Exhibit 10.46
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LOAN AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
AND
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
DATED AS OF JULY 22, 2002
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page(s)
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1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION........................................................ 1
1.1 Definitions.................................................................. 1
1.2 Accounting Terms.............................................................11
1.3 Construction.................................................................11
1.4 Schedules and Exhibits.......................................................11
2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT...........................................................12
2.1 Revolving Advances...........................................................12
2.2 Letters of Credit............................................................12
2.3 Interest Rates, Letter of Credit Fees, Payments, and Calculations............13
2.4 Crediting Payments; Application of Collections...............................15
2.5 Designated Account...........................................................16
2.6 Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations.......................16
2.7 Fees.........................................................................16
2.8 LIBOR Option.................................................................16
2.9 Overadvances.................................................................18
3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.......................................................18
3.1 Conditions Precedent to the Initial Advance..................................18
3.2 Conditions Precedent to all Advances.........................................19
3.3 Term.........................................................................19
3.4 Effect of Termination........................................................20
3.5 Early Termination by Borrower................................................20
4. NEGATIVE PLEDGE.....................................................................20
4.1 Negative Pledge..............................................................20
4.2 Delivery of Additional Documentation Required................................20
4.3 Power of Attorney............................................................20
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................20
5.1 No Encumbrances..............................................................20
5.2 Location of Chief Executive Office; FEIN.....................................21
5.3 Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.............................21
5.4 Due Authorization; No Conflict...............................................21
5.5 Litigation...................................................................22
5.6 No Material Adverse Change...................................................22
5.7 Solvency.....................................................................22
5.8 Employee Benefits............................................................22
5.9 Environmental Condition......................................................22
5.10 Intellectual Property........................................................23
5.11 Leases.......................................................................23
5.12 Complete Disclosure..........................................................23
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Page(s)
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5.13 Indebtedness.................................................................23
6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................23
6.1 Accounting System............................................................23
6.2 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates..................................23
6.3 Taxes........................................................................24
6.4 Insurance....................................................................25
6.5 No Setoffs or Counterclaims..................................................25
6.6 Compliance with Laws.........................................................25
6.7 Employee Benefits............................................................25
6.8 Environmental................................................................26
7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................26
7.1 Indebtedness.................................................................26
7.2 Liens........................................................................27
7.3 Restrictions on Fundamental Changes..........................................27
7.4 Disposal of Assets...........................................................28
7.5 Change Name..................................................................28
7.6 Guarantee....................................................................28
7.7 Nature of Business...........................................................28
7.8 Prepayments and Amendments...................................................28
7.9 Change of Control............................................................28
7.10 Distributions................................................................29
7.11 Accounting Methods...........................................................29
7.12 Investments..................................................................29
7.13 Transactions with Affiliates.................................................29
7.14 Suspension...................................................................29
7.15 Use of Proceeds..............................................................29
7.16 Change in Location of Chief Executive Office.................................30
7.17 No Prohibited Transactions Under ERISA.......................................30
7.18 Financial Covenants..........................................................30
7.19 Banking and Trade Finance Services...........................................31
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT...................................................................31
8.1 Events of Default............................................................31
8.2 No Advances During Cure Period...............................................33
9. BANK'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES..........................................................33
9.1 Rights and Remedies..........................................................33
9.2 Remedies Cumulative..........................................................34
10. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION...........................................................,34
10.1 Demand; Protest; etc.........................................................34
10.2 Indemnification..............................................................34
11. NOTICES.............................................................................34
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Page(s)
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12. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER..........................................35
13. DESTRUCTION OF BORROWER'S DOCUMENTS.................................................36
14. GENERAL PROVISIONS..................................................................36
14.1 Effectiveness................................................................36
14.2 Successors and Assigns.......................................................36
14.3 Section Headings.............................................................36
14.4 Interpretation...............................................................37
14.5 Severability of Provisions...................................................37
14.6 Amendments in Writing........................................................37
14.7 Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution........................................37
14.8 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations.....................................37
14.9 Integration..................................................................38
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SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Schedule A-1 Authorized Persons
Schedule P-1 Permitted Liens
Schedule 5.3 Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.5 Litigation
Schedule 5.8 ERISA Benefit Plans
Schedule 5.13 Indebtedness
Exhibit C-1 Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit L-1 Form of LIBOR Notice
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LOAN AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is entered into as of July 22,
2002, between U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank") with a place of business
located at 000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 and
ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC., a California corporation ("Borrower"), with its chief
executive office located at 00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000.
The parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following definitions:
"Advances" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other
Person who directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, is under common
control with or is a director or officer of such Person. For purposes of this
definition, "control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power
to vote 5% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the
election of directors or the direct or indirect power to direct the management
and policies of a Person.
"Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
"Asset" means any interest of a Person in any kind of
property or asset, whether real, personal, or mixed real and personal, and
whether tangible or intangible.
"Assignee" means any Eligible Assignee to which Bank has
assigned all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents.
"Authorized Person" means any officer or other employee
of Borrower listed on Schedule A-1, as amended from time to time.
"Bank" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement.
"Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy Code
(11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.), as amended, and any successor statute.
"Bank Expenses" means all (a) costs or expenses required
to be paid by Borrower under any of the Loan Documents that are paid or incurred
by Bank, (b) fees or charges paid or incurred by Bank in connection with the
Bank's transactions with Borrower including, fees or charges for photocopying,
notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches
(including tax lien, litigation, and UCC searches and including searches with
the patent and trademark office or the copyright office), filing, recording, and
publication, (c) costs and expenses incurred by Bank in the disbursement of
funds to or for
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the account of Borrower (by wire transfer or otherwise), (d) reasonable costs
and expenses paid or incurred by Bank to correct any default or enforce any
provision of the Loan Documents, (e) reasonable costs and expenses of or any
suit or other dispute paid or incurred by the Bank in enforcing or defending the
Loan Documents or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents or Bank's relationship with Borrower, (f) Bank's reasonable fees and
expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting,
reviewing, administering, or amending the Loan Documents, and (g) Bank's
reasonable fees and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred in terminating,
enforcing (including attorneys fees and expenses incurred in connection with a
"workout," a "restructuring," or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning Borrower or
in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the
Loan Documents, irrespective of whether suit is brought.
"Benefit Plan" means a "defined benefit plan" (as defined
in Section 3(35) of ERISA) for which Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower, or
any ERISA Affiliate has been an "employer" (as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA)
within the past six years.
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors (or
comparable managers) of Borrower or any committee thereof duly authorized to act
on behalf thereof.
"Borrower" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday, or other day on which national banks are authorized or required to
close, except that, if a determination of a Business Day shall relate to a LIBOR
Rate Loan, the term "Business Day" also shall exclude any day on which banks are
closed for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
"Cash Equivalents" means (a) marketable direct
obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or issued
by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States, in each case maturing within 2 years from the date of acquisition
thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United
States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof maturing within 2 years from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having the highest rating obtainable
from either S&P or Xxxxx'x, (c) commercial paper maturing no more than 2 years
from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a
rating of A-1 or P-1, or better, from S&P or Xxxxx'x, and (d) certificates of
deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within 2 years from the date of
acquisition thereof either (i) issued by any bank organized under the laws of
the United States or any state thereof which bank has a rating of A or A2, or
better, from S&P or Xxxxx'x, or (ii) certificates of deposit less than or equal
to $100,000 in the aggregate issued by any other bank insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"Change of Control" means a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors do not constitute Continuing Directors.
"Closing Date" means the date as of which all conditions
precedent set forth in Section 3.1 have been satisfied.
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"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate
substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 and delivered by the chief accounting
officer of Borrower to Bank.
"Continuing Director" means (a) any member of the Board
of Directors who was a director (or comparable manager) of Borrower on the
Closing Date, and (b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of
Directors after the Closing Date if such individual was appointed or nominated
for election to the Board of Directors by a majority of the Continuing
Directors, but excluding any such individual originally proposed for election in
opposition to the Board of Directors in office at the Closing Date in an actual
or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors (or
comparable managers) of Borrower (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under
the Exchange Act) and whose initial assumption of office resulted from such
contest or the settlement thereof.
"Current Assets" means, as of any date of determination,
the aggregate amount of all current assets of Borrower that would, in accordance
with GAAP, be classified on a balance sheet as current assets.
"Current Liabilities" means, as of any date of
determination, the aggregate amount of all current liabilities of Borrower that
would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a balance sheet as current
liabilities.
"Daily Balance" means, with respect to each day during
the term of this Agreement, the amount of an Obligation owed at the end of such
day.
"DDA" means any checking or other demand deposit account
maintained by any Borrower including, without limitation, the Designated
Account.
"Default" means an event, condition, or default that,
with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of
Default.
"Designated Account" means account number 153491950520 of
Borrower maintained with Bank.
"Dollars or $" means United States dollars.
"EBITDAR" means, for a given period, net income, plus
interest expense, plus income tax expense, plus depreciation expense, plus
amortization expense and plus rent or lease expense for such period, as
determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Eligible Assignee" means any financial institution that
makes or purchases commercial loans in the ordinary course of business, provided
that such financial institution has a combined capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000.
"Environmental Actions" means any complaint, summons,
citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial
or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other communication from any
Governmental Authority, or any third party involving violations of Environmental
Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials from (a) any assets, properties, or
businesses of Borrower or any predecessor in interest, (b) from adjoining
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properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received
Hazardous Materials generated by Borrower or any predecessor in interest.
"Environmental Law" means any applicable federal, state,
provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code,
binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or
rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or
any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or
administrative order, consent decree or judgment, to the extent binding on
Borrower, relating to the environment, employee health and safety, or Hazardous
Materials, including CERCLA; RCRA; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33
USC Section 1251 et seq; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC, Section 2601
et seq; the Clean Air Act, 42 USC Section 7401 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water
Act, 42 USC. Section 3803 et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 USC.
Section 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and the Community Right-to-Know Act
of 1986, 42 USC. Section 11001 et seq.; the Hazardous Material Transportation
Act, 49 USC Section 1801 et seq.; and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29
USC. Section 651 et seq. (to the extent it regulates occupational exposure to
Hazardous Materials); any state and local or foreign counterparts or
equivalents, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Environmental Liabilities and Costs" means all
liabilities, monetary obligations, Remedial Actions, losses, damages, punitive
damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including
all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or
consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines,
penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand
by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any
Environmental Action.
"Environmental Lien" means any Lien in favor of any
Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities and Costs.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, 29 U.S.C. Sections 1000 et seq., amendments thereto, successor
statutes, and regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" means (a) any corporation subject to
ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the
employees of Borrower under IRC Section 414(b), (b) any trade or business
subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as
the employees of Borrower under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes of
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any organization subject to
ERISA that is a member of an affiliated service group of which Borrower is a
member under IRC Section 414(m), or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any party subject to ERISA that is a party to
an arrangement with Borrower and whose employees are aggregated with the
employees of Borrower under IRC Section 414(o).
"ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect
to any Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (b) the withdrawal of Borrower, any
of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates from a Benefit Plan during a plan year
in which it was a "substantial employer" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of
ERISA), (c) the providing of notice of intent to terminate a Benefit Plan in a
distress termination (as described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA), (d) the
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institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Benefit Plan or
Multiemployer Plan, (e) any event or condition (i) that provides a basis under
Section 4042(a)(1), (2), or (3) of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any Benefit Plan or Multiemployer Plan,
or (ii) that may result in termination of a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to
Section 4041A of ERISA, (f) the partial or complete withdrawal within the
meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA, of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries
or ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan, or (g) providing any security to
any Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC by Borrower or its Subsidiaries or
any of their ERISA Affiliates.
"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section
8.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as in effect from time to time.
"Existing Lender" means United California Bank.
"FEIN" means Federal Employer Identification Number.
"Fixed Coverage Ratio" means, as of the end of the most
recently concluded fiscal quarter of Borrower, (a) EBITDAR minus cash taxes,
cash dividends and Unfunded Capital Expenditures for the previous four (4)
rolling fiscal quarters divided by (b) the sum of all required principal
payments (on short and long term debt and capital leases), interest and rental
or lease expense over the last four (4) rolling fiscal quarters.
"Funding Losses" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.8(b)(ii).
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.
"Governing Documents" means the certificate or articles
of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational or governing documents of any
Person.
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government,
any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government.
"Hazardous Materials" means (a) substances that are
defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws
or regulations as "hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "hazardous
wastes," "toxic substances," or any other formulation intended to define, list,
or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or "EP
toxicity", (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas,
natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other
wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil,
natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives
or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical
equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of
polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.
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"Indebtedness" means: (a) all obligations of Borrower for
borrowed money, (b) all obligations of Borrower evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations
of Borrower in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, interest rate
swaps, or other financial products, (c) all obligations of Borrower under
capital leases, (d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien
on any property or asset of Borrower, irrespective of whether such obligation or
liability is assumed, (e) all obligations of Borrower for the deferred purchase
price of assets (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of a
Borrower's business and repayable in accordance with customary trade practices),
and (f) any obligation of Borrower guaranteeing or intended to guarantee
(whether guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse to
Borrower) any indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of credit, or other
obligation of any other Person.
"Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in
Section 10.3.
"Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section
10.3.
"Insolvency Proceeding" means any proceeding commenced by
or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any
other bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors,
formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors,
or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.
"Intangible Assets" means, with respect to any Person,
that portion of the book value of all of such Person's assets that would be
treated as intangibles under GAAP.
"Interest Differential" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3(a).
"Interest Period" means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate
Loan, a period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan and
ending 1, 2 3, 6 or 12 months thereafter; provided, however, that (a) if any
Interest Period would end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest
Period shall be extended (subject to clauses (c)-(e) below) to the next
succeeding Business Day, (b) interest shall accrue at the applicable rate based
upon the LIBOR Rate from and including the first day of each Interest Period to,
but excluding, the day on which any Interest Period expires, (c) any Interest
Period that would end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to
the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another
calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next
preceding Business Day, (d) with respect to an Interest Period that begins on
the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
Period), the Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar
month that is 1, 2 3, 6 or 12 months after the date on which the Interest Period
began, as applicable, and (e) Borrower may not elect an Interest Period which
will end after the Maturity Date.
"IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the regulations thereunder.
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"Letter of Credit Disbursement" means a payment made by
the Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
"Letter of Credit" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.2.
"Letter of Credit Usage" means, as of any date of
determination, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit
plus 100% of the amount of outstanding time drafts accepted by the Bank in
connection with Letters of Credit.
"Leverage Ratio" means, as of the end of the most
recently concluded fiscal quarter of Borrower, the ratio of (i) all liabilities
(including Indebtedness) of Borrower, to (ii) the Tangible Net Worth as of the
last day of such fiscal quarter.
"LIBOR Deadline" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.8(b)(i).
"LIBOR Notice" means a written notice in the form of
Exhibit L-1.
"LIBOR Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
"LIBOR Rate Loan" means each portion of an Advance that
bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.
"Lien" means any interest in property securing an
obligation owed to, or a claim by, any Person other than the owner of the
property, whether such interest shall be based on the common law, statute, or
contract, whether such interest shall be recorded or perfected, and whether such
interest shall be contingent upon the occurrence of some future event or events
or the existence of some future circumstance or circumstances, including the
lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, deed of trust, encumbrance,
pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security agreement,
adverse claim or charge, conditional sale or trust receipt, or from a lease,
consignment, or bailment for security purposes.
"Loan Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Revolver Note,
and any other agreement entered into, now or in the future, between Bank and
Borrower in connection with this Agreement.
"Material Adverse Change" means (a) a material adverse
change in the business, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities
or financial condition of Borrower, or (b) the material impairment of Borrower's
ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a
party or of Bank to enforce the Obligations.
"Maximum Revolving Amount" means $10,000,000.
"Money Markets" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.3(a).
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"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) to which Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries, or any ERISA Affiliate has contributed, or was obligated to
contribute, within the past six years.
"Obligations" means all loans, Advances, debts,
principal, interest (including any interest that, but for the provisions of the
Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), contingent reimbursement obligations with
respect to outstanding Letters of Credit, premiums, liabilities (including all
amounts charged to Borrower's Loan Account pursuant hereto), obligations, fees,
charges, costs, Bank Expenses (including any fees or expenses that, but for the
provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), lease payments,
guaranties, covenants, and duties of any kind and description owing by Borrower
to Bank pursuant to or evidenced by the Loan Documents and irrespective of
whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and
including all interest not paid when due and all Bank Expenses that Borrower is
required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents, by law, or otherwise. Any
reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall
include all amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals
replacements, substitutions, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as
applicable, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.
"Overadvance" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9.
"Participant" means any Person to which Bank has sold a
participation interest in its rights under the Loan Documents.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation as
defined in Title IV of ERISA, or any successor thereto.
"Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens for unpaid taxes that
either (i) are not yet due and payable or (ii) are the subject of Permitted
Protests, (b) Liens set forth on Schedule P-1, (c) the interests of lessors
under operating leases, (d) Liens arising by operation of law in favor of
warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or
suppliers, incurred in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and not in
connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens either (i) are for sums
not yet due and payable, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests, (e)
Liens arising from deposits made in connection with obtaining worker's
compensation or other unemployment insurance, (f) Liens or deposits to secure
performance of bids, tenders, or leases (to the extent permitted under this
Agreement), incurred in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and not in
connection with the borrowing of money, (g) Liens arising by reason of security
for surety or appeal bonds in the ordinary course of business of Borrower, (h)
Liens of or resulting from any judgment or award that would not cause a Material
Adverse Change and as to which the time for the appeal or petition for rehearing
of which has not yet expired, or in respect of which Borrower is in good faith
prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for a review, and in respect of which a stay
of execution pending such appeal or proceeding for review has been secured, (i)
Liens on any property or assets acquired, or on the property or assets of any
Person acquired, by Borrower after the date of this Agreement as permitted by
Section 7.12, provided that (1) such Liens existed prior to and will continue to
exist at the time such property or assets of such Person are so required and,
(2) such Liens were not created in anticipation, contemplation or in connection
8
with such acquisitions, (j) Liens securing Indebtedness which is permitted by
Section 7.1(e) provided that, in each case, such Lien (1) covers only those
assets, the acquisition of which was financed by such permitted Indebtedness,
and (2) secures only such permitted Indebtedness, and (k) other Liens, provided
that the sum of (1) Indebtedness secured by such other Liens plus (2)
Indebtedness allowed pursuant to Section 7.1(h), does not exceed $500,000 in the
aggregate at any time.
"Permitted Protest" means the right of Borrower to
protest any Lien, tax, or rental payment, provided that (a) an adequate reserve
with respect to such obligation is established on the books of Borrower in
accordance with GAAP, and (b) any such protest is instituted and diligently
prosecuted by Borrower in good faith.
"Person" means and includes natural persons,
corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general
partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land
trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they
are legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions
thereof.
"Plan" means any employee benefit plan, program, or
arrangement maintained or contributed to by Borrower or with respect to which it
may incur liability.
"Prime Rate" means the prime rate of interest announced
from time to time by Bank.
"Prime Rate Loan" means any Advance (or any portion
thereof) made or outstanding hereunder during any period when interest on such
Advance (or portion thereof) is payable based on the Prime Rate.
"Projections" means consolidated forecasted: (a) balance
sheets of Borrower; (b) profit and loss statements of Borrower; and (c) cash
flow statements of Borrower; in each case to be consistent with the historical
financial statements of Borrower, together with appropriate supporting details
and a statement of underlying assumptions.
"Quick Ratio" means, as of the end of the most recently
concluded fiscal quarter of Borrower, the ratio of (i) cash plus Cash
Equivalents plus the "net" amount of the outstanding accounts receivable ("net"
amount means the gross amount of each outstanding accounts receivable that is
not more than 30 days past due, less all applicable discounts, allowances or
credits), to (ii) the Current Liabilities of Borrower plus, without duplication,
the amount of the outstanding Obligations, as of the last day of such fiscal
quarter.
"Rate Contracts" means swap agreements (as that term is
defined in Section 101 of the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended)
and any other agreements or arrangements designed to provide protection against
fluctuations in interest or currency rates.
"Record" means information that is inscribed on a
tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is
retrievable in perceivable form.
9
"Remedial Action" means all actions taken to (a) clean
up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way
address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or
minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not
migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the
indoor or outdoor environment, (c) perform any pre-remedial studies,
investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (d)
conduct any other actions authorized by 42 USC Section 9601.
"Reportable Event" means any of the events described in
Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder other than a Reportable
Event as to which the provision of 30 days notice to the PBGC is waived under
applicable regulations.
"Reserve Percentage" means, on any day, the maximum
percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(or any successor Governmental Authority) for determining the reserve
requirements (including any basic, supplemental, marginal, or emergency
reserves) that are in effect on such date with respect to eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as "eurocurrency liabilities") by Bank, but so long as
Bank is not required or directed under applicable regulations to maintain such
reserves, the Reserve Percentage shall be zero.
"Retiree Health Plan" means an "employee welfare benefit
plan" within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA that provides benefits to
individuals after termination of their employment, other than as required by
Section 601 of ERISA.
"Revolver Note" means that certain Revolver Note, in the
principal amount of $10,000,000, executed by Borrower to the order of Bank.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Solvent" means, with respect to any Person on a
particular date, that on such date (a) at fair valuations, all of the properties
and assets of such Person are greater than the sum of the debts, including
contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of
the properties and assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will
be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they
become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its
properties and assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent
obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of
business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will,
incur debts beyond such Person's ability to pay as such debts mature, and (e)
such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to
engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person's properties and
assets would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due
consideration to the prevailing practices in the industry in which such Person
is engaged. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is
intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount that, in light of
all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount
that reasonably can be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
"Stock" means all shares, options, warrants, interests,
participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a
Person, whether voting or nonvoting,
10
including common stock, preferred stock, or any other "equity security" (as such
term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated
by the SEC under the Exchange Act).
"Subsidiary" of a Person means a corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which that Person
directly or indirectly owns or controls the shares of stock or other ownership
interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
directors (or appoint other comparable managers) of such corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, or other entity.
"Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date of
determination, the difference of (a) Borrower's total stockholder's equity,
minus (b) the sum of: (i) all Intangible Assets of Borrower, and (ii) all
amounts due to Borrower from Affiliates or employees of Borrower.
"Unfunded Capital Expenditures" means the sum of all
purchases of capital assets exclusive of real property purchases less the sum of
all new financing amounts received or assumed to acquire such capital assets for
the period specified.
"Voidable Transfer" has the meaning set forth in Section
14.8.
1.2 ACCOUNTING TERMS. All accounting terms not specifically
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. When used herein, the
term "financial statements" shall include the notes and schedules thereto.
Whenever the term "Borrower" is used in respect of a financial covenant or a
related definition, it shall be understood to mean Borrower on a consolidated
basis unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
1.3 CONSTRUCTION. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly
requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to
the singular include the plural, the term "including" is not limiting, and the
term "or" has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning
represented by the phrase "and/or." The words "hereof," "herein," "hereby,"
"hereunder," and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. An Event of Default
shall "continue" or be "continuing" until such Event of Default has been cured
or waived in writing by Bank. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit
references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in
this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions,
modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, and supplements, thereto
and thereof, as applicable. Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in
the other Loan Documents shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record and
any Record transmitted shall constitute a representation and warranty as to the
accuracy and completeness of the information contained therein.
1.4 SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS. All of the schedules and exhibits
attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.
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2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.
2.1 REVOLVING ADVANCES.
(a) From the Closing Date to June 5, 2005, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank agrees to make advances
("Advances") to Borrower in an amount outstanding not to exceed at any one time
the Maximum Revolving Amount, less the amount of outstanding Advances, and less
the amount of outstanding Letter of Credit Usage.
(b) Bank shall have no obligation to make additional
Advances hereunder to the extent such additional Advances would cause the amount
of the outstanding Advances, plus the Letter of Credit Usage, to exceed the
Maximum Revolver Amount.
(c) Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be
repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and so long as
no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, reborrowed at any
time during the term of this Agreement.
2.2 LETTERS OF CREDIT.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit ("Letters of Credit") for the account of
Borrower. Bank shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit if any of
the following would result:
(i) the sum of 100% of the aggregate amount of all
undrawn and unreimbursed Letters of Credit would exceed $5,000,000; or
(ii) the outstanding Advances, plus the sum of 100%
of the aggregate amount of all undrawn and unreimbursed Letters of Credit, would
exceed the Maximum Revolving Amount.
(b) Each Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date no
later than the earlier of (i) 180 days following the date of issuance, or (ii)
October 5, 2005, and all such Letters of Credit shall be in form and substance
acceptable to Bank in its sole discretion. If Bank is obligated to advance funds
under a Letter of Credit, Borrower immediately shall reimburse such amount to
Bank and, in the absence of such reimbursement, the amount so advanced
immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be an Advance hereunder and,
thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Advances under
this Agreement.
(c) Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, save, defend, and
hold Bank harmless from any loss, cost, expense, or liability, including
payments made by Bank, expenses, and reasonable attorneys fees incurred by Bank
arising out of or in connection with any Letter of Credit, other than such
losses, costs, expenses or liabilities arising solely as a result of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of Bank. Borrower agrees to be bound by Bank's
standard regulations and operating procedures, including interpretations of any
conditions for honoring draws, in connection with each Letter of Credit opened
to or for Borrower's account, even though Bank's interpretation may be different
from Borrower's own, and Borrower understands and agrees that Bank shall not be
liable for any error, negligence, or mistake, whether of omission or
12
commission, in following Borrower's instructions or those contained in the
Letter of Credit or any modifications, amendments, or supplements thereto unless
such liability was caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of Bank.
(d) Immediately upon the termination of this Agreement,
Borrower agrees to either (i) provide cash collateral to be held by Bank in an
amount equal to 105% of the maximum amount of Bank's obligations under
outstanding Letters of Credit, (ii) cause the issuance of a letter of credit for
the benefit of Bank, in an amount equal to 105% of the maximum amount of Bank's
obligations under outstanding Letters of Credit, issued by a financial
institution acceptable to Bank in its reasonable discretion and containing
conditions for making a draw acceptable to Bank in its reasonable discretion or
(iii) cause to be delivered to Bank releases of all of Bank's obligations under
outstanding Letters of Credit.
(e) If by reason of (i) any change in any applicable law,
treaty, rule, or regulation or any change in the interpretation or application
by any Governmental Authority of any such applicable law, treaty, rule, or
regulation, or (ii) compliance by Bank with any direction, request, or
requirement (irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any
Governmental Authority or monetary authority including, without limitation,
Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from
time to time in effect (and any successor thereto):
(i) any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is
or shall be imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit issued
hereunder, or
(ii) there shall be imposed on Bank any other
condition regarding any Letter of Credit issued pursuant hereto;
and the result of the foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost
to Bank of issuing, making, or maintaining any Letter of Credit, as applicable,
or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof by Bank, then, and in any
such case, Bank may, at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement and
repayment of the Obligations, notify Borrower, and Borrower shall pay on demand
such amounts as Bank may specify to be necessary to compensate Bank for such
additional cost or reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from
the date of such demand until payment in full thereof at the rate set forth in
Section 2.3(a) or (c)(i), as applicable. The determination by Bank of any amount
due pursuant to this Section 2.2(e), as set forth in a certificate setting forth
the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest
or demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties
hereto. Bank agrees that Borrower will not be treated differently or singled out
from its other similarly situated customers in determining whether amounts are
due pursuant to this Section 2.2(e).
2.3 INTEREST RATES, LETTER OF CREDIT FEES, PAYMENTS, AND
CALCULATIONS.
(a) Interest Rate Options. Interest on all Advances, as
well as all other monetary Obligations that have been charged to the Loan
Account pursuant to the terms hereof, on the Daily Balance thereof, shall accrue
at one of the following per annum rates selected by Borrower: (i) upon notice to
the Bank, the Prime Rate, as and when such rate changes (a "Prime
13
Rate Loan"); or (ii) upon a minimum of two Business Days prior notice, one and
one-half percentage (1.50) percentage points in excess of the 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12
month LIBOR rate, as quoted by Bank from Telerate Page 3750 or any successor
thereto (which shall be the LIBOR rate in effect two Business Days prior to
commencement of the Advance to be subject to the LIBOR rate) (the "LIBOR Rate"
and each Advance is a "LIBOR Rate Loan"). The term "Money Markets" refers to one
or more wholesale funding markets available to Bank, including negotiable
certificates of deposit, commercial paper, eurodollar deposits, bank notes,
federal funds and others. If a LIBOR Rate Loan is prepaid, whether by Borrower
or as a result of acceleration upon an Event of Default or otherwise, Borrower
agrees to pay all of the Bank Expenses and Interest Differential (as determined
by Bank) incurred as a result of such prepayment, with the determination by Bank
of any amounts due, as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation
thereof in reasonable detail, to be, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable
error, final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto. The term
"Interest Differential" shall mean that sum equal to the greater of 0 or the
financial loss incurred by Bank resulting from prepayment, calculated as the
difference between the amount of interest the Bank would have earned (from like
investments in the Money Markets as of the first day of the subject LIBOR Rate
Loan) had prepayment not occurred and the interest the Bank will actually earn
(the interest actually earned on the LIBOR Rate Loan from the date such loan was
made up to, but not including, the date prepaid, plus the amount the Bank will
earn from like investments in the Money Markets as of the date of prepayment
through the end of the applicable Interest Period for the LIBOR Rate Loan being
prepaid) as a result of the redeployment of funds from the amount prepaid.
Because of the short-term nature of this facility, the Borrower agrees that the
Interest Differential shall not be discounted to its present value. Any
prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be in an amount equal to the remaining
entire principal balance of such LIBOR Rate Loan. In the event the Borrower does
not timely select another interest rate option at least three Business Days
before a LIBOR Rate Loan expires, such LIBOR Rate Loan shall renew for the same
Interest Period as initially chosen, with the rate (before adding one and
one-half (1.50) percentage points) to be determined two Business Days prior to
renewal if a LIBOR Rate Loan. The Bank's internal records of applicable interest
rates shall be determinative in the absence of manifest error. Each LIBOR rate
option selected shall apply to a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and
integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof. For determining payment dates
for LIBOR Rate Loans, the Business Day shall be the standard convention. In the
event after the date of initial funding any Governmental Authority subjects Bank
to any new or additional charge, fee, withholding or tax of any kind with
respect to any loans hereunder or changes the method of taxation of such loans
or changes the reserve or deposit requirements applicable to such loans, the
Borrower shall pay to Bank, at any time prior to the termination of this
Agreement and repayment of the Obligations, such additional amounts as will
compensate Bank for such costs or lost income resulting therefrom as determined
by Bank, in its reasonable discretion, with the determination by Bank of any
amounts due, as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation thereof
in reasonable detail, to be, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error,
final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto, and with Bank
agreeing that Borrower will not be treated differently or singled out from its
other similarly situated customers in determining whether amounts are due.
(b) Letter of Credit Fee. Borrower shall pay Bank a
Letter of Credit fee as follows: (i) with respect to stand by Letters of Credit,
a fee which shall accrue at a rate equal to 1.00% per annum times the Daily
Balance of the undrawn amount of all outstanding
14
stand by Letters of Credit, and (ii) with respect to commercial Letters of
Credit, standard rates and fees charged by Bank in connection with the issuance
and negotiation of commercial Letters of Credit.
(c) Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuation of an Event of Default, (i) all Obligations, shall bear
interest on the Daily Balance at a per annum rate equal to 3 percentage points
above the Prime Rate.
(d) Payments. Borrower hereby authorizes Bank, at
its option, without prior notice to Borrower (but with prompt notice thereafter
to Borrower), to charge interest, all Bank Expenses (as and when incurred), the
letter of credit fees, the fees and charges provided for in Section 2.7 (as and
when accrued or incurred), or any amounts due under the Loan Document to
Borrower as an Advance under this Agreement, which amounts thereafter shall
accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Advances hereunder. Any interest
not paid when due shall be compounded and shall thereafter accrue interest at
the rate then applicable to Advances hereunder.
(e) Computation. The Prime Rate as of the date of
this Agreement is 4.75% per annum. In the event the Prime Rate is changed from
time to time hereafter, the applicable rate of interest hereunder automatically
and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such
change in the Prime Rate. All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan
Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year for the actual number
of days elapsed.
(f) Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate.
In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus
any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate
permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a
final determination, deem applicable. Borrower and Bank, in executing and
delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of
interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided, however, that,
anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if said rate or rates
of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable
law, then, ipso facto as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower is and shall be
liable only for the payment of such maximum as allowed by law, and payment
received from Borrower in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall
be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of
such excess.
2.4 CREDITING PAYMENTS; APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS. The receipt
of any payments by Bank from Borrower shall be applied provisionally to reduce
the Obligations outstanding under Section 2.1; provided, however, that any such
payment shall not be considered a payment on account unless such payment item is
a wire transfer of immediately available federal funds and is made to Bank in
accordance with wiring instructions issued by Bank to Borrower or unless and
until such payment is honored when presented for payment. Should any payment to
Bank not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrower shall be deemed
not to have made such payment, and interest shall be recalculated accordingly.
Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any payment shall be
deemed received by Bank only if it is received into the Bank on a Business Day
on or before (i) 11:00 a.m. California time for regular deposits and (ii) 9:30
a.m. California time for deposits covering overdrafts.
15
If any payment is received by Bank on a non-Business Day or after 11:00 a.m.
California time on a Business Day, it shall be deemed to have been received by
Bank as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day.
2.5 DESIGNATED ACCOUNT. Bank is authorized to make the Advances
under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from
anyone purporting to be an Authorized Person, or without instructions if
pursuant to Section 2.2(b). Borrower agrees to establish and maintain the
Designated Account for the purpose of receiving the proceeds of Advances
requested by Borrower and made by Bank hereunder. Unless otherwise agreed by
Bank and Borrower, any Advance requested by Borrower and made by Bank hereunder
shall be credited to the Designated Account.
2.6 MAINTENANCE OF LOAN ACCOUNT; STATEMENTS OF OBLIGATIONS. Bank
shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrower (the "Loan
Account") on which Borrower will be charged with all Advances, including,
accrued interest, Bank Expenses, and any other payment Obligations of Borrower.
In accordance with Section 2.4, the Loan Account will be credited with all
payments received by Bank from Borrower or for Borrower's account. Bank shall
render statements regarding the Loan Account to Borrower, including principal,
interest, fees, and including an itemization of all charges and expenses
constituting Bank Expenses owing, and such statements shall be conclusively
presumed to be correct and accurate and constitute an account stated between
Borrower and Bank unless, within 30 days after receipt thereof by Borrower,
Borrower shall deliver to Bank written objection thereto describing the error or
errors contained in any such statements.
2.7 FEES. Borrower shall pay to Bank the Bank's fees and expenses
incurred as a result of entering into in this Agreement and the Loan Documents
including, without limitation, attorneys fees and expenses incurred in
connection therewith; provided, however, that such attorneys fees and expenses
shall not exceed $20,000 through the Closing Date.
2.8 LIBOR OPTION.
(a) Interest and Interest Payment Dates. In lieu of having
interest charged at the rate based upon the Prime Rate, Borrower shall have the
option (the "LIBOR Option") to have interest on the Advances charged at the
LIBOR Rate. Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be payable on the earliest of (i)
the last day of each calendar month during the term of each LIBOR Rate Loan,
(ii) the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the
occurrence of an Event of Default in consequence of which the Bank elects to
accelerate the maturity of the Obligations, or (iv) June 5, 2005, with respect
to the LIBOR Rate Loans or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the
terms hereof with respect to all then outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans. On the last
day of each applicable Interest Period, unless Borrower properly has exercised a
new LIBOR Option or conversion to a Prime Rate Loan with respect thereto, the
interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan automatically shall continue as
another LIBOR Rate Loan for the same Interest Period as the LIBOR Rate Loan that
just matured. At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, Borrower no longer shall have the option to request that the
Advances bear interest at the LIBOR Rate and Bank shall have the right to
convert the interest rate on all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans to the rate then
applicable to Prime Rate Loans hereunder.
16
(b) LIBOR Election.
(i) Borrower may, at any time and from time to
time, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, elect to
exercise the LIBOR Option by notifying Bank prior to 11:00 a.m. (California
time) at least 3 Business Days prior to the commencement of the proposed
Interest Period (the "LIBOR Deadline"). Notice of Borrower's election of the
LIBOR Option for permitted Advances (so long as the Advances have not become due
and payable, or will not become due and payable during the proposed Interest
Period) shall be made by a LIBOR Notice received by Bank before the LIBOR
Deadline, or by telephonic notice received by Bank before the LIBOR Deadline (to
be confirmed by delivery to Bank of a LIBOR Notice received by Bank prior to
5:00 p.m. (California time) on the same day.
(ii) Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and
binding on Borrower. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower shall
indemnify, defend, and hold Bank harmless against any loss, cost, or expense
incurred by Bank as a result of (a) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other
than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (b) the
failure to borrow, convert, or continue any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date
specified in any LIBOR Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, and
expenses, collectively, "Funding Losses"). Funding Losses shall be deemed to
equal the amount determined by Bank to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount
of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such LIBOR Rate
Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBOR Rate that would have been
applicable thereto, for the period from the date of such event to the last day
of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to
borrow, convert, or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest
Period therefor), minus (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such
principal amount from like investments in the Money Markets as of the date of
such event through the end of the applicable Interest Period. A certificate of
Bank delivered to Borrower setting forth any amount or amounts that Bank is
entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.
(iii) Borrower shall have not more than 5 LIBOR
Rate Loans in effect at any given time.
(c) Prepayments. Borrower may prepay LIBOR Rate Loans at
any time; provided, however, that in the event that LIBOR Rate Loans are prepaid
on any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
including as a result of early termination of the term of this Agreement or
acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, Borrower shall
indemnify, defend, and hold Bank harmless against any and all Funding Losses in
accordance with clause (b)(ii) above.
(d) Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate.
(i) The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Bank on a
prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to Bank
of maintaining or obtaining any eurodollar deposits or increased costs due to
changes in applicable law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then
applicable Interest Period, including changes in tax laws (except changes of
general applicability in corporate income tax laws) and changes in the reserve
requirements imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or
any
17
successor), excluding the Reserve Percentage, which additional or increased
costs would increase the cost of funding loans bearing interest at the LIBOR
Rate. In any such event, Bank shall give Borrower notice of such a determination
and adjustment and, upon its receipt of the notice from Bank, Borrower may, by
notice to Bank (y) require Bank to furnish to Borrower a statement setting forth
the basis for adjusting such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the
amount of such adjustment, or (z) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans with respect to
which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under clause
(b)(ii) above).
(ii) In the event that any change in market
conditions or any law, regulation, treaty, or directive, or any change therein
or in the interpretation of application thereof, shall at any time after the
date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of Bank, make it unlawful or impractical
for Bank to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or to continue such funding or
maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, Bank
shall give notice of such changed circumstances to Borrower and (y) in the case
of any LIBOR Rate Loans that are outstanding, the date specified in Bank's
notice shall be deemed to be the last day of the Interest Period of such LIBOR
Rate Loans, and interest upon the LIBOR Rate Loans thereafter shall accrue
interest at the rate then applicable to Prime Rate Loans, and (z) Borrower shall
not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option until Bank determines that it would no
longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.
(e) No Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the
contrary contained herein notwithstanding, Bank is not required to actually
acquire eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to
which interest accrues at the LIBOR Rate. The provisions of this Section shall
apply as if Bank had match funded any Obligation as to which interest is
accruing at the LIBOR Rate by acquiring eurodollar deposits for each Interest
Period in the amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans.
2.9 OVERADVANCES. If, at any time or for any reason, the amount
of Obligations owed by Borrower to Bank pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2
is greater than the Dollar limitations set forth in Section 2.1 or Section 2.2,
as applicable (an "Overadvance"), then Borrower immediately shall pay to Bank,
in cash, the amount of such excess. In addition, Borrower hereby promises to pay
the Obligations (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses) in
Dollars in full to Bank as and when due and payable under the terms of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.
3.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE INITIAL ADVANCE. The obligation
of Bank to make the initial Advance is subject to the fulfillment, to the
satisfaction of Bank and its counsel, of each of the following conditions on or
before the Closing Date:
(a) the Closing Date shall occur on or before August 12,
2002;
(b) Bank shall have received each of the following
documents, duly executed, and each such document shall be in full force and
effect:
(i) the Revolver Note; and
18
(ii) Documentation evidencing the termination by
Existing Lender of its Liens in and to the Assets of Borrower or an agreement
satisfactory to Bank that such Liens will be terminated;
(c) Bank shall have received a certificate from the
Secretary of Borrower attesting to the resolutions of its Board of Directors
authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents to which it is a party and authorizing specific officers of
Borrower to execute the same;
(d) Bank shall have received a copy of Borrower's
Governing Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented to the Closing Date,
certified by the Secretary of Borrower;
(e) Bank shall have received a certificate of status from
Borrower dated within 10 days of the Closing Date, such certificate to be issued
by the appropriate officer of the jurisdiction of organization of Borrower,
which certificate shall indicate that Borrower is in good standing in such
jurisdiction;
(f) Bank shall have received certificates of status from
Borrower dated within 15 days of the Closing Date, such certificates to be
issued by the appropriate officer of the jurisdictions in which its failure to
be duly qualified or licensed would constitute a Material Adverse Change, which
certificates shall indicate that Borrower is in good standing in such applicable
jurisdictions; and
(g) all other documents and legal matters in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been delivered,
executed, or recorded and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Bank
and its counsel.
3.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL ADVANCES. The following shall be
conditions precedent to all Advances hereunder:
(a) the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all respects
on and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on and as of
such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate
solely to an earlier date);
(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result
from the making thereof; and
(c) no injunction, writ, restraining order, or other order
of any nature prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the extending of such credit
shall have been issued and remain in force by any Governmental Authority against
Borrower, Bank, or any of their Affiliates.
3.3 TERM. This Agreement shall become effective upon the
execution and delivery hereof by Borrower and Bank and shall continue in full
force and effect for a term ending on June 5, 2005, unless sooner terminated
pursuant to the terms hereof. The foregoing notwithstanding, Bank shall have the
right to terminate its obligations under this Agreement
19
immediately and without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuation
of an Event of Default.
3.4 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. On the date of termination of this
Agreement, all Obligations immediately shall become due and payable without
notice or demand. No termination of this Agreement, however, shall relieve or
discharge Borrower of Borrower's duties, Obligations, or covenants hereunder.
3.5 EARLY TERMINATION BY BORROWER. Borrower has the option, at
any time upon 5 days prior written notice to Bank, to terminate this Agreement
by paying to Bank, in cash, outstanding Obligations, including, without
limitation, any fees payable by Borrower as a result of the prepayment of any
LIBOR Rate Loans.
4. NEGATIVE PLEDGE.
4.1 NEGATIVE PLEDGE. Borrower covenants and agrees that from the
Closing Date and thereafter until the indefeasible payment, performance and
satisfaction in full of the Obligations and all of Bank's obligations hereunder
have been terminated, Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist, any Lien (including the lien of an attachment, judgment or execution) on
any of its Assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted
Liens; or sign or file, under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in any
jurisdiction, a financing statement which names Borrower as a debtor, except as
to Permitted Liens, or sign, any security agreement authorizing any secured
party thereunder to file such a financing statement, expect with respect to
Permitted Liens.
4.2 DELIVERY OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED. At any time
upon the request of Bank, Borrower shall execute and deliver to Bank all other
documents that Bank reasonably may request, in form satisfactory to Bank, in
order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under
the other the Loan Documents.
4.3 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
In order to induce Bank to enter into this Agreement, Borrower
makes the following representations and warranties which shall, except as
specifically set forth below, be true, correct, and complete in all respects as
of the date hereof, and shall, except as specifically set forth below, be true,
correct, and complete in all respects as of the Closing Date, and at and as of
the date of the making of each Advance, as though made on and as of such date
(except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to
an earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement:
5.1 NO ENCUMBRANCES. Borrower has good and indefeasible title to its
Assets, free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.
5.2 LOCATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE; FEIN. The chief executive office
of Borrower is located at the address indicated in the preamble to this
Agreement and Borrower's FEIN is 00-0000000.
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5.3 DUE ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION; SUBSIDIARIES.
(a) Borrower is duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of California and is qualified and licensed to do
business in, and in good standing in, California and any other state where the
failure to be so licensed or qualified reasonably could be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Change.
(b) Set forth on Schedule 5.3, is a complete and accurate
list of Borrower's direct and indirect Subsidiaries, showing: (i) the
jurisdiction of their incorporation; (ii) the number of shares of each class of
common and preferred stock authorized for each of such Subsidiaries; and (iii)
the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned
directly or indirectly by Borrower. All of the outstanding capital stock of each
such Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.
5.4 DUE AUTHORIZATION; NO CONFLICT.
(a) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower
of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action.
(b) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower
of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will
not (i) violate any provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation
(including Regulations T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board) applicable to
Borrower, the Governing Documents of Borrower, or any order, judgment, or decree
of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on Borrower, (ii) conflict
with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or
both) a default under any material contractual obligation or material lease of
Borrower, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of
any nature whatsoever upon any properties or assets of Borrower, other than
Permitted Liens, or (iv) require any approval of stockholders or any approval or
consent of any Person under any material contractual obligation of Borrower.
(c) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower
of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party do not and
will not require any registration with, consent, or approval of, or notice to,
or other action with or by, any federal, state, foreign, or other Governmental
Authority or other Person.
(d) This Agreement and the Loan Documents to which
Borrower is a party, and all other documents contemplated hereby and thereby,
when executed and delivered by Borrower will be the legally valid and binding
obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles
or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws
relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally.
5.5 LITIGATION. There are no actions or proceedings pending by or
against Borrower before any court or administrative agency and Borrower does not
have knowledge or belief of any pending, threatened, or imminent litigation,
governmental investigations, or claims, complaints, actions, or prosecutions
involving Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations, except for: (a) ongoing
collection matters in which Borrower is the plaintiff; (b) matters
21
disclosed on Schedule 5.5; and (c) matters arising after the date hereof that,
if decided adversely to Borrower, would not cause a Material Adverse Change.
5.6 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. All financial statements relating
to Borrower that have been delivered by Borrower to Bank have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for
the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and
fairly present in all material respects Borrower's financial condition as of the
date thereof and Borrower's results of operations for the period then ended.
There has not been a Material Adverse Change with respect to Borrower since the
date of the latest financial statements submitted to Bank on or before the
Closing Date.
5.7 SOLVENCY. Borrower is Solvent. No transfer of property is
being made by Borrower and no obligation is being incurred by Borrower in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or
future creditors of Borrower.
5.8 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries,
or any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plan,
other than those listed on Schedule 5.8. Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries and
each ERISA Affiliate have satisfied the minimum funding standards of ERISA and
the IRC with respect to each Benefit Plan to which it is obligated to
contribute. No ERISA Event has occurred nor has any other event occurred that
may result in an ERISA Event that reasonably could be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Change. None of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any ERISA
Affiliate, or any fiduciary of any Plan is subject to any direct or indirect
liability with respect to any Plan under any applicable law, treaty, rule,
regulation, or agreement. None of Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate is required to provide security to any Plan under Section 401(a)(29)
of the IRC.
5.9 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION. None of Borrower's properties or
assets has ever been used by Borrower or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge,
by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store,
handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials where such
production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation,
in any material respect, of applicable Environmental Law. None of Borrower's
properties or assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner
pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials
disposal site, or a candidate for closure pursuant to any environmental
protection statute. No Lien arising under any environmental protection statute
has attached to any revenues or to any real or personal property owned or
operated by Borrower. Borrower has not received a summons, citation, notice, or
directive from the Environmental Protection Agency or any other federal or state
governmental agency concerning any action or omission by Borrower resulting in
the releasing or disposing of Hazardous Materials into the environment.
5.10 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Borrower owns, or holds licenses in,
all trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, and licenses
that are necessary to the conduct of its business as currently conducted.
5.11 LEASES. Borrower enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession
under all leases material to the business of Borrower and to which it is a party
or under which it is
22
operating. All of such leases are valid and subsisting and no material default
by Borrower exists under any of them.
5.12 COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All factual information (taken as a
whole) furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in writing to Bank (including all
information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the other Loan Documents)
for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents,
or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual
information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of Borrower
in writing to Bank will be, true and accurate, in all material respects, on the
date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by
omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole)
not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the
circumstances under which such information was provided.
5.13 INDEBTEDNESS. Set forth on Schedule 5.13 is a true and
complete list of all Indebtedness of Borrower outstanding immediately prior to
the Closing Date that is to remain outstanding after the Closing Date and such
Schedule accurately reflects the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness
and the principal terms thereof.
6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit
hereunder shall be available and until full and final payment of the
Obligations, Borrower shall do all of the following:
6.1 ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. Maintain a standard and modern system of
accounting that enables Borrower to produce financial statements in accordance
with GAAP.
6.2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, REPORTS, CERTIFICATES. Deliver to Bank:
(a) within 15 days of filing, but in any event within 60 days after the end of
each fiscal quarter of Borrower during each of Borrower's fiscal years,
Borrower's 10Q SEC filing and company prepared financial statements (i.e.
balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow) of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for each such fiscal quarter; (b) within
15 days of filing, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each of
Borrower's fiscal years, Borrower's 10K SEC filing and financial statements of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for each such fiscal
year, audited by independent certified public accountants reasonably acceptable
to Bank and certified, without any qualifications, by such accountants to have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP; (c) concurrent with the filing thereof, a
copy of each of Borrower's 8K filings, if any; and (d) within 15 days of any
Advances, company prepared Projections for the succeeding 4 fiscal quarters of
Borrower. Such consolidated audited financial statements shall include a balance
sheet, profit and loss statement, and statement of cash flow and, if prepared,
such accountants' letter to management. If Borrower is a parent company of one
or more Subsidiaries, or is a Subsidiary of another company, then, in addition
to the consolidated financial statements referred to above, Borrower agrees to
deliver, within 15 days of Bank's request, financial statements for the most
recently ended fiscal quarter and fiscal year end of Borrower, prepared on a
consolidating basis so as to present Borrower and each such related entity
separately.
23
Each quarter, together with the financial statements
provided pursuant to Section 6.2(a), Borrower shall deliver to Bank a Compliance
Certificate signed by its chief financial officer, or controller to the effect
that: (i) all financial statements delivered or caused to be delivered to Bank
hereunder have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of
unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to
year-end audit adjustments) and fairly present the financial condition of
Borrower, (ii) the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date of such certificate, as though made on and as of
such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate
solely to an earlier date), (iii) Borrower is in compliance at the end of such
period with the applicable financial covenants contained in Section 7.18 (and
demonstrating such compliance in reasonable detail), and (iv) on the date of
delivery of such certificate to Bank there does not exist any condition or event
that constitutes a Default or Event of Default (or, in the case of clauses (i),
(ii), or (iii), to the extent of any non-compliance, describing such
non-compliance as to which he or she may have knowledge and what action Borrower
has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto).
Borrower shall have issued written instructions to its
independent certified public accountants authorizing them to communicate with
Bank and to release to Bank whatever financial information concerning Borrower
that Bank may reasonably request. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and
directs all auditors, accountants, or other third parties to deliver to Bank, at
Borrower's expense, copies of Borrower's financial statements, papers related
thereto, and other accounting records of any nature in their possession, and to
disclose to Bank any information they may have regarding Borrower's business
affairs and financial conditions. With respect to "confidential information" (as
defined in Section 14.9) to be provided to Bank, Bank agrees to abide by the
confidentiality provisions of Section 14.9.
6.3 TAXES. Cause all assessments and taxes, whether real,
personal, or otherwise, due or payable by, or imposed, levied, or assessed
against Borrower or any of its property to be paid in full, before delinquency
or before the expiration of any extension period, except to the extent that the
validity of such assessment or tax shall be the subject of a Permitted Protest.
Borrower shall make due and timely payment or deposit of all such federal,
state, and local taxes, assessments, or contributions required of it by law, and
will execute and deliver to Bank, on demand, appropriate certificates attesting
to the payment thereof or deposit with respect thereto. Borrower will make
timely payment or deposit of all tax payments and withholding taxes required of
it by applicable laws, including those laws concerning F.I.C.A., F.U.T.A., state
disability, and local, state, and federal income taxes, and will, upon request,
furnish Bank with proof satisfactory to Bank indicating that Borrower has made
such payments or deposits.
6.4 INSURANCE. At its expense, keep its Assets insured against
loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, sprinklers, and all other hazards and
risks, and in such amounts, as are ordinarily insured against by other owners in
similar businesses. Borrower also shall maintain business interruption, public
liability, product liability, and property damage insurance relating to
Borrower's ownership and use of its Assets, as well as insurance against
larceny, embezzlement, and criminal misappropriation.
24
6.5 NO SETOFFS OR COUNTERCLAIMS. Make payments hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents by or on behalf of Borrower without setoff or
counterclaim and free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or
on account of, any federal, state, or local taxes.
6.6 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS Comply with the requirements of all
applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority,
including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act,
other than laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have and could not reasonably be
expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.
6.7 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) Deliver to Bank: (i) promptly, and in any event within
10 Business Days after Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason
to know that an ERISA Event has occurred that reasonably could be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Change, a written statement of the chief financial
officer of Borrower describing such ERISA Event and any action that is being
taking with respect thereto by Borrower, any such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate,
and any action taken or threatened by the IRS, Department of Labor, or PBGC.
Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to know all facts
known by the administrator of any Benefit Plan of which it is the plan sponsor,
(ii) promptly, and in any event within three Business Days after the filing
thereof with the IRS, a copy of each funding waiver request filed with respect
to any Benefit Plan and all communications received by Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate with respect
to such request, and (iii) promptly, and in any event within three Business Days
after receipt by Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of
Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate, of the PBGC's intention to terminate a Benefit
Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer a Benefit Plan, copies of each
such notice.
(b) Cause to be delivered to Bank, upon Bank's request,
each of the following: (i) a copy of each Plan (or, where any such plan is not
in writing, complete description thereof) (and if applicable, related trust
agreements or other funding instruments) and all amendments thereto, all written
interpretations thereof and written descriptions thereof that have been
distributed to employees or former employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
(ii) the most recent determination letter issued by the IRS with respect to each
Benefit Plan; (iii) for the three most recent plan years, annual reports on Form
5500 Series required to be filed with any governmental agency for each Benefit
Plan; (iv) all actuarial reports prepared for the last three plan years for each
Benefit Plan; (v) a listing of all Multiemployer Plans, with the aggregate
amount of the most recent annual contributions required to be made by Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate to each such plan and copies of the collective bargaining
agreements requiring such contributions; (vi) any information that has been
provided to Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate regarding withdrawal liability under
any Multiemployer Plan; and (vii) the aggregate amount of the most recent annual
payments made to former employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries under any
Retiree Health Plan.
6.8 ENVIRONMENTAL. Keep any property either owned or operated by
Borrower free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial
assurances sufficient
25
to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens,
(b) comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to
Bank documentation of such compliance which Bank reasonably requests, (c)
promptly notify Bank of any release of a Hazardous Material in any reportable
quantity from or onto property owned or operated by Borrower and take any
Remedial Actions required to xxxxx said release or otherwise to come into
compliance with applicable Environmental Law, and (d) promptly provide Bank with
written notice within 10 days of the receipt of any of the following: (i) notice
that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal
property of Borrower, (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or notice
that an Environmental Action will be filed against Borrower, and (iii) notice of
a violation, citation, or other administrative order which reasonably could be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit
hereunder shall be available and until full and final payment of the
Obligations, Borrower will not without the prior written consent of the Bank do
any of the following:
7.1 INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume, permit, guarantee, or
otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any
Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement;
(b) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 5.13;
(c) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens;
(d) Indebtedness under Rate Contracts, provided that all
such Rate Contracts are entered into in connection with bona fide hedging
operations and not for speculation and, provided, further, that such Rate
Contracts are obtained from Bank;
(e) Indebtedness under purchase money loans and Capital
Leases incurred to finance the acquisition of real property, fixtures, or
equipment provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred at the time of, or not
later than ninety (90) day after, the acquisition of the property so financed
and (ii) such Indebtedness does not exceed the purchase price of the property so
financed, and (iii) to the extent that the sum of such Indebtedness and
Indebtedness allowed pursuant to Section 7.6 does not exceed Four Million
Dollars ($4,000,000) in the aggregate at any time.
(f) Indebtedness of Borrower to any of its Subsidiaries
not to exceed $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding. Borrower agrees that the
consolidated financial statements furnished to Bank pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement, shall, pursuant to GAAP, exclude the amount of such Indebtedness
of Borrower to any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness
permitted under clauses (b) through (f), and (h) of this Section 7.1 (and
continuance or renewal of any Permitted Liens associated therewith) so long as:
(i) the terms and conditions of such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do
not materially impair the prospects of repayment of
26
the Obligations by Borrower, (ii) the net cash proceeds of such refinancings,
renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the aggregate principal
amount of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, (iii) such
refinancings, renewals, refundings, or extensions do not result in a shortening
of the average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or
extended, and (iv) to the extent that Indebtedness that is refinanced was
subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the subordination
terms and conditions of the refinancing Indebtedness must be at least as
favorable to Bank as those applicable to the refinanced Indebtedness; and
(h) Other unsecured Indebtedness, provided that the sum of
(1) such other unsecured Indebtedness plus (2) Indebtedness allowed pursuant to
subsection (k) of the definition of Permitted Liens, does not exceed $500,000 in
the aggregate at any time.
7.2 LIENS. Create, incur, assume, or permit to exist, directly or
indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its property or assets, of any
kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits
therefrom, except for Permitted Liens (including Liens that are replacements of
Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is refinanced under
Section 7.1(g) and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets
or property that secured the original Indebtedness).
7.3 RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES. Enter into any merger,
consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its capital
stock, or liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or
dissolution), or reincorporate in a different jurisdiction or convey, sell,
assign, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series
of transactions, all or any substantial part of its property or assets, except
for the following:
(a) Borrower and any of Borrower's Subsidiaries may merge
with each other, provided that (i) in any such merger involving Borrower,
Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii) no Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing on the date of, or will result after giving
effect to, any such merger; and
(b) Borrower and any of Borrower's Subsidiaries may merge
with any Person it acquires, provided that (i) in any such merger involving
Borrower, Borrower is the surviving corporation, (ii) no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of, or will result after
giving effect to, any such merger, and (iii) such acquisition is otherwise in
compliance with Section 7.12.
7.4 DISPOSAL OF ASSETS. Sell, lease, assign, transfer, or
otherwise dispose of any of Borrower's Assets (collectively, "Transfers"),
except for the following:
(a) Transfers of Inventory to buyers in the ordinary
course of Borrower's business as currently conducted;
(b) Transfers of surplus, damaged, worn or obsolete Assets
in the ordinary course of Borrower's business as currently conducted.
7.5 CHANGE NAME. Change Borrower's name, FEIN, corporate
structure (within the meaning of the Code), or identity, or add any new
fictitious name, provided, that such
27
actions will be allowed if: (a) Borrower provides Bank with ten (10) days prior
written notice; (b) such actions do not result in a Material Adverse Change; and
(c) such actions do not result in a violation of the financial covenants set
forth in Section 7.18.
7.6 GUARANTEE. Guarantee or otherwise become in any way liable
with respect to the obligations of any third Person (except by endorsement of
instruments or items of payment for deposit to the account of Borrower or which
are transmitted or turned over to Bank) ("Guarantee Indebtedness"), provided,
such Guarantee Indebtedness (whether matured or unmatured) will be permitted to
the extent that the sum of such Guarantee Indebtedness and Indebtedness allowed
pursuant to Section 7.1(e) does not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000) in
the aggregate at any time.
7.7 NATURE OF BUSINESS. Make any change in the principal nature
of Borrower's business.
7.8 PREPAYMENTS AND AMENDMENTS.
(a) Except in connection with a refinancing permitted by
Section 7.1(g), prepay, redeem, retire, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire
any Indebtedness owing to any third Person, other than the Obligations in
accordance with this Agreement, and
(b) Directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter,
increase, or change any of the terms or conditions of any agreement, instrument,
document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning Indebtedness
permitted under Sections 7.1(b) through (h) if the result of any such actions
would be to (i) increase the amount of such Indebtedness (including increasing
interest rates), (ii) decrease the time frame for repayment of all or a portion
of such Indebtedness, or (iii) increase the circumstances under which the
Indebtedness may be accelerated.
7.9 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Cause, permit, or suffer, directly or
indirectly, any Change of Control.
7.10 DISTRIBUTIONS. Make distributions, redemptions or declare
and pay dividends, with the exception that so long as no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing Borrower is allowed to expend up to
$60,000,000 in the aggregate to repurchase its Stock during the term of this
Agreement.
7.11 ACCOUNTING METHODS. Modify or change its method of
accounting or enter into, modify, or terminate any agreement currently existing,
or at any time hereafter entered into with any third party accounting firm or
service bureau for the preparation or storage of Borrower's accounting records
without said accounting firm or service bureau agreeing to provide Bank
information regarding Borrower's financial condition. Borrower waives the right
to assert a confidential relationship, if any, it may have with any accounting
firm or service bureau in connection with any information requested by Bank
pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement, and agrees that upon the
occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default Bank may
contact directly any such accounting firm or service bureau in order to obtain
such information.
28
7.12 INVESTMENTS. Except for investments in Cash Equivalents and
except as provided hereinbelow, directly or indirectly make, acquire, or incur
any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with (a)
the acquisition of the securities (whether debt or equity) of, or other
interests in, a Person, (b) loans, advances, capital contributions, or transfers
of property to a Person, or (c) the acquisition of all or substantially all of
the properties or assets of a Person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in the foregoing, so long as no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, Borrower will be allowed to acquire other entities
provided all of the following criteria are met: (i) Borrower must be the
surviving entity; (ii) the acquired entity must be engaged in a similar line of
business as Borrower; (iii) after giving effect to such acquisition including,
without limitation, proforma covenant compliance as of the most recently ended
reporting period, no Default or Event of Default would occur; (iv) the acquired
entity(ies) must provide Bank with a continuing guaranty as Bank may require,
with the form and substance of such documentation to be acceptable to Bank in
its sole and absolute discretion; (v) such acquisition must not be the result of
a hostile takeover; (vi) the aggregate cash consideration paid by Borrower in
connection with such acquisitions, whether in a single transaction or a series
of transactions shall not exceed $40,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.
7.13 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Directly or indirectly enter
into or permit to exist any material transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower
except for transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrower's business,
upon fair and reasonable terms, that are fully disclosed to Bank, and that are
no less favorable to Borrower than would be obtained in an arm's length
transaction with a non-Affiliate.
7.14 SUSPENSION. Suspend or go out of a substantial portion of
its business.
7.15 USE OF PROCEEDS. Use the proceeds of the Advances made
hereunder for any purpose other than (i) on the Closing Date, (y) to repay in
full the outstanding principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses
owing to Existing Lender, and (z) to pay transactional costs and expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) thereafter, consistent with
the terms and conditions hereof, for its lawful and permitted corporate
purposes.
7.16 CHANGE IN LOCATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE. Relocate its
chief executive office to a new location without providing 30 days prior written
notification thereof to Bank.
7.17 NO PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS UNDER ERISA. Directly or
indirectly:
(a) engage, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to
engage, in any prohibited transaction which is reasonably likely to result in a
civil penalty or excise tax described in Sections 406 of ERISA or 4975 of the
IRC for which a statutory or class exemption is not available or a private
exemption has not been previously obtained from the Department of Labor;
(b) permit to exist with respect to any Benefit Plan any
accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Sections 302 of ERISA and 412 of
the IRC), whether or not waived;
29
(c) fail, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to fail, to
pay timely required contributions or annual installments due with respect to any
waived funding deficiency to any Benefit Plan;
(d) terminate, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to
terminate, any Benefit Plan where such event would result in any liability of
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of
ERISA;
(e) fail, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to fail, to
make any required contribution or payment to any Multiemployer Plan;
(f) fail, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to fail, to
pay any required installment or any other payment required under Section 412 of
the IRC on or before the due date for such installment or other payment;
(g) amend, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to amend,
a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability for the plan year such that
either of Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is
required to provide security to such Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC;
or
(h) withdraw, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to
withdraw, from any Multiemployer Plan where such withdrawal is reasonably likely
to result in any liability of any such entity under Title IV of ERISA.
7.18 FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Fail to maintain on a consolidated
basis with its Subsidiaries: (a) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. A Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.50:1.0, measured on a fiscal quarter-end
basis;
(b) Quick Ratio. A Quick Ratio of not less than of
1.50:1.0, measured on a fiscal quarter-end basis;
(c) Leverage Ratio. A Leverage Ratio of not more than
1.00:1.00, measured on a fiscal quarter-end basis;
(d) Tangible Net Worth. Tangible Net Worth of at least
$175,000,000, measured on a fiscal quarter-end basis;
(e) Liquidity. Unencumbered Cash and Cash Equivalents of
not less than $10,000,000, measured on a fiscal quarter-end basis; and
(f) Out of Debt Requirement. For a period of 30
consecutive days during each consecutive 12 month period commencing on the
Closing Date, there shall be no outstanding Obligations, other than contingent
or non-monetary Obligations or Obligations with respect to issued and
outstanding Letters of Credit.
30
7.19 BANKING AND TRADE FINANCE SERVICES. Borrower fails to
utilize Bank as its primary provider of: (a) banking services including, without
limitation, as its provider of DDAs, or, (b) trade finance services including,
without limitation, as its provider of Letters of Credit. Borrower acknowledges
that the providing of such services to Borrower is a material inducement to Bank
to provide the financial accommodations evidenced by this Agreement.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
8.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Any one or more of the following events
shall constitute an event of default (each, an "Event of Default") under this
Agreement: (a) If Borrower fails to pay when due and payable or when declared
due and payable, any portion of the Obligations (whether of principal, interest
(including any interest which, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code,
would have accrued on such amounts), fees and charges due Bank, or other amounts
constituting Obligations) except, that with respect to Bank Expenses, Borrower
will have ten calendar (10) days from the date such expenses are due to
reimburse Bank for same;
(b) If Borrower fails to perform, keep, or observe any
term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement contained in this Agreement,
in any of the Loan Documents, or in any other present or future agreement
between Borrower and Bank and such default shall have continued for a period of
thirty (30) calendar days after the occurrence thereof; provided, there shall be
no grace period for Borrower's failure to perform, keep or observe any of the
terms, provisions, conditions, covenants, or agreements contained in Section 2,
Section 4.1, and Section 7.
(c) If there is a Material Adverse Change;
(d) If any material portion of Borrower's Assets is
attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or is levied upon, or
comes into the possession of any third Person and all of such Assets of Borrower
are not released from such attachment, seizure, writ, warrant, levy or
possession within thirty (30) days from the date thereof;
(e) If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by Borrower;
(f) If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against
Borrower and any of the following events occur: (a) Borrower consents to the
institution of the Insolvency Proceeding against it; (b) the petition commencing
the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted; (c) the petition
commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of
the date of the filing thereof; provided, however, that, during the pendency of
such period, Bank shall be relieved of its obligation to extend credit
hereunder; (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or a
substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any
substantial portion of the business of, Borrower; or (e) an order for relief
shall have been issued or entered therein;
(g) If Borrower is enjoined, restrained, or in any way
prevented by court order from continuing to conduct all or any material part of
its business affairs and such injunction, restraint or order is not dismissed
within 10 days from the date first issued;
31
(h) If a notice of Lien, levy, or assessment is filed of
record with respect to any "material" (as defined below) portion of Borrower's
properties or assets by the United States Government, or any department, agency,
or instrumentality thereof, or by any state, county, municipal, or governmental
agency, or if any taxes or debts owing at any time hereafter to any one or more
of such entities becomes a Lien, whether xxxxxx or otherwise, upon any of
Borrower's properties or assets and the same is not paid on the payment date
thereof and such Lien is not discharged within thirty (30) days following the
creation of such Lien. For purposes of this paragraph, "material" portion shall
mean, a portion of Borrower's properties or assets having a value of $500,000 or
more, whether such property becomes subject to such actions as a result of singe
or multiple occurrences of such actions;
(i) If a judgment or other claim becomes a Lien or
encumbrance upon any material portion of Borrower's properties or assets and
such Lien is not discharged within thirty (30) days following the creation of
such Lien;
(j) If there is a default in any "material" (as defined
below) agreement(s), as the case may be, to which Borrower is a party with one
or more third Persons and such default (a) occurs at the final maturity of the
obligations thereunder, or (b) results in a right by such third Person(s),
irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of Borrower's
obligations thereunder. For purposes of this paragraph, "material" agreement(s)
shall mean, as the case may be, an agreement or agreements which individually or
in the aggregate total $1,000,000 or more of outstanding obligations;
(k) If Borrower makes any payment on account of
Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment to the
payment of the Obligations, except to the extent such payment is permitted by
the terms of the subordination provisions applicable to such Indebtedness;
(l) If any material misstatement or misrepresentation
exists now or hereafter in any warranty, representation, statement, Record, or
report made to Bank by Borrower or any officer, employee, agent, or director of
Borrower, or if any such warranty or representation is withdrawn;
(m) If the obligation of any guarantor under its guaranty
or other third Person under any Loan Document is limited or terminated by
operation of law or by the guarantor or other third Person thereunder, or any
such guarantor or other third Person becomes the subject of an Insolvency
Proceeding; or
(n) If (a) Xxxx X.X. Xxxx, or (b) Xxxx X.X. Xxxx and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, fail(s) to maintain his/their respective managerial position(s)
with Borrower or cease(s) to be actively engaged in the day-to-day management of
Borrower. Borrower represents that, as of the Closing Date, Xxxx X.X. Xxxx is
its Chairman and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx is its President and Chief Executive Officer.
8.2 NO ADVANCES DURING CURE PERIOD. Upon the occurrence of any of
the events described in Sections 8.1(d), (f), (g), (h), and (i), Bank shall have
the right to discontinue making any Advances during the cure period set forth in
each of those Sections.
32
9. BANK'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
9.1 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence, and during the
continuation, of an Event of Default Bank may, at its election, without notice
of its election and without demand, do any one or more of the following, all of
which are authorized by Borrower:
(a) Declare all Obligations, whether evidenced by this
Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately due and
payable;
(b) Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for
the benefit of Borrower under this Agreement, under any of the Loan Documents,
or under any other agreement between Borrower and Bank;
(c) Terminate this Agreement and any of the other Loan
Documents as to any future liability or obligation of Bank, but without
affecting the Obligations;
(d) Without notice to Borrower (such notice being
expressly waived), set off and apply to the Obligations any and all (i) balances
and deposits of Borrower held by Bank, or (ii) indebtedness at any time owing to
or for the credit or the account of Borrower held by Bank; and
(e) Hold, as cash collateral, any and all balances and
deposits of Borrower held by Bank, to secure the full and final repayment of all
of the Obligations.
9.2 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. Bank's rights and remedies under this
Agreement, the Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative.
Bank shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as
provided by law or in equity. No exercise by Bank of one right or remedy shall
be deemed an election, and no waiver by Bank of any Event of Default shall be
deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by Bank shall constitute a waiver,
election, or acquiescence by it.
10. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.
10.1 DEMAND; PROTEST; ETC. Borrower waives demand, protest,
notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and
nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension,
or renewal of accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at
any time held by Bank on which Borrower may in any way be liable.
10.2 INDEMNIFICATION. Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and
hold Bank, each Participant, and each of their respective officers, directors,
employees, counsel, agents, and attorneys-in-fact (each, an "Indemnified
Person") harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any
and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, and
damages, and all reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and other costs and
expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (as and when they are
incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted
against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them in connection with or as a
result of or related to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, and
administration of this Agreement and any other Loan Documents or the
33
transactions contemplated herein, and with respect to any investigation,
litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or
the use of the proceeds of the credit provided hereunder (irrespective of
whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event
or circumstance in any manner related thereto (all the foregoing, collectively,
the "Indemnified Liabilities"). Borrower shall have no obligation to any
Indemnified Person under this Section 10.2 with respect to any Indemnified
Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have
resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified
Person. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
repayment of the Obligations.
11. NOTICES.
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices and
service of any process shall be in writing addressed to the respective party as
set forth below and may be personally served, telecopied or sent by overnight
courier service or United States mail and shall be deemed to have been given:
(a) if delivered in person, when delivered; (b) if delivered by telecopy, on the
date of transmission if confirmed and if transmitted on a Business Day before
4:00 p.m. (Los Angeles time) or, if not, on the next succeeding Business Day;
(c) if delivered by overnight courier, two days after delivery to such courier
properly addressed; or (d) if by U.S. mail, four Business Days after depositing
in the United States mail, with postage prepaid and properly addressed:
If to Borrower: ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fax No. 000.000.0000
with copies to: Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxx Xx.
Xxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxx, Esq.
Fax No. 000.000.0000
If to Bank: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx, Senior Vice President and
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Vice President
Fax No. 000.000.0000
34
with copies to: BUCHALTER, NEMER, FIELDS & YOUNGER
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax No. 000.000.0000
The parties hereto may change the address at which they are to
receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to
the other.
12. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.
THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
(UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE
CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS
OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER
OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THE
PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE
STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA OR, AT THE SOLE OPTION OF BANK, IN ANY OTHER COURT IN WHICH BANK
SHALL INITIATE LEGAL OR EQUITABLE PROCEEDINGS AND WHICH HAS SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION OVER THE MATTER IN CONTROVERSY. EACH OF BORROWER AND BANK WAIVES,
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT
THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY
PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12. BORROWER AND BANK
HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS,
BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH OF
BORROWER AND BANK REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY
AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL
COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A
WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
13. DESTRUCTION OF BORROWER'S DOCUMENTS.
All documents, schedules, invoices, agings, or other papers
delivered to Bank may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by Bank four months
after they are delivered to or
35
received by Bank, unless Borrower requests, in writing, the return of said
documents, schedules, or other papers and makes arrangements, at Borrower's
expense, for their return.
14. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
14.1. EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed
effective when executed by Borrower and Bank.
14.2 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall bind and inure
to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties;
provided, however, that Borrower may not assign this Agreement or any rights or
duties hereunder without Bank's prior written consent and any prohibited
assignment shall be absolutely void. No consent to an assignment by Bank shall
release Borrower from its Obligations. Bank may assign this Agreement and its
rights and duties hereunder and no consent or approval by Borrower is required
in connection with any such assignment. Bank reserves the right to sell, assign,
transfer, negotiate, or grant participations in all or any part of, or any
interest in Bank's rights and benefits hereunder. In connection with any such
assignment or participation, Bank may disclose all documents and information
which Bank now or hereafter may have relating to Borrower or Borrower's business
provided that such prospective Assignee or Participant agrees to be bound by the
confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 14.9. To the extent that Bank
assigns its rights and obligations hereunder to a third Person, Bank thereafter
shall be released from such assigned obligations to Borrower and such assignment
shall effect a novation between Borrower and such third Person.
14.3 SECTION HEADINGS. Headings and numbers have been set forth
herein for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context,
everything contained in each section applies equally to this entire Agreement.
14.4 INTERPRETATION. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty
or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against Bank or Borrower,
whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this
Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and
interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly
accomplish the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.
14.5 SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. Each provision of this Agreement
shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose
of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.
14.6 AMENDMENTS IN WRITING. This Agreement can only be amended by
a writing signed by both Bank and Borrower.
14.7 COUNTERPARTS; TELEFACSIMILE EXECUTION. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate
counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be
an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and
the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by
telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed
counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of
this Agreement by telefacsimile also shall deliver an original executed
counterpart of this
36
Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not
affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.
14.8 REVIVAL AND REINSTATEMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. If the incurrence
or payment of the Obligations by Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations or
the transfer by either or both of such parties to Bank of any property of either
or both of such parties should for any reason subsequently be declared to be
void or voidable under any state or federal law relating to creditors' rights,
including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances,
preferences, and other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of
property (collectively, a "Voidable Transfer"), and if Bank is required to repay
or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so
upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable
Transfer, or the amount thereof that Bank is required or elects to repay or
restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of Bank
related thereto, the liability of Borrower or such guarantor automatically shall
be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable
Transfer had never been made.
14.9 CONFIDENTIALITY. Bank shall not disclose to any Person any
information marked as confidential relating to Borrower, any guarantor or any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries which is furnished pursuant to this Agreement or under
the other Loan Documents, except that Bank may disclose any such information:
(a) to its own directors, officers, employees auditors, counsel and other
advisors and to its Affiliates; (b) which is otherwise available to the public;
(c) if required or appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted
to any Governmental Authority having or claiming to have jurisdiction over Bank;
(d) if required in response to any summons or subpoena; (e) in connection with
any enforcement by Bank of its rights under this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents or any litigation among the parties relating to the Loan Documents or
the transactions contemplated thereby; (f) to comply with any legal requirement
applicable to Bank; (g) to any Assignee or Participant or any prospective
Assignee or Participant, provided that such Assignee or Participant or
prospective Assignee or Participant agrees to be bound by this Section 14.9; or
(h) otherwise with the prior consent of Borrower; provided, however, that (i) if
Bank is served with any summons or subpoena demanding the disclosure of any such
information, Bank shall use reasonable efforts to notify Borrower promptly of
such summons or subpoena if not prohibited by any legal requirement applicable
to Bank, and (ii) any disclosure made in violation of this Agreement shall not
affect the obligations of Borrower or any guarantor under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.
14.10 INTEGRATION. This Agreement, together with the other Loan
Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by
any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.
37
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be delivered at Los Angeles, California, and executed as of the day and year
first written above.
ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.,
a California corporation
By /s/ XXXXX X. XXXX
-------------------------------------
Title: C.E.O.
----------------------------------
Date: August 12, 2002
-----------------------------------
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
-------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------------------
Date: August 14, 2002
-----------------------------------
38
AUTHORIZED PERSONS
(Loan Agreement Section 1.1)
[SEE ATTACHED]
Schedule A-1
PERMITTED LIENS
(Loan Agreement Section 1.1)
[SEE ATTACHED]
Schedule P-1
SUBSIDIARIES
(Loan Agreement Section 5.3)
[SEE ATTACHED]
Schedule 5-3
LITIGATION
(Loan Agreement Section 5.5)
[SEE ATTACHED]
Schedule 5-5
ERISA BENEFIT PLANS
(Loan Agreement Section 5.8)
[SEE ATTACHED]
Schedule 5-8
INDEBTEDNESS
(Loan Agreement Section 5.13)
[NONE]
Schedule 5-13
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE SAMPLE COPY
(Loan Agreement Section 6.2)
Date _______________, 200_
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
RE: Loan Agreement, dated as of July __, 2002 (the "Agreement") by
and between U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank") and ESS
TECHNOLOGY, INC., a California corporation ("Borrower")
Dear _______________:
In accordance with Section 6.2 of the Agreement, this letter shall serve
as certification to Bank that to the best of my knowledge: (i) all financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly represent the
financial condition of Borrower, (ii) the representations and warranties of
Borrower set forth in the Agreement and other Loan Documents are true and
correct in all material respects on and as of the date of this certification,
(iii) as demonstrated on Exhibit 1 attached hereto, Borrower is in compliance
with each of its financial covenants set forth in Section 7.18 of the Agreement
as of the date of this certification, and (iv) there does not exist any
condition or event that constitutes a Default or Event of Default. Such
certification is made as of the fiscal month ending ______________, 200___.
Sincerely,
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit C-1
FORM OF LIBOR NOTICE
(Loan Agreement Section 2.8)
Date _______________, 200_
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
RE: Loan Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2002 (the "Agreement") by
and between U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank") and ESS
TECHNOLOGY, INC., a California corporation ("Borrower").
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.
Dear _______________:
This LIBOR Notice represents Borrower's request to elect the LIBOR
Option with respect to Advances in the amount of $_________________ (the "LIBOR
Rate Loan"), and is written confirmation of telephonic notice of such election
given to Lender.
Such LIBOR Rate Advance will have an Interest Period of [1, 2, 3, 6 or
12] month[s] commencing on __________________.
This LIBOR Notice further confirms Borrower's acceptance, for purposes
of determining the rate of interest based upon the LIBOR Rate under the Loan
Agreement, of the LIBOR Rate as determined pursuant to the Loan Agreement.
Exhibit L-1
REVOLVER NOTE
$10,000,000.00 Dated as of
July 22, 2002
1. INDEBTEDNESS. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ESS TECHNOLOGY,
INC., a California corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Maker"), promises to
pay to U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank"), or order, at 00000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 or at such other place as may be designated
in writing by the holder of this Revolver Note (hereinafter referred to as this
"Note"), the principal sum of Ten Million and 00/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00),
or so much thereof as is actually outstanding, together with interest accrued
thereon. This Note is the Revolver Note issued, and evidences Advances made by
Bank to Maker, pursuant to Section 2.1 of that certain Loan Agreement, of even
date herewith, among Maker and Bank, as amended from time to time (the "Loan
Agreement"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.
2. INTEREST. Commencing on the date hereof, the principal balance of
this Note shall bear interest at the applicable rate set forth, and in
accordance with the provisions contained, in Section 2.3 of the Loan Agreement.
Interest hereunder shall be calculated based on a year of three hundred sixty
(360) days for the actual days elapsed. Interest shall be paid monthly on the
first day of each month, commencing with August 1, 2002.
3. PRINCIPAL PAYMENT. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, Maker may borrow, repay and reborrow Advances pursuant to the terms
of the Loan Agreement and this Note. Unless earlier accelerated pursuant to the
terms of the Loan Agreement and this Note, the entire outstanding principal
amount under this Note, together with accrued and unpaid interest, late charges
and other fees hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms
and conditions set forth in the Loan Agreement.
4. PREPAYMENT. Subject to Section 3.5 of the Loan Agreement, Maker may
prepay all or part of the principal balance due under this Note, without premium
or penalty. With each prepayment Maker shall also pay the interest accrued on
the principal amount being prepaid to the date of such prepayment.
5. COMPOUND INTEREST; APPLICATION. Interest not paid when due may be
added to the unpaid principal balance hereof and shall thereafter bear interest
at the same rate as principal. All payments hereunder are to be applied first to
any collection costs, then to the payment of accrued interest and the balance
remaining applied to the payment of principal. All principal and interest due
hereunder is payable in lawful money of the United States of America.
6. WAIVERS. Maker, for itself, its legal representatives, successors and
assigns, expressly waives presentment, protest, demand, notice of dishonor,
notice of nonpayment, notice of maturity, notice of protest, presentment for the
purpose of accelerating maturity, and diligence in collection, and consents that
Bank may extend the time for payment or otherwise modify the terms of payment of
any part or the whole of the debt evidenced hereby. To the fullest extent
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permitted by law, Maker waives the statute of limitations in any action brought
by Bank in connection with this Note.
7. ACCELERATION. IT IS EXPRESSLY AGREED THAT IF MAKER FAILS TO PAY ANY
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST ON THE DATE WHEN DUE HEREUNDER, OR UPON THE
OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OF DEFAULT UNDER THE TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF THE LOAN
AGREEMENT, THEN THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THIS NOTE, TOGETHER WITH
INTEREST ACCRUED THEREON, SHALL THEREUPON BE IMMEDIATELY DUE AND PAYABLE AT THE
OPTION OF THE HOLDER HEREOF, WITHOUT PRESENTMENT, DEMAND, PROTEST OR NOTICE OF
PROTEST OF ANY KIND, ALL OF WHICH ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVED.
8. ATTORNEYS' FEES AND CHOICE OF LAW. In the event it should become
necessary to employ counsel to collect this Note, Maker agrees to pay Bank
Expenses, whether or not suit is brought. This Note and all transactions
hereunder and/or evidenced hereby shall be governed by, construed under and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
9. SALE; PARTICIPATION. Bank reserves the right to sell, assign,
transfer, negotiate, or grant participation interests in all or any part of, or
any interest in Bank's rights and benefits hereunder; provided, however, that
the sale of a participation interest is subject to the provisions of Section
14.2 of the Loan Agreement.
10. MODIFICATION. This Note may not be changed, modified, amended or
terminated orally.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. MAKER AND BANK EACH WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS NOTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN
CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE.
"MAKER"
ESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.,
a California corporation
By: /s/ XXXXX X. XXXX
-------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxx
-----------------------------------
Title: C.E.O.
----------------------------------
Date: August 12, 2002
-----------------------------------
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby accepts this Note and agrees to
the provisions contained in Section 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this Note.
"BANK"
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
-------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------------------
Date: August 14, 2002
-----------------------------------
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