ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of April 4, 2014 among LANDS’ END, INC., as the Domestic Borrower LANDS’ END EUROPE LIMITED, as the UK Borrower BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and The Other Lenders Party Hereto BANK OF...
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION COPY
Dated as of April 4, 2014
among
LANDS’ END, INC.,
as the Domestic Borrower
LANDS’ END EUROPE LIMITED,
as the UK Borrower
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and GE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as Syndication Agent
BANK OF MONTREAL,
as Documentation Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section | Page | |||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
1 | |||||
1.01 |
Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.02 |
Other Interpretive Provisions | 62 | ||||
1.03 |
Accounting Terms | 63 | ||||
1.04 |
United Kingdom Tax Matters | 63 | ||||
1.05 |
Rounding | 69 | ||||
1.06 |
Times of Day | 69 | ||||
1.07 |
Letter of Credit Amounts | 69 | ||||
1.08 |
Currency Equivalents Generally | 69 | ||||
1.09 |
Exchange Rates; Currency Translation | 70 | ||||
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
70 | |||||
2.01 |
Committed Loans; Reserves | 70 | ||||
2.02 |
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Committed Loans | 71 | ||||
2.03 |
Letters of Credit | 73 | ||||
2.04 |
Swing Line Loans | 82 | ||||
2.05 |
Prepayments | 84 | ||||
2.06 |
Termination or Reduction of Commitments | 86 | ||||
2.07 |
Repayment of Obligations | 87 | ||||
2.08 |
Interest | 87 | ||||
2.09 |
Fees | 88 | ||||
2.10 |
Computation of Interest and Fees | 88 | ||||
2.11 |
Evidence of Debt | 89 | ||||
2.12 |
Payments Generally; Agent’s Clawback | 89 | ||||
2.13 |
Sharing of Payments by Lenders | 91 | ||||
2.14 |
Settlement Amongst Lenders | 92 | ||||
2.15 |
Increase in Commitments | 92 | ||||
2.16 |
Defaulting Lenders | 94 | ||||
2.17 |
Extensions of Loans | 96 | ||||
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY |
99 | |||||
3.01 |
Taxes | 99 | ||||
3.02 |
Illegality | 103 | ||||
3.03 |
Inability to Determine Rates | 104 | ||||
3.04 |
Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans and Euribor Rate Loans | 104 | ||||
3.05 |
Compensation for Losses | 106 | ||||
3.06 |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 106 | ||||
3.07 |
Survival | 107 | ||||
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
107 | |||||
4.01 |
Conditions of Initial Credit Extension | 107 | ||||
4.02 |
Conditions to all Credit Extensions | 110 | ||||
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
111 | |||||
5.01 |
Existence, Qualification and Power | 111 | ||||
5.02 |
Authorization; No Contravention | 111 |
(i)
5.03 |
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents | 112 | ||||
5.04 |
Binding Effect | 112 | ||||
5.05 |
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 112 | ||||
5.06 |
Litigation | 113 | ||||
5.07 |
Reserved | 113 | ||||
5.08 |
Ownership of Property; Liens | 113 | ||||
5.09 |
Environmental Compliance | 113 | ||||
5.10 |
Insurance | 114 | ||||
5.11 |
Taxes | 114 | ||||
5.12 |
ERISA Compliance | 114 | ||||
5.13 |
Subsidiaries; Equity Interests | 115 | ||||
5.14 |
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act | 116 | ||||
5.15 |
Disclosure | 116 | ||||
5.16 |
Compliance with Laws | 116 | ||||
5.17 |
Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. | 116 | ||||
5.18 |
Labor Matters | 116 | ||||
5.19 |
Security Documents | 117 | ||||
5.20 |
Solvency | 118 | ||||
5.21 |
Deposit Accounts; Credit Card Arrangements | 118 | ||||
5.22 |
Brokers | 118 | ||||
5.23 |
Customer and Trade Relations | 118 | ||||
5.24 |
Material Contracts | 118 | ||||
5.25 |
Casualty | 118 | ||||
5.26 |
Separation | 118 | ||||
5.27 |
Ranking | 119 | ||||
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
119 | |||||
6.01 |
Financial Statements | 119 | ||||
6.02 |
Certificates; Other Information | 120 | ||||
6.03 |
Notices | 122 | ||||
6.04 |
Payment of Obligations | 123 | ||||
6.05 |
Preservation of Existence, Etc. | 123 | ||||
6.06 |
Maintenance of Properties | 123 | ||||
6.07 |
Maintenance of Insurance | 123 | ||||
6.08 |
Compliance with Laws | 124 | ||||
6.09 |
Books and Records; Accountants | 125 | ||||
6.10 |
Inspection Rights | 125 | ||||
6.11 |
Additional Loan Parties | 126 | ||||
6.12 |
Cash Management | 126 | ||||
6.13 |
Information Regarding the Collateral | 128 | ||||
6.14 |
Physical Inventories | 128 | ||||
6.15 |
Designation of Subsidiaries | 128 | ||||
6.16 |
Further Assurances | 129 | ||||
6.17 |
Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds | 130 | ||||
6.18 |
Material Contracts | 130 | ||||
6.19 |
UK “Know your customer” checks | 130 | ||||
6.20 |
UK Pension Plans | 131 | ||||
6.21 |
Centre of Main Interests | 131 | ||||
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
131 | |||||
7.01 |
Liens | 131 |
(ii)
7.02 |
Investments | 131 | ||||
7.03 |
Indebtedness | 131 | ||||
7.04 |
Fundamental Changes | 132 | ||||
7.05 |
Dispositions | 132 | ||||
7.06 |
Restricted Payments | 132 | ||||
7.07 |
Prepayments of Indebtedness | 133 | ||||
7.08 |
Change in Nature of Business | 134 | ||||
7.09 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 134 | ||||
7.10 |
Burdensome Agreements | 134 | ||||
7.11 |
Use of Proceeds | 135 | ||||
7.12 |
Amendment of Organization Documents and Material Indebtedness | 135 | ||||
7.13 |
Fiscal Year; Accounting Policies | 136 | ||||
7.14 |
Financial Covenant | 136 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
136 | |||||
8.01 |
Events of Default | 136 | ||||
8.02 |
Remedies Upon Event of Default | 138 | ||||
8.03 |
Application of Funds | 139 | ||||
ARTICLE IX THE AGENT |
142 | |||||
9.01 |
Appointment and Authority | 142 | ||||
9.02 |
Appointment of the Agent as security trustee under the UK Security Documents | 143 | ||||
9.03 |
Rights as a Lender | 145 | ||||
9.04 |
Exculpatory Provisions | 145 | ||||
9.05 |
Reliance by Agent | 146 | ||||
9.06 |
Delegation of Duties | 146 | ||||
9.07 |
Resignation of Agent | 147 | ||||
9.08 |
Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders | 147 | ||||
9.09 |
No Other Duties, Etc. | 147 | ||||
9.10 |
Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 148 | ||||
9.11 |
Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 148 | ||||
9.12 |
Notice of Transfer | 149 | ||||
9.13 |
Reports and Financial Statements | 149 | ||||
9.14 |
Agency for Perfection | 150 | ||||
9.15 |
Indemnification of Agent | 150 | ||||
9.16 |
Relation among Lenders | 150 | ||||
9.17 |
Risk Participation | 151 | ||||
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS |
151 | |||||
10.01 |
Amendments, Etc. | 151 | ||||
10.02 |
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications | 153 | ||||
10.03 |
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies | 155 | ||||
10.04 |
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 156 | ||||
10.05 |
Payments Set Aside | 157 | ||||
10.06 |
Successors and Assigns | 157 | ||||
10.07 |
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 161 | ||||
10.08 |
Right of Setoff | 162 | ||||
10.09 |
Interest Rate Limitation | 162 | ||||
10.10 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 162 | ||||
10.11 |
Survival | 163 | ||||
10.12 |
Severability | 163 |
(iii)
10.13 |
Replacement of Lenders | 163 | ||||
10.14 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. | 164 | ||||
10.15 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 165 | ||||
10.16 |
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 165 | ||||
10.17 |
USA PATRIOT Act Notice | 166 | ||||
10.18 |
Foreign Asset Control Regulations | 166 | ||||
10.19 |
Time of the Essence | 166 | ||||
10.20 |
Press Releases | 166 | ||||
10.21 |
Releases | 167 | ||||
10.22 |
No Strict Construction | 167 | ||||
10.23 |
Attachments | 168 | ||||
10.24 |
Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents | 168 | ||||
10.25 |
Intercreditor Agreement | 168 | ||||
10.26 |
Obligations and Collateral of the UK Loan Parties | 168 | ||||
10.27 |
Judgment Currency | 168 | ||||
10.28 |
Keepwell | 169 | ||||
SIGNATURES |
S-1 |
(iv)
SCHEDULES
1.01 |
Guarantors | |
1.02 |
Existing Letters of Credit | |
1.03 |
Mandatory Cost | |
1.05 |
Account Debtors | |
2.01 |
Commitments and Applicable Percentages | |
5.18 |
Collective Bargaining Agreements | |
6.02 |
Financial and Collateral Reporting | |
6.12 |
Blocked Account Banks | |
6.16 |
Post-Closing Actions | |
7.09 |
Affiliate Transactions | |
10.02 |
Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices |
EXHIBITS
Form of | ||
A-1 |
Committed Loan Notice (Domestic) | |
A-2 |
Committed Loan Notice (UK) | |
B-1 |
Swing Line Loan Notice | |
C-1 |
Revolving Note (Domestic) | |
C-2 |
Revolving Note (UK) | |
D |
Compliance Certificate | |
E |
Assignment and Assumption | |
F |
Borrowing Base Certificate | |
G-1 |
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) | |
G-2 |
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) | |
G-3 |
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) | |
G-4 |
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes) | |
H |
Credit Card Notification | |
I |
Intercreditor Agreement |
(v)
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of April 4, 2014, among
LANDS’ END, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Domestic Borrower”),
LANDS’ END EUROPE LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 02583731 (the “UK Borrower”),
the Persons named on Schedule 1.01 hereto (the “Guarantors”),
each Person from time to time party hereto as a lender (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
Sears Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SHC”) will, immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, consummate the Separation (as defined below) pursuant to which the Domestic Borrower will become an independent publicly traded company and the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries will no longer be Subsidiaries of SHC.
The Borrowers have requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility, and the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and the L/C Issuers have indicated their willingness to issue Letters of Credit, in each case on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
The proceeds of Loans made and the Letters of Credit issued after the Closing Date will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Loan Parties.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.
“Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event” means either (i) the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, or (ii) the failure of the Borrowers to maintain Availability at least equal to the greater of (x) $22,500,000 or (y) fifteen percent (15%) of the Loan Cap. For purposes of this Agreement, the occurrence of an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event shall be deemed continuing (i) so long as such Event of Default has not been waived, and/or (ii) if the Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event arises as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to achieve Availability as required hereunder, until Availability has exceeded the greater of (x) $22,500,000 or (y) fifteen percent (15%) of the Loan Cap for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, in which case an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing. The termination of an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event as provided herein shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.
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“Acceptable Document of Title” means, with respect to any Inventory, a tangible xxxx of lading or other Document (as defined in the UCC or other applicable Law) that (a) is issued by a common carrier which is not an Affiliate of the applicable vendor or any Loan Party which is in actual possession of such Inventory, (b) is issued to the order of a Loan Party or, if so requested by the Agent, to the order of the Agent, (c) names the Agent as a notify party and bears a conspicuous notation on its face of the Agent’s security interest therein, and (d) is otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Agent.
“ACH” means automated clearing house transfers.
“Account” means “accounts” as defined in the UCC, and also means a right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, (a) for property that has been or is to be sold, leased, licensed, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, or (b) for services rendered or to be rendered.
“Acquired EBITDA” means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary for any Measurement Period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, all as determined on a Consolidated basis for such Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable.
“Acquired Entity or Business” means any Person, property, business or asset acquired by the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during any period to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Domestic Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary during such period.
“Acquisition” means, with respect to any Person (a) a purchase of a Controlling interest in the Equity Interests of any other Person, (b) a purchase or other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or properties of, another Person or of any business unit of another Person, or (c) any merger or consolidation of such Person with any other Person or other transaction or series of transactions resulting in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets, or a Controlling interest in the Equity Interests, of any other Person, in each case in any transaction or series of transactions which are part of a common plan, but in each case excluding any transaction or series of transactions resulting in the acquisition solely of Store locations or other interests in real property or of Equity Interests of Persons substantially all of whose assets constitutes Store locations or other interest in real property.
“Act” shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.17.
“Additional Commitment Lender” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.15(c).
“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to any LIBOR Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of one percent (1%)) equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate. The Adjusted LIBOR Rate will be adjusted automatically as to all LIBOR Borrowings then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Statutory Reserve Rate.
“Adjustment Date” means the first day of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing May 3, 2014.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Agent.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified and (ii) any director, officer, managing member, partner, trustee, or beneficiary of that Person.
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“Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor thereto.
“Agent Parties” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.02(c).
“Agent’s Office” means the Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Agent may from time to time notify the Domestic Borrower and the Lenders.
“Aggregate Commitments” means the sum of the Commitments of all the Lenders. As of the Closing Date, the Aggregate Commitments are $175,000,000.
“Agreement” means this ABL Credit Agreement as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Applicable Lenders” means the Required Lenders, all affected Lenders, or all Lenders, as the context may require.
“Applicable Margin” means:
(a) From and after the Closing Date until the first Adjustment Date, the percentages set forth in Level II of the pricing grid below; and
(b) From and after the first Adjustment Date and on each Adjustment Date thereafter, the Applicable Margin shall be determined from the following pricing grid based upon the Average Daily Availability as of the Fiscal Quarter ended immediately preceding such Adjustment Date; provided that, if any Borrowing Base Certificate is at any time restated or otherwise revised (including as a result of an audit) or if the information set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate otherwise proves to be false or incorrect such that the Applicable Margin would have been higher than was otherwise in effect during any period, without constituting a waiver of any Default or Event of Default arising as a result thereof, interest due under this Agreement shall be immediately recalculated at such higher rate for any applicable periods and shall be due and payable on demand.
Level |
Average Daily Availability |
Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans, Euribor Rate Loans and UK Base Rate Loans |
Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans |
|||||||
I | Equal to or greater than 66.67% of the Domestic Loan Cap | 1.50 | % | 0.50 | % | |||||
II | Equal to or greater than 33.33% of the Domestic Loan Cap but less than 66.67% of the Domestic Loan Cap | 1.75 | % | 0.75 | % | |||||
III | Less than 33.33% of the Domestic Loan Cap | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % |
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“Applicable Percentage” means with respect to (a) any Domestic Lender at any time in respect of the Domestic Commitments, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Domestic Total Commitments represented by such Domestic Lender’s Domestic Commitment at such time, (b) any UK Lender at any time in respect of the UK Commitments, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the UK Total Commitments represented by such UK Lender’s UK Commitment at such time, and (c) with reference to all Lenders at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Domestic Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment provided in Section 2.16. If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 2.06 or Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
“Applicable Rate” means, at any time of calculation, (a) with respect to Commercial Letters of Credit, a per annum rate equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Applicable Margin for Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans, and (b) with respect to Standby Letters of Credit, a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin for Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans.
“Applicable Time” means, with respect to any borrowings and payments in any Optional Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Optional Currency as may be determined by the Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.
“Appointee” means any receiver, administrator or other insolvency officer appointed in respect the UK Borrower or its assets.
“Appraised Value” means, with respect to Eligible Inventory, the appraised orderly liquidation values, net of costs and expenses to be incurred in connection with any such liquidation, which values are expressed as one or more applicable percentages of Cost of Eligible Inventory as set forth in the inventory stock ledger of the applicable Borrower, which values shall be determined from time to time by the most recent appraisals undertaken by independent appraisers engaged by the Agent.
“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender, or (d) the same investment advisor or an advisor under common control with such Lender, Affiliate or advisor, as applicable.
-4-
“Arranger” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
“Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the Agent.
“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease Obligation of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease, agreement or instrument were accounted for as a capital lease.
“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended February 2, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).
“Availability” means, as of any date of determination thereof by the Agent, the result, if a positive number, of (a) the Loan Cap minus (B) the Total Outstandings; provided that for purposes of calculating Availability hereunder, the amount attributable to UK Availability shall not exceed twenty-five (25%) percent of Availability as of the time of such calculation.
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.
“Availability Reserves” means, without duplication of any other Reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or the definition of “Domestic Borrowing Base”, “UK Borrowing Base”, or “Appraised Value”, such reserves as the Agent from time to time determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate (a) to reflect the impediments to the Agent’s ability to realize upon the ABL Priority Collateral, (b) to reflect claims and liabilities that the Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the ABL Priority Collateral, (c) to reflect criteria, events, conditions, contingencies or risks which adversely affect any component of the Domestic Borrowing Base or the UK Borrowing Base, or (d) to reflect that a Default or an Event of Default then exists. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Availability Reserves may include, in the Agent’s Permitted Discretion, (but are not limited to) reserves based on: (i) rent; (ii) customs duties, and other costs to release Inventory which is being imported into the United States or the United Kingdom; (iii) outstanding Taxes and other governmental charges, including, without limitation, ad valorem, real estate, personal property, sales, claims of the PBGC and other Taxes which may have priority over the interests of the Agent in the ABL Priority Collateral; (iv) salaries, wages, vacation pay, and benefits due to employees of any Loan Parties, (v) Customer Credit Liabilities, (vi) customer deposits, (viii) reserves for reasonably anticipated changes in the Appraised Value of Eligible Inventory
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between appraisals, (viii) warehousemen’s or bailee’s charges and other Permitted Encumbrances which may have priority over the interests of the Agent in the ABL Priority Collateral, (ix) with respect to the UK Borrower, a reserve for the prescribed part of floating charge realizations which may be set aside for unsecured creditors which at the date of this Agreement is a maximum of 600,000 Pounds Sterling for each UK Loan Party, (x) past due amounts owed to vendors supplying web hosting, catalog, direct mailing, electronic mail blast, pay per click advertising and shipping services, (xi) amounts due from SHC and its Subsidiaries equal to one week of cash receipts for Inventory of the Domestic Loan Parties sold in store locations of SHC and its Subsidiaries, (xii) Inventory of the UK Loan Parties that is subject to a “retention of title” or similar agreement, (xiii) Cash Management Reserves, (xiv) Bank Products Reserves and (xv) reserves of the type described in clause (d) of the definition of “Eligible Inventory”.
“Average Daily Availability” shall mean the average daily Availability for the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter.
“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A., including acting through its branches, and its successors.
“Bank Products” means (i) any services or facilities provided to any Loan Party by the Agent or any of its Affiliates (other than Swap Contracts), and (ii) (x) any services or facilities provided to any Loan Party by any Lender or any of its Affiliates and (y) any Swap Contracts provided to any Loan Party by the Agent or any of its Affiliates that, in each case under this clause (ii), are designated in writing by the Domestic Borrower to the Agent as Bank Products hereunder (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, under the Term Facility), including, without limitation, on account of (a) Swap Contracts, (b) purchase cards, (c) leasing, (d) factoring, (e) supply chain finance services (including, without limitation, trade payable services and supplier accounts receivable purchases) and (f) other extensions of credit (agreed by the Agent and the Domestic Borrower as being a “Bank Product” for purposes of this Agreement) to or for the benefit of any Loan Party or to any other Person to the extent such other Person’s obligations thereunder are guaranteed by any Loan Party, but excluding Cash Management Services.
“Bank Product Reserves” means such reserves as the Agent from time to time determine in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect the liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties with respect to Bank Products then provided or outstanding.
“Banker’s Acceptance” means a time draft or xxxx of exchange or other deferred payment obligation relating to a Commercial Letter of Credit which has been accepted by the L/C Issuer.
“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Agent as its “prime rate”; (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day, plus 0.50%; and (c) the LIBOR Rate for a one month interest period as determined on such day, plus 1.0%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Agent based upon various factors including the Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in the Agent’s prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate or the LIBOR Rate, respectively, shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
“Base Rate Loan” means a Domestic Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
“Blocked Account” means each DDA that is subject to a Blocked Account Agreement.
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“Blocked Account Agreement” means with respect to an account established by a Loan Party, an agreement with or, with respect to an account established by the UK Loan Parties, notice to and acknowledgement from, the relevant Blocked Account Bank, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, establishing control (as defined in the UCC or other applicable Law) of such account by the Agent and whereby the bank maintaining such account agrees, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, to comply only with the instructions originated by the Agent without the further consent of any Loan Party.
“Blocked Account Bank” means each bank with whom deposit accounts are maintained in which any funds of any of the Loan Parties from one or more DDAs are concentrated and with whom a Blocked Account Agreement has been, or is required to be, executed in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
“Borrowers” means, collectively, the Domestic Borrower and the UK Borrower.
“Borrowing” means a Committed Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.
“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto (with such changes therein as may be required by the Agent to reflect the components of and reserves against the Combined Borrowing Base as provided for hereunder from time to time), executed and certified as accurate and complete by a Responsible Officer of the Domestic Borrower and the UK Borrower which shall include appropriate exhibits, schedules, supporting documentation, and additional reports as reasonably requested by the Agent.
“Business Day” means (a) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Agent’s Office is located; (b) if such day relates to any LIBOR Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank market; (c) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, means a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) determined by the Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro; (d) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency; and (e) if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or Euro in respect of a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.
“Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, all expenditures made (whether made in the form of cash or other property) or costs incurred for the acquisition or improvement of fixed or capital assets of such Person (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which are properly charged to current operations), in each case that are (or should be) set forth as capital expenditures in a Consolidated statement of cash flows of such Person for such period, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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“Capital Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and the amount of which obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash Collateral Account” means (a) with respect to the Domestic L/C Obligations, a non-interest bearing account established by one or more of the Domestic Loan Parties with Bank of America, and in the name of, the Agent (or as the Agent shall otherwise direct) and under the sole and exclusive dominion and control of the Agent, in which deposits are required to be made in accordance with Section 2.03(g) or 8.02(c), and (b) with respect to the UK L/C Obligations, a non-interest bearing account established by one or more of the UK Loan Parties with Bank of America, and in the name of, the Agent (or as the Agent shall otherwise direct) and under the sole and exclusive dominion and control of the Agent, in which deposits are required to be made in accordance with Section 2.03(g) or 8.02(d).
“Cash Collateralize” means to deposit in the Cash Collateral Account or to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the L/C Issuer. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
“Cash Dominion Event” means either (i) the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, or (ii) the failure of the Borrowers to maintain Availability of at least the greater of (x) 12.5% of the Loan Cap and (y) $18,750,000. For purposes of this Agreement, the occurrence of a Cash Dominion Event shall be deemed continuing (i) so long as such Event of Default has not been waived, and/or (ii) if the Cash Dominion Event arises as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to achieve Availability as required hereunder, until Availability has exceeded the greater of (x) 12.5% of the Loan Cap and (y) $18,750,000 for thirty (30) consecutive days, in which case a Cash Dominion Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing for purposes of this Agreement; provided that, a Cash Dominion Event shall be deemed continuing (even if an Event of Default is no longer continuing and/or Availability exceeds the required amount for thirty (30) consecutive days) at all times after a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and been discontinued on two occasions in any twelve month period until both no Event of Default is then continuing and Availability has exceeded the amounts set forth above for ninety (90) consecutive days. The termination of a Cash Dominion Event as provided herein shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Cash Dominion Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.
“Cash Management Reserves” means such reserves as the Agent, from time to time, determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect the reasonably anticipated liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties with respect to Cash Management Services then provided or outstanding.
“Cash Management Services” means (i) any cash management services provided to any Loan Party by the Agent or any of its Affiliates, and (ii) any cash management services provided to any Loan Party by any Lender or any of its Affiliates that, in each case under this clause (ii), are designated in writing by the Domestic Borrower to the Agent as Cash Management Services hereunder (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, under the Term Facility), including, without limitation, (a) ACH transactions, (b) controlled disbursement services, treasury, depository, overdraft, and electronic funds transfer services, (c) credit card processing services, (d) credit or debit cards and (e) foreign exchange facilities.
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“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
“CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) other than a Permitted Holder becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of both (i) 35% or more of the Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Domestic Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such Equity Interests that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right), and (ii) a greater percentage of such Equity Interests than are held by the Permitted Holders in the aggregate; or
(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Domestic Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or by a Permitted Holder or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or by a Permitted Holder (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors); or
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(c) any “change in control” or similar event as defined in any document governing Material Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Term Facility) of any Loan Party; or
(d) the Domestic Borrower fails at any time to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of the UK Borrower (unless the UK Commitments shall have been terminated).
“Closing Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.
“Closing Date Dividend” means a Restricted Payment made by the Domestic Borrower to SHC or any of its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date immediately prior to the consummation of the Separation in a maximum amount not to exceed $500,000,000.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended and in effect.
“Collateral” means any and all “Collateral” or “Mortgaged Property” as defined in any applicable Security Document and all other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Security Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Agent.
“Collateral Access Agreement” means an agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent executed by (a) a bailee or other Person in possession of ABL Priority Collateral, and (b) any landlord of Real Estate leased by any Loan Party, pursuant to which such Person (i) acknowledges the Agent’s Lien on the ABL Priority Collateral, (ii) releases or subordinates such Person’s Liens in the ABL Priority Collateral held by such Person or located on such Real Estate, (iii) provides the Agent with access to the ABL Priority Collateral held by such bailee or other Person or located in or on such Real Estate, (iv) provides the Agent with a reasonable time to sell and dispose of the ABL Priority Collateral from such Real Estate, and (v) makes such other agreements with the Agent as the Agent may reasonably require.
“Collection Account” means each of the Domestic Collection Account and the UK Collection Account.
“Combined Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to the sum of the Domestic Borrowing Base and the UK Borrowing Base.
“Commercial Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit or similar instrument (including, without limitation, Bankers’ Acceptances) issued for the purpose of providing the primary payment mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party.
“Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its Domestic Commitment or its UK Commitment (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is a sublimit of, and not in addition to, such Lender’s Domestic Commitment), as applicable.
“Commitment Fee Percentage” means (a) from and after the Closing Date until the first Adjustment Date, 0.375% per annum, and (b) from and after the first Adjustment Date and on each Adjustment Date thereafter, (i) 0.375% per annum if the average daily Total Outstandings during the previous Fiscal Quarter were 50% or less of the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) 0.25% per annum if the average daily Total Outstandings during the previous Fiscal Quarter were more than 50% of the Aggregate Commitments.
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“Committed Borrowing” means each Domestic Committed Borrowing and each UK Committed Borrowing.
“Committed Loan” means any loan at any time made by any Lender (including, without limitation, any Domestic Committed Loan and any UK Committed Loan) pursuant to Section 2.01.
“Committed Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Committed Borrowing, (b) a Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(b), which, if initially given in writing or when confirmed in writing after electronic notice has been given, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 (Committed Loan Notice (Domestic)), or Exhibit A-2 (Committed Loan Notice (UK)), as applicable.
“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
“Consolidated” means, when used to modify a financial term, test, statement, or report of a Person, the application or preparation of such term, test, statement or report (as applicable) based upon the consolidation, in accordance with GAAP, of the financial condition or operating results of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, at any date of determination, without duplication, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period, plus (a) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) any items of loss resulting from the sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business (it being understood that gains and losses on sales of Inventory pursuant to “going out of business” or similar sales with respect to 10% of the Domestic Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Stores (measured at the commencement of the relevant period) shall not be excluded pursuant to this clause), (v) other expenses reducing such Consolidated Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period (in each case of or by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period), (vi) one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions, divestitures or debt or equity financings after the Closing Date or in connection with the Transactions contemplated hereby, (vii) any restructuring charge or reserve, transition cost, separation cost or other expense or cost that is deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs related to systems implementation and/or consolidation of facilities, in each case to the extent incurred within 18 months of the Separation and reasonably related to the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries becoming independent of SHC, and (viii) any restructuring charge or reserve, integration cost or other business optimization expense or cost that is deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities and to exiting lines of business; provided, all such amounts pursuant to this clause (viii), when aggregated with the amount of increases pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Pro Forma Adjustment for such Measurement Period, shall not exceed 10.0% of Consolidated EBITDA prior to giving effect to any add-back pursuant to this clause (viii); minus (b) the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits, (ii) any items of gain resulting from the sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business
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(it being understood that gains and losses on sales of Inventory pursuant to “going out of business” or similar sales with respect to 10% of the Domestic Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Stores (measured at the commencement of the relevant period) shall not be excluded pursuant to this clause) and (iii) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (in each case of or by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period), all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA for such period minus (ii) Capital Expenditures made during such period (other than Financed Capital Expenditures), minus (iii) the aggregate amount of Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash during such period net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such period (but in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (iii) be less than zero) to (b) Debt Service Charges, in each case, of or by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any Measurement Period, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under applicable Swap Contracts, but excluding any non-cash or deferred interest financing costs, (b) the portion of rent expense with respect to such period under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case of or by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, and (c) all dividends or distributions in respect of Disqualified Stock (other than dividends or distributions to the Domestic Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary).
