200,000,000 BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 19, 2007, among UST INC., as the Borrower, VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO, as the Lenders, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as the...
Exhibit 10.1
$200,000,000
BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT,
BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT,
dated as of December 19, 2007,
among
UST INC.,
as the Borrower,
as the Borrower,
VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER PERSONS
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,
as the Lenders,
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,
as the Lenders,
XXXXXX XXXXXXX SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders
as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders
and
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.,
as Syndication Agent
as Syndication Agent
XXXXXX XXXXXXX SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
and XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners
and XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners
THIS BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 19, 2007, is among UST INC., a Delaware
corporation (the “Borrower”), the various financial institutions and other Persons from
time to time parties hereto (the “Lenders”), XXXXXX XXXXXXX SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
“MSSF”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative
Agent”), and XXXXXX BROTHERS INC. (“Xxxxxx”), as syndication agent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a Commitment, pursuant to which
up to four Borrowings of Loans, in a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed the
Commitment Amount, will be made to the Borrower from time to time on and after the Closing Date but
prior to the Commitment Termination Date; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set
forth, to extend the Commitments and make Loans to the Borrower;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
SECTION 1.1. Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not underscored) when
used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall, except where the context
otherwise requires, have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to the
singular and plural forms thereof):
“Administrative Agent” is defined in the preamble and includes each other
Person appointed as the successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.4.
“Administrative Fee Letter” means the confidential fee letter, dated December 18,
2007, by and between MSSF and the Borrower.
“Affected Lender” is defined in Section 4.10.
“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person which, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. “Control” of a Person
means the power, directly or indirectly,
(a) to vote 10% or more of the Capital Securities (on a fully diluted basis) of such
Person having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing members or
general partners (as applicable); or
(b) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person
(whether by contract or otherwise).
“Agreement” means, on any date, this Bridge Credit Agreement as originally in effect
on the Effective Date and as thereafter from time to time amended, supplemented, amended and
restated or otherwise modified from time to time and in effect on such date.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, on any date and with respect to all Base Rate Loans,
a fluctuating rate of interest per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next highest 1/16 of
1%) equal to the higher of
(a) the Base Rate in effect on such day; and
(b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%.
Changes in the rate of interest on that portion of any Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans will
take effect simultaneously with each change in the Alternate Base Rate. The Administrative Agent
will give notice promptly to the Borrower and the Lenders of changes in the Alternate Base Rate;
provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the Alternate Base Rate in
effect after such change.
“Applicable Commitment Fee Margin” means the applicable percentage set forth below
corresponding to the relevant required debt rating:
Applicable Commitment | ||
Required Debt Rating | Fee Margin | |
Tier I | 0.045% | |
Tier II | 0.050% | |
Tier III | 0.060% | |
Tier IV | 0.080% | |
Tier V | 0.100% |
The required debt rating used to compute the Applicable Commitment Fee Margin shall be that set
forth in the Rating Notice most recently delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent,
including pursuant to clause (b) of Section 5.1.2; provided,
however, that if a Senior Unsecured Debt Rating is issued by each of S&P and Xxxxx’x, then
the higher of such Senior Unsecured Debt Ratings shall apply, unless there is a split in the Senior
Unsecured Debt Ratings of more than one level, in which case the level that is one level higher
than the lower Senior Unsecured Debt Rating shall apply. Changes in the Applicable Commitment Fee
Margin resulting from a change in the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating shall become effective upon
delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a new Rating Notice pursuant to
clause (h) of Section 7.1.1. If the Borrower shall fail to deliver (i) a Rating
Notice within the required time period pursuant to clause (h) of Section 7.1.1, or
(ii) a Compliance Certificate within 45 days after the end of any Fiscal Quarter (or within
90 days, in the case of the last Fiscal Quarter of the Fiscal Year), the Applicable Commitment Fee
Margin from and including (i) in the case of a Rating Notice, the date after such Rating Notice was
required to have been delivered hereunder, or (ii) in the case of a Compliance Certificate, the
46th (or 91st, as the case may be) day after the end of such Fiscal Quarter to, but not including,
the date the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a Rating Notice or a Compliance
Certificate, as the case
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may be, shall in each case conclusively equal the highest Applicable Commitment Fee Margin set
forth above.
“Applicable Margin” means, with respect to any Loan, the applicable percentage set
forth below corresponding to the relevant required debt rating:
Applicable Margin | ||
Required Debt Rating | For Loans | |
Tier I | 0.225% | |
Tier II | 0.250% | |
Tier III | 0.300% | |
Tier IV | 0.450% | |
Tier V | 0.550% |
The required debt rating used to compute the Applicable Margin shall be that set forth in the
Rating Notice most recently delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, including
pursuant to clause (b) of Section 5.1.2; provided, however, that if
a Senior Unsecured Debt Rating is issued by each of S&P and Xxxxx’x, then the higher of such Senior
Unsecured Debt Ratings shall apply, unless there is a split in the Senior Unsecured Debt Ratings of
more than one level, in which case the level that is one level higher than the lower Senior
Unsecured Debt Rating shall apply. Changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the
Senior Unsecured Debt Rating shall become effective upon delivery by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent of a new Rating Notice pursuant to clause (h) of
Section 7.1.1. If the Borrower shall fail to deliver (i) a Rating Notice within the
required time period pursuant to clause (h) of Section 7.1.1, or (ii) a Compliance
Certificate within 45 days after the end of any Fiscal Quarter (or within 90 days, in the case of
the last Fiscal Quarter of the Fiscal Year), the Applicable Margin from and including (i) in the
case of a Rating Notice, the date such Rating Notice was required to have been delivered or (ii) in
the case of a Compliance Certificate, the 46th (or 91st, as the case may be) day after the end of
such Fiscal Quarter to, but not including, the date the Borrower delivers to the Administrative
Agent a Rating Notice or a Compliance Certificate, as the case may be, shall in each case
conclusively equal the highest Applicable Margin set forth above.
“Assignee Lender” is defined in Section 10.11.1.
“Assignor Lender” is defined in Section 10.11.1.
“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2006.
“Authorized Officer” means, relative to any Obligor, those of its officers, general
partners or managing members (as applicable) whose signatures and incumbency shall have been
certified to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1.1.
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“Base Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum from time to time
published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal as being the “Prime Lending Rate”
or, if more than one rate is published as the Prime Lending Rate, then the highest of such rates
(each change in the Base Rate to be effective as of the date of publication in The Wall Street
Journal of a Prime Lending Rate that is different from that published on the preceding Business
Day); provided that in the event that The Wall Street Journal shall, for any reason, fail
or cease to publish the Prime Lending Rate, the Administrative Agent shall choose a reasonably
comparable index or source to use as the basis for the Prime Lending Rate
“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a fluctuating rate determined by
reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“Borrower” is defined in the preamble.
“Borrower Closing Date Certificate” means the closing date certificate executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D
hereto.
“Borrowing” means the Loans of the same type and, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans,
having the same Interest Period made by all Lenders required to make such Loans on the same
Business Day and pursuant to the same Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.1.
“Borrowing Request” means a Loan request and certificate duly executed by an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
“Business Day” means
(a) any day which is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor a legal holiday on which banks
are authorized or required to be closed in New York, New York; and
(b) relative to the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying of any LIBO Rate Loans,
any day which is a Business Day described in clause (a) above and which is also a
day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank eurodollar market.
“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of (a) all
expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for fixed or capital assets made during such
period which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capital expenditures and
(b) Capitalized Lease Liabilities incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period.
Capital Expenditures shall not include (a) any such expenditures funded from the proceeds of
casualty insurance received in respect of a capital asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (b)
any expenditures made to acquire any asset (including Capital Securities) in connection with an
acquisition.
“Capital Securities” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of such
Person’s capital, whether now outstanding or issued after the Effective Date or any right to
acquire the same.
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“Capitalized Lease Liabilities” means all monetary obligations of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries under any leasing or similar arrangement which have been (or, in accordance
with GAAP, should be) classified as capitalized leases, and for purposes of each Loan Document the
amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with
GAAP, and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other
amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the
lessee without payment of a premium or a penalty.
“Cash Equivalent Investment” means, at any time:
(a) any direct obligation of (or unconditionally guaranteed by) the United States or a
State thereof (or any agency or political subdivision thereof, to the extent such
obligations are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States or a State
thereof) maturing not more than one year after such time;
(b) commercial paper maturing not more than 270 days from the date of issue, which is
issued by
(i) a corporation (other than an Affiliate of any Obligor) organized under the
laws of any State of the United States or of the District of Columbia and rated A-1
or higher by S&P or P-1 or higher by Xxxxx’x, or
(ii) any Lender or any of its Affiliates (or its holding company);
(c) commercial paper maturing not more than 30 days from the date of issue which is
issued by
(i) a corporation (other than an Affiliate of any Obligor) organized under the
laws of any State of the United States or of the District of Columbia and rated A-2
or higher by S&P or P-2 by Xxxxx’x, or
(ii) any Lender or any of its Affiliates (or its holding company);
(d) any certificate of deposit, time deposit or bankers acceptance, maturing not more
than one year after its date of issuance, which is issued by either
(i) any bank organized under the laws of the United States (or any State
thereof) and which has (x) a credit rating of A2 or higher from Xxxxx’x or A or
higher from S&P and (y) a combined capital and surplus greater than $500,000,000, or
(ii) any Lender; or
(e) any repurchase agreement having a term of 30 days or less entered into with any
Lender or any commercial banking institution satisfying the criteria set forth in
clause (c)(i) which
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(i) is secured by a fully perfected security interest in any obligation of the
type described in clause (a), and
(ii) has a market value at the time such repurchase agreement is entered into
of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of such commercial banking
institution thereunder.
“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended.
“CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability
Information System List.
“Certificate of Determination” means the Certificate of Determination, dated as of
July 15, 2002, executed and delivered by Authorized Officers of the Borrower pursuant to Sections
201, 301 and 303 of the Existing Indenture.
“Change in Control” means
(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act,
and Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of persons becomes, directly or
indirectly, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions by way of merger,
consolidation, or other business combination or otherwise, the “beneficial owner” (as such
term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of more than 40% of the total voting power
in the aggregate of all classes of Capital Securities of the Borrower then outstanding
entitled to vote generally in elections of directors of the Borrower; or
(b) during any period of 24 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of
such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Borrower (together with any new
directors whose election to such Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders
of the Borrower was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Borrower then in office.
“Closing Date” means the date on which all of the conditions set forth in Section
5.1 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, but in no event shall
such date be later than December 19, 2007.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations thereunder, in
each case as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Commitment” means, relative to any Lender, such Lender’s obligation (if any) to make
Loans pursuant to Section 2.1.1.
“Commitment Amount” means, on any date, $200,000,000, as such amount may be reduced
from time to time pursuant to Section 2.2.
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“Commitment Termination Date” means the earliest of
(a) December 19, 2007 (if the Closing Date has not occurred on or prior to such date);
(b) April 30, 2008;
(c) the date on which the Commitment Amount is terminated in full or reduced to zero
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and
(d) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.
Upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding clauses (c) or
(d), the Commitments shall terminate automatically and without any further action.
“Commitment Termination Event” means
(a) the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in
clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9; or
(b) the occurrence and continuance of any other Event of Default and either
(i) the declaration of all or any portion of the Loans to be due and payable
pursuant to Section 8.3, or
(ii) the giving of notice by the Administrative Agent, acting at the direction
of the Required Lenders, to the Borrower that the Commitments have been terminated.
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate duly completed and executed by an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, together
with such changes thereto as the Administrative Agent may from time to time request for the purpose
of monitoring the Borrower’s compliance with the financial covenants contained herein.
“Contingent Liability” means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any
Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or
indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or
otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the Indebtedness
of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or
guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the Capital Securities of any other
Person. The amount of any Person’s obligation under any Contingent Liability shall (subject to any
limitation set forth therein) be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt,
obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby.
“Continuation/Conversion Notice” means a notice of continuation or conversion and
certificate duly executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of
Exhibit C hereto.
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“Controlled Group” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all
members of a controlled group of trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common
control which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or
414(c) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.
“Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan by a Lender.
“Default” means any Event of Default or any condition, occurrence or event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” is defined in Section 4.11.
“Disclosure Schedule” means the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto as
Schedule I, as it may be amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified
from time to time by the Borrower with the written consent of the Required Lenders (other than as a
result of an update to Item 6.8 of the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to clause (i)
of Section 7.1.1).
“Disposition” (or similar words such as “Dispose”) means any sale, transfer,
lease, contribution or other conveyance (including by way of merger) of, or the granting of
options, warrants or other rights to, any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets (including
accounts receivables and Capital Securities of Subsidiaries but excluding Cash Equivalent
Investments) to any other Person (other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary) in a single
transaction or series of transactions.
“Dollar” and the sign “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
“Domestic Office” means the office of a Lender designated as its “Domestic Office” on
Schedule II hereto or in a Lender Assignment Agreement, or such other office within the
United States as may be designated from time to time by notice from such Lender to the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower.
“EBITDA” means, for any applicable period, the sum of
(a) Net Income (excluding any equity income (or loss) from Affiliates (other than
Subsidiaries) of the Borrower to the extent the income was not received by the Borrower in
cash), plus
(b) to the extent deducted (or included) in determining Net Income, the sum of (i)
amounts attributable to amortization, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) Interest Expense,
(iv) depreciation of assets, and (v) non-cash non-recurring losses or non-cash extraordinary
losses (or, minus, non-cash non-recurring gains or non-cash extraordinary gains);
provided, that, for purposes of calculating EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
any period hereunder, the EBITDA of any Person or assets (x) acquired by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in connection with any acquisitions or (y) Disposed of by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in connection with Permitted Dispositions, shall be included on a pro
forma basis
8
for such period as if such acquisitions or Permitted Dispositions had occurred on the first day of
such period.
“Effective Date” means the date this Agreement becomes effective pursuant to
Section 10.8.
“Eligible Assignees” means (a) each Lender, (b) any Affiliate of a Lender, and (c) any
commercial bank, other financial institution or any other Person approved in writing by the
Administrative Agent and (except during the existence or the continuation of an Event of Default)
the Borrower, which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
“Environmental Laws” means all applicable federal, state or local statutes, laws,
ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and guidelines (including consent decrees and administrative
orders) relating to public health and safety and protection of the environment.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any
successor statute thereto of similar import, together with the regulations thereunder, in each case
as in effect from time to time. References to Sections of ERISA also refer to any successor
Sections thereto.
“Event of Default” is defined in Section 8.1.
“Exemption Certificate” is defined in clause (e) of Section 4.6.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Existing Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of May 27, 1999, by and between the
Borrower and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee.
“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal for each day during such period to
(a) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for
such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York; or
(b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average
of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent
from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
“Fiscal Quarter” means a quarter ending on the last day of March, June, September or
December.
“Fiscal Year” means any period of twelve consecutive calendar months ending on
December 31; references to a Fiscal Year with a number corresponding to any calendar year
9
(e.g., the “2007 Fiscal Year”) refer to the Fiscal Year ending on December 31 of such
calendar year.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of the close of any Fiscal Quarter, the ratio
computed for the period consisting of such Fiscal Quarter and each of the three immediately
preceding Fiscal Quarters of:
(a) EBITDA (for all such Fiscal Quarters) minus Capital Expenditures made during such
Fiscal Quarters;
to
(b) the sum (for all such Fiscal Quarters) of (i) cash Interest Expense (net of cash
interest income) and (ii) dividends on the Capital Securities of the Borrower, calculated
based on dividends actually declared whether or not paid.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Subsidiary.
“F.R.S. Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any
successor thereto.
“GAAP” is defined in Section 1.4.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States, any other nation
or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government.
“Group” means the Borrower or any member of its affiliated group within the meaning of
Section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Hazardous Material” means
(a) any “hazardous substance”, as defined by CERCLA;
(b) any “hazardous waste”, as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,
as amended; or
(c) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material
or substance (including any petroleum product) within the meaning of any other applicable
federal, state or local law, regulation, ordinance or requirement (including consent decrees
and administrative orders) relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct
concerning any hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste, substance or material, all as amended.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, all liabilities of such
Person under currency exchange agreements, interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements
10
and interest rate collar agreements, and all other agreements or arrangements designed to
protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.
“herein”, “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereunder” and similar terms
contained in any Loan Document refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular
Section, paragraph or provision of such Loan Document.
“Impermissible Qualification” means any qualification or exception to the opinion or
certification of any independent public accountant as to any financial statement of the Borrower
(a) which is of a “going concern” or similar nature;
(b) which relates to the limited scope of examination of matters relevant to such
financial statement; or
(c) which relates to the treatment or classification of any item in such financial
statement and which, as a condition to its removal, would require an adjustment to such item
the effect of which would be to cause the Borrower to be in Default.
“including” and “include” means including without limiting the generality of
any description preceding such term, and, for purposes of each Loan Document, the parties hereto
agree that the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be applicable to limit a general
statement, which is followed by or referable to an enumeration of specific matters, to matters
similar to the matters specifically mentioned.
“Increased Cost Lender” is defined in Section 4.11.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means:
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or advances and all obligations
of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments;
(b) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, relative to the face amount of all
letters of credit, whether or not drawn, and banker’s acceptances issued for the account of
such Person;
(c) all Capitalized Lease Liabilities of such Person;
(d) for purposes of Section 8.1.5 only, all other items which, in accordance
with GAAP, would be included as liabilities on the balance sheet of such Person as of the
date at which Indebtedness is to be determined;
(e) net Hedging Obligations of such Person;
(f) whether or not so included as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, all obligations
of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade
accounts payable in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of
more than 90 days or, if overdue for more than 90 days, as to
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which a dispute exists and adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP have been
established on the books of such Person), and indebtedness secured by (or for which the
holder of such indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) a Lien on property owned or being acquired by such Person (including indebtedness
arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such
indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(g) obligations arising under Synthetic Leases; and
(h) all Contingent Liabilities of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other Person (including any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor
as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such Person, except
to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
“Indemnified Liabilities” is defined in Section 10.4.
“Indemnified Parties” is defined in Section 10.4.
“Interest Expense” means, for any Fiscal Quarter, the aggregate interest expense (both
accrued and paid (without duplication)) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal
Quarter, including the portion of any payments made in respect of Capitalized Lease Liabilities
allocable to interest expense (net of interest income paid during such period to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries).
“Interest Period” means the period beginning on (and including) the date on which such
LIBO Rate Loan is made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan pursuant to
Section 2.3 or 2.4 and shall end on (but exclude) the day which numerically
corresponds to such date one, two, three or six months thereafter (or, if such month has no
numerically corresponding day, on the last Business Day of such month), as the Borrower may select
in its relevant notice pursuant to Section 2.3 or 2.4; provided,
however, that
(i) if such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next following Business Day
(unless such next following Business Day is the first Business Day of a calendar
month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the Business Day next
preceding such numerically corresponding day); and
(ii) no Interest Period for any Loan may end later than the Maturity Date.
The Borrower shall not be permitted to select Interest Periods to be in effect at any one time
which have expiration dates occurring on more than ten different dates.
“Investment” means, relative to any Person,
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(a) any loan, advance or extension of credit made by such Person to any other Person,
including the purchase by such Person of any bonds, notes, debentures or other debt
securities of any other Person;
(b) Contingent Liabilities in favor of any other Person; and
(c) any Capital Securities held by such Person in any other Person.
The amount of any Investment shall be the original principal or capital amount thereof less all
returns of principal or equity thereon and shall, if made by the transfer or exchange of property
other than cash, be deemed to have been made in an original principal or capital amount equal to
the fair market value of such property at the time of such Investment.
“Xxxxxx” is defined in the preamble.
“Lender Assignment Agreement” means an assignment agreement substantially in the form
of Exhibit F hereto.
“Lenders” is defined in the preamble.
“Lender’s Environmental Liability” means any and all losses, liabilities, obligations,
penalties, claims, litigation, demands, defenses, costs, judgments, suits, proceedings, damages
(including consequential damages), disbursements or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees at trial and appellate levels and experts’ fees and
disbursements and expenses incurred in investigating, defending against or prosecuting any
litigation, claim or proceeding) which may at any time be imposed upon, incurred by or asserted or
awarded against the Administrative Agent, any Lead Arranger, any Lender or any of such Person’s
Affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, and agents in connection with or arising
from:
(a) any Hazardous Material on, in, under or affecting all or any portion of any
property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the groundwater thereunder, or any
surrounding areas thereof to the extent caused by Releases from the Borrower’s or any of its
Subsidiaries’ or any of their respective predecessors’ properties;
(b) any misrepresentation, inaccuracy or breach of any warranty, contained or referred
to in Section 6.12;
(c) any violation or claim of violation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of
any Environmental Laws; or
(d) the imposition of any lien for damages caused by or the recovery of any costs for
the cleanup, release or threatened release of Hazardous Material by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, or in connection with any property owned or formerly owned by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries.
“LIBO Rate” means, relative to any Interest Period for LIBO Rate Loans, the rate of
interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal
to
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the applicable Interest Period which appears on the Reuters LIBOR01 Page at approximately
11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest
Period (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent (1/16%)). If,
for any reason, such rate does not appear on the Reuters LIBOR01 Page, then “LIBO Rate” shall be
determined by the Administrative Agent’s LIBOR Office to be the arithmetic average (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent (1/16%)) of the rate per annum
at which deposits in Dollars would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market
to the Administrative Agent’s LIBOR Office at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2)
Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for a period equal to such
Interest Period and in an amount substantially equal to the amount of the applicable LIBO Rate
Loan.
“LIBO Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest, at all times during an Interest Period
applicable to such Loan, at a rate of interest determined by reference to the LIBO Rate (Reserve
Adjusted).
“LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted)” means, relative to any Loan to be made, continued or
maintained as, or converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan for any Interest Period, a rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) determined pursuant to the following
formula:
LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) |
= | LIBO Rate |
The LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for any Interest Period for LIBO Rate Loans will be determined by
the Administrative Agent on the basis of the LIBOR Reserve Percentage in effect two Business Days
before the first day of such Interest Period.
“LIBOR Office” means the office of a Lender designated as its “LIBOR Office” on
Schedule II hereto or in a Lender Assignment Agreement, or such other office designated
from time to time by notice from such Lender to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, whether
or not outside the United States, which shall be making or maintaining the LIBO Rate Loans of such
Lender.
“LIBOR Reserve Percentage” means, relative to any Interest Period for LIBO Rate Loans,
the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal) equal to the maximum aggregate reserve requirements
(including all basic, emergency, supplemental, marginal and other reserves and taking into account
any transitional adjustments or other scheduled changes in reserve requirements) specified under
regulations issued from time to time by the F.R.S. Board and then applicable to assets or
liabilities consisting of or including “Eurocurrency Liabilities”, as currently defined in
Regulation D of the F.R.S. Board, having a term approximately equal or comparable to such Interest
Period.
“Lien” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge against or interest in
property, or other priority or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, to secure
payment of a debt or performance of an obligation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained
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herein, financing statements solely constituting precautionary filings to protect the interest
of a lessor shall not be deemed Liens for the purposes hereof.
“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Administrative
Fee Letter, and each other agreement, certificate, document or instrument delivered in connection
with any Loan Document, whether or not specifically mentioned herein or therein.
“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and, in each
case, each of their respective successors, transferees and assigns.
“Loans” is defined in Section 2.1.1.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business,
financial condition, operations or properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, (b) the rights and remedies of any Loan Party under any Loan Document or (c) the ability of
any Obligor to perform its Obligations under any Loan Document.
“Maturity Date” means the earlier of
(a) June 19, 2008, six months after the Closing Date; and
(b) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“MSSF” is defined in the preamble.
“Net Income” means, for any period, the aggregate of all amounts which would be
included as net income on the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such period.
“Non-Defaulting Lender” means a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender.
“Non-Excluded Taxes” means any Taxes other than net income and franchise taxes imposed
with respect to any Loan Party by any Governmental Authority under the laws of which such Loan
Party is organized or in which it maintains its applicable lending office.
“Non-U.S. Lender” means any Lender that is not a “United States person”, as defined
under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“Note” means a (i) promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender, in the form
of Exhibit A hereto (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified
from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting
from outstanding Loans, and (ii) all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in
substitution therefor or renewal thereof.
“Obligations” means all obligations (monetary or otherwise, whether absolute or
contingent, matured or unmatured) of the Borrower and each other Obligor arising under or in
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connection with a Loan Document, including the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
(including interest accruing during the pendency of any proceeding of the type described in
Section 8.1.9, whether or not allowed in such proceeding) on the Loans.
“Obligor” means, as the context may require, the Borrower and each other Person (other
than a Loan Party) who may from time to time be obligated under any Loan Document.
“Organic Document” means, relative to any Obligor, as applicable, its certificate of
incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of
formation, limited liability agreement and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar
arrangements applicable to any of such Obligor’s partnership interests, limited liability company
interests or authorized shares of Capital Securities.
“Other Taxes” means any and all stamp, documentary or similar Taxes, or any other
excise or property Taxes or similar levies that arise on account of any payment made or required to
be made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, registration, recording or
enforcement of any Loan Document.
“Participant” is defined in Section 10.11.2.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any
or all of its functions under ERISA.
“Pension Plan” means a “pension plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a multiemployer plan as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), and to which the Borrower or any corporation, trade or business that
is, along with the Borrower, a member of a Controlled Group, may have liability, including any
liability by reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning of Section 4063 of
ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a
contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA.
“Percentage” means, relative to any Lender, the applicable percentage relating to
Loans set forth opposite its name on Schedule II hereto under the Commitment column or set
forth in a Lender Assignment Agreement under the Commitment column, as such percentage may be
adjusted from time to time pursuant to any Lender Assignment Agreement executed by such Lender and
its Assignee Lender and delivered pursuant to Section 10.11.1. A Lender shall not have any
Commitment if its percentage under the Commitment column is zero.
“Permitted Business Activities” means (i) the manufacture and distribution of, among
other things, smokeless tobacco, and a producer of premium wines and (ii) engaged in the business
of agricultural biotechnology.
“Permitted Disposition” means any Disposition permitted pursuant to
Section 7.2.5.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, trust or unincorporated organization, Governmental
Authority or any other legal entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.
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“Quarterly Payment Date” means the last Business Day of March, June, September and
December.
“Rating Notice” is defined in clause (h) of Section 7.1.1.
“Refinancing” is defined in the second recital.
“Register” is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.6.
“Release” means a “release”, as such term is defined in CERCLA.
“Replacement Lender” is defined in clause (f) of Section 10.11.1.
“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Non-Defaulting Lenders holding at least 51% of
the Total Exposure Amount held by Non-Defaulting Lenders.
“Resource Conservation and Recovery Act” means the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., as amended.
“Restricted Payment” means the declaration or payment of any dividend (other than
dividends payable solely in Capital Securities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary) on, or the making
of any payment or distribution on account of, or setting apart assets for a sinking or other
analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of any
class of Capital Securities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any warrants or options to
purchase any such Capital Securities, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or the making of any
other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property,
obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or otherwise.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx
Companies, Inc.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time
administering the Securities Act thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the relevant
time.
“Senior Notes” means the senior, unsecured notes of the Borrower due in 2009 and the
senior, unsecured notes of the Borrower due in 2012 issued under the terms of the Senior Notes
Documents, and any senior, unsecured notes of the Borrower issued after the Effective Date.
“Senior Notes Documents” means the Existing Indenture, the Senior Notes, the
Certificate of Determination and all other agreements, documents, instruments, certificates,
filings, consents, approvals, board of directors resolutions and opinions furnished pursuant to or
in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes and the other transactions contemplated
thereby, in each case as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time in connection with any refinancing, replacement or otherwise.
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“Senior Unsecured Debt Rating” means the non-credit enhanced, long-term senior
unsecured debt rating ascribed to such Indebtedness of the Borrower by S&P or Moody’s, as the case
may be, announced by S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be, from time to time.
“Significant Subsidiary” means each U.S. Subsidiary now existing or hereafter acquired
or formed, and each successor thereto, which at any time of determination accounts for more than
two (2%) percent of (a) the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or (b) the
consolidated tangible net worth (valued at the lesser of (i) fair market value or (ii) book value)
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
“Subject Fiscal Year” is defined in Section 7.2.5.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which more than
50% of the outstanding Voting Securities of such other Person (irrespective of whether at the time
Capital Securities of any other class or classes of such other Person shall or might have voting
power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or
controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by
one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless the context otherwise specifically requires,
the term “Subsidiary” shall be a reference to a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Substitute Lender” is defined in Section 4.11.
“Synthetic Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including leases that
may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed)
(a) that is not a capital lease in accordance with GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee
retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for federal income tax purposes, other than
any such lease under which that Person is the lessor.
“Taxes” means all income, stamp or other taxes, duties, levies, imposts, charges,
assessments, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected,
withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, and all interest, penalties or similar
liabilities with respect thereto.
“Terminated Lender” is defined in Section 4.11.
“Termination Date” means the date on which all Obligations have been paid in full in
cash and all Commitments shall have terminated.
“Tier I” means that the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating of the Borrower is at least
either (a) A+ by S&P or (b) A1 by Moody’s.
“Tier II” means that the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating of the Borrower is not at the
Tier I level, and is at least either (a) A by S&P or (b) A2 by Moody’s.
“Tier III” means that the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating of the Borrower is not at the
Tier I or Tier II level, and is at least either (a) A- by S&P or (b) A3 by Moody’s.
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“Tier IV” means that the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating of the Borrower is not at the
Tier I, Tier II or Tier III level, and is at least either (a) BBB+ by S&P or (b) Baa1 by Moody’s.
“Tier V” means that the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating of the Borrower is not at the
Tier I, Tier II, Tier III or Tier IV level.
“Tobacco Business Assets” means, collectively, the assets (including accounts
receivable and Capital Securities) of (a) U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, and (b) the Borrower and
any other Subsidiary, which assets are used primarily (or evidence ownership in Persons primarily
engaged) in the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products.
“Total Exposure Amount” means, on any date of determination (and without duplication),
the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and the unfunded amount of the Commitments.
“type” means, relative to any Loan, the portion thereof, if any, being maintained as a
Base Rate Loan or a LIBO Rate Loan.
“United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America, its fifty states
and the District of Columbia.
“U.S. Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the
laws of the United States or a state thereof.
“Voting Securities” means, with respect to any Person, Capital Securities of any class
or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting
members of the governing body of such Person.
“Welfare Plan” means a “welfare plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA.
“wholly owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary all of the outstanding Capital
Securities of which (other than any director’s qualifying shares or investments by foreign
nationals mandated by applicable laws) is owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower.
SECTION 1.2. Use of Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise
requires, terms for which meanings are provided in this Agreement shall have such meanings when
used in each other Loan Document and the Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 1.3. Cross-References. Unless otherwise specified, references in a Loan
Document to any Article or Section are references to such Article or Section of such Loan Document,
and references in any Article, Section or definition to any clause are references to such clause of
such Article, Section or definition.
SECTION 1.4. Accounting and Financial Determinations. Unless otherwise specified, all
accounting terms used in each Loan Document shall be interpreted, and all accounting determinations
and computations thereunder (including under Section 7.2.3 and the definitions used in such
calculations) shall be made, in accordance with those generally accepted accounting
19
principles (“GAAP”) applied in the preparation of the Audited Financial Statements.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, all financial covenants and defined financial terms shall be
computed on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case without
duplication.
ARTICLE II
COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE
PROCEDURES AND NOTES
COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE
PROCEDURES AND NOTES
SECTION 2.1. Commitments. On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
each Lender severally agrees that, from time to time on up to any four Business Days occurring from
and after the Closing Date but prior to the Commitment Termination Date, it will make loans
(relative to such Lender, its “Loans”) to the Borrower equal to such Lender’s Percentage of
the aggregate amount of each Borrowing of the Loans requested by the Borrower to be made on such
day. On the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, the Borrower may from time to time borrow
until the Commitment Termination Date, provided that Loans that are repaid or prepaid may
not be reborrowed. No Lender shall be permitted or required to make any Loan if, after giving
effect thereto, (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans of such Lender would
exceed such Lender’s Percentage of the Commitment Amount, or (b) the aggregate principal amount of
all Loans then outstanding would exceed the Commitment Amount.
SECTION 2.2. Reduction of the Commitment Amounts. (a) Optional. The
Borrower may, from time to time on any Business Day occurring after the Effective Date, voluntarily
reduce the amount of the Commitment Amount on the Business Day so specified by the Borrower;
provided, however, that all such reductions shall require at least one Business
Day’s prior notice to the Administrative Agent and be permanent, and any partial reduction of any
Commitment Amount shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of
$1,000,000.
(b) Mandatory. On the Commitment Termination Date, the Commitments of the Lenders
shall be automatically and permanently reduced to zero. On the date of each Borrowing, the
Commitments of the Lenders shall be automatically and permanently reduced on a pro rata basis by an
amount equal to the amount of such Borrowing. On the date of each prepayment of the Loans, the
Commitments of the Lenders shall be automatically and permanently reduced on a pro rata basis by an
amount equal to the amount of such prepayment.
SECTION 2.3. Borrowing Procedures. By delivering a Borrowing Request to the
Administrative Agent, the Borrower may from time to time irrevocably request, on the requested date
of any Borrowing (and on or before 10:00 a.m. on such Business Day) in the case of Base Rate Loans,
or on not less than three Business Days’ notice (and on or before noon on such Business Day) in the
case of LIBO Rate Loans, and in either case not more than five Business Days’ notice, that a
Borrowing be made, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans, in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and an
integral multiple of $1,000,000, in the case of Base Rate Loans, in a minimum amount of $5,000,000
and an integral multiple of $1,000,000 or, in either case, in the unused amount of the Commitment;
provided, however, that all Loans made on the Closing Date shall be made as Base
Rate Loans. On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
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each Borrowing shall be comprised of the type of Loans and shall be made on the Business Day,
specified in such Borrowing Request. On or before 11:00 a.m. on such Business Day, each Lender
that has a Commitment shall deposit with the Administrative Agent same day funds in an amount equal
to such Lender’s Percentage of the requested Borrowing. Such deposit will be made to an account
which the Administrative Agent shall specify from time to time by notice to the Lenders. To the
extent funds are received from the Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall make such funds
available to the Borrower by wire transfer to the accounts the Borrower shall have specified in its
Borrowing Request. No Lender’s obligation to make any Loan shall be affected by any other Lender’s
failure to make any Loan.
SECTION 2.4. Continuation and Conversion Elections. By delivering a
Continuation/Conversion Notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may from time to time
irrevocably elect, on the requested date of any continuation or conversion (and on or before 10:00
a.m. on such Business Day) in the case of Base Rate Loans, or on not less than three Business Days’
notice (and on or before noon on such Business Day) in the case of LIBO Rate Loans, and in either
case not more than five Business Days’ notice, that all, or any portion in an aggregate minimum
amount of $5,000,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000,000 be, in the case of Base Rate Loans,
converted into LIBO Rate Loans or be, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans, converted into Base Rate
Loans or continued as LIBO Rate Loans (in the absence of delivery of a Continuation/Conversion
Notice with respect to any LIBO Rate Loan at least three Business Days (but not more than five
Business Days) before the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, such
LIBO Rate Loan shall, on such last day, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan);
provided, however, that (x) each such conversion or continuation shall be pro rated
among the applicable outstanding Loans of all Lenders that have made such Loans, and (y) no portion
of the outstanding principal amount of any Loans may be continued as, or be converted into, LIBO
Rate Loans when any Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 2.5. Funding of Loans. Each Lender may, if it so elects, fulfill its
obligation to make, continue or convert LIBO Rate Loans hereunder by causing one of its foreign
branches or Affiliates (or an international banking facility created by such Lender) to make or
maintain such LIBO Rate Loan; provided, however, that such LIBO Rate Loan shall
nonetheless be deemed to have been made and to be held by such Lender, and the obligation of the
Borrower to repay such LIBO Rate Loan shall nevertheless be to such Lender for the account of such
foreign branch, Affiliate or international banking facility. In addition, the Borrower hereby
consents and agrees that, for purposes of any determination to be made for purposes of
Section 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, it shall be conclusively assumed that
each Lender elected to fund all LIBO Rate Loans by purchasing Dollar deposits in its LIBOR Office’s
interbank eurodollar market.
SECTION 2.6. Notes.
(a) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any Lender, the
Borrower will execute and deliver to such Lender a Note evidencing the Loans made by, and payable
to the order of, such Lender in a maximum principal amount equal to such Lender’s Percentage of the
original Commitment Amount. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make (or
cause to be made) appropriate notations on the grid attached to such Lender’s Note(s) (or on any
continuation of such grid), which notations, if made, shall evidence, inter alia,
the date of, the outstanding principal amount of, and the interest rate and
21
Interest Period applicable to the Loans evidenced thereby. Such notations shall, to the
extent not inconsistent with notations made by the Administrative Agent in the Register, be
conclusive and binding on each Obligor absent manifest error; provided, however,
that the failure of any Lender to make any such notations, or any error in any such notation, shall
not limit or otherwise affect any Obligations of any Obligor.
(b) The Borrower hereby designates the Administrative Agent to serve as the Borrower’s agent,
solely for the purpose of this clause, to maintain a register (the “Register”) on which the
Administrative Agent will record each Lender’s Commitment, the Loans made by each Lender and each
repayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, annexed to which the Administrative
Agent shall retain a copy of each Lender Assignment Agreement delivered to the Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 10.11.1. Failure to make any recordation, or any error in such
recordation, shall not affect any Obligor’s Obligations. The entries in the Register shall be
conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall treat each Person in whose name a Loan is registered (or, if applicable, to which a
Note has been issued) as the owner thereof for the purposes of all Loan Documents, notwithstanding
notice or any provision herein to the contrary. Any assignment or transfer of a Commitment or the
Loans made pursuant hereto shall be registered in the Register only upon delivery to the
Administrative Agent of a Lender Assignment Agreement that has been executed by the requisite
parties pursuant to Section 10.11.1. No assignment or transfer of a Lender’s Commitment or
Loans shall be effective unless such assignment or transfer shall have been recorded in the
Register by the Administrative Agent as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE III
REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, DEPOSITS, INTEREST AND FEES
REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, DEPOSITS, INTEREST AND FEES
SECTION 3.1. Repayments and Prepayments; Application. The Borrower agrees that the
Loans shall be repaid and prepaid pursuant to the following terms.
SECTION 3.1.1. Repayments and Prepayments. The Borrower shall repay in full the unpaid
principal amount of the Loans made by each Lender upon the Maturity Date. Prior thereto, payments
and prepayments of the Loans shall or may be made as set forth below.
(a) From time to time on any Business Day, the Borrower may make a voluntary
prepayment, in whole or in part, of the outstanding principal amount of any Loans;
provided, that (i) any such prepayment of Loans shall be made pro
rata among the Loans of the same type and, if applicable, having the same Interest
Period of all Lenders that have made such Loans; (ii) all such voluntary prepayments shall
require at least one but no more than five Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative
Agent; and (iii) all such voluntary partial prepayments shall be, in an aggregate minimum
amount of $5,000,000 and an integral multiple $1,000,000.
(b) On each date when the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans exceeds
the Commitment Amount (as it may be reduced from time to time pursuant to this Agreement),
the Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment of Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such
excess.
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(c) Immediately upon any acceleration of the Maturity Date of any Loans pursuant to
Section 8.2 or Section 8.3, the Borrower shall repay all the Loans, unless,
pursuant to Section 8.3, only a portion of all the Loans is so accelerated (in which
case the portion so accelerated shall be so repaid).
(d) On any date prior to the Maturity Date on which any Net Proceeds are received by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Reduction Event, the Borrower
shall prepay the Loans by an amount equal to such Net Proceeds. The Borrower shall notify
the Administrative Agent of the proposed consummation of any Reduction Event (and the
corresponding prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 3.1.1(d) or reduction of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 2.2(b)), as the case may be) no later than 11:00 A.M. (New
York City time) on the second Business Day prior to the date of the proposed consummation
thereof. Such notice shall specify (i) the date of the proposed consummation of such
Reduction Event, (ii) a reasonably detailed estimate of the Net Proceeds thereof, and (iii)
the anticipated amount of the prepayment of the Loans and reduction of the Commitments and
as a result thereof.
For purposes of this Section 3.1.1(d), the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any Reduction Event, (a) the cash
proceeds received in respect thereof (including any cash received in respect of any non-cash
proceeds, but only when and as received), in each case net of (b) all fees and out-of-pocket
expenses paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to third parties in connection with such
Reduction Event.
“Reduction Event” means any of the following occurring on or after the date
hereof:
(i) the incurrence by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Indebtedness for borrowed
money, including without limitation pursuant to a public offering, private placement or a
syndicated bank financing, except (A) commercial paper, (B) Indebtedness incurred under this
Agreement, (C) Indebtedness incurred under credit facilities available to the Borrower or
any Subsidiary on the Closing Date, or refinancings in amounts not in excess of the amounts
available thereunder plus any fees payable in connection with such refinancing, on the
Closing Date, (D) Indebtedness of a type described in Section 7.2.2(b) of this Agreement and
(E) Indebtedness owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary to any other Consolidated
Subsidiary or to the Borrower; and
(ii) the issuance by the Borrower of any equity security, except any such issuance in
connection with the exercise of employee stock options or any such issuance of equity
securities in the ordinary course to officers, employees, former employees, consultants and
directors.
Each prepayment of any Loans made pursuant to this Section shall be without premium or penalty,
except as may be required by Section 4.4.
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SECTION 3.1.2. Application. Each prepayment or repayment of the principal of the Loans
shall be applied, to the extent of such prepayment or repayment
(a) with respect to application among all Loans then outstanding, to the principal
amount of Loans then outstanding pro rata; and
(b) with respect to the types of Loans then outstanding, first, to the
principal amount thereof being maintained as Base Rate Loans, and second, subject to
the terms of Section 4.4, to the principal amount thereof being maintained as LIBO
Rate Loans.
SECTION 3.2. Interest Provisions. Interest on the outstanding principal amount of
Loans shall accrue and be payable in accordance with the terms set forth below.
SECTION 3.2.1. Rates. Pursuant to an appropriately delivered Borrowing Request or
Continuation/Conversion Notice, the Borrower may elect that Loans comprising a Borrowing accrue
interest at a rate per annum:
(a) on that portion maintained from time to time as a Base Rate Loan, equal to the sum
of the Alternate Base Rate from time to time in effect; and
(b) on that portion maintained as a LIBO Rate Loan, during each Interest Period
applicable thereto, equal to the sum of the LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for such Interest
Period plus the Applicable Margin.
All LIBO Rate Loans shall bear interest from and including the first day of the applicable Interest
Period to (but not including) the last day of such Interest Period at the interest rate determined
as applicable to such LIBO Rate Loan.
SECTION 3.2.2. Post-Maturity Rates. After the date any principal amount of any Loan is due
and payable (whether on the Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise), or after any other
monetary Obligation of the Borrower shall have become due and payable, the Borrower shall pay, but
only to the extent permitted by law, interest (after as well as before judgment) on such amounts at
a rate per annum equal to (a) in the case of overdue principal on any Loan, the rate of interest
that otherwise would be applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; and (b) in the case of
overdue interest, fees, and other monetary Obligations, the Alternate Base Rate, plus, 2%
per annum.
SECTION 3.2.3. Payment Dates. Interest accrued on each Loan shall be payable, without
duplication:
(a) on the Maturity Date;
(b) on the date of any payment or prepayment, in each case in whole or in part, of
principal outstanding on such Loan on the principal amount so paid or prepaid;
(c) with respect to Base Rate Loans, in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date
occurring after the Effective Date;
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(d) with respect to LIBO Rate Loans, on the last day of each applicable Interest Period
(and, if such Interest Period shall exceed three months, on the date occurring on each
three-month interval occurring after the first day of such Interest Period);
(e) with respect to any Base Rate Loans converted into LIBO Rate Loans on a day when
interest would not otherwise have been payable pursuant to clause (c), on the date
of such conversion; and
(f) on that portion of any Loans the Maturity Date of which is accelerated pursuant to
Section 8.2 or Section 8.3, immediately upon such acceleration.
Interest accrued on Loans or other monetary Obligations after the date such amount is due and
payable (whether on the Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise) shall be payable upon
demand.
SECTION 3.3. Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay the fees set forth below. All such
fees shall be non-refundable.
SECTION 3.3.1. Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of each Lender, for the period (including any portion thereof when the Commitment is
suspended by reason of the Borrower’s inability to satisfy any condition of Article V)
commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through the Commitment Termination Date, a
commitment fee in an amount equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee Margin, in each case on such
Lender’s applicable Percentage of the sum of the average daily unused portion of the Commitment
Amount. All commitment fees payable pursuant to this Section shall be payable by the Borrower in
arrears on the Effective Date and thereafter on the first Business Day following each Quarterly
Payment Date (and shall include payment through and including such Quarterly Payment Date)
following the Effective Date, and on the Commitment Termination Date.
SECTION 3.3.2. Administrative Agent’s Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent, for its own account, the fees in the amounts and on the dates set forth in
the Administrative Fee Letter.
SECTION 3.3.3. Funding Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of each Lender, on April 30, 2008 a fee equal to 0.075% of the Commitment of each
Lender on such date.
ARTICLE IV
CERTAIN LIBO RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS
CERTAIN LIBO RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.1. LIBO Rate Lending Unlawful. If any Lender shall determine (which
determination shall, upon notice thereof to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower) that the introduction of or any change in or in the
interpretation of any law makes it unlawful, or any Governmental Authority asserts that it is
unlawful, for such Lender to make or continue any Loan as, or to convert any Loan into, a LIBO Rate
Loan, the obligations of such Lender to make, continue or convert any such LIBO Rate Loan shall,
upon such determination, forthwith be suspended until such Lender shall notify the
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Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and all
outstanding LIBO Rate Loans payable to such Lender shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans
at the end of the then current Interest Periods with respect thereto or sooner, if required by such
law or assertion.
SECTION 4.2. Deposits Unavailable. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined
that
(a) Dollar deposits in the relevant amount and for the relevant Interest Period are not
available to it in its relevant market; or
(b) by reason of circumstances affecting its relevant market, adequate means do not
exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable hereunder to LIBO Rate Loans;
then, upon notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and the Lenders, the obligations of
all Lenders under Section 2.3 and Section 2.4 to make or continue any Loans as, or
to convert any Loans into, LIBO Rate Loans shall forthwith be suspended until the Administrative
Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no
longer exist.
SECTION 4.3. Increased LIBO Rate Loan Costs, etc. The Borrower agrees to reimburse
each Lender for any increase in the cost to such Lender of, or any reduction in the amount of any
sum receivable by such Loan Party in respect of, such Loan Party’s Commitments and the making of
Credit Extensions hereunder (including the making, continuing or maintaining (or of its obligation
to make or continue) any Loans as, or of converting (or of its obligation to convert) any Loans
into, LIBO Rate Loans that arise in connection with any change in, or the introduction, adoption,
effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or phase-in after the Closing Date of, any law or
regulation, directive, guideline, decision or request (whether or not having the force of law) of
any Governmental Authority, except for such changes with respect to increased capital costs and
Taxes which are governed by Sections 4.5 and 4.6, respectively. Each affected Loan
Party shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of the occurrence
of any such event, stating the reasons therefor and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis
for requesting the additional amount required fully to compensate such Loan Party for such
increased cost or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall be payable by the Borrower
directly to such Loan Party within five days of its receipt of such notice, and such notice shall,
in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower.
SECTION 4.4. Funding Losses. In the event any Lender shall incur any loss or expense
(including any loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or
other funds acquired by such Lender to make or continue any portion of the principal amount of any
Loan as, or to convert any portion of the principal amount of any Loan into, a LIBO Rate Loan but
excluding loss of anticipated profits) as a result of
(a) any conversion or repayment or prepayment of the principal amount of any LIBO Rate
Loan on a date other than the scheduled last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
whether pursuant to Article III or otherwise;
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(b) any Loans not being made as LIBO Rate Loans in accordance with the Borrowing
Request therefor; or
(c) any Loans not being continued as, or converted into, LIBO Rate Loans in accordance
with the Continuation/Conversion Notice therefor;
then, upon the written notice of such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
requesting such amount to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower
shall, within five days of its receipt thereof, pay directly to such Lender such amount as will (in
the reasonable determination of such Lender) reimburse such Lender for such loss or expense. Such
written notice shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower.
SECTION 4.5. Increased Capital Costs. If any change in, or the introduction,
adoption, effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or phase-in of, any law or regulation,
directive, guideline, decision or request (whether or not having the force of law) of any
Governmental Authority affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be
maintained by any Loan Party or any Person controlling such Loan Party, and such Loan Party
determines (in good faith but in its sole and absolute discretion) that the rate of return on its
or such controlling Person’s capital as a consequence of the Commitments or the Credit Extensions
made by such Loan Party is reduced to a level below that which such Loan Party or such controlling
Person could have achieved but for the occurrence of any such circumstance, then upon notice from
time to time by such Loan Party to the Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
requesting such amount, the Borrower shall within five days following receipt of such notice pay
directly to such Loan Party additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Loan Party or such
controlling Person for such reduction in rate of return. A statement of such Loan Party as to any
such additional amount or amounts shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and
binding on the Borrower. In determining such amount, such Loan Party may use any method of
averaging and attribution that it (in its sole and absolute discretion) shall deem applicable.
SECTION 4.6. Taxes. The Borrower covenants and agrees as follows with respect to
Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by the Borrower under each Loan Document shall be made without
setoff, counterclaim or other defense, and free and clear of, and without deduction or
withholding for or on account of, any Taxes. In the event that any Taxes are required to be
deducted or withheld from any payment required to be made by any Obligor to or on behalf of
any Loan Party under any Loan Document, then:
(i) subject to clause (f), if such Taxes are Non-Excluded Taxes, the
amount of such payment shall be increased as may be necessary so that such payment
is made, after withholding or deduction for or on account of such Taxes, in an
amount that is not less than the amount provided for in such Loan Document; and
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(ii) the Borrower shall withhold the full amount of such Taxes from such
payment (as increased pursuant to clause (a)(i)) and shall pay such amount
to the Governmental Authority imposing such Taxes in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay all Other Taxes imposed to the relevant
Governmental Authority imposing such Other Taxes in accordance with applicable law.
(c) As promptly as practicable after the payment of any Taxes or Other Taxes, and in
any event within 45 days of any such payment being due, the Borrower shall furnish to the
Administrative Agent a copy of an official receipt (or a certified copy thereof) evidencing
the payment of such Taxes or Other Taxes. The Administrative Agent shall make copies
thereof available to any Lender upon request therefor.
(d) Subject to clause (f), the Borrower shall indemnify each Loan Party for any
Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes levied, imposed or assessed on (and whether or not paid
directly by) such Loan Party whether or not such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are
correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Promptly upon having
knowledge that any such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes have been levied, imposed or
assessed, and promptly upon notice thereof by any Loan Party, the Borrower shall pay such
Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes directly to the relevant Governmental Authority
(provided, however, that no Loan Party shall be under any obligation to
provide any such notice to the Borrower). In addition, the Borrower shall indemnify each
Loan Party for any incremental Taxes that may become payable by such Loan Party as a result
of any failure of the Borrower to pay any Taxes when due to the appropriate Governmental
Authority or to deliver to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to clause (c),
documentation evidencing the payment of Taxes or Other Taxes. With respect to
indemnification for Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes actually paid by any Loan Party or
the indemnification provided in the immediately preceding sentence, such indemnification
shall be made within 30 days after the date such Loan Party makes written demand therefor.
The Borrower acknowledges that any payment made to any Loan Party or to any Governmental
Authority in respect of the indemnification obligations of the Borrower provided in this
clause shall constitute a payment in respect of which the provisions of clause (a)
and this clause shall apply.
(e) Each Non-U.S. Lender, on or prior to the date on which such non-U.S. Lender becomes
a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent, but only for so long as such non-U.S. Lender is legally entitled to do
so), shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent either (i) two duly
completed copies of either (x) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or (y) Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8ECI, or in either case an applicable successor form; or (ii) in the case of
a Non-U.S. Lender that is not legally entitled to deliver either form listed in
clause (e)(i), (x) a certificate to the effect that such Non-U.S. Lender is not (A)
a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a ”10 percent
shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C)
a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person within the meaning
of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code
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(referred to as an “Exemption Certificate”) and (y) two duly completed copies
of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or applicable successor form.
(f) The Borrower shall not be obligated to gross up any payments to any Lender pursuant
to clause (a)(i), or to indemnify any Lender pursuant to clause (d), in
respect of United States federal withholding taxes to the extent imposed as a result of (i)
the failure of such Lender to deliver to the Borrower the form or forms and/or an Exemption
Certificate, as applicable to such Lender, pursuant to clause (e), (ii) such form or
forms and/or Exemption Certificate not establishing a complete exemption from U.S. federal
withholding tax or the information or certifications made therein by the Lender being untrue
or inaccurate on the date delivered in any material respect, or (iii) the Lender designating
a successor lending office at which it maintains its Loans which has the effect of causing
such Lender to become obligated for tax payments in excess of those in effect immediately
prior to such designation; provided, however, that the Borrower shall be
obligated to gross up any payments to any such Lender pursuant to clause (a)(i), and
to indemnify any such Lender pursuant to clause (d), in respect of United States
federal withholding taxes if (i) any such failure to deliver a form or forms or an Exemption
Certificate or the failure of such form or forms or Exemption Certificate to establish a
complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax or inaccuracy or untruth contained
therein resulted from a change in any applicable statute, treaty, regulation or other
applicable law or any interpretation of any of the foregoing occurring after the Closing
Date, which change rendered such Lender no longer legally entitled to deliver such form or
forms or Exemption Certificate or otherwise ineligible for a complete exemption from U.S.
federal withholding tax, or rendered the information or certifications made in such form or
forms or Exemption Certificate untrue or inaccurate in a material respect, (ii) the
redesignation of the Lender’s lending office was made at the request of the Borrower or
(iii) the obligation to gross up payments to any such Lender pursuant to
clause (a)(i) or to indemnify any such Lender pursuant to clause (d) is with
respect to an Assignee Lender that becomes an Assignee Lender as a result of an assignment
made at the request of the Borrower.
SECTION 4.7. Payments, Computations, etc. Unless otherwise expressly provided in a
Loan Document, all payments by the Borrower pursuant to each Loan Document shall be made by the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the pro rata account of the Loan Parties
entitled to receive such payment. All payments shall be made without setoff, deduction or
counterclaim not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date due in same day or immediately available funds
to such account as the Administrative Agent shall specify from time to time by notice to the
Borrower. Funds received after that time shall be deemed to have been received by the
Administrative Agent on the next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly
remit in same day funds to each Loan Party its share, if any, of such payments received by the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Loan Party. All interest (including interest on LIBO
Rate Loans) and fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days (including the
first day but excluding the last day) occurring during the period for which such interest or fee is
payable over a year comprised of 360 days (or, in the case of interest on a Base Rate Loan
(calculated at other than the Federal Funds Rate), 365 days or, if appropriate, 366 days).
Payments due on other than a Business Day shall (except as otherwise required by clause (c)
of the definition of “Interest Period”) be made on the next succeeding Business Day
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and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest and fees in connection with
that payment.
SECTION 4.8. Sharing of Payments. If any Loan Party shall obtain any payment or other
recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of setoff or otherwise) on account of any
Credit Extension (other than pursuant to the terms of Section 3.1.2(a), 4.3,
4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 10.3 or 10.4) in excess of its pro
rata share of payments obtained by all Loan Parties, such Loan Party shall purchase from
the other Loan Parties such participations in Credit Extensions made by them as shall be necessary
to cause such purchasing Loan Party to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably (to the
extent such other Loan Parties were entitled to receive a portion of such payment or recovery) with
each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of the excess payment
or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Loan Party, the purchase shall be
rescinded and each Loan Party which has sold a participation to the purchasing Loan Party shall
repay to the purchasing Loan Party the purchase price to the ratable extent of such recovery
together with an amount equal to such selling Loan Party’s ratable share (according to the
proportion of (a) the amount of such selling Loan Party’s required repayment to the purchasing Loan
Party to (b) total amount so recovered from the purchasing Loan Party) of any interest or
other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Loan Party in respect of the total amount so
recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Loan Party purchasing a participation from another Loan
Party pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights
of payment (including pursuant to Section 4.9) with respect to such participation as fully
as if such Loan Party were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law any Loan Party receives a
secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section applies, such Loan Party shall, to the
extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent
with the rights of the Loan Parties entitled under this Section to share in the benefits of any
recovery on such secured claim.
SECTION 4.9. Setoff. Each Loan Party shall, upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default described in clauses (a) through (d) of
Section 8.1.9 or, with the consent of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of any other Event of Default, have the right to appropriate and apply to the
payment of the Obligations owing to it (whether or not then due), and (as security for such
Obligations) the Borrower hereby grants to each Loan Party a continuing security interest in, any
and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of the Borrower then or thereafter
maintained with such Loan Party; provided, however, that any such appropriation and
application shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.8. Each Loan Party agrees
promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application
made by such Loan Party; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice
shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights of each Loan Party under
this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff under
applicable law or otherwise) which such Loan Party may have.
SECTION 4.10. Obligation to Mitigate. Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as
practicable after the officer of such Lender responsible for administering its Loans has actual
knowledge of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition that would cause such
Lender to become entitled to receive payments (an “Affected Lender”) under
Section 4.3, 4.4,
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4.5 or 4.6, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal policies
of such Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts (a) to
make, issue, fund or maintain its Credit Extensions, including any affected Loans, through another
office of such Lender, or (b) take such other measures as such Lender may elect in its sole
discretion, if as a result thereof the circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an
Affected Lender would cease to exist or the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to
be paid to such Lender pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 or 4.6
would be materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, the
making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such Commitments or Loans through such other office or
in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not otherwise adversely affect
such Commitments or Loans or the interests of such Lender; provided, that such Lender will
not be obligated to utilize such other office pursuant to this Section 4.10 unless the
Borrower agrees to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender as a result of utilizing
such other office as above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by the
Borrower pursuant to this Section 4.10 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to Administrative
Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
SECTION 4.11. Removal or Substitution of a Lender. Anything contained herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, in the event that (a) any Lender (each, an “Increased Cost
Lender”) shall give notice to the Borrower that such Lender is an Affected Lender or that such
Lender is entitled to receive payments under Section 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 or
4.6 the circumstances of which have caused such Lender to be an Affected Lender or which
entitle such Lender to receive such payments shall remain in effect, and such Lender shall fail to
withdraw such notice within five Business Days after the Borrower’s request for such withdrawal, or
(b) any Lender, at the direction or request of any Governmental Authority, defaults (each, a
“Defaulting Lender”) in its obligation to fund, the default period for such Defaulting
Lender shall remain in effect, and such Defaulting Lender shall fail to cure the default as a
result of which it has become a Defaulting Lender within five Business Days after Borrower’s
request that it cure such default, then, with respect to each such Increased Cost Lender or
Defaulting Lender (each, a “Terminated Lender”), the Borrower may, so long as no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, by giving written notice to the Administrative Agent and any
Terminated Lender of its election to do so, elect to cause such Terminated Lender (and such
Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably agrees) to assign its outstanding Loans and its Commitments,
if any, in full to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, a “Substitute Lender”) in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10.11.1 and the Borrower shall pay any fees
payable thereunder in connection with such assignment; provided, (x) on the date of such
assignment, the Substitute Lender shall pay to the Terminated Lender an amount equal to the sum of
(i) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the
Terminated Lender, plus, (ii) an amount equal to all accrued but theretofore unpaid fees
owing to such Terminated Lender and (y) on the date of such assignment, the Borrower shall pay any
amounts payable to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.4, 4.5
or 4.6 or otherwise as if it were a prepayment. Upon the payment of all amounts owing to
any Terminated Lender and the termination of such Terminated Lender’s Commitments, if any, such
Terminated Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided, that
any rights of such Terminated Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive as to such
Terminated Lender.
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ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
SECTION 5.1. Initial Credit Extension. The obligations of the Lenders to make the
initial Credit Extensions on the Closing Date (if any), and the occurrence of the Closing Date,
shall be subject to the prior or concurrent satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set
forth in this Article.
SECTION 5.1.1. Resolutions, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received from the
Borrower (a) a copy of a good standing certificate, dated a date reasonably close to the Closing
Date, and (b) a certificate, dated the Closing Date, duly executed and delivered by such Person’s
Secretary or Assistant Secretary (with counterparts for each Lender), as to
(a) resolutions of the Borrower’s Board of Directors then in full force and effect
authorizing, to the extent relevant, all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby
applicable to the Borrower and the execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document
to be executed by the Borrower;
(b) the incumbency and signatures of those of its officers authorized to act with
respect to each Loan Document to be executed by the Borrower; and
(c) the full force and validity of each Organic Document of the Borrower and copies
thereof;
upon which certificates each Loan Party may conclusively rely until it shall have received a
further certificate of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary of the Borrower canceling or amending its
prior certificate.
SECTION 5.1.2. Certificate; Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received, with
counterparts for each Lender
(a) the Borrower Closing Date Certificate, dated the Closing Date and duly executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, in which certificate the Borrower shall
agree and acknowledge that the statements made therein shall be deemed to be true and
correct representations and warranties of the Borrower as of such date, and, at the time
each such certificate is delivered, such statements shall in fact be true and correct. All
documents and agreements required to be appended to the Borrower Closing Date Certificate
shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(b) a Rating Notice, dated the Closing Date and duly executed and delivered by an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower, in which certificate the Borrower shall certify its
Senior Unsecured Debt Rating as of the Closing Date, as previously announced by S&P and/or
Xxxxx’x.
SECTION 5.1.3. Closing Fees, Expenses, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received
for its own account, or for the account of each Lender, as the case may be, all fees, costs and
expenses due and payable pursuant to Section 3.3 and, if then invoiced, Section
10.3.
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SECTION 5.1.4. Litigation, etc. There shall exist no pending or (to the knowledge of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) threatened litigation, proceedings or investigations
(exclusive of litigation that has been publicly disclosed on or prior to December 18, 2007) which
could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
operations, business or properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 5.1.5. Compliance Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received, with
counterparts for each Lender, an initial Compliance Certificate on a pro forma
basis as if the initial Credit Extension had been made as of September 30, 2007 and as to such
items therein as the Administrative Agent reasonably requests, dated the Closing Date, duly
executed (and with all schedules thereto duly completed) and delivered by the chief financial or
accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower.
SECTION 5.1.6. Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have received an
opinion letter, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and all Lenders,
from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP, New York counsel to the Borrower, in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 5.1.7. Delivery of Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the
account of each Lender that has requested a Note, such Lender’s Note duly executed and delivered by
an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.
SECTION 5.1.8. Required Consents and Approvals. All required material consents and
approvals shall have been duly obtained and be in full force and effect with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby and the continuing operations of the Borrower from (a) all
relevant Governmental Authorities and (b) any other Person whose consent or approval is so required
to effect the transactions and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action
being taken by any competent authority that could restrain, prevent or otherwise impose any adverse
conditions on the transactions and related financing contemplated hereby.
SECTION 5.1.9. No Material Adverse Change. Other than any material adverse change
resulting from facts that have been (a) publicly disclosed by the Borrower on or prior to December
18, 2007 or (b) otherwise disclosed to the Lenders prior to the Closing Date, there has been no
material adverse change in the financial condition, operations, business or properties of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since December 31, 2006.
SECTION 5.2. All Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to make any Credit
Extension shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth below.
SECTION 5.2.1. Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc. Both before and after giving
effect to any Credit Extension (but, if any Default of the nature referred to in
Section 8.1.5 shall have occurred with respect to any other Indebtedness, without giving
effect to the application, directly or indirectly, of the proceeds thereof), the following
statements shall be true and correct:
(a) the representations and warranties set forth in each Loan Document (other than
those set forth in Sections 6.6 and 6.7(a)) shall, in each case, be true and
correct in
33
all material respects with the same effect as if then made (unless stated to relate
solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true
and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); and
(b) no Default shall have then occurred and be continuing.
SECTION 5.2.2. Credit Extension Request, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received
a Borrowing Request. Each of the delivery of a Borrowing Request and the acceptance by the
Borrower of the proceeds of such Credit Extension shall constitute a representation and warranty by
the Borrower that on the date of such Credit Extension (both immediately before and after giving
effect to such Credit Extension and the application of the proceeds thereof) the statements made in
Section 5.2.1 are true and correct in all material respects.
SECTION 5.2.3. Satisfactory Legal Form. All documents executed or submitted pursuant
hereto by or on behalf of any Obligor shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Administrative Agent and its counsel, and the Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have
received all information, approvals, opinions, documents or instruments as the Administrative Agent
or its counsel may reasonably request.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In order to induce the Loan Parties to enter into this Agreement and to make Credit Extensions
hereunder, the Borrower represents and warrants to each Loan Party as set forth in this Article.
SECTION 6.1. Organization, etc. Each Obligor is validly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the state or jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, is
duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity in each jurisdiction
where the nature of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure
to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and has full
power and authority and holds all requisite governmental licenses, permits and other approvals to
enter into and perform its Obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party, to own and
hold under lease its property and to conduct its business substantially as currently conducted by
it, except where the failure to have such power and authority or hold such licenses, permits or
other approvals could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.2. Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc. The execution, delivery and
performance by each Obligor of each Loan Document executed or to be executed by it, each Obligor’s
participation in the consummation of all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower or (if applicable) any Obligor of the
agreements executed and delivered by it in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby are
in each case within such Person’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do
not
(a) contravene any (i) Obligor’s Organic Documents, (ii) or result in a default under
any material contractual restriction binding on or affecting any Obligor, (iii) court
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decree or order binding on or affecting any Obligor or (iv) law or governmental
regulation binding on or affecting any Obligor in a material manner; or
(b) result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any Obligor’s
properties (except as permitted by this Agreement).
SECTION 6.3. Government Approval, Regulation, etc. No authorization or approval or
other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person (other
than those that have been, or on the Effective Date will be, duly obtained or made and which are,
or on the Effective Date will be, in full force and effect) is required for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and the due execution, delivery or performance by any Obligor of
any Loan Document, in each case by the parties thereto. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
SECTION 6.4. Validity, etc. Each Loan Document to which any Obligor is a party
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Obligor, enforceable against such
Obligor in accordance with their respective terms (except, in any case, as such enforceability may
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally and by principles of equity).
SECTION 6.5. Financial Information. The Audited Financial Statements have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and present fairly the consolidated
financial condition of the Persons covered thereby as at the dates thereof and the results of their
operations for the periods then ended. All balance sheets, all statements of income and of cash
flow and all other financial information of each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries furnished
pursuant to Section 7.1.1 have been and will for periods following the Effective Date be
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied with the Audited Financial Statements, and do
or will present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Persons covered thereby as at
the dates thereof and the results of their operations for the periods then ended.
SECTION 6.6. No Material Adverse Effect. Other than any Material Adverse Effect
resulting from facts that have been (a) publicly disclosed by the Borrower on or prior to December
18, 2007 or (b) otherwise disclosed to the Lenders prior to the Closing Date, there has been no
Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2006.
SECTION 6.7. Litigation, Labor Controversies, etc. There is no pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened litigation, action, proceeding or
labor controversy:
(a) except as disclosed in Item 6.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, affecting the
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor, which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no adverse development has occurred in any labor
controversy, litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding disclosed
in Item 6.7; or
35
(b) which purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of any Loan
Document or the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 6.8. Subsidiaries. The Borrower has (a) no U.S. Subsidiaries, except those
U.S. Subsidiaries which are identified in Item 6.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, or which
have been organized or acquired, including pursuant to Section 7.2.4, or (b) no Significant
Subsidiaries, except those Significant Subsidiaries which are identified in Item 6.8(b) of
the Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 6.9. Ownership of Properties. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns
(i) in the case of owned real property, good and marketable fee title to, and (ii) in the case of
owned personal property, good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased real or personal
property, valid and enforceable leasehold interests (as the case may be) in, all of its material
properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever, free
and clear in each case of all Liens or claims, except for Liens permitted hereunder.
SECTION 6.10. Taxes. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has filed all material
tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed by it and has paid all Taxes thereby
shown to be due and owing, except any such Taxes which are being diligently contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been
set aside on its books.
SECTION 6.11. Pension and Welfare Plans. During the one-year period prior to the
Effective Date and prior to the date of any Credit Extension hereunder, no steps have been taken to
terminate any Pension Plan, and no contribution failure has occurred with respect to any Pension
Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA. No condition exists or event
or transaction has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan which might result in the incurrence
by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group of any material liability, fine or penalty.
Except as disclosed in Item 6.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Borrower nor any
member of the Controlled Group has any contingent liability with respect to any post-retirement
benefit under a Welfare Plan, other than liability for continuation coverage described in Part 6 of
Title I of ERISA.
SECTION 6.12. Environmental Warranties. Except as set forth in Item 6.12 of
the Disclosure Schedule:
(a) all facilities and property (including underlying groundwater) owned or leased by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have been, and continue to be, owned or leased by
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except where
failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) (i) there have been no past, and there are no pending or threatened claims,
complaints, notices or requests for information received by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries with respect to any alleged violation of any Environmental Law, or
(ii) complaints, notices or inquiries to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries regarding
36
potential liability under any Environmental Law, in each case, which could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on or under any property now
or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that have, or could
reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have been issued and are in material compliance
with all permits, certificates, approvals, licenses and other authorizations relating to
environmental matters;
(e) no property now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing (with respect to owned property only) on the
National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any similar state list of
sites requiring investigation or clean-up;
(f) there are no underground storage tanks, active or abandoned, including petroleum
storage tanks, on or under any property now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or could reasonably be
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has directly transported or directly
arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material to any location which is listed or
proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or
on any similar state list or which is the subject of federal, state or local enforcement
actions or other investigations which may lead to material claims against the Borrower or
such Subsidiary for any remedial work, damage to natural resources or personal injury,
including claims under CERCLA;
(h) there are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable asbestos present at any property
now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that, singly or in the
aggregate, have, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(i) to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, no conditions exist at, on or under any
property now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower which with the passage of time,
or the giving of notice or both, would give rise to material liability under any
Environmental Law or which condition could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.13. Accuracy of Information. None of the factual information heretofore or
contemporaneously furnished in writing to any Loan Party by or on behalf of any Obligor in
connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole,
contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state any material fact necessary to
make any information not misleading, and no other factual information hereafter furnished in
connection with any Loan Document by or on behalf of any Obligor to any Loan Party, when taken as a
whole, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to
37
state any material fact necessary to make any information not misleading on the date as of which
such information is dated or certified; provided, that, to the extent any such statement or
information was based upon or constitutes a forecast or forward looking statement, the Borrower
represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the
preparation of such statements or information (it being understood that forecasts and forward
looking statements are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are
beyond the Borrower’s control and that no guarantee can be given that such forecasts and forward
looking statements will be realized).
SECTION 6.14. Compliance with Laws; Authorizations. Except as disclosed in
Item 6.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have complied in
all material respects with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of
any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the conduct of its businesses or the ownership
of its properties, including Environmental Laws except to the extent such compliance could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received any notice to the effect that its operations are not in material
compliance with any of the requirements of applicable federal, state and local environmental,
health and safety statutes and regulations or are the subject of any federal or state investigation
evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous
waste or substance into the environment, which non-compliance or remedial action could be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have
obtained all authorizations necessary and appropriate to own and operate their businesses and all
such authorizations are in full force and effect, except where the failure to so obtain such
authorizations or to so keep such authorizations in full force and effect could not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.15. Regulations U and X. No Obligor is engaged in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Credit
Extensions will be used to purchase or carry margin stock or otherwise for a purpose which
violates, or would be inconsistent with, F.R.S. Board Regulation U or Regulation X. Terms for
which meanings are provided in F.R.S. Board Regulation U or Regulation X or any regulations
substituted therefor, as from time to time in effect, are used in this Section with such meanings.
SECTION 6.16. No Contractual or Other Restrictions. No Subsidiary is a party to any
agreement or other contractual arrangement that limits its ability to (a) pay dividends to, or
otherwise make Investments in or other payments to, the Borrower or (b) grant Liens solely in favor
of the Administrative Agent other than non-material agreements and contractual arrangements which
impose limitations on a Subsidiary’s ability to grant Liens thereon in favor of the Administrative
Agent.
SECTION 6.17. Capitalization. Attached as Schedule III hereto is a true,
complete and accurate description as of the Closing Date of the equity capital structure of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries showing accurate ownership percentages of the Borrower in such
Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule III hereto, there are no (a) preemptive
rights, outstanding subscriptions, warrants or options to purchase any Capital Securities of any
such Subsidiaries, (b) obligations of any Person to redeem or repurchase any of its securities and
(c) other
38
agreements, arrangements or plans to which any Person is a party or of which the Borrower has
knowledge that could directly or indirectly affect the capital structure of such Subsidiaries. All
such Capital Securities (i) are validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and (ii) are owned
of record and beneficially as set forth on Schedule III hereto or as otherwise disclosed in
writing to the Administrative Agent, free of any Lien, except for Liens otherwise permitted under
this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
COVENANTS
SECTION 7.1. Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower agrees with each Lender and the
Administrative Agent that until the Termination Date has occurred, the Borrower will, and will
cause its Subsidiaries to, perform or cause to be performed the obligations set forth below.
SECTION 7.1.1. Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc. The Borrower will furnish or
cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent (with sufficient copies for each Lender) copies
of the following financial statements, reports, notices and information:
(a) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days (or if such 45th
day is not a Business Day, the immediately succeeding Business Day) after the end of each of
the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, an unaudited consolidated balance sheet
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated
statements of income and cash flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal
Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with
the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and including (in each case), in comparative form the
figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter in, and year to date portion of the immediately
preceding Fiscal Year, certified as complete and correct by the chief financial or
accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower;
(b) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days (or if such 90th
Day is not a Business Day, the immediately succeeding Business Day) after the end of each
Fiscal Year, a copy of the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flow of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the
immediately preceding Fiscal Year, audited (without any Impermissible Qualification) by
independent public accountants acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which shall include a
calculation of the financial covenant set forth in Section 7.2.3 and stating that,
in performing the examination necessary to deliver the audited financial statements of the
Borrower, no knowledge was obtained of any Event of Default;
(c) concurrently with the delivery of the financial information pursuant to
clauses (a) and (b), a Compliance Certificate, executed by the chief
financial or accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower, showing compliance with the
financial covenant set forth in Section 7.2.3 and stating that no Default has
occurred and is continuing (or, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details of such
Default and the action that the Borrower or an Obligor has taken or proposes to take with
respect thereto);
39
(d) as soon as possible and in any event within three days after the Borrower or any
other Obligor obtains knowledge of the occurrence of a Default, a statement of an Authorized
Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of such Default and the action which the
Borrower or such Obligor has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(e) as soon as possible and in any event within three days after the Borrower or any
other Obligor obtains knowledge of (i) the occurrence of any material adverse development
with respect to any litigation, action, proceeding or labor controversy described in
Item 6.7 of the Disclosure Schedule or (ii) the commencement of any litigation,
action, proceeding or labor controversy of the type and materiality described in
Section 6.7, notice thereof and, to the extent the Administrative Agent requests,
copies of all documentation relating thereto;
(f) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports, notices,
prospectuses and registration statements which any Obligor files with the SEC or any
national securities exchange;
(g) immediately upon becoming aware of (i) the institution of any steps by any Person
to terminate any Pension Plan, (ii) the failure to make a required contribution to any
Pension Plan if such failure is sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of
ERISA, (iii) the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which could result in
the requirement that any Obligor furnish a bond or other security to the PBGC or such
Pension Plan, or (iv) the occurrence of any event with respect to any Pension Plan which
could result in the incurrence by any Obligor of any material liability, fine or penalty,
notice thereof and copies of all documentation relating thereto;
(h) promptly and in any event within three Business Days following receipt of any
notice from S&P or Xxxxx’x of a change in the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating, a copy of such
notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G (such notice, a
“Rating Notice”);
(i) immediately upon becoming aware of such circumstance, the name and any other
information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in respect of any Subsidiary
which has become a Significant Subsidiary; and
(j) such other financial and other information as any Lender through the Administrative
Agent may from time to time reasonably request (including information and reports in such
detail as the Administrative Agent may request with respect to the terms of and information
provided pursuant to the Compliance Certificate).
SECTION 7.1.2. Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Laws, etc. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to, preserve and maintain its legal existence
(except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.2.4), and comply with all applicable laws,
rules, regulations and orders, including the payment (before the same become delinquent), of all
Taxes, imposed upon the Borrower or its Significant Subsidiaries or upon their property except to
the extent being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP have been set aside on the books of the Borrower or
40
its Significant Subsidiaries, as applicable, in each case unless the failure to do so could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 7.1.3. Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Significant Subsidiaries to, maintain, preserve, protect and keep its and their respective
properties in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and make
necessary repairs, renewals and replacements so that the business carried on by the Borrower and
its Significant Subsidiaries may be properly conducted at all times, unless the Borrower or such
Significant Subsidiary determines in good faith that the continued maintenance of such property is
no longer economically desirable, in each case unless the failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 7.1.4. Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Significant
Subsidiaries to:
(a) maintain insurance on its property with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies against loss and damage in at least the amounts (and with only those deductibles)
customarily maintained, and against such risks as are typically insured against in the same
general area, by Persons of comparable size engaged in the same or similar business as the
Borrower and its Significant Subsidiaries; and
(b) all worker’s compensation, employer’s liability insurance or similar insurance as
may be required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction in which it may be engaged in
business.
SECTION 7.1.5. Books and Records. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, keep books and records in accordance with GAAP which accurately reflect all of its
business affairs and transactions and permit each Loan Party or any of their respective
representatives, at reasonable times and intervals upon reasonable notice to the Borrower, to visit
each Obligor’s offices, to discuss such Obligor’s financial matters with its officers and
employees, and its independent public accountants (and the Borrower hereby authorizes such
independent public accountant to discuss each Obligor’s financial matters, upon the reasonable
request of such Loan Party and in the presence of the Borrower, with each Loan Party or their
representatives whether or not any representative of such Obligor is present) and to examine (and
photocopy extracts from) any of its books and records. The Borrower shall pay any fees of such
independent public accountant incurred in connection with any Loan Party’s exercise of its rights
pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 7.1.6. Environmental Law Covenant. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to,
(a) use and operate all of its and their facilities and properties in material
compliance with all Environmental Laws, keep all necessary permits, approvals, certificates,
licenses and other authorizations relating to environmental matters in effect and remain in
material compliance therewith, and handle all Hazardous Materials in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws, except where failure to comply could not reasonably result in
a Material Adverse Effect; and
41
(b) promptly notify the Administrative Agent and provide copies upon receipt of all
written claims, complaints, notices or inquiries relating to the condition of its facilities
and properties in respect of, or as to compliance with, Environmental Laws, and shall
promptly resolve any non-compliance with Environmental Laws and keep its property free of
any Lien imposed by any Environmental Law, except where failure to comply could not
reasonably result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 7.1.7. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will apply the proceeds of the Credit
Extensions (a) to partially finance the Refinancing, (b) to pay fees and expenses associated with
the transactions contemplated hereby, and (c) for working capital and general corporate purposes of
the Borrower (including to finance acquisitions, to finance stock redemptions to the extent
permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.8, and to “back-stop” unsecured commercial paper of the
Borrower).
SECTION 7.1.8. Senior Unsecured Debt Rating. The Borrower will take all reasonable actions
to cause S&P and Xxxxx’x to rate the Borrower’s non-credit enhanced, long-term senior unsecured
Indebtedness at all times.
SECTION 7.1.9. Assets Owned by Significant Subsidiaries. The Borrower and the Significant
Subsidiaries will at all times account for no less than 95% of the consolidated revenues and the
consolidated tangible net worth (valued at the lesser of (a) fair market value or (b) book value)
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
SECTION 7.2. Negative Covenants. The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender
and the Administrative Agent that until the Termination Date has occurred, the Borrower will, and
will cause its Subsidiaries to, perform or cause to be performed the obligations set forth below.
SECTION 7.2.1. Business Activities. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage in any business activity except those business activities engaged in on the
date of this Agreement (including the Permitted Business Activities) and activities reasonably
incidental or related thereto.
SECTION 7.2.2. Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property (including Capital
Securities of any Person), revenues or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) (i) Liens existing as of the Effective Date and disclosed in Item 7.2.2(a)
of the Disclosure Schedule and (ii) Liens securing any extension, renewal or replacement of
any obligations secured by any such Lien, provided, that, (x) in respect of Liens
permitted pursuant to clause (i), no such Lien shall encumber any additional
property and the amount of Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased from that
existing on the Effective Date (as such Indebtedness may have been permanently reduced
subsequent to the Effective Date), and (y) in respect of Liens permitted pursuant to
clause (ii), such Lien shall only cover the same assets which originally secured the
obligations being extended, renewed or replaced;
42
(b) Liens securing Indebtedness evidencing the deferred purchase price of newly
acquired property or incurred to finance the acquisition of property of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries (pursuant to purchase money mortgages or otherwise, whether owed to the
seller or a third party) used in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries; provided, that (i) such Lien is granted within 60 days after such
Indebtedness is incurred, (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the lesser
of the cost or the fair market value of the applicable property, improvements or equipment
at the time of such acquisition (or construction) and (iii) such Lien secures only the
assets being acquired;
(c) Liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and landlords
granted in the ordinary course of business for amounts not overdue or being diligently
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;
(d) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection
with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance
or benefits, or to secure performance of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases or
other similar obligations (other than for borrowed money) entered into in the ordinary
course of business or to secure obligations on surety and appeal bonds or performance bonds;
(e) judgment Liens in existence for less than 30 days after the entry thereof or with
respect to which execution has been stayed or the payment of which is covered in full
(subject to a customary deductible) by insurance maintained with responsible insurance
companies and which do not otherwise result in an Event of Default under
Section 8.1.6;
(f) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in
title and other similar encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the value
or use of the property to which such Lien is attached;
(g) Liens for Taxes not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable without penalty or
being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate
reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;
(h) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the date of
incurrence thereof, other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount at any time
outstanding not to exceed $150,000,000; and
(i) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings relating solely to
leases (including Synthetic Leases and Capitalized Lease Liabilities) not otherwise
prohibited by this Agreement.
SECTION 7.2.3. Financial Condition and Operations. The Borrower will not permit the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter occurring during the term of this
Agreement to be less than 1.00:1.00.
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SECTION 7.2.4. Consolidation, Merger, etc. The Borrower will not liquidate or dissolve,
consolidate with, or merge into or with, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of any Person (or any division thereof), except
(a) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve voluntarily into, and may merge with and
into, the Borrower, and the assets or Capital Securities of any Subsidiary may be purchased
or otherwise acquired by the Borrower; and
(b) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving
effect thereto, the Borrower may purchase all or substantially all of the assets or Capital
Securities of any Person (or any division thereof), or acquire such Person by merger.
SECTION 7.2.5. Permitted Dispositions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, Dispose (in one transaction or a series of transactions during the term of
this Agreement) of more than (a) 25% of the consolidated Tobacco Business Assets of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as shown in the Audited Financial Statements, plus, (b) 25% of the
excess of (i) the value of the consolidated Tobacco Business Assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as shown in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the last day of any Fiscal Year (the “Subject Fiscal Year”) over (ii)
the value of the consolidated Tobacco Business Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as shown
in the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the
last day of Fiscal Year immediately preceding the Subject Fiscal Year.
SECTION 7.2.6. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or cause or permit to exist any arrangement, transaction or
contract (including for the purchase, lease or exchange of property or the rendering of services)
with any of its other Affiliates (other than the Borrower or its Significant Subsidiaries), unless
such arrangement, transaction or contract (i) is on fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to
the Borrower or such Subsidiary than it could obtain in an arm’s-length transaction with a Person
that is not an Affiliate and (ii) is of the kind which would be entered into by a prudent Person in
the position of the Borrower or such Subsidiary with a Person that is not one of its Affiliates.
SECTION 7.2.7. Restrictive Agreements, etc. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement prohibiting
(a) the ability of any Obligor to amend or otherwise modify any Loan Document; or
(b) the ability of any Subsidiary to make any payments, directly or indirectly, to the
Borrower, including by way of dividends, advances, repayments of loans, reimbursements of
management and other intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on
investments.
The foregoing prohibitions shall not apply to (i) restrictions contained in any Loan Document or
(ii) in the case of clause (b), customary restrictions and conditions contained in
agreements relating to the sale of any Subsidiary of the Borrower pending the sale of such
Subsidiary,
44
provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Subsidiary and such sale is otherwise
permitted hereunder.
SECTION 7.2.8. Restricted Payments, etc. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, declare or make a Restricted Payment, or make any deposit for any Restricted
Payment (other than Restricted Payments made by Subsidiaries to the Borrower or wholly owned
Subsidiaries) if (a) at the time of such Restricted Payment, an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing or (b) an Event of Default would otherwise occur after giving effect to
any such Restricted Payment.
SECTION 7.2.9. Guaranty of Senior Notes. The Borrower will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to execute and deliver any guaranty in favor of the holders of the Senior Notes unless
such Subsidiaries execute and deliver a guaranty of all of the Obligations in favor of the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent on substantially similar terms.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 8.1. Listing of Events of Default. Each of the following events or
occurrences described in this Article shall constitute an “Event of Default”.
SECTION 8.1.1. Nonpayment of Obligations. The Borrower shall default in the payment or
prepayment when due of (a) any principal of any Loan or (b) any interest on any Loan, any fee
described in Article III or any other monetary Obligation, and such default shall continue
unremedied for a period of three Business Days after such amount was due.
SECTION 8.1.2. Breach of Warranty. Any representation or warranty of any Obligor made or
deemed to be made in any Loan Document (including any certificates delivered pursuant to
Article V) is or shall be incorrect when made or deemed to have been made in any material
respect.
SECTION 8.1.3. Nonperformance of Certain Covenants and Obligations. The Borrower shall
default in the due performance or observance of any of its obligations under clauses (d)
and (e) of Section 7.1.1, Section 7.1.7 or Section 7.2.
SECTION 8.1.4. Nonperformance of Other Covenants and Obligations. Any Obligor shall
default in the due performance and observance of any other agreement contained in any Loan Document
executed by it, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice
thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
SECTION 8.1.5. Default on Other Indebtedness. A default shall occur in the payment of any
amount when due (subject to any applicable grace period), whether by acceleration or otherwise, of
any principal or stated amount of, or interest or fees on, any Indebtedness (other than
Indebtedness described in Section 8.1.1) of the Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries having a principal or stated amount, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of
$50,000,000, or a default shall occur in the performance or observance of any obligation or
condition with respect to such Indebtedness if the effect of such default is to accelerate the
45
maturity of any such Indebtedness or such default shall continue unremedied for any applicable
period of time sufficient to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness, or any trustee or
agent for such holders, to cause or declare such Indebtedness to become due and payable or to
require such Indebtedness to be prepaid, redeemed, purchased or defeased, or require an offer to
purchase or defease such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its expressed maturity.
SECTION 8.1.6. Judgments. Any judgment or order for the payment of money individually or
in the aggregate in excess of $50,000,000 (exclusive of any amounts fully covered by insurance
(less any applicable deductible) and as to which the insurer has acknowledged its responsibility to
cover such judgment or order) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries and such judgment shall not have been vacated or discharged or stayed or bonded
pending appeal within 30 days after the entry thereof or enforcement proceedings shall have been
commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order.
SECTION 8.1.7. Pension Plans. Any of the following events shall occur with respect to any
Pension Plan
(a) the institution of any steps by the Borrower, any member of its Controlled Group or
any other Person to terminate a Pension Plan if, as a result of such termination, the
Borrower or any such member could be required to make a contribution to such Pension Plan,
or could reasonably expect to incur a liability or obligation to such Pension Plan, in
excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate for all Pension Plans; or
(b) a contribution failure occurs with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give
rise to a Lien under section 302(f) of ERISA.
SECTION 8.1.8. Change in Control. Any Change in Control shall occur.
SECTION 8.1.9. Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. The Borrower or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries shall
(a) become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in writing its inability or
unwillingness generally to pay, debts as they become due;
(b) apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
sequestrator or other custodian for any substantial part of the property of any thereof, or
make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(c) in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence in or permit or suffer
to exist the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for a
substantial part of the property of any thereof, and such trustee, receiver, sequestrator or
other custodian shall not be discharged within 60 days; provided, that the Borrower
and each Significant Subsidiary hereby expressly authorizes each Loan Party to appear in any
court conducting any relevant proceeding during such 60-day period to preserve, protect and
defend their rights under the Loan Documents;
46
(d) permit or suffer to exist the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt
arrangement or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or any
dissolution, winding up or liquidation proceeding, in respect thereof, and, if any such case
or proceeding is not commenced by the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, such case or
proceeding shall be consented to or acquiesced in by the Borrower or such Significant
Subsidiary, as the case may be, or shall result in the entry of an order for relief or shall
remain for 60 days undismissed; provided, that the Borrower and each Significant
Subsidiary hereby expressly authorizes each Loan Party to appear in any court conducting any
such case or proceeding during such 60-day period to preserve, protect and defend their
rights under the Loan Documents; or
(e) take any action authorizing, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.
SECTION 8.1.10. Validity of Loan Documents, etc. Any Loan Document shall (except in
accordance with its terms), in whole or in part, terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be
the legally valid, binding and enforceable obligation of any Obligor party thereto, or any Obligor
or any other party shall, directly or indirectly, contest in any manner such effectiveness,
validity, binding nature or enforceability.
SECTION 8.2. Action if Bankruptcy. If any Event of Default described in
clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9 with respect to the Borrower shall
occur, the Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) shall automatically terminate and the
outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all other Obligations shall automatically
be and become immediately due and payable, without notice or demand to any Person.
SECTION 8.3. Action if Other Event of Default. If any Event of Default (other than
any Event of Default described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9
with respect to the Borrower) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, and be
continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the direction of the Required Lenders, shall by notice
to the Borrower declare all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and
other Obligations to be due and payable and/or the Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) to
be terminated, whereupon the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Obligations which shall be
so declared due and payable shall be and become immediately due and payable, without further
notice, demand or presentment, and/or, as the case may be, the Commitments shall terminate.
ARTICLE IX
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 9.1. Actions. Each Lender hereby appoints MSSF as its Administrative Agent
under and for purposes of each Loan Document. Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to
act on behalf of such Lender under each Loan Document and, in the absence of other written
instructions from the Required Lenders received from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with
respect to which the Administrative Agent agrees that it will comply, except as otherwise provided
in this Section or as otherwise advised by counsel in order to avoid contravention of applicable
law), to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required
of the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof,
47
together with such powers as may be incidental thereto. Each Lender hereby indemnifies (which
indemnity shall survive any termination of this Agreement) the Administrative Agent, pro
rata according to such Lender’s proportionate Total Exposure Amount, from and against any
and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses of any kind or nature
whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, the
Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of any Loan Document (including
attorneys’ fees), and as to which the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed by the Borrower;
provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of
such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses which are determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction in a final proceeding to have resulted from the Administrative
Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to
take any action under any Loan Document, or to prosecute or defend any suit in respect of any Loan
Document, unless it is indemnified hereunder to its satisfaction. If any indemnity in favor of an
Agent shall be or become, in the Administrative Agent’s determination, inadequate, the
Administrative Agent may call for additional indemnification from the Lenders and cease to do the
acts indemnified against hereunder until such additional indemnity is given.
SECTION 9.2. Funding Reliance, etc. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
notified in writing by any Lender by 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day prior to a Borrowing (or by
11:00 a.m. on the date of a Borrowing in the case of a “same-day” Borrowing of Base Rate Loans)
that such Lender will not make available the amount which would constitute its Percentage of such
Borrowing on the date specified therefor, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has
made such amount available to the Administrative Agent and, in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not
have made such amount available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally
agree to repay the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with
interest thereon, for each day from the date the Administrative Agent made such amount available to
the Borrower to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at the interest rate
applicable at the time to Loans comprising such Borrowing (in the case of the Borrower) and (in the
case of a Lender), at the Federal Funds Rate (for the first two Business Days after which such
amount has not been repaid), and thereafter at the interest rate applicable to Loans comprising
such Borrowing.
SECTION 9.3. Exculpation. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors,
officers, employees or agents shall be liable to any Loan Party for any action taken or omitted to
be taken by it under any Loan Document, or in connection therewith, except for its own willful
misconduct or gross negligence, nor responsible for any recitals or warranties herein or therein,
nor for the effectiveness, enforceability, validity or due execution of any Loan Document, nor to
make any inquiry respecting the performance by any Obligor of its Obligations. Any such inquiry
which may be made by the Administrative Agent shall not obligate it to make any further inquiry or
to take any action. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon advice of counsel
concerning legal matters and upon any notice, consent, certificate, statement or writing which the
Administrative Agent believes to be genuine and to have been presented by a proper Person.
SECTION 9.4. Successor. The Administrative Agent may resign as such at any time upon
at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Borrower and all Lenders. If the Administrative Agent
48
at any time shall resign, the Required Lenders may appoint another Lender as a successor
Administrative Agent which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and shall thereupon
become the Administrative Agent hereunder. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so
appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative
Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be one
of the Lenders or a commercial banking institution organized under the laws of the United States
(or any State thereof) or a United States branch or agency of a commercial banking institution, and
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000; provided, however,
that if such retiring Administrative Agent is unable to find a commercial banking institution which
is willing to accept such appointment and which meets the qualifications set forth in above, the
retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the
Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such
time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor as provided for above. Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative
Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall be entitled to receive from the retiring
Administrative Agent such documents of transfer and assignment as such successor Administrative
Agent may reasonably request, and shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all rights,
powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents. After any
retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as the 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 the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents, and Section 10.3 and
Section 10.4 shall continue to inure to its benefit.
SECTION 9.5. Loans by MSSF . MSSF shall have the same rights and powers with respect
to (x) the Credit Extensions made by it or any of its Affiliates, and (y) the Notes held by it or
any of its Affiliates as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not the
Administrative Agent. MSSF and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and
generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Borrower as if MSSF were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
SECTION 9.6. Credit Decisions. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently of
the Administrative Agent and each other Lender, and based on such Lender’s review of the financial
information of the Borrower, the Loan Documents (the terms and provisions of which being
satisfactory to such Lender) and such other documents, information and investigations as such
Lender has deemed appropriate, made its own credit decision to extend its Commitments. Each Lender
also acknowledges that it will, independently of the Administrative Agent and each other Lender,
and based on such other documents, information and investigations as it shall deem appropriate at
any time, continue to make its own credit decisions as to exercising or not exercising from time to
time any rights and privileges available to it under the Loan Documents.
SECTION 9.7. Copies, etc. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to each
Lender of each notice or request required or permitted to be given to the Administrative Agent by
the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents (unless concurrently delivered to the
Lenders by the Borrower). The Administrative Agent will distribute to each Lender each
49
document or instrument received for its account and copies of all other communications
received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for distribution to the Lenders by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 9.8. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to rely upon any certification, notice or other communication (including any thereof by
telephone, telecopy or cable) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or
sent by or on behalf of the proper Person, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel,
independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. As to any matters
not expressly provided for by the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, thereunder in accordance with instructions
given by the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders as is required in such circumstance, and such
instructions of such Lenders and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be
binding on all Loan Parties.
SECTION 9.9. Defaults. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge
or notice of the occurrence of a Default unless the Administrative Agent has received a written
notice from a Lender or the Borrower specifying such Default and stating that such notice is a
“Notice of Default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the
occurrence of a Default, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.
The Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 10.1) take such action with respect to
such Default as shall be directed by the Required Lenders; provided, that unless and until
the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but
shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to
such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Loan Parties except to the
extent that this Agreement expressly requires that such action be taken, or not be taken, only with
the consent or upon the authorization of the Required Lenders or all Lenders.
SECTION 9.10. Other Agents. Any Person identified on the cover page of this Agreement
as a “Syndication Agent” shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or
duty under this Agreement (or any other Loan Document) other than those applicable to it in its
capacity as a Lender to the extent it is a Lender hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, a
Lender so identified as a “Syndication Agent” shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender. Each Person party hereto acknowledges that it has not relied, and
will not rely, on any Person so identified as a “Syndication Agent” in deciding to enter into this
Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party or in taking or not taking action
hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 9.11. Lender Indemnification. (a) Each Lender hereby severally indemnifies
(which indemnity shall survive any termination of this Agreement) the Administrative Agent from and
against such Lender’s Percentage of any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that be incurred by
or asserted or awarded against, the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of
this Agreement, the Notes and any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by the
Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document; provided
that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such claims, damages, losses,
liabilities and expenses which have resulted from the Administrative Agent’s
50
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender
agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any
out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or
enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in
respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, to the extent that the Administrative
Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by the Borrower. In the case of any investigation,
litigation or proceeding giving rise to any such indemnified costs, this Section applies whether
any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Administrative Agent, any Lender
or a third party.
(b) The failure of any Lender to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for
its Percentage of any amount required to be paid by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent as
provided herein shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to reimburse the
Administrative Agent for its Percentage of such amount, but no Lender shall be responsible for the
failure of any other Lender to reimburse the Administrative Agent for such other Lender’s
Percentage of such amount. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of any Lender
hereunder, the agreement and obligations of each Lender contained in this Section 9.11 shall
survive the payment in full of principal, interest and all other amounts payable hereunder and
under the Notes. The Administrative Agent agrees to promptly return to the Lenders their
respective Ratable Shares of any amounts paid under this Section 9.11 that are subsequently
reimbursed by the Borrower.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.1. Waivers, Amendments, etc. The provisions of each Loan Document may from
time to time be amended, modified or waived, if such amendment, modification or waiver is in
writing and consented to by the Borrower and the Required Lenders; provided,
however, that no such amendment, modification or waiver shall:
(a) modify this Section without the consent of all Lenders;
(b) increase the aggregate amount of any Credit Extensions required to be made by a
Lender pursuant to its Commitments or extend the Maturity Date for any Lender’s Loan, in
each case without the consent of such Lender (it being agreed, however, that any vote to
rescind any acceleration made pursuant to Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 of
amounts owing with respect to the Loans and other Obligations shall only require the vote of
the Required Lenders);
(c) reduce the principal amount of or rate of interest on any Lender’s Loan, reduce any
fees described in Article III payable to any Lender or extend the date on which
interest or fees are payable in respect of such Lender’s Loans, in each case without the
consent of such Lender;
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(d) reduce the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or modify
any requirement hereunder that any particular action be taken by all Lenders without the
consent of all Lenders;
(e) except as otherwise expressly provided in a Loan Document, release the Borrower
from its Obligations under the Loan Documents without the consent of all Lenders; or
(f) affect adversely the interests, rights or obligations of the Administrative Agent
(in its capacity as the Administrative Agent), unless consented to by the Administrative
Agent.
No failure or delay on the part of any Loan Party in exercising any power or right under any Loan
Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such
power or right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or
right. No notice to or demand on any Obligor in any case shall entitle it to any notice or demand
in similar or other circumstances. No waiver or approval by any Loan Party under any Loan Document
shall, except as may be otherwise stated in such waiver or approval, be applicable to subsequent
transactions. No waiver or approval hereunder shall require any similar or dissimilar waiver or
approval thereafter to be granted hereunder.
SECTION 10.2. Notices; Time. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless
otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered
by hand, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case
of telecopy notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent and as notified by each Lender to the Administrative Agent in the case of the
Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto and
any future holders of the obligations owing hereunder:
The Borrower:
|
UST INC. | |
0 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx X | ||
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer | ||
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000 | ||
The Administrative Agent:
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Senior Funding, Inc. | |
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx | ||
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Telecopy: 000-000-0000 | ||
Telephone: 000-000-0000 | ||
E-mail: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Agent or the Lenders pursuant to
Articles II or III shall not be effective until received.
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SECTION 10.3. Payment of Costs and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all
reasonable and invoiced expenses of the Administrative Agent (including the reasonable and invoiced
fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel to the Administrative Agent and
of local counsel, if any, who may be retained by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent) in
connection with
(a) the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of each Loan Document,
including schedules and exhibits, and any amendments, waivers, consents, supplements or
other modifications to any Loan Document as may from time to time hereafter be required,
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated; and
(b) the filing or recording of any Loan Document and all amendments, supplements,
amendment and restatements and other modifications to any thereof, any and all other
documents or instruments of further assurance required to be filed or recorded by the terms
of any Loan Document; and
(c) the preparation and review of the form of any document or instrument relevant to
any Loan Document.
The Borrower further agrees to pay, and to save each Loan Party harmless from all liability for,
any stamp or other taxes which may be payable in connection with the execution or delivery of each
Loan Document, the Credit Extensions or the issuance of the Notes. The Borrower also agrees to
reimburse each Loan Party upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses of counsel to each Loan Party) incurred by such Loan
Party in connection with (x) the negotiation of any restructuring or “work-out” with the Borrower,
whether or not consummated, of any Obligations and (y) the enforcement of any Obligations.
SECTION 10.4. Indemnification. In consideration of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by each Loan Party, the Borrower hereby indemnifies, exonerates and holds each Loan
Party, any Lead Arranger and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, investment
advisors, trustees and agents (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) free and harmless
from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, losses, costs, liabilities and
damages, and expenses incurred in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such
Indemnified Party is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought),
including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, whether incurred in connection with actions
between or among the parties hereto or the parties hereto and third parties (collectively, the
“Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by the Indemnified Parties or any of them as a result
of, or arising out of, or relating to
(a) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, with the proceeds of any Credit Extension, including all Indemnified Liabilities
arising in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby;
(b) the entering into and performance of any Loan Document by any of the Indemnified
Parties (including any action brought by or on behalf of the Borrower as the result of any
determination by the Required Lenders pursuant to Article V not to fund any
53
Credit Extension, provided that any such action is resolved in favor of such
Indemnified Party);
(c) any investigation, litigation or proceeding related to any acquisition or proposed
acquisition by any Obligor or any Subsidiary thereof of all or any portion of the Capital
Securities or assets of any Person, whether or not an Indemnified Party is party thereto;
(d) any investigation, litigation or proceeding related to any environmental cleanup,
audit, compliance or other matter relating to the protection of the environment or the
Release by any Obligor or any Subsidiary thereof of any Hazardous Material;
(e) the presence on or under, or the escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge,
emission, discharging or releases from, any real property owned or operated by any Obligor
or any Subsidiary thereof of any Hazardous Material (including any losses, liabilities,
damages, injuries, costs, expenses or claims asserted or arising under any Environmental
Law), regardless of whether caused by, or within the control of, such Obligor or Subsidiary;
or
(f) each Lender’s Environmental Liability (the indemnification herein shall survive
repayment of the Obligations and any transfer of the property of any Obligor or its
Subsidiaries by foreclosure or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure for any Lender’s
Environmental Liability, regardless of whether caused by, or within the control of, such
Obligor or such Subsidiary);
except for Indemnified Liabilities arising for the account of a particular Indemnified Party by
reason of the relevant Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each Obligor
and its successors and assigns hereby waive, release and agree not to make any claim or bring any
cost recovery action against, any Indemnified Party under CERCLA or any state equivalent, or any
similar law now existing or hereafter enacted. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the
extent that any Indemnified Party is strictly liable under any Environmental Laws, each Obligor’s
obligation to such Indemnified Party under this indemnity shall likewise be without regard to fault
on the part of any Obligor with respect to the violation or condition which results in liability of
an Indemnified Party. If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for
any reason, each Obligor agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of
each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.
SECTION 10.5. Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections 4.3,
4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 10.3 and 10.4, and the obligations of the
Lenders under Section 9.11, shall in each case survive any assignment from one Lender to
another (in the case of Sections 10.3 and 10.4) and the occurrence of the
Termination Date. The representations and warranties made by each Obligor in each Loan Document
shall survive the execution and delivery of such Loan Document.
SECTION 10.6. Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such provision and such jurisdiction, be
54
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the
remaining provisions of such Loan Document or affecting the validity or enforceability of such
provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 10.7. Headings. The various headings of each Loan Document are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of such Loan Document or any
provisions thereof.
SECTION 10.8. Execution in Counterparts, Effectiveness, etc. This Agreement may be
executed by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all
of which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement. This Agreement shall become
effective when counterparts hereof executed on behalf of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
each Lender (or notice thereof satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) shall have been received
by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 10.9. Governing Law; Entire Agreement. EACH LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN A LOAN DOCUMENT) WILL EACH BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER
AND GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING FOR SUCH PURPOSE SECTIONS
5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK). The Loan Documents
constitute the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
thereof and supersede any prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.
SECTION 10.10. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that the Borrower may not assign or transfer its rights or
obligations hereunder without the consent of all Lenders.
SECTION 10.11. Sale and Transfer of Credit Extensions; Notes. Each Lender may assign,
or sell participations in, its Loans and Commitments to one or more other Persons in accordance
with this the terms set forth below.
SECTION 10.11.1. Assignments. Any Lender, pursuant to a Lender Assignment Agreement,
(a) with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which consents shall
not be unreasonably delayed or withheld and, which consent, in the case of the Borrower,
shall not be required during the continuation of an Event of Default; provided,
however, that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may withhold such consent in
their sole discretion to an assignment to a Person not satisfying the credit ratings set
forth in clause (f)) may at any time assign and delegate to one or more Eligible
Assignees; and
(b) upon notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and upon the consent of
the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld), may
assign and delegate to any of its Affiliates or to any other Lender;
55
(each Person described in either of the foregoing clauses as being the Person to whom such
assignment and delegation is to be made, being hereinafter referred to as an “Assignee
Lender”), all or any fraction of such Lender’s Loans and Commitments in a minimum aggregate
amount of $5,000,000, and in increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, in the case of assignments
to Assignee Lender’s other than such Lender’s Affiliates or any other Lender (or, if less, the
entire remaining amount of such Lender’s Loans and Commitments); provided, however,
that the assigning Lender must assign a pro rata portion of such Loans and
Commitments. Each Obligor and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal
solely and directly with a Lender in connection with the interests so assigned and delegated to an
Assignee Lender until
(c) notice of such assignment and delegation, together with (i) payment instructions,
(ii) the Internal Revenue Service forms or other statements contemplated or required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 4.6, if applicable, and (iii) addresses and related
information with respect to such Assignee Lender, shall have been delivered to the Borrower
and the Administrative Agent by such Person by whom such assignment and delegation is made
(the “Assignor Lender”) and such Assignee Lender;
(d) such Assignee Lender shall have executed and delivered to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent a Lender Assignment Agreement, accepted by the Administrative Agent;
and
(e) the processing fees described below shall have been paid.
From and after the date that the Administrative Agent accepts such Lender Assignment Agreement and
such assignment is registered with Register pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.6,
(x) the Assignee Lender thereunder shall be deemed automatically to have become a party hereto and
to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned and delegated to such
Assignee Lender in connection with such Lender Assignment Agreement, shall have the rights and
obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, and (y) the Assignor Lender, to the extent that
rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned and delegated by it in connection with such
Lender Assignment Agreement, shall be released from its obligations hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this
Agreement which by their terms survive the Termination Date. Within five Business Days after its
receipt of notice that the Administrative Agent has received and accepted an executed Lender
Assignment Agreement (and if requested by the Assignee Lender), but subject to clause (c),
the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to the relevant
Assignee Lender) a new Note evidencing such Assignee Lender’s assigned Loans and Commitments and,
if the Assignor Lender has retained Loans and Commitments hereunder (and if requested by such
Lender), a replacement Note in the principal amount of the Loans and Commitments retained by the
Assignor Lender hereunder (such Note to be in exchange for, but not in payment of, the Note then
held by such Assignor Lender). Each such Note shall be dated the date of the predecessor Note.
The Assignor Lender shall xxxx each predecessor Note “exchanged” and deliver each of them to the
Borrower. Accrued interest on that part of each predecessor Note evidenced by a new Note, and
accrued fees, shall be paid as provided in the Lender Assignment Agreement. Accrued interest on
that part of each predecessor Note evidenced by a replacement Note shall be paid to the Assignor
Lender. Accrued interest and accrued fees shall be paid at the same time or times provided in the
predecessor Note and in this
56
Agreement. Such Assignor Lender or such Assignee Lender must also pay a processing fee in the
amount of $3,500 to the Administrative Agent upon delivery of any Lender Assignment Agreement;
provided, that no such processing fee shall be required in connection with any such
assignment and delegation (i) by a Lender to its Affiliate, (ii) by a Lender to a Federal Reserve
Bank (or, if such Lender is an investment fund, to the trustee under the indenture to which such
fund is a party in support of its obligations to such trustee) or (iii) if the nonpayment of the
processing fee is otherwise consented to in writing by the Administrative Agent. Any attempted
assignment and delegation not made in accordance with this Section shall be null and void.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, any Lender may (without requesting the
consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) pledge its Loans to (a) a Federal Reserve Bank
in support of borrowings made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank, or (b) in the case of
any Lender which is a fund that invests in loans, any trustee or any other representative of
holders of obligations owed or securities issued by such Lender as security for such obligations or
securities; provided, that, no such pledge or assignment shall (x) release any Lender from
any of its obligations hereunder or (y) substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as
a party hereto.
(f) In the event that S&P or Xxxxx’x, shall, after the date that any Person becomes a
Lender, downgrade the long-term certificate of deposit ratings of such Lender, and the
resulting ratings shall be below BBB or Baa3, respectively, or the equivalent, then, so long
as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower shall each have the right,
but not the obligation, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace
such Lender with a financial institution (a “Replacement Lender”) acceptable to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent (such consents not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed; provided, that no such consent shall be required if the Replacement Lender
is an existing Lender), and upon any such downgrading of any Lender’s long-term certificate
of deposit rating, each such Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign (in accordance with
Section 10.11.1) all of its Commitments and other rights and obligations under the
Loan Documents to such Replacement Lender; provided, however, that (i) such
assignment shall be without recourse, representation or warranty (other than that such
Lender owns the Commitments, Loans and Notes being assigned, free and clear of any Liens)
and (ii) the purchase price paid by the Replacement Lender shall be in the amount of such
Lender’s Loans, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect thereof,
plus all other amounts (other than the amounts (if any) demanded and unreimbursed under
Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 10.3 and
10.4, which shall be paid by the Borrower), owing to such Lender hereunder. Upon
any such termination or assignment, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall
continue to be entitled to the benefits of any provisions of this Agreement which by their
terms survive the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 10.11.2. Participations. Any Lender may sell to one or more commercial banks or
other Persons (each of such commercial banks and other Persons being herein called a
“Participant”) participating interests in any of the Loans, Commitments, or other interests
of such Lender hereunder; provided, however, that
(a) no participation contemplated in this Section shall relieve such Lender from its
Commitments or its other obligations under any Loan Document;
57
(b) such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of its Commitments
and such other obligations;
(c) each Obligor and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under each
Loan Document;
(d) no Participant, unless such Participant is an Affiliate of such Lender or is itself
a Lender, shall be entitled to require such Lender to take or refrain from taking any action
under any Loan Document, except that such Lender may agree with any Participant that such
Lender will not, without such Participant’s consent, take any actions of the type described
in clause (a), (b), (c) or (f) of Section 10.1 with
respect to Obligations participated in by such Participant;
(e) the Borrower shall not be required to pay any amount under this Agreement that is
greater than the amount which it would have been required to pay had no participating
interest been sold; and
(f) such Lender shall, as agent of the Borrower solely for the purpose of this Section,
record in book entries maintained by such Lender the name of its Participants and the amount
such Participants are entitled to receive in respect of any participating interests sold
pursuant to this Section.
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that each Participant, for purposes of Sections 4.3,
4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 7.1.1, 10.3 and
10.4, shall be considered a Lender. Each Participant shall only be indemnified for
increased costs pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6 if and to the extent
that the Lender which sold such participating interest to such Participant concurrently is entitled
to make, and does make, a claim on the Borrower for such increased costs. Any Lender that sells a
participating interest in any Loan, Commitment or other interest to a Participant under this
Section shall indemnify and hold harmless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from and
against any taxes, penalties, interest or other costs or losses (including reasonable attorneys’
fees and expenses) incurred or payable by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as a result of
the failure of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations to deduct or
withhold any Taxes from any payments made pursuant to this Agreement to such Lender or the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be, which Taxes would not have been incurred or payable if
such Participant had been a Non-U.S. Lender that was entitled to deliver to the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent or such Lender, and did in fact so deliver, a duly completed and valid Form
W-8BEN or W-8ECI (or applicable successor form) entitling such Participant to receive payments
under this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any United States federal taxes.
SECTION 10.12. Other Transactions. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender from engaging in any transaction, in addition to those
contemplated by the Loan Documents, with the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in which the
Borrower or such Affiliate is not restricted hereby from engaging with any other Person.
58
SECTION 10.13. Confidentiality. In handling all information furnished to, or obtained
by, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent
and each Lender shall exercise the same degree of care that it exercises with respect to its own
proprietary information of the same types to maintain the confidentiality of any non-public
information received hereunder except that disclosure of such information may be made (i) to the
subsidiaries or Affiliates of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with their
present or prospective business relations with the Borrower, (ii) to prospective transferees,
assignees or purchasers of an interest in the Loans and/or Commitments who have agreed in writing
to be bound by the confidentiality provisions hereof and to any direct or indirect contractual
counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) in agreements or arrangements evidencing
Hedging Obligations; provided, that such counterparties and advisors are advised of and
agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.13, (iii) as required by law,
regulation, rule or order, subpoena, judicial order or similar order, provided that the
Administrative Agent and each Lender shall, to the extent it would not be unlawful, use reasonable
efforts to afford the Borrower the opportunity to contest any such rule, order or subpoena and (iv)
as may be required in connection with the examination, audit or similar investigation of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender.
SECTION 10.14. Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction. ANY LITIGATION BASED
HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF
CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT, THE LENDERS OR THE BORROWER IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH MAY BE BROUGHT AND
MAINTAINED IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY
COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF
ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY
CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE
WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK AT THE ADDRESS FOR NOTICES SPECIFIED IN SECTION
10.2. THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH
LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS
BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BORROWER HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY
ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH
SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH
RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.
59
SECTION 10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER AND THE
BORROWER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR
ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, EACH LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE
OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, SUCH
LENDER OR THE BORROWER IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THE BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS
RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH OTHER PROVISION OF EACH
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY) AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER ENTERING INTO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.
SECTION 10.16. Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for
itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Borrower that pursuant to the
requirements of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to
Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001 (the
“Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which
information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow
such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with
the Act.
60
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
respective officers there unto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.
UST INC. |
||||
By: | ||||
Name | ||||
Title: |
XXXXXX XXXXXXX SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Administrative Agent |
||||
By: | ||||
Name | ||||
Title: |
LENDERS: XXXXXX XXXXXXX BANK |
||||
By: | ||||
Title: |
XXXXXX BROTHERS COMMERCIAL BANK |
||||
By: | ||||
Title: |
61
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.1. Defined Terms |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.2. Use of Defined Terms |
19 | |||
SECTION 1.3. Cross-References |
19 | |||
SECTION 1.4. Accounting and Financial Determinations |
19 | |||
ARTICLE II COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE PROCEDURES AND NOTES |
20 | |||
SECTION 2.1. Commitments |
20 | |||
SECTION 2.2. Reduction of the Commitment Amounts |
20 | |||
SECTION 2.3. Borrowing Procedures |
20 | |||
SECTION 2.4. Continuation and Conversion Elections |
21 | |||
SECTION 2.5. Funding of Loans |
21 | |||
SECTION 2.6. Notes |
21 | |||
ARTICLE III REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, DEPOSITS, INTEREST AND FEES |
22 | |||
SECTION 3.1. Repayments and Prepayments; Application |
22 | |||
SECTION 3.1.1. Repayments and Prepayments |
22 | |||
SECTION 3.1.2. Application |
24 | |||
SECTION 3.2. Interest Provisions |
24 | |||
SECTION 3.2.1. Rates |
24 | |||
SECTION 3.2.2. Post-Maturity Rates |
24 | |||
SECTION 3.2.3. Payment Dates |
24 | |||
SECTION 3.3. Fees |
25 | |||
SECTION 3.3.1. Commitment Fee |
25 | |||
SECTION 3.3.2. Administrative Agent’s Fees |
25 | |||
SECTION 3.3.3. Funding Fees |
25 | |||
ARTICLE IV CERTAIN LIBO RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS |
25 | |||
SECTION 4.1. LIBO Rate Lending Unlawful |
25 | |||
SECTION 4.2. Deposits Unavailable |
26 | |||
SECTION 4.3.
Increased LIBO Rate Loan Costs, etc. |
26 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
SECTION 4.4. Funding Losses |
26 | |||
SECTION 4.5. Increased Capital Costs |
27 | |||
SECTION 4.6. Taxes |
27 | |||
SECTION 4.7.
Payments, Computations, etc. |
29 | |||
SECTION 4.8. Sharing of Payments |
30 | |||
SECTION 4.9. Setoff |
30 | |||
SECTION 4.10. Obligation to Mitigate |
30 | |||
SECTION 4.11. Removal or Substitution of a Lender |
31 | |||
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
32 | |||
SECTION 5.1. Initial Credit Extension |
32 | |||
SECTION
5.1.1. Resolutions, etc. |
32 | |||
SECTION 5.1.2. Certificate; Notice |
32 | |||
SECTION
5.1.3. Closing Fees, Expenses, etc. |
32 | |||
SECTION
5.1.4. Litigation, etc. |
33 | |||
SECTION 5.1.5. Compliance Certificate |
33 | |||
SECTION 5.1.6. Opinions of Counsel |
33 | |||
SECTION 5.1.7. Delivery of Notes |
33 | |||
SECTION 5.1.8. Required Consents and Approvals |
33 | |||
SECTION 5.1.9. No Material Adverse Change |
33 | |||
SECTION 5.2. All Credit Extensions |
33 | |||
SECTION
5.2.1. Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc. |
33 | |||
SECTION
5.2.2. Credit Extension Request, etc. |
34 | |||
SECTION 5.2.3. Satisfactory Legal Form |
34 | |||
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
34 | |||
SECTION 6.1.
Organization, etc. |
34 | |||
SECTION 6.2.
Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc. |
34 | |||
SECTION 6.3.
Government Approval, Regulation, etc. |
35 | |||
SECTION 6.4.
Validity, etc. |
35 | |||
SECTION 6.5. Financial Information |
35 | |||
SECTION 6.6. No Material Adverse Effect |
35 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
SECTION 6.7.
Litigation, Labor Controversies, etc. |
35 | |||
SECTION 6.8. Subsidiaries |
36 | |||
SECTION 6.9. Ownership of Properties |
36 | |||
SECTION 6.10. Taxes |
36 | |||
SECTION 6.11. Pension and Welfare Plans |
36 | |||
SECTION 6.12. Environmental Warranties |
36 | |||
SECTION 6.13. Accuracy of Information |
37 | |||
SECTION 6.14. Compliance with Laws; Authorizations |
38 | |||
SECTION 6.15. Regulations U and X |
38 | |||
SECTION 6.16. No Contractual or Other Restrictions |
38 | |||
SECTION 6.17. Capitalization |
38 | |||
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS |
39 | |||
SECTION 7.1. Affirmative Covenants |
39 | |||
SECTION
7.1.1. Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc. |
39 | |||
SECTION
7.1.2. Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Laws, etc. |
40 | |||
SECTION 7.1.3. Maintenance of Properties |
41 | |||
SECTION 7.1.4. Insurance |
41 | |||
SECTION 7.1.5. Books and Records |
41 | |||
SECTION 7.1.6. Environmental Law Covenant |
41 | |||
SECTION 7.1.7. Use of Proceeds |
42 | |||
SECTION 7.1.8. Senior Unsecured Debt Rating |
42 | |||
SECTION 7.1.9. Assets Owned by Significant Subsidiaries |
42 | |||
SECTION 7.2. Negative Covenants |
42 | |||
SECTION 7.2.1. Business Activities |
42 | |||
SECTION 7.2.2. Liens |
42 | |||
SECTION 7.2.3. Financial Condition and Operations |
43 | |||
SECTION
7.2.4. Consolidation, Merger, etc. |
44 | |||
SECTION 7.2.5. Permitted Dispositions |
44 | |||
SECTION 7.2.6. Transactions with Affiliates |
44 | |||
SECTION
7.2.7. Restrictive Agreements, etc. |
44 |
-iii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
SECTION
7.2.8. Restricted Payments, etc. |
45 | |||
SECTION 7.2.9. Guaranty of Senior Notes |
45 | |||
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1. Listing of Events of Default |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1.1. Nonpayment of Obligations |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1.2. Breach of Warranty |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1.3. Nonperformance of Certain Covenants and Obligations |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1.4. Nonperformance of Other Covenants and Obligations |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1.5. Default on Other Indebtedness |
45 | |||
SECTION 8.1.6. Judgments |
46 | |||
SECTION 8.1.7. Pension Plans |
46 | |||
SECTION 8.1.8. Change in Control |
46 | |||
SECTION
8.1.9. Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. |
46 | |||
SECTION
8.1.10. Validity of Loan Documents, etc. |
47 | |||
SECTION 8.2. Action if Bankruptcy |
47 | |||
SECTION 8.3. Action if Other Event of Default |
47 | |||
ARTICLE IX THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
47 | |||
SECTION 9.1. Actions |
47 | |||
SECTION 9.2.
Funding Reliance, etc. |
48 | |||
SECTION 9.3. Exculpation |
48 | |||
SECTION 9.4. Successor |
48 | |||
SECTION 9.5. Loans by MSSF |
49 | |||
SECTION 9.6. Credit Decisions |
49 | |||
SECTION 9.7.
Copies, etc. |
49 | |||
SECTION 9.8. Reliance by Administrative Agent |
50 | |||
SECTION 9.9. Defaults |
50 | |||
SECTION 9.10. Other Agents |
50 | |||
SECTION 9.11. Lender Indemnification |
50 | |||
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
51 | |||
SECTION
10.1. Waivers, Amendments, etc. |
51 |
-iv-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
SECTION 10.2. Notices; Time |
52 | |||
SECTION 10.3. Payment of Costs and Expenses |
53 | |||
SECTION 10.4. Indemnification |
53 | |||
SECTION 10.5. Survival |
54 | |||
SECTION 10.6. Severability |
54 | |||
SECTION 10.7. Headings |
55 | |||
SECTION
10.8. Execution in Counterparts, Effectiveness, etc. |
55 | |||
SECTION 10.9. Governing Law; Entire Agreement |
55 | |||
SECTION 10.10. Successors and Assigns |
55 | |||
SECTION 10.11. Sale and Transfer of Credit Extensions; Notes |
55 | |||
SECTION 10.11.1. Assignments |
55 | |||
SECTION 10.11.2. Participations |
57 | |||
SECTION 10.12. Other Transactions |
58 | |||
SECTION 10.13. Confidentiality |
59 | |||
SECTION 10.14. Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction |
59 | |||
SECTION 10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial |
60 | |||
SECTION 10.16. Patriot Act Notice |
60 |
SCHEDULE I
|
- | Disclosure Schedule | ||
SCHEDULE II
|
- | Percentages; LIBOR Office; Domestic Office | ||
SCHEDULE III
|
- | Capitalization | ||
EXHIBIT A
|
- | Form of Note | ||
EXHIBIT B
|
- | Form of Borrowing Request | ||
EXHIBIT C
|
- | Form of Continuation/Conversion Notice | ||
EXHIBIT D
|
- | Form of Borrower Closing Date Certificate | ||
EXHIBIT E
|
- | Form of Compliance Certificate | ||
EXHIBIT F
|
- | Form of Lender Assignment Agreement | ||
EXHIBIT G
|
- | Form of Rating Notice |
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