CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 23, 2005 among LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION, as Borrower The BANKS Party Hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. as Administrative Agent J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. and CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., as Joint Lead...
EXECUTION
COPY
______________________________________________________________________________
dated
as
of
December
23, 2005
among
LINCOLN
NATIONAL CORPORATION,
as
Borrower
The
BANKS
Party Hereto
and
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
as
Administrative Agent
___________________
$2,300,000,000
___________________
____________________________________________________________________________
X.X.
XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.
and
CITIGROUP
GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
as
Joint
Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
CITICORP
NORTH AMERICA INC.,
as
Syndication Agent
______________________________________________________________________________
TABLE
OF CONTENTS1
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Page
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ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS
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1
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SECTION
1.01. Definitions
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1
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SECTION
1.02. Accounting Terms and Determinations
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8
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SECTION
1.03. Types of Borrowings
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8
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ARTICLE
II THE CREDITS
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8
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SECTION
2.01. Loans
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8
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SECTION
2.02. Notice of Borrowings
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8
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SECTION
2.03. Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans
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9
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SECTION
2.04. Evidence of Indebtedness
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10
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SECTION
2.05. Maturity of Loans
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10
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SECTION
2.06. Interest Rates
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10
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SECTION
2.07. Facility Fees
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11
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SECTION
2.08. Termination or Reduction of Commitments
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12
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SECTION
2.09. Prepayments
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12
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SECTION
2.10. General Provisions as to Payments
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13
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SECTION
2.11. Funding Losses
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13
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SECTION
2.12. Computation of Interest and Fees
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13
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ARTICLE
III CONDITIONS
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14
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SECTION
3.01. Borrowings
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14
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SECTION
3.02. Effectiveness
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14
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ARTICLE
IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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15
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SECTION
4.01. Corporate Existence and Power
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15
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SECTION
4.02. Corporate and Governmental Authorization;
Contravention
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15
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SECTION
4.03. Binding Effect
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16
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SECTION
4.04. Financial Information
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16
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SECTION
4.05. Litigation
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17
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SECTION
4.06. Compliance with ERISA
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17
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SECTION
4.07. Taxes
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17
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SECTION
4.08. Subsidiaries
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17
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SECTION
4.09. Not an Investment Company
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17
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SECTION
4.10. Obligations to be Pari Passu
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18
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SECTION
4.11. No Default
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18
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SECTION
4.12. Restricted Subsidiaries
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18
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SECTION
4.13. Environmental Matters
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18
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SECTION
4.14. Full Disclosure
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18
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1 The
Table of Contents is not a part of this Agreement.
i
ARTICLE
V COVENANTS
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18
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SECTION
5.01. Information
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18
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SECTION
5.02. Payment of Obligations
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21
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SECTION
5.03. Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence
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21
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SECTION
5.04. Maintenance of Property; Insurance
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21
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SECTION
5.05. Compliance with Laws
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21
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SECTION
5.06. Inspection of Property, Books and Records
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21
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SECTION
5.07. Minimum Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth
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22
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SECTION
5.08. Negative Pledge
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22
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SECTION
5.09. Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets
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23
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SECTION
5.10. Use of Proceeds
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24
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SECTION
5.11. Obligations to be Pari Passu
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24
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ARTICLE
VI DEFAULTS
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24
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SECTION
6.01. Events of Default
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24
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SECTION
6.02. Notice of Default
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27
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ARTICLE
VII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
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27
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SECTION
7.01. Appointment and Authorization
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27
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SECTION
7.02. Agent's Fee
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27
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SECTION
7.03. Agent and Affiliates
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27
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SECTION
7.04. Action by Agent
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27
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SECTION
7.05. Consultation with Experts
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27
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SECTION
7.06. Liability of Agent
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27
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SECTION
7.07. Indemnification
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28
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SECTION
7.08. Credit Decision
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28
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SECTION
7.09. Successor Agent
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28
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SECTION
7.10. Delegation to Affiliates
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29
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SECTION
7.11. Lead Arrangers and Other Agents
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29
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ARTICLE
VIII CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES
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29
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SECTION
8.01. Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or
Unfair
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29
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SECTION
8.02. Illegality
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29
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SECTION
8.03. Increased Cost and Reduced Return
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30
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SECTION
8.04. Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Euro-Dollar
Loans
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31
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SECTION
8.05. Taxes
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31
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SECTION
8.06. Regulation D Compensation
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34
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ARTICLE
IX MISCELLANEOUS
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34
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SECTION
9.01. Notices
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34
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SECTION
9.02. No Waivers
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35
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SECTION
9.03. Expenses; Indemnification; Non-Liability of Banks
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35
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SECTION
9.04. Sharing of Set-Offs
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35
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SECTION
9.05. Amendments and Waivers
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36
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SECTION
9.06. Successors and Assigns
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36
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SECTION
9.07. Collateral
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38
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ii
SECTION
9.08. New York Law
|
38
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SECTION
9.09. Judicial Proceedings
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38
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SECTION
9.10. Counterparts; Integration
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38
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SECTION
9.11. Confidentiality
|
38
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SECTION
9.12. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
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39
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SECTION
9.13. USA PATRIOT Act.
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39
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iii
Schedule
I Commitments
Schedule
II List
of
Restricted Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT
A Form
of
Note
EXHIBIT
B Opinion
of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq., General Counsel of the
Company
EXHIBIT
C Opinion
of Milbank, Tweed, Xxxxxx & XxXxxx LLP, Special New York Counsel to
JPMCB
EXHIBIT
D Form
of
Assignment and Assumption
iv
CREDIT
AGREEMENT dated as of December 23, 2005 among LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION,
the
BANKS party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative
Agent.
The
Company (as hereinafter defined) has requested the Banks (as so defined)
extend
credit to it in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $2,300,000,000.
The
Banks are prepared to extend such credit upon the terms and conditions hereof,
and, accordingly, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.01. Definitions.
The
following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
"Adjusted
Consolidated Net Worth"
means,
at any date, the sum of (a) the consolidated shareholders' equity of the
Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, plus
(b) an
amount equal to 50% of the aggregate stated redemption price of the Redeemable
Preferred Securities outstanding on such date; provided
that the
amount of accumulated other comprehensive income (or loss), as shown on the
relevant consolidated balance sheet of the Company, shall be excluded from
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth".
"Administrative
Agent"
means
JPMCB, in its capacity as agent for the Banks hereunder, and its successors
in
such capacity.
"Administrative
Questionnaire"
means,
with respect to each Bank, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared
by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent (with
a
copy to the Company) duly completed by such Bank.
"Affiliate"
of any
Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by
or under common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control
another Person if the controlling Person owns 10% or more of any class of
voting
securities (or other ownership interests) of the controlled Person or possesses,
directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership
of
stock, by contract or otherwise.
"Agreement"
means
this Credit Agreement, as it may be amended or modified and in effect from
time
to time.
"Applicable
Lending Office"
means,
as to each Bank, its office, branch or Affiliate located at its address set
forth in its Administrative Questionnaire or such other office, branch or
Affiliate of such Bank as it may hereafter designate as its Applicable Lending
Office by notice to the Company and the Administrative Agent.
"Applicable
Margin"
means
0.23%.
"Assignee"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 9.06(c).
"Assignment
and Assumption"
means
an assignment and assumption entered into by a Bank and an assignee (with
the
consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.06), and
accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit D or any other
form
approved by the Administrative Agent.
"Bank"
means
each Person listed on Schedule I and each other Person that shall become a
party hereto as an assignee Bank pursuant to Section 9.06 (other than any
such Person that ceases to be a Bank by means of assignment pursuant to
Section 9.06), together with its successors.
"Base
Rate"
means,
for any day, a rate per annum equal to the higher of (i) the Prime Rate for
such
day and (ii) the sum of 1/2 of 1% plus
the
Federal Funds Rate for such day.
"Base
Rate Loan"
means a
Loan to be made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.01 as a Base Rate Loan in
accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Article VIII.
"Benefit
Arrangement"
means
at any time an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of
ERISA
which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise
contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.
"Borrowing"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 1.03.
"Code"
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
statute.
"Commitment"
means,
with respect to each Bank, the amount set forth opposite the name of such
Bank
on Schedule I hereto (or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which
such
Bank shall have assumed its Commitment), as such amount may be reduced from
time
to time pursuant to Section 2.08.
"Commitment
Termination Date"
means
December 22, 2006 or, if such day is not a Euro-Dollar Business Day, the
next
preceding Euro-Dollar Business Day.
"Company"
means
Lincoln National Corporation, an Indiana corporation, and its
successors.
"Company's
2004
Form 10-K"
means
the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for 2004, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended.
"Consolidated
Subsidiary"
means
at any date any Subsidiary or other entity the accounts of which would be
consolidated with those of the Company in its consolidated financial statements
if such statements were prepared as of such date.
"Debt"
of any
Person means at any date, without duplication, (i) all obligations of such
Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced
by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations
of
such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except
trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (iv) all
obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases, (v) all
non-contingent obligations of such Person to reimburse any bank or other
Person
in respect of amounts paid under a letter of credit or similar instrument,
(vi)
all Debt of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether
or not
such Debt is assumed by such Person, and (vii) all Debt of others Guaranteed
by
such Person (it being understood that the definition of "Debt" does not include
any obligations of such Person (i) to purchase securities (or other property)
which arise out of or in connection with the sale of the same or substantially
similar securities (or other property) or (ii) to return collateral consisting
of securities arising out of or in connection with the loan of the same or
substantially similar securities).
"Default"
means
any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or which with
the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived,
become
an Event of Default.
"Derivative
Financial Products"
of any
Person means all obligations (including whether pursuant to any master agreement
or any particular agreement or transaction) of such Person in respect of
any
rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, interest rate
future, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity
or
equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange
transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency
swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency future,
currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with
respect to any of the foregoing) or any combination thereof.
"Dollars"
and the
sign "$"
means
lawful money in the United States of America.
"Domestic
Business Day"
means
any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks
in New
York City are authorized by law to close.
"Effective
Date"
means
the date this Agreement becomes effective in accordance with Section
3.02.
"Environmental
Laws"
means
any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants,
franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating
to
the environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants,
contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic
or
hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including, without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water or land, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or
petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances
or
wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.
"ERISA"
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any
successor statute.
"ERISA
Group"
means
the Company and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all
trades
or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together
with the Company, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or
414(c) of the Code.
"Euro-Dollar
Business Day"
means
any Domestic Business Day on which commercial banks are open for international
business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in London.
"Euro-Dollar
Loan"
means a
Loan to be made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.01 as a Euro-Dollar Loan
in
accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing.
"Euro-Dollar
Reserve Percentage"
means,
for any day, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect
on such
day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(or
any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement for a member
bank
of the Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding five
billion dollars in respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" (or in respect of
any
other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which
the
interest rate on Euro-Dollar Loans is determined or any category of extensions
of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United States office
of
any Bank to United States residents).
"Event
of Default"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.01.
"FASB"
means
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any entity or body succeeding
to any
or all of its functions.
"Federal
Funds Rate"
means,
for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal
funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by
Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank
of
New York on the Domestic Business Day next succeeding such day, provided
that (i)
if such day is not a Domestic Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such
day
shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Domestic Business
Day as so published on the next succeeding Domestic Business Day, and (ii)
if no
such rate is so published on such next succeeding Domestic Business Day (as
provided in clause (i)), the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the
average rate quoted to the Person serving as Administrative Agent on such
day on
such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
"Guarantee"
by any
Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person directly
or
indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and, without limiting
the
generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent
or
otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds
for
the purchase or payment of) such Debt (whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities
or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions
or
otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other
manner
the obligee of such Debt of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee
against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), provided
that the
term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit
in the
ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
"Index
Debt"
means
senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company
that
is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit
enhancement.
"Insurance
Subsidiary"
means
any Restricted Subsidiary which is subject to the regulation of, and is required
to file statements with, any governmental body, agency or official in any
State
or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia which regulates
insurance companies or the doing of an insurance business therein.
"Interest
Period"
means,
with respect to each Euro-Dollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the
date of
such Borrowing and ending one week or one, two, three or six months thereafter,
as the Company may elect in the applicable Notice of Borrowing; provided
that (a)
any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a
Euro-Dollar Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Euro-Dollar
Business Day unless such Euro-Dollar Business Day falls in another calendar
month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding
Euro-Dollar Business Day; (b) any Interest Period which begins on the last
Euro-Dollar 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) shall, subject to clause (c) below, end on the last Euro-Dollar Business
Day of a calendar month; and (c) any Interest Period which begins before
the
Commitment Termination Date and would otherwise end after the Commitment
Termination Date shall end on the Commitment Termination Date.
"Investment"
means
any investment in any Person, whether by means of share purchase, capital
contribution, loan, time deposit or otherwise.
"Jefferson-Pilot
Acquisition"
means
the acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation by way of merger of Jefferson-Pilot Corporation with and into
a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.
"JPMCB"
means
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
"LIBO
Rate"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.06(b).
"Lien"
means,
with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest
or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of
this
Agreement, the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to own subject to
a
Lien any asset which it has acquired or beneficially holds subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital
lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
"Loan"
means a
Base Rate Loan or a Euro-Dollar Loan and "Loans" means Base Rate Loans or
Euro-Dollar Loans or any combination of the foregoing.
"Material
Plan"
means
at any time a Plan or Plans having aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess
of
$25,000,000.
"Moody's"
means
Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
"Multiemployer
Plan"
means
at any time an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making
or
accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding
five
plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which
ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five-year
period.
"Net
Cash Proceeds"
means,
with respect to any issuance of capital stock or issuance or incurrence of
Debt
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount of all cash
received by the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect thereof net of any
commissions and other fees and expenses paid by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection therewith.
"Newly
Acquired Subsidiary"
means
any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary on the date hereof but that becomes
a
Subsidiary after the date hereof, but only during the 180 days after the
first
date on which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary.
"Notes"
means a
promissory note or notes of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit
A
hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Company to repay the Loans made
to it
hereunder, and "Note" means any one of such promissory notes issued
hereunder.
"Notice
of Borrowing"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.02.
"Parent"
means,
with respect to any Bank, any Person controlling such Bank.
"Participant"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b).
"PBGC"
means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any
or all
of its functions under ERISA.
"Person"
means
an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or any
other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision
or
an agency or instrumentality thereof.
"Plan"
means
at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer
Plan)
which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding
standards under Section 412 of the Code and either (i) is maintained, or
contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member
of
the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been
maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member
of
the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member
of
the ERISA Group.
"Prime
Rate"
means
the rate of interest publicly announced from time to time by JPMCB as its
prime
rate as in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in
the
Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is
publicly announced as being effective.
"Quarterly
Dates"
means
the last day of March, June, September and December in each year, the first
of which shall be the first such day after the date hereof.
"Redeemable
Preferred Securities"
means
the securities described on the balance sheet contained in the Company's
2004
Form 10-K as "Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities
of
subsidiary trusts holding solely junior subordinated debentures" and all
equivalent securities, however described.
"Regulations
T, U and X"
means
Regulations T, U and X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, in each case as in effect from time to time.
"Required
Banks"
means
at any time Banks having more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the
Commitments or, if the Commitments shall have been terminated, holding more
than
50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans.
"Restricted
Subsidiary"
means,
as of any date, a Subsidiary which meets the definitional requirements of
a
"significant subsidiary", as such term is defined in the rules set forth
in
Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (applying
the tests set forth in such rules with reference to the consolidated balance
sheets and related consolidated statements of income of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the last day of its most recently completed
fiscal quarter and for the twelve-month period then ended).
"Revolving
Credit Period"
means
the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Commitment
Termination Date.
"S&P"
means
Standard and Poor's Ratings Services.
"Subsidiary"
means
any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests
having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors
or
other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or
indirectly owned by the Company.
"Type"
when
used in reference to any Loan refers to whether the Loan is a Base Rate Loan
or
a Euro-Dollar Loan.
"Unfunded
Liabilities"
means,
with respect to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the
present value of all benefits under such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market
value
of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits (excluding any accrued but
unpaid
contributions), all determined as of the then most recent valuation date
for
such Plan, but only to the extent that such excess represents a potential
liability of a member of the ERISA Group to the PBGC or any other Person
under
Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION
1.02. Accounting
Terms and Determinations.
Unless
otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be
interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made and all
financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared
in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from
time
to time, applied on a basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by
the
Company's independent public accountants) with the most recent audited
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries delivered to the Banks; provided
that if
the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company wishes to
amend
any covenant in Article V to eliminate the effect of any change in generally
accepted accounting principles on the operation of such covenant (or if the
Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Banks wish to
amend
Article V for such purpose), then the Company's compliance with such covenant
shall be determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles
in
effect immediately before the relevant change in generally accepted accounting
principles became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such
covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Company and the Required
Banks.
SECTION
1.03. Types
of Borrowings.
The
term "Borrowing" denotes the aggregation of Loans of one or more Banks to
be
made to the Company pursuant to Article II on a single date and for a single
Interest Period. Borrowings are classified for purposes of this Agreement
by
reference to the pricing of Loans comprising such Borrowing (e.g.,
a
"Euro-Dollar Borrowing" is a Borrowing comprised of Euro-Dollar
Loans).
ARTICLE
II
THE
CREDITS
SECTION
2.01. Loans.
During
the Revolving Credit Period each Bank severally agrees, on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, to lend funds in Dollars to the Company
pursuant to this Section from time to time in amounts such that the aggregate
principal amount of Loans by such Bank at any one time outstanding shall
not
exceed the amount of its Commitment. Each Borrowing under this Section shall
be
in an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 or any larger multiple of
$1,000,000 (except that any such Borrowing may be in the aggregate amount
of the
unused Commitments) and shall be made from the several Banks ratably in
proportion to their respective Commitments. Within the foregoing limits,
the
Company may borrow under this Section, repay, or to the extent permitted
by
Section 2.09, prepay Loans and reborrow at any time during the Revolving
Credit
Period under this Section.
SECTION
2.02. Notice
of Borrowings.
The
Company shall give the Administrative Agent notice (a "Notice
of Borrowing")
not
later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on (x) the date of each Base Rate
Borrowing and (y) the third Euro-Dollar Business Day before each Euro-Dollar
Borrowing, specifying:
(a) the
date
of such Borrowing, which shall be a Domestic Business Day in the case of
a Base
Rate Borrowing or a Euro-Dollar Business Day in the case of a Euro-Dollar
Borrowing,
(b) the
aggregate amount (in Dollars) of such Borrowing,
(c) whether
the Loans comprising such Borrowing are to be Base Rate Loans or Euro-Dollar
Loans, and
(d) in
the
case of a Euro-Dollar Rate Borrowing, the duration of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest
Period.
SECTION
2.03. Notice
to Banks; Funding of Loans.
(a)
Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify each Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank's share of such
Borrowing and such Notice of Borrowing shall not thereafter be revocable
by the
Company.
(b) Not
later
than 12:00 noon (New York City time) (or 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) in
the
case of any Base Rate Borrowing) on the date of each Borrowing, each Bank
participating therein shall (except as provided in subsection (c) of this
Section) make available its share of such Borrowing, in Federal or other
funds
immediately available in New York City, to the Administrative Agent at its
address specified in or pursuant to Section 9.01. Unless the Administrative
Agent determines that any applicable condition specified in Article III has
not
been satisfied, the Administrative Agent will make the funds so received
from
the Banks available to the Company at the Administrative Agent's aforesaid
address.
(c) If
any
Bank makes a new Loan hereunder on a day on which the Company is to repay
all or
any part of an outstanding Loan from such Bank, such Bank shall apply the
proceeds of its new Loan to make such repayment and only an amount equal
to the
difference (if any) between the amount being borrowed and the amount being
repaid shall be made available by such Bank to the Administrative Agent as
provided in subsection (b) of this Section, or remitted by the Company to
the
Administrative Agent as provided in Section 2.10, as the case may
be.
(d) Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Bank prior to
the
date of any Borrowing that such Bank will not make available to the
Administrative Agent such Bank's share of such Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Bank has made such share available to the
Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with
subsections (b) and (c) of this Section and the Administrative Agent may,
in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Company on such date
a
corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have
so made
such share available to the Administrative Agent, such Bank and the Company
severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
such
corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date
such amount is made available to the Company until the date such amount is
repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Company, a
rate
per annum equal to the higher of the Federal Funds Rate and the interest
rate
applicable thereto pursuant to Section 2.06 and (ii) in the case of such
Bank,
the Federal Funds Rate. If such Bank shall repay to the Administrative Agent
such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank's
Loan included in such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.
Credit
Agreement
-
9 -
SECTION
2.04. Evidence
of Indebtedness.
(a)
Each Bank shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice records
evidencing the indebtedness of the Company to such Bank resulting from each
Loan
made by such Bank, including the amounts of principal and interest payable
and
paid to such Bank from time to time hereunder, and setting forth the Commitments
of the Banks.
(b)
The
Administrative Agent shall maintain records in which it shall record
(i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and each Interest Period
therefor, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or
to become due and payable from the Company to each Bank hereunder and
(iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder
for account of the Banks and each Bank's share thereof.
(c)
The
entries made in the records maintained pursuant to subsection (a)
or (b) of this Section shall be prima facie
evidence
of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided
that the
failure of any Bank or the Administrative Agent to maintain such records
or any
error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Company
to
repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(d)
Any
Bank may request that the Loans of such Bank to the Company be evidenced
by a
single Note, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto with appropriate
modifications to reflect the fact that it evidences solely Loans of the relevant
Type, payable by the Company to the order of such Bank for the account of
its
Applicable Lending Office. In such event, the Company shall prepare, execute
and
deliver to such Bank a Note payable to such Bank (or, if requested by such
Bank,
to such Bank and its registered assigns). Thereafter, the Loans evidenced
by
such Note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment
pursuant to Section 9.06) be represented by one or more Notes in such form
payable to the payee named therein (or, if such Note is a registered note,
to
such payee and its registered assigns).
SECTION
2.05. Maturity
of Loans.
Each
Loan shall mature, and the Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay
the
unpaid principal of each Loan (together with accrued interest thereon) on
the
Commitment Termination Date.
SECTION
2.06. Interest
Rates.
(a)
Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount
thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until it becomes due,
at a
rate per annum equal to the Base Rate for such day. Such interest shall accrue
and be payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Date and on the date
of
termination of the Commitments in their entirety (and, if later, the date
the
Loans shall be paid in full). Any overdue principal of or interest on any
Base
Rate Loan shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day until paid
at a
rate per annum equal to the sum of 2% plus
the Base
Rate for such day.
(b) Each
Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount
thereof, for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum
equal
to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus
the
applicable LIBO Rate. Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period
on
the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is longer than three months,
at intervals of three months after the first day thereof.
Credit
Agreement
-
10 -
The
"LIBO
Rate"
applicable to any Interest Period means the rate appearing on Page 3750 of
the
Telerate Service (or any successor or substitute page of such Service, or
any
successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as
determined by the Administrative Agent for purposes of providing quotations
of
interest rates applicable to U.S. Dollar deposits in the London interbank
market) at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Euro-Dollar Business
Days
before the first day of such Interest Period, as the rate for the offering
of
Dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the
event
that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the LIBO
Rate
for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which U.S. Dollar deposits
of
$10,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered
by
the principal London office of the Person serving as Administrative Agent
in
immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately
11:00 A.M. (London time), two Euro-Dollar Business Days before the first
day of
such Interest Period.
(c) Any
overdue principal of any Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear interest, payable on
demand, for each day from and including the date payment thereof was due
to but
excluding the date of actual payment, at a rate per annum equal to the sum
of 2%
plus
the
Applicable Margin plus
the
average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next higher 1/16 of 1%) of
the
respective rates per annum (as of the date of determination) at which one-day
(or, if such amount due remains unpaid more than three Euro-Dollar Business
Days, then for such other period of time not longer than six months as the
Administrative Agent may select) deposits in Dollars in an amount approximately
equal to such overdue payment due to the Person serving as the Administrative
Agent are offered to such Person in the London interbank market for the
applicable period determined as provided above (or, if the circumstances
described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 8.01 shall exist, at a rate per
annum
equal to the sum of 2% plus
the Base
Rate for such day). Any overdue interest on any Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear
interest, payable on demand, for each day from and including the date payment
thereof is due to but excluding the date of actual payment, at a rate per
annum
equal to the sum of 2% plus
the Base
Rate for such day.
(d) The
Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the
Loans
hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Company
and
the Banks of each rate of interest so determined, and its determination thereof
shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
SECTION
2.07. Facility
Fees.
The
Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for account of each Bank
a
facility fee, which shall accrue at a rate per annum of 0.02%, (i) prior
to the
termination of such Bank's Commitment, on the daily amount of the Commitment
of
such Bank (whether used or unused) during the period from and including the
Effective Date to but excluding the date that the Commitments terminate and
(ii)
if such Bank continues to have any outstanding Loans after its Commitment
terminates, on the daily amount of such Bank's outstanding Loans from and
including the date its Commitment terminates to but excluding the date such
Bank
ceases to have any outstanding Loans. Accrued facility fees shall be payable
on
each Quarterly Date and on the earlier of the date the Commitments terminate
and
the Commitment Termination Date, commencing on the first such date after
the
Effective Date; provided
that any
facility fee accruing after such earlier date shall be payable on demand.
Facility fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall
be
payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but
excluding the last day).
Credit
Agreement
-
11 -
SECTION
2.08. Termination
or Reduction of Commitments.
(a) Scheduled
Termination.
Unless
previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Commitment
Termination Date.
(b) Voluntary
Termination or Reduction.
The
Company may, upon at least three Domestic Business Days' notice to the
Administrative Agent, terminate at any time, or proportionately and permanently
reduce from time to time by an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any larger
multiple of $5,000,000, the aggregate amount of the Commitments in excess
of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans, provided
that,
after giving effect to such termination or any such reduction, (i) the aggregate
principal amount of the Loans then outstanding shall not exceed the aggregate
amount of the Commitments and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Loans
of
each Bank then outstanding shall not exceed the Commitment of such Bank.
Upon
receipt of such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
each
Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank's ratable share of such reduction
(if such notice is a notice of reduction) and such notice shall not thereafter
be revocable by the Company.
(c) Mandatory
Reduction.
Upon
the date on which any capital stock, Debt or hybrid securities shall be issued
or incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding any commercial
paper issued by the Company), the Commitments shall be permanently reduced
in an
amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof and any such reduction
of
the Commitments shall be accompanied by prepayment of the Loans to the extent,
if any, that the aggregate principal amount of the Loans exceed the aggregate
amount of the Commitments as so reduced.
SECTION
2.09. Prepayments.
(a) Optional
Prepayments.
The
Company may, upon at least (i) in the case of any Base Rate Borrowing, one
Domestic Business Day's notice and (ii) in the case of any Euro-Dollar
Borrowing, five Domestic Business Day's notice to the Administrative Agent,
prepay any Borrowing in whole at any time, or from time to time in part in
amounts aggregating $5,000,000 or any larger multiple of $1,000,000, by paying
the principal amount to be prepaid, together with accrued interest thereon
to
the date of prepayment and, in the case of any Euro-Dollar Borrowing, all
losses
and expenses (if any) relating thereto which are (i) determined pursuant
to
Section 2.11 and (ii) notified to the Company by the relevant Bank at least
one
Domestic Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment, provided
that the
failure of any Bank to so notify the Company of the amount of any such loss
or
expense shall not relieve the Company of its obligation to pay the same.
Each
such optional prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the Loans included
in such Borrowing. Upon receipt of a notice of prepayment pursuant to this
Section, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of the
contents thereof and of such Bank's ratable share (if any) of such prepayment
and such notice shall not thereafter be revocable by the Company.
(b) Mandatory
Prepayments.
The
Loans shall be prepaid at the times and in the amounts to the extent required
by
Section 2.08(c). Each such prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably
the
Loans and shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such
prepayment on the principal amount prepaid.
Credit
Agreement
-
12 -
SECTION
2.10. General
Provisions as to Payments.
(a) The
Company shall make each payment of principal of, and interest on, the Loans
and
of fees hereunder, not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date
when due, in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City,
to
the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.01, without
set-off or counterclaim. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute
to
each Bank its ratable share (if any) of each such payment received by the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks. Whenever any payment of
principal of, or interest on, the Base Rate Loans or of fees shall be due
on a
day which is not a Domestic Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall
be
extended to the next succeeding Domestic Business Day. Whenever any payment
of
principal of, or interest on, the Euro-Dollar Loans shall be due on a day
which
is not a Euro-Dollar Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be
extended to the next succeeding Euro-Dollar Business Day unless such Euro-Dollar
Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case the date for
payment
thereof shall be the next preceding Euro-Dollar Business Day.
(b) Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Company prior
to
the date on which any payment is due to any Bank hereunder that the Company
will
not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the
Company has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such
date
and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause
to be
distributed to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then
due
such Bank. If and to the extent that the Company shall not have so made such
payment, each Bank shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
such amount distributed to such Bank together with interest thereon, for
each
day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until the date
such
Bank repays such amount to the Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds
Rate.
SECTION
2.11. Funding
Losses.
If the
Company makes any payment of principal with respect to any Euro-Dollar Loan
(pursuant to Article VI or VIII or otherwise) on any day other than the last
day
of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or the end of an applicable period
fixed pursuant to Section 2.06(b), or if the Company fails to borrow any
Euro-Dollar Loans after notice has been given to any Bank in accordance with
Section 2.03(a), the Company shall reimburse each Bank within 15 days after
demand for any resulting loss or expense incurred by it (or by an existing
or
prospective participant in the related Loan), including (without limitation)
any
loss incurred in obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits from third
parties, but excluding loss of margin for the period after any such payment
or
failure to borrow, provided
that
such Bank shall have delivered to the Company a certificate as to the amount
of
such loss or expense, which certificate shall be conclusive in the absence
of
manifest error.
SECTION
2.12. Computation
of Interest and Fees.
Interest based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year
of 365
days (or 366 days in a leap year) and paid for the actual number of days
elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day). All other interest
and
fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the
actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the
last
day).
Credit
Agreement
-
13 -
ARTICLE
III
CONDITIONS
SECTION
3.01. Borrowings.
The
obligation of any Bank to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section
2.02;
(b) the
fact
that, immediately after such Borrowing, the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Loans will not exceed the aggregate amount of the
Commitments;
(c) the
fact
that, immediately before and after such Borrowing, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing; and
(d) the
fact
that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
Agreement (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
4.04(e) and 4.05 as to any matter which has theretofore been disclosed in
writing by the Company to the Banks) shall be true on and as of the date
of such
Borrowing (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated
to
have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date), provided
that the
exception in the first parenthetical phrase in this clause shall not apply
in
the case of a Borrowing on the Effective Date or with respect to the certificate
under clause (e) of Section 3.02.
Each
Borrowing hereunder shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by
the
Company on the date of such Borrowing as to the facts specified in clauses
(b),
(c) and (d) of this Section.
SECTION
3.02. Effectiveness.
This
Agreement shall become effective on the first date that all of the following
conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section
9.05):
(a) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of counterparts hereof signed by each of the
Persons
listed on the signature pages hereto (or, in the case of any Bank as to which
an
executed counterpart shall not have been received, receipt by the Administrative
Agent in form satisfactory to it of telegraphic, telex or other written
confirmation from such Bank of execution and delivery of a counterpart hereof
by
such Bank);
(b) receipt
by the Administrative Agent, for each Bank that has requested a Note to evidence
the Loans of such Bank, of a duly executed Note, dated the Effective Date
complying with the provisions of Section 2.04;
(c) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of an opinion of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq., General
Counsel of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit B
hereto;
Credit
Agreement
-
14 -
(d) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of an opinion of Milbank, Tweed, Xxxxxx & XxXxxx
LLP, special New York counsel to JPMCB, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C
hereto;
(e) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of a certificate, dated the Effective Date and
signed by a senior financial officer of the Company, certifying as to the
matters set forth in clauses (c) and (d) of Section 3.01;
(f) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of a copy of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance
of
this Agreement and the Notes;
(g) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of all documents, opinions and instruments as
it may
reasonably request relating to the existence of the Company, the corporate
authority for and the validity and enforceability of this Agreement and the
Notes, and any other matters related hereto, all in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
(h) receipt
by the Administrative Agent of evidence as to payment of all fees required
to be
paid, and all expenses required to be paid or reimbursed for which invoices
have
been presented (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of
counsel
to JPMCB), in connection with this Agreement on or before the Effective
Date;
provided
that
this Agreement shall not become effective or be binding on any party hereto
unless all of the foregoing conditions are satisfied not later than 3:00
p.m.
(New York City time) December 23, 2005 or such later date as may be agreed
in writing by the Company and all of the Banks. The Administrative Agent
shall
promptly notify the Company and the Banks of the Effective Date, and such
notice
shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
The
Company represents and warrants that:
SECTION
4.01. Corporate
Existence and Power.
The
Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the
laws
of the State of Indiana, and has all corporate power and all material
governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to
carry
on its business as now conducted.
SECTION
4.02. Corporate
and Governmental Authorization; Contravention.
The
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and
the
Notes to which it is a party are within the Company's corporate powers, have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, require no action
by or
in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official
and do
not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable
law
or regulation or of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Company
or
of any material agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other
instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company
or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Credit
Agreement
-
15 -
SECTION
4.03. Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company and the
Notes
of the Company, when executed and delivered in accordance with this Agreement,
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, in each case
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as the same
may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and by general principles of equity.
SECTION
4.04. Financial
Information.
(a) The
consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
as
of December 31, 2004 and the related consolidated statements of income, cash
flows and shareholders' equity for the fiscal year then ended, reported on
by
Ernst & Young LLP and set forth in the Company's 2004 Form 10-K, a copy of
which has been delivered to the Administrative Agent on behalf of each of
the
Banks, fairly present, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results
of
operations and changes in financial position for such fiscal year.
(b) The
unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2005 and the related unaudited consolidated
statements of income, cash flows and shareholders' equity for the nine months
then ended, set forth in the Company's quarterly report for the fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on
Form l0-Q, a copy of which has been delivered to the Administrative Agent
on
behalf of each of the Banks, fairly present, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with the financial
statements referred to in subsection (a) of this Section, the consolidated
financial position of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of
such
date and their consolidated results of operations and changes in financial
position for such nine month period (subject to normal year-end
adjustments).
(c) A
copy of
a duly completed and signed Annual Statement or other similar report of or
for
each Insurance Subsidiary in the form filed with the governmental body, agency
or official which regulates insurance companies in the jurisdiction in which
such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled for the year ended December 31, 2004
has
been delivered to the Administrative Agent on behalf of each of the Banks
and
fairly presents, in accordance with statutory accounting principles, the
information contained therein.
(d) A
copy of
a duly completed and signed Quarterly Statement or other similar report of
or
for each Insurance Subsidiary in the form filed with the governmental body,
agency or official which regulates insurance companies in the jurisdiction
in
which such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled for the quarter ended September
30,
2005 has been delivered to the Administrative Agent on behalf of each of
the
Banks and fairly presents, in accordance with statutory accounting principles,
the information contained therein.
Credit
Agreement
-
16 -
(e) Since
December 31, 2004 and as of the Effective Date, there has been no material
adverse change in the business, financial condition, results of operations
or
prospects of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, considered as
a
whole.
SECTION
4.05. Litigation.
As of
the Effective Date, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending against,
or
to the knowledge of the Company threatened against, the Company or any of
its
Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency
or
official (a) in which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision
in an amount in excess of $100,000,000 (exclusive of reserves and insurance
recoveries relating thereto) which could materially adversely affect the
business, consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations
of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, considered as a whole,
or
(b) which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability
of this Agreement or the Notes.
SECTION
4.06. Compliance
with ERISA.
Each
member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum
funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and is
in
compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions
of
ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan. No member of the ERISA Group
has
(i) sought a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of
the
Code in respect of any Plan, (ii) failed to make any contribution or payment
to
any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement,
or made
any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement, which has resulted or could
result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security
under ERISA or the Code or (iii) incurred any liability under Title IV of
ERISA
other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of
ERISA.
SECTION
4.07. Taxes.
United
States Federal income tax returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries have
been
examined and closed through the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The
Company
and its Subsidiaries have filed all income tax returns and all other material
tax returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid all taxes
due
pursuant to such returns or, except for any such taxes that are being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves
have
been made, pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any Subsidiary.
The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in respect of taxes are, in the opinion of the Company,
adequate.
SECTION
4.08. Subsidiaries.
Each of
the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries is a corporation duly incorporated,
validly existing and (except where such concept is not applicable) in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all
corporate powers and all material governmental licenses, authorizations,
consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now
conducted.
SECTION
4.09. Not
an
Investment Company.
The
Company is not an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Credit
Agreement
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SECTION
4.10. Obligations
to be Pari Passu.
The
Company's obligations under this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a
party
rank pari passu
as to
priority of payment and in all other respects with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated Debt of the Company.
SECTION
4.11. No
Default.
No
event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes, or which, with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute, a default
under or in respect of any material agreement, instrument or undertaking
to
which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or by which either
the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective assets is
bound.
SECTION
4.12. Restricted
Subsidiaries.
Set
forth as Schedule II hereto is a true, correct and complete list of each
Restricted Subsidiary as of the date hereof.
SECTION
4.13. Environmental
Matters.
The
Company has reasonably concluded that Environmental Laws are unlikely to
have a
material adverse effect on the business, consolidated financial condition,
consolidated results of operations or prospects of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
SECTION
4.14. Full
Disclosure.
All
written information heretofore furnished by the Company to the Administrative
Agent or any Bank for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or
any
transaction contemplated hereby is, and all such information hereafter furnished
by the Company to the Administrative Agent or any Bank will be, true and
accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information
is
stated or certified. To the best of its knowledge, the Company has disclosed
to
the Banks in writing any and all facts which materially and adversely affect
or
may materially and adversely affect (to the extent the Company can now
reasonably foresee) the business, consolidated financial condition or
consolidated results of operations of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the ability of the Company to perform
its
obligations under this Agreement or the Notes to which it is a
party.
ARTICLE
V
COVENANTS
The
Company agrees that, so long as any Bank has any Commitment hereunder or
any
amount payable under any Loan remains unpaid:
SECTION
5.01. Information.
The
Company will deliver to each of the Banks:
(a) within
90
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, if and only to the
extent
not duplicative of information otherwise provided pursuant to clause (i)
below,
the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
as of the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements
of
income, cash flows and shareholders' equity for such fiscal year, setting
forth
in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year,
all
reported on in a manner acceptable to the Securities and Exchange Commission
by
Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally
recognized standing;
Credit
Agreement
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(b) within
60
days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year
of
the Company, if and only to the extent not duplicative of information otherwise
provided pursuant to clause (i) below, the consolidated balance sheet of
the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and
the
related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and shareholders' equity
for such quarter and for the portion of the Company's fiscal year ended at
the
end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures
for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of the Company's
previous fiscal year, all certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments)
as
to fairness of presentation, generally accepted accounting principles and
consistency with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements
of
the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered to the Banks (except
for
changes concurred in by the Company's independent public accountants) by
the
chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the
Company;
(c) simultaneously
with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses
(a)
and (b) above (whether delivered as provided therein or pursuant to clause
(i)
below), a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief accounting
officer of the Company (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations
required to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the
requirements of Sections 5.07, 5.08 and 5.09 on the date of such financial
statements and (ii) stating that such chief financial officer or chief
accounting officer, as the case may be, has no knowledge of any Default existing
on the date of such certificate or, if such chief financial officer or chief
accounting officer has knowledge of the existence on such date of any Default,
setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Company is taking
or
proposes to take with respect thereto;
(d) simultaneously
with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clause
(a)
above (whether delivered as provided therein or pursuant to clause (i) below),
a
statement of the firm of independent public accountants which reported on
such
statements (i) as to whether anything has come to their attention to cause
them
to believe that any Default existed on the date of such statements and
(ii) confirming the calculations set forth in the officer's certificate
delivered simultaneously therewith pursuant to clause (c) above;
(e) within
120 days after the end of each fiscal year of each Insurance Subsidiary,
a copy
of a duly completed and signed Annual Statement (or any successor form thereto)
required to be filed by such Insurance Subsidiary with the governmental body,
agency or official which regulates insurance companies in the jurisdiction
in
which such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled, in the form submitted to such
governmental body, agency or official;
Credit
Agreement
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(f) within
60
days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each Insurance
Subsidiary, a copy of a duly completed and signed Quarterly Statement (or
any
successor form thereto) required to be filed by such Insurance Subsidiary
with
the governmental body, agency or official which regulates insurance companies
in
the jurisdiction in which such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled, in the
form
submitted to such governmental body, agency or official;
(g) forthwith
upon learning of the occurrence of any Default, a certificate of the chief
financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Company setting
forth
the details thereof and the action which the Company is taking or proposes
to
take with respect thereto;
(h) promptly
upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of the Company generally, if
and
only to the extent not duplicative of information otherwise provided pursuant
to
clause (i) below, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy
statements so mailed;
(i) promptly
upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (other than
the
exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent)
and reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or their equivalents) which the
Company
shall have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(j) if
and
when any member of the ERISA Group (i) gives or is required to give notice
to
the PBGC of any "reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA)
with
respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such
Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any
Plan
has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy
of
the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the
PBGC;
(ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title
IV
of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization, is
insolvent or has been terminated, a copy of such notice; (iii) receives notice
from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate, impose
liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect
of,
or appoint a trustee to administer, any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv)
applies for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of
the
Code, a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to terminate
any
Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such notice and other information
filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of withdrawal from any Plan pursuant
to
Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (vii) fails to make any
payment
or contribution to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit
Arrangement or makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which
has
resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a
bond or
other security, a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief
accounting officer of the Company setting forth details as to such occurrence
and action, if any, which the Company or applicable member of the ERISA Group
is
required or proposes to take;
Credit
Agreement
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(k) promptly
after Xxxxx’x or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established
or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of
such
rating change; and
(l) from
time
to time such additional information regarding the financial position or business
of the Company as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Bank, may
reasonably request.
SECTION
5.02. Payment
of Obligations.
The
Company will pay and discharge, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary
to pay
and discharge, at or before maturity, all their respective material obligations
and liabilities, including, without limitation, tax liabilities, except where
the same may be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and will
maintain, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to maintain, in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, appropriate reserves for the
accrual of any of the same.
SECTION
5.03. Conduct
of Business and Maintenance of Existence.
The
Company will continue, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to continue,
to
engage in business of the same general type as conducted by the Company and
its
Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on the date hereof and will preserve,
renew and keep in full force and effect, and will cause each Restricted
Subsidiary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect, their
respective corporate existence and their respective rights, privileges, licenses
and franchises which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company,
are necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of business.
SECTION
5.04. Maintenance
of Property; Insurance.
(a) The
Company will keep, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to keep, all
property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
(b) The
Company will maintain, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to
maintain (either in the name of the Company or in such Subsidiary's own name)
with financially sound and responsible insurance companies, insurance on
all
their respective properties and against at least such risks, in each case
in at
least such amounts (and with such risk retentions) as are usually insured
against in the same general area by companies of established repute engaged
in
the same or a similar business; and the Company will furnish to the Banks,
upon
request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable
detail as to the insurance so carried.
SECTION
5.05. Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company will comply, and will cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material
respects with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and
requirements of governmental authorities (including, without limitation,
Environmental Laws and ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder) except
where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings.
SECTION
5.06. Inspection
of Property, Books and Records.
The
Company will keep, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to keep, proper
books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall
be
made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and
activities; and, subject in all cases to Section 9.11, will permit, and will
cause each Restricted Subsidiary to permit, representatives of any Bank to
visit
and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts
from any of their respective books and records and to discuss their respective
affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees,
actuaries and independent public accountants, all upon reasonable notice,
at
such reasonable times during ordinary business hours and as often as may
reasonably be desired; provided
that
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to disclose
any information subject to its attorney-client privilege.
Credit
Agreement
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SECTION
5.07. Minimum
Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth.
The
Company will not permit Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth to be less than (a)
at
any time prior to the consummation of the Jefferson-Pilot Acquisition and
the
delivery of the estimate contemplated in the last sentence of this Section,
$4,082,000,000, (b) from and after the delivery of such estimate to but not
including the last day of the first fiscal quarter ending after the consummation
of the Jefferson-Pilot Acquisition, an amount equal to 70% of Estimated Adjusted
Consolidated Net Worth (as defined below) and (c) at any time thereafter,
an
amount equal to 70% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth determined as of the
end
of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as applicable, of the Company ended
immediately after the consummation of the Jefferson-Pilot Acquisition. Promptly
but not later than 45 days following the consummation of the Jefferson-Pilot
Acquisition, the Company shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a written
estimate of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth, determined as of the end
of the
most recently completed fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Company for
which
consolidated financial statements of the Company are then available and adjusted
to give pro forma effect to the Jefferson-Pilot Acquisition ("Estimated
Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth")
(and
the Administrative Agent shall promptly furnish a copy thereof to the
Banks).
SECTION
5.08. Negative
Pledge.
Neither
the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, assume or suffer to
exist
any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it,
except:
(a) Liens
existing on the date of this Agreement securing Debt outstanding on the date
of
this Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding
$15,000,000;
(b) any
Lien
existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary and not created in contemplation or as a result of such
event;
(c) any
Lien
on any asset securing Debt incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing
all
or any part of the cost of acquiring such asset, provided
that
such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently with or within 90 days after
the
acquisition thereof;
(d) any
Lien
on any asset of any Person existing at the time such Person is merged or
consolidated with or into the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary and
not
created in contemplation or as a result of such event;
(e) any
Lien
existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or
another
Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation or as a result of
such
acquisition;
Credit
Agreement
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(f) any
Lien
arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt
secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing clauses of this Section,
provided
that
such Debt is not increased beyond the then outstanding principal amount thereof
and is not secured by any additional assets;
(g) Liens
incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its assets
which
(i) do not secure Debt, (ii) do not secure any obligation in an amount exceeding
$10,000,000 and (iii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the
value
of its assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its
business;
(h) Liens
created by any Restricted Subsidiary as security for Debt owing to the
Company;
(i) Liens
created by the Company as security for Debt owing to Subsidiaries, but only
if
the only security for such Debt consists of Investments acquired by the Company
solely from the proceeds of such Debt;
(j) Liens
on
cash and cash equivalents securing Derivative Financial Products, provided
that the
aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents subject to such Liens may at
no
time exceed $100,000,000;
(k) in
addition to the Liens permitted by clauses (a) through (j), inclusive, and
(1)
and (m) of this Section, a Lien on any asset securing Debt of the Company
or any
Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate outstanding principal amount at no
time
exceeding $10,000,000;
(1) in
addition to the Liens permitted by clauses (a) through (k), (m) and (n) of
this
Section, any Lien on real property leased by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to a capital lease (which capital lease was entered into
in
connection with a sale leaseback transaction whereby the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, was the seller) securing Debt
of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in an aggregate
outstanding principal amount at no time exceeding $50,000,000;
(m) Liens
in
favor of UNUM Life Insurance Company or First UNUM Life Insurance Company
on up
to $4,500,000,000 of assets transferred to Subsidiaries in connection with
the
purchase by such Subsidiaries of the tax sheltered annuity business of UNUM
Life
Insurance Company and First UNUM Life Insurance Company; and
(n) Liens
on
cash and other property as security for the reimbursement and other obligations
in respect of letters of credit issued for account of the Company or any
of its
Subsidiaries under the Fourth Amended and Restated Letter of Credit and
Reimbursement Agreement dated as of December 10, 2004 (as amended and in
effect
from time to time) or any successor agreement thereto.
Credit
Agreement
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SECTION
5.09. Consolidations,
Mergers and Sales of Assets.
The
Company will not (i) consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or
(ii)
sell, lease or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
to any
other Person; provided
that the
Company may merge with another Person if (A) the Company is the corporation
surviving such merger and (B) immediately after giving effect to such
merger, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
SECTION
5.10. Use
of
Proceeds.
The
proceeds of the Loans made under this Agreement will be used by the Company
solely for purposes of (a) paying the cash portion of the consideration payable
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Jefferson-Pilot
Acquisition and (b) repurchasing up to $500,000,000 of the Company’s common
stock. None of such proceeds will be used, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying
any
"margin stock" within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X.
SECTION
5.11. Obligations
to be Pari Passu.
The
Company's obligations under this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a
party
will rank at all times pari passu
as to
priority of payment and in all other respects with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated Debt of the Company with the exception of those obligations
that
are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract.
ARTICLE
VI
DEFAULTS
SECTION
6.01. Events
of Default.
If one
or more of the following events ("Events
of Default")
shall
have occurred and be continuing:
(a) (x)
the
Company shall fail to pay when due any principal of any Loan and or (y) the
Company shall fail to pay when due any interest on any Loan or any fees or
any
other amounts payable hereunder and such failure under this clause (y) shall
continue for four Domestic Business Days;
(b) the
Company shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in Sections
5.07
through 5.11, inclusive;
(c) the
Company shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained
in
this Agreement (other than those covered by clause (a) or (b) above) for
30 days
after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Administrative
Agent at the request of any Bank;
(d) any
representation, warranty, certification or statement made by the Company
in this
Agreement or in any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material
respect when made (or deemed made);
Credit
Agreement
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(e) the
Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Newly Acquired Subsidiary) shall
fail to
make any payment in respect of any Debt (other than the Notes and any Debt
solely of a Newly Acquired Subsidiary existing at the time such Person becomes
a
Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event ("Newly
Acquired Subsidiary Debt"))
having a principal amount then outstanding of not less than $25,000,000 when
due
and such failure shall continue beyond any applicable grace period or the
Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Newly Acquired Subsidiary) shall
fail to
make any payment in an amount at least equal to $25,000,000 in respect of
any
Derivative Financial Product when due and such failure shall continue beyond
any
applicable grace period;
(f) any
event
or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity
of
any Debt (other than the Notes and Newly Acquired Subsidiary Debt) having
a
principal or face amount then outstanding of not less than $25,000,000 of
the
Company or any Subsidiary or enables (or, with the giving of notice or lapse
of
time or both, would enable) the holder of such Debt or any Person acting
on such
holder's behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof;
(g) the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Newly Acquired Subsidiary)
shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking rehabilitation,
dissolution, conservation, liquidation, reorganization or other relief with
respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar
law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, liquidator, rehabilitator, dissolver, conservator, custodian or
other
similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or shall
consent
to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such
official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it,
or
shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail
generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate
action to authorize any of the foregoing;
(h) an
involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company
or
any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Newly Acquired Subsidiary) seeking
rehabilitation, dissolution, conservation, liquidation, reorganization or
other
relief with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or
other
similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, liquidator, rehabilitator, dissolver, conservator, custodian or
other
similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such
involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed
for a
period of 60 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the Company
or any such Restricted Subsidiary under the federal bankruptcy laws as now
or
hereafter in effect; or any governmental body, agency or official shall apply
for, or commence a case or other proceeding to seek, an order for the
rehabilitation, conservation, dissolution or other liquidation of the Company
or
any such Restricted Subsidiary or of the assets or any substantial part thereof
of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary or any other similar
remedy;
(i) any
member of the ERISA Group shall fail to pay when due an amount or amounts
aggregating in excess of $25,000,000 which it shall have become liable to
pay
under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Material Plan
shall
be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any member of the ERISA Group, any plan
administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute
proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate, to impose liability (other
than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause
a
trustee to be appointed to administer, any Material Plan; or a condition
shall
exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree
adjudicating that any Material Plan must be terminated; or there shall occur
a
complete or partial withdrawal from, or a default, within the meaning of
Section
4219(c) (5) of ERISA, with respect to, one or more Multiemployer Plans which
could cause one or more members of the ERISA Group to incur a current payment
obligation in excess of $50,000,000;
Credit
Agreement
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(j) a
judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of the greater of (i)
$100,000,000 or (ii) 3% of the consolidated shareholders' equity of the Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (after (without duplication) the actual
amounts of insurance recoveries, offsets and contributions received and amounts
thereof not yet received but which the insurer thereon has acknowledged in
writing its obligation to pay) shall be rendered against the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or order shall continue unsatisfied
and
unstayed for a period of 90 days after entry of such judgment (and, for purposes
of this clause, a judgment shall be stayed if, among other things, an appeal
is
timely filed and such judgment cannot be enforced);
(k) (i)
any
person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shall have acquired beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities
and
Exchange Commission under said Act) of 20% or more of the outstanding shares
of
common stock of the Company; or (ii) occupation of a majority of the seats
(other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons
who were neither (x) nominated by the board of directors of the Company or
(y)
appointed by directors so nominated.
then,
and
in every such event, and at any time thereafter during the continuance of
such
event, the Administrative Agent shall, if requested by the Required Banks,
by
notice to the Company take either or both of the following actions, at the
same
or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments and they shall thereupon
terminate, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding (together with accrued
interest thereon) to be, and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon)
shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the
Company; provided
that in
the case of any of the Events of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) above
with respect to the Company, without any notice to the Company or any other
act
by the Administrative Agent or the Banks, the Commitments shall thereupon
terminate and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon) shall become
immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice
of
any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company.
SECTION
6.02. Notice
of Default.
The
Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Company under Section 6.01(c)
promptly upon being requested to do so by any Bank and shall thereupon notify
all the Banks thereof.
ARTICLE
VII
THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION
7.01. Appointment
and Authorization.
Each
Bank irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take
such
action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement
and the Notes as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof
or thereof, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.
SECTION
7.02. Agent's
Fee.
The
Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees, if
any,
in the amounts and at the times previously agreed upon between the Company
and
the Administrative Agent.
SECTION
7.03. Agent
and Affiliates.
JPMCB
shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Bank
and
may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though it were not the
Administrative Agent, and JPMCB and its Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company
or
any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any thereof as if it were not the Administrative
Agent hereunder.
SECTION
7.04. Action
by Agent.
The
obligations of the Administrative Agent hereunder are only those expressly
set
forth herein. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any
discretionary action permitted to be taken by it pursuant to the provisions
of
this Agreement unless it shall be requested in writing to do so by the Required
Banks. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative
Agent shall not be required to take any action with respect to any Default,
except as expressly provided in Article VI. The Administrative Agent shall
have
no duty to disclose to the Banks information that is not required to be
furnished by the Company to the Administrative Agent at such time, but is
voluntarily furnished by the Company to the Administrative Agent (either
in its
capacity as Administrative Agent or in its individual capacity).
SECTION
7.05. Consultation
with Experts.
The
Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for
the
Company), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it
and
shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in
good
faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or
experts.
SECTION
7.06. Liability
of Agent.
Neither
the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees
shall be liable to any Bank for any action taken or not taken by it in
connection herewith (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required
Banks
or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The
Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default
unless
and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by
the
Company or a Bank. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors,
officers, agents or employees shall be responsible to any Bank for or have
any
duty to any Bank to ascertain, inquire into or verify (i) any statement,
warranty or representation made in connection with this Agreement or any
borrowing hereunder; (ii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants
or agreements of the Company; (iii) the satisfaction of any condition specified
in Article III, except receipt of items required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent; (iv) the validity, effectiveness or genuineness of
this
Agreement, the Notes or any other instrument or writing furnished in connection
herewith; (v) the existence or possible existence of any Default; (vi) the
financial condition of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (vii) the
contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder
or in
connection herewith. The Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability
by
acting in reliance upon any notice, consent, certificate, statement, or other
writing (which may be a bank wire, telex or similar writing) believed by
it in
good faith to be genuine or to be signed by the proper party or
parties.
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SECTION
7.07. Indemnification.
Each
Bank shall, ratably in accordance with its initial Commitment, indemnify
the
Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Company) against
any
cost, expense (including counsel fees and disbursements), claim, demand,
action,
loss or liability (except such as result from the Administrative Agent's
gross
negligence or willful misconduct) that the Administrative Agent may suffer
or
incur in connection with this Agreement or any action taken or omitted by
the
Administrative Agent hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder unless it shall
first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks pro rata against any
and
all liability, cost and expense that it may incur by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action.
SECTION
7.08. Credit
Decision.
Each
Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Bank also acknowledges that it
will,
independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other
Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
any action under this Agreement.
SECTION
7.09. Successor
Agent.
The
Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof
to
the Banks and the Company. Upon any such resignation, the Required Banks
shall
have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which successor
Administrative Agent shall be satisfactory to the Company, provided
that no
Default is continuing. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been
so
appointed by the Required Banks, and shall have accepted such appointment,
within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of
resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the
Banks,
appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized or
licensed under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof
and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 and (unless
a
Default has occurred and is continuing) shall otherwise be subject to the
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Upon
the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a
successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of
the
retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall
be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the
provisions of this Article shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or
omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent.
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SECTION
7.10. Delegation
to Affiliates.
The
Company and the Banks agree that the Administrative Agent may delegate any
of
its duties under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates. Any such Affiliate
(and such Affiliate's directors, officers, agents and employees) which performs
duties in connection with this Agreement shall be entitled to the same benefits
of the indemnification, waiver and other protective provisions to which the
Administrative Agent is entitled under Articles VII and IX.
SECTION
7.11. Lead
Arrangers and Other Agents.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Joint Lead Arranger
and
Joint Bookrunner and the Syndication Agent listed on the cover page of this
Agreement shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility
or duty under this Agreement in its capacity as such, except in its respective
capacity, if any, as a Bank.
ARTICLE
VIII
CHANGE
IN
CIRCUMSTANCES
SECTION
8.01. Basis
for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair.
If on
or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any Euro-Dollar Rate
Borrowing:
(a) the
Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive
absent
manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining
the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period, or
(b) the
Required Banks advise the Administrative Agent that the LIBO Rate as determined
by the Administrative Agent will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost
to
such Banks of funding their Euro-Dollar Loans for such Interest
Period,
the
Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Company and
the
Banks, whereupon until the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that
the
circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligations
of
the Banks to make Euro-Dollar Loans shall be suspended. Unless the Company
notifies the Administrative Agent at least two Domestic Business Days before
the
date of any Euro-Dollar Rate Borrowing for which a Notice of Borrowing has
previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, such Borrowing
shall instead be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.
SECTION
8.02. Illegality.
If,
after the date of this Agreement, the adoption of any applicable law, rule
or
regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any
change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental
authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation
or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank with any request or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank
or
comparable agency shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Bank to make,
continue, maintain or fund its Euro-Dollar Loans and such Bank shall so notify
the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice
thereof to the other Banks and the Company, whereupon until such Bank notifies
the Company and the Administrative Agent that the circumstances giving rise
to
such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of such Bank to make Euro-Dollar
Loans shall be suspended. Before giving any notice to the Administrative
Agent
pursuant to this Section, such Bank shall designate a different Applicable
Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice
and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous
to such
Bank. If such Bank shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain
and fund any of its outstanding Euro-Dollar Loans to maturity and shall so
specify in such notice, the Company shall immediately prepay in full the
then
outstanding principal amount of each such Euro-Dollar Loan, together with
accrued interest thereon. Concurrently with prepaying each such Euro-Dollar
Loan, the Company shall borrow a Base Rate Loan in an equal principal amount
from such Bank (on which interest and principal shall be payable
contemporaneously with the related Euro-Dollar Loans of the other Banks),
and
such Bank shall make such a Base Rate Loan.
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SECTION
8.03. Increased
Cost and Reduced Return.
(a) If
on or after (x) the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule
or
regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any
change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental
authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation
or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or its Applicable Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
law)
of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall impose, modify
or
deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation, any such requirement
imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, but excluding
with respect to any Euro-Dollar Loan any such requirement included in an
applicable Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage), special deposit, insurance
assessment or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for
the
account of, or credit extended by, any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office)
or shall impose on any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the London
interbank market any other condition affecting its Euro-Dollar Loans, its
Notes
or its obligation to make Euro-Dollar Loans and the result of any of the
foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or its Applicable Lending
Office) of making or maintaining any Euro-Dollar Loan, or to reduce the amount
of any sum received or receivable by such Bank (or its Applicable Lending
Office) under this Agreement or under its Notes with respect thereto, by
an
amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then, within 15 days after demand
by
such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Company shall pay
to
such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank
for
such increased cost or reduction.
(b) If
any
Bank shall have determined that, after the date hereof, the adoption of any
applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change
in
any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any
change
in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or any request or directive regarding capital adequacy
(whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank
or
comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return
on capital of such Bank (or its Parent) as a consequence of such Bank's
obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank (or its Parent)
could have achieved but for such adoption, change, request or directive (taking
into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount
deemed by such Bank to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days
after
demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Company
shall
pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Bank
(or its Parent) for such reduction.
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(c) Each
Bank
will promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent of any event
of
which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle
such
Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section and will designate a different
Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or
reduce
the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Bank,
be
otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. A certificate of any Bank claiming
compensation under this Section and setting forth the additional amount or
amounts to be paid to it hereunder and, in reasonable detail, such Bank's
computation of such amount or amounts, shall be conclusive in the absence
of
manifest error. In determining such amount, such Bank may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.
SECTION
8.04. Base
Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Euro-Dollar Loans.
If (i)
the obligation of any Bank to make or continue Euro-Dollar Loans has been
suspended pursuant to Section 8.02 or (ii) any Bank has demanded compensation
under Section 8.03(a) or 8.05 and the Company shall, by at least five
Euro-Dollar Business Days' prior notice to such Bank through the Administrative
Agent, have elected that the provisions of this Section shall apply to such
Bank, then, unless and until such Bank notifies the Company that the
circumstances giving rise to such suspension or demand for compensation no
longer apply:
(a) all
Loans
which would otherwise be made, or continued, by such Bank as Euro-Dollar
Loans
shall be made instead as, or converted into, Base Rate Loans (on which interest
and principal shall be payable contemporaneously with the related Euro-Dollar
Loans of the other Banks), and
(b) after
each of its Euro-Dollar Loans has been repaid, all payments of principal
which
would otherwise be applied to repay such Euro-Dollar Loans shall be applied
to
repay its Base Rate Loans instead.
SECTION
8.05. Taxes.
(a) For
purposes of this Section, the following terms have the following
meanings:
"Taxes"
means
any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings of any nature with respect to any payment by the
Company
pursuant to this Agreement or under any Note, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding, in the case of each Bank and the Administrative Agent,
taxes
imposed on its net income, and franchise or similar taxes imposed on it,
by a
jurisdiction under the laws of which such Bank or the Administrative Agent
(as
the case may be) is organized or in which its principal executive office
is
located or, in the case of each Bank, in which its Applicable Lending Office
is
located (all such excluded taxes being hereinafter referred to as "Domestic
Taxes").
If
the form provided by a Bank pursuant to Section 8.05(d) at the time such
Bank
first becomes a party to this Agreement indicates a United States interest
withholding tax rate in excess of zero, any United States interest withholding
tax at such rate imposed on payments by the Company under this Agreement
or
under any Note shall be excluded from the definition of "Taxes".
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"Other
Taxes"
means
any present or future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or
property taxes, or similar charges or levies, which arise from any payment
made
pursuant to this Agreement or under any Note or from the execution, delivery,
registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement
or
any Note.
(b) Any
and
all payments by the Company to or for the account of any Bank or the
Administrative Agent hereunder or under any Note shall be made without deduction
or withholding for any Taxes or Other Taxes; provided
that, if
the Company shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes or Other Taxes from
any
such payments, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
after
making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and
withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) such
Bank
or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) receives an amount equal
to the
sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made,
(ii) the Company shall make such deductions or withholdings, (iii) the Company
shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation
authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law and (iv) the
Company shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, at its address
referred to in Section 9.01, the original or a certified copy of a receipt
evidencing payment thereof, and, if such receipt relates to Taxes or Other
Taxes
in respect of a sum payable to any Bank, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
deliver such original or certified copy to such Bank.
(c) The
Company agrees to indemnify each Bank and the Administrative Agent for the
full
amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes
or
Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under
this Section), whether or not correctly or legally imposed, paid by such
Bank or
the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including
penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto.
In
addition, the Company agrees to indemnify each Bank and the Administrative
Agent
for all Domestic Taxes of such Bank or the Administrative Agent (calculated
based on a hypothetical basis at the maximum marginal rate for a corporation)
and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses to the extent
not
attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of each Bank or
the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, in each case to the extent that such Domestic Taxes result from
any
payment or indemnification pursuant to this Section for any taxes imposed
by any
jurisdiction for which the Company is responsible under Sections 8.05(a),
(b) or
(c). This indemnification shall be paid within 30 days after such Bank or
Agent,
as the case may be, makes demand therefor.
(d) At
least
five Domestic Business Days prior to the first date on which interest or
fees
are payable hereunder for the account of any Bank, each Bank that is not
incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof
agrees that it will deliver to each of the Company and the Administrative
Agent
two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8BEN
or W-8ECI, certifying in either case that such Bank is entitled to receive
payments under this Agreement and the Notes without deduction or withholding
of
any United States federal income taxes. Each Bank which so delivers a Form
W-8BEN or W-8ECI further undertakes to deliver to each of the Company and
the
Administrative Agent two additional copies of such form (or successor form)
on
or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or after the
occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form so delivered
by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or renewals thereof as may
be
reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, in each
case
certifying that such Bank is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement
and the Notes without deduction or withholding of any United States federal
income taxes, unless an event (including without limitation any change in
treaty, law or regulation) has occurred prior to the date on which any such
delivery would otherwise be required which renders all such forms inapplicable
or which would prevent such Bank from duly completing and delivering any
such
form with respect to it and such Bank advises the Company and the Administrative
Agent that it is not capable of receiving payments without any deduction
or
withholding of United States federal income tax.
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(e) For
any
period with respect to which a Bank has failed to provide the Company or
the
Administrative Agent with the appropriate form as required by Section 8.05(d)
(whether or not such Bank is lawfully able to do so, unless such failure
is due
to a change in treaty, law or regulation occurring subsequent to the date
on
which such form originally was required to be provided), such Bank shall
not be
entitled to indemnification under Section 8.05(b) or (c) with respect to
any
withholding of the United States federal income tax; provided
that if
a Bank, which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of
withholding tax, becomes subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver
a
form required hereunder, the Company shall take such steps as such Bank shall
reasonably request to assist such Bank to recover such Taxes.
(f) If
the
Company is required to pay additional amounts to or for the account of any
Bank
pursuant to this Section as a result of a change of law occurring after the
date
hereof, then such Bank, at the request of the Company, will change the
jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office if, in the sole judgment of
such
Bank, such change (i) will eliminate or reduce any such additional payment
which
may thereafter accrue and (ii) is not otherwise disadvantageous to such
Bank.
(g) Each
Bank
and the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Company, use
reasonable efforts (consistent with applicable legal and regulatory
restrictions) to file any certificate or document requested by the Company
if
the making of such a filing would avoid the need for or reduce the amount
of any
such additional amounts payable to or for the account of such Bank or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) pursuant to this Section which
may
thereafter accrue and would not, in the sole judgment of such Bank or the
Administrative Agent, require such Bank or the Administrative Agent to disclose
any confidential or proprietary information or be otherwise disadvantageous
to
such Bank or the Administrative Agent.
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(h) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing in this Section shall interfere with the rights of
any
Bank to conduct its fiscal or tax affairs in such manner as it deems
fit.
SECTION
8.06. Regulation
D Compensation.
For so
long as any Bank maintains reserves against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (or
any
other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which
the
interest rate on Euro-Dollar Loans is determined or any category of extensions
of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United States office
of
such Bank to United States residents), and as a result the cost to such Bank
of
making or maintaining its Euro-Dollar Loans is increased, then such Bank
may
require the Company to pay, contemporaneously with each payment of interest
on
the Euro-Dollar Loans, additional interest on the related Euro-Dollar Loan
of
such Bank at a rate per annum up to but not exceeding the excess of (i) (A)
the
applicable LIBO Rate divided by (B) one minus
the
Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage over (ii) the applicable LIBO Rate. Any Bank
wishing to require payment of such additional interest (x) shall so notify
the
Company and the Administrative Agent, in which case such additional interest
on
the Euro-Dollar Loans of such Bank shall be payable to such Bank at the place
indicated in such notice with respect to each Interest Period commencing
at
least three Euro-Dollar Business Days after the giving of such notice and
(y)
shall furnish to the Company at least five Euro-Dollar Business Days prior
to
each date on which interest is payable on the Euro-Dollar Loans an officer's
certificate setting forth the amount to which such Bank is then entitled
under
this Section (which shall be consistent with such Bank's good faith estimate
of
the level at which the related reserves are maintained by it). Each such
certificate shall be accompanied by such information as the Company may
reasonably request as to the computation set forth therein.
ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
9.01. Notices.
All
notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be
in
writing (including bank wire, telex, facsimile transmission or similar writing,
or by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved
by such party) and shall be given to such party: (x) in the case of the Company
or the Administrative Agent, at its address or telex or telecopier number
set
forth on its respective signature page hereof, (y) in the case of any Bank,
at
its address or telex or telecopier number set forth in its Administrative
Questionnaire or (z) in the case of any party, such other address or telex
or
telecopier number as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by
notice
to the Administrative Agent and the Company. Each such notice, request or
other
communication shall be effective (i) if given by telex, when such telex is
transmitted to the telex number specified in this Section and the appropriate
answerback is received, (ii) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication
is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as
aforesaid and return receipt requested, (iii) if given by telecopier, when
transmitted to the telecopier number specified in this Section or (iv) if
given
by any other means, when delivered at the relevant address specified by such
party pursuant to this Section; provided
that
notices to the Administrative Agent under Article II or Article VIII shall
not
be effective until received.
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Notices
and other communications to the Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished
by
electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative
Agent; provided
that the
foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise
agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Bank. The Administrative
Agent or the Company may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and
other
communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to
procedures approved by it; provided
that
approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or
communications.
SECTION
9.02. No
Waivers.
No
failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Bank in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a
waiver
thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other
or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive
of
any rights or remedies provided by law.
SECTION
9.03. Expenses;
Indemnification; Non-Liability of Banks.
(a) The
Company shall pay (i) all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent,
including reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for the
Administrative Agent, in connection with the preparation of this Agreement,
any
waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment hereof or any Default or alleged
Default hereunder and (ii) if an Event of Default occurs, all out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and each Bank, including fees
and
disbursements of counsel including costs allocated to in-house counsel, in
connection with such Event of Default and collection, bankruptcy, insolvency
and
other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom.
(b) The
Company agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Bank, their
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, agents, advisors and
employees of the foregoing (each an "Indemnitee")
and
hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses,
damages, costs and expenses of any kind, including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and costs of settlement, which
may
be incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with any investigative,
administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not such Indemnitee shall
be
designated a party thereto) relating to or arising out of this Agreement
or any
actual or proposed use of proceeds of Loans hereunder; provided
that no
Indemnitee shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction or for the breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations
hereunder.
SECTION
9.04. Sharing
of Set-Offs.
Each
Bank agrees that if it shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim
or otherwise, receive payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of
principal and interest due with respect to any Note held by it which is greater
than the proportion received by any other Bank in respect of the aggregate
amount of principal and interest due with respect to any Note held by such
other
Bank, the Bank receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase
such participations in the Notes held by the other Banks, and such other
adjustments shall be made, as may be required so that all such payments of
principal and interest with respect to the Notes held by the Banks shall
be
shared by the Banks pro rata; provided
that
nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Bank to exercise any
right
of set-off or counterclaim it may have and to apply the amount subject to
such
exercise to the payment of indebtedness of the Company other than its
indebtedness under the Notes. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent it
may
effectively do so under applicable law, that any holder of a participation
in a
Note, whether or not acquired pursuant to the foregoing arrangements, may
exercise rights of set-off or counterclaim and other rights with respect
to such
participation as fully as if such holder of a participation were a direct
creditor of the Company in the amount of such participation.
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SECTION
9.05. Amendments
and Waivers.
Any
provision of this Agreement or the Notes may be amended or waived if, but
only
if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Company and
the
Required Banks or by the Administrative Agent (with the consent of the Required
Banks) (and, if the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent are affected
thereby, by the Administrative Agent); provided
that the
consent of each Bank affected thereby shall be required with respect to any
amendment, waiver or modification that (i) increases the amount or extends
the
expiry date of the Commitment of any Bank or subjects any Bank to any additional
obligation, (ii) reduces the principal of or rate of interest on any Loan
or any
fees hereunder, (iii) postpones the date fixed for any payment of principal
of
or interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder, or (iv) alters the manner
in
which payments or prepayments of principal, interest or other amounts hereunder
shall be applied as among the Banks; and provided,
further,
that
the consent of 100% of the Banks shall be required with respect to any change
in
the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of
the Loans, or the number of Banks, which shall be required for the Banks
or any
of them to take any action under this Section or any other provision of this
Agreement.
SECTION
9.06. Successors
and Assigns.
(a) The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however,
that
the Company may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the
Banks.
(b) Any
Bank
may at any time grant to one or more banks or other institutions (each a
"Participant")
participating interests in its Commitment or any or all of its Loans. In
the
event of any such grant by a Bank of a participating interest to a Participant,
whether or not upon notice to the Company and the Administrative Agent, such
Bank shall remain solely responsible for the performance of its obligations
hereunder, and the Company and the Administrative Agent shall continue to
deal
solely and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's rights
and
obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which any Bank
may
grant such a participating interest shall provide that such Bank shall retain
the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations of the Company
hereunder including, without limitation, the right to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided
that
such participation agreement may provide that such Bank will not agree to
any
modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement described in clause (i),
(ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 9.05 without the consent of the Participant.
The
Company agrees that each Participant shall, to the extent provided in its
participation agreement, be entitled to the benefits of Article VIII with
respect to its participating interest. An assignment or other transfer which
is
not permitted by subsection (c) or (d) below shall be given effect for purposes
of this Agreement only to the extent of a participating interest granted
in
accordance with this subsection (b).
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Agreement
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(c) Any
Bank
may at any time assign to one or more banks or other financial institutions
(each an "Assignee")
all,
or a proportionate part of all, of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the Notes, and such Assignee shall assume such rights and
obligations, pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by such Assignee
and such transferor Bank, with (and subject to) the consent of the Company,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the Administrative Agent, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided
that (i)
if an Assignee is an Affiliate of any Bank or was a Bank immediately prior
to
such assignment, no such consent of the Company shall be required and (ii)
if an
Assignee was a Bank immediately prior to such assignment, no such consent
of the
Administrative Agent shall be required; provided,
further,
that if
an Event of Default occurs and is continuing under Section 6.01(a), 6.01(g)
or
6.01(h) with respect to the Company, no such consent of the Company shall
be
required; and provided,
further,
that
any such assignment (other than an assignment to another Bank or to an Affiliate
of any Bank or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the transferor
Bank's Commitment and outstanding Loans shall be in an amount that is at
least
$5,000,000 unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Administrative
Agent.
Upon execution and delivery of such Assignment and Assumption and payment
by
such Assignee to such transferor Bank of an amount equal to the purchase
price
agreed between such transferor Bank and such Assignee, such Assignee shall
be a
Bank party to this Agreement and shall have all the rights and obligations
of a
Bank with a Commitment as set forth in such instrument of assumption, and
the
transferor Bank shall be released from its obligations hereunder to a
corresponding extent, and no further consent or action by any party shall
be
required. In connection with any such assignment, the transferor Bank or
Assignee shall pay to the Administrative Agent an administrative fee for
processing such assignment in the amount of $3,500. If the Assignee is not
incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof,
it shall, prior to the first date on which interest or fees are payable
hereunder for its account, deliver to the Company and the Administrative
Agent
certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of any United
States
federal income taxes in accordance with Section 8.05(d).
(d) Any
Bank
may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement
and
its Notes to any Person to secure obligations of such Bank, including, without
limitation, to one or more of the Federal Reserve Banks which comprise the
Federal Reserve System. No such assignment shall release the transferor Bank
from its obligations hereunder.
(e) No
Assignee, Participant or other transferee of any Bank's rights shall be entitled
to receive any greater payment under Sections 8.03, 8.05 or 8.06 than such
Bank
would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred,
unless such transfer is made (i) with the Company's prior written consent
or by
reason of the provisions of Sections 8.02, 8.03 or 8.05 requiring such Bank
to
designate a different Applicable Lending Office under certain circumstances
or
(ii) at a time when the circumstances giving rise to such greater payment
did
not exist.
(f) The
Administrative Agent and the Company may, for all purposes of this Agreement,
treat any Bank as the holder of any Note drawn to its order (and owner of
the
Loans evidenced thereby) until written notice of assignment, participation
or
other transfer shall have been received by them.
Credit
Agreement
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SECTION
9.07. Collateral.
Each of
the Banks represents to the Administrative Agent and each of the other Banks
that it in good faith is not relying upon any "margin stock" (as defined
in
Regulation U) as collateral in the extension or maintenance of the credit
provided for in this Agreement.
SECTION
9.08. New
York Law.
This
Agreement and each Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with
the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION
9.09. Judicial
Proceedings.
(a)
Submission
to Jurisdiction.
The
Company hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York
State
court sitting in New York City for purposes of all legal proceedings arising
out
of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes or the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law,
any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue
of
any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such
proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum.
(b) No
Limitation on Service or Suit.
Nothing
in this Section shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any
Bank
to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or limit the right
of the
Administrative Agent or any Bank to bring proceedings against the Company
in the
courts of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions.
SECTION
9.10. Counterparts;
Integration.
This
Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were
upon
the same instrument. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes any and all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter
hereof.
SECTION
9.11. Confidentiality.
The
Administrative Agent and each Bank agree that they will maintain the
confidentiality of, and will not use for any purpose (other than exercising
its
rights and enforcing its remedies hereunder and under its Notes), any written
or
oral information provided under this Agreement by or on behalf of the Company
(hereinafter collectively called "Confidential
Information"),
subject to the Administrative Agent's and each Bank's (a) obligation to disclose
any such Confidential Information pursuant to a request or order under
applicable laws and regulations or pursuant to a subpoena or other legal
process, (b) right to disclose any such Confidential Information to its bank
examiners, auditors, counsel and other professional advisors and to other
Banks
and to its subsidiaries and Affiliates and the subsidiaries and Affiliates
of
its holding company, provided
that the
Administrative Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, shall cause each such
subsidiary or Affiliate to maintain the Confidential Information on the same
terms as the terms provided herein, (c) right to disclose any such Confidential
Information in connection with any litigation or dispute involving the Banks
and
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and (d) right to provide
such information to participants, prospective participants or prospective
assignees pursuant to Section 9.06 if prior thereto such participant,
prospective participant or prospective assignee agrees in writing to maintain
the confidentiality of such information on terms substantially similar to
those
of this Section as if it were a "Bank" party hereto. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any such information supplied to a Bank, participant, prospective
participant or prospective assignee under this Agreement shall cease to be
Confidential Information if it is or becomes known to such Person by other
than
unauthorized disclosure, or if it is, at the time of disclosure, or becomes
a
matter of public knowledge.
Credit
Agreement
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37 -
SECTION
9.12. WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH OF
THE COMPANY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE BANKS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES
ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF
OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION
9.13. USA PATRIOT Act.
Each
Bank hereby notifies the Company that pursuant to the requirements of the
USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October
26, 2001)), such Bank may be required to obtain, verify and record
information that identifies the Company, which information includes the name
and
address of the Company and other information that will allow such Bank to
identify the Company in accordance with such Act.
Credit
Agreement
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SCHEDULE
I
Commitments
(As
of
December 23, 2005)
Bank
|
Commitment
($)
|
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
|
240,000,000
|
Citicorp
North America Inc.
|
240,000,000
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Credit Partners L.P.
|
430,000,000
|
Xxxxxx
Brothers Bank, FSB
|
430,000,000
|
Bank
of America, N.A.
|
240,000,000
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Bank USA
|
240,000,000
|
UBS
Loan Finance LLC
|
240,000,000
|
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
|
240,000,000
|
TOTAL
COMMITMENTS
|
$2,300,000,000
|
Schedule
I (Commitments)
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Schedule
II
List
of Restricted Subsidiaries
Lincoln
National Life Insurance Company
Schedule
II (Restricted Subsidiaries)