“Consolidated Net Income” means, as of any date of determination, the net income of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided, however, that there shall be excluded (a) extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses for such Measurement Period, (b) the income (or loss) of any Subsidiary that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, and of any non-Subsidiary joint venture, except to the extent of the amount of cash dividends or other distributions actually paid in cash to the Domestic Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower during such period, (c) the income (or loss) of such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period and accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or is merged into or consolidated with the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (d) the income of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower that is not a Loan Party to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary, except that the Domestic Borrower’s equity in any net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such Measurement Period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Income.
“Consolidated Total Debt” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of purchase accounting in connection with the
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Separation or any Permitted Acquisition), consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Capital Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments minus (b) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Permitted Cash Equivalents included in the Consolidated balance sheet of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, which aggregate amount of cash and Permitted Cash Equivalents shall be determined without giving Pro Forma Effect to the proceeds of Indebtedness incurred on such date. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Total Debt shall not include obligations under Swap Contracts or obligations in respect of undrawn letters of credit.
“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
“Contribution Notice” a contribution notice issued by the Pensions Regulator under section 38 or section 47 of the Pensions Xxx 0000 (UK).
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Convert”, “Conversion” and “Converted” each refers to a conversion of Committed Loans of one Type into Committed Loans of the other Type.
“Converted Restricted Subsidiary” means any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Cost” means the lower of cost or market value of Inventory, based upon the Borrowers’ accounting practices, known to the Agent, which practices are in effect on the Closing Date as such calculated cost is determined from invoices received by the Borrowers, the Borrowers’ purchase journals or the Borrowers’ stock ledger and on a consistent basis with the calculation of cost set forth in the most recent Inventory appraisal delivered to the Agent. “Cost” does not include inventory capitalization costs or other non-purchase price charges (such as freight) used in the Borrowers’ calculation of cost of goods sold.
“Covenant Compliance Event” means, at any time, Availability is less than the greater of (i) 10% of the Loan Cap or (ii) $15,000,000. The termination of a Covenant Compliance Event as provided herein shall in no way limit, waive or delay the occurrence of a subsequent Covenant Compliance Event in the event that the conditions set forth in this definition again arise.
“Credit Card Issuer” shall mean any person (other than a Borrower or other Loan Party) who issues or whose members issue credit cards, including, without limitation, MasterCard or VISA bank credit or debit cards or other bank credit or debit cards issued through MasterCard International, Inc., Visa, U.S.A., Inc. or Visa International and American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Xxxxx Xxxxxxx and other non-bank credit or debit cards, including, without limitation, credit or debit cards issued by or through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and Novus Services, Inc. and other issuers approved by the Agent.
“Credit Card Notifications” has the meaning provided in Section 6.13(a)(ii).
“Credit Card Processor” shall mean any servicing or processing agent or any factor or financial intermediary who facilitates, services, processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment procedures with respect to any Borrower’s sales transactions involving credit card or debit card purchases by customers using credit cards or debit cards issued by any Credit Card Issuer.
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“Credit Card Receivables” means each “Account” or “payment intangible” (each as defined in the UCC or other applicable Law) together with all income, payments and proceeds thereof, owed by a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to a Loan Party resulting from charges by a customer of a Loan Party on credit or debit cards issued by such Credit Card Issuer in connection with the sale of goods by a Loan Party, or services performed by a Loan Party, in each case in the ordinary course of its business.
“Credit Extensions” mean each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
“Credit Party” or “Credit Parties” means, collectively, each Domestic Credit Party and each UK Credit Party.
“Credit Party Expenses” means (a) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent, the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without limitation (i) the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of (A) one primary counsel and of one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for the Agent and the Arranger, (B) outside consultants for the Agent, (C) appraisers and (D) commercial finance examiners, and (ii) in connection with (A) the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, (B) the preparation, negotiation, administration, management, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (C) the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with this Agreement or the Loan Documents or efforts to preserve, protect, collect, or enforce the Collateral or in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, or (D) any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of any Loan Agreement Obligations, and (b) with respect to the L/C Issuer, and its Affiliates, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder; and (c) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders who are not the Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer or any Affiliate of any of them in connection with the enforcement of the Loan Documents after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, provided that such Lenders shall be entitled to reimbursement for no more than one counsel representing all such Lenders (absent a conflict of interest in which case the Lenders may engage and be reimbursed for additional counsel).
“CTA” means the Corporation Tax Xxx 0000 (UK).
“Customer Credit Liabilities” means at any time, the aggregate remaining value at such time of (a) outstanding gift certificates and gift cards of the Borrowers entitling the holder thereof to use all or a portion of the certificate or gift card to pay all or a portion of the purchase price for any Inventory, and (b) outstanding merchandise credits of the Borrowers.
“Customs Broker/Carrier Agreement” means an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent among a Loan Party, a customs broker, freight forwarder, consolidator, or carrier, and the Agent, in which the customs broker, freight forwarder, consolidator, or carrier acknowledges that it has control over and holds the documents evidencing ownership of the subject Inventory for the benefit of the Agent and agrees, upon notice from the Agent, to hold and dispose of the subject Inventory solely as directed by the Agent.
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“DDA” means each checking, savings or other demand deposit account maintained by any of the Loan Parties other than Excluded Accounts.
“Debt Service Charges” means for any Measurement Period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Charges paid or required to be paid in cash for such Measurement Period, plus (b) scheduled principal payments made or required to be made on account of Indebtedness (excluding the Loan Agreement Obligations and any Synthetic Lease Obligations but including, without limitation, principal payments made in respect of Capital Lease Obligations) for such Measurement Period, in each case determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States, the United Kingdom or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
“Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Loans, an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including the Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus two percent (2%) per annum, (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate for Standby Letters of Credit or Commercial Letters of Credit, as applicable, plus two percent (2%) per annum, and (c) with respect to all other Loan Agreement Obligations, an interest rate equal to the Base Rate or UK Base Rate, as applicable, plus the then Applicable Margin, plus two percent (2%) per annum.
“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder, or (ii) pay to the Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Domestic Borrower, the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Agent or the Domestic Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Agent and the Domestic Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Agent and the Domestic Borrower), or (d) after the Closing Date, has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Agent to the Domestic Borrower, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.
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“Delegate” means means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee).
“Determination Date” shall mean the date upon which each of the following has occurred:
(a) the Commitments have been terminated by the Borrowers or the Required Lenders (or are deemed terminated) upon the occurrence of an Event of Default; and
(b) the Loan Agreement Obligations and/or the UK Liabilities have been declared to be due and payable (or have become automatically due and payable) and have not been paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction), whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions, of any property (including, without limitation, any Equity Interests other than Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower) by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Agreement will be the maximum amount that the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock or portion thereof, plus accrued dividends.
“Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Optional Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate for the purchase of Dollars with such Optional Currency.
“Dollars” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
“Domestic Availability” means, as of any date of determination thereof by the Agent, the result, if a positive number, equal to the lesser of (a)(i) the Domestic Loan Cap minus (ii) aggregate unpaid balance of the Domestic Total Outstandings, and (b)(i) the Loan Cap minus (ii) the Total Outstandings on such date.
“Domestic Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Domestic Borrowing” means a Domestic Committed Borrowing or a Domestic Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.
“Domestic Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to:
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(a) the face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables of the Domestic Loan Parties multiplied by 90%;
plus
(b) the face amount of Eligible Trade Receivables (net of Receivables Reserves applicable thereto) of the Domestic Loan Parties multiplied by 85%;
plus
(c) the Cost of Eligible Inventory of the Domestic Loan Parties, net of Inventory Reserves, multiplied by the Inventory Advance Rate multiplied by the Appraised Value of Eligible Inventory of the Domestic Loan Parties;
minus
(d) the then amount of all Availability Reserves in respect of the Domestic Loan Parties.
“Domestic Collection Account” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.
“Domestic Committed Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Domestic Committed Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Domestic Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
“Domestic Committed Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Domestic Commitments” means, as to each Domestic Lender, its obligation to (a) make Domestic Committed Loans to the Domestic Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in Domestic L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Domestic Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Domestic Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Domestic Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. As of the Closing Date, the Domestic Commitments are $175,000,000.
“Domestic Credit Party” or “Domestic Credit Parties” means (a) individually, (i) each Domestic Lender, (ii) the Agent, (iii) each L/C Issuer, (iv) the Arranger, (v) any other Person to whom Obligations are owing, and (vi) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing, and (b) collectively, all of the foregoing, in each case, to the extent relating to the services provided to, and obligations owing by or guaranteed by, the Domestic Loan Parties.
“Domestic L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Domestic Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on or prior to the date required to be reimbursed by the Domestic Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) or refinanced as a Domestic Committed Borrowing.
“Domestic L/C Obligations” means, at any date of determination and without duplication, the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Domestic Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts under Domestic Letters of Credit, including all Domestic L/C Borrowings.
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“Domestic Lenders” means the Lenders having Domestic Commitments from time to time or at any time.
“Domestic Letter of Credit” means each Letter of Credit issued hereunder for the account of the Domestic Borrower.
“Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to $70,000,000. The Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Domestic Commitments. A permanent reduction of the Domestic Commitments shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided, however, that if the Domestic Commitments are reduced to an amount less than the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit, then the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit shall be reduced to an amount equal to (or, at the Domestic Borrower’s option, less than) the Domestic Commitments.
“Domestic Loan” means an extension of credit by a Domestic Lender to the Domestic Borrower under Article II in the form of a Domestic Committed Loan or a Domestic Swing Line Loan.
“Domestic Loan Cap” means, at any time of determination, (i) the lesser of (a) the Domestic Total Commitments and (b) the Domestic Borrowing Base, minus (ii) the UK Total Outstandings.
“Domestic Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Domestic Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Guarantor of the Obligations. “Domestic Loan Party” means any one of such Persons.
“Domestic Note” means a promissory note made by the Domestic Borrower in favor of a Domestic Lender evidencing Domestic Loans made by such Domestic Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary organized under the laws of United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
“Domestic Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Domestic Swing Line Loan by the Domestic Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04.
“Domestic Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
“Domestic Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to $20,000,000. The Domestic Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Domestic Total Commitments. A permanent reduction of the Domestic Total Commitments shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit; provided, however, that if the Domestic Total Commitments are reduced to an amount less than the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit, then the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit shall be reduced to an amount equal to (or, at Domestic Borrower’s option, less than) the Domestic Total Commitments.
“Domestic Total Commitments” means the aggregate of the Domestic Commitments of all Domestic Lenders. On the Closing Date, the Domestic Total Commitments are $175,000,000.
“Domestic Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Domestic Loans and all Domestic L/C Obligations.
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“Eligible Assignee” means (a) a Lender or any of its Affiliates; (b) a bank, insurance company, or company engaged in the business of making commercial loans, which Person, together with its Affiliates, has a combined capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000; (c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any Person to whom a Lender assigns its rights and obligations under this Agreement as part of an assignment and transfer of such Lender’s rights in and to a material portion of such Lender’s portfolio of asset based credit facilities; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include a Permitted Holder, a Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries or any natural Person.
“Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means at the time of any determination thereof, each Credit Card Receivable that satisfies the following criteria at the time of creation and continues to meet the same at the time of such determination: such Credit Card Receivable (i) has been earned by performance and represents the bona fide amounts due to a Domestic Loan Party from a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, and in each case is originated in the ordinary course of business of such Domestic Loan Party, and (ii) in each case is not ineligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Domestic Borrowing Base pursuant to any of clauses (a) through (i) below. Without limiting the foregoing, to qualify as an Eligible Credit Card Receivable, a Credit Card Receivable shall indicate no Person other than a Domestic Loan Party as payee or remittance party, it being understood that Credit Card Receivables governed by credit card processing arrangements of SHC and its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Domestic Loan Parties also obtain services shall not, if they otherwise satisfy the requirements of this definition, be disqualified. In determining the amount to be so included, the face amount of a Credit Card Receivable shall be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that a Domestic Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to a customer, a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Credit Card Receivable but not yet applied by the Domestic Loan Parties to reduce the amount of such Credit Card Receivable. Except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, any Credit Card Receivable included within any of the following categories shall not constitute an Eligible Credit Card Receivable:
(a) Credit Card Receivables which do not constitute an “Account” or “payment intangible” (each as defined in the UCC);
(b) Credit Card Receivables that have been outstanding for more than five (5) Business Days from the date of sale;
(c) Credit Card Receivables (i) that are not subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Agent (subject to Permitted Encumbrances having priority over the Lien of the Agent by operation of applicable Law), or (ii) with respect to which a Domestic Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances);
(d) Credit Card Receivables which are disputed or with respect to which a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted (to the extent of such dispute, claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback);
(e) Credit Card Receivables as to which a Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor has the right under certain circumstances to require a Domestic Loan Party to repurchase the entire portfolio of Accounts from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor;
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(f) Credit Card Receivables due from a Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor of the applicable credit card which is the subject of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;
(g) Credit Card Receivables which are not a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the applicable Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor with respect thereto;
(h) Credit Card Receivables which do not conform to all representations, warranties or other provisions in the Loan Documents relating to Credit Card Receivables; or
(i) Credit Card Receivables which the Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion to be uncertain of collection or which do not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Credit Card Receivables as the Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.
“Eligible In-Transit Inventory” means, as of any date of determination thereof, without duplication of other Eligible Inventory, In-Transit Inventory:
(a) Which has been shipped by a vendor from a foreign location for receipt directly or indirectly by a Loan Party, but which has not yet been delivered directly or indirectly to such Loan Party, which In-Transit Inventory is scheduled to arrive at a facility owned or leased by a Loan Party within fifty (50) days from the date of shipment;
(b) For which the purchase order is in the name of a Loan Party (or, during the 180 day period following the Closing Date, has been assigned by SHC or a Subsidiary of SHC to a Loan Party) and title and risk of loss has passed to such Loan Party;
(c) For which an Acceptable Document of Title has been issued, and in each case as to which the Agent has control (as defined in the UCC or other applicable Law) over the documents of title which evidence ownership of the subject Inventory (including, if requested by the Agent, by the delivery of a Customs Broker/Carrier Agreement);
(d) Which is insured in accordance with Section 5.10 hereof (including, without limitation, marine cargo insurance); and
(e) Which otherwise would constitute Eligible Inventory;
provided that the Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, exclude any particular Inventory from the definition of “Eligible In-Transit Inventory” in the event the Agent determines that such Inventory is subject to any Person’s right which is (or is capable of being) senior to, or pari passu with, the Lien of the Collateral Agent (including, without limitation, a right of stoppage in transit) which may otherwise adversely impact the ability of the Agent to realize upon such Inventory.
“Eligible Inventory” means, as of the date of determination thereof, without duplication, (i) Eligible In-Transit Inventory, and (ii) other items of Inventory of a Domestic Loan Party or a UK Loan Party that are finished goods, merchantable and readily saleable to the public in the ordinary course of the applicable Loan Parties’ business, in each case that, except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, (A) complies with each of the representations and warranties respecting Inventory made by the applicable Loan Parties in the Loan Documents, and (B) is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set forth below. Except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, the following items of Inventory shall not be included in Eligible Inventory:
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(a) Inventory (i) that is not subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Agent, including any Inventory of a UK Loan Party that is subject of any retention of title arrangement (subject to Permitted Encumbrances having priority over the Lien of the Agent by operation of applicable Law), or (ii) with respect to which a Domestic Loan Party or a UK Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances);
(b) Inventory that is leased or consigned from a vendor to a Domestic Loan Party or a UK Loan Party;
(c) Inventory that is consigned by a Domestic Loan Party or a UK Loan Party to a Person which is not a Loan Party;
(d) Inventory (other than Eligible In-Transit Inventory) that is not located in the United States of America (excluding territories or possessions of the United States) or Puerto Rico (with respect to the Domestic Loan Parties) or in the United Kingdom (with respect to the UK Loan Parties) at a location that is owned or leased by the applicable Loan Party, except (i) Inventory in transit between such owned or leased locations, (ii) Inventory at locations owned or leased by SHC and its Subsidiaries (provided that the Agent may establish an Availability Reserve in such amount as the Agent in its Permitted Discretion deems appropriate with respect to Inventory at locations owned or leased by SHC and its Subsidiaries if (a) SHC or such applicable Subsidiary is subject to an insolvency proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, (b) in any transaction or series of transactions which are part of a common plan, 25% or more of the number of LE Shops (as defined in the Separation Agreement referenced in clause (b) of the definition thereof) operated by the Loan Parties under the Separation Agreements referenced in clauses (c) and (j) of the definition thereof immediately prior to such closings are closed, or (c) SHC or any of its Subsidiaries breach any of the Material Contracts), and (iii) Inventory constituting finished goods located with providers of embroidery and similar services, not to exceed an aggregate of $2,500,000 in Cost at any one time;
(e) Inventory that is located in a distribution center leased by a Loan Party unless the applicable lessor has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement; provided that if such a Collateral Access Agreement is not obtained, Inventory at such locations shall constitute Eligible Inventory as long as the Agent has established an Availability Reserve in such amount as the Agent in its Permitted Discretion deemed appropriate;
(f) Inventory that is comprised of goods which (i) are damaged, defective, “seconds,” or otherwise unmerchantable, (ii) are to be returned to the vendor, (iii) are obsolete, work-in-process, raw materials, or that constitute samples, spare parts, promotional, marketing, labels, bags and other packaging and shipping materials or supplies used or consumed in a Loan Party’s business, (iv) which have been held for more than 18 months, (v) are not in material compliance with all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Inventory, its use or sale, or (vi) are xxxx and hold goods;
(g) Inventory that is not insured in compliance with the provisions of Section 5.10 hereof;
(h) Inventory that has been sold by a Loan Party but not yet delivered or as to which a Loan Party has accepted a deposit from a third party;
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(i) Inventory that exhibits, includes or is identified by any trademark, tradename or other Intellectual Property right which trademark, tradename or other Intellectual Property right (i) is subject to a restriction that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Agent’s ability to liquidate such Inventory or (ii) the relevant Loan Party does not have the right to use in connection with the sale of such Inventory, either through direct ownership or through a written license or sublicense;
(j) Inventory acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, unless and until the Agent has completed or received (A) an appraisal of such Inventory from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and establishes Inventory Reserves (if applicable) therefor, and (B) such other due diligence as the Agent may reasonably require, all of the results of the foregoing to be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; provided that such Inventory shall be deemed to constitute Eligible Inventory for a period of 45 days after the date of its acquisition notwithstanding that the Agent has not completed such due diligence as long as such Inventory is of the same kind and quality as other of the Loan Parties’ Inventory and would otherwise constitute Eligible Inventory;
(k) Inventory (other than Inventory acquired in a Permitted Acquisition which is governed by clause (k) above) which is not of the type usually sold in the ordinary course of any Loan Party’s business, unless and until the Agent agrees in its Permitted Discretion that such Inventory shall be deemed Eligible Inventory; or
(l) Inventory which does not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Inventory as the Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.
“Eligible Trade Receivables” means Accounts arising from the sale of the Inventory of the Domestic Loan Parties (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Credit Card Receivables) that satisfies the following criteria at the time of creation and continues to meet the same at the time of such determination: such Account (i) has been earned by performance and represents the bona fide amounts due to a Domestic Loan Party from an account debtor, and in each case is originated in the ordinary course of business of such Domestic Loan Party, and (ii) in each case is not ineligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Domestic Borrowing Base pursuant to any of clauses (a) through (s) below. Without limiting the foregoing, to qualify as an Eligible Trade Receivable, an Account shall indicate no Person other than a Domestic Loan Party as payee or remittance party. In determining the amount to be so included, the face amount of an Account shall be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount but creditable against such Account, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that a Domestic Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to a customer pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by the Domestic Loan Parties to reduce the amount of such Eligible Trade Receivable. Except as otherwise agreed by the Agent, any Account included within any of the following categories shall not constitute an Eligible Trade Receivable:
(a) Accounts that are not evidenced by an invoice;
(b) Accounts that have been outstanding for more than 90 days from the date of sale or more than 60 days past the due date;
(c) Accounts due from any account debtor which is obligated on any accounts described in clause (b), above.
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(d) All Accounts owed by an account debtor and/or its Affiliates in the aggregate in excess of ten percent (10%) (or, with respect to the account debtors set forth on Schedule 1.05 hereof, twenty percent (20%)) (or any other greater percentage now or hereafter established by the Agent for any particular account debtor) of the amount of all Accounts of all account debtors of the Domestic Loan Parties at any one time outstanding;
(e) Accounts (i) that are not subject to a perfected first-priority security interest in favor of the Agent (subject to Permitted Encumbrances having priority over the Lien of the Agent by operation of applicable law), or (ii) with respect to which a Domestic Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances);
(f) Accounts which are disputed or with respect to which a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted, but only to the extent of such dispute, counterclaim, offset or chargeback;
(g) Accounts which arise out of any sale (i) not made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) made on a basis other than upon credit terms usual to the business of the Domestic Loan Parties or (iii) are not payable in Dollars;
(h) Accounts which are owed by any account debtor whose principal place of business is not within the United States;
(i) Accounts which are owed by an employee of a Loan Party or by any Affiliate (other than any portfolio companies of the Permitted Holders, including SHC or any of its Subsidiaries) of a Loan Party;
(j) Accounts which are owed by SHC or any of its Subsidiaries if such Accounts relate to sales of the Domestic Loan Parties’ Inventory in store locations of SHC or such Subsidiaries, unless the Agent otherwise agrees in its Permitted Discretion;
(k) Accounts for which all consents, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations or declarations with any Governmental Authority required to be obtained, effected or given in connection with the performance of such Account by the account debtor or in connection with the enforcement of such Account by the Agent have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in full force and effect;
(l) Accounts due from an account debtor which is the subject of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, has had a trustee or receiver appointed for all or a substantial part of its property, has made an assignment for the benefit of creditors or has suspended its business;
(m) Accounts due from any Governmental Authority except to the extent that the subject account debtor is the federal government, or any state government, of the United States of America and the Domestic Loan Parties have complied with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940;
(n) Accounts representing any manufacturer’s or supplier’s credits, discounts, incentive plans or similar arrangements entitling a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to discounts on future purchase therefrom;
(o) Accounts arising out of sales on a xxxx-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-or-return, sale on approval or consignment basis or subject to any right of return;
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(p) Accounts arising out of sales to account debtors outside the United States unless such Accounts are fully backed by an irrevocable letter of credit on terms, and issued by a financial institution, acceptable to the Agent and such irrevocable letter of credit is in the possession of the Agent;
(q) Accounts evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument;
(r) Accounts consisting of amounts due from vendors as rebates or allowances;
(s) Accounts which are in excess of the credit limit for such account debtor established by the Domestic Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(t) Accounts which include extended payment terms (datings) beyond those generally furnished to other account debtors in the ordinary course of business;
(u) Accounts arising out of sales of gift cards unless such gift cards have been activated; or
(v) Accounts which do not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for as the Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.
“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, obligation, damage, loss, claim, action, suit, judgment, order, fine, penalty, fee, expense, or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal or presence of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or non-voting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
“Equivalent Amount” means, with respect to any Optional Currency, the equivalent amount thereof determined by the Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
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“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Domestic Borrower (immediately after the Separation) within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, or the treatment of a Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan; (f) any event or condition determined by the PBGC to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or that a Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; (h) the failure by the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or a failure by the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan or (i) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.
“Euribor Rate” means for any Interest Period with respect to a Euribor Rate Loan, the rate at which euro interbank term deposits in the applicable currency are being offered by one prime bank to another within the EMU zone as determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period.
“Euribor Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Euribor Rate.
“Euros” and the designation “€” means the lawful currency of the Participating Member States.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01. An Event of Default shall be deemed to be continuing unless and until that Event of Default has been duly waived as provided in Section 10.01 hereof.
“Excluded Accounts” means payroll, trust, tax withholding (including VAT in the UK) and zero balance disbursement accounts funded in the ordinary course of business.
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty of such Loan Party under the Guaranty and Security Agreement of, or the grant under a Loan Document by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.28 hereof and any and all guarantees of such Loan Party’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) and the regulations thereunder at the time the guaranty of such Loan Party, or grant by such Loan
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Party of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated and including any Taxes imposed in lieu of income Taxes), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Recipient acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Domestic Borrower under Section 10.13) or (ii) in the case of a Lender, such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(e), and (d) any Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
“Executive Order” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.18.
“Existing Letters of Credit” means the letters of credit described on Schedule 1.02 hereto.
“Existing Revolver Tranche” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(a).
“Extended Commitments” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(a).
“Extending Lender” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(b).
“Extension Amendment” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(d).
“Extension Request” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(a).
“Extension Election” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(b).
“Extension Series” has the meaning provided in Section 2.17(a).
“Extraordinary Receipt” means any cash received by or paid to or for the account of any Person not in the ordinary course of business, including tax refunds, pension plan reversions, indemnity payments and any purchase price adjustments.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version described above).
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“Federal Funds Rate” means, 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 by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (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 Agent.
“Fee Letter” means the letter agreement dated as of March 14, 2014 among the Domestic Borrower, the Agent and the Arranger, as amended and in effect on the Closing Date.
“Financed Capital Expenditures” shall mean Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of Indebtedness (other than from Credit Extensions hereunder), including capital lease transactions permitted hereunder.
“Financial Support Direction” a financial support direction issued by the Pensions Regulator under Section 43 of the Pensions Act 2004 (UK).
“Fiscal Quarter” means any fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, which quarters shall generally end on (i) with respect to the first fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Friday preceding the Saturday of the thirteenth week of such Fiscal Year, (ii) with respect to the second fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Friday preceding the Saturday of the twenty- sixth week of such Fiscal Year, (iii) with respect to the third fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Friday preceding the Saturday of the thirty-ninth week of such Fiscal Year, and (iv) with respect to the last fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the last day of such Fiscal Year, as such Fiscal Quarters may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.13 hereof.
“Fiscal Year” means any period of twelve consecutive months ending on the Friday preceding the Saturday closest to January 31 of any calendar year, as such Fiscal Year may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.13 hereof.
“Flood Insurance Laws” means collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (iii) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (iv) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (v) the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.
“Foreign Asset Control Regulations” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.18.
“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Domestic Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means as to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Foreign Vendor” means a Person that sells In-Transit Inventory to a Loan Party.
“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
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“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Fund” means 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” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States, the United Kingdom, or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Guarantor” means (a) with respect to all of the Obligations (including, without limitation, the UK Liabilities but excluding, as to any Guarantor, Obligation as to which such Person is directly liable), the Persons named on Schedule 1.01 hereof as Guarantors, the Domestic Borrower and each other Person that shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty of all of the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.11, and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the UK Borrower and any Foreign Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower, (b) with respect to the UK Liabilities, the Persons named on Schedule 1.01 hereof as UK
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Guarantors, the Domestic Borrower, the UK Borrower and each other Person that shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty of the UK Liabilities pursuant to Section 6.11 (but excluding, as to any Guarantor, Obligations as to which such Person is directly liable), and (c) with respect to any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Section 10.28) under the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Domestic Borrower.
“Guaranty and Security Agreement” means the Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Loan Parties and the Agent.
“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Honor Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
“Increase Effective Date” shall have the meaning provided therefor in Section 2.15(d).
“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;
(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;
(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and, in each case, not past due for more than sixty (60) days;
(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(f) All Attributable Indebtedness of such Person;
(g) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Stock of such Person; and
(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company unless the Indebtedness of such joint venture is Guaranteed by such Person and covered by clause (h) above) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract
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on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any Indebtedness that is only Indebtedness pursuant to clause (e) shall be the lesser of the indebtedness secured by a Lien on property of the applicable Person and the fair market value of such property, as reasonably determined by the Domestic Borrower; provided that the full amount of Debt Service Charges paid by the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any such Indebtedness shall be included in the calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
“Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).
“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.
“Insolvency Proceedings” means, in the case of a UK Loan Party, any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure commenced or other formal step taken (including the making of an application, the presentation of a petition, the filing or service of a notice or the passing of a resolution) in relation to (i) such UK Loan Party being adjudicated or found insolvent, (ii) the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or distressed reorganization (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of such UK Loan Party other than a solvent liquidation or reorganization of such UK Loan Party, the terms of which have been previously approved in writing by the Agent, (iii) a composition, assignment or arrangement with any class of creditors of such UK Loan Party or (iv) the appointment of a liquidator, supervisor, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager, trustee or other similar officer in respect of such UK Loan Party or any of its assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any winding up petition which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within 14 days of commencement shall not be deemed an Insolvency Proceeding hereunder.
“Insolvency Regulation” the Council Regulation (EC) No.1346/2000 29 May 2000 on Insolvency Proceedings.
“Insolvent” means pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.
“In-Transit Inventory” means Inventory of a Loan Party which is in the possession of a common carrier and is in transit from a Foreign Vendor of a Loan Party from a location outside of the United States to a location of a Loan Party that is within the United States.
“Intellectual Property” means all present and future: trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary information; trademarks, trademark applications, internet domain names, service marks, trade dress, trade names, business names, designs, logos, slogans (and all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations of the foregoing) indicia and other source and/or business identifiers, and all registrations or applications for registrations which have heretofore been or may hereafter be issued thereon throughout the world; copyrights and copyright applications; (including copyrights for computer programs) and all tangible and intangible property embodying the copyrights, unpatented inventions (whether or not patentable); patents and patent applications; industrial design applications and registered industrial designs; license agreements related to any of the foregoing and income therefrom; books, records, writings, computer tapes or disks, flow diagrams, specification sheets, computer software, source codes, object codes, executable code, data, databases and other physical manifestations, embodiments or incorporations of any of the foregoing; all other intellectual property; and all common law and other rights throughout the world in and to all of the foregoing.
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“Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Agent, the Term Agent and the applicable Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit I.
“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or UK Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the first Business Day of each month and the Maturity Date.
“Interest Period” means, as to each LIBOR Rate Loan and Euribor Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan, as applicable,is disbursed or Converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the applicable Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:
(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;
(ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date; and
(iv) notwithstanding the provisions of clause (iii), no Interest Period shall have a duration of less than one (1) month, and if any Interest Period applicable to a LIBOR Borrowing or Euribor Borrowing would be for a shorter period, such Interest Period shall not be available hereunder.
For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent Conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“Internal Control Event” means a material weakness in, or fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in, the Domestic Borrower’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ internal controls over financial reporting, in each case as described in the Securities Laws.
“Inventory” has the meaning given that term in the UCC, and shall also include, without limitation, all: (a) goods which (i) are leased by a Person as lessor, (ii) are held by a Person for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service, (iii) are furnished by a Person under a contract of service, or (iv) consist of raw materials, work in process, or materials used or consumed in a business; (b) goods of said description in transit; (c) goods of said description which are returned, repossessed or rejected; and (d) packaging, advertising, and shipping materials related to any of the foregoing.
“Inventory Advance Rate” means (i) from October 1 through December 31 of each year, 92.5%, and (ii) at all other times, 90%.
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“Inventory Reserves” means such reserves as may be established from time to time by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, without duplication of any other Reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or the definition of “Domestic Borrowing Base”, “UK Borrowing Base” or “Appraised Value”, with respect to the determination of the saleability, at retail, of the Eligible Inventory, which reflect such other factors as affect the market value of the Eligible Inventory or which reflect claims and liabilities that the Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Inventory. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Inventory Reserves may, in the Agent’s Permitted Discretion, include (but are not limited to) reserves based on:
(a) Obsolescence;
(b) Seasonality;
(c) Shrink;
(d) Imbalance;
(e) Change in Inventory character;
(f) Change in Inventory composition;
(g) Change in Inventory mix;
(h) Xxxx-xxxxx (both permanent and point of sale);
(i) Retail xxxx-ons and xxxx-ups inconsistent with prior period practice and performance, industry standards, current business plans or advertising calendar and planned advertising events; and
(j) Out-of-date and/or expired Inventory.
“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect (a) purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person, or (c) any Acquisition. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and any Borrower or in favor the L/C Issuer and relating to any such Letter of Credit.
“ITA” means the Income Tax Xxx 0000 (UK).
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“Joinder Agreement” means an agreement, in form satisfactory to the Agent pursuant to which, among other things, a Person becomes a party to, and bound by the terms of, this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents in the same capacity and to the same extent as either a Borrower or a Guarantor.
“Latest Maturity Date” means, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest termination date of any Extended Commitment or New Commitment, as applicable, as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.
“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Committed Borrowing.
“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
“L/C Issuer” means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder (which successor may only be a Lender selected by the Agent in its discretion). The L/C Issuer may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the L/C Issuer, in which case the term “L/C Issuer” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
“L/C Obligations” means, collectively, the Domestic L/C Obligations and the UK L/C Obligations For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“Lease” means any agreement, whether written or oral, no matter how styled or structured, pursuant to which a Loan Party is entitled to the use or occupancy of any real property for any period of time.
“Lender” means each Domestic Lender and each UK Lender and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender. Any Lender may, in its reasonable discretion, arrange for one or more Loans to be made by Affiliates or branches of such Lender, in which case the term “Lender” shall include any such Affiliate or branch with respect to Loans made by such Affiliate or branch.
“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Domestic Borrower and the Agent.
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“Letter of Credit” means each Banker’s Acceptance, each Standby Letter of Credit and each Commercial Letter of Credit issued hereunder and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.
“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect.
“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).
“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit or the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit, as applicable.
“LIBOR Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Rate Loans.
“LIBOR Rate” means:
(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (“ICE LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of ICE LIBOR as designated by the Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBOR Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the LIBOR Rate 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 to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and
(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) ICE LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at the date and time of determination.
“LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Committed Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.
“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, but excluding the interests of lessors under operating leases).
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“Liquidation” means the exercise by the Agent of those rights and remedies accorded to the Agent under the Loan Documents and applicable Laws as a creditor of the Loan Parties with respect to the realization on the Collateral, including (after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default) the conduct by the Loan Parties acting with the consent of the Agent, of any public, private or “going-out-of-business”, “store closing” or other similar sale or any other disposition of the Collateral for the purpose of liquidating the Collateral. Derivations of the word “Liquidation” (such as “Liquidate”) are used with like meaning in this Agreement.
“Liquidation Percentage” shall mean, for any Lender, a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of such Lender’s Domestic Commitment on the Determination Date and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Commitments of all Lenders on the Determination Date.
“Loan” means a Domestic Loan or a UK Loan, as applicable.
“Loan Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a).
“Loan Agreement Obligations” means all advances to, and debts (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses), liabilities, obligations, covenants, indemnities, and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit (including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral therefor), whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, fees, costs, expenses and indemnities that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, fees costs, expenses and indemnities are allowed claims in such proceeding.
“Loan Cap” means, at any time of determination, the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Commitments or (b) the sum of the Domestic Loan Cap (calculated without giving effect to clause (ii) thereof) plus the UK Loan Cap.
“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, the Perfection Certificate, the Fee Letter, all Borrowing Base Certificates, the Blocked Account Agreements, the Credit Card Notifications, the Security Documents, the Sears Tri-Party Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, and any other instrument or agreement now or hereafter executed and delivered in connection herewith, each as amended and in effect from time to time.
“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers and each Guarantor.
“Local Time” means, (a) with respect to Domestic Loans, Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable), and (b) with respect to UK Loans, prevailing time in London, England.
“Mandatory Cost” means, with respect to any period, the percentage rate per annum determined in accordance with Schedule 1.03.
“Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”
“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or financial condition of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents to
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which they are a party; or (c) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents taken as a whole or a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are a party taken as a whole. In determining whether any individual event would result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that such event in and of itself does not have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event and all other then existing events would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
“Material Contract” means (a) the Separation Agreements described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (e), (g) and (j) of the definition thereof, and (b) any replacements of, or substitutions for, any of the foregoing.
“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan Agreement Obligations) of the Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $35,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indebtedness incurred under clause (j) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” shall at all times be deemed Material Indebtedness hereunder. For purposes of determining the amount of Material Indebtedness at any time, (a) the amount of the obligations in respect of any Swap Contract at such time shall be calculated at the Swap Termination Value thereof, (b) undrawn and committed amounts shall be included, and (c) all amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement shall be included.
“Material Real Estate” means any piece of owned Real Estate located in the United States that is owned in fee by a Loan Party having a fair market value in excess of $3,500,000 as reasonably determined, in good faith, by the Domestic Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Agent.
“Maturity Date” means, as to any Loan or Commitment (a) April 4, 2019, or, if applicable with respect to such Loan or Commitment, (b) the date determined pursuant to Section 2.17 in connection with an effective Extension Election.
“Maximum Rate” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 10.09.
“Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination of the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or the Total Leverage Ratio, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for which financial statements have been, or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), as applicable, and for all other purposes under this Agreement, at any date of determination, the most recently completed twelve fiscal month period of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for which financial statements have been, or were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c).
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Mortgage” means an agreement, including, but not limited to, a mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or any other document, creating and evidencing a Lien on a Mortgaged Property in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the applicable Credit Parties, securing the applicable Obligations, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, with such schedules and including such provisions as shall be necessary to conform such document to applicable local law or as shall be customary under applicable local law.
“Mortgaged Property” means (a) each piece of Real Estate identified as a Mortgaged Property on Schedule I.C.1. to the Perfection Certificate and (b) each piece of Material Real Estate, if any, that shall be subject to a Mortgage delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to Sections 6.11 and/or 6.16.
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“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions or has any continuing liability.
“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
“New Extended Commitment” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 2.17(c).
“New Commitment Extending Lender” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 2.17(c).
“New Commitment Lender” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 2.15(c).
“Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 10.01.
“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
“Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).
“Note” means a Domestic Note or UK Note made by the applicable Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Committed Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 or Exhibit C-2, as applicable, as each may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
“NPL” means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.
“Obligations” means, collectively, all Loan Agreement Obligations and all Other Liabilities. For clarity, “Obligations” include, without limitation, all liabilities of the Domestic Borrower and the Guarantors, and all UK Liabilities.
“Optional Currency” means Euros and Pounds Sterling.
“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating or LLC agreement (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity, and (d) in each case, all shareholder or other equity holder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements to which such Person is a party.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising solely from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
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“Other Domestic Liabilities” means any obligation on account of (a) any Cash Management Services furnished to any of the Domestic Loan Parties or any of their Domestic Subsidiaries and/or (b) any Bank Product furnished to any of the Domestic Loan Parties and/or any of their Domestic Subsidiaries; provided that Obligations of a Domestic Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Domestic Loan Party.
“Other Liabilities” means the Other Domestic Liabilities and the Other UK Liabilities, as applicable.
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Excluded Taxes (other than with respect to an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).
“Other UK Liabilities” means any obligation on account of (a) any Cash Management Services furnished to any of the UK Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries and/or (b) any Bank Product furnished to any of the UK Loan Parties and/or any of their Subsidiaries.
“Outstanding Amount” means (i) with respect to Committed Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Loans occurring on such date; and (ii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrowers of Unreimbursed Amounts.
“Overadvance” means a Credit Extension to the extent that, immediately after its having been made, Domestic Availability or UK Availability, as applicable, is less than zero.
“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“Participation Register” has the meaning provided therefor in Section 10.06(d).
“Payment Conditions” means, at the time of determination with respect to any specified transaction or payment, that (a) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of entering into such transaction or the making of such payment, (b) after giving effect to such transaction or payment, either (x)(i) the Pro Forma Availability Condition has been satisfied, and (ii) after giving effect to such transaction or payment, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Measurement Period preceding such transaction or payment, is equal to or greater than 1.0:1.0, or (y) Pro Forma Excess Availability will be equal to or greater than the greater of (i) 20% of the Loan Cap and (ii) $30,000,000. Prior to undertaking any transaction or payment which is subject to the Payment Conditions, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Agent evidence of satisfaction of the conditions contained in clause (b) above on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
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“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and Multiemployer Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan but excluding a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Domestic Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
“Pensions Regulator” means the body corporate called the Pensions Regulator established under Part 1 of the Pensions Xxx 0000 (UK).
“Perfection Certificate” means the Perfection Certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed by the Loan Parties.
“Permitted Acquisition” means an Acquisition in which all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) if any of the proceeds of the Credit Extensions are to be used to consummate the Acquisition, unless otherwise consented to by the Agent, such Acquisition shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Person (or similar governing body if such Person is not a corporation) which is the subject of such Acquisition and such Person shall not have announced that it will oppose such Acquisition or shall not have commenced any action which alleges that such Acquisition shall violate applicable Law;
(b) if the Payment Conditions are required to be satisfied pursuant to clause (e) below, the Domestic Borrower shall have furnished the Agent with five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of such intended Acquisition and a calculation with respect to such Payment Conditions;
(c) any assets acquired shall be utilized in, and if the Acquisition involves a merger, consolidation or acquisition of Equity Interests, the Person which is the subject of such Acquisition shall be engaged in, a business otherwise permitted to be engaged in by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under this Agreement;
(d) any Equity Interests of a Person acquired in such transaction shall be of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate consideration paid in respect of Persons that do not become Loan Parties shall not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate for all Permitted Acquisitions; and
(e) if the total consideration payable in connection such Acquisition is $20,000,000 or more, the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied.
“Permitted Cash Equivalents” shall mean:
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(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;
(b) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof;
(c) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof;
(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a) above (without regard to the limitation on maturity contained in such clause) and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above or with any primary dealer and having a market value at the time that such repurchase agreement is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of such counterparty entity with whom such repurchase agreement has been entered into;
(e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Loan Parties, in any money market fund, mutual fund, or other investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are administered by financial institutions that have the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P, and which invest solely in one or more of the types of securities described in clauses (a) through (d) above; and
(f) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, (x) such local currencies in those countries in which such Foreign Subsidiary transacts business from time to time in the ordinary course of business and (y) investments of comparable tenor and credit quality to those described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) or the definition of Permitted Cash Equivalents, in each case, customarily utilized in countries in which such Foreign Subsidiary operates for short term cash management purposes.
“Permitted Discretion” means a determination made by the Agent in good faith and in the exercise of commercially reasonable business judgment.
“Permitted Disposition” means any of the following:
(a) Dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(b) (i) bulk sales of Inventory not in the ordinary course of business in connection with Store closings or closings of other locations where Inventory of the Loan Parties is sold at retail (including without limitation, stores of SHC and its Subsidiaries), at arm’s length, in an amount not to exceed in any Fiscal Year twenty percent (20%) of the number of Stores and other locations in existence at the beginning of such Fiscal Year and (ii) sales of Inventory pursuant to “going out of business” or similar sales in connection with Store closings or closings of other locations where Inventory of the Loan Parties is sold at retail (including, without limitation, stores of SHC and its Subsidiaries);
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(c) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property of a Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and the lapse or abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business which, in the reasonable good faith determination of Borrower, are not material to the conduct of the business of Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(d) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;
(e) Dispositions of equipment and other property in the ordinary course of business that is worn, damaged, obsolete or, in the judgment of a Loan Party, no longer useful or necessary in its business or that of any Restricted Subsidiary;
(f) sales, transfers and other Dispositions among the Loan Parties or by any Restricted Subsidiary to a Loan Party;
(g) sales, transfers and other Dispositions by any Restricted Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
(h) Dispositions which constitute Restricted Payments that are otherwise permitted hereunder;
(i) Dispositions permitted pursuant to Section 7.04 hereof;
(j) the Disposition of defaulted receivables and the compromise, settlement and collection of receivables in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or other proceedings concerning the other account party thereon and not as part of an accounts receivable financing transaction;
(k) leases, licenses or subleases or sublicenses of any real or personal property not constituting ABL Priority Collateral in the ordinary course of business;
(l) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind to the extent that any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(m) the sale of Permitted Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;
(n) sales of Inventory (other than Eligible Inventory) determined by the management of the applicable Loan Party not to be saleable in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party or any of the Loan Parties;
(o) Dispositions of assets pursuant to condemnation proceedings;
(p) Dispositions of other property so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied; provided that, with respect to any Disposition of ABL Priority Collateral, such Disposition shall be made at arm’s length and for fair market value, and the applicable Loan Parties shall repay the applicable Loan Agreement Obligations (without any reduction to the Commitments in connection therewith) in an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Disposition; and
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(q) Other Dispositions (other than of ABL Priority Collateral, except incidental to the primary transaction) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of such transaction; provided that (i) such Disposition shall be for fair market value as reasonably determined by the Domestic Borrower in good faith, and (ii) the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive not less than 75.0% of such consideration in the form of cash or cash equivalents (provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (q)(ii), the following shall be deemed to be cash: (A) the assumption by the transferee of Indebtedness or other liabilities contingent or otherwise of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Subordinated Debt) and the valid release of the Domestic Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, by all applicable creditors in writing, from all liability on such Indebtedness or other liability in connection with such Disposition, (B) securities, notes or other obligations received by the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the transferee that are converted by such Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries into cash or cash equivalents within 180 days following the closing of such Disposition, (C) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Disposition, to the extent that the Domestic Borrower and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with such Disposition and (D) aggregate non-cash consideration received by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for all Dispositions under this clause (q) having an aggregate fair market value (determined as of the closing of the applicable Disposition for which such non-cash consideration is received) not to exceed $10,000,000,
provided, no Dispositions of Related Intellectual Property shall constitute a Permitted Disposition unless the transferee thereof shall have entered into an agreement, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, acknowledging the limited license granted to the Agent in such Related Intellectual Property pursuant to the Loan Documents and agreeing to abide by, and not interfere with, such limited license.
“Permitted Encumbrances” means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04;
(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by applicable Laws, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04;
(c) pledges, deposits or security under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation, or other insurance related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety, stay,
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customs or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for the payment of rent, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (including letters of credit issued in lieu of any such bonds or to support the issuance thereof and including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(d) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Liens in respect of judgments that would not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;
(f) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions, building code laws, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, similar encumbrances on real property and such other minor title defects or survey matters that are disclosed by current surveys that, in each case, do not individually or in the aggregate materially interfere with (i) the ordinary conduct of business of a Loan Party or (ii) the current use of the real property subject to such encumbrances and/or defects;
(g) Liens existing on the Closing Date listed in the Perfection Certificate and Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancings of the Indebtedness with respect thereto;
(h) Liens (other than on ABL Priority Collateral) which secure Indebtedness permitted under clause (c) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness so long as (i) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after the acquisition thereof (or such Liens secure Permitted Refinancing of such Indebtedness), (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquisition of the applicable assets, and (iii) such Liens shall attach only to the assets acquired, improved or refinanced with such Indebtedness, and any replacements, additions or accessions thereto and any proceeds therefrom and shall not extend to any other property or assets of the Loan Parties;
(i) Liens in favor of the Agent securing the Obligations;
(j) landlords’ and lessors’ statutory Liens in respect of rent not in default;
(k) possessory Liens in favor of brokers and dealers arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition of Investments owned as of the Closing Date and other Permitted Investments, provided that such liens (a) attach only to such Investments and (b) secure only obligations incurred in the ordinary course and arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition of such Investments and not any obligation in connection with margin financing;
(l) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions or customary contractual provisions relating to banker’s Liens, Liens in favor of securities intermediaries, rights of setoff or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or securities accounts or other funds maintained with depository institutions or securities intermediaries, including rights of setoff relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Loan Parties to permit the satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
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(m) any interest of a lessor or sublessor under, and Liens arising from, precautionary UCC filings (or equivalent filings) regarding leases and subleases permitted under the Loan Documents;
(n) any interest of, and Liens granted to consignors in the ordinary course of business with respect to the consignment of goods to a Loan Party;
(o) Liens on property (other than property of the type included in the Combined Borrowing Base) in existence at the time such property is acquired or on such property of a Subsidiary in existence at the time such Subsidiary is acquired; provided, that such Liens are not incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition and do not attach to any other assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary;
(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenues authorities imposed by applicable Laws arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the importation of goods and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 6.04;
(q) Liens on assets (other than ABL Priority Collateral) of the UK Loan Parties to secure Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;
(r) Liens on property of the Loan Parties to secure Permitted Indebtedness under clauses (j), or (s) of the definition thereof, any cash management services and other bank products secured under the documentation governing such Indebtedness and any Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided that, (i) any Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral granted by the Loan Parties pursuant to this clause (r) shall be junior and subordinate to the Agent’s Lien on the ABL Priority Collateral and shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement on terms substantially similar to those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, and (ii) if the Loan Parties grant Liens on both ABL Priority Collateral and on other property or assets which do not constitute ABL Priority Collateral (“Other Property”) pursuant to this clause (r), the Loan Parties shall grant a junior Lien on such Other Property to the Agent, which Lien shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement on terms substantially similar to those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to Term Priority Collateral and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;
(s) Liens securing obligations in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate;
(t) Liens in favor of issuers of credit cards arising in the ordinary course of business securing the obligation to pay customary fees and expenses in connection with credit card arrangements;
(u) Liens on premium rebates securing financing arrangements with respect to insurance premiums;
(v) Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Permitted Cash Equivalents;
(w) Liens on cash or Permitted Cash Equivalents posted as margin to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (e) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;
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(x) Liens solely on any xxxx xxxxxxx money deposits made by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted hereunder
(y) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to capital stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;
(z) Liens on assets of a Subsidiary other than a Loan Party securing Permitted Indebtedness of such Subsidiary; and
(aa) leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to intellectual property and software) granted to others in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
“Permitted Holder” means ESL Investments, Inc. and any of its Affiliates other than any of their portfolio companies.
“Permitted Indebtedness” means each of the following:
(a) Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date listed in the Perfection Certificate and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;
(b) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any other Loan Party;
(c) purchase money Indebtedness of the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to finance the acquisition of any real or personal property (other than ABL Priority Collateral), including Capital Lease Obligations, and any finance or capital leases of vehicles, plant, equipment or computers, and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and Permitted Refinancings thereof, provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (c) shall not exceed the greater of $75,000,000 or 6.25% of the Domestic Borrower’s consolidated total assets at any time outstanding and further provided that, if reasonably requested by the Agent with respect to property that is material to the realization on the ABL Priority Collateral, the Loan Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the holders of such Indebtedness to enter into a use and access agreement on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;
(d) contingent liabilities under surety bonds or similar instruments incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(e) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or foreign exchange rates, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view”;
(f) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price, deferred purchase price or similar obligations with respect to any Acquisition permitted under Section 7.02 or Disposition permitted by Section 7.05;
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(g) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party in a Permitted Acquisition, which Indebtedness is existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than Indebtedness incurred solely in contemplation of such Person’s becoming a Subsidiary of a Loan Party) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;
(h) the Obligations;
(i) Subordinated Debt of any Loan Party and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;
(j) Indebtedness of a Borrower or a Guarantor in respect of the Term Facility; provided that the principal amount of the Indebtedness outstanding at any time pursuant to this clause (j) shall not exceed $515,000,000 plus the Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount (as defined in the Term Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof), and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing, which Indebtedness, in each case, shall, to the extent secured by any Collateral, be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement;
(k) other Indebtedness not otherwise permitted hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(l) (i) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower that is not a Loan Party to any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, provided such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, and (iii) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party arising from a Permitted Investment by such Loan Party in such Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
(m) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations (including, in each case, letters of credit issued to provide such bonds, guaranties and similar obligations), in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Indebtedness arising from overdraft facilities and/or the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services (including, but not limited to, intraday, ACH and purchasing card/T&E services) in the ordinary course of business; provided, that (x) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within ten Business Days of notification to the applicable Loan Party of its incurrence and (y) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within 60 days from its incurrence;
(o) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(p) To the extent constituting Indebtedness, obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of private label trade letters of credit not constituting Obligations;
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(q) [Reserved];
(r) Indebtedness arising from a Guarantee of any Indebtedness otherwise constituting Permitted Indebtedness to the extent the Person providing such Guarantee is not prohibited from directly incurring such Permitted Indebtedness;
(s) (i) other Indebtedness; provided that (A) if such Indebtedness is unsecured, after giving effect to such Indebtedness, the Total Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) as of the end of the most recent Measurement Period is not greater than 4.75:1.00 and (B) if such Indebtedness is secured by any Lien, after giving effect to such secured Indebtedness, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) as of the last day of the most recently ended Measurement Period would not be greater than 3.75 to 1.00; provided further that, any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (s) (1) shall not mature prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date and (2) shall not have mandatory prepayment, redemption or offer to purchase events more onerous on the Borrowers than those applicable to the initial loans under the Term Facility; provided further the maximum aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred pursuant to this clause (s) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed $25,000,000 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof; and
(t) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries other than Loan Parties not to exceed $25,000,000.
“Permitted Investments” means each of the following:
(a) Permitted Cash Equivalents;
(b) Investments existing on the Closing Date and listed in the Perfection Certificate, but not any increase in the amount thereof or any other modification of the terms thereof, unless committed as of the Closing Date and listed in the Perfection Certificate;
(c) (i) Investments by any Loan Party and its Restricted Subsidiaries in their respective Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Closing Date, (ii) additional Investments by any Loan Party and the Restricted Subsidiaries in Loan Parties, (iii) additional Investments by Restricted Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties that are not Loan Parties in other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and (iv) additional Investments by the Loan Parties in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount invested after the Closing Date not to exceed $25,000,000;
(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;
(e) Guarantees constituting Permitted Indebtedness and Guarantees of operating leases or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(f) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Investment, Investments by any Loan Party in Swap Contracts permitted hereunder;
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(g) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(h) advances to officers, directors and employees of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to any individual at any time outstanding or in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for ordinary business purposes;
(i) Investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions and Investments held by the Person acquired in such Acquisition at the time of such Acquisition (and not acquired in contemplation of the Acquisition);
(j) Investments arising out of the receipt of non-cash consideration for the sale of assets otherwise permitted under this Agreement;
(k) Investments in Swap Contracts not entered into for speculative purposes;
(l) advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the applicable Loan Party;
(m) Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of Intellectual Property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons, provided that no such Investment shall impair in any manner the limited license granted to the Agent in such Intellectual Property pursuant to the Loan Documents;
(n) Investments in joint ventures that solely own real properties (and ancillary assets) upon which Stores are located existing as of the Closing Date and entered into hereafter in the ordinary course of business;
(o) as long as no Event of Default exists or would arise therefrom, other Investments not otherwise specifically described herein not to exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding irrespective of whether the Payment Conditions have been satisfied;
(p) other Investments not otherwise specifically described herein so long as the Payment Conditions have been satisfied;
(q) Investments in exchange for Qualified Equity Interests;
(r) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting cash or Permitted Cash Equivalents and received in connection with a Disposition made pursuant to Section 7.05; and
(s) any Investment in any Subsidiary or joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business.
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“Permitted Overadvance” means an Overadvance made by the Agent, in its discretion, which:
(a) (i) Is made to maintain, protect or preserve the Collateral and/or the Credit Parties’ rights under the Loan Documents or which is otherwise for the benefit of the Credit Parties; or
(ii) Is made to enhance the likelihood of, or to maximize the amount of, repayment of any Obligation; or
(iii) Is made to pay any other amount chargeable to any Loan Party hereunder; and
(b) Together with all other Permitted Overadvances then outstanding, shall not (i) exceed five percent (5%) of the Combined Borrowing Base at any time or (ii) unless a Liquidation is occurring, remain outstanding for more than forty-five (45) consecutive Business Days, unless in each case, the Required Lenders otherwise agree;
provided however, that the foregoing shall not (i) modify or abrogate any of the provisions of Section 2.03 regarding the Lenders’ obligations with respect to Letters of Credit or Section 2.04 regarding the Lenders’ obligations with respect to Swing Line Loans, or (ii) result in any claim or liability against the Agent (regardless of the amount of any Overadvance) for Unintentional Overadvances, and such Unintentional Overadvances shall not reduce the amount of Permitted Overadvances allowed hereunder, and further provided that in no event shall the Agent make an Overadvance, if after giving effect thereto, the principal amount of the Credit Extensions (including any such Overadvance) would exceed the Aggregate Commitments (as in effect prior to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Sections 2.06 or 8.02 hereof).
“Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting a Permitted Refinancing); provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premiums thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses), (b) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Permitted Refinancing is greater than or equal to the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced (c) such Permitted Refinancing shall not have a final maturity earlier than the final maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (d) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Agreement Obligations, such Permitted Refinancing shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Loan Agreement Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Agent and the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (e) no Permitted Refinancing shall have direct or indirect obligors that are not Loan Parties who were not also obligors of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, or greater guarantees or security, than the Indebtedness being Refinanced.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan but excluding a Multiemployer Plan) maintained for employees of the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Domestic Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
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“Pounds Sterling” and “£” mean the lawful currency of England and Wales.
“Pro Forma Adjustment” means, as to any Measurement Period, with respect to an Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary acquired or converted during or following such Measurement Period, an adjustment to the Consolidated EBITDA of the Domestic Borrower for such Measurement Period equal to the sum of, (a) (i) the applicable Acquired EBITDA and (ii) additional amounts that are factually supportable and expected to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, as interpreted by the SEC and (b) additional pro forma adjustments, determined by the Domestic Borrower in good faith, arising out of cost savings initiatives attributable to such transaction and/or the combination of the operations of such Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary with the operations of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed 10.0% of Consolidated EBITDA (prior to giving effect to such non-S-X adjustments) in the aggregate for the relevant Measurement Period; provided, that (i) such cost savings have been realized or (ii) such initiatives will be implemented following such transaction and are supportable and quantifiable and expected to be realized within the succeeding twelve (12) months. Cost savings pursuant to the foregoing clause (b) may include, without limitation, (w) reduction in personnel expenses, (x) reduction of costs related to administrative functions, (y) reductions of costs related to leased or owned properties and (z) reductions from the consolidation of operations and streamlining of corporate overhead and shall, in any event, take into account the historical financial statements of the Acquired Entity or Business or Converted Restricted Subsidiary and the consolidated financial statements of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Pro Forma Availability Condition” shall mean, as of any date of calculation, Pro Forma Excess Availability will be equal to or greater than the greater of (a) 15% of the Loan Cap and (b) $22,500,000.
“Pro Forma Basis” and “Pro Forma Effect” mean, with respect to compliance of any Specified Transaction with any test hereunder for an applicable period of measurement, that in calculating such test (A) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (B) such Specified Transaction, all other Specified Transactions occurring prior to such Specified Transaction, and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement (or as of the last date in the case of a balance sheet item): (a) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (i) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (ii) in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or Investment, shall be included, (b) any retirement of Indebtedness, and (c) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination
“Pro Forma Excess Availability” shall mean, as of any date of calculation, after giving pro forma effect to the transaction then to be consummated or payment to be made, Availability as of the date of such transaction or payment and projected average monthly Availability for each month during the subsequent projected twelve (12) fiscal months; provided that for purposes of calculating Pro Forma Excess Availability hereunder, the amount attributable to UK Availability shall not exceed twenty-five (25%) percent of Pro Forma Excess Availability as of the time of such calculation.
“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
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“Qualified Equity Interests” means Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower other than Disqualified Stock.
“Qualifying Lender” means
(a) a Lender (other than a Lender within clause (b) below) which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance and is:
(i) a Lender:
(A) that is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) making an advance under a Loan Document; or
(B) in respect of an advance by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) at the time that such advance was made,
and, in each case, which is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax with respect to any payments of interest made in respect of that advance; or
(ii) a Lender which is:
(A) a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes;
(B) a partnership, each member of which is:
(i) a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or
(ii) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or
(C) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company; or
(iii) a Treaty Lender; or
(b) a building society (as defined for the purposes of section 880 of the ITA) making an advance.
“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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“Real Estate” means all Leases and all land, together with the buildings, structures, parking areas, and other improvements thereon, now or hereafter owned by any Loan Party, including all easements, rights-of-way, and similar rights relating thereto and all leases, tenancies, and occupancies thereof.
“Receivables Reserves” means such Reserves as may be established from time to time by the Agent in the Agent’s Permitted Discretion with respect to the determination of the collectability in the ordinary course of Eligible Trade Receivables, including, without limitation, on account of dilution.
“Recipient” means the Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.
“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).
“Registered Public Accounting Firm” has the meaning specified by the Securities Laws and shall be independent of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as prescribed by the Securities Laws.
“Related Intellectual Property” means such rights with respect to the Intellectual Property of the Loan Parties as are reasonably necessary to permit the Agent to enforce its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
“Reports” has the meaning provided in Section 9.13(c).
“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, Conversion or continuation of Committed Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.
“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding at least 51% of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated, Lenders holding in the aggregate at least 51% of the Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition); provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
“Reserves” means all Inventory Reserves and Availability Reserves. The Agent shall have the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date in its Permitted Discretion to establish, modify or eliminate Reserves.
“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, controller or assistant treasurer of a Loan Party or any of the other individuals designated in writing to the Agent by an existing Responsible Officer of a Loan Party as an authorized signatory of any certificate or other document to be delivered hereunder. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
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“Restricted Payment” means (i) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property and the amount of any Restricted Payment made other than in cash being deemed to be the fair market value, as reasonably determined by the Borrower, of the property subject to such Restricted Payment as of the time of such Restricted Payment) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to such Person’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof). Without limiting the foregoing, “Restricted Payments” with respect to any Person shall also include all payments made by such Person with any proceeds of a dissolution or liquidation of such Person.
“Restricted Payment Conditions” means, with respect to any Restricted Payment, either (a) (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of the making of such Restricted Payment, (ii) the Borrowers have demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that monthly Availability, immediately following the making of such Restricted Payment and as projected on a Pro Forma Basis for the twelve (12) months following and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, will be at least equal to the greater of (x) 17.5% of the Loan Cap, and (y) $26,250,000, and (iii) after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as calculated on a trailing twelve months basis, is equal to or greater than 1.1:1.0, or (b) (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of the making of such Restricted Payment, and (ii) the Borrowers have demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that monthly Availability, immediately following the making of such Restricted Payment and as projected on a Pro Forma Basis for the twelve (12) months following and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, will be at least equal to the greater of (x) 25% of the Loan Cap, and (y) $37,500,000. Prior to making any Restricted Payment which is subject to the Restricted Payment Conditions, the Domestic Borrower shall deliver to the Agent evidence of satisfaction of the conditions contained in the foregoing clauses (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) or (b)(ii), as applicable, on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.
“Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx” means the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.
“Sears Tri-Party Agreement” means the Tri-Party Agreement dated the Closing Date among the Agent, the Loan Parties and SHC and certain of its Subsidiaries, as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx, and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the SEC or the PCAOB.
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“Security Documents” means the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the UK Security Documents, the Blocked Account Agreements, the Credit Card Notifications, the Mortgages, and each other security agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document granting a Lien to secure any of the Obligations.
“Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Measurement Period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt (other than any portion of Consolidated Total Debt that is unsecured) as of the last day of such Measurement Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Domestic Borrower for such Measurement Period.
“Separation” means the spin-off by SHC on the Closing Date of 100% of the Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower in accordance with Domestic Borrower’s Form 10 filed with the SEC on December 6, 2013, as amended or replaced from time to time, as a result of which the Domestic Borrower will become a publicly traded company independent from SHC and its Subsidiaries.
“Separation Agreements” means each of (a) the Separation and Distribution Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between SHC and the Domestic Borrower, (b) the Retail Operations Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between the Domestic Borrower and Sears, Xxxxxxx and Co., (c) the Master Lease Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between Sears, Xxxxxxx and Co. and the Domestic Borrower, (d) the Buying Agency Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between the Domestic Borrower and Sears Holdings Global Sourcing, Ltd., (e) the Transition Services Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between Sears Holdings Management Corporation and the Domestic Borrower, (f) the Financial Services Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between the Domestic Borrower and Sears Holdings Management Corporation, (g) the Tax Sharing Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between, among others, SHC and the Domestic Borrower, (h) the Co-Location Services Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between Sears Holdings Management Corporation and the Domestic Borrower, (i) the Shop Your Way Retail Establishment Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between Sears Holdings Management Corporation and the Domestic Borrower, (j) the Master Sublease Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between Sears, Xxxxxxx and Co. and the Domestic Borrower, and (k) the Gift Card Services Agreement dated April 4, 2014 between SHC Promotions LLC and the Domestic Borrower.
“Settlement Date” has the meaning provided in Section 2.14(a).
“Shareholders’ Equity” means, as of any date of determination, consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of that date determined in accordance with GAAP.
“SHC” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.
“SHC Credit Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2011 among Sears Xxxxxxx Acceptance Corp. and Kmart Corporation, as Borrowers, SHC, Bank of America, as agent, and a syndicate of lenders.
“Shrink” means Inventory which has been lost, misplaced, stolen, or is otherwise unaccounted for.
“Solvent” and “Solvency” means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis on a particular date, that on such date (a) at fair valuation, all of the properties and assets of such Person are greater than the sum of the debts, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the properties and assets of such Person is not less than the amount that would be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become
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absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its properties and 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 beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or transaction, for which such Person’s properties and assets would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practices in the industry in which such Person is engaged. The amount of all guarantees at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
“Specified Loan Party” means any Loan Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 10.28).
“Specified Transaction” means any Investment, Disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, Restricted Payment, Subsidiary designation or other transaction by the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that by the terms of this Agreement requires satisfaction of a financial test calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis” or after giving “Pro Forma Effect” thereto; provided that any such Specified Transaction (other than a Restricted Payment) having an aggregate value of less than $1,000,000 shall not be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis” or after giving “Pro Forma Effect.”
“Spot Rate” for a currency means the exchange rate, as determined by the Agent, that is applicable to conversion of one currency into another currency, which is (a) the exchange rate reported by Bloomberg (or other commercially available source designated by the Agent) as of the end of the preceding business day in the financial market for the first currency; or (b) if such report is unavailable for any reason, the spot rate for the purchase of the first currency with the second currency as in effect during the preceding business day in Agent’s principal foreign exchange trading office for the first currency.
“Standby Letter of Credit” means any Letter of Credit that is not a Commercial Letter of Credit and that (a) is used in lieu or in support of performance guaranties or performance, surety or similar bonds (excluding appeal bonds) arising in the ordinary course of business, (b) is used in lieu or in support of stay or appeal bonds, (c) supports the payment of insurance premiums for reasonably necessary casualty insurance carried by any of the Loan Parties, or (d) supports payment or performance for identified purchases or exchanges of products or services in the ordinary course of business.
“Stated Amount” means at any time the maximum amount for which a Letter of Credit may be honored.
“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the FRB to which the Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. LIBOR Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
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“Store” means any retail store (which may include any real property, fixtures, equipment, inventory and other property related thereto) operated, or to be operated, by any Loan Party.
“Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness incurred by a Loan Party that is subordinated in a customary manner in right of payment to the prior payment of all Obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Domestic Borrower.
“Substantial Liquidation” means either (a) the Liquidation of substantially all of the Collateral, or (b) the sale or other disposition of substantially all of the Collateral by the Loan Parties.
“Swap Contract” means (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.
“Swap Obligations” means with respect to any Loan Party any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the xxxx-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.
“Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
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“Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
“Swing Line Sublimit” means the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit or the UK Swing Line Sublimit, as applicable.
“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the obligations of a Person under any lease that is treated as an operating lease for financial accounting purposes and a financing lease for tax purposes.
“Tax Confirmation” means a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance is either:
(a) a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; or
(b) a partnership each member of which is:
(i) a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or
(ii) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or
(c) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.
“Tax Credit” means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of, any Taxes.
“Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under any Loan Document for and on account of any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein with respect to such payments and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Tax Payment” means, in relation to any UK Borrower, either the increase in a payment made by that UK Borrower to a Lender under Section 1.04(b) or a payment under Section 1.04(c).
“Term Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.
“Term Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Term Facility”.
“Term Facility” means the term loan facility pursuant to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Term Credit Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Domestic Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, the lenders party thereto and the other agents party thereto.
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“Term Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.
“Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (i) the applicable Maturity Date, (ii) the date on which the maturity of the Loan Agreement Obligations is accelerated (or deemed accelerated) and the Commitments are irrevocably terminated (or deemed terminated) in accordance with Article VIII, or (iii) the termination of the Commitments in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.06 hereof.
“Total Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Measurement Period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of the last day of such Measurement Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Domestic Borrower for such Measurement Period.
“Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.
“Trading with the Enemy Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.18.
“Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the entry into this Agreement and the Borrowings and issuances of Letters of Credit, as applicable, hereunder on the Closing Date, (b) the Closing Date Dividend, (c) the effectiveness of the Term Facility, (d) the Separation and (e) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.
“Treaty Lender” means a Lender which:
(a) is treated as a resident of a Treaty State for the purposes of the relevant Treaty; and
(b) does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in any advance is effectively connected.
“Treaty State” means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a “Treaty”) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest.
“Type” means, (i) when used with respect to a Committed Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan, a UK base Rate Loan, a Euribor Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan, and (ii) when used with respect to commitments, refers to whether such commitment is a Commitment with a Maturity Date of April 4, 2019 or an Extended Commitment of a given Extension Series.
“UCC” or “Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the state of New York; provided, however, that if a term is defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code differently than in another Article thereof, the term shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9; provided further that, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, perfection, or the effect of perfection or non-perfection, of a security interest in any Collateral or the availability of any remedy hereunder is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, “Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or availability of such remedy, as the case may be.
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“UCP 600” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
“UK Availability” means, as of any date of determination thereof, the result, if a positive number, equal to the lesser of (a)(i) the UK Loan Cap minus (ii) the UK Total Outstandings on such date, or (b)(i) the Loan Cap minus (ii) the Total Outstandings on such date.
“UK Base Rate” means, (i) with respect to Loans denominated in Pounds Sterling, the rate equal to the highest of (A) the interest per annum as set and published by the Bank of England known as the BOE Official Bank Rate (or any successor rate), and (B) the 3 month LIBOR Rate, (ii) with respect to Loans denominated in Euros, the rate equal to the highest of (A) the rate as set and published by the European Central Bank known as the ECB Main Refinancing Rate (or any successor rate), and (B) the 3 month LIBOR Rate, and (iii) with respect to Loans denominated in Dollars, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (A) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (B) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (C) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in Dollars, with a maturity of one month plus 1.00%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
“UK Base Rate Loan” means a Loan or portion thereof made to the UK Borrower denominated in Optional Currency and bearing interest at a rate based on the UK Base Rate.
“UK Blocked Account” means, at any time, the bank accounts of the UK Borrower subject to a floating charge in favor of the Agent.
“UK Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“UK Borrowing” means a UK Committed Borrowing or a UK Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.
“UK Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to:
(a) the Cost of Eligible Inventory of the UK Loan Parties, net of Inventory Reserves, multiplied by the Inventory Advance Rate multiplied by the Appraised Value of Eligible Inventory of the UK Loan Parties;
minus
(b) the then amount of all Availability Reserves in respect of the UK Loan Parties.
“UK Collection Account” has the meaning provided in Section 6.12.
“UK Committed Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous UK Committed Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the UK Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
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“UK Committed Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).
“UK Commitments” means, as to each UK Lender, its obligation to (a) make UK Committed Loans to the UK Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in UK L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in UK Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such UK Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such UK Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. As of the Closing Date, the UK Commitments are $30,000,000.
“UK Credit Party” or “UK Credit Parties” means (a) individually, (i) each UK Lender, (ii) the Agent, (iii) each L/C Issuer, (iv) the Arranger, (v) any other Person to whom UK Obligations are owing, and (vi) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing, and (b) collectively, all of the foregoing, in each case, to the extent relating to the services provided to, and obligations owing by or guaranteed by, the UK Loan Parties.
“UK L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any UK Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on or prior to the date required to be reimbursed by the UK Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) or refinanced as a UK Committed Borrowing.
“UK L/C Obligations” means, at any date of determination and without duplication, the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding UK Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts under UK Letters of Credit, including all UK L/C Borrowings.
“UK Lenders” means the Lenders having UK Commitments from time to time or at any time.
“UK Letter of Credit” means each Letter of Credit issued hereunder for the account of the UK Borrower.
“UK Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to $15,000,000. The UK Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the UK Total Commitments. A permanent reduction of the UK Commitments shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided, however, that if the UK Total Commitments are reduced to an amount less than the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit, then the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit shall be reduced to an amount equal to (or, at the UK Borrower’s option, less than) the UK Commitments.
“UK Liabilities” means (a) all advances to, and debts (including principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses), liabilities, obligations, covenants, indemnities, and duties of, any UK Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any UK Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, fees, costs, expenses and indemnities that accrue after the commencement by or against any UK Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, and (b) any Other UK Liabilities.
“UK Loan” means an extension of credit by a UK Lender to the UK Borrower under Article II in the form of a UK Committed Loan or a UK Swing Line Loan.
“UK Loan Cap” means, at any time of determination, the lesser of (a) the UK Total Commitments and (b) the UK Borrowing Base.
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“UK Loan Parties” means, collectively, the UK Borrower and each UK Subsidiary that is a Guarantor of the UK Liabilities. “UK Loan Party” means any one of such Persons.
“UK Non-Bank Lender” means:
(i) | a Lender (which falls within clause (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender) which is a party to this Agreement and which has provided a Tax Confirmation to the Agent; and |
(ii) | where a Lender becomes a party after the Closing Date, an Assignee which gives a Tax Confirmation in the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement which it executes on becoming a party. |
“UK Note” means a promissory note made by the UK Borrower in favor of a UK Lender evidencing UK Loans made by such UK Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2.
“UK Security Documents” means:
(i) | the debenture governed by English law between the UK Loan Parties and the Agent dated on or about the date of this Agreement; |
(ii) | the mortgage over shares governed by English law between the Domestic Borrower and the Agent dated on or about the date of this Agreement; and |
(iii) | each other debenture or security agreement governed by English law over assets in the UK jurisdiction entered into pursuant to the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents. |
“UK Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is incorporated in England and Wales.
“UK Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a UK Swing Line Loan by the UK Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04.
“UK Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
“UK Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) the UK Total Commitments. The UK Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the UK Total Commitments. A permanent reduction of the UK Total Commitments shall not require a corresponding pro rata reduction in the UK Swing Line Sublimit; provided, however, that if the UK Total Commitments are reduced to an amount less than the UK Swing Line Sublimit, then the UK Swing Line Sublimit shall be reduced to an amount equal to (or, at UK Borrower’s option, less than) the UK Total Commitments.
“UK Total Commitments” means the aggregate of the UK Commitments of all UK Lenders. On the Closing Date, the UK Total Commitments are $30,000,000.
“UK Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all UK Loans and all UK L/C Obligations.
“Unintentional Overadvance” means an Overadvance which, to the Agent’s knowledge, did not constitute an Overadvance when made but which has become an Overadvance resulting from changed circumstances beyond the control of the Agent and the Lenders, including, without limitation, a reduction in the Appraised Value of property or assets included in the Combined Borrowing Base or misrepresentation by the Loan Parties.
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“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower designated by the board of directors of the Domestic Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.15 subsequent to the date hereof, in each case, until such Person ceases to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary of Domestic Borrower in accordance with Section 6.15 or ceases to be a Subsidiary of Domestic Borrower.
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(III).
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
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(b) 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.”
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms
(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Domestic Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Agent, the Lenders and the Domestic Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Domestic Borrower shall provide to the Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
(c) Pro Forma Basis. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of determining compliance with any test contained in this Agreement with respect to any period during which (or after which, but on or prior to the date of determination) any Specified Transaction occurs, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and Total Leverage Ratio shall be calculated with respect to such period and such Specified Transaction on a Pro Forma Basis; provided, that for purposes of Section 7.14 Pro Forma Effect shall not be given to any event occurring after the end of the applicable Measurement Period.
1.04 United Kingdom Tax Matters.
(a) The provisions of this Section 1.04 shall apply only in respect of any UK Borrower (a “Relevant Borrower”) and only in respect of UK Liabilities.
(b) Tax gross-up.
(i) Each Relevant Borrower shall make all payments to be made by it under any Loan Document without any Tax Deduction unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.
(ii) A Relevant Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall promptly notify Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Relevant Borrower.
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(iii) If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by a Relevant Borrower, the amount of the payment due from that Relevant Borrower shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.
(iv) A payment shall not be increased under clause (iii) above by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Taxes imposed by the United Kingdom if, on the date on which the payment falls due:
(A) the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Qualifying Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or Treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority; or
(B) the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of clause (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender, and:
(1) an officer of H.M. Revenue & Customs has given (and not revoked) a direction (a “Direction”) under section 931 of the ITA which relates to the payment and that Lender has received from the Relevant Borrower making the payment a certified copy of that Direction; and
(2) the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if that Direction had not been made; or
(C) the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of clause (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and:
(1) the relevant Lender has not given a Tax Confirmation to the Relevant Borrower; and
(2) the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if the Lender had given a Tax Confirmation to the Relevant Borrower, on the basis that the Tax Confirmation would have enabled the Relevant Borrower to have formed a reasonable belief that the payment was an “excepted payment” for the purpose of section 930 of the ITA; or
(D) the relevant Lender is a Treaty Lender and the Relevant Borrower making the payment is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without the Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under clause (vii) below.
(v) If a Relevant Borrower is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Relevant Borrower shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.
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(vi) Within thirty days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Relevant Borrower making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to Agent for the benefit of the Lender entitled to the payment a statement under section 975 of the ITA or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Lender that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.
(vii) A Treaty Lender and each Relevant Borrower which makes a payment to which that Treaty Lender is entitled shall co-operate in completing any procedural formalities necessary for that Relevant Borrower to obtain authorization to make that payment without a Tax Deduction.
(viii) Nothing in clause (b)(vii) above shall require a Treaty Lender to:
(A) register under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme;
(B) apply the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to any advance if it has so registered; or
(C) file Treaty forms if it has included an indication to the effect that it wishes the HMRC DT Treaty Passport Scheme to apply to this Agreement in accordance with clause (b)(xi) or clause (f)(i) (HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme confirmation) and the Relevant Borrower making that payment has not complied with its obligations under clause (b)(xii) or clause (f)(ii) (HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme confirmation).
(ix) A UK Non-Bank Lender which becomes a party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into gives a Tax Confirmation to the UK Borrower by entering into this Agreement.
(x) A UK Non-Bank Lender shall promptly notify the Relevant Borrower and Agent if there is any change in the position from that set out in the Tax Confirmation.
(xi) A Treaty Lender which becomes a party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall include an indication to that effect (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Relevant Borrower) by notifying the UK Borrower of its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence.
(xii) Where a Lender notifies the UK Borrower as described in clause (b)(xi) above each Relevant Borrower shall file a duly completed form DTTP2 in respect of such Lender with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of the date of this Agreement and shall promptly provide the Lender with a copy of that filing.
(xiii) If a Lender has not included an indication to the effect that it wishes the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme to apply to this Agreement in accordance with clause (b)(xi) above or clause (f)(i) (HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme confirmation), no Relevant Borrower shall file any form relating to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme in respect of that Lender’s advance or its participation in any advance.
(c) Tax indemnity.
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(i) The UK Borrower shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Lender an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Lender reasonably determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Taxes by that Lender in respect of amounts payable under a Loan Document.
(ii) Clause (c)(i) above shall not apply:
(A) with respect to any Taxes assessed on a Lender;
(1) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which such Lender is treated as resident for tax purposes; or
(2) with respect to Other Connection Taxes under the law of the jurisdiction in which such Lender’s Lending Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in such jurisdiction,
if such Taxes are imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income, profits or gains received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by such Lender or if such Taxes consist of bank levy under Section 73 and Schedule 19 Finance Xxx 0000 as amended or varied from time to time or if such Taxes are imposed under FATCA; or
(B) to the extent a loss, liability or cost:
(1) is compensated for by an increased payment under Section 1.04(b)(iii) (Tax gross-up); or
(2) would have been compensated for by an increased payment under Section1.04(b)(iii) (Tax gross-up) but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in Section 1.04(b)(iv) (Tax gross-up) applied; or
(3) is compensated for by a payment under any other provisions of any Loan Document (including, without limitation, Sections 1.04(g) and (h) hereof.
(C) in respect of any interest payable by a Lender which is attributable to any delay in payment of an amount to any tax authority after payment of that amount by the Relevant Borrower to the Lender (provided such Relevant Borrower has also specified to which taxation authority payment should be made) or in respect of any penalties which are due to a default of a Lender.
(iii) A Lender making, or intending to make a claim under Section 1.04(c)(i) above shall promptly notify Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which Agent shall notify the UK Borrower. The UK Borrower shall be provided (at the UK Borrower’s expense) with such information as it reasonably requests in respect of the claim in question and shall be entitled to make representations to the Lender as to action to be taken to dispute the existence or quantum of such loss, liability or cost, which representations the Lender shall consider but shall be under no duty to act upon.
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(iv) A Lender shall, on receiving a payment from the UK Borrower under this clause (c), notify Agent.
(d) Tax Credit. If a Relevant Borrower makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Lender determines that:
(i) a Tax Credit is attributable either to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, or to that Tax Payment; and
(ii) such Lender has obtained, utilized and retained that Tax Credit,
such Lender shall pay an amount to the Relevant Borrower which such Lender reasonably determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the Relevant Borrower.
(e) Lender Status Confirmation. Each Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement after the date of this Agreement (“New Lender”) shall indicate, in the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement which it executes on becoming a party, and for the benefit of Agent and without liability to any Relevant Borrower, which of the following categories it falls within:
(i) not a Qualifying Lender;
(ii) a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or
(iii) a Treaty Lender.
If a New Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this Section 1.04(e), then such New Lender or Lenders (as appropriate) shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by each Relevant Borrower) as if it is not a Qualifying Lender until such time as it notifies Agent which category of Qualifying Lender applies (and Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the Relevant Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, an Assignment and Acceptance shall not be invalidated by any failure of a New Lender to comply with this Section 1.04(e). Lenders which are a party to this Agreement on the date hereof will cooperate with the Relevant Borrower in providing such information as the Relevant Borrower reasonably requests to establish whether the Lender is a Qualifying Lender and, if so, which category of Qualifying Lender is applicable.
(f) HMRC DT Treaty Passport Scheme Confirmation.
(i) A New Lender that is a Treaty Lender that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall include an indication to that effect (for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Relevant Borrower) in the Assignment and Acceptance which it executes by including its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in that Assignment and Acceptance.
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(ii) Where a Assignment and Acceptance includes the indication described in clause (f)(i) above in the relevant Assignment and Acceptance each Relevant Borrower which is a Party as a Borrower as at the date that the relevant Assignment and Acceptance Agreement is executed (the “Transfer Date”) shall file a duly completed form DTTP2 in respect of such Lender with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of that Transfer Date and shall promptly provide the Lender with a copy of that filing.
(g) Stamp Taxes. The Relevant Borrower shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Lender against any cost, loss or liability that Lender incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in the United Kingdom in respect of any Loan Document to which the Relevant Borrower is a party, provided that this Section 1.04(g) shall not apply to any such Taxes payable in respect of any transfer, assignment, novation or other dealing with all or any part of the Loan made to the Relevant Borrower.
(h) Value Added Tax.
(i) All amounts set out or expressed in a Loan Document to be payable by any party to any Lender which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for a supply or supplies for VAT purposes shall be deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on such supply or supplies, and accordingly, subject to clause (ii) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Lender to any party under a Loan Document, that party shall pay to the Lender (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of such VAT (and such Lender shall promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to such party).
(ii) If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Lender (the “Supplier”) to any other Lender (the “VAT Recipient”) under a Loan Document, and any party other than the VAT Recipient (the “Subject Party”) is required by the terms of any Loan Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for such supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse the VAT Recipient in respect of that consideration), such Party shall also pay to the Supplier (in addition to and at the same time as paying such amount) an amount equal to the amount of such VAT. The VAT Recipient will promptly pay to the Subject Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment obtained by the VAT Recipient from the relevant tax authority which the VAT Recipient reasonably determines is in respect of such VAT.
(iii) Where a Loan Document requires any party to reimburse or indemnify a Lender for any cost or expense, that party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Lender for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Lender reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.
(iv) Any reference in this Section 1.04(h) to any party shall, at any time when such party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term “representative member” to have the same meaning as in the United Kingdom Value Added Tax Act 1994).
(v) Except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 1.04(h), a reference to “determines” or “determined” in connection with tax provisions contained in Section 1.04(h) means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination acting in good faith.
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1.05 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Loan Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to two places more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding up if there is no nearest number).
1.06 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.07 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 be the Dollar Equivalent of the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Documents related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the Stated Amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the maximum Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum Stated Amount is in effect at such time. Any Letter of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof in a currency other than Dollars shall be issued in an amount equivalent to Dollars in such currency, such equivalent amount thereof in the applicable currency to be determined by the Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (as defined below) for the purchase of such currency with Dollars. For purposes of this Section 1.06, the “Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the 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 of such determination; provided that the Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the 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.
1.08 Currency Equivalents Generally
(a) For purposes of determining compliance with Sections 7.02 and 7.03 with respect to any amount of Indebtedness or Investment in a currency other than Dollars, no Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of currency exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred (so long as such Indebtedness or Investment, at the time incurred, made or acquired, was permitted hereunder); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the below provisions of Section 1.09 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Investment or Indebtedness may be incurred or made at any time under such Sections.
(b) For purposes of calculating any financial ratio hereunder, amounts denominated in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars at the currency exchange rates used in preparing the Borrowers’ financial statements corresponding to the test period with respect to the applicable date of determination and will, in the case of Indebtedness, reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Hedge Agreements permitted hereunder for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the Dollar Equivalent of such Indebtedness; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Loans and L/C Obligations denominated in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars at the Spot Rate.
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1.09 Exchange Rates; Currency Translation.
(a) The Agent or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall determine the Spot Rates to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Loans and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Optional Currencies. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of any such date of determination and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next date to so occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder (including baskets related thereto, as applicable) or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, as applicable.
(b) Any amount specified in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the Dollar Equivalent in any Optional Currency. Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, LIBOR Rate Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Optional Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Equivalent Amount of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Optional Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any determination under Article VI, Article VII or Article VIII or any determination under any other provision of this Agreement expressly requiring the use of a currency exchange rate, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the Spot Rate.
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Committed Loans; Reserves
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Domestic Lender severally agrees to make loans in Dollars (each such loan, a “Domestic Committed Loan”) to the Domestic Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the lesser of (x) the amount of such Domestic Lender’s Domestic Commitment, or (y) such Domestic Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Domestic Borrowing Base; subject in each case to the following limitations:
(i) after giving effect to any Domestic Committed Borrowing, the Domestic Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Domestic Loan Cap and the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Loan Cap, and
(ii) after giving effect to any Domestic Committed Borrowing, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Domestic Committed Loans of any Domestic Lender, plus such Domestic Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Domestic L/C Obligations, plus such Domestic Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Domestic Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Domestic Lender’s Domestic Commitment.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each UK Lender severally agrees to make loans in Optional Currency (each such loan, a “UK Committed Loan”) to the UK Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the lesser of (x) the amount of such UK Lender’s UK Commitment, or (y) such UK Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the UK Borrowing Base; subject in each case to the following limitations:
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(i) after giving effect to any UK Committed Borrowing, the Total UK Outstandings shall not exceed the UK Loan Cap and the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Loan Cap, and
(ii) after giving effect to any UK Committed Borrowing, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the UK Committed Loans of any UK Lender, plus such UK Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all UK L/C Obligations, plus such UK Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all UK Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such UK Lender’s UK Commitment.
Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01.
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Committed Loans.
(a) Domestic Committed Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) shall be either Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans as the Domestic Borrower may request subject to and in accordance with this Section 2.02. All Swing Line Loans shall be only Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.02, Committed Borrowings of more than one Type may be incurred at the same time. UK Committed Loans made to the UK Borrower shall be made in Dollars or in the Optional Currencies and shall be either LIBOR Rate Loans, Euribor Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans as the UK Borrower may request subject to and in accordance with this Section 2.02.
(b) Each Committed Borrowing, each Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans shall be made upon the applicable Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Agent, which may be given electronically. Each such notice must be received by the Agent not later than (i) 12:00 p.m. Local Time three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, Euribor Rate Loans or of any Conversion of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable, and (ii) 1:00 p.m. Local Time (or, with respect to UK Loans, 11 a.m. Local Time) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans. Each electronic notice by a Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(b) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Borrower. Each Borrowing by the Domestic Borrower of, or Conversion to or continuation by the Domestic Borrower of, LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, provided that one Borrowing by the Domestic Borrower of, or Conversion to or continuation by the Domestic Borrower of LIBOR Rate Loans may be in a principal amount of less than $5,000,000 but in all events shall be greater than $2,000,000. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing by the Domestic Borrower of, or Conversion by the Domestic Borrower to Base Rate Loans shall be in minimum amounts of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, no such minimum Borrowing, Conversion or continuation amount shall be required in the case of Borrowings, Conversions or continuations by the UK Borrower. Each Committed Loan Notice (whether electronic or written) shall specify (i) the applicable Borrower, (ii) whether the applicable Borrower is requesting a Committed Borrowing, a Conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation
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of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans, (iii) the requested date of the Borrowing, Conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iv) the principal amount of Committed Loans to be borrowed, Converted or continued, (v) the Type of Committed Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Committed Loans are to be Converted, (vi) whether such Committed Loan is to be made in Dollars or Optional Currency, and (vii) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If a Borrower fails to specify a Type of Committed Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the applicable Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a Conversion or continuation, then the applicable Committed Loans shall be made as, or Converted to, Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable. Any such automatic Conversion to Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans. If a Borrower requests a Borrowing of, Conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be Converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan or to a Euribor Rate Loan.
(c) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender in writing of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Committed Loans, and if no timely notice of a Conversion or continuation is provided by the applicable Borrower, the Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic Conversion to Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(b). In the case of a Committed Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Committed Loan available to the Agent in immediately available funds at the Agent’s Office not later than 3:00 p.m. Local Time on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrowers in like funds as received by the Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the applicable Borrower on the books of the Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transferring such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Agent by the applicable Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date the Committed Loan Notice with respect to such Borrowing is given by a Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrowers as provided above.
(d) The Agent, without the request of the Borrowers, may advance any interest, fee, service charge (including direct wire fees), expenses, or other payment to which the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender is entitled from the Loan Parties pursuant hereto or any other Loan Document and may charge the same to the Loan Account notwithstanding that an Overadvance may result thereby. The Agent shall advise the Borrowers of any such advance or charge promptly after the making thereof. Such action on the part of the Agent shall not constitute a waiver of the Agent’s rights and the Borrowers’ obligations under Section 2.05(d). Any amount which is added to the principal balance of the Loan Account as provided in this Section 2.02(d) shall bear interest at the interest rate then and thereafter applicable to Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable (including the Default Rate).
(e) Except as otherwise provided herein, a LIBOR Rate Loan or a Euribor Rate Loan may be continued or Converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate Loan or a Euribor Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, Converted to or continued as LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans (whether in Dollars or any Optional Currency) without the consent of the Required Lenders. During the continuance of an Event of Default, the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the then outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans denominated in an Optional Currency be prepaid, or redenominated into Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof, on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto.
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(f) The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of any change in the Agent’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate or UK Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
(g) After giving effect to all Committed Borrowings, all Conversions of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Committed Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than seven (7) Interest Periods in effect with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans to the Domestic Borrower nor more than five (5) Interest Periods in effect with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans to the UK Borrower.
(h) The Agent, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer shall have no obligation to make any Loan or to provide any Letter of Credit if an Overadvance would result. The Agent may, in its discretion, make Permitted Overadvances without the consent of the Borrowers, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer and the Borrowers and each Lender and L/C Issuer shall be bound thereby; provided that the Required Lenders may suspend the Agent’s authorization to make any or all Permitted Overadvances. Any Permitted Overadvance may constitute a Swing Line Loan. A Permitted Overadvance is for the account of the Borrowers and shall constitute a Base Rate Loan (or a UK Base Rate Loan, as applicable) and a Loan Agreement Obligation and shall be repaid by the Borrowers in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.05(d). The making of any such Permitted Overadvance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Agent or any Lender to make or permit any Permitted Overadvance on any other occasion or to permit such Permitted Overadvances to remain outstanding. The making by the Agent of a Permitted Overadvance shall not modify or abrogate any of the provisions of Section 2.03 regarding the Lenders’ obligations to purchase participations with respect to Letters of Credit or of Section 2.04 regarding the Lenders’ obligations to purchase participations with respect to Swing Line Loans. Except as expressly provided in Section 9.03, the Agent shall have no liability for, and no Loan Party or Credit Party shall have the right to, or shall, bring any claim of any kind whatsoever against the Agent with respect to Unintentional Overadvances regardless of the amount of any such Overadvance.
2.03 Letters of Credit.
(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.
(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars or, with respect to the UK Borrower only, one or more Optional Currencies for the account of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (w), the Domestic Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Domestic Loan Cap, and the UK Total Outstandings shall not exceed the UK Loan Cap, as applicable, (x) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Loan Cap, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment to the applicable Borrower, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the Domestic L/C Obligations or UK L/C Obligations, as applicable, shall not exceed the applicable Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by a
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Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrowers that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers’ ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrowers may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.
(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if:
(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of such requested Standby Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or
(B) the expiry date of such requested Commercial Letter of Credit would occur more than 180 days after the date of issuance, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or
(C) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless either such Letter of Credit is Cash Collateralized on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date (or such later date as to which the Agent may agree) or all the Lenders have approved such expiry date; or
(D) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good xxxxx xxxxx material to it;
(E) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(F) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars or an Optional Currency;
(G) such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the Stated Amount after any drawing thereunder; or
(H) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrowers or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.
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(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof or if the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.
(iv) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of a Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. Local Time at least two Business Days (or such other date and time as the Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. 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 L/C Issuer: (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; (G) ) the Borrower for whose account the Letter of Credit is being issued, and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer 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 reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (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 L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the applicable Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Agent may reasonably require.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.02(b)(iv) hereof, promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Agent (electronically or in writing) that the Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the applicable Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Agent or any Loan Party, 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 Article IV is not then satisfied or unless the L/C Issuer would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit under the terms hereof
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(by reason of the provisions of Section 2.03(a)(ii) or otherwise), then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Borrower (or the applicable Loan Party) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance or amendment of each Letter of Credit, each Lender having a Commitment to the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to (without any further action), and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer, without recourse or warranty, a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit. Upon any change in the Commitments under this Agreement, it is hereby agreed that with respect to all L/C Obligations, there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations hereby created to reflect the new Applicable Percentages of the assigning and assignee Lenders.
(iii) If a Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Standby 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 L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Standby 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 Standby Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, no Borrower shall be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer 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 L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Standby Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than (i) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, or (ii) to a date later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, if the Borrowers Cash Collateralize such Letter of Credit on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Standby Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.03(a)(ii) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be electronically or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Agent, any Lender or the applicable Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the applicable Borrower and the Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.
(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower and the Agent thereof; provided, however, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the applicable Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the L/C Issuer and the Lenders with respect to any such payment. In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Optional Currency, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer in such Optional Currency, unless (A) the L/C Issuer (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or (B) in the absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the applicable Borrower shall have
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notified the L/C Issuer promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that such Borrower will reimburse the L/C Issuer in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Optional Currency, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrowers of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof.
(ii) Not later than 12:00 p.m. Local Time on (1) the Business Day that the applicable Borrower receives notice of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Applicable Time on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Optional Currency, in each case if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m. on such day or (2) if clause (1) above does not apply, the Business Day immediately following the day that such Borrower receives such notice (each such date, an “Honor Date”), such Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency. If such Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Agent shall promptly notify each Domestic Lender or UK Lender, as applicable, of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (expressed in Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Optional Currency) (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, such Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable, to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Loan Cap, Domestic Loan Cap or UK Loan Cap, as applicable, and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(iii) Each Lender shall upon any notice from the Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) make funds available to the Agent (and the Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer, in Dollars, at the Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. Local Time on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iv), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan or UK Base Rate Loan to the applicable Borrower in such amount. The Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer in Dollars.
(iv) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate for Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(iii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.
(v) Until each Lender funds its Committed Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
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(vi) Each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the applicable Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vii) If any Lender fails to make available to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(iii), without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the 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 L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender its L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the L/C Issuer, or the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, receives any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrowers or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(g)), the L/C Issuer shall distribute any payment it receives to the Agent and the Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s L/C Advance was outstanding) in Dollars and in the same funds as those received by the Agent.
(ii) If any payment received by the L/C Issuer or by Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the 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 Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrowers to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
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(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrowers or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrowers or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrowers;
(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi) any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;
(vii) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;
(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries;
(ix) any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Optional Currency to the UK Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or in the relevant currency markets generally; or
(x) the fact that any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
The applicable Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of non-compliance with such Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, such Borrower will promptly notify the L/C Issuer. Such Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
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(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrowers agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer 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. None of the L/C Issuer, the Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Loan Party or to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; (iii) any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit or any error in interpretation of technical terms; or (iv) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrowers hereby assume 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 the Borrowers’ pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrowers may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrowers, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrowers which the Borrowers prove were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer 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 L/C Issuer 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. The L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.
(g) Cash Collateral. If, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrowers shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations in an amount equal to 103% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the L/C Issuer (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). The Borrowers hereby grant to the Agent a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing to secure all Obligations. Such cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. If at any time the Agent reasonably determines that any funds held as cash collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, the Borrowers will, forthwith upon demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as cash collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as cash collateral that the Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as cash collateral, such funds shall be applied to reimburse the L/C Issuer and, to the extent not so applied, shall thereafter be applied to satisfy other Loan Agreement Obligations and other Obligations to the extent applied pursuant to Section 8.03
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hereof. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all reimbursement obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrowers (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto).
(h) Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the applicable Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each Commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrowers for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrowers shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade—International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
(i) Letter of Credit Fees. Each Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each applicable Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, in Dollars, a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for each Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower equal to the Applicable Rate for the relevant period times the Dollar Equivalent of the daily Stated Amount under each such Letter of Credit (whether or not such maximum amount is then in effect under such Letter of Credit). For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of the Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the 5th day subsequent to the last day of each April, July, October and January, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, and as to each Letter of Credit, on the expiry date of such Letter of Credit, and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate as provided in Section 2.08(b) hereof.
(j) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrowers shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account, in Dollars, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at a rate equal to 0.125% per annum, computed on the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under each such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fees shall be due and payable on the 5th day subsequent to the last day of each April, July, October and January, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit and on the expiry date thereof. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of the Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07. In addition, the Borrowers shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(k) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
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2.04 Swing Line Loans.
(a) The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender may, in its discretion, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrowers from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the applicable Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Committed Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed Loan Cap, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Lender (other than the Swing Line Lender) at such time, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations at such time, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans at such time shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment, and provided, further, that the Borrowers shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and provided further that the Swing Line Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan or UK Base Rate Loan, as applicable. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Domestic Lender or UK Lender, as applicable, shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage multiplied by the amount of such Swing Line Loan. The Swing Line Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Swing Line Lender in connection with Swing Line Loans made by it or proposed to be made by it as if the term “Agent” as used in Article IX included the Swing Line Lender with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the Swing Line Lender.
(b) Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the applicable Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Agent, which may be given electronically. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. Local Time on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which in the case of the Domestic Borrower only shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such electronic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any electronic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Agent (electronically or in writing) that the Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Agent (electronically or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (electronically or in writing) from the Agent or the Required Lenders prior to 2:00 p.m. Local Time on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender may, not later than 4:00 p.m. Local Time on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrowers either by (i) crediting the account of the applicable Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transferring such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to
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(and reasonably acceptable to) the Swing Line Lender by the applicable Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date of the proposed Swing Line Loan, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrowers as provided above.
(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.
(i) In addition to settlements required under Section 2.14 hereof, the Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrowers (which hereby irrevocably authorize the Swing Line Lender to so request on their behalf), that each Domestic Lender make a Base Rate Loan or UK Lender make a UK Base Rate Loan, as applicable, in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Loan Cap and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the applicable Borrower with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Committed Loan Notice available to the Agent in immediately available funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. Local Time on the day specified in such Committed Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan or UK Base Rate Loan to the applicable Borrower in such amount. The Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Committed Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Domestic Lenders or UK Lenders, as applicable, fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(iii) If any Lender fails to make available to the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the 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 Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv) Each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrowers or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default
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or an Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrowers to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender, or the Agent on behalf of the Swing Line Lender, receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute such payment to the Agent and the Agent shall distribute to each such Lender its Applicable Percentage of such payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s risk participation was funded) in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender, or the Agent on behalf of the Swing Line Lender, in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrowers for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Loan, UK Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrowers shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
2.05 Prepayments.
(a) The Borrowers may, upon irrevocable (except as set forth in the remainder of this paragraph) notice from the applicable Borrower to the Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Committed Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Agent not later than (A) 5:00 p.m. Local Time four Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Optional Currencies or Euribor Rate Loans, (B) 5:00 p.m. Local Time three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans and (C) 1:00 p.m. Local Time on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans; and (ii) any prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans by the Domestic Borrower shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. For the avoidance of doubt, no such minimum prepayment amount shall be required in the case of prepayments by the UK Borrower. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of
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such prepayment. If such notice is given by the applicable Borrower, the applicable Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein (except that any such notice may be conditioned on the receipt of proceeds from any refinancing indebtedness or the consummation of a Change of Control that results in a refinancing and payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations). Any prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.16, each such prepayment shall be applied to the Committed Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
(b) The applicable Borrower may, upon irrevocable notice from such Borrower to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. Local Time on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) in the case of the Domestic Borrower only, any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by such Borrower, such Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.
(c) If for any reason the Total Outstandings at any time exceed the Loan Cap as then in effect, the Borrowers shall promptly prepay the Loans and L/C Borrowings and Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Borrowers shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than L/C Borrowings) pursuant to this Section 2.05(d) unless after the prepayment in full of the Loans the Total Outstandings exceed the Loan Cap as then in effect.
(d) If for any reason the Domestic Total Outstandings at any time exceed the Domestic Loan Cap as then in effect, the Domestic Borrower shall promptly prepay the Domestic Loans and Domestic L/C Borrowings and Cash Collateralize the Domestic L/C Obligations (other than Domestic L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Domestic Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the Domestic L/C Obligations (other than Domestic L/C Borrowings) pursuant to this Section 2.05(d) unless after the prepayment in full of the Domestic Loans the Domestic Total Outstandings exceed the Domestic Loan Cap as then in effect.
(e) If for any reason the UK Total Outstandings at any time exceed the UK Loan Cap as then in effect, the UK Borrower shall promptly prepay the UK Loans and UK L/C Borrowings and Cash Collateralize the UK L/C Obligations (other than UK L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the UK Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the UK L/C Obligations (other than UK L/C Borrowings) pursuant to this Section 2.05(d) unless after the prepayment in full of the UK Loans the UK Total Outstandings exceed the UK Loan Cap as then in effect.
(f) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans and, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations, in each case to the extent required pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.12 hereof.
(g) In the case of Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Optional Currencies, the Agent shall with the delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate, and may, at its discretion, at other times, recalculate the aggregate exposure under such Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Optional Currencies at any time to account for fluctuations in exchange rates affecting the Optional Currencies in which any such non-U.S. dollar loans and Letters of Credit are denominated. The Borrowers shall promptly make payments in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.05(c) and (e) hereof, to the extent necessary as a result of any such recalculation.
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(h) Prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.05(d) and, with respect to Cash Receipts of the Domestic Loan Parties, Section 2.05(c) above, first, shall be applied ratably to the Domestic L/C Borrowings and the Domestic Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Domestic Committed Loans, third, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining Domestic L/C Obligations; fourth, shall be applied ratably to any other Loan Agreement Obligations that are then due and owing, and, fifth, the amount remaining, if any, after the application of prepayments pursuant to clauses first through fourth above shall be deposited by the Agent in a deposit account of the Domestic Borrower and may be utilized by the Domestic Borrower in the ordinary course of its business to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Domestic Borrower or any other Domestic Loan Party) to reimburse the Domestic L/C Issuer or the Domestic Lenders, as applicable, and, to the extent not so applied, shall thereafter be applied to satisfy other Loan Agreement Obligations that are then due and owing.
(i) Prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.05(e) and, with respect to Cash Receipts of the UK Loan Parties, Section 2.05(c) above, first, shall be applied ratably to the UK L/C Borrowings and the UK Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding UK Committed Loans, third, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining UK L/C Obligations; and fourth, the amount remaining, if any, after the application of prepayments pursuant to clauses first through third above shall be deposited by the Agent in a deposit account of the UK Borrower and may be utilized by the UK Borrower in the ordinary course of its business to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the UK Borrower or any other UK Loan Party) to reimburse the L/C Issuer or the UK Lenders, as applicable.
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments.
(a) The Domestic Borrower may, upon irrevocable notice from the Domestic Borrower to the Agent, terminate the Domestic Total Commitments, the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit or the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit or from time to time permanently reduce in part the Domestic Total Commitments, the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit or the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction (or such later date as the Agent may agree), (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Domestic Borrower shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Domestic Total Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Domestic Total Outstandings would exceed the Domestic Total Commitments, (B) the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of Domestic L/C Obligations (other than Domestic L/C Borrowings) not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, and to any concurrent payments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans made to the Domestic Borrower hereunder would exceed the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit.
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(b) The UK Borrower may, upon irrevocable notice from the UK Borrower to the Agent, terminate the UK Total Commitments, the UK Swing Line Sublimit or the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit or from time to time permanently reduce in part the UK Total Commitments, the UK Swing Line Sublimit or the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (London time) five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction (or such later date as the Agent may agree), (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the UK Borrower shall not terminate or reduce (A) the UK Total Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the UK Total Outstandings would exceed the UK Total Commitments, (B) the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of UK L/C Obligations (other than UK L/C Borrowings) not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the UK Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, and to any concurrent payments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans made to the UK Borrower hereunder would exceed the UK Swing Line Sublimit.
(c) If, after giving effect to any reduction of the Domestic Total Commitments, the Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Domestic Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Domestic Total Commitments, such Domestic Letter of Credit Sublimit or Domestic Swing Line Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.
(d) If, after giving effect to any reduction of the UK Total Commitments, the UK Letter of Credit Sublimit or the UK Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the UK Total Commitments, such UK Letter of Credit Sublimit or UK Swing Line Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.
(e) The Agent will promptly notify the Domestic Lenders or the UK Lenders, as applicable, of any termination or reduction made pursuant to this Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Domestic Total Commitments, the Domestic Commitment of each Domestic Lender shall be reduced by such Domestic Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount. Upon any reduction of the UK Total Commitments, the UK Commitment of each UK Lender shall be reduced by such UK Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount.
2.07 Repayment of Obligations.
(a) The Domestic Borrower shall repay to the Domestic Lenders on the Termination Date all Loan Agreement Obligations outstanding on such date (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which claims have not been asserted), and shall cause each Letter of Credit to be returned to the applicable L/C Issuer undrawn or shall Cash Collateralize all L/C Obligations (to the extent not previously Cash Collateralized as required herein).
(b) The UK Borrower shall repay to the UK Lenders on the Termination Date all UK Liabilities under the Loan Documents outstanding on such date (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which claims have not been asserted), and shall cause each Letter of Credit to be returned to the applicable L/C Issuer undrawn or shall Cash Collateralize all L/C Obligations of the UK Borrower (to the extent not previously Cash Collateralized as required herein).
2.08 Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b) below, (i) each LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans plus (in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan of any Lender to the UK Borrower which is lent from a
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Lending Office in the United Kingdom or a Participating Member State) the Mandatory Cost; (ii) each Euribor Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Euribor Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin for Euribor Rate Loans plus (in the case of a Euribor Rate Loan of any Lender to the UK Borrower which is lent from a Lending Office in the United Kingdom or a Participating Member State) the Mandatory Cost, (iii) each Base Rate Loan made to the Domestic Borrower shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; (iv) each UK Base Rate Loan made to the UK Borrower shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the UK Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for UK Base Rate Loans; and (v) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate or UK Base Rate, as applicable, plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans.
(b) If any Event of Default exists, then the Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall, notify the Domestic Borrower that all outstanding Loan Agreement Obligations shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate and thereafter (for so long as such Event of Default is continuing) such Loan Agreement Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Law. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Except as provided in Section 2.08(b), interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09 Fees. In addition to certain fees described in subsections (i) and (j) of Section 2.03:
(a) Commitment Fee. The Domestic Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the Commitment Fee Percentage multiplied by the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the Total Outstandings (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16) during the immediately preceding quarter. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the 5th day subsequent to the last day of each April, July, October and January, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. Solely for purposes of calculating the commitment fees owing pursuant to this Section 2.09(a), Swing Line Loans shall not be included in determining Total Outstandings.
(b) Other Fees. The Borrowers shall pay to the Arranger and the Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate or UK Base Rate is determined by the Agent’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed or, in the case of interest in respect of Committed Loans denominated in Optional Currencies as to which market practice differs from the foregoing, in accordance with such market practice as reasonably determined by the Agent. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if
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computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
2.11 Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by the Agent (the “Loan Account”) in the ordinary course of business. In addition, each Lender may record in such Lender’s internal records, an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each Loan from such Lender, each payment and prepayment of principal of any such Loan, and each payment of interest, fees and other amounts due in connection with the Loan Agreement Obligations due to such Lender. The accounts or records maintained by the Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrowers 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 Loan Agreement Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Agent, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. Upon receipt of an affidavit of a Lender as to the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such Lender’s Note and upon cancellation of such Note, the Borrowers will issue, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note in favor of such Lender, in the same principal amount thereof and otherwise of like tenor.
(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the 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 Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.12 Payments Generally; Agent’s Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrowers shall be made without deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. Local Time on the date specified herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Loan Parties hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in an Optional Currency shall be made to the Agent, for the account of the UK Lenders, at the Agent’s Office in such Optional Currency and in immediately available funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Agent on the dates specified herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, a Borrower is prohibited by any Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Optional Currency, such Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Optional Currency payment amount. The Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like
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funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Agent (i) after the Applicable Time specified by the Agent in the case of payments in an Optional Currency, or (ii) otherwise after 2:00 p.m. Local Time shall, at the option of the Agent, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrowers shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day (other than with respect to payment of a LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan), and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Agent. Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to (A) the proposed date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans (or in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing), or (B) the date that such Lender’s participation in a Letter of Credit or Swing Line Loan is required to be funded, that such Lender will not make available to the Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing or participation, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02), Section 2.03 or Section 2.05, as applicable, and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing or participation available to the Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans. If the Borrowers and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrowers the amount of such interest paid by the Borrowers for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing or participation to the Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in such Committed Borrowing or participation in such Letter of Credit or Swing Line Loan. Any payment by the Borrowers shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrowers may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Agent.
(ii) Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Agent. Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Domestic Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to the Agent for the account of any of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of the Agent to any Lender or the Domestic Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
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(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrowers by the Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof (subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 4.02 hereof), the Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Committed Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments hereunder are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Committed Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment hereunder on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Committed Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment hereunder.
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
(f) Currency. Loans shall be funded and payments shall be made in respect of Optional Currencies in the applicable Optional Currency. Letters of Credit denominated in an Optional Currency shall be reimbursed by the applicable Borrower in that Optional Currency. All obligations of the Lenders with respect to Letters of Credit will be immediately due and payable in Dollars, provided that the amount of any amounts denominated in an Optional Currency will be redenominated into Dollars.
2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Credit Party shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of, interest on, or other amounts with respect to, any of the Loan Agreement Obligations resulting in such Credit Party’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loan Agreement Obligations greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein (including as in contravention of the priorities of payment set forth in Section 8.03), then the Credit Party receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loan Agreement Obligations (or UK Liabilities, as applicable) of the other Credit Parties, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Credit Parties ratably and in the priorities set forth in Section 8.03, provided that:
(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Loan Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender) or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Committed Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
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2.14 Settlement Amongst Lenders.
(a) The amount of each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of outstanding Loans (including, for clarity, outstanding Swing Line Loans), shall be computed weekly (or more frequently in the Agent’s discretion) and shall be adjusted upward or downward based on all Loans and repayments of Loans received by the Agent as of 3:00 p.m. Local Time on the first Business Day (such date, the “Settlement Date”) following the end of the period specified by the Agent.
(b) The Agent shall deliver to each of the Lenders promptly after a Settlement Date a summary statement of the amount of outstanding Loans for the period and the amount of repayments received for the period. As reflected on the summary statement, (i) the Agent shall transfer to each Lender its Applicable Percentage of repayments, and (ii) each Lender shall transfer to the Agent (as provided below) or the Agent shall transfer to each Lender, such amounts as are necessary to insure that, after giving effect to all such transfers, the amount of Loans made by each Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all Loans outstanding as of such Settlement Date. If the summary statement requires transfers to be made to the Agent by the Lenders and is received prior to 1:00 p.m. Local Time on a Business Day, such transfers shall be made in immediately available funds no later than 3:00 p.m. Local Time that day; and, if received after 1:00 p.m. Local Time, then no later than 3:00 p.m. Local Time on the next Business Day. The obligation of each Lender to transfer such funds is irrevocable, unconditional and without recourse to or warranty by the Agent. If and to the extent any Lender shall not have so made its transfer to the Agent, such Lender agrees to pay to the Agent, forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to the Agent, equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing, or similar fees customarily charged by the Agent in connection with the foregoing.
2.15 Increase in Commitments.
(a) Request for Increase. Provided no Event of Default then exists or would arise therefrom, upon notice to the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), the Borrowers may from time to time, request an increase in the Aggregate Commitments by an amount (for all such requests) not exceeding $100,000,000 (of which $10,000,000 in the aggregate may be allocated to increase the UK Commitments); provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 (or, in the case of any increase to the UK Commitments, $5,000,000), and (ii) the Borrowers may make a maximum of five (5) such requests. At the time of sending such notice, the Borrowers (in consultation with the Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than ten Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders unless the Borrowers, in their discretion, specify a longer time period).
(b) Lender Elections to Increase. Each Lender shall notify the Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees to increase its Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Percentage of such requested increase. Any Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Commitment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Lender shall have any obligation to increase its Commitment under this Section 2.15.
(c) Notification by Agent; Additional Lenders. The Agent shall notify the Domestic Borrower and each Lender of the Lenders’ responses to each request made hereunder. To achieve the full amount of a requested increase and subject to the approval of the Agent and the Domestic Borrower (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), to the extent that the existing Lenders decline to increase their Commitments, or decline to increase their Commitments to the amount requested by the
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Borrowers, the Domestic Borrower may arrange for other Eligible Assignees to become a Lender hereunder (each such Lender a “New Commitment Lender”, and together with each existing Lender that provides and additional commitment pursuant to a request by the Borrowers under this Section 2.15, an “Additional Commitment Lender”) and to issue commitments in an amount equal to the amount of the increase in the Aggregate Commitments requested by the Borrowers and not accepted by the existing Lenders, provided, however, that without the consent of the Agent, at no time shall the Commitment of any New Commitment Lender be less than $5,000,000.
(d) Effective Date and Allocations. If the Aggregate Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section, the Agent, in consultation with the Borrowers, shall determine the effective date (the “Increase Effective Date”) and the final allocation of such increase. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Increase Effective Date and on the Increase Effective Date (i) the Aggregate Commitments under, and for all purposes of, this Agreement shall be increased by the aggregate amount of such Commitment Increases, and (ii) Schedule 2.01 shall be deemed modified, without further action, to reflect the revised Commitments and Applicable Percentages of the Lenders. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant by the Agent and the Domestic Borrower, without the consent of any other Lenders, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the additional commitments incurred pursuant to this section, (ii) make such other changes to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (without the consent of the Required Lenders) and (iii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent and the Domestic Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section, and the Required Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Agent to enter into any such amendment.
(e) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase. As a condition precedent to such increase, (i) the Domestic Borrower shall deliver to the Agent (a) a certificate of each applicable Borrower dated as of the Increase Effective Date signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Borrower approving or consenting to such increase, (b) a certificate of the Domestic Borrower that (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (B) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects, and (C) except that for purposes of this Section 2.15, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (2) before and after giving effect to such increase, no Event of Default exists or would arise therefrom, (ii) the Loan Parties, the Agent, and any Additional Commitment Lender shall have executed and delivered a joinder to the Loan Documents in such form as the Agent shall reasonably require; (iii) the Borrowers shall have paid such fees and other compensation to the Additional Commitment Lenders as the Domestic Borrower and such Additional Commitment Lenders shall agree; (iv) if requested by the Agent, the Borrowers shall deliver an opinion or opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, from counsel to the Borrowers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and dated such date; (v) the Borrowers and the Additional Commitment Lender shall have delivered such other instruments, documents and agreements as the Agent may reasonably have requested; and (vi) no Event of Default exists. Any Committed Loans outstanding on the Increase Effective Date shall be automatically adjusted to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Committed Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Commitments under this Section. Any increase under this Section 2.15 shall be on terms identical to those applicable to the existing Commitments, except with respect to any commitment, arrangement, upfront or similar fees that may be agreed to among the Loan Parties and the Lenders and Additional Commitment Lenders agreeing to participate in such increase.
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(f) Conflicting Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in Sections 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.
2.16 Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 10.01.
(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)); fourth, as the applicable Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Agent and the applicable Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)); sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Non-Defaulting Lenders, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrowers against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata
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in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees.
(A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.03(g).
(C) With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrowers shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrowers shall have otherwise notified the Agent at such time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Loan Agreement Obligations of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to them hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders’ Fronting Exposure (provided that such prepayment shall be applied to reduce such Defaulting Lender’s participation in such Swing Line Loans, and shall not reduce the participation of any Non-Defaulting Lender in such Swing Line Loans) and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.03(g).
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(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the applicable Borrower, the Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Committed Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
2.17 Extensions of Loans.
(a) Extension of Commitments. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Commitments of a given Type (each, an “Existing Revolver Tranche”) be amended to extend the Maturity Date with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of such Commitments (any such Commitments which have been so amended, “Extended Commitments”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.17; provided that there shall be no more than three (3) Types of Commitments outstanding at any time. In order to establish any Extended Commitments, the Borrowers shall provide a notice to the Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders under the applicable Existing Revolver Tranche) (each, an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms (which shall be determined in consultation with the Agent) of the Extended Commitments to be established, which shall (x) be identical as offered to each Lender under such Existing Revolver Tranche (including as to the proposed interest rates and fees payable) and offered pro rata to each Lender under such Existing Revolver Tranche and (y) be identical to the Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche from which such Extended Commitments are to be amended, except that: (i) the Maturity Date of the Extended Commitments shall be later than the Maturity Date of the Commitments of such Existing Revolver Tranche, (ii) the Extension Amendment may provide for other covenants and terms that apply solely to any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Commitments); (iii) the Extension Amendment may provide for different fees and interest rates with respect to the Extended Commitments; and (iv) all borrowings under the Commitments and repayments thereunder shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (I) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Commitments (and related outstandings) in accordance with clause (iii) and (II) repayments required upon the termination date of the non-extending Commitments); provided further, that (A) the conditions precedent to a Borrowing set forth in Section 4.02 shall be satisfied as of the date of such Extension Amendment, (B) in no event shall the final maturity date of any Extended Commitments of a given Extension Series at the time of establishment thereof be earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other Revolving Commitments hereunder, (C) any such Extended Commitments (and the Liens securing the same) shall be permitted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement (to the extent then in effect) and (D) all documentation in respect of the
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such Extension Amendment shall be consistent with the foregoing. Any Extended Commitments created pursuant to any Extension Request shall be designated a series (each, an “Extension Series”) of Extended Commitments for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Extended Commitments may, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, be designated as an increase in any previously established Extension Series. Each Extension Series of Extended Commitments incurred under this Section 2.17 shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to not less than $75,000,000.
(b) Extension Request. The Domestic Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Agent) prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Revolver Tranche are requested to respond, and shall agree to such other procedures, if any, as may be established by the Agent, acting reasonably, to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.17. No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to provide any Extended Commitment pursuant to any Extension Request. Any Lender (each, an “Extending Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche subject to such Extension Request amended into Extended Commitments shall notify the Agent (each, an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche which it has elected to request be amended into Extended Commitments (subject to any minimum denomination requirements imposed by the Agent). In the event that the aggregate principal amount of Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche in respect of which applicable Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Request exceeds the amount of Commitments requested to be extended pursuant to the Extension Request, Commitments subject to Extension Elections shall be accepted ratably in accordance with the amount of Commitments offered to be subject to extension.
(c) New Revolving Commitment Lenders. Following any Extension Request made by the Borrowers in accordance with Sections 2.17(a) and 2.17(b), if the Lenders shall have declined to agree during the period specified in Section 2.17(b) above to provide Extended Commitments in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount requested by the Borrowers in such Extension Request, the Borrowers may request that existing Lenders and/or banks, financial institutions or other institutional lenders or investors other than the Lenders which qualify as Eligible Assignees (each such Lender or other Person, the “New Commitment Extending Lenders”), provide an Extended Commitment hereunder (each such Extended Commitment provided by a New Commitment Extending Lender pursuant to this sentence, a “New Extended Commitment”); provided that such Extended Commitments of such New Commitment Extending Lenders (i) shall be in an aggregate principal amount for all such New Commitment Extending Lenders not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Extended Commitments so declined to be provided by the existing Lenders and (ii) shall be on the terms specified in the applicable Extension Request (and any Extended Commitments provided by existing Lenders in respect thereof); provided further that, as a condition to the effectiveness of any Extended Commitment of any New Commitment Extending Lender, the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to each New Commitment Extending Lender if such consent would be required under Section 10.06(b) for an assignment of Commitments to such Person. Upon effectiveness of the Extension Amendment to which each such New Commitment Extending Lender is a party, (a) the Commitments of all existing Lenders of each Type specified in the Extension Amendment in accordance with this Section 2.17 will be permanently reduced pro rata by an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Extended Commitments of such New Commitment Extending Lenders and (b) the Commitment of each such New Commitment Extending Lender will become effective. The Extended Commitments of New Commitment Extending Lenders
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will be incorporated as Commitments hereunder in the same manner in which Extended Commitments of existing Lenders are incorporated hereunder pursuant to this Section 2.17, and for the avoidance of doubt, all Borrowings and repayments of Loans from and after the effectiveness of such Extension Amendment shall be made pro rata across all Types of Commitments including the Commitments of such New Commitment Extending Lenders (based on the outstanding principal amounts of the respective Types of Commitments) except for (x) payments of interest and fees at different rates for each Type of Commitments and (y) repayments required on the Maturity Date for any particular Type of Commitments. Upon the effectiveness of each New Extended Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.17(c), (a) each Lender of all applicable existing Types of Commitments immediately prior to such effectiveness will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each New Commitment Extending Lender, and each such New Commitment Extending Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Lender’s participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, the percentage of the outstanding (i) participations hereunder in Letters of Credit and (ii) participations hereunder in Swing Line Loans held by each Lender of each Type of Commitments (including each such New Commitment Extending Lender) will equal the percentage of the aggregate Commitments of all Types of Lenders represented by such Lender’s Commitment and (b) if, on the date of such effectiveness, there are any Loans outstanding, such Loans shall on or prior to the effectiveness of such New Extended Commitment be prepaid from the proceeds of Loans outstanding after giving effect to such New Extended Commitments, which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Loans being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Lender in accordance with Section 3.04. The Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing, pro rata borrowing and pro rata payment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.
(d) Extension Amendment. Extended Commitments and New Extended Commitments shall be established pursuant to an amendment (each, an “Extension Amendment”) to this Agreement among the Borrowers, the Agent and each Extending Lender and each New Commitment Extending Lender, if any, providing an Extended Commitment or a New Extended Commitment, as applicable, thereunder, which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth in Sections 2.17(a), (b) and (c) above (but which shall not require the consent of any other Lender). As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any Extension Amendment, (i) the Domestic Borrower shall deliver to the Agent (a) a certificate of the applicable Borrower dated as of the effective date of such Extension Amendment signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Borrower approving or consenting to such extension, (b) a certificate of the Domestic Borrower that (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such effective date, except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (B) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects, and (C) except that for purposes of this Section 2.17, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.07 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (c), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (2) before and after giving effect to such increase, no Event of Default exists or would arise therefrom, (ii) the Borrowers shall have paid such fees and other compensation to the Extending Lenders as the Domestic Borrower and such Extending Lenders shall agree; (iii) if requested by the Agent, the Borrowers shall deliver an opinion or opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, from counsel to the Borrowers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and dated such
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date; (iv) the Loan Parties and the Extending Lenders shall have delivered such other instruments, documents and agreements as the Agent may reasonably have requested (including, without limitation, reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Agent in order to ensure that the Extended Commitments or the New Extended Commitments, as the case may be, are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents); and (v) no Default or Event of Default exists. The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Extension Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to an Extension Amendment, without the consent of any other Lenders, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Commitments or the New Extended Commitments, as the case may be, incurred pursuant thereto, (ii) make such other changes to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (without the consent of the Required Lenders) and (iii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent and the Domestic Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section, and the Required Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Agent to enter into any such Extension Amendment.
(e) No conversion of Loans pursuant to any Extension in accordance with this Section 2.17 shall constitute a voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayment for purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Agent or a Loan Party, then the Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.
(ii) If any Loan Party or the Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
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(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers. Without limitation or duplication of the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law, or at the option of the Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) Tax Indemnifications.
(i) In respect of the Domestic Loans, the Domestic Loan Parties shall, and each Domestic Loan Party does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Domestic Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Agent), or by the Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(ii) Each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (y) the Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Agent or a Loan Party in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Agent under this clause (ii).
(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by any Borrower or by the Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Domestic Borrower shall deliver to the Agent or the Agent shall deliver to the Domestic Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Domestic Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be.
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(e) Status of Recipients; Tax Documentation.
(i) Any Recipient that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Domestic Borrower and the Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Recipient, if reasonably requested by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent as will enable the Domestic Borrower or the Agent to determine whether or not such Recipient is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Recipient’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Recipient to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Recipient.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Domestic Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Domestic Borrower and the Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Domestic Borrower or the Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Domestic Borrower and the Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Domestic Borrower or the Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(I) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of a tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(II) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(III) (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or
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(IV) to the extent that the Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 or Exhibit G-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Domestic Borrower and the Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Domestic Borrower or the Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Domestic Borrower or the Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Domestic Borrower and the Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Domestic Borrower or the Agent as may be necessary for the Domestic Borrower and the Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Domestic Borrower and the Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to the Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant
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Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Loan Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.
(g) UK Loan Parties Excluded. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.01 to the contrary, for the avoidance of doubt, the UK Loan Parties shall be excluded from the provisions of this Section 3.01 and instead shall be governed with respect to tax matters by Section 1.04.
(h) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Loan Agreement Obligations.
3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate or the Euribor Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Domestic Borrower through the Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans or to Convert Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans, the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case, until such Lender notifies the Agent and the Domestic Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Agent), prepay or, if applicable, Convert all LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the LIBOR, the Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the LIBOR Rate component thereof until the Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate. Upon any such prepayment or Conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or Converted.
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3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loans or a Conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBOR Rate or Euribor Rate Loans for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan , or (c) the LIBOR Rate or Euribor Rate, as applicable,for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the applicable Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the LIBOR Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the until the Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the applicable Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, Conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have Converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or UK Base Rate Loans, as applicable,in the amount specified therein.
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans and Euribor Rate Loans.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law occurring after the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer first became a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e) or otherwise reflected in the LIBOR Rate and (B) the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority and/or the European Central Bank reflected in the Mandatory Cost, other than as set forth below) or the L/C Issuer;
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Excluded Taxes, (C) Other Taxes, (D) any Tax Deduction required by Law to be made to a UK Loan Party and (E) any Taxes compensated for under Section 1.04(c)(i) through (iv) or which would have been compensated for under Sections 1.04(c)(i) to (iv) but are not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in Section 1.04(b)(iv) apply) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
(iii) result in the failure of the Mandatory Cost, as calculated hereunder, to represent the cost to any Lender of complying with the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority and/or the European Central Bank in relation to its making, funding or maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans; or
(iv) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate
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in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law occurring after the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer first became a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital or liquidity of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the applicable Borrower shall include a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating such amount or amounts and be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the applicable Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans and Euribor Rate Loans. The Borrowers shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the applicable Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender, together with a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 3.04(e). If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
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3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Agent), which demand shall include a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating amounts owed to such Lender pursuant to this Section 3.05, from time to time, the Borrowers shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense actually incurred, without duplication of any amounts to which a Lender is otherwise entitled pursuant to the other provisions of this Article III, by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, Conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan or UK Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by the Borrowers (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or Convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan or UK Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the applicable Borrower;
(c) any failure by the Borrowers to make payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Optional Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency; or
(d) any assignment of a LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the applicable Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained (but excluding any loss of anticipated profits). The Borrowers shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan made by it at the LIBOR Rate or Euribor Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan or Euribor Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender or L/C Issuer requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrowers to pay any additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or L/C Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or L/C Issuer to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or L/C Issuer. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
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(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, has invoked the provisions of Section 3.02, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different Lending Office in accordance with Section 3.06(a) that eliminates such increased compensation or other additional amounts, the Borrowers may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.
3.07 Survival. All of the Borrowers’ obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Loan Agreement Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Agent.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension. The obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals, telecopies or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif “ via e-mail) (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date):
(i) counterparts of this Agreement each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party and the Lenders in such number as the Agent may request;
(ii) a Note executed by the Borrowers in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;
(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Agent may require evidencing (A) the authority of each Loan Party to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to become a party and (B) the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to become a party and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;
(iv) copies of each Loan Party’s Organization Documents and such other documents and certifications as the Agent may reasonably request as to good standing in its jurisdiction of organization;
(v) a favorable opinion of each of (i) Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Xxxx, (ii) Norton Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx LLP, local UK counsel to the Agent, (iii) Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Finger, P.A., local counsel to certain Loan Parties organized in Delaware, (iv) Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLP, local counsel to the Loan Party organized in Wisconsin, and (v) general counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;
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(vi) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 have been satisfied, (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (C) to the Solvency of the Loan Parties, on a Consolidated basis, as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (D) to the knowledge of such Responsible Officer, that all consents, licenses or approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are party, if any, have been obtained and are in full force and effect; and (E) that true, correct and complete executed copies of each Separation Agreement have been furnished to the Agent, which Separation Agreements are in full force and effect;
(vii) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents and all endorsements in favor of the Agent required under the Loan Documents have been obtained and are in effect;
(viii) (i) a release from the agent under the SHC Credit Agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent evidencing that the Loan Parties liable in respect of the SHC Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Separation have been or concurrently with the Closing Date are being released as Guarantors under the SHC Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the SHC Credit Agreement), and all Liens securing obligations of the Loan Parties under the SHC Credit Agreement have been or concurrently with the Closing Date are being released, and (ii) to the extent reasonably requested by the Agent, evidence that all Liens securing obligations of the Loan Parties under the Existing Second Lien Notes (as defined in the SHC Credit Agreement) have been or concurrently with the Closing Date are being released;
(ix) the Security Documents (other than Mortgages to be delivered post-closing) and all other Loan Documents (to the extent to be executed on the Closing Date), each duly executed by the applicable Loan Parties;
(x) (A) an appraisal (based on net liquidation value) by a third party appraiser acceptable to the Agent of all Inventory of the Loan Parties, the results of which are satisfactory to the Agent, and (B) a written report regarding the results of commercial finance examinations of the Loan Parties, which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;
(xi) results of searches or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (in each case dated as of a date reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) indicating the absence of Liens on the assets of the Loan Parties, except for Liens permitted by Section 7.01 and Liens for which termination statements and releases, satisfactions and discharges of any mortgages, in each case satisfactory to the Agent, are being tendered concurrently with such extension of credit or other arrangements satisfactory to the Agent for the delivery of such termination statements have been made;
(xii) (A) all documents and instruments (including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) reasonably requested by the Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create or perfect the Liens intended to be created under the Loan Documents shall have been so filed, registered or recorded to the satisfaction of the Agent and (B) the Credit Card Notifications and Blocked Account Agreements to the extent required pursuant to Section 6.12 hereof shall have been obtained;
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(xiii) the Sears Tri-Party Agreement, fully executed by the Agent, the applicable Loan Parties, SHC and certain of its Subsidiaries;
(xiv) the Intercreditor Agreement, fully executed by the Agent and the Term Agent and acknowledged by the applicable Loan Parties; and
(xv) the Agent shall have received such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Agent reasonably may require.
(b) After giving effect to the initial Credit Extensions hereunder, Availability shall be not less than $150,000,000.
(c) The Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate dated the Closing Date, relating to the month ended on February 28, 2014, and executed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower.
(d) The Separation shall have occurred, or shall occur substantially simultaneously with the occurrence of the Closing Date.
(e) The Agent shall have received and be satisfied with (i) a Borrowing Base Availability analysis prepared on a monthly basis for the first twelve months after the Closing Date, and (ii) a detailed forecast prepared on a monthly basis for the first twelve months after the Closing Date and on an annual basis thereafter through the Maturity Date, which shall include Consolidated income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flow, in each case prepared in conformity with GAAP and consistent with the Loan Parties’ then current practices.
(f) The Domestic Borrower shall have entered into or simultaneously herewith shall enter into the Term Facility and shall have received proceeds therefrom in the sum of $515,000,000.
(g) All fees required to be paid to the Agent or the Arranger on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid in full, and all fees required to be paid to the Lenders on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid in full.
(h) The Borrowers shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the Closing Date (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrowers and the Agent).
(i) The Agent and the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the USA PATRIOT Act and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (UK), Proceeds of Crime Xxx 0000 (UK) and Terrorism Xxx 0000 (UK).
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Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a Conversion of Committed Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans) and of each L/C Issuer to issue each Letter of Credit is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in Article V or in any other Loan Document, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (ii) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects and (iii) for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.
(b) No Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
(d) After giving effect to the Credit Extension requested to be made on any such date and the use of proceeds thereof, Domestic Availability or UK Availability, as applicable, shall not be less than zero.
(e) In the case of a Credit Extension to be denominated in an Optional Currency, there shall not have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, the Required Lenders (in the case of any Loans to be denominated in an Optional Currency) or the L/C Issuer (in the case of any Letter of Credit to be denominated in an Optional Currency) would make it impracticable for such Credit Extension to be denominated in the relevant Optional Currency.
(f) In the case of any Credit Extension the proceeds of which will be used to fund a Restricted Payment, the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole on a Consolidated basis, shall be Solvent.
Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a Conversion of Committed Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or Euribor Rate Loans) submitted by any Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension. The conditions set forth in this Section 4.02 are for the sole benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, but until the Required Lenders otherwise direct the Agent to cease making Loans and issuing Letters of Credit, the Lenders will fund their Applicable Percentage of all Loans and
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L/C Advances and participate in all Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit whenever made or issued, which are requested by any Borrower and which, notwithstanding the failure of the Loan Parties to comply with the provisions of this Article IV, agreed to by the Agent, provided, however, the making of any such Loans or the issuance of any Letters of Credit shall not be deemed a modification or waiver by the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender of the provisions of this Article IV on any future occasion or a waiver of any rights or the Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender as a result of any such failure to comply.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans and to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, the Domestic Borrower and the UK Borrower, on behalf of each Loan Party, represent and warrant to the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders that:
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power.
(a) Each Loan Party (i) is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, duly incorporated, organized or formed, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, (ii) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals to (1) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (2) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (iii) is duly qualified and is licensed and, where applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (iii), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Perfection Certificate sets forth, as of the Closing Date, each Loan Party’s name as it appears in official filings in its state of incorporation or organization, its state of incorporation or organization, organization type, organization number, if any, issued by its state of incorporation or organization, and if applicable, its federal employer identification number.
(b) Under the law of each UK Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that any Security Document be filed, recorded on enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to any Security Document or the transactions contemplated by any Security Document, except (a) registration of particulars of each Security Document executed by a UK Loan Party at the Companies Registration Office in England and Wales in accordance with Part 25 (Company Charges) of the Companies Xxx 0000 or any regulations relating to the registration of charges made under, or applying the provisions of, the Companies Xxx 0000 and payment of associated fees; and (b) registration of each Security Document executed by a UK Loan Party at the Land Registry or Land Charges Registry in England and Wales and payment of associated fees, and which registrations, filings and fees will be made and paid promptly after the date of each UK Security Document.
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is or is to be a party, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and does not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) except where such conflict would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, conflict with or result in any breach, termination, or contravention of, or constitute a default under (i) any Material Contract or any Material
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Indebtedness to which such Person is a party or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; (c) result in or require the creation of any Lien upon any asset of any Loan Party (other than Liens in favor of the Agent under the Security Documents and Liens permitted by Section 7.01); or (d) except where such violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, violate any Law.
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for (a) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Security Documents, (b) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or (c) or as referenced in Section 5.02 above for the registration of particulars of each Security Document executed by a UK Loan Party.
5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.
(b) The unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated November 2, 2013, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.
(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no Internal Control Event has occurred and is continuing that could reasonably be expected to materially impair the calculation of the Combined Borrowing Base.
(e) The Consolidated forecasted balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts.
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5.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of its properties or revenues that either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.07 Reserved.
5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens.
(a) Each of the Loan Parties has good record and marketable title in fee simple to or valid leasehold interests in, all Real Estate necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Loan Parties has good and marketable title to, valid leasehold interests in, or valid licenses to use all personal property and assets used in the conduct of its business except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Perfection Certificate sets forth the address of all Real Estate (excluding Leases) that is owned by the Loan Parties and indicates each piece of Real Estate constituting a Mortgaged Property. The Perfection Certificate sets forth the address of all Leases of the Loan Parties, together with the name of each lessor and its contact information with respect to each such Lease as of the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, each of such Leases is in full force and effect and the Loan Parties are not in default of the terms thereof except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.09 Environmental Compliance.
(a) No Loan Party (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: none of the properties currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party is listed or proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or is adjacent to any such property; there are no and never have been any underground or above-ground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or, to the best of the knowledge of the Loan Parties, on any property formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party; there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party; and Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party.
(c) Except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party is undertaking, and no Loan Party has completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the
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order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law. All Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.10 Insurance. The properties of the Loan Parties are insured in accordance with Section 6.07 hereof with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Loan Parties, in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards), with such deductibles and covering such risks (including, without limitation, worker’s compensation, commercial general liability, insurance on real and personal property and directors and officers liability insurance) as are reasonably determined by the Domestic Borrower and customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Loan Parties operate. The Perfection Certificate sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties as of the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, each insurance policy listed in the Perfection Certificate is in full force and effect and all premiums in respect thereof that are due and payable have been paid.
5.11 Taxes. The Loan Parties have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings being diligently conducted, for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Party that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party to any tax sharing agreement other than in connection with the Separation Agreements.
5.12 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Plan and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, any Multiemployer Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws, and (ii) each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service. To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.
(b) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, any Multiemployer Plan that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Domestic Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) the Domestic Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has
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been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 80% or higher; (iv) neither the Domestic Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any unsatisfied liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Domestic Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction described in Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.
(d) With respect to any Pension Plan under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction, none of the following events or conditions exists and is continuing that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) substantial non-compliance with its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders; (b) failure to be maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities; (c) any obligation of the Domestic Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the termination or partial termination of, or withdrawal from, any such foreign plan; (d) any Lien on the property of the Domestic Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of a Governmental Authority as a result of any action or inaction regarding such a foreign plan; (e) for each such foreign plan which is a funded or insured plan, failure to be funded or insured on an ongoing basis to the extent required by applicable non-U.S. law (using actuarial methods and assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the applicable Governmental Authorities); (f) any facts that, to the knowledge of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a dispute and any pending or threatened disputes that, to the knowledge of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries concerning the assets of any such foreign plan (other than individual claims for the payment of benefits); and (g) failure to make all contributions in a timely manner to the extent required by applicable non-U.S. law.
(e) No UK Loan Party is or has at any time been (a) an employer (for the purposes of sections 38 to 51 of the Pensions Act 2004) of an occupational pension scheme which is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the Pensions Schemes Act 1993); or (b)“connected” with or an “associate” (as those terms are used in sections 38 and 43 of the Pensions Act 2004) of such an employer.
(f) No UK Loan Party has been issued with a Financial Support Direction or Contribution Notice in respect of any pension scheme.
5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests. As of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties have no Subsidiaries other than those disclosed in the Perfection Certificate, which sets forth the legal name, jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and authorized Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Loan Parties (other than the Domestic Borrower) and such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (to the extent such terms are applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) and, as of the Closing Date, are owned by the Persons specified and in the amounts specified in the Perfection Certificate free and clear of all Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01. Except as set forth in the Perfection Certificate, there are no outstanding rights to purchase any Equity Interests in any Subsidiary as of the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties have no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in the Perfection Certificate. The copies of the Organization Documents of each Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 4.01 are true and correct copies of each such document as of the Closing Date, each of which was valid and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.
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5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) No Loan Party is engaged or will be engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. None of the proceeds of the Credit Extensions shall be used directly or indirectly for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness that was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin stock or for any other purpose that might cause any of the Credit Extensions to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulations T, U, or X issued by the FRB.
(b) None of the Loan Parties or any Restricted Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5.15 Disclosure. The reports, financial statements, certificates and other written information (other than as set forth below and other than information of a general economic or industry nature) furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Agent or any Lender in connection with the Transactions and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document, when taken as a whole, do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided, that, with respect to projected financial information, and pro forma financial information, the Domestic Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time; it being understood that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that such projections may vary from actual results and that such variances may be material.
5.16 Compliance with Laws. Each of the Loan Parties is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.17 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Loan Parties own, or possess the right to use, all of the Intellectual Property, licenses, permits and other authorizations that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, conflict with the rights of any other Person or infringement upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.18 Labor Matters.
Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there are no strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or other labor disputes against any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened; (ii) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (where applicable) and any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign Law dealing with such matters; (iii) no Loan Party has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or similar state Law; and (iv) all payments due from any Loan Party, or for which any claim may be made
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against any Loan Party, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or properly accrued in accordance with GAAP as a liability on the books of such Loan Party. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.18, as of the Closing Date, no Loan Party is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, other than in the United Kingdom where the UK Borrower is obligated to discuss matters with a Works Council which is an information and consultation body. As of the Closing Date, there are no representation proceedings pending or, to any Loan Party’s knowledge, threatened to be filed with the National Labor Relations Board, and no labor organization or group of employees of any Loan Party has made a pending demand for recognition. There are no complaints, unfair labor practice charges, grievances, arbitrations, unfair employment practices charges or any other claims or complaints against any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened to be filed with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or termination of employment of any employee of any Loan Party which would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which any Loan Party is bound.
5.19 Security Documents.
(a) The Guaranty and Security Agreement creates in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Credit Parties referred to therein, a legal, valid, continuing and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement), subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. Upon the making of the filings contemplated in the Guaranty and Security Agreement and/or the obtaining of “control” (as defined in the UCC) of the Collateral under the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Agent will have a perfected Lien on, and security interest in, to and under all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in all Collateral that may be perfected under the UCC (in effect on the date this representation is made) by filing, recording or registering a financing statement or analogous document (including without limitation the proceeds of such Collateral subject to the limitations relating to such proceeds in the UCC) or by obtaining control, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than Permitted Encumbrances which by operation of Law or the Intercreditor Agreement or any customary intercreditor agreement would have priority to the Liens securing the Obligations).
(b) Each Mortgage creates, or when executed will create in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Credit Parties referred to therein, a legal, valid, continuing and enforceable security interest in the applicable Mortgaged Property subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. Upon the recording of each Mortgage, the Agent will have a perfected Lien on, and security interest in, to and under all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in the applicable Mortgaged Property, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than Permitted Encumbrances which by operation of Law, the Intercreditor Agreement or any customary intercreditor agreement would have priority to the Liens securing the Obligations).
(c) The UK Security Documents have or will have the ranking in priority which it is expressed to have in the relevant UK Security Document and it is not subject to any prior ranking or pari passu ranking Collateral, save for the UK rent deposit charge dated July 7, 1999 registered against the UK Borrower in favor of Xxxxxxxxx Life Limited at the Companies Registration Office in England and Wales in respect to certain leasehold interests of the UK Borrower.
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5.20 Solvency.
As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent.
5.21 Deposit Accounts; Credit Card Arrangements.
(a) The Perfection Certificate sets forth a list of all DDAs maintained by the Loan Parties as of the Closing Date, which Schedule includes, with respect to each DDA (i) the name and address of the depository; (ii) the account number(s) maintained with such depository; (iii) a contact person at such depository, and (iv) the identification of each Blocked Account Bank.
(b) The Perfection Certificate sets forth a list describing all arrangements as of the Closing Date to which any Loan Party is a party with respect to the processing and/or payment to such Loan Party of the proceeds of any credit card charges and debit card charges for sales made by such Loan Party.
5.22 Brokers. No Loan Party or Affiliate thereof has any obligation to any Person in respect of any finder’s or brokerage fees in connection with the entry into this Agreement, other than as set forth in the Fee Letter.
