EXHIBIT 10.12
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of August 1, 2003, by and between THE BUCKLE,
INC" a Nebraska 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
July 31, 2006, not to exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount of
Seventeen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($17,500,000.00) ("Line of
Credit"), the proceeds of which shall be used to finance Borrower's working
capital requirements. Borrower's obligation to repay advances under the Line of
Credit shall be evidenced by a promissory note-substantially in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto ("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 letters of credit for the account of Borrower (each, a "Letter
of Credit" and collectively, "Letters of Credit"); provided however, that the
aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any
time exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00). 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 sixty (60)
consecutive days during each fiscal year.
SECTION 1.2. INTEREST/FEES.
(a) Interest. The outstanding principal balance of each credit subject hereto
shall bear interest, and the amount of each drawing paid under the Standby
Letter of Credit shall bear interest from the date such drawing is paid to the
date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, 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.
SECTION 1.3. COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower authorizes Bank to collect all
principal, interest and fees due under each credit subject hereto by charging
Borrower's deposit account number 8970326406 with Xxxxx Fargo Bank Nebraska,
National Association, or any other deposit account maintained by Borrower with
Bank or Xxxxx Fargo Bank Nebraska, National Association, 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.
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 the State of Nebraska, 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 financial statement of
Borrower dated February 1, 2003, a true copy of which has been delivered by
Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) is complete and correct and
presents fairly the financial condition of Borrower, (b) discloses 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) has been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Since the date of
such financial statement 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.
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 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: Borrowing.
(iii) Certificate of Incumbency.
(iv) 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, 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.
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 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, and to inspect
the properties of Borrower.
SECTION 4.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Provide to Bank all of the following, in form
and detail satisfactory to Bank:
(a) not later than 90 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year, an
audited and unqualified financial statement of Borrower, prepared by a certified
public accountant acceptable to bank, to include balance sheet, income statement
and all supporting schedules;
(b) not later than 60 days after and as of the end of each quarter, a 100 report
filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, to include income statement;
(c) 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 insurance of the types and in
amounts customarily carried in lines of business similar to that of Borrower,
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 such (a) 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 pending or threatened against Borrower.
SECTION 4.9. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower's financial condition as
follows using generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and
used consistently with prior practices (except to the extent modified by the
definitions herein):
(a) Tangible Net Worth not at any time less than $225,000.00, increasing by 50%
of net profits after taxes in each subsequent year to be measured at fiscal year
end, with "Tangible Net Worth" defined as the aggregate of total stockholders'
equity plus subordinated debt less any intangible assets.
(b) EBITDAR Coverage Ratio not less than 1.50 to 1.0 as of each fiscal year end,
with "EBITDAR" defined as net profit before tax plus interest expense, non
cancelable lease expense (rents), depreciation expense and amortization expense,
and with "EBITDAR Coverage Ratio" defined as EBITDAR divided by total interest
expense plus non cancelable lease expense, the prior period current maturity of
long-term debt and the prior period current maturity of subordinated debt.
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, or
any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or property damage,
or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting 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 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) the liabilities of Borrower to Bank, and (b) any
other liabilities of Borrower existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to,
the date hereof.
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 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
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 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 any of the foregoing existing as of,
and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof.
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 assets now
owned or hereafter acquired, except any of the foregoing in favor of Bank or
which is existing as of, and disclosed to Bank in writing prior to, the date
hereof.
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 when due any principal, interest, fees or other
amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents.
(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 its occurrence.
(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 has incurred any debt or other
liability to any person or entity, including Bank.
(e) The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower; or the recording
of any abstract of judgment against Borrower in any county in which Borrower 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 the entry of a judgment against Borrower.
(f) Borrower 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 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 Borrower shall
file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material
allegations of any involuntary petition; or Borrower shall be adjudicated a
bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be entered against Borrower 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 dissolution or liquidation of Borrower; or Borrower, or any of its
directors, stockholders or members, shall take action seeking to effect the
dissolution or liquidation of Borrower.
(i) Any change in ownership during the term of this Agreement of an aggregate of
twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock of.
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 each 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: THE BUCKLE, INC.
0000 XXXX 00XX XXXXXX
XXXXXXX, XX 00000
BANK: XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MAC # 8032-034
0000 "0" XXXXXX
XXXXXXX, 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 negotiation
and preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Bank's continued
administration hereof and thereof, and the preparation of any amendments and
waivers hereto and thereto, (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 any Borrower or any other person or entity.
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 interest 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. 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, 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 Nebraska.
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 arising out of or relating to in
any way (i) the loan and related Loan Documents which are the subject of this
Agreement and its negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration,
repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement,
enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.
(b) Governinq Rules. Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location
in Nebraska 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, 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. Section 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 I that all three arbitrators must actively
participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral
attorney licensed in the State of Nebraska or a neutral retired judge of the
state or federal judiciary of Nebraska, 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 and within 180 days of the filing of the
dispute with the AAA. 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. The resolution of any dispute arising
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be determined by a separate
arbitration proceeding and such dispute shall not be consolidated with other
disputes or included in any class proceeding.
(g) Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees. The arbitrator shall award all costs
and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.
(h) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the MA, the arbitrators
and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration
proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the MA. 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.
A CREDIT AGREEMENT MUST BE IN WRITING TO BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER NEBRASKA LAW. TO
PROTECT THE PARTIES FROM ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR DISAPPOINTMENTS, ANY CONTRACT,
PROMISE, UNDERTAKING OR OFFER TO FOREBEAR REPAYMENT OF MONEY OR TO MAKE ANY
OTHER FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LOAN OF MONEY OR GRANT OR
EXTENSION OF CREDIT, OR ANY AMENDMENT OF, CANCELLATION OF, WAIVER OF, OR
SUBSTITUTION FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE TERMS OR PROVISIONS OF ANY INSTRUMENT OR
DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LOAN OF MONEY OR GRANT OR EXTENSION OF
CREDIT, MUST BE IN WRITING TO BE EFFECTIVE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
as of the day and year first written above.
THE BUCKLE, INC.
By: /s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXX
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Title: President and CEO
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XXXXX FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ ILLEGIBLE SIGNATURE
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Title: V.P.
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