EXHIBIT 10.59
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 30, 2004
among
BORDERS GROUP, INC.
BORDERS, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ BOOK COMPANY, INC.
BGP (UK) LIMITED
BORDERS (UK) LIMITED
BORDERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
THE LENDERS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 HERETO
and
FLEET RETAIL GROUP, INC.,
As Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK AND ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO RETAIL FINANCE, LLC
As Co-Syndication Agents
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION AND
NATIONAL CITY BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
As Co-Documentation Agents
with
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC AND JPMORGAN SECURITIES INC.
as Co-Lead Arrangers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DEFINITIONS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION, ETC........................................................ 2
1.1. Definitions........................................................................... 2
1.2. Rules of Interpretation............................................................... 34
1.3. Accounting Principles................................................................. 35
2. THE CREDIT FACILITIES............................................................................ 35
2.1. Revolving Credit Loans................................................................ 35
2.1.1. Commitment to Lend......................................................... 36
2.1.2. Requests for Revolving Credit Loans........................................ 36
2.2. Fees.................................................................................. 37
2.2.1. Commitment Fee............................................................. 37
2.3. Changes in Total Commitment........................................................... 37
2.3.1. Reduction of Total Commitment.............................................. 37
2.3.2. Increase in Total Commitment............................................... 37
2.4. Hedging Agreements and Cash Management Services....................................... 38
2.5. The Swingline......................................................................... 39
2.5.1. The Swingline Loans........................................................ 39
2.5.2. Request for Swingline Loans................................................ 40
2.5.3. Borrowings to Repay Swingline Loans........................................ 40
2.5.4. Voluntary Reduction of Swingline Sublimit.................................. 41
2.6. Evidence of Loan Obligations.......................................................... 41
2.6.1. Loan Accounts.............................................................. 42
2.6.2. The Co-Borrower Notes...................................................... 42
2.6.3. The Australian Notes....................................................... 42
2.6.4. The UK Notes............................................................... 43
2.6.5. The Swingline Note......................................................... 43
2.6.6. Participating Interests of Lenders......................................... 43
2.7. Interest on Loans..................................................................... 44
2.8. Conversion Options.................................................................... 44
2.8.1. Conversion to Different Type of Revolving Credit Loan...................... 44
2.8.2. Continuation of Type of Revolving Credit Loan.............................. 45
2.8.3. Eurocurrency Rate Loans.................................................... 45
2.9. Funds for Revolving Credit Loans...................................................... 45
2.9.1. Funding Procedures......................................................... 45
2.9.2. Advances by Administrative Agent........................................... 46
2.10. Optional Currency.................................................................... 47
2.10.1. Request for Optional Currency............................................. 47
2.10.2. Funding................................................................... 48
2.11. Request for Extension of Maturity Date............................................... 48
2.12. Change in Borrowing Base............................................................. 49
2.13. Overadvances......................................................................... 49
3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.......................................................... 50
3.1. Maturity.............................................................................. 50
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3.2. Mandatory Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans........................................ 50
3.3. Optional Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans......................................... 51
4. LETTERS OF CREDIT................................................................................ 52
4.1. Letter of Credit Commitments.......................................................... 52
4.1.1. Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit...................................... 52
4.1.2. Letter of Credit Applications; Issuance of Letters of Credit............... 53
4.1.3. Terms of Letters of Credit................................................. 54
4.1.4. Reimbursement Obligations of Lenders....................................... 54
4.1.5. Participations of Lenders.................................................. 54
4.1.6. Auto-Extension Letters of Credit........................................... 55
4.2. Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers............................................. 55
4.3. Letter of Credit Payments............................................................. 57
4.4. Obligations Absolute.................................................................. 59
4.5. Reliance by Issuer.................................................................... 60
4.6. Letter of Credit Fee.................................................................. 60
4.7. Transitional Letters of Credit........................................................ 60
4.8. Letter of Credit Amounts.............................................................. 61
5. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS....................................................................... 61
5.1. Closing and Administrative Agent's Fees............................................... 61
5.2. BGI as Agent for other Borrowers...................................................... 61
5.3. Funds for Payments.................................................................... 61
5.3.1. Payments to Administrative Agent........................................... 61
5.3.2. No Offset, etc............................................................. 62
5.3.3. Non-U.S. Lenders........................................................... 62
5.4. Computations.......................................................................... 64
5.5. Inability to Determine Eurocurrency Rate.............................................. 64
5.6. Illegality............................................................................ 65
5.7. Additional Costs, etc................................................................. 65
5.8. Capital Adequacy...................................................................... 66
5.9. Certificate........................................................................... 67
5.10. Indemnity............................................................................. 67
5.11. Interest After Default................................................................ 67
5.11.1. Overdue Amounts........................................................... 67
5.11.2. Amounts Not Overdue....................................................... 68
5.12. Replacement of Lenders............................................................... 68
5.13. Currency Matters..................................................................... 69
5.13.1. Currency of Account....................................................... 69
5.13.2. Currency Fluctuations..................................................... 69
5.13.3. Exchange Rate............................................................. 70
5.13.4. Denominations............................................................. 70
5.14. New Currency......................................................................... 71
5.15. Concerning Joint and Several Liability of the Co-Borrowers........................... 71
5.16. Additional Borrowers................................................................. 74
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5.17. Limitations on Certain Obligations of UK Borrower and the Australian Borrower........ 74
6. GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL SECURITY................................................................. 75
6.1. Guaranty of Payment and Performance................................................... 75
6.2. Guaranty Absolute..................................................................... 75
6.3. Effectiveness, Enforcement............................................................ 77
6.4. Waiver................................................................................ 78
6.5. Subordination; Subrogation............................................................ 78
6.6. Payments.............................................................................. 79
6.7. Setoff................................................................................ 79
6.8. Further Assurances.................................................................... 80
6.9. Successors and Assigns................................................................ 80
6.10. Contribution......................................................................... 80
6.11. Release of Guaranties................................................................ 81
6.12. Security of Borrowers................................................................ 81
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................................................... 81
7.1. Corporate Authority................................................................... 82
7.1.1. Incorporation; Good Standing............................................... 82
7.1.2. Authorization.............................................................. 82
7.1.3. Enforceability............................................................. 82
7.2. Governmental Approvals................................................................ 82
7.3. Title to Properties; Leases........................................................... 83
7.4. Fiscal Year; Financial Statements and Projections..................................... 83
7.4.1. Fiscal Year................................................................ 83
7.4.2. Financial Statements....................................................... 83
7.4.3. Projections................................................................ 83
7.5. No Material Adverse Effect, etc....................................................... 84
7.6. Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc.................................................. 84
7.7. Litigation............................................................................ 84
7.8. No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc.................................................. 84
7.9. Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, etc.......................................... 84
7.10. Tax Status........................................................................... 84
7.11. No Event of Default.................................................................. 85
7.12. Holding Company and Investment Company Acts.......................................... 85
7.13. Absence of Financing Statements, etc................................................. 85
7.14. Certain Transactions................................................................. 85
7.15. Employee Benefit Plans............................................................... 85
7.15.1. In General................................................................ 85
7.15.2. Terminability of Welfare Plans............................................ 85
7.15.3. Guaranteed Pension Plans.................................................. 86
7.15.4. Multiemployer Plans....................................................... 86
7.16. Use of Proceeds...................................................................... 86
7.16.1. General................................................................... 86
7.16.2. Regulations U and X....................................................... 87
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7.17. Environmental Compliance............................................................. 87
7.18. Subsidiaries......................................................................... 88
7.19. Disclosure........................................................................... 88
7.20. Senior Debt Status................................................................... 89
7.21. Solvency............................................................................. 89
7.22. Updates to Schedules................................................................. 89
7.23. Insurance............................................................................ 89
7.24. Bank Accounts........................................................................ 89
7.25. Perfection of Security Interest...................................................... 90
7.26. Accounts Receivable.................................................................. 90
7.27. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc.............................................. 90
8. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS............................................................................ 91
8.1. Punctual Payment...................................................................... 91
8.2. Maintenance of Office................................................................. 91
8.3. Records and Accounts.................................................................. 91
8.4. Financial Statements, Certificates and Information.................................... 92
8.5. Notices............................................................................... 94
8.5.1. Defaults................................................................... 94
8.5.2. Environmental Events....................................................... 95
8.5.3. Notice of Litigation, Judgments and Claims Against Assets.................. 95
8.5.4. Notice Regarding Certain Events............................................ 95
8.5.5. Notices Concerning Inventory Collateral.................................... 95
8.5.6. Change of Invoices......................................................... 96
8.6. Legal Existence; Maintenance of Properties............................................ 96
8.7. Insurance............................................................................. 97
8.8. Taxes................................................................................. 97
8.9. Inspection of Properties.............................................................. 97
8.9.1. Generally.................................................................. 97
8.9.2. Collateral Reports......................................................... 98
8.9.3. Appraisals................................................................. 98
8.10. Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits............................... 98
8.11. Employee Benefit Plans............................................................... 99
8.12. Use of Proceeds...................................................................... 99
8.13. RESERVED............................................................................. 99
8.14. Subsidiary Guaranties................................................................ 99
8.15. Bank Accounts and Credit Cards....................................................... 99
8.15.1. General................................................................... 99
8.15.2. Acknowledgment of Application............................................. 100
8.16. Landlord and Mortgagee Agreements.................................................... 101
8.17. Further Assurances................................................................... 101
9. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS....................................................................... 101
9.1. Restrictions on Indebtedness.......................................................... 101
9.2. Restrictions on Liens................................................................. 102
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9.3. Restrictions on Investments........................................................... 105
9.4. Restricted Payments................................................................... 106
9.5. Merger, Consolidation, Disposition of Assets and Sale Leaseback Transactions.......... 107
9.5.1. Mergers and Consolidations................................................. 107
9.5.2. Disposition of Assets...................................................... 108
9.6. Acquisitions.......................................................................... 109
9.7. Compliance with Environmental Laws.................................................... 110
9.8. Modifications of Other Documents...................................................... 111
9.9. Employee Benefit Plans................................................................ 111
9.10. Business Activities.................................................................. 111
9.11. Fiscal Year.......................................................................... 112
9.12. Transactions with Affiliates......................................................... 112
9.13. Changes in Governing Documents....................................................... 112
9.14. Inconsistent Agreements.............................................................. 112
9.15. Payments of Senior Indebtedness...................................................... 113
10. FINANCIAL COVENANTS............................................................................. 113
10.1. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.......................................................... 113
11. CLOSING CONDITIONS.............................................................................. 113
11.1. Loan Documents....................................................................... 113
11.2. Certified Copies of Governing Documents.............................................. 114
11.3. Corporate or Other Action............................................................ 114
11.4. Incumbency Certificate............................................................... 114
11.5. UCC Search Results................................................................... 114
11.6. Certificates of Insurance............................................................ 114
11.7. Solvency Certificate................................................................. 114
11.8. Opinion of Counsel................................................................... 114
11.9. Payment of Fees...................................................................... 115
11.10. Termination of Synthetic Lease Facilities............................................ 115
11.11. Assignments under Existing Credit Agreement......................................... 115
11.12. Disbursement Instructions........................................................... 115
11.13. Excess Availability.................................................................. 115
11.14. Validity of Liens................................................................... 115
11.15. Consents and Approvals............................................................... 116
11.16. Financial Condition................................................................. 116
11.17. Intercreditor Arrangements.......................................................... 116
11.18. Borrowing Base Report............................................................... 116
11.19. Inventory Summary................................................................... 116
11.20. Agency Account Agreements; Accounts................................................. 116
11.21. Landlord and Mortgagee Agreements................................................... 116
11.22. Credit Card Notifications........................................................... 116
11.23. Restricted Payment Projections...................................................... 117
12. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.................................................................... ▇▇▇
-▇▇-
▇▇.▇. Representations True; No Event of Default............................................ 117
12.2. No Legal Impediment.................................................................. 117
12.3. Proceedings and Documents............................................................ 117
12.4. Governmental Regulation.............................................................. 118
12.5. Exchange Limitation.................................................................. 118
13. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC............................................................ 118
13.1. Events of Default and Acceleration................................................... 118
13.2. Termination of Commitments........................................................... 121
13.3. Remedies............................................................................. 121
13.4. Judgment Currency.................................................................... 122
13.5. Distribution of Proceeds............................................................. 122
13.6. Cash Management Services and Hedge Agreements Subordinate............................ 123
14. THE AGENTS...................................................................................... 124
14.1. Authorization........................................................................ 124
14.2. Employees and Agents................................................................. 126
14.3. No Liability......................................................................... 126
14.4. No Representations................................................................... 127
14.4.1. General................................................................... 127
14.4.2. Closing Documentation, etc................................................ 127
14.5. Payments............................................................................. 128
14.5.1. Payments to Administrative Agent.......................................... 128
14.5.2. Distribution by Administrative Agent...................................... 128
14.5.3. Delinquent Lenders........................................................ 128
14.6. Holders of Notes..................................................................... 129
14.7. Indemnity............................................................................ 129
14.8. The Agents as Lenders................................................................ 129
14.9. Resignation.......................................................................... 129
14.10. Notification of Defaults and Events of Default...................................... 130
14.11. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim....................................... 130
14.12. Duties in the Case of Enforcement................................................... 131
14.13. Release of Collateral and Guarantors................................................ 131
14.14. Collateral Agency Agreement......................................................... 132
15. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.......................................................................... 132
15.1. General Conditions................................................................... 132
15.2. Assignments.......................................................................... 132
15.3. Register............................................................................. 133
15.4. Participations....................................................................... 134
15.5. Payments to Participants............................................................. 134
15.6. Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions.................................................. 134
15.7. Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrowers................................ 135
15.8. New Notes............................................................................ 135
15.9. Assignment to Special Purpose Funding Vehicle........................................ 136
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Section 15.10. Resignation as Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender.............................. 137
16. PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION............................................................... 137
16.1. Setoff............................................................................... 137
16.2. Expenses............................................................................. 138
16.3. Indemnification...................................................................... 139
16.4. Treatment of Certain Confidential Information........................................ 140
16.4.1. Confidentiality........................................................... 140
16.4.2. Prior Notification........................................................ 141
16.4.3. Other..................................................................... 141
16.5. Survival of Covenants, Etc........................................................... 141
16.6. Notices.............................................................................. 142
16.7. Governing Law........................................................................ 143
16.8. Headings............................................................................. 143
16.9. Counterparts......................................................................... 143
16.10. Entire Agreement, Etc............................................................... 144
16.11. Waiver of Jury Trial................................................................ 144
16.12. Consents, Amendments, Waivers, Etc.................................................. 144
16.13. Severability........................................................................ 146
17. USA PATRIOT ACT NOTICE.......................................................................... 146
18. TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS....................................................................... 146
18.1. Prior Credit Agreement Superseded..................................................... 146
18.2. Return and Cancellation of Prior Notes............................................... 147
18.3. Interest and Fees under Superseded Agreement......................................... 147
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A-1 Form of Co-Borrower Note
Exhibit A-2 Form of Australian Note
Exhibit A-3 Form of UK Note
Exhibit A-4 Form of Swingline Note
Exhibit B Form of Revolving Credit Loan Request
Exhibit C Form of Swingline Loan Request
Exhibit D Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit F-1 Form of Joinder Agreement (Co-Borrower/Guarantor)
Exhibit F-2 Form of Joinder Agreement
(UK Borrower/Australian Borrower)
Exhibit G Form of Borrowing Base Report
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 1.01 Mandatory Costs
Schedule 4.7 Transitional Letters of Credit
Schedule 7.3 Title to Properties; Leases
Schedule 7.5 Restricted Payments
Schedule 7.7 Litigation
Schedule 7.14 Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 7.17 Environmental Compliance
Schedule 7.18 Subsidiaries, Etc.
Schedule 7.23 Insurance
Schedule 7.24 Bank Accounts
Schedule 9.1 Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 9.2 Existing Liens
Schedule 9.3 Existing Investments
Schedule 11.21 Distribution Centers
AMENDED AND RESTATED
MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT is made
as of July 30, 2004, by and among (a) BORDERS GROUP, INC. ("BGI"), a Michigan
corporation, BORDERS, INC., a Colorado corporation ("Borders"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇ BOOK
COMPANY, INC., a Colorado corporation ("▇▇▇▇▇▇"), BGP (UK) LIMITED, a company
with limited liability organized under the laws of England ("BGP (UK)" and
together with BGI, Borders and ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the "Co-Borrowers"), (b) BORDERS (UK)
LIMITED, a company with limited liability organized under the laws of England
(the "UK Borrower"), (c) BORDERS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED, a company organized
under the laws of Australia (the "Australian Borrower"), (d) any other
Subsidiary of BGI which becomes a Borrower hereunder pursuant to Section 5.16
(together with the Co-Borrowers, the UK Borrower and the Australian Borrower,
the "Borrowers"), (e) the lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 (the
"Lenders"), (f) FLEET RETAIL GROUP, INC., as administrative agent and as
collateral agent for itself and such other lending institutions (the
"Administrative Agent"), (g) ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ CHASE BANK and ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO RETAIL
FINANCE, LLC, each as a syndication agent for itself and such other lending
institutions (collectively, the "Co-Syndication Agents"), (h) GENERAL ELECTRIC
CAPITAL CORPORATION and NATIONAL CITY BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., each as
documentation agent for itself and such other lending institutions
(collectively, the "Co-Documentation Agents") and (i) FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as an
Issuing Bank hereunder.
WHEREAS, BGI, Borders, Walden, BGP (UK), the UK Borrower and the
Australian Borrower, as borrowers (the "Existing Borrowers"), the lenders party
thereto (the "Existing Lenders"), PNC Bank, National Association in its capacity
as administrative agent, for such lenders from time to time parties thereto,
Fleet National Bank in its capacity as syndication agent thereunder, Wachovia
Bank, National Association in its capacity as co-syndication agent thereunder
and Bank One, NA (Main Chicago Office) in its capacity as documentation agent
thereunder, are parties to that certain Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement
dated as of June 21, 2002 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"), pursuant to which
the Existing Lenders have made loans and other extensions of credit to the
Existing Borrowers;
WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to amend and restate the Existing Credit
Agreement, and the Lenders are willing to make loans and other extensions of
credit to the Borrowers, and certain of the Borrowers are willing to grant liens
on the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) in favor of the Collateral Agent (as
hereinafter defined), all on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged (these recitals being an integral part of this Credit Agreement),
the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that, as of
the Closing Date (as defined below), the Existing Credit Agreement shall be
amended and restated in its entirety and shall remain in full force and effect
only as set forth herein:
1. DEFINITIONS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION, ETC.
1.1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in
this Section 1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit Agreement referred
to below:
Accounts Receivable. All rights of BGI or any of its Subsidiaries to
payment for goods sold, leased or otherwise marketed in the ordinary course of
business and all rights of BGI or any of its Subsidiaries to payment for
services rendered in the ordinary course of business and all sums of money or
other proceeds due thereon pursuant to transactions with account debtors, except
for that portion of the sum of money or other proceeds due thereon that relate
to sales, use or property taxes in conjunction with such transactions, recorded
on books of account in accordance with GAAP.
Acquisition. Any transaction, or any series of related transactions,
consummated on or after the date of this Credit Agreement, by which BGI or any
of its Subsidiaries (a) acquires any ongoing business or all or substantially
all of the assets of any Person or division thereof, whether through purchase of
assets, merger or otherwise, or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one
transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) a
majority of the securities of a corporation, which securities have ordinary
voting power for the election of directors (other than securities having such
power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by
percentage and voting power) of the outstanding partnership interests of a
partnership or membership interests of a limited liability company.
Adjustment Date. The first Business Day of the month immediately following
the month in which a Compliance Certificate is to be delivered by the Borrowers
pursuant to Section 8.4(c).
Administrative Agent. Fleet Retail Group, Inc. acting as administrative
agent for the Lenders, and each other Person appointed as the successor
Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 14.9.
Administrative Agent's Office. The Administrative Agent's office located
at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or at such other location as the
Administrative Agent may designate from time to time.
Administrative Agent's Special Counsel. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP or such
other counsel as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.
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Administrative Questionnaire. An Administrative Questionnaire in a form
supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate. Any Person which, directly or indirectly, controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with any Person. "Control" of a Person
means the power, directly or indirectly, (a) to vote five percent (5%) or more
of the Capital Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of such Person having ordinary
voting power for the election of directors, managing members or general partners
(as applicable); or (b) to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person (whether by contract or otherwise).
Agency Account Agreements. See Section 8.15.1.
Agents. Collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the
Co-Syndication Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents.
Aggregate Borrowing Base. At the relevant time of reference thereto, an
amount determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to the most recent
Borrowing Base Report, as adjusted pursuant to the provisions below, which is
equal to the sum of:
(a) 85% of Eligible Credit Card Receivables of the Borrowers and the
Guarantors; plus
(b) the lesser of (x) 85% of the most recently appraised net orderly
liquidation value (as performed by an appraiser, and in a manner, acceptable to
the Administrative Agent) of the Eligible Inventory owned by the Borrowers and
the Guarantors, or (y)(i) during the calendar period from September 1 of any
year through November 30 of such year, 73% of the Net Book Value of Eligible
Inventory owned by the Borrowers and the Guarantors and (ii) at all other times,
66% of the Net Book Value of Eligible Inventory owned by the Borrowers and the
Guarantors; provided that, in no event shall the Net Book Value of the Eligible
Inventory owned by the UK Borrower included in the Aggregate Borrowing Base
exceed 10% of the aggregate Net Book Value of Eligible Inventory owned by the
Borrowers and the Guarantors included in the Aggregate Borrowing Base; plus
(c) at the request of the Borrowers and in the sole discretion of the
Administrative Agent, an advance rate agreed to by the Administrative Agent, but
not exceeding 85% of Accounts Receivable arising from corporate sales of the
Borrowers and the Guarantors which conform to the eligibility requirements set
forth in the proviso of the definition of Eligible Credit Card Receivables;
minus
(d) Senior Note Agreement Reserves; minus
(e) Landlord Lien Reserve; minus
(f) Shrink Reserve; minus
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(g) Other Reserves.
Anything to the contrary in this Credit Agreement notwithstanding, the
Administrative Agent reserves the right, in consultation with the Borrowers (but
without their consent) and upon ten (10) Business Days notice to the Borrowers,
without declaring an Event of Default, to change eligibility criteria contained
in the definitions of Eligible Credit Card Receivables and Eligible Inventory,
to change and/or establish reserves taken in respect of Eligible Inventory and
Eligible Credit Card Receivables from time to time and/or to reduce the advance
rates against the Aggregate Borrowing Base or any components thereof in such
amounts, and with respect to such matters, as the Administrative Agent in its
reasonable discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable manner shall deem
necessary or appropriate, from time to time based upon the results of any
collateral examination conducted pursuant to Section 8.9.2, appraisals or any
other sources of information which demonstrate in the Administrative Agent's
reasonable discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable manner a change in
the collectability of Accounts Receivable and/or the marketability of inventory
and/or other market changes affecting the value of accounts or inventory
comprising the Aggregate Borrowing Base; provided that any such change in
eligibility criteria, or any such change and/or establishment of reserves taken
in respect of Eligible Inventory and Eligible Credit Card Receivables and/or any
such reduction in the advance rates made pursuant to this paragraph shall be no
more favorable to the Borrowers than as set forth in this Credit Agreement on
the Closing Date without the written consent of the Required Lenders.
Applicable Margin. For each period commencing on an Adjustment Date
through the date immediately preceding the next Adjustment Date (each a "Rate
Adjustment Period"), the Applicable Margin shall be the applicable margin set
forth below with respect to the arithmetic mean of the daily Excess Availability
as determined for the Fiscal Quarter of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
ended immediately prior to the applicable Rate Adjustment Period.
STANDBY DOCUMENTARY
BASE EUROCURRENCY LETTER OF LETTER OF
EXCESS RATE RATE CREDIT CREDIT
LEVEL AVAILABILITY LOANS LOANS FEES FEES
----- ---------------- ----- ------------ --------- -----------
I Greater than or
equal to
$250,000,000 0% 1.25% 1.25% 0.625%
II Greater than or
equal to
$100,000,000 but
less than
$250,000,000 0% 1.50% 1.50% 0.750%
III Less than
$100,000,000 0% 1.75% 1.75% 0.875%
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrowers fail to deliver any
Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 8.4(c) hereof then, for the period
commencing on the next Adjustment Date to occur subsequent to such failure
through the date immediately following the date on which such Compliance
Certificate is delivered, the Applicable Margin shall be the Applicable Margin
set forth in Level III above.
Applicable Pension Legislation. At any time, any pension or retirement
benefits legislation (be it national, federal, provincial, territorial or
otherwise) then applicable to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Approved Fund. Any Fund that is administered or managed 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.
Assignment and Acceptance. An assignment and acceptance entered into by a
Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is
required by Section 15.2), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in
substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the
Administrative Agent.
Australian Borrower. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Australian Guaranteed Obligations. See Section 6.1.
Australian Loans. Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the Lenders
to the Australian Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1.1.
Australian Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of
the Australian Borrower to any of the Lenders, any Affiliate of any Lender, any
of the Agents or any Issuing Bank individually or collectively, existing on the
date of this Credit Agreement or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint
or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or
otherwise, arising or incurred under this Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents or any Hedging Agreement or Cash Management Services or in
respect of any of the Australian Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations
incurred in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the
Australian Borrower or any of the Australian Notes, Letter of Credit
Applications, Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any
thereof.
Australian Note. See Section 2.6.3.
Australian Note Record. A Record with respect to an Australian Note.
Authorized Officers. The President, Senior Vice President - Finance and
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President - Financial Planning and Reporting, Vice
President - Finance and Asset Protection or Treasurer of any Borrower and with
respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, a director of such Foreign Subsidiary or, in
any case, any Person designated in writing by any of the foregoing.
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Auto-Extension Letter of Credit. See Section 4.1.6.
Balance Sheet Date. January 25, 2004.
Bank of America. Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, in
its individual capacity.
Base Rate. The higher of (a) the variable annual rate of interest so
designated from time to time by Bank of America as its "prime rate", such rate
being a reference rate and not necessarily representing the lowest or best rate
being charged to any customer, and (b) one-half of one percent (0.50%) above the
Federal Funds Effective Rate. "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall mean for any
day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight
federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged
by federal funds brokers on such day, as published for the Business Day next
succeeding such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next
preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such
rate is not so published for any next succeeding Business Day, Federal Funds
Effective Rate for any such day shall be the average rate per annum (rounded
upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of
America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative
Agent. Changes in the Base Rate resulting from any changes in Bank of America's
"prime rate" shall take place immediately without notice or demand of any kind.
Base Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans bearing interest calculated by
reference to the Base Rate.
BGI. As defined in the preamble hereto.
BGP (UK). As defined in the preamble hereto.
BOI. Borders Online, Inc., a Colorado corporation.
Borders. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Borders UK. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Borrower(s). As defined in the preamble hereto.
Borrowing Base Report. A Borrowing Base Report signed by an Authorized
Officer of the Borrowers and in substantially the form of Exhibit G hereto and
in such detail as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. All
calculations of the Aggregate Borrowing Base and the Domestic Borrowing Base in
connection with the preparation of any Borrowing Base Report shall originally be
made by the Borrowers and certified to the Administrative Agent; provided that
the Administrative Agent shall have the right to review and adjust, in the
exercise of its reasonable credit judgment, any such calculation to the extent
that such calculation is not in accordance with this Credit Agreement.
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BPI. Borders Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Business Day. Any day on which banking institutions in Boston,
Massachusetts and New York, New York are open for the transaction of banking
business and, in addition, with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (a) a day
on which dealings in the Dollar and the Optional Currencies are carried on in
the London interbank market or such other Eurocurrency Interbank Market as may
be selected by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion acting in good
faith (and, if the Loan is denominated in Dollars, a day upon which such
clearing system as is determined by the Administrative Agent to be suitable for
clearing or settlement of the Dollar is open for business), (b) a day on which
Dollar settlements of such dealings may be effected in New York, New York and
London, England, and (c) a day on which dealings in Dollars and the relevant
Optional Currency and exchange can be carried on in the principal financial
center of the country in which such currency is legal tender.
Capital Assets. Fixed assets, both tangible (such as land, buildings,
fixtures, machinery and equipment) and intangible (such as patents, copyrights,
trademarks, franchises and good will); provided that Capital Assets shall not
include any item customarily charged directly to expense or depreciated over a
useful life of twelve (12) months or less in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Expenditures. Amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by BGI or any
of its Subsidiaries in connection with the purchase or lease by BGI or any of
its Subsidiaries of Capital Assets that would be required to be capitalized and
shown on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, provided that
Capital Expenditures shall not include any expenditures made to effect any
Acquisition.
Capital Stock. Any and all shares, interests, participations or other
equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all
equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any
and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
Capitalized Leases. Leases under which BGI or any of its Subsidiaries is
the lessee or obligor, the discounted future rental payment obligations under
which are required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee or
obligor in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Collateral. See Section 4.2.
Cash Dominion Cure Event. With respect to any Cash Dominion Event arising
from an Event of Default, (i) such Event of Default is waived by the Lenders or
otherwise remedied by the Borrowers in accordance with this Credit Agreement and
(ii) no Event of Default occurs at any time during a period of sixty (60)
consecutive days following the date on which such Event of Default is so waived
or otherwise remedied. With respect to any other Cash Dominion Event, the Total
Facility Usage Ratio has not exceeded 90% for a period of sixty (60) consecutive
days. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Cash Dominion Event occurs more than
two times during any twelve (12)
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month period, no Cash Dominion Cure Event shall occur until twelve (12) months
have elapsed from the date the first such Cash Dominion Event commenced.
Cash Dominion Event. Any time either (a) an Event of Default shall have
occurred or (b) the Total Facility Usage Ratio exceeds 90% for a period of four
(4) consecutive Business Days.
Cash Management Services. Any cash management services (including, without
limitation, ACH and similar transactions, the maintenance of operating or
deposit accounts and the provision of checking or overdraft facilities or
purchase card products) from time to time made available to the Borrowers or any
of their Subsidiaries by any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, or any
Issuing Bank, individually or collectively, or any of their Affiliates.
CERCLA. See Section 7.17(a).
Change of Control. An event or series of events by which any person or
group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under said Act), directly or indirectly, of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of
the outstanding shares of Capital Stock of BGI; or, during any period of twelve
consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of BGI on the first
day of such period (together with any new directors whose election by the Board
of Directors of BGI was approved by a vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66 2/3%) of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the
beginning of such period or whose election was previously so approved) shall
cease to constitute a majority of the board of directors of BGI.
Charge Over Receivables Account and Assignment of Debts. The charge over
receivables account and assignment of debts to be granted by the UK Borrower in
favor of the Collateral Agent in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent.
Closing Date. The first date on which the conditions set forth in Section
11 have been satisfied and any Loans are to be made or converted or any Letter
of Credit is to be issued hereunder.
Closing Fee. See Section 5.1.
Co-Borrower Loans. Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the
Lenders to the Co-Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.1.1.
Co-Borrower Note Record. A Record with respect to a Co-Borrower Note.
Co-Borrower Notes. See Section 2.6.2.
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Co-Borrower Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of
the Co-Borrowers and their Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders, any Affiliate of
any Lender, any of the Agents, any Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender
individually or collectively, existing on the date of this Credit Agreement or
arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or
contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or
unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or
incurred under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any
Hedging Agreement or any Cash Management Services or in respect of any of the
Co-Borrower Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations incurred in respect of
Letters of Credit issued for the account of any of the Co-Borrowers or any of
the Co-Borrower Notes, Letter of Credit Applications, Letters of Credit or other
instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.
Co-Borrowers. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Co-Documentation Agents. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Collateral. All of the property, rights and interests of the Borrowers and
the Guarantors that are or are intended to be subject to the Liens created by
the Security Documents.
Collateral Agent. Fleet Retail Group, Inc. acting as collateral agent for
the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Agents and the holders of the Senior Notes.
Collateral Agency Agreement. That certain Collateral Agency Agreement
dated as of the Closing Date by and among the Collateral Agent, the
Administrative Agent and the holders of the Senior Notes and acknowledged by the
Borrowers.
Commitment. With respect to each Lender, the amount set forth on Schedule
1 hereto as the amount of such Lender's commitment to make Revolving Credit
Loans to, and to participate in Swingline Loans and the issuance, extension and
renewal of Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrowers, as the same may
be increased pursuant to Section 2.3.2 hereof or reduced from time to time; or
if such commitment is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.
Commitment Fee. See Section 2.2.1.
Commitment Percentage. The percentage set forth on Schedule 1 hereto as
such Lender's percentage of the aggregate Commitments of all the Lenders.
Compliance Certificate. See Section 8.4(c).
Concentration Account. See Section 8.15.1.
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Consolidated or consolidated. With reference to any term defined herein,
shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of BGI and its Subsidiaries,
consolidated in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated EBITDA. With respect to any period, an amount equal to the
sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income of BGI and its Subsidiaries for such period,
(excluding (i) all extraordinary nonrecurring items of income, but not losses
(except to the extent such extraordinary losses are offset by such extraordinary
income) and (ii) income or loss of any Joint Venture to which BGI or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party), plus (b) in each case to the extent deducted in the
calculation of such Person's Consolidated Net Income and without duplication,
(i) depreciation and amortization for such period, plus (ii) income tax expense
for such period, plus (iii) Consolidated Total Interest Expense paid or accrued
during such period, all as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided,
however, that there shall be excluded in calculating Consolidated Net Income for
purposes of this definition any losses attributable to the use of a fair value
methodology for recognition and measurement of impairment of goodwill not
identified with impaired assets in accordance with Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 142.
Consolidated Fixed Charges. With respect to BGI and its Subsidiaries and
for any period, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated Total Interest
Expense for such period, plus (b) any and all scheduled repayments of principal
during such period in respect of Indebtedness that becomes due and payable or
that are to become due and payable during such period pursuant to any agreement
or instrument to which any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
relating to (i) the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the
issuance of notes or bonds, (ii) the deferred purchase price of assets (other
than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business), (iii) in
respect of any Capitalized Leases, and (iv) Indebtedness of the type referred to
above of another Person guaranteed by BGI or any of its Subsidiaries, plus (c)
dividends paid by BGI on or in respect of any shares of any class of Capital
Stock of BGI during such period. Demand obligations shall be deemed to be due
and payable during any fiscal period during which such obligations are
outstanding.
Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit). The consolidated net income (or
deficit) of BGI and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of all expenses, taxes,
and other proper charges, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Operating Cash Flow. For any period, an amount equal to the
sum of (a) Consolidated EBITDA minus (b) Capital Expenditures and (c) cash taxes
paid, in each case of BGI and its Subsidiaries for such period determined in
accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. The excess of Consolidated Total Assets
over Consolidated Total Liabilities, and less the sum of:
(a) the total book value of all assets of BGI and its Subsidiaries
properly classified as intangible assets under GAAP, including such items as
good will, the purchase price of acquired assets in excess of the fair market
value thereof, trademarks,
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trade names, service marks, brand names, copyrights, patents and licenses, and
rights with respect to the foregoing; plus
(b) all amounts representing any write-up in the book value of any assets
of BGI or its Subsidiaries resulting from a revaluation thereof subsequent to
the Balance Sheet Date, excluding adjustments to translate foreign assets and
liabilities for changes in foreign exchange rates made in accordance with
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 52; plus
(c) to the extent otherwise includable in the computation of Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth, any subscriptions receivable.
Consolidated Total Assets. The sum of all assets ("consolidated balance
sheet assets") of BGI and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Total Interest Expense. For any period, the aggregate amount
of interest required to be paid or accrued by BGI and its Subsidiaries during
such period on all Indebtedness of BGI and its Subsidiaries outstanding during
all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be
reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments consisting of
interest in respect of any Capitalized Lease or any Synthetic Lease, and
including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees
and similar fees or expenses in connection with the borrowing of money.
Consolidated Total Liabilities. All liabilities of BGI and its
Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and
classified as such on the consolidated balance sheet of BGI and its
Subsidiaries.
Conversion Request. A notice given by the Borrowers to the Administrative
Agent of the Borrowers' election to convert or continue a Revolving Credit Loan
in accordance with Section 2.8.
Co-Syndication Agents. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Credit Agreement. This Amended and Restated Multicurrency Revolving Credit
Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto.
Credit Card Notifications. See Section 11.22.
Default. See Section 13.1.
Delinquent Lender. See Section 14.5.3.
Distribution. The declaration or payment of any dividend on or in respect
of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of a Person, other than dividends
payable solely in shares of common stock of such Person; the purchase,
redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of any shares of any
class of Capital Stock of a Person,
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directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of such Person or otherwise
(including the setting apart of assets for a sinking or other analogous fund to
be used for such purpose); the return of capital by a Person to its shareholders
as such; or any other distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class
of Capital Stock of such Person.
Dollars or $. Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.
Dollar Equivalent. On any particular date, with respect to any amount
denominated in Dollars, such amount in Dollars, and with respect to any amount
denominated in currency other than Dollars, the amount (as conclusively
ascertained by the Administrative Agent absent manifest error) of Dollars which
could be purchased by the Administrative Agent (in accordance with its normal
banking practices) in the London foreign currency deposit market with such
amount of such currency at the Exchange Rate on such date.
Domestic Borrowing Base. At the relevant time of reference thereto, an
amount determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to the most recent
Borrowing Base Report, as adjusted pursuant to the provisions below, which is
equal to the sum of:
(a) 85% of Eligible Credit Card Receivables of the Co-Borrowers and the
Guarantors; plus
(b) the lesser of (x) 85% of the most recently appraised net orderly
liquidation value (as performed by an appraiser, and in a manner, acceptable to
the Administrative Agent) of the Eligible Inventory owned by the Co-Borrowers
and the Guarantors, or (y)(i) during the calendar period from September 1 of any
year through November 30 of such year, 73% of the Net Book Value of Eligible
Inventory owned by the Co-Borrowers and the Guarantors and (ii) at all other
times, 66% of the Net Book Value of Eligible Inventory owned by the Co-Borrowers
and the Guarantors; plus
(c) at the request of the Co-Borrowers and in the sole discretion of the
Administrative Agent, an advance rate agreed to by the Administrative Agent, but
not exceeding 85% of Accounts Receivable arising from corporate sales of the
Co-Borrowers and the Guarantors which conform to the requirements set forth in
the proviso of the definition of Eligible Credit Card Receivables; minus
(d) Senior Note Agreement Reserve; minus
(e) Landlord Lien Reserve; minus
(f) Shrink Reserve; minus
(g) Other Reserves.
Anything to the contrary in this Credit Agreement notwithstanding, the
Administrative Agent reserves the right, in consultation with the Co-Borrowers
(but without their consent) and upon ten (10) Business Days notice to the
Co-Borrowers,
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without declaring an Event of Default, to change eligibility criteria contained
in the definitions of Eligible Credit Card Receivables and Eligible Inventory,
to change and/or establish reserves taken in respect of Eligible Inventory and
Eligible Credit Card Receivables from time to time and/or to reduce the advance
rates against the Domestic Borrowing Base or any component thereof in such
amounts, and with respect to such matters, as the Administrative Agent in its
reasonable discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable manner shall deem
necessary or appropriate, from time to time based upon the results of any
collateral examination conducted pursuant to Section 8.9.2, appraisals or any
other sources of information which demonstrate in the Administrative Agent's
reasonable discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable manner a change in
the collectability of Accounts Receivable and/or the marketability of inventory
and/or other market changes affecting the value of accounts or inventory
comprising the Domestic Borrowing Base; provided that any such change in
eligibility criteria, or any such change and/or establishment of reserves taken
in respect of Eligible Inventory and Eligible Credit Card Receivables and/or any
such reduction in the advance rates made pursuant to this paragraph shall be no
more favorable to the Co-Borrowers than as set forth in this Credit Agreement on
the Closing Date without the written consent of the Required Lenders.
Domestic Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Lender designated
as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Lender, if
any, located within the United States that will be making or maintaining Base
Rate Loans.
Domestic Subsidiary. Any Subsidiary of BGI organized under the laws of the
United States of America, any state or territory thereof or the District of
Columbia.
Drawdown Date. The date on which any Loan is made or is to be made, and
the date on which any Loan is converted or continued in accordance with Section
2.8.
Eligible Assignee. Any of (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c)
an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) (i)
approved by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline
Lender, and (ii) unless a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, approved by BGI (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld
or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, "Eligible Assignee"
shall not include BGI or any of BGI's Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
Eligible Credit Card Receivables. As of the date of determination thereof,
Accounts Receivable due to a Borrower or a Guarantor on a non-recourse basis
(net of standard chargebacks and standard fees due to the credit card issuer or
processor and without reference to any rights of customers to return goods) from
(i) Visa, MasterCard, American Express Co., or Discover to the extent processed
by a major credit card processor, and (ii) other major credit card issuers
and/or processors reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as arise in
the ordinary course of business for the purchase of merchandise or services
which have been earned by performance; provided that none of the following shall
be deemed to be Eligible Credit Card Receivables:
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(a) Accounts Receivable that are past due or Accounts Receivable
that have been outstanding for more than five days from the date of sale;
provided that, solely with respect to any corporate sales referred to in
clause (c) of the definition of the Aggregate Borrowing Base and the
Domestic Borrowing Base, the reference to "five days" in this clause (a)
shall be deemed to be a reference to "90 days";
(b) Accounts Receivable with respect to which a Borrower or a
Guarantor does not have good, valid and marketable title thereto, free and
clear of any Lien (other than Liens granted to the Collateral Agent, for
the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders and/or the holders of the Senior
Notes, pursuant to the Security Documents);
(c) Accounts Receivable that are not subject to a first priority
security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent (or are subject to
other Liens other than Permitted Liens), for the benefit of the Agents and
the Lenders, or in the case of Accounts Receivable owned by a Borrower
incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, a first floating charge,
in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Agents and the
Lenders (it being the intent that standard fees due by a Borrower and
standard chargebacks in the ordinary course by such credit card issuers
and/or processors shall not be deemed violative of this clause);
(d) Accounts Receivable which are disputed, are with recourse, or
with respect to which a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been
asserted (to the extent of such claim, counterclaim, offset or
chargeback); and
(e) Accounts Receivable which the Administrative Agent determines in
its reasonable commercial judgment to be unlikely to be collected
(including, without limitation, Accounts Receivable with respect to which
the account debtor is deemed not creditworthy or the value of such Account
Receivable is otherwise impaired, in each case in the Administrative
Agent's reasonable discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable
manner).
Eligible Inventory. As of the date of determination thereof, items of
inventory of the Borrowers and/or the Guarantors that are finished goods,
merchantable and readily saleable to the public in the ordinary course deemed by
the Administrative Agent in accordance with its customary credit and collateral
considerations and policies to be eligible for inclusion in the calculation of
the Domestic Borrowing Base and/or the Aggregate Borrowing Base. Without
limiting the foregoing, unless otherwise approved in writing by the
Administrative Agent, none of the following shall be deemed to be Eligible
Inventory:
(a) inventory that is not owned solely by the Borrowers or the
Guarantors, or is leased or on consignment or such Borrowers or Guarantors
do not have good and valid title thereto;
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(b) inventory that is not located at a warehouse facility or store
that is owned or leased by a Borrower or a Guarantor unless it is
in-transit between warehouse facilities and/or stores leased or owned by a
Borrower or a Guarantor;
(c) inventory that represents (i) goods damaged, defective or
otherwise unmerchantable, except in the case of each of the foregoing to
the extent that the Administrative Agent has determined a recoverable
value based on an appraisal of such inventory and (ii) goods that do not
conform in all material respects to the representations and warranties
contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the Security Documents;
(d) inventory that is not located in the United States of America or
Puerto Rico (but excluding any other territories or possessions of the
United States), or if owned by a UK Borrower, is not located within the
United Kingdom, or if owned by the Australian Borrower, is not located in
Australia, or, in each case, any other jurisdiction acceptable to the
Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion (and subject to such
inventory otherwise being "Eligible Inventory" hereunder), in each case
unless such inventory is in-transit between warehouse facilities and/or
stores leased or owned by a Borrower or a secured Guarantor in any such
locations;
(e) inventory that is not subject to a perfected first-priority
security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent (or are subject to
other Liens other than Permitted Liens) for the benefit of the Lenders and
the Agents;
(f) inventory which consists of samples, labels, bags, packaging,
and other similar non-merchandise categories;
(g) inventory as to which insurance in compliance with the
provisions of Section 8.7 hereof is not in effect;
(h) inventory which has been sold but not yet delivered or as to
which any Borrower has accepted a deposit;
(i) inventory acquired in permitted acquisitions in compliance with
the provisions of Section 9.6, unless and until the Administrative Agent
shall have received (i) the results of appraisals of the inventory
acquired in such acquisition and (ii) such other due diligence related to
such inventory by the Administrative Agent that the Administrative Agent
may require; provided that to the extent such inventory is of the same
type as that owned by the Borrowers as of the Closing Date, such
reasonable due diligence shall be of the type conducted by the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with this Credit
Agreement, all of the results of the foregoing to be reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
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(j) inventory of a Subsidiary that becomes a Borrower hereunder in
compliance with the provisions of Section 5.16, unless and until the
Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the results of appraisals of
the inventory of such Subsidiary and (ii) such other reasonable due
diligence related to such inventory by the Administrative Agent that the
Administrative Agent may require, all of the result of the foregoing to be
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
(k) inventory, if owned by a Borrower incorporated under the laws of
England and Wales, that is subject to a retention of title clause;
provided that "Eligible Inventory" shall include any inventory (a) not yet
delivered to a Borrower, (b) the purchase of which is supported by a documentary
Letter of Credit issued under this Credit Agreement having an expiry of sixty
(60) days or less, (c) for which the document of title reflects a Borrower as
consignee (along with delivery to such Borrower of the documents of title with
respect thereto), (d) as to which, if so required by the Administrative Agent in
its discretion, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent has control
over the documents of title which evidence ownership of the subject inventory
(such as by the delivery of a customs broker agency agreement, satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent), (e) which is insured to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Administrative Agent, and (f) which otherwise would constitute Eligible
Inventory. General criteria for Eligible Inventory may be established and
revised from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable
discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable manner.
Employee Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate, other than a Guaranteed Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan.
Environmental Laws. See Section 7.17(a).
EPA. See Section 7.17(b).
ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate. Any Person which is treated as a single employer with any
of the Borrowers under Section 414 of the Code.
ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
Pension Plan within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Euro or E. The euro referred to in the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1103/97
dated 17 June 1997 passed by the Council of the European Union, or, if
different, the then lawful currency of the member states of the European Union
that participate in the third stage of the Economic and Monetary Union.
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Eurocurrency Interbank Market. Any lawful recognized market in which
deposits of the relevant Optional Currencies are offered by international
banking units of United States banking institutions and by foreign banking
institutions to each other and in which foreign currency and exchange operations
or eurocurrency funding operations are customarily conducted.
Eurocurrency Lending Office. Initially, the office of each Lender
designated as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such
Lender, if any, that shall be making or maintaining Eurocurrency Rate Loans.
Eurocurrency Rate. With respect to amounts denominated in Dollars, the
Eurodollar Rate, and with respect to amounts denominated in any Optional
Currency, the International Eurocurrency Rate. The Eurocurrency Rate shall be
adjusted with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan outstanding on the effective
date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage as of such effective
date. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrowers and the
Lenders of the Eurocurrency Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance
herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
Eurocurrency Rate Loans. Loans bearing interest calculated by reference to
the Eurocurrency Rate.
Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage. The maximum percentage (expressed as a
decimal rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%)) as determined by the
Administrative Agent which is in effect during any relevant period, as
prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including supplemental,
marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency
funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities") of a member bank
in such System.
Eurodollar Rate. For any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency
Rate Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars, the interest rate per annum determined by
the Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upward to
the nearest 1/100 of 1% per annum) (a) the rate of interest determined by the
Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error) to be the average of the London interbank offered rates of interest per
annum for U.S. Dollars set forth on Moneyline Telerate Page 3750 or such other
display page on the Moneyline Telerate system as may replace such page to
evidence the average of rates quoted by banks designated by the British Bankers'
Association (or appropriate successor or, if the British Bankers' Association or
its successor ceases to provide such quotes, a comparable replacement determined
by the Administrative Agent) at 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period for an amount comparable to such
Eurocurrency Rate Loan and having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to
such Interest Period or if the applicable display page shall not be available,
the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of
interest at which deposits in U.S. Dollars for delivery on the first day of such
Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency
Rate
-18-
Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term
equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America's London
Branch (or other Bank of America branch or Affiliate) to major banks in the
London or other offshore interbank market for such currency at their request at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day
of such Interest Period, by (b) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Eurocurrency
Reserve Percentage. The Eurodollar Rate may also be expressed by the following
formula:
Moneyline Telerate Page 3750 quoted by British Bankers'
Eurodollar Rate = Association or appropriate successor
--------------------------------------
1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage
Event of Default. See Section 13.1.
Excess Availability. At any time of determination, (a) the lesser of (i)
the Aggregate Borrowing Base at such time, or (ii) the Total Commitment at such
time, minus (b) the Total Facility Usage at such time; provided that Excess
Availability for the purposes of determining the Applicable Margin shall be
calculated on a quarterly basis as set forth in the definition of Applicable
Margin.
Excess Availability Ratio. At any time, the ratio, expressed as a
percentage, of (a) the Excess Availability at such time, to (b) the lesser of
(i) the Total Commitment at such time or (ii) the Aggregate Borrowing Base at
such time.
Exchange Rate. With respect to any Optional Currency, at any date of
determination thereof, the Spot Rate of exchange for the conversion of such
Optional Currency into Dollars and with respect to Dollars, at any date of
determination thereof, the Spot Rate of exchange for the conversion of Dollars
into the applicable Optional Currency.
Extended Maturity Date. See Section 2.11.
Existing Borrowers. As defined in the recitals hereto.
Existing Credit Agreement. As defined in the recitals hereto.
Existing Lenders. As defined in the recitals hereto.
Existing Letters of Credit. See Section 4.7.
Federal Funds Effective Rate. See the definition of "Base Rate".
Fee Letter. Collectively, (a) the fee letter among BGI, FRG and Banc of
America Securities LLC, as co-arranger dated as of June 1, 2004, (b) the fee
letter between BGI and FRG dated as of the Closing Date and (c) all other letter
agreements between BGI and any party hereto under which the parties thereto
designate that such letter agreement is a fee letter for purposes of this Credit
Agreement.
-19-
Fees. Collectively, the Commitment Fee, the Letter of Credit Fees, the
Closing Fee and the other fees referred to in the Fee Letter.
Financial Affiliate. A Subsidiary of the bank holding company controlling
any Lender, which Subsidiary is engaging in any of the activities permitted by
Section 4(e) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. Section 1843).
Fiscal Quarter. Subject to Section 7.4.1, the 13/14 week period commencing
on the day after the last day of the preceding Fiscal Quarter and ending on the
Sunday (except with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, on the Saturday) preceding the last
Wednesday in each of April (first), July (second), October (third) and January
(fourth) of each Fiscal Year. As used herein, "FQ1 2xxx" refers to the first
Fiscal Quarter of the 2xxx Fiscal Year, "FQ2 2xxx" refers to the second Fiscal
Quarter of the 2xxx Fiscal Year and so on.
Fiscal Year. Subject to Section 7.4.1, the 52/53 week period commencing on
the day after the last day of the preceding Fiscal Year and ending on the Sunday
(except with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, on the Saturday) preceding the last Wednesday in
January. By way of illustration, BGI's 2003 Fiscal Year ended January 25, 2004.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As of any date of determination, the ratio of
(a) Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for the Reference Period most recently
ended to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Reference Period.
Fleet. Fleet National Bank, a national banking association, in its
individual capacity, or its successor.
Foreign Sublimit. $200,000,000 (or the Optional Currency equivalent
thereof).
Foreign Subsidiary. Any Subsidiary of BGI (other than BGP (UK)) organized
under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any
state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia.
FRG. Fleet Retail Group, Inc.
Fulfillment. Borders Fulfillment, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Fund. Any Person (other than a natural person) 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.
GAAP or generally accepted accounting principles. (a) When used in Section
10 whether directly or indirectly through reference to a capitalized term used
therein, means (i) principles that are consistent with the principles
promulgated or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its
predecessors, in effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and
(ii) to the extent consistent with such principles, the accounting practice of
BGI reflected in its financial statements for the year ended on the Balance
Sheet Date (unless otherwise agreed to by the parties hereto as
-20-
contemplated by Section 1.3), and (b) when used in general, other than as
provided above, means principles that are (i) consistent with the principles
promulgated or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its
predecessors, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) consistently applied with
past financial statements of BGI adopting the same principles, provided that in
each case referred to in this definition of "GAAP" a certified public accountant
would, insofar as the use of such accounting principles is pertinent, be in a
position to deliver an unqualified opinion (other than a qualification regarding
changes in GAAP) as to financial statements in which such principles have been
properly applied.
Governing Documents. With respect to any Person, its certificate or
articles of incorporation or organization, its by-laws, or, as the case may be,
its certificate of formation, limited partnership certificate, operating
agreement, limited partnership agreement or other constitutive documents and all
shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any
of its Capital Stock.
Governmental Authority. Any foreign, federal, state, regional, local,
municipal or other government, or any department, commission, board, bureau,
agency, public authority or instrumentality thereof, or any court or arbitrator.
Guarantee and Floating Charge. The guarantee and floating charge dated or
to be dated on or prior to the Closing Date granted by the UK Borrower in favor
of the Collateral Agent and in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent and all other instruments, agreements and documents
required to be executed or delivered pursuant to the Guarantee and Floating
Charge (including, without limitation, any perfection certificates or collateral
certificates delivered in connection therewith).
Guaranteed Obligations. See Section 6.1.
Guaranteed Pension Plan. Any employee pension benefit plan within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full
or in part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer
Plan.
Guarantors. Each Co-Borrower, Planet, BPI, WPI, Online, Outlet,
Fulfillment, Library, BOI, and any Subsidiary of BGI which executes a Joinder
Agreement as a Co-Borrower or a guarantor of all of the Obligations pursuant to
the provisions of this Credit Agreement after the Closing Date.
Guaranty. The Guaranty set forth in Section 6 of this Credit Agreement,
made by each Guarantor in favor of the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and the Agents
pursuant to which each Guarantor guaranties to the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and
the Agents the payment and performance of the Obligations and in form and
substance satisfactory to the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and the Agents.
Hazardous Substances. See Section 7.17(b).
-21-
Hedging Agreement. (a) Any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps,
credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps,
commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or
options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or
forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options,
forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions,
collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap
transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar
transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options
to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is
governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions
of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and
conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign
Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master
agreement, together with any related schedules, a "Master Agreement"), including
any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Hedging Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the
Borrowers to any of the Lenders, any Affiliate of any Lender, any of the Agents
or any Issuing Bank individually or collectively, existing on the date of this
Credit Agreement or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,
secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise,
arising or incurred under any Hedging Agreement.
Indebtedness. As to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or
is otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such
Person and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:
(a) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,
(b) every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in
connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,
(c) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to
letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for
the account of such Person,
(d) every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities
repurchase agreements but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued
liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not
overdue or which are being contested in good faith),
(e) every obligation of such Person under any Capitalized Lease,
(f) every obligation of such Person under any Synthetic Lease,
-22-
(g) all sales by such Person of (i) accounts or general intangibles
for money due or to become due, (ii) chattel paper, instruments or
documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (iii)
other receivables (collectively "receivables"), whether pursuant to a
purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the
disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or
a disposition of defaulted receivables for collection and not as a
financing arrangement, and together with any obligation of such Person to
pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse,
expenses or other amounts in connection therewith,
(h) every obligation of such Person (an "equity related purchase
obligation") to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value
any shares of Capital Stock issued by such Person or any rights measured
by the value of such Capital Stock,
(i) every obligation of such Person under any forward contract,
futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement
(including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar
agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency
exchange rates, commodities or other indices (a "derivative contract"),
(j) every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity
(including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to
the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such
Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity,
except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such
Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under
applicable law,
(k) every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guarantying or otherwise
acting as surety for, any obligation of a type described in any of clauses
(a) through (j) (the "primary obligation") of another Person (the "primary
obligor"), in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including,
without limitation, any obligation of such Person (i) to purchase or pay
(or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the
payment of such primary obligation, (ii) to purchase property, securities
or services for the purpose of assuring the payment of such primary
obligation, or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such primary obligation.
The "amount" or "principal amount" of any Indebtedness at any time of
determination represented by (t) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is
less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the
liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP, (u) any
Capitalized Lease shall be the principal component of the aggregate of the
rentals obligation under such Capitalized Lease payable over the term thereof
that is not subject to termination by the lessee, (v) any sale of receivables
shall be the amount of unrecovered capital or principal
-23-
investment of the purchaser (other than BGI or any of its Wholly-owned
Subsidiaries) thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or Interest
earned on such investment, (w) any Synthetic Lease shall be the stipulated loss
value, termination value or other equivalent amount, (x) any derivative contract
shall be the maximum amount of any termination or loss payment required to be
paid by such Person if such derivative contract were, at the time of
determination, to be terminated by reason of any event of default or early
termination event thereunder, whether or not such event of default or early
termination event has in fact occurred, (y) any equity related purchase
obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption or purchase price thereof
inclusive of any accrued and unpaid dividends to be comprised in such redemption
or purchase price and (z) any guaranty or other contingent liability referred to
in clause (k) shall be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of
the primary obligation in respect of which such guaranty or other contingent
obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to
perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith.
Insolvency Proceeding. As to any Person, any of the following: (i) any
case or proceeding, whether voluntary or involuntary, with respect to such
Person under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state or foreign
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting creditors' rights
or any other or similar proceedings seeking any stay, reorganization,
arrangement, composition or readjustment of the obligations and indebtedness of
such Person or (ii) any proceeding seeking the appointment of any trustee,
receiver, liquidator, custodian, administrator or other insolvency official with
similar powers with respect to such Person or any of its assets or (iii) any
proceeding for liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the business of
such Person or (iv) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any
marshalling of assets of such Person.
Interest Payment Date. (a) As to any Base Rate Loan, the first day of the
calendar quarter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter with respect to
interest accrued during such calendar quarter, including, without limitation,
the calendar quarter which includes the Drawdown Date of such Base Rate Loan;
(b) as to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan in respect of which the Interest Period is
(i) 3 months or less, the last day of such Interest Period and (ii) more than 3
months, the date that is 3 months from the first day of such Interest Period
and, in addition, the last day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to
any Swingline Loan, on the first day of each calendar month with respect to
interest accrued during the previous calendar month and on the Swingline Expiry
Date.
Interest Period. With respect to each Loan, (a) initially, the period
commencing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan and ending on the last day of one
of the periods set forth below, as selected by the Borrowers in a Loan Request
or as otherwise required by the terms of this Credit Agreement (i) for any Base
Rate Loan, the last day of the calendar quarter; and (ii) for any Eurocurrency
Rate Loan, 7 days, 14 days, 1, 2, 3 or 6 months; and (b) thereafter, each period
commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to
such Loan and ending on the last day of one of
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the periods set forth above, as selected by the Borrowers in a Conversion
Request; provided that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest
Periods are subject to the following:
(A) if any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan would
otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension
would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which
event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(B) if any Interest Period with respect to a Base Rate Loan would end on a
day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall end on the next
succeeding Business Day;
(C) if the Borrowers shall fail to give notice as provided in Section 2.8
with respect to Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars, the Borrowers
shall be deemed to have requested a conversion of the affected Eurocurrency Rate
Loan denominated in Dollars to a Base Rate Loan denominated in Dollars and the
continuance of all Base Rate Loans as Base Rate Loans on the last day of the
then current Interest Period with respect thereto;
(D) any Interest Period relating to any Eurocurrency 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 a calendar month; and
(E) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the Maturity
Date shall end on the Maturity Date.
International Eurocurrency Rate. For any Interest Period with respect to a
Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in any Optional Currency, the rate of
interest equal to (a) the applicable British Bankers' Association Interest
Settlement Rate for deposits in the applicable Optional Currency appearing on
Reuters Screen FRBD or the applicable Reuters Screen for such Optional Currency
as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of
such Interest Period, and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period,
provided, however, (i) if Reuters Screen FRBD or the applicable Reuters Screen
for such Optional Currency is not available to the Administrative Agent, as the
case may be, for any reason, the applicable International Eurocurrency Rate for
the relevant Interest Period shall instead be the applicable British Bankers'
Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in the applicable Optional
Currency as reported by any other generally recognized financial information
service as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) 2 (two) Business Days prior to the first
day of such Interest Period, and having a maturity equal to such Interest
Period, and (ii) if no such British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement
Rate is available, the applicable International Eurocurrency Rate for the
relevant Interest Period shall be the rate determined by the Administrative
Agent, as the case may be, to be the rate at which the Administrative Agent
offers to place deposits in the applicable Optional Currency with first-class
banks
-25-
in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, in the approximate
amount of the Administrative Agent's relevant Eurocurrency Rate Loan and having
a maturity equal to such Interest Period, divided by (b) a number equal to 1.00
minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage, if applicable.
Interim Concentration Accounts. See Section 8.15.1.
Investments. All expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock, membership interests,
partnership interests or other equity interests, or Indebtedness of, or for
loans, advances, capital contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect of any guaranties (or other commitments as described under
Indebtedness), or obligations of, any Person. In determining the aggregate
amount of Investments outstanding at any particular time: (a) the amount of any
Investment represented by a guaranty shall be taken at not less than the
principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding; (b) there
shall be deducted in respect of each such Investment any amount received as a
return of capital (but only by repurchase, redemption, retirement, repayment,
liquidating dividend or liquidating distribution); (c) there shall not be
deducted in respect of any Investment any amounts received as earnings on such
Investment, whether as dividends, interest or otherwise; (d) there shall not be
deducted from the aggregate amount of Investments any decrease in the value
thereof; and (e) the amount of any Investment made by a transfer of property
shall be valued at the fair market value of such transferred property at the
time of such transfer.
Issuing Bank. Fleet, in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit
pursuant to Section 4, or, in the event that Fleet is unable to issue a Letter
of Credit, any other Lender selected by the Administrative Agent and the
Borrowers to issue such Letter of Credit with the consent of such Lender.
Joinder Agreements. Joinder agreements in substantially the form of
Exhibit F-1 or Exhibit F-2 hereto pursuant to which Subsidiaries of BGI become
parties to and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Credit Agreement as a
Co-Borrower and a Guarantor, a UK Borrower or an Australian Borrower.
Joint Venture. Any corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
joint venture or other entity in which BGI and its Subsidiaries own not more
than 50% of the capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or
other ownership interests and which does not meet the definition of "Subsidiary"
herein.
Kmart. Kmart Corporation, a Michigan corporation.
Kmart Agreements. The Kmart Indemnity and the Kmart Tax Agreement.
Kmart Indemnity. That certain Lease Guaranty, Indemnification and
Reimbursement Agreement, dated May 24, 1995, as amended, among BGI, one or more
of the other Borrowers and Kmart.
-26-
Kmart Tax Agreement. That certain Tax Allocation and Indemnification
Agreement, dated May 24, 1995, between BGI and Kmart.
Landlord Lien Reserve. Two month's base rent for each of the Borrowers'
facilities located in the States of Washington, Pennsylvania and Virginia at
which inventory is stored, calculated monthly on a two month rolling basis and
such other amounts as the Administrative Agent may from time to time establish
and revise, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable commercial judgment, in
respect of any landlord lien rights in any other jurisdiction in which inventory
is stored.
LC Exposure. At any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate Maximum Drawing
Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate
amount of all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations at such time. The LC Exposure of
any Lender at any time shall be its Commitment Percentage of the total LC
Exposure at such time.
Lender Affiliate. With respect to any Lender, (a) an Affiliate of such
Lender or (b) any Approved Fund.
Lenders. FRG and the other lending institutions listed on Schedule 1
hereto and any other Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and
obligations of a Lender pursuant to Section 15. Unless the context otherwise
requires, the term "Lenders" includes the Swingline Lender and any Issuing Bank.
Letter of Credit. See Section 4.1.1.
Letter of Credit Application. See Section 4.1.1.
Letter of Credit Expiration Date. See Section 4.1.3.
Letter of Credit Fee. See Section 4.6.
Letter of Credit Participation. See Section 4.1.4.
Letter of Credit Sublimit. See Section 4.1.1.
Library. The Library, Ltd., a Missouri corporation.
Lien. Any mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, charge, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, attachment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
(statutory, judgment or otherwise, but excluding any right of set off arising by
operation of law or pursuant to agreements entered into in the ordinary course
of business), or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any
kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any Capitalized Lease, any Synthetic Lease, any financing
lease involving substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing
and the filing of any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or
comparable law of any jurisdiction).
-27-
Loan Documents. This Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit
Applications, the Letters of Credit, the Security Documents, the Joinder
Agreements and any other instruments, certificates or documents delivered or
contemplated to be delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith
or therewith (excluding Hedging Agreements).
Loan Request. A Revolving Credit Loan Request or a Swingline Loan Request,
as applicable.
Loans. The Revolving Credit Loans and the Swingline Loans.
Local Accounts. See Section 8.15.1.
Mandatory Costs. With respect to any period, the percentage rate per annum
determined in accordance with Schedule 1.01.
Material Adverse Effect. With respect to any event or occurrence of
whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation,
arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding):
(a) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, prospects,
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, operations or income of any of the
Borrowers, individually or the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole;
(b) a material adverse effect on the ability of any of the Borrowers or
any of their Subsidiaries, individually and taken as a whole, to perform any of
their respective Obligations under any of the Loan Documents to which it is a
party; or
(c) any impairment of the validity, binding effect or enforceability of
this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any impairment of
the rights, remedies or benefits available to any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender under any Loan Document.
Maturity Date. July 30, 2009, as the same may be extended in the sole
discretion of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.11.
Maximum Drawing Amount. The Dollar Equivalent of the maximum aggregate
amount that the beneficiaries may at any time draw under outstanding Letters of
Credit, as such aggregate amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to
the terms of the Letters of Credit.
▇▇▇▇▇'▇. ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Services, Inc.
Multiemployer Plan. Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section
3(37) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate.
-28-
Net Book Value. At any relevant time of reference thereto, the then Dollar
Equivalent of the net book value of Eligible Inventory determined on the retail
method at lower of cost or market.
Non-Extension Notice Date. See Section 4.1.6.
Non-U.S. Lender. See Section 5.3.3.
Notes. The Co-Borrower Notes, the Australian Notes, the UK Notes and the
Swingline Note.
Obligations. Singly, any of, and collectively, all of the Co-Borrower
Obligations, the Australian Obligations and the UK Obligations.
OC Notice. See Section 2.10.1.
Online. Borders Online, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Optional Currency. Each of the following types of currency: Euros,
Australian Dollars ("AUD"), British Pounds Sterling ("GBP"), Canadian Dollars
("CAD"), Japanese Yen ("JPY"), New Zealand Dollars ("NZD"), Mexican Pesos
("MXN") or Singaporean Dollars ("SGD"), in each case, to the extent freely
tradable and exchangeable into Dollars in the London interbank market or other
applicable interbank market, as the case may be, and for which an Exchange Rate
can be reasonably determined.
Other Reserves. As determined by the Administrative Agent in its
reasonable discretion exercised in a commercially reasonable manner, such
amounts as the Administrative Agent may from time to time establish and revise
(a) to reflect events, conditions, contingencies or risks which do, or which the
Administrative Agent believes may reasonably be expected to, (i) adversely
affect either (A) any Collateral, the rights of the Administrative Agent or any
of the Lenders in any Collateral or its value or (B) the security interest and
other rights of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders in the Collateral
(including the enforceability, perfection and priority thereof) or (ii)
adversely affect in any material respect the business or financial condition of
any of the Borrowers individually or the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries taken
as a whole or (b) to reflect the belief of the Administrative Agent that any
Borrowing Base Report or other collateral report or financial information
furnished (or not furnished) by or on behalf of the Borrowers to the
Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders is or may have been incomplete,
inaccurate or misleading in any material respect. The amount of any Other
Reserves established or revised by the Administrative Agent shall in each case
be based on the Administrative Agent's determination that such amount bears a
reasonable relationship to the applicable event, condition, contingency or risk
described in clause (a) of this definition or the applicable report or
information described in clause (b) of this definition.
outstanding. With respect to the Loans, the aggregate unpaid principal
thereof as of any date of determination.
-▇▇-
▇▇▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇., a Colorado corporation.
Overadvance. At any time of calculation, the amount, if any, by which the
Total Facility Usage exceeds the Aggregate Borrowing Base.
Overnight Rate. For any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in
Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) an
overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing
Bank, or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in accordance with banking
industry rules on interbank compensation, and (b) with respect to any amount
denominated in an Optional Currency, the rate of interest per annum at which
overnight deposits in the applicable Optional Currency, in an amount
approximately equal to the amount with respect to which such rate is being
determined, would be offered for such day by a branch or Affiliate of Bank of
America in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency to major
banks in such interbank market.
Participant. See Section 15.4.
PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by Section 4002 of
ERISA and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.
Permitted Liens. Liens permitted by Section 9.2.
Person. Any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, other unincorporated
association, business, or other legal entity, and any Governmental Authority.
Planet. Planet Music, Inc., a North Carolina corporation.
Property. Any and all property, whether real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed, both owned and leased pursuant to Capitalized Leases, of
any Person.
RCRA. See Section 7.18(a).
Real Estate. All real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or
sublessee) by BGI or any of its Subsidiaries.
Record. The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid, or
any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by any Lender
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.
Reference Period. As of any date of determination, the period of twelve
(12) consecutive fiscal months of BGI and its Subsidiaries ending on such date,
or if such date is not a fiscal month end date, the period of twelve (12)
consecutive fiscal months most recently ended (in each case treated as a single
accounting period).
Register. See Section 15.3.
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Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrowers' obligation to reimburse the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders on account of any drawing
under any Letter of Credit as provided in Section 4.2.
Related Parties. With respect to any specified Person, such Person's
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and
advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.
Replacement Lender. See Section 5.12.
Required Lenders. As of any date, the Lenders having Revolving Credit
Exposures and unused Commitments representing at least fifty-one (51%) of the
sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time;
provided that if, at the time Required Lenders is being determined, the
Commitments shall have terminated in full, then the outstanding Loans of the
Lenders shall be included in their respective Revolving Credit Exposures in
determining the Required Lenders.
Restricted Payment. In relation to BGI and its Subsidiaries, any (a)
Distribution, or (b) derivatives or other transactions with any financial
institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a "Derivatives
Counterparty") obligating BGI or any of its Subsidiaries to make payments to
such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any
Capital Stock of BGI or such Subsidiary.
Revolving Credit Exposure. With respect to any Lender at any time, the
Dollar Equivalent of the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such
Lender's Revolving Credit Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at
such time.
Revolving Credit Loan Request. See Section 2.1.2.
Revolving Credit Loans. The Co-Borrower Loans, the Australian Loans and
the UK Loans.
Same Day Funds. With respect to disbursements and payments in (a) Dollars,
immediately available funds, and (b) any Optional Currency, same day or other
funds as may be determined by the Administrative Agent to be customary in the
place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking
transactions in the relevant Optional Currency.
▇▇▇▇. See Section 7.17(a).
Security Agreement. The Security Agreement, dated or to be dated on or
prior to the Closing Date, among BGI, certain of the Co-Borrowers and certain of
the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent and in form and substance satisfactory
to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, and all other instruments,
agreements and documents required to be executed or delivered pursuant to the
Security Agreement (including, without limitation, any perfection certificates
or collateral certificates delivered in connection therewith).
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Security Documents. Collectively, the Security Agreement, the Use and
Access Agreement, the Agency Account Agreements, the Credit Card Notifications,
the UK Security Documents and all other instruments and documents, including
without limitation Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (or the foreign
equivalent, if applicable), required to be executed or delivered pursuant to any
Security Document.
Senior Indebtedness Payment. See Section 9.15.
Senior Note Agreement. The Note Purchase Agreements dated as of July 30,
2002 by an among BGI and the purchasers of the Senior Notes.
Senior Notes. The 6.31% Senior Guaranteed Notes of BGI due in 2006 issued
in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 pursuant to the Senior Note
Agreement.
Senior Note Agreement Reserves. At any time as determined by the
Administrative Agent, such amounts as the Administrative Agent may from time to
time require as a reserve in respect of obligations under the Senior Note
Agreement and the Senior Notes, which shall include at a minimum (i) the
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes at such time and the
aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest thereon at such time and (ii)
the aggregate amount of all other monetary obligations that are accrued and
owing at such time to the holders of the Senior Notes or any of them under the
Senior Note Agreement and Guaranty Agreement (as defined in the Senior Note
Agreement), including fees, costs, expenses, indemnities, make-whole amounts and
premiums.
Shrink. Inventory which has been lost, misplaced, stolen, or is otherwise
unaccounted for.
Shrink Reserve. From time to time and to the extent that Shrink was not
deducted in determining Net Book Value, the Borrowers' then current general
ledger reserve for Shrink; provided that the determination of such current
general ledger reserve is consistent with the methodologies used in the
Borrowers' most recent physical inventory summary results delivered to the
Administrative Agent on or about July 30, 2004.
Solvent. With respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such
date (a) the fair value of the Property of such Person is greater than the total
amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of
such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is
not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of
such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is
able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities,
contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course
of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it
will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person's ability to pay as such
debts and liabilities mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or
a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for
which such Person's property would constitute unreasonably small capital after
giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in
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which such Person is engaged. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities
at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount
which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time,
represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or
matured liability.
Spot Rate. For a currency, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent
to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for
the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its
principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the
date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange
computation is made; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot
rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent
if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of
determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.
S&P. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Subsidiary. With respect to any Person (the "parent") at any date, any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity
the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the
parent's consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were
prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity
(a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50%
of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a
partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such
date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise
controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the
parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
Swingline Lender. FRG in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans
hereunder.
Swingline Expiry Date. The date which is five (5) Business Days prior to
the Maturity Date.
Swingline Exposure. At any time, the aggregate principal amount of all
Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender
at any time shall be its Commitment Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure
at such time.
Swingline Loan. Any loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Co-Borrowers
pursuant to Section 2.5.1 hereof.
Swingline Loan Request. See Section 2.5.2.
Swingline Note. See Section 2.6.5.
Swingline Note Record. A record attached to the Swingline Note.
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Swingline Sublimit. $35,000,000.
Synthetic Lease. Any lease of goods or other property, whether real or
personal, which is treated as an operating lease under GAAP and as a loan or
financing for U.S. income tax purposes.
Total Commitment. The sum of the Commitments of the Lenders, as in effect
from time to time. On the Closing Date, the Total Commitment shall be
$500,000,000. The Total Commitment shall not, at any time, exceed $700,000,000,
and shall exceed $500,000,000 only pursuant to increases in accordance with
Section 2.3.2.
Total Facility Usage. At any time, the sum of the Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding, the LC Exposure and the Swingline Loans outstanding.
Total Facility Usage Ratio. At any time, the ratio, expressed as a
percentage, of (a) the Total Facility Usage at such time, to (b) the lesser of
(i) the Total Commitment at such time or (ii) the Aggregate Borrowing Base at
such time.
Type. As to any Revolving Credit Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a
Eurocurrency Rate Loan.
UK Borrower. As defined in the preamble hereto.
UK Guaranteed Obligations. See Section 6.1.
UK Loans. Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the Lenders to the
UK Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1.1.
UK Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the UK
Borrower to any of the Lenders, any Affiliate of any Lender, any of the Agents
and any Issuing Bank individually or collectively, existing on the date of this
Credit Agreement or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,
secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise,
arising or incurred under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or any Hedging Agreement or any Cash Management Services or in respect
of any of the UK Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations incurred in respect of
Letters of Credit issued for the account of the UK Borrower or any of the UK
Notes, Letter of Credit Applications, Letters of Credit or other instruments at
any time evidencing any thereof.
UK Note. See Section 2.6.4.
UK Note Record. A Record with respect to the UK Note.
UK Security Documents. Collectively, the Guarantee and Floating Charge,
the Charge Over Receivables Account and Assignment of Debts and all other
instruments and documents required to be executed or delivered pursuant to any
U.K. Security
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Document (including, without limitation, any perfection certificates or
collateral certificates delivered in connection therewith).
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Any Reimbursement Obligation for which
the Borrowers do not reimburse the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and
the Lenders on the date specified in, and in accordance with, Section 4.2.
Use and Access Agreement. The Use and Access Agreement, dated or to be
dated on or prior to the Closing Date, among certain of the Co-Borrowers,
certain of the Guarantors, the UK Borrower and the Collateral Agent and in form
and substance satisfactory to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, and all
other instruments, agreements and documents required to be executed or delivered
pursuant to the Use and Access Agreement.
▇▇▇▇▇▇. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Wholly-owned Subsidiary. Any Subsidiary of BGI of which all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests are owned by BGI
(whether directly or through one or more Wholly-owned Subsidiaries of BGI)
except for directors' qualifying shares in jurisdictions where such qualifying
shares are required.
WPI. Waldenbooks Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
1.2. RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
(a) A reference to any document or agreement shall include such document
or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with its terms and the terms of this Credit Agreement.
(b) The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.
(c) A reference to any law includes any amendment or modification to such
law.
(d) A reference to any Person includes its permitted successors and
permitted assigns.
(e) Accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them by GAAP applied on a consistent basis by the accounting entity
to which they refer.
(f) The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not limiting.
(g) All terms not specifically defined herein or by GAAP, which terms are
defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, have the meanings assigned to them therein, with the term
"instrument" being that defined under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
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(h) Reference to a particular "Section" refers to that section of this
Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
(i) The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of like import
shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
section or subdivision of this Credit Agreement.
(j) Unless otherwise expressly indicated, 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."
(k) This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several
different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar
matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are, however, cumulative
and are to be performed in accordance with the terms thereof.
(l) This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of
negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, among others, the
Administrative Agent and the Borrowers and are the product of discussions and
negotiations among all parties. Accordingly, this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents are not intended to be construed against any Agent or any of the
Lenders merely on account of any Agent's or any Lender's involvement in the
preparation of such documents.
1.3. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES. Except as otherwise provided in this Credit
Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial
matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Credit
Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including
principles of consolidation where appropriate); provided, however, that if any
change in GAAP or the application thereof occurs hereafter, or if BGI adopts a
change to its accounting principles or methods with the agreement of its
independent certified public accountants, and such change results in a change in
the calculation of any financial covenant or restriction set forth herein, then
the parties hereto agree to enter into and diligently pursue negotiations in
order to amend such financial covenant or restriction so as to equitably reflect
such change, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the
financial condition and results of operations of BGI and its Subsidiaries shall
be the same after such change as if such change had not been made. Pending the
resolution of any such negotiations, the Borrowers agree to provide to each of
the Lenders such unaudited financial information and pro forma statements using
the accounting methods and principles used in the preparation of the audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended as of the Balance Sheet Date, as
are necessary to enable the Lenders to test the financial covenants contained
herein.
2. THE CREDIT FACILITIES.
2.1. REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
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2.1.1. COMMITMENT TO LEND. Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Credit Agreement, each of the Lenders severally agrees to
lend to the Borrowers and the Borrowers may borrow, repay, and reborrow
from time to time from the Closing Date up to but not including the
Maturity Date upon notice by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent
given in accordance with Section 2.1.2, such sums in Dollars and/or, at
the Borrowers' option from time to time, subject to Section 2.10 hereof,
in an Optional Currency as are requested by the Borrowers up to a maximum
aggregate amount outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts
requested) at any one time equal to such Lender's Commitment, as such
Commitment has been deemed to be reduced by such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of the Dollar Equivalent of outstanding Swingline Loans and
such Lender's LC Exposure, provided that (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the
Total Facility Usage (after giving affect to all amounts requested) shall
not exceed the lesser of (i) the Total Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate
Borrowing Base as then in effect, (b) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of
(x) the Co-Borrower Loans outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts
requested), plus (y) the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of Credit
issued for the account of the Co-Borrowers, plus (z) the Swingline Loans
outstanding, shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment or
(y) the Domestic Borrowing Base as then in effect and (c) the Dollar
Equivalent of the Australian Loans and the UK Loans (after giving effect
to all amounts requested) and the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of
Credit issued for the account of the UK Borrower and/or the Australian
Borrower shall not exceed the Foreign Sublimit. The Revolving Credit Loans
shall be made pro rata in accordance with each Lender's Commitment
Percentage. Each request for a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the applicable Borrower or, as
the case may be, Borrowers that the conditions set forth above and in
Section 11 and Section 12, in the case of the initial Revolving Credit
Loans to be made on the Closing Date, and Section 12, in the case of all
other Revolving Credit Loans, have been satisfied on the date of such
request.
2.1.2. REQUESTS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. The applicable Borrower
or, as the case may be, Borrowers shall give to the Administrative Agent
written notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or telephonic notice
confirmed in a writing in the form of Exhibit B hereto) of each Revolving
Credit Loan requested hereunder (a "Revolving Credit Loan Request") no
later than (a) 1:00 p.m. (Eastern time) one (1) Business Day prior to the
proposed Drawdown Date of any Base Rate Loan and (b) 10:00 a.m. (Eastern
time) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Drawdown Date of any
Eurocurrency Rate Loan, provided, that any notice requesting a Revolving
Credit Loan be made in an Optional Currency must comply with the
requirements of Section 2.10. Each such notice shall specify (i) the
principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loan requested stated in Dollars,
or, subject to Section 2.10, an Optional Currency, (ii) the proposed
Drawdown Date of such Revolving Credit Loan, (iii) the Interest Period for
such Revolving Credit Loan and (iv) the Type of such Revolving Credit
Loan. Promptly upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent
shall notify each of the
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Lenders thereof. Each Revolving Credit Loan Request shall be irrevocable
and binding on the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers
and shall obligate the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be,
Borrowers to accept the Revolving Credit Loan requested from the Lenders
on the proposed Drawdown Date. Each Loan Request shall be in a minimum
aggregate amount of $2,000,000 (other than Revolving Credit Loan Requests
in Optional Currencies, which shall be in the amounts prescribed in
Section 2.10) or a multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
2.2. FEES.
2.2.1. COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrowers agree to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the accounts of the Lenders in accordance with
their respective Commitment Percentages a commitment fee (the "Commitment
Fee") in Dollars equal to 0.25% per annum times the average daily amount
by which the Total Commitment exceeds the result of (x) the Total Facility
Usage, minus (y) the Swingline Loans outstanding. The Commitment Fee shall
accrue at all times from the Closing Date up to but not including the
Maturity Date, including at any time during which one or more of the
conditions in Section 12 is not met, and shall be due and payable
quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June,
September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after
the Closing Date, and on the Maturity Date. The Commitment Fee shall be
calculated quarterly in arrears.
2.3. CHANGES IN TOTAL COMMITMENT.
2.3.1. REDUCTION OF TOTAL COMMITMENT. The Borrowers shall have the
right at any time and from time to time upon five (5) Business Days prior
written notice to the Administrative Agent to reduce by $10,000,000 or
increments of $5,000,000 in excess thereof or to terminate entirely the
Total Commitment, whereupon the Commitments of the Lenders shall be
reduced pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment
Percentages of the amount specified in such notice or, as the case may be,
terminated. Promptly after receiving any notice of the Borrowers delivered
pursuant to this Section 2.3.1, the Administrative Agent will notify the
Lenders of the substance thereof. Upon the effective date of any such
reduction or termination, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative
Agent for the respective accounts of the Lenders the full amount of any
Commitment Fee, if any, then accrued on the amount of the reduction. No
reduction or termination of the Commitments may be reinstated.
2.3.2. INCREASE IN TOTAL COMMITMENT. Following the Closing Date, so
long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing
and the Total Facility Usage Ratio does not exceed 90%, the Borrowers may
request that the Total Commitment be increased and, upon such request, the
Administrative Agent shall have the right to solicit additional financial
institutions to become Lenders for purposes of this Credit Agreement, or
to encourage any Lender to increase its Commitment, provided that (a) each
Lender
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which is a party to this Credit Agreement prior to such increase shall
have the first option, and may elect, to fund its pro rata share of the
amount of the increase in the Total Commitment (or any such greater amount
in the event that one or more Lenders does not elect to fund its
respective pro rata share of the amount of the increase in the Total
Commitment), thereby increasing its Commitment hereunder, but no Lender
shall have any obligation to do so, (b) in the event that it becomes
necessary to include a new financial institution to fund the amount of the
increase in the Total Commitment, each such financial institution shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and each such financial
institution shall become a Lender hereunder and agree to become party to,
and shall assume and agree to be bound by, this Credit Agreement, subject
to all terms and conditions hereof; (c) none of the Administrative Agent
or the other Agents shall have any obligation to the Borrowers or to any
Lender to solicit additional financial institutions or any increase in the
Commitment of any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.3.2; (d) no Lender
shall have an obligation to the Borrowers, the Agents or any other Lender
to increase its Commitment or its Commitment Percentage; and (e) in no
event shall the addition of any Lender or Lenders or the increase in the
Commitment of any Lender under this Section 2.3.2 increase the Total
Commitment to an amount greater than $700,000,000. Upon the addition of
any Lender, or the increase in the Commitment of any Lender, Schedule 1
shall be amended by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers to reflect
such addition or such increase, and the Administrative Agent shall deliver
to the Lenders, the Agents, the Issuing Bank(s) and BGI copies of such
Schedule 1. If, at any time that the Commitments are increased pursuant to
this Section 2.3.2, there are Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding or
LC Exposure, each new Lender, and each existing Lender that has increased
its Commitment, shall purchase Revolving Credit Loans and LC Exposure from
each other Lender in an amount such that, after such purchase or
purchases, the amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and LC
Exposure from each Lender shall equal such Lender's respective Commitment
Percentage, as modified to give effect to such increase, multiplied by the
aggregate amount of Revolving Credit Loans outstanding and LC Exposure
from all Lenders. To the extent that any outstanding Revolving Credit
Loans bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate, the Borrowers shall pay any
additional costs described in Section 5.10 incurred by any Lender.
2.4. HEDGING AGREEMENTS AND CASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Each Person
providing Cash Management Services for, or having Hedging Agreements with, any
Borrower or any Guarantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent promptly on
or before the Closing Date notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all
obligations of any Borrower or any Guarantor on account of such Cash Management
Services and/or Hedging Agreements (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or
contingent) as of the Closing Date. Following the end of each calendar month,
each Person providing Cash Management Services for, or having Hedging Agreements
with, any Borrower or any Guarantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent
promptly notice setting forth any change, if applicable, in the aggregate amount
of all obligations of any Borrower or any
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Guarantor on account of such Cash Management Services and/or Hedging Agreements
(whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent) as of the end of such
month. The obligations due with respect to Cash Management Services and/or
Hedging Agreements provided by any Person who fails to timely furnish the
Administrative Agent with such notice, at the option of the Administrative
Agent, shall not constitute part of the Obligations and shall be unsecured and
not entitled to any benefit of the Collateral.
2.5. THE SWINGLINE.
2.5.1. THE SWINGLINE LOANS. From the date hereof through but not
including the Swingline Expiry Date, and subject to the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth, upon notice by the Co-Borrowers made to
the Swingline Lender in accordance with Section 2.5.2 hereof, the
Swingline Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other
Lenders set forth in this Section 2.5, to make Swingline Loans to the
Co-Borrowers from time to time in Dollars on any Business Day in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Swingline Sublimit. Each
Swingline Loan shall be in a minimum amount equal to $250,000 or a
multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Credit Agreement and in addition to the limit set forth
above, at no time shall (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the Total Facility
Usage (after giving affect to all amounts requested) exceed the lesser of
(i) the Total Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Borrowing Base as then in
effect, or (b) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of (x) the Co-Borrower
Loans outstanding, plus (y) the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of
Credit issued for the account of the Co-Borrowers, plus (z) the Swingline
Loans outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts requested), exceed
the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment or (y) the Domestic Borrowing Base
as then in effect. The Swingline Loans are being made available for the
administrative convenience of the Co-Borrowers, the Swingline Lender and
the Lenders. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit
Agreement, the Swingline Lender shall not advance any Swingline Loans if a
Default or Event of Default has occurred until such Default or Event of
Default has been cured or waived in accordance with the provisions of this
Credit Agreement. The Swingline Lender shall not be obligated to make any
Swingline Loans at any time when any Lender is a Delinquent Lender unless
the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it to
eliminate the Swingline Lender's risk with respect to such Delinquent
Lender, including by cash collateralizing such Delinquent Lender's
Commitment Percentage of the outstanding Swingline Loans and any such
additional Swingline Loans to be made. Within the foregoing limits and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Co-Borrowers may
borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. Each request for a Swingline
Loan hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the
Co-Borrowers that the conditions set forth above and in Section 11 and
Section 12, in the case of the initial Swingline Loans to be made on the
Closing Date, and Section 12, in the case of all other Swingline Loans,
have been satisfied on the date of such request
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2.5.2. REQUEST FOR SWINGLINE LOANS. To request a Swingline Loan, the
Co-Borrowers shall send to the Swingline Lender and the Administrative
Agent written notice in the form of Exhibit C hereto of each Swingline
Loan requested hereunder (a "Swingline Loan Request") not later than 12:00
Noon (Eastern time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Swingline Loan,
which shall be a Business Day. Each such Swingline Loan Request shall set
forth the principal amount of the proposed Swingline Loan and the Drawdown
Date of such Swingline Loan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the
Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion,
accept an oral or written request made on behalf of the Co-Borrowers by an
Authorized Officer by telephone, telex, facsimile or some other form of
written electronic communication, in which case the Swingline Lender and
the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on any such oral or
written request received by the Swingline Lender and the Administrative
Agent in good faith from anyone reasonably believed by the Swingline
Lender or the Administrative Agent to be an Authorized Officer. The
Co-Borrowers shall promptly confirm any such communication by delivery of
a Swingline Loan Request upon request of the Swingline Lender or the
Administrative Agent. Each Swingline Loan Request shall be irrevocable and
binding on the Co-Borrowers and shall obligate the Co-Borrowers to borrow
the Swingline Loan from the Swingline Lender on the proposed Drawdown Date
thereof. Unless the Swingline Lender has received notice (by telephone or
in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any
Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the date of the proposed
Swingline Loan (A) directing the Swingline Lender not to make such
Swingline Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the third
sentence of Section 2.5.1, or (B) that one or more of the applicable
conditions specified in Section 12 is not then satisfied, then, upon
satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in this Credit
Agreement, on the proposed Drawdown Date the Swingline Lender shall make
the Swingline Loan available to the Co-Borrowers no later than 3:00 p.m.
(Eastern time) on the proposed Drawdown Date by crediting the amount of
the Swingline Loan to the general deposit account of the Co-Borrowers
maintained with the Swingline Lender.
2.5.3. BORROWINGS TO REPAY SWINGLINE LOANS. The Co-Borrowers jointly
and severally, absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally promise to pay
on the Swingline Expiry Date the outstanding principal balance of all
Swingline Loans. The Co-Borrowers may prepay the Swingline Loans at any
time without penalty or premium. In addition, the Swingline Lender may, on
any Business Day, in its sole discretion, demand repayment of the
Swingline Loans and the Administrative Agent shall give notice to the
Lenders that the outstanding Swingline Loans shall be funded with a
borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans (provided that each such notice shall
be deemed to have been automatically given upon the occurrence of a
Default or Event of Default under Section 13.1(g) or (h) or upon the
exercise of remedies provided in the last paragraph of Section 13.1), in
which case each of the Lenders shall make Revolving Credit Loans
constituting Base Rate Loans to the Co-Borrowers, on the next succeeding
Business Day
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following such notice, in an amount equal to such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of the aggregate amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding to
the Co-Borrowers. The proceeds thereof shall be applied directly to the
Swingline Lender to repay the Swingline Lender for such outstanding
Swingline Loans. Each Lender hereby absolutely, unconditionally and
irrevocably agrees to make such Revolving Credit Loans upon one Business
Day's notice as set forth above, notwithstanding (a) that the amount of
such Revolving Credit Loan may not comply with the applicable minimums
otherwise required hereunder, (b) the failure of the Co-Borrowers to meet
the conditions set forth in Sections 11 or 12 hereof, (c) the occurrence
or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default hereunder, (d) the date
of such Revolving Credit Loan, and (e) the amount of, or termination of,
the Total Commitment at such time. In the event that it is impracticable
for such Revolving Credit Loan to be made for any reason on the date
otherwise required above (including as a result of the commencement of a
proceeding under the federal Bankruptcy Code in respect of any of the
Co-Borrowers), then each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith
purchase (as of the date such Revolving Credit Loan would have been made,
but adjusted for any payments received from the Co-Borrowers on or after
such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender, and the
Swingline Lender shall sell to each Lender, such participations in the
Swingline Loans (including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon)
outstanding as shall be necessary to cause the Lenders to share in such
Swingline Loans pro rata based on their respective Commitment Percentages
(without regard to any termination of the Total Commitment hereunder) by
making available to the Swingline Lender an amount equal to such Lender's
participation in the Swingline Loans; provided that (x) all interest
payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline
Lender as a funding and administrative fee until the date as of which the
respective participation is purchased, and (y) at the time any purchase of
such participation is actually made, the purchasing Lender shall be
required to pay the Swingline Lender interest on the principal amount of
the participation so purchased for each day from and including the date
such Revolving Credit Loan would otherwise have been made until the date
of payment for such participation at the rate of interest in effect
applicable to Base Rate Loans during such period.
2.5.4. VOLUNTARY REDUCTION OF SWINGLINE SUBLIMIT. The Co-Borrowers
shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to terminate in
whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or penalty, the
Swingline Sublimit. The Co-Borrowers shall give not less than five (5)
Business Days' prior written notice to the Swingline Lender designating
the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction
and the amount of any partial reduction of the Swingline Sublimit. Such
termination or partial reduction of the Swingline Sublimit shall be
effective on the date specified in the Co-Borrowers' notice and shall be
permanent. Any such partial reduction of the Swingline Sublimit shall be
in a minimum amount of $1,000,000.
2.6. EVIDENCE OF LOAN OBLIGATIONS.
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2.6.1. LOAN ACCOUNTS. The Loans made by each Lender and each
Lender's obligations in respect of any Letters of Credit 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 Loans made
by the Lenders and such Lender's obligations in respect of Letters of
Credit 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 Borrowers 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 to a Borrower made through the
Administrative Agent, such Borrower shall execute and deliver to such
Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note as set forth in
Sections 2.6.2 through 2.6.5, as applicable, which shall evidence such
Lender's Loans to such Borrower in addition to such accounts or records.
Each Lender may attach schedules to a Note and endorse thereon the date,
type, amount, currency, and maturity of its Loans and payments with
respect thereto.
2.6.2. THE CO-BORROWER NOTES. Upon the request of any Lender to the
Co-Borrowers, such Lender's Co-Borrower Loans shall be evidenced by
separate promissory notes of the Borrowers in substantially the form of
Exhibit A-1 hereto (each a "Co-Borrower Note"), dated as of the Closing
Date (or such other date on which a Lender may become a party hereto in
accordance with Section 15 hereof) and completed with appropriate
insertions. One Co-Borrower Note shall be payable to the order of each
such requesting Lender in a principal amount equal to such Lender's
Commitment or, if less, the outstanding amount of all Co-Borrower Loans
made by such Lender, plus interest accrued thereon, as set forth below.
Each of the Co-Borrowers irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make or
cause to be made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any
Co-Borrower Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of principal on
such Lender's Co-Borrower Note, an appropriate notation on such Lender's
Co-Borrower Note Record reflecting the making of such Co-Borrower Loan or
(as the case may be) the receipt of such payment.
2.6.3. THE AUSTRALIAN NOTES. Upon the request of any Lender to the
Australian Borrower, such Lender's Australian Loans shall be evidenced by
separate promissory notes of the Australian Borrower in substantially the
form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (each an "Australian Note"), dated as of the
Closing Date (or such other date on which a Lender may become a party
hereto in accordance with Section 15 hereof) and completed with
appropriate insertions. One Australian Note shall be payable to the order
of each such requesting Lender in a principal amount equal to such
Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Foreign Sublimit or, if less, the
outstanding amount of all Australian Loans made by such Lender,
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plus interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The Australian Borrower
irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make or cause to be made, at or
about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Australian Loan or at the time
of receipt of any payment of principal on such Lender's Australian Note,
an appropriate notation on such Lender's Australian Note Record reflecting
the making of such Australian Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of
such payment.
2.6.4. THE UK NOTES. Upon the request of any Lender to the UK
Borrower, such Lender's UK Loans shall be evidenced by separate promissory
notes of the UK Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto
(each a "UK Note"), dated as of the Closing Date (or such other date on
which a Lender may become a party hereto in accordance with Section 15
hereof) and completed with appropriate insertions. One UK Note shall be
payable to the order of each such requesting Lender in a principal amount
equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Foreign Sublimit or,
if less, the outstanding amount of all UK Loans made by such Lender, plus
interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The UK Borrower irrevocably
authorizes each Lender to make or cause to be made, at or about the time
of the Drawdown Date of any UK Loan or at the time of receipt of any
payment of principal on such Lender's UK Note, an appropriate notation on
such Lender's UK Note Record reflecting the making of such UK Loan or (as
the case may be) the receipt of such payment.
2.6.5. THE SWINGLINE NOTE. Upon the request of the Swingline Lender
to the Co-Borrowers, the Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by a
promissory note of the Co-Borrowers in substantially the form of Exhibit
A-4 hereto (the "Swingline Note"), dated as of the Closing Date with
appropriate insertions. The Swingline Note shall be payable to the order
of the Swingline Lender in a principal amount equal to the Swingline
Sublimit and representing the obligation of the Co-Borrowers to pay to the
Swingline Lender the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Swingline
Loans made by the Swingline Lender hereunder plus interest accrued thereon
as set forth below. The Co-Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorize the
Swingline Lender to make or cause to be made, at or about the time of each
Swingline Loan to the Co-Borrowers made by the Swingline Lender and at the
time of receipt of any payment of principal on the Swingline Note of the
Swingline Lender, an appropriate notation on the Swingline Lender's
Swingline Note Record or the Swingline Lender's electronic data processing
equipment reflecting the making of such Swingline Loan or (as the case may
be) the receipt of such payment.
2.6.6. PARTICIPATING INTERESTS OF LENDERS. In addition to the
accounts and records referred to in Section 2.6.1, each Lender and the
Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice
accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of
participations in Letters of Credit 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
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Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the
Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.7. INTEREST ON LOANS. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.11,
(a) Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Base Rate Loan shall bear
interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof and ending on
the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto at the rate per annum
equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Base Rate
Loans as in effect from time to time.
(b) Each Revolving Credit Loan which is a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall
bear interest for the period commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof and
ending on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto at the rate
per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate determined for such Interest Period
plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans as in effect
from time to time.
(c) Each Swingline Loan shall bear interest from the Drawdown Date thereof
until repaid in full at the rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the
Applicable Margin with respect to Base Rate Loans as in effect from time to
time. Swingline Loans may not be converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans.
(d) Each Borrower promises to pay interest on each Loan made to it (and
the Co-Borrowers jointly and severally promise to pay interest on all the Loans)
in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect thereto. Interest on the
Loans calculated by reference to the Base Rate and the Swingline Loans shall be
payable in Dollars, and interest on the Loans calculated by reference to the
Eurocurrency Rate shall be payable in Dollars or in the applicable Optional
Currency in which the underlying Loan was made, as the case may be.
2.8. CONVERSION OPTIONS.
2.8.1. CONVERSION TO DIFFERENT TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. The
applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers may elect from time
to time to convert any outstanding Revolving Credit Loan denominated in
Dollars to a Revolving Credit Loan of another Type denominated in Dollars,
provided that (a) with respect to any such conversion of a Eurocurrency
Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan, the applicable Borrower or, as the case may
be, Borrowers shall give the Administrative Agent at least three (3)
Business Days prior written notice of such election; (b) with respect to
any such conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the
applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers shall give the
Administrative Agent at least four (4) Business Days prior written notice
of such election; (c) with respect to any such conversion of a
Eurocurrency Rate Loan into a Base Rate Loan, such conversion shall only
be made on the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto and
(d) no Revolving Credit Loan may be converted into a Eurocurrency Rate
Loan when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
On the date on
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which such conversion is being made each Lender shall take such action as
is necessary to transfer its Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
Credit Loans to its Domestic Lending Office or its Eurocurrency Lending
Office, as the case may be. All or any part of outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans of any Type denominated in Dollars may be converted into a
Revolving Credit Loan of another Type denominated in Dollars as provided
herein, provided that any partial conversion shall be in an aggregate
principal amount of $5,000,000 or a multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof. Each Conversion Request relating to the conversion of a Revolving
Credit Loan to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be irrevocable by the
Borrowers.
2.8.2. CONTINUATION OF TYPE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN. Any Revolving
Credit Loan of any Type denominated in Dollars may be continued as a
Revolving Credit Loan of the same Type denominated in Dollars upon the
expiration of an Interest Period with respect thereto by compliance by the
applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers with the notice
provisions contained in Section 2.8.1; provided that as to any
Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, no such Eurocurrency Rate
Loan may be continued as such when any Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, but shall be automatically converted to a Base
Rate Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto
ending during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default of which
officers of the Administrative Agent active upon the Borrowers' account
have actual knowledge. In the event that the applicable Borrower or, as
the case may be, Borrowers fail to provide any such notice with respect to
the continuation of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars as
such, then as to Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars such
Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be automatically converted to a Base Rate
Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto. The
Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly when any such
automatic conversion contemplated by this Section 2.8 is scheduled to
occur. All Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in an Optional Currency
shall be repaid on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto.
2.8.3. EUROCURRENCY RATE LOANS. Any conversion to or from
Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to
such elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate
principal amount of all Eurocurrency Rate Loans having the same Interest
Period shall not be less than the equivalent of $2,000,000 or a whole
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. No more than ten (10)
Eurocurrency Rate Loans having different Interest Periods may be
outstanding at any time. Any Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars
having an Interest Period of 7 or 14 days may be continued as such on no
more than one occasion.
2.9. FUNDS FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
2.9.1. FUNDING PROCEDURES. Not later than 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time)
on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loans, each of the
Lenders
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will make available to the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative
Agent's Office, in Same Day Funds, the amount of such Lender's Commitment
Percentage of the amount of the requested Revolving Credit Loans. Upon
receipt from each Lender of such amount, and upon receipt of the documents
required by Sections 11 and 12 and the satisfaction of the other
conditions set forth therein, to the extent applicable, the Administrative
Agent will make available to the applicable Borrower or, as the case may
be, Borrowers the aggregate amount of such Revolving Credit Loans made
available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders. The failure or
refusal of any Lender to make available to the Administrative Agent at the
aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the amount of its Commitment
Percentage of the requested Revolving Credit Loans shall not relieve any
other Lender from its several obligation hereunder to make available to
the Administrative Agent the amount of such other Lender's Commitment
Percentage of any requested Revolving Credit Loans.
2.9.2. ADVANCES BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. (a) The Administrative
Agent may, unless notified to the contrary by any Lender prior to a
Drawdown Date, assume that such Lender has made available to the
Administrative Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount of such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such
Drawdown Date, and the Administrative Agent may (but it shall not be
required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers a corresponding
amount. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent such
amount on a date after such Drawdown Date, such Lender shall pay to the
Administrative Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (a) the
average computed for the period referred to in clause (c) below, of the
Overnight Rate for each day included in such period times (b) the amount
of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans,
times (c) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that
elapse from and including such Drawdown Date to the date on which the
amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit
Loans shall become immediately available to the Administrative Agent, and
the denominator of which is 360. A statement of the Administrative Agent
submitted to such Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this
paragraph shall be prima facie evidence of the amount due and owing to the
Administrative Agent by such Lender. If the amount of such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans is not made available
to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days
following such Drawdown Date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled
to recover such amount from the applicable Borrower or, as the case may
be, Borrowers on demand, with interest thereon at the rate per annum
applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans made on such Drawdown Date.
(b) Unless the Co-Borrowers, the Australian Borrower or the UK
Borrower, as the case may be, has or have notified the Administrative
Agent prior to the date any payment is required to be made by it to the
Administrative
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Agent hereunder, that such Borrower will not make such payment, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has timely made such
payment and may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance thereon,
make available a corresponding amount to such Lender. If and to the extent
that such payment was not in fact made to the Administrative Agent by the
applicable Borrower in immediately available funds, then each Lender shall
forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the portion of such
assumed payment that was made available to such Lender in immediately
available funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day
from and including the date such amount was made available by the
Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to
the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Overnight
Rate from time to time in effect.
(c) A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or any
Borrower with respect to any amount owing under Sections 2.9.2(a) and (b)
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
2.10. OPTIONAL CURRENCY.
2.10.1. REQUEST FOR OPTIONAL CURRENCY. Subject to the limitations
set forth in Section 2.1, the Borrowers may, not later than 10:00 a.m.
four (4) Business Days prior to the proposed Drawdown Date thereof, give
notice to the Administrative Agent (an "OC Notice") requesting that one or
more Revolving Credit Loans be made as Eurocurrency Rate Loans in an
Optional Currency, provided that any Revolving Credit Loan proposed to be
made under this Section 2.10 shall be in an amount not less than the
Optional Currency equivalent of $2,000,000, or a greater amount which is a
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof in the requested Optional
Currency. Each OC Notice requesting a Revolving Credit Loan in an Optional
Currency shall be by telephone, telex, telecopy or cable (in each case
confirmed in writing by the Borrowers), specifying (a) the amount of the
Revolving Credit Loan to be made, (b) the requested date of the proposed
borrowing, (c) the requested currency in which the Revolving Credit Loan
is to be made, (d) the Interest Period for the Revolving Credit Loan to be
borrowed, and (e) the Borrower's or Borrowers' account with the
Administrative Agent to which payment of the proceeds of such Revolving
Credit Loan is to be made. Promptly upon receipt of any such notice, the
Administrative Agent shall notify each of the Lenders thereof. If any
Lender on or prior to the second Business Day preceding the first day of
any Interest Period for which an OC Notice has been delivered requesting a
Revolving Credit Loan in an Optional Currency or on any funding date,
determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that the Optional
Currency is not freely transferable and convertible into Dollars or that
it will be impracticable for such Lender to fund the Revolving Credit Loan
in such Optional Currency, then such Lender shall so notify the
Administrative Agent, which notification shall be given immediately by the
Administrative Agent to the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be,
Borrowers, and such Lender's portion of the requested Revolving Credit
Loan shall, in each case,
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notwithstanding any contrary election by the applicable Borrower or, as
the case may be, Borrowers or any other provisions hereof, be denominated
in Dollars as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan with the same Interest Period as
selected by the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers for
such Revolving Credit Loan. In the event that the Borrowers repay such
portion of a Revolving Credit Loan denominated in Dollars as a
Eurocurrency Rate Loan, in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof and such
repayment results in Revolving Credit Loans outstanding that are not pro
rata in accordance with the Commitment Percentages, then all subsequent
principal repayments denominated in the Optional Currency which the
applicable Lender did not advance shall be made by the applicable Borrower
or, as the case may be, Borrowers to the Administrative Agent for the
respective accounts of such Lenders other than such Lender on a pro rata
basis until such time as the Revolving Credit Loans are outstanding on a
pro rata basis. Subject to the foregoing and to the satisfaction of the
terms and conditions of Sections 11 and 12, each Revolving Credit Loan
requested to be made in an Optional Currency will be made on the date
specified therefor in the OC Notice, in the currency requested in the OC
Notice and, upon being so made, will have the Interest Period requested in
the OC Notice.
2.10.2. FUNDING. Each Lender may make any Eurocurrency Rate Loan
denominated in an Optional Currency by causing any of its domestic or
foreign branches or foreign affiliates to make such Eurocurrency Rate Loan
(whether or not such branch or affiliate is named as a lending office on
the signature pages hereof); provided that in such event the obligation of
the Borrowers to repay such Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall nevertheless be
to such Lender and shall, for all purposes of this Credit Agreement
(including without limitation for purposes of the definition of the term
"Required Lenders") be deemed made by such Lender, to the extent of such
Eurocurrency Rate Loan, for the account of such branch or affiliate.
2.11. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF MATURITY DATE. The Borrowers may, on not
more than the two occasions described below, provided that no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, by written notice to the
Administrative Agent given not less than sixty (60) days prior to (x) the first
anniversary of the Closing Date request that the initial Maturity Date be
extended to the date which is one year after the initial Maturity Date and (y)
the second anniversary of the Closing Date request that the then effective
Maturity Date be extended to the date which is one year after the then effective
Maturity Date. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such request
promptly after receipt with reasonable time for the Lenders to respond to such
request, and request each Lender to notify the Administrative Agent of its
determination to consent or not to consent to the applicable extension. Each
Lender which makes a determination not to consent to the extension of the then
effective Maturity Date on or before the thirtieth day prior to the first
anniversary or the second anniversary, as applicable, of the Closing Date shall
notify the Administrative Agent of such determination by the thirtieth day prior
to the applicable anniversary of the Closing Date. A Lender's failure to respond
within the foregoing time period shall not be
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deemed to be a consent by such Lender to the extension of the then effective
Maturity Date. The Borrowers may take the actions permitted by Section 5.12 to
replace any Lender that fails to agree to the relevant extension. If all of the
Lenders (including the Replacement Lender, if applicable) consent to the
relevant extension by so notifying the Administrative Agent in writing on the
applicable anniversary of the Closing Date, the then effective Maturity Date
shall be extended for one year, and the definition of Maturity Date shall be
deemed to reflect the applicable extension for all purposes hereof.
2.12. CHANGE IN BORROWING BASE. Each of the Domestic Borrowing Base or the
Aggregate Borrowing Base shall be determined monthly (or at such other interval
as may be specified pursuant to Section 8.4(e)) by the Administrative Agent by
reference to the Borrowing Base Report, commercial finance examinations and
collateral audit reports, and the appraisals of Eligible Inventory delivered to
the Lenders and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 8.9.2 and 8.9.3
and other information obtained by or provided to the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent shall give to the Borrowers written notice of any change in
the Domestic Borrowing Base or the Aggregate Borrowing Base, as the case may be,
determined by the Administrative Agent.
2.13. OVERADVANCES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
elsewhere in this Credit Agreement, if an Event of Default exists at the time
(unless otherwise objected to by the Required Lenders in writing), the
Administrative Agent may in its discretion in order to preserve and protect the
Collateral or to preserve and protect the business of the Borrowers, require all
Lenders to honor requests or deemed requests by the Borrowers for Revolving
Credit Loans at a time when an Overadvance exists or which would result in an
Overadvance and each Lender shall be obligated to continue to fund its
Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans, not to exceed a maximum
amount outstanding equal to its Commitment, so long as (i) such Overadvance is
not known by the Administrative Agent to exceed ten percent (10%) of the lesser
of the then Aggregate Borrowing Base or the then Total Commitment, in the
aggregate outstanding at any time, and (ii) such Overadvance is not outstanding
for more than sixty (60) consecutive Business Days (unless the Required Lenders
otherwise agree); provided that the foregoing shall not (1) modify or abrogate
any of the provisions of Section 4.3 regarding the Lenders' obligations with
respect to any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, or (2) result in any claim or
liability against the Administrative Agent (regardless of the amount of any
Overadvance) for "inadvertent Overadvances" (i.e., where an Overadvance results
from changed circumstances beyond the control of the Administrative Agent (such
as a reduction in the collateral value)). Any Overadvance that remains
outstanding for more than sixty (60) consecutive Business Days shall constitute
an Event of Default hereunder (unless the Required Lenders otherwise agree). The
making of any Overadvance is for the benefit of the Borrowers; such Overadvances
constitute Revolving Credit Loans and Obligations hereunder. The making of any
Overadvance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent or
the Lenders to make other Overadvances on any other occasion or to permit any
such Overadvance to remain outstanding. In no event shall the Dollar Equivalent
of the Total Facility Usage (including any Overadvance and after giving affect
to all amounts requested) exceed the Total Commitment.
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3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
3.1. MATURITY. The UK Borrower promises to pay on the Maturity Date, and
there shall become due and payable on the Maturity Date, all of the UK Loans
outstanding to the UK Borrower on such date, together with any and all accrued
and unpaid interest thereon. The Australian Borrower promises to pay on the
Maturity Date, and there shall become due and payable on the Maturity Date, all
of the Australian Loans outstanding to the Australian Borrower on such date,
together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Co-Borrowers
jointly and severally promise to pay on the Maturity Date, and there shall
become absolutely due and payable on the Maturity Date, all of the Revolving
Credit Loans outstanding on such date, together with any and all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon.
3.2. MANDATORY REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. If at any time
(including as a result of any determination of the Dollar Equivalent of the
Loans and LC Exposure pursuant to Section 5.13):
(a) the Dollar Equivalent of the Total Facility Usage exceeds the
lesser of (i) the Total Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Borrowing Base as
then in effect, then the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be,
Borrowers shall immediately or, in the case of any determination made
pursuant to Section 5.13, in the time period specified by Section 5.13.2,
pay the amount of such excess to the Administrative Agent for the
respective accounts of the Lenders for application: first, to any Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations; second, to the Swingline Loans; third, to the
Revolving Credit Loans; and fourth, to provide to the Administrative Agent
Cash Collateral for Reimbursement Obligations as contemplated by Section
4.2(ii) and (iii) provided, however, subject to Section 6 hereof, (A) any
payments by the UK Borrower shall be applied solely to the UK Loans or
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or Reimbursement Obligations in respect
of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the UK Borrower and (B) any
payments by the Australian Borrower shall be applied solely to the
Australian Loans or Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or Reimbursement
Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the
Australian Borrower;
(b) the sum of (i) the Dollar Equivalent of (x) the Co-Borrower
Loans outstanding, plus (y) the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of
Credit issued for the account of the Co-Borrowers, plus (z) the Swingline
Loans outstanding, exceeds (ii) the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment or
(y) the Domestic Borrowing Base as then in effect, then the Co-Borrowers
shall immediately or, in the case of any determination made pursuant to
Section 5.13, in the time period specified by Section 5.13.2, pay the
amount of such excess to the Administrative Agent for the respective
accounts of the Lenders for application: first, to any Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the
account of any of the Co-Borrowers; second, to the Swingline Loans; third,
to the Co-Borrower Loans; and fourth, to provide to the Administrative
Agent Cash Collateral for Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters
of Credit issued for the account of any of the Co-Borrowers, as
contemplated by Section 4.2(ii) and (iii);
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(c) if the Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (x) the outstanding UK
Loans and Australian Loans, plus (y) the LC Exposure in respect of Letters
of Credit issued for the account of the UK Borrower and/or the Australian
Borrower exceeds the Foreign Sublimit, the UK Borrower and the Australian
Borrower shall immediately pay the amount of such excess to the
Administrative Agent for the respective accounts of the Lenders for
application, in the case of the UK Borrower, first, to any Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the
account of a UK Borrower; second, to the UK Loans; and third, to provide
to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral for Reimbursement Obligations
in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the UK Borrower
as contemplated by Section 4.2(ii) and (iii), and in the case of the
Australian Borrower, first, to any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations in
respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of any of the
Australian Borrower; second, to the Australian Loans; and third, to
provide to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral for Reimbursement
Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the
Australian Borrower as contemplated by Section 4.2(ii) and (iii).
Each payment of any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or prepayment of
Revolving Credit Loans shall be allocated among the Lenders, in proportion, as
nearly as practicable, to each Reimbursement Obligation or (as the case may be)
the respective unpaid principal amount of each Lender's Co-Borrower Note, UK
Note or (as the case may be) the Australian Note, with adjustments to the extent
practicable to equalize any prior payments or repayments not exactly in
proportion.
3.3. OPTIONAL REPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. The Borrowers shall
have the right, at their election, to repay the outstanding amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans, as a whole or in part, at any time without penalty or
premium, provided that any full or partial prepayment of the outstanding amount
of any Eurocurrency Rate Loans pursuant to this Section 3.3 made other than on
the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto shall be subject to the
payment of any additional costs described in Section 5.10 incurred by any
Lender. The Borrowers shall give the Administrative Agent, no later than 10:00
a.m. (Eastern time), at least one (1) Business Day prior written notice of any
proposed prepayment pursuant to this Section 3.3 of Base Rate Loans or
Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars and four (4) Business Days notice
of any proposed prepayment pursuant to this Section 3.3 of Eurocurrency Rate
Loans denominated in an Optional Currency, in each case specifying the proposed
date of prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans and the principal amount to be
prepaid. Each such partial prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be in
the amount of $2,000,000 or a multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the
equivalent thereof in an Optional Currency), shall be accompanied by the payment
of accrued interest on the principal prepaid to the date of prepayment and shall
be applied, in the absence of instruction by the Borrowers, first to the
principal of Base Rate Loans and then to the principal of Eurocurrency Rate
Loans. Each partial prepayment shall be allocated among the Lenders, in
proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amount
of each Lender's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments to the extent
practicable to equalize any prior repayments not exactly in proportion.
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4. LETTERS OF CREDIT.
4.1. LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENTS.
4.1.1. COMMITMENT TO ISSUE LETTERS OF CREDIT. Subject to the terms
and conditions hereof and the execution and delivery by the Borrowers of a
letter of credit application on the applicable Issuing Bank's customary
form (a "Letter of Credit Application"), such Issuing Bank on behalf of
the Lenders and in reliance upon the agreement of the Lenders set forth in
Section 4.1.4 and upon the representations and warranties of the Borrowers
contained herein, agrees, in its individual capacity, to issue, extend and
renew for the account of the Co-Borrowers, the UK Borrower or, as the case
may be, the Australian Borrower one or more standby or documentary letters
of credit (individually, a "Letter of Credit"), denominated in Dollars or
in an Optional Currency in such form as may be requested from time to time
by the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers and agreed to
by the applicable Issuing Bank; provided, however, that, after giving
effect to such request, (a) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent of the
aggregate Maximum Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations
shall not exceed $75,000,000 (the "Letter of Credit Sublimit") at any one
time, (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the Total Facility Usage shall not
exceed the lesser of (i) the Total Commitment at such time or (ii) the
Aggregate Borrowing Base as then in effect, (c) the sum of the Dollar
Equivalent of (x) the Co-Borrower Loans outstanding, plus (y) the LC
Exposure in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the
Co-Borrowers, plus (z) the Swingline Loans outstanding, shall not exceed
the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment at such time or (y) the Domestic
Borrowing Base as then in effect, and (d) the sum of the Dollar Equivalent
of (x) the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the
account of the UK Borrower and/or the Australian Borrower, plus (y) the
outstanding UK Loans, plus (z) the outstanding Australian Loans shall not
exceed the Foreign Sublimit. Each Issuing Bank shall provide the
Administrative Agent, on a monthly basis, a report on the Maximum Drawing
Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit. The Administrative Agent shall
provide the Lenders, on a quarterly basis, a report on the Maximum Drawing
Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
4, no Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of
Credit if:
(a) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental
Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin
or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of
Credit, or any laws applicable to such Issuing Bank or any
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such
Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that such Issuing Bank
refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or
such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such
Issuing Bank with respect to
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such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital
requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise
compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or
shall impose upon such Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss,
cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date
and which such Issuing Bank in good ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ material to
it; or
(b) a default of any Lender's obligations to fund under
this Section 4 exists or any Lender is at such time a
Delinquent Lender hereunder, unless such Issuing Bank has
entered into satisfactory arrangements with the applicable
Borrowers or such Lender to eliminate such Issuing Bank's risk
with respect to such Lender.
4.1.2. LETTER OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS; ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT.
(a) each Letter of Credit Application shall be completed to the
satisfaction of the applicable Issuing Bank and signed by a Authorized
Officer of the applicable Borrower(s). In the event that any provision of
any Letter of Credit Application shall be inconsistent with any provision
of this Credit Agreement, then the provisions of this Credit Agreement
shall, to the extent of any such inconsistency, govern. Such Letter of
Credit Application must be received by the applicable Issuing Bank and the
Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days
prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may
be, of any Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars; or in each case such
later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing
Bank may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion. In the
case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such
Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory
to the applicable Issuing Bank: (A) the proposed issuance date of the
requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount
and currency thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and
address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by
such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of
any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing
thereunder; and (G) such other matters as the applicable Issuing Bank may
require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding
Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form
and detail satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank (A) the Letter of
Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which
shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and
(D) such other matters as the applicable Issuing Bank may require.
Additionally, the applicable Borrower(s) shall furnish to the applicable
Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent such other documents and
information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or
amendment, including any documents related thereto, as the applicable
Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may require.
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(b) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the
applicable Issuing Bank will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by
telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy
of such Letter of Credit Application from the applicable Borrower(s) and,
if not, such Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a
copy thereof. Unless the applicable Issuing Bank has received written
notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Borrower or any
Guarantor, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of
issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more
applicable conditions contained in Section 12 shall not then be satisfied,
then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the applicable Issuing
Bank shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the
account of the Company or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case
may be, in each case in accordance with such Issuing Bank's usual and
customary business practices.
4.1.3. TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Each Letter of Credit issued,
extended or renewed hereunder shall, among other things, (a) have an
expiry date no later than the date which is five (5) days (or, if the
Letter of Credit is confirmed by a confirmer or otherwise provides for one
or more nominated persons, forty-five (45) days) prior to the Maturity
Date (the "Letter of Credit Expiration Date") and (b) subject to Section
4.1.6, have an expiry date no later than twelve months after the date of
issuance or last extension or renewal. Each Letter of Credit so issued,
extended or renewed shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and Practice
for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce
Publication No. 500 or any successor version thereto adopted by the
applicable Issuing Bank in the ordinary course of its business as a letter
of credit issuer and in effect at the time of issuance of such Letter of
Credit (the "Uniform Customs") or, in the case of a standby Letter of
Credit, either the Uniform Customs or the International Standby Practices
(ISP98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590, or any
successor code of standby letter of credit practices among banks adopted
by the applicable Issuing Bank in the ordinary course of its business as a
standby letter of credit issuer and in effect at the time of issuance of
such Letter of Credit.
4.1.4. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS OF LENDERS. Each Lender severally
agrees that it shall be absolutely and unconditionally liable, without
regard to the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any other
condition precedent or circumstance whatsoever, to the extent of such
Lender's Commitment Percentage, to reimburse any Issuing Bank on demand
for the amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Bank under each Letter
of Credit to the extent that such amount is not reimbursed by the
Borrowers pursuant to Section 4.2 (such agreement for a Lender being
called herein the "Letter of Credit Participation" of such Lender).
4.1.5. PARTICIPATIONS OF LENDERS. Each such payment made by a Lender
shall be treated as the purchase by such Lender of a participating
interest in the
-▇▇-
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Obligation under Section 4.2 in an amount equal
to such payment. Each Lender shall share in accordance with its
participating interest in any interest which accrues pursuant to Section
4.2.
4.1.6. AUTO-EXTENSION LETTERS OF CREDIT. If the applicable Borrower
or, as the case may be, Borrowers so requests in any applicable Letter of
Credit Application, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole and
absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic
extension provisions (each, an "Auto-Extension Letter of Credit");
provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the
Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each
twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter
of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later
than a day (the "Non-Extension Notice Date") in each such twelve-month
period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.
Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Bank, the applicable Borrower or,
as the case may be, Borrowers shall not be required to make a specific
request to the Issuing Bank for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension
Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have
authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Bank to permit the extension
of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the
Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Issuing Bank
shall not permit any such extension if (i) the Issuing Bank has determined
that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time
to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the
terms hereof, or (ii) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or
in writing) on or before the day that is five Business Days before the
Non-Extension Notice Date (A) from the Administrative Agent that the
Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (B) from any
Agent, any Lender or any Borrower that one or more of the applicable
conditions specified in Section 12 is not then satisfied, and in each such
case directing the Issuing Bank not to permit such extension.
4.2. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWERS. In order to induce each
Issuing Bank to issue, extend and renew each Letter of Credit and the Lenders to
participate therein, (a) the Co-Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree to
reimburse or pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable
Issuing Bank or (as the case may be) the Lenders, with respect to each Letter of
Credit issued, extended or renewed by the Issuing Bank hereunder at the request
of the Co-Borrowers, (b) the UK Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse or pay to
the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank or (as
the case may be) the Lenders, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued,
extended or renewed by the Issuing Bank hereunder at the request of the UK
Borrower, and (c) the Australian Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse or pay to
the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank or (as
the case may be) the Lenders, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued,
extended or renewed by the Issuing Bank hereunder at the request of the
Australian Borrower:
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(i) except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.2(ii) and (iii) or
Section 4.3, on the Business Day next following the date that any draft
presented under such Letter of Credit is honored by the applicable Issuing Bank,
or the applicable Issuing Bank otherwise makes a payment with respect thereto,
(A) the amount paid by such Issuing Bank under or with respect to such Letter of
Credit denominated in the same currency in which such draft or such payment was
denominated, (B) interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate
plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Base Rate Loans as in effect from
time to time, and (C) the amount of any taxes, fees, charges or other costs and
expenses whatsoever incurred by the applicable Issuing Bank or any Lender in
connection with any payment made by the Issuing Bank or any Lender under, or
with respect to, such Letter of Credit, denominated in the same currency in
which such costs and expenses were denominated,
(ii) (A) upon the reduction (but not termination) of the lesser of (x) the
Total Commitment or (y) the Aggregate Borrowing Base to an amount less than the
Dollar Equivalent of the Maximum Drawing Amount or (B) upon the reduction (but
not termination) of the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment or (y) the Domestic
Borrowing Base to an amount less than the Dollar Equivalent of the Maximum
Drawing Amount in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the
Co-Borrowers, the Dollar Equivalent of the amount equal to such difference,
which amount shall be held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Lenders and Issuing Banks as Cash Collateral for, in the case of clause (A)
above, all Reimbursement Obligations, or in the case of clause (B) above, all
Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account
of the Co-Borrowers, and
(iii) upon the termination of the Total Commitment, or the acceleration of
the Reimbursement Obligations with respect to all Letters of Credit in
accordance with Section 13, an amount equal to the then Maximum Drawing Amount
on all Letters of Credit (such amounts to be denominated in the same currency as
such Letters of Credit), which amount shall be held by the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders and Issuing Banks as Cash Collateral for all
Reimbursement Obligations.
Each such payment shall be made by the applicable Borrower(s) to the
Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's Office in Same Day Funds.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.3 with respect to Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations which are converted to Revolving Credit Loans, interest on any and
all amounts remaining unpaid by the Borrowers under this Section 4.2 at any time
from the date such amounts become due and payable (whether as stated in this
Section 4.2, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full (whether before
or after judgment) shall be payable to the Administrative Agent on demand at the
rate specified in Section 5.11 for overdue principal on the Revolving Credit
Loans. For purposes of this Section 4, and Sections 3.2 and 13, "Cash
Collateralize" means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as collateral for the LC Exposure, cash
or deposit account balances pursuant to documentation in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank (which
documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term have
corresponding meanings. The Borrowers hereby grant to
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the Administrative Agent, for benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in all
such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the
foregoing. Cash Collateral shall be maintained in blocked deposit accounts at
Bank of America.
4.3. LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS. (a) If any draft shall be presented or
other demand for payment shall be made under any Letter of Credit, the
applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrowers of the date, amount and
currency of the draft presented or demand for payment and of the date and time
when it expects to pay such draft or honor such demand for payment. If the
applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers fail to reimburse the
applicable Issuing Bank as provided in Section 4.2 on or before the date that
such draft is paid or other payment is made by such Issuing Bank, such Issuing
Bank may at any time thereafter notify the Administrative Agent who will
promptly notify the Lenders of the amount and currency of any such Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation. If no Default or Event of Default is then continuing,
the applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers shall be deemed to
have requested a Co-Borrower Loan, in the case of a Co-Borrower, a UK Loan in
the case of the UK Borrower or an Australian Loan in the case of the Australian
Borrower in Dollars in all respects bearing interest at the Base Rate with a
Drawdown Date as of the date on which the applicable Issuing Bank paid the draft
presented for honor or otherwise made such payment, in an amount equal to the
amount of, such draft or other payment and the notice from the applicable
Issuing Bank to the Lenders shall be deemed to be a notice of a Revolving Credit
Loan Request made by the Administrative Agent. No later than 1:00 p.m. (Eastern
time) on the Business Day next following the receipt of such notice, each Lender
shall make available to the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent's
Office, in Same Day Funds in Dollars, such Lender's Commitment Percentage of
such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, together with an amount equal to the
product of (a) the average, computed for the period referred to in clause (c)
below, of the Overnight Rate for each day included in such period, times (b) the
amount equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligation, times (c) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
that elapse from and including the date the Issuing Bank paid the draft
presented for honor or otherwise made payment to the date on which such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of such Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation shall become
immediately available to the Administrative Agent, and the denominator of which
is 360. If no Default or Event of Default is continuing at the time the
Administrative Agent notified the Lenders of the amount of such Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation, the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent
by the Lenders hereunder shall be treated as a Co-Borrower Loan, in the case of
a Co-Borrower, a UK Loan in the case of the UK Borrower or an Australian Loan in
the case of the Australian Borrower in Dollars in all respects bearing interest
at the Base Rate with a Drawdown Date as of the date on which the applicable
Issuing Bank paid the draft presented for honor or otherwise made such payment.
Each Lender, each Borrower and each Guarantor agrees that, in paying any drawing
under a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank shall not have any
responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates
and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or
inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of
the Person executing or delivering any such document.
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Each Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any
beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit;
provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not,
preclude such Borrower's pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have
against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the applicable Issuing Bank
may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without
responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or
information to the contrary, and the applicable Issuing Bank shall not be
responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or
assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights
or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove
to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.
(b) With respect to any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation that is not fully
refinanced by a Co-Borrower Loan, in all respects bearing interest at the Base
Rate as set forth above because a Default or Event of Default is then
continuing, the conditions set forth in Section 12 cannot be satisfied or for
any other reason, the applicable Borrower(s) shall be deemed to have incurred
from the applicable Issuing Bank an extension of credit resulting from and in
the amount of the Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation that is not so refinanced,
which extension of credit shall be due and payable on demand (together with
interest) and shall bear interest at the default rate set forth in Section 5.11
and shall constitute an Obligation as defined herein and for the purposes of the
Loan Documents. In such event, each Lender's payment to the Administrative Agent
for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 4.3
shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such extension of
credit and shall constitute a funding of such Lender's participation in such
extension of credit in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this
Section 4. No such funding of such Lender's participation in such extension of
credit shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the applicable
Borrower(s) to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for the amount of any
payment made by the applicable Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit, together
with interest as provided herein.
(c) Until each Lender funds its Commitment Percentage of the Loans or
participations as set forth in this Section 4.3 to reimburse the applicable
Issuing Bank for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in
respect of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such amount shall be solely
for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank.
(d) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for
the account of the applicable Issuing Bank any amount required to be paid by
such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.3 by the time
specified in Section 4.3, the applicable Issuing Bank shall be entitled to
recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand,
such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is
required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the
applicable Issuing Bank at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight
Rate from time to time in effect. A certificate of the applicable
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Issuing Bank submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with
respect to any amounts owing under this clause (d) shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.
(e) At any time after the applicable Issuing Bank has made a payment under
any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender's
participation in respect of such payment in accordance with this Section 4.3, if
the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank
any payment in respect of the related Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation or
interest thereon (whether directly from the applicable Borrower(s) or otherwise,
including proceeds of cash collateral applied thereto by the Administrative
Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Commitment
Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to
reflect the period of time during which such Lender's participation was
outstanding) in Dollars and in the same funds as those received by the
Administrative Agent. If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for
the account of the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 4.3 is required
to be returned in connection with any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or
otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the applicable
Issuing Bank in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank its Commitment Percentage
thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the
date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a
rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in
effect. The obligations of the Lenders under the immediately preceding sentence
shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this
Credit Agreement.
4.4. OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The Borrowers' obligations under this Section 4
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any
condition precedent whatsoever or any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
which the Borrowers may have or have had against any Agent, any Issuing Bank,
any Lender or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit. Each of the Borrowers
further agrees with the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders
that, except for liability resulting from the Administrative Agent's, such
Issuing Bank's or such Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct, the
Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall not be responsible
for, and the Borrowers' Reimbursement Obligations under Section 4.2 shall not be
affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of
any endorsements thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in
any or all respects invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or
among any Borrower, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any financing
institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit may be transferred or
any claims or defenses whatsoever of any Borrower against the beneficiary of any
Letter of Credit or any such transferee. None of the Administrative Agent, any
Issuing Bank nor any Lenders shall 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 unless
resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each of the Borrowers
agrees that any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing
Bank or any Lender
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under or in connection with each Letter of Credit and the related drafts and
documents, if done in good faith, shall be binding upon each Borrower and shall
not result in any liability on the part of any Issuing Bank, the Administrative
Agent or any Lender to any Borrower.
4.5. RELIANCE BY ISSUER. To the extent not inconsistent with Section 4.4,
each Issuing Bank shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying upon, any Letter of Credit, draft, writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype
message, statement, order or other document 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, independent accountants and
other experts selected by such Issuing Bank. Each Issuing Bank shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Credit Agreement
unless it shall first have received such advice or concurrence of the Required
Lenders as it reasonably deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to
its reasonable 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. Each Issuing Bank shall in all cases be fully protected in
acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Credit Agreement in accordance
with a request of the Required Lenders, and such request and any action taken or
failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon the Lenders and all future
holders of the Notes or of a Letter of Credit Participation.
4.6. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. The Borrowers shall, on the first day of each
calendar quarter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, pay a fee (in
each case, a "Letter of Credit Fee") to the Administrative Agent (a) in respect
of each standby Letter of Credit issued, extended or renewed during such
calendar quarter, an amount equal to the Applicable Margin per annum with
respect to standby Letter of Credit Fees of the face amount of such standby
Letter of Credit, which Letter of Credit Fee shall be for the accounts of the
Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages and (b) in
respect of each documentary Letter of Credit an amount equal to the Applicable
Margin per annum with respect to documentary Letter of Credit Fees on the face
amount of such documentary Letter of Credit, which Letter of Credit Fee shall be
for the accounts of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment
Percentages. In respect of each Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall also pay
to each Issuing Bank for such Issuing Bank's own account, at the times and in
the amounts set forth in the Fee Letter, a fronting fee agreed by such Issuing
Bank and the Borrowers and, at such other time or times as such charges are
customarily made by such Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank's customary issuance,
amendment, negotiation or document examination and other administrative fees as
in effect from time to time.
4.7. TRANSITIONAL LETTERS OF CREDIT. Schedule 4.7 contains a list of
certain letters of credit issued prior to the Closing Date for the account of
the Borrowers by Fleet National Bank in its capacity as the issuing bank under
the Existing Credit Agreement (the "Existing Letters of Credit"). On the Closing
Date, (a) the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit
issued pursuant to this Section 4 and shall be subject to all of the provisions
applicable to Letters of Credit under this Credit Agreement,
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including, without limitation, such provisions as relate to the Letter of Credit
Participations of the Lenders, and (b) all liabilities of any Borrower with
respect to the Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute Obligations of such
Borrower with respect to Letters of Credit in accordance with this Credit
Agreement and the Loan Documents as though such Borrower had executed a Letter
of Credit Application with respect thereto under this Credit Agreement. On the
Closing Date, the letter of credit fees owing with respect to the Existing
Letters of Credit under Section 2.10(c) of the Existing Credit Agreement shall
be calculated and paid in full to PNC Bank, National Association as
Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement. From and after the
Closing Date, the Borrowers shall pay Letter of Credit Fees and such other fees
as provided in Section 4.6, in each case when due pursuant to Section 4.6, with
respect to each of the Existing Letters of Credit.
4.8. 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 Dollar Equivalent of the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after
giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or
the documents related thereto, whether or not such maximum face amount is in
effect at such time.
5. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.
5.1. CLOSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S FEES. The Co-Borrowers jointly and
severally agree to pay (a) to the Administrative Agent for the accounts of the
Lenders on the Closing Date a closing fee (the "Closing Fee") as set forth in
the Fee Letter and (b) to the Administrative Agent, at the times and in the
manner set forth in the Fee Letters, the fees described in the Fee Letter.
5.2. BGI AS AGENT FOR OTHER BORROWERS. Each of the Borrowers, by its
execution of this Credit Agreement, irrevocably authorizes BGI to give and
receive all notices and instructions, to take all actions and make such
agreements expressed to be capable of being given, received or taken by BGI or
any other Borrower under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
including, without limitation, the making of any Loan Request on behalf of such
other Borrower, and notwithstanding that such notice, instruction, action or
agreement may affect such other Borrower, and each Borrower shall, as regards
the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders, be bound thereby as though
each Borrower, as applicable, itself had given or received such notice or
instruction, taken such action or made such agreement. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, any actions taken pursuant to this Section 5.2
with respect to BGP(UK), the UK Borrower or the Australian Borrower relating to
any Loan Requests or any consent, amendment or other modification of this Credit
Agreement or in connection with any other action requested by the Administrative
Agent shall be taken by such Person directly (including the execution of any
documents in connection with any such actions).
5.3. FUNDS FOR PAYMENTS.
5.3.1. PAYMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. All payments of principal
and interest on Loans, Reimbursement Obligations, Fees and any other
amounts due
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hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made on the
due date thereof to the Administrative Agent in the currency set forth in
Section 5.13.1, for the respective accounts of the Lenders, the Swingline
Lender, any Agent or any Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at the
Administrative Agent's Office or at such other place that the
Administrative Agent may from time to time designate, in each case at or
about 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time or other local time at the place of
payment) and in Same Day Funds.
5.3.2. NO OFFSET, ETC. All payments by the Borrowers hereunder and
under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without recoupment,
setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any
taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings,
compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature now or
hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political
subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the
Borrowers are compelled by law to make such deduction or withholding. If
any such obligation is imposed upon the Borrowers with respect to any
amount payable by them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
the Borrowers will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
Lenders, the Swingline Lender, the applicable Agent or (as the case may
be) the applicable Issuing Bank, on the date on which such amount is due
and payable hereunder or under such other Loan Document, such additional
amount in Dollars or the applicable Optional Currency as shall be
necessary to enable the Lenders, the Swingline Lender, such Agent or such
Issuing Bank to receive the same net amount which the Lenders, the
Swingline Lender, such Agent or such Issuing Bank would have received on
such due date had no such obligation been imposed upon the Borrowers. The
Borrowers will deliver promptly to the Administrative Agent certificates
or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other charges deducted from or
paid with respect to payments made by the Borrowers hereunder or under
such other Loan Document.
5.3.3. NON-U.S. LENDERS. Each Lender and Agent that is not a U.S.
Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code for federal income
tax purposes (a "Non-U.S. Lender") hereby agrees that, if and to the
extent it is legally able to do so, it shall, prior to the date of the
first payment by the Borrowers hereunder to be made to such Lender or
Agent or for such Lender's or Agent's account, deliver to the Borrowers
and the Administrative Agent, as applicable, such certificates, documents
or other evidence, as and when required by the Code or Treasury
Regulations issued pursuant thereto, including (a) in the case of a
Non-U.S. Lender that is a "bank" for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of
the Code, two (2) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI and any other certificate or statement of exemption
required by Treasury Regulations, or any subsequent versions thereof or
successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender or
Agent establishing that with respect to payments of principal, interest or
fees hereunder it is (i) not subject to United States federal withholding
tax under the Code because such payment is effectively connected with the
conduct by such
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Lender or Agent of a trade or business in the United States or (ii)
totally exempt or partially exempt from United States federal withholding
tax under a provision of an applicable tax treaty and (b) in the case of a
Non-U.S. Lender that is not a "bank" for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A)
of the Code, a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers and to the effect that (i)
such Non-U.S. Lender is not a "bank" for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A)
of the Code, is not subject to regulatory or other legal requirements as a
bank in any jurisdiction, and has not been treated as a bank for purposes
of any tax, securities law or other filing or submission made to any
governmental authority, any application made to a rating agency or
qualification for any exemption from any tax, securities law or other
legal requirements, (ii) is not a ten (10) percent shareholder for
purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (iii) is not a controlled
foreign corporation receiving interest from a related person for purposes
of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, together with a properly completed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable (or successor
forms). Each Lender and Agent agrees that it shall, promptly upon a change
of its lending office or the selection of any additional lending office,
to the extent the forms previously delivered by it pursuant to this
section are no longer effective, and promptly upon the Borrowers' or the
Administrative Agent's reasonable request after the occurrence of any
other event (including the passage of time) requiring the delivery of a
Form W-8BEN, Form W-8ECI, Form W-8 or W-9 in addition to or in replacement
of the forms previously delivered, deliver to the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent it is properly
entitled to do so, a properly completed and executed Form W-8BEN, Form
W-8ECI, Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable (or any successor forms thereto).
Without limiting the obligations of the Lenders set forth above regarding
delivery of certain forms and documents to establish each Lender's status
for U.S. withholding tax purposes, each Lender agrees promptly to deliver
to the Administrative Agent or BGI, as the Administrative Agent or BGI
shall reasonably request, on or prior to the Closing Date, and in a timely
fashion thereafter, such other documents and forms required by any
relevant taxing authorities under the laws of any other jurisdiction, duly
executed and completed by such Lender, as are required under such laws to
confirm such Lender's entitlement to any available exemption from, or
reduction of, applicable withholding taxes in respect of all payments to
be made to such Lender outside of the U.S. by the Borrowers pursuant to
this Credit Agreement or otherwise to establish such Lender's status for
withholding tax purposes in such other jurisdiction. Each Lender shall
promptly (A) notify the Administrative Agent of any change in
circumstances which would modify or render invalid any such claimed
exemption or reduction, and (B) take such steps as shall not be materially
disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as
may be reasonably necessary to avoid any requirement of applicable laws of
any such jurisdiction that any Borrower make any deduction or withholding
for taxes from amounts payable to such Lender. Additionally, each of the
Borrowers shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall reasonably
request, on or prior to the
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Closing Date, and in a timely fashion thereafter, such documents and forms
required by any relevant taxing authorities under the laws of any
jurisdiction, duly executed and completed by such Borrower, as are
required to be furnished by such Lender or the Administrative Agent under
such laws in connection with any payment by the Administrative Agent or
any Lender of taxes or otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents,
with respect to such jurisdiction.
5.4. COMPUTATIONS. All computations of interest on the Loans (other than
Base Rate Loans) and of Fees shall, unless otherwise expressly provided herein,
be based on a 360-day year and paid for the actual number of days elapsed except
that computations of interest on Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in an
Optional Currency shall be based on customary banking practices for such
Optional Currency. All computations of interest on the Base Rate Loans shall be
based on a 365/366-day year and paid for the actual number of days elapsed.
Except as otherwise provided in the definition of the term "Interest Period"
with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, whenever a payment hereunder or under
any of the other Loan Documents becomes due on a day that is not a Business Day,
the due date for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day, and interest shall accrue during such extension. The outstanding amount of
the Loans as reflected on the Note Records and accounts relating to such Loans
from time to time shall be considered correct and binding on the Borrowers
unless within five (5) Business Days after receipt of any notice by the
Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders of such outstanding amount, the
Administrative Agent or such Lender shall notify the Borrowers to the contrary.
5.5. INABILITY TO DETERMINE EUROCURRENCY RATE. In the event, prior to the
commencement of any Interest Period relating to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan
denominated in Dollars or an Optional Currency (such currency, whether Dollars
or an Optional Currency, referred to in this Section 5.5 as the "Affected
Currency"), the Administrative Agent shall determine or be notified by the
Required Lenders that (a) adequate and reasonable methods do not exist for
ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate or the International Eurocurrency Rate that
would otherwise determine the rate of interest to be applicable to any
Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in the Affected Currency during any Interest
Period or (b) the Eurocurrency Rate determined or to be determined for such
Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders
of making or maintaining their Eurocurrency Rate Loans during such period, the
Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice of such determination (which
shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and the Lenders) to the
Borrowers and the Lenders. In such event (i) any Loan Request or Conversion
Request with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be automatically withdrawn
and, only in the case of Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars, shall be
deemed a request for Base Rate Loans, (ii) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan if
denominated in Dollars will automatically, on the last day of the then current
Interest Period relating thereto, become a Base Rate Loan, and if denominated in
an Optional Currency that is an Affected Currency, be repaid and (iii) the
obligations of the Lenders to make Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in the
Affected Currency shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent or the
Required Lenders determine that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension
no longer exist,
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whereupon the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Administrative
Agent upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall so notify the
Borrowers and the Lenders.
5.6. ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
present or future law, regulation, treaty or directive or the interpretation or
application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain
Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in any currency (such currency whether
Dollars or an Optional Currency referred to in this Section 5.6 as the "Affected
Currency"), such Lender shall forthwith give notice of such circumstances to the
Borrowers and the other Lenders and thereupon (a) the commitment of such Lender
to make Eurocurrency Rate Loans or convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate
Loans denominated in the Affected Currency shall forthwith be suspended and (b)
such Lender's Loans then outstanding as Eurocurrency Rate Loans and denominated
in an Affected Currency where such Affected Currency is Dollars, if any, shall
be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the last day of each Interest
Period applicable to such Eurocurrency Rate Loans or within such earlier period
as may be required by law and the Eurocurrency Rate Loans then outstanding and
denominated in an Optional Currency that is an Affected Currency if any, shall
be repaid on the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such
Eurocurrency Rate Loan or within such earlier period as may be required by law.
The Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree promptly to pay the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, upon demand by such Lender,
any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for any costs
incurred by such Lender in making any conversion in accordance with this Section
5.6, including any interest or fees payable by such Lender to lenders of funds
obtained by it in order to make or maintain its Eurocurrency Rate Loans
hereunder.
5.7. ADDITIONAL COSTS, ETC. If any present or future applicable law, which
expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations thereunder
and interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any governmental or
other regulatory body or official charged with the administration or the
interpretation thereof and requests, directives, instructions and notices at any
time or from time to time hereafter made upon or otherwise issued to any Lender,
Agent or any Issuing Bank by any central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other
authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall:
(a) subject any Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank to any tax, levy, impost,
duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature with respect to this
Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Letters of Credit, such Lender's
Commitment or the Loans (other than taxes based upon or measured by the income
or profits of such Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank), or
(b) materially change the basis of taxation (except for changes in taxes
on income or profits) of payments to any Lender of the principal of or the
interest on any Loans or any other amounts payable to any Lender, Agent or
Issuing Bank under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or
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(c) impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the extent
specifically provided for elsewhere in this Credit Agreement) any special
deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital adequacy or other similar
requirements (whether or not having the force of law) against assets held by, or
deposits in or for the account of, or loans by, or letters of credit issued by,
or commitments of an office of any Lender or Issuing Bank, or
(d) impose on any Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank any other conditions or
requirements with respect to this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents,
any Letters of Credit, the Loans, such Lender's Commitment, or any class of
loans, letters of credit or commitments of which any of the Loans or such
Lender's Commitment forms a part, and the result of any of the foregoing is
(i) to increase the cost to any Lender or Issuing Bank of
making, funding, issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any of
the Loans or such Lender's Commitment or any Letter of Credit, or
(ii) to reduce the amount of principal, interest,
Reimbursement Obligation or other amount payable to such Lender,
Agent or Issuing Bank hereunder on account of such Lender's
Commitment, any Letter of Credit or any of the Loans, or
(iii) to require such Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank to make
any payment or to forego any interest or Reimbursement Obligation or
other sum payable hereunder, the amount of which payment or foregone
interest or Reimbursement Obligation or other sum is calculated by
reference to the gross amount of any sum receivable or deemed
received by such Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank from the Borrowers
hereunder,
(e) impose on any Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank any Mandatory Costs with
respect to the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, such Lender's
Commitment or the Loans,
then, and in each such case, the Borrowers will, upon demand made by such Lender
or (as the case may be) any Agent or Issuing Bank at any time and from time to
time and as often as the occasion therefor may arise, pay to such Lender, Agent
or Issuing Bank such additional amounts as will be sufficient to compensate such
Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank for such additional cost, reduction, payment or
foregone interest or Reimbursement Obligation or other sum.
5.8. CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If after the date hereof any Lender, Agent or
Issuing Bank determines that (a) the adoption of or change in any law,
governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank
holding companies or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by
a Governmental Authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (b) compliance by
such Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank or any corporation controlling such Lender,
Agent or Issuing Bank with any law, governmental rule,
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regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) of any such entity regarding capital adequacy, has the effect of reducing
the return on such Lender's, Agent's or Issuing Bank's commitment with respect
to any Loans to a level below that which such Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank
could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's, Agent's or Issuing Bank's then existing policies
with respect to capital adequacy and assuming full utilization of such entity's
capital) by any amount deemed by such Lender or (as the case may be) Agent or
Issuing Bank to be material, then such Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank may notify
the Borrowers of such fact. To the extent that the amount of such reduction in
the return on capital is not reflected in the Base Rate, the Borrowers jointly
and severally agree to pay such Lender or (as the case may be) Agent or Issuing
Bank for the amount of such reduction in the return on capital as and when such
reduction is determined upon presentation by such Lender or (as the case may be)
such Agent or Issuing Bank of a certificate in accordance with Section 5.9
hereof. Each Lender shall allocate such cost increases among its customers in
good faith and on an equitable basis.
5.9. CERTIFICATE. A certificate setting forth any additional amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 5.7 or 5.8 and a brief explanation of such amounts
which are due, submitted by any Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank to the Borrowers,
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, that such amounts are due and owing.
5.10. INDEMNITY. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to indemnify
each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from and against any loss, cost or
expense (including loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and
any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or redeployment of funds
obtained by it to maintain any Loans, from fees payable to terminate the
deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any
foreign exchange contract) that such Lender may sustain or incur as a
consequence of (a) default by a Borrower in payment of the principal amount of
or any interest on any Eurocurrency Rate Loans as and when due and payable,
including any such loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by such
Lender to banks of funds obtained by it in order to maintain its Eurocurrency
Rate Loans, (b) default by a Borrower in making a borrowing or conversion after
such Borrower has given (or is deemed to have given) a Loan Request or a
Conversion Request relating thereto in accordance with Sections 2.1.1, 2.4.1.6,
2.5.2 or 2.9 or (c) the making of any payment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or the
making of any conversion of any such Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is
not the last day of the applicable Interest Period with respect thereto,
including interest or fees payable by such Lender to lenders of funds obtained
by it in order to maintain any such Loans; provided that the UK Borrower shall
not indemnify the Lenders pursuant to this Section 5.10 for any amounts owing to
the Lenders in respect of any Loans made to, or Letters of Credit issued for the
account of, BGP(UK) relating to BGP(UK)'s acquisition of any equity interests of
the UK Borrower.
5.11. INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT.
5.11.1. OVERDUE AMOUNTS. Overdue principal and (to the extent
permitted by applicable law) interest on the Loans and all other overdue
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amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall
bear interest compounded monthly and payable on demand at a rate per annum
equal to two percent (2%) above the rate of interest then applicable
thereto (or, if no rate of interest is then applicable thereto, the Base
Rate) until such amount shall be paid in full (after as well as before
judgment).
5.11.2. AMOUNTS NOT OVERDUE. During the continuance of a Default or
an Event of Default the principal of the Loans not overdue shall, until
such Default or Event of Default has been cured or remedied or such
Default or Event of Default has been waived by the Required Lenders
pursuant to Section 16.12, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
rate of interest applicable to overdue principal pursuant to Section
5.11.1.
5.12. REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS. If any Lender (an "Affected Lender") (a)
makes demand upon the Borrowers for (or if the Borrowers are otherwise required
to pay) amounts pursuant to Sections 5.7 or 5.8, (b) is unable to make or
maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans as a result of a condition described in Section
5.6, (c) gives notice to the Administrative Agent that it will not consent to
the extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.11 or (d) defaults in
its obligation to make Loans in accordance with the terms of this Credit
Agreement or purchase any Letter of Credit Participation or participate in any
Swingline Loan, the Borrowers may, so long as no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is then continuing, within ninety (90) days of receipt of such
demand, notice (or the occurrence of such other event causing the Borrowers to
be required to pay such compensation or causing Section 5.6 to be applicable),
or default referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (d), or in the case of clause (c)
above, prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, as the case may be,
by notice (a "Replacement Notice") in writing to the Administrative Agent and
such Affected Lender (i) request the Affected Lender to cooperate with the
Borrowers in obtaining a replacement Lender satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the Borrowers (the "Replacement Lender"); (ii) request the
non-Affected Lenders to acquire and assume all of the Affected Lender's Loans
and Commitment as provided herein, but none of such Lenders shall be under an
obligation to do so; or (iii) designate a Replacement Lender approved by the
Administrative Agent, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
If any satisfactory Replacement Lender shall be obtained, and/or if any one or
more of the non-Affected Lenders shall agree to acquire and assume all of the
Affected Lender's Loans and Commitment, then such Affected Lender shall assign,
in accordance with Section 15, all of its Commitment, Loans, Letter of Credit
Participations, Notes and other rights and obligations under this Credit
Agreement and all other Loan Documents to such Replacement Lender or
non-Affected Lenders, as the case may be, in exchange for payment of the
principal amount so assigned and all interest and fees accrued on the amount so
assigned, plus all other Obligations then due and payable to the Affected
Lender; provided, however, that (A) such assignment shall be without recourse,
representation or warranty and shall be on terms and conditions reasonably
satisfactory to such Affected Lender and such Replacement Lender and/or
non-Affected Lenders, as the case may be, and (B) prior to any such assignment,
the Borrowers shall have paid to such Affected Lender all amounts properly
demanded and unreimbursed under Sections 5.7 and 5.8. Upon the effective
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date of such assignment, the Borrowers shall issue replacement Notes to such
Replacement Lender and/or non-Affected Lenders, as the case may be, and such
institution shall become a "Lender" for all purposes under this Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.
5.13. CURRENCY MATTERS.
5.13.1. CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT. Dollars are the currency of account and
payment for each and every sum at any time due from the Borrowers
hereunder in each case except as expressly provided in this Credit
Agreement; provided that:
(a) each repayment of a Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation or a
part thereof shall be made in the currency in which such Loan or Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligation is denominated at the time of that repayment;
(b) each payment of interest shall be made in the currency in which
such principal or other sum in respect of which such interest is payable,
is denominated;
(c) each payment of Fees shall be in Dollars;
(d) each payment in respect of costs, expenses and indemnities shall
be made in the currency in which the same were incurred; and
(e) any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than
Dollars shall be paid in that other currency.
No payment to any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender (whether
under any judgment or court order or otherwise) shall discharge the
obligation or liability in respect of which it was made unless and until
such Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender shall have received payment
in full in the currency in which such obligation or liability was
incurred, and to the extent that the amount of any such payment shall, on
actual conversion into such currency, fall short of such obligation or
liability actual or contingent expressed in that currency, the Borrowers
jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless such Agent,
such Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, with respect to the
amount of the shortfall, with such indemnity surviving the termination of
this Credit Agreement and any legal proceeding, judgment or court order
pursuant to which the original payment was made which resulted in the
shortfall.
5.13.2. CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS. (a) Not later than 1:00 p.m. (Eastern
time) on the last Business Day of each month with respect to Letters of
Credit and on the last day of each Interest Period with respect to
Revolving Credit Loans (in each case, the "Calculation Date"), and at such
other times as shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion, the Administrative Agent shall
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determine the Dollar Equivalent as of such date of the LC Exposure or, as
the case may be, such Revolving Credit Loan. The Dollar Equivalent so
determined shall become effective on the first Business Day immediately
following such determination (a "Reset Date") and shall remain effective
until the next succeeding Reset Date relating to LC Exposure or, as the
case may be, such Revolving Credit Loan. The Administrative Agent shall
use its reasonable efforts to provide the Borrowers with notice of such
Reset Date and the Dollar Equivalent determined pursuant to the preceding
sentence.
(b) If, on any Reset Date and on the Maturity Date, (i) the Dollar
Equivalent of the Total Facility Usage exceeds the lesser of (x) the Total
Commitment at such time or (y) the Aggregate Borrowing Base as then in
effect, or (ii) the sum of (A) the Dollar Equivalent of (x) the
Co-Borrower Loans outstanding, plus (y) the LC Exposure in respect of
Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Co-Borrowers, plus (z) the
Swingline Loans outstanding, exceeds (B) the lesser of (x) the Total
Commitment at such time or (y) the Domestic Borrowing Base as then in
effect, or (iii) the Dollar Equivalent of the sum of the UK Loans and the
Australian Loans and the Dollar Equivalent of the LC Exposure in respect
of Letters of Credit issued for the accounts of the UK Borrower and/or the
Australian Borrower exceeds the Foreign Sublimit, in each case for three
(3) or more consecutive Business Days (but not in the case of the Maturity
Date), then the applicable Borrowers shall repay or prepay the Loans in
accordance with this Credit Agreement within five (5) Business Days from
such third consecutive Business Day (or on the Maturity Date, as
applicable) in an aggregate principal amount such that, after giving
effect thereto, (i) the Total Facility Usage (expressed in Dollars) no
longer exceeds the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment (expressed in
Dollars) or (y) the Aggregate Borrowing Base as then in effect (expressed
in Dollars) or, as the case may be, the Foreign Sublimit and (ii) the sum
of (A) the Dollar Equivalent of (x) the Co-Borrower Loans outstanding,
plus (y) the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the
account of the Co-Borrowers, plus (z) the Swingline Loans outstanding, no
longer exceeds (B) the lesser of (x) the Total Commitment at such time or
(y) the Domestic Borrowing Base as then in effect.
5.13.3. EXCHANGE RATE. For purposes of this Credit Agreement, the
amount in one currency which shall be equivalent on any particular date to
a specified amount in another currency shall be that amount (as
conclusively ascertained by the Administrative Agent by its normal banking
practices, absent manifest error) in the first currency which is or could
be purchased by the Administrative Agent (in accordance with normal
banking practices) with such specified amount in the second currency at
the Exchange Rate.
5.13.4. DENOMINATIONS. In the event that any portion of the funds
available under the terms of this Credit Agreement is denominated in an
Optional Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of such portion of the funds
shall be calculated pursuant to Section 5.13.3 above. The amount so
determined shall then be
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added to the amount already outstanding in Dollars for the purpose of
determining the remaining availability of funds under Sections 2.1.1,
2.4.1.1, 2.5.1, 2.11 and 4.1, any required repayments under Section
15.13.2 and the Excess Availability or the Total Facility Usage hereunder
and calculating the Excess Availability Ratio or the Total Facility Usage
Ratio.
5.14. NEW CURRENCY. If, after the making of any Loan or the issuance,
renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit in any Optional Currency, currency
control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such
Optional Currency, as application, with the result that different types of such
Optional Currency (the "New Currency") are introduced and the type of currency
in which the Loan or Letter of Credit was made (the "Original Currency") no
longer exists or the Borrowers are not able to make payment to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, any Agent or any Issuing
Bank in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by the Borrowers
hereunder in such currency shall be made to the Administrative Agent in such
amount and such type of the New Currency as shall be equivalent to the amount of
such payment otherwise due hereunder in the Original Currency, it being the
intention of the parties hereto that the Borrowers take all risks of the
imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations. In addition,
notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.14, if, after the
making of any Loan or the issuance, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit
in any Optional Currency, the Borrowers are not able to make payment to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, any Agent or any Issuing
Bank in the type of currency in which such Loan was made or, as the case may be,
such Letter of Credit was issued, extended or renewed because of the imposition
of any such currency control or exchange regulation, then such Loan or, as the
case may be, Reimbursement Obligation in respect of such Letter of Credit shall
instead be repaid when due in Dollars in a principal amount equal to the Dollar
Equivalent (as of the date of repayment) of such Loan or, as the case may be,
Reimbursement Obligation in respect of such Letter of Credit.
5.15. CONCERNING JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY OF THE CO-BORROWERS.
(a) Each of the Co-Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial
accommodations to be provided by the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and the Agents
under this Credit Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of
each of the Co-Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each other
Co-Borrower to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations.
(b) Each of the Co-Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably
and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor,
joint and several liability with the other Co-Borrowers, with respect to the
payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including, without
limitation, any Obligations arising under this Section 5.15), it being the
intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and
several obligations of each of the Co-Borrowers without preferences or
distinction among them.
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(c) If and to the extent that any of the Co-Borrowers shall fail to make
any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform
any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such
event the other Co-Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform,
such Obligation.
(d) The Obligations of each of the Co-Borrowers under the provisions of
this Section 5.15 constitute the full recourse Obligations of each of the
Co-Borrowers enforceable against each such Person to the full extent of its
properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or
enforceability of this Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any other
circumstance whatsoever as to any other Co-Borrower.
(e) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Co-Borrower hereby
waives promptness, diligence, presentment, demand, protest, notice of acceptance
of its joint and several liability, notice of any and all advances of the Loans
made under this Credit Agreement and the Notes, notice of occurrence of any
Default or Event of Default (except to the extent notice is expressly required
to be given pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents), or of any demand for any payment under this Credit Agreement,
notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by any Agent, any Issuing Bank
or the Lenders under or in respect of any of the Obligations hereunder, any
requirement of diligence and, generally, all demands, notices and other
formalities of every kind in connection with this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents. Each Co-Borrower hereby waives all defenses which may be
available by virtue of any valuation, stay, moratorium law or other similar law
now or hereafter in effect, any right to require the marshaling of assets of the
Co-Borrowers and any other entity or Person primarily or secondarily liable with
respect to any of the Obligations, and all suretyship defenses generally. Each
Co-Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or
postponement of the time for the payment, or place or manner for payment,
compromise, refinancing, consolidation or renewals of any of the Obligations
hereunder, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or
other action or acquiescence by the Agents, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders at
any time or times in respect of any default by any Co-Borrower in the
performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any and all other
indulgences whatsoever by the Agents, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders in
respect of any of the Obligations hereunder, and the taking, addition,
substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any
security for any of such Obligations or the addition, substitution or release,
in whole or in part, of any Co-Borrowers or any other entity or Person primarily
or secondarily liable for any Obligation. Such Co-Borrower further agrees that
its Obligations shall not be released or discharged, in whole or in part, or
otherwise affected by the adequacy of any rights which any Agent, any Issuing
Bank or any Lender may have against any collateral security or other means of
obtaining repayment of any of the Obligations, the impairment of any collateral
security securing the Obligations, including, without limitation, the failure to
protect or preserve any rights which any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
may have in such collateral security or the substitution, exchange, surrender,
release, loss or destruction of any such collateral security, any other act or
omission which might in any manner or to any extent
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vary the risk of such Co-Borrower, or otherwise operate as a release or
discharge of such Co-Borrower, all of which may be done without notice to such
Co-Borrower. If for any reason any of the other Co-Borrowers has no legal
existence or is under no legal obligation to discharge any of the Obligations,
or if any of the Obligations have become irrecoverable from any of the other
Co-Borrowers by reason of such other Co-Borrower's insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization or by other operation of law or for any reason, this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party shall nevertheless
be binding on such Co-Borrower to the same extent as if such Co-Borrower at all
times had been the sole obligor on such Obligations. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each Co-Borrower assents to any other action or
delay in acting or failure to act on the part of the Agents, any Issuing Bank
and the Lenders, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or
diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with
applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of
this Section 5.15, afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such
Co-Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its obligations under this Section
5.15, it being the intention of each Co-Borrower that, so long as any of the
Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the obligations of such Co-Borrower
under this Section 5.15 shall not be discharged except by performance and then
only to the extent of such performance. The Obligations of each Co-Borrower
under this Section 5.15 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any
winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar
proceeding with respect to any reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect
to any other Co-Borrower, or any of the Lenders. The joint and several liability
of the Co-Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect
notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change
whatsoever in the name, ownership, membership, constitution or place of
formation of any Co-Borrower or the Lenders. Each of the Co-Borrowers
acknowledges and confirms that it has itself established its own adequate means
of obtaining from each of the other Co-Borrowers on a continuing basis all
information desired by such Co-Borrower concerning the financial condition of
each of the other Co-Borrowers and that each such Co-Borrower will look to each
of the other Co-Borrowers and not to any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
in order for such Co-Borrower to keep adequately informed of changes in each of
the other Co-Borrowers' respective financial conditions.
(f) The provisions of this Section 5.15 are made for the benefit of the
Lenders, the Agents and any Issuing Bank and their respective permitted
successors and assigns, and may be enforced by it or them from time to time
against any or all of the Co-Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise
and without requirement on the part of the Lenders, the Agents or any Issuing
Bank or such successor or assign first to marshal any of its or their claims or
to exercise any of its or their rights against any of the other Co-Borrowers or
to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any of the other
Co-Borrowers or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of
any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of
this Section 5.15 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have
been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied. If at any time, any payment, or
any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or
must otherwise be restored or returned by any Lender, any
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Agent or any Issuing Bank upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of
any of the Co-Borrowers, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 5.15 will
forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.
(g) Each of the Co-Borrowers hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of
its rights of reimbursement, contribution, subrogation or the like against the
other Co-Borrowers with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or
under any of the other Loan Documents, any payments made by it to any of the
Lenders, any Agent or any Issuing Bank with respect to any of the Obligations or
any collateral security therefor until such time as all of the Obligations have
been irrevocably paid in full in cash. Any claim which any Co-Borrower may have
against any other Co-Borrower with respect to any payments to the Lenders, the
Agents or any Issuing Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Documents are
hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without
limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or
thereunder, to the prior payment in full of the Obligations and, in the event of
any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other
similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction relating to any
Co-Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or involuntary, all such
Obligations shall be paid in full before any payment or distribution of any
character, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any
other Co-Borrower therefor.
(h) Each of the Co-Borrowers hereby agrees that the payment of any amounts
due with respect to the indebtedness owing by any Co-Borrower to any other
Co-Borrower is hereby subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of the
Obligations. Each Co-Borrower hereby agrees that after the occurrence and during
the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, such Co-Borrower will not
demand, ▇▇▇ for or otherwise attempt to collect any indebtedness of any other
Co-Borrower owing to such Co-Borrower until the Obligations shall have been paid
in full in cash. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, such Co-Borrower
shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness,
such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by such Co-Borrower as
trustee for the Administrative Agent and be paid over to the Administrative
Agent for the pro rata accounts of the Lenders to be applied to repay the
Obligations.
5.16. ADDITIONAL BORROWERS. BGI may cause additional Subsidiaries of BGI
to become Borrowers hereunder by causing such Subsidiary or Subsidiaries to
agree to be bound by the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the Notes, to
execute and deliver a Joinder Agreement to the Administrative Agent and to
deliver such legal opinions and other documents and instruments as the
Administrative Agent may request, including allonges to the Notes. To the extent
that BGI causes any Foreign Subsidiary of BGI which has not been classified for
United States income tax purposes as a "US person" as defined in Section 957 of
the Code to become a Borrower hereunder, such Foreign Subsidiary will be added
as a UK Borrower or an Australian Borrower, as applicable, and not as a
Co-Borrower.
5.17. LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF UK BORROWER AND THE AUSTRALIAN
BORROWER. Subject to Section 6 hereof and notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, each of
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the UK Borrower and the Australian Borrower (a) shall only be liable for such
Borrower's pro rata share (based upon the proportion the valuation of the assets
of such Borrower bears to the consolidated valuation of the assets of BGI and
its Subsidiaries, in each case as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in
consultation with the Administrative Agent and as such determination may be
updated from time to time (but in no event less than once each fiscal year), in
each case with written notice to the Administrative Agent) of the Commitment
Fee, any expenses payable under Sections 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 or 16.2, and any
indemnification obligations under Section 16.3 or the other Loan Documents, (b)
shall only be liable for Letter of Credit Fees and other fees under Section 4.6
which arise from Letters of Credit issued, extended or renewed for the account
of such Borrower, (c) shall only be liable for indemnification costs under
Section 5.10 which arise from Revolving Credit Loans made to such Borrower and
(d) shall not be liable for any payments in respect of the Closing Fee and other
fees payable under Section 5.1 hereof.
6. GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL SECURITY.
6.1. GUARANTY OF PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE. For value received and hereby
acknowledged and as an inducement to the Lenders to make Loans to the Borrowers
and the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the
Borrowers, (a) each Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantees to the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, the full and
punctual payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required pre-payment,
by acceleration or otherwise), as well as the performance, of all of the
Obligations including all such which would become due but for the operation of
the automatic stay pursuant to Section 362(a) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and
the operation of Sections 502(b) and 506(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code (such
obligations collectively being the "Guaranteed Obligations") and (b) the
Australian Borrower hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantees to the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, the full and
punctual payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required pre-payment,
by acceleration or otherwise), as well as the performance, of all of the UK
Obligations including all such which would become due but for the operation of
the automatic stay pursuant to Section 362(a) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and
the operation of Sections 502(b) and 506(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code (such
obligations collectively being the "UK Guaranteed Obligations"). This Section 6
is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that any Agent, any Issuing Bank
or any Lender first attempt to collect any of the Obligations from the
applicable Borrower or, as the case may be, Borrowers or resort to any
collateral security or other means of obtaining payment. Should any Borrower
default in the payment or performance of any of its Obligations, the obligations
of each Guarantor and the Australian Borrower hereunder with respect to the
Guaranteed Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations shall become immediately
due and payable to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, the
Issuing Banks and the Agents, without demand or notice of any nature, all of
which are expressly waived by each Guarantor and the Australian Borrower.
6.2. GUARANTY ABSOLUTE. Each of the Guarantors guarantees that the
Guaranteed Obligations and the Australian Borrower guarantees that the UK
Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms
hereof, regardless of any law, regulation, order, decree or directive (whether
or not having the force of law) or
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any interpretation thereof, now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction
affecting any of such terms or the rights of any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender with respect thereto, including, without limitation, any law, regulation,
order, decree or directive or interpretation thereof that purports to require or
permit the satisfaction of any Guaranteed Obligation or UK Guaranteed
Obligation, other than strictly in accordance with the terms of this Credit
Agreement (such as by the tender of a currency other than as provided
in Section 5.13 or that restricts the procurement of such currency by the
Borrowers or the Guarantors), or (b) any agreement, whether or not signed by or
on behalf of any Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Lenders, in connection with the
restructuring or rescheduling of public or private obligations in any Borrower's
country, whether or not such agreement is stated to cause or permit the
discharge of the Obligations prior to the final payment in full of the
Obligations in the currency required by Section 5.13 in strict accordance with
this Credit Agreement. The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty with
regard to the Guaranteed Obligations of each Borrower and the liability of the
Australian Borrower under this Guaranty with regard to the UK Guaranteed
Obligations of the UK Borrower shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective
of:
(a) any lack of authorization, execution, validity or enforceability or
any illegality of such Borrower to become a Borrower hereunder, this Credit
Agreement and any amendment hereof (with regard to such Guaranteed Obligations
and the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be), or any other obligation,
agreement or instrument relating thereto (it being agreed by each Guarantor and
the Australian Borrower that the Guaranteed Obligations and the UK Guaranteed
Obligations shall not be discharged prior to the final and complete satisfaction
of all of the Obligations of the Borrowers) or any failure to obtain any
necessary governmental consent or approvals or necessary third party consents or
approvals;
(b) any Agent's, any Issuing Bank's or any Lender's exercise or
enforcement of, or failure or delay in exercising or enforcing, legal
proceedings to collect the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK
Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, or any power, right or remedy with
respect to any of the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK
Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, including (i) any suspension of any
Agent's, any Issuing Bank's or any Lender's right to enforce against any other
Borrower of the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the
case may be, or (ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Borrower
or the UK Guaranteed Obligations of the UK Borrower or any other amendment or
waiver of or any consent to departure from this Credit Agreement or the other
Loan Documents (with regard to such Guaranteed Obligations and the UK Guaranteed
Obligations) or any other agreement or instrument governing or evidencing any of
the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be;
(c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any
release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other
guaranty, for all or any
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of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Borrower or the UK Guaranteed Obligations
of the UK Borrower;
(d) any change in ownership of such Borrower;
(e) any acceptance of any partial payment(s) from such Borrower;
(f) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment,
composition, assignment for the benefit of creditors, appointment of a receiver,
examiner or trustee for all or any part of any Borrower's assets;
(g) any assignment, participation or other transfer, in whole or in part,
of any Agent's, any Issuing Bank's or any Lender's interest in and rights under
this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or of any Agent's, any Issuing
Bank's or any Lender's interest in the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations
or the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be;
(h) any cancellation, renunciation or surrender of any pledge, guaranty or
any debt instrument evidencing the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations or
the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be;
(i) any Agent's, any Issuing Bank's or any Lender's vote, claim,
distribution, election, acceptance, action or inaction in any bankruptcy or
reorganization case related to the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations or
the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be; or
(j) any other action or circumstance, other than payment, which might
otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, such Borrower in
respect of its or the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations,
as the case may be.
This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case
may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the
UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, is rescinded or must otherwise be
returned by any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization, examination of any Borrower or otherwise, all as
though such payment had not been made.
6.3. EFFECTIVENESS, ENFORCEMENT. The Guaranty herein of each Guarantor and
the Australian Borrower shall be effective and shall be deemed to be made with
respect to each Loan made or Letter of Credit issued to a Borrower as of the
time it is made. No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability by reason of
any bankruptcy or similar law, or any law or order of any government or agency
thereof purporting to reduce, amend or otherwise affect any liability of a
Borrower, and no defect in or insufficiency or want of powers of any Borrower or
irregular or improperly recorded exercise thereof, shall impair, affect, be a
defense to or claim against such Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing
guaranty and shall (a) survive any termination of this Credit Agreement and (b)
remain in full force and effect until payment in full in cash and performance of
all
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Guaranteed Obligations or UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, and all
other amounts payable under this Guaranty. This Guaranty is made for the benefit
of each Agent, each Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders and their respective
successors and assigns, and may be enforced from time to time as often as
occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of any Agent,
any Issuing Bank or any Lender first to exercise any rights against any Borrower
or to exhaust any remedies available to it against any Borrower or to resort to
any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, or to elect
any other remedy. In the event that acceleration of the time for payment (or the
giving of notice of such acceleration) of the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK
Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, of any Borrower is stayed upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy, examination or reorganization, of such Borrower or for
any other reason, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the
terms of this Credit Agreement shall be immediately due and payable by each
Guarantor or the Australian Borrower, as the case may be, under the Guaranty
herein provided.
6.4. WAIVER. Each of the Guarantors and the Australian Borrower hereby
waives promptness, diligence, protest, notice of protest, all suretyship
defenses, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the
Guaranteed Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, and
this Guaranty and any requirement that any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
secure, perfect or protect any security interest or lien or any property subject
thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Borrower or any
other Person or any collateral. Each of the Guarantors and the UK Borrower also
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all defenses which
at any time may be available to it in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations or
the UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, by virtue of any statute of
limitations, valuation, stay, moratorium law or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect.
6.5. SUBORDINATION; SUBROGATION. Until the termination of the Commitments
and final payment and performance in full in cash of all of the Obligations,
none of the Guarantors nor the Australian Borrower shall exercise and hereby
waives any rights against any Borrower as a result of payment by any Guarantor
or the Australian Borrower, as the case may be, hereunder, by way of
subrogation, reimbursement, restitution, contribution or otherwise, and any
Guarantor or the Australian Borrower, as the case may be, will not prove any
claim in competition with any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in respect
of any payment hereunder in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings
of any nature; any Guarantor or the Australian Borrower, as the case may be,
will not claim any set-off, recoupment or counterclaim against any Borrower in
respect of any liability of such Guarantor or the Australian Borrower to such
Borrower; and each Guarantor and the Australian Borrower waives any benefit of
and any right to participate in any collateral which may be held by any Agent,
any Issuing Bank and any Lender. The payment of any amounts due with respect to
any Indebtedness of any Borrower now or hereafter held by any Guarantor or the
Australian Borrower, as the case may be, is hereby subordinated to the prior
payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK Guaranteed Obligations,
as the case may be. Each
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Guarantor and the Australian Borrower agrees that after the occurrence of any
default in the payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK
Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, such Guarantor or the Australian
Borrower, as the case may be, will not demand, ▇▇▇ for, or otherwise attempt to
collect any such Indebtedness of any of the Borrowers to such Guarantor or such
Australian Borrower, as the case may be, until the Guaranteed Obligations or the
UK Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, then due shall have been paid in
full in cash. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, any Guarantor or the
Australian Borrower, as the case may be, shall collect or receive any amounts in
respect of such indebtedness, such amounts shall be collected and received by
such Guarantor or the Australian Borrower, as the case may be, as trustee for
the Agents, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders and be paid over to the
Administrative Agent for the respective accounts of the Agents, the Issuing
Banks and the Lenders on account of the Guaranteed Obligations or the UK
Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, without affecting in any manner the
liability of any Guarantor or the Australian Borrower under the other provisions
of this Section 6. The provisions of this section shall survive the expiration
or termination of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the
provisions of this section shall be supplemental to and not in derogation of any
rights and remedies of any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender under any
separate subordination agreement which any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
may at any time and from time to time entered into with any Guarantor or the
Australian Borrower for the benefit of any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender.
6.6. PAYMENTS. Payments by each Guarantor or the Australian Borrower, as
the case may be, hereunder may be required by the Administrative Agent on any
number of occasions. All payments made by each Guarantor or the Australian
Borrower, as the case may be, under this Section 6 shall be made to the
Administrative Agent, in the manner and at the place of payment specified
therefor in Section 5.3.1 hereof, for the account of the Lenders, the Issuing
Banks and the Agents and in the same currency in which such Obligation was made,
unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Agents, the Issuing Banks or the
Lenders.
6.7. SETOFF. Each Guarantor and the Australian Borrower grants to the
Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, as security for the full and punctual
payment and performance of all of such Guarantor's and the Australian
Borrower's, as the case may be, obligations under this Section 6, a continuing
lien on, security interest and right of setoff in all securities or other
property belonging to such Guarantor and the Australian Borrower, as the case
may be, now or hereafter held by any Agent, any Issuing Bank or such Lender and
in all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) and
other sums credited by or due from any Agent, any Issuing Bank or such Lender to
such Guarantor and the Australian Borrower, as the case may be, or subject to
withdrawal by such Guarantor or the Australian Borrower, as the case may be.
Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral security or other means of
obtaining payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and the UK Guaranteed
Obligations, each of the Agents, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders is hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time during the continuance of any Event
of Default, without notice to
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any Guarantor or the Australian Borrower (any such notice being expressly waived
by the Guarantors and the Australian Borrower) and to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply such deposits and other sums against the
obligations of such Guarantor and the UK Borrower, as the case may be, under
this Section 6, whether or not such Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender
shall have made any demand under this Section 6 and although such obligations
may be contingent or unmatured.
6.8. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each Guarantor and the Australian Borrower agrees
that it will from time to time, at the request of the Administrative Agent, do
all such things and execute all such documents as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably consider necessary or desirable to give full effect to this Section 6
and to perfect and preserve the rights and powers of the Lenders, the Issuing
Banks and the Agents hereunder. Each Guarantor and the Australian Borrower
acknowledges and confirms that it has established its own adequate means of
obtaining from the Borrowers on a continuing basis all information desired by it
concerning the financial condition of the Borrowers and that it will look to the
Borrowers and not to any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in order for it
to keep adequately informed of changes of the financial condition of any
Borrower.
6.9. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Section 6 shall be binding upon each
Guarantor and the Australian Borrower, its successors and assigns, and shall
inure to the benefit of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders and their
respective successors, and permitted transferees and assigns. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing sentence, each Lender may, in accordance with
the provisions of Section 15 and subject to the limitations set forth therein,
assign or otherwise transfer this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or
any other agreement or note held by it evidencing, securing or otherwise
executed in connection with the Obligations, or sell participations in any
interest therein, to another Person, and such other Person shall thereupon
become vested, to the extent set forth in the agreement evidencing such
assignment, transfer or participation, with all the rights in respect thereof
granted to such Lender herein. None of the Guarantors nor the Australian
Borrower may assign any of its obligations hereunder. BGI may cause additional
Subsidiaries of BGI to become Guarantors hereunder by causing such Subsidiary or
Subsidiaries to agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 6, to
execute and deliver a Joinder Agreement to the Administrative Agent and to
deliver such legal opinions and other documents and instruments as the
Administrative Agent may request.
6.10. CONTRIBUTION. To the extent any of the Guarantors or the Australian
Borrower makes a payment hereunder in excess of the aggregate amount of the
benefit received by such Person in respect of the extensions of credit under the
Credit Agreement (the "Benefit Amount"), then such Person, after the payment in
full in cash of all of the Guaranteed Obligations and the UK Guaranteed
Obligations shall be entitled to recover from each such Person such excess
payment, pro rata in accordance with the ratio of the Benefit Amount received by
such other Person to the total Benefit Amounts received by each of the
Guarantors and the Australian Borrower, and the right to such recovery shall be
deemed to be in asset and property of such Person so funding;
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provided that all such rights to recovery shall be subordinate and junior in
right of payment to the final and indefeasible repayment in full in cash of all
of the Obligations.
6.11. RELEASE OF GUARANTIES. In the event that BGI has demonstrated to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the UK Borrower has
become classified for United States income tax purposes as a "US person" as
defined in Section 957 of the Code and such Borrower has become a Co-Borrower
and a Guarantor hereunder by executing and delivering to the Administrative
Agent a Joinder Agreement and the documents referred to therein, the
Administrative Agent will, on ten (10) days prior written notice from BGI
delivered to the Agents and the Lenders, release the guaranty of the Australian
Borrower of the UK Guaranteed Obligations in the case of the UK Borrower being
classified as a "US person". In the event that BGI has demonstrated to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the UK Borrower is no
longer a Wholly-owned Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent will, on ten (10)
days prior written notice from BGI delivered to the Agents and the Lenders,
release the guaranty of the Australian Borrower of the UK Guaranteed
Obligations. No release shall be required under this Section 6.11 if any Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
6.12. SECURITY OF BORROWERS. (a) The Co-Borrower Obligations shall be
secured by a perfected first priority security interest (subject only to
Permitted Liens entitled to priority under applicable law) in all of the
accounts, accounts receivable, cash, cash equivalents, bank accounts (subject to
the limitations described in Section 8.15) and inventory of the Co-Borrowers
(other than BGP (UK)) and such other of the Co-Borrowers or Guarantors as may be
approved by the Administrative Agent, together with all rights under contracts
of sale, intellectual property rights and general intangibles relating to or
affecting the creation or collection of any such accounts or the completion or
sale of any such inventory, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all
products and proceeds thereof, including, without limitation, any instruments
evidencing any of the foregoing, pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents
to which any Co-Borrower is a party and otherwise on terms and conditions and
pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and (b) the
UK Obligations and the Australian Obligations shall be secured by a perfected
first priority security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens entitled to
priority under applicable law) in all of the accounts, accounts receivable,
cash, cash equivalents, bank accounts (subject to the limitations described in
Section 8.15) and inventory of the Co-Borrowers, the U.K. Borrower and such
other of the Borrowers or Guarantors as may be approved by the Administrative
Agent, together with all rights under contracts of sale, intellectual property
rights and general intangibles relating to or affecting the creation or
collection of any such accounts or the completion or sale of any such inventory,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all products and proceeds thereof,
including, without limitation, any instruments evidencing any of the foregoing,
pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents to which any Co-Borrower is a
party and U.K. Security Documents and otherwise on terms and conditions and
pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
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Each of the Borrowers jointly and severally represents and warrants to the
Lenders, the Agents and the Issuing Banks as follows:
7.1. CORPORATE AUTHORITY.
7.1.1. INCORPORATION; GOOD STANDING. Each of BGI and its
Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation (or similar business entity) duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (b) has all requisite
corporate (or the equivalent company) power to own its property and
conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated, and
(c) is in good standing as a foreign corporation (or similar business
entity) and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where
such qualification is necessary except where a failure to be so qualified
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.1.2. AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any of the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries is or is to become a party and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) are within the corporate
(or the equivalent company) authority of such Person, (b) have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate (or the equivalent company)
proceedings, (c) do not and will not conflict with or result in any breach
or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to
which any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries is subject or any
judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or permit applicable to any of
the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries and (d) do not conflict with
any provision of the Governing Documents of, or any agreement or other
instrument binding upon, any of the Borrowers or any of their
Subsidiaries.
7.1.3. ENFORCEABILITY. The execution and delivery of this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any of the Borrowers or
any of their Subsidiaries is or is to become a party will result in valid
and legally binding obligations of such Person enforceable against it in
accordance with the respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof,
except as enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting
generally the enforcement of creditors' rights and except to the extent
that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive
relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.
7.2. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. The execution, delivery and performance by
any of the Borrowers and any of their Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which any of the Borrowers or any of their
Subsidiaries is or is to become a party and the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby do not require the approval or consent of, or filing with, any
governmental agency or authority other than those already obtained.
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7.3. TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LEASES. Except as indicated on Schedule 7.3
hereto, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected in
the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as at the
Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (except property and assets sold
or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since that date),
subject to no Liens or other rights of others, except Permitted Liens.
7.4. FISCAL YEAR; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS.
7.4.1. FISCAL YEAR. Each of the Borrowers and each of their
Subsidiaries has a Fiscal Year which is the 52/53 week period ending on
the Sunday (except with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇▇, on the Saturday) preceding the
last Wednesday in January; provided that the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries may change any Fiscal Year end date to a date not more than
seven (7) days before or after the then scheduled end date of such Fiscal
Year with written notice to the Administrative Agent not less than thirty
(30) days prior to the commencement of such Fiscal Year. The Fiscal
Quarters and Fiscal Year of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries are
accurately described in Section 1.1 hereof (except as otherwise noticed to
the Administrative Agent pursuant to the proviso of the preceding
sentence).
7.4.2. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. There has been furnished to each of the
Lenders (a) a consolidated balance sheet of BGI and its Subsidiaries as at
the Balance Sheet Date and consolidated statements of income and cash flow
of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date,
certified by Ernst & Young LLP, and (b) a consolidated balance sheet and
consolidated statements of income and cash flow of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries for the FQ1 2004. Such balance sheet and statements of income
and cash flow have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly
present the financial condition of BGI and its Subsidiaries as at the
close of business on the date thereof and the results of operations for
the fiscal year then ended. There are no contingent liabilities of any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of such date involving material
amounts, known to the officers of BGI, which were not disclosed in such
balance sheet and the notes related thereto.
7.4.3. PROJECTIONS. The projections of the annual operating budgets
of BGI and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, balance sheets and
cash flow statements for the monthly periods from June 2004 through May
2005 and for the annual periods from Fiscal Year 2004 through Fiscal Year
2008, copies of which have been delivered to each Lender, disclose all
assumptions made with respect to general economic, financial and market
conditions used in formulating such projections. To the knowledge of any
of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries, no facts exist that
(individually or in the aggregate) would result in any material change in
any of such projections. The projections are based upon reasonable
estimates and assumptions, have been prepared on the basis of the
assumptions stated therein and reflect the reasonable estimates of BGI and
its Subsidiaries of the results of operations and other information
projected therein.
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7.5. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT, ETC. Since the Balance Sheet Date there
has been no event or occurrence which has had a Material Adverse Effect. Since
the Balance Sheet Date, the Borrowers have not made any Restricted Payment
except as set forth in Schedule 7.5 hereto.
7.6. FRANCHISES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, ETC. BGI and each of its
Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade
names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate
for the conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without known
conflict with any rights of others.
7.7. LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.7 hereto, there are no
actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or threatened
against BGI or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority, that,
(a) might reasonably be expected to, either in any case or in the aggregate, (i)
have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) materially impair the right of BGI and
its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, to carry on business substantially as
now conducted by them, or result in any substantial liability not adequately
covered by insurance, or for which adequate reserves are not maintained on the
consolidated balance sheet of BGI and its Subsidiaries, or (b) which question
the validity of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any
action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or thereto.
7.8. NO MATERIALLY ADVERSE CONTRACTS, ETC. Neither BGI nor any of its
Subsidiaries is subject to any Governing Document or other legal restriction, or
any judgment, decree, order, law, statute, rule or regulation that has or is
expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither BGI nor any of
its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract or agreement that has or is
expected, in the judgment of the Borrowers' officers, to have any Material
Adverse Effect.
7.9. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS, LAWS, ETC. Neither BGI nor any of
its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of its Governing Documents, or
any agreement or instrument to which it may be subject or by which it or any of
its properties may be bound or any decree, order, judgment, statute, license,
rule or regulation, in any of the foregoing cases in a manner that could result
in the imposition of substantial penalties or have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.10. TAX STATUS. Each of BGI and its Subsidiaries (a) has made or filed
all federal, state and foreign income and all other tax returns, reports and
declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject where, in the
cases of state or foreign tax returns, failure to make such filing could have a
Material Adverse Effect, (b) has paid all taxes and other governmental
assessments and charges shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports
and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings and (c) has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate
for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such
returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any
material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction,
and none of the officers of any Borrower know of any basis for any such claim.
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7.11. NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing.
7.12. HOLDING COMPANY AND INVESTMENT COMPANY ACTS. None of the Borrowers
nor any of their Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company", as such terms
are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; nor is it an
"investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal underwriter" of
an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940.
7.13. ABSENCE OF FINANCING STATEMENTS, ETC. Except with respect to
Permitted Liens, there is no financing statement, security agreement, chattel
mortgage, real estate mortgage or other document filed or recorded with any
filing records, registry or other public office, that purports to cover, affect
or give notice of any present or possible future Lien on any assets or property
of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any rights relating thereto.
7.14. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.14, none of
the officers, directors, or employees of BGI or any of its Subsidiaries is
presently a party to any transaction involving payments in excess of $500,000
with BGI or any of its Subsidiaries (other than for services as employees,
officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement
providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real
or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any
officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, any
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer or any such
employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, trustee or partner.
7.15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
7.15.1. IN GENERAL. Each Employee Benefit Plan and each Guaranteed
Pension Plan has been maintained and operated in compliance in all
material respects with the provisions of ERISA and all Applicable Pension
Legislation and, to the extent applicable, the Code, including but not
limited to the provisions thereunder respecting prohibited transactions
and the bonding of fiduciaries and other persons handling plan funds as
required by Section 412 of ERISA. The Borrowers have heretofore delivered
to the Administrative Agent the most recently completed annual report,
Form 5500, with all required attachments, and actuarial statement required
to be submitted under Section 103(d) of ERISA, with respect to each
Guaranteed Pension Plan.
7.15.2. TERMINABILITY OF WELFARE PLANS. No Employee Benefit Plan,
which is an employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section
3(1) or Section 3(2)(B) of ERISA, provides benefit coverage subsequent to
termination of employment, except as required by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA
or the applicable state insurance laws, provided, however, that any
Borrower(s) may include retirees in its employee welfare plans and pay a
portion of the cost of such coverage so long
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as (a) the premium based cost of the coverage does not exceed, in the
aggregate $2,000,000 and (b) such coverage is terminable at any time by
the applicable Borrower(s). The Borrowers may terminate each such Plan at
any time (or at any time subsequent to the expiration of any applicable
bargaining agreement) in the discretion of the Borrowers without liability
to any Person other than for claims arising prior to termination.
7.15.3. GUARANTEED PENSION PLANS. Each contribution required to be
made to a Guaranteed Pension Plan, whether required to be made to avoid
the incurrence of an accumulated funding deficiency, the notice or lien
provisions of Section 302(f) of ERISA, or otherwise, has been timely made.
No waiver of an accumulated funding deficiency or extension of
amortization periods has been received with respect to any Guaranteed
Pension Plan, and none of the Borrowers nor any ERISA Affiliate is
obligated to or has posted security in connection with an amendment to a
Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section
401(a)(29) of the Code. No liability to the PBGC (other than required
insurance premiums, all of which have been paid) has been incurred by any
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Guaranteed Pension
Plan and there has not been any ERISA Reportable Event (other than an
ERISA Reportable Event as to which the requirement of 30 days notice has
been waived), or any other event or condition which presents a material
risk of termination of any Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC. Based on
the latest valuation of each Guaranteed Pension Plan (which in each case
occurred within twelve months of the date of this representation), and on
the actuarial methods and assumptions employed for that valuation, the
aggregate benefit liabilities of all such Guaranteed Pension Plans within
the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA did not exceed the aggregate value of
the assets of all such Guaranteed Pension Plans, disregarding for this
purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any Guaranteed Pension Plan
with assets in excess of benefit liabilities.
7.15.4. MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. None of the Borrowers nor any ERISA
Affiliate has incurred any material liability (including secondary
liability) to any Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial
withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 of ERISA or as
a result of a sale of assets described in Section 4204 of ERISA. None of
the Borrowers nor any ERISA Affiliate has been notified that any
Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent under and within the
meaning of Section 4241 or Section 4245 of ERISA or is at risk of entering
reorganization or becoming insolvent, or that any Multiemployer Plan
intends to terminate or has been terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA.
7.16. USE OF PROCEEDS.
7.16.1. GENERAL. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used for working
capital and general corporate purposes, dividends on and repurchases of
BGI's common stock in accordance with Section 9.4 and Acquisitions and
Investments as permitted by this Credit Agreement. The Borrowers will
obtain Letters of Credit solely for working capital and general corporate
purposes.
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7.16.2. REGULATIONS U AND X. No portion of any Loan is to be used,
and no portion of any Letter of Credit is to be obtained, for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or "margin stock" as such
terms are used in Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.
7.17. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. The Borrowers have taken all appropriate
inquiry into the previous ownership of the Real Estate consistent with good
commercial or customary practice and, based upon such diligent investigation,
has determined that, to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge:
(a) none of the Borrowers, their Subsidiaries or any operator of the Real
Estate or any operations thereon is in violation, or alleged violation, of any
judgment, decree, order, law, license, rule or regulation pertaining to
environmental matters, including, without limitation, those arising under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 as amended ("CERCLA"), the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 ("▇▇▇▇"), the Federal Clean
Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or any
state, local or foreign law, statute, regulation, ordinance, order or decree
relating to health, safety or the environment (hereinafter "Environmental
Laws"), which violation would have a material adverse effect on the environment
or a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) none of the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries has received
notice from any third party including, without limitation, any Governmental
Authority, (i) that any one of them has been identified by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") as a potentially responsible party under
CERCLA with respect to a site listed on the National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R.
Part ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇; (ii) that any hazardous waste, as defined by 42
U.S.C.Section 6903(5), any hazardous substances as defined by 42 U.S.C.Section
9601(14), any pollutant or contaminant as defined by 42 U.S.C.Section 9601(33)
and any toxic substances, oil or hazardous materials or other chemicals or
substances regulated by any Environmental Laws ("Hazardous Substances") which
any one of them has generated, transported or disposed of has been found at any
site at which a Governmental Authority has conducted or has ordered that any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct a remedial investigation, removal or
other response action pursuant to any Environmental Law; or (iii) that it is or
shall be a named party to any claim, action, cause of action, complaint, or
legal or administrative proceeding (in each case, contingent or otherwise)
arising out of any third party's incurrence of costs, expenses, losses or
damages of any kind whatsoever in connection with the release of Hazardous
Substances;
(c) except as set forth on Schedule 7.17 attached hereto: (i) no portion
of the Real Estate has been used for the handling, processing, storage or
disposal of Hazardous Substances except in accordance with applicable
Environmental Laws; and no underground tank or other underground storage
receptacle for Hazardous Substances is located on any portion of the Real Estate
except in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) in the course of
any activities conducted by the Borrowers,
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their Subsidiaries or operators of its properties, no Hazardous Substances have
been generated or are being used on the Real Estate except in accordance with
applicable Environmental Laws; (iii) there have been no releases (i.e., any past
or present releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
discharging, injecting, escaping, disposing or dumping) or threatened releases
of Hazardous Substances on, upon, into or from the properties of the Borrowers
or their Subsidiaries, which releases would have a material adverse effect on
the value of any of the Real Estate or adjacent properties or the environment;
(iv) to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge, there have been no releases on,
upon, from or into any real property in the vicinity of any of the Real Estate
which, through soil or groundwater contamination, may have come to be located
on, and which would have a material adverse effect on the value of, the Real
Estate; and (v) in addition, any Hazardous Substances that have been generated
on any of the Real Estate have been transported offsite only by carriers having
an identification number issued by the EPA (or the equivalent thereof in any
foreign jurisdiction), treated or disposed of only by treatment or disposal
facilities maintaining valid permits as required under applicable Environmental
Laws, which transporters and facilities have been and are, to the best of the
Borrowers' knowledge, operating in compliance with such permits and applicable
Environmental Laws; and
(d) none of the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries, or any of the
Real Estate is subject to any applicable Environmental Law requiring the
performance of Hazardous Substances site assessments, or the removal or
remediation of Hazardous Substances, or the giving of notice to any Governmental
Authority or the recording or delivery to other Persons of an environmental
disclosure document or statement by virtue of the transactions set forth herein
and contemplated hereby, or to the effectiveness of any other transactions
contemplated hereby.
7.18. SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 7.18, as the same may be updated pursuant
to Section 7.22 hereof, states the name of each of BGI's Subsidiaries and Joint
Ventures and, in each case, such entity's jurisdiction of incorporation, the
outstanding shares (referred to herein as the "Subsidiary Shares") and the
owners thereof if it is a corporation, such entity's outstanding partnership
interests (the "Partnership Interests") if it is a partnership and such entity's
outstanding membership interests (the "Membership Interests") if it is a limited
liability company. BGI and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable
title to all of the Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests, and Membership
Interests it purports to own, free and clear in each case of any Lien. All
Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests and Membership Interests have been
validly issued and all Subsidiary Shares are fully paid and nonassessable. All
capital contributions and other consideration required to be made or paid in
connection with the issuance of the Partnership Interests have been made or
paid, as the case may be. There are no options, warrants or other rights
outstanding to purchase any such Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests or
Membership Interests except as indicated on Schedule 7.18.
7.19. DISCLOSURE. None of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material
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fact (known to any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries in the case of
any document or information not furnished by it or any of their Subsidiaries)
necessary in order to make the statements herein or therein not misleading.
There is no fact known to any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries
which has a Material Adverse Effect, or which is reasonably likely in the future
to have a Material Adverse Effect, exclusive of effects resulting from changes
in general economic conditions, legal standards or regulatory conditions.
7.20. SENIOR DEBT STATUS. The Obligations of each Borrower under this
Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party do
rank and will rank at least pari passu in priority of payment with all other
Indebtedness of such Borrower except Indebtedness of such Borrower to the extent
secured by Permitted Liens. There is no Lien upon or with respect to any of the
properties or income of any Borrower or Subsidiary of any Borrower which secures
Indebtedness or other obligations of any Person except for Permitted Liens. The
Borrowers are permitted to incur the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the
Senior Notes and the Senior Note Agreement.
7.21. SOLVENCY. After giving effect to each incurrence of Indebtedness
hereunder, and the payment of all Fees, costs and expenses payable by each of
the Borrowers hereunder, each of the Borrowers is Solvent.
7.22. UPDATES TO SCHEDULES. Should any of the information or disclosures
provided on any of the Schedules attached hereto become outdated or incorrect in
any material respect, BGI shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent in
writing with such revisions or updates to such Schedule as may be necessary or
appropriate to update or correct same; provided that, except for the amendment
of Schedules 1, as contemplated by Sections 2.3.2 and 15 and the amendment of
Schedule 7.18 in connection with any new Subsidiary of BGI as permitted herein,
no Schedule shall be deemed to have been amended, modified or superseded by any
such correction or update, nor shall any breach of warranty or representation
resulting from the inaccuracy or incompleteness of any such Schedule be deemed
to have been cured thereby, unless and until the Administrative Agent (which may
request the consent of the Required Lenders) shall have accepted in writing such
revisions or updates to such Schedule.
7.23. INSURANCE. The Borrowers and each of their Subsidiaries maintain
with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with respect to its
properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies as are set
forth on Schedule 7.23 hereto, and such insurance is in accordance with sound
business practices in accordance with industry standards and the terms of the
Security Documents.
7.24. BANK ACCOUNTS. Schedule 7.24 (as updated by the most recent
Borrowing Base Report delivered pursuant to Section 8.4(e)) sets forth the
account numbers and location of all Local Accounts, Interim Concentration
Accounts and other bank accounts of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries.
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7.25. PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST. All filings, assignments, pledges
and deposits of documents or instruments have been made and all other actions
have been taken that are necessary or advisable, under applicable law, to
establish and perfect the Administrative Agent's security interest in the
Collateral, including, with respect to any United Kingdom security, the filing
of any applicable UK Security Documents at the Companies Registration Office
under Section 395 of the Companies Act of 1985 and such other filing as may be
required under English law. The Collateral and the Administrative Agent's rights
with respect to the Collateral are not subject to any setoff, claims,
withholdings or other defenses. The Borrowers and all Subsidiaries of the
Borrowers party to one of the Security Documents are the owners of the
Collateral free from any Lien, except for Permitted Liens.
7.26. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. The Administrative Agent may rely, in
determining which Accounts Receivable are Eligible Credit Card Receivables, on
all statements and representations made by the Borrowers with respect to such
accounts receivable. Unless otherwise indicated to the Administrative Agent in
writing:
(a) Each Account Receivable which is an Eligible Credit Card
Receivable is genuine and in all respects what it purports to be, and it
is not evidenced by a judgment;
(b) Each Account Receivable which is an Eligible Credit Card
Receivable arises out of a completed, bona fide sale and delivery of goods
or rendition of services by a Borrower in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with the terms and conditions of all purchase
orders, contracts or other documents relating thereto and forming a part
of the contract between such Borrower and the account debtor, and, in the
case of goods, title to the goods has passed from the Borrower to the
account debtor;
(c) Each Account Receivable which is an Eligible Credit Card
Receivable is for a liquidated amount maturing as stated in the duplicate
invoice covering such sale or rendition of services, a copy of which has
been furnished or is available to the Administrative Agent; and
(d) Each Account Receivable which is an Eligible Credit Card
Receivable, and the Administrative Agent's security interest therein, is
not, and will not (by voluntary act or omission of the Borrowers) be in
the future, subject to any offset (to the extent that any offset is
asserted or exercised by the account debtor), Lien, deduction, defense,
dispute, counterclaim or any other adverse condition except for disputes
resulting in returned goods where the amount in controversy is deemed by
the Administrative Agent to be immaterial, and each such Account
Receivable is absolutely owing to one of the Borrowers and is not
contingent in any respect or for any reason (without reference to any
rights of customers to return goods).
7.27. FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS, ETC. None of the requesting or
borrowing of the Loans, the requesting or issuance, extension or renewal of any
Letters
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of Credit or the use of the proceeds of any thereof will violate the Trading
With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C.Section 1 et seq., as amended) (the "Trading With
the Enemy Act") or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United
States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) (the
"Foreign Assets Control Regulations") or any enabling legislation or executive
order relating thereto (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include, but
shall not be limited to (a) Executive Order 13224 of September 21, 2001 Blocking
Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to
Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)) (the "Executive Order")
and (b) the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56)).
Furthermore, neither the Borrowers nor any of their Subsidiaries or other
Affiliates (a) is or will become a "blocked person" as described in the
Executive Order, the Trading With the Enemy Act or the Foreign Assets Control
Regulations or (b) engages or will engage in any dealings or transactions, or be
otherwise associated, with any such "blocked person".
8. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
Each of the Borrowers, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees that,
so long as any Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note
is outstanding or any Lender has any obligation to make any Loans or any Issuing
Bank has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letters of Credit:
8.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENT. The Borrowers will duly and punctually pay or cause
to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans, all Reimbursement
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Fees, the Fees and all other amounts provided
for in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which BGI or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party, all in accordance with the terms of this Credit
Agreement and such other Loan Documents.
8.2. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE. Each of the Borrowers will maintain its chief
executive office at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or at such other
place in the United States of America as such Borrower shall designate upon
written notice to the Administrative Agent, where notices, presentations and
demands to or upon such Borrower in respect of the Loan Documents to which such
Borrower is a party may be given or made.
8.3. RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS. Each of the Borrowers will (a) keep, and cause
each of its Subsidiaries to keep, true and accurate records and books of account
in which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with GAAP,
(b) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for all taxes (including income
taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and amortization of its properties
and the properties of its Subsidiaries, contingencies, and other reserves, and
(c) at all times engage Ernst & Young LLP or other independent certified public
accountants satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as the independent
certified public accountants of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and will
not permit more than thirty (30) days to elapse between the cessation of such
firm's (or any successor firm's) engagement as the independent certified public
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accountants of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and the appointment in such
capacity of a successor firm as shall be satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
8.4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CERTIFICATES AND INFORMATION. The Borrowers
will deliver to each of the Lenders:
(a) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than ninety (90)
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrowers, the consolidated
balance sheet of BGI and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and the
related consolidated statement of income and consolidated statement of cash flow
for such year, each setting forth in comparative form the figures for the
previous fiscal year and all such consolidated statements to be in reasonable
detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and certified, without qualification
and without an expression of uncertainty as to the ability of BGI or any of its
Subsidiaries to continue as going concerns, by Ernst & Young LLP or by other
independent certified public accountants satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, which shall include a written statement from such accountants to the
effect that they have read a copy of this Credit Agreement, and that, in making
the examination necessary to said certification, they have obtained no knowledge
of any Default or Event of Default, or, if such accountants shall have obtained
knowledge of any then existing Default or Event of Default, they shall disclose
in such statement any such Default or Event of Default; provided that such
accountants shall not be liable to the Lenders for failure to obtain knowledge
of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than forty-five
(45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of the
Borrowers, copies of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of BGI and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and the related consolidated
statement of income and consolidated statement of cash flow for the portion of
the Borrowers' fiscal year then elapsed, all in reasonable detail and prepared
in accordance with GAAP, together with a certification by the principal
financial or accounting officer of BGI that the information contained in such
financial statements fairly presents the financial position of BGI and its
Subsidiaries on the date thereof (subject to year-end adjustments);
(c) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred
to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a statement certified by the principal
financial or accounting officer of the Borrowers in substantially the form of
Exhibit D hereto (a "Compliance Certificate") and setting forth in reasonable
detail computations evidencing compliance with the covenant contained
in Section 10 (if applicable), the calculation of Excess Availability, (if
applicable) reconciliations to reflect changes in GAAP since the Balance Sheet
Date and setting forth the projections and other information required pursuant
to Section 9.4(c);
(d) contemporaneously with the filing or mailing thereof, copies of all
material of a financial nature filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
or sent to the stockholders of any of the Borrowers;
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(e) within twenty (20) days after the end of each fiscal month or at such
earlier time as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, a Borrowing
Base Report setting forth the Domestic Borrowing Base and the Aggregate
Borrowing Base, the Excess Availability and, to the extent applicable, an
updated Schedule 7.24 and/or the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as at the end of
such fiscal month or other date so requested by the Administrative Agent;
provided that if at any time a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is
continuing (unless and until a Cash Dominion Cure Event shall have occurred), if
requested by the Administrative Agent, then within five (5) days after the end
of each calendar week, a Borrowing Base Report setting forth the Domestic
Borrowing Base, the Aggregate Borrowing Base and the Excess Availability as at
the end of such calendar week and, with respect to such Borrowing Base Report
delivered at the end of each fiscal month, an updated Schedule 7.24 (if
applicable) and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as at the end of such fiscal
month, together with such other information relating to the Collateral as the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and accompanied by such
supporting detail and documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably
request;
(f) contemporaneously with any delivery made in connection with clause (e)
of this Section 8.4, an Accounts Receivable aging report and an inventory
summary with respect to any Accounts Receivable and inventory included in the
Aggregate Borrowing Base or the Domestic Borrowing Base;
(g) within thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, and from
time to time upon request of the Administrative Agent, monthly projections for
the upcoming Fiscal Year of BGI and its Subsidiaries updating those projections
delivered to the Lenders and referred to in Section 7.4.3 or, if applicable,
updating any later such projections delivered in response to a request pursuant
to this Section 8.4(g);
(h) (i) on or before each anniversary of the Closing Date, each Borrower
or Guarantor which is a party to the Security Agreement shall deliver to the
Collateral Agent a certificate, in substantially the form attached to the
Security Agreement as Exhibit A, executed by an Authorized Officer of such
Person (A) certifying that there has been no change in any information provided
in the perfection certificate delivered in connection with the Security
Agreement since the date on which such perfection certificate was signed by such
Person (or most recent updated pursuant to this Section 8.4(h)) or (B) attaching
an updated perfection certificate for such Person certified to be true and
correct as of the date thereof and (ii) on or before each anniversary of the
Closing Date, each Borrower or Guarantor which is a party to the UK Security
Documents shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate, in
substantially the form attached to the Security Agreement as Exhibit A (together
with the necessary changes to reflect the nature of the UK Security Documents),
executed by an Authorized Officer of such Person (A) certifying that there has
been no change in any information provided in the perfection or collateral
certificate delivered in connection with the UK Security Documents since the
date on which such perfection or collateral certificate was signed by such
Person (or most recent updated pursuant to this Section 8.4(h)) or (B) attaching
an
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updated perfection or collateral certificate for such Person certified to be
true and correct as of the date thereof; and
(i) from time to time such other financial data and information (including
accountants, management letters) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may
reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 8.4 (to the
extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission) may be delivered
electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date (i) on which the Borrowers post such documents, or provides a link
thereto on the Borrowers' website on the Internet at the website address listed
in Section 16.6; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrowers'
behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender, each
Issuing Bank and each Agent has access (whether a commercial, third-party
website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i)
the Borrowers shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative
Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender that requests the Borrowers to deliver
such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is
given by the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender and (ii) the
Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and each
Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents
and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions
(i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained
herein, in every instance the Borrowers shall be required to provide paper
copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 8.4(c) to the
Administrative Agent. Except for such Compliance Certificates, the
Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to
maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have
no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrowers with any such request
for delivery, and each Lender and Issuing Bank shall be solely responsible for
requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
8.5. NOTICES.
8.5.1. DEFAULTS. Each of the Borrowers will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in writing of the occurrence
of any Default or Event of Default, together with a reasonably detailed
description thereof, and the actions the Borrowers propose to take with
respect thereto. If any Person shall give any notice or take any other
action in respect of a claimed default (whether or not constituting an
Event of Default) under this Credit Agreement or any other note, evidence
of indebtedness, indenture or other obligation to which or with respect to
which BGI or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or obligor, whether as
principal, guarantor, surety or otherwise, the Borrowers shall forthwith
give written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders, describing the notice or action and the nature of the claimed
default.
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8.5.2. ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS. The Borrowers will promptly give notice
to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders (a) of any violation
of any Environmental Law that any of the Borrowers or any of their
Subsidiaries reports in writing or is reportable by such Person in writing
(or for which any written report supplemental to any oral report is made)
to any Governmental Authority and (b) upon becoming aware thereof, of any
inquiry, proceeding, investigation, or other action, including a notice
from any agency of potential environmental liability, of any Governmental
Authority that could have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.5.3. NOTICE OF LITIGATION, JUDGMENTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ASSETS.
Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
give notice to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in writing
within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of any litigation or
proceedings threatened in writing or any pending litigation and
proceedings affecting any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or
to which any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries is or becomes a
party involving an uninsured claim against any of the Borrower or any of
their Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries and
stating the nature and status of such litigation or proceedings. The
Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to
the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, in writing, in form and
detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days of
any judgment not covered by insurance, final or otherwise, against the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of
$15,000,000. The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries
to, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, notify the Administrative Agent
in writing of any setoff, claims, or other defenses to which any
Collateral or the Administrative Agent's rights with respect to any
Collateral are subject if any such setoff, claim, or other defense would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or result in a
material impact on the on the Aggregate Borrowing Base and/or the Domestic
Borrowing Base.
8.5.4. NOTICE REGARDING CERTAIN EVENTS. The Borrowers will furnish
or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
written notice of (a) promptly after the adoption thereof, any amendment
to the organizational documents of any Borrower; and (b) promptly, the
enactment or adoption of any law which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.5.5. NOTICES CONCERNING INVENTORY COLLATERAL. The Borrowers shall
provide to the Administrative Agent prompt notice of (a) any physical
count of any Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' inventory, together
with a copy of the summary results thereof (and such other supporting
information relating thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request) certified by such Borrower or such Subsidiary, (b) any
determination by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that the
inventory levels of such Borrower or such Subsidiary are not adequate to
meet the sales projections of such Borrower or such Subsidiary,
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(c) details of all credit card arrangements to which any Borrower or any
of it Subsidiaries is from time to time a party, including details
relating to such Borrower's or such Subsidiary's compliance with the terms
of payment to the Concentration Account (as required pursuant
to Section 8.15) of the proceeds of all credit card charges for sales by
such Borrower or such Subsidiary, and (d) any failure of any Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries to pay rent at any location, which failure
continues for more than three days following the day on which such rent is
due and payable by such Borrower or such Subsidiary (other than any rental
payment being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or
any rental payment which otherwise, by itself or in the aggregate with all
other such rental payments, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.5.6. CHANGE OF INVOICES. The UK Borrower shall provide to the
Administrative Agent prompt notice of any change in the form of invoice
issued by any significant supplier of the UK Borrower, together with a
copy of such new form of invoice.
8.6. LEGAL EXISTENCE; MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Each of the Borrowers
will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect its legal existence, rights and franchises and those of its
Subsidiaries and will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, convert to a limited liability company or a limited liability partnership.
It (a) will cause all of its properties and those of its Subsidiaries used or
useful in the conduct of its business or the business of its Subsidiaries to be
maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied
with all necessary equipment, (b) will cause to be made all necessary repairs,
renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the
judgment of such Borrower may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times,
(c) will maintain in full force and effect all patents, trademarks, trade names,
copyrights, licenses, permits and other authorizations necessary for the
ownership and operation of its properties and business, and (d) will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, continue to engage primarily in the
businesses now conducted by them and in related businesses; provided that
nothing in this Section 8.6 shall prevent any of the Borrowers from
discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of its properties or any of
those of its Subsidiaries, including the existence of any Subsidiary of BGI or
the conversions of any Subsidiary of BGI to a limited liability company or
limited liability partnership, if such discontinuance or conversion is, in the
judgment of such Borrower, desirable in the conduct of its or their business and
that do not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect and, with respect to
the conversions of a Borrower or a Guarantor to a limited liability company or
limited liability partnership, simultaneously with such conversion, such
Borrower or Guarantor shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative
Agent all documentation which the Administrative Agent reasonably determine is
necessary to continue such Borrower's or such Guarantor's obligations in respect
of this Credit Agreement and the Collateral Agent's Liens in respect of the
Collateral.
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8.7. INSURANCE. Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business against such casualties
and contingencies as shall be in accordance with the general practices of
businesses engaged in similar activities in similar geographic areas and in
amounts, containing such terms, in such forms and for such periods as may be
reasonable and prudent, including self-insurance to the extent customary, all as
reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent. At the request of the
Administrative Agent, BGI shall deliver from time to time a summary schedule
indicating all insurance then in force with respect to each of the Borrowers.
8.8. TAXES. Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged,
before the same shall become overdue, all taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges imposed upon it and its Real Estate, sales and activities,
or any part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all
claims for labor, materials, or supplies that if unpaid might by law become a
Lien or charge upon any of its property; provided that any such tax, assessment,
charge, levy or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall
currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if such
Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves
with respect thereto; and provided further that each of the Borrowers and each
of their Subsidiaries will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or
claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any Lien that
may have attached as security therefor.
8.9. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES.
8.9.1. GENERALLY. Each of the Borrowers shall permit the Lenders,
through the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders' other designated
representatives, to visit and inspect any of the properties of such
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, to examine the books of account of
such Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and to make copies thereof and
extracts therefrom), and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of
such Borrower and its Subsidiaries with, and to be advised as to the same
by, its and their officers, and to conduct examinations and verifications
(whether by internal commercial finance examiners or independent auditors)
of all components included in the Aggregate Borrowing Base or the Domestic
Borrowing Base, all at such reasonable times and intervals as the
Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request. At the request
of the Administrative Agent, but not more frequently than once a year, the
Borrowers and their respective Authorized Officers shall hold a meeting of
the Lenders. At least one time in each Fiscal Year, and more frequently
upon the request of the Administrative Agent if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers will obtain and deliver to the
Administrative Agent a physical count of the inventory included in the
Collateral (it being understood that the Borrowers may not perform a
physical count of the inventory included in the Collateral at any store
that has been opened for less than one (1) year), in form substance and
substance satisfactory to the
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Administrative Agent. Such physical counts of the inventory included in
the Collateral shall be conducted at the Borrowers' expense. The
Administrative Agent may, at the Borrowers' expense, participate in or
observe any physical count of inventory included in the Collateral. The
Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent with copies of any
summary reports or other documents produced by the Borrowers or their
agents in connection with any physical counts of the inventory included in
the Collateral.
8.9.2. COLLATERAL REPORTS. At least one time in each Fiscal Year,
and more frequently upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the
Borrower will obtain and deliver to the Administrative Agent, or, if the
Administrative Agent so elects, will cooperate with the Administrative
Agent in the Administrative Agent's obtaining, a report of an independent
collateral auditor satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may be
affiliated with one of the Lenders) with respect to the Accounts
Receivable and inventory components included in the Aggregate Borrowing
Base and/or the Domestic Borrowing Base, which report shall indicate
whether or not the information set forth in the Borrowing Base Report most
recently delivered is accurate and complete in all material respects based
upon a review by such auditors of such Accounts Receivable (including
verification with respect to the amount, aging, identity and credit of the
respective account debtors and the billing practices of the Borrower or
its applicable Subsidiary) and inventory (including verification as to the
value, location and respective types). Such collateral value reports shall
be conducted at the Borrowers' expense no more frequently than one time
during each Fiscal Year; provided that if an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, all such collateral value reports shall be conducted
and made at the expense of the Borrowers.
8.9.3. APPRAISALS.
At least one time in each Fiscal Year, and more frequently upon the
request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will obtain and deliver
to the Administrative Agent appraisal reports in form and substance and
from appraisers satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, stating the then
current fair market, orderly liquidation and forced liquidation values of
all or any portion of the inventory owned by the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries. Such appraisals shall be conducted at the Borrowers' expense
no more frequently than one time during each Fiscal Year; provided that if
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, all such appraisals
shall be conducted and made at the expense of the Borrowers.
8.10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, CONTRACTS, LICENSES, AND PERMITS. Each of the
Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with (a) the
applicable laws and regulations wherever its business is conducted, including
all Environmental Laws, (b) the provisions of its Governing Documents, (c) all
agreements and instruments by which it or any of its properties may be bound and
(d) all applicable decrees, orders, and judgments, where, with respect to
clauses (a), (c) and (d) only, failure to so comply
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could have a Material Adverse Effect. If any authorization, consent, approval,
permit or license from any officer, agency or instrumentality of any government
shall become necessary or required in order that any of the Borrowers or any of
their Subsidiaries may fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or any of the
other Loan Documents to which such Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party, such
Borrower will, or (as the case may be) will cause such Subsidiary to,
immediately take or cause to be taken all reasonable steps within the power of
such Borrower or such Subsidiary to obtain such authorization, consent,
approval, permit or license and furnish the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
with evidence thereof.
8.11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Borrowers will (a) promptly upon filing
the same with the Department of Labor or Internal Revenue Service upon request
of the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy of the
most recent actuarial statement required to be submitted under Section 103(d) of
ERISA and Annual Report, Form 5500, with all required attachments, in respect of
each Guaranteed Pension Plan, (b) promptly upon receipt or dispatch, furnish to
the Administrative Agent any notice, report or demand sent or received in
respect of a Guaranteed Pension Plan under Sections 302, 4041, 4042, 4043, 4063,
4065, 4066 and 4068 of ERISA, or in respect of a Multiemployer Plan, under
Sections 4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245 of ERISA and (c) promptly furnish to
the Administrative Agent a copy of all actuarial statements required to be
submitted under all Applicable Pension Legislation.
8.12. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Loans
and obtain Letters of Credit solely for the purposes set forth in Section
7.16.1.
8.13. RESERVED.
8.14. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES. If, with respect to any of BGI's Domestic
Subsidiaries which are not Guarantors hereunder, (a) any such Domestic
Subsidiary's total assets determined in accordance with GAAP at the end of any
Fiscal Quarter constitute more than 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
determined at the end of such Fiscal Quarter or (b) any such Domestic
Subsidiary's net income determined in accordance with GAAP for any rolling four
Fiscal Quarter period exceeds 10% of Consolidated Net Income for such four
Fiscal Quarters, BGI shall cause such Domestic Subsidiary to become a Guarantor
and agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 6 hereof, to execute a
Joinder Agreement and to deliver such legal opinions and other documents and
instruments as the Administrative Agent may request.
8.15. BANK ACCOUNTS AND CREDIT CARDS.
8.15.1. GENERAL. (a) On or prior to the Closing Date, each of the
Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, establish a
depository account (the "Concentration Account") under the control of the
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Agents, in the
name of the applicable Borrower, (b) at all times after the Closing Date,
cause all cash proceeds of Accounts Receivable included in the Aggregate
Borrowing Base or the Domestic Borrowing Base to be deposited only into
local depository accounts ("Local
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Accounts"), concentration depository accounts with financial institutions
which have entered into agency account agreements and, if applicable, lock
box agreements (collectively, "Agency Account Agreements"), in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (such concentration
depository accounts being referred to collectively as "Interim
Concentration Accounts") or the Concentration Account, (c) if at any time
after the Closing Date a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is
continuing (unless and until a Cash Dominion Cure Event shall have
occurred), at the request of the Administrative Agent, direct all
depository institutions with Local Accounts to cause all funds (other than
those amounts paid to the Borrowers' operating account or Local Accounts
referred to in Section 8.15.2, clause (y)) held in each such Local Account
to be transferred no less frequently than once each day to, and only to,
an Interim Concentration Account or the Concentration Account, (d) if at
any time after the Closing Date a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is
continuing (unless and until a Cash Dominion Cure Event shall have
occurred), at the request of the Administrative Agent, direct all
depository institutions with Interim Concentration Accounts to cause all
funds of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries held in such Interim
Concentration Accounts to be transferred daily to, and only to, the
Concentration Account, and (e) at all times after the Closing Date ensure
that immediately upon any Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' receipt
of any funds constituting cash proceeds of any Collateral, all such
amounts shall have been deposited in a Local Account, an Interim
Concentration Account or the Concentration Account. The Borrowers shall
not enter into any agreement with any credit card processors unless
contemporaneously therewith, a Credit Card Notification, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, is executed and
delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Borrowers shall each cause each
of their credit card processors to remit all proceeds of all credit card
charges to a Concentration Account. The Administrative Agent agrees to
deliver such documents and to take such steps, at the Borrowers' sole cost
and expense, as are reasonably requested by the Borrowers to evidence the
occurrence of any Cash Dominion Cure Event.
8.15.2. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF APPLICATION. If at any time a Cash
Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing (unless and until a Cash
Dominion Cure Event shall have occurred), each Borrower hereby agrees that
all amounts received in the Concentration Account will be the sole and
exclusive property of the Collateral Agent, for the accounts of the
Lenders and the Administrative Agent and, to the extent provided in the
Collateral Agency Agreement, the holders of the Senior Notes, to be
applied in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement, with the
portion allocated under the Collateral Agency Agreement to the Lenders to
be applied (x) with respect to a Cash Dominion Event arising from an Event
of Default, in accordance with Section 13.5 and (y) with respect to any
other Cash Dominion Event (but an Event of Default is not continuing),
first, to any Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations; second, to the Swingline
Loans; third, to the Revolving Credit Loans; fourth, to provide to the
Administrative Agent Cash Collateral for Reimbursement Obligations as
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contemplated by Section 4.2(ii) and (iii) and fifth, to the Borrowers'
operating account with the Administrative Agent or its Affiliate or, in
the case of the UK Borrower or BGP(UK), to their Local Accounts; provided,
however, subject to Section 6 hereof, (A) any payments by the UK Borrower
shall be applied solely to the UK Loans or Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations or Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit
issued for the account of the UK Borrower and (B) any payments by the
Australian Borrower shall be applied solely to the Australian Loans or
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or Reimbursement Obligations in respect
of Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Australian Borrower.
Notwithstanding anything in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents to the contrary, the cash or depositary accounts of the U.K.
Borrower or the Australian Borrower will not serve at any time, directly
or indirectly, to collateralize the Co-Borrower Obligations.
8.16. LANDLORD AND MORTGAGEE AGREEMENTS. If, after the Closing Date, the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries acquires or leases any distribution
centers used as a warehouse facility containing any Collateral, the Borrowers
shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, use commercially reasonably efforts to
deliver to the Administrative Agent a landlord or mortgagee waiver and access
agreement executed by the landlord or mortgagee, as applicable, of any such
distribution center, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent. Each Borrower shall continue to use its commercially
reasonable efforts to provide to the Administrative Agent a landlord or
mortgagee waiver and access agreement executed by the landlord or mortgagee of
any distribution center listed on Schedule 11.21, in each case in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which have not been provided
to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.21; provided that, with
respect to any distribution center for which such a landlord or mortgagee waiver
and access agreement has not been so delivered, the Administrative Agent may, in
its reasonable commercial judgment, implement a reserve against the Domestic
Borrowing Base and/or the Aggregate Borrowing Base.
8.17. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Lenders and the Administrative Agent
and execute such further instruments and documents as the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to carry out to their satisfaction
the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
9. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
Each of the Borrowers jointly and severally covenants and agrees that, so
long as any Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is
outstanding or any Lender has any obligation to make any Loans or any Issuing
Bank has any obligations to issue, extend or renew any Letters of Credit:
9.1. RESTRICTIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or
remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness other
than:
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(a) Indebtedness to the Lenders, the Agents and the Issuing Banks arising
under any of the Loan Documents;
(b) endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and warranties of
products or services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition after the
Closing Date of any Property (and in any event not more than ninety (90) days
from the date of such acquisition) by such Borrower or such Subsidiary as
contemplated by Section 9.2(x);
(d) obligations under or guaranties of Capitalized Leases;
(e) Indebtedness in respect of Hedging Agreements entered into for hedging
purposes only and not for speculation; provided that nothing in
this Section 9.1(e) shall be deemed to prohibit equity hedging arrangements that
constitute Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 9.4;
(f) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and listed and described on
Schedule 9.1 hereto including any extensions or refinancings thereof on
substantially similar terms as the Indebtedness being refinanced and provided
there is no increase in the amount thereof;
(g) unsecured Indebtedness of any of BGI's Subsidiaries to, or in respect
of Obligations of, BGI or another Subsidiary of BGI consisting of intercompany
loans and, if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, any other Investments;
(h) unsecured Indebtedness of BGI to, or in respect of obligations of, a
Subsidiary of BGI consisting of intercompany loans and, if no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time such Indebtedness
is incurred, any other Investments;
(i) Indebtedness of BGI and its Subsidiaries in respect of the Senior
Notes; provided that aggregate principal amount outstanding shall not exceed
$50,000,000 at any time; and
(j) Indebtedness of BGI and its Subsidiaries in addition to Indebtedness
otherwise permitted by clause (a) to (i) above with an aggregate principal
Dollar Equivalent amount outstanding not to exceed 40% of Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth (determined as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently
ended), provided that at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness no Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom.
9.2. RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) create or incur or suffer to be created or
incurred or to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets of any
character whether now owned or hereafter
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acquired, or upon the income or profits therefrom; (b) transfer any of such
property or assets or the income or profits therefrom for the purpose of
subjecting the same to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other
obligation in priority to payment of its general creditors; (c) acquire, or
agree to acquire, any property or assets upon conditional sale or other title
retention or purchase money security agreement, device or arrangement; (d)
suffer to exist for a period of more than thirty (30) days after the same shall
have been incurred any Indebtedness or claim or demand against it that if unpaid
might by law or upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be given any
priority whatsoever over its general creditors; or (e) sell, assign, pledge or
otherwise transfer any "receivables" as defined in clause (g) of the definition
of the term "Indebtedness," with or without recourse; provided that any Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries may create or incur or suffer to be created or
incurred or to exist:
(i) (x) Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent
securing the Obligations and (y) to the extent required by the Senior Note
Agreement, Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, in
its capacity as collateral agent for the holders of the Senior Notes in
respect of the obligations under the Senior Notes; provided that such
Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral in favor of the
Collateral Agent securing the Obligations;
(ii) Liens in favor of such Borrower on all or part of the assets of
Subsidiaries of such Borrower securing Indebtedness owing by Subsidiaries
of such Borrower to such Borrower;
(iii) Liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government
charges in respect of obligations and Liens to secure claims for labor,
material or supplies, in each cash in respect of obligations not overdue
or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings
and for which such Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books
adequate reserves with respect thereto;
(iv) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure
payment of, workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age
pensions or other social security obligations;
(v) Liens on properties in respect of judgments or awards that have
been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so
long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which such
Borrower or such Subsidiary shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting
an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which a stay of
execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review;
(vi) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, and
other like Liens, securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
business, in respect of obligations not overdue or which in the aggregate
do not have a Material Adverse Effect;
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(vii) encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements, rights of
way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and
defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlord's or lessor's
liens and other minor Liens, provided that none of such Liens (A)
interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the
ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,
and (B) individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;
(viii) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business
to secure performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the
repayment of Indebtedness) or leases, not in excess of the aggregate
amount due thereunder, or to secure statutory obligations, or surety,
appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the
ordinary course of business;
(ix) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 9.2
hereto, provided that the principal amount secured thereby is not
thereafter increased and no additional assets become subject to such Lien;
(x) purchase money security interests in or purchase money mortgages
on Property acquired after the Closing Date to secure purchase money
Indebtedness of the type and amount permitted by Section 9.1(c), incurred
in connection with the acquisition of such Property and in any event not
more than ninety (90) days from the date of such acquisition, which
security interests or mortgages cover only the Property so acquired;
(xi) Liens in respect of the interests of lessors under Capitalized
Leases permitted under this Credit Agreement securing obligations of BGI
or its Subsidiaries to the lessor under such Capitalized Leases;
(xii) Liens granted to the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks
pursuant to Section 16.1 hereof;
(xiii) Liens (x) in favor of credit card issuers and/or processors
securing standard fees due by a Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course, which fees are within the general parameters customary in
the credit card processing industry and (y) in favor of banking
institutions securing standard fees due by a Borrower or its Subsidiaries
in the ordinary course in connection with deposit and other bank accounts
held at such banking institution, which fees are within the general
parameters customary in the banking industry; and
(xiv) Liens on assets of BGI and its Subsidiaries (other than
Collateral) not otherwise permitted by clauses (i) through (xiii) above,
so long as any Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted under the terms
of Section 9.1, and the aggregate fair market value of all property
secured by such Liens does not at any time exceed 10% of Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth (determined as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter
most recently ended).
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9.3. RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to remain
outstanding any Investment except Investments in or by:
(a) cash equivalents or short-term marketable securities;
(b) money market mutual funds denominated in an Optional Currency in
countries in which BGI or any of its Subsidiaries operates a business provided
that (i) each such fund in which BGI or any of its Subsidiaries makes an
Investment has assets of not less than $50,000,000 and (ii) the proportional
Investment in each such fund by BGI or such Subsidiary does not exceed five
percent (5%) of the aggregate amount of all Investments in such fund;
(c) Investments existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 9.3
hereto;
(d) Investments consisting of (1) loans and advances to employees (i) for
moving, entertainment, travel and other similar expenses in the ordinary course
of business, (ii) for any other purpose, with such Investments under this clause
(ii) not to exceed (x) $10,000,000 in the aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding and (y) $1,500,000 in the aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding to any single employee and (2) amounts held in accounts under
deferred compensation plans of the Borrowers where investments are directed by
employees;
(e) trade credit extended on usual and customary terms in the ordinary
course of business;
(f) (i) Investments by any Co-Borrower (other than BGP (UK)) or any other
Guarantor which is a party to the Security Agreement in any other Co-Borrower
(other than BGP (UK)) or other Guarantor which is a party to the Security
Agreement, (ii) Investments by the UK Borrower or the Australian Borrower in any
Co-Borrower (other than BGP (UK)) or any other Guarantor which is a party to the
Security Agreement, (iii) Investments by the Australian Borrower in the UK
Borrower, and (iv) to the extent not otherwise permitted by clauses (i) through
(iv) hereof, Investments by BGI in any Subsidiary of BGI or by any Subsidiary of
BGI in BGI or another Subsidiary of BGI; provided that (A) no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (B)
with respect to any Investment or series of related Investments that exceeds
$25,000,000, BGI delivers to the Lenders on or before the date on which it or
any of its Subsidiaries agrees to or consummates such Investment a certificate
of the principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrowers certifying as
accurate and complete the monthly pro forma financial projections attached
thereto and demonstrating immediately after giving effect to such Investment (x)
the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% and (y) the Excess
Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% as determined on a pro forma basis
over the six month period immediately following the effective date of such
Investment, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
based on reasonable projections of the financial performance of the Borrowers.
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(g) Acquisitions; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (ii) such Acquisition
is permitted under Section 9.6;
(h) guarantees of any obligations of landlords of a Borrower to the extent
that the obligations relate to funds arranged by a Borrower and used to finance
or refinance any stores of a Borrower and such funds are intended to be repaid
through lease payments of a Borrower;
(i) Investments in respect of Hedging Agreements entered into for hedging
purposes only and not for speculation; provided that nothing in this Section
9.3(i) shall be deemed to prohibit equity hedging arrangements that constitute
Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 9.4; and
(j) Investments (other than those Investments set forth in clauses (a)
through (i) above); provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) with respect to any
Investment or series of related Investments that exceeds $25,000,000, BGI
delivers to the Lenders on or before the date on which it or any of its
Subsidiaries agrees to or consummates such Investment a certificate of the
principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrowers certifying as
accurate and complete the monthly pro forma financial projections attached
thereto and demonstrating immediately after giving effect to such Investment (x)
the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% and (y) the Excess
Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% as determined on a pro forma basis
over the six month period immediately following the effective date of such
Investment, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
based on reasonable projections of the financial performance of the Borrowers,
and (iii) with respect to any Investment that exceeds $25,000,000, BGI shall
deliver a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers dated as of the
date of such Investment as to the solvency of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries following the consummation of such Investment and in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
9.4. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, make any Restricted Payments except that:
(a) BGI may engage in stock splits (including reverse stock splits);
(b) Subsidiaries may make Distributions to BGI or a Wholly-owned
Subsidiary of BGI; and
(c) BGI or any of its Subsidiaries may make other Restricted Payments;
provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or would result therefrom, (ii) BGI shall deliver to the Lenders
contemporaneously with any Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section
8.4(c) a certificate of the principal financial or accounting officer of the
Borrowers certifying as accurate and complete the monthly pro forma financial
projections attached thereto and demonstrating immediately after giving effect
to all Restricted Payments projected to be made during
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the then next Fiscal Quarter (x) the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less
than 10% for such Fiscal Quarter and (y) the Excess Availability Ratio would not
be less than 10% as determined on a pro forma basis over the two (2) Fiscal
Quarters next following such Fiscal Quarter, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent, based on reasonable projections of the financial
performance of the Borrowers and (iii) in connection with such certificate for
any Fiscal Quarter during which the Borrowers project that the aggregate
Restricted Payments to be made will exceed $25,000,000, BGI shall deliver a
certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers dated as of the date of
such certificate as to the solvency of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
following the payment of all such Restricted Payments for such Fiscal Quarter
and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided
that at any time the actual Restricted Payments made during any Fiscal Quarter
exceed the Restricted Payments projected to be made for such Fiscal Quarter as
set forth in the certificate described in clause (ii) above, BGI shall promptly
deliver to the Lenders a certificate of the principal financial or accounting
officer of the Borrowers certifying as accurate and complete updated monthly pro
forma financial projections attached thereto and otherwise demonstrating
compliance with the requirements set forth in clause (ii) above based on the
actual Restricted Payments made and, to the extent applicable, providing the
solvency certificate described in clause (iii) above.
9.5. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, DISPOSITION OF ASSETS AND SALE LEASEBACK
TRANSACTIONS.
9.5.1. MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS. Subject to Section 9.13, none of
the Borrowers will, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a
party to any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, except, so long as no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would
result therefrom, (a) any Borrower (other than BGI) may merge or
consolidate into another Borrower, (b) any Subsidiary of BGI may
consolidate or merge into any Borrower, a Guarantor or any Wholly-owned
Subsidiary of a Borrower provided a Borrower, a Guarantor or the
Wholly-owned Subsidiary is the surviving corporation of such consolidation
or merger, (c) any Subsidiary of BGI (other than a Borrower or Guarantor)
may consolidate or merge into any other Subsidiary of BGI (other than a
Borrower or Guarantor) and (d) any Borrower (other than BGI) or Subsidiary
of BGI may merge or consolidate into another Person; provided that (i) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
therefrom, (ii) BGI delivers to the Lenders on or before the date on which
any of its Subsidiaries agrees to or consummates such merger or such
consolidation a certificate of the principal financial or accounting
officer of the Borrowers certifying as accurate and complete the monthly
pro forma financial projections attached thereto and demonstrating
immediately after giving effect to such merger or such consolidation (x)
the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% and (y) the
Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% as determined on a
pro forma basis over the six month period immediately following the
effective date of such merger or such consolidation, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, based on reasonable projections
of the financial performance of the Borrowers, (iii) the disposition of
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the assets of such Borrower or such Subsidiary would have been permitted
under Section 9.5.2 and (iv)(A) the surviving entity, immediately after
giving effect to such merger or consolidation, in accordance with Section
8.14, is or becomes a Borrower or a Guarantor by executing and delivering
to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement and the documents referred
to therein and (B) such transaction, if it had been structured as an
Acquisition by any Borrower or Subsidiary of BGI, would not have been
prohibited under Section 9.6.
9.5.2. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to or agree to or effect
any disposition of assets, other than:
(a) the sale of inventory, the licensing of intellectual property
and the disposition of obsolete or excess assets, in each case in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;
(b) any sale, transfer, assignment or lease of Property, including
without limitation any store closures, in the ordinary course of business
which are no longer necessary or required in the conduct of such
Borrower's or Subsidiary's business;
(c) any sale or transfer of any Property owned by any Borrower or
any Subsidiary of a Borrower in order then or thereafter to lease such
Property or lease other Property that any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a
Borrower intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the property
being sold or transferred (a "sale-leaseback transaction") in the ordinary
course of business and provided that no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;
(d) (i) any sale, transfer or lease of Property by any Co-Borrower
(other than BGP (UK)) or any other Guarantor which is a party to the
Security Agreement to any other Co-Borrower (other than BGP (UK)) or other
Guarantor which is a party to the Security Agreement, (ii) any sale,
transfer or lease of Property by the UK Borrower or the Australian
Borrower to any Co-Borrower (other than BGP (UK)) or any other Guarantor
which is a party to the Security Agreement, (iii) any sale, transfer or
lease of Property by the Australian Borrower to the UK Borrower and (iv)
to the extent not otherwise permitted by clauses (i) through (iv) hereof,
any sale, transfer or lease of Property by BGI to any Subsidiary of BGI or
by any Subsidiary of BGI to BGI or another Subsidiary of BGI; provided
that (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
would result therefrom, (B) with respect to any such sale, transfer or
lease of property the fair market value of which exceeds $5,000,000
whether in one or a series of related dispositions, BGI delivers to the
Lenders on or before the date on which any of its Subsidiaries agrees to
or consummates such sale, transfer or lease a certificate of the principal
financial or accounting officer of the Borrowers certifying as accurate
and complete the monthly pro forma financial projections attached thereto
and demonstrating immediately after giving effect to
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such sale, transfer or lease (and including all other sales, transfers or
leases that have occurred since the most recent certificate delivered
pursuant to this clause (B)) (x) the Excess Availability Ratio would not
be less than 10% and (y) the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less
than 10% as determined on a pro forma basis over the six month period
immediately following the effective date of such sale, transfer or lease,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, based on
reasonable projections of the financial performance of the Borrowers and
(C) before and after giving effect to such disposition, the Borrowers are
in compliance with Section 8.14.
(e) any sale, transfer or lease of Property in the ordinary course
of business which is replaced by substitute Property;
(f) any transfers to Kmart of "Premises" pursuant to the Kmart
Indemnity (as such term is defined therein) if and to the extent that any
such transfer does not cause an Event of Default under Section 13.1(n)
hereof; and
(g) other dispositions of assets that do not have a Material Adverse
Effect, so long as (i) if such assets are included in the Collateral, the
aggregate Net Book Value of such assets to be sold or otherwise disposed
of outside the ordinary course of business plus the Net Book Value of all
other such assets included in the Collateral of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries sold or otherwise disposed outside of the ordinary course of
business under this clause (g)(i) during the period of time from the
Closing Date through the date of such sale does not, at the time of such
sale or other disposition, exceed 15% of the Net Book Value of the assets
comprising the Aggregate Borrowing Base at such time or (ii) if such
assets are not included in the Collateral, the aggregate Net Book Value of
such assets to be sold or otherwise disposed of plus the Net Book Value of
all other such assets not included in the Collateral of the Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries sold or otherwise disposed of under this clause (g)(ii)
during the period of time from the Closing Date through the date of such
sale does not, at the time of such sale or other disposition, exceed 15%
of the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; provided that with
respect to assets being sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with
either clause (i) or (ii) above, (A) such assets are sold or otherwise
disposed of in an arm's length transaction for fair market value (after
giving effect to all tax benefits, if any, associated with such sale or
other disposition), and (B) no Default or Event of Default exists or would
result from such sale.
9.6. ACQUISITIONS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, enter into any stock or asset acquisitions (other than the
acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of such Person's business, or
become or agree to become a general or limited partner, joint venturer or member
in any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company, as the case may
be; other than Acquisitions which satisfy the following criteria: (i) no Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom,
(ii) such Acquisition shall be in (x) substantially the same or a similar type
of business as BGI and its Subsidiaries or (y) any other business not
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included in clause (x) above (an "unrelated business"); provided that (1) BGI
and its Subsidiaries shall not, without the written consent of the Required
Lenders, be permitted to make any Acquisition in an unrelated business with
respect to which (a) the total assets (determined in accordance with GAAP)
acquired in connection therewith constitute more than 10% of Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth determined at the end of the most-recently ended Fiscal
Quarter or (b) the net income attributable the stock or assets acquired in such
Acquisition (determined in accordance with GAAP) for any rolling four Fiscal
Quarter period exceeds 10% of Consolidated Net Income for such four Fiscal
Quarters, (2) the Administrative Agent may determine, in its reasonable
discretion, whether any such Acquisition relates to substantially the same or a
similar type of business as BGI and its Subsidiaries or to an unrelated
business, and (3) if the assets or the business subject to any such Acquisition
is in an unrelated business, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to
conduct all due diligence on, and to collect any information relating to, such
assets as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require prior to including any
such assets in the Aggregate Borrowing Base and/or the Domestic Borrowing Base,
as applicable, (iii) the Board of Directors and (if required by applicable law)
the shareholders of any Person to be acquired has approved the terms of the
Acquisition, (iv) BGI delivers to the Lenders on or before the date on which it
or any of its Subsidiaries agrees to or consummates such Acquisition a
certificate of the principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrowers
certifying as accurate and complete the monthly pro forma financial projections
attached thereto and demonstrating immediately after giving effect to such
Acquisition (x) the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% and (y)
the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% as determined on a pro
forma basis over the six month period immediately following the effective date
of such Acquisition, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, based on reasonable projections of the financial performance of the
Borrowers, (v) the Borrowers are in compliance, both before and after giving
effect thereto, with Section 8.14, and (vi) with respect to any Acquisition for
which the consideration paid by BGI or its Subsidiaries exceeds $25,000,000, BGI
shall deliver a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers dated as
of the date of such Acquisition as to the solvency of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries following the consummation of such Acquisition and in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
9.7. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. None of the Borrowers will, nor
will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) use any of the Real Estate or any
portion thereof for the handling, processing, storage or disposal of Hazardous
Substances, (b) cause or permit to be located on any of the Real Estate any
underground tank or other underground storage receptacle for Hazardous
Substances, (c) generate any Hazardous Substances on any of the Real Estate, (d)
conduct any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real Estate in any manner so
as to cause a release (i.e., releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring,
emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, disposing or
dumping) or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, upon or into the Real
Estate or (e) otherwise conduct any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real
Estate in any manner that would violate any Environmental Law or bring such Real
Estate in violation of any Environmental Law.
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9.8. MODIFICATIONS OF OTHER DOCUMENTS. None of the Borrowers will, nor
will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, permit or otherwise consent to any
amendment to or modification of any of the Kmart Agreements which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which would have the
effect of materially increasing the obligations of or burdens on the Borrowers
or any of their Subsidiaries thereunder or which would have the effect of
shortening or deleting any notice or cure period provided for therein.
9.9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. None of the Borrowers nor any ERISA Affiliate
will:
(a) engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning of Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code which could result in a material
liability for any of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(b) permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an "accumulated funding
deficiency", as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not
such deficiency is or may be waived; or
(c) fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an extent which,
or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner which, could result in the
imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of any of the Borrowers or any
of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 302(f) or Section 4068 of ERISA; or
(d) amend any Guaranteed Pension Plan in circumstances requiring the
posting of security pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of
the Code; or
(e) permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit
liabilities (with the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA) of all Guaranteed
Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Plans,
disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such
Plan with assets in excess of benefit liabilities; or
(f) permit or take any action which would contravene any Applicable
Pension Legislation.
9.10. BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. None of the Borrowers will, nor will permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly (whether through
Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than (a) with respect
to the Borrowers, the businesses conducted by them on the Closing Date,
substantially as conducted and operated by such Person as of such date and (b)
with respect to any Subsidiary of a Borrower, substantially as conducted and
operated by a Borrower on the Closing Date or in businesses reasonably
incidental and complementary thereto; provided that the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries shall be permitted to engage in any businesses permitted to be
acquired in accordance with Section 9.6.
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9.11. FISCAL YEAR. Except as provided in Section 7.4.1, none of the
Borrowers will, nor will permit any of it Subsidiaries to, change its Fiscal
Quarter or change its Fiscal Year.
9.12. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. None of the Borrowers will, nor will
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any transaction with any Affiliate
(an "Affiliate Transaction") (other than for services as employees, officers and
directors or for transactions between and among Borrowers and/or Guarantors not
otherwise prohibited under this Credit Agreement) (i) concerning any assets
included in the Aggregate Borrowing Base and/or the Domestic Borrowing Base,
(ii) with respect to which the total consideration to be paid or received by the
Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries would exceed $5,000,000 but be less than
$10,000,000 unless the Administrative Agent has provided its written consent to
such Affiliate Transaction or (iii) with respect to which the total
consideration to be paid or received by the Borrowers or any of their
Subsidiaries would exceed $10,000,000, including, in each case, any contract,
agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or
by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise
requiring payments to or from any such Affiliate or, to the knowledge of any of
the Borrowers, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any
such Affiliate has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or
partner, on terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable
on an arm's-length basis in the ordinary course of business (after taking into
consideration the totality of the relationship between the Borrowers and the
relevant Affiliate of which such transaction is a part) and provided such
transaction is not otherwise prohibited by this Credit Agreement.
9.13. CHANGES IN GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. None of the Borrowers will, nor will
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend in any respect its Governing Documents
in the event such change would be adverse to the Lenders; provided that any
Borrower or any Guarantor shall be permitted to change its respective
jurisdiction of organization or formation so long as such Borrower or such
Guarantor provides the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent with
written notice not less than thirty (30) days prior to such change.
9.14. INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. Each of the Borrowers shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or become or remain subject to
any restriction on the ability of such Borrower or such Subsidiary to make
dividends or distributions in cash or kind to such Borrower or such Subsidiary,
to make loans, advances or other payments of whatsoever nature to such Borrower
or such Subsidiary, or to make transfers or distributions of all or any part of
its assets to such Borrower or such Subsidiary either in its Governing Documents
or in any agreement or contract to which it is a party (other than restrictions
in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents), nor shall any of them
enter into any indenture, agreement, instrument or other arrangement which, (a)
directly or indirectly prohibits or restrains, or has the effect of prohibiting
or restraining, or could reasonably be expected to impose materially adverse
conditions upon, the incurrence of the Obligations under the Loan Documents, any
provisions of this Credit Agreement (including without limitation Section 6
hereof) or the
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amending of any of the Loan Documents, or (b) contains any provision which would
be violated or breached by the making of Loans to any Borrower, the incurrence
of Indebtedness by any Borrower hereunder, or by the performance by any Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries of any of its obligations under any Loan Document.
9.15. PAYMENTS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrowers may, and may permit
any of their Subsidiaries to, make any optional or voluntary prepayment,
redemption or repurchase of the Senior Notes or any other Indebtedness ranking
pari passu in priority of payment with the Obligations (each a "Senior
Indebtedness Payment") so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (ii) BGI delivers to
the Lenders on or before the date on which it or any of its Subsidiaries agrees
to or makes such Senior Indebtedness Payment a certificate of the principal
financial or accounting officer of the Borrowers certifying as accurate and
complete the monthly pro forma financial projections attached thereto and
demonstrating immediately after giving effect to such Senior Indebtedness
Payment (x) the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% and (y) the
Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% as determined on a pro
forma basis over the six month period immediately following the effective date
of such Senior Indebtedness Payment, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, based on reasonable projections of the financial
performance of the Borrowers.
10. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.
Each of the Borrowers, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees that,
so long as any Loan, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note
is outstanding or any Lender has any obligation to make any Loans or any Issuing
Bank has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letters of Credit:
10.1. FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Borrowers will not permit the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.10 to 1.00 for any Reference Period
ending after a Cash Dominion Event has occurred during the immediately preceding
month and for any Reference Period during which a Cash Dominion Event is
continuing and to which a Cash Dominion Cure Event relating to such Cash
Dominion Event has not occurred.
11. CLOSING CONDITIONS.
The obligations of the Lenders to make the initial Loans and of the
Issuing Banks to issue any initial Letters of Credit shall be subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
11.1. LOAN DOCUMENTS. Each of the Loan Documents shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the respective parties thereto, shall be in full force
and effect and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each of the
Lenders. Each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall have received a fully
executed copy of each such documents.
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11.2. CERTIFIED COPIES OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. Each of the Lenders shall
have received from each of the Borrowers and each of their Subsidiaries a copy,
certified by a duly authorized officer of such Person to be true and complete on
the Closing Date, of each of its Governing Documents as in effect on such date
of certification.
11.3. CORPORATE OR OTHER ACTION. All corporate (or other) action
(including certified copies of the board minutes and/or resolutions authorizing
the execution of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party) necessary
for the valid execution, delivery and performance by each of the Borrowers and
each of their Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents
to which it is or is to become a party shall have been duly and effectively
taken, and evidence thereof satisfactory to the Lenders shall have been provided
to each of the Lenders.
11.4. INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE. Each of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent shall have received from each of the Borrowers and each of their
Subsidiaries an incumbency certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by
a duly authorized officer of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, and giving the
name and bearing a specimen signature of each individual who shall be
authorized: (a) to sign, in the name and on behalf of such Borrower and such
Subsidiary, each of the Loan Documents to which such Borrower or such Subsidiary
is or is to become a party; (b) in the case of the Borrowers, to make Loan
Requests and Conversion Requests and to apply for Letters of Credit; and (c) to
give notices and to take other action on its behalf under the Loan Documents.
11.5. UCC SEARCH RESULTS. The Administrative Agent shall have received the
results of Uniform Commercial Code searches (and the equivalent thereof in all
applicable foreign jurisdictions), indicating no Liens other than Permitted
Liens and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
11.6. CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE. The Administrative Agent shall have
received (a) a certificate of insurance from an independent insurance broker
dated as of the Closing Date, identifying insurers, types of insurance,
insurance limits, and policy terms, and otherwise describing the insurance and
naming the Administrative Agent as an additional insured and a loss payee and
(b) certified copies of all policies evidencing such insurance (or certificates
therefore signed by the insurer or an agent authorized to bind the insurer).
11.7. SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE. Each of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent shall have received an officer's certificate of the Borrowers dated as of
the Closing Date as to the solvency of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
following the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in form
and substance satisfactory to the Lenders.
11.8. OPINION OF COUNSEL. Each of the Lenders, the Agents and the Issuing
Banks shall have received a favorable legal opinion addressed to the Lenders,
the Agents, and the Issuing Banks dated as of the Closing Date (or, in the case
of a legal
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opinion from the counsel to the UK Borrower, dated the Closing Date),
in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, Agents and the Issuing Banks,
from:
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ PLLC, counsel to the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries;
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, counsel to the UK Borrower and BGP(UK);
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Australian counsel to the Australian Borrower;
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq., General Counsel to the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries; and
(e) local counsel to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, as applicable.
11.9. PAYMENT OF FEES. The Borrowers shall have paid to the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent, as appropriate, the Fees pursuant to Sections 4.6 and 5.1
and the fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent's Special Counsel.
11.10. TERMINATION OF SYNTHETIC LEASE FACILITIES. Each of the Lenders and
the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that, as of the Closing
Date, each of the Existing Synthetic Lease Facility (as defined in the Existing
Credit Agreement) and the New Synthetic Lease Facility (as defined in the
Existing Credit Agreement) shall have been repaid in full and terminated and all
liens in respect thereof shall have been terminated.
11.11. ASSIGNMENTS UNDER EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Existing Lenders
shall have assigned their loans and other obligations under the Existing Credit
Agreement to the Lenders hereunder pursuant to documentation in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
11.12. DISBURSEMENT INSTRUCTIONS. The Administrative Agent shall have
received an initial Revolving Credit Loan Request and disbursement instructions
from the Borrowers, indicating how the proceeds of the Loans are to be
disbursed.
11.13. EXCESS AVAILABILITY. Each of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent shall have received evidence that on the Closing Date, after giving effect
to the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, after
giving effect to all borrowings under the Credit Agreement and all credit
exposure), the Excess Availability Ratio will not be less than 10%.
11.14. VALIDITY OF LIENS. The Security Documents shall be effective to
create in favor of the Administrative Agent a legal, valid and enforceable first
(except for Permitted Liens entitled to priority under applicable law) security
interest in and Lien upon the Collateral. All filings, recordings, deliveries of
instruments and other actions necessary or desirable in the opinion of the
Administrative Agent to protect and preserve such security interests shall have
been duly effected. The Administrative
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Agent shall have received evidence thereof in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent.
11.15. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Each of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent shall have received evidence that all consents and approvals necessary to
complete all transactions contemplated hereby have been obtained.
11.16. FINANCIAL CONDITION. No Material Adverse Effect, in the judgment of
the Required Lenders, shall have occurred in the financial condition, results of
operations, business, properties or prospects of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since the audited financial statements of BGI
and its Subsidiaries for the 2003 Fiscal Year.
11.17. INTERCREDITOR ARRANGEMENTS. The Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall have entered into the Collateral Agency Agreement with the holders
of the Senior Notes and the Collateral Agent.
11.18. BORROWING BASE REPORT. Each of the Lenders shall have received from
the Borrowers the initial Borrowing Base Report (based on information relating
to the most recently ended fiscal month of the Borrowers for which such
information is available) dated as of the Closing Date.
11.19. INVENTORY SUMMARY. Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent
shall have received from the Borrowers the most recent inventory summary with
respect to any inventory included in the Aggregate Borrowing Base or the
Domestic Borrowing Base (based on information relating to the most recently
ended fiscal month of the Borrowers for which such information is available),
and the Borrowers shall have notified the Administrative Agent in writing on the
Closing Date of any material deviation from such inventory values reflected in
such inventory summary and shall have provided the Administrative Agent with
such supplementary documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request.
11.20. AGENCY ACCOUNT AGREEMENTS; ACCOUNTS. The Borrowers shall have
established the Concentration Account with Fleet, and the Administrative Agent
shall have received an Agency Account Agreement executed by each depository
institution with an Interim Concentration Account and, with respect to the UK
Borrower, the Concentration Account with Fortis Bank.
11.21. LANDLORD AND MORTGAGEE AGREEMENTS. The Borrowers shall have used
their best efforts to provide to the Administrative Agent a landlord or
mortgagee waiver and access agreement executed by the landlord or mortgagee of
any distribution center listed on Schedule 11.21, in each case in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
11.22. CREDIT CARD NOTIFICATIONS. The Borrowers shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent notifications (the "Credit Card Notifications") executed on
behalf
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of the Borrowers to each of their credit card processors instructing such
credit card processors to remit all proceeds of all credit card charges to a
Concentration Account.
11.23. RESTRICTED PAYMENT PROJECTIONS. The Borrowers shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate of the principal financial or
accounting officer of the Borrowers dated as of the Closing Date and certifying
as accurate and complete the monthly pro forma financial projections attached
thereto and demonstrating immediately after giving effect to all Restricted
Payments projected to be made during the then current Fiscal Quarter (x) the
Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% for such Fiscal Quarter and
(y) the Excess Availability Ratio would not be less than 10% as determined on a
pro forma basis over the two (2) Fiscal Quarters next following such Fiscal
Quarter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, based
on reasonable projections of the financial performance of the Borrowers.
12. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.
The obligations of the Lenders to make any Loan and of any Issuing Bank to
issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit, in each case whether on or after
the Closing Date, shall also be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:
12.1. REPRESENTATIONS TRUE; NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Each of the
representations and warranties of any of the Borrowers and any of their
Subsidiaries contained in this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or in
any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this
Credit Agreement shall be true as of the date as of which they were made and
shall also be true at and as of the time of the making of such Loan or the
issuance, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit, with the same effect as
if made at and as of that time (except to the extent of changes resulting from
transactions contemplated or permitted by this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents and changes occurring in the ordinary course of business that
singly or in the aggregate are not materially adverse, and to the extent that
such representations and warranties relate expressly to an earlier date) and no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. The
Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Borrowers signed
by an authorized officer of the Borrowers to such effect.
12.2. NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT. No change shall have occurred in any law or
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the reasonable opinion
of any Lender would make it illegal for such Lender to make such Loan or to
participate in the issuance, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit or in
the reasonable opinion of each Issuing Bank would make it illegal for such
Issuing Bank to issue, extend or renew such Letter of Credit.
12.3. PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS. All proceedings in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
all other documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory in substance and in
form to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and to the Administrative Agent and their
counsel, and the
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Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent and such counsel shall have
received all information and such counterpart originals or certified or other
copies of such documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
12.4. GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. Each Lender shall have received such
statements in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to such Lender as such
Lender shall require for the purpose of compliance with any applicable
regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
12.5. EXCHANGE LIMITATION. There exists no reason whatsoever, including,
without limitation, by reason of the application of any so-called "currency
exchange" laws or regulations (as in effect at the time of any proposed
borrowing hereunder) which could reasonably be expected to interfere with the
Borrowers satisfying any of their obligations hereunder in full at such time as
such Obligations become due and payable pursuant to the terms hereof.
13. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.
13.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION. If any of the following events
("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both is
required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall occur:
(a) the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans or any
Reimbursement Obligation when the same shall become due and payable, whether at
the stated date of maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other
date fixed for payment;
(b) the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any
interest on the Loans, any Fees, or other sums due hereunder or under any of the
other Loan Documents, within three (3) days following the date upon which the
same shall become due and payable, whether at the stated date of maturity or any
accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;
(c) any of the Borrowers shall fail to comply with any of its covenants
contained in Sections 8.1, 8.4, 8.5.1, the first sentence of 8.6, 8.7, 8.12,
8.14, 8.15, 8.17, 9 (other than 9.7 and 9.9) or 10;
(d) any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries shall fail to
perform any term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any of the other
Loan Documents (other than those specified elsewhere in this Section 13.1) for
thirty (30) days after written notice of such failure has been given to the
Borrowers by either of the Administrative Agent (such grace period to be
applicable only in the event such Default can be remedied by corrective action
of the Borrowers as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion);
(e) any representation or warranty of any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in
any other document
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or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Credit Agreement
shall prove to have been false in any material respect upon the date when made
or deemed to have been made or repeated;
(f) any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay at maturity,
or within any applicable period of grace, the Senior Notes or any obligation for
Indebtedness with an aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of
$25,000,000, or fail to observe or perform any material term, covenant or
agreement contained in the Senior Note Agreement or the Senior Notes or any
agreement by which it is bound evidencing or securing Indebtedness with an
aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of $25,000,000 for such period
of time as would permit (assuming the giving of appropriate notice if required)
the holder or holders thereof or of any obligations issued thereunder to
accelerate the maturity thereof, or any such holder or holders shall rescind or
shall have a right to rescind the purchase of any such obligations;
(g) any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make an assignment for
the benefit of creditors, or admit in writing its inability to pay or generally
fail to pay its debts as they mature or become due, or shall petition or apply
for the appointment of a trustee or other custodian, liquidator, receiver or
administrator of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of any substantial
part of the assets of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or shall commence
any case or other proceeding relating to such Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency,
readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation or similar law of any
jurisdiction, now or hereafter in effect, or shall take any action to authorize
or in furtherance of any of the foregoing, or if any such petition or
application shall be filed or any such case or other proceeding shall be
commenced against such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and such Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries shall indicate its approval thereof, consent thereto or
acquiescence therein or such petition or application shall not have been
dismissed within forty-five (45) days following the filing thereof;
(h) a decree or order is entered appointing any such trustee, custodian,
liquidator, receiver or administrator or adjudicating any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition in any such case or
other proceeding, or a decree or order for relief is entered in respect of any
Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower in an involuntary case under federal
bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter constituted;
(i) there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and unstayed,
for more than sixty days, whether or not consecutive, any final judgment against
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that, with other outstanding final
judgments, undischarged, against any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries exceeds
in the aggregate $25,000,000;
(j) if any of the Loan Documents shall be cancelled, terminated, revoked
or rescinded, in each case otherwise than in accordance with the terms thereof
or with the express prior written agreement, consent or approval of the Lenders,
or any action at law, suit or in equity or other legal proceeding to cancel,
revoke or rescind any of the
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Loan Documents or contest the Administrative Agent's security interests and
liens in any portion of the Collateral or the priority of the Administrative
Agent's security interests and liens in any portion of the Collateral
contemplated by the Security Documents, shall be commenced by or on behalf of
any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries party thereto or any of their respective
stockholders, or any court or any other governmental or regulatory authority or
agency of competent jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or issue a
judgment, order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more of the
Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance with the terms
thereof;
(k) any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurs any liability to the PBGC
or a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate
amount exceeding $25,000,000, or any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is assessed
withdrawal liability pursuant to Title IV of ERISA by a Multiemployer Plan
requiring aggregate annual payments exceeding $25,000,000, or any of the
following occurs with respect to a Guaranteed Pension Plan: (i) an ERISA
Reportable Event, or a failure to make a required installment or other payment
(within the meaning of Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA), provided that the
Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that such event (A)
could be expected to result in liability of any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to the PBGC or such Guaranteed Pension Plan in an aggregate amount
exceeding $25,000,000 and (B) could constitute grounds for the termination of
such Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC, for the appointment by the appropriate
United States District Court of a trustee to administer such Guaranteed Pension
Plan or for the imposition of a lien in favor of such Guaranteed Pension Plan;
or (ii) the appointment by a United States District Court of a trustee to
administer such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or (iii) the institution by the PBGC of
proceedings to terminate such Guaranteed Pension Plan;
(l) any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be enjoined, restrained
or in any way prevented by the order of any Governmental Authority from
conducting any material part of its business and such order shall continue in
effect for more than thirty (30) days and such restraint or enjoinment or
similar restriction by any Governmental Authority would have a Material Adverse
Effect;
(m) there shall occur the loss, suspension or revocation of, or failure to
renew, any license or permit now held or hereafter acquired by any Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries if such loss, suspension, revocation or failure to renew
would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) an Event of Default shall have occurred under the Kmart Indemnity such
that Kmart shall have the right thereunder to exercise the rights granted to it
pursuant to Sections 3(c)(ii) or Sections 3(c)(iii) thereof in respect of more
than two (2) Premises (as such term is defined therein);
(o) a Change of Control shall occur;
then, and in any such event, so long as the same may be continuing, the
Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall, by
notice in writing to
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the Borrowers declare all amounts owing with respect to this Credit Agreement,
the Notes and the other Loan Documents and all Reimbursement Obligations to be,
and they shall thereupon forthwith become, immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived by each of the Borrowers; provided that in the event of
any Event of Default specified in Sections 13.1(g) or (h), all such amounts
shall become immediately due and payable automatically and without any
requirement of notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender. Upon written
demand by the Required Lenders after the occurrence of any Event of Default, and
automatically without the necessity of demand in the event of any Event of
Default specified in Section 13.1(g) or Section 13.1(h), the applicable
Borrower(s) shall immediately provide to the Administrative Agent cash in an
amount equal to the aggregate LC Exposure to be held by the Administrative Agent
as Cash Collateral in respect of such LC Exposure.
13.2. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS. If any one or more of the Events of
Default specified in Section 13.1(g) or Section 13.1(h) shall occur, any unused
portion of the credit hereunder shall forthwith terminate and each of the
Lenders shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans to the
Borrowers and the Issuing Banks shall be relieved of all further obligations to
issue, extend or renew Letters of Credit. If any other Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, or if on any Drawdown Date or other date for
issuing, extending or renewing any Letter of Credit the conditions precedent to
the making of the Loans to be made on such Drawdown Date or (as the case may be)
to issuing, extending or renewing such Letter of Credit on such other date are
not satisfied, the Administrative Agent may and, upon the request of the
Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrowers, terminate the unused
portion of the credit hereunder, and upon such notice being given such unused
portion of the credit hereunder shall terminate immediately and each of the
Lenders shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans and the
Issuing Banks shall be relieved of all further obligations to issue, extend or
renew Letters of Credit. No termination of the credit hereunder shall relieve
any of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the Obligations.
13.3. REMEDIES. In case any one or more of the Events of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Lenders shall have
accelerated the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 13.1, each Lender and
each Issuing Bank, if owed any amount with respect to the Loans or the
Reimbursement Obligations, may, proceed to protect and enforce its rights by
suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the
specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the
Obligations to such Lender are evidenced, including as permitted by applicable
law the obtaining of the ex parte appointment of a receiver, and, if such amount
shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the
payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of such Lender. No remedy
herein conferred upon any Lender or any Agent or the holder of any Note or
purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation is intended to be exclusive of
any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in
addition to every other remedy
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given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute
or any other provision of law.
13.4. JUDGMENT CURRENCY. If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any
court or obtaining an order enforcing a judgment, it becomes necessary to
convert any amount due under this Credit Agreement in Dollars or in any other
currency (hereinafter in this Section 13.4 called the "first currency") into any
other currency (hereinafter in this Section 13.4 called the "second currency"),
then the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate at the Administrative
Agent's close of business on the Business Day next preceding the day on which
the judgment is given or (as the case may be) the order is made. Any payment
made to any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender pursuant to this Credit
Agreement in the second currency shall constitute a discharge of the obligations
of the Borrowers to pay to the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders any
amount originally due to the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders in the
first currency under this Credit Agreement only to the extent of the amount of
the first currency which the Agents, the Issuing Banks and each of the Lenders
is able, on the date of the receipt by it of such payment in any second
currency, to purchase, in accordance with such Agent's, such Issuing Bank's and
such Lender's normal banking procedures, with the amount of such second currency
so received. If the amount of the first currency falls short of the amount
originally due to the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders in the first
currency under this Credit Agreement, the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally
agree that they will indemnify each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and each of
the Lenders against and save each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and each of
the Lenders harmless from any shortfall so arising. This indemnity shall
constitute a joint and several obligation of the Borrowers separate and
independent from the other obligations contained in this Credit Agreement, shall
give rise to a separate and independent cause of action and shall continue in
full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum
or sums in respect of amounts due to any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
under this Credit Agreement or under any such judgment or order. Any such
shortfall shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by each such Agent, such
Issuing Bank and each such Lender, as the case may be, and the Borrowers shall
not be entitled to require any proof or evidence of any actual loss. The
covenant contained in this Section 13.4 shall survive the payment in full of all
of the other obligations of the Borrowers under this Credit Agreement.
13.5. DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS. In the event that, following the
occurrence or during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, receives any monies in
connection with the enforcement of its rights hereunder or under any of the
other Loan Documents (with payment received from the UK Borrower or the
Australian Borrower to be applied to the UK Obligations and/or the Australian
Borrower), such monies shall be distributed for application as follows:
(a) First, to the payment of, or (as the case may be) the reimbursement of
the Administrative Agent for or in respect of all reasonable costs, expenses,
disbursements and losses which shall have been incurred or sustained by the
Administrative Agent in
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connection with the collection of such monies by the Administrative Agent, for
the exercise, protection or enforcement by the Administrative Agent of all or
any of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Administrative Agent
under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in support of any
provision of adequate indemnity to the Administrative Agent against any taxes or
liens which by law shall have, or may have, priority over the rights of the
Administrative Agent to such monies;
(b) Second, to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then
due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrowers or any Guarantor pursuant to
the terms of any Loan Document (other than fees or expenses relating to Cash
Management Services or in respect of Hedging Agreements);
(c) Third, to pay interest due in respect of all Loans, including
Swingline Loans;
(d) Fourth, to pay or prepay principal of Swingline Loans;
(e) Fifth, to pay or prepay principal of the Revolving Credit Loans (other
than Swingline Loans) and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations;
(f) Sixth, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable
benefit of the Issuing Banks, equal to all outstanding undrawn Letter of Credit
obligations to be held as Cash Collateral for such Obligations;
(g) Seventh, to the payment of any other Obligation due to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrower or any Guarantor (other than
amounts relating to Cash Management Services or Hedging Agreements);
(h) Eighth, to pay any amounts relating to (i) Cash Management Services
then due to the Lenders or their Affiliates and (ii) Hedging Agreements then due
to the Lenders or their Affiliates in respect of Hedging Agreements;
(j) Ninth, upon payment and satisfaction in full or other provisions for
payment in full satisfactory to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent of all
of the Obligations, to the payment of any obligations required to be paid
pursuant to Section 9-608(a)(1)(C) or 9-615(a)(3) of the Uniform Commercial Code
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
(k) Tenth, the excess, if any, shall be returned to the Borrowers or to
such other Persons as are entitled thereto.
13.6. CASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND HEDGE AGREEMENTS SUBORDINATE. Each of
the Borrowers, each Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby
acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Administrative Agent's and Lenders' claims
relating to any obligations in respect of Cash Management Services or Hedging
Obligations against any Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of the Collateral
constitute junior claims separate and apart (and of a different class) from the
senior
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claims of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against such Borrower or such
Guarantor with respect to any other Obligations (other than Cash Management
Services and Hedging Obligations) in respect of the Collateral and (ii) the
Obligations (other than Cash Management Services and Hedging Obligations)
include (a) all interest that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency
Proceeding involving any Borrower or any Guarantor at the rate provided for in
this Agreement governing the same, whether or not a claim for post-petition
interest is allowed in any such Insolvency Proceeding and (b) all indemnities,
fees and expenses that accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency
Proceeding involving any Borrower or any Guarantor as provided for in this
Credit Agreement, whether or not a claim for post-petition indemnities, fees or
expenses is allowed in any such Insolvency Proceeding. To further effectuate the
intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it
is held that the claims against the Borrowers in respect of the Collateral
constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and
junior claims), then each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby
acknowledges and agrees that all distributions shall be made as if there were
separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against any Borrower or any
Guarantor in respect of the Collateral (with the effect being that, to the
extent that the aggregate value of the Collateral is sufficient (for this
purpose ignoring all claims held by the Administrative Agent and Lenders in
respect of Cash Management Services and Hedging Agreements)), the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts
distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other
claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest at the relevant
contract rate together with all post-petition indemnities, fees and expenses
(even though such claims may or may not be allowed in whole or in part in the
respective Insolvency Proceeding) before any distribution is made in respect of
the claims held by the Administrative Agent and Lenders in respect of Cash
Management Services and Hedging Obligations, with each of the Administrative
Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the
holders of the Obligations (other than Cash Management Services and Hedging
Obligations) all amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent
needed to effectuate the intent of this sentence even if such turnover of
amounts has the effect of reducing the amount of the claim of the Administrative
Agent and Lenders in respect of Cash Management Services or Hedging Obligations.
Regardless of whether any such claim is allowed, and without limiting the
generality of the other provisions of this Credit Agreement, this Credit
Agreement expressly is intended to include and does include the "rule of
explicitness" in that this Credit Agreement expressly entitles the
Administrative Agent and Lenders to receive payment from the Collateral of any
post-petition interest, indemnities, fees or expenses through distributions made
pursuant to the provisions of this Credit Agreement even though such interest,
indemnities, fees or expenses are not allowed or allowable against the
bankruptcy estate of any Borrower or any Guarantor under any applicable
provision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or any other relevant law in any other
jurisdiction).
14. THE AGENTS.
14.1. AUTHORIZATION.
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(a) Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints FRG to act on its
behalf as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The
Administrative Agent is authorized to take such action on behalf of each of the
Lenders and to exercise all such powers as are hereunder and under any of the
other Loan Documents and any related documents delegated to the Administrative
Agent, together with such powers as are reasonably incident thereto, including
the authority, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent of the
Lenders, from time to time to take any action with respect to any Collateral or
the Security Documents which may be necessary to perfect, maintain perfected or
insure the priority of the security interest in and liens upon the Collateral
granted pursuant to the Security Documents, provided that no duties or
responsibilities not expressly assumed herein or therein shall be implied to
have been assumed by the Administrative Agent.
(b) The relationship between each Agent and each of the Lenders is that of
an independent contractor. The use of the terms "Administrative Agent",
"Collateral Agent", "Syndication Agent", "Co-Syndication Agent" and
"Co-Documentation Agent" is for convenience only and is used to describe, as a
form of convention, the independent contractual relationship between each such
Agent and each of the Lenders. Nothing contained in this Credit Agreement nor
the other Loan Documents shall be construed to create an agency, trust or other
fiduciary relationship between any Agent and any of the Lenders.
(c) As an independent contractor empowered by the Lenders to exercise
certain rights and perform certain duties and responsibilities hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents, the Collateral Agent is nevertheless a
"representative" of the Lenders, as that term is defined in Article 1 of the
Uniform Commercial Code, for purposes of actions for the benefit of the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent with respect to all collateral security and
guaranties contemplated by the Loan Documents. Such actions include the
designation of the Collateral Agent as "secured party", "mortgagee" or the like
on all financing statements and other documents and instruments, whether
recorded or otherwise, relating to the attachment, perfection, priority or
enforcement of any security interests, mortgages or deeds of trust in collateral
security intended to secure the payment or performance of any of the
Obligations, all for the benefit of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
(d) Each Issuing Bank shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to
any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and
each Issuing Bank shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to
the Administrative Agent in this Section 14 with respect to any acts taken or
omissions suffered by such Issuing Bank in connection with Letters of Credit
issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the applications and agreements
for letters of credit pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the
term "Administrative Agent" as used in this Section 14 included such Issuing
Bank with respect to such acts or omissions (and including any affiliates of
such Issuing Bank and the officers, directors, employees, agents and
attorneys-in-fact of such Issuing Bank and any affiliates thereof), and (ii) as
additionally provided herein with respect to such Issuing Bank.
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(e) The Collateral Agent shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect
to the Collateral, the Security Documents and any other documents associated
therewith, and the Collateral Agent shall have all of the benefits and
immunities (i) provided to the Collateral Agent in this Section 14 with respect
to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Collateral Agent in connection
with the Collateral, the Security Documents and any other documents associated
therewith, as fully as if the term "Administrative Agent" as used in this
Section 14 included the Collateral Agent with respect to such acts or omissions
(and including any affiliates of the Collateral Agent and the officers,
directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of the Collateral Agent and
any affiliates thereof), and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect
to the Collateral Agent.
14.2. EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Administrative Agent may exercise its
powers and execute its duties by or through employees or agents and shall be
entitled to take, and to rely on, advice of counsel concerning all matters
pertaining to its rights and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent may utilize the services of such
Persons as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may reasonably
determine, and all reasonable fees and expenses of any such Persons shall be
paid by the Borrowers.
14.3. NO LIABILITY. None of the Administrative Agent nor any of their
shareholders, directors, officers or employees nor any other Person assisting
them in their duties nor any agent or employee thereof, shall be liable for any
waiver, consent or approval given or any action taken, or omitted to be taken,
in good faith by it or them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
or in connection herewith or therewith, or be responsible for the consequences
of any oversight or error of judgment whatsoever, except that the Administrative
Agent or such other Person, as the case may be, may be liable for losses due to
its willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing,
communication, signature, resolution, representation, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex, electronic mail
message, statement or 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 counsel
to any 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 any Loan Document unless it shall
first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems
appropriate and, if it so requests, 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;
provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action
that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the
Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or
applicable law. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected
in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Credit Agreement or any
other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required
Lenders (or such greater number of Lenders as may be expressly required hereby
in any instance) and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant
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thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders. Except as expressly set forth
herein and in the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall have no
duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any
information relating to any of the Borrowers or any of their respective
Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the
Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The
Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless
and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by
the Borrowers or a Lender.
14.4. NO REPRESENTATIONS.
14.4.1. GENERAL. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible
for the execution or validity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement,
the Notes, the Letters of Credit, any of the other Loan Documents or any
instrument at any time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral
security for the Notes, or for the value of any such collateral security
or for the validity, enforceability or collectability of any such amounts
owing with respect to the Notes, or for any recitals or statements,
warranties or representations made herein or in any of the other Loan
Documents or in any certificate or instrument hereafter furnished to it by
or on behalf of any of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries, or be
bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any
of the terms, conditions, covenants or agreements herein or in any
instrument at any time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral
security for the Notes or to inspect any of the properties, books or
records of any of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries. The
Administrative Agent shall not be bound to ascertain whether any notice,
consent, waiver or request delivered to it by the Borrowers or any holder
of any of the Notes shall have been duly authorized or is true, accurate
and complete. The Administrative Agent has not made nor does it now make
any representations or warranties, express or implied, nor does it assume
any liability to the Lenders, with respect to the credit worthiness or
financial conditions of any of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance
upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based upon such
information and documents as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
credit analysis and decision to enter into this Credit Agreement.
14.4.2. CLOSING DOCUMENTATION, ETC. For purposes of determining
compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 11, each Lender that
has executed this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to,
approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document and matter
either sent, or made available, by the Administrative Agent to such Lender
for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder
to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to such
Lender, unless an officer of the Administrative Agent active upon the
Borrowers' account shall have received notice from such Lender prior to
the Closing Date specifying such Lender's
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objection thereto and such objection shall not have been withdrawn by
notice to the Administrative Agent to such effect on or prior to the
Closing Date.
14.5. PAYMENTS.
14.5.1. PAYMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. A payment by the Borrowers
to the Administrative Agent hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents
for the account of any Lender or any Issuing Bank shall constitute a
payment to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be. The
Administrative Agent agrees promptly to distribute to each Lender and each
Issuing Bank such Lender's and such Issuing Bank's pro rata share of
payments received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein or in any of the other Loan Documents.
14.5.2. DISTRIBUTION BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. If in the opinion of
the Administrative Agent the distribution of any amount received by it in
such capacity hereunder, under the Notes or under any of the other Loan
Documents might involve it in liability, it may refrain from making
distribution until its right to make distribution shall have been
adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. If a court of competent
jurisdiction shall adjudge that any amount received and distributed by the
Administrative Agent is to be repaid, each Person to whom any such
distribution shall have been made shall either repay to the Administrative
Agent its proportionate share of the amount so adjudged to be repaid or
shall pay over the same in such manner and to such Persons as shall be
determined by such court.
14.5.3. DELINQUENT LENDERS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any
Lender that fails (a) to make available to the Administrative Agent its
pro rata share of any Loan or to purchase any Letter of Credit
Participation or participate in any Swingline Loan or (b) to comply with
the provisions of Section 16.1 with respect to making dispositions and
arrangements with the other Lenders, where such Lender's share of any
payment received, whether by setoff or otherwise, is in excess of its pro
rata share of such payments due and payable to all of the Lenders, in each
case as, when and to the full extent required by the provisions of this
Credit Agreement, shall be deemed delinquent (a "Delinquent Lender") and
shall be deemed a Delinquent Lender until such time as such delinquency is
satisfied. A Delinquent Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and
all payments due to it from the Borrowers, whether on account of
outstanding Loans, Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees or
otherwise, to the remaining nondelinquent Lenders for application to, and
reduction of, their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans
and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. The Delinquent Lender hereby
authorizes the Administrative Agent to distribute such payments to the
nondelinquent Lenders in proportion to their respective pro rata shares of
all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. A Delinquent
Lender shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a
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delinquency when and if, as a result of application of the assigned
payments to all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations of
the nondelinquent Lenders, the Lenders' respective pro rata shares of all
outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations have returned to
those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and without giving
effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency.
14.6. HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the
payee of any Note or the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation as the
absolute owner or purchaser thereof for all purposes hereof until it shall have
been furnished in writing with a different name by such payee or by a subsequent
holder, assignee or transferee.
14.7. INDEMNITY. The Lenders ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold
harmless the Administrative Agent and its affiliates (including any of the
officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of any thereof)
from and against any and all claims, actions and suits (whether groundless or
otherwise), losses, damages, costs, expenses (including any expenses for which
the Administrative Agent or such affiliate has not been reimbursed by the
Borrowers as required by Section 16.2), and liabilities of every nature and
character arising out of or related to this Credit Agreement, the Notes, or any
of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated or evidenced hereby
or thereby, or the Administrative Agent's actions taken hereunder or thereunder,
except to the extent that any of the same shall be directly caused by the
Administrative Agent's willful misconduct or gross negligence.
14.8. THE AGENTS AS LENDERS. In its individual capacity, FRG shall have
the same obligations and the same rights, powers and privileges in respect to
its Commitment and the Loans made by it, and as the holder of any of the Notes
and as the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participations, as it would have
were it not also the Administrative Agent. Neither any Co-Documentation Agent
nor any Co-Syndication Agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability,
responsibility or duty under the Credit Agreement in such capacity, other than
those applicable to all Lenders as Lenders. Neither of the "Co-Lead Arrangers"
referred to on the cover page of this Credit Agreement shall have any right,
power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under the Credit Agreement
in such capacity.
14.9. RESIGNATION. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by
giving sixty (60) days prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the
Borrowers. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right
to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. Unless a Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such successor Administrative
Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrowers. 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 retiring
Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring
Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent, which shall be a financial institution having a rating of
not less than A or its equivalent by S&P. Upon the acceptance of any appointment
as an Administrative
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Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor
Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and
the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation,
the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
Any resignation by FRG as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section
14.9 shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and
Collateral Agent to the extend that FRG is acting in such capacities at such
time. Upon the acceptance of a successor's appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank, the
Swingline Lender and, subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral
Agent, (b) the retiring Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and, subject to the
Collateral Agency Agreement, Collateral Agent shall be discharged from all of
their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in
substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such
succession or make other arrangement satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank
to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect
to such Letters of Credit.
14.10. NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each Lender hereby
agrees that, upon learning of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default,
it shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof. The Administrative
Agent hereby agrees that upon receipt of any notice under this Section 14.10 it
shall promptly notify the other Lenders of the existence of such Default or
Event of Default.
14.11. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial, administrative or like proceeding or any assignment for the benefit of
creditors relative to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the
Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan,
Reimbursement Obligation or Unpaid Reimbursement 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 such Borrower)
shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding, under any
such assignment or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the
principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans,
Reimbursement Obligations or Unpaid Reimbursement 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
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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 the terms of this Credit Agreement) allowed in such
proceeding or under any such assignment; and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property
payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the
same;
(b) Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator
or other similar official in any such proceeding or under any such assignment 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, nevertheless 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 the terms of
this Credit Agreement.
(c) Nothing contained herein shall authorize the Administrative Agent to
consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations
owed to such Lender 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 or under any such assignment.
14.12. DUTIES IN THE CASE OF ENFORCEMENT. In case one of more Events of
Default have occurred and shall be continuing, and whether or not acceleration
of the Obligations shall have occurred, the Administrative Agent shall, if (a)
so requested by the Required Lenders and (b) the Lenders have provided to the
Administrative Agent such additional indemnities and assurances against expenses
and liabilities as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, proceed to
enforce the provisions of the Security Documents authorizing the sale or other
disposition of all or any part of the Collateral and exercise all or any such
other legal and equitable and other rights or remedies as it may have in respect
of such Collateral. The Required Lenders may direct the Administrative Agent in
writing as to the method and the extent of any such sale or other disposition,
the Lenders hereby agreeing to indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent
harmless from all liabilities incurred in respect of all actions taken or
omitted in accordance with such directions, provided that the Administrative
Agent need not comply with any such direction to the extent that the
Administrative Agent reasonably believes the Administrative Agent's compliance
with such direction to be unlawful or commercially unreasonable in any
applicable jurisdiction.
14.13. RELEASE OF COLLATERAL AND GUARANTORS. The Lenders hereby authorize
the Administrative Agent to enter into any agreement or execute any document
evidencing the release of any liens and security interests in connection with
any sale or other disposition of Collateral permitted hereunder or to
subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative
Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such Property that is
permitted by Section 9.2. The Lenders hereby
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authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any agreement or execute any
document evidencing the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a
Subsidiary as a result of a transactions not prohibited hereunder. Upon request
by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in
writing the Administrative Agent's 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 pursuant to this Section 14.13.
14.14. COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT. Each of the Lenders hereby authorizes
the Administrative Agent to enter into the Collateral Agency Agreement and
agrees to be bound by the provisions thereof. Each of the Lenders hereby agrees
that the Required Lenders shall instruct the Administrative Agent with respect
to any notices, instructions or otherwise to be provided by the Lenders or any
of them to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Agency
Agreement. Each Lender further agrees that is shall not provide any notice,
instruction or otherwise to the Collateral Agent other than through the
Administrative Agent, acting on the instruction of the Required Lenders
hereunder.
15. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
15.1. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing
Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that the Borrowers may not assign
or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations hereunder without the
prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (a) to an Eligible
Assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.2, (b) by way of
participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.4 or (c) by way of
pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of
Section 15.6 (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto
shall be null and void). Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied,
shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto,
their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any
Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants to
the extent provided in Section 15.4 and, to the extent expressly contemplated
hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the
Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of
this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
15.2. ASSIGNMENTS. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more
Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at
the time owing to it); provided that:
(a) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of
the assigning Lender's Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or, in
the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, the aggregate
amount of the
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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 on which the Assignment and Acceptance with respect
to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less
than $5,000,000 unless the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, BGI otherwise consent (each
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);
(b) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a
proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;
(c) any assignment of a Commitment must be approved by the Administrative
Agent, any Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender (whether or not the proposed
assignee is itself a Lender with a Commitment or would otherwise qualify as an
Eligible Assignee); and
(d) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, 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 Section 15.3, from and after the effective date specified in each
Assignment and Acceptance, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to
this Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Acceptance have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this
Credit Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of
the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its
obligations under this Credit Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall
continue to be entitled to the benefits of (i) Sections 5.3.2, 5.7, 5.8 and 5.10
and (ii) Section 16.3 notwithstanding such assignment, 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 Credit
Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes
of this Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such
rights and obligations in accordance with Section 15.4.
15.3. REGISTER. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose
as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent's
Office a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance 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 and Reimbursement Obligations
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 Borrowers,
the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name
is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
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hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to
the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers,
the Issuing Banks and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time
upon reasonable prior notice.
15.4. PARTICIPATIONS. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of,
or notice to, the Borrowers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline
Lender sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person) (each, a
"Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and/or obligations
under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or
the Loans owing to it); provided that (a) such Lender's obligations under this
Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (b) such Lender shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations
and (c) the Borrowers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall
continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such
Lender's rights and obligations under this Credit 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 Credit Agreement
and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this
Credit Agreement; 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 that would reduce the principal of or the
interest rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the amount of the
Commitment of such Lender as it relates to such Participant, reduce the amount
of any Fees to which such Participant is entitled or extend any regularly
scheduled payment date for principal or interest. Subject to Section 15.5, the
Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 5.3.2, 5.7, 5.8 and 5.10 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and
had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 15.2. To the extent
permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of
Section 16.1 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be
subject to Section 16.1 as though it were a Lender.
15.5. PAYMENTS TO PARTICIPANTS. A Participant shall not be entitled to
receive any greater payment under Sections 5.3.2, 5.7 and 5.8 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 Non-U.S. Lender if it were a Lender shall not be
entitled to the benefits of Section 5.3.2 unless the Borrowers are notified of
the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the
benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 5.3.3 as though it were a
Lender.
15.6. MISCELLANEOUS ASSIGNMENT PROVISIONS. Any Lender may at any time
grant a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Credit
Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation (a)
any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to any of the twelve Federal
Reserve Banks organized under Section 4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C.
Section 341 and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a Fund, to any lender or
any trustee for, or any other representative of, holders of obligations owed or
securities issued by such Fund as security for such obligations or
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securities or any institutional custodian for such Fund or for such lender;
provided that no such grant shall release such Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder, provide any voting rights hereunder to the secured party
thereof, substitute any such secured party for such Lender as a party hereto or
affect any rights or obligations of the Borrowers or Administrative Agent
hereunder. The words "execution," "signed," "signature," and words of like
import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic
signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be
of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed
signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be,
to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or any other state
laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
15.7. ASSIGNEE OR PARTICIPANT AFFILIATED WITH THE BORROWERS. If any
assignee Lender is an Affiliate of any Borrower, then any such assignee Lender
shall have no right to vote as a Lender hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of
agreeing to amendments or other modifications to any of the Loan Documents or
for purposes of making requests to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
13.1 or Section 13.2, and the determination of the Required Lenders shall for
all purposes of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made
without regard to such assignee Lender's interest in any of the Loans or
Reimbursement Obligations. If any Lender sells a participating interest in any
of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations to a Participant, and such Participant
is a Borrower or an Affiliate of a Borrower, then such transferor Lender shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the sale of such participation. A
transferor Lender shall have no right to vote as a Lender hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or for
purposes of agreeing to amendments or modifications to any of the Loan Documents
or for purposes of making requests to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 13.1 or Section 13.2 to the extent that such participation is
beneficially owned by a Borrower or any Affiliate of a Borrower, and the
determination of the Required Lenders shall for all purposes of this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to the interest of
such transferor Lender in the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations to the extent
of such participation. The provisions of this Section 15.7 shall not apply to an
assignee Lender or participant which is also a Lender on the Closing Date or to
an assignee Lender or participant which has disclosed to the other Lenders that
it is an Affiliate of a Borrower and which, following such disclosure, has been
excepted from the provisions of this Section 15.7 in a writing signed by the
Required Lenders determined without regard to the interest of such assignee
Lender or transferor Lender, to the extent of such participation, in Loans or
Reimbursement Obligations.
15.8. NEW NOTES. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note subject to such
assignment, the Administrative Agent shall (a) record the information contained
therein in the Register, and (b) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrowers and
the Lenders (other than the assigning Lender). Within five (5) Business Days
after receipt of such notice and
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upon the request of the Assignee, the Borrowers, at their own expense, shall
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, in exchange for each
surrendered Note, a new Note to the order of such Assignee in an amount equal to
the amount assumed by such Assignee pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance
and, if the assigning Lender has retained some portion of its obligations
hereunder, a new Note to the order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to
the amount retained by it hereunder. Such new Notes shall provide that they are
replacements for the surrendered Notes, shall be in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the surrendered Notes, shall
be dated the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance and shall
otherwise be in substantially the form of the assigned Notes. The surrendered
Notes shall be cancelled and returned to the Borrowers.
15.9. ASSIGNMENT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDING VEHICLE. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Section 15, any Lender (a "Granting
Lender") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an "SPC") of such
Granting Lender, identified as such in writing from time to time delivered by
the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, the option to
provide to the Borrowers all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender
would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrowers pursuant to this Credit
Agreement, provided that (a) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment to
make any Loan by any SPC, (b) the Granting Bank's obligations under this Credit
Agreement shall remain unchanged, (c) the Granting Lender shall retain the sole
right to enforce this Credit Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement and (d) if an
SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any
part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan
pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall
utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if,
such Loan were made by the Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that
no SPC shall be liable for any expense reimbursement, indemnity or similar
payment obligation under this Credit Agreement (all liability for which shall
remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party
hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this
Credit Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the
later of (i) the payment in full of all outstanding senior indebtedness of any
SPC and (ii) the Maturity Date, it will not institute against, or join any other
person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or similar proceedings under
the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof. In addition,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 15.9, any SPC
may (A) with notice to, but (except as specified below) without the prior
written consent of, the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent and without paying
any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any
Loans to its Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by
the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, BGI, which consents shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) providing liquidity and/or credit facilities to or for the
account of such SPC to fund the Loans made by such SPC or to support the
securities (if any) issued by such SPC to fund such Loans and (B) disclose on a
confidential basis any non-
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public information relating to its Loans (other than financial statements
referred to in Sections 7.4 or 8.4) to any rating agency, commercial paper
dealer or provider of a surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to
such SPC. In no event shall the Borrowers be obligated to pay to an SPC that has
made a Loan any greater amount than the Borrowers would have been obligated to
pay under this Credit Agreement if the Granting Lender had made such Loan. An
amendment to this Section 15.9 without the written consent of an SPC shall be
ineffective insofar as it alters the rights and obligations of such SPC.
SECTION 15.10. RESIGNATION AS ISSUING BANK OR SWINGLINE LENDER.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time any
Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender assigns all of its Commitments and Loans
pursuant to this Section 15, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender may, upon
45 days' notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders, resign in its capacity as a
Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as applicable. In the event of any such
resignation as an Issuing Bank, BGI, with the consent of the Administrative
Agent, shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing
Bank hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by BGI to appoint any such
successor shall affect the resignation of such Issuing Bank. If the Issuing Bank
resigns in such capacity, it shall retain all the rights and obligations of the
Issuing Bank hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of
the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Bank and all Reimbursement
Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to
make Loans or fund risk participations in Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations
pursuant to Section 4). If any Person 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 Loans or
fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.5.
16. PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION.
16.1. SETOFF. The Borrowers hereby grant to each Agent, Issuing Bank and
each of the Lenders a continuing lien, security interest and right of setoff as
security for all liabilities and obligations to each Agent, Issuing Bank and
each Lender, whether now existing or hereafter arising, upon and against all
deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or hereafter in the possession,
custody, safekeeping or control of such Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender
or any Lender Affiliate and their successors and assigns or in transit to any of
them. Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral, if any of the Obligations
are due and payable and have not been paid or any Event of Default shall have
occurred, any deposits or other sums credited by or due from any of the Lenders
to any Borrower and any securities or other property of any Borrower in the
possession of such Lender may be applied to or set off by such Lender against
the payment of Obligations and any and all other liabilities, direct, or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or
hereafter arising, of any Borrower to such Lender. Each Borrower hereby grants
to the Issuing Banks a security interest in all goods, documents, instruments
and accounts which shall come into the possession or control of the Issuing
Banks, any of the Issuing Banks' correspondents, or any Borrower, or in which
any Borrower may acquire an interest and the proceeds thereof as the result
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of opening or in connection with any transaction under any Letter of Credit, as
security for (a) all payments made or to be made by such Issuing Bank or its
correspondents under such Letter of Credit, (b) any interest, commission or
other customary charges in relation to such Letter of Credit and (c) any other
obligations of any Borrower to the Issuing Banks under this Credit Agreement.
Upon any default by the Borrowers in any of the undertakings set forth in this
Credit Agreement in respect of the Letters of Credit, each Issuing Bank is
authorized to sell any or all such goods or documents at public or private sale
and exercise any and all other rights as a secured creditor under the provisions
of the Uniform Commercial Code of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any
similar statute. Any legal requirement that any Issuing Bank must give the
Borrowers reasonable notice of any proposed sale or disposition of the goods or
documents shall be met if such notice is given to the Borrowers at least five
(5) days before the time of such sale or disposition. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO
REQUIRE ANY LENDER TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER
COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF
SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF ANY BORROWER
ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED. Each of the Lenders
agree with each other Lender that (i) if an amount to be set off is to be
applied to Indebtedness of any Borrower to such Lender, other than Indebtedness
evidenced by the Notes held by such Lender or constituting Reimbursement
Obligations owed to such Lender, such amount shall be applied ratably to such
other Indebtedness and to the Indebtedness evidenced by all such Notes held by
such Lender or constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Lender, and
(ii) if such Lender shall receive from any Borrower, whether by voluntary
payment, exercise of the right of setoff, counterclaim, cross action,
enforcement of the claim evidenced by the Notes held by, or constituting
Reimbursement Obligations owed to, such Lender by proceedings against any
Borrower at law or in equity or by proof thereof in bankruptcy, reorganization,
liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings, or otherwise, and shall retain
and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes held by, or Reimbursement
Obligations owed to, such Lender any amount in excess of its ratable portion of
the payments received by all of the Lenders with respect to the Notes held by,
and Reimbursement Obligations owed to, all of the Lenders, such Lender will make
such disposition and arrangements with the other Lenders with respect to such
excess, either by way of distribution, pro tanto assignment of claims,
subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Lender receiving in respect of
the Notes held by it or Reimbursement Obligations owed it, its proportionate
payment as contemplated by this Credit Agreement; provided that if all or any
part of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such Lender, such
disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount restored to the
extent of such recovery, but without interest.
16.2. EXPENSES. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay (a) the
reasonable costs of producing and reproducing this Credit Agreement, the other
Loan Documents and the other agreements and instruments mentioned herein, (b)
any taxes (including any interest and penalties in respect thereto) payable by
any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any of the Lenders (other than taxes based upon
any Agent's, any
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Issuing Bank's or any Lender's net income) on or with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (the Borrowers hereby jointly
and severally agreeing to indemnify the Agents, the Issuing Banks and each
Lender with respect thereto), (c) the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of the Administrative Agent's Special Counsel, the Administrative
Agent's counsel or any local counsel to the Administrative Agent incurred in
connection with the preparation, syndication, administration or interpretation
of the Loan Documents and other instruments mentioned herein, each closing
hereunder, any amendments, modifications, approvals, consents or waivers hereto
or hereunder, or the cancellation of any Loan Document upon payment in full in
cash of all of the Obligations or pursuant to any terms of such Loan Document
for providing for such cancellation, (d) the fees, expenses and disbursements of
the Administrative Agent or any of their affiliates incurred by the
Administrative Agent or such affiliate in connection with the preparation,
syndication, administration or interpretation of the Loan Documents and other
instruments mentioned herein, including all title insurance premiums and
surveyor, engineering, appraisal and examination charges, (e) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand
for payment thereunder, (f) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including
without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, which attorneys may be
employees of any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any Agent, and reasonable
consulting, accounting, appraisal, investment banking and similar professional
fees and charges) incurred by any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any Agent in
connection with (i) the enforcement of or preservation of rights under any of
the Loan Documents against any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or
the administration thereof after the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default
(including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout,
restructuring or negotiation) and (ii) any litigation, proceeding or dispute
whether arising hereunder or otherwise, in any way related to any Lender's, the
Issuing Bank's or any Agent's relationship with any Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries and (g) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any
Lender, any Issuing Bank or any Agent incurred in connection with Uniform
Commercial Code searches. The covenants contained in this Section 16.2 shall
survive payment or satisfaction in full of all other obligations.
16.3. INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to
indemnify and hold harmless each Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender and
any of their Affiliates (including any affiliates and/or the officers,
directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of any of the same) (each
such Person being called an "Indemnitee") from and against any and all claims,
actions and suits whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and
all liabilities, losses, damages and expenses of every nature and character
arising out of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the
transactions contemplated hereby including, without limitation, (a) any actual
or proposed use by any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries of the
proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit, (b) the reversal or
withdrawal of any provisional credits granted by the Administrative Agent upon
the transfer of funds from lock box, bank agency, concentration accounts or
otherwise under any cash management arrangements with any of the Borrowers or
any of their Subsidiaries or in connection
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with the provisional honoring of funds transfers, checks or other items, (c) any
of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries entering into or performing this
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or (d) with respect to any
of the Borrowers and any of their Subsidiaries and their respective properties
and assets, the violation of any Environmental Law, the presence, disposal,
escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission, release or threatened
release of any Hazardous Substances or any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation brought or threatened with respect to any Hazardous Substances
(including, but not limited to, claims with respect to wrongful death, personal
injury or damage to property), in each case including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal
counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other
proceeding. In litigation, or the preparation therefor, each Lender, each
Issuing Bank and each Agent and any of their affiliates shall be entitled to
select their own counsel and, in addition to the foregoing indemnity, the
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay promptly the reasonable fees and
expenses of such counsel. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising
from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through
IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with
this Credit Agreement. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising
from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials
distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information
transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. If, and to the
extent that the obligations of any Borrower under this Section 16.3 are
unenforceable for any reason, the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree
to make the maximum contribution to the payment in satisfaction of such
obligations which is permissible under applicable law. The covenants contained
in this Section 16.3 shall survive payment or satisfaction in full of all other
Obligations.
16.4. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
16.4.1. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Lenders, the Agents, and the
Issuing Banks agrees, on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates,
directors, officers, employees and representatives, to use reasonable
precautions to keep confidential, in accordance with their customary
procedures for handling confidential information of the same nature and in
accordance with safe and sound banking practices, any non-public
information supplied to it by any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Credit Agreement that is identified by such Person as
being confidential at the time the same is delivered to the Lenders, the
Issuing Banks or the Agents, provided that nothing herein shall limit the
disclosure of any such information (a) after such information shall have
become public other than through a violation of this Section 16.4, or
becomes available to any of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Agents
on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers, (b) to
the extent required by statute, rule, regulation or judicial process, (c)
to counsel for any of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Agents, (d) to
bank examiners or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over
any Lender or any Agent, or to
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auditors or accountants, (e) to any Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Banks
or any Financial Affiliate, (f) in connection with any litigation to which
any one or more of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Agents or any
Financial Affiliate is a party, or in connection with the enforcement of
rights or remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (g) to a
Lender Affiliate or a Subsidiary or affiliate of any Agent or Issuing
Banks, (h) to any actual or prospective assignee or participant or any
actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or
derivative transactions referenced to credit or other risks or events
arising under this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as
such assignee, participant or counterparty, as the case may be, agrees to
be bound by the provisions of Section 16.4 or (i) with the consent of the
Borrowers. Moreover, each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Lenders
and any Financial Affiliate is hereby expressly permitted by the Borrowers
to refer to any of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in connection with
any advertising, promotion or marketing undertaken by such Agent, such
Lender, the Issuing Banks or such Financial Affiliate and, for such
purpose, such Agent, the Issuing Banks, such Lender or such Financial
Affiliate may utilize any trade name, trademark, logo or other distinctive
symbol associated with the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries or any
of their businesses.
16.4.2. PRIOR NOTIFICATION. Unless specifically prohibited by
applicable law or court order, each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and
the Agents shall, prior to disclosure thereof, notify the Borrowers of any
request for disclosure of any such non-public information by any
governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request
in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such
Lender by such governmental agency) or pursuant to legal process.
16.4.3. OTHER. In no event shall any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any
Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished to it or
any Financial Affiliate by any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries. The
obligations of each Lender under this Section 16.4 shall supersede and
replace the obligations of such Lender under any confidentiality letter in
respect of this financing signed and delivered by such Lender to the
Borrowers prior to the date hereof and shall be binding upon any assignee
of, or purchaser of any participation in, any interest in any of the Loans
or Reimbursement Obligations from any Lender.
16.5. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made herein, in the Notes, in any of the other
Loan Documents or in any documents or other papers delivered by or on behalf of
any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries pursuant hereto shall be deemed to
have been relied upon by the Lenders, the Agents, the Issuing Banks,
notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any of them,
and shall survive the making by the Lenders of any of the Loans and the
issuance, extension or renewal of any Letters of Credit, as herein contemplated,
and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any Letter of Credit or
any amount due under this Credit Agreement or the Notes or any of the other Loan
Documents
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remains outstanding or any Lender has any obligation to make any Loans or any
Issuing Bank has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit,
and for such further time as may be otherwise expressly specified in this Credit
Agreement. All statements contained in any certificate or other paper delivered
to any Lender, any Agent or any Issuing Bank at any time by or on behalf of any
of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries pursuant hereto or in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute representations and
warranties by such Borrower or such Subsidiary hereunder.
16.6. NOTICES. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit
Agreement, all notices and other communications made or required to be given
pursuant to this Credit Agreement or the Notes or any Letter of Credit
Applications shall be in writing (which includes by setting forth such notice or
other communication on a site on the World Wide Web (a "Website Posting") if
notice of such Website Posting (including the information necessary to access
such site) has previously been delivered to the applicable parties hereto by
another means set forth in this Section 16.6) and shall be delivered in hand,
mailed by United States registered or certified first class mail, postage
prepaid, sent by overnight courier, or sent by telegraph, telecopy, facsimile or
telex and confirmed by delivery via courier or postal service, addressed as
follows:
(a) if to the Borrowers, at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, or at such other address for notice as the Borrowers shall last have
furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice;
(b) if to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline
Lender, at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇,
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Managing Director, or such other address for notice
as the Administrative Agent shall last have furnished in writing to the Person
giving the notice;
(c) if to any Lender, at such Lender's address set forth on Schedule 1
hereto, or such other address for notice as such Lender shall have last
furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice; and
(d) the Borrowers' website on the Internet is available at the website
address ▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇.
Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
and to have become effective (i) if delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile to a responsible officer of the party to which it is directed, at the
time of the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile,
(ii) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, on
the third Business Day following the mailing thereof, (iii) if delivered by a
Website Posting, upon delivery of a notice or other communication of such
posting (including the information necessary to access such site) by another
means set forth in this Section 16.6 and (iv) notices and other communications
sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received on the next Business Day
following the sending thereof (unless the sender receives a return email or
otherwise indicating that such
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notice or other communication has not been received by the recipient at such
email address, in which case the sender shall deliver such notice or
communication by an alternate means), provided that if such notice or other
communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient,
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of
business on the next Business Day for the recipient. Any notice or other
communication to be made hereunder or under the Notes or any Letter of Credit
Applications, even if otherwise required to be in writing under other provisions
of this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications, may
alternatively be made in an electronic record transmitted electronically under
such authentication and other procedures as the parties hereto may from time to
time agree in writing (but not an electronic record), and such electronic
transmission shall be effective at the time set forth in such procedures. Unless
otherwise expressly provided in such procedures, such an electronic record shall
be equivalent to a writing under the other provisions of this Credit Agreement,
the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications, and such authentication, if made
in compliance with the procedures so agreed by the parties hereto in writing
(but not an electronic record), shall be equivalent to a signature under the
other provisions of this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any Letter of Credit
Applications.
16.7. GOVERNING LAW. THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED THEREIN, EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE CONTRACTS
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES
BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW).
EACH OF THE BORROWERS AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CREDIT
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENTS
TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY
SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWERS BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN
SECTION 16.6. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW
OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH
SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.
16.8. HEADINGS. The captions in this Credit Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
16.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Credit Agreement and any amendment hereof may be
executed in several counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart,
each of which when executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which
together shall constitute one instrument. In proving this Credit Agreement it
shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart
signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. Delivery by facsimile by
any of the parties hereto of an executed counterpart hereof or of any amendment
or waiver hereto shall be as effective
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as an original executed counterpart hereof or of such amendment or waiver and
shall be considered a representation that an original executed counterpart
hereof or such amendment or waiver, as the case may be, will be delivered.
16.10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC. The Loan Documents and any other documents
executed in connection herewith or therewith express the entire understanding of
the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither this
Credit Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated, except as provided in Section 16.12.
16.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT
TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE
OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS,
STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY, INCLUDING ANY
COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LOANS
OR ENFORCEMENT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK TO
CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT
BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. Except as prohibited by law, each of the Borrowers
hereby waives any right it may have to claim or recover in any litigation
referred to in the preceding sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or
consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to, actual
damages. Each of the Borrowers (a) certifies that no representative, agent or
attorney of any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any Agent has represented, expressly
or otherwise, that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent would not, in
the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (b)
acknowledges that each Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders have been
induced to enter into this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents to which
it is a party by, among other things, the waivers and certifications contained
herein.
16.12. CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC. Except as otherwise provided in
the Collateral Agency Agreement, any consent or approval required or permitted
by this Credit Agreement to be given by the Lenders may be given, and any term
of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument
related hereto or mentioned herein may be amended, and the performance or
observance by any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries of any terms of
this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or such other instrument or the
continuance of any Default or Event of Default may be waived (either generally
or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with, but
only with, the written consent of the Borrowers and the written consent of the
Required Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification or
waiver shall:
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(a) without the written consent of the Borrowers and each Lender directly
affected thereby:
(i) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loans or
Reimbursement Obligations, or reduce the rate of interest on the
Notes or the amount of the Commitment Fee or Letter of Credit Fees
(other than interest accruing pursuant to Section 5.11.2 following
the effective date of any waiver by the Required Lenders of the
Default or Event of Default relating thereto);
(ii) increase the amount of such Lender's Commitment or extend
the expiration date of such Lender's Commitment;
(iii) postpone or extend the Maturity Date or any other
regularly scheduled dates for payments of principal of, or interest
on, the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations or any Fees or other
amounts payable to such Lender (it being understood that (A) a
waiver of the application of the default rate of interest pursuant
to Section 5.11.2, and (B) any vote to rescind any acceleration made
pursuant to Section 13.1 of amounts owing with respect to the Loans
and other Obligations shall require only the approval of the
Required Lenders);
(iv) other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by the
terms of this Credit Agreement, release all or substantially all of
the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors
from their guaranty obligations; and
(v) increase the percentage of Eligible Credit Card
Receivables or Eligible Inventory (as applicable) in the calculation
of the Domestic Borrowing Base or Aggregate Borrowing Base, it being
understood, however, that: the foregoing shall not (A) limit the
adjustment by the Administrative Agent of any reserve in the
Administrative Agent's administration of the Revolving Credit Loans
as otherwise permitted by this Agreement or (B) prevent the
Administrative Agent from restoring any component of the Domestic
Borrowing Base or the Aggregate Borrowing Base, which had been
lowered by the Administrative Agent back to the value of such
component, as stated in this Credit Agreement or to an intermediate
value;
(b) without the written consent of all of the Lenders, amend or waive this
Section 16.12 or the definition of Required Lenders (it being understood that
the addition of one or more additional credit facilities, the allowance of the
credit extensions, interest and fees thereunder to share ratably or on a
subordinated basis with the Loans, Letters of Credit, interest and Fees in the
benefits of the Loan Documents and the inclusion of the holders of such
facilities in the determination of Required Lenders shall require only the
approval of the Required Lenders);
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(c) without the written consent of the Administrative Agent, amend or
waive Section 14, the amount or time of payment of the Administrative Agent's
fee payable for the Administrative Agent's account or any other provision
applicable to the Administrative Agent;
(d) without the written consent of the applicable Issuing Bank, amend or
waive, the amount or time of payment of any Letter of Credit Fees or other fees
payable for such Issuing Bank's account or any other provision applicable to
such Issuing Bank; or
(e) without the written consent of the Swingline Lender amend or waive any
provision applicable to the Swingline Lender.
No waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or
impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing or delay or omission
on the part of any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right
shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial thereto. No notice
to or demand upon the Borrowers shall entitle the Borrowers to other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
16.13. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Credit Agreement are severable
and if any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable
in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or
unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in
such jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision
in any other jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Credit
Agreement in any jurisdiction.
17. USA PATRIOT ACT NOTICE.
Each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each Agent (for itself and not on
behalf of any Lender or any Issuing Bank) hereby notifies each of the Borrowers
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 Borrowers, which
information includes the name and address of the Borrowers and other information
that will allow such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent, as applicable, to
identify the Borrowers in accordance with the Act.
18. TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
18.1. PRIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT SUPERSEDED. On the Closing Date, this Credit
Agreement shall supersede the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety, except
as provided in this Section 18. On the Closing Date, the rights and obligations
of the parties evidenced by the Existing Credit Agreement shall be evidenced by
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the "Loans" as defined in
the Existing Credit Agreement shall be converted to Loans as defined herein and
the Existing Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank for the account of the
Borrowers prior to the Closing Date shall be converted into Letters of Credit
under this Credit Agreement. Without
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limiting the generality of the foregoing and to the extent necessary, the
Lenders and the Administrative Agent reserve all of their rights under the
Existing Credit Agreement and each of the Guarantors hereby obligates itself
again in respect of all present and future Obligations under, inter alia, the
Existing Credit Agreement, as amended and restated by this Credit Agreement.
18.2. RETURN AND CANCELLATION OF PRIOR NOTES. As soon as reasonably
practicable after the Closing Date, the Lenders under the Existing Credit
Agreement will promptly return to the Borrowers, marked "Substituted" or
"Cancelled", as the case may be, any notes held by the Lenders pursuant to the
Existing Credit Agreement.
18.3. INTEREST AND FEES UNDER SUPERSEDED AGREEMENT. All interest and fees
and expenses, if any, owing or accruing under or in respect of the Existing
Credit Agreement through the Closing Date shall be calculated as of the Closing
Date (pro rated in the case of any fractional periods), and shall be paid on the
Closing Date. Commencing on the Closing Date, the Commitment Fees hereunder
shall be payable by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent for the account of
the Lenders in accordance with Section 2.2.1.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Credit
Agreement as a sealed instrument as of the date first set forth above.
BORDERS GROUP, INC.
By: _____________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer
BORDERS, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ BOOK COMPANY, INC.
By: _____________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President,
Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary
BGP (UK) LIMITED
BORDERS (UK) LIMITED
By: _____________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
BORDERS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
By: _____________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
By: _____________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
FLEET RETAIL GROUP, INC.,
individually and as Administrative Agent
By: _____________________________________
Name:
Title:
FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as Issuing Bank
By: _____________________________________
Name:
Title:
FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 6 HEREOF:
PLANET MUSIC, INC.
BORDERS PROPERTIES, INC.
WALDENBOOKS PROPERTIES, INC.
BORDERS OUTLET, INC.
THE LIBRARY, LTD.
BORDERS ONLINE, INC.
By: __________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President, Treasurer
and Assistant Secretary
BORDERS FULFILLMENT, INC.
By: __________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer
BORDERS ONLINE, LLC
By: BORDERS, INC., its Sole Member
By: __________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President, Treasurer
and Assistant Secretary
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO RETAIL FINANCE, LLC
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
NATIONAL CITY BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
COMERICA BANK
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
SUNTRUST BANK
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA N.A.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
STANDARD FEDERAL
By: ________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, III
Title: First Vice President
FIFTH THIRD BANK, EASTERN MICHIGAN
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
By: ____________________________
Name:
Title:
