REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Dated as of August 18, 2006 among FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. T.C.G. - THE CREDIT GROUP INC. (collectively, the Borrower) AND HEARTLAND BANK (the Lender)
REVOLVING
CREDIT
LOAN
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated
as
of August 18, 2006
among
FREEDOM
FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
&
T.C.G.
- THE CREDIT GROUP INC.
(collectively,
the Borrower)
AND
HEARTLAND
BANK
(the
Lender)
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
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ARTICLE
1 - DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
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Section
1.1
|
Definitions
|
1
|
||||
Section
1.2
|
Other
Referential Provisions
|
11
|
||||
Section
1.3
|
Exhibits
and Schedules
|
11
|
||||
ARTICLE
2 - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
|
12
|
|||||
Section
2.1
|
Revolving
Credit Loans
|
12
|
||||
Section
2.2
|
Manner
of Borrowing
|
12
|
||||
Section
2.3
|
Repayment
|
13
|
||||
Section
2.4
|
Note
|
13
|
||||
Section
2.5
|
Voluntary
Prepayment
|
13
|
||||
Section
2.6
|
Mandatory
Prepayment of Principal and Reduction of Revolving Credit
Loan
|
13
|
||||
ARTICLE
3 - GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS
|
13
|
|||||
Section
3.1
|
Interest
|
13
|
||||
Section
3.2
|
Fees
|
14
|
||||
Section
3.3
|
Manner
of Payment
|
14
|
||||
Section
3.4
|
Statements
of Account
|
15
|
||||
Section
3.5
|
Termination
of Agreement
|
15
|
||||
ARTICLE
4 - WARRANTS
|
15
|
|||||
Section
4.1
|
Warrants
|
15
|
||||
ARTICLE
5 - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
|
15
|
|||||
Section
5.1
|
Conditions
Precedent to Initial Advance
|
15
|
||||
Section
5.2
|
Each
Advance
|
17
|
||||
ARTICLE
6 - REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER
|
17
|
|||||
Section
6.1
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
17
|
||||
Section
6.2
|
Survival
of Representations and Warranties, Etc.
|
21
|
||||
ARTICLE
7 - SECURITY INTEREST
|
21
|
|||||
Section
7.1
|
Security
Interest
|
21
|
||||
Section
7.2
|
Continued
Priority of Security Interest
|
21
|
||||
ARTICLE
8 - COLLATERAL COVENANTS
|
22
|
|||||
Section
8.1
|
Collection
of Receivables Installment Contracts
|
22
|
||||
Section
8.2
|
Verification
and Notification
|
22
|
||||
|
Section
8.3
|
Disputes
and Adjustments
|
23
|
|||
Section
8.4
|
Underwriting
Guidelines
|
23
|
||||
Section
8.5
|
Operating
Account
|
23
|
||||
Section
8.6
|
Ownership
and Defense of Title
|
23
|
||||
Section
8.7
|
Insurance
|
24
|
||||
Section
8.8
|
Location
of Offices and Collateral
|
24
|
||||
Section
8.9
|
Records
Relating to Collateral
|
24
|
i
Section
8.10
|
Inspection
and Audit
|
24
|
||||
Section
8.11
|
Maintenance
of Equipment
|
25
|
||||
Section
8.12
|
Information
and Reports
|
25
|
||||
Section
8.13
|
Power
of Attorney
|
25
|
||||
ARTICLE
9 - AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
|
26
|
|||||
Section
9.1
|
Preservation
of Existence and Similar Matters
|
26
|
||||
Section
9.2
|
Compliance
with Applicable Law
|
26
|
||||
Section
9.3
|
Conduct
of Business
|
26
|
||||
Section
9.4
|
Payment
of Taxes and Claims
|
26
|
||||
Section
9.5
|
Accounting
Methods and Financial Records
|
26
|
||||
Section
9.6
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
26
|
||||
Section
9.7
|
Hazardous
Waste and Substances; Environmental Requirements
|
26
|
||||
|
Section
9.8
|
Revisions
or Updates to Schedules
|
27
|
|||
Section
9.9
|
Accuracy
of Information
|
27
|
||||
ARTICLE
10 - INFORMATION
|
27
|
|||||
Section
10.1
|
Financial
Statements
|
27
|
||||
|
Section
10.2
|
Officer’s
Certificate
|
27
|
|||
Section
10.3
|
Copies
of Other Reports
|
28
|
||||
Section
10.4
|
Notice
of Litigation and Other Matters
|
28
|
||||
Section
10.5
|
ERISA
|
28
|
||||
ARTICLE
11 - NEGATIVE COVENANTS
|
29
|
|||||
Section
11.1
|
Financial
Ratio
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.2
|
Indebtedness
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.3
|
Guaranties
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.4
|
Investments
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.5
|
Capital
Expenditures
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.6
|
Restricted
Distributions and Payments, Etc.
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.7
|
Merger,
Consolidation and Sale of Assets
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.8
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.9
|
Liens
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.10
|
Operating
Leases
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.11
|
Benefit
Plans
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.12
|
Sales
and Leasebacks
|
29
|
||||
Section
11.13
|
Amendments
of Other Agreements
|
30
|
||||
Section
11.14
|
Split,
Subdivision or Combination of Shares
|
30
|
||||
Section
11.15
|
Warrants
|
30
|
||||
Section
11.16
|
Change
Senior Management
|
30
|
||||
ARTICLE
12 - DEFAULT
|
30
|
|||||
Section
12.1
|
Events
of Default
|
30
|
||||
Section
12.2
|
Remedies
|
32
|
||||
Section
12.3
|
Application
of Proceeds
|
34
|
||||
Section
12.4
|
Power
of Attorney
|
34
|
||||
Section
12.5
|
Miscellaneous
Provisions Concerning Remedies
|
35
|
||||
ARTICLE
13 - MISCELLANEOUS
|
35
|
|||||
Section
13.1
|
Notices
|
35
|
||||
Section
13.2
|
Expenses
|
36
|
ii
Section
13.3
|
Stamp
and Other Taxes
|
37
|
||||
Section
13.4
|
Setoff
|
37
|
||||
Section
13.5
|
Litigation
|
37
|
||||
Section
13.6
|
Reversal
of Payments
|
38
|
||||
Section
13.7
|
Injunctive
Relief
|
38
|
||||
Section
13.8
|
Accounting
Matters
|
38
|
||||
Section
13.9
|
Assignment;
Participation
|
38
|
||||
Section
13.10
|
Amendments
|
38
|
||||
Section
13.11
|
Performance
of Borrower’s Duties
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.12
|
Indemnification
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.13
|
All
Powers Coupled with Interest
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.14
|
Survival
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.15
|
Severability
of Provisions
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.16
|
Governing
Law
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.17
|
Counterparts
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.18
|
Reproduction
of Documents
|
39
|
||||
Section
13.19
|
Consent
to Advertising and Publicity
|
40
|
||||
Section
13.20
|
Final
Agreement
|
40
|
||||
EXHIBIT
A - NOTE
|
42
|
|||||
EXHIBIT
B - BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
|
44
|
|||||
EXHIBIT
C - COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
|
45
|
|||||
EXHIBIT
D-1 - WARRANTS - 200,000 AND 300,000 SHARES
|
46
|
|||||
EXHIBIT
D-2 - REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
|
78
|
|||||
SCHEDULE
5.1(A)(IX) - INSTALLMENT CONTRACTS
|
85
|
|||||
SCHEDULE
6.1(G) - LIENS ON THE PROPERTIES AND ASSETS OF THE
BORROWER
|
86
|
|||||
SCHEDULE
6.1(H) - INDEBTEDNESS FOR MONEY BORROWED AND GUARANTIES
|
87
|
|||||
SCHEDULE
6.1(N) - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
|
88
|
|||||
SCHEDULE
6.1(T) - FICTITIOUS NAMES
|
89
|
|||||
SCHEDULE
6.1(X) - PRE AND POST CONVERSION CAPITALIZATION
|
90
|
iii
REVOLVING
CREDIT
LOAN
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated
as
of August 18, 2006
FREEDOM
FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“FFG”),
and
T.C.G. - THE CREDIT GROUP INC. (“TCG”),
a
Manitoba, Canada corporation (FFG and TCG shall be collectively and jointly
and
severally referred to as the “Borrower”),
and
HEARTLAND BANK, a federal savings bank (“Lender”),
agree
as follows:
ARTICLE
1 - DEFINITIONS
Section
1.1 Definitions. For
the
purposes of this Agreement:
“Account
Debtor”
means
a
Person who is obligated on an Installment Contract or a Receivable.
“Acquire”,
as
applied to any Business Unit or Investment, means the acquisition of such
Business Unit or Investment by purchase, exchange, issuance of stock or other
securities, or by merger, reorganization or any other method.
“Advance”
means
a
disbursement of Loan proceeds made, or to be made, to Borrower or on Borrower's
behalf under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to a Person, (a) any officer, director, employee or managing agent
of such Person, (b) any spouse, parents, brothers, sisters, children and
grandchildren of such Person, (c) any association, partnership, trust, entity
or
enterprise in which such Person is a director, officer or general partner,
(d)
any other Person that, (i) directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such given Person, (ii) directly or indirectly beneficially owns or holds 10%
or
more of any class of voting stock or partnership or other interest of such
Person or any Subsidiary of such Person, or (iii) 10% or more of the voting
stock or partnership or other interest of which is directly or indirectly
beneficially owned or held by such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person. The
term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person,
whether through ownership of voting securities or partnership or other
interests, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement”
means
this Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto, and all
amendments, modifications and supplements hereto and thereto and restatements
hereof and thereof.
“Agreement
Date”
means
the above date as of which this Agreement is dated.
“Availability”
means,
as of the date of determination, the amount of Loan available to be borrowed
by
the Borrower hereunder in accordance with Section
2.1
less the
sum of the outstanding principal balance of all Advances hereunder as of such
date.
“Base
Rate”
means
the per annum rate of interest publicly announced by the Lender at its principal
office as its “base rate” as in effect on such date. Any change in an interest
rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate shall become effective as of
12:01
a.m. on the day following the day in which such change was announced. The Base
Rate is a reference used by the Lender in determining interest rates on certain
loans and is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged on any
extension of credit to any debtor.
1
“Benefit
Plan”
means
an employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) in respect of which a Person or any Related Company is,
or
within the immediately preceding 6 years was, an “employer” as defined in
Section 3(5) of ERISA, including such plans as may be established after the
Agreement Date.
“Borrower”
means
Freedom Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and T.C.G. - The Credit
Group Inc., a Manitoba, Canada corporation, collectively and jointly and
severally.
“Borrowing
Base”
means
at any time an amount equal to the lesser of:
(a) 50%
of
the face value of Eligible Installment Contracts due and owing at any such
time,
or
(b) Three
Million Dollars ($3,000,000), less any reduction in amount required by
Section
2.6.
“Borrowing
Base Certificate”
means
a
certificate in the form of Exhibit
B
attached
hereto.
“Business
Day”
means
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in the city
in
which the principal office of the Lender is located are authorized to close.
“Business
Unit”
means
the assets constituting the business, or a division or operating unit thereof,
of any Person.
“Capital
Expenditures”
means,
with respect to any Person, all expenditures made and liabilities incurred
for
the acquisition of assets (other than assets which constitute a Business Unit)
which are not, in accordance with GAAP, treated as expense items for such Person
in the year made or incurred or as a prepaid expense applicable to a future
year
or years.
“Capitalized
Lease”
means
a
lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in
accordance with GAAP.
“Capitalized
Lease Obligation”
means
Indebtedness represented by obligations under a Capitalized Lease, and the
amount of such Indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations
determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Collateral”
means
and includes Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to each of the
following, wherever located and whether now or hereafter existing or now owned
or hereafter acquired or arising:
(a) all
Receivables,
(b) all
Inventory,
(c) all
Equipment,
(d) all
Contract Rights,
(e) all
accounts,
(f) all
chattel paper,
2
(g) all
commercial tort claims,
(h) all
goods,
(i) all
instruments,
(j) all
General Intangibles,
(k) all
Deposit Accounts,
(l) all
Intellectual Property,
(m) all
investment related property,
(n) all
letter of credit rights,
(o) all
Installment Contracts
(p) all
goods
and other property, whether or not delivered, (i) the sale or lease of which
gives or purports to give rise to any Receivable, or (ii) securing any
Receivable, including, without limitation, all rights as an unpaid lienor
(including, without limitation, stoppage in transit, replevin and reclamation)
with respect to such goods and other properties,
(q) all
titles, guaranties, leases, security agreements and other agreements and
property which secure or relate to any Receivable, chattel paper, or other
Collateral or are acquired for the purpose of securing and enforcing any item
thereof,
(r) all
documents of title, policies and certificates of insurance, securities, chattel
paper and other documents and instruments evidencing or pertaining to any and
all items of Collateral,
(s) all
files, correspondence, computer programs, tapes, disks and related data
processing software which contain information identifying or pertaining to
any
of the Collateral or any Account Debtor or showing the amounts thereof or
payments thereon or otherwise necessary or helpful in the realization thereon
or
the collection thereof,
(t) all
cash
deposited with the Lender or any Affiliate thereof or which the Lender is
entitled to retain or otherwise possess as collateral pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement or any of the Security Documents, and
(u) any
and
all products and cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing (including, but
not
limited to, any claims to any items referred to in this definition and any
claims against third parties for loss of, damage to or destruction of any or
all
of the Collateral or for proceeds payable under or unearned premiums with
respect to policies of insurance) in whatever form, including, but not limited
to, cash, negotiable instruments and other instruments for the payment of money,
chattel paper, security agreements and other documents. To the extent the above
items of Collateral are not defined herein, they shall be defined as provided
in
the UCC.
“Compliance
Certificate”
shall
be in the form of Exhibit
C
attached
and shall contain statements by the signing officer to the effect that, except
as explained in reasonable detail in such Compliance Certificate, (i) the
attached Financial Statements are complete and correct in all material respects
(subject, in the case of Financial Statements other than annual, to normal
year-end audit adjustments and absence of footnotes) and have been prepared
in
accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods covered thereby
and with prior periods (except as disclosed therein), (ii) all of the
representations and warranties of Borrower contained in this Agreement and
other
Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date
such
certification is given as if made on such date, (iii) there exists no Default
or
Event of Default which is continuing that has not been waived in writing by
Lender and no Event of Default has occurred that has not been waived in writing
by Lender, and (iv) shall set forth the current book Net Worth. If any
Compliance Certificate discloses that a representation or warranty is not true
and correct in any material respect, or that a Default or Event of Default
has
occurred that has not been waived in writing by Lender, such Compliance
Certificate shall set forth what action such covered person has taken or
proposes to take with respect thereto.
3
“Contract
Rights”
means
and includes, as to any Person, all of such Person’s then owned or existing and
future acquired or arising rights under contracts not yet earned by performance
and not evidenced by an instrument or chattel paper, to the extent that the
same
may lawfully be assigned.
“Default”
means
any of the events specified in Section
12.1
that,
with the passage of time or giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event
of Default.
“Default
Margin”
means
five percent (5%).
“Deposit
Accounts”
means
any demand, time, savings, passbook or like account maintained with a bank,
savings and loan association, credit union or like organization, other than
an
account evidenced by a certificate of deposit that is an instrument under the
UCC.
“Dollar”
and
“$”
means
freely transferable United States dollars.
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect from time
to
time, and any successor statute.
“Effective
Date”
means
the later of (a) the Agreement Date, and (b) the first date on which all of
the
conditions set forth in Section
5.1
shall
have been fulfilled or waived by the Lender.
“Effective
Interest Rate”
means
the rate of interest per annum on the Loan in effect from time to time pursuant
to the provisions of Section
3.1.
“Eligible
Installment Contracts”
means
all retail automobile installment loan contracts underwritten or purchased
by
Freedom Financial Group, Inc., in the states where Freedom Financial Group,
Inc.
is duly licensed to do business as a consumer automobile lender, provided,
however, it shall not include any installment loan contract that
is:
(a) Sixty
(60) days or more past due the specified date of payment; or
(b) For
an
automobile that is eight or more years old at the time the installment loan
was
extended; or
(c) For
an
automobile where such automobile’s title work does not list Freedom Financial
Group, Inc. (or an authorized DBA thereof) as the secured party; or
(d) For
an
automobile that has 100,000 miles or more at the time the installment loan
was
extended; or
(e) For
an
automobile that does not have active insurance endorsements at the time the
installment loan was extended; or
4
(f) When
the
loan to value ratios at the time the installment loan was extended exceed
Freedom Financial Group, Inc.’s underwriting guidelines, including but not
limited to those loans with maximum advance rates in excess of one hundred
ten
percent (110%) of the automobiles blue book value and, if applicable, an
additional fifteen percent (15%) on the back-end products such as warranties;
or
(g) Underwritten
with any other ineligible underwriting criteria as determined by Lender, in
its
reasonable and sole discretion, provided such criteria are communicated to
Borrower in writing not less than 30 days prior to applying such
criteria.
“Environmental
Laws”
means
all federal, state, local and foreign laws now or hereafter in effect relating
to pollution or protection of the environment, including laws relating to
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants,
contaminants, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes
into the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
ground water or land) or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, removal, transport or handling
of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous
substances or wastes, and any and all regulations, notices or demand letters
issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.
“Equipment”
means
and includes, as to any Person, all of such Person’s then owned or existing and
future acquired or arising machinery, apparatus, equipment, motor vehicles,
tractors, trailers, rolling stock, fittings, and other tangible personal
property (other than Inventory) of every kind and description used in such
Person’s business operations or owned by such Person or in which such Person has
an interest and all parts, accessories and special tools and all increases
and
accessions thereto and substitutions and replacements therefor.
“Event
of Default”
means
any of the events specified in Section
12.1.
“Financing
Statements”
means
the Uniform Commercial Code financing statements executed and delivered by
the
Borrower to the Lender, naming the Lender as secured party and the Borrower
as
debtor, in connection with this Agreement.
“GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and maintained
throughout the period indicated and consistent with the prior financial practice
of the Person referred to.
“General
Intangibles”
means,
as to any Person, all of such Person’s then owned or existing and future
acquired or arising general intangibles, choses in action and causes of action
and all other intangible personal property of such Person of every kind and
nature (other than Receivables), including, without limitation, Intellectual
Property, corporate or other business records, inventions, designs, blueprints,
plans, specifications, trade secrets, goodwill, computer software, customer
lists, registrations, licenses, franchises, tax refund claims, reversions or
any
rights thereto and any other amounts payable to such Person from any Benefit
Plan, Multiemployer Plan or other employee benefit plan, rights and claims
against carriers and shippers, rights to indemnification, business interruption
insurance and proceeds thereof, property, casualty or any similar type of
insurance and any proceeds thereof, proceeds of insurance covering the lives
of
key employees on which such Person is beneficiary and any letter of credit,
guarantee, claims, security interest or other security held by or granted to
such Person to secure payment by an Account Debtor of any of the
Receivables.
“Governmental
Approvals”
means
all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses and exemptions of,
registrations and filings with, and reports to, all governmental bodies, whether
federal, state, local, foreign national or provincial, and all agencies
thereof.
5
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any government or political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau,
central bank, commission, department or instrumentality of either, or any court,
tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or
domestic.
“Guaranty”
or
“Guarantied”
as
applied to any obligation of another Person shall mean and include:
(a) a
guaranty (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection
in
the ordinary course of business), directly or indirectly, in any manner, of
any
part or all of such obligation of such other Person, and
(b) an
agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, and whether or not
constituting a guaranty, the practical effect of which is to assure the payment
or performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance) of any
part or all of such obligation of such other Person whether by (i) the purchase
of securities or obligations, (ii) the purchase, sale or lease (as lessee or
lessor) of property or the purchase or sale of services primarily for the
purpose of enabling the obligor with respect to such obligation to make any
payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance)
of
or on account of any part or all of such obligation or to assure the owner
of
such obligation against loss, (iii) the supplying of funds to, or in any other
manner investing in, the obligor with respect to such obligation, (iv) repayment
of amounts drawn down by beneficiaries of letters of credit, or (v) the
supplying of funds to or investing in a Person on account of all or any part
of
such Person’s obligation under a guaranty of any obligation or indemnifying or
holding harmless, in any way, such Person against any part or all of such
obligation.
“Indebtedness”
of
any
Person means, without duplication, (a) Liabilities, (b) all obligations for
money borrowed or for the deferred purchase price of property or services or
in
respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, (c) all
obligations represented by bonds, debentures, notes and accepted drafts that
represent extensions of credit, (d) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (e) all
obligations (including, during the noncancellable term of any lease in the
nature of a title retention agreement, all future payment obligations under
such
lease discounted to their present value in accordance with GAAP) secured by
any
Lien to which any property or asset owned or held by such Person is subject,
whether or not the obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed by such
Person, (f) all obligations of other Persons which such Person has Guarantied,
including, but not limited to, all obligations of such Person consisting of
recourse liability with respect to accounts receivable sold or otherwise
disposed of by such Person, and (g) in the case of the Borrower (without
duplication) the Loan.
“Initial
Advance”
means
the Advance made to the Borrower on the Effective Date.
“Installment
Contracts”
means
all retail automobile installment loan contracts underwritten or purchased
by
either Borrower, including any payments arising thereunder and any collateral
associated therewith.
“Intellectual
Property”
means,
as to any Person, all of such Person’s then owned existing and future acquired
or arising patents, patent rights, copyrights, works which are the subject
of
copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade styles, patent,
trademark and service xxxx applications, and all licenses and rights related
to
any of the foregoing and all other rights under any of the foregoing, all
extensions, renewals, reissues, divisions, continuations and
continuations-in-part of any of the foregoing and all rights to xxx for past,
present and future infringements of any of the foregoing.
“Interest
Expense”
means
interest on Indebtedness during the period for which computation is being made,
excluding (a) the amortization of fees and costs incurred with respect to the
closing of loans which have been capitalized as transaction costs, and (b)
interest paid in kind.
6
“Interest
Payment Date”
means
the first day of each calendar month commencing on the first day of the calendar
month after the Initial Advance, and continuing thereafter until the Secured
Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full.
“Inventory”
means
and includes, as to any Person, all of such Person’s then owned or existing and
future acquired or arising (a) finished goods intended for sale or lease or
for
display or demonstration, (b) work in process, (c) raw materials and other
materials and supplies of every nature and description used or which might
be
used in connection with the manufacture, packing, shipping, advertising,
selling, leasing or furnishing of goods or otherwise used or consumed in the
conduct of business, and (d) documents evidencing and general intangibles
relating to any of the foregoing.
“Investment”
means,
with respect to any Person: (a) the direct or indirect purchase or acquisition
of any beneficial interest in, any share of capital stock of, evidence of
Indebtedness of or other security issued by any other Person, (b) any loan,
advance or extension of credit to, or contribution to the capital of, any other
Person, excluding advances to employees in the ordinary course of business
for
business expenses, (c) any Guaranty of the obligations of any other Person,
or
(d) any commitment or option to take any of the actions described in clauses
(a), (b) or (c) above.
“Lender”
means
Heartland Bank, a federal savings bank, and its successors and
assigns.
“Lender’s
Office”
means
the office of the Lender specified in or determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section
13.1.
“Liabilities”
means
all liabilities of a Person determined in accordance with GAAP and includable
on
a balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP.
“Lien”
means
any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance or charge of any
kind.
“Loan”
means
the Revolving Credit Loan, as well as all such Advances
collectively.
“Loan
Document”
or
“Loan
Documents”
means,
collectively, this Agreement, the Note, the Warrant Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement and each other instrument, agreement and document executed
and
delivered by the Borrower in connection with this Agreement and each other
instrument, agreement or document referred to herein or contemplated
hereby.
“Materially
Adverse Effect”
means
any act, omission, event or undertaking which would, singly or in the aggregate,
have a materially adverse effect upon (a) the business, assets, properties,
liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
business prospects of the Borrower, (b) upon the ability of the Borrower to
perform any obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to
which
it is a party, or (c) the legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability
or
admissibility into evidence of the Loan Document or the ability of Lender to
enforce any rights or remedies under or in connection with the Loan Document;
in
any case, whether resulting from any single act, omission, situation, status,
event, or undertaking, together with other such acts, omissions, situations,
statuses, events, or undertakings.
“Money
Borrowed”
means,
as applied to Indebtedness, (a) Indebtedness for money borrowed, (b)
Indebtedness, whether or not in any such case the same was for money borrowed,
(i) represented by notes payable and drafts accepted, that represent extensions
of credit, (ii) constituting obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes
or similar instruments, or (iii) upon which interest charges are customarily
paid (other than trade Indebtedness) or that was issued or assumed as full
or
partial payment for property, (c) Indebtedness that constitutes a Capitalized
Lease Obligation, and (d) Indebtedness that is such by virtue of clause
(f)
of the
definition thereof, but only to the extent that the obligations Guarantied
are
obligations that would constitute Indebtedness for Money Borrowed.
7
“Multiemployer
Plan”
means
a
“multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the
Borrower or a Related Company is required to contribute or has contributed
within the immediately preceding 6 years.
“Net
Worth”
of
any
Person means the total shareholders’ equity (including capital stock, additional
paid-in capital and retained earnings, after deducting treasury stock) which
would appear as such on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance
with GAAP.
“Note”
means
the Revolving Credit Note.
“Notice
of Borrowing”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section
2.2a.i.
“Obligor”
means
each Borrower, and each other party at any time primarily or secondarily,
directly or indirectly, liable on any of the Secured Obligations.
“Operating
Lease”
means
any lease (other than a lease constituting a Capitalized Lease Obligation)
of
real or personal property.
“PBGC”
means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.
“Permitted
Indebtedness for Money Borrowed”
means
Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness.
“Permitted
Investments”
means
Investments of the Borrower in: (a) negotiable certificates of deposit, time
deposits and banker’s acceptances issued by the Lender or any Affiliate of the
Lender or by any United States bank or trust company having capital, surplus
and
undivided profits in excess of $25,000,000.00, (b) any direct obligation of
the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof which has
a
remaining maturity at the time of purchase of not more than one year and
repurchase agreements relating to the same, (c) sales on credit in the ordinary
course of business on terms customary in the industry, and (d) notes, accepted
in the ordinary course of business, evidencing overdue accounts receivable
arising in the ordinary course of business.
“Permitted
Liens”
means:
(a) Liens securing taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies
(excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA) or
the
claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen or landlords for labor,
materials, supplies or rentals incurred in the ordinary course of business,
but
(i) in all cases, only if payment shall not at the time be required to be made
in accordance with Section
9.4,
and
(ii) in the case of warehousemen or landlords controlling locations where
Inventory is located, only if such liens have been waived or subordinated to
the
Security Interest in a manner satisfactory to the Lender; (b) 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 or under surety or performance
bonds, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business; (c) Liens
constituting encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions, easements and
rights or restrictions of record on the use of the Borrower’s real estate, which
in the sole judgment of the Lender do not materially detract from the value
of
such real estate or impair the use thereof in the business of the Borrower;
(d)
Purchase Money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness; (e) Liens
of the Lender arising under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (f)
Liens arising out of or resulting from any judgment or award, the time for
the
appeal or petition for rehearing of which shall not have expired, or in respect
of which the Borrower is fully protected by insurance or in respect of which
the
Borrower shall at any time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceeding
for a review and in respect of which a stay of execution pending such appeal
or
proceeding for review shall have been secured, and as to which appropriate
reserves have been established on the books of the Borrower; and (g) Liens
securing additional Indebtedness, provided such liens are junior in priority
to
any liens of the Lender.
8
“Permitted
Purchase Money Indebtedness”
means
Purchase Money Indebtedness secured only by Purchase Money Liens and Capitalized
Lease Obligations, incurred by the Borrower after the Agreement Date, up to
an
aggregate amount outstanding at any time equal to $75,000.00.
“Person”
means
an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated
organization or a government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.
“Purchase
Money Indebtedness”
means
Indebtedness created to finance the payment of all or any part of the purchase
price (not in excess of the fair market value thereof) of any tangible asset
(other than Inventory) and incurred at the time of or within 10 days prior
to or
after the acquisition of such tangible asset.
“Purchase
Money Lien”
means
any Lien securing Purchase Money Indebtedness, but only if such Lien shall
at
all times be confined solely to the tangible asset (other than Inventory) the
purchase price of which was financed through the incurrence of the Purchase
Money Indebtedness secured by such Lien.
“Receivable”
means
and includes, as to any Person, all of such Person’s then owned or existing and
future acquired or arising (a) rights to the payment of money or other forms
of
consideration of any kind (whether classified under the UCC as accounts,
contract rights, chattel paper, general intangibles or otherwise) including,
but
not limited to, accounts receivable, letters of credit and the right to receive
payment thereunder, chattel paper, tax refunds, insurance proceeds, Contract
Rights, notes, drafts, instruments, documents, acceptances and all other debts,
obligations and liabilities in whatever form from any Person and guaranties,
security and Liens securing payment thereof, (b) goods, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, and whether sold, delivered, undelivered, in transit or
returned, which may be represented by, or the sale or lease of which may have
given rise to, any such right to payment or other debt, obligation or liability,
and (c) cash and non-cash proceeds of any of the foregoing.
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
means
the registration rights agreement between Lender and Freedom Financial Group,
Inc. of even date herewith, substantially in the form of Exhibit
D-2
to this
Agreement.
“Related
Company”
means,
as to any Person, any (a) corporation which is a member of the same controlled
group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as
such
Person, (b) partnership or other trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with
such Person, or (c) member of the same affiliated service group (within the
meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) as such Person or any corporation
described in clause
(a)
above or
any partnership, trade or business described in clause
(b)
above.
“Restricted
Distribution”
by
any
Person means (a) its retirement, redemption, purchase, or other acquisition
for
value of any capital stock or other equity securities or partnership interests
issued by such Person, (b) the declaration or payment of any dividend or
distribution on or with respect to any such securities or partnership interests,
(c) any loan or advance by such Person to, or other investment by such Person
in, the holder of any of such securities or partnership interests, and (d)
any
other payment by such Person in respect of such securities or partnership
interests.
“Restricted
Payment”
means
(a) any redemption, repurchase or prepayment or other retirement, prior to
the
stated maturity thereof or prior to the due date of any regularly scheduled
installment or amortization payment with respect thereto, of any Indebtedness
of
a Person (other than the Secured Obligations and trade debt), and (b) the
payment by any Person of the principal amount of or interest on any Indebtedness
(other than trade debt) owing to an Affiliate of such Person.
9
“Revolving
Credit Loan”
means
collectively the revolving loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.1.
“Revolving
Credit Note”
means
a
Revolving Credit Note made by the Borrower payable to the order of the Lender
executed of even date herewith evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to
pay
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances made to it by the Lender
and all interest accrued thereon (and any promissory note or notes that may
be
issued from time to time in substitution, renewal, extension, replacement or
exchange therefor, whether payable to the Lender or a different lender, whether
issued in connection with a Person becoming a lender after the Effective Date
or
otherwise), substantially in the form of Exhibit
A hereto,
with all blanks properly completed.
“Schedule
of Installment Contracts”
means
a
schedule delivered by the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to the provisions
of
Section
8.12,
attached
hereto and incorporated herein as Schedule
5.1(a)(ix).
“Secured
Obligations”
means,
in each case whether now in existence or hereafter arising, (a) the principal
of
and interest and premium, if any, on the Loan, and (b) all indebtedness,
liabilities, obligations, overdrafts, covenants and duties of the Borrower
to
the Lender of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute
or contingent, due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or
unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note and whether or not for
the payment of money under or in respect of this Agreement, the Note or any
of
the other Loan Documents.
“Security
Documents”
means
the Stock Pledge Agreement and any Financing Statements or other writing
executed and delivered by any Person securing the Secured Obligations or
evidencing such security.
“Security
Interest”
means
the Liens of the Lender on and in the Collateral affected hereby or by any
of
the Security Documents or pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof.
“Shares”
means
shares of common stock of the Borrower issuable upon exercise of the
Warrant.
“Stock
Pledge Agreement”
means
the agreement of Freedom Financial Group, Inc., pledging, as collateral for
the
Secured Obligations, all of the shares of stock of TCG.
“Subordinated
Indebtedness”
means
any Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Borrower which is subordinated to
the
Secured Obligations on terms and conditions acceptable to the Lender in its
sole
discretion.
“Subsidiary”
or
“Subsidiaries”
when
used to determine the relationship of a Person to another Person, means a Person
of which an aggregate of 50% or more of the stock of any class or classes or
50%
or more of other ownership interests is owned of record or beneficially by such
other Person or by one or more Subsidiaries of such other Person or by such
other Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, (i) if the holders
of
such stock or other ownership interests (A) are ordinarily, in the absence
of
contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of a majority of the directors
(or other individuals performing similar functions) of such Person, even though
the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency,
or (B) are entitled, as such holders, to vote for the election of a majority
of
the directors (or individuals performing similar functions) of such Person,
whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason of the happening of a
contingency, or (ii) in the case of such other ownership interests, if such
ownership interests constitute a majority voting interest.
10
“Termination
Date”
means
the date when the balance of the Revolving Credit Loan is payable, and such
date
shall be one (1) year from the Agreement Date.
“UCC”
means
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of
Missouri.
“Warrant”
means
those certain Warrants, dated of even date herewith, executed by the Borrower
in
favor of Lender whereby Lender is entitled to subscribe for and purchase Shares
from the Borrower at a specific price within a certain time frame, substantially
in the form contained in Exhibit
D-1 to
this
Agreement, with all blanks properly completed.
Section
1.2 Other
Referential Provisions.
(a) All
terms
in this Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto shall have the same defined
meanings when used in any other Loan Documents, unless the context shall require
otherwise.
(b) Except
as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not specifically
defined or specified herein shall have the meanings generally attributed to
such
terms under GAAP including, without limitation, applicable statements and
interpretations issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and
bulletins, opinions, interpretations and statements issued by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants or its committees.
(c) All
personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine,
feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders; the singular shall
include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
(d) The
words
“hereof’, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this
Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provisions of this Agreement.
(e) Titles
of
Articles and Sections in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not
constitute part of this Agreement and neither limit nor amplify the provisions
of this Agreement, and all references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections,
Subsections, paragraphs, clauses, subclauses, Schedules or Exhibits shall refer
to the corresponding Article, Section, Subsection, paragraph, clause or
subclause of, or Schedule or Exhibit attached to, this Agreement, unless
specific reference is made to the articles, sections or other subdivisions
or
divisions of, or to schedules or exhibits to, another document or
instrument.
(f) Each
definition of a document in this Agreement shall include such document as
amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance
with
the terms of this Agreement.
(g) Except
where specifically restricted, reference to a party to a Loan Document includes
that party and its successors and assigns permitted hereunder or under such
Loan
Document.
(h) Unless
otherwise specifically stated, whenever a time is referred to in this Agreement
or in any other Loan Document, such time shall be the local time in the city
in
which the principal office of Lender is located.
Section
1.3 Exhibits
and Schedules.
All
Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are by reference made a part
hereof.
11
ARTICLE
2 - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
Section
2.1 Revolving
Credit Loan. Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions of, and in reliance upon the representations
and warranties made under this Agreement, the Lender shall make a Revolving
Credit Loan to the Borrower from time to time from the Effective Date to the
date one year after the Effective Date, as requested by the Borrower in
accordance with the terms of Section
2.2,
in an
aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed at any time the Borrowing
Base. It is expressly understood and agreed that the Lender may and at present
intends to use the Borrowing Base as a maximum ceiling on the Loan; provided,
however,
that it
is agreed that should Loan exceed the ceiling so determined or any other
limitation set forth in this Agreement, such Loan shall nevertheless constitute
Secured Obligations and, as such, shall be entitled to all benefits thereof
and
security therefor. The Lender is hereby authorized to record each repayment
of
principal of the Loan in its books and records, such books and records
constituting prima facie
evidence
of the accuracy of the information contained therein.
Section
2.2 Manner
of Borrowing.
Borrowing
of the Loan shall be made as follows:
a. Requests
for Borrowing.
i. If
the
Borrower requests an Advance by notifying the Lender, before 12:00 noon (Central
time) on a Business Day, of its intention to borrow and the amount of the
proposed Advance, such Advance will be made on the same Business Day. If the
Borrower requests an Advance by notifying Lender, after 12:00 noon (Central
time) on a Business Day, of its intention to borrow and the amount of the
proposed Advance, such Advance will be made on the next Business Day;
and
ii. Lender
agrees to make Advances to Borrower from the date of this Agreement to the
Termination Date, provided the aggregate amount of such Advances does not exceed
the Borrowing Base. Such Advances shall be made upon the date specified in
the
Notice of Borrowing. This is a revolving line of credit providing for cash
advances. During the availability period, the Borrower may repay principal
amounts and reborrow them.
b. Notice
of Borrowing.
Any
request for an Advance under Section
2.2(a.i)
(a
“Notice
of Borrowing”)
shall
be made by telephone or in writing (including telecopy) and, in the case of
any
telephonic notice, shall be immediately followed by a written confirmation
thereof in a form acceptable to the Lender, provided
that the
failure to provide written confirmation shall not invalidate any telephonic
notice and, if such written confirmation differs in any respect from the action
taken by the Lender, the records of the Lender shall control absent manifest
error.
c. Disbursement
of Loan.
The
Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender to disburse the proceeds
of
each borrowing requested, or deemed to be requested, pursuant to this
Section
2.2 as
follows: the proceeds of each borrowing requested under Section
2.2 shall
be
disbursed by the Lender in lawful money of the United States of America in
immediately available funds, (A) in the case of the Initial Advance, in
accordance with the terms of the written instructions from the Borrower to
the
Lender, and (B) in the case of each subsequent Advance, by credit to such
deposit account of Borrower maintained by Lender. Each Advance shall be
conclusively deemed to have been made at the request of and for the benefit
of
Borrower (1) when credited to any deposit account of Borrower maintained with
Lender or (2) when advanced in accordance with the instructions of an authorized
person. Lender, at its option, may set a cutoff time, after which all requests
for Advances will be treated as having been requested on the next succeeding
Business Day.
12
Section
2.3 Repayment.
a. The
interest and principal shall all be due and payable in accordance with the
following:
i. Commencing
on the first day of the first month after the Initial Advance, and on the first
day of each month thereafter to and including the first day of August 1, 2007,
the Borrower shall pay to the Lender monthly installments of interest at the
rate of interest as set forth in Article
3.
ii. On
the
first anniversary of the Agreement Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender
a
final installment of principal and interest in an amount equal to the sum of
the
then outstanding principal balance of the Loan together with accrued and unpaid
interest thereon.
b. If
at any
time the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Advances shall exceed
the
Borrowing Base, Borrower, immediately upon written or oral notice from Lender,
shall pay to Lender an amount equal to the difference between the outstanding
principal balance of the Advances and the Borrowing Base. Failure of Borrower
to
pay to Lender such amount in excess of the Borrowing Base within five (5) days
of notice from Lender shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder.
Section
2.4 Note.The
Loan
and the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan shall also be evidenced
by
a single Revolving Credit Note payable to the order of the Lender. Such Note
shall be dated the Effective Date and be duly and validly executed and delivered
by the Borrower.
Section
2.5 Voluntary
Prepayment. The
Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, to prepay
the
Loan in whole or in part on any Business Day. On the prepayment date, the
Borrower shall pay interest on the amount prepaid accrued to the prepayment
date. Any amounts prepaid may be re-borrowed pursuant to the terms and
conditions hereof.
Section
2.6 Mandatory
Prepayment of Principal and Reduction of Revolving Credit Loan. In
the
event of the merger or consolidation of TCG, or the sale by TCG of all or any
portion of its Installment Loans outside of the ordinary course of business,
and
after compliance with Section 11.7 of this Agreement, the amount of one-third
(1/3) of the net sales proceeds arising from such transaction shall be
immediately applied to the reduction of the principal balance outstanding under
the Note, up to a maximum aggregate reduction of $1,000,000.00 and the maximum
amount of the Revolving Credit Loan shall be permanetly reducted by such
amount.
ARTICLE
3 - GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS
Section
3.1 Interest.
a. The
Borrower will pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance for
each day from the day such Advance was made until such Loan is paid (whether
at
maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise), at a rate per annum equal
to
the sum of three percent (3.00%) plus the Base Rate, payable monthly in arrears
on each Interest Payment Date and when such Revolving Credit Loan is due in
full
(whether at maturity or on the Termination Date, by reason of acceleration,
or
otherwise).
b. The
Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Secured
Obligation other than a Loan for each day from the day such Secured Obligation
becomes due and payable until such Secured Obligation is paid at (i) the rate
specified with respect to such Secured Obligation in any documentation
applicable thereto, or (ii) if no such rate is specified, the Base Rate plus
three percent (3%) per annum.
13
c. From
and
after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the unpaid principal amount of
each
Secured Obligation shall bear interest until paid in full (or, if earlier,
until
such Event of Default is cured or waived in writing by the Lender) at a rate
per
annum equal to the Default Margin plus the rate otherwise in effect under
Section
3.1 (a)
or
(b),
payable
on demand. The interest rate provided for in this Section
3.1(c)
shall to
the extent permitted by applicable law apply to and accrue on the amount of
any
judgment entered with respect to any Secured Obligation and shall continue
to
accrue at such rate during any proceeding described in Section
12.1(h)
or (i).
d. The
interest rates provided for in Sections
3.1(a), (b) and
(c)
shall be
computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and the actual number of days
elapsed.
e. It
is not
intended by the Lender, and nothing contained in this Agreement or the Note
shall be deemed, to establish or require the payment of a rate of interest
in
excess of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law (the “Maximum
Rate”).
If,
in any month, the Effective Interest Rate, absent such limitation, would have
exceeded the Maximum Rate, then the Effective Interest Rate for that month
shall
be the Maximum Rate, and if, in future months, the Effective Interest Rate
would
otherwise be less than the Maximum Rate, then the Effective Interest Rate shall
remain at the Maximum Rate until such time as the amount of interest paid
hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been paid if the same
had not been limited by the Maximum Rate. In this connection, in the event
that,
upon payment in full of the Secured Obligations, the total amount of interest
paid or accrued under the terms of this Agreement is less than the total amount
of interest which would have been paid or accrued if the Effective Interest
Rate
had at all times been in effect, then the Borrower shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, pay to the Lender an amount equal to the difference
between (i) the lesser of (A) the amount of interest which would have been
charged if the Maximum Rate had, at all times, been in effect and (B) the amount
of interest which would have accrued had the Effective Interest Rate, at all
times, been in effect, and (ii) the amount of interest actually paid or accrued
under this Agreement. In the event the Lender receives, collects or applies
as
interest any sum in excess of the Maximum Rate, such excess amount shall be
applied to the reduction of the principal balance of the applicable Secured
Obligation, and, if no such principal is then outstanding, such excess or part
thereof remaining shall be paid to the Borrower.
Section
3.2 Fees.
The
Borrower has paid to the Lender a closing fee in an amount equal to Thirty
Thousand Dollars ($30,000) in connection with the establishment of the Loan
and
in consideration of making the Loan under this Agreement and in order to
compensate Lender for the costs associated with structuring, processing,
approving and closing the Loan, but excluding expenses for with the Borrower
has
agreed elsewhere in this Agreement to reimburse Lender. The fee shall be fully
earned by the Lender when received and, except as otherwise set forth herein,
shall not be subject to refund or rebate. All fees are for compensation for
services and are not, and shall not be deemed to be, interest or a charge for
the use of money.
Section
3.3 Manner
of Payment.
a. Each
payment (including prepayments) by the Borrower on account of the principal
of
or interest on the Loan or of any fee or other amounts payable to the Lender
under this Agreement or the Note shall be made not later than 12:00 p.m. on
the
date specified for payment under this Agreement (or if such day is not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) to the Lender at the Lender’s
Office, in Dollars, in immediately available funds and shall be made without
any
setoff, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever.
b. The
Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender to charge any account of
the
Borrower maintained with the Lender with such amounts as may be necessary from
time to time to pay any Secured Obligations which are not paid when
due.
14
Section
3.4 Statements
of Account.
The
Lender may account to the Borrower within 30 days after the end of each calendar
month with a statement of the Loan, charges and payments made pursuant to this
Agreement during such calendar month, and such account rendered by the Lender
shall be deemed an account stated as between the Borrower and the Lender and
shall be deemed final, binding and conclusive unless the Lender is notified
by
the Borrower in writing to the contrary within thirty (30) days after the date
such account is delivered to the Borrower, save for manifest error. Any such
notice shall be deemed an objection only to those items specifically objected
to
therein. Failure of the Lender to render such account shall in no way affect
its
rights hereunder.
Section
3.5 Termination
of Agreement.
On the
Termination Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender, in same day funds,
an
amount equal to the aggregate amount of all Advances outstanding on such date,
together with accrued interest thereon, all fees payable pursuant to
Section
3.2
accrued
from the date last paid through the effective date of termination, any amounts
payable to the Lender pursuant to the other provisions of this Agreement, and
any and all other Secured Obligations then outstanding.
ARTICLE
4 - WARRANTS
Section
4.1 Warrants.The
Borrower shall authorize the issuance and sale to the Lender of one or more
of
its Warrants, substantially in the form contained in Exhibit
D-1 to
this
Agreement, to purchase an aggregate of up to Five Hundred Thousand (500,000)
of
the Borrower’s Shares pursuant to the Warrant.
ARTICLE
5 - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section
5.1 Conditions
Precedent to Initial Advance.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Lender’s obligation
to make the Initial Advance is subject to the fulfillment of each of the
following conditions prior to or contemporaneously with the making of such
Loan:
a. Closing
Documents.
The
Lender shall have received each of the following documents, all of which shall
be satisfactory in form and substance to the Lender and its
counsel:
i. this
Agreement, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower;
ii. the
Note,
dated the Effective Date and duly executed and delivered by the
Borrower;
iii. the
Warrant, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Pledge Agreement, each dated
the Effective Date and duly executed and delivered by the Borrower;
iv. certified
copies of the articles of incorporation and by-laws of each Borrower, as in
effect on the Effective Date;
v. certified
copies of all action, including stockholders, if necessary, taken by each
Borrower to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and the borrowings under this
Agreement;
vi. certificates
of incumbency and specimen signatures with respect to each of the officers
or
directors of each Borrower who is authorized to execute and deliver this
Agreement or any other Loan Document on behalf of the Borrower or any document,
certificate or instrument to be delivered in connection with this Agreement
or
the other Loan Documents and to request borrowings under this
Agreement;
15
vii. a
certificate evidencing the good standing of each Borrower in the jurisdiction
of
its organization and in each other jurisdiction in which it is qualified as
a
foreign corporation to transact business;
viii. the
Financing Statements duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, and evidence
satisfactory to the Lender that the Financing Statements have been filed in
each
jurisdiction where such filing may be necessary or appropriate to perfect the
Security Interest;
ix. a
Schedule of Eligible Installment Contracts, prepared as of a recent
date;
x. certificates
or binders of insurance relating to each of the policies of insurance covering
any of the Collateral together with loss payable clauses which comply with
the
terms of Section
8.7;
xi. a
Borrowing Base Certificate prepared as of the Effective Date duly executed
and
delivered by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;
xii. a
Compliance Certificate prepared as of the Effective Date duly executed and
delivered by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;
xiii. a
letter
from the Borrower to the Lender requesting the Initial Advance and specifying
the method of disbursement;
xiv. copies
of
all the financial statements referred to in Section
6.1(l)
and
meeting the requirements thereof;
xv. a
certificate of the President of the respective Borrower stating that (a) all
of
the representations and warranties made or deemed to be made under this
Agreement are true and correct as of the Effective Date, both with and without
giving effect to the Loan to be made at such time and the application of the
proceeds thereof, and (b) no Default or Event of Default exists;
xvi. UCC,
tax
lien and judgment searches against Borrower;
xvii. Opinions
of Borrower’s counsel satisfactory to Lender and Lender’s counsel;
and
xviii. copies
of
each of the other Loan Documents duly executed by the parties thereto with
evidence satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel of the due authorization,
binding effect and enforceability of each such Loan Document on each such party
and such other documents and instruments as the Lender may reasonably request.
b. Satisfactory
Review of Financial Documents.
The
Lender shall have completed or received and reviewed to its reasonable
satisfaction, in its sole discretion, the following:
i. An
on
site due diligence review of the underwriting guidelines, systems, processes
and
procedures of Borrower in regard to its reporting requirements;
ii. The
most
recent financial statements and SEC filings of Borrower, together with any
other
applicable financial information of Borrower that Lender may reasonably request;
and
iii. Any
requested audits of the Eligible Installment Contracts of Borrower.
16
c. No
Injunctions, Etc.
Neither
party has knowledge of any action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or
legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any court,
governmental agency or legislative body 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 consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
or
which, in the Lender’s sole discretion, would make it inadvisable to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
d. Material
Adverse Change.
As of
the Effective Date, there shall not have occurred any change which, in the
Lender’s sole reasonable discretion, has had or may have a Materially Adverse
Effect as compared to the condition of the Borrower presented by the most recent
financial statements of the Borrower described in Section
6.1(l).
e. Solvency.
The
Lender shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that, after giving effect
to the Initial Advance (i) the Borrower has assets (excluding goodwill and
other
intangible assets not capable of valuation) having value, both at fair value
and
at present fair saleable value, greater than the amount of its liabilities,
and
(ii) the Borrower’s assets are sufficient in value to provide the Borrower with
sufficient working capital to enable it to operate its business and to meet
its
obligations as they become due, and (iii) the Borrower has adequate capital
to
conduct the business in which it is and proposes to be engaged.
f. Release
of Security Interests.
The
Lender shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of the release and
termination of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.
Section
5.2 Each
Advance.
At the
time of making of each Advance, including the Initial Advance:
a. all
of
the representations and warranties made or deemed to be made under this
Agreement shall be true and correct at such time both with and without giving
effect to the Loan to be made at such time and the application of the proceeds
thereof, except that representations and warranties which, by their terms,
are
applicable only to the Effective Date shall be required to be true and correct
only as of the Effective Date,
b. organizational
actions of the Borrower referred to in Section
6.1(a)
shall
remain in full force and effect and the incumbency of officers shall be as
stated in the certificates of incumbency delivered pursuant to Section
6.1(a)
or as
subsequently modified and reflected in a certificate of incumbency delivered
to
the Lender, and
c. the
Lender may, without waiving either condition, consider the conditions specified
in Section
5.2(a)
and (b)
fulfilled
and a representation by the Borrower to such effect made if no written notice
to
the contrary is received by the Lender from the Borrower prior to the making
of
the Loan then to be made.
ARTICLE
6 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER
Section
6.1 Representations
and Warranties.
Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender as follows:
a. Organization;
Power; Qualification.
Each
Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and/or organization, 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 failure to be so qualified and authorized
would have a Materially Adverse Effect.
17
b. Subsidiaries
and Ownership of the Borrower.
The
Borrower has no Subsidiaries, other than those disclosed to Lender. The
outstanding stock of the Borrower has been duly and validly issued and is fully
paid and nonassessable by Borrower.
c. Authorization
of Agreement, Note, Loan Documents and Borrowing.
Borrower has the right and power and has taken all necessary action to authorize
it to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each of the other Loan
Documents to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms
and
to borrow hereunder. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized
officers or representatives of the Borrower and each is, or when executed and
delivered in accordance with this Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its
terms.
d. Compliance
of Agreement, Note, Loan Documents and Borrowing with Laws, Etc.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the other
Loan
Documents to which the Borrower is a party in accordance with their respective
terms and the borrowings hereunder 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 Borrower
or any of its Affiliates,
ii. conflict
with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under (A) the articles
of
incorporation, or the by-laws of the Borrower, (B) any indenture, agreement
or
other instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which any of its
property may be bound or (C) any Governmental Approval relating to the Borrower,
or,
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 the Borrower other than the Security
Interest.
e. Compliance
with Law; Governmental Approvals.
The
Borrower (i) has all Governmental Approvals, including permits relating to
federal, state and local Environmental Laws, ordinances and regulations 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 threatened attack by direct or collateral proceeding,
and (ii) is in compliance with each Governmental Approval applicable to it
and
is in material compliance with all other applicable laws and government
regulations relating to it, including, without being limited to, all
Environmental Laws and all occupational health and safety laws applicable to
the
Borrower or its properties, except for instances of noncompliance which would
not, singly or in the aggregate, cause a Default or Event of Default or have
a
Materially Adverse Effect and in respect of which adequate reserves have been
established on the books of the Borrower.
f. Titles
to Properties.
Borrower has good and marketable title to or a valid leasehold interest in
all
its real estate and valid and legal title to or a valid leasehold interest
in
all personal property and assets used in or necessary to the conduct of the
Borrower’s business, including, but not limited to, those reflected on the
balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section
6.1.
g. Liens.
None of
the properties and assets of the Borrower are subject to any Lien, except
Permitted Liens and as set forth on Schedule 6.1(g). Other than the Financing
Statements, no financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any
state which names the Borrower as debtor and which has not been terminated
has
been filed in any state or other jurisdiction, and the Borrower has not signed
any such financing statement or any security agreement authorizing any secured
party thereunder to file any such financing statement, except to perfect
Permitted Liens.
18
h. Indebtedness
and Guaranties.
Set
forth on Schedule
6.1(h)
is a
complete and correct listing of all of the Borrower’s (i) Indebtedness for Money
Borrowed and (ii) Guaranties as of the Agreement Date. The Borrower is not
in
default of any material provision of any agreement evidencing or relating to
such any such Indebtedness or Guaranty.
i. Litigation.
There
are no actions, suits or proceedings pending (nor to the knowledge of Borrower
are there any actions, suits or proceedings threatened, nor is there any basis
therefor) against or in any other way relating adversely to or affecting the
Borrower or any of its property in any court or before any arbitrator of any
kind or before or by any governmental body, which would reasonably give rise
to
a Material Adverse Effect.
j. Tax
Returns and Payments.
All
United States federal, state and local and foreign national, provincial and
local and all other tax returns of the Borrower required by applicable law
to be
filed have been duly filed, and all United States federal, state and local
and
foreign national, provincial and local and all other taxes, assessments and
other governmental charges or levies upon the Borrower and its property, income,
profits and assets which are due and payable have been paid, except any such
nonpayment which is at the time permitted under Section
9.4.
The
charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower in respect of United
States federal, state and local taxes and foreign national, provincial and
local
taxes for all fiscal years and portions thereof since the organization of the
Borrower are in the judgment of the Borrower adequate, and the Borrower knows
of
no reason to anticipate any additional assessments for any of such years which,
singly or in the aggregate, might have a Materially Adverse Effect.
k. Burdensome
Provisions.
The
Borrower is not a party to any indenture, agreement, lease or other instrument,
or subject to any charter or corporate restriction, Governmental Approval or
applicable law, compliance with the terms of which would reasonably be expected
have a Materially Adverse Effect.
l. Financial
Statements.
Borrower has furnished to the Lender a copy of its most recent quarterly balance
sheet, and the related statements of income, cash flow and retained earnings
for
the period then ended. Such financial statements are complete and correct and
present fairly and are in compliance with all government regulations that apply,
the financial position of the Borrower as at the dates thereof and the results
of operations of Borrower for the periods then ended. Except as disclosed or
reflected in such financial statements or the notes thereto, Borrower had no
material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, and there were no material
unrealized or anticipated losses Borrower.
m. Adverse
Change.
Since
the date of the financial statements described in Section
6.1(l),
(i) no
change in the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise),
results of operations or business prospects of the Borrower has occurred that
has had, or may have, a Materially Adverse Effect, and (ii) no event has
occurred or failed to occur which has had, or may have, a Materially Adverse
Effect.
n. ERISA.
Neither
the Borrower nor any Related Company maintains or contributes to any Benefit
Plan. No material liability to the PBGC or to a Multiemployer Plan has been,
or
is expected by the Borrower to be, incurred by the Borrower or any Related
Company.
o. Absence
of Defaults.
The
Borrower is not in default under its articles of incorporation or by-laws,
and
no event has occurred which has not been remedied, cured or waived (i) that
constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or (ii) that constitutes or that,
with the passage of time or giving of notice, or both, would constitute a
default or event of default by the Borrower under any material agreement (other
than this Agreement) or judgment, decree or order to which the Borrower is
a
party or by which the Borrower or any of its properties may be bound or which
would require the Borrower to make any payment thereunder prior to the scheduled
maturity date therefor.
19
p. Accuracy
and Completeness of Information.
All
written information, reports and other papers and data produced by or on behalf
of the Borrower and furnished to the Lender were, at the time the same were
so
furnished, complete and correct in all material respects to the extent necessary
to give the recipient a true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter,
no
fact is known to the Borrower which has had, or may in the future have (so
far
as the Borrower can foresee), a Materially Adverse Effect which has not been
set
forth in the financial statements or disclosure delivered prior to the Effective
Date, in each case referred to in Section
6.1(l),
or in
such written information, reports or other papers or data or otherwise disclosed
in writing to the Lender prior to the Effective Date. No document furnished
or
written statement made to the Lender by the Borrower in connection with the
negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents contains or will contain any untrue statement of a fact material
to
the creditworthiness of the Borrower or omits or will omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not
misleading.
q. Solvency.
In each
case after giving effect to the Indebtedness represented by the Loan outstanding
and to be incurred and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
Borrower on a consolidated basis is solvent, having assets of a fair market
value which exceeds the amount required to pay its debts (including contingent,
subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities) as they become absolute
and matured, and the Borrower is able to and anticipates that it will be able
to
meet its debts as they mature and has adequate capital to conduct the business
in which it is or proposes to be engaged.
r. Status
of Eligible Installment Contracts.
Each
Eligible Installment Contract reflected in the computations included in any
Borrowing Base Certificate meets the criteria enumerated in the definition
of
Eligible Installment Contract, except as disclosed in such Borrowing Base
Certificate or as disclosed in a timely manner in a subsequent Borrowing Base
Certificate or otherwise in writing to the Lender.
s. Chief
Executive Office.
The
chief executive office of the Borrower and the books and records relating to
the
Collateral are located at the address or addresses submitted to the
Lender.
t. Corporate
and Fictitious Names; Trade Names.
During
the one-year period preceding the Agreement Date, the Borrower has not been
known as or used any corporate or fictitious name other than the corporate
name
of the Borrower on the Effective Date and such additional authorized fictitious
names as listed on Schedule
6.1(t)
hereof
(each such listed name is a “DBA”).
u. Federal
Regulations.
The
Borrower is not engaged, principally or as one of its important activities,
in
the business of extending credit for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying”
any “margin stock” (as each of the quoted terms is defined or used in
Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System).
v. Investment
Company Act.
The
Borrower is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an
“investment company” (as each of the quoted terms is defined or used in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended).
w. Employee
Relations.
The
Borrower is not party to any collective bargaining agreement nor has any labor
union been recognized as the representative of the Borrower’s employees; the
Borrower knows of no pending, threatened or contemplated strikes, work stoppage
or other labor disputes involving its employees or those of its
Subsidiaries.
x. Shares;
Warrants.
A
description of the capital structure of Borrower, including, the total number
and classes of shares authorized, issued and outstanding in each such class,
a
description of any and all stock options, and a description of any and all
warrants convertible into common stock of Borrower are set forth on Schedule
6.1(x)
attached
hereto, which schedule contains the names of the parties to which stock options
and warrants have been issued, as well as the amounts of any and all such
options and warrants and the date of any registration rights agreement with
any
of the holders of stock options or warrants. The Lender expressly acknowledges
that FFG is currently in the process of converting certain preferred stock
into
common stock as set forth in Schedule
6.1(x),
and
that any rights under the Warrant are expressly contemplated to arise and relate
to the capitalization of FFG following such conversion. There are no claims,
liens or encumbrances presently existing or outstanding with respect to the
Shares.
20
y. Intellectual
Property.
The
Borrower owns or possesses all Intellectual Property required to conduct its
business as now and presently planned to be conducted without, to its knowledge,
conflict with the rights of others.
Section
6.2 Survival
of Representations and Warranties, Etc..
All
representations and warranties set forth in this Article
6
and all
statements contained in any certificate, financial statement or other instrument
delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to or in connection with
this
Agreement or any of the Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any
such
representation, warranty or statement 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 Agreement Date, at and
as of
the Effective Date and at and as of the date of each Advance, except that
representations and warranties which, by their terms are applicable only to
one
such date shall be deemed to be made only at and as of such date. All
representations and warranties made or deemed to be made under this Agreement
shall survive and not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lender or any borrowing
hereunder.
ARTICLE
7 - SECURITY INTEREST
Section
7.1 Security
Interest.
a. To
secure
the payment, observance and performance of the Secured Obligations, Borrower
hereby mortgages, pledges and assigns all of the Collateral to the Lender and
grants to the Lender a continuing security interest in, and a continuing Lien
upon, all of the Collateral.
b. As
additional security for all of the Secured Obligations, the Borrower grants
a
security interest in, and assigns to the Lender all of the Borrower’s right,
title and interest in and to, any deposits or other sums at any time credited
by
or due from the Lender to the Borrower.
c. As
additional security for all of the Secured Obligations, a pledge of the stock
of
TCG is executed by the shareholder thereof, as evidenced by the Stock Pledge
Agreement and the corresponding Irrevocable Stock Powers.
Section
7.2 Continued
Priority of Security Interest.
a. The
Security Interest granted by the Borrower shall at all times be valid, perfected
and enforceable against the Borrower and all third parties in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, as security for the Secured Obligations, and the
Collateral shall not at any time be subject to any Liens that are prior to,
on a
parity with or junior to the Security Interest, other than Permitted
Liens.
b. The
Borrower shall, at its sole cost and expense, take all action that may be
necessary or desirable, or that the Lender may request, so as at all times
to
maintain the validity, perfection, enforceability and rank of the Security
Interest in the Collateral in conformity with the requirements of Section
7.2(a)
or
to
enable the Lender to exercise or enforce its rights hereunder, including, but
not limited to: (i) delivering to the Lender the portfolio of Installment
Contracts pledged as Collateral in order for Lender to hold and act as the
custodian of the same, (iii) delivering to the Lender, endorsed or accompanied
by such instruments of assignment as the Lender may specify, and stamping or
marking in such manner as the Lender may specify, any and all chattel paper,
instruments, letters and advices of guaranty and documents evidencing or forming
a part of the Collateral, and (iv) executing and delivering financing
statements, pledges, designations, hypothecations, notices and assignments,
in
each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, relating to the
creation, validity, perfection, maintenance or continuation of the Security
Interest under the UCC or other applicable law.
21
c. The
Lender is hereby authorized to hold the portfolio of Eligible Installment
Contracts pledged as Collateral and act as the custodian of the same, pursuant
to a Custodial Agreement of even date herewith.
d. The
Lender is hereby authorized to file one or more financing or continuation
statements or amendments thereto in the name of the Borrower and without the
signature of Borrower for any purpose described in Section
7.2(b).
A
carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of any of the
Security Documents or of any financing statement filed in connection with this
Agreement is sufficient as a financing statement, to the extent permitted by
applicable law.
e. The
Borrower shall xxxx its books and records as may be necessary or appropriate
to
evidence, protect and perfect the Security Interest and shall cause its
financial statements to reflect the Security Interest.
ARTICLE
8 - COLLATERAL COVENANTS
Until
the
Loan has been terminated and all the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly
paid in full, unless the Lender shall otherwise consent in the manner provided
in Section
13.10:
Section
8.1 Collection
of Receivables and Installment Contracts.
a. The
Borrower will cause all moneys, checks, notes, drafts and other payments
relating to or constituting proceeds of Receivables and Installment Contracts,
or of any other Collateral, to be forwarded to a lockbox for deposit in an
account at Lender’s, or its agent’s, place of business, or use a mutually agreed
procedure for collection of such proceeds, all in accordance with the procedures
set out in the corresponding agency account agreement, and in particular the
Borrower will (i) advise each Account Debtor to address all remittances with
respect to amounts payable on account of any Installment Contracts or Receivable
to a specified lockbox, if any, and (ii) stamp all invoices relating to any
such
amounts with a legend satisfactory to the Lender indicating that payment is
to
be made to the Borrower via the specified lockbox, if any.
b. Any
moneys, checks, notes, drafts or other payments referred to in clause
(a)
of this
Section
8.1 which
are
received by or on behalf of the Borrower will be held in trust for the Lender
and will be delivered to the Lender at the Lender’s Office as promptly as
possible in the exact form received, together with any necessary
endorsements.
Section
8.2 Verification
and Notification.
The
Lender shall have the right following an Event of Default:
a. at
any
time and from time to time, in the name of the Lender or in the name of the
Borrower, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any
Installment Contract or Receivable by mail, telephone, telegraph or otherwise,
and
22
b. to
notify
the Account Debtors or obligors under any Installment Contract or Receivable
of
the assignment of such Installment Contract or Receivable to the Lender and
to
direct such Account Debtor or obligors to make payment of all amounts due
or to
become due thereunder directly to the Lender and, upon such notification
and at
the expense of the Borrower, to enforce collection of any such Installment
Contract or Receivable and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or
payment
thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as the Borrower might
have
done.
Section
8.3 Disputes
and Adjustments.
a. On
a
monthly basis, at the same time as Borrower delivers the Borrowing Base
Certificate, Borrower shall deliver a report detailing the delinquency, charge
off and collection activity on the Eligible Installment Contracts for the
preceding calendar month.
b. The
Borrower may, in the ordinary course of business and prior to a Default or
an
Event of Default, (i) grant any extension of time for payment of any Installment
Contract or Receivable, (ii) sell any Installment Contract, or (iii) compromise,
compound or settle any Installment Contract or Receivable for less than the
full
amount thereof or release wholly or partly any Person liable for the payment
thereof or allow any credit or discount whatsoever thereon.
Section
8.4 Underwriting
Guidelines.The
Borrower will not materially change its underwriting guidelines, systems,
processes or procedures without receiving the written approval of
Lender.
Section
8.5 Operating
Account.
Borrower shall maintain its primary operating account with Lender, and such
operating account must be opened by Borrower within thirty (30) days after
the
Effective Date. All payments hereunder are to be debited by Lender from such
operating account.
Section
8.6 Ownership
and Defense of Title.
a. Except
for Permitted Liens, the Borrower shall at all times be the sole owner of
each
and every item of Collateral and shall not create any Lien on, or sell, lease,
exchange, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, grant a security interest
or
security title in or otherwise dispose of, any of the Collateral or any interest
therein, except for cash or on open account or on terms of payment ordinarily
extended to its customers and except as otherwise expressly contemplated
herein.
The inclusion of “proceeds” of the Collateral under the Security Interest shall
not be deemed a consent by the Lender to any other sale or other disposition
of
any part or all of the Collateral.
b. The
Borrower shall defend its title in and to the Collateral and shall defend
the
Security Interest and priority thereof in the Collateral against the claims
and
demands of all Persons other than Lender.
c. In
addition to, and not in derogation of, the foregoing and the requirements
of any
of the Security Documents, the Borrower shall (i) protect and preserve all
properties material to its business, including Intellectual Property and
maintain all tangible property in good and workable condition in all material
respects, with reasonable allowance for wear and tear, and (ii) from time
to
time make or cause to be made all needed and appropriate repairs, renewals,
replacements and additions to such properties necessary for the conduct of
its
business, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times.
23
Section
8.7 Insurance.
a. The
Borrower shall, consistent with standard industry practice, at all times
maintain insurance on the Collateral, if applicable, against loss or damage
by
fire, theft, burglary, pilferage, loss in transit and such other hazards
as the
Lender shall reasonably specify, in amounts and under policies issued by
insurers acceptable to the Lender. All premiums on such insurance shall be
paid
by the Borrower and copies of the policies delivered to the Lender. The Borrower
will not use or authorize the insured Collateral to be used in violation
of any
applicable law or in any manner which might render inapplicable any insurance
coverage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall not be required to
maintain insurance on any motor vehicle or other collateral securing the
Installment Contracts.
b. All
insurance policies required under Section
8.7
shall
name the Lender as an additional named insured and shall contain “New York
standard” loss payable clauses in the form submitted to the Borrower by the
Lender, or otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, naming
the Lender as loss payee as its interests may appear, and providing that
(i) all
proceeds thereunder shall be payable to the Lender, (ii) no such insurance
shall
be affected by any act or neglect of the insured or owner of the property
described in such policy, and (iii) such policy and loss payable clauses
may not
be cancelled, amended or terminated unless at least thirty (30) days’ prior
written notice is given to the Lender.
c. Any
proceeds of insurance referred to in this Section
8.7 which
are
paid to the Lender shall be, at the option of the Lender in its sole discretion
applied to the payment or prepayment of the Secured Obligations or delivered
to
the Borrower.
d. The
Borrower shall at all times maintain, in addition to the insurance required
by
Section
8.7(a)
or any
of the Security Documents, insurance with responsible insurance companies
against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by similar
businesses or as may be required by applicable law, including such public
liability, products liability, third party property damage and business
interruption insurance as is consistent with reasonable business practices,
and
from time to time deliver to the Lender 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
8.8 Location
of Offices and Collateral.
a. The
Borrower will not change the location of its chief executive office or the
place
where it keeps its books and records relating to the Collateral or change
its
name, identity or corporate structure without giving the Lender thirty (30)
days’ prior written notice thereof.
b. All
Equipment, other than motor vehicles, will at all times be kept by the Borrower
at the current locations of Borrower, and shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Lender, be removed therefrom, excepting computers and other
Equipment that typically have been kept and used outside of Borrower’s current
locations.
Section
8.9 Records
Relating to Collateral.
The
Borrower will at all times (i) keep complete and accurate records of Receivables
and Installment Contracts on a basis consistent with past practices of the
Borrower, itemizing and describing the kind, type, amount and collateral
of such
Receivable and Installment Contracts, and (ii) keep complete and accurate
records of all other Collateral.
Section
8.10 Inspection
and Audit.
The
Lender (by any of its officers, employees or agents) shall have the right
at any
time or times to (a) visit the properties of the Borrower, inspect and audit
the
Collateral and the other assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and
inspect
and make extracts from the books and records of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, management letters prepared
by
independent accountants, all during customary business hours at such premises,
(b) discuss the Borrower’s business, assets, liabilities, financial condition,
results of operations and business prospects, insofar as the same are reasonably
related to the rights of the Lender hereunder or under any of the Loan
Documents, with the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ (i) principal officers, and
(ii) independent accountants and other professionals providing services to
the
Borrower, and (c) verify the amount, quantity, value and condition of, or
any
other matter relating to, any of the Collateral and in this connection to
review, audit and make extracts from all records and files related to any
of the
Collateral. The Borrower will deliver to the Lender any instrument necessary
to
authorize an independent accountant or other professional to have discussions
of
the type outlined above with the Lender or for the Lender to obtain records
from
any service bureau maintaining records on behalf of the Borrower. The costs
and
expenses of the foregoing audits shall be paid by Borrower.
24
Section
8.11 Maintenance
of Equipment.The
Borrower shall maintain all physical property that constitutes Equipment
in good
and workable condition in all material respects, with reasonable allowance
for
wear and tear, and shall exercise proper custody over all such
property.
Section
8.12 Information
and Reports.
a. Schedule
of Installment Contracts.
The
Borrower shall deliver to the Lender (i) on or before the Effective Date,
a
Schedule of Installment Contracts as of a date not more than three (3) Business
Days prior to the Effective Date setting forth a detailed list of all of
its
then existing Installment Contracts, specifying the name of and the balance
due
from each Account Debtor obligated on an Installment Contract so listed,
and
(ii) no later than ten (10) days after the end of each accounting month of
the Borrower, a Schedule of Installment Contracts as of the last Business
Day of
the Borrower’s immediately preceding accounting month setting forth (A) a
detailed list of all the Borrower’s then existing Installment Contracts,
specifying the name of and the balance due from each Account Debtor obligated
on
an Installment Contract so listed and (B) a reconciliation to the Schedule
of
Installment Contracts delivered in respect of the next preceding accounting
month.
b. Borrowing
Base Certificate.
The
Borrower shall deliver to the Lender not later than three (3) Business
Days after the last day of each accounting month of Borrower a Borrowing
Base
Certificate prepared as of the close of business on the last Business Day
of
such accounting month.
c. Compliance
Certificate.
The
Borrower shall deliver to the Lender not later than fifteen
(15) calendar days after the last day of each accounting month of Borrower
a Compliance Certificate prepared as of the close of business on the last
Business Day of such accounting month.
d. Certification.
Each of
the schedules delivered to the Lender pursuant to this Section
8.12 shall
be
certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower to be true, correct
and
complete as of the date indicated thereon.
e. Other
Information.
The
Lender may, in its discretion, from time to time require the Borrower to
deliver
the schedules described in Section
8.12 (a), (b), (c) and (d) more
or
less often and on different schedules than specified in such Section, and
the
Borrower will comply with such reasonable requests. The Borrower shall also
furnish to the Lender such other information with respect to the Collateral
as
the Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
Section
8.13 Power
of Attorney.
The
Borrower hereby appoints the Lender as its attorney, with power, during a
continuation of an Event of Default (a) to endorse the name of the Borrower
on
any checks, notes, acceptances, money orders, drafts or other forms of payment
or security that may come into the Lender’s possession, and (b) to sign the name
of the Borrower on any invoice or xxxx of lading relating to any Collateral,
on
any drafts against customers related to letters of credit, on schedules and
assignments of Installment Contracts furnished to the Lender by the Borrower,
on
notices of assignment, financing statements and other public records relating
to
the perfection or priority of the Security Interest or verifications of account
and on notices to or from customers.
25
ARTICLE
9 - AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until
the
Loan has been terminated and all the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly
paid in full, unless the Lender shall otherwise consent in the manner provided
for in
Section 13.10,
each
Borrower will:
Section
9.1 Preservation
of Existence and Similar Matters.
Preserve
and maintain its existence as a corporation, and its rights, franchises,
licenses and privileges in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and qualify
and
remain qualified as a foreign business entity and authorized to do business
in
each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature
of its
business requires such qualification or authorization.
Section
9.2 Compliance
with Applicable Law.
Comply
with all applicable laws relating to the Borrower.
Section
9.3 Conduct
of Business.
Engage
only in businesses in substantially the same fields as the businesses conducted
on the Effective Date.
Section
9.4 Payment
of Taxes and Claims.
Pay or
discharge when due (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or
levies
imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or upon any properties belonging
to it, and (b) all lawful claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers,
warehousemen and landlords for labor, materials, supplies and rentals which,
if
unpaid, might become a Lien on any properties of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, except that this Section
9.4 shall
not
require the payment or discharge of any such tax, assessment, charge, levy
or
claim which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
for
which adequate reserves have been established on the appropriate
books.
Section
9.5 Accounting
Methods and Financial Records. Maintain
a system of accounting, and keep such books, records and accounts (which
shall
be true and complete), as may be required or as may be necessary to permit
the
preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied, or as required by applicable government regulations.
Section
9.6 Use
of
Proceeds.
a. Use
the
proceeds of all Advances only for working capital and general corporate and
operating purposes, and
b. Not
use
any part of such proceeds to purchase or carry, or to reduce or retire or
refinance any credit incurred to purchase or carry, any margin stock (within
the
meaning of Regulation U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System) or for any other purpose which would involve a violation of such
Regulation U or X or of such Board of Governors or for any other purpose
prohibited by law or by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section
9.7 Hazardous
Waste and Substances; Environmental Requirements. In
addition to, and not in derogation of, the requirements of Section
9.2
and of
the Security Documents, (i) comply with all laws, governmental standards
and
regulations applicable to the Borrower or to any of its assets in respect
of
occupational health and safety laws, rules and regulations and Environmental
Laws, (ii) promptly notify the Lender of its receipt of any notice of a
violation of any such law, rule, standard or regulation, and (iii) indemnify
and
hold the Lender harmless from all loss, cost, damage, liability, claim and
expense incurred by or imposed upon the Lender on account of the Borrower’s
failure to perform its obligations under this
Section 9.7.
26
Section
9.8 Revisions
or Updates to Schedules.
Should
any of the information or disclosures provided on any of the Schedules
originally attached hereto become outdated or incorrect in any material respect,
the Borrower shall provide promptly to the Lender such revisions or updates
to
such Schedule(s) as may be necessary or appropriate to update or correct
such
Schedule(s); provided
that no
such revisions or updates to any Schedule(s) shall be deemed to have cured
any
breach of warranty or representation resulting from the inaccuracy or
incompleteness of any such Schedule(s) unless and until the Lender, in its
sole
discretion, shall have accepted in writing such revisions or updates to such
Schedule(s).
Section
9.9 Accuracy
of Information. All
written information, reports, statements and other papers and data furnished
to
the Lender, whether pursuant to Article
10
or any
other provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, shall
be,
at the time the same is so furnished, complete and correct in all material
respects to the extent necessary to give the Lender true and accurate knowledge
of the subject matter.
ARTICLE
10 - INFORMATION
Until
the
Loan has been terminated and all the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly
paid in full, unless the Lender shall otherwise consent in the manner set
forth
in
Section 13.10,
each
Borrower will furnish to the Lender at the Lender’s Office:
SECTION
10.1 Financial
Statements.
a. Year-End
Statements.
As soon
as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each
fiscal year of Borrower, copies of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”)
10-KSB
Report of Borrower.
b. Quarterly
Statements.
As soon
as available, but in any event within forty-five days after the end of each
of
the first three quarters of each fiscal year of Borrower, the SEC 10-QSB
Report
of Borrower.
c. Other.
Upon
request of Lender, such other financial information of Borrower, whether
public
or private information, as Lender may reasonable request.
d. Federal
Income Tax Returns.
As soon
as available, but in any event within ten (10) days after filing, the federal
income tax returns for the preceding fiscal year of Borrower (including all
Schedules to each return).
All
such
financial statements and documents delivered pursuant to this Section
10.1 shall
be
complete and correct in all material respects and all such financial statements
referred to in this Section
10.1 shall
be
prepared in accordance with applicable federal regulations. In addition,
the
Borrower authorizes the Lender to discuss the financial condition of the
Borrower with the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants and agrees
that such discussion or communication shall be without liability to either
the
Lender or the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants.
Section
10.2 Officer’s
Certificate.
Together
with each delivery of financial statements included within the report required
by Section
10.1,
a
certificate of the Borrower’s President or chief financial officer addressed to
Lender, (a) stating that, based on an examination sufficient to enable him
to
make an informed statement, no Default or Event of Default exists or, if
such is
not the case, specifying such Default or Event of Default and its nature,
when
it occurred, whether it is continuing and the steps being taken by the Borrower
with respect to such Default or Event of Default, and (b) setting forth the
calculations necessary to establish whether or not the Borrower was in
compliance with the covenants contained in Section
11.1, Section 11.2, and Section 11.5 as
of the
date of such statements.
27
Section
10.3 Copies
of Other Reports.
a. Promptly
upon receipt thereof, copies of all reports, if any, submitted to the Borrower
or its Board of Directors by its independent public accountants, including,
without limitation, all management reports.
b. Promptly
upon preparation and filing of the same, copies of any other filings with
the
SEC.
c. From
time
to time and promptly upon each request, such forecasts, data, certificates,
reports, statements, opinions of counsel, documents or further information
regarding the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results
of
operations or business prospects of the Borrower as the Lender may reasonably
request. The rights of the Lender under this Section
10.3 are
in
addition to and not in derogation of its rights under any other provision
of
this Agreement or the Loan Document.
Section
10.4 Notice
of Litigation and Other Matters.
Prompt
notice of:
a. the
commencement, to the extent the Borrower is aware of the same, of all
proceedings and investigations by or before any governmental or nongovernmental
body and all actions and proceedings in any court or before any arbitrator
against the Borrower or any of its property, assets or businesses which might,
singly or in the aggregate, cause a Default or an Event of Default or have
a
Materially Adverse Effect,
b. any
amendment of the articles of incorporation or the by-laws of the
Borrower,
c. any
change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results
of
operations or business prospects of the Borrower or any Affiliate of the
Borrower which has had or may reasonably be expected to have any Materially
Adverse Effect and any change in the executive officers of the Borrower,
and
d. any
(i)
Default or Event of Default, or (ii) event that constitutes or that, with
the
passage of time or giving of notice or both, would constitute a default or
event
of default by the Borrower under any material agreement (other than this
Agreement) to which the Borrower is a party or by which the Borrower or any
of
its property may be bound if the exercise of remedies thereunder by the other
party to such agreement would have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a
Materially Adverse Effect.
Section
10.5 XXXXX.Xx
soon
as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Borrower knows, or
has
reason to know, that:
a. any
Termination Event with respect to a Benefit Plan has occurred or will occur,
or
b. the
aggregate present value of the Unfunded Vested Accrued Benefits under all
Benefits Plans or Multiemployer Plans has increased to an amount in excess
of
$50,000, a
certificate of the President or the chief financial officer of the Borrower
setting forth the details of such of the events described in clauses
(a)
through
(b)
as
applicable and the action which is proposed to be taken with respect thereto
and, simultaneously with the filing thereof, copies of any notice or filing
which may be required by the PBGC or other agency of the United States
government with respect to such of the events described in clauses
(a) through
(b)
as
applicable.
28
ARTICLE
11 - NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until
the
Loan has been terminated and all the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly
paid in full, unless the Lender shall otherwise consent in the manner set
forth
in
Section 13.10,
the
Borrower will not directly or indirectly:
Section
11.1 Financial
Ratio.
Permit,
as of the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower the minimum Net Worth of
Borrower at any time to be less than Ten Million Dollars
$10,000,000.
Section
11.2 Indebtedness.
Create,
assume, or otherwise become or remain obligated in respect of, or permit
or
suffer to exist or to be created, assumed or incurred or to be outstanding
any
Indebtedness for Money Borrowed, except for Permitted Indebtedness and for
the
Secured Obligations.
Section
11.3 Guaranties.
Become
or remain liable with respect to any Guaranty of any obligation of any other
Person.
Section
11.4 Investments,
Subsidiary.
Acquire, after the Agreement Date, any Business Unit or Investment or, after
such date, permit any Investment to be outstanding, other than Permitted
Investments, or transfer any assets to or contribute any capital into Freedom
Financial Group Delaware, Inc., a Missouri corporation.
Section
11.5 Capital
Expenditures.
Make or
incur any Capital Expenditures, except that the Borrower may make or incur
Capital Expenditures in any fiscal year in an amount not to exceed, in the
aggregate, $75,000.
Section
11.6 Restricted
Distributions and Payments, Etc.
Declare
or make any Restricted Distribution or Restricted Payment, except
for any
distribution or payment to Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx arising from his disability
pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement dated September 17,
2004.
Section
11.7 Merger,
Consolidation and Sale of Assets.
Merge
or consolidate with any other Person or sell, lease or transfer or otherwise
dispose of all, or any portion of its assets (other than in the ordinary
course
of business), to any Person, without obtaining the Lender’s written consent
prior to such merger, consolidation, sale, lease, transfer or other disposal
and
complying with Section 2.6 of this Agreement.
Section
11.8 Transactions
with Affiliates.
Effect
any transaction with any Affiliate on a basis less favorable to the Borrower
than would be the case if such transaction had been effected with a Person
not
an Affiliate.
Section
11.9 Liens.
Create,
assume or permit or suffer to exist or to be created or assumed any Lien
on any
of the property or assets of the Borrower, real, personal or mixed, tangible
or
intangible, except for Permitted Liens.
Section
11.10 Operating
Leases.
Enter
into any lease other than a Capitalized Lease and an occupancy lease for
its
ordinary corporate office purposes.
Section
11.11 Benefit
Plans.
Permit,
or take any action which would result in, the aggregate present value of
the
Unfunded Vested Accrued Benefits under all Benefit Plans of the Borrower
to
exceed $50,000.
Section
11.12 Sales
and Leasebacks.
Enter
into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing from such
Person
of real or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred,
directly or indirectly, by the Borrower to such Person.
29
Section
11.13 Amendments
of Other Agreements.
Amend
in any way the interest rate or principal amount or schedule of payments
of
principal and interest with respect to any Indebtedness (other than the Secured
Obligations) other than to reduce the interest rate or extend the schedule
of
payments with respect thereto.
Section
11.14 Split,
Subdivision or Combination of Shares.
Subdivide its outstanding Shares, by split-up or otherwise, or combine its
outstanding Shares, or issue additional shares of its capital stock in payment
of a stock dividend in respect of its Shares, without proportionately increasing
the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant, or
proportionately decreasing the same in the case of a combination, provided
the
foregoing shall not apply until the conversion specified in Section
6.1(x)
has been
completed.
Section
11.15 Warrants.
Intentionally Deleted.
Section
11.16 Change
Senior Management.
Change
the senior management of the Borrower existing as of the date of this Agreement,
including without limitation Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx.
ARTICLE
12 - DEFAULT
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 or nongovernmental body:
a. Default
in Payment of Loan.
The
Borrower shall default in any payment of principal of, or interest on, the
Loan
or Note when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise), and such default shall continue for five (5) Business Days after
the
due date.
b. Other
Payment Default.
The
Borrower shall default in the payment, as and when due, of principal of or
interest on, any other Secured Obligation, and such default shall continue
for
five (5) Business Days after the due date.
c. Warrant
Default.
A
default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition
or
agreement contained in the Warrant or Registration Rights Agreement and the
expiration of any applicable cure period.
d. Misrepresentation.
Any
representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by the Borrower under
this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment hereto or thereto shall
at
any time prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect
when
made.
e. Default
in Performance.
The
Borrower shall default (i) in the performance or observance of any term,
covenant, condition or agreement contained in Articles
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
or
11;
or (ii)
in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement
contained in any other provision of this Agreement (other than as specifically
provided for otherwise in this
Section 12.1)
and
such default shall continue for a period of 30 days after written notice
thereof
has been given to the Borrower by the Lender.
f. Indebtedness
Cross-Default.
(i) The
Borrower shall fail to pay when due and payable (and the expiration of any
applicable cure period) the principal of or interest on any Indebtedness
(other
than the Loan or Note) where the principal amount of such Indebtedness is
in
excess of $25,000, or (ii) the maturity of any such Indebtedness shall have
(A)
been accelerated in accordance with the provisions of any indenture, contract
or
instrument providing for the creation of or concerning such Indebtedness,
or (B)
been required to be prepaid prior to the stated maturity thereof, or (iii)
any
event shall have occurred and be continuing which, with or without the passage
of time or the giving of notice, or both, would permit any holder or holders
of
such Indebtedness, any trustee or agent acting on behalf of such holder or
holders or any other Person so to accelerate such maturity.
30
g. Other
Cross-Defaults.
The
Borrower shall default in the payment when due or in the performance or
observance of any material obligation or condition of any agreement, contract
or
lease (other than the Security Documents or any such agreement, contract
or
lease relating to Indebtedness), (and the expiration of any applicable cure
period) if the exercise of remedies thereunder by the other party to such
agreement could have a Materially Adverse Effect.
h. Voluntary
Bankruptcy Proceeding.
After
the Agreement Date, either Borrower shall (i) commence a voluntary case under
the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (ii) commence
a
proceeding seeking to take advantage of any other laws, domestic or foreign,
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or composition
for adjustment of debts, (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, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or
of a
substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing
its
inability to pay its debts 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.
i. Involuntary
Bankruptcy Proceeding.
After
the Agreement Date, a case or other proceeding shall be commenced against
any
Borrower in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) 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 debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or the like of any Borrower or of all or any substantial
part of the assets, domestic or foreign, of any Borrower, and such case or
proceeding shall continue undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive
calendar days, or an order granting the relief requested in such case or
proceeding against any Borrower (including, but not limited to, an order
for
relief under such federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.
j. Loan
Documents.
Any
event of Event of Default under any other Loan Document shall occur or any
Borrower shall default in the performance or observance of any material term,
covenant, condition or agreement contained in, or the payment of any other
sum
covenanted to be paid by any Borrower under, any such Loan Document; or any
provision of this Agreement, or of any other Loan Document after delivery
thereof hereunder, shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding, other
than a nonmaterial provision rendered unenforceable by operation of law,
or any
Borrower or other party thereto (other than the Lender) shall so state in
writing; or this Agreement or any other Loan Document, after delivery thereof
hereunder, shall for any reason (other than any action taken independently
by
the Lender and except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof) cease
to
create a valid, perfected and, except as otherwise expressly permitted herein,
first priority Lien on, or security interest in, any of the Collateral purported
to be covered thereby.
k. A
judgment or order for the payment of money which exceeds $75,000 in amount
shall
be entered against any Borrower by any court and such judgment or order shall
continue undischarged or unstayed for 30 days.
l. Attachment.
A
warrant or writ of attachment or execution or similar process which exceeds
$50,000 in value shall be issued against any property of any Obligor and
such
warrant or process shall continue undischarged or unstayed for 30
days.
31
m. Qualified
Audits.
The
independent certified public accountants retained by the Borrower shall refuse
to deliver an opinion in accordance with Section
10.1 with
respect to the annual financial statements of the Borrower.
n. Material
Adverse Change.
There
occurs any act, omission, event, undertaking or circumstance or series of
acts,
omissions, events, undertakings or circumstances which have, or in the sole
judgment of the Lender would be reasonably likely to have, either individually
or in the aggregate, a Materially Adverse Effect.
Section
12.2 Remedies.
a. Automatic
Acceleration and Termination of Facilities.
Upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section
12.1(h) or (i), (i)
the
principal of and the interest on the Loan and the Note at the time outstanding,
and all other amounts owed to the Lender under this Agreement or any of the
Loan
Documents and all other Secured Obligations, shall thereupon become due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of
which are expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and (ii) the Revolving Credit
Facility and the commitment of the Lender to make Advances thereunder or
under
this Agreement shall immediately terminate.
b. Other
Remedies.
If any
Event of Default (other than as specified in Section
12.1(h) or (i))
shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Lender, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may do any of the following:
i. declare
the principal of and interest on the Loan and the Note at the time outstanding,
and all other amounts owed to the Lender under this Agreement or any of the
Loan
Documents and all other Secured 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,
anything in this Agreement or the Loan Documents to the contrary
notwithstanding; and
ii. terminate
Loan and any commitment of the Lender to make Advances hereunder.
c. Further
Remedies.
If any
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Lender, in its
sole
and absolute discretion, may do any of the following:
i. notify,
or request the Borrower to notify, in writing or otherwise, any Account Debtor
or obligor with respect to any one or more of the Receivables or Installment
Contracts to make payment to the Lender or any agent or designee of the Lender,
at such address as may be specified by the Lender, and, if, notwithstanding
the
giving of any notice, any Account Debtor or other such obligor shall make
payments to the Borrower, the Borrower shall hold all such payments it receives
in trust for the Lender, without commingling the same with other funds or
property of, or held by, the Borrower and shall deliver the same to the Lender
or any such agent or designee immediately upon receipt by the Borrower in
the
identical form received, together with any necessary endorsements;
ii. settle
or
adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors and other obligors
on
Receivables or Installment Contracts for amounts and on terms which the Lender
considers advisable and in all such cases only the net amounts received by
the
Lender in payment of such amounts, after deductions of costs and attorneys’
fees, shall constitute Collateral, and the Borrower shall have no further
right
to make any such settlements or adjustments or to accept any returns of
merchandise;
32
iii. enter
upon any premises on which Inventory or Equipment may be located and, without
resistance or interference by the Borrower, take physical possession of any
or
all thereof and maintain such possession on such premises or move the same
or
any part thereof to such other place or places as the Lender shall choose,
without being liable to the Borrower on account of any loss, damage or
depreciation that may occur as a result thereof, so long as the Lender shall
act
reasonably and in good faith;
iv. require
the Borrower to and the Borrower shall, without charge to the Lender, assemble
the Inventory and Equipment and maintain or deliver it into the possession
of
the Lender or any agent or representative of the Lender at such place or
places
as the Lender may designate;
v. at
the
expense of the Borrower, cause any of the Inventory and Equipment to be placed
in a public or field warehouse, and the Lender shall not be liable to the
Borrower on account of any loss, damage or depreciation that may occur as
a
result thereof, so long as the Lender shall act reasonably and in good
faith;
vi. without
notice, demand or other process, and without payment of any rent or any other
charge, enter any of the Borrower’s premises and, without breach of the peace,
until the Lender completes the enforcement of its rights in the Collateral,
take
possession of such premises or place custodians in exclusive control thereof,
remain on such premises and use the same and any of the Borrower’s equipment,
for the purpose of (A) completing any work in process, preparing any Inventory
for disposition and disposing thereof, and (B) collecting any Installment
Contracts or other Receivable, and the Lender is hereby granted a license
or
sublicense and all other rights as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable
to
use the Intellectual Property in connection with the foregoing, and the rights
of the Borrower under all licenses and franchise agreements shall inure to
the
Lender’s benefit (provided, however, that any use of any federally registered
trademarks as to any goods shall be subject to the control as to the quality
of
such goods of the owner of such trademarks and the goodwill of the business
symbolized thereby);
vii. exercise
any and all of its rights under any and all of the Security
Documents;
viii. apply
any
cash Collateral to the payment of the Secured Obligations in any order in
which
the Lender may elect or use such cash in connection with the exercise of
any of
its other rights hereunder or under any of the Security Documents;
ix. establish
or cause to be established one or more lockboxes or other arrangement for
the
deposit of proceeds of Installment Contracts or Receivables, and, in such
case,
the Borrower shall cause to be forwarded to the Lender at the Lender’s Office,
on a daily basis, copies of all checks and other items of payment and deposit
slips related thereto deposited in such lockboxes, together with collection
reports in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender; and
x. exercise
all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC (whether
or not
the UCC is applicable) and under any other applicable law, including, without
limitation, the right, without notice except as specified below and with
or
without taking the possession thereof, to sell the Collateral or any part
thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any location
chosen
by the Lender, for cash, on credit or for future delivery and at such price
or
prices and upon such other terms as the Lender may deem commercially reasonable.
The Borrower agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required
by law,
at least ten (10) days’ notice to the Borrower of the time and place of any
public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall
constitute reasonable notice, but notice given in any other reasonable manner
or
at any other reasonable time shall also constitute reasonable notification.
The
Lender shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of
notice of sale having been given. The Lender 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.
33
Section
12.3 Application
of Proceeds.
All
proceeds from each sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of
the
Collateral following an Event of Default shall be applied or paid over as
follows:
a. First:
to the
payment of all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such sale or
other
realization, including attorneys’ fees,
b. Second:
to the
payment of the Secured Obligations (with the Borrower remaining liable for
any
deficiency) in any order which the Lender may elect, and
c. Third:
the
balance (if any) of such proceeds shall be paid to the Borrower or, subject
to
any duty imposed by law or otherwise, to whomsoever is entitled
thereto.
The
Borrower shall remain liable and will pay, on demand, any deficiency remaining
in respect of the Secured Obligations, together with interest thereon at
a rate
per annum equal to the highest rate then payable hereunder on such Secured
Obligations, which interest shall constitute part of the Secured
Obligations.
Section
12.4 Power
of Attorney.
In
addition to the authorizations granted to the Lender under Section
8.13 or
under
any other provision of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, upon
and
after an Event of Default, the Borrower hereby irrevocably designates, makes,
constitutes and appoints the Lender (and all Persons designated by the Lender
from time to time) as the Borrower’s true and lawful attorney and agent in fact,
and the Lender or any agent of the Lender may, without notice to the Borrower,
and at such time or times as the Lender or any such agent in its sole discretion
may determine, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender:
a. demand
payment of the Receivables and the Installment Contracts, enforce payment
thereof by legal proceedings or otherwise, settle, adjust, compromise, extend
or
renew any or all of the Receivables and Installment Contracts or any legal
proceedings brought to collect the Receivables and Installment Contracts,
discharge and release the Receivables and Installment Contracts or any of
them
and exercise all of the Borrower’s rights and remedies with respect to the
collection of Receivables and Installment Contracts,
b. prepare,
file and sign the name of the Borrower on any proof of claim in bankruptcy
or
any similar document against any Account Debtor or any notice of Lien,
assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document in connection with
any of
the Collateral,
c. endorse
the name of the Borrower upon any chattel paper, document, instrument, notice,
freight xxxx, xxxx of lading or similar document or agreement relating to
the
Receivables, the Inventory or any other Collateral,
d. use
the
stationery of the Borrower, open the Borrower’s mail, notify the post office
authorities to change the address for delivery of the Borrower’s mail to an
address designated by the Lender and sign the name of the Borrower to
verifications of the Receivables and on any notice to the Account
Debtors,
34
e. use
the
information recorded on or contained in any data processing equipment and
computer hardware and software relating to the Receivables, Installment
Contracts, or other Collateral to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the
Borrower has access.
Section
12.5 Miscellaneous
Provisions Concerning Remedies.
a. Rights
Cumulative.
The
rights and remedies of the Lender under this Agreement, the Note and each
of the
Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies
which it or they would otherwise have. In exercising such rights and remedies,
the Lender may be selective and no failure or delay by the Lender in exercising
any right shall operate as a waiver of such right nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any power or right preclude its other or further exercise
or
the exercise of any other power or right.
b. Waiver
of Marshalling.
The
Borrower hereby waives any right to require any marshalling of assets and
any
similar right.
c. Limitation
of Liability.
Nothing
contained in this Article
12
or
elsewhere in this Agreement or in any of the Loan Documents shall be construed
as requiring or obligating the Lender or any agent or designee of the Lender
to
make any demand or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of
any
payment received by it or to present or file any claim or notice or take
any
action with respect to any Receivable or any other Collateral or the moneys
due
or to become due thereunder or in connection therewith or to take any steps
necessary to preserve any rights against prior parties, and neither the Lender
nor any of its agents or designees shall have any liability to the Borrower
for
actions taken pursuant to this Article
12,
any
other provision of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, so long as
the
Lender or such agent or designee shall act reasonably and in good
faith.
d. Appointment
of Receiver.
In any
action under this Article
12,
the
Lender shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver, upon reasonable
notice, to take possession of all or any portion of the Collateral and to
exercise such power as the court shall confer upon such receiver.
ARTICLE
13 - MISCELLANEOUS
Section
13.1 Notices.
a. Method
of Communication.
Except
as may be otherwise provided in this Agreement or in any of the Loan Documents,
all notices, requests, demands, consents, instructions or other communications
required or permitted to be given hereunder and thereunder to the parties
shall
be in writing and sent by facsimile transmission, mailed or delivered in
person
to each party at its facsimile number or address set forth below (or to such
other facsimile number or address for any party as indicated in any notice
given
by that party to the other party). All such notices and communications shall
be
effective (i) when sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service
for
next day delivery, one (1) Business Day following the deposit with such service;
(ii) when mailed, first class postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
and
addressed as aforesaid through the United States Postal Service, upon receipt;
(iii) when delivered by hand, upon delivery; and (iv) when sent by facsimile
transmission, upon confirmation of receipt; provided, however, that in the
case
of notices to the Lender, the Lender shall be charged with knowledge of the
contents thereof only when such notice is actually received by the Lender.
35
b. Addresses
for Notices.
Notices
to any party shall be sent to it at the following addresses, or any other
address of which all the other parties are notified in writing.
If to the Borrower: |
Freedom
Financial Group, Inc.
T.C.G.
- The Credit Group Inc
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
0000
X. Xxx Xx.
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
With a Copy to: |
Xxxxxxxx
Thomson & Xxxxxx
Attention:
Xxx X’Xxxx
000
Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
|
|
If to the Lender: |
Heartland
Bank
Attention:
President
000
X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
With a Copy to: |
Xxxxxxx
XxxXxxxxx P.C.
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
000
X. Xxxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 0000
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
Facsimile
No.: 314-854-8660
|
c. Lender’s
Office.
The
Lender hereby designates its office located at 000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xx.
Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000, or any subsequent office which shall have been specified
for
such purpose by written notice to the Borrower, as the office to which payments
due are to be made and at which Loan will be disbursed.
Section
13.2 Expenses.
The
Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse on demand all reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by the Lender, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and
disbursements of counsel, in connection with (a) the negotiation, preparation,
execution, delivery, administration, enforcement and termination of this
Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, whenever the same shall be
executed and delivered, including, without limitation, (i) the out-of-pocket
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the administration and
interpretation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) the costs
and expenses of appraisals of the Collateral, (iii) the costs and expenses
of
lien searches, and (iv) taxes, fees and other charges of filing the Financing
Statements and continuations and the costs and expenses of taking other actions
to perfect, protect, and continue the Security Interest; (b) the preparation,
execution and delivery of any waiver, amendment, supplement or consent by
the
Lender relating to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents; (c) sums
paid or
obligations incurred in connection with the payment of any amount or taking
any
action required of the Borrower under the Loan Documents that the Borrower
fails
to pay or take; (d) if an Event of Default exists, costs of inspections and
verifications of the Collateral, including, without limitation, standard
per
diem fees charged by the Lender for travel, lodging, and meals for inspections
of the Collateral and the Borrower’s operations and books and records by the
Lender’s agents; (e) costs and expenses of forwarding loan proceeds, collecting
checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining each
primary
operating account, agency account and lockbox; (f) costs and expenses of
preserving and protecting the Collateral; (g) after the occurrence of an
Event
of Default, consulting with and obtaining opinions, field audits and appraisals
from one or more Persons, including personal property appraisers, accountants
and lawyers, concerning the value of any Collateral for the Secured Obligations
or related to the nature, scope or value of any right or remedy of the Lender
hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, including any review of factual
matters in connection therewith, which expenses shall include the fees and
disbursements of such Persons; and (h) costs and expenses paid or incurred
to
obtain payment of the Secured Obligations, enforce the Security Interest,
sell
or otherwise realize upon the Collateral, and otherwise enforce the provisions
of the Loan Documents, or to prosecute or defend any claim in any way arising
out of, related to or connected with, this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents, which expenses shall include the reasonable fees and disbursements
of
counsel and of experts and other consultants retained by the Lender.
36
The
foregoing shall not be construed to limit any other provisions of the Loan
Documents regarding costs and expenses to be paid by the Borrower. The Borrower
hereby authorizes the Lender to debit the Borrower’s loan accounts (by
increasing the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loan) in the amount
of
any such costs and expenses owed by the Borrower when due.
Section
13.3 Stamp
and Other Taxes.
The
Borrower will pay any and all stamp, registration, recordation and similar
taxes, fees or charges and shall indemnify the Lender against any and all
liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in the payment or
omission to pay any such taxes, fees or charges, which may be payable or
determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery, performance
or enforcement of this Agreement and any of the Loan Documents or the perfection
of any rights or security interest thereunder.
Section
13.4 Setoff.
In
addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law, and
not by
way of limitation of any such rights, upon and after the occurrence of any
Event
of Default, the Lender is hereby authorized by the Borrower at any time or
from
time to time, without notice to the Borrower, to set off and apply any and
all
deposits (time or demand, including, but not limited to, indebtedness evidenced
by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured) and any other
indebtedness at any time held or owing by the Lender to or for the credit
or the
account of the Borrower against and on account of the Secured Obligations
irrespective or whether or not (a) the Lender shall have made any demand
under
this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, or (b) the Lender shall have
declared any or all of the Secured Obligations to be due and payable as
permitted by this Agreement and although such Secured Obligations shall be
contingent or unmatured.
Section
13.5 Litigation.
EACH OF
THE LENDER AND THE BORROWER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, INTENTIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY
WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR NATURE IN
ANY
COURT IN WHICH AN ACTION MAY BE COMMENCED BY OR AGAINST THE BORROWER OR THE
LENDER ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE COLLATERAL OR ANY ASSIGNMENT THEREOF
OR BY REASON OF ANY OTHER CAUSE OR DISPUTE WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THE BORROWER
AND
THE LENDER OF ANY KIND OR NATURE. THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY AGREE
THAT
THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI OR, AT THE OPTION OF
THE
LENDER, ANY MISSOURI COURT IN WHICH THE LENDER SHALL INITIATE LEGAL OR EQUITABLE
PROCEEDINGS AND WHICH HAS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OVER THE MATTER IN
CONTROVERSY SHALL HAVE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY
CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER, PERTAINING DIRECTLY
OR
INDIRECTLY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING
THEREFROM. THE BORROWER EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH
JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED IN SUCH COURTS, HEREBY
WAIVING PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS OR
PAPERS
ISSUED THEREIN AND AGREEING THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT OR
OTHER
PROCESS OR PAPERS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO
THE
BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION
13.1(b),
WHICH
SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED MADE UPON RECEIPT THEREOF. THE NON-EXCLUSIVE CHOICE
OF
FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT
OF ANY JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE THE SAME IN ANY APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION.
37
Section
13.6 Reversal
of Payments.
To the
extent the Borrower makes a payment or payments to the Lender or the Lender
receives any payment or proceeds of the Collateral for the Borrower’s benefit,
which payment(s) 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
or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, the Lender shall have
the
continuing and exclusive right to apply, reverse and re-apply any and all
payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations, and, to the extent of
such
payment or proceeds received, the Secured 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 Lender.
Section
13.7 Injunctive
Relief.
The
Borrower recognizes that, in the event the Borrower fails to perform, observe
or
discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, any
remedy
of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Lender; therefore, the Borrower
agrees that the Lender, at the Lender’s option, shall be entitled to temporary
and permanent injunctive relief in any such case in accordance with applicable
law.
Section
13.8 Accounting
Matters.
All
financial and accounting calculations, measurements and computations made
for
any purpose relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, all
computations utilized by the Borrower to determine whether it is in compliance
with any covenant contained herein, shall, unless there is an express written
direction or consent by the Lender to the contrary, be performed in accordance
with GAAP.
Section
13.9 Assignment;
Participation.
All the
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that
the
Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights under this Agreement.
The
Lender may assign to one or more Persons, or sell participations to one or
more
Persons in, all or a portion of its rights and obligations hereunder and
under
the Note and, in connection with any such assignment or sale of a participation,
may assign its rights and obligations under the Security Documents. The Lender
may, in connection with any assignment or proposed assignment or sale or
proposed sale of a participation, disclose to the assignee or proposed assignee
or participant or proposed participant any information relating to the Borrower
furnished to the Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower.
Section
13.10 Amendments.
Any
term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents may be amended or waived and any departure therefrom may be
consented to if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent is in writing
signed by the Lender and, in the case of an amendment, by the Borrower. Unless
otherwise specified in such waiver or consent, a waiver or consent given
hereunder shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given.
38
Section
13.11 Performance
of Borrower’s Duties.
The
Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and each of the Loan Documents shall
be performed by the Borrower at its sole cost and expense. If the Borrower
shall
fail to do any act or thing which it has covenanted to do under this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents, the Lender may (but shall not be obligated
to) do
the same or cause it to be done either in the name of the Lender or in the
name
and on behalf of the Borrower, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes
the Lender so to act.
Section
13.12 Indemnification.
The
Borrower agrees to reimburse the Lender for all reasonable costs and expenses,
including counsel fees and disbursements, incurred and to indemnify and hold
the
Lender harmless from and against all losses suffered by the Lender, other
than
losses resulting from the Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, in
connection with (a) the exercise by the Lender of any right or remedy granted
to
it under this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, (b) any claim, and
the
prosecution or defense thereof, arising out of or in any way connected with
this
Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, except in the case of a dispute between
the Borrower and the Lender in which the Borrower prevails in a final unappealed
or unappealable judgment, and (c) the collection or enforcement of the Secured
Obligations or any of them.
Section
13.13 All
Powers Coupled with Interest.
All
powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Lender and any
Persons designated by the Lender pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement
or
any of the Loan Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall
be
irrevocable so long as any of the Secured Obligations remain unpaid or
unsatisfied or the Loan has not been terminated.
Section
13.14 Survival.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, (a) until all Secured
Obligations have been paid in full and the Revolving Credit Facility terminated,
the Lender shall retain its Security Interest and shall retain all rights
under
this Agreement and each of the Security Documents with respect to the Collateral
as fully as though this Agreement had not been terminated, and (b) the
indemnities to which the Lender is entitled under the provisions of this
Article
13
and any
other provision of this Agreement and the Loan Documents shall continue in
full
force and effect and shall protect the Lender against events arising after
such
termination as well as before.
Section
13.15 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
13.16 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement and the Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by the
law of the State of Missouri.
Section
13.17 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
13.18 Reproduction
of Documents.
This
Agreement, each of the Loan Documents and all documents relating thereto,
including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that
may
hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by the Lender, and (c) financial
statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished
to the Lender, may be reproduced by the Lender by any photographic, photostatic,
microcard, microfilm, miniature photographic or other similar process, and
the
Lender may destroy any original document so reproduced. Each party hereto
stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable laws any such
reproduction shall be as admissible in evidence as the original itself in
any
judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original shall
be in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Lender in
the
regular course of business), and any enlargement, facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in
evidence.
39
Section
13.19 Consent
to Advertising and Publicity.
The
Borrower agrees that the Lender may issue and disseminate to the public
information describing the credit accommodation entered into pursuant to
this
Agreement, including the name and address of the Borrower and the amount
and a
general description of the credit facilities provided hereunder.
Section
13.20 Final
Agreement.
This
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are intended by the parties hereto
as the
final, complete and exclusive expression of the agreement among them with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement and the
other
Loan Documents supersede any and all prior oral or written agreements between
the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and
thereof.
The
following notice is provided pursuant to Section 432.047 of the Revised Statutes
of Missouri:
ORAL
AGREEMENTS OR COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FOREBEAR FROM
ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT INCLUDING PROMISES TO EXTEND OR RENEW SUCH
DEBT
ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE, REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY UPON WHICH IT IS BASED
THAT
IS IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. TO PROTECT YOU (BORROWER(S))
AND
US (CREDITOR) FROM MISUNDERSTANDING OR DISAPPOINTMENT, ANY AGREEMENTS WE
REACH
COVERING SUCH MATTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS WRITING, WHICH IS THE COMPLETE
AND
EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN US, EXCEPT AS WE MAY LATER AGREE
IN
WRITING TO MODIFY IT.
[The
remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]
40
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in St. Louis, Missouri
by their duly authorized officers in several counterparts all as of the day
and
year first written above.
BORROWER:
|
||
FREEDOM
FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
|
||
|
|
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx | ||
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
|
|
|
T.G.C. - THE CREDIT GROUP INC. |
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx | ||
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Title: CEO
|
||
LENDER:
|
||
HEARTLAND BANK
|
||
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
|
41
EXHIBIT
“A”
NOTE
[
Filed
as a separate exhibit to this Form 8-K ]
EXHIBIT
“B”
BORROWING
BASE CERTIFICATE
FREEDOM
FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. & T.C.G. - THE
CREDIT GROUP INC.
This
Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to that certain Revolving
Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August ____, 2006 by and among
Freedom Financial Group, Inc. and T.C.G. - The Credit Group Inc. (collectively,
the “Borrower”)
and
Heartland Bank (“Lender”),
as
the same may from time to time be amended, modified, extended, renewed or
restated (the “Loan
Agreement”).
All
capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.
Borrower
hereby represents and warrants to the Lender that the following information
is
true, correct and complete in all material respects as of ______________,
20____.
1.
|
A/R Balance ______________,
_________________:
|
$
|
|||||
2.
|
Less Intangibles:
|
||||||
|
a. Accounts
> 60 days
|
$
|
|||||
b. Exception
Reserve (5% of Net Eligible)
|
|
$
|
|||||
Total
Ineligible:
|
$
|
||||||
3.
|
Total Ineligible
|
$
|
|||||
4.
|
Net Eligible
|
$
|
|||||
|
Advance
Rate
|
50
|
%
|
||||
5.
|
Availability Before Cap
|
$
|
|||||
6.
|
Maximum Cap
|
$
|
3,000,000.00
|
||||
7.
|
|
|
Available
______________,
_________________:
|
$
|
If
Line
Item “7” is negative, this Certificate is accompanied by the mandatory
repayment, as required by Section 2.3 of the Loan Agreement.
Each
Borrower hereby certifies to Lender that as of this date, Borrower is in
compliance with each and every covenant on its part to be performed under the
Loan Agreement.
Each
Borrower understands that the Lender is relying on the truth and accuracy of
the
foregoing in connection with the Loan Agreement.
FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | T.C.G. - THE CREDIT GROUP INC. | |||
By: | By: | |||
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Title: President
|
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Title:
CEO
|
EXHIBIT
“C”
Freedom
Financial Group, Inc.
Compliance
Certificate
To: Heartland
Bank
Except
as
explained in reasonable detail below under Exceptions,
(i)
|
the
attached Financial Statements are complete and correct in all material
respects (subject, in the case of Financial Statements other than
annual,
to normal year-end audit adjustments and absence of footnotes) and
have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout
the
periods covered thereby and with prior periods (except as disclosed
therein),
|
(ii)
|
all
of the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in that
certain Revolving Credit Loan and Security Agreement dated August
_____,
2006 (the “Loan Agreement”) and other Loan Documents (as defined in the
Loan Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects as
of the
date of this Certificate,
|
(iii)
|
there
exists no Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Loan Agreement)
which is continuing that has not been waived in writing by Lender
and no
Event of Default has occurred that has not been waived in writing
by
Lender, and
|
(iv)
|
the
Current Book Net Worth of the Company is $11,900.000.
|
Note:
If
disclosing that a representation or warranty is not true and correct in any
material respect, or that a Default or Event of Default has occurred that has
not been waived in writing by Lender, set forth what action such covered person
has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Exceptions,
explanations and actions taken or proposes to be taken:
FREEDOM
FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By: | ||||
Name:
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Title:
CFO
|
Date:___________________
EXHIBIT
“D-1”
WARRANT
FORM
[
Filed
as a separate exhibit to this Form 8-K ]
EXHIBIT
“D-2”
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
To: Heartland
Bank, St. Louis, Missouri
Freedom
Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”)
covenants and agrees with you as of this 18th day of August, 2006, as
follows:
ARTICLE
1. CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS.
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:
“Commission”
shall
mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at
the
time administering the Securities Act.
“Common
Stock”
shall
mean the Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Company, as constituted as
of
the date of this Agreement.
“Exchange
Act”
shall
mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar federal
statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as
the
same shall be in effect at the time.
“Registration
Expenses”
shall
mean the expenses so described in Section 6.
“Restricted
Stock”
shall
mean the Common Stock held from time to time by Heartland Bank or its assignees
as a result of the exercise pursuant to a Warrant, excluding shares of Common
Stock which have been (a) registered under the Securities Act pursuant to
an effective registration statement filed thereunder and disposed of in
accordance with the registration statement covering them or (b) publicly
sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
“Securities
Act”
shall
mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal statute,
and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall
be
in effect at the time.
“Selling
Expenses”
shall
mean the expenses so described in Section 6.
“Warrant”
shall
mean the Warrants issued by the Company to Heartland Bank pursuant to Warrant
agreements as of this date.
ARTICLE
2. REQUIRED
REGISTRATION.
2.1 At
any
time after the first (1st)
anniversary date hereof, the holders of Restricted Stock then outstanding may
request the Company to register under the Securities Act all or any portion
of
the shares of Restricted Stock held by such requesting holders for sale in
the
manner specified in such notice, provided that the shares of Restricted Stock
for which registration has been requested shall constitute at least 90% of
(i)
the total shares of Restricted Stock if such holder or holders shall request
the
registration of less than all shares of Restricted Stock then held by such
holder or holders and (ii) the total number of shares issuable pursuant to
the
Warrants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no request
may be made under this Section 2 within 120 days after the effective
date of a registration statement filed by the Company covering a firm commitment
underwritten public offering in which the holders of Restricted Stock shall
have
been entitled to join pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 and in which there shall
have been effectively registered all shares of Restricted Stock as to which
registration shall have been requested.
2.2 Following
receipt of any notice under this Section 2, the Company shall use its best
efforts to register under the Securities Act, for public sale in accordance
with
the method of disposition specified in such notice from requesting holders,
the
number of shares of Restricted Stock specified in such notice. If such method
of
disposition shall be an underwritten public offering, the holders of a majority
of the shares of Restricted Stock to be sold in such offering may designate
the
managing underwriter of such offering, subject to the approval of the Company,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company shall
be obligated to register Restricted Stock pursuant to this Section 2 on one
occasion only, provided,
however,
that
such obligation shall be deemed satisfied only when a registration statement
covering all shares of Restricted Stock specified in notices received as
aforesaid, for sale in accordance with the method of disposition specified
by
the requesting holders, shall have become effective and, if such method of
disposition is a firm commitment underwritten public offering, all such shares
shall have been sold pursuant thereto.
2.3 The
Company shall be entitled to include in any registration statement referred
to
in this Section 2, for sale in accordance with the method of disposition
specified by the requesting holders, shares of Common Stock to be sold by the
Company for its own account, except as and to the extent that, in the opinion
of
the managing underwriter (if such method of disposition shall be an underwritten
public offering), such inclusion would adversely affect the marketing of the
Restricted Stock to be sold. Except for registration statements on
Form X-0, X-0 or any successor thereto, the Company will not file with the
Commission any other registration statement with respect to its Common Stock,
whether for its own account or that of other stockholders, from the date of
receipt of a notice from requesting holders pursuant to this Section 2
until the completion of the period of distribution of the registration
contemplated thereby.
ARTICLE 3. INCIDENTAL
REGISTRATION.
If the
Company at any time (other than pursuant to Section 2 or Section 4)
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act for sale
to
the public, whether for its own account or for the account of other security
holders or both (except with respect to registration statements on
Forms X-0, X-0 or another form not available for registering the Restricted
Stock for sale to the public), each such time it will give written notice to
all
holders of outstanding Restricted Stock of its intention so to do. Upon the
written request of any such holder, received by the Company within 30 days
after the giving of any such notice by the Company, to register any of its
Restricted Stock, the Company will use its best efforts to cause the Restricted
Stock as to which registration shall have been so requested to be included
in
the securities to be covered by the registration statement proposed to be filed
by the Company, all to the extent requisite to permit the sale or other
disposition by the holder of such Restricted Stock so registered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Company may withdraw any
registration statement referred to in this Section 3 without thereby
incurring any liability to the holders of Restricted Stock.
ARTICLE
4. REGISTRATION
ON FORM S-3.
Intentionally Omitted.
ARTICLE 5. REGISTRATION
PROCEDURES.
If and
whenever the Company is required by the provisions of Sections 2, 3 or 4 to
use its best efforts to effect the registration of any shares of Restricted
Stock under the Securities Act, the Company will, as expeditiously as
possible:
5.1 prepare
and file with the Commission a registration statement (which, in the case of
an
underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 2, shall be on Form S-1 or
other form of general applicability satisfactory to the managing underwriter
selected as therein provided) with respect to such securities and use its best
efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective
for
the period of the distribution contemplated thereby (determined as hereinafter
provided);
5.2 prepare
and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such
registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may
be
necessary to keep such registration statement effective for the period specified
in paragraph (a) above and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
with respect to the disposition of all Restricted Stock covered by such
registration statement in accordance with the sellers' intended method of
disposition set forth in such registration statement for such
period;
5.3 furnish
to each seller of Restricted Stock and to each underwriter such number of copies
of the registration statement and the prospectus included therein (including
each preliminary prospectus) as such persons reasonably may request in order
to
facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Restricted Stock covered
by such registration statement;
5.4 use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Restricted Stock
covered by such registration statement under the securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions as the sellers of Restricted Stock or, in the case of
an
underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter reasonably shall request,
provided,
however,
that
the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally
to
transact business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it is
not
so qualified or to consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction;
5.5 use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to list the Restricted Stock covered by such
registration statement with any securities exchange on which the Common Stock
of
the Company is then listed;
5.6 immediately
notify each seller of Restricted Stock and each underwriter under such
registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any
event
of which the Company has knowledge as a result of which the prospectus contained
in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light
of
the circumstances then existing;
5.7 if
the
offering is underwritten and at the request of any seller of Restricted Stock,
use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish on the date that Restricted
Stock is delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such registration:
(i) an opinion of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such
registration, addressed to the underwriters and to such seller, stating that
such registration statement has become effective under the Securities Act and
that (A) to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending
the effectiveness thereof has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose
have been instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Securities Act,
(B) the registration statement, the related prospectus and each amendment
or supplement thereof comply as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act (except that such counsel need not express
any opinion as to financial statements contained therein) and (C) to such
other effects as reasonably may be requested by counsel for the underwriters
or
by such seller or its counsel and (ii) a letter dated such date from the
independent public accountants retained by the Company, addressed to the
underwriters and to such seller, stating that they are independent public
accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and that, in the opinion
of
such accountants, the financial statements of the Company included in the
registration statement or the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereof, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
accounting requirements of the Securities Act, and such letter shall
additionally cover such other financial matters (including information as to
the
period ending no more than five business days prior to the date of such letter)
with respect to such registration as such underwriters reasonably may request;
and
5.8 make
available for inspection by each seller of Restricted Stock, any underwriter
participating in any distribution pursuant to such registration statement,
and
any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such seller or underwriter,
all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties
of
the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply
all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney,
accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement.
For
purposes of Section 5(a) and 5(b) and of Section 2(c), the period of
distribution of Restricted Stock in a firm commitment underwritten public
offering shall be deemed to extend until each underwriter has completed the
distribution of all securities purchased by it (but in no event longer than
60
days after the effective date thereof), and the period of distribution of
Restricted Stock in any other registration shall be deemed to extend until
the
earlier of (i) the sale of all Restricted Stock covered thereby and (ii)
120 days after the effective date thereof.
In
connection with each registration hereunder, the sellers of Restricted Stock
will furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to
themselves and the proposed distribution by them as reasonably shall be
necessary in order to assure compliance with federal and applicable state
securities laws.
In
connection with each registration pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4 covering
an underwritten public offering, the Company and each seller agree to enter
into
a written agreement with the managing underwriter selected in the manner herein
provided in such form and containing such provisions as are customary in the
securities business for such an arrangement between such underwriter and
companies of the Company's size and investment stature.
ARTICLE 6. EXPENSES.
All
expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2, 3 or 4,
including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing
expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants
for the Company, fees and expenses (including counsel fees) incurred in
connection with complying with state securities or “blue sky” laws, fees of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., transfer taxes, fees of
transfer agents and registrars, costs of insurance and Holders’ Counsel Fees (as
defined herein), but excluding any Selling Expenses, are called “Registration
Expenses.”
All
underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of
Restricted Stock and any attorney’s fees in excess of Holders’ Counsel Fees or
expenses incurred by the sellers of Restricted Stock are called "Selling
Expenses".
For
purposes of this Agreement “Holders’
Counsel Fees”
shall
mean the fees of a single attorney representing all sellers in connection solely
with the actions of the sellers relating to such registration, but in no event
shall Holders’ Counsel Fees be greater than $3,000.
The
Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the first
completed registration under Section 2 and in connection with each registration
statement under Sections 3 or 4. All Selling Expenses in connection with each
registration statement under Sections 2, 3 or 4 shall be borne by the
participating sellers in proportion to the number of shares sold by each, or
by
such participating sellers other than the Company (except to the extent the
Company shall be a seller) as they may agree.
ARTICLE
7. INDEMNIFICATION
AND CONTRIBUTION.
7.1 In
the
event of a registration of any of the Restricted Stock under the Securities
Act
pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, the Company will indemnify and hold
harmless each seller of such Restricted Stock thereunder, each underwriter
of
such Restricted Stock thereunder and each other person, if any, who controls
such seller or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against
any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such seller,
underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act
or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement
under which such Restricted Stock was registered under the Securities Act
pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse each such seller, each such
underwriter and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, provided,
however,
that
the Company will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any
such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made
in
conformity with information furnished by any such seller, any such underwriter
or any such controlling person in writing specifically for use in such
registration statement or prospectus.
7.2 In
the
event of a registration of any of the Restricted Stock under the Securities
Act
pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, each seller of such Restricted Stock
thereunder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
the
Securities Act, each officer of the Company who signs the registration
statement, each director of the Company, each underwriter and each person who
controls any underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, against
all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company
or such officer, director, underwriter or controlling person may become subject
under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained
in the registration statement under which such Restricted Stock was registered
under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, any preliminary
prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement
thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission
to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make
the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company and each
such officer, director, underwriter and controlling person for any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating
or
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, provided,
however,
that
such seller will be liable hereunder in any such case if and only to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon
an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information pertaining to such
seller, as such, furnished in writing to the Company by such seller specifically
for use in such registration statement or prospectus, and provided,
further,
however,
that
the liability of each seller hereunder shall be limited to the proportion of
any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense which is equal to the proportion
that the public offering price of the shares sold by such seller under such
registration statement bears to the total public offering price of all
securities sold thereunder, but not in any event to exceed the net proceeds
received by such seller from the sale of Restricted Stock covered by such
registration statement.
7.3 Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement
of
any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is
to be
made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party
in
writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall
not
relieve it from any liability which it may have to such indemnified party other
than under this Section 7 and shall only relieve it from any liability
which it may have to such indemnified party under this Section 7 if and to
the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such omission. In case any
such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify
the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party
shall
be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and
undertake the defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified
party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying
party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7
for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation
and of liaison with counsel so selected, provided,
however,
that,
if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and
the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are different from
or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if the interests
of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests
of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right to select
a separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and otherwise to
participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of such
separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be
reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.
7.4 In
order
to provide for just and equitable contribution to joint liability under the
Securities Act in any case in which either (i) any holder of Restricted
Stock exercising rights under this Agreement, or any controlling person of
any
such holder, makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 7
but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree
by a
court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the
denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be
enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 7 provides
for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities
Act may be required on the part of any such selling holder or any such
controlling person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under
this Section 7; then, and in each such case, the Company and such holder
will contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to
which
they may be subject (after contribution from others) in such proportion so
that
such holder is responsible for the portion represented by the percentage that
the public offering price of its Restricted Stock offered by the registration
statement bears to the public offering price of all securities offered by such
registration statement, and the Company is responsible for the remaining
portion; provided,
however,
that,
in any such case, (A) no such holder will be required to contribute any
amount in excess of the public offering price of all such Restricted Stock
offered by it pursuant to such registration statement; and (B) no person or
entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from
any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
ARTICLE 8. CHANGES
IN COMMON STOCK OR PREFERRED STOCK.
If, and
as often as, there is any change in the Common Stock by way of a stock split,
stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means,
appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights
and privileges granted hereby shall continue with respect to the Common Stock
as
so changed.
ARTICLE 9. RULE
144 REPORTING.
With a
view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the
Commission which may at any time permit the sale of the Restricted Stock to
the
public without registration, at all times after 90 days after any
registration statement covering a public offering of securities of the Company
under the Securities Act shall have become effective, the Company agrees
to:
9.1 make
and
keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined
in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
9.2 use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner
all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities
Act
and the Exchange Act; and
9.3 furnish
to each holder of Restricted Stock forthwith upon request a written statement
by
the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of such
Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most
recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and
documents so filed by the Company as such holder may reasonably request in
availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such holder
to sell any Restricted Stock without registration.
ARTICLE
10. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The
Company represents and warrants to you as follows:
10.1 The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company have been
duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and will not violate any
provision of law, any order of any court or other agency of government, the
Charter or By-laws of the Company or any provision of any indenture, agreement
or other instrument to which it or any or its properties or assets is bound,
conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse
of
time or both) a default under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument
or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance
of
any nature whatsoever upon any of the properties or assets of the
Company.
10.2 This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in
accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS.
11.1 All
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any
of
the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto (including without limitation
transferees of any Restricted Stock), whether so expressed or not, provided,
however,
that
registration rights conferred herein on the holders of Restricted Stock shall
only inure to the benefit of a transferee of Restricted Stock if there is
transferred to such transferee at least 90% of the Restricted Stock originally
issued to the direct or indirect transferor of such transferee.
11.2 All
notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be delivered in person, by overnight delivery service, mailed
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or sent by telecopier
or telex, addressed as follows:
if
to the
Company or any other party hereto, at the address of such party set forth in
the
Purchase Agreement;
if
to any
subsequent holder of Restricted Stock, to it at such address as may have been
furnished to the Company in writing by such holder;
or,
in
any case, at such other address or addresses as shall have been furnished in
writing to the Company (in the case of a holder of Restricted Stock) or to
the
holders of Restricted Stock (in the case of the Company) in accordance with
the
provisions of this paragraph.
11.3 This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of Delaware.
11.4 This
Agreement may not be amended or modified, and no provision hereof may be waived,
without the written consent of the Company and the holders of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the Restricted Stock.
11.5 This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
instrument.
11.6 The
obligations of the Company to register shares of Restricted Stock under
Sections 2, 3 or 4 shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the lapse of the
Warrants without exercise thereof by the holders and (ii) the sixth
(6th)
anniversary of the date of this Agreement.
11.7 If
any
provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or
unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall attach
only
to such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render illegal, invalid
or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement
shall
be carried out as if any such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision were
not contained herein.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date and year first
above written.
FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx | |
Name:
___________________________________
Title:
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
HEARTLAND BANK | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxxx | |
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxxx
Title:
Senior Vice President
|
SCHEDULE
5.1(a)(ix)
Installment
Contracts
SCHEDULE
6.1(g)
Liens
on the
Properties
and Assets of the Borrower
None
SCHEDULE
6.1(h)
Indebtedness
for Money Borrowed
and
Guaranties
None
SCHEDULE
6.1(n)
Employee
Benefit Plans
None
SCHEDULE
6.1(t)
Fictitious
Names
Freedom
Financial Group of Delaware, Inc.
Freedom
Financial Group of Illinois, Inc.
Freedom
Financial Group of Indiana, Inc.
Freedom
Financial Group of Michigan, Inc.
Freedom
Financial Group of Missouri, Inc.
Freedom
Financial Group of North Carolina, Inc.
Freedom
Financial Group of Ohio
Freedom
Financial Group of Oklahoma
FFG
of
Texas, Inc.
SCHEDULE
6.1(x)
Pre
and Post Conversion Capitalization
Authorized
|
Issued
|
Outstanding
|
Treasury
|
|||||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
36,000,000
|
10,928,252
|
10,928,252
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Trust
Certificates
|
A
|
8,994,357
|
8,994,357
|
8,994,357
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Preferred
Stock
|
B
|
8,994,357
|
8,994,357
|
8,994,357
|
-
|
|||||||||||
During
the Third Quarter 2006 the Trust Certificates will be cancelled and
the
Preferred Stock will be converted 1:1 in accordance with the stockholder
approval of June 23, 2006.
|
||||||||||||||||
Post
Conversion:
|
||||||||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
36,000,000
|
19,922,609
|
19,922,609
|
0
|
||||||||||||
Trust
Certificates
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
||||||||||||
Preferred
Stock
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
||||||||||||
Warrants:
|
||||||||||||||||
Heartland
Bk
|
300,000@$.63
|
300,000@$.63
|
||||||||||||||
|
200,000@$.70
|
200,000@.70
|
||||||||||||||
Flagstone
Securities
|
136,778@$.63
|
136,778@.63
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
91,185@$.70
|
91,185@$.70
|
|||||||||||||
827,963
|
827,963
|
|||||||||||||||
20,750,572
|
20,750,572
|
A
- Issued by Freedom Financial Group I Statutory
Trust
|
15,249,428
|
or
|
42.3595%
|
|||||||||
Available
for future use.
|
|
|
||||||||||
B
- Held by Freedom Financial Group I Statutory
Trust
|