5.23 Customer and Trade Relations. There exists no actual or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened, termination or cancellation of, or any adverse modification or change in the business relationship of any Loan Party with any supplier that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.24 Material Contracts. The Loan Parties have delivered to the Agent true, correct and complete copies of the Material Contracts, as in effect on the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties are not in breach or in default in any material respect of or under any Material Contract and have not received any notice of material default under, or of the intention of any other party thereto to terminate, any Material Contract. Following the Closing Date, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Loan Parties are not in breach or in default in any material respect of or under any Material Contract and have not received any notice of material default under, or of the intention of any other party thereto to terminate, any Material Contract.
5.25 Casualty. Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, the businesses and properties of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, have not been affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty event (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.26 Separation.
(a) The Loan Parties have delivered to the Agent a complete and correct copy of each Separation Agreement, including all schedules and exhibits thereto, as of the Closing Date. Such Separation Agreements sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties thereto relating to the subject matter thereof, and there are no other agreements, arrangements or understandings, written or
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oral, relating to the matters covered thereby, in each case as of the Closing Date. The execution, delivery and performance of each such Separation Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Loan Party party thereto. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to filing with or license from, any Governmental Authority is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreements other than such as have been obtained on or prior to the Closing Date. The Separation Agreements are, as of the Closing Date, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto and, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, the other parties thereto, enforceable against such parties in accordance with their terms.
(b) Contemporaneously with the Closing Date, all aspects of the Separation have been effected in all material respects in accordance with terms of the Separation Agreements and applicable Law. All consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, all Government Authorities required in order to consummate the Separation have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are in full force and effect contemporaneously with the Closing Date.
5.27 Ranking
The UK Borrower’s payment obligations under the Loan Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Loan Agreement Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification claims for which a claim has not been asserted), or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless Cash Collateralized), the Domestic Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, and 6.03) cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:
6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to the Agent, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Agent:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 95 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Domestic Borrower (commencing with the Fiscal Year ended January 31, 2014), a Consolidated balance sheet of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of a Registered Public Accounting Firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 50 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Domestic Borrower (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ended May 2, 2014), a Consolidated balance sheet of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Domestic Borrower’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in
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comparative form the figures for (A) the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such Consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Domestic Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal month (commencing with the fiscal month ended April 4, 2014), a Consolidated balance sheet of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows for such month, and for the portion of the Domestic Borrower’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (A) the corresponding month of the previous Fiscal Year and (B) the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, such Consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Domestic Borrower as, to its knowledge, fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, Shareholders’ Equity and cash flows of the Domestic Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(d) as soon as available, but in any event no more than 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Domestic Borrower (commencing with the Fiscal Year beginning February 1, 2015), forecasts prepared by management of the Domestic Borrower, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, consisting of a projected balance sheet, income statement, cash flows and Domestic Availability and UK Availability, as applicable, on a monthly basis for the immediately following Fiscal Year (including the Fiscal Year in which the Maturity Date occurs);
(e) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of Consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and (b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such Consolidated financial statements.
6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Agent:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), and, solely to the extent a Covenant Compliance Event is continuing, Section 6.01(c), (i) a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, and in the event of any change in generally accepted accounting principles used in the preparation of such financial statements, a statement of reconciliation conforming such financial statements to GAAP and (ii) to the extent applicable, related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements, in reasonable detail (it being understood that full financial statements for any applicable Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not be required);
(b) within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each fiscal month, a Borrowing Base Certificate showing the Combined Borrowing Base as of the close of business as of the last day of the immediately preceding month, each Borrowing Base Certificate to be certified as complete and correct by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower; provided that at any time that an Accelerated Borrowing Base Delivery Event has occurred and is continuing, such Borrowing Base Certificate shall be delivered on Friday of each week (or, if Friday is not a Business Day, on
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the next succeeding Business Day), as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Saturday (it being understood that any weekly Borrowing Base Certificate shall constitute the results of rolled forward information regarding Eligible Inventory and other items, as applicable);
(c) promptly upon receipt, copies of any report submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of any Loan Party by its Registered Public Accounting Firm in connection with any Internal Control Event or any other event that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate with other events, to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Loan Parties, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which any Loan Party may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or with any national securities exchange;
(e) the financial and collateral reports described on Schedule 6.02 hereto, at the times set forth in such Schedule;
(f) promptly upon renewal thereof, certificates evidencing insurance renewals as required under Section 6.07 hereof;
(g) (i) promptly after the Agent’s request therefor, copies of all documents evidencing Material Indebtedness, (ii) promptly after receipt thereof by any Loan Party, copies of all notices (other than notices delivered in the ordinary course) received from SHC and its Subsidiaries in respect of the Material Contracts, and (iii) prompt notice of any transaction or series of transactions which are part of a common plan whereby 25% or more of the number of LE Shops (as defined in the Separation Agreement referenced in clause (b) of the definition thereof) operated by the Loan Parties under the Separation Agreements referenced in clauses (c) and (j) of the definition thereof immediately prior to such closings are closed; and
(h) promptly, such additional information regarding the business affairs, financial condition or operations of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Agent (on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender) may from time to time reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 or Section 6.02 may be delivered by electronic mail or by posting to a website and, if so delivered by posting to a website, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the applicable Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrowers’ website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrowers’ behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Agent and including, without limitation, the website of the SEC). The 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 Loan Parties with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that (a) the Agent and/or the Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Loan Parties hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Debt
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Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Loan Parties hereby agree that so long as any Loan Party is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities they will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized the Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities for purposes of the Securities Laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor”; and (z) the Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”
6.03 Notices Promptly notify the Agent upon obtaining knowledge:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) of any matter that has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,
(c) of any breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Material Contract or with respect to Material Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Term Facility) of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof;
(d) of receipt by any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof of a notice or other correspondence received from any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction)) concerning any proceeding with, or investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such Governmental Authority regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof or any other matter which, if adversely determined, could reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) of any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof and any Governmental Authority; or the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, in each case which would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(f) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;
(g) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof;
(h) of any change in the Domestic Borrower’s senior executive officers (which notice may be accomplished by the filing of a Form 8-K in connection with such change);
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(i) of the discharge by the Domestic Borrower of its present Registered Public Accounting Firm or any withdrawal or resignation by such Registered Public Accounting Firm (which notice may be accomplished by the filing of a Form 8-K in connection with such discharge, withdrawal or resignation);
(j) of the filing of any Lien for unpaid Taxes against any Loan Party in excess of $5,000,000;
(k) of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any interest in a material portion of the Collateral under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding or if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed; and
(l) of any failure by any Loan Party to pay rent when due at any of the Loan Parties’ distribution centers or warehouses.
Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Domestic Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrowers have taken and propose to take with respect thereto.
6.04 Payment of Obligations. Pay and discharge before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its property (ii) all payments required to be made to any Pension Plan, and (iii) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon its property; provided that neither the Domestic Borrower, the UK Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (x) that is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained, unless and until any Lien resulting therefrom attaches to its property and becomes enforceable against its other creditors or (y) if such non-payments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its Intellectual Property, except to the extent the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Maintenance of Properties Except, in each case, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof.
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance
(a) Maintain or cause to be maintained with financially sound and reputable insurance companies and not Affiliates of the Loan Parties, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business and operating in the same or similar locations or as is required by Law, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.
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(b) Maintain for themselves and their Restricted Subsidiaries, a Directors and Officers insurance policy, and, in respect of the Domestic Loan Parties, a “Blanket Crime” policy or in respect of any other Restricted Subsidiary an equivalent policy in the relevant jurisdiction, in each case with responsible companies in such amounts as are customarily carried by business entities engaged in similar businesses similarly situated, and will upon request by the Agent furnish the Agent certificates evidencing renewal of each such policy.
(c) Cause fire and extended coverage policies maintained with respect to any ABL Priority Collateral to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include (i) a lenders’ loss payable clause (regarding personal property), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, which endorsements or amendments shall provide that the insurer shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Loan Parties under the policies directly to the Agent and (ii) a provision to the effect that none of the Loan Parties, Credit Parties or any other Person shall be a co-insurer.
(d) Cause commercial general liability policies to be endorsed to name the Agent as an additional insured.
(e) Cause business interruption policies, if any, to name the Agent as a loss payee and to be endorsed or amended to include (i) a provision that, from and after the Closing Date, the insurer shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Loan Parties under the policies directly to the Agent, and (ii) a provision to the effect that none of the Loan Parties, the Agent, the Agent or any other party shall be a co-insurer.
(f) Cause each such policy referred to in this Section 6.07 to also provide that it shall not be canceled, modified or non-renewed (i) by reason of nonpayment of premium except upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Agent (giving the Agent the right to cure defaults in the payment of premiums) or (ii) for any other reason except upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Agent.
(g) Deliver to the Agent, prior to the cancellation or non-renewal of any such policy of insurance, evidence of a renewal or replacement policy, including an insurance binder) therefor, together with evidence satisfactory to the Agent of payment of the premium therefor.
(h) If any portion of any Mortgaged Property is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto), (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent.
6.08 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws (including all Environmental Laws) and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside and maintained by the Loan Parties in accordance with GAAP; and (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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6.09 Books and Records; Accountants.
(a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Loan Parties or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (ii) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Loan Parties or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b) at all times retain a Registered Public Accounting Firm and, on request of the Agent, instruct such Registered Public Accounting Firm to cooperate with, and be available to, the Agent or its representatives to discuss the Loan Parties’ financial performance, financial condition, operating results, controls, and such other matters, within the scope of the retention of such Registered Public Accounting Firm, as may be raised by the Agent.
6.10 Inspection Rights.
(a) Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, the insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and Registered Public Accounting Firm, at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Domestic Borrower; provided, however, that when a Default or an Event of Default exists the Agent (or any of its representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Loan Parties at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.
(b) Upon the request of the Agent after reasonable prior notice, permit the Agent or professionals (including investment bankers, consultants, accountants, and lawyers) retained by the Agent to conduct commercial finance examinations and other evaluations, including, without limitation, of (i) the Borrowers’ practices in the computation of the Combined Borrowing Base (ii) the assets included in the Combined Borrowing Base and related financial information such as, but not limited to, sales, gross margins, payables, accruals and reserves, and (iii) the Loan Parties’ business plan, forecasts and cash flows. The Loan Parties shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent and such professionals for one (1) commercial finance examination during each twelve month period, provided that if Availability is less than the greater of 25% of the Loan Cap or $37,500,000, the Loan Parties shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent and such professionals for up to two (2) commercial finance examinations in any twelve month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent may cause additional commercial finance examinations to be undertaken (i) as it in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate, at the Credit Parties’ expense or, (ii) if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the expense of the Loan Parties.
(c) Upon the request of the Agent after reasonable prior notice, permit the Agent or professionals (including appraisers) retained by the Agent to conduct appraisals of the ABL Priority Collateral, including, without limitation, the assets included in the Combined Borrowing Base. The Loan Parties shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent and such professionals for one (1) appraisal during each twelve month period, provided that if Availability is less than the greater of 25% of the Loan Cap or $37,500,000, the Loan Parties shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent and such professionals for up to two (2) appraisals in any twelve month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent may cause additional appraisals to be undertaken (i) as it in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate, at the Credit Parties’ expense or, (ii) if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the expense of the Loan Parties.
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6.11 Additional Loan Parties. Promptly notify the Agent at the time that any Person becomes a Subsidiary or any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, and cause any such Person that is a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Domestic Borrower or that is a wholly-owned UK Subsidiary of the UK Borrower in each case that is a Restricted Subsidiary to (a) promptly thereafter (and in any event within fifteen (15) days of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, or such later date as the Agent may agree), (i) become a Loan Party (including, if acceptable to the Agent, an additional borrower) by executing and delivering to the Agent a Joinder Agreement or such other documents as the Agent shall reasonably deem appropriate for such purpose, (ii) xxxxx x Xxxx to the Agent on such Person’s assets of the same type that constitute Collateral (of Domestic Loan Parties of UK Loan Parties, as applicable) to secure the applicable portion of the Obligations (excluding any Material Real Estate) and take such actions as may be required under the Security Documents to perfect such Lien, and (iii) deliver to the Agent documents of the types referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 4.01(a); (b) in the case of Domestic Subsidiaries, promptly thereafter (and in any event within ninety (90) days of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, or such later date as the Agent may agree) xxxxx x Xxxx on the Agent on such Person’s Material Real Estate to secure the Obligations and take such actions as may be required under the Security Documents to perfect such Lien; and (c) if reasonably requested by the Agent, deliver customary opinions of counsel to such Person in connection with the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) in each case in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary be required to guarantee or provide Collateral to secure any Obligations other than the UK Liabilities. In no event shall compliance with this Section 6.11 waive or be deemed a waiver or consent to any transaction giving rise to the need to comply with this Section 6.11 if such transaction was not otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement or permit the inclusion of any acquired assets in the computation of the Combined Borrowing Base until such time as the Agent has conducted its diligence with respect thereto.
6.12 Cash Management.
(a) On or prior to the date which is sixty (60) days following the Closing Date (as such time period may be extended by the Agent in its sole discretion), (i) deliver to the Agent copies of notifications in the form of Exhibit H hereto (each, a “Credit Card Notification”), or otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent which have been executed by the applicable Loan Parties and delivered to such Loan Party’s Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors listed in the Perfection Certificate, (ii) open the UK Collection Account (as defined below) and (iii) enter into a Blocked Account Agreement with each Blocked Account Bank set forth on Schedule 6.12.
(b) ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than daily, or, so long as no Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing, as to the DDAs identified as “Inlet Accounts” on the Perfection Certificate, monthly (provided that the Loan Parties shall not maintain an amount greater than $1,000,000 in the aggregate with respect to such Inlet Accounts at any time outstanding), and as to additional DDAs that are not Blocked Accounts, weekly (provided that the Loan Parties shall not maintain an amount greater than $50,000 in the aggregate at any time in such additional DDAs that are not Blocked Accounts) (and in each case, whether or not there are then any outstanding Loan Agreement Obligations) to a Blocked Account all amounts on deposit in each DDA (other than, so long as the Term Facility is in effect, Term Loan Priority Accounts (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement)) (net of any minimum balance as may be required to be kept in the subject DDA by the depository institution at which such DDA is maintained) and all payments received from all Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors and from SHC and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Separation Agreements.
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(c) After the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to Term Loan Priority Accounts (as defined therein) cause the ACH or wire transfer to the collection account maintained by the Agent at Bank of America or with another financial institution acceptable to the Agent in its sole discretion (the “Domestic Collection Account”) (in the case of any Domestic Loan Party) or maintained by the Agent at Bank of America (the “UK Collection Account”) (in the case of any UK Loan Party), no less frequently than daily (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Loan Agreement Obligations), all cash receipts and collections from all sources, including, without limitation, the following:
(i) all available cash receipts from the sale of Inventory (including without limitation, proceeds of credit card charges) and other assets (whether or not constituting Collateral);
(ii) all proceeds of collections of Accounts;
(iii) all net proceeds received by a Loan Party from any Person or from any source or on account of any Disposition of ABL Priority Collateral;
(iv) the then contents of each DDA (other than, so long as the Term Facility is in effect, Term Loan Priority Accounts) (net of any minimum balance, not to exceed $2,500.00, as may be required to be kept in the subject DDA by the depository institution at which such DDA is maintained); and
(v) the then entire ledger balance of each Blocked Account (net of any minimum balance, not to exceed $50,000.00, as may be required to be kept in the subject Blocked Account by the Blocked Account Bank);
All funds in each DDA and each Blocked Account shall be conclusively presumed to be Collateral and proceeds of Collateral and the Agent and the Lenders shall have no duty to inquire as to the source of the amounts on deposit in any DDA or Blocked Account.
(d) Each Collection Account and each UK Blocked Account shall at all times during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event be under the sole dominion and control of the Agent. The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, the Loan Parties have no right of withdrawal from the Collection Accounts or the UK Blocked Accounts, (ii) the funds on deposit in the Domestic Collection Account shall at all times be collateral security for all of the Obligations, (iii) the funds on deposit in the UK Collection Account shall at all times be collateral security for all of the UK Liabilities, and (iv) during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, (A) unless the Loan Agreement Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof, the funds on deposit in the Collection Account shall be applied to the Loan Agreement Obligations as provided in Section 2.05(g) and (h) hereof, and (B) if the Loan Agreement Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof, the funds on deposit in the Collection Accounts shall be applied to the Obligations as provided in Section 8.03 hereof. In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.12, any Loan Party receives or otherwise has dominion and control of any such cash receipts or collections while a Cash Dominion Event exists, such receipts and collections shall be held in trust by such Loan Party for the Agent, shall not be commingled with any of such Loan Party’s other funds or deposited in any account of such Loan Party and shall, not later than the Business Day after receipt thereof, be deposited into the Collection Account or dealt with in such other fashion as such Loan Party may be instructed by the Agent.
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(e) Upon entering into any agreements with any new Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Agent a Credit Card Notification as set forth in Section 6.12(a) hereof.
(f) The Agent agrees that (1) it shall not direct any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to transfer any proceeds pursuant to any Credit Card Notification unless a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing and (2) if any Loan Party shall so request, unless a Cash Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing, the Agent shall countersign any notification, request, order or direction from such Loan Party to any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor directing payments from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to be made to a new or different DDA, provided such DDA is a Blocked Account.
(g) Upon the request of the Agent, cause bank statements and/or other reports to be delivered to the Agent not less often than monthly, accurately setting forth all amounts deposited in each Blocked Account to ensure the proper transfer of funds as set forth above.
6.13 Information Regarding the Collateral.
Furnish to the Agent at least five (5) days prior written notice of any change in: (i) any Loan Party’s name; (ii) the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, registered office, its principal place of business, any office in which it maintains books or records relating to ABL Priority Collateral (including the establishment of any such new office); (iii) any Loan Party’s organizational structure or jurisdiction of incorporation or formation; or (iv) any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number assigned to it by its state of organization or incorporation.
6.14 Physical Inventories.
(a) Cause one physical inventory to be undertaken, at the expense of the Loan Parties, in each Fiscal Year and periodic cycle counts, in each case consistent with past practices, conducted by such inventory takers as are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and following such methodology as is consistent with past practice or as otherwise may be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent, at the expense of the Loan Parties, may participate in and/or observe each scheduled physical count of Inventory which is undertaken on behalf of any Loan Party. The Domestic Borrower, within 45 days following the completion of such inventory, shall provide the Agent with a reconciliation of the results of such inventory (as well as of any other physical inventory or cycle counts undertaken by a Loan Party) and shall post such results to the Loan Parties’ stock ledgers and general ledgers, as applicable.
(b) Permit the Agent, in its discretion, if any Default or Event of Default exists, to cause additional such inventories to be taken as the Agent reasonably requests (each, at the expense of the Loan Parties).
6.15 Designation of Subsidiaries.
The board of directors of the Domestic Borrower may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied (and, as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any such designation, the Domestic Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate setting forth in
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reasonable detail the calculations demonstrating satisfaction thereof), (iii) no Borrower may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iv) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the Term Facility or any other Indebtedness of any Loan Party that contemplates “unrestricted” subsidiaries, (v) no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall own any Equity Interests in the Loan Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries, (vi) no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall hold any Indebtedness of, or any Lien on any property of, the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, (vii) the holder of any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not have any recourse to the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to such Indebtedness, (vii) no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be a party to any transaction or arrangement with the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries that would not be permitted by Section 7.09, and (viii) none of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries shall have any obligation to subscribe for additional Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or to preserve or maintain the financial condition of any Unrestricted Subsidiary,. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value as determined by the Domestic Borrower in good faith of the Domestic Borrower’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any Investment by the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value as determined by the Domestic Borrower in good faith at the date of such designation of the Domestic Borrower’s or its Restricted Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.
6.16 Further Assurances.
(a) Take the actions specified in Schedule 6.16 as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event within the periods after the Closing Date specified in Schedule 6.16. The provisions of Schedule 6.16 shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein as fully as if set forth herein in their entirety.
(b) Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents), that may be required under any Law, or which the Agent may reasonably request, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or to grant, preserve, protect or perfect the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents or the validity or priority of any such Lien, all at the expense of the Loan Parties; provided, notwithstanding any other provision hereof or in any Loan Document, the Loan Parties shall not be required to take any action with respect to Mortgages or Material Real Estate, including without limitation in respect of title insurance, surveys and other matters, to the extent the same is not required in respect of the Term Facility or any refinancing thereof.
(c) If any material assets of the type which constitute Collateral under the Security Documents (including, without limitation, Material Real Estate) are acquired by any Loan Party after the Closing Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Documents that become subject to the perfected Lien under the Security Documents upon acquisition thereof), notify the Agent thereof, and the Loan Parties will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Obligations and will take such actions as shall be necessary or shall be reasonably requested by the Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section 6.16, all at the expense of the Loan Parties. In no event shall compliance with this Section 6.16(b) waive or be deemed a waiver or consent to any transaction giving rise to the need to comply with this Section 6.16(b) if such transaction was not otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement or constitute or be deemed to constitute consent to the inclusion of any acquired assets in the computation of the Combined Borrowing Base.
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(d) Upon the reasonable request of the Agent, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its customs brokers, freight forwarders, consolidators and/or carriers to deliver an agreement to the Agent covering such matters and in such form as the Agent may reasonably require.
6.17 Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds.
Except as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, and except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (a) make all payments and otherwise perform all obligations in respect of all Leases to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, to the extent necessary to keep such Leases in full force and effect (b) not allow such Leases to lapse or be terminated or any rights to renew such Leases to be forfeited or cancelled except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, (c) notify the Agent of any default by any party with respect to such Leases and cooperate with the Agent in all respects to cure any such default, and (d) cause each of its Subsidiaries to do the foregoing.
6.18 Material Contracts. Except, in any case, where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, perform and observe all the terms and provisions of each Material Contract to be performed or observed by it to the extent required to maintain each such Material Contract in full force and effect and enforce each such Material Contract in accordance with its terms.
6.19 UK “Know your customer” checks.
(a) If (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; (ii) any change in the status of a UK Loan Party after the date of this Agreement; or (iii) a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer, obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of clause (iii) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each UK Loan Party shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Loan Documents.
(b) Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Loan Documents.
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6.20 UK Pension Plans
(a) Each UK Loan Party shall to the extent applicable ensure that all pension schemes operated by or maintained for the benefit of the UK Loan Parties and/or any of their employees are fully funded based on the statutory funding objective under sections 221 and 222 of the Pensions Xxx 0000 and that no action or omission is taken by any company in relation to such a pension scheme which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (including the termination or commencement of winding-up proceedings of any such pension scheme or in the case of any multi-employee defined benefit schemes any English company ceasing to employ any member of such a pension scheme).
(b) Each UK Loan Party shall ensure that no UK Loan Party is or has been at any time an employer (for the purposes of sections 38 to 51 of the Pensions Act 2004) of an occupational pension scheme which is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the Pension Schemes Act 1993) or “connected” with or an “associate” of (as those terms are defined in sections 38 or 43 of the Pensions Act 2004) such an employer.
(c) Each UK Loan Party shall deliver to the Agent to the extent applicable: (i) the usual scheme report and accounts at such times as the same is prepared in order to comply with the then current statutory or auditing requirements (as applicable either to the trustees of any relevant defined benefit schemes or to the UK Loan Party); and (ii) at any other time if the Agent reasonably believes that any relevant statutory or auditing requirements are not being complied with, actuarial reports in relation to all pension schemes mentioned in (a) above.
(d) Each UK Loan Party shall promptly notify the Agent of any material change in the rate of contributions to any pension scheme mentioned in (a) above paid or recommended to be paid by the scheme actuary or required (by law or otherwise).
6.21 Centre of Main Interests.
Each UK Loan Party shall maintain its centre of main interests in England and Wales for the purposes of the Insolvency Regulation.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Loan Agreement Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification claims for which a claim has not been asserted), or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless Cash Collateralized), Domestic Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
7.01 Liens Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any ABL Priority Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
7.02 Investments Make any Investments, except Permitted Investments.
7.03 Indebtedness.
Create, incur, assume, guarantee, suffer to exist or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except Permitted Indebtedness.
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7.04 Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate or consolidate with or into another Person, except that:
(a) any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party may merge or consolidate with (i) a Loan Party, provided that the Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person or the non-Loan Party surviving such merger shall execute such documentation as the Agent may reasonably request to confirm its assumption of the obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents, or (ii) any one or more other Restricted Subsidiaries which are not Loan Parties, provided that when any Restricted Subsidiary is merging with another Subsidiary, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Restricted Subsidiary;
(b) any Loan Party may merge into or consolidate with another Loan Party, provided that in any merger involving a Borrower, a Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person;
(c) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, any Subsidiary of a Loan Party may merge with or into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge with or into or consolidate with it; provided that (i) the Person surviving such merger shall be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party and such Person shall become a Loan Party to the extent required in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.11 hereof, and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person or the Person surviving such merger shall execute such documentation as the Agent may reasonably request to confirm its assumption of the obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents;
(d) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve into its parent entity to the extent the Domestic Borrower reasonably determines that the continued existence of such Subsidiary is no longer in the best interests of the Domestic Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(e) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing prior to or immediately after giving effect thereto, in connection with a Permitted Disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary may merge or consolidate into any Person that is not a Subsidiary.
7.05 Dispositions Make any Disposition, except Permitted Dispositions.
7.06 Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except the following:
(a) each Restricted Subsidiary of a Loan Party may make Restricted Payments to the holder of its Equity Interests, provided that any such Restricted Payment to a Person that is not a Loan Party shall not exceed such Person’s ratable share of the Restricted Payments so made;
(b) the Loan Parties and each Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other Equity Interests of such Person, other than Disqualified Stock;
(c) the Domestic Borrower may make the Closing Date Dividend solely from the proceeds of the Term Facility;
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(d) the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of it or any direct or indirect parent thereof held by any future, present or former employee, director, manager, officer or consultant (or any Affiliates, spouses, former spouses, other immediate family members, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributees of any of the foregoing) of the Domestic Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Domestic Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employee, management, director or manager equity plan, employee, management, director or manager stock option plan or any other employee, management, director or manager benefit plan or any agreement (including any stock subscription or shareholder agreement) with any employee, director, manager, officer or consultant of the Domestic Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that such payments do not exceed $2,000,000 in any calendar year, provided that any unused portion of the preceding basket for any calendar year may be carried forward to succeeding calendar years, so long as the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made pursuant to this Section 7.06(d) in any calendar year (after giving effect to such carry forward) shall not exceed $5,000,000; provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Domestic Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its Subsidiaries from members of management of the Domestic Borrower, any of the Domestic Borrower’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Domestic Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of any of the Domestic Borrower’s direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Agreement;
(e) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or to an employee stock ownership plan) of Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock);
(f) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur (i) upon exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options, stock appreciation rights or warrants or (ii) for purposes of satisfying any required tax withholding obligation upon the exercise or vesting of a grant or award that was granted or awarded to an employee or director;
(g) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of the Domestic Borrower deemed to occur in connection with paying cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests in connection with a share dividend, distribution, share split, reverse share split, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination of the Domestic Borrower or its Subsidiaries, in each case, permitted under this Agreement;
(h) so long as clauses (a)(i) and (ii) of the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied, other Restricted Payments, in cash or in kind, not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate; and
(i) if the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied, the Domestic Borrower may make other Restricted Payments, including (i) the purchase, redemption or otherwise acquisition of Equity Interests issued by it and (ii) declaration of dividends to its stockholders in cash or in kind.
7.07 Prepayments of Indebtedness. Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof, or, as applicable, the time of any otherwise applicable mandatory
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payment thereof in accordance with the terms thereof (including as a result of the Permitted Disposition of any collateral therefor) (it being understood that payments of regularly scheduled principal and interest and mandatory prepayments of principal and interest shall be permitted), in any manner any Indebtedness for borrowed money, except (a) so long as no Change of Control would result therefrom, the conversion (or exchange) of any Indebtedness to, or the payment of any Indebtedness from the proceeds of the issuance of, Equity Interests, (b) voluntary prepayments, repurchases, redemptions or defeasances of Permitted Indebtedness in an amount equal to $10,000,000 per year so long as no Event of Default has occurred or would result therefrom, or in greater amounts provided the Payment Conditions are then satisfied, (c) payment or prepayment of Indebtedness owed to (x) the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party or (y) any other Restricted Subsidiary so long as in the case of this clause (y) either (1) such payment or prepayment is of Indebtedness having a term not in excess of sixty (60) days, (2) such payment is made by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or (3) after giving effect to such payment or prepayment, clauses (a) and (b)(x)(i) of the Payment Conditions will be satisfied, (d) prepayment of Permitted Indebtedness of the type set forth in clause (c) of the definition thereof, (e) prepayment of Permitted Indebtedness of the type set forth in clause (g) of the definition thereof, so long as such prepayment is made within ninety (90) days following the date of the consummation of the applicable Permitted Acquisition, and (e) Permitted Refinancings of any such Indebtedness; provided that any payments or prepayments of Subordinated Debt hereunder shall be made in accordance with the subordination terms applicable thereto.
7.08 Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any line of business substantially different from the business conducted by the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.
7.09 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into, renew, extend or be a party to any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of any Loan Party, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Loan Parties or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Loan Parties or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (a) transactions between or among the Loan Parties, (b) transactions described in the Separation Agreements, (c) transactions described in the Domestic Borrower’s Form 10 under the Section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”, (d) advances for commissions, travel and other similar purposes in the ordinary course of business to directors, officers and employees, (e) the payment of reasonable fees and out-of-pocket costs to directors, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (f) the provision of ordinary course administrative services to the Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (g) Restricted Payments otherwise permitted under this Agreement, (h) as long as no Change of Control results therefrom, any issuances of securities of the Domestic Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans (in each case in respect of Equity Interests in the Domestic Borrower) of the Domestic Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (i) the existence of, or the performance by the Loan Parties or any Restricted Subsidiary, of the obligations under the terms of any agreement to which it is a party as of the Closing Date, as set forth on Schedule 7.09, and (j) any transaction or series of related transactions involving one or more payments by the Domestic Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $1,000,000 in the aggregate.
7.10 Burdensome Agreements. Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Term Credit Agreement) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Restricted Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments or other distributions to any Loan Party or to otherwise transfer property to or invest in a Loan Party, (ii) of any Restricted Subsidiary which
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is a wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary to Guarantee the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof or (iii) of the Loan Parties or any Restricted Subsidiary which is a wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person in favor of the Agent except for encumbrances and restrictions under Contractual Obligations existing under or by reason of (i) this Agreement, the Term Facility and the other Loan Documents and the documents governing the Other Liabilities; (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to (A) an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the disposition of all or any portion of the equity interests or assets of such Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary or (B) contracts for the sale of assets that impose restrictions solely on the assets to be sold; (iii) the provisions contained in any Permitted Indebtedness (and in any refinancing of such indebtedness so long as no more restrictive than those contained in the respective Indebtedness so refinanced); (iv) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of any Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower entered into in the ordinary course of business and customary provisions contained in other leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business; (v) customary provisions restricting assignment of any contract entered into by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower in the ordinary course of business; (vi) any agreement or instrument of a Person acquired as permitted hereunder, which restriction is not applicable to any Person or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person acquired pursuant to the respective acquisition and so long as the respective encumbrances or restrictions were not created (or made more restrictive) in connection with or in anticipation of the respective acquisition; (vii) customary provisions restricting the assignment of licensing agreements, management agreements or franchise agreements entered into by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; (viii) restrictions on the transfer of assets securing purchase money obligations and capitalized lease obligations which are permitted hereunder; (ix) customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by Subsidiaries of any Borrower, so long as the applicable Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations, (x) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (xi) customary provisions in joint venture agreements or arrangements and other similar agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture.
7.11 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (a) to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, (b) to make the Closing Date Dividend, or (c) for any purposes other than (i) the acquisition of working capital assets in the ordinary course of business, (ii) to finance Capital Expenditures of the Loan Parties, and (iii) for general corporate purposes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to finance Permitted Acquisitions), in each case to the extent permitted under Law and the Loan Documents.
7.12 Amendment of Organization Documents and Material Indebtedness.
Amend, modify or waive any of a Loan Party’s rights under (a) its Organization Documents in a manner materially adverse to the Agent and the Lenders, or (b) any Material Indebtedness if such amendment, modification or waiver would be in violation of any intercreditor agreement among the Agent and the holder of such Material Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Intercreditor Agreement).
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7.13 Fiscal Year; Accounting Policies.
(a) Change the Fiscal Year of any Loan Party, except as required by GAAP or to coincide with the calendar year; provided, however, that the Domestic Borrower may, upon written notice to the Agent, change its Fiscal Year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Agent, in which case the Domestic Borrower and the Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in Fiscal Year.
(b) Change the accounting policies or reporting practices of the Loan Parties relating to calculation of the Combined Borrowing Base except upon thirty (30) days prior notice to the Agent, upon which Agent may impose Reserves relating thereto as determined in its Permitted Discretion.
7.14 Financial Covenant.
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. During the continuance of a Covenant Compliance Event, permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, to be less than 1.0:1.0, commencing with the month ending immediately preceding the date on which a Covenant Compliance Event first occurred.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment. The Borrowers or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid, any amount of principal of, any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) within three (3) days after the same is due, any amount of interest due on any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific Covenants. (i) Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.01, (other than clauses (a) and (b) thereof) 6.02(b), 6.03(a), 6.05, 6.07 (with respect to property of the type included in the Combined Borrowing Base), 6.10, 6.12 or Article VII; or
(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe (i) any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.03(b), (j) or (k) and such failure continues for 15 days, or (ii) any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a), (b) or (c)(i) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or
(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, or certification made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith (including, without limitation, any Borrowing Base Certificate) shall be incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made (or, in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, in any respect when made or deemed made); or
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(e) Cross-Default. Any Loan Party (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Material Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded prior to its stated maturity; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof (except to the extent the aggregate assets or revenue of all Restricted Subsidiaries who are not Loan Parties subject to such event is not in excess of 5% of the Domestic Borrower’s consolidated total revenue or consolidated total assets) institutes or consents to the institution of any Insolvency Proceedings or proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or a proceeding shall be commenced or a petition filed, without the application or consent of such Person, seeking or requesting the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed and the appointment continues undischarged, undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or any Insolvency Proceedings or proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof (except to the extent the aggregate assets or revenue of all Restricted Subsidiaries who are not Loan Parties subject to such event is not in excess of 5% of the Domestic Borrower’s consolidated total revenue or consolidated total assets) one or more judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding $35,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least “A” by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), and (i) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (ii) there is a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(i) UK Pension Plan. The Pensions Regulator issues a Financial Support Direction or a Contribution Notice to any UK Loan Party; or
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(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. (i) Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any Affiliate contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any material provision of any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any material provision of any Loan Document or seeks to avoid, limit or otherwise adversely affect any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document; or (ii) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party or any other Person not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any portion of the Collateral with an aggregate fair market value exceeding $15,000,000, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document; or
(k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control; or
(l) Cessation of Business. Except as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, shall suspend the operation of substantially all of their business in the ordinary course or liquidate all or substantially all of their assets, or employ an agent or other third party to conduct a program of closings, liquidations or “Going-Out-Of-Business” sales of substantially all of their business; or
(m) Material Contracts. Any Material Contract is terminated prior to its stated term if such termination would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) Guaranty. The termination or attempted termination of any guaranty set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any Joinder Agreement except as expressly permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Agent may, or, at the request of the Required Lenders shall, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the Commitments of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments and obligations shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other Loan Agreement Obligations to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Loan Parties;
(c) require that the Loan Parties Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations; and
(d) whether or not the maturity of the Loan Agreement Obligations shall have been accelerated pursuant hereto, proceed to protect, enforce and exercise all rights and remedies of the Agent under this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or Law, including, but not limited to, by suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the Loan Agreement Obligations are evidenced, 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 the Agent;
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provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default with respect to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof under Section 8.01(f), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued thereon and all other Loan Agreement Obligations shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Loan Parties to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Agent or any Lender.
No remedy herein 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 given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or any other provision of Law.
8.03 Application of Funds.
(a) After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Obligations have automatically become immediately due and payable and the Domestic L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received from or on account of the Domestic Loan Parties (including, without limitation, any Collateral furnished by any of them) on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.16, be applied by the Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations (other than UK Liabilities) constituting fees, indemnities, Credit Party Expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Agent;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting indemnities (including indemnities due under Section 10.03 hereof), Credit Party Expenses, and other amounts (other than principal, interest and fees and other than UK Liabilities) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including Credit Party Expenses to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to the extent not previously reimbursed by the Domestic Lenders, to payment to the Agent of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting principal and accrued and unpaid interest on any Permitted Overadvances made to or for the benefit of the Domestic Loan Parties;
Fourth, to the extent that Domestic Swing Line Loans have not been refinanced by a Domestic Committed Loan, payment to the Domestic Swing Line Lender of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the Domestic Swing Line Loans;
Fifth, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Domestic Committed Loans, Domestic L/C Borrowings and other Loan Agreement Obligations (other than UK Liabilities), and fees (including Domestic Letter of Credit Fees), ratably among the Domestic Lenders and the Domestic L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth payable to them;
Sixth, to payment of that portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Domestic Committed Loans and Domestic L/C Borrowings, ratably among the
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Domestic Lenders and the Domestic L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Sixth held by them;
Seventh, to the Agent for the account of the Domestic L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of Domestic L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Domestic Letters of Credit;
Eighth, to payment of all other Loan Agreement Obligations (including without limitation the cash collateralization of unliquidated indemnification obligations, but excluding any Other Domestic Liabilities and any UK Liabilities), ratably among the Domestic Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Eighth held by them;
Ninth, to payment of that portion of the Other Domestic Liabilities arising from Cash Management Services, ratably among the Domestic Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Ninth held by them;
Tenth, to payment of all Other Domestic Liabilities arising from Bank Products, ratably among the Domestic Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Tenth held by them;
Eleventh, to the Agent to be held for the benefit of the UK Lenders as cash collateral to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities (excluding the Other UK Liabilities) constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent in connection therewith and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Agent, in its capacity as such;
Twelfth, to the Agent to be held for the benefit of the UK Lenders as cash collateral to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities (excluding the Other UK Liabilities) constituting indemnities, expenses, and other amounts (other than principal, interest and fees) payable to the UK Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and amounts payable under Article III);
Thirteenth, to the Agent to be held by the Agent, for the benefit of the UK Lenders as cash collateral to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the UK Committed Loans, UK L/C Borrowings and other UK Liabilities, and fees (including UK Letter of Credit Fees);
Fourteenth, to the Agent to be held by the Agent, for the benefit of the UK Lenders and the L/C Issuer for the UK Borrower as cash collateral to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities constituting unpaid principal of the UK Committed Loans and UK L/C Borrowings, and to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer for the UK Borrower, to Cash Collateralize that portion of the UK L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of UK Letters of Credit;
Fifteenth, to the Agent to be held by the Agent, for the benefit of the UK Lenders as cash collateral for the payment of all other UK Liabilities (including without limitation the cash collateralization of unliquidated indemnification obligations for which a claim has been made as provided in Section 10.04, but excluding any Other UK Liabilities);
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Sixteenth, to the Agent to be held by the Agent, for the benefit of the UK Lenders to be held as cash collateral for the payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities arising from Cash Management Services;
Seventeenth, to the Agent to be held by the Agent, for the benefit of the UK Lenders to be held as cash collateral for the payment of all other UK Liabilities arising from Bank Products; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Loan Parties or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Seventh or Fourteenth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Domestic Loan Party shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Domestic Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to the Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.
Any amounts received by the Agent pursuant to clauses Eleventh through Seventeenth of this Section 8.03(a) shall be held as cash collateral for the UK Liabilities until the earlier of (i) the Substantial Liquidation of the Collateral granted by the UK Loan Parties, or (ii) such date that the Agent shall otherwise determine. Any amounts received pursuant to clauses Eleventh through Seventeenth of Section 8.03(a) shall, subject to the provisions of Section 9.17, be applied to the UK Liabilities in such order and manner as the Agent may reasonably determine.
(b) After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the UK Committed Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the UK L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received from any UK Loan Party, from the liquidation of any Collateral of any UK Loan Party, or on account of the UK Liabilities, shall be applied by the Agent against the UK Liabilities in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities (excluding the Other UK Liabilities) constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Agent, in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities (excluding the Other UK Liabilities) constituting indemnities, expenses, and other amounts (other than principal, interest and fees) payable to the UK Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective UK Lenders and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the UK Loans and other UK Liabilities and fees ratably among the UK Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
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Fourth, to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities constituting unpaid principal of the UK Loans and UK L/C Borrowings, and to the Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of UK L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of UK Letters of Credit, ratably among the UK Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;
Fifth, to payment of all other UK Liabilities (excluding the Other UK Liabilities but including without limitation the cash collateralization of unliquidated indemnification obligations as provided in Section 10.04), ratably among the Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth held by them;
Sixth, to payment of that portion of the UK Liabilities arising from Cash Management Services to the extent secured under the Security Documents, ratably among the Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Sixth held by them;
Seventh, to payment of all other UK Liabilities arising from Bank Products to the extent secured under the Security Documents, ratably among the Credit Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Seventh held by them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the UK Liabilities have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the UK Loan Parties or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of UK Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such UK Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all UK Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other UK Liabilities, if any, in the order set forth above.
ARTICLE IX
THE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority.
Each of the Lenders (in its capacity as a Lender), the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the administrative agent and collateral agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof (including, without limitation, acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations), together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Agent and the other Credit Parties, and no Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
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9.02 Appointment of the Agent as security trustee under the UK Security Documents
For the purposes of any Liens or Collateral created under the UK Security Documents, the following additional provisions shall apply, in addition to the provisions set out elsewhere in this ARTICLE IX or otherwise hereunder.
(a) The Credit Parties appoint the Agent to hold the security interests constituted by the UK Security Documents on trust for the Credit Parties on the terms of such UK Security Documents and the Agent accepts that appointment.
(b) The Agent, its subsidiaries and associated companies may each retain for its own account and benefit any fee, remuneration and profits paid to it in connection with (i) its activities under the UK Security Documents; and (ii) its engagement in any kind of banking or other business with any Credit Party.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of, nor shall the Agent have any duty or responsibility to, any Credit Party.
(d) The Agent shall have no duties or obligations to any other Person except for those which are expressly specified in the Loan Documents or mandatorily required by Law.
(e) The Agent may appoint one or more Delegates on such terms (which may include the power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, to exercise and perform all or any of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in it by any of the UK Security Documents and shall not be obliged to supervise any Delegate or be responsible to any person for any loss incurred by reason of any act, omission, misconduct or default on the part of any Delegate.
(f) The Agent may (whether for the purpose of complying with any Law or regulation of any overseas jurisdiction, or for any other reason) appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act jointly with the Agent either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Agent thinks fit and with such of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in the Agent by any UK Security Document as may be conferred by the instrument of appointment of that person.
(g) The Agent shall notify the Credit Parties of the appointment of each Appointee (other than a Delegate).
(h) The Agent may pay reasonable remuneration to any Delegate or Appointee, together with any costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Delegate or Appointee in connection with its appointment. All such remuneration, costs and expenses shall be treated, for the purposes of this Agreement and any Fee Letter, as paid or incurred by the Agent.
(i) Each Delegate and each Appointee shall have every benefit, right, power and discretion and the benefit of every exculpation (together “Rights”) of the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under the UK Security Documents, and each reference to the Agent (where the context requires that such reference is to the Agent in its capacity as security trustee) in the provisions of such UK Security Documents which confer Rights shall be deemed to include a reference to each Delegate and each Appointee.
(j) Each Credit Party confirms its approval of the UK Security Documents and authorizes and instructs the Agent: (i) to execute and deliver the UK Security Documents; (ii) to
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exercise the rights, powers and discretions given to the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under or in connection with the UK Security Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (iii) to give any authorizations and confirmations to be given by the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) on behalf of the Credit Parties under the UK Security Documents.
(k) The Agent may accept without inquiry the title (if any) which any person may have to the Collateral.
(l) Each other Credit Party confirms that it does not wish to be registered as a joint proprietor of any security interest constituted by a UK Security Document and accordingly authorizes: (a) the Agent to hold such security interest in its sole name (or in the name of any Delegate) as trustee for the Credit Parties; and (b) the Land Registry (or other relevant registry) to register the Agent (or any Delegate or Appointee) as a sole proprietor of such security interest.
(m) Except to the extent that a UK Security Document otherwise requires, any moneys which the Agent receives under or pursuant to UK Security Document may be: (a) invested in any investments which the Agent selects and which are authorized by applicable law; or (b) placed on deposit at any bank or institution (including the Agent) on terms that the Agent thinks fit, in each case in the name or under the control of the Agent, and the Agent shall hold those moneys, together with any accrued income (net of any applicable Tax) to the order of the Lenders, and shall pay them to the Lenders on demand.
(n) On a disposal of any of the Collateral charged pursuant to a UK Security Document which is permitted under the Loan Documents, the Agent shall (at the reasonable cost of the Credit Parties) execute any release of the UK Security Documents or other claim over that Collateral and issue any certificates of non-crystallisation of floating charges that may be required or take any other action that the Agent considers desirable.
(o) The Agent shall not be liable for: (i) any defect in or failure of the title (if any) which any person may have to any assets over which security is intended to be created by any UK Security Document; any loss resulting from the investment or deposit at any bank of moneys which it invests or deposits in a manner permitted by the UK Security Documents unless that loss arises directly from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; (ii) the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, any right, power or discretion given to it by or in connection with any Loan Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Loan Document; or any shortfall which arises on enforcing the UK Security Document.
(p) The Agent shall not be obligated to (i) obtain any authorization or environmental permit in respect of any of the Collateral or any of the UK Security Documents; (ii) hold in its own possession any UK Security Document, title deed or other document relating to the Collateral or the UK Security Documents; (iii) perfect, protect, register, make any filing or give any notice in respect of any UK Security Documents (or the order of ranking of any UK Security Document), unless that failure arises directly from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iv) require any further assurances in relation to any UK Security Document.
(q) In respect of the UK Security Documents, the Agent shall not be obligated to (i) insure, or require any other person to insure, the Collateral; or (ii) make any enquiry or conduct any investigation into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any insurance existing over the Collateral.
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(r) In respect of the UK Security Documents, the Agent shall not have any obligation or duty to any person for any loss suffered as a result of: (i) the lack or inadequacy of any insurance; or (ii) the failure of the Agent to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by them, or of any other information of any kind, unless Required Lenders have requested it to do so in writing and the Agent has failed to do so within fourteen (14) days after receipt of that request.
(s) Every appointment of a successor Agent under the UK Security Documents shall be by deed.
(t) Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 (UK) shall not apply to the duty of the Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement.
(u) In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Trustee Xxx 0000 (UK) or the Trustee Act 2000 (UK), the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent allowed by law, and shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of the Trustee Xxx 0000 (UK).
(v) The perpetuity period under the rule against perpetuities if applicable to this Agreement and the UK Security Documents shall be 80 years from the date of this Agreement.
9.03 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
9.04 Exculpatory Provisions. The Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Applicable Lenders, provided that the Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Loan Parties or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
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The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Applicable Lenders (as the Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Agent by a Loan Party, a Lender or the L/C Issuer. In the event that the Agent obtains such actual knowledge or receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the L/C Issuer and the Lenders. Upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, the Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Applicable Lenders. Unless and until the Agent shall have received such direction, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to any such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Credit Parties. In no event shall the Agent be required to comply with any such directions to the extent that the Agent believes that its compliance with such directions would be unlawful.
The Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Agent.
9.05 Reliance by Agent.
The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including, but not limited to, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally, electronically or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Agent shall have received written notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for any Loan Party), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
9.06 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Agent. The Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Agent and
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any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Agent. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
9.07 Resignation of Agent. The Agent may at any time give written notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Domestic Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Domestic Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Agent shall notify the Domestic Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any Collateral held by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Domestic Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent hereunder.
9.08 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Except as provided in Section 9.12, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Credit Party with any other credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of any Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Agent.
9.09 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunners, Arrangers, Syndication Agent or Documentation Agent listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity as the Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.
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9.10 Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Agent shall have made any demand on the Loan Parties) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Agent and the other Credit Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Agent, such Credit Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer the Agent and such Credit Parties under Sections 2.03(i), 2.03(j), 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Agent and to pay to the Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Credit Party any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Credit Party or to authorize the Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Credit Party in any such proceeding.
9.11 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. The Credit Parties irrevocably authorize the Agent, at its option and in its discretion,
(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Loan Agreement Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted), and/or the expiration, termination or Cash Collateralization of all Letters of Credit, (ii) with respect to the UK Loan Parties, upon termination of the UK Commitments and payment in full of all UK Liabilities (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted), and/or the expiration, termination or Cash Collateralization of all Letters of Credit issued for the account of any UK Loan Party, (iii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of (to a Person that is not a Loan Party) as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Applicable Lenders in accordance with Section 10.01;
(b) to subordinate, make senior or make pari passu any Lien on any Other Property granted to or held by the Agent under any Loan Document to or with the Lien of any other Person on such property, as contemplated by clauses (q) or (r) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and to enter into the intercreditor agreements contemplated under clause (r) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances or otherwise under this Agreement; and
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(c) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or becomes an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder and to release any Loan Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents in the event that such Loan Party shall dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and shall cease to own any Collateral in a transaction permitted hereunder.
Upon request by the Agent at any time, the Applicable Lenders will confirm in writing the 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 and Security Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.10 and its authority to give the releases set forth in Section 10.21. The Agent agrees upon the request of the Domestic Borrower or the UK Borrower and at the Domestic Borrower’s expense to negotiate in good faith and enter into any Intercreditor Agreement or customary intercreditor agreement permitted under this Agreement in connection with the incurrence by the Domestic Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the applicable secured Indebtedness. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Agent agrees to enter into any customary intercreditor agreement required to subordinate liens on assets (other than ABL Priority Collateral) of the UK Loan Parties to secure any Indebtedness secured by Liens on the assets of the UK Loan Parties permitted hereunder.
9.12 Notice of Transfer.
The Agent may deem and treat a Lender party to this Agreement as the owner of such Lender’s portion of the Loan Agreement Obligations for all purposes, unless and until, and except to the extent, an Assignment and Acceptance shall have become effective as set forth in Section 10.06.
9.13 Reports and Financial Statements.
By signing this Agreement, each Lender:
(a) agrees to furnish the Agent after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event (and thereafter at such frequency as the Agent may reasonably request) with a summary of all Other Liabilities due or to become due to such Lender. In connection with any distributions to be made hereunder, the Agent shall be entitled to assume that no amounts are due to any Lender on account of Other Liabilities unless the Agent has received written notice thereof from such Lender and if such notice is received, the Agent shall be entitled to assume that the only amounts due to such Lender on account of Other Liabilities is the amount set forth in such notice;
(b) is deemed to have requested that the Agent furnish, and the Agent agrees to furnish, such Lender, promptly after they become available, copies of all Borrowing Base Certificates and financial statements required to be delivered by the Borrowers hereunder;
(c) is deemed to have requested that the Agent furnish, and the Agent agrees to furnish, such Lender, promptly after they become available, copies of all commercial finance examinations and appraisals of the Collateral received by the Agent (collectively, the “Reports”);
(d) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Agent makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the Borrowing Base Certificates, financial statements or Reports, and shall not be liable for any information contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate, financial statement or Report;
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(e) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that the Agent or any other party performing any audit or examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel;
(f) agrees to keep all Borrowing Base Certificates, financial statements and Reports confidential in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.07 hereof; and
(g) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold the Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any Credit Extensions that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrowers, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including attorney costs) incurred by the Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.
9.14 Agency for Perfection.
Each Credit Party hereby appoints each other Credit Party as agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens for the benefit of the Credit Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable Law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Credit Party (other than the Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Credit Party shall notify the Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Agent’s instructions.
9.15 Indemnification of Agent. Without limiting the obligations of Loan Parties hereunder, to the extent that the Loan Parties for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 10.04 to be paid by them to the Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Lenders shall indemnify the Agent, any sub-agent thereof, the L/C Issuer and any Related Party, as the case may be ratably according to their Applicable Percentages, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agent, any sub-agent thereof, the L/C Issuer and their Related Parties in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent, any sub-agent thereof, the L/C Issuer and their Related Parties in connection therewith; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Agent’s, any sub-agent’s, the L/C Issuer’s and their Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
9.16 Relation among Lenders. The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender.
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9.17 Risk Participation.
(a) Upon the earlier of Substantial Liquidation or the Determination Date, if all UK Liabilities have not been repaid in full (other than the Other UK Liabilities), then the other Lenders shall purchase from the UK Lenders (on the date of Substantial Liquidation or the Determination Date, as applicable) such portion of the UK Liabilities (other than the Other UK Liabilities) so that each Lender shall, after giving effect to any such purchases, hold its Liquidation Percentage of all outstanding UK Liabilities and all other Obligations.
(b) All purchases of Obligations under this Section 9.17 shall be at par, for cash, with no premium, discount or reduction.
(c) No Lender shall be responsible for any default of any other Lender in respect of any other Lender’s obligations under this Section 9.17, nor shall the obligations of any Lender hereunder be increased as a result of such default of any other Lender. Each Lender shall be obligated to the extent provided herein regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its obligations hereunder.
(d) Each Lender shall execute such instruments, documents and agreements and do such other actions as may be necessary or proper in order to carry out more fully the provisions and purposes of this Section 9.17 and the purchase of Obligations or the UK Liabilities, as applicable, as provided herein.
(e) The obligations of each Lender under this Section 9.17 are irrevocable and unconditional and shall not be subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever including, without limitation, lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which any Loan Party may have at any time against any of the Lenders.
(f) No fees required to be paid on any assignment pursuant to Section 10.06 of this Agreement shall be payable in connection with any assignment under this Section 9.17.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Amendments, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders or by the Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Borrowers or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(i) increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;
(ii) as to any Lender, postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for (i) any scheduled payment (including on the Maturity Date) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents without the written consent of such Lender, or (ii) any scheduled or mandatory reduction or termination of the Aggregate Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of such Lender;
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(iii) as to any Lender, reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing held by such Lender, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to or for the account of such Lender, without the written consent of such Lender; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate;
(iv) as to any Lender, change Section 2.13 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the priorities set forth therein or the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of such Lender;
(v) change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders”, or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;
(vi) except as expressly permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, release or limit the liability of any Borrower, or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantees of the Obligations by the Guarantors without the written consent of each Lender;
(vii) except for Permitted Dispositions or as provided in Section 9.10, release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents without the written consent of each Lender;
(viii) change the definition of the term “Domestic Borrowing Base”, “UK Borrowing Base” or, in either case, any component definition thereof if, as a result thereof, the amounts available to be borrowed by the Domestic Borrower or UK Borrower would be increased without the written consent of each Lender, provided that the foregoing shall not limit the discretion of the Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Reserves;
(ix) modify the definition of Permitted Overadvance so as to increase the amount thereof or, except as otherwise provided in such definition, the time period for which a Permitted Overadvance may remain outstanding without the written consent of each Lender; and
(x) except as expressly permitted herein or in any other Loan Document, subordinate the Loan Agreement Obligations to any other Indebtedness, without the written consent of each Lender;
and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of any Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a
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writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (x) no provider or holder of any Bank Products or Cash Management Services shall have any voting or approval rights hereunder (or be deemed a Lender) solely by virtue of its status as the provider or holder of such agreements or products or the Other Liabilities owing thereunder, nor shall the consent of any such provider or holder be required (other than in their capacities as Lenders, to the extent applicable) for any matter hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, including as to any matter relating to the Collateral or the release of Collateral or any Loan Party, and (y) any Loan Document may be amended and waived with the consent of the Agent at the request of the Borrowers without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local Law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause any Loan Document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
(c) If any Lender does not consent (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender, as applicable, and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrowers may replace such Non-Consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrowers to be made pursuant to this paragraph).
(d) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Agent and the Borrowers (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement, and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share (on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Agent and approved by the Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.
(e) Notwithstanding and in addition to the foregoing, the Agent may, with the consent of Borrowers only, amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein, so long as such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Credit Party.
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given electronically (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices
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and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given electronically shall be made to the applicable electronic mail address, as follows:
(i) if to a Loan Party, the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number or electronic mail address specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number or electronic mail address specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. Each of the Agent and the Borrowers may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Loan Party,
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any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Loan Parties’ or the Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet.
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Loan Parties, the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, telecopier or electronic mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or electronic mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrowers, the Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Agent from time to time to ensure that the Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their securities for purposes of the Securities Laws.
(e) Reliance by Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including electronic Committed Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Loan Parties even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Loan Parties. All electronic notices to and other electronic and telephonic communications with the Agent may be recorded by the Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by any Credit Party to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided herein and in the other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether any Credit Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at Law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan
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Documents, or (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13); and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrowers shall pay all Credit Party Expenses.
(b) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Lenders, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless (on an after tax basis) from, any and all losses, claims, causes of action, damages, liabilities, settlement payments, costs, and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and out-of-pocket disbursements of one counsel for all Indemnitees and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for all indemnified persons (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Domestic Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee)), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by any Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or the actions of any other Person seeking to enforce the rights of a Borrower, beneficiary, transferee, or assignee of Letter of Credit proceeds), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any claims of, or amounts paid by any Indemnitee to, a Blocked Account Bank or other Person in connection with or arising under a control agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement with any Indemnitee hereunder, or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of the Loan Parties’ directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from (1) the gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, or (2) in respect of disputes solely among Indemnitees that do not result from an act or omission of a Loan Party. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 10.4(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Loan Parties shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages)
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arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable on demand therefor.
(e) Limitation of Liability. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee 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 other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of any Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, the assignment of any Commitment or Loan by any Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Loan Agreement Obligations.
10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Loan Parties is made to any Credit Party, or any Credit Party exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Credit Party in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon demand its Applicable Percentage (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Loan Agreement Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
10.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Agent and each Lender (unless otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement), and, subject to Section 10.07, no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection Section 10.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Credit Parties) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.06(b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) 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 an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A)of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and participations in the L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition: