SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 25, 2007
Blackbaud, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
000-50600 | 11-2617163 | |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer ID Number) |
2000 Daniel Island Drive, Charleston, South Carolina | 29492 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code (843) 216-6200
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01. | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
On July 25, 2007, Blackbaud, Inc. (Blackbaud) entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Credit Facility) with the lenders referred to therein (the Lenders), Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager. Blackbaud borrowed approximately $10.0 million under the Credit Facility at closing to payoff the principal and interest on the amounts outstanding under the prior facility.
The Credit Facility is a $75,000,000 facility that matures on July 25, 2012, subject to early termination by Blackbaud or the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders. The Credit Facility includes a revolving credit facility, swingline facility, letter of credit facility and incremental loan facility.
The aggregate principal amount of all outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility may not exceed the revolving credit commitment (or the total commitment of all revolving credit lenders to make revolving credit loans, purchase participations in letter of credit obligations and refund swingline loans) less the sum of all outstanding swingline loans and letter of credit obligations. The aggregate principal amount of all swingline loans may not exceed the lesser of (a) the revolving credit commitment less the sum of all outstanding revolving credit loans and the letter of credit obligations, and (b) the swingline commitment (or the lesser of $7,500,000 and the revolving credit commitment). The Issuing Lender is not obliged to issue any letter of credit if, after giving effect to the issuance, (a) the letter of credit obligations would exceed the lesser of $5,000,000 and the revolving credit commitment, or (b) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit loans, plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding swingline loans, plus the aggregate amount of letter of credit obligations would exceed the revolving credit commitment. Blackbaud may request incremental loans up to six (6) months prior to July 25, 2012, subject to certain terms and conditions. The aggregate principal amount of all incremental term loans must not exceed (a) $50,000,000 less (b) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all prior or simultaneous increases in the revolving credit commitment and the aggregate principal amount of all prior incremental term loans. The amount of each incremental term loan must be at least $10,000,000. Blackbaud may increase the revolving credit commitment, subject to certain terms and conditions, up to six (6) months prior July 25, 2012. However, the aggregate number of all incremental term loans plus increases in the revolving credit commitment cannot exceed two (2).
Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility are guaranteed pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement dated July 25, 2007 by and among certain subsidiaries of Blackbaud, as Guarantors, in favor of Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (the Guaranty Agreement). The obligations of Blackbaud under the Credit Facility are secured by the stock and LLC interests of Blackbauds subsidiaries and the proceeds therefrom pledged pursuant to a Pledge Agreement dated as of July 25, 2007 by and among Blackbaud and its subsidiaries in favor of Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders (the Pledge Agreement).
The revolving credit loans and incremental term loans under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at Blackbauds option, (a) a base rate equal to the higher of
(i) the prime rate and (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% (the Base Rate), plus an applicable margin as specified in the Credit Facility, or (b) the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin. Swingline loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the applicable margin.
The Credit Facility contains various representations, warranties and affirmative, negative and financial covenants customary for financings of this type. The affirmative covenants include requirements for Blackbaud and its subsidiaries to maintain their corporate existence; maintain their property and insurance; pay and perform their obligations; comply with laws and material contracts; as well as other requirements. The negative covenants include limitations on indebtedness; liens; loans, advances, investments and acquisitions; mergers and liquidation; sale of assets; dividends and distributions; exchange and issuance of capital stock; transactions with affiliates; accounting changes; amendments, payments and prepayments of subordinated indebtedness; changes in the nature of Blackbauds business or the business of any of its subsidiaries; and other matters. Financial covenants include a leverage test and a fixed charge test.
The Credit Facility also has customary defaults, including the nonpayment of principal of any loan or amounts drawn under letters of credit; nonpayment of interest on any loan, interest on amounts drawn under letters of credit, or any other obligation including fees, and such default continues for 3 business days; material misrepresentations; failure of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries to observe any term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in any of the loan documents, and such default continues for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof has been provided; cross-defaults on other indebtedness greater than $1,000,000; a change in control; bankruptcy or insolvency; all judgments or orders for the payment of money that exceed $1,000,000 and continue without having been discharged, vacated, stayed or bonded pending appeal for thirty (30) days after entry thereof; and other matters. In an event of default under the Credit Facility, the obligations of the lenders terminate and the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, become immediately due and payable.
The Credit Facility may be used to support commercial paper obligations. The Lenders and agents under the Credit Facility and their affiliates have in the past provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking, underwriting, lending, commercial banking, cash management services, interest rate swaps and other advisory services to Blackbaud. These parties have received, and may in the future receive, customary compensation from Blackbaud for such services.
The descriptions of the Credit Facility, the Guaranty Agreement and Pledge Agreement provided above are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full and complete terms contained in the Credit Facility, Guaranty Agreement and Pledge Agreement which are filed as Exhibits 10.28, 10.29 and 10.30 to this report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant |
As described in Item 1.01 above, on July 25, 2007, Blackbaud entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.28. The description of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in Item 1.01 is hereby incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits |
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
10.28 |
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 25, 2007 by and among Blackbaud, as Borrower, the Lenders, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager. | |
10.29 |
Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 25, 2007 by and among certain subsidiaries of Blackbaud, as Guarantors, in favor of Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. | |
10.30 |
Pledge Agreement dated as of July 25, 2007 by and among Blackbaud, its subsidiaries in favor of Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BLACKBAUD, INC. | ||||
Date: July 31, 2007 | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |||
Timothy V. Williams, | ||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 10.28
Execution Version
CUSIP Number: 09227Q100
$75,000,000
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of July 25, 2007,
by and among
BLACKBAUD, INC.,
as Borrower,
the Lenders referred to herein,
and
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent,
Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||
SECTION 1.2 |
Other Definitions and Provisions | 17 | ||
SECTION 1.3 |
Accounting Terms | 18 | ||
SECTION 1.4 |
UCC Terms | 18 | ||
SECTION 1.5 |
Rounding | 18 | ||
SECTION 1.6 |
References to Agreement and Laws | 18 | ||
SECTION 1.7 |
Times of Day | 18 | ||
SECTION 1.8 |
Letter of Credit Amounts | 18 | ||
ARTICLE II REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY | 19 | |||
SECTION 2.1 |
Revolving Credit Loans | 19 | ||
SECTION 2.2 |
Swingline Loans | 19 | ||
SECTION 2.3 |
Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans | 20 | ||
SECTION 2.4 |
Repayment of Loans | 21 | ||
SECTION 2.5 |
Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment | 22 | ||
SECTION 2.6 |
Termination of Revolving Credit Facility | 22 | ||
SECTION 2.7 |
Increase of Revolving Credit Commitment | 22 | ||
SECTION 2.8 |
Optional Incremental Term Loans | 24 | ||
ARTICLE III LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY | 26 | |||
SECTION 3.1 |
L/C Commitment | 26 | ||
SECTION 3.2 |
Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit | 27 | ||
SECTION 3.3 |
Commissions and Other Charges | 27 | ||
SECTION 3.4 |
L/C Participations | 28 | ||
SECTION 3.5 |
Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower | 28 | ||
SECTION 3.6 |
Obligations Absolute | 29 | ||
SECTION 3.7 |
Effect of Letter of Credit Application | 29 | ||
ARTICLE IV GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS | 30 | |||
SECTION 4.1 |
Interest | 30 | ||
SECTION 4.2 |
Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans | 31 | ||
SECTION 4.3 |
Fees | 31 | ||
SECTION 4.4 |
Manner of Payment | 32 | ||
SECTION 4.5 |
Evidence of Indebtedness | 32 | ||
SECTION 4.6 |
Adjustments | 33 | ||
SECTION 4.7 |
Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of Credit; Assumption by the Administrative Agent | 33 | ||
SECTION 4.8 |
Changed Circumstances | 34 | ||
SECTION 4.9 |
Indemnity | 35 | ||
SECTION 4.10 |
Increased Costs | 35 | ||
SECTION 4.11 |
Taxes | 36 | ||
SECTION 4.12 |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 38 | ||
ARTICLE V CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING | 39 | |||
SECTION 5.1 |
Closing | 39 | ||
SECTION 5.2 |
Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit | 39 | ||
SECTION 5.3 |
Conditions to All Extensions of Credit | 42 | ||
SECTION 5.4 |
Post-Closing Condition. | 42 | ||
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER | 42 |
i
SECTION 6.1 |
Representations and Warranties | 42 | ||
SECTION 6.2 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc. | 49 | ||
ARTICLE VII FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES | 49 | |||
SECTION 7.1 |
Financial Statements and Projections | 49 | ||
SECTION 7.2 |
Officers Compliance Certificate | 50 | ||
SECTION 7.3 |
Accountants Certificate | 50 | ||
SECTION 7.4 |
Other Reports | 50 | ||
SECTION 7.5 |
Notice of Litigation and Other Matters | 50 | ||
SECTION 7.6 |
Accuracy of Information | 51 | ||
ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 51 | |||
SECTION 8.1 |
Preservation of Existence and Related Matters | 51 | ||
SECTION 8.2 |
Maintenance of Property | 51 | ||
SECTION 8.3 |
Insurance | 51 | ||
SECTION 8.4 |
Accounting Methods and Financial Records | 52 | ||
SECTION 8.5 |
Payment and Performance of Obligations | 52 | ||
SECTION 8.6 |
Compliance With Laws and Approvals | 52 | ||
SECTION 8.7 |
Environmental Laws | 52 | ||
SECTION 8.8 |
Compliance with ERISA | 52 | ||
SECTION 8.9 |
Compliance With Agreements | 53 | ||
SECTION 8.10 |
Visits and Inspections | 53 | ||
SECTION 8.11 |
Additional Subsidiaries | 53 | ||
SECTION 8.12 |
Use of Proceeds | 54 | ||
SECTION 8.13 |
Further Assurances | 54 | ||
ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL COVENANTS | 54 | |||
SECTION 9.1 |
Leverage Ratio | 54 | ||
SECTION 9.2 |
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio | 54 | ||
ARTICLE X NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 54 | |||
SECTION 10.1 |
Limitations on Indebtedness | 54 | ||
SECTION 10.2 |
Limitations on Liens | 55 | ||
SECTION 10.3 |
Limitations on Loans, Advances, Investments and Acquisitions | 56 | ||
SECTION 10.4 |
Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation | 58 | ||
SECTION 10.5 |
Limitations on Sale of Assets | 59 | ||
SECTION 10.6 |
Limitations on Dividends and Distributions | 59 | ||
SECTION 10.7 |
Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Capital Stock | 59 | ||
SECTION 10.8 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 59 | ||
SECTION 10.9 |
Certain Accounting Changes; Organizational Documents | 60 | ||
SECTION 10.10 |
Amendments; Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Indebtedness | 60 | ||
SECTION 10.11 |
Restrictive Agreements | 60 | ||
SECTION 10.12 |
Nature of Business | 60 | ||
SECTION 10.13 |
Impairment of Security Interests | 60 | ||
ARTICLE XI DEFAULT AND REMEDIES | 60 | |||
SECTION 11.1 |
Events of Default | 60 | ||
SECTION 11.2 |
Remedies | 63 | ||
SECTION 11.3 |
Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. | 63 | ||
SECTION 11.4 |
Crediting of Payments and Proceeds | 64 | ||
SECTION 11.5 |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 64 | ||
ARTICLE XII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | 65 | |||
SECTION 12.1 |
Appointment | 65 |
ii
SECTION 12.2 |
Delegation of Duties | 65 | ||
SECTION 12.3 |
Exculpatory Provisions | 65 | ||
SECTION 12.4 |
Reliance by the Administrative Agent | 65 | ||
SECTION 12.5 |
Notice of Default | 66 | ||
SECTION 12.6 |
Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 66 | ||
SECTION 12.7 |
Indemnification | 67 | ||
SECTION 12.8 |
The Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity | 67 | ||
SECTION 12.9 |
Resignation of the Administrative Agent; Successor Administrative Agent | 67 | ||
SECTION 12.10 |
Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 68 | ||
SECTION 12.11 |
Other Agents, Arrangers and Managers | 68 | ||
ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS | 69 | |||
SECTION 13.1 |
Notices | 69 | ||
SECTION 13.2 |
Amendments, Waivers and Consents | 70 | ||
SECTION 13.3 |
Expenses; Indemnity | 71 | ||
SECTION 13.4 |
Set-off | 72 | ||
SECTION 13.5 |
Governing Law | 72 | ||
SECTION 13.6 |
Jurisdiction and Venue | 73 | ||
SECTION 13.7 |
Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial | 73 | ||
SECTION 13.8 |
Reversal of Payments | 74 | ||
SECTION 13.9 |
Injunctive Relief; Punitive or Indirect Damages | 74 | ||
SECTION 13.10 |
Accounting Matters | 75 | ||
SECTION 13.11 |
Successors and Assigns; Participations | 75 | ||
SECTION 13.12 |
Confidentiality | 77 | ||
SECTION 13.13 |
Performance of Duties | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.14 |
All Powers Coupled with Interest | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.15 |
Survival of Indemnities | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.16 |
Titles and Captions | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.17 |
Severability of Provisions | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.18 |
Counterparts | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.19 |
Integration | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.20 |
Term of Agreement | 78 | ||
SECTION 13.21 |
USA Patriot Act | 79 | ||
SECTION 13.22 |
Advice of Counsel, No Strict Construction | 79 | ||
SECTION 13.23 |
Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent Effect of Covenants | 79 | ||
SECTION 13.24 |
Amendment and Restatement; No Novation | 79 |
iii
EXHIBITS |
||||
Exhibit A-1 | | Form of Revolving Credit Note | ||
Exhibit A-2 | | Form of Swingline Note | ||
Exhibit B | | Form of Notice of Borrowing | ||
Exhibit C | | Form of Notice of Account Designation | ||
Exhibit D | | Form of Notice of Prepayment | ||
Exhibit E | | Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation | ||
Exhibit F | | Form of Officers Compliance Certificate | ||
Exhibit G | | Form of Assignment and Assumption | ||
Exhibit H | | Form of Guaranty Agreement | ||
Exhibit I | | Form of Pledge Agreement | ||
SCHEDULES | ||||
Schedule 1.1 | | Lenders and Commitments | ||
Schedule 6.1(a) | | Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification | ||
Schedule 6.1(b) | | Subsidiaries and Capitalization | ||
Schedule 6.1(i) | | ERISA Plans | ||
Schedule 6.1(l) | | Material Contracts | ||
Schedule 6.1(m) | | Labor and Collective Bargaining Agreements | ||
Schedule 6.1(t) | | Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations | ||
Schedule 6.1(u) | | Litigation | ||
Schedule 10.2 | | Existing Liens | ||
Schedule 10.3 | | Existing Loans, Advances and Investments | ||
Schedule 10.8 | | Transactions with Affiliates |
iv
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of July 25, 2007, by and among BLACKBAUD, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), the lenders who are or may become a party to this Agreement (collectively, the Lenders) and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2004 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the Existing Credit Agreement) by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto (the Existing Lenders), and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, the Existing Lenders extended certain credit facilities to the Borrower pursuant to the terms thereof.
The Borrower has requested and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have each agreed, to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below:
Administrative Agent means Wachovia in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 12.9.
Administrative Agents Office means the office of the Administrative Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1(c).
Administrative Questionnaire means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person or any of its Subsidiaries. The term control means (a) the power to vote five percent (5%) or more of the securities or other equity interests of a Person having ordinary voting power, or (b) the possession, directly or indirectly, of any other power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreement means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Applicable Law means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.
Applicable Margin means:
(a) with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, as determined pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 2.8(h), and
1
(b) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and the Commitment Fee, the corresponding percentages per annum as set forth below based on the Leverage Ratio:
Pricing Level |
Leverage Ratio |
Base Rate + | LIBOR + | Commitment Fee |
|||||||
I |
Greater than 2.00 to 1.00 | 0.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.30 | % | ||||
II |
Less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00, but greater than 1.00 to 1.00 | 0.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.25 | % | ||||
III |
Less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 | 0.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.20 | % |
The Applicable Margin shall be determined and adjusted quarterly on the date (each a Calculation Date) five (5) Business Days after the date by which the Borrower is required to provide an Officers Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2 for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower; provided, however, that (a) the Applicable Margin shall be based on Pricing Level II until the first Calculation Date following receipt of the Officers Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007 and, thereafter the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower preceding the applicable Calculation Date, and (b) if the Borrower fails to provide the Officers Compliance Certificate within five (5) days of the date for delivery required by Section 7.2 for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower preceding the applicable Calculation Date, the Applicable Margin from such Calculation Date shall be based on Pricing Level I until such time as an appropriate Officers Compliance Certificate is provided, at which time the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower preceding such Calculation Date. The Applicable Margin shall be effective from one Calculation Date until the next Calculation Date. Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin shall be applicable to all Extensions of Credit then existing or subsequently made or issued.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any financial statement or Officers Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether (A) this Agreement is in effect, (B) the Revolving Credit Commitments are in effect, or (C) any Extension of Credit is outstanding when such inaccuracy is discovered or such financial statement or Officers Compliance Certificate was delivered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an Applicable Period) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, and only in such case, then (1) the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected Officers Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (2) the Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period shall be determined as if the Leverage Ratio in the corrected Officers Compliance Certificate were applicable for such Applicable Period and (3) the Borrower shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent the accrued additional interest and fees, as applicable, owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.4. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the rights of the Administrative Agent and Lenders with respect to Section 4.1(c) and Section 11.2.
2
Approved Fund means any Person (other than a natural Person), including, without limitation, any special purpose entity, that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; provided, that such Approved Fund must be administered by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Arbitration Rules has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.7(a).
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 13.11), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Attributable Indebtedness means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount or principal amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a Capital Lease.
Bankruptcy Event of Default means any Event of Default specified in Section 11.1(j) or (k).
Base Rate means, at any time, the higher of (a) the Prime Rate and (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate.
Base Rate Loan means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin as provided in Section 4.1(a).
Borrower has the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Business Day means (a) for all purposes other than as set forth in clause (b) below, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks in Charlotte, North Carolina and New York, New York, are open for the conduct of their commercial banking business, and (b) with respect to all notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, any LIBOR Rate Loan, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (a) and that is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
Calculation Date has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of Applicable Margin.
Capital Asset means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any asset that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital asset on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Capital Expenditure means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the aggregate cost of all Capital Assets acquired by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Lease means any lease of any property by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
3
Capital Stock means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests and (e) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
Cash on Hand means as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of cash of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as set forth in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 7.1.
Change in Control means any event or series of events in which any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shall obtain ownership or control in one or more series of transactions of more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the Capital Stock or thirty-five percent (35%) of the voting power of the Borrower entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of directors of the Borrower or there shall have occurred under any indenture or other instrument evidencing any Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000 any change in control (as defined in such indenture or other evidence of Indebtedness) obligating the Borrower to repurchase, redeem or repay all or any part of the Indebtedness or Capital Stock provided for therein.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.
Closing Date means the date of this Agreement or such later Business Day upon which each condition described in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied or waived in all respects in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
Collateral means the collateral security for the Obligations pledged or granted pursuant to the Security Documents.
Commitment means, as to any Lender, such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment and/or Incremental Term Loan Commitment, as applicable.
Commitment Percentage means, as to any Lender at any time, such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage or Incremental Term Loan Percentage, as applicable.
Consolidated means, when used with reference to financial statements or financial statement items of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, such statements or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with applicable principles of consolidation under GAAP.
Credit Facility means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swingline Facility, the L/C Facility and the Incremental Term Loan Facility.
Credit Parties means, collectively, the Borrower and the Guarantors.
4
Default means any of the events specified in Section 11.1 which with the passage of time, the giving of notice or any other condition, would constitute an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, any Incremental Term Loan, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in Swingline Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless such amount is the subject of a good faith dispute, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
Disputes has the meaning set forth in Section 13.7.
Dollars or $ means, unless otherwise qualified, dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.
EBITDA means, for any period, the sum of the following determined on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP: (a) Net Income for such period plus (b) the sum of the following to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period: (i) income and franchise taxes, (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges (including non-cash stock compensation charges) and (iv) any extraordinary losses less (c) interest income and any extraordinary gains. For purposes of this Agreement, EBITDA shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis, in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to include, as of the first day of any applicable period, any Permitted Acquisitions and any asset disposition permitted pursuant to Section 10.5 closed during such period, including, without limitation, adjustments reflecting any non-recurring costs and any extraordinary expenses of such Permitted Acquisitions and such asset dispositions closed during such period calculated on a basis consistent with GAAP and Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or as approved by the Administrative Agent.
Eligible Assignee means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of an assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lender, and (iii) unless a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Assignee shall not include the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
Employee Benefit Plan means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) has at any time within the preceding six (6) years been maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any current or former ERISA Affiliate.
Environmental Claims means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, accusations, allegations, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal reports prepared by any Person in the ordinary course of business and not in response to any third party action or request of any kind) or proceedings relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or relating to any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any and all claims by Governmental Authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages, contribution, indemnification cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to human health or the environment.
5
Environmental Laws means any and all federal, foreign, state, provincial and local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, standards and regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities, relating to the protection of human health or the environment, including, but not limited to, requirements pertaining to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or remediation of Hazardous Materials.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
ERISA Affiliate means any Person who together with any Credit Party is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.
Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means, for any day, the percentage (expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.
Event of Default means any of the events specified in Section 11.1; provided that any requirement for passage of time, giving of notice, or any other condition, has been satisfied.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 4.12(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lenders failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 4.11(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 4.11(a).
Existing Credit Agreement has the meaning assigned thereto in the Statement of Purpose.
Existing Lenders has the meaning assigned thereto in the Statement of Purpose.
Existing Loans has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.2(f)(iii).
Extensions of Credit means, as to any Lender at any time, (a) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (ii) such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding, (iii) such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loans then outstanding and (iv) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, or (b) the making of any Loan or participation in any Letter of Credit by such Lender, as the context requires.
6
FDIC means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any successor thereto.
Federal Funds Rate means, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) representing the daily effective federal funds rate as quoted by the Administrative Agent and confirmed in Federal Reserve Board Statistical Release H.15 (519) or any successor or substitute publication selected by the Administrative Agent. If, for any reason, such rate is not available, then Federal Funds Rate shall mean a daily rate which is determined, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to be the rate at which federal funds are being offered for sale in the national federal funds market at 9:00 a.m. Rates for weekends or holidays shall be the same as the rate for the most immediately preceding Business Day.
Fee Letter means the separate fee letter agreement executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and/or certain of its affiliates dated June 4, 2007.
Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31.
Fixed Charges means, for any period, the sum of the following determined on a Consolidated basis for such period, without duplication, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP: (a) Interest Expense paid or payable in cash during such period, (b) scheduled principal payments with respect to Indebtedness during such period, (c) Capital Expenditures (not financed through an issuance of Indebtedness or an issuance of Capital Stock permitted hereunder) made during such period, (d) income taxes paid or payable in cash during such period and (e) Ordinary Dividends paid in cash during such period.
Foreign Lender means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles, as recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, consistently applied and maintained on a consistent basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries throughout the period indicated and (subject to Section 13.10) consistent with the prior financial practice of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Governmental Approvals means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of 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 (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Guarantors means each Material Subsidiary of the Borrower in existence on the Closing Date or which becomes a party to a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to Section 8.11.
7
Guaranty Agreement means the amended and restated unconditional guaranty agreement of even date herewith executed by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Guaranty Obligation means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person pursuant to which such Person has directly or indirectly guaranteed any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement condition or otherwise) or (b) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, that the term Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
Hazardous Materials means any substances or materials (a) which are or become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, chemical substances or mixtures or toxic substances under any Environmental Law, (b) which are toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise harmful to human health or the environment and are or become regulated by any Governmental Authority, (c) the presence of which require investigation or remediation under any Environmental Law or common law, (d) the discharge or emission or release of which requires a permit or license under any Environmental Law or other Governmental Approval, (e) which are deemed to constitute a nuisance or a trespass which pose a health or safety hazard to Persons or neighboring properties, (f) which consist of underground or aboveground storage tanks, whether empty, filled or partially filled with any substance, or (g) which contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.
Hedging Agreement means any agreement with respect to any Interest Rate Contract, forward rate agreement, commodity swap, forward foreign exchange agreement, currency swap agreement, cross-currency rate swap agreement, currency option agreement or other agreement or arrangement designed to alter the risks of any Person arising from fluctuations in interest rates, currency values or commodity prices, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Hedging Obligations means all existing or future payment and other obligations owing by the Borrower under any Hedging Agreement (which such Hedging Agreement is permitted hereunder) with any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedging Agreement is executed.
Increasing Revolving Lender has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.7.
Incremental Term Lender has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.8.
Incremental Term Loan Commitment means (a) as to any Incremental Term Lender, the obligation of such Incremental Term Lender to make an Incremental Term Loan to or for the account of the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.8 and (b) as to all Incremental Term Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Incremental Term Lenders to make Incremental Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.8.
Incremental Term Loan Effective Date means the date, which shall be a Business Day, on or before the Maturity Date, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after any Incremental Term Loan Notification Date (unless a shorter period is agreed to by all the affected Incremental Term Lenders), on which each of the Incremental Term Lenders makes Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.8.
8
Incremental Term Loan Facility means the incremental term loan facility established pursuant to Section 2.8.
Incremental Term Loans has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.8.
Incremental Term Loan Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of an Incremental Term Lender evidencing the Incremental Term Loans made by such Incremental Term Lender, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.
Incremental Term Loan Notification means the written notice by the Borrower of its request to borrow Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.8.
Incremental Term Loan Notification Date means the date on which the Incremental Term Loan Notification is received by the Administrative Agent.
Incremental Term Loan Percentage means, as to any Incremental Term Lender at any time, the ratio of (a) the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Incremental Term Lender to (b) the Incremental Term Loan Commitments of all Incremental Term Lenders.
Indebtedness means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at any date and without duplication, the sum of the following calculated in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all liabilities, obligations and indebtedness for borrowed money including, but not limited to, obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments of any such Person;
(b) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services of any such Person (including, without limitation, all obligations under non-competition, earn-out or similar agreements), except trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business not more than one hundred eighty (180) days past due;
(c) the Attributable Indebtedness of such Person with respect to such Persons obligations in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases (regardless of whether accounted for as indebtedness under GAAP);
(d) all Indebtedness of any other Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned or being purchased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or is limited in recourse;
(e) all Guaranty Obligations of any such Person;
(f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person relative to the face amount of letters of credit, whether or not drawn, including, without limitation, any Reimbursement Obligation, and bankers acceptances issued for the account of any such Person;
(g) all obligations of any such Person to redeem, repurchase, exchange, defease or otherwise make payments in respect of Capital Stock of such Person; and
9
(h) all net obligations incurred by any such Person pursuant to Hedging Agreements.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation of any Person under any Hedging Agreement on any date shall be deemed to be the Termination Value thereof as of such date.
Indemnified Taxes means Taxes and Other Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Interest Expense means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the gross interest expense (including, without limitation, interest expense attributable to Capital Leases, Synthetic Leases and all net payment obligations pursuant to Hedging Agreements) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all determined for such period on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP.
Interest Period has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1(b).
Interest Rate Contract means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate floor agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate option or any other agreement regarding the hedging of interest rate risk exposure executed in connection with hedging the interest rate exposure of any Person and any confirming letter executed pursuant to such agreement, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
ISP98 means the International Standby Practices (1998 Revision, effective January 1, 1999), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.
Issuing Lender means Wachovia, in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit, or any successor thereto.
L/C Commitment means the lesser of (a) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.
L/C Facility means the letter of credit facility established pursuant to Article III.
L/C Obligations means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.
L/C Participants means the collective reference to all the Revolving Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.
Lender means each Person executing this Agreement as a Lender (including, without limitation, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender unless the context otherwise requires) set forth on the signature pages hereto and each Person that hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8 or 13.11.
Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement means each agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed pursuant to Section 2.7 and/or Section 2.8 by the Borrower and any existing Lender or New Lender committing to provide an increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment and/or Incremental Term Loans and, in each case, acknowledged by the Administrative Agent and each Guarantor, (a) setting forth the terms and conditions of (i) any increase in
10
the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.7 and/or (ii) any Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.8 and (b) acknowledging that any New Lender shall be a party hereto and have the rights (including, without limitation, voting rights) and obligations of a Lender hereunder.
Lending Office means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender maintaining such Lenders Extensions of Credit.
Letter of Credit Application means an application, in the form specified by the Issuing Lender from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.
Letters of Credit has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.1.
Leverage Ratio has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.1.
LIBOR means the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor 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 1/100th of 1%). If, for any reason, such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page), then LIBOR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent 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. Each calculation by the Administrative Agent of LIBOR shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
LIBOR Rate means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:
LIBOR Rate = |
LIBOR |
|||
1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage |
LIBOR Rate Loan means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin as provided in Section 4.1(a).
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, leasehold mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, hypothecation or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
Liquidity Amount means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the Cash on Hand as of such date plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of the unused Revolving Credit Commitment as of such date.
Loan Documents means, collectively, this Agreement, each Note, the Letter of Credit Applications, the Guaranty Agreement, the Security Documents, each Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement (if any) and each other document, instrument, certificate and agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in connection with this Agreement or otherwise referred to herein or contemplated hereby (excluding any Hedging Agreement), all as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
11
Loans means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Loans, the Swingline Loans and the Incremental Term Loans, if any, and Loan means any of such Loans.
Material Adverse Effect means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, a material adverse effect on (a) the properties, business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any such Person to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, or (c) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document.
Material Contract means (a) any contract or other agreement, written or oral, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving monetary liability of or to any such Person in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 per annum, or (b) any other contract or agreement, written or oral, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries the failure to comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Material Subsidiary means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) individually (i) owns assets with a fair market value in excess of five percent (5%) of the Consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the most recent Fiscal Year end or (ii) accounted for more than five percent (5%) of EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently ended Fiscal Year or (b) collectively with all other Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries (i) owns assets with a fair market value in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the most recent Fiscal Year end or (ii) accounted for more than ten percent (10%) of EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently ended Fiscal Year.
Maturity Date means the earliest to occur of (a) July 25, 2012, (b) the date of termination by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5, or (c) the date of termination by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders pursuant to Section 11.2(a).
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or is accruing an obligation to make, or has accrued an obligation to make contributions within the preceding six (6) years.
Net Income means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for any period of determination, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from Net Income (a) the net income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary which shall be subject to clause (c) below), in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has a joint interest with a third party, except to the extent such net income is actually paid to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by dividend or other distribution during such period, (b) the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of such Person or is merged into or consolidated with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or that Persons assets are acquired by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries except to the extent included pursuant to the foregoing clause (a), (c) the net income (if positive) of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of such net income (i) is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or (ii) would be subject to any taxes payable on such dividends or distributions.
12
New Lender means any bank, financial institution or investment fund committing to make Extensions of Credit pursuant to Section 2.7 or Section 2.8 that was not a Lender as of the applicable Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date or Incremental Term Loan Effective Date relating to such Extensions of Credit.
Notes means a Revolving Credit Note, Swingline Note or Incremental Term Loan Note, if any.
Notice of Account Designation has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3(b).
Notice of Borrowing has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3(a).
Notice of Conversion/Continuation has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.2.
Notice of Prepayment has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.4(c).
Obligations means, in each case, whether now in existence or hereafter arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans, (b) the L/C Obligations, (c) all Hedging Obligations and (d) all other fees and commissions (including attorneys fees), charges, indebtedness, loans, liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, in each case under any Loan Document or otherwise, with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note.
OFAC means the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Officers Compliance Certificate means a certificate of the chief financial officer, corporate controller, assistant treasurer or the treasurer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
Operating Lease means, as to any Person as determined in accordance with GAAP, any lease of property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which is not a Capital Lease.
Ordinary Dividends means cash dividend payments made by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business on a quarterly basis to the shareholders of the Borrower in respect of their ownership of the Capital Stock of the Borrower.
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Participant has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.11(d).
Payment Event of Default means any Event of Default specified in Section 11.1(a) or (b).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.
Pension Plan means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and which (a) is maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates or (b) has at any time within the preceding six (6) years been maintained for the employees of the Borrower or any of its current or former ERISA Affiliates.
13
Permitted Acquisitions means the acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(g).
Permitted Liens means the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 10.2.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or other entity.
Pledge Agreement means that certain pledge agreement of even date herewith executed by the Credit Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit I, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Prime Rate means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Wachovia as its prime rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by Wachovia as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.
Register has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.11(c).
Reimbursement Obligation means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Required Lenders means, at any date, any combination of Lenders who hold in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of (a) the Commitments and (b) the aggregate outstanding Extensions of Credit under the Incremental Term Loans, or, if the Credit Facility has been terminated pursuant to Section 11.2, any combination of Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Extensions of Credit; provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Extensions of Credit, as applicable, held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of a Credit Party or any other officer of a Credit Party reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Credit Party.
Revolving Credit Commitment means (a) as to any Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Revolving Credit Lender to (i) make Revolving Credit Loans for the account of the Borrower hereunder, (ii) purchase participations in L/C Obligations and (iii) refund Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Revolving Credit Lenders name on Schedule 1.1, as such Revolving Credit Commitment may be increased, reduced or modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof and (b) as to all Revolving Credit Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Revolving Credit Lenders to (i) make Revolving Credit Loans, (ii) purchase participations in L/C Obligations and (iii) refund Swingline Loans, as such amount may be increased, reduced or modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
14
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the ratio of (a) the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Revolving Credit Lender to (b) the Revolving Credit Commitments of all Revolving Credit Lenders.
Revolving Credit Facility means the revolving credit facility established pursuant to Article II but excluding the Swingline Facility and any Incremental Term Loan Facility.
Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date means the date, which shall be a Business Day, on or prior to the date that is six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after any Revolving Credit Increase Notification Date (unless a shorter period is agreed to by all affected Increasing Revolving Lenders), on which each of the Increasing Revolving Lenders increase (or, in the case of New Revolving Lenders, provide) their respective Revolving Credit Commitments to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.7.
Revolving Credit Increase Notification means the written notice by the Borrower of its desire to increase the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.7.
Revolving Credit Increase Notification Date means the date on which the Revolving Credit Increase Notification is received by the Administrative Agent.
Revolving Credit Lender means any Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment.
Revolving Credit Loans means any revolving loan made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.7, and all such revolving loans collectively as the context requires.
Revolving Credit Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Sanctioned Country shall mean a country that is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs, or as otherwise published from time to time.
Sanctioned Entity shall mean (a) an agency of the government of, (b) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by, or (c) a person resident in a country that is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs, or as otherwise published from time to time as such program may be applicable to such agency, organization or person.
Sanctioned Person shall mean a person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/ enforcement/ofac/sdn/index.html, or as otherwise published from time to time.
Security Documents means the collective reference to the Guaranty Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and each other agreement or writing pursuant to which any Credit Party purports to pledge or grant a security interest in Capital Stock securing the Obligations or any such Person purports to guaranty the payment and/or performance of the Obligations, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
15
Solvent means, as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a particular date, that any such Person (a) has capital sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about to engage and is able to pay its debts as they mature, (b) has assets having a value, both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value, greater than the amount required to pay its probable liabilities (including contingencies), and (c) does not believe that it will incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay such debts or liabilities as they mature.
Subordinated Indebtedness means the collective reference to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary subordinated in right and time of payment to the Obligations and containing such other terms and conditions, in each case as are satisfactory to the Required Lenders.
Subsidiary means as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity is at the time owned by or the management is otherwise controlled by such Person (irrespective of whether, at the time, Capital Stock of any other class or classes of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). Unless otherwise qualified references to Subsidiary or Subsidiaries herein shall refer to those of the Borrower.
Swingline Commitment means the lesser of (a) Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.
Swingline Facility means the swingline facility established pursuant to Section 2.2.
Swingline Lender means Wachovia in its capacity as swingline lender hereunder.
Swingline Loan means any swingline loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2, and all such swingline loans collectively as the context requires.
Swingline Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.
Synthetic Lease means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an Operating Lease in accordance with GAAP.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Termination Event means except for any such event or condition that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) a Reportable Event described in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the notice requirement has not been waived by the PBGC, or (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA,
16
if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, or (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan, or (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or (g) the partial or complete withdrawal of the Borrower of any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan if withdrawal liability is asserted by such plan, or (h) any event or condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or (i) any event or condition which results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA.
Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Hedging Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Hedging Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Hedging Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Hedging Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Hedging Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Total Indebtedness means, as of any date of determination with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis without duplication, the sum of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Uniform Customs means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), effective January, 1994 International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500.
UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of North Carolina or appropriate governing state, as amended or modified from time to time.
United States means the United States of America.
Wachovia means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, and its successors.
Wholly-Owned means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the shares of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary are, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (except for directors qualifying shares or other shares required by Applicable Law to be owned by a Person other than the Borrower).
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document: (a) the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, (b) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms, (c) the words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation, (d) the word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall, (e) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (f) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (g) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (h) all references herein to Articles, Sections,
17
Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (i) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (j) the term documents includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form, (k) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including; the words to and until each mean to but excluding; and the word through means to and including, and (l) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
SECTION 1.3 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited financial statements required by Section 7.1(b), except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
SECTION 1.4 UCC Terms. Terms defined in the UCC in effect on the Closing Date and not otherwise defined herein shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings provided by those definitions. Subject to the foregoing, the term UCC refers, as of any date of determination, to the UCC then in effect.
SECTION 1.5 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
SECTION 1.6 References to Agreement and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to formation documents, governing documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references to any Applicable Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Applicable Law.
SECTION 1.7 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
SECTION 1.8 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit Application therefor, whether or not such maximum face amount is in effect at such time.
18
ARTICLE II
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Maturity Date as requested by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3; provided, that (a) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations and (b) the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from any Revolving Credit Lender to the Borrower shall not at any time exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment less such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of outstanding L/C Obligations and outstanding Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Credit Loan by a Revolving Credit Lender shall be in a principal amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans hereunder until the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.2 Swingline Loans.
(a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Maturity Date; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested), shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Revolving Credit Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and the L/C Obligations and (ii) the Swingline Commitment.
(b) Refunding.
(i) Swingline Loans shall be refunded by the Revolving Credit Lenders on demand by the Swingline Lender. Such refundings shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages and shall thereafter be reflected as Revolving Credit Loans of the Revolving Credit Lenders on the books and records of the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of Revolving Credit Loans as required to repay Swingline Loans outstanding to the Swingline Lender upon demand by the Swingline Lender but in no event later than 1:00 p.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand is made. No Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Revolving Credit Lenders failure to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan.
(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender on demand the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. In addition, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge any account maintained by the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (up to the amount available therein) in order to immediately pay the Swingline Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in
19
full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. If any portion of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (unless the amounts so recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower pertain to a Swingline Loan extended after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of which the Administrative Agent has received notice in the manner required pursuant to Section 12.5 and which such Event of Default has not been waived in accordance with Section 13.2).
(iii) Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to refund Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article V. Further, each Revolving Credit Lender agrees and acknowledges that if prior to the refunding of any outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section, a Bankruptcy Event of Default shall have occurred, each Revolving Credit Lender will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan would have been made, purchase an undivided participating interest in the Swingline Loan to be refunded in an amount equal to its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loan. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation and upon receipt thereof the Swingline Lender will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a certificate evidencing such participation dated the date of receipt of such funds and for such amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lenders participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account thereof, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Credit Lenders participating interest was outstanding and funded).
SECTION 2.3 Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans.
(a) Requests for Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (a Notice of Borrowing) not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan, of its intention to borrow, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing, which shall be, (x) with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, (y) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (z) with respect to Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, (C) whether such Loan is to be a Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan, (D) in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan whether the Loans are to be LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans, and (E) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto. A Notice of Borrowing received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing.
(b) Disbursement of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans. Not later than 1:00 p.m. on the proposed borrowing date, (i) each Revolving Credit Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such borrowing date and (ii) the Swingline Lender will make
20
available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Loans to be made on such borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing requested pursuant to this Section in immediately available funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower identified in the most recent notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (a Notice of Account Designation) delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time to time. Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion of the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan requested pursuant to this Section to the extent that any Revolving Credit Lender has not made available to the Administrative Agent its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Loan. Revolving Credit Loans to be made for the purpose of refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the Lenders as provided in Section 2.2(b).
SECTION 2.4 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Repayment on Maturity Date. The Borrower hereby agrees to repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) all Revolving Credit Loans in full on the Maturity Date, and (ii) all Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.2(b), together, in each case, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon.
(b) Mandatory Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans. If at any time the outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans plus the sum of all outstanding Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations exceeds the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Borrower agrees to repay immediately upon notice from the Administrative Agent, by payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, Extensions of Credit in an amount equal to such excess with each such repayment applied first to the principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, second to the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and third, with respect to any Letters of Credit then outstanding, a payment of cash collateral into a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders in an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit (such cash collateral to be applied in accordance with Section 11.2(b)).
(c) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay, without premium or penalty but including any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof, Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, in whole or in part, with irrevocable prior written notice to the Administrative Agent substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (a Notice of Prepayment) given not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan, specifying the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of LIBOR Rate Loans, Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans), $2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans and $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof with respect to Swingline Loans. A Notice of Prepayment received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Each such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
21
(d) Limitation on Prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrower may not prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless such prepayment is accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
(e) Hedging Agreements. No repayment or prepayment pursuant to this Section shall affect any of the Borrowers obligations under any Hedging Agreement.
SECTION 2.5 Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment.
(a) Voluntary Reduction. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, but including any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof, (i) the entire Revolving Credit Commitment at any time or (ii) portions of the Revolving Credit Commitment, from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $2,500,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender according to its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. All commitment fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
(b) Corresponding Payment. Each permanent reduction permitted or required pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a payment of principal sufficient to reduce the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations, as applicable, after such reduction to the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced and if the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced is less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, the Borrower shall be required to deposit cash collateral in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Such cash collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 11.2(b). Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by payment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans (and furnishing of cash collateral satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for all L/C Obligations) and shall result in the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Revolving Credit Facility. Such cash collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 11.2(b). If the reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment requires the repayment of any LIBOR Rate Loan, such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
SECTION 2.6 Termination of Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.7 Increase of Revolving Credit Commitment.
(a) As an alternative to, or in addition to, Section 2.8 below, subject to the conditions set forth below, at any time prior to the date that is six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall have the right upon not less than thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to a Revolving Credit Increase Notification, to request an increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment in an aggregate principal amount as may be specified by the Borrower. Such Revolving Credit Increase Notification shall specify the applicable Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date.
(b) Increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment shall be obtained from existing Revolving Credit Lenders or New Lenders that qualify as Eligible Assignees (each such New Lender, collectively with the existing Revolving Credit Lenders providing increased Revolving Credit Commitments, the Increasing Revolving Lenders), in each case in accordance with this Section 2.7; provided that no Revolving Credit Lender shall have any obligation to provide any portion of such increase.
22
(c) The following terms and conditions shall apply to each increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment:
(i) such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 (and any Extensions of Credit made thereunder) shall constitute Obligations of the Borrower and shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, secured with the other Extensions of Credit on a pari passu basis;
(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower updated financial projections and an Officers Compliance Certificate, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, demonstrating that, as of the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date and after giving effect to any such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment (and, if applicable, any simultaneous Incremental Term Loan made pursuant to Section 2.8) and any Extensions of Credit made or to be made in connection therewith, the Borrower will be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article IX;
(iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the applicable Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date and after giving effect to such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 (and, if applicable, any simultaneous Incremental Term Loan made pursuant to Section 2.8) and any Extensions of Credit made in connection therewith;
(iv) the representations and warranties made by each Credit Party in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date (other than those representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of a particular date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such particular date);
(v) in no event shall the aggregate amount of all increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 exceed (i) $50,000,000 less (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.8 and (B) the aggregate principal amount of all prior increases to the Revolving Credit Commitment made pursuant to this Section 2.7;
(vi) the amount of such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 shall not be less than a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000, or, if less, the remaining amount permitted pursuant to clause (v) above;
(vii) in no event shall the aggregate number of increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 plus the number of Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.8 exceed two (2);
(viii) unless previously provided, the Administrative Agent shall have received a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors of each Credit Party authorizing such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment;
(ix) the Borrower and each Increasing Revolving Lender shall execute and deliver a Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register;
23
(x) the Administrative Agent shall have received any documents or information, including any joinder agreements, in connection with such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment as it may request in its reasonable discretion; and
(xi) the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages of L/C Obligations will be reallocated by the Administrative Agent on the applicable Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date among the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their revised Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages (and the Revolving Credit Lenders agree to make all payments and adjustments necessary to effect such reallocation and the Borrower shall pay any and all costs required pursuant to Section 4.9 in connection with such reallocation as if such reallocation were a repayment).
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2 to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to execute and deliver amendment documentation evidencing any amendments necessary to effectuate the proposed increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders; provided that such amendment shall not modify this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any manner materially adverse to any Lender without the consent of such Lenders adversely affected thereby in accordance with Section 13.2 hereof.
(e) Upon the execution, delivery, acceptance and recording of the applicable Lender Addition and Acknowledgment Agreement, from and after the applicable Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date, (i) each Increasing Revolving Lender shall have a Revolving Credit Commitment as set forth in the Register and all the rights and obligations of a Revolving Credit Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder and (ii) all Revolving Credit Loans made on account of any increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7 shall bear interest at the rate applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans immediately prior to giving effect to such increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.7.
(f) The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of each Lender Addition and Acknowledgment Agreement delivered to it in accordance with Section 13.10(c).
(g) Upon the request of any Increasing Revolving Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, in exchange for any surrendered Revolving Credit Note or Revolving Credit Notes of any existing Revolving Credit Lender or with respect to any New Lender, a new Revolving Credit Note or Revolving Credit Notes to the order of the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders in amounts equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Revolving Credit Lenders as set forth in the Register. Such new Revolving Credit Note or Revolving Credit Notes shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Revolving Credit Commitments, shall be dated as of the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date and shall otherwise be in substantially the form of the existing Revolving Credit Notes. Each surrendered Revolving Credit Note and/or Revolving Credit Notes shall be canceled and returned to the Borrower.
SECTION 2.8 Optional Incremental Term Loans.
(a) As an alternative to, or in addition to, Section 2.7 above, subject to the conditions set forth below, at any time prior to the date that is 6 months prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall have the right upon not less than thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan Notification, to request term loans in an aggregate principal amount as may be specified by the Borrower (such term loans, the Incremental Term Loans). Such Incremental Term Loan Notification shall specify the applicable Incremental Term Loan Effective Date, and on or prior to such date, the Borrower shall deliver a Notice of Borrowing with respect to such Incremental Term Loan.
24
(b) Each Incremental Term Loan shall be obtained from existing Lenders or from New Lenders that qualify as Eligible Assignees (each such New Lender, collectively with the existing Lenders providing Incremental Term Loans, the Incremental Term Lenders), in each case in accordance with this Section 2.8; provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to provide any portion of such Incremental Term Loans.
(c) The following terms and conditions shall apply to each Incremental Term Loan:
(i) such Incremental Term Loan made pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall constitute an Obligation of the Borrower and shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, secured with the other Extensions of Credit on a pari passu basis;
(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower updated financial projections and an Officers Compliance Certificate, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, demonstrating that, as of the Incremental Term Loan Effective Date and after giving effect to any such Incremental Term Loan (and, if applicable, any simultaneous increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.7), the Borrower will be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article IX;
(iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the applicable Incremental Term Loan Effective Date and after giving effect to the making of any such Incremental Term Loans (and, if applicable, any simultaneous increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.7);
(iv) the representations and warranties made by each Credit Party in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the Incremental Term Loan Effective Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date (other than those representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of a particular date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such particular date);
(v) in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.8 exceed (i) $50,000,000 less (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all prior or simultaneous increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment made pursuant to Section 2.7 and (B) the aggregate principal amount of all prior Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.8;
(vi) the amount of such Incremental Term Loan obtained hereunder shall not be less than a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000, or, if less, the remaining amount permitted pursuant to clause (v) above;
(vii) in no event shall the aggregate number of Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.8 plus the number of increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.7 exceed two (2);
(viii) unless previously provided, the Administrative Agent shall have received a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors of each Credit Party authorizing such Incremental Term Loan;
25
(ix) each Incremental Term Loan shall be made on the applicable Incremental Term Loan Effective Date specified in the Incremental Term Loan Notification and will mature and amortize in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the Incremental Term Lenders making such Incremental Term Loan and the Borrower, but such Incremental Term Loan will not in any event have a maturity date earlier than the Maturity Date;
(x) the Borrower and each Incremental Term Lender shall execute and deliver a Lender Addition and Acknowledgment Agreement to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register; and
(xi) the Administrative Agent shall have received any documents or information, including any joinder agreements, in connection with such Incremental Term Loan as it may request in its reasonable discretion.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2 to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to execute and deliver amendment documentation evidencing any amendments necessary to effectuate the Incremental Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.8 on behalf of the Lenders; provided that such amendment shall not modify this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any manner materially adverse to any Lender without the consent of such Lenders adversely affected thereby in accordance with Section 13.2 hereof.
(e) Upon the execution, delivery, acceptance and recording of the applicable Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement, from and after the applicable Incremental Term Loan Effective Date, each Incremental Term Lender shall have an Incremental Term Loan Commitment as set forth in the Register and all the rights and obligations of a Lender with such an Incremental Term Loan Commitment hereunder. The applicable Incremental Term Lenders shall make the Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower on the applicable Incremental Term Loan Effective Date in an amount equal to the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of each Incremental Term Lender with respect to such Incremental Term Loan as agreed upon pursuant to subsection (b) above.
(f) The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of each Lender Addition and Acknowledgment Agreement delivered to it in accordance with Section 13.10(c).
(g) Upon the request of any Incremental Term Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent Incremental Term Loan Notes to the order of such applicable Incremental Term Lenders in amounts equal to the Incremental Term Loans of such Incremental Term Lenders as set forth in the Register. Such Incremental Term Loan Note or Incremental Term Loan Notes shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Incremental Term Loans and shall be dated as of the Incremental Term Loan Effective Date.
(h) The Applicable Margin and pricing grid, if applicable, for the Incremental Term Loans shall be determined on the applicable Incremental Term Loan Effective Date.
ARTICLE III
LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 3.1 L/C Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue standby letters of credit (Letters of Credit) for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day from the Closing Date through but not including the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Maturity Date in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Lender; provided, that the Issuing Lender shall
26
have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (a) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (b) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, plus the aggregate amount of L/C Obligations would exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars in a minimum amount of $100,000, (ii) be a standby letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) expire no later than the earlier of: (A) one (1) year after its date of issuance or (B) the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Maturity Date and (iv) be subject to the Uniform Customs and/or ISP98, as set forth in the Letter of Credit Application or as determined by the Issuing Lender and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of North Carolina. The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any Applicable Law. References herein to issue and derivations thereof with respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any existing Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit. The Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender at the Administrative Agents Office a Letter of Credit Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the Issuing Lender shall process such Letter of Credit Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall, subject to Section 3.1 and Article V, promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business Days after its receipt of the Letter of Credit Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrower a copy of such Letter of Credit and promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance and upon request by any Revolving Credit Lender, furnish to such Revolving Credit Lender a copy of such Letter of Credit and the amount of such Lenders participation therein.
SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.
(a) Letter of Credit Commissions. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit commission with respect to each Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the face amount of such Letter of Credit multiplied by the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans (determined on a per annum basis). Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute to the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants all commissions received pursuant to this Section in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.
(b) Issuance Fee. In addition to the foregoing commission, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender, an issuance fee with respect to each Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the face amount of such Letter of Credit multiplied by one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) per annum. Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Administrative Agent.
27
(c) Other Costs. In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.4 L/C Participations.
(a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participants own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participants Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage in the Issuing Lenders obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower through a Revolving Credit Loan or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand at the Issuing Lenders address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participants Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
(b) Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall notify each L/C Participant of the amount and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender the amount specified on the applicable due date. If any such amount is paid to the Issuing Lender after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand, in addition to such amount, the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate as determined by the Administrative Agent during the period from and including the date such payment is due to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the Issuing Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to payment to the Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts described in this Section, if the L/C Participants receive notice that any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due that Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.
(c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such payment in accordance with this Section, the Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.
SECTION 3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees to reimburse (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided for in this Section or with funds from other sources), in same day funds, the Issuing Lender on each date on which the Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower of the date and amount of a draft paid under any Letter of Credit for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in
28
Section 3.3(c) incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Unless the Borrower shall immediately notify the Issuing Lender that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Issuing Lender for such drawing from other sources or funds, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Revolving Credit Lenders make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate on such date in the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate in such amount, the proceeds of which shall be applied to reimburse the Issuing Lender for the amount of the related drawing and costs and expenses. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to fund a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with this Section to reimburse the Issuing Lender for any draft paid under a Letter of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.3(a) or Article V. If the Borrower has elected to pay the amount of such drawing with funds from other sources and shall fail to reimburse the Issuing Lender as provided above, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate which would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full.
SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers obligations under this Article III (including, without limitation, the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing Lender or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees that the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants shall not be responsible for, and the Borrowers Reimbursement Obligation under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions caused by the Issuing Lenders gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to the Borrower. The responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are in conformity with such Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.7 Effect of Letter of Credit Application. To the extent that any provision of any Letter of Credit Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Article III, the provisions of this Article III shall apply.
29
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.1 Interest.
(a) Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this Section, at the election of the Borrower, (i) Revolving Credit Loans and Incremental Term Loans, if any, shall bear interest at (A) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or (B) the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin (provided that the LIBOR Rate shall not be available until three (3) Business Days after the Closing Date) and (ii) any Swingline Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The Borrower shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any Revolving Credit Loan or Incremental Term Loan, as applicable, at the time a Notice of Borrowing is given or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.2. Any Revolving Credit Loan, Incremental Term Loan or any portion thereof as to which the Borrower has not duly specified an interest rate as provided herein shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan.
(b) Interest Periods. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, the Borrower, by giving notice at the times described in Section 2.3 or 4.2, as applicable, shall elect an interest period (each, an Interest Period) to be applicable to such Loan, which Interest Period shall be a period of one (1), two (2), three (3), or six (6) months; provided that:
(i) the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;
(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided, that if any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(iii) any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(iv) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date; and
(v) there shall be no more than five (5) Interest Periods in effect at any time.
(c) Default Rate. Subject to Section 11.3, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Payment Event of Default or a Bankruptcy Event of Default or, at the discretion of the Administrative Agent or as directed by the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default other than a Payment Event of Default or Bankruptcy Event of Default, (i) the Borrower shall no longer have the option to request LIBOR Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit, (ii) all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to LIBOR Rate Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period and thereafter at a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (iii) all outstanding Base Rate Loans and other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then applicable to
30
Base Rate Loans or such other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document. Interest shall continue to accrue on the Obligations after the filing by or against the Borrower of any petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any act or law pertaining to insolvency or debtor relief, whether state, federal or foreign.
(d) Interest Payment and Computation. Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing September 30, 2007; and interest on each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and if such Interest Period extends over three (3) months, at the end of each three (3) month interval during such Interest Period. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Prime Rate shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest provided hereunder shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed.
(e) Maximum Rate. In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest under this Agreement charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable Law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that the Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the highest applicable rate, the rate in effect hereunder shall automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Law and the Lenders shall at the Administrative Agents option (i) promptly refund to the Borrower any interest received by the Lenders in excess of the maximum lawful rate or (ii) apply such excess to the principal balance of the Obligations on a pro rata basis. It is the intent hereof that the Borrower not pay or contract to pay, and that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by the Borrower under Applicable Law.
SECTION 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans. Provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Borrower shall have the option to (a) convert at any time following the third Business Day after the Closing Date all or any portion of any outstanding Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in a principal amount equal to $2,500,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof into one or more LIBOR Rate Loans and (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, (i) convert all or any part of its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof into Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) or (ii) continue such LIBOR Rate Loans as LIBOR Rate Loans. Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as provided above, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit E (a Notice of Conversion/Continuation) not later than 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of such Loans to be converted or continued, and (D) the Interest Period to be applicable to such converted or continued LIBOR Rate Loan. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of such Notice of Conversion/Continuation.
SECTION 4.3 Fees.
(a) Commitment Fee. Commencing on the Closing Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, a non-refundable commitment fee at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, that the amount of outstanding Swingline Loans shall not be considered usage of the Revolving Credit Commitment for the purpose of calculating such commitment fee. The commitment fee
31
shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter during the term of this Agreement commencing September 30, 2007, and on the Maturity Date. Such commitment fee shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Credit Lenders respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.
(b) Administrative Agents Fees. In order to compensate the Administrative Agent for structuring and syndicating the Loans and for its obligations hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent and its affiliates, for their own account, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
(c) Other Fees. In order to compensate the Lenders for entering into this Agreement and making the Extensions of Credit hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent and its affiliates, for the account of the Lenders, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
SECTION 4.4 Manner of Payment. Each payment by the Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts (including the Reimbursement Obligation) payable to the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agents Office for the account of the Lenders (other than as set forth below) pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (except as specified below), in Dollars, in immediately available funds and shall be made without any set-off, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 11.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of each such payment, the Administrative Agent shall distribute to each Lender at its address for notices set forth herein its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with such Lenders Commitment Percentage (except as specified below) and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of the Issuing Lenders fees or L/C Participants commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants, as the case may be. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agents fees or expenses shall be made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any amount payable to any Lender under Sections 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 13.3 shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. Subject to Section 4.1(b)(ii) if any payment under this Agreement shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such payment.
SECTION 4.5 Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Extensions of Credit. The Extensions of Credit made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Extensions of Credit made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Revolving Credit Note, Swingline Note and/or Incremental Term Loan Note, as
32
applicable, which shall evidence such Lenders Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and/or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) Participations. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Revolving Credit Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Revolving Credit Lender of participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Revolving Credit Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
SECTION 4.6 Adjustments. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lenders receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations (other than pursuant to Sections 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 13.3 hereof) greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that
(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and
(ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).
Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Credit Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Credit Party in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 4.7 Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of Credit; Assumption by the Administrative Agent. The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit are several and are not joint or joint and several. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to a proposed borrowing date that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders ratable portion of the amount to be borrowed on such date (which notice shall not release such Lender of its obligations hereunder), the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the proposed borrowing date in accordance with Section 2.3(b), and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If such amount is made available to the Administrative Agent on a date after such borrowing date, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand an amount, until paid, equal to the product of (a) the amount not made available by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof, times (b) the daily average Federal Funds Rate during such period as
33
determined by the Administrative Agent, times (c) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and including such borrowing date to the date on which such amount not made available by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof shall have become immediately available to the Administrative Agent and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the Administrative Agent with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such Lenders Commitment Percentage of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days after such borrowing date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount made available by the Administrative Agent with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder, on demand, from the Borrower. The failure of any Lender to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan requested by the Borrower shall not relieve it or any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, any Lender that fails to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan shall not (a) have any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document or (b) constitute a Lender (or be included in the calculation of Required Lenders hereunder) for any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document.
SECTION 4.8 Changed Circumstances.
(a) Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If with respect to any Interest Period the Administrative Agent or any Lender (after consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall determine that, by reason of circumstances affecting the foreign exchange and interbank markets generally, deposits in eurodollars, in the applicable amounts are not being quoted via the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page or offered to the Administrative Agent or such Lender for such Interest Period, then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended, and the Borrower shall repay in full (or cause to be repaid in full) the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan together with accrued interest thereon, on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan or convert the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan as of the last day of such Interest Period.
(b) Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or any Change in Law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended and thereafter the Borrower may select only Base Rate Loans hereunder, and (ii) if any of the Lenders may not lawfully continue to maintain a LIBOR Rate Loan to the end of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto as a LIBOR Rate Loan, the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan shall immediately be converted to a Base Rate Loan for the remainder of such Interest Period.
34
SECTION 4.9 Indemnity. The Borrower hereby indemnifies each of the Lenders against any loss or expense which may arise or be attributable to each Lenders obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits or other funds acquired to effect, fund or maintain any Loan (a) as a consequence of any failure by the Borrower to make any payment when due of any amount due hereunder in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, (b) due to any failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation or (c) due to any payment, prepayment or conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor. The amount of such loss or expense shall be determined, in the applicable Lenders sole discretion, based upon the assumption that such Lender funded its Commitment Percentage of the LIBOR Rate Loans in the London interbank market and using any reasonable attribution or averaging methods which such Lender deems appropriate and practical. A certificate of such Lender setting forth the basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be forwarded to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.
SECTION 4.10 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or advances, loans or other credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing Lender;
(ii) subject any Lender or the Issuing Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the Issuing Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 4.11 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the Issuing Lender); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall promptly pay to any such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitment of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders holding
35
company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders policies and the policies of such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
SECTION 4.11 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Lender, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
36
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a resident for tax purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,
(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign 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 described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or
(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender in the event the Administrative
37
Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
(g) Survival. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of the Commitments.
SECTION 4.12 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or requires the Borrower to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 13.11), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that
(i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 13.11,
(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letters of Credit, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 4.9) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts),
(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 4.10 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 4.11, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter, and
(iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
38
ARTICLE V
CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING
SECTION 5.1 Closing. The closing shall take place at the offices of Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P. at 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2007, or on such other place, date and time as the parties hereto shall mutually agree.
SECTION 5.2 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The obligation of the Lenders to close this Agreement and to make the initial Loan or issue or participate in the initial Letter of Credit, if any, is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a) Executed Loan Documents. This Agreement, a Revolving Credit Note in favor of each Revolving Credit Lender requesting a Revolving Credit Note, a Swingline Note in favor of the Swingline Lender (if requested thereby), the Guaranty Agreement, the Security Documents, together with any other applicable Loan Documents, shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by the parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect and no Default or Event of Default shall exist hereunder or thereunder.
(b) Closing Certificates; Etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) Officers Certificate of the Borrower. A certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that all representations and warranties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete; that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and that each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, has satisfied each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 and Section 5.3.
(ii) Certificate of Secretary of each Credit Party. A certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Credit Party executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (A) the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation of such Credit Party and all amendments thereto, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (B) the bylaws or other governing document of such Credit Party as in effect on the Closing Date, (C) resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors or other governing body of such Credit Party authorizing the transactions contemplated hereunder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (D) each certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.2(b)(iii).
(iii) Certificates of Good Standing. Certificates as of a recent date of the good standing of each Credit Party under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each other jurisdiction where such Credit Party is qualified to do business and, to the extent available, a certificate of the relevant taxing authorities of such jurisdictions certifying that such Credit Party has filed required tax returns and owes no delinquent taxes.
(iv) Opinions of Counsel. Favorable opinions of counsel to the Credit Parties addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Credit Parties, the Loan Documents and such other matters as the Lenders shall request, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
39
(v) Tax Forms. Copies of the United States Internal Revenue Service forms required by Section 4.11(e).
(c) Consents; Defaults.
(i) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Credit Parties shall have received all material governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals necessary (or any other material consents as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any Person that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose any material adverse conditions on any of the Credit Parties or such other transactions or that could seek or threaten any of the foregoing, and no law or regulation shall be applicable which in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent could reasonably be expected to have such effect.
(ii) No Injunction, Etc. No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any Governmental Authority to enjoin, restrain, or prohibit, or to obtain substantial damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which, in the Administrative Agents sole discretion, would make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(d) Financial Matters.
(i) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent shall have received the most recent audited Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(ii) Financial Condition Certificate. The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and certified as accurate by a Responsible Officer, that (A) after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby on the Closing Date, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are each Solvent, (B) the Borrowers payables are current and not past due (other than in the ordinary course of business), (C) attached thereto are calculations evidencing compliance on a pro forma basis with the covenants contained in Article IX hereof, (D) the financial projections previously delivered to the Administrative Agent represent the good faith estimates (utilizing reasonable assumptions) of the financial condition and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (E) attached thereto is a calculation of the Applicable Margin.
(iii) Payment at Closing; Fee Letters. The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the fees set forth or referenced in Section 4.3 to the extent payable on the Closing Date and any other accrued and unpaid fees or commissions due hereunder (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) and to any other Person such amount as may be due thereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including all taxes, fees and other charges in connection with the execution, delivery, recording, filing and registration of any of the Loan Documents.
40
(e) Collateral.
(i) Filings and Recordings. The Administrative Agent shall have received all filings and recordations that are necessary to perfect the security interests of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, in the Collateral and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that upon such filings and recordations such security interests constitute valid and perfected first priority Liens thereon; provided, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to provide any filings or recordations with respect to the Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary.
(ii) Pledged Collateral. The Administrative Agent shall have received original stock certificates or other certificates evidencing the Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Security Documents, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof.
(iii) Lien Search. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a Lien search (including a search as to judgments, pending litigation and tax matters), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto, made against the Credit Parties under the Uniform Commercial Code (or applicable judicial docket) as in effect in any state in which any of the assets of such Credit Party are located, indicating among other things that its assets are free and clear of any Lien except for Permitted Liens.
(iv) Hazard and Liability Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of property hazard, business interruption and liability insurance, evidence of payment of all insurance premiums that are due and payable for the current policy year of each (naming the Administrative Agent as loss payee on all certificates for property hazard insurance and as additional insured on all certificates for liability insurance), and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, copies (certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) of insurance policies in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(f) Miscellaneous.
(i) Notice of Borrowing. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3(a) (if a Revolving Credit Loan is to be made or a Letter of Credit issued) and a Notice of Account Designation specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any Loans made on or after the Closing Date are to be disbursed.
(ii) Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent shall have completed confirmatory legal due diligence with respect to the business, assets, liabilities, operations and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in scope and determination satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(iii) Refinancing of the Initial Loans. On the Closing Date, (A) all loans under the Existing Credit Agreement (the Existing Loans) made by any Existing Lender who is not a Lender hereunder shall be repaid in full and the commitments and other obligations and rights (except as expressly set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement) of such Existing Lender shall be terminated, (B) all outstanding Existing Loans shall be deemed Revolving Credit Loans hereunder and the Administrative Agent shall make such transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of such Revolving Credit Loans, together with any Revolving Credit Loans funded on the Closing Date, reflect the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Revolving Credit Lenders hereunder, (C) there shall have been paid in cash in full all accrued but unpaid interest due on the Existing Loans to the Closing Date, (D) there shall have been paid in cash in full all accrued but unpaid fees under the Existing Credit Agreement due to the Closing Date and all
41
other amounts, costs and expenses then owing to any of the Existing Lenders and/or Wachovia, as administrative agent under the Existing Credit Agreement, and (E) all outstanding promissory notes issued by the Borrower to the Existing Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed canceled.
(iv) Other Documents. All opinions, certificates and other instruments and all proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of all other documents, certificates and instruments reasonably requested thereby, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.3 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. The obligations of the Lenders to make any Extensions of Credit (including the initial Extension of Credit), convert or continue any Loan and/or the Issuing Lender to issue or extend any Letter of Credit are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing, continuation, conversion, issuance or extension date:
(a) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in Article VI shall be true and correct on and as of such borrowing, continuation, conversion, issuance or extension date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date, except for any representation and warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date.
(b) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) on the borrowing, continuation or conversion date with respect to such Loan or after giving effect to the Loans to be made, continued or converted on such date or (ii) on the issuance or extension date with respect to such Letter of Credit or after giving effect to the issuance or extension of such Letter of Credit on such date.
(c) Notices. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as applicable, from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3(a) and Section 4.2.
(d) Additional Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received each additional document, instrument, legal opinion or other item referred to in or contemplated by any Loan Document, in each case as reasonably requested by it.
SECTION 5.4 Post-Closing Condition. On or prior to August 3, 2007 (as such date may be extended by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent shall have received the articles of organization of Blackbaud, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability company, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER
SECTION 6.1 Representations and Warranties. To induce the Administrative Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make Extensions of Credit, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and Lenders both before and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder that:
(a) Organization; Power; Qualification. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, (ii) has the power and authority to own its
42
properties and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified and (iii) authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The jurisdictions in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are organized and qualified to do business as of the Closing Date are described on Schedule 6.1(a).
(b) Ownership. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower as of the Closing Date is listed on Schedule 6.1(b). As of the Closing Date, the capitalization of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries consists of the number of shares or other ownership interests, authorized, issued and outstanding, of such classes and series, with or without par value, described on Schedule 6.1(b). All outstanding shares or other ownership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof, and not subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The shareholders (or members, partners or other owners, as applicable) of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the number of shares or other ownership interests owned by each as of the Closing Date are described on Schedule 6.1(b). As of the Closing Date, there are no outstanding stock purchase warrants, subscriptions, options, securities, instruments or other rights of any type or nature whatsoever, which are convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise provide for or permit the issuance of Capital Stock of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, except as described on Schedule 6.1(b).
(c) Authorization of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate and other action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries party thereto, and each such document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and each Subsidiary party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.
(d) Compliance of Agreement, Loan Documents and Borrowing with Laws, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the Loan Documents to which each such Person is a party, in accordance with their respective terms, the Extensions of Credit hereunder and the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not, by the passage of time, the giving of notice or otherwise, (i) require any Governmental Approval or violate any Applicable Law relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which such Person is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or any Governmental Approval relating to such Person, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person other than Liens arising under the Loan Documents or (iv) require any consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act in respect of, an arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement.
(e) Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals. Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) has all Governmental Approvals required by any Applicable Law for it to conduct its business, each of which is in full force and effect, is final and not subject to review on appeal and is not the subject of any pending or, to the best of its knowledge, threatened attack by direct or collateral proceeding, (ii) is in compliance with each Governmental Approval applicable to it and in compliance with all
43
other Applicable Laws relating to it or any of its respective properties and (iii) has timely filed all material reports, documents and other materials required to be filed by it under all Applicable Laws with any Governmental Authority and has retained all material records and documents required to be retained by it under Applicable Law.
(f) Tax Returns and Payments. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has duly filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, local and other tax returns required by Applicable Law to be filed, and has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, all federal, state, local and other taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it and its property, income, profits and assets which are due and payable. Such returns accurately reflect in all material respects all liability for taxes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby. There is no ongoing audit or examination or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, other investigation by any Governmental Authority of the tax liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Governmental Authority has asserted any Lien or other claim against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof with respect to unpaid taxes which has not been discharged or resolved. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries in respect of federal, state, local and other material taxes for all Fiscal Years and portions thereof since the organization of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries are in the judgment of the Borrower adequate, and the Borrower does not anticipate any additional taxes or assessments for any of such years.
(g) Intellectual Property Matters. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns or possesses rights to use all franchises, licenses, copyrights, copyright applications, patents, patent rights or licenses, patent applications, trademarks, trademark rights, service mark, service mark rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights and rights with respect to the foregoing which are required to conduct its business. To the Borrowers knowledge, no event has occurred which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of any such rights, and to the Borrowers knowledge, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is liable to any Person for infringement under Applicable Law with respect to any such rights as a result of its business operations.
(h) Environmental Matters.
(i) The properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries now or in the past do not contain, and to their knowledge, have not previously contained, any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations which (A) constitute or constituted a violation of applicable Environmental Laws or (B) could give rise to liability under applicable Environmental Laws;
(ii) The Borrower, each Subsidiary and such properties and all operations conducted in connection therewith are in compliance, and have been in compliance, with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at, under or about such properties or such operations which could interfere with the continued operation of such properties or impair the fair saleable value thereof, except for any such noncompliance or contamination that could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof has received any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters, Hazardous Materials, or compliance with Environmental Laws, nor does the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being threatened;
(iv) Hazardous Materials have not been transported or disposed of to or from the properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in violation of, or in a manner or to a location which could give rise to liability under,
44
Environmental Laws, nor have any Hazardous Materials been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of such properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Laws, except where such violation or liability could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(v) No judicial proceedings or governmental or administrative action is pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof is or will be named as a potentially responsible party with respect to such properties or operations conducted in connection therewith, nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to Borrower, any Subsidiary or such properties or such operations; and
(vi) There has been no release, or to the best of the Borrowers knowledge, threat of release, of Hazardous Materials at or from properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, now or in the past, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws.
(i) ERISA.
(i) As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any obligation under, any Employee Benefit Plans other than those identified on Schedule 6.1(i);
(ii) The Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans except for any required amendments for which the remedial amendment period as defined in Section 401(b) of the Code has not yet expired and except where a failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code either has obtained a favorable determination letter as to its qualified status under the Code or is in a prototype or volume submitter plan document that has been pre-approved by the IRS as is evidenced by a letter from the IRS. No liability has been incurred by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate which remains unsatisfied for any taxes or penalties with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan or any Multiemployer Plan except for a liability that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) As of the Closing Date, no Pension Plan has been terminated, nor has any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 412 of the Code) been incurred (without regard to any waiver granted under Section 412 of the Code), nor has any funding waiver from the Internal Revenue Service been received or requested with respect to any Pension Plan, nor has the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate failed to make any contributions or to pay any amounts due and owing as required by Section 412 of the Code, Section 302 of ERISA or the terms of any Pension Plan prior to the due dates of such contributions under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, nor has there been any event requiring any disclosure under Section 4041(c)(3)(C) or 4063(a) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan;
(iv) Except where the failure of any of the following representations to be correct in all material respects could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has: (A) engaged in a nonexempt prohibited transaction described in Section 406 of the ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, (B) incurred any liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment of premiums and there are no premium payments which are due and unpaid, (C) failed to make a required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan, or (D) failed to make a required installment or other required payment under Section 412 of the Code;
45
(v) No Termination Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and
(vi) Except where the failure of any of the following representations to be correct in all material respects could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no proceeding, claim (other than a benefits claim in the ordinary course of business), lawsuit and/or investigation is existing or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry, threatened concerning or involving any (A) employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) currently maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, (B) Pension Plan or (C) Multiemployer Plan.
(j) Margin Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is engaged principally or as one of its activities in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock (as each such term is defined or used, directly or indirectly, in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). No part of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used for purchasing or carrying margin stock or for any purpose which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of such Board of Governors.
(k) Government Regulation. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company (as each such term is defined or used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is, or after giving effect to any Extension of Credit will be, subject to regulation under the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, or any other Applicable Law which limits its ability to incur or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(l) Material Contracts. Schedule 6.1(l) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Material Contracts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in effect as of the Closing Date not listed on any other Schedule hereto; other than as set forth in Schedule 6.1(l), each such Material Contract is, and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will be, in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have delivered to the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of each Material Contract required to be listed on Schedule 6.1(l) or any other Schedule hereto. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary (nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any other party thereto) is in breach of or in default under any Material Contract in any material respect.
(m) Employee Relations. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is, as of the Closing Date, party to any collective bargaining agreement and no labor union has been recognized as the representative of the employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof except as set forth on Schedule 6.1(m). The Borrower knows of no pending, threatened or contemplated strikes, work stoppage or other collective labor disputes involving its employees or those of its Subsidiaries.
(n) Burdensome Provisions. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is a party to any indenture, agreement, lease or other instrument, or subject to any corporate or partnership restriction, Governmental Approval or Applicable Law which is so unusual or burdensome as in the foreseeable future could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not presently anticipate that future expenditures needed to meet the provisions of any statutes, orders, rules or regulations of a Governmental Authority will be so burdensome as to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Subsidiary is party to any
46
agreement or instrument or otherwise subject to any restriction or encumbrance that restricts or limits its ability to make dividend payments or other distributions in respect of its Capital Stock to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or to transfer any of its assets or properties to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in each case other than existing under or by reason of the Loan Documents or Applicable Law.
(o) Financial Statements. The (i) audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and the related audited statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2007 and related unaudited interim statements of income and retained earnings, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, are complete and correct and fairly present on a Consolidated basis the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such dates, and the results of the operations and changes of financial position for the periods then ended (other than customary year-end adjustments for unaudited financial statements). All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (but, in the case of any such financial statements, schedules and notes which are unaudited, only to the extent GAAP is applicable to interim unaudited reports). The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have no Indebtedness, obligation or other unusual forward or long-term commitment which is not fairly reflected in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto.
(p) No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2006, there has been no material adverse change in the properties, business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and no event has occurred or condition arisen that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Solvency. As of the Closing Date and after giving effect to each Extension of Credit made hereunder, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries will be Solvent.
(r) Titles to Properties. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has such title to the real property owned or leased by it as is necessary or desirable to the conduct of its business and valid and legal title to all of its personal property and assets, including, but not limited to, those reflected on the balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(o), except those which have been disposed of by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries subsequent to such date which dispositions have been in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder.
(s) Liens. None of the properties and assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof is subject to any Lien, except Permitted Liens. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any state which names the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective trade names or divisions as debtor and which has not been terminated, has been filed in any state or other jurisdiction and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof has signed any such financing statement or any security agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file any such financing statement, except to perfect those Permitted Liens.
(t) Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations. Schedule 6.1(t) is a complete and correct listing of all Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date in excess of $1,000,000. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have performed and are in compliance, in all material respects, with all of the terms of such Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations and all instruments and agreements relating thereto, and no default or event of default, or event or condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a default or event of default on the part of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries exists with respect to any such Indebtedness or Guaranty Obligation.
47
(u) Litigation. Except for matters existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.1(u), and except for matters existing in the ordinary course that could not reasonably be expected, individually, or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or in any other way relating adversely to or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority.
(v) Absence of Defaults. No event has occurred or is continuing which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, or which constitutes, or which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute, a default or event of default by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof under any Material Contract or judgment, decree or order to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or which would require the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to make any payment thereunder prior to the scheduled maturity date therefor.
(w) Senior Indebtedness Status. The Obligations of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents rank and shall continue to rank at least senior in priority of payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness of each such Person and is designated as Senior Indebtedness or otherwise treated as senior debt under all instruments and documents, now or in the future, relating to all Subordinated Indebtedness of such Person.
(x) OFAC. None of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower or any Guarantor: (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has more than an aggregate amount of ten percent (10%) of its assets in Sanctioned Entities or Sanctioned Countries, or (iii) derives more than an aggregate amount of ten percent (10%) of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons, Sanctioned Entities or Sanctioned Countries. None of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, and no proceeds of any Loan have been used, to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person, a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Country.
(y) Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All written information, reports and other papers and data produced by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (other than financial projections, which shall be subject to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent) and furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders were, at the time the same were so furnished, complete and correct in all respects to the extent necessary to give the recipient a true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter.
(z) Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any of the Credit Parties are subject, and all other matters known to it (other than general economic conditions), that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No financial statement, material report, material certificate or other material information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any of the Credit Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, pro forma financial information, estimated financial information and other projected or estimated information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
48
SECTION 6.2 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc. All representations and warranties set forth in this Article VI and all representations and warranties contained in any certificate, or any of the Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such representation or warranty made in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations and warranties made under this Agreement. All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be made or deemed to be made at and as of the Closing Date (except those that are expressly made as of a specific date), shall survive the Closing Date and shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent or any Extension of Credit hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES
Until all the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.2, the Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agents Office at the address set forth in Section 13.1 and to the Lenders at their respective addresses as set forth on the Register, or such other office as may be designated by the Administrative Agent and Lenders from time to time:
SECTION 7.1 Financial Statements and Projections.
(a) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and in any event within forty-five (45) days (or, if earlier, on the date of any required public filing thereof) after the end of each fiscal quarter of each Fiscal Year, an unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and unaudited Consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the fiscal quarter then ended and that portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures as of the end of and for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by the Borrower in accordance with GAAP (to the extent GAAP is applicable to interim unaudited reports) and, if applicable, containing disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of operations of any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during the period, and certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower to present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis as of their respective dates and the results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then ended, subject to normal year end adjustments. Delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Borrowers quarterly report to the SEC on Form 10-Q with respect to any fiscal quarter, or the availability of such report on EDGAR Online, within the period specified above shall be deemed to be compliance by the Borrower with this Section 7.1(a).
(b) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and in any event within ninety (90) days (or, if earlier, on the date of any required public filing thereof) after the end of each Fiscal Year, an audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such Fiscal Year and audited Consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, including the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures as of the end of and for the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared in accordance with GAAP and, if applicable, containing disclosure of the effect on the financial position or results of operations of any change in the application of accounting principles and practices during the year. Such annual financial statements shall be audited by an independent certified public accounting firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a report thereon by such certified public accountants that is not qualified with respect to scope limitations imposed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to accounting principles followed
49
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not in accordance with GAAP. Delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Borrowers annual report to the SEC on Form 10-K with respect to any Fiscal Year, or the availability of such report on EDGAR Online, within the period specified above shall be deemed to be compliance by the Borrower with this Section 7.1(b).
(c) Annual Budget. As soon as practicable and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating and capital budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the ensuing four (4) fiscal quarters, in a form and with calculations to be made in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 7.2 Officers Compliance Certificate. At each time financial statements are delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or (b) and at such other times as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, an Officers Compliance Certificate.
SECTION 7.3 Accountants Certificate. At each time financial statements are delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(b), a certificate of the independent public accountants certifying such financial statements that in connection with their audit, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that the Borrower failed to comply with the terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of Articles IX and X, insofar as they relate to financial and accounting matters or, if such is not the case, specifying such non-compliance and its nature and period of existence.
SECTION 7.4 Other Reports.
(a) Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of reports, if any, submitted to the Borrower or its Board of Directors by its independent public accountants in connection with the condition of the Borrowers financial controls, including, without limitation, any management report and any management responses thereto; and
(b) such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
SECTION 7.5 Notice of Litigation and Other Matters. Prompt (but in no event later than ten (10) days after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof) telephonic and written notice of:
(a) the commencement of all material proceedings and investigations by or before any Governmental Authority and all material actions and proceedings in any court or before any arbitrator against or involving the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties, assets or businesses;
(b) any notice of any material violation received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof from any Governmental Authority including, without limitation, any notice of violation of Environmental Laws;
(c) any labor controversy that has resulted in, or threatens to result in, a strike or other work action against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof;
(d) any attachment, judgment, lien, levy or order exceeding $1,000,000 that may be assessed against or threatened against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof;
50
(e)(i) any Default or Event of Default or (ii) any event which constitutes or which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a default or event of default under any Material Contract to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties may be bound;
(f)(i) any unfavorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code (along with a copy thereof), (ii) all notices received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the PBGCs intent to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (iii) all notices received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA and (iv) the Borrower obtaining knowledge or reason to know that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has filed or intends to file a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA; and
(g) any event which makes any of the representations set forth in Section 6.1 that is subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications inaccurate in any respect or any event which makes any of the representations set forth in Section 6.1 that is not subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications inaccurate in any material respect.
SECTION 7.6 Accuracy of Information. All written information, reports, statements and other papers and data furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender whether pursuant to this Article VII or any other provision of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, shall, at the time the same is so furnished, comply with the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 6.1(y) and (z).
ARTICLE VIII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner provided for in Section 13.2, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 8.1 Preservation of Existence and Related Matters. Except as permitted by Section 10.4, (a) preserve and maintain its separate corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other entity existence and all rights, franchises, licenses and privileges necessary to the conduct of its business, and (b) except where the failure to qualify or remain qualified as a foreign corporation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where the nature and scope of its activities require it to so qualify under Applicable Law.
SECTION 8.2 Maintenance of Property. Protect and preserve all properties useful in and material to its business, including copyrights, patents, trade names, service marks and trademarks; maintain in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all buildings, equipment and other tangible real and personal property; and from time to time make or cause to be made all repairs, renewals and replacements thereof and additions to such property necessary for the conduct of its business, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be conducted in a commercially reasonable manner.
SECTION 8.3 Insurance. Maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as are customarily maintained by similar businesses and as may be required by Applicable Law (including, without
51
limitation, hazard and business interruption insurance), and on the Closing Date and from time to time thereafter deliver to the Administrative Agent upon its request a detailed list of the insurance then in effect, stating the names of the insurance companies, the amounts and rates of the insurance, the dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks covered thereby.
SECTION 8.4 Accounting Methods and Financial Records. Maintain a system of accounting, and keep such books, records and accounts (which shall be true and complete in all material respects) as may be required or as may be necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with the regulations of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or any of its properties.
SECTION 8.5 Payment and Performance of Obligations. Pay and perform all Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and pay or perform (a) all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges that may be levied or assessed upon it or any of its property, and (b) all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities in accordance with customary trade practices; provided, that the Borrower or such Subsidiary may contest any item described in clauses (a) or (b) of this Section in good faith so long as adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 8.6 Compliance With Laws and Approvals. Observe and remain in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and maintain in full force and effect all Governmental Approvals, in each case applicable to the conduct of its business.
SECTION 8.7 Environmental Laws. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 8.6, (a) comply with, and ensure such compliance by all tenants and subtenants with all applicable Environmental Laws and obtain and comply with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants, if any, obtain and comply with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws, (b) conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws, and promptly comply with all lawful orders and directives of any Governmental Authority regarding Environmental Laws, and (c) defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, employees, agents, officers and directors, from and against any claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials, or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Laws applicable to the operations of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, or any orders, requirements or demands of Governmental Authorities related thereto, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys and consultants fees, investigation and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, except to the extent that any of the foregoing are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnification therefor.
SECTION 8.8 Compliance with ERISA. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 8.6, (a) except where the failure to so comply could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) comply with all material applicable provisions of ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans, (ii) not take any action or fail to take action the result of which could be a liability to the PBGC or to a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) not participate in any prohibited transaction that could result in any civil penalty under ERISA or tax under the Code and (iv) operate each Employee Benefit Plan in such a manner that will not incur any tax liability under Section 4980B of the Code or any liability to any qualified beneficiary as defined in Section 4980B of the Code and (b) furnish to the
Administrative Agent upon the Administrative Agents request such additional information about any Employee Benefit Plan as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.
52
SECTION 8.9 Compliance With Agreements. Comply in all material respects with each term, condition and provision of all leases, agreements and other instruments entered into in the conduct of its business including, without limitation, any Material Contract; provided, that the Borrower or any such Subsidiary may contest any such lease, agreement or other instrument in good faith through applicable proceedings so long as adequate reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 8.10 Visits and Inspections. Permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, from time to time, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to visit and inspect its properties; inspect, audit and make extracts from its books, records and files, including, but not limited to, management letters prepared by independent accountants; and discuss with its principal officers, and its independent accountants, its business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.
SECTION 8.11 Additional Subsidiaries.
(a) Additional Domestic Subsidiaries. Notify the Administrative Agent of the creation or acquisition of any Material Subsidiary or the designation of any Subsidiary as a Material Subsidiary and promptly thereafter (and in any event within thirty (30) days), cause such Person to (i) become a Guarantor by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed supplement to the Guaranty Agreement or such other document as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, (ii) pledge a security interest in all Collateral owned by such Subsidiary by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed supplement to each Security Document or such other document as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose and comply with the terms of each Security Document, (iii) deliver to the Administrative Agent such documents and certificates referred to in Section 5.2 as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, (iv) deliver to the Administrative Agent such original Capital Stock or other certificates and stock or other transfer powers evidencing the Capital Stock of such Person, (v) deliver to the Administrative Agent such updated Schedules to the Loan Documents as requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to such Person, and (vi) deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Additional Foreign Subsidiaries. Notify the Administrative Agent at the time that any Person becomes a first tier Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, and at the request of the Administrative Agent, promptly thereafter (and in any event within forty-five (45) days after such request), cause (i) the Borrower or the applicable Material Subsidiary to deliver to the Administrative Agent Security Documents pledging sixty-five percent (65%) of the total outstanding Capital Stock of such new Foreign Subsidiary and a consent thereto executed by such new Foreign Subsidiary (including, without limitation, if applicable, original stock certificates (or the equivalent thereof pursuant to the Applicable Laws and practices of any relevant foreign jurisdiction) evidencing the Capital Stock of such new Foreign Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock power for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof), (ii) such Person to deliver to the Administrative Agent such documents and certificates referred to in Section 5.2 as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, (iii) such Person to deliver to the Administrative Agent such updated Schedules to the Loan Documents as requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to such Person and (iv) such Person to deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
53
SECTION 8.12 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit (a) to refinance Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) to finance the acquisition of Capital Assets, (c) to finance Permitted Acquisitions, and (d) for working capital and general corporate uses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the payment of certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (to the extent not otherwise paid in cash by the Borrower).
SECTION 8.13 Further Assurances. Make, execute and deliver all such additional and further acts, things, deeds and instruments as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably require to document and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to vest completely in and insure the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders their respective rights under this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and the other Loan Documents.
ARTICLE IX
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.2, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis will not:
SECTION 9.1 Leverage Ratio: As of any fiscal quarter end, permit the ratio (the Leverage Ratio) of (a) Total Indebtedness on such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to be greater than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00.
SECTION 9.2 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: As of any fiscal quarter end, permit the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to (b) Fixed Charges for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to be less than or equal to the corresponding ratio set forth below:
Period |
Minimum Ratio | |
Closing Date through December 31, 2008 |
1.05 to 1.00 | |
January 1, 2009 and thereafter |
1.10 to 1.00 |
ARTICLE X
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated, unless consent has been obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.2, the Borrower has not, will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 10.1 Limitations on Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:
(a) the Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(b));
54
(b) Indebtedness incurred in connection with a Hedging Agreement with a counterparty (other than a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender) and upon terms and conditions (including interest rate) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with Capital Leases and purchase money Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 on any date of determination;
(d) Guaranty Obligations with respect to Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsections (a) through (c) of this Section;
(e) Indebtedness owed by (i) any Guarantor to the Borrower, (ii) the Borrower to any Guarantor, (iii) any Guarantor to any other Guarantor, (iv) any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, (v) any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to the Borrower or any Guarantor in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, or (vi) the Borrower or any Guarantor to any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000;
(f) Subordinated Indebtedness; provided that in the case of each issuance of Subordinated Indebtedness, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused by the issuance of such Subordinated Indebtedness and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory written evidence that the Borrower would be in compliance with all covenants contained in this Agreement on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the issuance of any such Subordinated Indebtedness; and
(g) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations in incurred or assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(g);
provided, that no agreement or instrument with respect to Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Section shall restrict, limit or otherwise encumber (by covenant or otherwise) the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to make any payment to the Borrower or any Guarantors (in the form of dividends, intercompany advances or otherwise) for the purpose of enabling the Borrower to pay the Obligations.
SECTION 10.2 Limitations on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets or properties (including, without limitation, shares of Capital Stock), real or personal, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or Environmental Laws) not yet due or as to which the period of grace (not to exceed thirty (30) days), if any, related thereto has not expired or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP;
(b) the claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, processors or landlords for labor, materials, supplies or rentals incurred in the ordinary course of business, (i) which are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or (ii) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
(c) Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made in the ordinary course of business in connection with, or to secure payment of, obligations under workers compensation, unemployment insurance or similar legislation;
55
(d) Liens constituting encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions, easements and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real property, which in the aggregate do not result in a Material Adverse Effect and which do not, in any case, detract from the value of such property or impair the use thereof in the ordinary conduct of business;
(e) Liens securing the Obligations;
(f) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section and in existence on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 10.2;
(g) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(c); provided that (i) such Liens shall be created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition or lease of the related asset, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and (iv) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the original purchase price or lease payment amount of such property at the time it was acquired;
(h) deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, liability to insurance carriers and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds, contractual or warranty obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; and
(i) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11.1(n) or securing appeal or other surety bonds related to such judgments.
SECTION 10.3 Limitations on Loans, Advances, Investments and Acquisitions. Purchase, own, invest in or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock, interests in any partnership or joint venture (including, without limitation, the creation or capitalization of any Subsidiary), evidence of Indebtedness or other obligation or security, substantially all or a portion of the business or assets of any other Person or any other investment or interest whatsoever in any other Person, or make or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any loans, advances or extensions of credit to, or any investment in cash or by delivery of property in, any Person except:
(a)(i) investments as of the Closing Date in Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date, (ii) investments in Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the Closing Date made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and (iii) the other loans, advances and investments existing on the Closing Date which are described on Schedule 10.3;
(b) investments in (i) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof, (ii) commercial paper or variable or fixed rate notes maturing no more than three hundred sixty-four (364) days from the date of creation thereof and currently having the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moodys, (iii) certificates of deposit maturing no more than three hundred sixty-four (364) days from the date of creation thereof issued by commercial banks incorporated under the laws of the United States, each having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $250,000,000 and having a rating of A or better by a nationally recognized rating agency; provided, that, unless otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent, the aggregate amount invested in such certificates of deposit shall not at any time exceed $5,000,000 for any one such certificate of deposit and $10,000,000 for any one such bank, (iv) time deposits maturing no more than three hundred sixty-four (364) days from the date of creation thereof with commercial banks or savings banks or savings and loan associations each having membership either in the FDIC or the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC and in amounts not exceeding the maximum amounts of insurance thereunder; (v) any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the
56
equivalent thereof) or better by Moodys and maturing within six (6) months of the date of acquisition; (vi) auction preferred stocks having the highest short-term credit rating by S&P or Moodys; or (vii) other similar investments approved by the Administrative Agent;
(c) Hedging Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 10.1;
(d) purchases of assets in the ordinary course of business;
(e) investments in the form of loans and advances to employees in the ordinary course of business, which, in the aggregate, do not exceed at any time $500,000;
(f) intercompany Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1(e);
(g) investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in the form of acquisitions of all or substantially all of the business or a line of business (whether by the acquisition of Capital Stock, assets or any combination thereof) of any other Person if each such acquisition meets all of the following requirements:
(i) the Person to be acquired shall be in a substantially similar or complementary line of business as the Borrower;
(ii) evidence of approval of the acquisition by the acquirees board of directors or equivalent governing body or a copy of the opinion of counsel delivered by legal counsel to the acquiree in connection with the acquisition which evidences such approval or opines that such approval is not required shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent at the time the documents referred to in clause (vii) of this Section 10.3(g) are required to be delivered;
(iii) if the aggregate amount of cash consideration and any assumed debt, earn-outs (valued at an amount reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower to be payable in connection with such earn-outs) and deferred payments for any such acquisition (A) is less than $50,000,000 but equal to or greater than $30,000,000, a description of such acquisition in the form customarily prepared by the Borrower shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders within thirty (30) days following the consummation of such acquisition or (B) exceeds $50,000,000, a description of such acquisition in the form customarily prepared by the Borrower shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the consummation of such acquisition;
(iv) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be the surviving Person and no Change of Control shall have been effected thereby;
(v) if (A) the Person to be acquired will become, or be merged into, a Foreign Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition or (B) the acquisition of all of the business or a line of business of a Person will be made by a Foreign Subsidiary, the aggregate amount of cash consideration and any assumed debt, earn-outs (valued at any amount reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower to be payable in connection with such earn-outs) and deferred payments for all such acquisitions shall not exceed, at any time during the term of this Agreement, (1) $30,000,000 minus (2) the aggregate amount of investments permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(h), unless otherwise agreed by the Required Lenders;
(vi) the Borrower shall have demonstrated to the Administrative Agent (as of the date of the proposed acquisition and after giving effect thereto and to any extensions of credit (including any Extension of Credit) made or to be made in connection therewith) (A) pro forma compliance with each covenant contained in and in the manner set forth in Article IX, (B) the pro forma Leverage Ratio is at least 0.25 below the Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 9.1, (C) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing both before and after giving effect to the acquisition and (D) the Liquidity Amount is at least $10,000,000;
57
(vii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 8.11 to be delivered at the time required pursuant to Section 8.11, and, if the Person to be acquired shall become a Material Subsidiary, said documents to include a favorable opinion of counsel to the Borrower acceptable to the Administrative Agent addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Borrower, the Person to be acquired and the acquisition in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and
(viii) the Borrower shall provide such other documents and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) in connection with the proposed acquisition;
(h) investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any time during the term of this Agreement, (i) $30,000,000 minus (ii) the aggregate amount of investments in the form of acquisitions of or by Foreign Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to Section 10.3(g);
(i) investments in joint ventures (including a joint venture where the Borrower or a Subsidiary contributes assets to the joint venture); provided that the aggregate amount of all such investments does not exceed $15,000,000 outstanding at any time during the term of this Agreement; and
(j) additional loans, advances and/or investments of a nature not contemplated by the foregoing clauses hereof; provided that the aggregate amount or value of such loans, advances and/or investments made pursuant to this clause (j) shall not exceed $1,000,000 at any time.
SECTION 10.4 Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation. Merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination with any other Person or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) except:
(a) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person) or with or into any Guarantor (provided that the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person);
(b) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided that (i) if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor and (ii) if the transferee in such a transaction is the Borrower or a Guarantor, then the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition shall not be for an amount greater than the fair market value of the assets subject to such transaction;
(c) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge into the Person such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary was formed to acquire in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; and
(d) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may wind-up into the Borrower or any Guarantor.
58
SECTION 10.5 Limitations on Sale of Assets. Convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property, business or assets (including, without limitation, the sale of any receivables and leasehold interests and any sale-leaseback or similar transaction), whether now owned or hereafter acquired except:
(a) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the sale of obsolete assets no longer used or usable in the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) the transfer of assets to the Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.4(a), (b) or (d);
(d) the sale or discount without recourse of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof;
(e) the disposition of any Hedging Agreement; and
(f) additional dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000 during any Fiscal Year.
SECTION 10.6 Limitations on Dividends and Distributions. Declare or pay any dividends upon any of its Capital Stock; purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its Capital Stock, or make any distribution of cash, property or assets among the holders of shares of its Capital Stock, or make any change in its capital structure which such change in its capital structure could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that:
(a) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may pay dividends in shares of its own Capital Stock;
(b) any Subsidiary may pay cash dividends to the Borrower; and
(c) the Borrower may pay dividends to holders of its Capital Stock and/or repurchase shares of its Capital Stock; provided that on the date such dividend is paid and/or shares of Capital Stock are repurchased and after giving effect thereto and to any extension of credit (including any Extension of Credit) made in connection therewith: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (ii) the pro forma Leverage Ratio as of such date is at least 0.25 below the Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 9.1 and (iii) the Liquidity Amount is at least $10,000,000.
SECTION 10.7 Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Capital Stock. Issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any class or series of Capital Stock that, by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be, (a) convertible or exchangeable into Indebtedness not permitted hereunder or (b) required to be redeemed or repurchased (other than on terms permitted under Section 10.6), including at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, or has, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would have, a redemption or similar payment due.
SECTION 10.8 Transactions with Affiliates. Except for transactions permitted by Sections 10.3, 10.6, 10.7 and those transactions existing on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 10.8, directly or indirectly (a) make any loan or advance to, or purchase or assume any note or other obligation to or from, any of its officers, directors, shareholders or other Affiliates, or to or from any member of the immediate family of any of its officers, directors, shareholders or other Affiliates, or subcontract any operations to
59
any of its Affiliates or (b) enter into, or be a party to, any other transaction not described in clause (a) above with any of its Affiliates, except pursuant to the reasonable requirements of its business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are fully disclosed to the Lenders prior to the consummation thereof and are no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not its Affiliate.
SECTION 10.9 Certain Accounting Changes; Organizational Documents. (a) Change its Fiscal Year end, or make any change in its accounting treatment and reporting practices except, subject to Section 13.10, as required by, or in accordance with, GAAP or (b) amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation (or corporate charter or other similar organizational documents) or amend, modify or change its bylaws (or other similar documents) in any manner adverse in any material respect to the rights or interests of the Lenders.
SECTION 10.10 Amendments; Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Indebtedness.
(a) Amend or modify (or permit the modification or amendment of) any of the terms or provisions of any Subordinated Indebtedness in any respect which would materially adversely affect the rights or interests of the Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder.
(b) Make any payment or prepayment on, or redeem or acquire for value (including, without limitation, (i) by way of depositing with any trustee with respect thereto money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due and (ii) at the maturity thereof) any Subordinated Indebtedness, except refinancings, refundings, renewals, extensions or exchange of any Subordinated Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(f).
SECTION 10.11 Restrictive Agreements.
(a) Enter into any Indebtedness which contains any negative pledge on assets or any covenants more restrictive than the provisions of Articles VIII, IX and X hereof, or which restricts, limits or otherwise encumbers its ability to incur Liens on or with respect to any of its assets or properties other than the assets or properties securing such Indebtedness.
(b) Enter into or permit to exist any agreement which impairs or limits the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to pay dividends to the Borrower.
SECTION 10.12 Nature of Business. Substantively alter in any material respect the character or conduct of the business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.
SECTION 10.13 Impairment of Security Interests. Take or omit to take any action, which might or would have the result of materially impairing the security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Collateral or grant to any Person (other than the Administrative Agent for the benefit of itself and the Lenders pursuant to the Security Documents) any interest whatsoever in the Collateral, except for Permitted Liens and asset dispositions permitted under Section 10.5.
ARTICLE XI
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 11.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority or otherwise:
(a) Default in Payment of Principal of Loans and Reimbursement Obligations. The Borrower shall default in any payment of principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise).
60
(b) Other Payment Default. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall default in the payment when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) of interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or the payment of any other Obligation, and such default shall continue for a period of three (3) Business Days.
(c) Misrepresentation. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Credit Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith that is subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be incorrect or misleading in any respect when made or deemed made or any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Credit Party herein, any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith that is not subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made.
(d) Default in Performance of Certain Covenants. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall default in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.5(e)(i) or Articles IX or X of this Agreement.
(e) Default in Performance of Other Covenants and Conditions. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than as specifically provided for otherwise in this Section) or any other Loan Document and such default shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent.
(f) Hedging Agreement. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement (after giving effect to any applicable grace or cure period) under any Hedging Agreement and such default causes the termination of such Hedging Agreement and the Termination Value owed by such Credit Party as a result thereof exceeds $1,000,000.
(g) Indebtedness Cross-Default. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall (i) default in the payment of any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $1,000,000 beyond the period of grace if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of $1,000,000 or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity (any applicable grace period having expired).
61
(h) Other Cross-Defaults. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall default in the payment when due, or in the performance or observance, of any obligation or condition of any Material Contract.
(i) Change in Control. A Change in Control shall occur.
(j) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. The Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof shall (i) commence a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or composition for adjustment of debts, (iii) consent to or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other laws, (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of itself or of a substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vii) take any corporate action for the purpose of authorizing any of the foregoing.
(k) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. A case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Credit Party thereof in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or adjustment of debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like for the Borrower or any Credit Party thereof or for all or any substantial part of their respective assets, domestic or foreign, and such case or proceeding shall continue without dismissal for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or an order granting the relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not limited to, an order for relief under such federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.
(l) Failure of Agreements. Any provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on the Borrower or any other Credit Party party thereto (except in the event this Agreement or other Loan Document is, by its terms, terminated and no longer in force) or any such Person shall so state in writing.
(m) Termination Event. The occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Pension Plan or Section 412 of the Code, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto, (ii) an accumulated funding deficiency in excess of $1,000,000 occurs or exists, whether or not waived, with respect to any Pension Plan, (iii) a Termination Event or (iv) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate as employers under one or more Multiemployer Plans makes a complete or partial withdrawal from any such Multiemployer Plan and the plan sponsor of such Multiemployer Plans notifies such withdrawing employer that such employer has incurred a withdrawal liability requiring payments in an amount exceeding $1,000,000.
(n) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money which causes the aggregate amount of all such judgments to exceed $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), shall be entered against the Borrower or any Credit Party by any court and such judgment or order shall continue without having been discharged, vacated, stayed or bonded pending appeal for a period of thirty (30) days after the entry thereof.
(o) Environmental. Any one or more Environmental Claims shall have been asserted against the Borrower or any Credit Party; the Borrower and any Credit Party would be reasonably likely to incur liability as a result thereof; and such liability would be reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
62
SECTION 11.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower:
(a) Acceleration; Termination of Facilities. Terminate the Commitments and declare the principal of and interest on the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations at the time outstanding, and all other amounts owed to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented or shall be entitled to present the documents required thereunder) and all other Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations), to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and terminate the Credit Facility and any right of the Borrower to request borrowings or Letters of Credit thereunder; provided, that upon the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event of Default, the Credit Facility shall be automatically terminated and all Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations) shall automatically become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.
(b) Letters of Credit. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay the other Obligations on a pro rata basis. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, the Reimbursement Obligation shall have been satisfied and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower.
(c) Rights of Collection. Exercise on behalf of the Lenders all of its other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Borrowers Obligations.
SECTION 11.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders set forth in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist at law or in equity or by suit or otherwise. No delay or failure to take action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or their respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to constitute a waiver of any Event of Default.
63
SECTION 11.4 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds. In the event that the Borrower shall fail to pay any of the Obligations when due and the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 11.2, all payments received by the Lenders upon the Obligations and all net proceeds from the enforcement of the Obligations shall be applied:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such and the Issuing Lender in its capacity as such (ratably among the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause First payable to them);
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders, including attorney fees (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them);
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and any Hedging Obligations (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them);
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations or any Hedging Obligations (including any termination payments thereon) (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them);
Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender, to cash collateralize any L/C Obligations then outstanding; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
SECTION 11.5 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered to, and if required by the Required Lenders shall, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.3, 4.3 and 13.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
(c) and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 4.3 and 13.3.
64
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
ARTICLE XII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 12.1 Appointment. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Wachovia to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents for the term hereof and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes Wachovia, as Administrative Agent for such Lender, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and such other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or such other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. Any reference to the Administrative Agent in this Article XII shall be deemed to refer to the Administrative Agent solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent and not in its capacity as a Lender.
SECTION 12.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its respective duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care.
SECTION 12.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (except for actions occasioned solely by its or such Persons own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower or any of the Credit Parties or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for any failure of the Borrower or any of the Credit Parties to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of the Credit Parties.
SECTION 12.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or
65
other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby or by the relevant other Loan Documents, all the Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby, all the Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders.
(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 5.2, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
SECTION 12.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless it has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a notice of default. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required hereby, all the 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 or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders, except to the extent that other provisions of this Agreement expressly require that any such action be taken or not be taken only with the consent and authorization or the request of the Lenders or Required Lenders, as applicable.
SECTION 12.6 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Credit Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and made its own decision to make its Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower or any Credit Party. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder or by the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
66
concerning the business, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of the Credit Parties which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
SECTION 12.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such and (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower or any other Credit Party and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower or other Credit Parties to do so), ratably according to the respective amounts of their Commitment Percentages from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or any documents, reports or other information provided to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent resulting from the Administrative Agents bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 12.8 The Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Administrative Agent and its respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower as though the Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder. With respect to any Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by it or participated in by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms Lender and Lenders shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.
SECTION 12.9 Resignation of the Administrative Agent; Successor Administrative Agent.
(a) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor as provided below, Wachovia may resign as the Administrative Agent at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor administrative agent for the Lenders, which successor administrative agent shall be consented to by the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor administrative agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the Administrative Agents giving of notice of resignation, then the Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor administrative agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor administrative agent, such successor administrative agent 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 hereunder without any other or further act or deed on the part of such retiring Administrative Agent or any other Lender. After any retiring Administrative Agents resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article XII and Section 13.3 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement. If no successor administrative agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is thirty (30) days following a retiring Administrative Agents notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agents resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.
67
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Wachovia may, (i) upon thirty (30) days notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as Issuing Lender and/or (ii) upon thirty (30) days notice to the Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders, subject to acceptance of such appointment by the Lender so chosen, a successor Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Wachovia as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Wachovia resigns as Issuing Lender, it shall retain all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Lender hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Lender and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans or fund risk participations for unreimbursed amounts of Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3.4. If Wachovia resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.2(b).
SECTION 12.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,
(a) to release any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, under any Loan Document (i) upon repayment of the outstanding principal of and all accrued interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, payment of all outstanding fees and expenses hereunder, the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) subject to Section 13.2, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders;
(b) to subordinate or release any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien; and
(c) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and any other Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 12.11 Other Agents, Arrangers and Managers. None of the Lenders or other Persons identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Agreement as a syndication agent, documentation agent, co-agent, book manager, lead manager, arranger, lead arranger or co-arranger shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than, in the case of such Lenders, those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.
68
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.1 Notices.
(a) Method of Communication. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing (for purposes hereof, the term writing shall include information in electronic format such as electronic mail and internet web pages), or by telephone subsequently confirmed in writing. Any notice shall be effective if delivered by hand delivery or sent via electronic mail, posting on an internet web page, telecopy, recognized overnight courier service or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be presumed to be received by a party hereto (i) on the date of delivery if delivered by hand or sent by electronic mail, posting on an internet web page, telecopy, (ii) on the next Business Day if sent by recognized overnight courier service and (iii) on the third Business Day following the date sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. A telephonic notice to the Administrative Agent as understood by the Administrative Agent will be deemed to be the controlling and proper notice in the event of a discrepancy with or failure to receive a confirming written notice.
(b) Addresses for Notices. Notices to any party shall be sent to it at the following addresses, or any other address as to which all the other parties are notified in writing.
If to the Borrower: |
Blackbaud, Inc. | |
2000 Daniel Island Dr. | ||
Charleston, SC 29492-7541 | ||
Attention: Timothy V. Williams | ||
Telephone No.: (843) 216-6200 | ||
Telecopy No.: (843) 216-3676 | ||
With copies to: |
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP | |
4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 400 | ||
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 | ||
Attention: Donald R. Reynolds | ||
Telephone No.: (919) 781-4000 | ||
Telecopy No.: (919) 781-4865 | ||
If to Wachovia as |
Wachovia Bank, National Association | |
Administrative Agent: |
Charlotte Plaza, CP-8 | |
201 South College Street | ||
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0680 | ||
Attention: Syndication Agency Services | ||
Telephone No.: (704) 374-2698 | ||
Telecopy No.: (704) 383-0288 | ||
With copies to: |
Wachovia Bank, National Association | |
One Wachovia Center NC5562 | ||
301 South College Street, TW 15 | ||
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288 | ||
Attention: Mark Felker | ||
Telephone No.: (704) 374-7074 | ||
Telecopy No.: (704) 374-3300 | ||
If to any Lender: |
To the address set forth on the Register |
69
(c) Administrative Agents Office. The Administrative Agent hereby designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the Borrower and Lenders, as the Administrative Agents Office referred to herein, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed and Letters of Credit requested.
SECTION 13.2 Amendments, Waivers and Consents. Except as set forth below or as specifically provided in any Loan Document, any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended or waived by the Lenders, and any consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent is in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an amendment, signed by the Borrower; provided, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) waive any condition set forth in Section 5.2 without the written consent of each Lender;
(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 11.2) or the amount of Loans of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender;
(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the rate set forth in Section 4.1(c) during the continuance of an Event of Default, or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(e) change Section 4.4 or Section 11.4 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;
(f) change any provision of this Section or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;
(g) release all of the Guarantors or release Guarantors comprising substantially all of the credit support for the Obligations, in either case, from the Guaranty Agreement (other than as authorized in Section 12.10), without the written consent of each Lender; or
(h) release all or a material portion of the Collateral or release any Security Document (other than as authorized in Section 12.10 or as otherwise specifically permitted or contemplated in this Agreement or the applicable Security Document) without the written consent of each Lender;
70
provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Issuing Lender under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit Application relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto; and (v) solely for the purposes of Section 5.3(b), no waiver of a Default or Event of Default shall be effective without the consent of Revolving Credit Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the Revolving Credit Commitments (or if the Revolving Credit Facility has been terminated, Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Extensions of Credit thereunder). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender.
In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent on its behalf, and without its further consent, to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem appropriate in order to effectuate any increase in the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.7 or any Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.8, including, without limitation, amendments to permit such increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment and any Incremental Term Loans to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to include appropriately any Lenders under such increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment and any Incremental Term Loans in any determination of Required Lenders; provided that no such amendment shall adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any Lender, in each case, without the written consent of such Lender.
SECTION 13.3 Expenses; Indemnity. The Borrower and each other Credit Party will (a) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, all costs of electronic or internet distribution of any information hereunder) of the Administrative Agent in connection with (i) the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and each other Loan Document, whenever the same shall be executed and delivered, including, without limitation, all reasonable out-of-pocket syndication and due diligence expenses and reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Administrative Agent and (ii) the preparation, execution and delivery of any waiver, amendment or consent by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, (b) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent and each Lender actually incurred in connection with the administration and enforcement of any rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and Lenders under the Credit Facility, including, without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, enforcing any Obligations of, or collecting any payments due from, the Borrower or any Guarantor by reason of an Event of Default (including in connection with the enforcement of the Guaranty Agreement); consulting with appraisers, accountants, engineers, attorneys and other Persons concerning the nature, scope or value of any right or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any factual matters in connection therewith, which expenses shall include without limitation the reasonable fees and disbursements of such Persons, and (c) defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, employees, agents, officers and directors, from and against any losses, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses, suffered by any such Person in connection with any claim (including, without limitation, any Environmental Claims or civil penalties or fines assessed by OFAC), investigation,
71
litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or in any way connected with any Extension of Credit, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any documents, reports or other information provided to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys and consultants fees, except to the extent that any of the foregoing are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnification therefor.
SECTION 13.4 Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
SECTION 13.5 Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, unless otherwise expressly set forth therein, shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without reference to the conflicts or choice of law principles thereof.
72
SECTION 13.6 Jurisdiction and Venue.
(a) Jurisdiction. The Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (and any courts from which an appeal from any of such courts must or may be taken), in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of any dispute in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations. The Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the service of a summons and complaint and other process in any action, claim or proceeding brought by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations, on behalf of itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 13.1. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to bring any action or proceeding against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.
(b) Venue. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection it may have now or in the future to the laying of venue in the aforesaid jurisdiction in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder or thereunder. The Borrower irrevocably waives, in connection with such action, claim or proceeding, any plea or claim that the action, claim or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION 13.7 Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Binding Arbitration. Upon demand of any party, whether made before or after institution of any judicial proceeding, any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (Disputes), between or among parties hereto and to the other Loan Documents shall be resolved by binding arbitration as provided herein. Institution of a judicial proceeding by a party does not waive the right of that party to demand arbitration hereunder. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims, counterclaims, claims brought as class actions, claims arising from Loan Documents executed in the future, disputes as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration, or claims concerning any aspect of the past, present or future relationships arising out of or connected with the Loan Documents. Arbitration shall be conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules (the Arbitration Rules) of the American Arbitration Association (the AAA) and the Federal Arbitration Act. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in Charlotte, North Carolina. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51, et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000. All applicable statutes of limitations shall apply to any Dispute. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything foregoing to the contrary, any arbitration proceeding demanded hereunder shall begin within ninety (90) days after such demand thereof and shall be concluded within one hundred twenty (120) days after such demand. These time limitations may not be extended unless a party hereto shows cause for extension and then such extension shall not exceed a total of sixty (60) days. The panel from which all arbitrators are selected shall be comprised of licensed attorneys selected from the Commercial Financial Dispute Arbitration Panel of the AAA. The single arbitrator selected for expedited procedure shall be a retired judge from the highest court of general jurisdiction, state or federal, of the state where the hearing will be conducted. The parties hereto do not waive any applicable Federal or state substantive law except as provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not apply to any Hedging Agreement.
73
(b) Jury Trial. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER AND THE BORROWER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION, CLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
(c) Preservation of Certain Remedies. Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the parties hereto and the other Loan Documents preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that such Persons may employ or exercise freely, either alone, in conjunction with or during a Dispute. Each such Person shall have and hereby reserves the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale granted in the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law or by judicial foreclosure and sale, including a proceeding to confirm the sale, (ii) all rights of self help including peaceful occupation of property and collection of rents, set off, and peaceful possession of property, (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and in filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an arbitrator to grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.
SECTION 13.8 Reversal of Payments. To the extent the Borrower makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent receives any payment or proceeds which payments or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 13.9 Injunctive Relief; Punitive or Indirect Damages.
(a) The Borrower recognizes that, in the event the Borrower fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Lenders. Therefore, the Borrower agrees that the Lenders, at the Required Lenders option, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.
(b) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower (on behalf of itself and the Credit Parties) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that it may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
(c) Without limiting the generality of any provisions set forth herein relating to indemnification or reimbursement by the Borrower or any other Credit Party, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower (on behalf of itself and the Credit Parties) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of any consequential or indirect damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to consequential or indirect damages that it may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
74
SECTION 13.10 Accounting Matters. If at any time any change in GAAP or change in the Borrowers accounting practices under Section 10.9 would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP or change in the Borrowers accounting practices under Section 10.9 (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP and the Borrowers accounting practice prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP or change in the Borrowers accounting practices.
SECTION 13.11 Successors and Assigns; Participations.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that
(i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless such assignment is made to an existing Lender, to an Affiliate thereof, or to an Approved Fund, in which case no minimum amount shall apply, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent ten (10) Business Days after the date written notice thereof has been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such tenth (10th) Business Day;
75
(ii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned;
(iii) any assignment must be approved by the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lender, unless the Person that is the proposed assignee is itself a Lender (whether or not the proposed assignee would otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee); and
(iv) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 and 13.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement;
76
provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver or modification described in the Section 13.2 that directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.9, 4.10 and 4.11 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 13.4 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.6 as though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.10 and 4.11 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.11 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 4.11(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
SECTION 13.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by, or required to be disclosed to, any rating agency, or regulatory or similar authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement with a Lender or the Administrative Agent) or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement with a Lender or the Administrative Agent) or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any Purchasing Lender, proposed Purchasing Lender, Participant or proposed Participant or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to Gold Sheets and other similar bank trade publications, such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications, or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from any Credit Party relating to any Credit Party or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Credit Party; provided that, in the case of information received from a Credit Party after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
77
SECTION 13.13 Performance of Duties. Each of the Credit Partys obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall be performed by such Credit Party at its sole cost and expense.
SECTION 13.14 All Powers Coupled with Interest. All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied, any of the Commitments remain in effect or the Credit Facility has not been terminated.
SECTION 13.15 Survival of Indemnities. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities to which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of this Article XIII and any other provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against events arising after such termination as well as before.
SECTION 13.16 Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 13.17 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 13.18 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 13.19 Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.
SECTION 13.20 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Closing Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations (except for Hedging Obligations) arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full and all Commitments have been terminated. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision of this Agreement which survives such termination.
78
SECTION 13.21 USA Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of 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 and Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and Guarantor and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Borrower or Guarantor in accordance with the Act.
SECTION 13.22 Advice of Counsel, No Strict Construction. Each of the parties represents to each other party hereto that it has discussed this Agreement with its counsel. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 13.23 Inconsistencies with Other Documents; Independent Effect of Covenants.
(a) In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall control; provided that any provision of the other Loan Documents which imposes additional burdens on the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or further restricts the rights of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or gives the Administrative Agent or Lenders additional rights shall not be deemed to be in conflict or inconsistent with this Agreement and shall be given full force and effect.
(b) The Borrower expressly acknowledges and agrees that each covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX, or X hereof shall be given independent effect. Accordingly, the Borrower shall not engage in any transaction or other act otherwise permitted under any covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX, or X if, before or after giving effect to such transaction or act, the Borrower shall or would be in breach of any other covenant contained in Articles VIII, IX, or X.
SECTION 13.24 Amendment and Restatement; No Novation. This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, effective from and after the Closing Date. The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of any indebtedness or other obligations owing to the Existing Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement based on facts or events occurring or existing prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
[Signature pages to follow]
79
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above.
BLACKBAUD, INC., as Borrower | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President |
[Amended and Restated Credit Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]
AGENTS AND LENDERS: | ||
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | ||
as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender, Issuing Lender and Lender | ||
By: | /s/ David S. Sozio | |
Name: | David S. Sozio | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Amended and Restated Credit Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]
Exhibit 10.29
AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT
dated as of July 25, 2007
by and among
certain Subsidiaries of BLACKBAUD, INC.,
as Guarantors,
in favor of
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINED TERMS | 2 | |||
SECTION 1.1 | Definitions | 2 | ||
ARTICLE II GUARANTY | 3 | |||
SECTION 2.1 | Guaranty | 3 | ||
SECTION 2.2 | Bankruptcy Limitations on each Guarantor | 4 | ||
SECTION 2.3 | Agreements for Contribution | 4 | ||
SECTION 2.4 | Nature of Guaranty. | 5 | ||
SECTION 2.5 | Waivers | 6 | ||
SECTION 2.6 | Modification of Loan Documents, etc | 7 | ||
SECTION 2.7 | Demand by the Administrative Agent | 7 | ||
SECTION 2.8 | Remedies | 8 | ||
SECTION 2.9 | Benefits of Guaranty | 8 | ||
SECTION 2.10 | Termination; Reinstatement | 8 | ||
SECTION 2.11 | Payments | 8 | ||
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 9 | |||
SECTION 3.1 | Existence | 9 | ||
SECTION 3.2 | Authorization of Agreement; Enforceability | 9 | ||
SECTION 3.3 | No Conflict; Consents | 9 | ||
SECTION 3.4 | Litigation | 9 | ||
SECTION 3.5 | Title to Assets | 9 | ||
SECTION 3.6 | Solvency | 10 | ||
SECTION 3.7 | Compliance with the Credit Agreement | 10 | ||
ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS | 10 | |||
SECTION 4.1 | Amendments, Waivers and Consents | 10 | ||
SECTION 4.2 | Notices | 10 | ||
SECTION 4.3 | Enforcement Expenses, Indemnification | 10 | ||
SECTION 4.4 | Governing Law | 11 | ||
SECTION 4.5 | Jurisdiction and Venue | 11 | ||
SECTION 4.6 | Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial | 11 | ||
SECTION 4.7 | Injunctive Relief, Punitive Damages | 12 | ||
SECTION 4.8 | No Waiver by Course of Conduct, Cumulative Remedies | 12 | ||
SECTION 4.10 | Severability | 13 | ||
SECTION 4.11 | Titles and Captions | 13 | ||
SECTION 4.12 | Counterparts | 13 | ||
SECTION 4.13 | Set-Off | 13 | ||
SECTION 4.14. | Integration | 14 | ||
SECTION 4.15. | Acknowledgements | 14 | ||
SECTION 4.16. | Releases | 14 | ||
SECTION 4.17 | Additional Guarantors | 14 | ||
SECTION 4.18 | Powers Coupled with an Interest | 14 |
AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT, dated as of July 25, 2007, made by certain Subsidiaries (collectively, the Guarantors, each, a Guarantor) of BLACKBAUD, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), in favor of WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent) for the ratable benefit itself and the financial institutions (the Lenders) from time to time parties to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated of even date herewith (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the Credit Agreement), by and among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to make Extensions of Credit to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.
The Borrower and the Guarantors, though separate legal entities, comprise one integrated financial enterprise, and all Extensions of Credit to the Borrower will inure, directly or indirectly, to the benefit of each of the Guarantors.
It is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to make their respective Extensions of Credit to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective Extensions of Credit to the Borrower thereunder, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used in this Guaranty shall have the meanings assigned to them below:
Additional Guarantor means each Subsidiary of the Borrower which hereafter becomes a Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof and Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement.
Applicable Insolvency Laws means all Applicable Laws governing bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency, fraudulent transfers or conveyances or other similar laws (including, without limitation, 11 U.S.C. Sections 544, 547, 548 and 550 and other avoidance provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or supplemented).
Guaranteed Obligations has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
Guaranty means this Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Guaranty including the preambles and recitals hereof shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement. In the event of a conflict between
2
capitalized terms defined herein and in the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall control. The words hereof, herein, hereto and hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Guaranty shall refer to this Guaranty as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Guaranty, and Section references are to this Guaranty unless otherwise specified. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
ARTICLE II
GUARANTY
SECTION 2.1 Guaranty. Each Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally with the other Guarantors, unconditionally guarantees to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, and their respective permitted successors, endorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt payment and performance of all Obligations of the Borrower, whether primary or secondary (whether by way of endorsement or otherwise), whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not from time to time reduced or extinguished (except by payment thereof) or hereafter increased or incurred, whether or not recovery may be or hereafter becomes barred by the statute of limitations, whether enforceable or unenforceable as against the Borrower, whether or not discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by any Applicable Insolvency Law or proceeding thereunder, whether created directly with the Administrative Agent or any Lender or acquired by the Administrative Agent or any Lender through assignment, endorsement or otherwise, whether matured or unmatured, whether joint or several, as and when the same become due and payable (whether at maturity or earlier, by reason of acceleration, mandatory repayment or otherwise), in accordance with the terms of any such instruments evidencing any such obligations, including all renewals, extensions or modifications thereof (all Obligations of the Borrower, including all of the foregoing being hereafter collectively referred to as the Guaranteed Obligations).
3
SECTION 2.2 Bankruptcy Limitations on each Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.1, it is the intention of each Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, in any proceeding involving the bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, relief of debtors, dissolution or insolvency or any similar proceeding with respect to any Guarantor or its assets, the amount of such Guarantors obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be equal to, but not in excess of, the maximum amount thereof not subject to avoidance or recovery by operation of Applicable Insolvency Laws after giving effect to Section 2.3. To that end, but only in the event and to the extent that after giving effect to Section 2.3 such Guarantors obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any payment made pursuant to such Guaranteed Obligations would, but for the operation of the first sentence of this Section 2.2, be subject to avoidance or recovery in any such proceeding under Applicable Insolvency Laws after giving effect to Section 2.3, the amount of each Guarantors obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be limited to the largest amount which, after giving effect thereto, would not, under Applicable Insolvency Laws, render such Guarantors obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations unenforceable or avoidable or otherwise subject to recovery under Applicable Insolvency Laws. To the extent any payment actually made pursuant to the Guaranteed Obligations exceeds the limitation of the first sentence of this Section 2.2 and is otherwise subject to avoidance and recovery in any such proceeding under Applicable Insolvency Laws, the amount subject to avoidance shall in all events be limited to the amount by which such actual payment exceeds such limitation and the Guaranteed Obligations as limited by the first sentence of this Section 2.2 shall in all events remain in full force and effect and be fully enforceable against each Guarantor. The first sentence of this Section 2.2 is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder against each Guarantor in such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Insolvency Laws and neither such Guarantor, any Borrower, any other Guarantor nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under such sentence that would not otherwise be available under Applicable Insolvency Laws in such proceeding.
SECTION 2.3 Agreements for Contribution.
(a) To the extent any Guarantor is required, by reason of its obligations hereunder, to pay to the Administrative Agent or any Lender an amount greater than the amount of value (as determined in accordance with Applicable Insolvency Laws) actually made available to or for the benefit of such Guarantor on account of the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, such Guarantor shall have an enforceable right of contribution against the Borrower and the remaining Guarantors, and the Borrower and the remaining Guarantors shall be jointly and severally liable for repayment of the full amount of such excess payment. Subject only to the subordination provided in Section 2.3(d), such Guarantor further shall be subrogated to any and all rights of the Lenders against the Borrower and the remaining Guarantors to the extent of such excess payment.
(b) To the extent that any Guarantor would, but for the operation of this Section 2.3 and by reason of its obligations hereunder or its obligations to other Guarantors under this Section 2.3, be rendered insolvent for any purpose under Applicable Insolvency Laws, each of the Guarantors hereby agrees to indemnify such Guarantor and commits to make a contribution to such Guarantors capital in an amount at least equal to the amount necessary to prevent such Guarantor from having been rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence of any such obligations.
(c) To the extent that any Guarantor would, but for the operation of this Section 2.3, be rendered insolvent under any Applicable Insolvency Law by reason of its incurring of obligations to any other Guarantor under the foregoing Sections 2.3(a) and (b), such Guarantor shall, in turn, have rights of contribution and indemnity, to the full extent provided in the foregoing Sections 2.3(a) and (b), against the Borrower and the remaining Guarantors, such that all obligations of all of the Guarantors hereunder and under this Section 2.3 shall be allocated in a manner such that no Guarantor shall be rendered insolvent for any purpose under Applicable Insolvency Law by reason of its incurrence of such obligations.
4
(d) Notwithstanding any payment or payments by any of the Guarantors hereunder, or any set-off or application of funds of any of the Guarantors by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the receipt of any amounts by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations, none of the Guarantors shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower or the other Guarantors or against any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations nor shall any of the Guarantors seek any reimbursement from the Borrower or any of the other Guarantors in respect of payments made by such Guarantor in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on account of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full and the Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly endorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required) to be applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as set forth in the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 2.4 Nature of Guaranty.
(a) Each Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty is a continuing, unconditional guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection, and that its obligations under this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and unaffected by:
(i) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability or any future amendment of, or change in, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement, document or instrument to which the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates is or may become a party;
(ii) the absence of any action to enforce this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or the waiver or consent by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any of the provisions of this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(iii) the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect its Lien against, any security for or other guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in respect of such security or guaranty (including, without limitation, the release of any such security or guaranty);
(iv) any structural change in, restructuring of or similar change of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries; or
(v) any other action or circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor;
it being agreed by each Guarantor that, subject to the first sentence of Section 2.2, its obligations under this Guaranty shall not be discharged until the final indefeasible payment and performance, in full, of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Commitments; provided that a Guarantor may be released from the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to Section 4.16 of this Guaranty.
5
(b) Each Guarantor represents, warrants and agrees that its obligations under this Guaranty are not and shall not be subject to any counterclaims, offsets or defenses of any kind against the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Borrower whether now existing or which may arise in the future.
(c) Each Guarantor hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Guaranteed Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon this Guaranty, and all dealings between the Borrower and any Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Guaranty.
SECTION 2.5 Waivers. To the extent permitted by law, each Guarantor expressly waives all of the following rights and defenses (and agrees not to take advantage of or assert any such right or defense):
(a) any rights it may now or in the future have under any statute, or at law or in equity, or otherwise, to compel the Administrative Agent or any Lender to proceed in respect of the Obligations against the Borrower or any other Person or against any security for or other guaranty of the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations before proceeding against, or as a condition to proceeding against, such Guarantor;
(b) any defense based upon the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to commence an action in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person or any security for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(c) any right to insist upon, plead or in any manner whatever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any appraisal, valuation, stay, extension, marshalling of assets or redemption laws, or exemption, whether now or at any time hereafter in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations under, or the enforcement by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders of this Guaranty;
(d) any right of diligence, presentment, demand, protest and notice (except as specifically required herein) of whatever kind or nature with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and waives, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the benefit of all provisions of law which are or might be in conflict with the terms of this Guaranty; and
(e) any and all right to notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon, or acceptance of, this Guaranty.
Each Guarantor agrees that any notice or directive given at any time to the Administrative Agent or any Lender which is inconsistent with any of the foregoing waivers shall be null and void and may be ignored by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, and, in addition, may not be pleaded or introduced as evidence in any litigation relating to this Guaranty for the reason that such pleading or introduction would be at variance with the written terms of this Guaranty, unless the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders have specifically agreed otherwise in writing. The foregoing waivers are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, but for this Guaranty and such waivers, the Administrative Agent and Lenders would decline to enter into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
6
SECTION 2.6 Modification of Loan Documents, etc. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to any Guarantor as a result of any of the following, and none of the following shall impair or release this Guaranty or any of the obligations of any Guarantor under this Guaranty:
(a) any change or extension of the manner, place or terms of payment of, or renewal or alteration of all or any portion of, the Guaranteed Obligations;
(b) any action under or in respect of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents in the exercise of any remedy, power or privilege contained therein or available to any of them at law, in equity or otherwise, or waiver or refrain from exercising any such remedies, powers or privileges;
(c) any amendment or modification, in any manner whatsoever, of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(d) any extension or waiver of the time for performance by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person of, or compliance with, any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or waive such performance or compliance or consent to a failure of, or departure from, such performance or compliance;
(e) any taking and holding of security or collateral for the payment of the Obligations or the sale, exchange, release, disposal of, or other dealing with, any property pledged, mortgaged or conveyed, or in which the Administrative Agent or the Lenders have been granted a Lien, to secure any Indebtedness of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders;
(f) any release of anyone who may be liable in any manner for the payment of any amounts owed by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent or any Lender;
(g) any modification or termination of the terms of any intercreditor or subordination agreement pursuant to which claims of other creditors of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person are subordinated to the claims of the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(h) any application of any sums by whomever paid or however realized to any Obligations owing by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such manner as the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall determine in its reasonable discretion.
SECTION 2.7 Demand by the Administrative Agent. In addition to the terms set forth in this Article II and in no manner imposing any limitation on such terms, if all or any portion of the then outstanding Guaranteed Obligations under the Credit Agreement are declared to be immediately due and payable, then the Guarantors shall, upon demand in writing therefor by the Administrative Agent to the Guarantors, pay all or such portion of the outstanding Guaranteed Obligations due hereunder then declared due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Guarantor agrees that, in the event of the dissolution or insolvency of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or the inability or failure of the Borrower or any Guarantor to pay debts as they become due, or an assignment by the Borrower or any Guarantor for the benefit of creditors, or the commencement of any case or proceeding in respect of the Borrower or any Guarantor under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, and if such event shall occur at a time when any of the Guaranteed Obligations may not then be due and payable, each Guarantor will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, forthwith the full amount which would be payable hereunder by each Guarantor if all such Guaranteed Obligations were then due and payable.
7
SECTION 2.8 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, enforce against the Guarantors their respective obligations and liabilities hereunder and exercise such other rights and remedies as may be available to the Administrative Agent hereunder, under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise.
SECTION 2.9 Benefits of Guaranty. The provisions of this Guaranty are for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective permitted successors, transferees, endorsees and assigns, and nothing herein contained shall impair, as between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In the event all or any part of the Obligations are transferred, endorsed or assigned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any Person or Persons as permitted under the Credit Agreement, any reference to an Administrative Agent, or Lender herein shall be deemed to refer equally to such Person or Persons.
SECTION 2.10 Termination; Reinstatement.
(a) Subject to subsection (c) below, this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect until all the Guaranteed Obligations and all the obligations of the Guarantors shall have been paid in full and the Commitments terminated.
(b) No payment made by the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the obligations of the Guarantors or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the obligations of the Guarantors), remain liable for the obligations of the Guarantors up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Guaranteed Obligations and all the obligations of the Guarantors shall have been paid in full and the Commitments terminated.
(c) Each Guarantor agrees that, if any payment made by the Borrower or any other Person applied to the Obligations is at any time annulled, set aside, rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or otherwise required to be refunded or repaid by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower, its estate, trustee, receiver or any other Person, including, without limitation, any Guarantor, under any Applicable Law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or repayment, each Guarantors liability hereunder shall be and remain in full force and effect, as fully as if such payment had never been made, and, if prior thereto, this Guaranty shall have been canceled or surrendered, this Guaranty shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of such Guarantor in respect of the amount of such payment.
SECTION 2.11 Payments. Payments by the Guarantors shall be made to the Administrative Agent, to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with Sections 4.4 and 11.4 of the Credit Agreement, in immediately available Dollars to an account designated by the Administrative Agent or at the Administrative Agents Office or at any other address that may be specified in writing from time to time by the Administrative Agent.
8
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to make any Extensions of Credit each Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that:
SECTION 3.1 Existence. Such Guarantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, has the power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.2 Authorization of Agreement; Enforceability. Such Guarantor has the right, power and authority and has taken all necessary corporate or other action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty in accordance with its terms. This Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of such Guarantor and this Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.
SECTION 3.3 No Conflict; Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by such Guarantor of this Guaranty in accordance with its terms and the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not, by the passage of time, the giving of notice or otherwise, (i) require any Governmental Approval or violate any Applicable Law relating to such Guarantor; (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of such Guarantor or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which such Person is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or any Governmental Approval relating to such Person, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Guarantor or (iv) require any consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act in respect of, an arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Guaranty.
SECTION 3.4 Litigation. Except for matters existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.1(u) to the Credit Agreement, and except for matters existing in the ordinary course that could not reasonably be expected, individually, or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending nor, to the knowledge of such Guarantor, threatened against or in any way relating adversely to or affecting such Guarantor or any its respective properties in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority.
SECTION 3.5 Title to Assets. Such Guarantor has such title to the real property owned or leased by it as is necessary or desirable to the conduct of its business and valid and legal title to all of its personal property and assets. None of the properties and assets of such Guarantor is subject to any Lien, except Permitted Liens. No financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of any state which names such Guarantor or any of its respective trade names or divisions as debtor and which has not been terminated, has been filed in any state or other jurisdiction and such Guarantor has not signed any such financing statement or any security agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file any such financing statement, except to perfect Permitted Liens.
9
SECTION 3.6 Solvency. Subject in each case to the first sentence of Section 2.2, as of the Closing Date (or such later date upon which such Guarantor became a party hereto), and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, such Guarantor will be Solvent.
SECTION 3.7 Compliance with the Credit Agreement. Until the Obligations shall have been paid in full and the Commitments terminated, such Guarantor shall comply with the provisions of Articles VII, VIII, IX and X of the Credit Agreement as if a party thereto.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 4.1 Amendments, Waivers and Consents. None of the terms, covenants, agreements or conditions of this Guaranty may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, nor may they be waived, nor may any consent be given, except in accordance with Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 4.2 Notices. All notices and communications hereunder shall be given to the addresses and otherwise made in accordance with Section 13.1(a) of the Credit Agreement; provided that notices and communications to the Guarantors shall be directed to the Guarantors at the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 13.1(b) of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 4.3 Enforcement Expenses, Indemnification.
(a) Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in connection with the administration or enforcement of any rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, including, without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding enforcing any Guaranteed Obligations of, or collecting any payments due from, such Guarantor by reason of an Event of Default, consulting with appraisers, accountants, engineers, attorneys and other Persons concerning the nature, scope or value of any right or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under this Guaranty or under any other Loan Document or any factual matters in connection therewith, which expenses shall include without limitation the reasonable fees and disbursements of such Persons. All such costs and expenses shall be additional Guaranteed Obligations.
(b) Each Guarantor agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, employees, agents, officers and directors, from and against any losses, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses, suffered by any such Person in connection with any claim (including, without limitation, any Environmental Claims or civil penalties or fines assessed by OFAC), investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or in any way connected with this Guaranty to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 13.3 of the Credit Agreement.
10
(c) The agreements in this Section 4.3 shall survive termination of the Commitments and repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION 4.4 Governing Law. This Guaranty, unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without reference to the conflicts or choice of law principles thereof.
SECTION 4.5 Jurisdiction and Venue.
(a) Jurisdiction. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (and any courts from which an appeal from any of such courts must or may be taken) in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of any dispute in connection with this Guaranty, any rights or obligations hereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably consents to the service of a summons and complaint and other process in any action, claim or proceeding brought by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Guaranty, any rights or obligations hereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations, on behalf of itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement. Nothing in this Section 4.5 shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to bring any action or proceeding against any Guarantor or its properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.
(b) Venue. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any objection it may have now or in the future to the laying of venue in the aforesaid jurisdiction in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Guaranty or the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder. Each Guarantor irrevocably waives, in connection with such action, claim or proceeding, any plea or claim that the action, claim or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION 4.6 Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Binding Arbitration. Upon demand of any party, whether made before or after institution of any judicial proceeding, any Dispute between or among parties hereto shall be resolved by binding arbitration as provided herein. Institution of a judicial proceeding by a party does not waive the right of that party to demand arbitration hereunder. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims, counterclaims, claims brought as class actions, claims arising from Loan Documents executed in the future, disputes as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration, or claims concerning any aspect of the past, present or future relationships arising out of or connected with the Loan Documents. Arbitration shall be conducted under and governed by the Arbitration Rules of the AAA and the Federal Arbitration Act. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in Charlotte, North Carolina. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51, et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000. All applicable statutes of limitations shall apply to any Dispute. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything foregoing to the contrary, any arbitration proceeding demanded hereunder shall begin within ninety (90) days after such demand thereof and shall be concluded within one hundred twenty (120) days after such demand. These time limitations may not be extended unless a party hereto shows cause for extension and then such extension shall not exceed a total of sixty (60) days. The panel from which all arbitrators are selected shall be comprised of licensed attorneys selected from the Commercial Financial Dispute Arbitration Panel of the AAA. The single arbitrator selected for expedited procedure shall be a retired judge from the highest court of general jurisdiction, state or federal, of the state where the hearing will be conducted. The parties hereto do not waive any applicable Federal or state substantive law except as provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not apply to any Hedging Agreement.
11
(b) Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION, CLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
(c) Preservation of Certain Remedies. Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the parties hereto and the other Loan Documents preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that such Persons may employ or exercise freely, either alone, in conjunction with or during a Dispute. Each such Person shall have and hereby reserves the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale granted in the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law or by judicial foreclosure and sale, including a proceeding to confirm the sale, (ii) all rights of self help including peaceful occupation of property and collection of rents, set off, and peaceful possession of property, (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and in filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an arbitrator to grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.
SECTION 4.7 Injunctive Relief, Punitive Damages.
(a) Each Guarantor recognizes that, in the event such Guarantor fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Guaranty, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Therefore, each Guarantor agrees that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, at their option, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.
(b) The Administrative Agent and each Guarantor hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that they may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
SECTION 4.8 No Waiver by Course of Conduct, Cumulative Remedies. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 4.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No delay or failure to take action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing between any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and any Lenders or their respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge any provision of this Guaranty or to constitute a waiver of any Event of Default. The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders set forth in this Guaranty is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist at law or in equity or by suit or otherwise.
12
SECTION 4.9 Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of each Guarantor (and shall bind all Persons who become bound as a Guarantor under this Guaranty), the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that no Guarantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Guaranty without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (given in accordance with Section 4.1).
SECTION 4.10 Severability. Any provision of this Guaranty which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 4.11 Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Guaranty are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Guaranty.
SECTION 4.12 Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 4.13 Set-Off. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and each Lender at any time and from time to time pursuant to Section 13.4 of the Credit Agreement to set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or such Lender hereunder and claims of every nature and description of the Administrative Agent or such Lender against such Guarantor, in any currency, whether arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall notify such Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by the Administrative Agent or such Lender of the proceeds thereof; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section 4.13 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.
13
SECTION 4.14. Integration. This Guaranty, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter. This Guaranty was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.
SECTION 4.15. Acknowledgements. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that:
(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Guarantor arising out of or in connection with this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Guarantors and the Lenders.
SECTION 4.16. Releases. At such time as (a) the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full and the Commitments have been terminated, this Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Guarantor hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, or (b) a Guarantor ceases to be a Material Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection with a transaction permitted under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, such Guarantor shall be released from the Guaranteed Obligations (other than obligations expressly stated to survive the termination of this Guaranty).
SECTION 4.17 Additional Guarantors. Each Material Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party to this Guaranty pursuant to Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement shall become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Guaranty upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of a supplement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 4.18 Powers Coupled with an Interest. All authorizations and agencies herein contained are irrevocable and powers coupled with an interest.
[Signature Pages to Follow]
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Guarantors has executed and delivered this Guaranty under seal by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
BLACKBAUD, LLC, as Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TARGET SOFTWARE, INC., as Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President | |
TARGET ANALYSIS GROUP, INC., as Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent | ||
By: | /s/ David S. Sozio | |
Name: | David S. Sozio | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]
Exhibit 10.30
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of July 25, 2007 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this Pledge Agreement), is made by BLACKBAUD, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower) and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower who are or may become party hereto as pledgors (the Subsidiary Pledgors and, together with the Borrower, as pledgors, the Pledgors and, each individually, a Pledgor) and the Issuers and Partnerships/LLCs (each as hereinafter defined) party hereto, in favor of WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent), for the ratable benefit of itself and the financial institutions (the Lenders) that are, or may from time to time become, parties to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Pursuant to the terms of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders have agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.
It is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement that the Pledgors shall have executed and delivered this Pledge Agreement to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders.
The Pledgors are the legal and beneficial owners of (a) the shares of Pledged Stock (as hereinafter defined) issued by certain corporations (collectively, the Issuers) as specified on Schedule I hereto and incorporated herein by reference (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) and (b) the Partnership/LLC Interests (as hereinafter defined) in the partnerships and limited liability companies (collectively, the Partnerships/LLCs) listed on Schedule I hereto and incorporated herein by reference (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into and make available extensions of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Pledgors, the Issuers and the Partnership/LLCs hereby agree with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, as follows:
SECTION 1. Defined Terms.
(a) The following terms shall have the following meanings:
Code means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time); provided that if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, the perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection of the Security Interests in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, Code means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection.
Collateral means the Stock Collateral and the Partnership/LLC Collateral.
Obligations means:
(i) with respect to the Borrower, the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement;
(ii) with respect to each Subsidiary Pledgor, each Issuer and each Partnership/LLC, the obligations, if any, of such Subsidiary Pledgor, such Issuer and such Partnership/LLC under the Guaranty Agreement; and
(iii) with respect to all Pledgors, all Issuers and all Partnership/LLCs, all liabilities and obligations of the Pledgors, the Issuers and the Partnership/LLCs hereunder.
Partnership/LLC Collateral means the Partnership/LLC Interests and all Proceeds therefrom.
Partnership/LLC Interests means the entire partnership or membership interest of the Pledgors in each Partnership/LLC listed on Schedule I hereto (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time), including, without limitation, the Pledgors capital accounts, their interest as partners or members in the net cash flow, net profit and net loss, and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Partnerships/LLCs, their interests in all distributions made or to be made by the Partnerships/LLCs to the Pledgors and all of the other economic rights, titles and interests of the Pledgors as partners or members of the Partnerships/LLCs, whether set forth in the partnership agreement or membership agreement of the Partnerships/LLCs, by separate agreement or otherwise.
Pledge Agreement means this Pledge Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Pledged Stock means the shares of capital stock of each Issuer listed on Schedule I hereto (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time), together with all stock certificates, options or rights of any nature whatsoever that may be issued or granted by such Issuer to the Pledgors while this Pledge Agreement is in effect (including, without limitation, all of the other economic rights, titles and interests of any Pledgor as a shareholder or owner of such Issuer, whether set forth in the articles, bylaws or other governing document of such Issuer, by separate agreement or otherwise).
Proceeds means all Proceeds as such term is defined in Section 9-102(64) of the Code on the date hereof and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Pledged Stock and the Partnership/LLC Interests, collections thereon, proceeds of sale thereof or distributions with respect thereto.
Security Interests means the security interests granted pursuant to Section 2, as well as all other security interests created or assigned as additional security for the Obligations pursuant to the provisions of the Credit Agreement.
Stock Collateral means the Pledged Stock and all Proceeds therefrom.
(b) Capitalized terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Pledgor, shall refer to such Pledgors Collateral or the relevant part thereof. Capitalized terms defined in the Code and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Code.
2
SECTION 2. Pledge and Grant of Security Interest. The Pledgors hereby deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, the Pledged Stock and hereby grant to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, a first priority security interest in the Pledged Stock and all other Collateral, as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations; provided, that any Security Interest in any Collateral constituting Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests issued by any Issuer or Partnership/LLC which is not organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States shall be limited to sixty-five percent (65%) of all issued and outstanding shares of all classes of voting Capital Stock of such Issuer or Partnership/LLC and one hundred percent (100%) of all issued and outstanding shares of all classes of non-voting Capital Stock of such Issuer or Partnership/LLC.
SECTION 3. Stock Powers; Register of Pledge. Concurrently with the delivery to the Administrative Agent of each certificate representing one or more shares of Pledged Stock, the Pledgors shall deliver an undated stock power covering such certificate, duly executed in blank by the applicable Pledgor with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed.
SECTION 4. Partnership/LLC Interests.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any limited liability agreement, operating agreement, membership agreement, partnership agreement or similar agreement relating to any Partnership/LLC Interests (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, a Partnership/LLC Agreement), each member, manager and partner shall be entitled to pledge its Partnership/LLC Interests to, and grant and collaterally assign to, the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of itself and the Lenders, a lien and security interest in its Partnership/LLC Interests without any further consent, approval or action by any other party, including, without limitation, any other party to any Partnership/LLC Agreement or otherwise.
(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or its designee shall have the right (but not the obligation) to be substituted for the applicable Pledgor as a member, manager or partner under the applicable Partnership/LLC Agreement and the Administrative Agent or its designee shall have all rights, powers and benefits as a member, manager or partner, as applicable, under such Partnership/LLC Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, such rights, powers and benefits of a substituted member shall include all voting and other rights and not merely the rights of an economic interest holder. So long as this Pledge Agreement remains in effect, no further consent, approval or action by any other party including, without limitation, any other party to the Partnership/LLC Agreement or otherwise shall be necessary to permit the Administrative Agent or its designee to be substituted as a member, manager or partner pursuant to this paragraph. The rights, powers and benefits granted pursuant to this paragraph shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors, assigns and designated agents, as intended third party beneficiaries.
SECTION 5. Pledgors Remain Liable. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding: (a) each Pledgor shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral to the extent set forth therein to perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder (including, without limitation, all of its obligations as a partner or member of any Partnership/LLC, if applicable) to the same extent as if this Pledge Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of their respective rights hereunder shall not release any Pledgor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral (including, without limitation, all of its obligations as a partner or member of any Partnership/LLC, if applicable), (c) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability under the contracts and
3
agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Pledge Agreement (including, without limitation, any obligations or liabilities as a partner or member of any Partnership/LLC), nor shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Pledgor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder, and (d) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability in contract or tort for any Pledgors acts or omissions.
SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties. To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to execute the Credit Agreement and make any extensions of credit and to accept the security contemplated hereby, each Pledgor hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) Such Pledgor (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation; (ii) has the power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified and (iii) is authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by such Pledgor of this Pledge Agreement (i) have all been duly authorized by all necessary action; (ii) are within the power and authority of such Pledgor; (iii) do not and will not require any Governmental Approval or violate any Applicable Law relating to such Pledgor; (iv) do not and will not conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organization documents of such Pledgor or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which such Pledgor is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or any Governmental Approval relating to such Pledgor; (v) do not and will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Pledgor other than Liens arising under the Loan Documents or (vi) do not and will not require any consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act in respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority.
(c) This Pledge Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Pledgor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.
(d) All necessary permits, registrations and consents for such making and performance of this Pledge Agreement have been obtained (including, without limitation, the consent of any stockholder or creditor of any Pledgor or any Issuer or any general or limited partner or member of any Partnership/LLC).
(e) The Security Interests will constitute valid and perfected first and prior Liens on the Collateral described herein, subject to no other Liens whatsoever except Permitted Liens.
(f) Each financing statement naming such Pledgor as a debtor and attached hereto as Addendum A is in appropriate form for filing in the appropriate filing offices of the states specified on Schedule II and, upon the filing of appropriate financing statements in such filing offices, the Security Interests will be perfected to the extent such Security Interests can be perfected by the filing of financing statements.
4
(g) The shares of Pledged Stock listed on Schedule I (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) constitute (i) all of the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of the Capital Stock of each Issuer that is a Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) sixty-five percent (65%) of all issued and outstanding shares of all classes of voting Capital Stock of each Issuer that is a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary and (iii) one hundred percent (100%) of all issued and outstanding shares of all classes of non-voting Capital Stock of each Issuer that is a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary.
(h) The Partnership/LLC Interests listed on Schedule I (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) constitute (i) all of the outstanding ownership interests in which each Pledgor has any right, title or interest in each Partnership/LLC which is a Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) sixty-five percent (65%) of the outstanding voting ownership interests in which each Pledgor has any right, title and interest in each Partnership/LLC which is a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary and (iii) one hundred percent (100%) of all issued and outstanding shares of all classes of non-voting ownership interests of each Partnership/LLC that is a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary.
(i) The Pledged Stock has been duly and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable and all of the Partnership/LLC Interests have been duly and validly issued.
(j) Such Pledgor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Pledged Stock and Partnership/LLC Interests listed on Schedule I (as such schedule may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) free of any and all Liens or options in favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except the Lien created by this Pledge Agreement.
(k) Such Pledgor is organized under the laws of the state identified on Schedule II under such Pledgors name. The taxpayer identification number and Registered Organization number of such Pledgor is set forth on Schedule II under such Pledgors name. The chief place of business, chief executive office and any other office where such Pledgor keeps its books and records relating to the Collateral are located at the locations specified on Schedule II under such Pledgors name. Such Pledgor does no business nor has done business during the past five years under any trade name or fictitious business name except as disclosed on Schedule II under such Pledgors name.
(l) Upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of the stock certificates evidencing the Pledged Stock, the Lien granted pursuant to this Pledge Agreement will constitute a valid, perfected first priority Lien on the Collateral, enforceable as such against all creditors of the Pledgors and any Persons purporting to purchase any of the Collateral from any Pledgor.
(m) None of the Partnership/LLC Interests (i) are traded on a Securities exchange or in Securities markets, (ii) by their terms expressly provide that they are Securities governed by Article 8 of the Code, (iii) are Investment Company Securities (as defined in the Code) or (iv) are held or maintained in the form of a Securities Entitlement or credited to any Securities Account.
(n) The Pledgors have delivered or made available to the Administrative Agent true and complete copies of the partnership agreements and operating agreements, as applicable, for each of the Partnerships/LLCs, which partnership agreements and operating agreements are currently in full force and effect and have not been amended or modified except as disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing.
5
SECTION 7. Certain Covenants. The Pledgors covenant and agree with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, that, from and after the date of this Pledge Agreement until the Obligations are paid in full and the Commitments are terminated:
(a) Each Pledgor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, in writing, of (i) any Lien (other than the Lien created by this Pledge Agreement or Permitted Liens) on any of the Collateral which would adversely affect the ability of the Administrative Agent to exercise any of its remedies hereunder or (b) the acquisition or ownership by such Pledgor of any Collateral after the date hereof. At the request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, each Pledgor shall promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after such request) deliver to the Administrative Agent updated Schedules to this Agreement.
(b) The Pledgors agree that as partners or members in the Partnerships/LLCs they will abide by, perform and discharge each and every obligation, covenant and agreement to be abided by, performed or discharged by the Pledgors under the terms of the partnership agreements and operating agreements, as applicable, of the Partnerships/LLCs, at no cost or expense to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
(c) If any Pledgor shall, as a result of its ownership of the Collateral, become entitled to receive or shall receive any Certificated Securities (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a stock dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for any of the Collateral, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Pledgor shall accept the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent and deliver the same forthwith to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Pledgor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Pledgor, to be held by the Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Obligations; provided, that at no time shall the Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests of any Issuer or Partnership/LLC that is a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the voting Pledged Stock or voting Partnership/LLC Interests of such Subsidiary and one hundred percent (100%) of the non-voting Pledged Stock or non-voting Partnership/LLC Interests of such Subsidiary. In addition, except as provided by Section 10.4(d) of the Credit Agreement, any sums paid upon or in respect of the Collateral upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer or Partnership/LLC shall be held by the Administrative Agent as additional collateral security for the Obligations.
(d) Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, no Pledgor will (i) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer or Partnership/LLC to issue any stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests or other equity securities of any nature or to issue any other securities convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests or other equity securities of any nature of such Issuer or Partnership/LLC except for additional Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests that will be subject to the Security Interest granted herein, (ii) except as expressly provided to the contrary herein or in the Credit Agreement, consent to any modification, extension or alteration of the terms of any partnership agreement or operating agreement of the Partnerships/LLCs, (iii) except as expressly provided to the contrary herein or in the Credit Agreement, accept a surrender of any partnership agreement or operating agreement of any of the Partnerships/LLCs or waive any breach of or default under any partnership agreement or operating agreement of any of the Partnerships/LLCs by any other party thereto, (iv) except as expressly permitted pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Collateral, or (v) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Collateral, or any interest therein, except
6
the Lien created by this Pledge Agreement. The Pledgors will defend the right, title and interest of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.
(e) Each Pledgor shall maintain the Security Interest created by this Pledge Agreement as a perfected Security Interest (to the extent required to do so hereunder) having the priority described in Section 6 and shall defend such Security Interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.
(f) No Pledgor will, except upon prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and delivery to the Administrative Agent of all additional financing statements (executed if necessary for any particular filing jurisdiction) and other instruments and documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the Security Interests and, if applicable, a written supplement to the Schedules to this Pledge Agreement:
(i) change its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office from that identified on Schedule II;
(ii) change its name, identity or corporate or organizational structure to such an extent that any financing statement filed by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Pledge Agreement would become misleading; or
(iii) permit any Collateral (other than Certificated Securities delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2) to be held by any Securities Intermediary, held or maintained in the form of a Securities Entitlement or credited to any Securities Account.
(g) Pursuant to Section 9-509 of the Code and any other Applicable Law, each Pledgor authorizes the Administrative Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Pledgor in such form and in such offices as the Administrative Agent determines appropriate to perfect the Security Interests of the Administrative Agent under this Pledge Agreement. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of Collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the Security Interest.
(h) At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of the Pledgors, the Pledgors will promptly and duly execute and deliver such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Pledge Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any promissory note, other instrument or chattel paper, such note, instrument or chattel paper shall be immediately delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement.
SECTION 8. Cash Dividends and Distributions; Voting Rights. Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice to the Pledgors of the Administrative Agents intent to exercise its rights pursuant to Section 9 of this Pledge Agreement, the Pledgors shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends and shareholder, partnership and membership distributions paid in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement in respect of the Collateral and
7
to exercise all voting and corporate, partnership or membership rights, as applicable, with respect to the Collateral; provided, that no vote shall be cast or corporate, partnership or membership right exercised or other action taken which, in the Administrative Agents reasonable judgment, would impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent in any material respect with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Documents or this Pledge Agreement.
SECTION 9. Rights of the Administrative Agent.
(a) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise such rights to the Pledgors, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Stock and partnership or membership distributions, as applicable, in respect of the Partnership/LLC Interests and make application thereof to the Obligations in the order set forth in Section 11.4 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) all shares of the Pledged Stock and the Partnership/LLC Interests shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (A) all voting, corporate, partnership, membership and other rights pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests at any meeting of shareholders, partners or members of the applicable Issuer or Partnership/LLC or otherwise and (B) any and all rights of conversion, exchange, subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate structure of the applicable Issuer or Partnership/LLC, or upon the exercise by the Pledgors or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock or the Partnership/LLC Interests, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Stock or the Partnership/LLC Interests with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as it may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to the Pledgors to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing. In furtherance thereof, each Pledgor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer or Partnership/LLC with respect to any Collateral consisting of Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (A) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (B) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Pledge Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Pledgor, and each Pledgor agrees that each Issuer or Partnership/LLC shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, if requested by the Administrative Agent, pay any dividends, distributions or other payments with respect to any Pledged Stock or Partnership/LLC Interests directly to the Administrative Agent.
(b) The rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy against the Pledgors or against any other Person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Obligations or against any collateral security therefor, guarantee thereof or right of offset with respect thereto. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be liable for any failure to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so, nor shall the Administrative Agent be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of the Pledgors or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.
SECTION 10. Remedies. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Pledge Agreement and in any other
8
instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Code or any other Applicable Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing with regard to the scope of the Administrative Agents remedies, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by any Applicable Law referred to below) to or upon the Pledgors, any Issuer, any Partnership/LLC or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, assign, give option or options to purchase or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, in the over-the-counter market, at any exchange, brokers board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by any Applicable Law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in the Pledgors, which right or equity is hereby waived or released. To the extent permitted by any Applicable Law, the Pledgors waive all claims, damages and demands they may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder, other than claims arising out of gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any Lender as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by any Applicable Law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least ten (10) days before such sale or other disposition.
SECTION 11. Administrative Agents Appointment as Attorney-In-Fact. Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Pledge Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Pledge Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor hereby gives the Administrative Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Pledgor, without notice to or assent by such Pledgor, to do any or all of the following upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default:
(i) pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral;
(ii) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in this Pledge Agreement, any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and
(iii)(A) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (B) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Pledgor with respect to any Collateral; (C) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; and (D) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do,
9
at the Administrative Agents option and such Pledgors expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Administrative Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Administrative Agents and the Lenders Security Interests therein and to effect the intent of this Pledge Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Pledgor might do.
(b) If any Pledgor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(a).
(c) The expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with actions taken pursuant to the terms of this Pledge Agreement shall be payable by the Pledgors to the Administrative Agent on demand.
(d) Each Pledgor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof in accordance with Section 11(a). All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Pledge Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Pledge Agreement is terminated and the Security Interests created hereby are released.
(e) Each Pledgor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Pledge Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Pledge Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Pledgors, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Pledgor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement to make any inquiry respecting such authority.
SECTION 12. Registration Rights; Private Sales.
(a) The Pledgors recognize that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Collateral, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. The Pledgors acknowledge and agree that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agree that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the applicable Issuer or Partnership/LLC to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if the applicable Issuer or Partnership/LLC would agree to do so.
(b) The Pledgors further agree to use their best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Collateral pursuant to this Section 12 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other Applicable Law. The Pledgors further agree that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 12 will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders not compensable in damages, that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in
10
this Section 12 shall be specifically enforceable against the Pledgors, and the Pledgors hereby waive and agree not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred under the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 13. Amendments, etc. With Respect to the Obligations. The Pledgors shall remain obligated hereunder, and the Collateral shall remain subject to the Lien granted hereby, notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against the Pledgors, and without notice to or further assent by the Pledgors, any demand for payment of any of the Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, and any of the Obligations continued, and the Obligations, or the liability of the Pledgors or any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered, or released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or part, as the Lenders (or the Required Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any guarantee, right of offset or other collateral security at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any other Lien at any time held by it as security for the Obligations or any property subject thereto. The Pledgors waive any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon this Pledge Agreement; the Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Pledge Agreement; and all dealings between the Pledgors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other, shall likewise be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Pledge Agreement. The Pledgors waive diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Pledgors with respect to the Obligations.
SECTION 14. No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by the Pledgors hereunder, or any setoff or application of funds of the Pledgors by the Administrative Agent, or the receipt of any amounts by the Administrative Agent with respect to any of the Collateral, the Pledgors shall not be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent against the Borrower or any guarantor or against any other collateral security held by the Administrative Agent for the payment of the Obligations, nor shall the Pledgors seek any reimbursement from the Borrower or any guarantor in respect of payments made by the Pledgors in connection with the Collateral, or amounts realized by the Administrative Agent in connection with the Collateral, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on account of the Obligations are paid in full and the Commitments terminated. If any amount shall be paid to the Pledgors on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by the Pledgors in trust for the Administrative Agent, segregated from other funds of the Pledgors, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by the Pledgors, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by the Pledgors (duly indorsed by the Administrative Agent, if required) to be applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as set forth in the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 15. Limitation on Duties Regarding Collateral. The Administrative Agents sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the Code or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals with similar securities and property for its own account. Neither the
11
Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of the Pledgors or otherwise. The powers conferred on the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are solely to protect the Administrative Agent and the Lenders interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty on the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be accountable only for amounts that it actually receives as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Pledgor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment.
SECTION 16. Application of Proceeds. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the proceeds of any sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 11.4 of the Credit Agreement. Any balance of such Proceeds remaining shall be paid over to the Borrower, on behalf of the Pledgors, or to whomsoever (if such Person is not a Pledgor) may be lawfully entitled to receive the same. Only after (a) payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-608 and Section 9-615 of the Code and (b) the payment in full of the Obligations and termination of the Commitments, shall the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Pledgor, or to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same (if such Person is not a Pledgor). The Administrative Agent may make distribution hereunder in cash or in kind or, on a ratable basis, in any combination thereof.
SECTION 17. Waiver, Deficiency. Each Pledgor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, all rights of redemption, appraisement, valuation, stay, extension or moratorium now or hereafter in force under any Applicable Law in order to prevent or delay the enforcement of this Pledge Agreement or the absolute sale of the Collateral or any portion thereof. Each Pledgor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency.
SECTION 18. Right of Set-off. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to any Pledgor (any such notice being expressly waived by each Pledgor), to setoff and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of such Pledgor or any other Credit Party against any and all obligations of such Pledgor or such other Credit Party now or hereafter existing under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Pledgor or such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of setoff) that the Administrative Agent or such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
12
SECTION 19. All Powers Coupled with Interest. All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any provisions of this Pledge Agreement shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied, any of the Commitments remain in effect or the Credit Facility has not been terminated.
SECTION 20. Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 21. Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Pledge Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Pledge Agreement.
SECTION 22. No Waiver by Course of Conduct, Cumulative Remedies. No waiver of any Default or Event of Default shall be a waiver of any other Default or Event of Default. No failure on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege under this Pledge Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. No remedy, right or power conferred upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, right or power given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, or otherwise, and all such remedies, rights and powers shall be cumulative.
SECTION 23. Amendments, Waivers and Consents. No term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Pledge Agreement may be amended or waived, nor may any consent be given, except in the manner set forth in Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 24. Expenses and Indemnification.
(a) The Pledgors shall, jointly and severally, pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by the Administrative Agent and each Lender to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 13.3 of the Credit Agreement.
(b) The Pledgors shall, jointly and severally, pay and indemnify each indemnified party (which for purposes of this Agreement shall include, without limitation, all Lenders) against Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement.
(c) The Pledgors shall, jointly and severally, indemnify each indemnified party to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 13.3 of the Credit Agreement.
(d) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after demand therefor.
SECTION 25. Injunctive Relief; Punitive or Indirect Damages.
(a) Each Pledgor recognizes that, in the event such Pledgor fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Pledge Agreement, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Administrative Agent and the
13
Lenders. Therefore, each Pledgor agrees that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, at the Required Lenders option, shall be entitled to seek temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.
(b) The Administrative Agent and the Borrower (on behalf of itself and the other Credit Parties) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that it may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
(c) Without limiting the generality of any provisions set forth herein relating to indemnification or reimbursement by the Borrower or any other Credit Party, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (on behalf of itself and the other Credit Parties) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of any consequential or indirect damages against any other party to a Loan Document, and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to consequential or indirect damages that it may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
SECTION 26. Successor and Assigns. This Pledge Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Pledgor and shall inure to the benefit of each Pledgor (and shall bind all Persons who become bound as a Pledgor under this Pledge Agreement), the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that no Pledgor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Pledge Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
SECTION 27. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process.
(a) Governing Law. This Pledge Agreement and the other Loan Documents, unless otherwise expressly set forth therein, shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without reference to the conflicts or choice of law principles thereof.
(b) Jurisdiction. Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (and any courts from which an appeal from any of such courts must or may be taken), in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of any dispute in connection with this Pledge Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations. Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably consents to the service of a summons and complaint and other process in any action, claim or proceeding brought by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Pledge Agreement or the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations, on behalf of itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to bring any action or proceeding against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.
(c) Venue. Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably waives any objection it may have now or in the future to the laying of venue in the aforesaid jurisdiction in any action, claim or other proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Pledge Agreement, any other Loan Document or the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder or thereunder. Each Pledgor irrevocably waives, in connection with such action, claim or proceeding, any plea or claim that the action, claim or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
14
SECTION 28. Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Binding Arbitration. Upon demand of any party, whether made before or after institution of any judicial proceeding, any Dispute arising out of, connected with or relating to this Pledge Agreement between or among parties hereto and to the other Loan Documents shall be resolved by binding arbitration as provided herein. Institution of a judicial proceeding by a party does not waive the right of that party to demand arbitration hereunder. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims, counterclaims, claims brought as class actions, claims arising from Loan Documents executed in the future, disputes as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration, or claims concerning any aspect of the past, present or future relationships arising out of or connected with the Loan Documents. Arbitration shall be conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules (the Arbitration Rules) of the American Arbitration Association (the AAA) and the Federal Arbitration Act. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in Charlotte, North Carolina. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51, et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000. All applicable statutes of limitations shall apply to any Dispute. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything foregoing to the contrary, any arbitration proceeding demanded hereunder shall begin within ninety (90) days after such demand thereof and shall be concluded within one hundred twenty (120) days after such demand. These time limitations may not be extended unless a party hereto shows cause for extension and then such extension shall not exceed a total of sixty (60) days. The panel from which all arbitrators are selected shall be comprised of licensed attorneys selected from the Commercial Financial Dispute Arbitration Panel of the AAA. The single arbitrator selected for expedited procedure shall be a retired judge from the highest court of general jurisdiction, state or federal, of the state where the hearing will be conducted. The parties hereto do not waive any applicable Federal or state substantive law except as provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not apply to any Hedging Agreement.
(b) Jury Trial. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER AND EACH PLEDGOR HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION, CLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
(c) Preservation of Certain Remedies. Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the parties hereto and the other Loan Documents preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that such Persons may employ or exercise freely, either alone, in conjunction with or during a Dispute. Each such Person shall have and hereby reserves the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale granted in the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law or by judicial foreclosure and sale, including a proceeding to confirm the sale, (ii) all rights of self help including peaceful occupation of property and collection of rents, set off, and peaceful possession of property, (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and in filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an arbitrator to grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.
15
SECTION 29. Notices. All notices and communications hereunder shall be given to the addresses and otherwise in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 30. Control Agreement; Acknowledgement by Issuers.
(a) The Pledgors hereby authorize and instruct each Issuer and Partnership/LLC to comply, and each Issuer and Partnership/LLC hereby agrees to so comply, with any instruction received thereby from the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of this Pledge Agreement with respect to the Collateral, without any consent or further instructions from the Pledgors (or other registered owner), and the Pledgors agree that such Issuer and such Partnership/LLC shall be fully protected in so complying. Each Issuer and Partnership/LLC agrees that its agreement set forth in the preceding sentence shall be sufficient to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, control of the Partnership/LLC Interests within the meaning of such term under Sections 8-106(c) and 9-106 of the Code. (Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Pledge Agreement is intended or shall be construed to mean or imply that the Partnership/LLC Interests constitute securities within the meaning of such term under Section 8-102(a)(15) of the Code or otherwise to limit or modify the application of Section 8-103(c) of the Code. Rather, the Administrative Agent has requested that this provision be included in this Pledge Agreement solely out of an abundance of caution in the event the Partnership/LLC Interests are, nevertheless, deemed to constitute securities under the Code.)
(b) Each Issuer and Partnership/LLC acknowledges receipt of a copy of this Pledge Agreement and agrees to be bound thereby and to comply with the terms thereof insofar as such terms are applicable to it. Each Issuer and Partnership/LLC agrees to notify the Administrative Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 7(c) of this Pledge Agreement. Each Issuer and Partnership/LLC further agrees that the terms of Section 12 of this Pledge Agreement shall apply to it with respect to all actions that may be required of it under or pursuant to or arising out of Section 12 of this Pledge Agreement.
SECTION 31. Concerning the Administrative Agent. The provisions of Article XI of the Credit Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent in respect of this Pledge Agreement and shall be binding upon the Pledgors and the Lenders. In furtherance and not in derogation of the rights, privileges and immunities of the Administrative Agent therein set forth:
(a) The Administrative Agent is authorized to take all such action as is provided to be taken by it as Administrative Agent hereunder and all other action incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for herein, the Administrative Agent may request instructions from the Lenders and shall act or refrain from acting in accordance with written instructions from the Required Lenders (or, when expressly required by this Pledge Agreement or the Credit Agreement, all the Lenders) or, in the absence of such instructions, in accordance with its discretion.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the security interests therein purported to be granted by this Pledge Agreement, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part (other than any such action or inaction constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct). The Administrative Agent shall have no duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Pledge Agreement by the Pledgors.
SECTION 32. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Pledge Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Pledge Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on
16
the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Pledge Agreement by telecopy or electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Pledge Agreement. This Pledge Agreement shall remain in effect through and including the date upon which all Obligations shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full and the Commitments terminated.
SECTION 33. Survival of Indemnities. Notwithstanding any termination of this Pledge Agreement, the indemnities to which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of Section 24 and any other provision of this Pledge Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against events arising after such termination as well as before.
SECTION 34. Advice of Counsel, No Strict Construction. Each of the parties represents to each other party hereto that it has discussed this Pledge Agreement with its counsel. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Pledge Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Pledge Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Pledge Agreement.
SECTION 35. Acknowledgements. Each Pledgor hereby acknowledges that:
(a) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Pledgor arising out of or in connection with this Pledge Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Pledgors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
(b) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Pledgors and the Lenders.
SECTION 36. Releases. At such time as the Obligations shall have been paid in full and the Commitments have been terminated, this Pledge Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Pledgor hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party. Upon any such termination, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to each Pledgor, at such Pledgors expense, such documents as such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination, and such Pledgor shall be entitled to the return, upon its reasonable request, of such of the Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof.
SECTION 37. Additional Pledgors. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party to this Pledge Agreement pursuant to Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement shall become a Pledgor for all purposes of this Pledge Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of a supplement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
[Signatures Page To Follow]
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Pledge Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
PLEDGOR: | ||
BLACKBAUD, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: |
Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President |
ISSUERS: | ||
BLACKBAUD CANADA, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
BLACKBAUD EUROPE, LTD. | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
BLACKBAUD PACIFIC PTY. | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
[Signature Pages Continue]
[Pledge Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]
TARGET SOFTWARE, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
TARGET GROUP ANALYSIS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President |
PLEDGOR AND PARTNERSHIP/LLC: | ||
BLACKBAUD, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Timothy V. Williams | |
Name: | Timothy V. Williams | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Pledge Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: | ||
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent | ||
By: | /s/ David S. Sozio | |
Name: | David S. Sozio | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Pledge Agreement - Blackbaud, Inc.]