CREDIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.27
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of May 15, 2009, by and between BEBE STORES, INC., a California corporation (“Borrower”), and XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Bank”).
RECITALS
Borrower has requested that Bank extend or continue credit to Borrower as described below, and Bank has agreed to provide such credit to Borrower on the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
CREDIT TERMS
SECTION 1.1. LINE OF CREDIT.
(a) Line of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time up to and including May 15, 2012, not to exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount of Twenty Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) (“Line of Credit”), the proceeds of which shall be used for working capital purposes. Borrower’s obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a promissory note dated as of May 15, 2009 (“Line of Credit Note”), all terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
(b) Letter of Credit Subfeature. As a subfeature under the Line of Credit, Bank agrees from time to time during the term thereof to issue or cause an affiliate to issue standby and/or sight commercial letters of credit for the account of Borrower (each, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, “Letters of Credit”). The form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by Bank, in its sole discretion. No Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date subsequent to the maturity date of the Line of Credit. The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and shall not be available for borrowings thereunder. Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit agreements, applications and any related documents required by Bank in connection with the issuance thereof. Each drawing paid under a Letter of Credit shall be deemed an advance under the Line of Credit and shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to such advances; provided however, that if advances under the Line of Credit are not available, for any reason, at the time any drawing is paid, then Borrower shall immediately pay to Bank the full amount drawn, together with interest thereon from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable to advances under the Line of Credit.
In such event Borrower agrees that Bank, in its sole discretion, may debit any account maintained by Borrower with Bank for the amount of any such drawing.
(c) Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower may from time to time during the term of the Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note; provided however, that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit shall not at any time exceed the maximum principal amount available thereunder, as set forth above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall maintain a zero balance on advances under the Line of Credit for a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive days during the period beginning January 1st and ending May 31st of each fiscal year; provided however, that for purposes of this paragraph, advances do not include undrawn amounts under outstanding Letters of Credit.
SECTION 1.2. INTEREST/FEES.
(a) Interest. The outstanding principal balance of each credit subject hereto shall bear interest at the rate of interest set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document executed in connection therewith.
(b) Computation and Payment. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable at the times and place set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document required hereby.
(c) Standby Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower shall pay to Bank (i) fees upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit equal to one and one-half percent (1.50%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) of the face amount thereof, and (ii) fees upon the payment or negotiation of each drawing under any Letter of Credit and fees upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including without limitation, the transfer, amendment or cancellation of any Letter of Credit) determined in accordance with Bank’s standard fees and charges then in effect for such activity.
(d) Commercial Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower shall pay to Bank (i) fees upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit equal to one hundred twenty-five thousandths percent (.125%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) of the face amount thereof, but in any event, not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), and (ii) fees upon the payment or negotiation of each drawing under any Letter of Credit and fees upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including without limitation, the transfer, amendment or cancellation of any Letter of Credit) determined in accordance with Bank’s standard fees and charges then in effect for such activity.
(e) Compensating Balance/Line Nonutilization Fee. Borrower shall maintain with Bank average free collected non-interest bearing deposit balances, net of any account balances required to offset service or other charges as shown on Borrower’s monthly Account Analysis from Bank (“Compensating Balances”), calculated on a quarterly basis, equal to Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00). If for any quarter such Compensating Balances have not been maintained, Borrower shall pay to Bank a fee equal to fifteen one hundredths
percent (.15%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) on the average daily unused amount of the Line of Credit during such quarter, which fee shall be due and payable by Borrower in arrears within five (5) days after any billing is sent by Bank.
SECTION 1.3. COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower authorizes Bank to collect all interest and fees due under each credit subject hereto by charging Borrower’s deposit account number with Bank, or if there are insufficient funds in such designated deposit account, any other deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the full amount thereof. Should there be insufficient funds in any such deposit account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by Borrower.
SECTION 1.4. GUARANTIES. The payment and performance of all indebtedness and other obligations of Borrower to Bank shall be guaranteed jointly and severally by Bebe Studio, Inc. and Bebe Management, Inc. (each a “Guarantor”) in the principal amount of Twenty Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) each, as evidenced by and subject to the terms of guaranties in form and substance satisfactory to Bank.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank, which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the full and final payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of Borrower to Bank subject to this Agreement.
SECTION 2.1. LEGAL STATUS. Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of California, and is qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification or licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed could have a material adverse effect on Borrower.
SECTION 2.2. AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. This Agreement and each promissory note, contract, instrument and other document required hereby or at any time hereafter delivered to Bank in connection herewith (collectively, the “Loan Documents”) have been duly authorized, and upon their execution and delivery in accordance with the provisions hereof will constitute legal, valid and binding agreements and obligations of Borrower or the party which executes the same, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
SECTION 2.3. NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of each of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law or regulation, or contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Borrower, or result in any breach of or default under any contract, obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound.
SECTION 2.4. LITIGATION. There are no pending, or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or proceedings by or before any governmental authority, arbitrator, court or administrative agency which could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operation of Borrower other than those disclosed by Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof.
SECTION 2.5. CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The annual financial statement of Borrower dated July 5, 2008, and all interim financial statements delivered to Bank since said date, true copies of which have been delivered by Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) are complete and correct and present fairly the financial condition of Borrower, (b) disclose all liabilities of Borrower that are required to be reflected or reserved against under generally accepted accounting principles, whether liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Since the dates of such financial statements there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower, nor has Borrower mortgaged, pledged, granted a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or properties except in favor of Bank or as otherwise permitted by Bank in writing.
SECTION 2.6. INCOME TAX RETURNS. Borrower has no knowledge of any pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any year.
SECTION 2.7. NO SUBORDINATION. There is no agreement, indenture, contract or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of Borrower’s obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation of Borrower.
SECTION 2.8. PERMITS, FRANCHISES. Borrower possesses, and will hereafter possess, all permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses required and rights to all trademarks, trade names, patents, and fictitious names, if any, necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged in compliance with applicable law, other than those, which if not possessed, could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Borrower’s consolidated financial condition or operations..
SECTION 2.9. ERISA. Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended or recodified from time to time (“ERISA”); Borrower has not violated any provision of any defined employee pension benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) maintained or contributed to by Borrower (each, a “Plan”); no Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan initiated by Borrower; Borrower has met its minimum funding requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and each Plan will be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in accordance with the Plan documents and under generally accepted accounting principles.
SECTION 2.10. OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Borrower is not in default on any material obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.
SECTION 2.11. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed by Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal or state environmental, hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, which govern or affect any of Borrower’s operations and/or properties, including without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. None of the operations of Borrower is the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment. Borrower has no material contingent liability in connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS
SECTION 3.1. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of Bank to extend any credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
(a) Approval of Bank Counsel. All legal matters incidental to the extension of credit by Bank shall be satisfactory to Bank’s counsel.
(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:
(i) This Agreement and each promissory note or other instrument or document required hereby.
(ii) Corporate Resolution: Borrower.
(iii) Certificate of Incumbency (3).
(iv) Continuing Guaranty (2).
(v) Corporate Resolution: Continuing Guaranty (2).
(vi) Such other documents as Bank may require under any other Section of this Agreement.
(c) Financial Condition. There shall have been no material adverse change, as determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of Borrower, or any guarantor hereunder, nor any material decline, as determined by Bank, in the market value of any collateral required hereunder or a substantial or material portion of the assets of Borrower or any such guarantor.
SECTION 3.2. CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a) Compliance. The representations and warranties contained herein and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the signing of this Agreement and on the
date of each extension of credit by Bank pursuant hereto, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such date, no Event of Default as defined herein, and no condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist.
(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received all additional documents which may be reasonably required in connection with such extension of credit.
ARTICLE IV
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower shall, unless Bank otherwise consents in writing:
SECTION 4.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS. Punctually pay all principal, interest, fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the times and place and in the manner specified therein.
SECTION 4.2. ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Maintain adequate books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and permit any representative of Bank, at any reasonable time, to inspect, audit and examine such books and records, to make copies of the same of Borrower or any Guarantor.
SECTION 4.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Provide to Bank all of the following, in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:
(a) not later than 120 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year, an audited consolidated financial statement of Borrower, and if applicable, a consolidating financial statement of Borrower, prepared by a certified public accountant acceptable to Bank, to include balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flow, statement of retained earnings and an unqualified opinion from a recognized independent accounting firm and such firm’s covenant compliance calculations;
(b) not later than 45 days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a consolidated, and if applicable, a consolidating financial statement, prepared by Borrower, to include balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings and statement of cash flow;
(c) not later than 45 days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a liquidity statement of Borrower, to include all appropriate brokerage statements;
(d) contemporaneously with each annual and quarterly financial statement of Borrower required hereby, a certificate of chief finance officer of Borrower that said financial statements are
accurate and that there exists no Event of Default nor any condition, act or event which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default;
(e) from time to time such other information as Bank may reasonably request.
SECTION 4.4. COMPLIANCE. Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits, governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the conduct of its business; and comply with the provisions of all documents pursuant to which Borrower is organized and/or which govern Borrower’s continued existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority applicable to Borrower and/or its business.
SECTION 4.5. INSURANCE. Maintain and keep in force, for each business in which Borrower is engaged, insurance of the types and in amounts customarily carried in similar lines of business, including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public liability, flood, property damage and workers’ compensation, with all such insurance carried with companies and in amounts satisfactory to Bank, and deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank’s request schedules setting forth all insurance then in effect.
SECTION 4.6. FACILITIES. Keep all properties useful or necessary to Borrower’s business in good repair and condition, and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto so that such properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.
SECTION 4.7. TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. Pay and discharge when due any and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal, including without limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local property taxes and assessments, except (a) such as Borrower may in good faith contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which Borrower has made provision, to Bank’s satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof in the event Borrower is obligated to make such payment.
SECTION 4.8. LITIGATION. Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any litigation filed that could otherwise reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Borrower’s consolidated financial condition or operations.
SECTION 4.9. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower’s consolidated financial condition as follows using GAAP, consistently applied and used consistently with prior practices (except to the extent modified by the definitions herein) and with GAAP defined as generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other person as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination:
(a) Tangible Net Worth not at any time less than the Required Amount, with the “Required Amount” defined initially as $400,000,000.00, with such initial Required Amount to increase at
and as of Borrower’s fiscal year ending July 4, 2009 to an amount equal to the sum of the Initial Amount plus an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Borrower’s consolidated net income for Borrower’s fiscal quarter ending July 4, 2009, and with such increased Required Amount to increase at the end of Borrower’s next fiscal year end and each fiscal year end thereafter on a cumulative basis by an additional amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Borrower’s consolidated net income for the fiscal year then ended; provided; however, that in no event shall any net loss suffered by Borrower at any time reduce the Required Amount. Tangible Net Worth is defined as the aggregate of total stockholder’s equity plus subordinated debt acceptable to Bank less any intangible assets and less any loans or advances to, or investments in, any related entities or individuals.
(b) Net Operating Profit not less than $1.00 in any two consecutive quarters, determined as of each fiscal quarter end , with Net Operating Profit defined as the sum of the total sales minus the cost of goods sold minus selling, general and administrative expenses.
(c) Net Operating Profit not less than $1.00 on an annual basis, determined as of each fiscal year end, with Net Operating Profit as defined above.
(d) Liquid Assets (defined as the aggregate of unencumbered and unrestricted cash and readily marketable securities acceptable to Bank) in amounts at all times in excess of $50,000,000.00.
SECTION 4.10. NOTICE TO BANK. Promptly (but in no event more than five (5) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice to Bank in reasonable detail of: (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default, or any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change in the name or the organizational structure of Borrower; (c) the occurrence and nature of any Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in ERISA, or any funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any termination or cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower is required to maintain and for which Borrower does not contemporaneously acquire a comparable replacement policy, or any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or property damage, or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting a material portion of Borrower’s property.
ARTICLE V
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower further covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not (and, with respect to Section 5.2 to and including 5.6, will not cause or permit any Guarantor to) without Bank’s prior written consent:
SECTION 5.1. USE OF FUNDS. Use any of the proceeds of any credit extended hereunder except for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.
SECTION 5.2. OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any indebtedness or liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, joint or several, except:
(a) Borrower’s and Guarantor’s indebtedness to Bank under the Loan Documents;
(b) indebtedness existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof;
(c) indebtedness, in a maximum outstanding principal amount not to exceed $65,000,000.00, pursuant to Borrower’s auction rate securities holdings account with UBS so long as recourse therefore is limited to only such auction rate securities;
(d) Intentionally deleted;
(e) unsecured indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) indebtedness, in an aggregate maximum principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00 during the term of this Agreement, relating to the acquisition of machinery or equipment of Borrower or any Guarantor , so long as any security interest in connection therewith attaches only to such asset; and
(g) indebtedness incurred as a result of endorsing negotiable instruments received in the ordinary course of business.
SECTION 5.3. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Merge into or consolidate with any other entity; make any substantial change in the nature of Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s business as conducted as of the date hereof; acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any other entity; nor sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion of Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s assets except in the ordinary course of its business.
SECTION 5.4. GUARANTIES. Guarantee or become liable in any way as surety, endorser (other than as endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business), accommodation endorser or otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower or any Guarantor as security for, any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except any of the foregoing in favor of Bank.
SECTION 5.5. LOANS, ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS. Make any loans or advances to or investments in any person or entity, except:
(a) investments existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof;
(b) investments for which Bank has provided its prior written consent;
(c) investments consisting of Borrower’s auction rate securities holdings account with UBS, provided that no new auction rate securities are acquired;.
(d) investments consisting of (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency or any State thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition; (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year after its creation and having the highest rating from either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.; and (c) Bank’s certificates of deposit issued maturing no more than one (1) year after issue;
(e) investments consisting of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of Borrower or any Guarantor;
(f) investments consisting of deposit accounts in which Bank has a first priority perfected security interest;
(g) investments of subsidiaries in or to other subsidiaries or Borrower and investments by Borrower in subsidiaries; provided however that any subsidiary receiving any such investment (if not already a Guarantor) shall execute and deliver to Bank a guaranty of Borrower’s obligations to Bank (in the same form as required under Section 1.4) and shall thereafter be deemed to constitute a “Guarantor” for all purposes of this Agreement. As used herein the term “subsidiary” means each entity with respect to which Borrower, directly or indirectly, owns or controls more than 50% of the voting equity interests;
(h) investments consisting of (i) in an outstanding principal amount not to exceed an aggregate of $500,000.00, travel advances and employee relocation loans and other employee loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) in an outstanding principal amount not to exceed $500,000.00, loans to employees, officers or directors relating to the purchase of equity securities of Borrower or its subsidiaries pursuant to employee stock purchase plans or agreements approved by Borrower’s board of directors;
(i) investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;
(j) investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not affiliates, in the ordinary course of business;
(k) investments permitted by Borrower’s investment policy;
(l) without duplication, investments in entities which are not subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 during the term of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.6. PLEDGE OF ASSETS. Mortgage, pledge, grant or permit to exist a security interest in, or lien upon, all or any portion of Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) liens existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof;
(b) liens incurred with Bank’s prior written consent;
(c) liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other government charges or levies, either not delinquent or being contested in good faith and for which Borrower maintains adequate reserves on its books, provided that no notice of any such lien has been filed or recorded under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations adopted thereunder;
(d) purchase money liens (i) on equipment acquired or held by Borrower incurred for financing the acquisition of the Equipment, subject to the terms of Section 5.2(f); (ii) purchase money liens existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof, or (iii) liens existing on equipment when acquired, if the lien is confined to the property and improvements and the proceeds of the equipment;
(e) a lien on Borrower’s auction rate securities holdings account pursuant to Borrower’s agreement with UBS, subject to the terms of paragraphs 5.2(c) and 5.5(c);
(f) liens of carriers, warehousemen, suppliers, or other persons that are possessory in nature arising in the ordinary course of business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto;
(g) liens to secure payment of workers’ compensation, employment insurance, old-age pensions, social security and other like obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than liens imposed by ERISA);
(h) liens incurred in the extension, renewal or refinancing of the indebtedness secured by liens described in (a) through (c), but any extension, renewal or replacement lien must be limited to the property encumbered by the existing lien and the principal amount of the indebtedness may not increase;
(i) leases or subleases of real property granted in the ordinary course of business, and leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of property (other than real property) granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business; and
(j) liens arising from attachments or judgments, orders, or decrees in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 6.1.
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 6.1. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:
(a) Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any principal when due, or (ii) any interest within three (3) Business Days after the due date; or (iii) any fees or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents within three (3) Business Days from receipt by Borrower of demand from Bank for such fees and amounts. During the cure period, the failure to cure the payment default is not an Event of Default (but no advance shall be made or Letter of credit issued during such cure period).
(b) Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in connection with, or any representation or warranty made by Borrower or any other party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made.
(c) Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation, agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document (other than those referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above), and with respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default shall continue for a period of twenty (20) days from the date Borrower first knew (or using reasonable due diligence, should have known) of such default.
(d) Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any defined event of default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower, any Guarantor hereunder or any general partner or joint venturer in Borrower if a partnership or joint venture (with each such guarantor, general partner and/or joint venturer referred to herein as a “Third Party Obligor”) has incurred any debt or other liability to any person or entity, including Bank, and, with respect to any debt or other liability owed to a party other than Bank, the amount thereof exceeds $5,000,000.00..
(e) The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor; or the recording of any abstract of judgment against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor in any county in which Borrower or such Third Party Obligor has an interest in real property; or the service of a notice of levy and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like process, against the assets of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor; or the entry of a judgment against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor.
(f) Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or consent to or apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of itself or any of its property, or shall generally fail to pay its debts as they become due, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or seeking reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time (“Bankruptcy Code”), or under any state or federal law granting relief to debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or any involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors is filed or commenced against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor, or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations
of any involuntary petition; or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be entered against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor by any court of competent jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors.
(g) There shall exist or occur any event or condition which Bank in good faith believes impairs, or is substantially likely to impair, the prospect of payment or performance by Borrower of its obligations under any of the Loan Documents.
(h) The death or incapacity of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor if an individual. The dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor if a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other type of entity; or Borrower or any such Third Party Obligor, or any of its directors, stockholders or members, shall take action that reasonably could be expected to result in the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or such Third Party Obligor.
SECTION 6.2. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default: (a) all indebtedness of Borrower under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof to the contrary notwithstanding, shall at Bank’s option and without notice become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; (b) the obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further credit under any of the Loan Documents shall immediately cease and terminate; and (c) Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available under each of the Loan Documents, or accorded by law, including without limitation the right to resort to any or all security for any credit subject hereto and to exercise any or all of the rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to applicable law. All rights, powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at any time by Bank and from time to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, are cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. NO WAIVER. No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.
SECTION 7.2. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands which any party is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at the following address:
BORROWER: BEBE STORES, INC.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
BANK: XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
San Francisco Regional Commercial Banking Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all other parties. Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or made as follows: (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (c) if sent by telecopy, upon receipt.
SECTION 7.3. COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES. Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (to include outside counsel fees and all allocated costs of Bank’s in-house counsel), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with (a) the preparation of any amendments of and/or waivers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) the enforcement of Bank’s rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to Bank under any of the Loan Documents, and (c) the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents, including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to Borrower or any other person or entity; provided however, that Borrower shall not be liable for such fees if Bank does not prevail in any such action.
SECTION 7.4. SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that Borrower may not assign or transfer its interests or rights hereunder without Bank’s prior written consent. 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 under each of the Loan Documents; provided however, that Bank may not assign or transfer its interest or rights hereunder without Borrower’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. In connection therewith, Bank may disclose all documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter acquire relating to any credit subject hereto, Borrower or its business, any guarantor hereunder or the business of such guarantor, or any collateral required hereunder.
SECTION 7.5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Bank with respect to each credit subject hereto and supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each party hereto.
SECTION 7.6. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents to which it is not a party.
SECTION 7.7. TIME. Time is of the essence of each and every provision of this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 7.8. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 7.10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
SECTION 7.11. ARBITRATION.
(a) Arbitration. The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to submit to binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or among them (and their respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and other agents), whether in tort, contract or otherwise in any way arising out of or relating to (i) any credit subject hereto, or any of the Loan Documents, and their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.
(b) Governing Rules. Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location in California selected by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”); (ii) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA’s commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes to be referred to herein, as applicable, as the “Rules”). If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any dispute. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be
a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. §91 or any similar applicable state law.
(c) No Waiver of Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.
(d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers. Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral attorney licensed in the State of California or a neutral retired judge of the state or federal judiciary of California, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the dispute to be arbitrated. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrator’s discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all disputes in accordance with the substantive law of California and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the California Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.
(e) Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding, discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party’s presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.
(f) Class Proceedings and Consolidations. No party hereto shall be entitled to join or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties who have executed
any Loan Document, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney general capacity.
(g) Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees. The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.
(h) Real Property Collateral; Judicial Reference. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if the dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien or security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or benefits that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute of California, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable. If any such dispute is not submitted to arbitration, the dispute shall be referred to a referee in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 et seq., and this general reference agreement is intended to be specifically enforceable in accordance with said Section 638. A referee with the qualifications required herein for arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the AAA’s selection procedures. Judgment upon the decision rendered by a referee shall be entered in the court in which such proceeding was commenced in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.
(i) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceed within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the subject matter of the dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the parties.
(j) Small Claims Court. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party retains the right to pursue in Small Claims Court any dispute within that court’s jurisdiction. Further, this arbitration provision shall apply only to disputes in which either party seeks to recover an amount of money (excluding attorneys’ fees and costs) that exceeds the jurisdictional limit of the Small Claims Court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.
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XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
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Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
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Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
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Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer |
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Assistant Vice President |
