principal, interest and other charges, without presentment, demand, protest
or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained
herein or in the Note or other evidence of such Obligations to the contrary
notwithstanding, (b) if the entire principal of the Commitment was not
theretofore funded to the Borrower, then the Lender may terminate the remaining
unfunded portion of the Commitment, (c) all outstanding Obligations under the
Note, and all other outstanding Obligations, shall bear interest at the default
rate of interest provided in the Note, (d) the Lender may file suit against
the
Borrower on the Note and/or against the Guarantors under the Guaranty and/or
seek specific performance or injunctive relief thereunder (whether or not a
remedy exists at law or is adequate), (e) the Lender may exercise all available
rights and remedies against the Collateral and otherwise under any and all
Loan
Documents, and (f) the Borrower shall cause either (i) the cancellation and
return of any and all then outstanding letters of credit provided by or on
behalf of the Lender for the benefit of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
or (ii) post cash collateral with the Lender in an amount equal to 100% of
the
undrawn amount of any and all such outstanding letters of credit.
13
VIII. |
MISCELLANEOUS
|
Section
8.01. Survival.
This
Agreement and all covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made
herein and in the certificates delivered pursuant hereto, shall survive the
making by the Lender of the Loans, and the execution and delivery to the Lender
of the Note, and shall continue in full force and effect for so long as the
Note
or any other Obligations are outstanding and unpaid. Whenever in this Agreement
any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to
include the successors and permitted assigns of such party; and all covenants,
promises and agreements in this Agreement contained, by or on behalf of the
Borrower, shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the
Lender.
Section
8.02. Indemnification.
The
Borrower shall indemnify the Lender and its directors, managers, officers,
employees, attorneys and agents against, and shall hold the Lender and such
Persons harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities
and
related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses, incurred
by
the Lender or any such Person arising out of, in any way connected with, or
as a
result of: (a) the use of any of the proceeds of the Loans made by the Lender
to
the Borrower; (b) this Agreement, the ownership and/or operation of the
Borrower’s and the Subsidiaries’ assets, including any Contract, the performance
by the Borrower or any other Person of their respective obligations thereunder,
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and/or
(c) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the
foregoing, whether or not the Lender or its directors, managers, officers,
employees, attorneys or agents are a party thereto; provided that such indemnity
shall not apply to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related
expenses arising from (i) any unexcused breach by the Lender of any of its
obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the willful misconduct or gross
negligence of the Lender, provided that any such loss, claim, damage, liability
or expense is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final judgment
to have resulted from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Lender
and the further finding that such willful misconduct or gross negligence was
the
primary cause thereof (i.e., more than 50% of the causation), or (iii) the
breach of any commitment or legal obligation of the Lender to any Person other
than the Borrower or its Affiliates, provided that such breach is determined
pursuant to a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction. The foregoing indemnity shall remain operative and in full force
and effect regardless of the expiration or any termination of this Agreement,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
repayment of the Loan, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or
provision of this Agreement or the Note or any other Loan Document, any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Lender, and the content or accuracy
of
any representation or warranty made by the Borrower under this Agreement. All
amounts due under this Section
8.02
shall be
payable on written demand therefor.
14
Section
8.03. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall (irrespective of where same is executed and delivered) be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
(without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws).
Section
8.04. Waiver
and Amendment.
Neither
any modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, the Note or
any
other Loan Document, nor any consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be set forth in writing
duly signed or acknowledged by the Lender and the Borrower, and then such waiver
or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance, and for the
specific purpose, for which given. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in
any
instance shall entitle the Borrower to any other or future notice or demand
in
the same, similar or other circumstances.
Section
8.05. Reservation
of Remedies.
Neither
any failure nor any delay on the part of the Lender in exercising any right,
power or privilege hereunder or under the Note or any other Loan Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or future exercise, or the exercise of any other right,
power
or privilege.
Section
8.06. Notices.
All
notices, requests, demands and other communications under or in respect of
this
Agreement or any transactions hereunder shall be in writing (which may include
telegraphic or telecopied communication) and shall be personally delivered
or
mailed (by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt requested),
sent
by prepaid recognized overnight courier service, or telegraphed or telecopied
by
facsimile transmission to the applicable party at its address or telecopier
number indicated below.
If
to the
Lender:
ComVest
Investment Partners III, L.P.
Xxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telecopier
# (000) 000-0000
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxxxx
Traurig, LLP
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxx Annex, Esq.
Telecopier
# (000) 000-0000
15
If
to the
Borrower:
EVCI
Career Colleges Holding Corp.
Xxx
Xxx
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xx.
Xxxx X. XxXxxxx
Telecopier
# (000) 000-0000
with
a
copy to:
Technical
Career Institutes, Inc.
000
Xxxx
00xx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xx.
Xxxx X. XxXxxxx
Telecopier
# (000) 000-0000
or,
as to
each party, at such other address or telecopier number as shall be designated
by
such party in a written notice to the other party delivered as aforesaid. All
such notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be deemed given
(a) when personally delivered, (b) three (3) Business Days after being deposited
in the mails with postage prepaid (by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested), (c) one (1) Business Day after being deposited with a
recognized overnight courier service, addressed as aforesaid and with all
charges prepaid or billed to the account of the sender, or (d) when sent by
facsimile transmission to a telecopier number designated by such addressee.
No
other method of written notice is precluded.
Section
8.07. Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and
the
Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower
shall not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of the Lender.
Section
8.08. Consent
to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
The
Borrower and the Lender hereby consent to the jurisdiction of all courts of
the
State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York, as well as to the jurisdiction of all courts from which an appeal
may be taken from such courts, for the purpose of any suit, action or other
proceeding arising out of or with respect to this Agreement, the Note, any
other
Loan Documents, any other agreements, instruments, certificates or other
documents executed in connection herewith or therewith, or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or any of the Borrower’s
obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Borrower hereby expressly waives any
and all objections which it may have as to venue in any of such courts, and
also
waives trial by jury in any such suit, action or proceeding. The Lender may
file
a copy of this Agreement as evidence of the foregoing waiver of right to jury
trial.
Section
8.09. Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be
invalid or unenforceable, either in its entirety or by virtue of its scope
or
application to given circumstances, such provision shall thereupon be deemed
modified only to the extent necessary to render same valid, or not applicable
to
given circumstances, or excised from this Agreement, as the situation may
require, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such provision
had been included herein as so modified in scope or application, or had not
been
included herein, as the case may be.
16
Section
8.10. Captions.
The
Article and Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for
convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
Section
8.11. Counterparts;
Fax Signatures.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
an original and all of which shall be deemed one and the same agreement. This
Agreement and any and all Loan Documents may be executed by fax signatures,
which shall have the same binding legal effect as ink originals.
Section
8.12. Sole
and Entire Agreement.
This
Agreement, the Note, the other Loan Documents, and the other agreements,
instruments, certificates and documents referred to or described herein and
therein constitute the sole and entire agreement and understanding between
the
parties hereto as to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior
discussions, agreements and understandings of every kind and nature between
the
parties as to such subject matter.
17
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly
authorized officers but all as of the day and year first above
written.
COMVEST
INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, L.P.
By:
ComVest III Partners LLC, its General Partner
|
||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx. | |
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
|
||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
EVCI
CAREER COLLEGES HOLDING CORP.
|
||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xx. Xxxx X. XxXxxxx | |
Name:
Xx. Xxxx X. XxXxxxx
|
||
Title:
Chief Executive Officer and
President
|
18