================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-----------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
-----------
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 14, 2008
-----------
Conn's, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 000-50421 06-1672840
(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas
(Address of principal executive 77701
offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (409) 832-1696
-----------
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
================================================================================
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Asset Backed Loan Credit Facility
---------------------------------
Effective August 14, 2008, we entered a LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT with
certain financial institutions as parties to the Agreement from time to time
referred to as Lenders, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association,
as Administrative Agent and Joint Book Runner for the Lenders, referred to as
Agent, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and Joint
Book Runner for the Lenders, and CAPITAL ONE, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agent
for the Lenders.
This Agreement provides a $210 million revolving loan facility, referred
to as the ABL Facility, with an accordion feature allowing for future expansion
of the committed amount up to $350 million, that provides funding based on a
borrowing base calculation that includes accounts receivable and inventory. The
borrowing base is calculated as eligible inventory and receivables multiplied by
specified funding percentages, less certain reserves specified in the agreement.
The ABL Facility replaces our existing $100 million revolving credit facility,
which was terminated upon the closing of the ABL Facility. The ABL Facility
matures in August 2011 and bears interest at LIBOR plus a spread ranging from
225 basis points to 275 basis points, based on a fixed charge coverage ratio, on
the principal outstanding from time to time. All of our receivables not sold
under our asset backed securitization facility, referred to as our ABS Facility,
together with our inventory and other assets, will be pledged to the Lenders
under the ABL Facility.
Amendments to Existing Asset-Backed Securitization Facility
-----------------------------------------------------------
In conjunction with completing this ABL Facility, Conn Funding II, L.P.,
our qualified special purpose entity, referred to as our QSPE, amended certain
of its agreements related to its ABS Facility to provide for the existence of
our ABL Facility and adjust certain terms of its borrowing arrangements to
current market requirements, including reducing the advance rate on its variable
funding note facility from a maximum of 85% to a maximum of 76%. The amended
agreements also provide for, among other things, the extension of the maturity
date on our QSPE's 364-day variable funding note facility in the amount of $100
million, from August 15 until August 28, 2008, to provide the lenders additional
time to consider renewal of the facility and the terms of renewal in light of
the completion of the ABL Facility.
Effective August 14, 2008, our QSPE, as Issuer, entered into a "Supplement
No. 1 to Amended and Restated Series 2002-A Supplement" with Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, as Trustee, amending that certain Amended and Restated
Series 2002-A Supplement dated as of September 10, 2007 between Issuer and
Trustee. Supplement No. 1 to Amended and Restated Series 2002-A Supplement
provides for the addition of a definition of our ABL Facility, as well as
additional definitions and definitional modifications to reflect our ABL
Facility, including, among other things, additional portfolio performance
covenants relating to the combined performance of receivables financed under our
ABL Facility and the ABS Facility, and a reduction of the advance rate on the
variable funding note facility from a maximum of 85% to a maximum of 76%,
beginning on September 30, 2008.
Also, effective August 14, 2008, our QSPE entered, as Issuer, a Fourth
Supplemental Indenture with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee,
modifying certain definitions contained in the Base Indenture, dated as of
September 1, 2002, as amended and supplemented, providing for, among other
things, a reduction in the allowable percentage of eligible contract receivables
that have been re-aged, as adjusted per the agreement, from 20% to 15% (by
principal balance), to conform to the terms of the Series 2006-A Bonds.
Further, effective August 14, 2008, our QSPE, as Issuer, and one of our
subsidiaries, Conn Appliances, Inc., as Seller, entered a Second Amended and
Restated Note Purchase Agreement with Three Pillars Funding LLC and Park Avenue
Receivables Company, LLC, together "Conduit Purchasers", JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., as funding agent for Park Avenue Receivables Company and as "Committed
Purchaser", and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Administrator. The Second
Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement provides for, among other things,
the extension of the maturity date on the $100 million Tranche A Commitment to
August 28, 2008, the conversion of the $200 million Tranche B Commitment to a
364-day commitment with the option for the Issuer to request the commitment be
extended to September 10, 2012, if acceptable renewal terms are not provided,
and modification of the fixed charge coverage and leverage ratios to match those
in the ABL Facility.
Effective August 14, 2008, our subsidiaries Conn Appliances, Inc., as
Initial Servicer for our ABL Facility, Conn Credit Corporation, Inc. and Conn
Credit I, LP, together as Borrower under the ABL Facility, Bank of America,
N.A., as ABL Agent under the ABL Facility, Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as Securitization Trustee under our ABS Facility, and Bank of
America, N.A., as Collateral Agent for the ABL Agent and the Securitization
Trustee entered into an "Intercreditor Agreement" providing for, among other
things, the appointment of a collateral agent to protect the interests of the
lenders and security holders in both the ABL Facility and the ABS Facility in
amounts held by us in our bank accounts representing commingled proceeds of
assets of both us and of the QSPE, and setting forth the responsibilities of the
ABL Agent and the Securitization Trustee to the other relative to the handling
of assets pledged to the other, including the handling of customer payments,
returned or repossessed merchandise and other of our and the QSPE's assets.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 Loan and Security Agreement (without Exhibits)
Exhibit 99.2 Supplement No. 1 to Amended and Restated Series
2002-A Supplement
Exhibit 99.3 Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase
Agreement
Exhibit 99.4 Fourth Supplemental Indenture
Exhibit 99.5 Intercreditor Agreement
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CONN'S, INC.
Date: August 20, 2008 By: /s/ Michael J. Poppe
---------------------------------------
Name: Michael J. Poppe
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 99.1
EXECUTION DOCUMENT
------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONN'S, INC.
as Parent and Guarantor
and
CONN APPLIANCES, INC., and
CONN CREDIT I, LP
CONN CREDIT CORPORATION, INC.
as Borrowers
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 14, 2008
$210,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,
as Lenders,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Joint Book Runner,
Co-Lead Arranger, and Collateral Agent,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Syndication Agent, Joint Book Runner, and Co-Lead Arranger,
and
CAPITAL ONE, N.A.,
as Co-Documentation Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.........................................................1
1.1 Definitions....................................................................................1
1.2 Accounting Terms..............................................................................28
1.3 Uniform Commercial Code.......................................................................28
1.4 Certain Matters of Construction...............................................................29
SECTION 2. CREDIT FACILITIES.........................................................................29
2.1 Revolver Commitment...........................................................................29
2.2 Increase in Revolver Commitments..............................................................31
2.3 Letter of Credit Facility.....................................................................32
SECTION 3. INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES................................................................35
3.1 Interest......................................................................................35
3.2 Fees..........................................................................................36
3.3 Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield Protection...............................................37
3.4 Reimbursement Obligations.....................................................................37
3.5 Illegality....................................................................................37
3.6 Inability to Determine Rates..................................................................38
3.7 Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.............................................................38
3.8 Mitigation; Replacement of Foreign Lender.....................................................39
3.9 Funding Losses................................................................................40
3.10 Maximum Interest..............................................................................40
SECTION 4. LOAN ADMINISTRATION.......................................................................40
4.1 Manner of Borrowing and Funding Revolver Loans................................................40
4.2 Defaulting Lender.............................................................................42
4.3 Number and Amount of LIBOR Revolver Loans; Determination of Rate..............................42
4.4 Borrower Agent................................................................................42
4.5 One Obligation................................................................................43
4.6 Effect of Termination.........................................................................43
SECTION 5. PAYMENTS..................................................................................43
5.1 General Payment Provisions....................................................................43
5.2 Repayment of Revolver Loans...................................................................44
5.3 [Reserved]....................................................................................44
5.4 Payment of Other Obligations..................................................................44
5.5 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside................................................................44
5.6 Post-Default Allocation of Payments...........................................................44
5.7 Application of Payments.......................................................................45
5.8 Loan Account; Account Stated..................................................................45
5.9 Taxes.........................................................................................46
5.10 Foreign Lenders...............................................................................46
5.11 Nature and Extent of Each Borrower's Liability................................................47
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
SECTION 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT/SUBSEQUENT...........................................................49
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Revolver Loans................................................49
6.2 Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions.................................................51
6.3 Limited Waiver of Conditions Precedent........................................................52
6.4 Conditions Subsequent.........................................................................52
SECTION 7. COLLATERAL................................................................................52
7.1 Grant of Security Interest....................................................................52
7.2 Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash Collateral.....................................................53
7.3 Real Estate Collateral........................................................................54
7.4 Other Collateral..............................................................................54
7.5 No Assumption of Liability....................................................................54
7.6 Further Assurances............................................................................54
7.7 Foreign Subsidiary Stock......................................................................54
7.8 Contract Legend...............................................................................55
SECTION 8. COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION.................................................................55
8.1 Collateral Reports............................................................................55
8.2 Administration of Contracts...................................................................55
8.3 Administration of Inventory...................................................................57
8.4 Administration of Equipment...................................................................58
8.5 Administration of Deposit Accounts............................................................58
8.6 Administration of Credit Card Accounts........................................................58
8.7 General Provisions............................................................................59
8.8 Power of Attorney.............................................................................60
SECTION 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES............................................................60
9.1 General Representations and Warranties........................................................60
9.2 Complete Disclosure...........................................................................65
SECTION 10. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS.......................................................65
10.1 Affirmative Covenants.........................................................................65
10.2 Negative Covenants............................................................................69
10.3 Financial Covenants...........................................................................73
10.4 Contract Forms................................................................................73
10.5 Credit and Collection Guidelines..............................................................74
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES ON DEFAULT....................................................74
11.1 Events of Default.............................................................................74
11.2 Remedies upon Default.........................................................................75
11.3 License.......................................................................................76
11.4 Setoff........................................................................................76
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
11.5 Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver................................................................77
SECTION 12. AGENT.....................................................................................77
12.1 Appointment, Authority and Duties of Agent....................................................77
12.2 Agreements Regarding Collateral and Field Examination Reports.................................78
12.3 Reliance By Agent.............................................................................79
12.4 Action Upon Default...........................................................................79
12.5 Ratable Sharing...............................................................................79
12.6 Indemnification of Agent Indemnitees..........................................................80
12.7 Limitation on Responsibilities of Agent.......................................................80
12.8 Successor Agent and Co-Agents.................................................................80
12.9 Due Diligence and Non-Reliance................................................................81
12.10 Replacement of Certain Lenders................................................................81
12.11 Remittance of Payments and Collections........................................................82
12.12 Agent in its Individual Capacity..............................................................82
12.13 Agent Titles..................................................................................83
12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries..................................................................83
SECTION 13. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS......................................83
13.1 Successors and Assigns........................................................................83
13.2 Participations................................................................................83
13.3 Assignments...................................................................................84
SECTION 14. MISCELLANEOUS.............................................................................84
14.1 Consents, Amendments and Waivers..............................................................84
14.2 Indemnity.....................................................................................85
14.3 Notices and Communications....................................................................86
14.4 Performance of Borrowers' Obligations.........................................................86
14.5 Credit Inquiries..............................................................................87
14.6 Severability..................................................................................87
14.7 Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms..........................................................87
14.8 Counterparts..................................................................................87
14.9 Entire Agreement..............................................................................87
14.10 Relationship with Lenders.....................................................................87
14.11 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.......................................................87
14.12 Confidentiality...............................................................................88
14.13 Certifications Regarding Existing Securitization Facility.....................................88
14.14 GOVERNING LAW.................................................................................89
14.15 Consent to Forum; Arbitration.................................................................89
14.16 Waivers by Borrowers..........................................................................90
14.17 Patriot Act Notice............................................................................90
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit A Revolver Note
Exhibit B Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit C Assignment Notice
Exhibit D Secretary's Certificate
Exhibit E Borrowing Base Certificate
Schedule 1.1 Revolver Commitments of Lenders
Schedule 1.1E Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.1L Leasehold Mortgages
Schedule 7.1(j) Equity Interests
Schedule 8.5 Deposit Accounts
Schedule 8.6.1 Credit Card Agreements
Schedule 8.7.1 Business Locations
Schedule 9.1.4 Names and Capital Structure
Schedule 9.1.5 Former Names and Companies
Schedule 9.1.11 Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses
Schedule 9.1.14 Environmental Matters
Schedule 9.1.15 Restrictive Agreements
Schedule 9.1.16 Litigation
Schedule 9.1.18 Pension Plans
Schedule 9.1.20 Labor Contracts
Schedule 10.2.2 Existing Liens
Schedule 10.2.17 Existing Affiliate Transactions
iv
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is dated as of August 14, 2008, among
CONN'S, INC., a Delaware corporation, as parent and guarantor ("Parent"), CONN
APPLIANCES, INC., a Texas corporation ("CAI"), CONN CREDIT I, LP, a Texas
limited partnership ("CCI") and CONN CREDIT CORPORATION, INC., a Texas
corporation ("CCCI", and together with CAI and CCI, collectively, "Borrowers"),
the financial institutions party to this Agreement from time to time as lenders
(collectively, "Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking
association, as Administrative Agent and Joint Book Runner for the Lenders
("Agent") JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and
Joint Book Runner for the Lenders ("JPMorgan"), and CAPITAL ONE, N.A., as
Co-Documentation Agent for the Lenders ("Capital One").
R E C I T A L S:
----------------
Borrowers have requested that Lenders provide a credit facility to
Borrowers to finance their mutual and collective business enterprise. Lenders
are willing to provide the credit facility on the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
1.1 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms have the
meanings set forth below:
Account: as defined in the UCC, including all rights to payment for
goods sold or leased, or for services rendered.
Affiliate: with respect to any Person, 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. "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 correlative meanings.
Agent Indemnitees: Agent and its officers, directors, employees,
Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Agent Professionals: attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auditors,
business valuation experts, environmental engineers or consultants,
turnaround consultants, and other professionals and experts retained by Agent.
Allocable Amount: as defined in Section 5.11.3(b).
Anti-Terrorism Laws: any laws relating to terrorism or money
laundering, including the Patriot Act.
1
Applicable Law: all laws, rules, regulations and governmental
guidelines applicable to the Person, conduct, transaction, agreement or matter
in question, including all applicable statutory law, common law and equitable
principles, and all provisions of constitutions, treaties, statutes, rules,
regulations, orders and decrees of Governmental Authorities.
Applicable Margin: with respect to any Type of Revolver Loan, the
margin set forth in the chart below, as determined by the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio for the last Fiscal Quarter, measured on a trailing 12 month basis:
Level Fixed Charge Base Rate Revolver LIBOR Revolver
----- --------------- ------------------ --------------
Coverage Ratio Loans Loans
-------------- ----- -----
I > 1.75:1.00 0.25% 2.25%
II <1.75:1.00 and > 0.50% 2.50%
- -
1.50:1.00
III <1.50:1.00 0.75% 2.75%
Until February 1, 2009, margins shall be determined as if Level I were
applicable. Thereafter, the margins shall be subject to increase or decrease
upon receipt by Agent pursuant to Section 10.1.2 of the financial statements and
corresponding Compliance Certificate for the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter,
which change shall be effective on the first day of the calendar month following
receipt (for the avoidance of doubt, the determination of the margins on
February 1, 2009 shall be based on the financial statements and Corresponding
Compliance Certificate delivered for the Fiscal Quarter ending October 31,
2008). If any financial statements and Compliance Certificate due in the
preceding Fiscal Quarter have not been received on the due dates set forth in
Section 10.1.2, then the margins shall be determined as if Level III were
applicable, from such day until the first day of the calendar month following
actual receipt.
Approved Fund: any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged
in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and
similar extensions of credit in its ordinary course of activities, and is
administered or managed by a Lender, an entity that administers or manages a
Lender, or an Affiliate of either.
Asset Disposition: a sale, lease, license, consignment, transfer or
other disposition of Property of an Obligor, including a disposition of Property
in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction or synthetic lease.
Assignment and Acceptance: an assignment agreement between a Lender
and Eligible Assignee, in the form of Exhibit B.
Availability: the Borrowing Base minus the principal balance of all
Revolver Loans.
Bank of America: Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association,
and its successors and assigns.
Bank of America Indemnitees: Bank of America and its officers,
directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
2
Bank Product: any of the following products, services or facilities
extended to any Borrower or its Subsidiary by Bank of America or any of its
Affiliates or a Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) Cash Management Services;
(b) products under Hedging Agreements; (c) commercial credit card and merchant
card services; and (d) leases and other banking products or services as may be
requested by any Borrower or its Subsidiary, other than Letters of Credit;
provided, however, that for any of the foregoing provided by a Lender to be
included as an "Obligation" for purposes of a distribution under Section 5.6.1,
the applicable Lender must have provided prior written notice to Agent which
notice has been approved by Borrowers of (i) the existence of such Bank Product,
(ii) the maximum dollar amount of obligations arising thereunder which shall be
included by Agent as a Bank Product Reserve ("Bank Product Amount"), and (iii)
the methodology to be used by such parties in determining the Bank Product Debt
owing from time to time. The Bank Product Amount may be changed from time to
time upon written notice to Agent by the applicable Lender and Borrowers. No
Bank Product Amount may be established or increased at any time that a Default
or Event of Default exists, or if a reserve in such amount would cause an
Overadvance.
Bank Product Amount: as defined in the definition of Bank Product.
Bank Product Debt: Debt and other obligations of an Obligor relating to
Bank Products.
Bank Product Reserve: the aggregate amount of reserves established by
Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion in respect of Bank Product
Debt, which shall be at least equal to the sum of all Bank Product Amounts.
Bankruptcy Code: Title 11 of the United States Code.
Base Rate: the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America
from time to time as its prime rate. Such rate is a rate set by Bank of America
based upon various factors including its 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 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.
Base Rate Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on
the Base Rate.
Board of Governors: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
Borrowed Money: with respect to any Obligor, without duplication, its
(a) Debt that (i) arises from the lending of money by any Person to such
Obligor, (ii) is evidenced by notes, drafts, bonds, debentures, credit documents
or similar instruments, (iii) accrues interest or is a type upon which interest
charges are customarily paid (excluding trade payables owing in the Ordinary
Course of Business and obligations owing to Flooring Lenders), or (iv) was
issued or assumed as full or partial payment for Property; (b) Capital Leases;
(c) reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit; and (d)
guaranties of any Debt of the foregoing types owing by another Person. In no
event shall Debt incurred under or in connection with the Existing
Securitization Facility constitute Borrowed Money.
Borrower: as defined in the preamble of this Agreement.
3
Borrower Agent: as defined in Section 4.4.
Borrowing: a group of Revolver Loans of one Type that are made on
the same day or are converted into Revolver Loans of one Type on the same day.
Borrowing Base: on any date of determination, an amount equal to the
lesser of (a) the aggregate amount of Revolver Commitments, minus the LC
Reserve; or (b) the sum of the CCI Borrowing Base, plus the CAI Borrowing Base.
Borrowing Base Certificate: a certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent (a form acceptable as of the Closing Date is attached
as Exhibit E) by which Borrowers certify calculation of the Borrowing Base.
Business Day: 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, North Carolina, Texas and California, and if such day relates to a
LIBOR Revolver Loan, any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are
conducted between banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market.
CAI Availability Reserve: the sum of (without duplication when taken
into account with the CCI Availability Reserve) (a) the Inventory Reserve; (b)
the Rent and Charges Reserve; (c) the LC Reserve; (d) the Bank Product Reserve;
(e) the Sales Tax Reserve; (f) the Gift Card Reserve; (g) the Customer Deposit
Reserve; (h) the aggregate amount of liabilities secured by Liens upon
Collateral that are senior to Agent's Liens (but imposition of any such reserve
shall not waive an Event of Default arising therefrom); and (i) such additional
reserves, in such amounts and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its
reasonable judgment may elect to impose from time to time.
CAI Borrowing Base: the sum of the Credit Card Account Formula
Amount, plus the Inventory Formula Amount, minus any CAI Availability Reserve.
CAIC: CAI Credit Insurance Agency, Inc., a Louisiana corporation.
CAIH: CAI Holding Co., a Delaware corporation.
Capital Expenditures: all liabilities incurred, expenditures made or
payments due (whether or not made) by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
for the acquisition of any fixed assets, or any improvements, replacements,
substitutions or additions thereto with a useful life of more than one year,
including the principal portion of Capital Leases.
Capital Lease: any lease that is required to be capitalized for
financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Collateral: cash, and any interest or other income earned
thereon, that is delivered to Agent to Cash Collateralize any Obligations.
Cash Collateral Account: a demand deposit, money market or other
account established by Agent at such financial institution as Agent may select
in its discretion, which account shall be subject to Agent's Liens for the
benefit of Secured Parties.
4
Cash Collateralize: the delivery of cash to Agent, as security for the
payment of Obligations, in an amount equal to (a) with respect to LC
Obligations, 105% of the aggregate LC Obligations, and (b) with respect to
Obligations arising under Bank Products, Agent's good faith estimate of the
amount due or to become due, including all fees and other amounts relating to
such Obligations. "Cash Collateralization" has a correlative meaning.
Cash Equivalents: (a) marketable obligations issued or unconditionally
guaranteed by, and backed by the full faith and credit of, the United States
government, maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition; (b)
certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances maturing within
12 months of the date of acquisition, and overnight bank deposits, in each case
which are issued by a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United
States or any state or district thereof, rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or
better) by Moody's at the time of acquisition, and (unless issued by a Lender)
not subject to offset rights; (c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more
than 30 days for underlying investments of the types described in clauses (a)
and (b) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (b); (d) commercial paper rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better)
by Moody's, and maturing within nine months of the date of acquisition; and (e)
shares of any money market fund that has substantially all of its assets
invested continuously in the types of investments referred to above, has net
assets of at least $500,000,000 and has the highest rating obtainable from
either Moody's or S&P.
Cash Management Services: any services provided from time to time by
any Lender or any of its Affiliates to any Borrower or any its Subsidiaries in
connection with operating, collections, payroll, trust, or other depository or
disbursement accounts, including automated clearinghouse, e-payable, electronic
funds transfer, wire transfer, controlled disbursement, overdraft, depository,
information reporting, lockbox and stop payment services.
Cash Recovery Percent: the percent, calculated as of the beginning of
the first day of each month, equal to the amount determined by dividing (i) the
actual Gross Cash Collections received by the Borrowers from payments made by
Contract Debtors during the previous three (3) months by (ii) the sum of the
Gross Contract Payments outstanding as of the beginning of the first day of each
of the previous three (3) months. During the first Loan Year, the Cash Recovery
Percent shall be calculated based on the combined portfolio of Contracts subject
to Agent's Lien pursuant to the Security Documents as well as those Contracts
subject to the Existing Securitization Facility and at all times thereafter
shall be calculated based on the lesser of (x) the calculation of the Cash
Recovery Percent for the combined portfolio of Contracts subject to Agent's Lien
pursuant to the Security Documents as well as those Contracts subject to the
Existing Securitization Facility, and (y) the calculation of the Cash Recovery
Percent for the portfolio of Contracts subject to Agent's Lien pursuant to the
Security Documents.
CCI Availability Reserve: the sum of (without duplication when taken
into account with the CAI Availability Reserve) (a) the Rent and Charges
Reserve; (b) the LC Reserve; (c) the Bank Product Reserve; (d) the Sales Tax
Reserve; (e) the Service Maintenance Program Reserve; (f) the aggregate amount
of liabilities secured by Liens upon Collateral that are senior to Agent's Liens
(but imposition of any such reserve shall not waive an Event of Default arising
therefrom); and (g) such additional reserves, in such amounts and with respect
to such matters, as Agent in its reasonable judgment may elect to impose from
time to time.
5
CCI Borrowing Base: the sum of the Contracts Formula Amount, minus
any CCI Availability Reserve.
CCI Receivables Purchase Agreement: that certain Contract Receivables
Purchase Agreement dated as of August 14, 2008 between CCI, as purchaser, CCCI,
as originator and seller, together with all amendments, modifications and
supplements thereto.
CERCLA: the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act (42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 et seq.).
Change in Law: the occurrence, after the date hereof, of (a) the
adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (b) any change
in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation
or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) the making or
issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force
of law) by any Governmental Authority.
Change of Control: (a) Parent ceases to own and control, beneficially
and of record, directly or indirectly, all Equity Interests in CAI; (b) CAI
ceases to own and control, beneficially and of record, directly or indirectly,
all Equity Interests of CAIH; CCCI, CAIC, CCI and CLL; (c) a change in the
majority of directors of Parent, CAI, CAI Holding co. or CCCI, unless approved
by the then majority of directors of such entity; or (d) all or substantially
all of a Borrower's assets are sold or transferred, other than sale or transfer
to another Borrower.
Claims: all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
judgments, proceedings, interest, costs and expenses of any kind (including
remedial response costs, reasonable attorneys' fees and Extraordinary Expenses)
at any time (including after Full Payment of the Obligations, resignation or
replacement of Agent, or replacement of any Lender) incurred by or asserted
against any Indemnitee in any way relating to (a) any Revolver Loans, Letters of
Credit, Loan Documents, or the use thereof or transactions relating thereto, (b)
any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Indemnitee in connection with any
Loan Documents, (c) the existence or perfection of any Liens, or realization
upon any Collateral, (d) exercise of any rights or remedies under any Loan
Documents or Applicable Law, or (e) failure by any Obligor to perform or observe
any terms of any Loan Document, in each case including all costs and expenses
relating to any investigation, litigation, arbitration or other proceeding
(including an Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceedings), whether or not
the applicable Indemnitee is a party thereto.
CLL: Conn Lending, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Closing Date: as defined in Section 6.1.
Code: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral: all Property described in Section 7.1, all Property
described in any Security Documents as security for any Obligations, and all
other Property that now or hereafter secures (or is intended to secure) any
Obligations.
Collateral Adjustment Percentage: calculated as of the first day of
each month, the sum of the Past Due Percent and the Net Charge-Off Percent.
During the first Loan Year, the Collateral Adjustment Percentage shall be
6
calculated based on the combined portfolio of Contracts subject to Agent's Lien
pursuant to the Security Documents as well as those Contracts subject to the
Existing Securitization Facility and at all times thereafter shall be calculated
based on the greater of (x) the calculation of the Collateral Adjustment
Percentage for the combined portfolio of Contracts subject to Agent's Lien
pursuant to the Security Documents as well as those Contracts subject to the
Existing Securitization Facility, and (y) the calculation of the Collateral
Adjustment Percentage for the portfolio of Contracts subject to Agent's Lien
pursuant to the Security Documents.
Compliance Certificate: a certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, by which Borrowers certify compliance with Sections
10.2.3 and 10.3 and calculate the applicable level for the Applicable Margin.
Contingent Obligation: any obligation of a Person (without duplication)
arising from a guaranty, indemnity or other assurance of payment or performance
of any Debt, lease, dividend or other obligation ("primary obligations") of
another obligor ("primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, including any obligation of such Person under any (a) guaranty,
endorsement, co-making or sale with recourse of an obligation of a primary
obligor; (b) obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments regardless of
nonperformance by any other party to an agreement; and (c) arrangement (i) to
purchase any primary obligation or security therefor, (ii) to supply funds for
the purchase or payment of any primary obligation, (iii) to maintain or assure
working capital, equity capital, net worth or solvency of the primary obligor,
(iv) to purchase Property or services for the purpose of assuring the ability of
the primary obligor to perform a primary obligation, or (v) otherwise to assure
or hold harmless the holder of any primary obligation against loss in respect
thereof. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be the
stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation (or, if less, the
maximum amount for which such Person may be liable under the instrument
evidencing the Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the
maximum reasonably anticipated liability with respect thereto.
Contracts: all of each Borrower's now owned and hereafter acquired loan
agreements, accounts, revolving credit agreements, installment sale contracts,
Instruments, notes, documents, chattel paper, and all other forms of obligations
owing to such Borrower, including any collateral for any of the foregoing,
including all rights under any and all security documents and merchandise
returned to or repossessed by such Borrower.
Contract Debtor: each Person who is obligated to a Borrower to perform
any duty under or to make any payment pursuant to the terms of a Contract.
Contract Formula Amounts: 85% of Net Eligible Contract Payments;
provided, however, that the Contract Formula Amount shall be subject to
reduction as of the first day of each month, based on the then existing
Collateral Adjustment Percentage and Cash Recovery Percent (whichever results in
the lower Contract Formula Amount), as follows:
(a) the Contract Formula Amount shall be reduced by 1% for
each whole percentage or fraction thereof that the Collateral Adjustment
Percentage exceeds 15%; and
(b) the Contract Formula Amount shall be reduced based on the
Cash Recovery Percentage as set forth below:
7
Cash Recovery Percent Contract Formula Amount
--------------------- -----------------------
< 4.99% > 4.94% 84%
-
< 4.94% > 4.89% 83%
-
< 4.89% > 4.84% 82%
-
< 4.84% > 4.79% 81%
-
< 4.79% > 4.74% 80%
-
Credit Card Account: Accounts together with all income, payments and
proceeds thereof, owed by a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to a
Borrower resulting from charges by a retail customer of a Borrower on credit or
debit cards in connection with the sale of goods by a Borrower, or services
performed by a Borrower, in each case in the Ordinary Course of Business.
Credit Card Account Formula Amount: 85% of the Value of Eligible Credit
Card Accounts.
Credit Card Agreements: with respect to each Borrower, all agreements
now or hereafter entered into by such Borrower with any Credit Card Issuer or
any Credit Card Processor, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended,
modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.
Credit Card Acknowledgments: with respect to each Borrower,
individually and collectively, the agreements by Credit Card Issuers or Credit
Card Processors who are parties to Credit Card Agreements in favor of Agent
acknowledging Agent's first priority Lien in the monies due and to become due to
such Borrower under the Credit Card Agreements of such Borrower, and agreeing to
transfer all such amounts to the Dominion Account, as the same now exist or may
hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or
replaced.
Credit Card Issuers: any person (other than a Borrower) who issues or
whose members issue credit cards, including, 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, Carte Blanche and other non-bank credit or debit
cards.
Credit Card Processors: with respect to each Borrower, any servicing or
processing agent or any financial intermediary who facilitates, services,
processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment
procedures with respect to any of such 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.
Credit and Collection Guidelines: the Borrowers' guidelines (which have
previously been reviewed and approved by the Agent) which state in detail the
credit criteria used by the Borrowers in determining the creditworthiness of
Contract Debtors and the collection criteria used by Borrowers in collection of
amounts due from Contract Debtors.
Customer Deposit Reserve: as of any measurement date, a reserve equal
to the aggregate amount of deposits paid by the customers of any Borrower for
the purchase of goods.
CWA: the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. ss.ss. 1251 et seq.).
8
Debt: as applied to any Person, without duplication, (a) all items that
would be included as liabilities on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP,
including Capital Leases, but excluding trade payables incurred and being paid
in the Ordinary Course of Business and amounts owed to Flooring Lenders on
account of flooring arrangements paid in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b)
all Contingent Obligations; (c) all reimbursement obligations in connection with
letters of credit issued for the account of such Person; and (d) in the case of
a Borrower, the Obligations. The Debt of a Person shall include any recourse
Debt of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner or joint
venturer.
Default: an event or condition that, with the lapse of time or
giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default.
Default Rate: for any Obligation (including, to the extent
permitted by law, interest not paid when due), 2% plus the interest rate
otherwise applicable thereto.
Deposit Account Control Agreements: the Deposit Account control
agreements to be executed by each institution maintaining a Deposit Account for
a Borrower, in favor of Agent, as security for the Obligations.
Distribution: any declaration or payment of a distribution, interest or
dividend on any Equity Interest (other than payment-in-kind); any distribution,
advance or repayment of Debt to a holder of Equity Interests; or any purchase,
redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interest.
Dollars: lawful money of the United States.
Dominion Accounts: special accounts established by Borrowers at
Bank of America or other banks acceptable to Agent, over which Agent has
exclusive control for withdrawal purposes.
Dominion Trigger Period: the period (a) commencing on the day that (i)
an Event of Default occurs, or (ii) average Availability during a month (as
reflected in the Loan Account) is less than 10% of the amount of aggregate
outstanding Revolver Loans and stated amount of Letters of Credit; or (iii)
Availability is less than 5% amount of aggregate outstanding Revolver Loans and
stated amount of Letters of Credit, and continuing, and (b) ending on the day
(i) on which, during the preceding 90 consecutive days, no Event of Default has
existed and Availability has at all times been greater than 10% of the amount of
aggregate outstanding Revolver Loans; provided, that this clause (b)(i) shall
only be applicable to the first commencement of such period hereunder, and (ii)
determined by Agent in its sole discretion for any subsequent commencement of
such period; provided, that with respect to any subsequent commencement of such
period in order for the period to end the requirements in clause (b)(i) shall be
satisfied.
EBITDAR: determined on a consolidated basis for Parent and its
Subsidiaries for the trailing 12 month period measured as of the end of any
Fiscal Quarter, net income, calculated before interest expense, provision for
income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock based compensation,
book rent expense, gains or losses arising from the sale of capital assets, any
extraordinary gains or losses (in each case, to the extent included in
determining net income), and any fair value adjustments, and reduced to the
extent the Borrowers' recorded loss reserve measured as of the end of any Fiscal
Quarter is less than the EBITDAR Loss Reserve measured as of the end of the same
Fiscal Quarter.
9
EBITDAR Loss Reserve: at any date is the sum of (i) Net Charge-Offs for
the 12 month period ending on the measurement date, plus (ii) the net change in
Net Balances over 180 days past due for the 12 month period ending on the
measurement date.
Eligible Assignee: a Person that is (a) a Lender, U.S.-based Affiliate
of a Lender or Approved Fund; (b) any other financial institution approved by
Agent and Borrower Agent (which approval by Borrower Agent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, and shall be deemed given if no objection is
made within two Business Days after notice of the proposed assignment), that is
organized under the laws of the United States or any state or district thereof,
has total assets in excess of $5 billion, extends asset-based lending facilities
in its ordinary course of business and whose becoming an assignee would not
constitute a prohibited transaction under Section 4975 of the Code or any other
Applicable Law; and (c) during any Event of Default, any Person acceptable to
Agent in its discretion.
Eligible Contracts: those Contracts owned by a Borrower that Agent, in
its reasonable judgment, deems to be Eligible Contracts. Without limiting the
foregoing, no Contract shall be an Eligible Contract unless:
(a) the Contract complies in all material respects with all of the
Borrowers' warranties and representations contained herein;
(b) no payment due under the Contract is more than 60 days
contractually delinquent;
(c) neither a Borrower nor the Contract Debtor is in default under the
terms of the Contract;
(d) no Borrower has within any 12-month period granted to the Contract
Debtor more than 2 extensions of time (each not longer than 1 month) for the
payment of any sum due under the Contract;
(e) the Contract or payments due thereunder are not subject to any
defense, counterclaim, offset, discount, or allowance other than discounts
provided in connection with promotional credit, such as same as cash offerings
or deferred interest programs;
(f) the terms of the Contract and all related documents and Instruments
comply in all respects with all Requirement of Law;
(g) the Contract Debtor is not an Affiliate or an employee of an
Obligor;
(h) the creditworthiness of the Contract Debtor is acceptable to the
Agent and the Contract and Contract Debtor conform to the Credit and Collection
Guidelines in all material respects;
(i) the Contract Debtor is not subject to an active or pending
Insolvency Proceeding under Federal law or any similar proceeding under state
law;
10
(j) the first scheduled payment pursuant to the terms of the Contract
is, or was, due within 45 days following the execution of the Contract and all
other payments are scheduled to be made on the same date of each month
thereafter;
(k) the payment schedule for such Contract is fully amortizing on a
monthly basis;
(l) with respect to installment Contracts only, the original term of
the Contract is not more than 48 months;
(m) repayment of the Contract is secured by a first priority interest
in any merchandise sold in connection therewith;
(n) to the extent that the balance of the Contract includes sums
representing the financing of "service maintenance plans," such plans are in
compliance with all applicable consumer credit laws, including any and all
special insurance laws relating thereto;
(o) the Contract is not a Modified Contract;
(p) the Contract is originated or acquired in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(q) the Agent has a first priority perfected Lien in the Contract;
(r) the Contract is a Retained Contract; and
(s) the merchandise, if any, which secures the Contract has been
delivered to the Contract Debtor and has not been repossessed by a Borrower or
returned by the Contract Debtor to a Borrower.
Eligible Credit Card Accounts: Credit Card Accounts that Agent, in its
discretion, deems to be Eligible Credit Card Accounts. Without limiting the
foregoing, no Credit Card Account shall be an Eligible Credit Card Account
unless:
(a) such Credit Card Account is owned by a Borrower and such Borrower
has good and marketable title to such Credit Card Account free and clear of any
Lien of any Person other than the Agent;
(b) such Credit Card Account constitutes an "Account" (as defined in
the UCC) or such Credit Card Account has not been outstanding for more than 5
Business Days;
(c) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor of the applicable
credit card with respect to such Credit Card Account is not the subject of any
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;
(d) such Credit Card Account is a valid, legally enforceable obligation
of the applicable issuer with respect thereto;
(e) such Credit Card Account is subject to a properly perfected first
priority Lien in favor of the Agent;
11
(f) the Credit Card Account conforms to all representations, warranties
or other provisions in the Loan Documents relating to Credit Card Account;
(g) such Credit Card Account is owed by a Person that has executed a
Credit Card Acknowledgement;
(h) such Credit Card Account is not evidenced by "chattel paper" or an
"instrument" of any kind unless such "chattel paper" or "instrument" is in the
possession of the Agent, and to the extent necessary or appropriate, endorsed to
the Agent;
(i) such Credit Card Account indicates no Person other than a Borrower
as payee or remittance party; or
(j) such Credit Card Account has been earned and represents the bona
fide amounts due to a Borrower from a Credit Card Processor and/or Credit Card
Issuer, and in each case originated in the Ordinary Course of Business.
Eligible Inventory: Inventory owned by a Borrower that Agent, in its
reasonable judgment, deems to be Eligible Inventory. Without limiting the
foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible Inventory unless it (a) is finished
goods and not raw materials, work-in-process, packaging or shipping materials,
labels, samples, display items, bags, replacement parts or manufacturing
supplies; (b) is not held on consignment, nor subject to any deposit or
downpayment; (c) is in new and saleable condition and is not damaged, defective,
shopworn or otherwise unfit for sale; (d) is not slow-moving, obsolete or
unmerchantable, and does not constitute returned or repossessed goods; (e) meets
all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority, and does not constitute
hazardous materials under any Environmental Law; (f) conforms with the covenants
and representations herein; (g) is subject to Agent's duly perfected, first
priority Lien, and no other Lien (including Liens in favor of Flooring Lenders);
(h) is within the continental United States or Canada, is not in transit except
between locations of Borrowers, is not consigned to any Person and is not
located in a clearance center or service center; (i) is not subject to any
warehouse receipt or negotiable Document; (j) is not subject to any License or
other arrangement that restricts such Borrower's or Agent's right to dispose of
such Inventory, unless Agent has received an appropriate Lien Waiver; (k) is not
located on leased premises or in the possession of a warehouseman, processor,
repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder or other Person, unless the
lessor or such Person has delivered a Lien Waiver or an appropriate Rent and
Charges Reserve has been established as set forth in Section 6.4.1; (l) is
reported as internal load amount or shrinkage accrual; and (m) is reflected in
the details of a current perpetual inventory report of Borrowers.
Enforcement Action: any action to enforce any Obligations or Loan
Documents or to realize upon any Collateral (whether by judicial action,
self-help, notification of Contract Debtors, exercise of setoff or recoupment,
or otherwise).
Environmental Laws: all Applicable Laws (including all programs,
permits and guidance promulgated by regulatory agencies), relating to public
health (but excluding occupational safety and health, to the extent regulated by
OSHA) or the protection or pollution of the environment, including CERCLA, RCRA
and CWA.
12
Environmental Notice: a notice (whether written or oral) from any
Governmental Authority or other Person of any possible noncompliance with,
investigation of a possible violation of, litigation relating to, or potential
fine or liability under any Environmental Law, or with respect to any
Environmental Release, environmental pollution or hazardous materials, including
any complaint, summons, citation, order, claim, demand or request for
correction, remediation or otherwise.
Environmental Release: a release as defined in CERCLA or under any
other Environmental Law.
Equity Interest: the interest of any (a) shareholder in a corporation;
(b) partner in a partnership (whether general, limited, limited liability or
joint venture); (c) member in a limited liability company; or (d) other Person
having any other form of equity security or ownership interest.
Equity Interest Pledge Agreement: a pledge agreement, in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent, executed by Conn Appliances, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, granting a security interest in its Equity Interests
in the Receivables SPV in favor of Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
under common control with an Obligor 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: (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b)
a withdrawal by any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to
Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it 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 any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan
or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing
of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a
termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of
proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e)
the failure by any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate to meet any funding obligations
with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) an event or
condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan
or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) 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 any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate.
Event of Default: as defined in Section 11.
Excluded Subsidiary: the Receivables SPV, Conn Appliances, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and Conn Funding GP II, L.L.C., a Texas
limited liability company.
Excluded Tax: with respect to Agent, any Lender, Issuing Bank or any
other recipient of a payment to be made by or on account of any Obligation, (a)
taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated),
and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes by the United
13
States or any State or political subdivision thereof), by the jurisdiction (or
any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located; (b) any branch
profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any
State or any other jurisdiction in which a Borrower is located, (c) any backup
withholding tax that is required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable
to a Lender that has failed to comply with Section 5.10.2(a), and (d) in the
case of a Foreign Lender, any State or United States withholding tax that (i) is
required to be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to the
laws in force at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or
designates a new Lending Office) or (ii) is attributable to such Foreign
Lender's failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to
comply with Section 5.10.2(a), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or
its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending
Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with
respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 5.9.1 or (iii) and which
withholding tax may not be eliminated or reduced by complying with Section
5.10.2(a).
Existing Debt: Debt owed to various lenders under that certain Credit
Agreement dated July 14, 1998, among CAI and certain of its Subsidiaries, as
borrowers, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as agent and various
lenders party thereto, as such agreement has been amended from time to time.
Existing Letters of Credit: the issued and outstanding letters of
credit set forth in Schedule 1.1E.
Existing Securitization Facility: the receivables financing
facility established pursuant to the Indenture and the "Transaction
Documents" as defined therein.
Extraordinary Expenses: all costs, expenses or advances that Agent may
incur during a Default or Event of Default, or during the pendency of an
Insolvency Proceeding of an Obligor, including those relating to (a) any audit,
inspection, repossession, storage, repair, appraisal, insurance, manufacture,
preparation or advertising for sale, sale, collection, or other preservation of
or realization upon any Collateral; (b) any action, arbitration or other
proceeding (whether instituted by or against Agent, any Lender, any Obligor, any
representative of creditors of an Obligor or any other Person) in any way
relating to any Collateral (including the validity, perfection, priority or
avoidability of Agent's Liens with respect to any Collateral), Loan Documents,
Letters of Credit or Obligations, including any lender liability or other
Claims; (c) the exercise, protection or enforcement of any rights or remedies of
Agent in, or the monitoring of, any Insolvency Proceeding; (d) settlement or
satisfaction of any taxes, charges or Liens with respect to any Collateral; (e)
any Enforcement Action; (f) negotiation and documentation of any modification,
waiver, workout, restructuring or forbearance with respect to any Loan Documents
or Obligations; and (g) Protective Advances. Such costs, expenses and advances
include transfer fees, Other Taxes, storage fees, insurance costs, permit fees,
utility reservation and standby fees, legal fees, appraisal fees, brokers' fees
and commissions, auctioneers' fees and commissions, accountants' fees,
environmental study fees, wages and salaries paid to employees of any Obligor or
independent contractors in liquidating any Collateral, and travel expenses.
Fee Letter: the fee letter agreement between Agent and Borrowers dated
August 14, 2008.
14
Fiscal Quarter: each period of three months, commencing on the first
day of a Fiscal Year.
Fiscal Year: the fiscal year of Parent and its Subsidiaries for
accounting and tax purposes, ending on January 31 of each year.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: the ratio, determined on a
consolidated basis for Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recent
four Fiscal Quarters, of (a) EBITDAR minus unfinanced Net Capital Expenditures,
to (b) Fixed Charges.
Fixed Charges: the sum of interest expense (other than
payment-in-kind), scheduled/amortized principal payments made on Borrowed Money,
un-scheduled principal payments made on Borrowed Money (other than payments on
account of the Obligations or any other revolving Debt permitted hereunder),
book rent expense, cash income taxes paid, and Distributions made.
FLSA: the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Flooring Intercreditor Agreement: each intercreditor agreement
entered into by Agent and a Flooring Lender, in form and substance satisfactory
to Agent.
Flooring Lender: any lender which provides financing for the purchase
of Inventory by a Borrower.
Foreign Lender: any Lender that is organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction other than the laws of the United States, or any state or district
thereof.
Foreign Plan: any employee benefit plan or arrangement (a) maintained
or contributed to by any Obligor or its Subsidiary that is not subject to the
laws of the United States; or (b) mandated by a government other than the United
States for employees of any Obligor or its Subsidiary.
Foreign Subsidiary: a Subsidiary of Parent that is a "controlled
foreign corporation" under Section 957 of the Code, such that a guaranty by such
Subsidiary of the Obligations or a Lien on the assets of such Subsidiary to
secure the Obligations would result in material tax liability to Borrowers.
Full Payment: with respect to any Obligations, (a) the full and
indefeasible cash payment thereof, including any interest, fees and other
charges accruing during an Insolvency Proceeding (whether or not allowed in the
proceeding); (b) if such Obligations are LC Obligations or inchoate or
contingent in nature, Cash Collateralization thereof (or delivery of a standby
letter of credit acceptable to Agent in its discretion, in the amount of
required Cash Collateral); and (c) a release of any Claims of Obligors against
Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank arising on or before the payment date. No
Revolver Loans shall be deemed to have been paid in full until all Revolver
Commitments related to such Revolver Loans have expired or been terminated.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United
States from time to time.
Gift Card Reserve: a reserve equal to 50% of the face amount of
gift cards which are issued by a Borrower and are outstanding as of any
measurement date.
15
Governmental Approvals: all authorizations, consents,
approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and
required reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority: any federal, state, municipal, foreign or other
governmental department, agency, commission, board, bureau, court, tribunal,
instrumentality, political subdivision, or other entity or officer exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions for or
pertaining to any government or court, in each case whether associated with the
United States, a state, district or territory thereof, or a foreign entity or
government.
Gross Cash Collections: total Contracts payments received from Contract
Debtors and applied to such Contracts during any applicable period.
Gross Contract Payments: as of the date of determination, (i) with
respect to an interest bearing Contract the outstanding balance thereof
including all accrued but unpaid interest, fees, and other charges, but
excluding late charges, owing by the Contract Debtor and (ii) with respect to a
precomputed Contract the outstanding balance thereof including all unearned
interest, fees, and charges, but excluding late charges, owing by the Contract
Debtor.
Guarantor Payment: as defined in Section 5.11.3(b).
Guarantors: Parent, CAIH, CAIC, CLL and each other Person who
guarantees payment or performance of any Obligations.
Guaranty: each guaranty agreement executed by a Guarantor in favor of
Agent.
Hedging Agreement: an agreement relating to any swap, cap, floor,
collar, option, forward, cross right or obligation, or combination thereof or
similar transaction, with respect to interest rate, foreign exchange, currency,
commodity, credit or equity risk.
Indemnified Taxes: Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitees: Agent Indemnitees, Lender Indemnitees, Issuing Bank
Indemnitees and Bank of America Indemnitees.
Indenture: the Base Indenture dated September 1, 2002 between the
Receivables SPV and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, together with all
amendments, modifications and supplements thereto.
Insolvency Proceeding: any case or proceeding commenced by or against a
Person under any state, federal or foreign law for, or any agreement of such
Person to, (a) the entry of an order for relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or
any other insolvency, debtor relief or debt adjustment law; (b) the appointment
of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, administrator, conservator or other
custodian for such Person or any part of its Property; or (c) an assignment or
trust mortgage for the benefit of creditors.
Intellectual Property: all intellectual and similar Property of a
Person, including inventions, designs, patents, copyrights, trademarks, service
marks, trade names, trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information,
16
customer lists, know-how, software and databases; all embodiments or fixations
thereof and all related documentation, applications, registrations and
franchises; all licenses or other rights to use any of the foregoing; and all
books and records relating to the foregoing.
Intellectual Property Claim: any claim or assertion (whether in
writing, by suit or otherwise) that a Borrower's or its Subsidiary's ownership,
use, marketing, sale or distribution of any Inventory, Equipment, Intellectual
Property or other Property violates another Person's Intellectual Property.
Interest Period: as defined in Section 3.1.3.
Inventory: as defined in the UCC, including all goods intended for
sale, lease, display or demonstration; all work in process; and all raw
materials, and other materials and supplies of any kind that are or could be
used in connection with the manufacture, printing, packing, shipping,
advertising, sale, lease or furnishing of such goods, or otherwise used or
consumed in a Borrower's business (but excluding Equipment).
Inventory Formula Amount: the lesser of (i) $80,000,000; (ii) 75% of
the Value of Eligible Inventory; or (iii) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the
Value of Eligible Inventory.
Inventory Reserve: reserves established by Agent to reflect factors
that may negatively impact the Value of Inventory, including change in
salability, obsolescence, seasonality, theft, shrinkage, imbalance, change in
composition or mix, markdowns and vendor chargebacks.
Investment: any acquisition of all or substantially all assets of a
Person; any acquisition of record or beneficial ownership of any Equity
Interests of a Person; or any advance or capital contribution to or other
investment in a Person.
IRS: the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Issuing Bank: Bank of America or an Affiliate of Bank of America and
any other Lender which has issued an Existing Letter of Credit but only with
respect to such Existing Letter of Credit.
Issuing Bank Indemnitees: Issuing Bank and its officers, directors,
employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
LC Application: an application by Borrower Agent to Issuing Bank for
issuance of a Letter of Credit, in form and substance satisfactory to Issuing
Bank.
LC Conditions: the following conditions, the satisfaction of which is
necessary for issuance of a Letter of Credit by Issuing Bank: (a) each of the
conditions set forth in Section 6; (b) after giving effect to such issuance,
total LC Obligations do not exceed the Letter of Credit Subline, no Overadvance
exists and, if no Revolver Loans are outstanding, the LC Obligations do not
exceed the Borrowing Base (without giving effect to the LC Reserve for purposes
of this calculation); (c) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit is (i) no
more than 365 days from issuance, in the case of standby Letters of Credit, (ii)
no more than 120 days from issuance, in the case of documentary Letters of
Credit, and (iii) at least 30 Business Days prior to the Revolver Termination
Date; (d) the Letter of Credit and payments thereunder are denominated in
Dollars; and (e) the purpose and form of the proposed Letter of Credit is
satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank in their discretion.
17
LC Documents: all documents, instruments and agreements (including LC
Requests and LC Applications) delivered by Borrowers or any other Person to
Issuing Bank or Agent in connection with issuance, amendment or renewal of, or
payment under, any Letter of Credit.
LC Obligations: the sum (without duplication) of (a) all amounts owing
by Borrowers for any drawings under Letters of Credit; (b) the stated amount of
all outstanding Letters of Credit; and (c) all fees and other amounts owing with
respect to Letters of Credit.
LC Request: a request for issuance of a Letter of Credit, to be
provided by Borrower Agent to Issuing Bank, in form satisfactory to Agent and
Issuing Bank.
LC Reserve: the aggregate of all LC Obligations, other than (a) those
that have been Cash Collateralized; and (b) if no Default or Event of Default
exists, those constituting charges owing to the Issuing Bank.
Leasehold Mortgages: each of the mortgages and deeds of trust, in form
and substance acceptable to Agent, executed by a Borrower in favor of Agent, for
the benefit of the Lenders, with respect to the leasehold interests of Borrowers
in the Real Estate identified on Schedule 1.1L.
Leasehold Mortgage Consent: each consent signed by the land owner for
each Real Estate subject to a Leasehold Mortgage, in form and substance
acceptable to Agent.
Lender Indemnitees: Lenders and their officers, directors, employees,
Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Lenders: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement, including
Agent in its capacity as a provider of Swingline Loans and any other Person who
hereafter becomes a "Lender" pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.
Lending Office: the office designated as such by the applicable
Lender at the time it becomes party to this Agreement or thereafter by notice to
Agent and Borrower Agent.
Letter of Credit: any standby or documentary letter of credit issued by
Issuing Bank for the account of a Borrower, including the Existing Letters of
Credit, or any indemnity, guarantee, exposure transmittal memorandum or similar
form of credit support issued by Agent or Issuing Bank for the benefit of a
Borrower.
Letter of Credit Subline: $40,000,000.
Leverage Ratio: the ratio, determined as of the end of any Fiscal
Quarter for the Parent and its Subsidiaries, of (a) the sum of (i) Borrowed
Money (other than Contingent Obligations) as of the last day of such quarter,
and (ii) the product of 8 multiplied by the trailing 12 month book rent expense
for such Fiscal Quarter, to (b) EBITDAR for such Fiscal Quarter.
LIBOR: for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Revolver Loan,
the per annum rate of interest (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100th of 1%), determined by Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time)
two Business Days prior to commencement of such Interest Period, for a term
comparable to such Interest Period, equal to (a) the British Bankers Association
LIBOR Rate ("BBA LIBOR"), as published by Reuters (or other commercially
18
available source designated by Agent); or (b) if BBA LIBOR is not available for
any reason, the interest rate at which Dollar deposits in the approximate amount
of the LIBOR Revolver Loan would be offered by Bank of America's London branch
to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market. If the Board of
Governors imposes a Reserve Percentage with respect to LIBOR deposits, then
LIBOR shall be the foregoing rate, divided by 1 minus the Reserve Percentage.
LIBOR Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on
LIBOR.
License: any license or agreement under which an Obligor is
authorized to use Intellectual Property in connection with any manufacture,
marketing, distribution or disposition of Collateral, any use of Property or
any other conduct of its business.
Licensor: any Person from whom an Obligor obtains the right to use any
Intellectual Property.
Lien: any Person's interest in Property securing an obligation owed to,
or a claim by, such Person, whether such interest is based on common law,
statute or contract, including liens, security interests, pledges,
hypothecations, statutory trusts, reservations, exceptions, encroachments,
easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases, and other
title exceptions and encumbrances affecting Property.
Lien Waiver: an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent,
by which (a) for any material Collateral located on leased premises, the lessor
waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to
permit Agent to enter upon the premises and remove the Collateral or to use the
premises to store or dispose of the Collateral; (b) for any Collateral held by a
warehouseman, processor, shipper, customs broker or freight forwarder, such
Person waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, agrees to
hold any Documents in its possession relating to the Collateral as agent for
Agent, and agrees to deliver the Collateral to Agent upon request; (c) for any
Collateral held by a repairman, mechanic or bailee, such Person acknowledges
Agent's Lien, waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and
agrees to deliver the Collateral to Agent upon request; and (d) for any
Collateral subject to a Licensor's Intellectual Property rights, the Licensor
grants to Agent the right, vis-a-vis such Licensor, to enforce Agent's Liens
with respect to the Collateral, including the right to dispose of it with the
benefit of the Intellectual Property, whether or not a default exists under any
applicable License.
Loan Account: the loan account established by each Lender on its books
pursuant to Section 5.8.
Loan Documents: this Agreement, Other Agreements, Security
Documents, the Securitization Intercreditor Agreement and the Flooring
Intercreditor Agreements.
Loan Year: each 12 month period commencing on the Closing Date and
on each anniversary of the Closing Date.
Margin Stock: as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors.
Material Adverse Effect: the effect of any event or circumstance that,
taken alone or in conjunction with other events or circumstances, (a) has or
19
could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
operations, Properties, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of
Obligors, on the value of any material Collateral, on the enforceability of any
Loan Documents, or on the validity or priority of Agent's Liens on any
Collateral; (b) impairs the ability of the Obligors, collectively, to perform
any obligations under the Loan Documents, including repayment of any
Obligations; or (c) otherwise materially impairs the ability of Agent or any
Lender to enforce or collect any Obligations or to realize upon any Collateral.
Material Contract: any agreement or arrangement to which a Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries are a party (other than the Loan Documents) (a) that is
deemed to be a material contract under any securities law applicable to such
Obligor, including the Securities Act of 1933; (b) for which breach,
termination, nonperformance or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect; or (c) that relates to Subordinated Debt, or
Debt in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or more.
Modified Contract: a Contract which, at any time, was in payment
default for more than sixty (60) days and such payment default was cured by
execution of a new Contract in order to adjust, amend, or reduce the payment
terms of the original Contract.
Moody's: Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.
Multiemployer Plan: any employee benefit plan of the type described in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate makes or is
obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has
made or been obligated to make contributions.
Net Balance: means, as of the date of determination, the Gross
Contract Payments of a Contract less all unearned interest owing by the Contract
Debtor.
Net Capital Expenditures: Capital Expenditures less net proceeds
received from the sale of any fixed assets.
Net Charge-Off: for any period, the aggregate amount of all unpaid
payments due under Contracts which have been charged off by a Borrower during
such period, as reduced by the amount of unearned interest, unearned insurance,
accrued but unpaid interest, unpaid late charges, repossession recoveries, cash
recoveries and amounts recovered in cash from other third parties, with respect
to Contracts which had been charged off during previous periods or during such
period.
Net Charge-Off Percent: the percent, calculated on the first day of
each month, equal to (a) 4 times the aggregate amount of Net Charge-Offs for the
3 preceding months, divided by (b) the sum of the Net Balance owing under all
Contracts outstanding at the end of such month, divided by (c) 3.
Net Eligible Contract Payments: means, as of the date of determination,
the remainder of (a) the Gross Contract Payments owing under all Eligible
Contracts, minus (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate amount, to the extent included
within the definition of Gross Contract Payments, all unearned interest, fees,
and charges applicable to the Eligible Contracts and (ii) the unearned insurance
commissions as presented on the books and records of the Borrowers.
Net Proceeds: with respect to an Asset Disposition, proceeds
(including, when received, any deferred or escrowed payments) received by a
20
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in cash from such disposition, net of (a)
reasonable and customary costs and expenses actually incurred in connection
therewith, including legal fees and sales commissions; (b) amounts applied to
repayment of Debt secured by a Permitted Lien senior to Agent's Liens on
Collateral sold; (c) transfer or similar taxes; and (d) reserves for
indemnities, until such reserves are no longer needed.
NOLV Percentage: the net orderly liquidation value of Inventory,
expressed as a percentage, expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated
sale held within a reasonable period of time, net of all liquidation expenses,
as determined from the most recent appraisal of Borrowers' Inventory performed
by an appraiser and on terms satisfactory to Agent.
Non-Exempt Foreign Lender: as defined in Section 3.8.2(a).
Notes: each Revolver Note or other promissory note executed by a
Borrower to evidence any Obligations.
Notice of Borrowing: a Notice of Borrowing to be provided by
Borrower Agent to request a Borrowing of Revolver Loans, in form satisfactory
to Agent or through electronic means acceptable to Agent.
Notice of Conversion/Continuation: a Notice of Conversion/Continuation
to be provided by Borrower Agent to request a conversion or continuation of any
Revolver Loans as LIBOR Revolver Loans, in form satisfactory to Agent or through
electronic means acceptable to Agent.
Obligations: all (a) principal of and premium, if any, on the Revolver
Loans, (b) LC Obligations and other obligations of Obligors with respect to
Letters of Credit, (c) interest, expenses, fees and other sums payable by
Obligors under Loan Documents, (d) obligations of Obligors under any indemnity
for Claims, (e) Extraordinary Expenses, (f) Bank Product Debt, and (g) other
Debts, obligations and liabilities of any kind owing by Obligors pursuant to the
Loan Documents, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether evidenced by
a note or other writing, whether allowed in any Insolvency Proceeding, whether
arising from an extension of credit, issuance of a letter of credit, acceptance,
loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, and whether direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, primary or secondary, or joint or
several.
Obligor: each Borrower, Guarantor, or other Person that is liable for
payment of any Obligations or that has granted a Lien in favor of Agent on its
assets to secure any Obligations.
Ordinary Course of Business: the ordinary course of business of any
Borrower or its Subsidiary, consistent with past practices and undertaken in
good faith.
Organic Documents: with respect to any Person, its charter, certificate
or articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, limited
liability agreement, operating agreement, members agreement, shareholders
agreement, partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, certificate of
formation, voting trust agreement, or similar agreement or instrument governing
the formation or operation of such Person.
Origination Agreement: that certain Origination Agreement between CAI
and CCCI dated as of August 14, 2008, together with any amendments,
modifications or supplements thereto.
21
Originator Notes: the revolving subordinated promissory notes made by
CCI in favor of CCCI evidencing that portion of the purchase price represented
by Debt incurred by CCI in connection with its purchase of contracts from CCCI
pursuant to the CCI Receivables Purchase Agreement.
OSHA: the Occupational Safety and Hazard Act of 1970.
Other Agreement: each Note; LC Document; Fee Letter; Lien Waiver;
Borrowing Base Certificate, Compliance Certificate, financial statement or
report delivered hereunder; or other document, instrument or agreement (other
than this Agreement or a Security Document) now or hereafter delivered by an
Obligor or other Person to Agent or a Lender in connection with any transactions
relating hereto.
Other Taxes: all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any
payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or
enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.
Overadvance: as defined in Section 2.1.5.
Overadvance Loan: a Base Rate Revolver Loan made when an Overadvance
exists or is caused by the funding thereof.
Parent: as defined in the Preamble to this Agreement.
Participant: as defined in Section 13.2.
Past Due Percent: the percent, calculated as of the beginning of the
first day of each month, equal to (a) the Gross Contract Payments owing under
all Contracts (excluding Contracts charged-off), as to which any portion of an
installment due thereunder is more than 30 days past due as determined on a
contractual basis as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the date
of calculation, divided by (b) the Gross Contract Payments owing under all
Contracts (excluding Contracts charged-off) as of the last day of the month
immediately preceding the date of calculation.
Patriot Act: the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub.
L. No. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001).
Payment Item: each check, draft or other item of payment payable
to a Borrower, including those constituting proceeds of any Collateral.
PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Plan: any employee pension benefit plan (as such term is
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is
subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Obligor or
ERISA Affiliate or to which the Obligor or ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an
obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan
described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during
the preceding five plan years.
22
Permitted Asset Disposition: as long as no Default or Event of Default
exists and all Net Proceeds are remitted to the Dominion Account, an Asset
Disposition that is (a) a sale of Inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(b) a disposition of Equipment (other than those set forth in subsection (e)
below), that, in the aggregate during any 12 month period, has a fair market or
book value (whichever is more) of $5,000,000 or less; (c) a disposition of
Inventory that is obsolete, unmerchantable or otherwise unsalable in the
Ordinary Course of Business; (d) termination of a lease of real or personal
Property that is not necessary for the Ordinary Course of Business, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and does not result
from an Obligor's default; (e) a disposition of any Borrower's Real Estate and
related Equipment affixed thereto in connection with a sale-leaseback
transaction so long as the terms of such transaction are consistent with then
current market practices; or (f) approved in writing by Agent and Required
Lenders.
Permitted Contingent Obligations: Contingent Obligations (a) arising
from endorsements of Payment Items for collection or deposit in the Ordinary
Course of Business; (b) arising from Hedging Agreements permitted hereunder; (c)
existing on the Closing Date, and any extension or renewal thereof that does not
increase the amount of such Contingent Obligation when extended or renewed; (d)
incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to surety, appeal or
performance bonds, or other similar obligations; (e) arising from customary
indemnification obligations in favor of purchasers in connection with
dispositions of Equipment permitted hereunder; (f) arising under the Loan
Documents; or (g) all other Contingent Obligations in an aggregate amount of
$5,000,000 or less at any time.
Permitted Distribution: so long as immediately before and after giving
effect thereto, (i) no Default or Event of Default exists, (ii) Availability is
not less than 20% of the amount of aggregate outstanding Revolver Loans and
stated amount of Letters of Credit, (iii) projected Availability for the
succeeding 6 month period is greater than 20% of the amount of aggregate
outstanding Revolver Loans and stated amount of Letters of Credit, and (iv)
Supermajority Lenders have provided written consent thereto, the Parent or any
Borrower may declare and make Distributions which are approved by the Parent's
board of directors so long as the aggregate amount of Distributions made shall
at no time exceed $50,000,000.
Permitted Lien: as defined in Section 10.2.2.
Permitted Purchase Money Debt: Purchase Money Debt of Borrowers and its
Subsidiaries that is unsecured or secured only by a Purchase Money Lien, as long
as the aggregate amount does not exceed $10,000,000 at any time and its
incurrence does not violate Section 10.2.3.
Person: any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, land trust, business trust,
unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan: any employee benefit plan (as such term is defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA) established by an Obligor or, with respect to any such plan that
is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, an ERISA Affiliate.
Pro Rata: with respect to any Lender, a percentage (carried out to the
ninth decimal place) determined (a) while Revolver Commitments are outstanding,
by dividing the amount of such Lender's Revolver Commitment by the aggregate
amount of all Revolver Commitments; and (b) at any other time, by dividing the
23
amount of such Lender's Revolver Loans and LC Obligations by the aggregate
amount of all outstanding Revolver Loans and LC Obligations.
Properly Contested: with respect to any obligation of an Obligor, (a)
the obligation is subject to a bona fide dispute regarding amount or the
Obligor's liability to pay; (b) the obligation is being properly contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently
pursued; (c) appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;
(d) non-payment could not have a Material Adverse Effect, nor result in
forfeiture or sale of any material portion of the assets of the Obligor valued
greater than $1,000,000 in the aggregate; (e) no Lien is imposed on assets of
the Obligor, unless bonded and stayed to the satisfaction of Agent; and (f) if
the obligation results from entry of a judgment or other order, such judgment or
order is stayed pending appeal or other judicial review.
Property: any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real,
personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
Protective Advances: as defined in Section 2.1.6.
Purchase Money Debt: (a) Debt (other than the Obligations) for payment
of any of the purchase price of fixed assets; (b) Debt (other than the
Obligations) incurred within 10 days before or after acquisition of any fixed
assets, for the purpose of financing any of the purchase price thereof; and (c)
any renewals, extensions or refinancings (but not increases) thereof.
Purchase Money Lien: a Lien that secures Purchase Money Debt,
encumbering only the fixed assets acquired with such Debt and constituting a
Capital Lease or a purchase money security interest under the UCC.
RCRA: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. ss.ss.
6991-6991i).
Real Estate: all right, title and interest (whether as owner, lessor
or lessee) in any real Property or any buildings, structures, parking areas or
other improvements thereon.
Receivables Purchase Agreement: that certain Receivables Purchase
Agreement dated as of September 1, 2002 between Receivables SPV, as purchaser,
Conn Appliances, Inc., a Texas corporation and CAI, L.P., a Texas limited
partnership, as originators and sellers, and Conn Funding I, L.P., a Texas
limited partnership, as initial seller, together with all amendments,
modifications and supplements thereto.
Receivables SPV: Conn Funding II, L.P., a Texas limited partnership.
Refinancing Conditions: the following conditions for Refinancing Debt:
(a) it is in an aggregate principal amount that does not exceed the principal
amount of the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (b) it has a final
maturity no sooner than, a weighted average life no less than, and an interest
rate no greater than, the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (c) it is
subordinated to the Obligations at least to the same extent as the Debt being
extended, renewed or refinanced; (d) the representations, covenants and defaults
24
applicable to it are no less favorable to Borrowers than those applicable to the
Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (e) no additional Lien is granted to
secure it; (f) no additional Person is obligated on such Debt; and (g) upon
giving effect to it, no Default or Event of Default exists.
Refinancing Debt: Borrowed Money that is the result of an extension,
renewal or refinancing of Debt permitted under Section 10.2.1(b), (d) or (f).
Reimbursement Date: as defined in Section 2.3.2.
Rent and Charges Reserve: the aggregate of (a) all past due rent and
other amounts owing by an Obligor to any landlord, warehouseman, processor,
repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder, broker or other Person who
possesses any Collateral or could assert a Lien on any Collateral; and (b) a
reserve at least equal to three months rent and other charges that could be
payable to any such Person (if any), unless it has executed a Lien Waiver.
Report: as defined in Section 12.2.3.
Reportable Event: 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.
Required Lenders: Lenders (subject to Section 4.2) having (a)
Revolver Commitments in excess of 66?% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments;
and (b) if the Revolver Commitments have terminated, Revolver Loans in excess
of 66?% of all outstanding Revolver Loans.
Requirement of Law: as to any Person, any law (statutory or common),
treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or of a
Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon the Person or
any of its property or to which the Person or any of its property is subject.
Reserve Percentage: the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal,
rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) applicable to member banks under
regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors for determining
the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other
marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as "Eurocurrency liabilities").
Restricted Investment: any Investment by a Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, other than (a) Investments in its Subsidiaries to the extent
existing on the Closing Date; (b) Cash Equivalents that are subject to Agent's
Lien and control, pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory
to Agent; (c) loans and advances permitted under Section 10.2.7; (d) the
Securitization Originator Notes; (e) the Originator Notes; (f) Investments by
CAI which are consistent with the corporate investment policy of CAI from time
to time in effect, as approved by the Agent (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld); and (g) investments by Receivables SPV permitted under
the Existing Securitization Facility.
Restrictive Agreement: an agreement (other than a Loan Document or a
"Transaction Document" (as defined in the Indenture)) that conditions or
restricts the right of any Borrower, its Subsidiary or other Obligor to incur or
repay Borrowed Money, to grant Liens on any assets, to declare or make
Distributions, to modify, extend or renew any agreement evidencing Borrowed
Money, or to repay any intercompany Debt.
25
Retained Contract: a Contract which has (i) been allocated to a
Borrower pursuant to the Origination Agreement; (ii) not been sold to the
Receivables SPV by a Borrower; and (iii) not been purchased from the Receivables
SPV.
Revolver Commitment: for any Lender, its obligation to make Revolver
Loans and to participate in LC Obligations up to the maximum principal amount
shown on Schedule 1.1, or as hereafter determined pursuant to each Assignment
and Acceptance to which it is a party. "Revolver Commitments" means the
aggregate amount of such commitments of all Lenders.
Revolver Commitment Termination Date: the earliest to occur of (a) the
Revolver Termination Date; (b) the date on which Borrowers terminate the
Revolver Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1.4; or (c) the date on which the
Revolver Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 11.2.
Revolver Loan: a loan made pursuant to Section 2.1, and any
Swingline Loan, Overadvance Loan or Protective Advance.
Revolver Note: a promissory note to be executed by Borrowers in favor
of a Lender in the form of Exhibit A, which shall be in the amount of such
Lender's Revolver Commitment and shall evidence the Revolver Loans made by such
Lender.
Revolver Termination Date: August 14, 2011.
Royalties: all royalties, fees, expense reimbursement and other
amounts payable by a Borrower under a License.
S&P: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.
Sales Tax Reserve: a reserve equal to 100% of the aggregate sales
tax obligations of Borrowers as set forth in the Borrowers' books and records
as of any measurement date which have not been prepaid by the Borrowers.
Secured Parties: Agent, Issuing Bank, Lenders and providers of Bank
Products.
Security Agreement: a security agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, executed by each Guarantor pursuant to which Guarantor
shall grant to Agent a Lien (for the benefit of the Lenders) in all of such
Guarantor's assets.
Security Documents: the Guaranties, each Security Agreement, each
Leasehold Mortgage, each Leasehold Mortgage Consent, the Equity Interest Pledge
Agreement, Deposit Account Control Agreements, Credit Card Acknowledgement, and
all other documents, instruments and agreements now or hereafter securing (or
given with the intent to secure) any Obligations.
Securitization Amendment: as defined in Section 10.1.14.
Securitization Asset: as defined in the Securitization Intercreditor
Agreement.
26
Securitization Intercreditor Agreement: an intercreditor agreement
entered into by Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee
under the Existing Securitization Facility, and Borrowers, in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent.
Securitization Originator Notes: the revolving subordinated promissory
notes made by Receivables SPV in favor of CAI evidencing that portion of the
purchase price represented by Debt incurred by Receivables SPV in connection
with its purchase of Contracts and related assets from CAI pursuant to the
Receivables Purchase Agreement.
Senior Officer: the chairman of the board, president, chief executive
officer or chief financial officer of a Borrower or, if the context requires, an
Obligor.
Servicer Letter of Credit: a letter of credit issued by the
Servicer Letter of Credit Bank for the benefit of the Trustee under the
Existing Securitization Facility or any substitute therefore in accordance
with the Indenture.
Servicer Letter of Credit Bank: SunTrust Bank and the issuer of any
substitute Servicer Letter of Credit delivered pursuant to the Indenture.
Service Maintenance Program Reserve: as of any measurement date,
a reserve equal to the aggregate in-house service maintenance costs incurred
by Borrowers for the previous 12-month period.
Settlement Report: a report delivered by Agent to Lenders summarizing
the Revolver Loans and participations in LC Obligations outstanding as of a
given settlement date, allocated to Lenders on a Pro Rata basis in accordance
with their Revolver Commitments.
Solvent: as to any Person, such Person (a) owns Property whose fair
salable value is greater than the amount required to pay all of its debts
(including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities);
(b) owns Property whose present fair salable value (as defined below) is greater
than the probable total liabilities (including contingent, subordinated,
unmatured and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person as they become absolute
and matured; (c) is able to pay all of its debts as they mature; (d) has capital
that is not unreasonably small for its business and is sufficient to carry on
its business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is
about to engage; (e) is not "insolvent" within the meaning of Section 101(32) of
the Bankruptcy Code; and (f) has not incurred (by way of assumption or
otherwise) any obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any
Loan Documents, or made any conveyance in connection therewith, with actual
intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of such
Person or any of its Affiliates. "Fair salable value" means the amount that
could be obtained for assets within a reasonable time, either through collection
or through sale under ordinary selling conditions by a capable and diligent
seller to an interested buyer who is willing (but under no compulsion) to
purchase.
Subordinated Debt: Debt incurred by a Borrower that is expressly
subordinate and junior in right of payment to Full Payment of all Obligations,
and is on terms (including maturity, interest, fees, repayment, covenants and
subordination) reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
27
Subsidiary: any entity at least 50% of whose voting securities or
Equity Interests is owned by a Person (including indirect ownership by such
Person through other entities in which the Person directly or indirectly owns
50% of the voting securities or Equity Interests).
Substitute Lender: as defined in Section 3.8.2(a).
Supermajority Lenders: Lenders (subject to Section 4.2) having (a)
Revolver Commitments in excess of 90% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments; and
(b) if the Revolver Commitments have been terminated, Revolver Loans in excess
of 90% of all outstanding Revolver Loans.
Swingline Loan: any Borrowing of Base Rate Revolver Loans funded with
Agent's funds, until such Borrowing is settled among Lenders pursuant to Section
4.1.3.
Taxes: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any
Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties
applicable thereto.
Transferee: any actual or potential Eligible Assignee, Participant or
other Person acquiring an interest in any Obligations.
Type: any type of a Revolver Loan (i.e., Base Rate Revolver Loan or
LIBOR Revolver Loan) that has the same interest option and, in the case of
LIBOR Revolver Loans, the same Interest Period.
UCC: the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of
California or, when the laws of any other jurisdiction govern the perfection or
enforcement of any Lien, the Uniform Commercial Code of such jurisdiction.
Unfunded Pension Liability: the excess of a Pension Plan's benefit
liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that
Pension Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for
funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable
plan year.
Unused Line Fee Percentage: (i) during the first Loan Year, a
percentage equal to (i) 0.25% per annum, and (ii) at all times thereafter, (a) a
percentage equal to 0.375% per annum if the average daily balance of Revolver
Loans and stated amount of Letters of Credit during the measurement month is
equal to or less than 50% of the Revolver Commitments, and (b) a percentage
equal to 0.25% per annum if the average daily balance of Revolver Loans and
stated amount of Letters of Credit during the measurement month is greater than
50% of the Revolver Commitments.
Upstream Payment: a Distribution by a Subsidiary of a Borrower to such
Borrower.
Value: (a) for Inventory, its value determined on the basis of the
lower of cost or market, calculated on a moving weighted average cost basis, and
excluding any portion of cost attributable to intercompany profit among
Borrowers and their Affiliates; and (b) for a Credit Card Account, its face
amount, reduced by, 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 Borrower may be obligated to rebate to a
customer, a Credit Card Processor, or Credit Card Issuer pursuant to the terms
28
of any Credit Card Agreement or understanding (written or oral)), (ii) the
aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Credit Card Account but
not yet applied by a Borrower to reduce the amount of such Credit Card Account,
and (iii) the amount of all accrued and unpaid fees owed to Credit Card
Processors or Credit Card Issuers.
1.2 Accounting Terms. Under the Loan Documents (except as otherwise
specified herein), all accounting terms shall be interpreted, all accounting
determinations shall be made, and all financial statements shall be prepared, in
accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited
financial statements of Borrowers delivered to Agent before the Closing Date and
using the same inventory valuation method as used in such financial statements,
except for any change required or permitted by GAAP if Borrowers' certified
public accountants concur in such change, the change is disclosed to Agent, and
Section 10.3 is amended in a manner satisfactory to Required Lenders to take
into account the effects of the change.
1.3 Uniform Commercial Code. As used herein, the following
terms are defined in accordance with the UCC in effect in the State of
California from time to time: "Chattel Paper," "Commercial Tort Claim,"
"Deposit Account," "Document," "Equipment," "General Intangibles," "Goods,"
"Instrument," "Investment Property," "Letter-of-Credit Right" and "Supporting
Obligation."
1.4 Certain Matters of Construction. The terms "herein," "hereof,"
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole
and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision. Any pronoun used
shall be deemed to cover all genders. In the computation of periods of time from
a specified date to a later specified date, "from" means "from and including,"
and "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding." The terms "including" and
"include" shall mean "including, without limitation" and, for purposes of each
Loan Document, the parties agree that the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be
applicable to limit any provision. Section titles appear as a matter of
convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any Loan Document.
All references to (a) laws or statutes include all related rules, regulations,
interpretations, amendments and successor provisions; (b) any document,
instrument or agreement includes any amendments, waivers and other
modifications, extensions or renewals (to the extent permitted by the Loan
Documents); (c) any section means, unless the context otherwise requires, a
section of this Agreement; (d) any exhibits or schedules mean, unless the
context otherwise requires, exhibits and schedules attached hereto, which are
hereby incorporated by reference; (e) any Person includes successors and
assigns; (f) time of day means time of day in the Pacific Time Zone; or (g)
except as otherwise set forth herein, discretion of Agent, Issuing Bank or any
Lender means the reasonable discretion of such Person. All calculations of
Value, fundings of Revolver Loans, issuances of Letters of Credit and payments
of Obligations shall be in Dollars and, unless the context otherwise requires,
all determinations (including calculations of Borrowing Base and financial
covenants) made from time to time under the Loan Documents shall be made in
light of the circumstances existing at such time. Borrowing Base calculations
shall be consistent with historical methods of valuation and calculation, and
otherwise satisfactory to Agent (and not necessarily calculated in accordance
with GAAP). Borrowers shall have the burden of establishing any alleged
negligence, misconduct or lack of good faith by Agent, Issuing Bank or any
Lender under any Loan Documents. No provision of any Loan Documents shall be
construed against any party by reason of such party having, or being deemed to
have, drafted the provision. Whenever the phrase "to the best of Borrowers'
knowledge" or words of similar import are used in any Loan Documents, it means
actual knowledge of a Senior Officer, or knowledge that a Senior Officer would
29
have obtained if he or she had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of
his or her duties, including reasonably specific inquiries of employees or
agents and a good faith attempt to ascertain the matter to which such phrase
relates.
SECTION 2. CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1 Revolver Commitment.
2.1.1 Revolver Loans. Each Lender agrees, severally on a Pro
Rata basis up to its Revolver Commitment, on the terms set forth herein, to make
Revolver Loans to Borrowers from time to time through the Revolver Commitment
Termination Date. The Revolver Loans may be repaid and reborrowed as provided
herein. In no event shall Lenders have any obligation to honor a request for a
Revolver Loan (x) by CAI if the unpaid balance of Revolver Loans made to CAI
outstanding at such time (including the requested Revolver Loan) would exceed
the CAI Borrowing Base, (y) by CCI or CCCI if the unpaid balance of Revolver
Loans made to CCI and CCCI outstanding at such time (including the requested
Revolver Loan) would exceed the CCI Borrowing Base, or (z) by any Borrower if
the unpaid balance of Revolver Loans outstanding at such time (including the
requested Revolver Loan) would exceed the Borrowing Base.
2.1.2 Revolver Notes. The Revolver Loans made by each Lender
and interest accruing thereon shall be evidenced by the records of Agent and
such Lender. At the request of any Lender, Borrowers shall deliver a Revolver
Note to such Lender.
2.1.3 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of Revolver Loans shall be
used by Borrowers solely (a) to satisfy Existing Debt; (b) to pay fees and
transaction expenses associated with the closing of this credit facility; (c) to
pay Obligations in accordance with this Agreement; and (d) for working capital
and other lawful corporate purposes of Borrowers.
2.1.4 Voluntary Reduction or Termination of Revolver
Commitments.
(a) The Revolver Commitments shall terminate on the Revolver
Termination Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement.
Upon at least 30 days prior written notice to Agent, Borrowers may, at their
option, terminate the Revolver Commitments and this Agreement. Any notice of
termination given by Borrowers shall be irrevocable. On the termination date,
Borrowers shall make Full Payment of all Obligations.
(b) Borrowers may permanently reduce the Revolver Commitments,
on a Pro Rata basis for each Lender, upon at least 30 days prior written notice
to Agent, which notice shall specify the amount of the reduction and shall be
irrevocable once given; provided, that Borrowers may not permanently reduce the
Revolver Commitments to an amount less than $125,000,000. Each reduction shall
be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000, or an increment of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof.
(c) Concurrently with any reduction in or termination of the
Revolver Commitments, for whatever reason (including an Event of Default),
Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders and as
liquidated damages for loss of bargain (and not as a penalty), an amount equal
to (i) if the reduction or termination occurs during the first Loan Year, 0.75%
of the Revolver Commitments being reduced or terminated; (ii) if it occurs
during the second Loan Year, 0.50% of the Revolver Commitments being reduced or
30
terminated; and (iii) if it occurs thereafter, 0.25% of the Revolver Commitments
being reduced or terminated. No termination charge shall be payable if
termination occurs on the Revolver Termination Date or in connection with a
refinancing of this credit facility by Bank of America or any of its Affiliates.
2.1.5 Overadvances. If the aggregate Revolver Loans made to
CAI exceed the CAI Borrowing Base or the aggregate Revolver Loans made to CCI
and CCCI exceed the CCI Borrowing Base, (in each case, an "Overadvance") or the
aggregate Revolver Loans made to all Borrowers exceed the lesser of the
aggregate Revolver Commitments and the Borrowing Base at any time, the excess
amount shall be payable by Borrowers immediately, but all such Revolver Loans
shall nevertheless constitute Obligations secured by the Collateral and entitled
to all benefits of the Loan Documents. Unless its authority has been revoked in
writing by Required Lenders, Agent may require Lenders to honor requests for
Overadvance Loans and to forbear from requiring Borrowers to cure an
Overadvance, (a) when no other Event of Default is known to Agent, as long as
(i) the Overadvance does not continue for more than 30 consecutive days (and no
Overadvance may exist for at least five consecutive days thereafter before
further Overadvance Loans are required), and (ii) the Overadvance is not known
by Agent to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate; and (b) regardless of whether
an Event of Default exists, if Agent discovers an Overadvance not previously
known by it to exist, as long as from the date of such discovery the Overadvance
(i) is not increased by more than $500,000, and (ii) does not continue for more
than 30 consecutive days. In no event shall Overadvance Loans be required that
would cause the outstanding Revolver Loans and LC Obligations to exceed the
aggregate Revolver Commitments. Any funding of an Overadvance Loan or sufferance
of an Overadvance shall not constitute a waiver by Agent or Lenders of the Event
of Default caused thereby. In no event shall any Borrower or other Obligor be
deemed a beneficiary of this Section nor authorized to enforce any of its terms.
2.1.6 Protective Advances. Agent shall be authorized, in its
sole discretion, at any time that any conditions in Section 6 are not satisfied,
to make Base Rate Revolver Loans (a) up to an aggregate amount not to exceed at
any time the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolver Commitments, and (ii) the
outstanding amount of $5,000,000, if Agent deems such Revolver Loans necessary
or desirable to preserve or protect Collateral, or to enhance the collectibility
or repayment of Obligations; or (b) to pay any other amounts chargeable to
Obligors under any Loan Documents, including costs, fees and expenses (such
Revolver Loans are referred to herein as "Protective Advances"). Each Lender
shall participate in each Protective Advance on a Pro Rata basis. Required
Lenders may at any time revoke Agent's authority to make further Protective
Advances by written notice to Agent. Absent such revocation, Agent's
determination that funding of a Protective Advance is appropriate shall be
conclusive.
2.2 Increase in Revolver Commitments.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time
after the Closing Date and up to the Revolver Commitment Termination Date,
provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Borrowers may request that the Lenders increase the Revolver Commitments by an
aggregate amount of up to $140,000,000 (each such commitment increase, a
"Revolver Commitment Increase") by notifying the Agent and each Lender of the
amount of the proposed Revolver Commitment Increase. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, no Revolver Commitment Increase shall require
the approval of any Lender other than any Lender (if any) providing all or part
of the Revolver Commitment Increase, no Lender shall be required to provide all
31
or part of any Revolver Commitment Increase unless it agrees to do so in its
sole discretion, no Revolver Commitment Increase shall be in an amount less than
$10,000,000, and the aggregate amount of all Revolver Commitment Increases shall
not exceed $140,000,000.
(b) Any Revolver Commitment Increase shall be offered by the
Borrowers to the Lenders on a Pro Rata basis on the date that the Revolver
Commitment Increase is requested. The Lenders shall have 10 Business Days to
respond to any request for a Revolver Commitment Increase (by notice to the
Borrowers and the Agent) and may elect to accept all, a portion or none of their
respective Pro Rata shares of the proposed Revolver Commitment Increase. Any
Lender which fails to respond to a request for a Revolver Commitment Increase by
the end of such 10 Business Day period will be deemed to have declined the
request for its Pro Rata share of the requested Revolver Commitment Increase. If
any portion of a requested Revolver Commitment Increase is not provided by the
Lenders, then the Borrowers may request that the other Lenders (without regard
to their Pro Rata percentage) or one or more Eligible Assignees provide such
Revolver Commitment Increase. In any such case, each Person providing a portion
of the requested Revolver Commitment Increase shall execute and deliver to the
Agent and the Borrowers all such documentation as may be reasonably required by
the Agent to evidence such Revolver Commitment Increase.
(c) If any requested Revolver Commitment Increase is agreed to
in accordance with this Section 2.2, the Agent and the Borrowers shall determine
the effective date of such Revolver Commitment Increase (the "Commitment
Increase Effective Date"). The Agent, with the consent and approval of the
Borrowers, shall promptly confirm in writing to the Lenders the final allocation
of such Revolver Commitment Increase and the Commitment Increase Effective Date.
On the Commitment Increase Effective Date: (i) the Pro Rata shares of the
Lenders shall be amended to reflect the reallocated Revolver Commitments; (ii)
each Person added as a new Lender pursuant to a Revolver Commitment Increase (a
"New Lender") shall become a Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents
with a Revolver Commitment as set forth on the Assignment and Acceptance
executed by such Lender; (iii) the Revolver Commitment of each existing Lender
that increases its Revolver Commitment pursuant to a Revolver Commitment
Increase (an "Increasing Lender") shall be increased as reflected on such
Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) the Borrowers shall pay (which may be funded
with Revolver Loans made under the Revolver Commitment Increase) the principal
amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, Revolver Loans of the Lenders
other than the New Lenders in an amount sufficient (as determined by the Agent)
to permit the New Lenders and the Increasing Lenders to fund Revolver Loans in
an amount equal to the New Lenders' and the Increasing Lenders' respective Pro
Rata shares of the then outstanding Revolver Loans, and in connection with such
payment shall also pay funding losses, if any, on such repayment in accordance
with Section 3.9; (v) each New Lender shall fund Revolver Loans in an amount
equal to its Pro Rata share of the then outstanding Revolver Loans; and (vi)
each Increasing Lender shall fund Revolver Loans in an amount necessary such
that, after giving effect to such funding, it shall have funded its Pro Rata
share of the entire amount of the then outstanding Revolver Loans. Any New
Lender shall be required to have a Revolver Commitment of not less than
$10,000,000.
(d) As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any such
Revolver Commitment Increase, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Agent a
certificate signed by a Senior Officer, dated as of the Commitment Increase
Effective Date, that as of the Commitment Increase Effective Date no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(e) In no event shall the Revolver Commitments exceed
$350,000,000 without the consent of each Lender.
32
2.3 Letter of Credit Facility.
2.3.1 Issuance of Letters of Credit. Issuing Bank agrees to
issue Letters of Credit from time to time until 30 days prior to the Revolver
Termination Date (or until the Revolver Commitment Termination Date, if
earlier), on the terms set forth herein, including the following:
(a) Each Borrower acknowledges that Issuing Bank's willingness
to issue any Letter of Credit is conditioned upon Issuing Bank's receipt of a LC
Application with respect to the requested Letter of Credit, as well as such
other instruments and agreements as Issuing Bank may customarily require for
issuance of a letter of credit of similar type and amount. Issuing Bank shall
have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit unless (i) Issuing Bank
receives a LC Request and LC Application at least three Business Days prior to
the requested date of issuance; and (ii) each LC Condition is satisfied. If
Issuing Bank receives written notice from a Lender at least five Business Days
before issuance of a Letter of Credit that any LC Condition has not been
satisfied, Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue the requested Letter
of Credit (or any other) until such notice is withdrawn in writing by that
Lender or until Required Lenders have waived such condition in accordance with
this Agreement. Prior to receipt of any such notice, Issuing Bank shall not be
deemed to have knowledge of any failure of LC Conditions.
(b) Letters of Credit may be requested by a Borrower only (i)
to support obligations of such Borrower incurred in the Ordinary Course of
Business; or (ii) for other purposes as Agent and Lenders may approve from time
to time in writing. The renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall be
treated as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit, except that delivery of a new
LC Application shall be required at the discretion of Issuing Bank.
(c) Borrowers assume all risks of the acts, omissions or
misuses of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary. In connection with issuance
of any Letter of Credit, none of Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender shall be
responsible for the existence, character, quality, quantity, condition, packing,
value or delivery of any goods purported to be represented by any Documents; any
differences or variation in the character, quality, quantity, condition,
packing, value or delivery of any goods from that expressed in any Documents;
the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any
Documents or of any endorsements thereon; the time, place, manner or order in
which shipment of goods is made; partial or incomplete shipment of, or failure
to ship, any goods referred to in a Letter of Credit or Documents; any deviation
from instructions, delay, default or fraud by any shipper or other Person in
connection with any goods, shipment or delivery; any breach of contract between
a shipper or vendor and a Borrower; errors, omissions, interruptions or delays
in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex,
telecopy, e-mail, telephone or otherwise; errors in interpretation of technical
terms; the misapplication by a beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or the
proceeds thereof; or any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of
Issuing Bank, Agent or any Lender, including any act or omission of a
Governmental Authority. The rights and remedies of Issuing Bank under the Loan
Documents shall be cumulative. Issuing Bank shall be fully subrogated to the
rights and remedies of each beneficiary whose claims against Borrowers are
discharged with proceeds of any Letter of Credit.
(d) In connection with its administration of and enforcement
of rights or remedies under any Letters of Credit or LC Documents, Issuing Bank
shall be entitled to act, and shall be fully protected in acting, upon any
certification, documentation or communication in whatever form believed by
33
Issuing Bank, in good faith, to be genuine and correct and to have been signed,
sent or made by a proper Person. Issuing Bank may consult with and employ legal
counsel, accountants and other experts to advise it concerning its obligations,
rights and remedies, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully
protected in any action taken in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by
such experts. Issuing Bank may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection
with any matter relating to Letters of Credit or LC Documents, and shall not be
liable for the negligence or misconduct of agents and attorneys-in-fact selected
with reasonable care.
(e) All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have
been issued pursuant to this Agreement, and from and after the Closing Date
shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2.3.2 Reimbursement; Participations.
(a) If Issuing Bank honors any request for payment under a
Letter of Credit, Borrowers shall pay to Issuing Bank, on the same day
("Reimbursement Date"), the amount paid by Issuing Bank under such Letter of
Credit, together with interest at the interest rate for Base Rate Revolver Loans
from the Reimbursement Date until payment by Borrowers. The obligation of
Borrowers to reimburse Issuing Bank for any payment made under a Letter of
Credit shall be absolute, unconditional, irrevocable, and joint and several, and
shall be paid without regard to any lack of validity or enforceability of any
Letter of Credit or the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right
that Borrowers may have at any time against the beneficiary. Whether or not
Borrower Agent submits a Notice of Borrowing, Borrowers shall be deemed to have
requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Revolver Loans in an amount necessary to pay
all amounts due Issuing Bank on any Reimbursement Date and each Lender agrees to
fund its Pro Rata share of such Borrowing whether or not the Revolver
Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or is created thereby, or the
conditions in Section 6 are satisfied.
(b) Upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be
deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased from Issuing Bank,
without recourse or warranty, an undivided Pro Rata interest and participation
in all LC Obligations relating to the Letter of Credit. If Issuing Bank makes
any payment under a Letter of Credit and Borrowers do not reimburse such payment
on the Reimbursement Date, Agent shall promptly notify Lenders and each Lender
shall promptly (within one Business Day) and unconditionally pay to Agent, for
the benefit of Issuing Bank, the Lender's Pro Rata share of such payment. Upon
request by a Lender, Issuing Bank shall furnish copies of any Letters of Credit
and LC Documents in its possession at such time.
(c) The obligation of each Lender to make payments to Agent
for the account of Issuing Bank in connection with Issuing Bank's payment under
a Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, not subject
to any counterclaim, setoff, qualification or exception whatsoever, and shall be
made in accordance with this Agreement under all circumstances, irrespective of
any lack of validity or unenforceability of any Loan Documents; any draft,
certificate or other document presented under a Letter of Credit having been
determined to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or
any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or the
existence of any setoff or defense that any Obligor may have with respect to any
Obligations. Issuing Bank does not assume any responsibility for any failure or
delay in performance or any breach by any Borrower or other Person of any
obligations under any LC Documents. Issuing Bank does not make to Lenders any
34
express or implied warranty, representation or guaranty with respect to the
Collateral, LC Documents or any Obligor. Issuing Bank shall not be responsible
to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations or
warranties contained in, or for the execution, validity, genuineness,
effectiveness or enforceability of any LC Documents; the validity, genuineness,
enforceability, collectibility, value or sufficiency of any Collateral or the
perfection of any Lien therein; or the assets, liabilities, financial condition,
results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any
Obligor.
(d) No Issuing Bank Indemnitee shall be liable to any Lender
or other Person for any action taken or omitted to be taken in connection with
any LC Documents except as a result of its actual gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Issuing Bank shall not have any liability to any Lender if Issuing
Bank refrains from any action under any Letter of Credit or LC Documents until
it receives written instructions from Required Lenders.
2.3.3 Cash Collateral. If any LC Obligations, whether or not
then due or payable, shall for any reason be outstanding at any time (a) that an
Event of Default exists, (b) that Availability is less than zero, (c) after the
Revolver Commitment Termination Date, or (d) within 20 Business Days prior to
the Revolver Termination Date, then Borrowers shall, at Issuing Bank's or
Agent's request, Cash Collateralize the stated amount of all outstanding Letters
of Credit and pay to Issuing Bank the amount of all other LC Obligations. If
Borrowers fail to provide Cash Collateral as required herein, Lenders may (and
shall upon direction of Agent) advance, as Revolver Loans, the amount of the
Cash Collateral required (whether or not the Revolver Commitments have
terminated, an Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied).
SECTION 3. INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES
3.1 Interest.
3.1.1 Rates and Payment of Interest.
(a) The Obligations shall bear interest (i) if a Base Rate
Revolver Loan, at the Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable
Margin; (ii) if a LIBOR Revolver Loan, at LIBOR for the applicable Interest
Period, plus the Applicable Margin; and (iii) if any other Obligation
(including, to the extent permitted by law, interest not paid when due), at the
Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate
Revolver Loans. Interest shall accrue from the date the Revolver Loan is
advanced or the Obligation is incurred or payable, until paid by Borrowers. If a
Revolver Loan is repaid on the same day made, one day's interest shall accrue.
(b) During an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any
Borrower, or during any other Event of Default if Agent or Required Lenders in
their discretion so elect, Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate
(whether before or after any judgment). Each Borrower acknowledges that the cost
and expense to Agent and Lenders due to an Event of Default are difficult to
ascertain and that the Default Rate is a fair and reasonable estimate to
compensate Agent and Lenders for this.
(c) Interest accrued on the Revolver Loans shall be due and
payable in arrears, (i) on the first day of each month; (ii) on any date of
prepayment, with respect to the principal amount of Revolver Loans being
prepaid; and (iii) on the Revolver Commitment Termination Date. Interest accrued
35
on any other Obligations shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan
Documents and, if no payment date is specified, shall be due and payable on
demand. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest accrued at the Default Rate
shall be due and payable on demand.
3.1.2 Application of LIBOR to Outstanding Revolver Loans.
(a) Borrowers may on any Business Day, subject to delivery of
a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, elect to convert any portion of the Base
Rate Revolver Loans to, or to continue any LIBOR Revolver Loan at the end of its
Interest Period as, a LIBOR Revolver Loan. During any Default or Event of
Default, Agent may (and shall at the direction of Required Lenders) declare that
no Revolver Loan may be made, converted or continued as a LIBOR Revolver Loan.
(b) Whenever Borrowers desire to convert or continue Revolver
Loans as LIBOR Revolver Loans, Borrower Agent shall give Agent a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, no later than 11:00 a.m. at least three Business Days
before the requested conversion or continuation date. Promptly after receiving
any such notice, Agent shall notify each Lender thereof. Each Notice of
Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable, and shall specify the amount of
Revolver Loans to be converted or continued, the conversion or continuation date
(which shall be a Business Day), and the duration of the Interest Period (which
shall be deemed to be 30 days if not specified). If, upon the expiration of any
Interest Period in respect of any LIBOR Revolver Loans, Borrowers shall have
failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, they shall be deemed to
have elected to convert such Revolver Loans into Base Rate Revolver Loans.
3.1.3 Interest Periods. In connection with the making,
conversion or continuation of any LIBOR Revolver Loans, Borrowers shall select
an interest period ("Interest Period") to apply, which interest period shall be
30, 60, or 90 days; provided, however, that:
(a) the Interest Period shall commence on the date the
Revolver Loan is made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Revolver Loan,
and shall expire on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at
its end;
(b) if any Interest Period commences on a day for which there
is no corresponding day in the calendar month at its end or if such
corresponding day falls after the last Business Day of such month, then the
Interest Period shall expire on the last Business Day of such month; and if any
Interest Period would expire on a day that is not a Business Day, the period
shall expire on the next Business Day; and
(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Revolver
Termination Date.
3.1.4 Interest Rate Not Ascertainable. If Agent shall
determine that on any date for determining LIBOR, due to any circumstance
affecting the London interbank market, adequate and fair means do not exist for
ascertaining such rate on the basis provided herein, then Agent shall
immediately notify Borrowers of such determination. Until Agent notifies
Borrowers that such circumstance no longer exists, the obligation of Lenders to
make LIBOR Revolver Loans shall be suspended, and no further Revolver Loans may
be converted into or continued as LIBOR Revolver Loans.
36
3.2 Fees.
3.2.1 Unused Line Fee. Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the
Pro Rata benefit of Lenders, a fee equal to the Unused Line Fee Percentage times
the amount by which the Revolver Commitments exceed the average daily balance of
Revolver Loans and stated amount of Letters of Credit during any month. Such fee
shall be payable in arrears, on the first day of each month and on the Revolver
Commitment Termination Date.
3.2.2 LC Facility Fees. Borrowers shall pay (a) to Agent, for
the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders, a fee equal to the Applicable Margin in effect
for LIBOR Revolver Loans times the average daily stated amount of Letters of
Credit, which fee shall be payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of each
month; (b) to Agent, for its own account, a fronting fee equal to 0.125% per
annum on the stated amount of each Letter of Credit, which fee shall be payable
monthly in arrears, on the first day of each month; and (c) to Issuing Bank, for
its own account, all customary charges associated with the issuance, amending,
negotiating, payment, processing, transfer and administration of Letters of
Credit, which charges shall be paid as and when incurred. During an Event of
Default, the fee payable under clause (a) shall be increased by 2% per annum.
3.2.3 Agent Fees. In consideration of Agent's arrangement and
syndication of the Revolver Commitments and service as Agent hereunder,
Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for its own account, the fees described in the Fee
Letter.
3.3 Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield Protection. All interest, as
well as fees and other charges calculated on a per annum basis, shall be
computed for the actual days elapsed, based on a year of 360 days. Each
determination by Agent of any interest, fees or interest rate hereunder shall be
final, conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. All fees
shall be fully earned when due and shall not be subject to rebate, refund or
proration. All fees payable under Section 3.2 are compensation for services and
are not, and shall not be deemed to be, interest or any other charge for the
use, forbearance or detention of money. A certificate as to amounts payable by
Borrowers under Section 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9 or 5.9, submitted to Borrower Agent
by Agent or the affected Lender, as applicable, shall be final, conclusive and
binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and Borrowers shall pay such
amounts to the appropriate party within 10 days following receipt of the
certificate.
3.4 Reimbursement Obligations. Borrowers shall reimburse Agent for all
Extraordinary Expenses. Borrowers shall also reimburse Agent for all legal,
accounting, appraisal, consulting, and other reasonable fees, costs and expenses
incurred by it in connection with (a) negotiation and preparation of any Loan
Documents, including any amendment or other modification thereof; (b)
administration of and actions relating to any Collateral, Loan Documents and
transactions contemplated thereby, including any actions taken to perfect or
maintain priority of Agent's Liens on any Collateral, to maintain any insurance
required hereunder or to verify Collateral; and (c) subject to the limits of
Section 10.1.1(b), each inspection, audit or appraisal with respect to any
Obligor or Collateral, whether prepared by Agent's personnel or a third party.
All reasonable legal, accounting and consulting fees shall be charged to
Borrowers by Agent's professionals. If, for any reason (including inaccurate
reporting on financial statements or a Compliance Certificate), it is determined
that a higher Applicable Margin should have applied to a period than was
actually applied, then the proper margin shall be applied retroactively and
Borrowers shall immediately pay to Agent, for the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders,
37
an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest and fees that
would have accrued using the proper margin and the amount actually paid. All
amounts payable by Borrowers under this Section shall be due on demand.
3.5 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Applicable 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 Revolver Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon
LIBOR, 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 Agent,
any obligation of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Revolver Loans or to
convert Base Rate Revolver Loans to LIBOR Revolver Loans shall be suspended
until such Lender notifies Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such
determination no longer exist. Upon delivery of such notice, Borrowers shall
prepay or, if applicable, convert all LIBOR Revolver Loans of such Lender to
Base Rate Revolver Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period
therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Revolver
Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to
maintain such LIBOR Revolver Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion,
Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.6 Inability to Determine Rates. If Required Lenders notify Agent for
any reason in connection with a request for a Borrowing of, or conversion to or
continuation of, a LIBOR Revolver Loan that (a) Dollar deposits are not being
offered to banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market for the applicable
amount and Interest Period of such Revolver Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable
means do not exist for determining LIBOR for the requested Interest Period, or
(c) LIBOR for the requested Interest Period does not adequately and fairly
reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Revolver Loan, then Agent will
promptly so notify Borrower Agent and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of
Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Revolver Loans shall be suspended until Agent
(upon instruction by Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such
notice, Borrower Agent may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of,
conversion to or continuation of a LIBOR Revolver Loan or, failing that, will be
deemed to have submitted a request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan.
3.7 Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.
3.7.1 Change in Law. If any Change in Law shall:
(a) 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 reflected in LIBOR) or Issuing
Bank;
(b) subject any Lender or Issuing Bank to any Tax with respect
to any Revolver Loan, Loan Document, Letter of Credit or participation in LC
Obligations, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or
Issuing Bank in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
covered by Section 5.9 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any
Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or Issuing Bank); or
38
(c) impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London
interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting any Revolver
Loan, Loan Document, Letter of Credit or participation in LC Obligations;
and the result thereof shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or
maintaining any LIBOR Revolver Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make
any such Revolver Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank
of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of
maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit),
or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or
Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount)
then, upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, Borrowers will pay to such
Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs
incurred or reduction suffered.
3.7.2 Capital Adequacy. If any Lender or Issuing Bank
determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Bank or any
Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender's or Issuing Bank's holding
company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Lender's, Issuing Bank's or holding
company's capital as a consequence of this Agreement, or such Lender's or
Issuing Bank's Revolver Commitments, Revolver Loans, Letters of Credit or
participations in LC Obligations, to a level below that which such Lender,
Issuing Bank or holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law
(taking into consideration such Lender's, Issuing Bank's and holding company's
policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrowers
will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional
amount or amounts as will compensate it or its holding company for any such
reduction suffered.
3.7.3 Compensation. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender
or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not
constitute a waiver of its right to demand such compensation, but Borrowers
shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank for any increased
costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date
that the Lender or Issuing Bank notifies Borrower Agent of the Change in Law
giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's or
Issuing Bank'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 nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the
period of retroactive effect thereof).
3.8 Mitigation; Replacement of Foreign Lender.
3.8.1 Mitigation. If any Lender gives a notice under Section
3.5 or requests compensation under Section 3.7, or if Borrowers are required to
pay additional amounts with respect to a Lender under Section 5.9, then such
Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office or
to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices,
branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or
assignment (a) would eliminate the need for such notice or reduce amounts
payable in the future, as applicable; and (b) in each case, would not subject
such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be
disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrowers agree to pay all reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or
assignment.
39
3.8.2 Replacement of Foreign Lender.
(a) If Borrowers are obligated to make any material payments
under Section 5.9 to any Foreign Lender (a "Non-Exempt Foreign Lender"), then
Borrower Agent, upon at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice to Agent
and the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender, may permanently replace the Non-Exempt
Foreign Lender with one or more Eligible Assignees with the consent of Agent
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (each, a "Substitute
Lender"), and the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender shall have no right to refuse to be
replaced hereunder. Such notice to replace the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender shall
specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later
than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given.
(b) Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the
Non-Exempt Foreign Lender and each Substitute Lender shall execute and deliver
an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender
being repaid its Pro Rata share of the outstanding Obligations without any
premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever. If the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender
shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance
prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender
shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance.
The replacement of any Non-Exempt Foreign Lender shall be made in accordance
with the terms of Section 13.3. Until such time as the Substitute Lender shall
have acquired all of the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and
obligations of the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents, the Non-Exempt Foreign Lender shall remain obligated to make the
Non-Exempt Foreign Lender's Pro Rata share of Revolver Loans and to purchase a
participation in each Letter of Credit, according to its Pro Rata share.
3.9 Funding Losses. If for any reason (other than default by a Lender)
(a) any Borrowing of, or conversion to or continuation of, a LIBOR Revolver Loan
does not occur on the date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice
of Conversion/Continuation (whether or not withdrawn), (b) any repayment or
conversion of a LIBOR Revolver Loan occurs on a day other than the end of its
Interest Period, or (c) Borrowers fail to repay a LIBOR Revolver Loan when
required hereunder, then Borrowers shall pay to Agent its customary
administrative charge and to each Lender all losses and expenses that it
sustains as a consequence thereof, including loss of anticipated profits and any
loss or expense actually incurred arising from liquidation or redeployment of
funds or from fees payable to terminate deposits of matching funds. Lenders
shall not be required to purchase Dollar deposits in the London interbank market
or any other offshore Dollar market to fund any LIBOR Revolver Loan, but the
provisions hereof shall be deemed to apply as if each Lender had purchased such
deposits to fund its LIBOR Revolver Loans.
3.10 Maximum Interest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the
Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest
permitted by Applicable Law ("maximum rate"). If Agent or any Lender shall
receive interest in an amount that exceeds the maximum rate, the excess interest
shall be applied to the principal of the Obligations or, if it exceeds such
unpaid principal, refunded to Borrowers. In determining whether the interest
contracted for, charged or received by Agent or a Lender exceeds the maximum
rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a)
characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium
40
rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof;
and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the
total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations
hereunder.
SECTION 4. LOAN ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Manner of Borrowing and Funding Revolver Loans.
4.1.1 Notice of Borrowing.
(a) Whenever a Borrower desires funding of a Borrowing of
Revolver Loans, Borrower Agent shall give Agent a Notice of Borrowing. Such
notice must be received by Agent no later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the Business
Day of the requested funding date, in the case of Base Rate Revolver Loans, and
(ii) at least three Business Days prior to the requested funding date, in the
case of LIBOR Revolver Loans. Notices received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed
received on the next Business Day. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable
and shall specify (A) which Borrower is requesting a Revolver Loan, (B) the
amount of the Borrowing, (C) the requested funding date (which must be a
Business Day), (D) whether the Borrowing is to be made as Base Rate Revolver
Loans or LIBOR Revolver Loans, and (E) in the case of LIBOR Revolver Loans, the
duration of the applicable Interest Period (which shall be deemed to be 30 days
if not specified).
(b) Unless payment is otherwise timely made by Borrowers, the
becoming due of any Obligations (whether principal, interest, fees or other
charges, including Extraordinary Expenses, LC Obligations, Cash Collateral and
Bank Product Debt) shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate Revolver Loans
on the due date, in the amount of such Obligations. The proceeds of such
Revolver Loans shall be disbursed as direct payment of the relevant Obligation.
In addition, Agent may, at its option, charge such Obligations against any
operating, investment or other account of a Borrower maintained with Agent or
any of its Affiliates.
(c) If Borrowers establish a controlled disbursement account
with Agent or any Affiliate of Agent, then the presentation for payment of any
check or other item of payment drawn on such account at a time when there are
insufficient funds to cover it shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate
Revolver Loans on the date of such presentation, in the amount of the check and
items presented for payment. The proceeds of such Revolver Loans may be
disbursed directly to the controlled disbursement account or other appropriate
account.
4.1.2 Fundings by Lenders. Each Lender shall timely honor its
Revolver Commitment by funding its Pro Rata share of each Borrowing of Revolver
Loans that is properly requested hereunder. Except for Borrowings to be made as
Swingline Loans, Agent shall endeavor to notify Lenders of each Notice of
Borrowing (or deemed request for a Borrowing) by 12:00 noon on the proposed
funding date for Base Rate Revolver Loans or by 3:00 p.m. at least two Business
Days before any proposed funding of LIBOR Revolver Loans. Each Lender shall fund
to Agent such Lender's Pro Rata share of the Borrowing to the account specified
by Agent in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the
requested funding date, unless Agent's notice is received after the times
provided above, in which event Lender shall fund its Pro Rata share by 11:00
a.m. on the next Business Day. Subject to its receipt of such amounts from
Lenders, Agent shall disburse the proceeds of the Revolver Loans as directed by
Borrower Agent. Unless Agent shall have received (in sufficient time to act)
written notice from a Lender that it does not intend to fund its Pro Rata share
41
of a Borrowing, Agent may assume that such Lender has deposited or promptly will
deposit its share with Agent, and Agent may disburse a corresponding amount to
Borrowers. If a Lender's share of any Borrowing is not in fact received by
Agent, then Borrowers agree to repay to Agent on demand the amount of such
share, together with interest thereon from the date disbursed until repaid, at
the rate applicable to such Borrowing.
4.1.3 Swingline Loans; Settlement.
(a) Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, advance
Swingline Loans to Borrowers, up to an aggregate outstanding amount not to
exceed 10% of the Revolving Commitments, unless the funding is specifically
required to be made by all Lenders hereunder. Each Swingline Loan shall
constitute a Revolver Loan for all purposes, except that payments thereon shall
be made to Agent for its own account. The obligation of Borrowers to repay
Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by the records of Agent and need not be
evidenced by any promissory note.
(b) To facilitate administration of the Revolver Loans,
Lenders and Agent agree (which agreement is solely among them, and not for the
benefit of or enforceable by any Borrower) that settlement among them with
respect to Swingline Loans and other Revolver Loans may take place periodically
on a date determined from time to time by Agent, which shall occur at least
twice each month. On each settlement date, settlement shall be made with each
Lender in accordance with the Settlement Report delivered by Agent to Lenders.
Between settlement dates, Agent may in its discretion apply payments on Revolver
Loans to Swingline Loans, regardless of any designation by Borrower or any
provision herein to the contrary. Each Lender's obligation to make settlements
with Agent is absolute and unconditional, without offset, counterclaim or other
defense, and whether or not the Revolver Commitments have terminated, an
Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied. If, due to an
Insolvency Proceeding with respect to a Borrower or otherwise, any Swingline
Loan may not be settled among Lenders hereunder, then each Lender shall be
deemed to have purchased from Agent a Pro Rata participation in each unpaid
Swingline Loan and shall transfer the amount of such participation to Agent, in
immediately available funds, within one Business Day after Agent's request
therefor.
4.1.4 Notices. Each Borrower authorizes Agent and Lenders to
extend, convert or continue Revolver Loans, effect selections of interest rates,
and transfer funds to or on behalf of Borrowers based on telephonic or e-mailed
instructions. Borrowers shall confirm each such request by prompt delivery to
Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, if
applicable, but if it differs in any material respect from the action taken by
Agent or Lenders, the records of Agent and Lenders shall govern. Neither Agent
nor any Lender shall have any liability for any loss suffered by a Borrower as a
result of Agent or any Lender acting upon its understanding of telephonic or
e-mailed instructions from a person believed in good faith by Agent or any
Lender to be a person authorized to give such instructions on a Borrower's
behalf.
4.2 Defaulting Lender. If a Lender fails to make any payment to Agent
that is required hereunder, Agent may (but shall not be required to), in its
discretion, retain payments that would otherwise be made to such defaulting
Lender hereunder, apply the payments to such Lender's defaulted obligations or
readvance the funds to Borrowers in accordance with this Agreement. The failure
of any Lender to fund a Revolver Loan or to make a payment in respect of a LC
Obligation shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder, and
no Lender shall be responsible for default by another Lender. Lenders and Agent
agree (which agreement is solely among them, and not for the benefit of or
42
enforceable by any Borrower) that, solely for purposes of determining a
defaulting Lender's right to vote on matters relating to the Loan Documents and
to share in payments, fees and Collateral proceeds thereunder, a defaulting
Lender shall not be deemed to be a "Lender" until all its defaulted obligations
have been cured.
4.3 Number and Amount of LIBOR Revolver Loans; Determination of Rate.
For ease of administration, all LIBOR Revolver Loans having the same length and
beginning date of their Interest Periods shall be aggregated together, and such
Borrowings shall be allocated among Lenders on a Pro Rata basis. No more than 6
Borrowings of LIBOR Revolver Loans may be outstanding at any time, and each
Borrowing of LIBOR Revolver Loans when made shall be in a minimum amount of
$5,000,000, or an increment of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Upon determining
LIBOR for any Interest Period requested by Borrowers, Agent shall promptly
notify Borrowers thereof by telephone or electronically and, if requested by
Borrowers, shall confirm any telephonic notice in writing.
4.4 Borrower Agent. Each Borrower hereby designates CAI ("Borrower
Agent") as its representative and agent for all purposes under the Loan
Documents, including requests for Revolver Loans and Letters of Credit,
designation of interest rates, delivery or receipt of communications,
preparation and delivery of Borrowing Base and financial reports, receipt and
payment of Obligations, requests for waivers, amendments or other
accommodations, actions under the Loan Documents (including in respect of
compliance with covenants), and all other dealings with Agent, Issuing Bank or
any Lender. Borrower Agent hereby accepts such appointment. Agent and Lenders
shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon,
any notice or communication (including any notice of borrowing) delivered by
Borrower Agent on behalf of any Borrower. Agent and Lenders may give any notice
or communication with a Borrower hereunder to Borrower Agent on behalf of such
Borrower. Each of Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders shall have the right, in its
discretion, to deal exclusively with Borrower Agent for any or all purposes
under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that any notice, election,
communication, representation, agreement or undertaking made on its behalf by
Borrower Agent shall be binding upon and enforceable against it.
4.5 One Obligation. The Revolver Loans, LC Obligations and other
Obligations shall constitute one general obligation of Borrowers and (unless
otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document) shall be secured by Agent's
Lien upon all Collateral; provided, however, that Agent and each Lender shall be
deemed to be a creditor of, and the holder of a separate claim against, each
Borrower to the extent of any Obligations jointly or severally owed by such
Borrower.
4.6 Effect of Termination. On the effective date of the full
termination of the Revolver Commitments, all Obligations shall be immediately
due and payable, and any Lender may terminate its and its Affiliates' Bank
Products (including, only with the consent of Agent, any Cash Management
Services). All undertakings of Borrowers contained in the Loan Documents shall
survive any termination, and Agent shall retain its Liens in the Collateral and
all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents until Full Payment of
the Obligations. Notwithstanding Full Payment of the Obligations, Agent shall
not be required to terminate its Liens in any Collateral unless, with respect to
any damages Agent may incur as a result of the dishonor or return of Payment
Items applied to Obligations, Agent receives (a) a written agreement, executed
by Borrowers and any Person whose advances are used in whole or in part to
satisfy the Obligations, indemnifying Agent and Lenders from any such damages;
or (b) such Cash Collateral as Agent, in its discretion, deems necessary to
protect against any such damages. The provisions of Sections 2.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7,
43
3.9, 5.5, 5.9, 12, 14.2 and this Section, and the obligation of each Obligor and
Lender with respect to each indemnity given by it in any Loan Document, shall
survive Full Payment of the Obligations and any release relating to this credit
facility.
SECTION 5. PAYMENTS
5.1 General Payment Provisions. All payments of Obligations shall be
made in Dollars, without offset, counterclaim or defense of any kind, free of
(and without deduction for) any Taxes, and in immediately available funds, not
later than 12:00 noon on the due date. Any payment after such time shall be
deemed made on the next Business Day. If any payment under the Loan Documents
shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, the due date shall
be extended to the next Business Day and such extension of time shall be
included in any computation of interest and fees. Any payment of a LIBOR
Revolver Loan prior to the end of its Interest Period shall be accompanied by
all amounts due under Section 3.9. Any prepayment of Revolver Loans shall be
applied first to Base Rate Revolver Loans and then to LIBOR Revolver Loans;
provided, however, that as long as no Event of Default exists, prepayments of
LIBOR Revolver Loans may, at the option of Borrowers and Agent, be held by Agent
as Cash Collateral and applied to such Revolver Loans at the end of their
Interest Periods.
5.2 Repayment of Revolver Loans. Revolver Loans shall be due and
payable in full on the Revolver Termination Date, unless payment is sooner
required hereunder. Revolver Loans may be prepaid from time to time, without
penalty or premium. If any Asset Disposition includes the disposition of
Contracts or Inventory, then Net Proceeds equal to the greater of (a) the net
book value of such Contracts and Inventory, or (b) the reduction in the
Borrowing Base upon giving effect to such disposition, shall be applied to the
Revolver Loans. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if an
Overadvance exists, Borrowers shall, on the sooner of Agent's demand or the
first Business Day after any Borrower has knowledge thereof, repay the
outstanding Revolver Loans in an amount sufficient to reduce the principal
balance of Revolver Loans to the applicable Borrowing Base.
5.3 [Reserved]
5.4 Payment of Other Obligations. Obligations other than Revolver
Loans, including LC Obligations and Extraordinary Expenses, shall be paid by
Borrowers as provided in the Loan Documents or, if no payment date is specified,
on demand.
5.5 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. None of Agent or Lenders shall be
under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Obligor or against
any Obligations. If any payment by or on behalf of Borrowers is made to Agent,
Issuing Bank or any Lender, or Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender exercises a
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
Agent, Issuing Bank or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee,
receiver or any other Person, then to the extent of such recovery, the
Obligation originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and
remedies relating thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and
effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred.
44
5.6 Post-Default Allocation of Payments.
5.6.1 Allocation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, during an Event of Default, monies to be applied to the Obligations,
whether arising from payments by Obligors, realization on Collateral, setoff or
otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:
(a) FIRST, to all costs and expenses, including Extraordinary
Expenses, owing to Agent;
(b) SECOND, to all amounts owing to Agent on Swingline Loans;
(c) THIRD, to all amounts owing to Issuing Bank on LC
Obligations;
(d) FOURTH, to all Obligations constituting fees (excluding
amounts relating to Bank Products);
(e) FIFTH, to all Obligations constituting interest (excluding
amounts relating to Bank Products);
(f) SIXTH, to provide Cash Collateral for outstanding Letters
of Credit;
(g) SEVENTH, to all other Obligations, other than Bank Product
Debt;
(h) EIGHTH, to Bank Product Debt; and
(i) LAST, to the Borrowers.
Amounts shall be applied to each category of Obligations set forth above until
Full Payment thereof and then to the next category. If amounts are insufficient
to satisfy a category, they shall be applied on a pro rata basis among the
Obligations in the category. Amounts distributed with respect to any Bank
Product Debt shall be the lesser of the applicable Bank Product Amount last
reported to Agent or the actual Bank Product Debt as calculated by the
methodology reported to Agent for determining the amount due. Agent shall have
no obligation to calculate the amount to be distributed with respect to any Bank
Product Debt, but may rely upon written notice of the amount (setting forth a
reasonably detailed calculation) from the applicable Lender which notice shall
be approved by the Borrowers. In the absence of such notice, Agent may assume
the amount to be distributed is the Bank Product Amount last reported to it. The
allocations set forth in this Section are solely to determine the rights and
priorities of Agent and Lenders as among themselves, and may be changed by
agreement among them without the consent of any Obligor. This Section is not for
the benefit of or enforceable by any Borrower.
5.6.2 Erroneous Application. Agent shall not be liable for any
application of amounts made by it in good faith and, if any such application is
subsequently determined to have been made in error, the sole recourse of any
Lender or other Person to which such amount should have been made shall be to
recover the amount from the Person that actually received it (and, if such
amount was received by any Lender, such Lender hereby agrees to return it).
5.7 Application of Payments. The ledger balance in the main Dominion
Account as of the end of a Business Day shall be applied to the Obligations at
the beginning of the next Business Day, during any Dominion Trigger Period. If,
as a result of such application, a credit balance exists, the balance shall not
accrue interest in favor of Borrowers and shall be made available to Borrowers
as long as no Default or Event of Default exists. Each Borrower irrevocably
waives the right to direct the application of any payments or Collateral
proceeds, and agrees that Agent shall have the continuing, exclusive right to
apply and reapply same against the Obligations, in such manner as Agent deems
advisable, notwithstanding any entry by Agent in its records.
45
5.8 Loan Account; Account Stated.
5.8.1 Loan Account. Agent shall maintain in accordance with
its usual and customary practices an account or accounts ("Loan Account")
evidencing the Debt of Borrowers resulting from each Revolver Loan or issuance
of a Letter of Credit from time to time. Any failure of Agent to record anything
in the Loan Account, or any error in doing so, shall not limit or otherwise
affect the obligation of Borrowers to pay any amount owing hereunder. Agent may
maintain a single Loan Account in the name of Borrower Agent, and each Borrower
confirms that such arrangement shall have no effect on the joint and several
character of its liability for the Obligations.
5.8.2 Entries Binding. Entries made in the Loan Account shall
constitute presumptive evidence of the information contained therein. If any
information contained in the Loan Account is provided to or inspected by any
Person, then such information shall be conclusive and binding on such Person for
all purposes absent manifest error, except to the extent such Person notifies
Agent in writing within 30 days after receipt or inspection that specific
information is subject to dispute; provided, that payment by Borrowers to Agent
of any amounts owed hereunder which are under dispute by Borrowers shall not be
deemed a waiver of Borrowers' right to continue such dispute.
5.9 Taxes.
-----
5.9.1 Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by any
Obligor on account of any Obligations shall be made free and clear of and
without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes,
provided that if an Obligor shall be required by Applicable Law to deduct any
Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (a) the
sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required
deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under
this Section) Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made;
(b) the Obligor shall make such deductions; and (c) Borrowers shall timely pay
the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance
with Applicable Law. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrowers shall timely pay
all Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authorities.
5.9.2 Payment. Borrowers shall indemnify, hold harmless and
reimburse Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank, within 10 days after demand therefor,
for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to
amounts payable under this Section) paid by Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank
with respect to any Obligations, Letters of Credit or Loan Documents, and any
penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or
legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided,
that payment by Borrowers to Agent of any amounts owed hereunder which are under
dispute by Borrowers shall not be deemed a waiver of Borrowers' right to
continue such dispute. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or
liability delivered to Borrower Agent by a Lender or Issuing Bank (with a copy
to Agent), or by Agent, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. As soon as
practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Borrower,
Borrower Agent shall deliver to Agent a receipt issued by the Governmental
Authority evidencing such payment or other evidence of payment satisfactory to
Agent.
46
5.10 Foreign Lenders.
5.10.1 Exemption. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an
exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction
in which an Obligor is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under any Loan Document shall
deliver to Agent and Borrower Agent, at the time or times prescribed by
Applicable Law or reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower Agent, such properly
completed and executed documentation prescribed by Applicable Law as will permit
such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of
withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by Agent or Borrower Agent,
shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or
reasonably requested by Agent or Borrower Agent as will enable Agent and
Borrower Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup
withholding or information reporting requirements.
5.10.2 Documentation. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, if a Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States, a
Foreign Lender shall deliver to Agent and Borrower 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 hereunder (and from time to time thereafter
upon the request of Agent or Borrower Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is
legally entitled to do so), (a) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN
claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United
States is a party; (b) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI; (c) in the case
of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio
interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (i) a certificate to the effect that
such Foreign Lender is not (A) a "bank" within the meaning of section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a "10 percent shareholder" of any Obligor within
the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a "controlled foreign
corporation" described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (ii) duly
completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN; or (d) any other form prescribed by
Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United
States federal withholding tax, duly completed together with such supplementary
documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit Borrowers to
determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
5.11 Nature and Extent of Each Borrower's Liability.
5.11.1 Joint and Several Liability. Each Borrower agrees that
it is jointly and severally liable for, and absolutely and unconditionally
guarantees to Agent and Lenders the prompt payment and performance of, all
Obligations and all agreements under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees
that its guaranty obligations hereunder constitute a continuing guaranty of
payment and not of collection, that such obligations shall not be discharged
until Full Payment of the Obligations, and that such obligations are absolute
and unconditional, irrespective of (a) the genuineness, validity, regularity,
enforceability, subordination or any future modification of, or change in, any
Obligations or Loan Document, or any other document, instrument or agreement to
which any Obligor is or may become a party or be bound; (b) the absence of any
action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section) or any other Loan
47
Document, or any waiver, consent or indulgence of any kind by Agent or any
Lender with respect thereto; (c) the existence, value or condition of, or
failure to perfect a Lien or to preserve rights against, any security or
guaranty for the Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by
Agent or any Lender in respect thereof (including the release of any security or
guaranty); (d) the insolvency of any Obligor; (e) any election by Agent or any
Lender in an Insolvency Proceeding for the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of
the Bankruptcy Code; (f) any borrowing or grant of a Lien by any other Borrower,
as debtor-in-possession under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise;
(g) the disallowance of any claims of Agent or any Lender against any Obligor
for the repayment of any Obligations under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code or
otherwise; or (h) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor,
except Full Payment of all Obligations.
5.11.2 Waivers.
(a) Each Borrower expressly waives all rights that it may have
now or in the future under any statute, at common law, in equity or otherwise,
to compel Agent or Lenders to marshal assets or to proceed against any Obligor,
other Person or security for the payment or performance of any Obligations
before, or as a condition to, proceeding against such Borrower. Each Borrower
waives all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor
other than Full Payment of all Obligations. It is agreed among each Borrower,
Agent and Lenders that the provisions of this Section 5.11 are the essence of
the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and that, but for such
provisions, Agent and Lenders would decline to make Loans and issue Letters of
Credit. Each Borrower acknowledges that its guaranty pursuant to this Section is
necessary to the conduct and promotion of its business, and can be expected to
benefit such business.
(b) Agent and Lenders may, in their sole discretion, pursue
such rights and remedies as they deem appropriate, including realization upon
Collateral or any Real Estate by judicial foreclosure or non judicial sale or
enforcement, without affecting any rights and remedies under this Section 5.11.
If, in taking any action in connection with the exercise of any rights or
remedies, Agent or any Lender shall forfeit any other rights or remedies,
including the right to enter a deficiency judgment against any Borrower or other
Person, whether because of any Applicable Laws pertaining to "election of
remedies" or otherwise, each Borrower consents to such action and waives any
claim based upon it, even if the action may result in loss of any rights of
subrogation that any Borrower might otherwise have had. Any election of remedies
that results in denial or impairment of the right of Agent or any Lender to seek
a deficiency judgment against any Borrower shall not impair any other Borrower's
obligation to pay the full amount of the Obligations. Each Borrower waives all
rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies, such as nonjudicial
foreclosure with respect to any security for the Obligations, even though that
election of remedies destroys such Borrower's rights of subrogation against any
other Person. Agent may bid all or a portion of the Obligations at any
foreclosure or trustee's sale or at any private sale, and the amount of such bid
need not be paid by Agent but shall be credited against the Obligations. The
amount of the successful bid at any such sale, whether Agent or any other Person
is the successful bidder, shall be conclusively deemed to be the fair market
value of the Collateral, and the difference between such bid amount and the
remaining balance of the Obligations shall be conclusively deemed to be the
amount of the Obligations guaranteed under this Section 5.11, notwithstanding
that any present or future law or court decision may have the effect of reducing
the amount of any deficiency claim to which Agent or any Lender might otherwise
be entitled but for such bidding at any such sale.
48
5.11.3 Extent of Liability; Contribution.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each
Borrower's liability under this Section 5.11 shall be limited to the greater of
(i) all amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable, as described below,
and (ii) such Borrower's Allocable Amount.
(b) If any Borrower makes a payment under this Section 5.11 of
any Obligations (other than amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable)
(a "Guarantor Payment") that, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments
previously or concurrently made by any other Borrower, exceeds the amount that
such Borrower would otherwise have paid if each Borrower had paid the aggregate
Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payments in the same proportion that
such Borrower's Allocable Amount bore to the total Allocable Amounts of all
Borrowers, then such Borrower shall be entitled to receive contribution and
indemnification payments from, and to be reimbursed by, each other Borrower for
the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable
Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment. The "Allocable
Amount" for any Borrower shall be the maximum amount that could then be
recovered from such Borrower under this Section 5.11 without rendering such
payment voidable under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any
applicable state fraudulent transfer or conveyance act, or similar statute or
common law.
(c) Nothing contained in this Section 5.11 shall limit the
liability of any Borrower to pay Revolver Loans made directly or indirectly to
that Borrower (including Revolver Loans advanced to any other Borrower and then
re-loaned or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower), LC
Obligations relating to Letters of Credit issued to support such Borrower's
business, and all accrued interest, fees, expenses and other related Obligations
with respect thereto, for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable for all
purposes hereunder. Agent and Lenders shall have the right, at any time in their
discretion, to condition Revolver Loans and Letters of Credit upon a separate
calculation of borrowing availability for each Borrower and to restrict the
disbursement and use of such Revolver Loans and Letters of Credit to such
Borrower.
5.11.4 Joint Enterprise. Each Borrower has requested that
Agent and Lenders make this credit facility available to Borrowers on a combined
basis, in order to finance Borrowers' business most efficiently and
economically. Borrowers' business is a mutual and collective enterprise, and
Borrowers believe that consolidation of their credit facility will enhance the
borrowing power of each Borrower and ease the administration of their
relationship with Lenders, all to the mutual advantage of Borrowers. Borrowers
acknowledge and agree that Agent's and Lenders' willingness to extend credit to
Borrowers and to administer the Collateral on a combined basis, as set forth
herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at Borrowers'
request.
5.11.5 Subordination. Each Borrower hereby subordinates any
claims, including any rights at law or in equity to payment, subrogation,
reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off, that it
may have at any time against any other Obligor, howsoever arising, to the Full
Payment of all Obligations.
SECTION 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT/SUBSEQUENT
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Revolver Loans. In addition to the
conditions set forth in Section 6.2, Lenders shall not be required to fund any
requested Revolver Loan, issue any Letter of Credit, or otherwise extend credit
to Borrowers hereunder, until the date ("Closing Date") that each of the
following conditions has been satisfied:
49
(a) Notes shall have been executed by Borrowers and delivered
to each Lender that requests issuance of a Note. Each other Loan Document (other
than Credit Card Acknowledgements, a Compliance Certificate and those Loan
Documents which are to be delivered after the Closing Date as set forth in
Section 6.4) shall have been duly executed and delivered to Agent by each of the
signatories thereto, and each Obligor (to the extent a party thereto) shall be
in compliance with all terms thereof.
(b) Agent shall have received acknowledgments of all filings
or recordations necessary to perfect its Liens in the Collateral, as well as UCC
and Lien searches and other evidence satisfactory to Agent that such Liens are
the only Liens upon the Collateral, except Permitted Liens.
(c) Agent shall have received duly executed agreements
establishing each Dominion Account and related lockbox (if applicable), in form
and substance, and with financial institutions, satisfactory to Agent.
(d) Agent shall have received certificates, in the form of
Exhibit D, from a knowledgeable Senior Officer of each Borrower certifying that,
after giving effect to the initial Revolver Loans and transactions hereunder,
(i) such Borrower is Solvent; (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists; (iii)
the representations and warranties set forth in Section 9 are true and correct;
and (iv) such Borrower has complied with all agreements and conditions to be
satisfied by it under the Loan Documents.
(e) Agent shall have received a certificate of a duly
authorized officer of each Obligor, certifying (i) that attached copies of such
Obligor's Organic Documents are true and complete, and in full force and effect,
without amendment except as shown; (ii) that an attached copy of resolutions
authorizing execution and delivery of the Loan Documents is true and complete,
and that such resolutions are in full force and effect, were duly adopted, have
not been amended, modified or revoked, and constitute all resolutions adopted
with respect to this credit facility; and (iii) to the title, name and signature
of each Person authorized to sign the Loan Documents. Agent may conclusively
rely on this certificate until it is otherwise notified by the applicable
Obligor in writing.
(f) Agent shall have received a written opinion of Andrews
Kurth, LLP, as well as any local counsel to Borrowers or Agent, with respect to
the Loan Documents, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
(g) Agent shall have received a written opinion from the
Parent's General Counsel, with respect to the existence, authority, no violation
of laws and no existence of litigation regarding each Obligor.
(h) Agent shall have received a written opinion of Hughes
Watters Askanase L.L.P. regarding the enforceability of the Borrowers' form of
Contract and its compliance with any Requirement of Law with respect to the laws
of the State of Oklahoma and relevant federal laws.
50
(i) Agent shall have received a written opinion of McGlinchey
Stafford PLLC regarding the enforceability of the Borrowers' form of Contract
and its compliance with any Requirement of Law with respect to the laws of the
State of Louisiana and relevant federal laws.
(j) Agent shall have received copies of the charter documents
of each Obligor, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate
official of such Obligor's jurisdiction of organization. Agent shall have
received good standing certificates for each Obligor, issued by the Secretary of
State or other appropriate official of such Obligor's jurisdiction of
organization and each jurisdiction where such Obligor's conduct of business or
ownership of Property necessitates qualification.
(k) Agent shall have received copies of policies or
certificates of insurance for the insurance policies carried by Borrowers, all
in compliance with the Loan Documents.
(l) Agent shall have completed its business, financial and
legal due diligence of Obligors, including a roll-forward of its previous field
examination, with results satisfactory to Agent. No material adverse change in
the financial condition of any Obligor or in the quality, quantity or value of
any Collateral shall have occurred since January 31, 2008.
(m) Borrowers shall have paid all fees and expenses due and
payable to Agent and Lenders on the Closing Date.
(n) Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate
prepared as of July 31, 2008. Upon giving effect to the initial funding of
Revolver Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit, and the payment by Borrowers
of all fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith as well as any payables
stretched beyond their customary payment practices, Availability shall be at
least $20,000,000.
(o) Agent shall have received copies of the Indenture and the
"Transaction Documents" as defined therein, and any amendments necessary
thereto.
(p) Agent shall have received a letter from each third party
service maintenance providers acknowledging that any refunds owed to a Borrower
as a result of the cancellation of a third party service maintenance plan
purchased under a Retained Contract shall be paid directly to the Dominion
Account, which letter shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
(q) Agent shall have received a letter from each third party
credit insurance provider acknowledging that any refunds owed to a Borrower as a
result of the cancellation of a credit insurance policy shall be paid directly
to the Dominion Account, which letter shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent.
(r) Agent shall have received copies of the CCI Receivables
Purchase Agreement and Originator Notes, in each case in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent.
(s) Agent shall have received a fully signed Securitization
Intercreditor Agreement.
6.2 Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions. Agent, Issuing Bank
and Lenders shall not be required to fund any Revolver Loans, arrange for
issuance of any Letters of Credit or grant any other accommodation to or for the
benefit of Borrowers, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
51
(a) No Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of,
or result from, such funding, issuance or grant;
(b) The representations and warranties of each Obligor in the
Loan Documents shall be true and correct on the date of, and upon giving effect
to, such funding, issuance or grant (except for representations and warranties
that expressly relate to an earlier date);
(c) All conditions precedent in any other Loan Document shall
be satisfied;
(d) No event shall have occurred or circumstance exist that
has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(e) With respect to issuance of a Letter of Credit, the LC
Conditions shall be satisfied.
Each request (or deemed request) by Borrowers for funding of a Revolver Loan,
issuance of a Letter of Credit or grant of an accommodation shall constitute a
representation by Borrowers that the foregoing conditions are satisfied on the
date of such request and on the date of such funding, issuance or grant. As an
additional condition to any funding, issuance or grant, Agent shall have
received such other information, documents, instruments and agreements as it
deems appropriate in connection therewith.
6.3 Limited Waiver of Conditions Precedent. If Agent, Issuing Bank or
Lenders fund any Revolver Loans, arrange for issuance of any Letters of Credit
or grant any other accommodation when any conditions precedent are not satisfied
(regardless of whether the lack of satisfaction was known or unknown at the
time), it shall not operate as a waiver of (a) the right of Agent, Issuing Bank
and Lenders to insist upon satisfaction of all conditions precedent with respect
to any subsequent funding, issuance or grant; nor (b) any Default or Event of
Default due to such failure of conditions or otherwise.
6.4 Conditions Subsequent. Borrowers shall deliver each of the
following within the specified time period:
6.4.1 Within 60 days after the Closing Date Borrowers shall
deliver to Agent Lien Waivers with respect to each leased premises or any
Inventory which is in the possession of a warehouseman, processor, repairman,
mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder or other Person; provided, that Agent shall
not establish a Rent and Charges Reserve for any such location or Inventory
until the termination of such 60 day period.
6.4.2 Borrower shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to deliver to Agent, within 30 days after the Closing Date, all Leasehold
Mortgages and Leasehold Mortgage Consents.
6.4.3 Within 15 days after the Closing Date Borrowers shall
deliver to Agent Deposit Account Control Agreements with respect to accounts
maintained by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Suntrust Bank, Texas State Bank and
Woodforest Bank, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
52
SECTION 7. COLLATERAL
7.1 Grant of Security Interest. To secure the prompt payment and
performance of all Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent, for the
benefit of Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and Lien upon all
Property of such Borrower, including all of the following Property, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, and wherever located:
(a) all Contracts other than Contracts sold to and retained by
Receivables SPV;
(b) all Accounts including Credit Card Accounts;
(c) all Chattel Paper, including electronic chattel paper;
(d) all Commercial Tort Claims;
(e) all Deposit Accounts;
(f) all Documents;
(g) all General Intangibles, including Intellectual Property;
(h) all Goods, including Inventory, Equipment and fixtures;
(i) all Instruments;
(j) all Investment Property, including the Equity Interests of
each Borrower in its Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 7.1(j);
(k) all Letter-of-Credit Rights;
(l) all Supporting Obligations;
(m) all monies, whether or not in the possession or under the
control of Agent, a Lender, or a bailee or Affiliate of Agent or a Lender,
including any Cash Collateral;
(n) all accessions to, substitutions for, and all
replacements, products, and cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing,
including proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to insurance policies,
and claims against any Person for loss, damage or destruction of any Collateral;
and
(o) all books and records (including customer lists, files,
correspondence, tapes, computer programs, print-outs and computer records)
pertaining to the foregoing.
Notwithstanding anything stated to the contrary herein or in any other
Loan Document, the Collateral shall not include any Contracts which are
allocated to the Receivables SPV under the Origination Agreement and are sold to
the Receivables SPV by CAI or any other Securitization Assets.
53
7.2 Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash Collateral.
7.2.1 Deposit Accounts. To further secure the prompt payment
and performance of all Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent, for
the benefit of Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and Lien upon
all amounts credited to any Deposit Account of such Borrower, including any sums
in any blocked or lockbox accounts (if any) or in any accounts into which such
sums are swept. Each Borrower authorizes and directs each bank or other
depository to deliver to Agent, on a daily basis during a Dominion Trigger
Period, all balances in each Deposit Account maintained by such Borrower with
such depository for application to the Obligations then outstanding. Each
Borrower irrevocably appoints Agent as such Borrower's attorney-in-fact to
collect such balances to the extent any such delivery is not so made.
7.2.2 Cash Collateral. At the request of Borrower Agent, any
Cash Collateral shall be invested, at Agent's discretion, in Cash Equivalents,
but Agent shall have no responsibility for any investment or loss. Each Borrower
hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a security interest
in all Cash Collateral held from time to time and all proceeds thereof, as
security for the Obligations, whether such Cash Collateral is held in a Cash
Collateral Account or elsewhere. Agent may apply Cash Collateral to the payment
of any Obligations, in such order as Agent may elect, as they become due and
payable. Each Cash Collateral Account and all Cash Collateral shall be under the
sole dominion and control of Agent. No Borrower or other Person claiming through
or on behalf of any Borrower shall have any right to any Cash Collateral, until
Full Payment of all Obligations.
7.2.3 No Commingling of Cash. Borrowers agree that upon the
first occurrence of a Dominion Trigger Period and at all times thereafter all
payments on Retained Contracts, proceeds of Retained Contracts or payments or
proceeds relating to Collateral shall be deposited into a Dominion Account which
is maintained solely for the benefit of the Agent and Lenders and into which no
Securitization Assets are deposited.
7.3 Real Estate Collateral.
7.3.1 Lien on Real Estate. The Obligations shall also be
secured by Leasehold Mortgages upon all Real Estate owned by Borrowers,
including the Real Estate identified in Schedule 1.1L. The Leasehold Mortgages
shall be duly recorded, at Borrowers' expense, in each office where such
recording is required to constitute a fully perfected Lien on the Real Estate
covered thereby. If any Borrower acquires a leasehold interest in Real Estate
hereafter, Borrowers shall, upon acquiring such interest, execute, deliver and
record a Leasehold Mortgage sufficient to create a Lien in favor of Agent on
such Real Estate, and shall deliver a Leasehold Mortgage Consent with respect to
such Real Estate.
7.4 Other Collateral.
7.4.1 Commercial Tort Claims. Borrowers shall promptly notify
Agent in writing if any Borrower has a Commercial Tort Claim (other than, as
long as no Default or Event of Default exists, a Commercial Tort Claim for less
than $500,000) and, upon Agent's request, shall promptly take such actions as
Agent deems appropriate to confer upon Agent (for the benefit of Secured
Parties) a duly perfected, first priority Lien upon such claim.
54
7.4.2 Certain After-Acquired Collateral. Borrowers shall
promptly notify Agent in writing if, after the Closing Date, any Borrower
obtains any interest in any Collateral consisting of Deposit Accounts, Chattel
Paper, Documents, Instruments, Intellectual Property, Investment Property or
Letter-of-Credit Rights and, upon Agent's request, shall promptly take such
actions as Agent deems appropriate to effect Agent's duly perfected, first
priority Lien upon such Collateral, including obtaining any appropriate
possession, control agreement or Lien Waiver. If any Collateral is in the
possession of a third party, at Agent's request, Borrowers shall obtain an
acknowledgment that such third party holds the Collateral for the benefit of
Agent.
7.5 No Assumption of Liability. The Lien on Collateral granted
hereunder is given as security only and shall not subject Agent or any Lender
to, or in any way modify, any obligation or liability of Borrowers relating
to any Collateral.
7.6 Further Assurances. Promptly upon request, Borrowers shall deliver
such instruments, assignments, title certificates, or other documents or
agreements, and shall take such actions, as Agent deems appropriate under
Applicable Law to evidence or perfect its Lien on any Collateral, or otherwise
to give effect to the intent of this Agreement. Each Borrower authorizes Agent
to file any financing statement that indicates the Collateral as "all assets" or
"all personal property" of such Borrower, or words to similar effect, and
ratifies any action taken by Agent before the Closing Date to effect or perfect
its Lien on any Collateral.
7.7 Foreign Subsidiary Stock. Notwithstanding Section 7.1, the
Collateral shall include only 65% of the voting stock of any Foreign Subsidiary.
7.8 Contract Legend. The Borrowers shall immediately following
the execution or receipt of a Contract which has been allocated to a Borrower
under the Origination Agreement, stamp or type in on the Contract the
following:
This instrument or agreement is assigned as collateral to Bank of
America, N.A.
SECTION 8. COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION
8.1 Collateral Reports. By the 20th day of each month, Borrowers shall
deliver to Agent (and Agent shall promptly deliver same to Lenders) (i) a
Borrowing Base Certificate prepared as of the close of business of the previous
month, (ii) an aggregate list of the Borrowers' Contracts, aged in 30 days
contractual delinquency intervals; (iii) a calculation of the Past Due Percent,
the Cash Recovery Percent, Collateral Adjustment Percentage, the Charge-Off
Percent; the Eligible Contracts, the Eligible Inventory, the Eligible Credit
Card Accounts; (iv) an Inventory turn report of the Borrowers' Inventory; (v) a
listing of each Borrower's Inventory by location, specifying the amount of
Inventory at each location; (vi) such other reports as to the Collateral of the
Borrower as the Agent shall reasonably request from time to time, together with
a reconciliation to the general ledger; and (vii) a certificate of an officer of
the Borrower Agent certifying as to the accuracy and completeness of the
foregoing and at such other times as Agent may request. All calculations of
Availability in any Borrowing Base Certificate shall originally be made by
Borrowers and certified by a Senior Officer, provided that Agent may from time
55
to time review and adjust any such calculation (a) to reflect its reasonable
estimate of declines in value of any Collateral, due to collections received in
the Dominion Account or otherwise; (b) to adjust advance rates to reflect
changes in dilution, quality, mix and other factors affecting Collateral; and
(c) to the extent the calculation is not made in accordance with this Agreement
or does not accurately reflect the CAI Availability Reserve or CCI Availability
Reserve.
8.2 Administration of Contracts.
8.2.1 Contracts.
(a) The Borrowers hereby represent and warrant to the Agents
and the Lenders with respect to the Contracts, that: (i) each existing Contract
represents, and each future Contract will represent, a bona fide obligation of
the Contract Debtor, enforceable in accordance with its terms; (ii) each
existing Contract is, and each future Contract will be, for a liquidated amount
payable by the Contract Debtor thereon on the terms set forth in the Contract
therefor or in the schedule thereof delivered to the Agent, without any offset,
deduction, defense (including the defense of usury), or counterclaim; (iii)
there is only one original counterpart of the Contract executed by the Contract
Debtor and any copies of such original are clearly marked as copies; (iv) each
Contract correctly sets forth the terms thereof, including the interest rate, if
any, applicable thereto and correctly describes the collateral, if any, for such
Contract; (vi) the signatures of all Contract Debtors are genuine and, to the
knowledge of the Borrowers, each Contract Debtor had the legal capacity to enter
into and execute such documents on the date thereof; (vii) each Contract
complies with all Requirement of Law; and (viii) the Borrowers have not used
illegal, improper, fraudulent or deceptive marketing techniques or unfair
business practices with respect to the Contracts.
(b) The Borrowers shall not grant any discount, credit or
allowance to any such Contract Debtor without the Agent's prior written consent,
except for discounts, credits and allowances made or given in the Ordinary
Course of Business or in compliance with the Credit and Collection Guidelines.
(c) Except as provided in Borrowers' Credit and Collection
Guidelines, the Borrowers shall not accept any note or other instrument (except
a check or other instrument for the immediate payment of money) with respect to
any Contract without the Agent's written consent. If the Agent consents to the
acceptance of any such instrument, it shall be considered as evidence of the
Contract and not payment thereof and the Borrowers will promptly deliver such
instrument to the Agent, endorsed by the applicable Borrower to the Agent in a
manner satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent. Regardless of the form
of presentment, demand, notice of protest with respect thereto, the Contract
Debtor shall remain liable thereon until such Instrument is paid in full.
(d) Agent may rely, in determining which Contracts are
Eligible Contracts, on all statements and representations made by Borrowers with
respect thereto.
(e) Except as provided in the Credit and Collections
Guidelines with respect to Modified Contracts, the Borrowers shall not amend or
modify any Retained Contract without the Agent's prior written consent and any
such modifications to the applicable Contract are identified as approved
modifications.
56
(f) Borrowers shall hold each original Contract as the
custodian for the Agent for the purposes of perfecting Agent's Lien in the
Contracts.
(g) If the original of any Contract is in print format, the
Borrowers shall keep such Contract in a fireproof file cabinet at Borrowers'
chief executive office (unless delivered to Agent hereunder) and if the original
Contract is in electronic format, the Borrowers shall keep the electronic
version on their computer systems in their chief executive office and with
backup copies kept in location other than the chief executive office.
8.2.2 Taxes. If any collections received from payments made by
Contract Debtors includes charges for any Taxes, Agent is authorized, in its
discretion, to pay the amount thereof to the proper taxing authority for the
account of such Borrower and to charge Borrowers therefor; provided, however,
that neither Agent nor Lenders shall be liable for any Taxes that may be due
from Borrowers or with respect to any Collateral.
8.2.3 Contract Verification. Whether or not a Default or Event
of Default exists, Agent shall have the right at any time, in the name of Agent,
any designee of Agent or any Borrower, to verify the validity, amount or any
other matter relating to any Contracts by mail, telephone or otherwise.
Borrowers shall cooperate fully with Agent in an effort to facilitate and
promptly conclude any such verification process.
8.2.4 Maintenance of Dominion Account. Borrowers shall
maintain Dominion Accounts pursuant to lockbox or other arrangements acceptable
to Agent. Borrowers shall obtain an agreement (in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent) from each lockbox servicer (if any) and Dominion Account
bank, establishing Agent's control over and Lien in the lockbox (if any) or
Dominion Account, which may be exercised by Agent during any Dominion Trigger
Period, requiring immediate deposit of all remittances received in the lockbox
(if any) to a Dominion Account, and waiving offset rights of such servicer or
bank, except for customary administrative charges. If a Dominion Account is not
maintained with Bank of America, Agent may, during any Dominion Trigger Period,
require immediate transfer of all funds in such account to a Dominion Account
maintained with Bank of America. Neither Agent nor Lenders assume any
responsibility to Borrowers for any lockbox arrangement (if any) or Dominion
Account, including any claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect
to any Payment Items accepted by any bank.
8.2.5 Proceeds of Collateral. Borrowers shall request in
writing and otherwise take all necessary steps to ensure that all payments on
Contracts, proceeds of Contracts sold pursuant to the Receivables Purchase
Agreement or otherwise relating to Collateral are made directly to a Dominion
Account (or a lockbox relating to a Dominion Account, if any). If any Borrower
or its Subsidiary receives cash or Payment Items with respect to any Collateral,
it shall hold same in trust for Agent and promptly (not later than the next
Business Day) deposit same into a Dominion Account.
8.3 Administration of Inventory.
8.3.1 Records and Reports of Inventory. Each Borrower shall
keep accurate and complete records of its Inventory, including costs and daily
withdrawals and additions, and shall submit to Agent inventory and
reconciliation reports in form satisfactory to Agent, on such periodic basis as
Agent may request. Each Borrower shall conduct a physical inventory at each of
its locations at least once per calendar year (and on a more frequent basis if
requested by Agent when an Event of Default exists) and periodic cycle counts
consistent with historical practices, and shall provide to Agent a report based
on each such inventory and count promptly upon completion thereof, together with
such supporting information as Agent may request. Agent may participate in and
observe each physical count.
57
8.3.2 Returns of Inventory. No Borrower shall return any
Inventory to a supplier, vendor or other Person, whether for cash, credit or
otherwise, unless (a) such return is in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) no
Default, Event of Default or Overadvance exists or would result therefrom; (c)
Agent is promptly notified if the aggregate Value of all Inventory returned in
any month exceeds $2,500,000; and (d) any payment received by a Borrower in
excess of the aggregate amount of $2,500,000 in any month for a return is
promptly remitted to Agent for application to the Obligations.
8.3.3 Acquisition, Sale and Maintenance. No Borrower shall
acquire or accept any Inventory on consignment or approval (other than in the
Ordinary Course of Business), and shall take all reasonable steps to assure that
all Inventory is produced in accordance with Applicable Law. To the best of
Borrowers' knowledge, all of each Borrower's Inventory is produced in accordance
with the FLSA. No Borrower shall sell any Inventory on consignment or approval
or any other basis under which the customer may return or require a Borrower to
repurchase such Inventory. Borrowers shall use, store and maintain all Inventory
with reasonable care and caution, in accordance with applicable standards of any
insurance and in conformity with all Applicable Law, and shall make current rent
payments (within applicable grace periods provided for in leases) at all
locations where any Collateral is located.
8.3.4 Inventory Returned by Customers. All Inventory returned
by the customers of any Borrower which are subject to a Lien under a Contract
purchased by the Receivables SPV shall be kept separate and identifiable by such
Borrower and such Borrower shall reflect in its books and records that such
Inventory constitutes Securitization Assets.
8.4 Administration of Equipment.
8.4.1 Records and Schedules of Equipment. Each Borrower shall
keep accurate and complete records of its Equipment, including kind, quality,
quantity, cost, acquisitions and dispositions thereof, and shall submit to
Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request, a current schedule thereof,
in form satisfactory to Agent. Promptly upon request, Borrowers shall deliver to
Agent evidence of their ownership or interests in any Equipment.
8.4.2 Dispositions of Equipment. No Borrower shall sell, lease
or otherwise dispose of any Equipment, without the prior written consent of
Agent, other than (a) a Permitted Asset Disposition; and (b) replacement of
Equipment that is worn, damaged or obsolete with Equipment of like function and
value, if the replacement Equipment is acquired substantially contemporaneously
with such disposition and is free of Liens other than Permitted Liens.
8.4.3 Condition of Equipment. The Equipment is in good
operating condition and repair, and all necessary replacements and repairs have
been made so that the value and operating efficiency of the Equipment is
preserved at all times, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Each Borrower shall
ensure that the Equipment is mechanically and structurally sound, and capable of
performing the functions for which it was designed, in accordance with
manufacturer specifications. No Borrower shall permit any Equipment to become
affixed to real Property unless any landlord or mortgagee delivers a Lien Waiver
or an appropriate Rent and Charges Reserve has been established with respect
thereto.
58
8.5 Administration of Deposit Accounts. Schedule 8.5 sets forth all
Deposit Accounts maintained by Borrowers, including all Dominion Accounts. Each
Borrower shall take all actions necessary to establish Agent's control of each
such Deposit Account (other than an account exclusively used for payroll,
payroll taxes or employee benefits, or an account containing not more that
$10,000 at any time). Each Borrower shall be the sole account holder of each
Deposit Account and shall not allow any other Person (other than Agent) to have
control over a Deposit Account or any Property deposited therein. Each Borrower
shall promptly notify Agent of any opening or closing of a Deposit Account and,
with the consent of Agent, will amend Schedule 8.5 to reflect same.
8.6 Administration of Credit Card Accounts.
8.6.1 Credit Card Agreements. Schedule 8.6.1 is a list of
all Credit Card Agreements as of the Closing Date.
8.6.2 Credit Card Acknowledgements. Each Borrower shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Agent copies of Credit Card
Acknowledgements which have been executed on behalf of such Borrower and such
Borrower's Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors. Each Credit Card
Acknowledgement shall require the ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than
daily to a Dominion Account of all payments due from Credit Card Processors or
Credit Card Issuers.
8.7 General Provisions.
8.7.1 Location of Collateral. All tangible items of
Collateral, other than Inventory in transit, shall at all times be kept by
Borrowers at the business locations set forth in Schedule 8.7.1, except that
Borrowers may (a) make sales or other dispositions of Collateral in accordance
with Section 10.2.6; and (b) move Collateral to another location in the United
States, upon 30 Business Days prior written notice to Agent.
8.7.2 Insurance of Collateral; Condemnation Proceeds.
(a) Each Borrower shall maintain insurance with respect to the
Collateral, covering casualty, hazard, public liability, theft, malicious
mischief, flood and other risks, in amounts, with endorsements and with insurers
(with a Best Rating of at least A7, unless otherwise approved by Agent)
satisfactory to Agent. All proceeds under each policy shall be payable to Agent.
From time to time upon request, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent the certified
copies of its insurance policies and updated flood plain searches. Unless Agent
shall agree otherwise, each policy shall include satisfactory endorsements (i)
showing Agent as sole loss payee or additional insured, as appropriate; (ii)
requiring 30 days prior written notice to Agent in the event of cancellation of
the policy for any reason whatsoever, except 10 days notice shall be given for
cancellation due to non-payment of premium; and (iii) specifying that the
interest of Agent shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or neglect of
59
any Borrower or the owner of the Property, nor by the occupation of the premises
for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by the policy. If any Borrower
fails to provide and pay for any insurance, Agent may, at its option, but shall
not be required to, procure the insurance and charge Borrowers therefor. Each
Borrower agrees to deliver to Agent, promptly as rendered, copies of all claims
reports made to insurance companies in excess of $1,000,000. While no Event of
Default exists, Borrowers may settle, adjust or compromise any insurance claim,
as long as the proceeds are delivered to Agent. If an Event of Default exists,
only Agent shall be authorized to settle, adjust and compromise such claims.
(b) Any proceeds of insurance (other than proceeds from
workers' compensation or D&O insurance) and any awards arising from condemnation
of any Collateral shall be paid to Agent and shall be deposited in the Dominion
Account. Any such proceeds or awards that relate to Inventory shall be applied
to payment of the Revolver Loans, and if a Dominion Trigger Period exists, then
to any other Obligations outstanding.
(c) If requested by Borrowers in writing within 15 days after
Agent's receipt of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards relating to any
loss or destruction of Equipment or Real Estate, Borrowers may use such proceeds
or awards to repair or replace such Equipment or Real Estate (and until so used,
the proceeds shall be held by Agent as Cash Collateral) as long as (i) no
Default or Event of Default exists; (ii) such repair or replacement is promptly
undertaken and concluded, in accordance with plans satisfactory to Agent; (iii)
replacement buildings are of comparable size, quality and utility to the
destroyed buildings; (iv) the repaired or replaced Property is free of Liens,
other than Permitted Liens that are not Purchase Money Liens; (v) Borrowers
comply with disbursement procedures for such repair or replacement as Agent may
reasonably require; and (vi) the aggregate amount of such proceeds or awards
from any single casualty or condemnation does not exceed $2,000,000.
8.7.3 Protection of Collateral. All expenses of protecting,
storing, warehousing, insuring, handling, maintaining and shipping any
Collateral, all Taxes payable with respect to any Collateral (including any sale
thereof), and all other payments required to be made by Agent to any Person to
realize upon any Collateral, shall be borne and paid by Borrowers. Agent shall
not be liable or responsible in any way for the safekeeping of any Collateral,
for any loss or damage thereto (except for reasonable care in its custody while
Collateral is in Agent's actual possession), for any diminution in the value
thereof, or for any act or default of any warehouseman, carrier, forwarding
agency or other Person whatsoever, but the same shall be at Borrowers' sole
risk.
8.7.4 Defense of Title to Collateral. Each Borrower shall at
all times defend its title to Collateral and Agent's Liens therein against all
Persons, claims and demands whatsoever, except Permitted Liens.
8.8 Power of Attorney. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably constitutes and
appoints Agent (and all Persons designated by Agent) as such Borrower's true and
lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) for the purposes provided in this Section.
Agent, or Agent's designee, may, without notice and in either its or a
Borrower's name, but at the cost and expense of Borrowers:
(a) Endorse a Borrower's name on any Payment Item or other
proceeds of Collateral (including proceeds of insurance) that come into Agent's
possession or control; and
60
(b) During an Event of Default, (i) notify any Contract
Debtors of the assignment of their Contracts, demand and enforce payments on
Contracts, by legal proceedings or otherwise, and generally exercise any rights
and remedies with respect to Contracts; (ii) settle, adjust, modify, compromise,
discharge or release any claims with respect to amounts due on Contracts or
other Collateral, or any legal proceedings brought to collect on Contracts or
other Collateral; (iii) sell or assign any Contract and other Collateral upon
such terms, for such amounts and at such times as Agent deems advisable; (iv)
take control, in any manner, of any proceeds of Collateral; (v) prepare, file
and sign a Borrower's name to a proof of claim or other document in a bankruptcy
of a Contract Debtor, or to any notice, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or
similar document; (vi) receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to a
Borrower, and notify postal authorities to change the address for delivery
thereof to such address as Agent may designate; (vii) endorse any Chattel Paper,
Document, Instrument, invoice, freight bill, bill of lading, or similar document
or agreement relating to any Contract, Inventory or other Collateral; (viii) use
a Borrower's stationery and sign its name to verifications of Contract and
notices to Contract Debtors; (ix) use the information recorded on or contained
in any data processing equipment and computer hardware and software relating to
any Collateral; (x) make and adjust claims under policies of insurance; (xi)
take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to obtain payment under any
letter of credit or banker's acceptance for which a Borrower is a beneficiary;
and (xii) take all other actions as Agent deems appropriate to fulfill any
Borrower's obligations under the Loan Documents.
SECTION 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
9.1 General Representations and Warranties. To induce Agent and Lenders
to enter into this Agreement and to make available the Revolver Commitments,
Revolver Loans and Letters of Credit, Parent and each Borrower represents and
warrants that:
9.1.1 Organization and Qualification. Parent and its
Subsidiaries are duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. Parent and its Subsidiaries are
duly qualified, authorized to do business and in good standing as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction where failure to be so qualified could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9.1.2 Power and Authority. Each Obligor is duly authorized to
execute, deliver and perform its Loan Documents. The execution, delivery and
performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary
action, and do not (a) require any consent or approval of any holders of Equity
Interests of any Obligor, other than those already obtained; (b) contravene the
Organic Documents of any Obligor; (c) violate or cause a default under any
Applicable Law or Material Contract; or (d) result in or require the imposition
of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any Property of any Obligor.
9.1.3 Enforceability. Each Loan Document is a legal, valid and
binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
9.1.4 Capital Structure. Schedule 9.1.4 shows, for each of
Parent and its Subsidiaries, its name, its jurisdiction of organization, its
authorized and issued Equity Interests, the holders of its Equity Interests, and
all agreements binding on such holders with respect to their Equity Interests.
61
Parent has good title to its Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries, subject only
to Agent's Lien, and all such Equity Interests are duly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. Except as set forth in Schedule 9.1.4, there are no outstanding
options to purchase, warrants, subscription rights, agreements to issue or sell,
convertible interests, phantom rights or powers of attorney relating to any
Equity Interests of Parent or its Subsidiary.
9.1.5 Corporate Names; Locations. During the five years
preceding the Closing Date, except as shown on Schedule 9.1.5, neither Parent
nor its Subsidiary has been known as or used any corporate, fictitious or trade
names, has been the surviving corporation of a merger or combination, or has
acquired any substantial part of the assets of any Person. The chief executive
offices and other places of business of Parent and its Subsidiaries are shown on
Schedule 8.7.1. During the five years preceding the Closing Date, no Borrower or
its Subsidiary has had any other office or place of business.
9.1.6 Title to Properties; Priority of Liens. Each of Parent
and its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to (or valid leasehold
interests in) all of its Real Estate, and good title to all of its personal
Property, including all Property reflected in any financial statements delivered
to Agent or Lenders, in each case free of Liens except Permitted Liens and minor
defects in title to its Real Estate that do not interfere with its ability to
conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for
their intended purpose. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries has paid and
discharged all lawful claims that, if unpaid, could become a Lien on its
Properties, other than Permitted Liens. All Liens of Agent in the Collateral are
duly perfected, first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens that are
expressly allowed to have priority over Agent's Liens.
9.1.7 Financial Statements. The consolidated and consolidating
balance sheets, and related statements of income, cash flow and shareholder's
equity, of Parent and its Subsidiaries that have been and are hereafter
delivered to Agent and Lenders, are prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly
present the financial positions and results of operations of Parent and its
Subsidiaries at the dates and for the periods indicated. All projections
delivered from time to time to Agent and Lenders have been prepared in good
faith, based on reasonable assumptions in light of the circumstances at such
time. Since January 31, 2008, there has been no change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (when taken as a
whole) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
financial statement delivered to Agent or Lenders at any time contains any
untrue statement of a material fact, nor fails to disclose any material fact
necessary to make such statement not materially misleading. Each Borrower and
its Subsidiaries are Solvent.
9.1.8 Surety Obligations. Neither Parent nor any of its
Subsidiaries are obligated as surety or indemnitor under any bond or other
contract that assures payment or performance of any obligation of any Person,
except as permitted hereunder.
9.1.9 Taxes. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have filed
all federal, state and local tax returns and other reports that it is required
by law to file, and has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes
upon it, its income and its Properties that are due and payable, except to the
extent being Properly Contested. The provision for Taxes on the books of each
Parent and its Subsidiaries is adequate for all years not closed by applicable
statutes, and for its current Fiscal Year.
62
9.1.10 Brokers. There are no brokerage commissions, finder's
fees or investment banking fees payable in connection with any transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents.
9.1.11 Intellectual Property. Each of Parent and its
Subsidiaries own or has the lawful right to use all Intellectual Property
necessary for the conduct of its business, without conflict with any rights of
others except for any such conflict of infringement that, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
There is no pending or, to Parent's or any Borrower's knowledge, threatened
Intellectual Property Claim with respect to Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their Property (including any Intellectual Property). Except as disclosed
on Schedule 9.1.11, neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries pays or owes any Royalty
or other compensation to any Person with respect to any Intellectual Property.
All Intellectual Property owned, used or licensed by, or otherwise subject to
any interests of, Parent or its Subsidiaries is shown on Schedule 9.1.11.
9.1.12 Governmental Approvals. Each of Parent and its
Subsidiaries have, is in compliance with, and is in good standing with respect
to, all Governmental Approvals necessary to conduct its business and to own,
lease and operate its Properties. To the best of each Borrowers' knowledge, all
necessary import, export or other licenses, permits or certificates for the
import or handling of any goods or other Collateral have been procured and are
in effect, and Parent and its Subsidiaries have complied with all foreign and
domestic laws with respect to the shipment and importation of any goods or
Collateral, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
9.1.13 Compliance with Laws. Each of Parent and its
Subsidiaries have duly complied, and its Properties and business operations are
in compliance, in all material respects with all Applicable Law (including all
consumer credit disclosure laws and regulations), except where noncompliance
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There have
been no citations, notices or orders of material noncompliance issued to Parent
or its Subsidiaries under any Applicable Law. To the best of Borrowers'
knowledge no Inventory has been produced in violation of the FLSA.
9.1.14 Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed
on Schedule 9.1.14, neither Parent's nor its Subsidiary's past or present
operations, Real Estate or other Properties are subject to any federal, state or
local investigation to determine whether any remedial action is needed to
address any environmental pollution, hazardous material or environmental
clean-up. Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries have received any Environmental
Notice. Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries have any contingent liability with
respect to any Environmental Release, environmental pollution or hazardous
material on any Real Estate now or previously owned, leased or operated by it.
9.1.15 Burdensome Contracts. Neither Parent nor its
Subsidiaries are a party or subject to any contract, agreement or charter
restriction that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries are party or subject to any Restrictive
Agreement, except as shown on Schedule 9.1.15, none of which prohibit the
execution or delivery of any Loan Documents by an Obligor nor the performance by
an Obligor of any obligations thereunder.
63
9.1.16 Litigation. Except as shown on Schedule 9.1.16, there
are no proceedings or investigations pending or, to Parent's or any Borrower's
knowledge, threatened against Parent or its Subsidiaries, or any of their
businesses, operations, Properties, prospects or conditions, that (a) relate to
any Loan Documents or transactions contemplated thereby; or (b) could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if determined adversely to Parent
or its Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries are in default with
respect to any order, injunction or judgment of any Governmental Authority.
9.1.17 No Defaults. No event or circumstance has occurred or
exists that constitutes a Default or Event of Default. Neither Parent nor its
Subsidiaries are in default, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists
that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a default,
under any Material Contract or in the payment of any Borrowed Money. There is no
basis upon which any party (other than a Parent or its Subsidiaries) could
terminate a Material Contract prior to its scheduled termination date.
9.1.18 ERISA. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.18:
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with
the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and other federal and state laws.
Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for
such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and,
to the knowledge of Parent and Borrowers, nothing has occurred which would
prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Each Obligor and ERISA
Affiliate has made all required contributions to each Plan subject to Section
412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any
amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with
respect to any Plan.
(b) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Parent and
Borrowers, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental
Authority, with respect to any Plan that could 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
in or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected
to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) no
Obligor or ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any
liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than
premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) no Obligor or
ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and
no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of
ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with
respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate has
engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of
ERISA.
(d) With respect to any Foreign Plan, (i) all employer and
employee contributions required by law or by the terms of the Foreign Plan have
been made, or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting
practices; (ii) the fair market value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan,
the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance, or
the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued
contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit
obligations with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign
Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to
account for such obligations in accordance with applicable generally accepted
accounting principles; and (iii) it has been registered as required and has been
maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.
64
9.1.19 Trade Relations. There exists no actual or threatened
termination, limitation or modification of any business relationship between
Parent or its Subsidiaries and any customer or supplier, or any group of
customers or suppliers, who individually or in the aggregate are material to the
business of Parent or its Subsidiaries. There exists no condition or
circumstance that could reasonably be expected to impair the ability of Parent
or its Subsidiaries to conduct its business at any time hereafter in
substantially the same manner as conducted on the Closing Date.
9.1.20 Labor Relations. Except as described on Schedule
9.1.20, neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries are party to or bound by any
collective bargaining agreement, management agreement or consulting agreement.
There are no material grievances, disputes or controversies with any union or
other organization of Parent or its Subsidiaries' employees, or, to any
Borrower's knowledge, any asserted or threatened strikes, work stoppages or
demands for collective bargaining.
9.1.21 Payable Practices. Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries
shall make any change in its historical accounts payable practices from those in
effect on the Closing Date other than any changes made in the Ordinary Course of
Business.
9.1.22 Not a Regulated Entity. No Obligor is (a) an
"investment company" or a "person directly or indirectly controlled by or acting
on behalf of an investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company
Act of 1940; or (b) subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act, any public utilities code or any other Applicable Law
regarding its authority to incur Debt.
9.1.23 Margin Stock. Neither Parent nor its Subsidiaries are
engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No
Revolver Loan proceeds or Letters of Credit will be used by Borrowers to
purchase or carry, or to reduce or refinance any Debt incurred to purchase or
carry, any Margin Stock or for any related purpose in any manner that would
result in a violation of Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors.
9.2 Complete Disclosure. No Loan Document contains any untrue statement
of a material fact, nor fails to disclose any material fact necessary to make
the statements contained therein not materially misleading. There is no fact or
circumstance that any Obligor has failed to disclose to Agent in writing that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 10. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS
10.1 Affirmative Covenants. As long as any Revolver Commitments
or Obligations are outstanding, Parent and each Borrower shall, and shall
cause each of their Subsidiaries to:
10.1.1 Inspections; Appraisals.
(a) Permit Agent from time to time, subject (except when a
Default or Event of Default exists) to reasonable notice and normal business
hours, to visit and inspect the Properties of any Parent or its Subsidiaries,
65
inspect, audit and make extracts from Parent's or its Subsidiaries' books and
records, and discuss with its officers, employees, agents, advisors and
independent accountants Parent's or such Subsidiary's business, financial
condition, assets, prospects and results of operations. Lenders may participate
in any such visit or inspection, at their own expense. Neither Agent nor any
Lender shall have any duty to Parent or any Borrower to make any inspection, nor
to share any results of any inspection, appraisal or report with Parent or any
Borrower. Borrowers acknowledge that all inspections, appraisals and reports are
prepared by Agent and Lenders for their purposes, and Parent and Borrowers shall
not be entitled to rely upon them.
(b) Reimburse Agent for all charges, costs and expenses of
Agent in connection with (i) examinations of any Obligor's books and records or
any other financial or Collateral matters as Agent deems appropriate, up to 3
times per Loan Year (as of the Closing Date Agent intends to conduct up to 2
such examinations per Loan Year but reserves the right to conduct additional
examinations in its discretion); and (ii) appraisals of Inventory up to 2 times
per Loan Year (as of the Closing Date Agent intends to conduct 1 such appraisal
per Loan Year but reserves the right to conduct additional appraisals in its
discretion); provided, however, that if an examination or appraisal is initiated
during a Default or Event of Default, all charges, costs and expenses therefor
shall be reimbursed by Borrowers without regard to such limits. Subject to and
without limiting the foregoing, Parent and Borrowers specifically agree to pay
Agent's then standard charges for each day that an employee of Agent or its
Affiliates is engaged in any examination activities, and shall pay the standard
charges of Agent's internal appraisal group. This Section shall not be construed
to limit Agent's right to conduct examinations or to obtain appraisals at any
time in its discretion, nor to use third parties for such purposes.
10.1.2 Financial and Other Information. Keep adequate records
and books of account with respect to its business activities, in which proper
entries are made in accordance with GAAP reflecting all financial transactions;
and furnish to Agent and Lenders (the documents required to be delivered
pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (h) below shall be deemed to have been
delivered on the date on which such documents are posted on the Securities and
Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov and Borrowers have given notice to
Agent of such posting):
(a) as soon as available, and in any event no later than (i)
the date Parent files its 10K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
(ii) 90 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, balance sheets as of the end
of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of income, cash flow and
shareholders' equity for such Fiscal Year, on a consolidated basis for Parent
and its Subsidiaries, which consolidated statements shall be audited and
certified (without qualification as to scope, "going concern" or similar items)
by a firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized standing
selected by Parent and acceptable to Agent, and shall set forth in comparative
form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and other information
acceptable to Agent (in the event that the Existing Securitization Facility
becomes an on-balance sheet transaction in compliance with GAAP, in addition to
the delivery of the financial statements set forth in this Section, Parent and
Borrowers shall deliver consolidating financial statements for Borrowers, Parent
and non-Borrower Subsidiaries of Parent);
(b) as soon as available, and in any event no later than (i)
the date Parent files its 10Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
(ii) 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, unaudited balance sheets as
of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related statements of income and cash
flow for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then
elapsed, on a consolidated basis for Parent and its Subsidiaries, setting forth
66
in comparative form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and
certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower Agent as prepared in
accordance with GAAP and fairly presenting the financial position and results of
operations for such Fiscal Quarter and period, subject to normal year end
adjustments and the absence of footnotes (in the event that the Existing
Securitization Facility becomes an on-balance sheet transaction in compliance
with GAAP, in addition to the delivery of the financial statements set forth in
this Section, Parent and Borrowers shall deliver consolidating financial
statements for Borrowers, Parent and non-Borrower Subsidiaries of Parent);
(c) as soon as available, and in any event within 30 days
after the end of each month that is not the last month of a Fiscal Quarter,
internal management financial statements (balance sheet and statement of income)
as of the end of such month, on a consolidated basis for Parent and its
Subsidiaries, setting forth in comparative form corresponding figures for the
preceding Fiscal Year and certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower
Agent as prepared in accordance with its normal internal, interim reporting
practices;
(d) within the time frame specified for the delivery of
financial statements under clauses (a)(ii), (b)(ii) and (c) above, or more
frequently if requested by Agent while a Default or Event of Default exists, a
Compliance Certificate executed by the chief financial officer or treasurer of
Borrower Agent;
(e) not later than 30 days after receipt thereof by Borrowers,
copies of all management letters (if any) and other material reports submitted
to Borrowers by their accountants in connection with such financial statements,
if any;
(f) not later than 30 days after the commencement of each
Fiscal Year, projections of Parent's consolidated balance sheets, results of
operations, cash flow and Availability for such Fiscal Year, month by month;
(g) at Agent's request, a listing of each Borrower's trade
payables, specifying the trade creditor and balance due, and a detailed trade
payable aging, all in form satisfactory to Agent;
(h) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of
any proxy statements, financial statements or reports that Parent or any
Borrower has made generally available to its shareholders; copies of any
regular, periodic and special reports or registration statements or prospectuses
that Parent or any Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
any other Governmental Authority, or any securities exchange; and copies of any
press releases or other statements made available by Parent or a Borrower to the
public concerning material changes to or developments in the business of Parent
or such Borrower;
(i) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of
any annual report to be filed in connection with each Plan or Foreign Plan; and
(j) such other reports and information (financial or
otherwise) as Agent may request from time to time in connection with any
Collateral or any Borrower's, its Subsidiary's or other Obligor's financial
condition or business.
67
10.1.3 Notices. Notify Agent and Lenders in writing, promptly
after Parent or a Borrower's obtaining knowledge thereof, of any of the
following that affects an Obligor: (a) the threat or commencement of any
proceeding or investigation, whether or not covered by insurance, if an adverse
determination could have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) any pending or
threatened material labor dispute, strike or walkout, or the expiration of any
material labor contract; (c) any default under or termination of a Material
Contract; (d) the existence of any Default or Event of Default; (e) any judgment
in an amount exceeding $500,000; (f) the assertion of any Intellectual Property
Claim, if an adverse resolution could have a Material Adverse Effect; (g) any
violation or asserted violation of any Applicable Law (including ERISA, OSHA,
FLSA, or any Environmental Laws), if an adverse resolution could have a Material
Adverse Effect; (h) any Environmental Release by an Obligor or on any Property
owned, leased or occupied by an Obligor; or receipt of any Environmental Notice;
(i) the occurrence of any material ERISA Event; (j) the discharge of or any
withdrawal or resignation by Borrowers' independent accountants; (k) any opening
of a new office or place of business, at least 30 days prior to such opening; or
(l) any default under the Indenture or the "Transaction Documents" (as defined
in the Indenture).
10.1.4 Landlord and Storage Agreements. Upon request, provide
Agent with copies of all existing agreements, and promptly after execution
thereof provide Agent with copies of all future agreements, between an Obligor
and any landlord, warehouseman, processor, shipper, bailee or other Person that
owns any premises at which any Collateral may be kept or that otherwise may
possess or handle any Collateral.
10.1.5 Compliance with Laws. Comply with all Applicable Laws,
including ERISA, Environmental Laws, FLSA, OSHA, Anti-Terrorism Laws, and laws
regarding collection and payment of Taxes, and maintain all Governmental
Approvals necessary to the ownership of its Properties or conduct of its
business, unless failure to comply (other than failure to comply with
Anti-Terrorism Laws) or maintain could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if
any Environmental Release occurs at or on any Properties of Parent or its
Subsidiaries, it shall act promptly and diligently to investigate and report to
Agent and all appropriate Governmental Authorities the extent of, and to make
appropriate remedial action to eliminate, such Environmental Release, whether or
not directed to do so by any Governmental Authority.
10.1.6 Taxes. Pay and discharge all Taxes prior to the date on
which they become delinquent or penalties attach, unless such Taxes are being
Properly Contested.
10.1.7 Insurance. In addition to the insurance required
hereunder with respect to Collateral, maintain insurance with insurers (with a
Best Rating of at least A7, unless otherwise approved by Agent) satisfactory to
Agent, with respect to the Properties and business of Borrowers and its
Subsidiaries of such type (including product liability, workers' compensation,
larceny, embezzlement, or other criminal misappropriation insurance), in such
amounts, and with such coverages and deductibles as are customary for companies
similarly situated.
10.1.8 Licenses. Keep each License affecting any Collateral
(including the manufacture, distribution or disposition of Inventory) or any
other material Property of Borrowers and its Subsidiaries in full force and
effect; promptly notify Agent of any proposed modification to any such License,
or entry into any new License, in each case at least 30 days prior to its
effective date; pay all Royalties when due; and notify Agent of any default or
breach asserted by any Person to have occurred under any License.
68
10.1.9 Future Subsidiaries. Promptly notify Agent upon any
Person becoming a Subsidiary of Parent and, if such Person is not a Foreign
Subsidiary or the Subsidiary of an Excluded Subsidiary which is created for the
sole purpose of the Existing Securitization Facility, cause it to guaranty the
Obligations in a manner satisfactory to Agent, and to execute and deliver such
documents, instruments and agreements and to take such other actions as Agent
shall require to evidence and perfect a Lien in favor of Agent (for the benefit
of Secured Parties) on all assets of such Person, including delivery of such
legal opinions, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, as it shall deem
appropriate. If any Excluded Subsidiary forms or acquires a Subsidiary, the
Excluded Subsidiary shall execute and deliver such documents, instruments and
agreements and to take such other actions as Agent shall require to evidence and
perfect a Lien in favor of Agent (for the benefit of Secured Parties) on the
Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary.
10.1.10 [Reserved]
10.1.11 Service Maintenance Plans. To the extent that the
Borrowers finance so-called "service maintenance plans," the Borrowers shall
ensure that the cost of such plans are disclosed to the Contract Debtors and
such plans are in compliance with all applicable consumer credit laws, including
any and all special insurance laws relating thereto.
10.1.12 Charge-Off Policy. The Borrowers shall establish and
implement, in a manner satisfactory to the Agent, a policy for charging off the
unpaid balance of its delinquent Contracts as set forth in the Credit and
Collections Guidelines. Borrowers shall not in any way modify such policy as in
effect on the Closing Date without providing 10 Business Days prior written
notice to the Agent of such modification and obtaining Agent's consent to such
modification, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
10.1.13 Loss Reserve. The Borrowers shall maintain, on a
consolidated basis, loss reserves at all times during the term of the Agreement
in amounts required to be maintained under GAAP.
10.1.14 Amendment to Existing Securitization Facility. Provide
prompt written notice of any amendments to the Indenture or any of the
"Transaction Documents" as defined in the Indenture ("Securitization
Amendment"). The Borrowers agree that if a Securitization Amendment is executed
from time to time that contains any credit enhancement levels, required reserve
percentage, covenant, event of default, servicer default, trigger event, remedy
or any similar items or definitional terms related thereto (other than pricing)
that are more favorable (as determined by the Agent) than those contained in the
Loan Documents, then the Loan Documents shall be deemed to be similarly amended,
mutatis mutandis, for the benefit of the Agent and Lenders. The Borrowers agree
to execute and deliver such documents as requested by Agent to amend the Loan
Documents to provide for the deemed amendment.
10.2 Negative Covenants. As long as any Revolver Commitments or
Obligations are outstanding, Parent and each Borrower shall not, and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:
69
10.2.1 Permitted Debt. Create, incur, guarantee or
suffer to exist any Debt, except:
(a) the Obligations;
(b) Subordinated Debt;
(c) Permitted Purchase Money Debt;
(d) Borrowed Money (other than the Obligations, Subordinated
Debt and Permitted Purchase Money Debt), but only to the extent outstanding on
the Closing Date and not satisfied with proceeds of the initial Revolver Loans;
(e) Bank Product Debt;
(f) Debt that is in existence when a Person becomes a
Subsidiary of Parent or that is secured by an asset when acquired by Parent or
its Subsidiaries, as long as such Debt was not incurred in contemplation of such
Person becoming a Subsidiary of Parent or such acquisition, and does not exceed
$10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;
(g) Permitted Contingent Obligations;
(h) Debt owed to a Flooring Lender;
(i) (x) Debt incurred for the acquisition of Real Estate by a
Borrower so long as the purchase price of such Real Estate does not exceed the
fair market value of the Real Estate at the time of its acquisition and the Debt
incurred in connection therewith does not exceed 100% of the purchase price of
such Real Estate, and (y) Debt secured solely by Real Estate owned by a Borrower
as of the Closing Date; provided, that the aggregate outstanding Debt permitted
under this subsection does not at any time exceed $25,000,000;
(j) Debt incurred in connection with the Existing
Securitization Facility;
(k) Refinancing Debt as long as each Refinancing Condition is
satisfied;
(l) The Servicer Letter of Credit and Borrowers' obligation to
reimburse the issuer of such letter of credit for any drawings thereunder;
(m) Debt incurred in connection with the purchase of Contracts
and related assets by CCI from CCCI as evidence by the Originator Notes; and
(n) Debt that is not included in any of the preceding clauses
of this Section, is not secured by a Lien and does not exceed $10,000,000 in the
aggregate at any time.
10.2.2 Permitted Liens. Create or suffer to exist any
Lien upon any of its Property, except the following (collectively, "Permitted
Liens"):
(a) Liens in favor of Agent;
70
(b) Purchase Money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money
Debt;
(c) Liens for Taxes not yet due or being Properly Contested;
(d) statutory Liens (other than Liens for Taxes or imposed
under ERISA) arising in the Ordinary Course of Business, but only if (i) payment
of the obligations secured thereby is not yet due or is being Properly
Contested, and (ii) such Liens do not materially impair the value or use of the
Property or materially impair operation of the business of Parent or its
Subsidiaries;
(e) Liens incurred or deposits made in the Ordinary Course of
Business to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, contracts (except
those relating to Borrowed Money), statutory obligations and other similar
obligations, or arising as a result of progress payments under government
contracts, as long as such Liens are at all times junior to Agent's Liens;
(f) Liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business that are
subject to Lien Waivers;
(g) Liens arising by virtue of a judgment or judicial order
against Parent or its Subsidiaries, or any Property of Parent or its
Subsidiaries, as long as such Liens are (i) in existence for less than 20
consecutive days or being Properly Contested, and (ii) at all times junior to
Agent's Liens;
(h) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, covenants or other
agreements of record, and other similar charges or encumbrances on Real Estate,
that do not secure any monetary obligation and do not interfere with the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(i) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits in
favor of depository institutions, and Liens of a collecting bank on Payment
Items in the course of collection;
(j) Liens in favor of a Flooring Lender so long as such Liens
do not attach to any assets of a Borrower other than the Inventory floored by
such Flooring Lender;
(k) Liens securing only the Real Estate owned by a Borrower to
secure Debt permitted under Section 10.2.1(i);
(l) existing Liens shown on Schedule 10.2.2;
(m) Liens on the Equity Interests of Parent which are held by
Parent, to the extent such Equity Interests are deemed to be Margin Stock;
(n) Liens in favor of the Receivables SPV and the trustee of
the Existing Securitization Facility on (i) Contracts allocated to the
Receivables SPV pursuant to the Origination Agreement and sold to the
Receivables SPV under the Receivables Purchase Agreement and (ii) the other
Securitization Assets;
(o) Liens in favor of the trustee of the Existing
Securitization Facility (or a collateral agent on the trustee's behalf) on the
Master Collection Accounts (as defined in the Securitization Intercreditor
Agreement); and
71
(p) rights of CCI in the Contracts purchased from CCCI
pursuant to the CCI Receivables Purchase Agreement and evidenced by a UCC-1
Financing Statement naming CCI as a secured party and CCCI as debtor; provided,
that such rights are an ownership right and not a Lien.
10.2.3 Capital Expenditures. Make Capital Expenditures (net of
any net proceeds from the sale of any Borrower's fixed assets) in excess of
$22,000,000 in the aggregate during any 12 month period, measured as at the end
of each Fiscal Quarter.
10.2.4 Distributions; Upstream Payments. Declare or make any
Distributions, except Upstream Payments and Permitted Distributions; or create
or suffer to exist any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of a Subsidiary
of Parent to make any Upstream Payment, except for restrictions under the Loan
Documents, under Applicable Law or in effect on the Closing Date as shown on
Schedule 9.1.15.
10.2.5 Restricted Investments. Make any Restricted
Investment.
10.2.6 Disposition of Assets. Make any Asset Disposition,
except a Permitted Asset Disposition, a disposition of Equipment under Section
8.4.2, a transfer of Property by an Obligor of its Subsidiary to a Borrower, a
sale of Contracts and other Securitization Assets to the Receivables SPV
pursuant to the Receivable Purchase Agreement, or a disposition of Margin Stock
by the Parent or a disposition of Securitization Assets by the Receivables SPV.
10.2.7 Loans. Make any loans or other advances of money to any
Person, except (a) advances to an officer or employee for salary, travel
expenses, commissions and similar items in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b)
prepaid expenses and extensions of trade credit made in the Ordinary Course of
Business; (c) deposits with financial institutions permitted hereunder; (d) as
long as no Default or Event of Default exists, intercompany loans by a Borrower
to another Borrower; (e) loans made by a Borrower to Contract Debtor pursuant to
a Contract; (f) loans made by CAI under the Securitization Originator Notes; and
(g) loans made by CCCI under the Originator Notes.
10.2.8 Restrictions on Payment of Certain Debt. Make any
payments (whether voluntary or mandatory, or a prepayment, redemption,
retirement, defeasance or acquisition) with respect to any (a) Subordinated
Debt, except regularly scheduled payments of principal, interest and fees, but
only to the extent permitted under any subordination agreement relating to such
Debt (and a Senior Officer of Borrower Agent shall certify to Agent, not less
than five Business Days prior to the date of payment, that all conditions under
such agreement have been satisfied); or (b) Borrowed Money (other than the
Obligations) prior to its due date under the agreements evidencing such Debt as
in effect on the Closing Date (or as amended thereafter with the consent of
Agent).
10.2.9 Fundamental Changes. Merge, combine or consolidate with
any Person, or liquidate, wind up its affairs or dissolve itself, in each case
whether in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, except
for mergers or consolidations of a wholly-owned Subsidiary with another
wholly-owned Subsidiary or into a Borrower; change its name or conduct business
under any fictitious name; change its tax, charter or other organizational
identification number; or change its form or state of organization.
72
10.2.10 Subsidiaries. Form or acquire any Subsidiary after the
Closing Date, except in accordance with Sections 10.1.9 and 10.2.5; or permit
any existing Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interests except
director's qualifying shares.
10.2.11 Organic Documents. Amend, modify or otherwise change
any of its Organic Documents as in effect on the Closing Date except in the
Ordinary Course of Business and in a manner not adverse to the Agent or Lenders.
10.2.12 Tax Consolidation. File or consent to the filing
of any consolidated income tax return with any Person other than Borrowers and
its Subsidiaries.
10.2.13 Accounting Changes. Make any material change in
accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP and in
accordance with Section 1.2; or change its Fiscal Year.
10.2.14 Restrictive Agreements. Become a party to any
Restrictive Agreement, except (a) a Restrictive Agreement as in effect on the
Closing Date and shown on Schedule 9.1.15; (b) a Restrictive Agreement relating
to secured Debt permitted hereunder, if such restrictions apply only to the
collateral for such Debt; and (c) customary provisions in leases and other
contracts restricting assignment thereof.
10.2.15 Hedging Agreements. Enter into any Hedging Agreement,
except to hedge risks arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not for
speculative purposes.
10.2.16 Conduct of Business. Engage in any business, other
than its business as conducted on the Closing Date and any activities incidental
thereto.
10.2.17 Affiliate Transactions. Enter into or be party to any
transaction with an Affiliate, except (a) transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents; (b) payment of reasonable compensation to officers and employees for
services actually rendered, and loans and advances permitted by Section 10.2.7;
(c) payment of customary directors' fees and indemnities; (d) transactions
solely among Borrowers; (e) transactions with Affiliates that were consummated
prior to the Closing Date, as shown on Schedule 10.2.17; and (f) transactions
with Affiliates in the Ordinary Course of Business, upon fair and reasonable
terms fully disclosed to Agent and no less favorable than would be obtained in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with a non-Affiliate.
10.2.18 Plans. Become party to any Multiemployer Plan or
Foreign Plan, other than any in existence on the Closing Date.
10.2.19 Amendments to Subordinated Debt. Amend, supplement or
otherwise modify any document, instrument or agreement relating to any
Subordinated Debt, if, in each case, such modification (a) increases the
principal balance of such Debt, or increases any required payment of principal
or interest; (b) accelerates the date on which any installment of principal or
any interest is due, or adds any additional redemption, put or prepayment
provisions; (c) shortens the final maturity date or otherwise accelerates
amortization; (d) increases the interest rate; (e) increases or adds any fees or
charges; (f) modifies any covenant in a manner or adds any representation,
covenant or default that is more onerous or restrictive in any material respect
for Parent or its Subsidiaries, or that is otherwise materially adverse to
Parent, any of its Subsidiary or Lenders; or (g) results in the Obligations not
being fully benefited by the subordination provisions thereof.
73
10.2.20 No Borrower shall enter into any Credit Card
Agreements other than the ones expressly contemplated in Section 8.6.1.
10.3 Financial Covenants. As long as any Revolver Commitments
or Obligations are outstanding, Parent shall, on a consolidated basis with
its Subsidiaries:
10.3.1 Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Maintain
Fixed charge Coverage Ratio at least equal to 1.30:1.00 measured quarterly
as at the last day of each Fiscal Quarter on a trailing twelve month basis.
10.3.2 Maximum Leverage Ratio. Maintain a Leverage
Ratio not greater than the ratio set forth below for each Fiscal Quarter
during the specified period, measured as of the last day of each Fiscal
Quarter:
Period Ratio
------ -----
Closing Date through January 31, 2009 3.50:1.00
February 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 3.75:1.00
January 1, 2010 and thereafter 4.00:1.00
10.3.3 Minimum Cash Recovery Percent. Maintain a Cash
Recovery Percent in a percentage not less than 4.75% for each month, measured
monthly as of the last day of each month.
With respect to the covenants contained in this Section 10.3, in the event that
the Existing Securitization Facility becomes an on-balance sheet transaction in
compliance with GAAP, all Debt and other related affects associated with the
Existing Securitization Facility shall be excluded from the calculation of
financial covenants set forth herein.
10.4 Contract Forms. The Borrowers shall not use or acquire in its
business Contracts which are not on the printed forms previously approved in
writing by the Agent and the Borrowers shall not change or vary the printed
forms of such Contracts without the Agent's prior written consent, unless such
change or variation is required by any Requirement of Law. The Agent may
reasonably withhold its consent until the Agent receives a satisfactory opinion
of the Borrower's counsel regarding compliance of the revised form of Contract
with any Requirement of Law.
10.5 Credit and Collection Guidelines. The Borrowers shall not make any
material changes in its Credit and Collection Guidelines (a copy of which has
been previously furnished by the Borrowers to the Agent) without the Agent's
prior written consent which the Agent may withhold in its sole and absolute
discretion. The Borrower shall not enter into or otherwise acquire Contracts
which do not comply with the Credit and Collection Guidelines.
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES ON DEFAULT
11.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall be an "Event of
Default" hereunder, if the same shall occur for any reason whatsoever, whether
voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise:
74
(a) A Borrower fails to pay any Obligations when due (whether
at stated maturity, on demand, upon acceleration or otherwise);
(b) Any representation, warranty or other written statement of
an Obligor made in connection with any Loan Documents or transactions
contemplated thereby is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when
given;
(c) A Borrower breaches or fail to perform any covenant
contained in Section 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 8.1, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.1.7
(only with respect to a failure to maintain insurance at the required coverage
amount), 10.2 or 10.3;
(d) An Obligor breaches or fails to perform any other covenant
contained in any Loan Documents, and such breach or failure is not cured within
15 days after a Senior Officer of such Obligor has knowledge thereof or receives
notice thereof from Agent, whichever is sooner; provided, however, that such
notice and opportunity to cure shall not apply if the breach or failure to
perform is not capable of being cured within such period or is a willful breach
by an Obligor;
(e) A Guarantor repudiates, revokes or attempts to revoke its
Guaranty; an Obligor denies or contests the validity or enforceability of any
Loan Documents or Obligations, or the perfection or priority of any Lien granted
to Agent; or any Loan Document ceases to be in full force or effect for any
reason (other than a waiver or release by Agent and Lenders);
(f) Any breach or default of an Obligor occurs under any
document, instrument or agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any
of its Properties is bound, relating to any Debt (other than the Obligations) in
excess of $5,000,000, if the maturity of or any payment with respect to such
Debt may be accelerated or demanded due to such breach;
(g) Any judgment or order for the payment of money is entered
against an Obligor in an amount that exceeds, individually or cumulatively with
all unsatisfied judgments or orders against all Obligors, $5,000,000 (net of any
insurance coverage therefor acknowledged in writing by the insurer), unless a
stay of enforcement of such judgment or order is in effect, by reason of a
pending appeal or otherwise;
(h) A loss, theft, damage or destruction occurs with respect
to any Collateral if the amount not covered by insurance exceeds $5,000,000;
(i) An Obligor is enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented
by any Governmental Authority from conducting any material part of its business;
an Obligor suffers the loss, revocation or termination of any material license,
permit, lease or agreement necessary to its business; there is a cessation of
any material part of an Obligor's business for a material period of time; any
material Collateral or Property of an Obligor is taken or impaired through
condemnation; an Obligor agrees to or commences any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of its affairs; or an Obligor ceases to be Solvent;
(j) An Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by an Obligor; an
Obligor makes an offer of settlement, extension or composition to its unsecured
creditors generally; a trustee is appointed to take possession of any
substantial Property of or to operate any of the business of an Obligor; or an
Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against an Obligor and: the Obligor consents
to institution of the proceeding, the petition commencing the proceeding is not
timely controverted by the Obligor, the petition is not dismissed within 45 days
after filing, or an order for relief is entered in the proceeding;
75
(k) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or
Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in liability of an Obligor to a Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or PBGC, or
that constitutes grounds for appointment of a trustee for or termination by the
PBGC of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate
fails to pay when due any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal
liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan; or any event
similar to the foregoing occurs or exists with respect to a Foreign Plan;
(l) An Obligor or any of its Senior Officers is criminally
indicted or convicted for (i) a felony committed in the conduct of the Obligor's
business, or (ii) violating any state or federal law (including the Controlled
Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of
War Materials Act) that could lead to forfeiture of any material Property or any
Collateral;
(m) A Change of Control occurs; or any event occurs or
condition exists that has a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) Any default or event of default occurs under the Indenture
or the "Transaction Documents" (as defined in the Indenture)
11.2 Remedies upon Default. If an Event of Default described in Section
11.1(j) occurs with respect to any Borrower, then to the extent permitted by
Applicable Law, all Obligations shall become automatically due and payable and
all Revolver Commitments shall terminate, without any action by Agent or notice
of any kind. In addition, or if any other Event of Default exists, Agent may in
its sole discretion (and shall upon written direction of Required Lenders) do
any one or more of the following from time to time:
(a) declare any Obligations immediately due and payable,
whereupon they shall be due and payable without diligence, presentment, demand,
protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by Borrowers to
the fullest extent permitted by law;
(b) terminate, reduce or condition any Revolver Commitment, or
make any adjustment to the Borrowing Base, CAI Borrowing Base, or CCI Borrowing
Base;
(c) require Obligors to Cash Collateralize LC Obligations,
Bank Product Debt and other Obligations that are contingent or not yet due and
payable, and, if Obligors fail promptly to deposit such Cash Collateral, Agent
may (and shall upon the direction of Required Lenders) advance the required Cash
Collateral as Revolver Loans (whether or not an Overadvance exists or is created
thereby, or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied); and
(d) exercise any other rights or remedies afforded under any
agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise, including the rights and remedies of
a secured party under the UCC. Such rights and remedies include the rights to
(i) take possession of any Collateral; (ii) require Borrowers to assemble
Collateral, at Borrowers' expense, and make it available to Agent at a place
76
designated by Agent; (iii) enter any premises where Collateral is located and
store Collateral on such premises until sold (and if the premises are owned or
leased by a Borrower, Borrowers agree not to charge for such storage); and (iv)
sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral in its then condition, or after any
further manufacturing or processing thereof, at public or private sale, with
such notice as may be required by Applicable Law, in lots or in bulk, at such
locations, all as Agent, in its sole discretion, deems advisable. Each Borrower
agrees that 10 days notice of any proposed sale or other disposition of
Collateral by Agent shall be reasonable. Agent shall have the right to conduct
such sales on any Obligor's premises, without charge, and such sales may be
adjourned from time to time in accordance with Applicable Law. Agent shall have
the right to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Collateral for cash, credit
or any combination thereof, and Agent may purchase any Collateral at public or,
if permitted by law, private sale and, in lieu of actual payment of the purchase
price, may set off the amount of such price against the Obligations.
11.3 License. Except as is prohibited by an existing and enforceable
anti-assignment provision (other than to the extent that any such term would be
rendered ineffective pursuant to the UCC or any other applicable law or
principles of equity), Agent is hereby granted an irrevocable, non-exclusive
license or other right to use, license or sub-license (without payment of
royalty or other compensation to any Person) any or all Intellectual Property of
Borrowers, computer hardware and software, trade secrets, brochures, customer
lists, promotional and advertising materials, labels, packaging materials and
other Property, in advertising for sale, marketing, selling, collecting,
completing manufacture of, or otherwise exercising any rights or remedies with
respect to, any Collateral. Each Borrower's rights and interests under
Intellectual Property shall inure to Agent's benefit.
11.4 Setoff. At any time during an Event of Default, Agent, Issuing
Bank, Lenders, and any of their Affiliates are authorized, to the fullest extent
permitted by Applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general
or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any
time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by
Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the
account of an Obligor against any Obligations, irrespective of whether or not
Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate shall have made any demand
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations
may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of Agent,
Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate different from the branch or office
holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of Agent,
Issuing Bank, each Lender and each such Affiliate under this Section are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that
such Person may have.
11.5 Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver.
11.5.1 Cumulative Rights. All covenants, conditions,
provisions, warranties, guaranties, indemnities and other undertakings of
Borrowers contained in the Loan Documents are cumulative and not in derogation
or substitution of each other. In particular, the rights and remedies of Agent
and Lenders are cumulative, may be exercised at any time and from time to time,
concurrently or in any order, and shall not be exclusive of any other rights or
remedies that Agent and Lenders may have, whether under any agreement, by law,
at equity or otherwise.
11.5.2 Waivers. The failure or delay of Agent or any Lender to
require strict performance by Borrowers with any terms of the Loan Documents, or
to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to Collateral or otherwise,
77
shall not operate as a waiver thereof nor as establishment of a course of
dealing. All rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until
Full Payment of all Obligations. No modification of any terms of any Loan
Documents (including any waiver thereof) shall be effective, unless such
modification is specifically provided in a writing directed to Borrowers and
executed by Agent or the requisite Lenders, and such modification shall be
applicable only to the matter specified. No waiver of any Default or Event of
Default shall constitute a waiver of any other Default or Event of Default that
may exist at such time, unless expressly stated. If Agent or any Lender accepts
performance by any Obligor under any Loan Documents in a manner other than that
specified therein, or during any Default or Event of Default, or if Agent or any
Lender shall delay or exercise any right or remedy under any Loan Documents,
such acceptance, delay or exercise shall not operate to waive any Default or
Event of Default nor to preclude exercise of any other right or remedy. It is
expressly acknowledged by Borrowers that any failure to satisfy a financial
covenant on a measurement date shall not be cured or remedied by satisfaction of
such covenant on a subsequent date.
SECTION 12. AGENT
12.1 Appointment, Authority and Duties of Agent.
12.1.1 Appointment and Authority. Each Lender appoints and
designates Bank of America as Agent hereunder. Agent may, and each Lender
authorizes Agent to, enter into all Loan Documents to which Agent is intended to
be a party and accept all Security Documents, for Agent's benefit and the Pro
Rata benefit of Lenders. Each Lender agrees that any action taken by Agent or
Required Lenders in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, and
the exercise by Agent or Required Lenders of any rights or remedies set forth
therein, together with all other powers reasonably incidental thereto, shall be
authorized by and binding upon all Lenders. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, Agent shall have the sole and exclusive authority to (a) act as
the disbursing and collecting agent for Lenders with respect to all payments and
collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents; (b) execute and
deliver as Agent each Loan Document, including any intercreditor or
subordination agreement, and accept delivery of each Loan Document from any
Obligor or other Person; (c) act as collateral agent for Secured Parties for
purposes of perfecting and administering Liens under the Loan Documents, and for
all other purposes stated therein; (d) manage, supervise or otherwise deal with
Collateral; and (e) take any Enforcement Action or otherwise exercise any rights
or remedies with respect to any Collateral under the Loan Documents, Applicable
Law or otherwise. The duties of Agent shall be ministerial and administrative in
nature, and Agent shall not have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender,
Secured Party, Participant or other Person, by reason of any Loan Document or
any transaction relating thereto. Agent alone shall be authorized to determine
whether any Contract or Inventory constitute Eligible Contracts or Eligible
Inventory, or whether to impose or release any reserve, which determinations and
judgments, if exercised in good faith, shall exonerate Agent from liability to
any Lender or other Person for any error in judgment.
12.1.2 Duties. Agent shall not have any duties except those
expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. The conferral upon Agent of any right
shall not imply a duty on Agent's part to exercise such right, unless instructed
to do so by Required Lenders in accordance with this Agreement.
78
12.1.3 Agent Professionals. Agent may perform its duties
through agents and employees. Agent may consult with and employ Agent
Professionals, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully protected
in any action taken in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by an Agent
Professional. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of
any agents, employees or Agent Professionals selected by it with reasonable
care.
12.1.4 Instructions of Required Lenders. The rights and
remedies conferred upon Agent under the Loan Documents may be exercised without
the necessity of joinder of any other party, unless required by Applicable Law.
Agent may request instructions from Required Lenders with respect to any act
(including the failure to act) in connection with any Loan Documents, and may
seek assurances to its satisfaction from Lenders of their indemnification
obligations under Section 12.6 against all Claims that could be incurred by
Agent in connection with any act. Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any
act until it has received such instructions or assurances, and Agent shall not
incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Instructions of
Required Lenders shall be binding upon all Lenders, and no Lender shall have any
right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent acting or
refraining from acting in accordance with the instructions of Required Lenders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, instructions by and consent of all Lenders shall
be required in the circumstances described in Section 14.1.1, and in no event
shall Required Lenders, without the prior written consent of each Lender, direct
Agent to accelerate and demand payment of Revolver Loans held by one Lender
without accelerating and demanding payment of all other Revolver Loans, nor to
terminate the Revolver Commitments of one Lender without terminating the
Revolver Commitments of all Lenders. In no event shall Agent be required to take
any action that, in its opinion, is contrary to Applicable Law or any Loan
Documents or could subject any Agent Indemnitee to personal liability.
12.2 Agreements Regarding Collateral and Field Examination Reports.
12.2.1 Lien Releases; Care of Collateral. Lenders authorize
Agent to release any Lien with respect to any Collateral (a) upon Full Payment
of the Obligations; (b) that is the subject of an Asset Disposition which
Borrowers certify in writing to Agent is a Permitted Asset Disposition or a Lien
which Borrowers certify is a Permitted Lien entitled to priority over Agent's
Liens (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate without further
inquiry); (c) that does not constitute Collateral with a book value greater than
$5,000,000 in the aggregate released during any 6 month period; (d) that is a
Contract or other Securitization Asset that is being sold to the Receivables SPV
pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement; or (e) with the written consent
of all Lenders. Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Lenders to
assure that any Collateral exists or is owned by a Borrower, or is cared for,
protected, insured or encumbered, nor to assure that Agent's Liens have been
properly created, perfected or enforced, or are entitled to any particular
priority, nor to exercise any duty of care with respect to any Collateral.
12.2.2 Possession of Collateral. Agent and Lenders appoint
each other Lender as agent (for the benefit of Secured Parties) for the purpose
of perfecting Liens in any Collateral held by such Lender, to the extent such
Liens are perfected by possession. If any Lender obtains possession of any
Collateral, it shall notify Agent thereof and, promptly upon Agent's request,
deliver such Collateral to Agent or otherwise deal with it in accordance with
Agent's instructions.
12.2.3 Reports. Agent shall promptly, upon receipt thereof,
forward to each Lender copies of the results of any field audit, examination or
appraisal prepared by or on behalf of Agent with respect to any Obligor or
79
Collateral ("Report"). Each Lender agrees (a) that neither Bank of America nor
Agent makes any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of
any Report, and shall not be liable for any information contained in or omitted
from any Report; (b) that the Reports are not intended to be comprehensive
audits or examinations, and that Agent or any other Person performing any audit
or examination will inspect only specific information regarding Obligations or
the Collateral and will rely significantly upon Borrowers' books and records as
well as upon representations of Borrowers' officers and employees; and (c) to
keep all Reports confidential and strictly for such Lender's internal use, and
not to distribute any Report (or the contents thereof) to any Person (except to
such Lender's Participants, attorneys and accountants) or use any Report in any
manner other than administration of the Revolver Loans and other Obligations.
Each Lender agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Agent and any other Person
preparing a Report from any action such Lender may take as a result of or any
conclusion it may draw from any Report, as well as any Claims arising in
connection with any third parties that obtain any part or contents of a Report
through such Lender.
12.3 Reliance By Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be
fully protected in relying, upon any certification, notice or other
communication (including those by telephone, telex, telegram, telecopy or
e-mail) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent
or made by the proper Person, and upon the advice and statements of Agent
Professionals.
12.4 Action Upon Default. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any Default or Event of Default unless it has received written notice from a
Lender or Borrower specifying the occurrence and nature thereof. If any Lender
acquires knowledge of a Default or Event of Default, it shall promptly notify
Agent and the other Lenders thereof in writing. Each Lender agrees that, except
as otherwise provided in any Loan Documents or with the written consent of Agent
and Required Lenders, it will not take any Enforcement Action, accelerate
Obligations under any Loan Documents, or exercise any right that it might
otherwise have under Applicable Law to credit bid at foreclosure sales, UCC
sales or other similar dispositions of Collateral. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, however, a Lender may take action to preserve or enforce its rights
against an Obligor where a deadline or limitation period is applicable that
would, absent such action, bar enforcement of Obligations held by such Lender,
including the filing of proofs of claim in an Insolvency Proceeding.
12.5 Ratable Sharing. If any Lender shall obtain any payment or
reduction of any Obligation, whether through set-off or otherwise, in excess of
its share of such Obligation, determined on a Pro Rata basis or in accordance
with Section 5.6.1, as applicable, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from
Agent, Issuing Bank and the other Lenders such participations in the affected
Obligation as are necessary to cause the purchasing Lender to share the excess
payment or reduction on a Pro Rata basis or in accordance with Section 5.6.1, as
applicable. If any of such payment or reduction is thereafter recovered from the
purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price
restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. No Lender shall
set off against any Dominion Account without the prior consent of Agent.
12.6 Indemnification of Agent Indemnitees. EACH LENDER SHALL INDEMNIFY
AND HOLD HARMLESS AGENT INDEMNITEES, TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY OBLIGORS
(BUT WITHOUT LIMITING THE INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS OF OBLIGORS UNDER ANY LOAN
DOCUMENTS), ON A PRO RATA BASIS, AGAINST ALL CLAIMS THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR
ASSERTED AGAINST ANY AGENT INDEMNITEE, PROVIDED THE CLAIM RELATES TO OR ARISES
FROM AN AGENT INDEMNITEE ACTING AS OR FOR AGENT (IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT). In
80
Agent's sole discretion, it may reserve for any such Claims made against an
Agent Indemnitee, and may satisfy any judgment, order or settlement relating
thereto, from proceeds of Collateral prior to making any distribution of
Collateral proceeds to Lenders. If Agent is sued by any receiver, bankruptcy
trustee, debtor-in-possession or other Person for any alleged preference or
fraudulent transfer, then any monies paid by Agent in settlement or satisfaction
of such proceeding, together with all interest, costs and expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred in the defense of same, shall be promptly reimbursed
to Agent by each Lender to the extent of its Pro Rata share. In no event shall
any Lender have any obligation hereunder to indemnify or hold harmless any Agent
Indemnitee with respect to a Claim that is determined in a final, non-appealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to result from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Indemnitee.
12.7 Limitation on Responsibilities of Agent. Agent shall not be liable
to Lenders for any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Loan Documents,
except for losses directly and solely caused by Agent's gross negligence or
willful misconduct. Agent does not assume any responsibility for any failure or
delay in performance or any breach by any Obligor or Lender of any obligations
under the Loan Documents. Agent does not make to Lenders any express or implied
warranty, representation or guarantee with respect to any Obligations,
Collateral, Loan Documents or Obligor. No Agent Indemnitee shall be responsible
to Lenders for any recitals, statements, information, representations or
warranties contained in any Loan Documents; the execution, validity,
genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of any Loan Documents; the
genuineness, enforceability, collectibility, value, sufficiency, location or
existence of any Collateral, or the validity, extent, perfection or priority of
any Lien therein; the validity, enforceability or collectibility of any
Obligations; or the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of
operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any Obligor or
Contract Debtor. No Agent Indemnitee shall have any obligation to any Lender to
ascertain or inquire into the existence of any Default or Event of Default, the
observance or performance by any Obligor of any terms of the Loan Documents, or
the satisfaction of any conditions precedent contained in any Loan Documents.
12.8 Successor Agent and Co-Agents.
12.8.1 Resignation; Successor Agent. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, Agent may
resign at any time by giving at least 30 days written notice thereof to Lenders
and Borrowers. Upon receipt of such notice, Required Lenders shall have the
right to appoint a successor Agent which shall be (a) a Lender or an Affiliate
of a Lender; or (b) a commercial bank that is organized under the laws of the
United States or any state or district thereof, has a combined capital surplus
of at least $200,000,000 and (provided no Default or Event of Default exists) is
reasonably acceptable to Borrowers. If no successor agent is appointed prior to
the effective date of the resignation of Agent, then Agent may appoint a
successor agent from among Lenders. Upon acceptance by a successor Agent of an
appointment to serve as Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all the powers and duties of the retiring
Agent without further act, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its
duties and obligations hereunder but shall continue to have the benefits of the
indemnification set forth in Sections 12.6 and 14.2. Notwithstanding any Agent's
resignation, the provisions of this Section 12 shall continue in effect for its
benefit with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
Agent. Any successor to Bank of America by merger or acquisition of stock or
this loan shall continue to be Agent hereunder without further act on the part
of the parties hereto, unless such successor resigns as provided above.
81
12.8.2 Separate Collateral Agent. It is the intent of the
parties that there shall be no violation of any Applicable Law denying or
restricting the right of financial institutions to transact business in any
jurisdiction. If Agent believes that it may be limited in the exercise of any
rights or remedies under the Loan Documents due to any Applicable Law, Agent may
appoint an additional Person who is not so limited, as a separate collateral
agent or co-collateral agent. If Agent so appoints a collateral agent or
co-collateral agent, each right and remedy intended to be available to Agent
under the Loan Documents shall also be vested in such separate agent. Every
covenant and obligation necessary to the exercise thereof by such agent shall
run to and be enforceable by it as well as Agent. Lenders shall execute and
deliver such documents as Agent deems appropriate to vest any rights or remedies
in such agent. If any collateral agent or co-collateral agent shall die or
dissolve, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, then all the rights
and remedies of such agent, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, shall
vest in and be exercised by Agent until appointment of a new agent.
12.9 Due Diligence and Non-Reliance. Each Lender acknowledges and
agrees that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other
Lenders, and based upon such documents, information and analyses as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of each Obligor and its own
decision to enter into this Agreement and to fund Revolver Loans and participate
in LC Obligations hereunder. Each Lender has made such inquiries concerning the
Loan Documents, the Collateral and each Obligor as such Lender feels necessary.
Each Lender further acknowledges and agrees that the other Lenders and Agent
have made no representations or warranties concerning any Obligor, any
Collateral or the legality, validity, sufficiency or enforceability of any Loan
Documents or Obligations. Each Lender will, independently and without reliance
upon the other Lenders or Agent, and based upon such financial statements,
documents and information as it deems appropriate at the time, continue to make
and rely upon its own credit decisions in making Revolver Loans and
participating in LC Obligations, and in taking or refraining from any action
under any Loan Documents. Except for notices, reports and other information
expressly requested by a Lender, Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to
provide any Lender with any notices, reports or certificates furnished to Agent
by any Obligor or any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition, business or Properties of any Obligor (or any of its
Affiliates) which may come into possession of Agent or any of Agent's
Affiliates.
12.10 Replacement of Certain Lenders. If a Lender (a) fails to fund its
Pro Rata share of any Revolver Loan or LC Obligation hereunder, and such failure
is not cured within two Business Days, (b) defaults in performing any of its
obligations under the Loan Documents, or (c) fails to give its consent to any
amendment, waiver or action for which consent of all Lenders was required and
Required Lenders consented, then, in addition to any other rights and remedies
that any Person may have, Agent may, by notice to such Lender within 120 days
after such event, require such Lender to assign all of its rights and
obligations under the Loan Documents to Eligible Assignee(s) specified by Agent,
pursuant to appropriate Assignment and Acceptance(s) and within 20 days after
Agent's notice. Agent is irrevocably appointed as attorney-in-fact to execute
any such Assignment and Acceptance if the Lender fails to execute same. Such
Lender shall be entitled to receive, in cash, concurrently with such assignment,
all amounts owed to it under the Loan Documents, including all principal,
interest and fees through the date of assignment (but excluding any prepayment
charge).
82
12.11 Remittance of Payments and Collections.
12.11.1 Remittances Generally. All payments by any Lender to
Agent shall be made by the time and on the day set forth in this Agreement, in
immediately available funds. If no time for payment is specified or if payment
is due on demand by Agent and request for payment is made by Agent by 11:00 a.m.
on a Business Day, payment shall be made by Lender not later than 2:00 p.m. on
such day, and if request is made after 11:00 a.m., then payment shall be made by
11:00 a.m. on the next Business Day. Payment by Agent to any Lender shall be
made by wire transfer, in the type of funds received by Agent. Any such payment
shall be subject to Agent's right of offset for any amounts due from such Lender
under the Loan Documents.
12.11.2 Failure to Pay. If any Lender fails to pay any amount
when due by it to Agent pursuant to the terms hereof, such amount shall bear
interest from the due date until paid at the rate determined by Agent as
customary in the banking industry for interbank compensation. In no event shall
Borrowers be entitled to receive credit for any interest paid by a Lender to
Agent.
12.11.3 Recovery of Payments. If Agent pays any amount to a
Lender in the expectation that a related payment will be received by Agent from
an Obligor and such related payment is not received, then Agent may recover such
amount from each Lender that received it. If Agent determines at any time that
an amount received under any Loan Document must be returned to an Obligor or
paid to any other Person pursuant to Applicable Law or otherwise, then,
notwithstanding any other term of any Loan Document, Agent shall not be required
to distribute such amount to any Lender. If any amounts received and applied by
Agent to any Obligations are later required to be returned by Agent pursuant to
Applicable Law, each Lender shall pay to Agent, on demand, such Lender's Pro
Rata share of the amounts required to be returned.
12.12 Agent in its Individual Capacity. As a Lender, Bank of America
shall have the same rights and remedies under the other Loan Documents as any
other Lender, and the terms "Lenders," "Required Lenders" or any similar term
shall include Bank of America in its capacity as a Lender. Each of Bank of
America and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, maintain deposits or credit
balances for, invest in, lend money to, provide Bank Products to, act as trustee
under indentures of, serve as financial or other advisor to, and generally
engage in any kind of business with, Obligors and their Affiliates, as if Bank
of America were any other bank, without any duty to account therefor (including
any fees or other consideration received in connection therewith) to the other
Lenders. In their individual capacity, Bank of America and its Affiliates may
receive information regarding Obligors, their Affiliates and their Contract
Debtors (including information subject to confidentiality obligations), and each
Lender agrees that Bank of America and its Affiliates shall be under no
obligation to provide such information to Lenders, if acquired in such
individual capacity and not as Agent hereunder.
12.13 Agent Titles. Each Lender, other than Bank of America, that is
designated (on the cover page of this Agreement or otherwise) by Bank of America
as an "Agent", "Arranger", "Joint Book Runner", "Syndication Agent", or
"Co-Documentation Agent" of any type shall not have any right, power,
responsibility or duty under any Loan Documents other than those applicable to
all Lenders, and shall in no event be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship
with any other Lender.
12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Section 12 is an agreement
solely among Lenders and Agent, and shall survive Full Payment of the
Obligations. This Section 12 does not confer any rights or benefits upon
Borrowers or any other Person. As between Borrowers and Agent, any action that
Agent may take under any Loan Documents or with respect to any Obligations shall
be conclusively presumed to have been authorized and directed by Lenders.
83
SECTION 13. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS
13.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of Borrowers, Agent, Lenders, and their respective
successors and assigns, except that (a) no Borrower shall have the right to
assign its rights or delegate its obligations under any Loan Documents; and (b)
any assignment by a Lender must be made in compliance with Section 13.3. Agent
may treat the Person which made any Revolver Loan as the owner thereof for all
purposes until such Person makes an assignment in accordance with Section 13.3.
Any authorization or consent of a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any
subsequent transferee or assignee of such Lender.
13.2 Participations.
13.2.1 Permitted Participants; Effect. Any Lender may, in the
ordinary course of its business and in accordance with Applicable Law, at any
time sell to a financial institution ("Participant") a participating interest in
the rights and obligations of such Lender under any Loan Documents. Despite any
sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender's
obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall
remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for performance of such
obligations, such Lender shall remain the holder of its Revolver Loans and
Revolver Commitments for all purposes, all amounts payable by Borrowers shall be
determined as if such Lender had not sold such participating interests, and
Borrowers and Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender
in connection with the Loan Documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible
for notifying its Participants of any matters under the Loan Documents, and
Agent and the other Lenders shall not have any obligation or liability to any
such Participant. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a
Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.9 unless Borrowers
agree otherwise in writing.
13.2.2 Voting Rights. Each Lender shall retain the sole right
to approve, without the consent of any Participant, any amendment, waiver or
other modification of any Loan Documents other than that which forgives
principal, interest or fees, reduces the stated interest rate or fees payable
with respect to any Revolver Loan or Revolver Commitment in which such
Participant has an interest, postpones the Revolver Commitment Termination Date
or any date fixed for any regularly scheduled payment of principal, interest or
fees on such Revolver Loan or Revolver Commitment, or releases any Borrower,
Guarantor or substantial portion of the Collateral.
84
13.2.3 Benefit of Set-Off. Borrowers agree that each
Participant shall have a right of set-off in respect of its participating
interest to the same extent as if such interest were owing directly to a Lender,
and each Lender shall also retain the right of set-off with respect to any
participating interests sold by it. By exercising any right of set-off, a
Participant agrees to share with Lenders all amounts received through its
set-off, in accordance with Section 12.5 as if such Participant were a Lender.
13.3 Assignments.
13.3.1 Permitted Assignments. A Lender may assign to an
Eligible Assignee any of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, as
long as (a) each assignment is of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of
the transferor Lender's rights and obligations under the Loan Documents and, in
the case of a partial assignment, is in a minimum principal amount of
$10,000,000 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion) and integral
multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; (b) except in the case of an
assignment in whole of a Lender's rights and obligations, the aggregate amount
of the Revolver Commitments retained by the transferor Lender is at least
$10,000,000 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion); and (c) the
parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent, for its
acceptance and recording, an Assignment and Acceptance. Nothing herein shall
limit the right of a Lender to pledge or assign any rights under the Loan
Documents to (i) any Federal Reserve Bank or the United States Treasury as
collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors and any
Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank, or (ii) counterparties
to swap agreements relating to any Revolver Loans; provided, however, that any
payment by Borrowers to the assigning Lender in respect of any Obligations
assigned as described in this sentence shall satisfy Borrowers' obligations
hereunder to the extent of such payment, and no such assignment shall release
the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.
13.3.2 Effect; Effective Date. Upon delivery to Agent of an
assignment notice in the form of Exhibit C and a processing fee of $5,000
(unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion), the assignment shall
become effective as specified in the notice, if it complies with this Section
13.3. From such effective date, the Eligible Assignee shall for all purposes be
a Lender under the Loan Documents, and shall have all rights and obligations of
a Lender thereunder. Upon consummation of an assignment, the transferor Lender,
Agent and Borrowers shall make appropriate arrangements for issuance of
replacement and/or new Notes, as applicable. The transferee Lender shall comply
with Section 5.10 and deliver, upon request, an administrative questionnaire
satisfactory to Agent.
SECTION 14. MISCELLANEOUS
14.1 Consents, Amendments and Waivers.
14.1.1 Amendment. No modification of any Loan Document,
including any extension or amendment of a Loan Document or any waiver of a
Default or Event of Default, shall be effective without the prior written
agreement of Agent (with the consent of Required Lenders) and each Obligor party
to such Loan Document; provided, however, that
(a) without the prior written consent of Agent, no
modification shall be effective with respect to any provision in a Loan Document
that relates to any rights, duties or discretion of Agent;
(b) without the prior written consent of Issuing Bank, no
modification shall be effective with respect to any LC Obligations or Section
2.3;
85
(c) without the prior written consent of each affected Lender,
no modification shall be effective that would (i) increase the Revolver
Commitment of such Lender; or (ii) reduce the amount of, or waive or delay
payment of, any principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender;
(d) without the prior written consent of all Lenders (except a
defaulting Lender as provided in Section 4.2), no modification shall be
effective that would (i) extend the Revolver Termination Date; (ii) alter
Section 5.6, 7.1 (except to add Collateral) or 14.1.1; (iii) amend the
definitions of Borrowing Base, CAI Borrowing Base, CCI Borrowing Base (and the
defined terms used in such definitions), Pro Rata, Required Lenders or
Supermajority Lenders; (iv) increase any advance rate, or increase total
Revolver Commitments except as set forth in Section 2.2; (vi) release Collateral
except as currently contemplated by the Loan Documents; or (vii) release any
Obligor from liability for any Obligations, if such Obligor is Solvent at the
time of the release; and
(e) without the prior written consent of Supermajority
Lenders, no modification shall be effective that would amend the definition of
Permitted Distributions.
14.1.2 Limitations. The agreement of Borrowers shall not be
necessary to the effectiveness of any modification of a Loan Document that deals
solely with the rights and duties of Lenders, Agent and/or Issuing Bank as among
themselves. Only the consent of the parties to the Fee Letter or any agreement
relating to a Bank Product shall be required for any modification of such
agreement, and no Affiliate of a Lender that is party to a Bank Product
agreement shall have any other right to consent to or participate in any manner
in modification of any other Loan Document. The making of any Revolver Loans
during the existence of a Default or Event of Default shall not be deemed to
constitute a waiver of such Default or Event of Default, nor to establish a
course of dealing. Any waiver or consent granted by Lenders hereunder shall be
effective only if in writing, and then only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which it is given.
14.1.3 Payment for Consents. No Borrower will, directly or
indirectly, pay any remuneration or other thing of value, whether by way of
additional interest, fee or otherwise, to any Lender (in its capacity as a
Lender hereunder) as consideration for agreement by such Lender with any
modification of any Loan Documents, unless such remuneration or value is
concurrently paid, on the same terms, on a Pro Rata basis to all Lenders
providing their consent.
14.2 Indemnity. EACH BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE
INDEMNITEES AGAINST ANY CLAIMS THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY
INDEMNITEE, INCLUDING CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF AN INDEMNITEE. In no
event shall any party to a Loan Document have any obligation thereunder to
indemnify or hold harmless an Indemnitee with respect to a Claim that is
determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction to result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Indemnitee.
14.3 Notices and Communications.
14.3.1 Notice Address. Subject to Section 4.1.4, all notices
and other communications by or to a party hereto shall be in writing and shall
be given to any Borrower, at Borrower Agent's address shown on the signature
pages hereof, and to any other Person at its address shown on the signature
pages hereof (or, in the case of a Person who becomes a Lender after the Closing
Date, at the address shown on its Assignment and Acceptance), or at such other
86
address as a party may hereafter specify by notice in accordance with this
Section 14.3. Each such notice or other communication shall be effective only
(a) if given by facsimile transmission, when transmitted to the applicable
facsimile number, if confirmation of receipt is received; (b) if given by mail,
three Business Days after deposit in the U.S. mail, with first-class postage
pre-paid, addressed to the applicable address; or (c) if given by personal
delivery, when duly delivered to the notice address with receipt acknowledged.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice to Agent pursuant to Section 2.1.4,
2.3, 3.1.2, 4.1.1 or 5.3.3 shall be effective until actually received by the
individual to whose attention at Agent such notice is required to be sent. Any
written notice or other communication that is not sent in conformity with the
foregoing provisions shall nevertheless be effective on the date actually
received by the noticed party. Any notice received by Borrower Agent shall be
deemed received by all Borrowers.
14.3.2 Electronic Communications; Voice Mail. Electronic mail
and internet websites may be used only for routine communications, such as
financial statements, Borrowing Base Certificates and other information required
by Section 10.1.2, administrative matters, distribution of Loan Documents for
execution, and matters permitted under Section 4.1.4. Agent and Lenders make no
assurances as to the privacy and security of electronic communications.
Electronic and voice mail may not be used as effective notice under the Loan
Documents.
14.3.3 Non-Conforming Communications. Agent and Lenders may
rely upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if
such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were
not confirmed, or if the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied
from a later confirmation. Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless each
Indemnitee from any liabilities, losses, costs and expenses arising from any
telephonic communication purportedly given by or on behalf of a Borrower.
14.4 Performance of Borrowers' Obligations. Agent may, in its sole
discretion at any time and from time to time, at Borrowers' expense, pay any
amount or do any act required of a Borrower under any Loan Documents or
otherwise lawfully requested by Agent to (a) enforce any Loan Documents or
collect any Obligations; (b) protect, insure, maintain or realize upon any
Collateral; or (c) defend or maintain the validity or priority of Agent's Liens
in any Collateral, including any payment of a judgment, insurance premium,
warehouse charge, finishing or processing charge, or landlord claim, or any
discharge of a Lien. All payments, costs and expenses (including Extraordinary
Expenses) of Agent under this Section shall be reimbursed to Agent by Borrowers,
on demand, with interest from the date incurred to the date of payment thereof
at the Default Rate applicable to Base Rate Revolver Loans. Any payment made or
action taken by Agent under this Section shall be without prejudice to any right
to assert an Event of Default or to exercise any other rights or remedies under
the Loan Documents.
14.5 Credit Inquiries. Each Borrower hereby authorizes Agent and
Lenders (but they shall have no obligation) to respond to usual and customary
credit inquiries from third parties concerning any Borrower or its Subsidiary.
14.6 Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of the Loan
Documents shall be interpreted in such manner as to be valid under Applicable
Law. If any provision is found to be invalid under Applicable Law, it shall be
ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity and the remaining provisions
of the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect.
87
14.7 Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms. The provisions of the Loan
Documents are cumulative. The parties acknowledge that the Loan Documents may
use several limitations, tests or measurements to regulate similar matters, and
they agree that these are cumulative and that each must be performed as
provided. Except as otherwise provided in another Loan Document (by specific
reference to the applicable provision of this Agreement), if any provision
contained herein is in direct conflict with any provision in another Loan
Document, the provision herein shall govern and control.
14.8 Counterparts. Any Loan Document may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together
shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement shall become effective when
Agent has received counterparts bearing the signatures of all parties hereto.
Delivery of a signature page of any Loan Document by telecopy shall be effective
as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of such agreement.
14.9 Entire Agreement. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.
The Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof, and supersede any and all previous agreements and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.
14.10 Relationship with Lenders. The obligations of each Lender
hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or
Revolver Commitments of any other Lender. Amounts payable hereunder to each
Lender shall be a separate and independent debt, and each Lender shall be
entitled, to the extent not otherwise restricted hereunder, to protect and
enforce its rights arising out of the Loan Documents. It shall not be necessary
for Agent or any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any
proceeding for such purposes. Nothing in this Agreement and no action of Agent
or Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be deemed to constitute Agent
and Lenders to be a partnership, association, joint venture or any other kind of
entity, nor to constitute control of any Borrower.
14.11 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all
aspects of each transaction contemplated by any Loan Document, Borrowers
acknowledge and agree that (a)(i) this credit facility and any related arranging
or other services by Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger
are arm's-length commercial transactions between Borrowers and such Person; (ii)
Borrowers have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax
advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate; and (iii) Borrowers are
capable of evaluating and understanding, and do understand and accept, the
terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Loan
Documents; (b) each of Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger is and
has been acting solely as a principal in connection with this credit facility,
is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary for Borrowers, any of their
Affiliates or any other Person, and has no obligation with respect to the
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth
therein; and (c) Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger may be
engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from
Borrowers and their Affiliates, and have no obligation to disclose any of such
interests to Borrowers or their Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by
Applicable Law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may
have against Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger with respect to
any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any
aspect of any transaction contemplated by a Loan Document.
88
14.12 Confidentiality. Each of Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank agrees
to maintain the confidentiality of all Information (as defined below), except
that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its
Affiliates' respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents,
advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such
disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such
Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the
extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction
over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners); (c) to the extent required by
Applicable Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other
party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies, the
enforcement of any rights, or any action or proceeding relating to any Loan
Documents; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the
same as those of this Section, to any Transferee or any actual or prospective
party (or its advisors) to any Bank Product; (g) with the consent of the
Borrower; or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available
other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to
Agent, any Lender, Issuing Bank or any of their Affiliates on a nonconfidential
basis from a source other than Borrowers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Agent
and Lenders may issue and disseminate to the public general information
describing this credit facility, including the names and addresses of Borrowers
and a general description of Borrowers' businesses, and may use Borrowers' names
in advertising and other promotional materials. For purposes of this Section,
"Information" means all information received from an Obligor or its Subsidiary
relating to it or its business, other than any information that is available to
Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure
by the Obligor or its Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information
received from an Obligor or its Subsidiary after the date hereof, such
information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information pursuant to this
Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if
such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
confidential information. Each of Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank acknowledges
that (i) Information may include material non-public information concerning an
Obligor or its Subsidiary; (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding
the use of material non-public information; and (iii) it will handle such
material non-public information in accordance with Applicable Law, including
federal and state securities laws.
14.13 Certifications Regarding Existing Securitization Facility.
Borrowers certify to Agent and Lenders that neither the execution or performance
of the Loan Documents nor the incurrence of any Obligations by Borrowers
violates the Indenture or the "Transaction Documents", as defined in the
Indenture. Borrowers further certify that the incurrence of the Obligations does
not constitute a default and is no way restricted under the terms of the
Existing Securitization Facility. Agent may condition Borrowings, Letters of
Credit and other credit accommodations under the Loan Documents from time to
time upon Agent's receipt of evidence that the Revolver Commitments and
Obligations continue to not be restricted under the terms of the Existing
Securitization Facility at such time.
14.14 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS,
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES (BUT GIVING
EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS).
89
14.15 Consent to Forum; Arbitration.
14.15.1 Forum. EACH BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE
NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT SITTING IN OR WITH
JURISDICTION OVER LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, IN ANY PROCEEDING OR DISPUTE
RELATING IN ANY WAY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING
SHALL BE BROUGHT BY IT SOLELY IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH BORROWER IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL CLAIMS, OBJECTIONS AND DEFENSES THAT IT MAY HAVE REGARDING SUCH
COURT'S PERSONAL OR SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM.
EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER
PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 14.3.1. Nothing herein shall limit the right of
Agent or any Lender to bring proceedings against any Obligor in any other court,
nor limit the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted
by Applicable Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to preclude
enforcement by Agent of any judgment or order obtained in any forum or
jurisdiction.
14.15.2 Arbitration. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, any controversy or claim among the parties
relating in any way to any Obligations or Loan Documents, including any alleged
tort, shall at the request of any party hereto be determined by binding
arbitration conducted in accordance with the United States Arbitration Act
(Title 9 U.S. Code). Arbitration proceedings will be determined in accordance
with the Act, the then-current rules and procedures for the arbitration of
financial services disputes of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), and
the terms of this Section. In the event of any inconsistency, the terms of this
Section shall control. If AAA is unwilling or unable to serve as the provider of
arbitration or to enforce any provision of this Section, Agent may designate
another arbitration organization with similar procedures to serve as the
provider of arbitration. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Los
Angeles or Pasadena, California. The arbitration hearing shall commence within
90 days of the arbitration demand and close within 90 days thereafter. The
arbitration award must be issued within 30 days after close of the hearing
(subject to extension by the arbitrator for up to 60 days upon a showing of good
cause), and shall include a concise written statement of reasons for the award.
The arbitrator shall give effect to applicable statutes of limitation in
determining any controversy or claim, and for these purposes, service on AAA
under applicable AAA rules of a notice of claim is the equivalent of the filing
of a lawsuit. Any dispute concerning this Section or whether a controversy or
claim is arbitrable shall be determined by the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall
have the power to award legal fees to the extent provided by this Agreement.
Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief
or pursuant to a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver
of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or
claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial
relief. No controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration without the
consent of all parties if, at the time of the proposed submission, such
controversy or claim relates to an obligation secured by Real Estate, but if all
parties do not consent to submission of such a controversy or claim to
arbitration, it shall be determined as provided in the next sentence. At the
request of any party, a controversy or claim that is not submitted to
arbitration as provided above shall be determined by judicial reference; and if
such an election is made, the parties shall designate to the court a referee or
referees selected under the auspices of the AAA in the same manner as
arbitrators are selected in AAA sponsored proceedings and the presiding referee
of the panel (or the referee if there is a single referee) shall be an active
attorney or retired judge; and judgment upon the award rendered by such referee
or referees shall be entered in the court in which proceeding was commenced.
None of the foregoing provisions of this Section shall limit the right of Agent
or Lenders to exercise self-help remedies, such as setoff, foreclosure or sale
of any Collateral or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies from a court of
competent jurisdiction before, after or during any arbitration proceeding. The
exercise of a remedy does not waive the right of any party to resort to
arbitration or reference. At Agent's option, foreclosure under a Mortgage may be
accomplished either by exercise of power of sale thereunder or by judicial
foreclosure.
90
14.16 Waivers by Borrowers. To the fullest extent permitted by
Applicable Law, each Borrower waives (a) the right to trial by jury (which Agent
and each Lender hereby also waives) in any proceeding or dispute of any kind
relating in any way to any Loan Documents, Obligations or Collateral; (b)
presentment, demand, protest, notice of presentment, default, non-payment,
maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any
commercial paper, accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper and guaranties
at any time held by Agent on which a Borrower may in any way be liable, and
hereby ratifies anything Agent may do in this regard; (c) notice prior to taking
possession or control of any Collateral; (d) any bond or security that might be
required by a court prior to allowing Agent to exercise any rights or remedies;
(e) the benefit of all valuation, appraisement and exemption laws; (f) any claim
against Agent or any Lender, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential, exemplary or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual
damages) in any way relating to any Enforcement Action, Obligations, Loan
Documents or transactions relating thereto; and (g) notice of acceptance hereof.
Each Borrower acknowledges that the foregoing waivers are a material inducement
to Agent and Lenders entering into this Agreement and that Agent and Lenders are
relying upon the foregoing in their dealings with Borrowers. Each Borrower has
reviewed the foregoing waivers with its legal counsel and has knowingly and
voluntarily waived its jury trial and other rights following consultation with
legal counsel. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a
written consent to a trial by the court.
14.17 Patriot Act Notice. Agent and Lenders hereby notify Borrowers
that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, Agent and Lenders are
required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower,
including its legal name, address, tax ID number and other information that will
allow Agent and Lenders to identify it in accordance with the Patriot Act. Agent
and Lenders will also require information regarding each personal guarantor, if
any, and may require information regarding Borrowers' management and owners,
such as legal name, address, social security number and date of birth.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signatures begin on following page]
91
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered as
of the date set forth above.
PARENT:
-------
CONN'S, INC.
By: /s/ Michael J. Poppe
---------------------------------------
Name: Michael J. Poppe
-------------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Address:
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attn: Michael J. Poppe
-------------------------------------
Telecopy: 409-212-9521
------------
BORROWERS:
----------
CONN APPLIANCES, INC.,
a Texas corporation
By: /s/ Michael J. Poppe
---------------------------------------
Name: Michael J. Poppe
-------------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Address:
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attn: Michael J. Poppe
-------------------------------------
Telecopy: 409-212-9521
------------
S-1
Loan and Security Agreement
CONN CREDIT I, LP,
a Texas limited partnership
By: Conn Credit Corporation, Inc.,
a Texas corporation,
its sole general partner
By: /s/ Michael J. Poppe
----------------------------------
Name: Michael J. Poppe
--------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
------------------------------
Address:
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attn: Michael J. Poppe
--------------------------------
Telecopy: 409-212-9521
------------
CONN CREDIT CORPORATION, INC.,
a Texas corporation
By: /s/ Michael J. Poppe
-------------------------------------------
Name: Michael J. Poppe
-----------------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Address:
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attn: Michael J. Poppe
-----------------------------------------
Telecopy: 409-212-9521
-------------
S-2
Loan and Security Agreement
AGENT AND LENDERS:
-----------------
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Agent and Lender
By: /s/ John Tolle
------------------------------------------
Name: John Tolle
----------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------
Address:
55 South Lake Avenue, Suite 900
Pasadena, California 91101
Attn: John Tolle
Telecopy: (626) 397-1275
S-3
Loan and Security Agreement
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ T. C. Wilde
------------------------------------------
Name: T. C. Wilde
Title: Vice President
Address:
2200 Ross Avenue, 9th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attn: T. C. Wilde
Telecopy: (214) 965-2375
S-4
Loan and Security Agreement
CAPITAL ONE, N.A.
By: /s/ Lori S. Mitchell
------------------------------------------
Name: Lori S. Mitchell
----------------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
---------------------------------------
Address:
Specialty Finance Lender Group
440 Third St.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Attn: Lori S. Mitchell
Office: (225) 381-2260
S-5
Loan and Security Agreement
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
By: /s/ Michele Scafani
-------------------------------------------
Name: Michele Scafani
-----------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------------------------
Address:
Commercial Finance Division
445 South Figueroa Street, 13th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attn: Peter Ehlinger, Vice President/
Senior Relationship Manager
Telecopy: 212-236-6089
-----------------------------------
S-6
Loan and Security Agreement
GUARANTY BANK
By: /s/ Eric Luttrell
-------------------------------------------
Name: Eric Luttrell
-----------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
----------------------------------------
Address:
333 Clay Street, Suite 4400
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Eric Luttrell, Senior Vice President
Telecopy: (713) 890-8854
S-7
Loan and Security Agreement
FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ R. Keith Kirby
-------------------------------------------
Name: R. Keith Kirby
-----------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------------------------
Address:
P.O. Box 84
Memphis, Tennessee 38101
Attn: R. Keith Kirby, Vice President
Telecopy: (901) 523-4718
S-8
Loan and Security Agreement
Exhibit 99.2
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SERIES 2002-A SUPPLEMENT
This SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SERIES 2002-A SUPPLEMENT,
dated as of August 14, 2008 (this "Amendment") is made between CONN FUNDING II,
L.P. (the "Issuer") and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor by
merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association), as Trustee (the
"Trustee"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Amendment
are used as defined in that certain Base Indenture, dated as of September 1,
2002 (as amended from time to time, the "Base Indenture"), between the Issuer
and the Trustee or, if not defined therein, in the that certain Amended and
Restated Series 2002-A Supplement, dated as of September 10, 2007 (as amended
from time to time, the "Series Supplement"), between the Issuer and the Trustee.
Background
A. The parties hereto have entered into the Base Indenture and the Series
Supplement to finance the purchase of Receivables by the Issuer from Conn
Appliances, Inc.
B. The Trustee will also enter into an Intercreditor Agreement, dated as
of the date hereof by and among Bank of America, N.A., Conn Appliances, Inc.,
Conn Credit Corporation, Inc. and Conn Credit I, L.P in connection with the
execution of documents in connection with the ABL Facility (as defined below).
C. The parties hereto wish to amend the Series Supplement.
D. The parties hereto are willing to agree to such an amendment, all as
set out in this Amendment.
Agreement
0. Amendments of the Series Supplement.
( ) Section 1 of the Series Supplement is hereby amended by adding
the following new definitions as alphabetically appropriate:
"ABL Facility" has the meaning set forth in the Note Purchase
Agreement.
"Financing Facility" has the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Serviced Net Portfolio Yield".
"Pool Contract" means, any retail installment sale contract
originated by the Parent or any of its Affiliates in connection with
a sale of (i) home appliances, electronic goods, computers,
telephones and other goods and merchandise of the type sold by the
Parent or any of its Affiliates from time to time in the ordinary
course of business, which in each case constitute "consumer goods"
under and as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of all applicable
jurisdictions, (ii) service maintenance contracts and services in
respect of any goods or merchandise referred to in clause (i) above,
or (iii) credit insurance (including life, disability, property and
involuntary unemployment) in respect of any goods or merchandise
referred to in clause (i) above or any obligor's payment obligations
in respect of the receivable created in connection therewith
(collectively, "Pool Merchandise") and all amounts due thereunder
from time to time or any retail revolving charge account agreement
originated by the Parent or any of its Affiliates with an obligor
pursuant to which such obligor is obligated to pay for Pool
Merchandise purchased under a credit plan and permits such obligor
to purchase such Pool Merchandise on credit.
"Serviced Collections" means, with respect to any Serviced
Receivable, all cash collections and other cash proceeds of such
Serviced Receivable.
"Serviced Contract" means, any retail installment sale contract
serviced by the Parent or any of its Affiliates in connection
with a sale of (i) home appliances, electronic goods, computers,
telephones and other goods and merchandise of the type sold by
the Parent or any of its Affiliates from time to time in the
ordinary course of business, which in each case constitute
"consumer goods" under and as defined in Article 9 of the UCC of
all applicable jurisdictions, (ii) service maintenance contracts
and services in respect of any goods or merchandise referred to
in clause (i) above, or (iii) credit insurance (including life,
disability, property and involuntary unemployment) in respect of
any goods or merchandise referred to in clause (i) above or any
obligor's payment obligations in respect of the receivable
(collectively, "Serviced Merchandise") and all amounts due
thereunder from time to time or any retail revolving charge
account agreement with an obligor pursuant to which such obligor
is obligated to pay for Serviced Merchandise purchased under a
credit plan and permits such obligor to purchase such Serviced
Merchandise on credit.
"Serviced Defaulted Receivable" means a Serviced Receivable which,
consistent with the credit and collection policy of the Parent or
its Subsidiaries, would be written off as uncollectible.
"Serviced Finance Charges" means any finance, interest, late or
similar charges or fee owing under a Serviced Receivable (other than
with respect to Serviced Defaulted Receivables).
"Serviced Gross Loss Rate" means, with respect to any Monthly
Period, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) computed as of the
last day of such Monthly Period, by dividing (i) the outstanding
principal balance of Serviced Defaulted Receivables which were
deemed to be Serviced Defaulted Receivables during such Monthly
Period by (ii) (A) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of
all Serviced Receivables as of the last day of the previous Monthly
Period plus (B) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all
Serviced Receivables as of such last day of such Monthly Period
divided by (C) two and multiplying the result by (iii) twelve.
2
"Serviced Net Portfolio Yield" for any Monthly Period (as determined
as of the last day of each Monthly Period) shall mean the annualized
percentage equivalent of a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is
equal to the Serviced Net Yield Amount for such Monthly Period and
(b) the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of all Serviced Receivables on such day. For
purposes of this definition, "Serviced Net Yield Amount" means for
any Monthly Period an amount equal to the excess of the sum of
Serviced Collections of Serviced Finance Charges plus Serviced
Recoveries allocable to Serviced Finance Charges over the sum of (a)
interest and fees accrued for the current Monthly Period and overdue
interest and fees with respect to (i) the Notes and "Enhancement" of
all Series (together with, if applicable, interest on such overdue
interest and fees at the rate specified in the accompanying series
supplements) and (ii) any other indebtedness financed or secured by
the Serviced Receivables, including the ABL Facility (each a
"Financing Facility"), (b) accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees and
Trustee and Back-Up Servicer Fees and Expenses for such Monthly
Period and accrued and unpaid fees and expenses owed to third-party
and related service providers related to any Financing Facility,
including servicing fees and expenses, (c) the aggregate outstanding
principal balance of all Serviced Receivables that became Serviced
Defaulted Receivables during such Monthly Period (each respective
outstanding principal balance being measured as of the date the
relevant Serviced Receivable became a Serviced Defaulted
Receivable), and (d) any other costs, expenses, or liability of any
nature whatsoever incurred during such Monthly Period (i) of the
Issuer (except for the obligations of the Issuer to pay any
principal on the Notes outstanding at such time or any Business
Taxes and except for fee and indemnity expenses for which cash other
than such Monthly Period's Collections are available to the Issuer)
and (ii) of any other Subsidiary of the Parent with respect to any
other Financing Facility (except for the obligations of the
Subsidiary of the Parent to pay any principal on the notes
outstanding under such Financing Facility at such time or any
Business Taxes and except for fee and indemnity expenses for which
cash other than such Monthly Period's Serviced Collections are
available to the Subsidiary of the Parent).
"Serviced Payment Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Monthly
Period, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) computed as of the
last day of such Monthly Period by dividing (i) an amount equal to
all Serviced Collections received with respect to the Serviced
Principal Receivables and Serviced Finance Charges during such
Monthly Period and each of the previous two Monthly Periods by (ii)
the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all
Serviced Receivables plus unearned interest related thereto as of
the first day of such Monthly Period and each of the previous two
Monthly Periods.
3
"Serviced Principal Receivables" means the principal portion of the
Serviced Receivables (other than Serviced Defaulted Receivables),
excluding any Serviced Recoveries and any accrued and unpaid
Serviced Finance Charges.
"Serviced Receivable" means the indebtedness of any obligor under a
Serviced Contract, whether constituting an account, chattel paper,
an instrument, a general intangible, payment intangible, promissory
note or otherwise, and shall include (i) the right to payment of
such indebtedness and any interest or finance charges and other
obligations of such obligor with respect thereto (including, without
limitation, the principal amount of such indebtedness, periodic
finance charges, late fees and returned check fees), and (ii) all
proceeds of, and payments or Serviced Collections on, under or in
respect of any of the foregoing.
"Serviced Recoveries" means, with respect to any period, all
Serviced Collections received during such period in respect of
Serviced Receivables that became Serviced Defaulted Receivables
prior to the first day of such period.
(a) The definition of "Maximum Principal Amount" set forth in
Section 1 of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
"Maximum Principal Amount" means, for any date of determination, the
sum of (i) the Tranche A Commitment then in effect, plus (ii) the
Tranche B Commitment then in effect.
(b) The definition of "Monthly Interest" set forth in Section 1 of
the Series Supplement is hereby amended by adding the following sentence
at the conclusion of such definition:
"For clarification purposes, the term "Term Interest" (as defined in
the Note Purchase Agreement) shall be a component of and calculated
as Monthly Interest."
(c) The definition of "Required Reserve Amount" set forth in Section
1 of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety
as follows:
"Required Reserve Amount" shall mean, at any time, the greater of
(a) $7,500,000 and (b) an amount equal to (i) the Note Principal at
such time, multiplied by (ii)(A) the Required Reserve Percentage at
such time, divided by (B) 100% minus the Required Reserve Percentage
at such time, plus the Additional Cash Reserve Amount; provided,
however, that the Required Reserve Amount shall be fixed during the
Rapid Amortization Period as of the Rapid Pay Out Commencement Date;
provided, further, that the Required Reserve Amount may only
increase from time to time to the extent of the Investor Percentage
(determined with regard to only (and only to the extent of) those
Series with respect to which the "Required Reserve Amount" is
increasing at such time) of the Available Issuer Interest (after
giving effect to any reductions pursuant to Section 5.16 but prior
to any reductions with respect to Principal Reallocation Amounts on
such day, or pursuant to any comparable provisions of any other
Series Supplement for any Series on such day) at such time.
4
(d) The definition of "Required Reserve Percentage" set forth in
Section 1 of the Series Supplement is hereby amended by deleting "15.0%"
therein and substituting "until (and including) August 30, 2008, 15.0%
from August 31, 2008 to and (and including) September 29, 2008, 20.0% and
thereafter, 24.0%" therefor.
(e) Section 5.15(g) of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
(g) On any Payment Date in connection with a Decrease pursuant
to Section 3.2, the amount of such Decrease shall be paid to the
Noteholders, pro rata (or, to the extent such Decrease is solely as
the result of the occurrence of the Tranche A Purchase Expiration
Date or Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date with respect to some, but
not all, of the Noteholders, such amount shall be allocated pro rata
solely among the Noteholders for which the Tranche A Purchase
Expiration Date or Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date has occurred),
from (i) Available Investor Principal Collections, (ii) the proceeds
of a partial refinancing of any outstanding Series of Notes or (iii)
amounts otherwise available to the Issuer, all to the extent that
such amounts have been deposited in the Payment Account.
(f) Section 9(f) of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
(f) on the close of the Issuer's business on the last day of
any Monthly Period, the Serviced Net Portfolio Yield averaged over
any three consecutive Monthly Periods is less than 2.0% or on the
close of the Issuer's business on the last day of any Monthly Period
the Net Portfolio Yield averaged over any three consecutive Monthly
Periods is less than 2.0%;
(g) Section 9(h) of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
(h) on any date of determination the Serviced Gross Loss Rate
shall be equal to or exceed 10.0% on a rolling three-month average
basis or on any date of determination the Gross Loss Rate shall be
equal to or exceed 10.0% on a rolling three-month average basis;
(h) Section 9(j) of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
(j) any default (after giving effect to any grace period but
not giving effect to any waiver or any requirement that a default be
declared by any Person) under (A) the Retailer Credit Agreement, (B)
any inventory financing agreement between any lender and the
Servicer, the Parent or the Seller, or (C) any indenture, credit or
loan agreement or other agreement or instrument of any kind
(including a loan facility secured by indebtedness of any obligor
under a Pool Contract) pursuant to which Indebtedness of the
Servicer, the Parent, the Seller or any of their Subsidiaries in an
aggregate principal amount in excess of $1,000,000 is outstanding or
by which the same is evidenced, shall have occurred;
5
(i) Section 9(r) of the Series Supplement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
(r) the Serviced Payment Rate shall be less than or equal to
4.75% for any Monthly Period or the Payment Rate shall be less than
or equal to 3.0% for any Monthly Period;
2. Interpretation of Defined Terms. For purposes of the defined terms
"Serviced Collections," "Serviced Contract," "Serviced Defaulted Receivable,"
"Serviced Finance Charges," "Serviced Gross Loss Rate," "Serviced Net Portfolio
Yield," "Serviced Net Yield Amount," "Serviced Principal Receivables," and
"Serviced Receivable," such definitions shall be interpreted in a manner
consistent with their counterpart terms defined either in the Base Indenture or
in the Series Supplement, as applicable, which counterpart terms address matters
relating solely to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
3. Binding Effect; Ratification. (b) This Amendment shall become
effective, as of the date first set forth above, when (i) counterparts hereof
shall have been executed and delivered by the parties hereto and (ii) the
Administrator shall have received a fully executed copy of the Second Amended
and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, and thereafter shall be binding on the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and all fees owed to
the Funding Agents, the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed Purchasers shall
have been paid in full.
(b) On and after the execution and delivery hereof, this Amendment
shall be a part of the Series Supplement and each reference in the Series
Supplement to "this Series Supplement" or "hereof", "hereunder" or words
of like import, and each reference in any other Transaction Document to
the Series Supplement shall mean and be a reference to such Series
Supplement as amended hereby.
(c) Except as expressly amended hereby, the Series Supplement shall
remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed by
the parties hereto.
4. Representations. The Issuer represents and warrants that:
(a) no event or circumstance that, after the giving of notice or
lapse of time or both, would give rise to an Event of Default, Pay Out
Event or Servicer Default or any Event of Default, Pay Out Event or
Servicer Default has occurred, and
(b) after giving effect to this Amendment, its representations and
warranties set forth in the Transaction Documents are true and correct as
of the date hereof, as though made on and as of such date (except to the
extent such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier
date and then as of such earlier date), and such representations and
warranties shall continue to be true and correct (to such extent) after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
6
5. Miscellaneous. (c) THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW
PROVISIONS, AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS
AMENDMENT AGREES TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND ANY APPELLATE COURT HAVING
JURISDICTION TO REVIEW THE JUDGMENTS THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF
ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND CONSENTS
TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY
SUCH COURT.
(b) Headings used herein are for convenience of reference only and
shall not affect the meaning of this Amendment.
(c) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts,
and by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be
an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
7
13160218.2 02936782 Exhibit A (Page 1) Amendment No. 1 to Series
2002-VFN Indenture
Supplement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed
by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first
above written.
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not
in its individual capacity, but solely as
Trustee
By: /s/ Marianna C. Stershic
-----------------------------------------
Name: Marianna C. Stershic
Title: Vice President
CONN FUNDING II, L.P., as Issuer
By: Conn Funding II GP, L.L.C., its
general partner
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
-----------------------------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
Title: Treasurer
S-1 Amendment No. 1 to
A&R Series 2002-A Supplement
CONSENTED AND AGREED TO BY:
THREE PILLARS FUNDING LLC, as a Conduit
Purchaser
By: /s/ Doris J. Hearn
--------------------------------
Name: Doris J. Hearn
Title: Vice President
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,
as Administrator
By: /s/ Joseph R. Franke
----------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Franke
Title: Director
S-2 Amendment No. 1 to
A&R Series 2002-A Supplement
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Funding
Agent and as Committed Purchaser
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch
----------------------------------
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
PARK AVENUE RECEIVABLES COMPANY LLC, as a
Conduit Purchaser
By: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
its attorney-in-fact
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch_____________
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
S-3 Amendment No. 1 to
A&R Series 2002-A Supplement
Exhibit 99.3
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
among
CONN FUNDING II, L.P.,
as Issuer,
CONN APPLIANCES, INC.,
as Seller,
THREE PILLARS FUNDING LLC,
as a Conduit Purchaser,
PARK AVENUE RECEIVABLES COMPANY, LLC,
as a Conduit Purchaser,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Funding Agent and as Committed Purchaser, and
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
as the Administrator
dated as of August 14, 2008
Page
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS 1
SECTION 1.1 Certain Defined Terms 1
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions 11
ARTICLE II. PURCHASE AND SALE 12
SECTION 2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Notes 12
SECTION 2.2 Initial Purchase Price 12
SECTION 2.3 Increases 12
SECTION 2.4 Extension of Purchase Expiration Dates 13
SECTION 2.5 Reduction of Maximum Principal Amount 14
SECTION 2.6 Calculation of Monthly Interest 15
SECTION 2.7 Benefits of Indenture 15
SECTION 2.8 Broken Funding 15
SECTION 2.9 Illegality 16
SECTION 2.10 Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) 16
SECTION 2.11 Fees 17
SECTION 2.12 Term Provisions 17
SECTION 2.13 Allocations of Principal 18
ARTICLE III. CLOSING 19
SECTION 3.1 Closing 19
SECTION 3.2 Transactions to be Effected at the Closing 19
ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 19
SECTION 4.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Purchase of the Notes 19
SECTION 4.2 Conditions Precedent to each Increase 21
SECTION 4.3 Conditions Precedent to the Restatement 22
ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER AND THE SELLER 23
SECTION 5.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Seller and the Issuer 23
SECTION 5.2 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by the Issuer 28
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
ARTICLE VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR, THE FUNDING AGENT AND THE
CONDUIT PURCHASERS 28
SECTION 6.1 Securities Laws; Transfer Restrictions 28
ARTICLE VII. COVENANTS 29
SECTION 7.1 Monthly Noteholders' Statement; Notice of Adverse Effect 29
SECTION 7.2 Further Assurances 30
SECTION 7.3 Modifications to Transaction Documents 30
SECTION 7.4 Expenses 30
SECTION 7.5 Reorganizations and Transfers 30
SECTION 7.6 Financial Covenants 31
SECTION 7.7 ABL Covenants 31
SECTION 7.8 Most Favored Lender 31
SECTION 7.9 Restrictions on Amendments 32
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION 32
SECTION 8.1 Indemnification 32
SECTION 8.2 Increased Costs 32
SECTION 8.3 Indemnity for Taxes 34
SECTION 8.4 Other Costs, Expenses and Related Matters 36
ARTICLE IX. THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE FUNDING AGENT 37
SECTION 9.1 Authorization and Action 37
SECTION 9.2 Administrator's and Funding Agent's Reliance, Etc 37
SECTION 9.3 Administrator, Funding Agent and their Respective Affiliates 38
SECTION 9.4 Purchase Decision 38
SECTION 9.5 Successor Administrator and Funding Agent 38
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS 39
SECTION 10.1 Amendments 39
SECTION 10.2 Notices 39
SECTION 10.3 No Waiver; Remedies 41
SECTION 10.4 Binding Effect; Assignability 41
SECTION 10.5 Confidentiality 42
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
SECTION 10.6 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION 42
SECTION 10.7 Wavier of Trial by Jury 43
SECTION 10.8 No Proceedings 43
SECTION 10.9 Execution in Counterparts 43
SECTION 10.10 No Recourse 43
SECTION 10.11 Survival 44
SECTION 10.12 Recourse 44
SECTION 10.13 No Fiduciary Duty 44
SECTION 10.14 Consent 44
SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A Form Notice of Increase
Schedule I List of Proceedings
Schedule II List of Trade Names
-iii-
This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT,
dated as of August 14, 2008 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, this "Note Purchase Agreement") is among CONN FUNDING II, L.P., as
issuer (the "Issuer"), CONN APPLIANCES, INC., as seller (the "Seller"), THREE
PILLARS FUNDING LLC (f/k/a Three Pillars Funding Corporation) ("Three Pillars"),
as a conduit purchaser (a "Conduit Purchaser"), PARK AVENUE RECEIVABLES COMPANY,
LLC ("PARCO"), as a conduit purchaser (a "Conduit Purchaser", and together with
Three Pillars Funding LLC, the "Conduit Purchasers"), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
("JPMorgan"), as funding agent for PARCO (in such capacity, the "Funding Agent")
and as Committed Purchaser and SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC. (f/k/a SunTrust
Capital Markets, Inc.), as administrator (the "Administrator").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Issuer has issued and may continue to issue the
variable funding notes pursuant to a Base Indenture, dated as of September 1,
2002 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Base Indenture"), between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
(f/k/a Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association), as trustee (in such
capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the
"Trustee"), as supplemented by the Amended and Restated Series Supplement
2002-A, dated as of September 10, 2007, between the Issuer and the Trustee (as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Series
Supplement", and together with the Base Indenture, the "Indenture"); and
WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Seller (for itself and as successor
by merger to CAI, L.P.), the Conduit Purchasers, the Administrator and JPMorgan
are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated
as of September 10, 2007 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the "Original
Note Purchase Agreement") and such parties and the parties hereto desire to
amend and restate the Original Note Purchase Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for full and fair consideration, the parties
hereto agree that the Original Note Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture. Additionally, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
"ABL Agreement" means the Loan and Security Agreement, dated
as of August 14, 2008 among the Parent, Conn Appliances, Inc., Conn Credit
Corporation, Inc., Conn Credit I, LP, certain financial institutions as Lenders,
Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, joint bank runner, co-lead
arranger and collateral agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as
syndication agent, joint bank runner and co-lead arranger and Capital One N.A.,
as co-documentation agent.
"ABL Facility" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.
"Accounting Based Consolidation Event" means the
consolidation, for financial and/or regulatory accounting purposes, of all or
any portion of the assets and liabilities of a Conduit Purchaser with all or any
portion of the assets and liabilities of any other Affected Party. An Accounting
Based Consolidation Event shall be deemed to occur on the date any Affected
Party shall acknowledge in writing that any such consolidation of the assets and
liabilities of a Conduit Purchaser shall occur.
"Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Administrator" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
"Affected Party" means each of the Conduit Purchasers, the
Committed Purchaser, any Liquidity Bank, any permitted assignee of any Conduit
Purchaser or any Liquidity Bank, any Support Provider and any holder of a
participation interest in the rights and obligations of any Liquidity Bank and
any Credit Bank under any Liquidity Agreement and/or any Credit Agreement, the
Administrator, the Funding Agent and any holding company of either Bank.
"Aggregate Purchaser Funded Amount" means, on any date of
determination an amount equal to (a) the Initial Purchase Price, plus (b) the
aggregate amount of all Increases made prior to such date of determination
(including Term Increases), minus (c) the aggregate amount of principal payments
(including, without limitation, any Decreases) in respect of the Notes made to
and received by or on behalf of the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed
Purchaser prior to such date. For the avoidance of doubt, amounts on deposit in
any Term Account shall not be included in the Aggregate Purchaser Funded Amount
until such amounts are advanced to the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.3.
"Alternate Reference Rate" means, on any date, a fluctuating
rate of interest per annum equal to the higher of:
(a) the rate of interest most recently announced by Bank at its principal
office in Atlanta, Georgia or New York, New York, as applicable, as its
prime rate (it being understood that at any one time there shall exist
only one such prime rate so announced), which rate is not necessarily
intended to be the lowest rate of interest determined by such Bank in
connection with extensions of credit; or
(b) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined below) most recently determined by
Bank plus 0.50% per annum.
"Applicable Margin" has the meaning set forth in the Fee
Letters, as applicable.
"Bank" means SunTrust Bank, a Georgia banking corporation or
JPMorgan, as applicable.
2
"Bank Rate" means, for any Interest Period, an interest rate
per annum equal to either (a) the sum of (i) 3.00% per annum, and (ii) the
Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for such Interest Period; provided, however,
that if (x) it shall become unlawful for any Liquidity Bank, any Credit Bank or
Term Institution to obtain funds in the London interbank eurodollar market in
order to make, fund or maintain any Funding Tranche hereunder, or if such funds
shall not be reasonably available to any Liquidity Bank, any Credit Bank or Term
Institution, or (y) there shall not be time prior to the commencement of an
applicable Interest Period to determine a Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) in
accordance with its terms or the "Bank Rate" shall apply other than at the first
day of the Interest Period, then the "Bank Rate" shall be equal to the weighted
average of the Alternate Reference Rates in effect for each day during the
remainder of such Interest Period or (b) if requested by the Issuer, the
weighted average of the Alternate Reference Rates in effect during such Interest
Period, plus 3.00%.
"Block Event" means an event or circumstance that, after the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would give rise to an Event of
Default, Pay Out Event or Servicer Default.
"Breakage Amounts" has the meaning specified in Section 2.8.
"Closing" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
"Closing Date" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
"Commercial Paper Notes" means short-term promissory notes
issued by any Conduit Purchaser.
"Commercial Paper Rate" means, for any Interest Period for the
related Funding Tranche, a rate per annum equal to:
(a) in the case of a Conduit Purchaser using match funding,
the sum of (i) the rate or, if more than one rate, the weighted average of the
rates, determined by converting to an interest-bearing equivalent rate per annum
the discount rate (or rates) at which the applicable Commercial Paper Notes
outstanding during such Interest Period have been or may be sold by any
placement agent or commercial paper dealer selected by Administrator or the
Funding Agent, as applicable, plus (ii) the commissions and charges charged by
such placement agent or commercial paper dealer with respect to such Commercial
Paper Notes expressed as a percentage of the face amount thereof and converted
to an interest-bearing equivalent rate per annum (the "Match Funding Rate"); or
(b) in the case of a Conduit Purchaser using pool funding, the
sum of (i) the rate equivalent to the weighted average cost (as determined by
the agent under the applicable securitization facility and which shall include
incremental carrying costs incurred with respect to Commercial Paper Notes
maturing on dates other than those on which corresponding funds are received by
such Conduit Purchaser, other borrowings by such Conduit Purchaser (other than
under any Credit Agreement)), plus (ii) the commissions and charges charged by
such placement agent or commercial paper dealer with respect to such Commercial
Paper Notes expressed as a percentage of the face amount thereof and converted
to an interest-bearing equivalent rate per annum, plus (iii) any other costs
associated with the issuance of Commercial Paper Notes) of or related to the
issuance of Commercial Paper Notes that are allocated, in whole or in part, by
such Conduit Purchaser or the agent under the applicable securitization facility
to fund or maintain such portion of the aggregate principal amount of such
Conduit Purchaser's Note (and which may be also allocated in part to the funding
of other assets of such Conduit Purchaser); provided, however, that if the rate
(or rates) is a discount rate, then the rate (or if more than one rate, the
weighted average of the rates) shall be the rate resulting from converting such
discount rate (or rates) to an interest bearing equivalent rate per annum (the
"Pool Funding Rate").
3
"Commitment" means, (i) with respect to Three Pillars, the sum
of its (a) Tranche A Commitment and (b) Tranche B Commitment and (ii) with
respect to the Committed Purchaser the sum of its (a) Tranche A Commitment and
(b) Tranche B Commitment.
"Committed Purchaser" means, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and
each of its successors and assigns and if the Issuer has requested that PARCO or
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. make a Term Deposit in accordance with Section 2.12,
"Committed Purchaser" shall include JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as a Term
Institution.
"Conduit Purchasers" means Three Pillars and PARCO.
"Consolidated Group" shall mean, collectively, Parent and its
Subsidiaries other than the Issuer (unless required to be consolidated in
accordance with GAAP).
"Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period for the
Consolidated Group, the net income minus the net losses of such Persons, as
determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding unusual or extraordinary gains or
losses.
"Consolidated Net Worth" shall mean, as of any date, the
consolidated net worth of the Consolidated Group as reflected in such Persons'
financial statements most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
"Covered Taxes" has the meaning specified in Section 8.3.
"Credit Advance" means a drawing under a letter of credit
issued pursuant to a Credit Agreement for the account of any Conduit Purchaser,
a loan to any Conduit Purchaser under a Credit Agreement or any other advance or
disbursement of funds to any Conduit Purchaser or for such Conduit Purchaser's
account pursuant to a Credit Agreement or any such letter of credit, in each
case to the extent such drawing, loan, advance or disbursement has not been
repaid or reimbursed to the applicable Credit Bank in accordance with the
related Credit Agreement.
4
"Credit Agreement" means and includes any program-wide
agreement entered into by any Credit Bank providing for the issuance of one or
more letters of credit for the account of any Conduit Purchaser, the issuance of
one or more surety bonds for which any Conduit Purchaser is obligated to
reimburse the applicable Credit Bank for any drawings thereunder, the sale by
any Conduit Purchaser to any Credit Bank of receivables or other financial
assets purchased by such Conduit Purchaser (or portions thereof) and/or the
making of loans and/or other extensions of credit to any Conduit Purchaser in
connection with its commercial paper program, together with any cash collateral
agreement, letter of credit, surety bond or other agreement or instrument
executed and delivered in connection therewith (but excluding the Liquidity
Agreement of such Conduit Purchaser, or similar agreement, or any voluntary
advance agreement).
"Credit Bank" means and includes each Bank and any other or
additional bank or other Person (other than any customer of any Conduit
Purchaser or any liquidity provider as such) now or hereafter extending credit
or a purchase commitment to or for the account of a Conduit Purchaser or issuing
a letter of credit, surety bond or other instrument, in each case to support any
obligations arising under or in connection with such Conduit Purchaser's
commercial paper program.
"Decrease" has the meaning specified in the Series Supplement.
"Default Rate" has the meaning specified in the definition of
Note Rate.
"Dollar" or "$" means lawful currency of the United States of
America.
"Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted)" means, with respect to
any Funding Tranche, the rate per annum equal to the quotient of (i) the offered
rate for deposits in Dollars for a one-month period in an amount equal (as
nearly as possible) to the principal amount of the Funding Tranche which rate
appears on the pages 3750 or 3740, as applicable, of the Dow Jones Market
Service as of 11:00 A.M. (London, England) time on the Rate Setting Day;
provided, that if at least two rates appear on pages 3750 or 3740, as
applicable, of the Dow Jones Market Service on such Rate Setting Day, the rate
for such Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean of such rates; provided
further, that if no such offered rates appear on such page, the rate used for
such Interest Period will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward, if
necessary, to the next higher 1/16th of 1%) of rates offered to Administrator by
not less than two major banks in London, England at approximately 10:00 A.M.
(Atlanta, Georgia time), two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such
Interest Period for deposits in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market for
a one-month period in an amount comparable to the principal amount of the
Funding Tranche, divided by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Reserve
Percentage. The rate so determined in accordance herewith shall be rounded
upwards to the multiple of 1/100th of 1%
"Federal Bankruptcy Code" means the bankruptcy code of the
United States of America codified in Title 11 of the United States Code.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day the greater of (i) the
average rate per annum as determined by the respective Bank at which overnight
Federal funds are offered to such Bank for such day by major banks in the
interbank market, and (ii) if such Bank is borrowing overnight funds from a
Federal Reserve Bank that day, the average rate per annum at which such
overnight borrowings are made on that day. Each determination of the Federal
Funds Rate by such Bank shall be conclusive and binding on the Issuer except in
the case of manifest error.
"Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal
functions.
"Fee Letters" means each of the following letter agreements:
(i) that certain second amended and restated letter agreement, dated as of
September 10, 2007, between the Issuer and the Administrator setting forth
certain fees payable by the Issuer in connection with the purchase of Notes by
the Administrator for the benefit of Three Pillars, (ii) that certain letter
agreement, dated as of September 10, 2007, between the Issuer and the Funding
Agent setting forth certain fees payable by the Issuer in connection with the
purchase of Notes by the Funding Agent for the benefit of PARCO.
5
"Fees" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11.
"Final Purchase Expiration Date" means the later to occur of
(i) the Tranche A Purchase Expiration Date, (ii) Tranche B Purchase Expiration
Date and (iii) if the Issuer has requested a Term Institution make a Term
Deposit in accordance with Section 2.12, the Term Draw Expiration Date (as such
dates may be extended from time to time pursuant to Section 2.4).
"Fiscal Quarter" has the meaning specified in the ABL
Agreement as of the Restatement Date.
"Fixed Period" means, with respect to a Funding Tranche, a
period selected by (i) the Administrator with respect to Three Pillars and (ii)
the Funding Agent with respect to PARCO or the Committed Purchaser in each case
in its sole discretion; provided, that
(i) any Fixed Period with respect to any Funding Tranche not funded by the
issuance of Commercial Paper Notes which would otherwise end on a day
which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day; provided, however, if interest in respect of such Fixed
Period is computed by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve
Adjusted), and such Fixed Period would otherwise end on a day which is
not a Business Day, and there is no subsequent Business Day in the same
calendar month as such day, such Fixed Period shall end on the next
preceding Business Day;
(ii) any Fixed Period with respect to any Funding Tranche not funded by the
issuance of Commercial Paper Notes will not be for a term of more than
40 days; and
(iii) any Fixed Period in respect of which interest is computed by reference
to the Commercial Paper Rate may be terminated at the election of, and
upon notice thereof to the Issuer by, the Administrator or the Funding
Agent, as applicable, any time, in which case the Funding Tranche
allocated to such terminated Fixed Period shall be allocated to a new
Fixed Period and shall accrue interest at the Alternate Reference Rate.
"Funding Agent" is defined in the Preamble.
"Funding Tranche" means one or more portions of the Aggregate
Purchaser Funded Amount used to fund or maintain the Notes that accrue interest
by reference to different interest rates.
"Governmental Actions" means any and all consents, approvals,
permits, orders, authorizations, waivers, exceptions, variances, exemptions or
licenses of, or registrations, declarations or filings with, any Governmental
Authority required under any Governmental Rules.
"Governmental Authority" means the United States of America,
any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government and having jurisdiction over the applicable Person.
6
"Governmental Rules" means any and all laws, statutes, codes,
rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, writs, decrees and injunctions, of any
Governmental Authority and any and all legally binding conditions, standards,
prohibitions, requirements and judgments of any Governmental Authority.
"Increase" has the meaning specified in the Series Supplement.
"Increase Amount" means the amount requested by the Issuer to
be funded by the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed Purchaser, as may be
applicable (on a pro rata basis based on the Commitment including any commitment
amounts as a Term Institution) on an Increase Date.
"Increase Date" means the date on which each Increase occurs.
"Indemnified Party" has the meaning specified in Section 8.1.
"Initial Note Principal" means $28,080,192.
"Initial Purchase Price" has the meaning specified in Section
2.2.
"Intercreditor Agreement" means that Intercreditor Agreement
dated as of August 14, 2008, among Seller, Conn Credit Corporation, Inc., Conn
Credit I, L.P., Bank of America, N.A., and the Trustee.
"Issuer" is defined in the Preamble.
"Issuer Indemnified Amounts" has the meaning specified in
subsection 8.1(a).
"JPMorgan" is defined in the Preamble.
"Leverage Ratio" has the meaning specified in the ABL
Agreement as of the Restatement Date.
"Liquidity Agreement" means and includes (a) the Liquidity
Asset Purchase Agreement (regarding Conn Funding II, L.P.), dated as of
September 13, 2002, among Three Pillars, as borrower, SunTrust Bank, as
liquidity agent for the Liquidity Banks from time to time party thereto, and
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (f/k/a SunTrust Equitable Securities
Corporation), as administrator for Three Pillars, and the Liquidity Banks from
time to time party thereto, (b) the Asset Purchase Agreement (regarding Conn
Funding II, L.P.), dated as of September 10, 2007 among PARCO, JPMorgan, as
funding agent for the Liquidity Banks from time to time party thereto and the
Liquidity Banks from time to time party thereto, and (c) any other agreement
hereafter entered into by any Conduit Purchaser providing for the sale by such
Conduit Purchaser of an interest in the Notes (or portions thereof), or the
making of loans or other extensions of credit to such Conduit Purchaser secured
by security interests in the Notes (or portions thereof), to support all or part
of such Conduit Purchaser's payment obligations under its Commercial Paper Notes
or to provide an alternate means of funding such Conduit Purchaser's investments
in accounts receivable or other financial assets, in each case as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
7
"Liquidity Bank" means and includes the applicable Bank and
the various financial institutions as are, or may become, parties to a Liquidity
Agreement, as purchasers thereunder.
"Match Funding Rate" has the meaning specified in clause (a)
of the definition of "Commercial Paper Rate" herein.
"Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" has the meaning
specified in the ABL Agreement as of the Restatement Date.
"Monthly Noteholders' Statement" has the meaning specified in
paragraph 2.3(b)(i).
"Note Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Period, the
weighted average of the rates applicable to all Funding Tranches outstanding
during all or part of such Interest Period (determined as of each day in such
Interest Period), each such rate being (a) to the extent any Conduit Purchaser
(other than in its capacity as a Term Institution) is funding such Funding
Tranche during such period through the issuance of its Commercial Paper Notes,
the Commercial Paper Rate plus the Applicable Margin, (b) to the extent any (i)
Conduit Purchaser (other than its capacity as a Term Institution) is funding
such Funding Tranche during such period pursuant to a Liquidity Agreement or, in
the case of Three Pillars, the Voluntary Advance Agreement or (ii) a Committed
Purchaser (other than in its capacity as a Term Institution) is funding such
Funding Tranche during such period, a rate per annum equal to the Bank Rate plus
the Applicable Margin, and (c) to the extent a Term Institution is funding such
Funding Tranche during such period, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i)
the Bank Rate minus 3% plus the Applicable Margin and (ii) the Commercial Paper
Rate plus the Applicable Margin; provided that on any day after the occurrence
and continuance of any Servicer Default, Pay Out Event or any other Event of
Default, the rate applicable to each such Funding Tranche (the "Default Rate")
shall be 3% per annum above the applicable Alternate Reference Rate in effect on
such day plus the Applicable Margin; provided, however, that interest for any
Funding Tranche shall not be considered paid by any distribution to the extent
that all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be
returned for any reason.
"Notes" means the Variable Funding Asset Backed Notes Series
2002-A in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000 to be issued by
the Issuer pursuant to the Indenture.
"Notice of Increase" means a written notice of an Increase in
the form of Exhibit A hereto.
"Offering Memorandum 2002" means that certain offering
memorandum, dated as of September 10, 2002, prepared by the Issuer and the
Seller in connection with the issuance of the Series 2002-B Fixed Rate Notes.
8
"Original Note Purchase Agreement" is defined in the Recitals.
"PARCO" means Park Avenue Receivables Company, LLC and if the
Issuer has requested PARCO or JPMorgan to make a Term Deposit in accordance with
Section 2.12, "PARCO" shall include Park Avenue Receivables Company, LLC as a
Term Institution.
"Participant" has the meaning specified in subsection 1.4(b).
"Pool Funding Rate" has the meaning specified in clause (b) of
the definition of "Commercial Paper Rate" herein.
"Program Documents" means, with respect to each Conduit
Purchaser, the related Liquidity Agreement, any related Credit Agreement, solely
with respect to Three Pillars, the Voluntary Advance Agreement, the documents
under which Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, performs its
obligations and the other documents to be executed and delivered in connection
therewith, in each case as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time.
"Purchase Expiration Date" means any of (i) the Tranche A
Purchase Expiration Date, (ii) Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date and (iii) the
Term Draw Expiration Date, as the context requires.
"Rate Setting Day" means, for any Interest Period, two (2)
Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. In the event
such day is not a Business Day, then the Rate Setting Day shall be the
immediately preceding Business Day.
"Reduction" has the meaning specified in Section 2.5.
"Restatement" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
"Restatement Date" has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
"Seller" is defined in the Preamble (it being understood that
any reference to the Seller with respect to the Closing Date shall be deemed a
reference to the Seller and its predecessors).
"Support Provider" means and includes any entity now or
hereafter extending credit or liquidity support or having a commitment to extend
credit or liquidity support to or for the account of, or to make loans to or
purchases from, any Conduit Purchaser or issuing a letter of credit, surety bond
or other instrument to support any obligations arising under or in connection
with the commercial paper program of such Conduit Purchaser.
"Term Account" means, for any Term Institution, the securities
account in the name of the Issuer maintained by such Term Institution during the
Term Period, if any, and under the sole control and dominion of such Term
Institution, to secure the Issuer's obligation to repay the Term Deposit made by
such Term Institution.
9
"Term Deposit" shall mean, as of any date of determination in
respect of any Term Institution, the amount deposited by such Term Institution
into such Term Institution's Term Account pursuant to 2.12 hereof minus any Term
Increase made by such Term Institution plus any repayments or prepayments in
respect of the Aggregate Purchaser Funded Amount that are deposited into such
Term Account in accordance with Section 2.12 hereof.
"Term Deposit Rate" means the rate per annum equal to the Bank
Rate minus 3.00% per annum.
"Term Draw Expiration Date" means the earlier of (i) September
10, 2012, as such date may be extended in accordance with Section 2.4 or (ii)
the date of occurrence of an Event of Default, Payout Event or Servicer Default.
"Term Increase" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
"Term Institution" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.12(a).
"Term Interest" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(e).
"Term Period" shall mean, with respect to any Term
Institution, the period commencing on the date, if any, on which such Term
Institution establishes its Term Account and makes the initial deposit therein
pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof and ending on the earlier of the Term Draw
Expiration Date or the date of the maturity of the Notes if accelerated
following our Event of Default, Payment Event or Servicer Default.
"Three Pillars" means Three Pillars Funding LLC and if the
Issuer has requested Three Pillars make a Term Deposit in accordance with
Section 2.12, "Three Pillars" shall include Three Pillars Funding LLC as a Term
Institution.
"Tranche A Commitment" means, with respect to Three Pillars
$66,666,666.67 and with respect to the Committed Purchaser $33,333,333.33, in
each case, as may be reduced from time to time in accordance with Section 2.5;
provided after the occurrence of the Tranche A Purchase Expiration Date with
respect to Three Pillars or the Committed Purchaser, as applicable, such
Person's Tranche A Commitment shall be zero.
"Tranche A Purchase Expiration Date" means the earlier of (i)
August 28, 2008 (as such date may be extended from time to time pursuant to
Section 2.4) and (ii) the date of occurrence of an Event of Default, Payout
Event or Servicer Default.
"Tranche B Commitment" means, with respect to Three Pillars
$133,333,333.33 and with respect to the Committed Purchaser $66,666,666.67 in
each case, as may be reduced from time to time in accordance with Section 2.5;
provided if the Issuer fails to request (i) Three Pillars, in accordance with
Section 2.12, to establish a Term Account and make a Term Deposit prior to the
third Business Day prior to the Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date, Three
Pillar's Tranche B Commitment shall be zero and (ii) the Committed Purchaser or
PARCO, in accordance with Section 2.12, to establish a Term Account and make a
Term Deposit prior to the third Business Day prior to the Tranche B Purchase
Expiration Date, the Committed Purchaser's Tranche B Commitment shall be zero;
provided further if the Issuer requests (i) Three Pillars, in accordance with
Section 2.12, to establish a Term Account and make a Term Deposit prior to the
third Business Day prior to the Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date, Three
Pillar's Tranche B Commitment shall be zero on the Term Draw Expiration Date and
(ii) the Committed Purchaser or PARCO, in accordance with Section 2.12, to
establish a Term Account and make a Term Deposit prior to the third Business Day
prior to the Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date, the Committed Purchaser's
Tranche B Commitment shall be zero on the Term Draw Expiration Date.
10
"Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date" means the earlier of (i)
August 13, 2009 (as such date may be extended from time to time pursuant to
Section 2.4) and (ii) the date of occurrence of an Event of Default, Payout
Event or Servicer Default).
"Transaction Documents" means (i) the Base Indenture, (ii) the
Series Supplement, (iii) this Note Purchase Agreement, (iv) the Fee Letters, (v)
the Liquidity Agreements, (vi) the Servicing Agreement and (vii) the Notes, in
each case in effect on September 10, 2007 or as modified in accordance with the
terms of the Transaction Documents.
"Trust Assets" means all of the Issuer's right, title and
interest in and to all Receivables, Related Security, Contracts, Collections and
all proceeds relating to the foregoing and all of the other collateral which is
part of the Trust Estate or otherwise pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Secured Parties pursuant to the Indenture.
"Voluntary Advance Agreement" means the Voluntary Advance
Agreement, dated as of March 11, 1999, among SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
(f/k/a SunTrust Equitable Securities Corporation), the Administrator and
SunTrust Bank, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.
(a) All terms defined in this Note Purchase Agreement shall have the
meanings defined herein when used in any certificate or other document
made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein.
(b) As used herein and in any certificate or other document made or
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, accounting terms not defined in
Section 1.1, and accounting terms partially defined in Section 1.1 to
the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to
them under GAAP. To the extent that the definitions of accounting terms
herein are inconsistent with the meanings of such terms under generally
accepted accounting principles, the definitions contained herein shall
control.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Note Purchase Agreement shall refer to this
Note Purchase Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision
of this Note Purchase Agreement; and Section, subsection, Schedule and
Exhibit references contained in this Note Purchase Agreement are
references to Sections, subsections, the Schedules and Exhibits in or
to this Note Purchase Agreement unless otherwise specified.
11
ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE
SECTION 2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Notes. On the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of the
Closing Date, and in reliance on the covenants, representations, warranties and
agreements therein set forth, the Issuer sold at the Closing to the
Administrator, on behalf of Three Pillars the Notes then outstanding in an
aggregate initial outstanding principal amount equal to the Initial Note
Principal for the Initial Purchase Price. On September 10, 2007, the
Administrator, on behalf of Three Pillars, assigned a portion of the Notes to
the Funding Agent, on behalf of PARCO, and the Committed Purchaser.
SECTION 2.2 Initial Purchase Price. The Notes were purchased at
Closing at a price (the "Initial Purchase Price") equal to 100% of the Initial
Note Principal.
SECTION 2.3 Increases.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Note Purchase Agreement and
the Series Supplement, from time to time prior to the Final Purchase
Expiration Date but not more frequently than twice per month (unless
the Administrator and the Funding Agent otherwise consent in their sole
discretion) upon receipt by the Administrator and the Funding Agent of
a Notice of Increase, the Administrator, on behalf of Three Pillars,
and the Funding Agent, on behalf of PARCO or the Committed Purchaser,
as the case may be, shall make Increases as provided in Section 2.3(c);
provided, however, that neither of Three Pillars nor the Committed
Purchaser shall be required to fund any Increase if, after giving
effect thereto, its Note Principal would exceed the Maximum Principal
Amount; and provided, further, that neither of Three Pillars nor the
Committed Purchaser shall be required to fund any Increase if, after
giving effect thereto, its Note Principal would exceed its Commitment.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Transaction Documents, any
portion of an Increase funded after the Tranche B Purchase Expiration
Date allocated to a Term Institution's Tranche B Commitment shall be
funded by withdrawing such Term Institution's pro rata share of such
Increase from such Term Institution's Term Account (a "Term Increase").
(b) Each Increase hereunder shall be subject to the further
conditions precedent that:
(i) The Administrator and the Funding Agent will have
received copies of each of the monthly noteholders' statement, the
form of which is attached as Exhibit B to the Series Supplement (the
"Monthly Noteholders' Statement"), in each case, most recently
required to have been delivered under the Indenture;
(ii) Each of the representations and warranties of each
of the Seller, the Servicer and the Issuer made in the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the applicable Increase Date (except to the
extent they expressly relate to an earlier or later time);
12
(iii) The Issuer, the Servicer and the Seller shall be
in compliance in all material respects with all of its respective
covenants contained in the Transaction Documents;
(iv) No Pay Out Event, Potential Pay Out Event, Default,
Event of Default, Servicer Default or Block Event shall have
occurred and be continuing;
(v) The Final Purchase Expiration Date shall not have
occurred; and
(vi) The Administrator and the Funding Agent shall have
received a completed Notice of Increase with respect to such
proposed Increase, not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York time) one (1)
Business Day prior to the proposed date of such Increase.
(c) Three Pillars shall make its related pro rata portion of the
proceeds of such requested Increase available to the Administrator at its office
in Atlanta, Georgia, and PARCO or the Committed Purchaser, as applicable may
make its related pro rata portion of the proceeds of such requested Increase
available to the Funding Agent at its office in New York, New York, in same day
funds on the Increase Date, and if PARCO does not make available its full pro
rata portion of such Increase Amount, the Committed Purchaser shall make any
portion constituting a shortfall so available to the Funding Agent. Upon receipt
by Administrator and the Funding Agent of such funds, the Administrator and the
Funding Agent will make such funds available to Issuer not later than 3:00 p.m.
New York City time on the Increase Date by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to such account as may from time to time be specified by the
Issuer in a notice to the Administrator and the Funding Agent.
(d) All conditions set forth in Section 3.1 of the Series
Supplement, to the extent applicable, shall have been satisfied at such time.
Each "Increase" with respect to all VFN Series shall be allocated to each
respective VFN Series as instructed by the Issuer; provided, that (i) the Issuer
shall not (unless necessary in order to comply with the requirements of clause
(ii) of this paragraph) disproportionately allocate Increases to the same VFN
Series for two or more consecutive Increases and (ii) shall at all times use its
reasonable best efforts to allocate Increases to the respective VFN Series so
that the aggregate of the "Aggregate Purchaser Funded Amounts" under (and as
defined in) each VFN Series is at all times ratably allocated among each such
VFN Series according to their respective "Maximum Principal Amount" (as defined
in each such VFN Series).
SECTION 2.4 Extension of Purchase Expiration Dates. The Issuer may
advise the Administrator and the Funding Agent, in writing of its desire to
extend any of the Purchase Expiration Dates; provided such request is made not
more than 90 days prior to, and not less than 60 days prior to, the then current
related Purchase Expiration Date or the Term Draw Expiration Date, as
applicable. The Administrator and the Funding Agent shall notify the Issuer in
writing, within 45 days after its receipt of such request by the Issuer, whether
the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed Purchaser are agreeable to such
extension (it being understood that each Conduit Purchaser may accept or decline
such a request in its sole discretion and on such terms as it may elect) and, to
the extent the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed Purchaser are agreeable, the
Issuer, the Administrator, the Funding Agent, the Committed Purchaser and the
Conduit Purchasers shall enter into such documents as the Conduit Purchasers and
the Committed Purchaser may deem necessary or appropriate to reflect such
extension, and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Conduit
Purchasers, the Administrator, the Funding Agent and the Committed Purchaser in
connection therewith (including reasonable attorneys' costs) shall be paid by
the Issuer; it being understood, that the failure of the Administrator and the
Funding Agent to so notify the Issuer as set forth above shall not be deemed to
be a consent to such request for extension by any Conduit Purchaser or the
Committed Purchaser. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, Three Pillars or
the Committed Purchaser may agree to extend any Purchase Expiration Date
independently of the other Person if such other Person declines to extend such
Purchase Expiration Date. In such a case, the applicable Purchase Expiration
Date shall occur only with respect to the Person declining to so extend.
13
SECTION 2.5 Reduction of Maximum Principal Amount.
(a) On any Payment Date prior to the Rapid Pay Out Commencement
Date, upon the written request of the Issuer, the "Maximum Principal Amount" (as
defined in each VFN Series) may be permanently reduced (a "Reduction"), on a
ratable basis with respect to each VFN Series and with respect to the Notes, by
the Issuer; provided that the Issuer shall have given each applicable
"Administrator" and the Funding Agent hereunder irrevocable written notice
(effective upon receipt) of the amount of such Reduction prior to 10:00 a.m.,
New York time on a Business Day that is at least thirty (30) days prior to such
Reduction; provided, that any such Reduction shall be in an amount equal to
$25,000,000 in the aggregate for all VFN Series or integral multiples of
$10,000,000 in excess thereof; and provided, further, that no Reduction may
cause the aggregate of the "Maximum Principal Amounts" under all VFN Series to
be lower than $150,000,000. Each Reduction effected pursuant to this Section 2.5
shall automatically and permanently, without any further action on the part of
any party, reduce (i) the Commitment of each of (a) Three Pillars and (b) PARCO
and the Committed Purchaser on a pro rata basis, in the amount of such Reduction
(ii) the Tranche A Commitment and the Tranche B Commitment on a ratable basis
with respect to the Commitment of Three Pillars and the Commitment of the
Committed Purchaser; provided if requested by the Issuer and each of the
Administrator and the Funding Agent agrees, in writing, in their sole
discretion, the Tranche A Commitments and Tranche B Commitments of Three Pillars
and the Committed Purchaser may be reduced in amounts agreed to by the Issuer,
the Administrator and the Funding Agent (which may not be on a ratable basis);
(b) The Issuer shall pay to (i) the Administrator on behalf of Three
Pillars and (ii) the Funding Agent on behalf of PARCO or the Committed Purchaser
any accrued and unpaid fees and expenses with respect to the reduction amount on
the date of any such Reduction.
14
SECTION 2.6 Calculation of Monthly Interest.
(a) On the Business Day prior to each Series Transfer Date,
the Administrator (with respect to Three Pillars) and the Funding Agent
(with respect to PARCO and the Committed Purchaser) shall calculate,
for the applicable Interest Period, the aggregate Monthly Interest for
each Funding Tranche (such Monthly Interest to be calculated using the
Note Rate, if necessary, for the remaining days in such Interest
Period). Each of the Administrator and the Funding Agent may, in its
sole discretion, determine the Commercial Paper Rate for its related
Conduit Purchaser with respect to each Series Transfer Date using the
Match Funding Rate or the Pool Funding Rate; provided, however, that to
the extent that the related Conduit Purchaser may choose between the
Match Funding Rate or the Pool Funding Rate, the Issuer may request the
Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, to use either the
Match Funding Rate or the Pool Funding Rate in determining the
Commercial Paper Rate for its related Conduit Purchaser with respect to
such Series Transfer Date (it being understood and agreed that the
Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, shall have no
obligation to follow any such request by the Issuer).
(b) The Issuer agrees to pay, and the Issuer agrees to
instruct the Servicer and the Trustee to pay, all amounts payable by it
with respect to the Notes, this Note Purchase Agreement and the Series
Supplement to the accounts designated by the Administrator and the
Funding Agent. All such amounts shall be paid no later than noon, New
York City time, on the day when due as determined in accordance with
this Note Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the other Transaction
Documents, in lawful money of the United States in immediately
available funds. Amounts received after that time shall be deemed to
have been received on the next Business Day and shall bear interest at
the Default Rate, which interest shall be payable on demand.
SECTION 2.7 Benefits of Indenture. The Issuer hereby acknowledges
and confirms that each representation, warranty, covenant and agreement made
pursuant to the Indenture by the Issuer to the Trustee is (unless such
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement specifically states otherwise),
also made herein, all for the benefit and security of each Conduit Purchaser,
the Committed Purchaser, the Funding Agent and the Administrator.
SECTION 2.8 Broken Funding. In the event of (i) the payment of any
principal of any Funding Tranche (other than a Funding Tranche on which the
interest is computed by reference to the Alternate Reference Rate) other than on
the last day of the Fixed Period applicable thereto (including as a result of
the occurrence of the Rapid Pay Out Commencement Date or an optional prepayment
of a Funding Tranche), or (ii) any failure to borrow or prepay any Funding
Tranche (other than a Funding Tranche on which the interest is computed by
reference to the Alternate Reference Rate) on the date specified in any notice
delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Issuer shall compensate
the Affected Party for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.
Such loss, cost or expense to any such Affected Party shall be deemed to include
an amount (the "Breakage Amount") determined by such Affected Party (or the
Administrator with respect to Three Pillars or the Funding Agent with respect to
PARCO or the Committed Purchaser, as applicable) to be the excess, if any, of
(i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the portion of the
principal amount of such Funding Tranche prepaid or to be borrowed or prepaid
had such event not occurred, at the interest rate that would have been
applicable to such Funding Tranche, for the period from the date of such event
to the last day of the Fixed Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow for
the period that would have been the related Fixed Period), over (ii) the amount
of interest which would be obtainable upon redeployment or reinvestment of an
amount of funds equal to such portion of such Funding Tranche for such period. A
certificate of any Affected Party incurring any loss, cost or expense as a
result of any of the events specified in this Section 2.8 and setting forth any
amount or amounts that the Affected Party is entitled to receive pursuant to
this Section 2.8 and the reason(s) therefor shall be delivered to the Issuer by
the Administrator or the Funding Agent and shall include reasonably detailed
calculations and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Issuer shall pay
to the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, on behalf of such
Affected Party the amount shown as due on any such certificate on the first
Payment Date which is not less than three Business Days after receipt thereof.
15
SECTION 2.9 Illegality. Notwithstanding anything in this Note
Purchase Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, if, after
the Closing Date, the adoption of any Law or bank regulatory guideline or any
amendment or change in the interpretation of any existing or future Law or bank
regulatory guideline by any Official Body charged with the administration,
interpretation or application thereof, or the compliance with any directive of
any Official Body (in the case of any bank regulatory guideline, whether or not
having the force of Law), shall make it unlawful for any Affected Party to
acquire or maintain a Funding Tranche by reference to the Eurodollar Rate
(Reserve Adjusted) as contemplated by this Note Purchase Agreement or any
Program Document, (i) the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, on
behalf of such Affected Party shall, within forty-five (45) days after receiving
actual knowledge thereof, deliver a certificate to the Issuer (with a copy to
the Administrator or Funding Agent, as applicable) setting forth the basis for
such illegality, which certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest error,
and (ii) such Affected Party's portion of any Funding Tranche maintained by
reference to the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) then outstanding shall be
converted automatically to a Funding Tranche maintained by reference to the
Alternate Reference Rate.
SECTION 2.10 Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate (Reserve
Adjusted). If, prior to the first day of any Interest Period relating to any
Funding Tranche maintained by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve
Adjusted):
(1) the Administrator or the Funding Agent shall have
determined (which determination in the absence of
manifest error shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Issuer) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the
relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not
exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve
Adjusted) for such Interest Period; or
(2) the Administrator or the Funding Agent shall have
received notice from an Affected Party that the
Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) determined or to be
determined for such Interest Period will not adequately
and fairly reflect the cost to such Affected Party (as
conclusively certified by such Person) of purchasing or
maintaining their affected portions of such Funding
Tranches during such Interest Period;
16
then, in either such event, the Administrator or the Funding
Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof (confirmed in writing) to
the Issuer and the Administrator or Funding Agent, as applicable as soon as
practicable (but, in any event, within thirty (30) days after such determination
or notice, as applicable) thereafter. Until such notice has been withdrawn by
the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, no further Funding
Tranches by the related Conduit Purchaser or Committed Purchaser shall be funded
or maintained at the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted). The Administrator and
the Funding Agent, as applicable, agrees to withdraw any such notice as soon as
reasonably practicable after such Person is notified of a change in
circumstances which makes such notice inapplicable.
SECTION 2.11 Fees. The Issuer shall pay to the Administrator or the
Funding Agent, as applicable, for the benefit of the applicable Affected Party
as and when due and in accordance with the provisions for payment set forth in
Article 5 of the Series Supplement, each of the applicable fees set forth in the
Fee Letters (the "Fees").
SECTION 2.12 Term Provisions.
(a) If the Issuer has requested an extension of the Tranche B
Purchase Expiration Date from each of Three Pillars and the Committed Purchaser
in accordance with Section 2.4 and if the Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date is
not extended in accordance with Section 2.4 by the Committed Purchaser or Three
Pillars (each such Person that does not agree to extend the Tranche B Purchase
Expiration Date is referred to herein as a "Term Institution") on terms
acceptable to the Issuer, in its sole discretion, such Term Institution shall,
by 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date
following its receipt of written request therefor from the Issuer by 10:00 a.m.
(New York time) three Business Days prior to the Tranche B Purchase Expiration
Date and subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions precedent set
forth in Section 4.2, (i) establish such Term Institution's Term Account and
(ii) make a Term Deposit by depositing, in same day funds to such Term
Institution's Term Account, an amount equal to such Term Institution's Tranche B
Commitment less such Term Institution's pro rata share of the Aggregate
Purchaser Funded Amount allocated to the Tranche B Commitment as of such date.
Each Term Institution shall invest the amounts on deposit in such Term
Institution's Term Account in Permitted Investments (it being agreed that the
earnings on any such Permitted Investments shall be applied to offset the Term
Interest payable to such Term Institutions). Any losses with respect to the
Permitted Investments shall be borne by the Issuer and shall be deemed to be an
"Increase" made by the applicable Term Institution. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein, if the Committed Purchaser does not (i) extend the Tranche B
Purchase Expiration Date or (ii) renew on terms acceptable to the Issuer and the
Issuer requests the Committed Purchaser make a Term Deposit pursuant to this
Section 2.12, PARCO may, in its sole discretion, make the Term Deposit in lieu
of the Committed Purchaser, provided, -------- further, that PARCO may at any
time request the Committed Purchaser to fund the related Term Account and any
outstanding Term Increases made by PARCO. Notwithstanding anything contained
herein, if both Three Pillars and the Committed Purchaser decline to extend the
Tranche B Purchase Expiration Date, and the Issuer requests a Term Deposit be
made pursuant to this Section 2.12, the Issuer shall request that both Three
Pillars and the Committed Purchaser make a Term Deposit in accordance with the
terms hereof.
17
(b) During the Term Period, all additional Increases to be made by
any Term Institution pursuant to Section 2.3 shall be made by such Term
Institution by withdrawing funds from such Term Institution's Term Account.
(c) All Term Deposits shall be due and payable in full by the Issuer
on the earlier of the Term Draw Expiration Date, the date of maturity of the
Notes if accelerated following an Event of Default in accordance with any
Transaction Document and the Rapid Pay Out Commencement Date and each Term
Institution that has outstanding Term Deposits may apply all amounts on deposit
in the related Term Account to repay such Term Deposits, together with all
accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
(d) The Issuer hereby agrees that it shall use the proceeds of the
Term Deposits solely to fund Term Increases from time to time. The Issuer hereby
grants to the applicable Term Institution, a security interest in the related
Term Account, all funds from time to time credited to such Term Account, all
financial assets (including, without limitation, Permitted Investments) from
time to time acquired with any such funds or otherwise credited to such Term
Account, all interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other investment
property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
respect of or in exchange for any or all of such funds or such financial assets,
and all proceeds of, collateral for, and supporting obligations relating to any
and all of the foregoing. The grant of a security interest by the Issuer to each
such Term Institution pursuant to this Section secures the payment of the
Issuer's obligation to repay the Term Deposits, and to pay interest thereon,
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Interest shall accrue on the Term Deposit for each Interest
Period at the Term Deposit Rate ("Term Interest") and the Issuer shall pay Term
Interest on each Payment Date on the Term Deposit to the applicable Term
Institutions, in accordance with Section 2.6 of this Agreement and Section 5.2
of the Indenture.
(f) REPAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL TO A TERM INSTITUTION WITH RESPECT TO
AMOUNTS ALLOCATED TO THE TRANCHE B COMMITMENT SHALL BE PAID TO THE APPLICABLE
TERM INSTITUTION'S TERM ACCOUNT AND APPLIED TO REDUCE THE AGGREGATE PURCHASER
FUNDED AMOUNT.
SECTION 2.13 Allocations of Principal. The Aggregate Purchaser Funded
Amount shall be allocated first against the Tranche B Commitment in an amount up
to the aggregate the Tranche B Commitment and second against the Tranche A
Commitment by the Administrator. Principal payments on the Notes shall be
allocated by the Administrator first, to the Tranche C Principal Amount, if any,
second, to reduce amounts allocated to the Tranche A Commitment until amounts
allocated to the Tranche A Commitment have been reduced to zero and third, to
reduce amounts allocated by the Administrator to the Tranche B Commitment.
18
ARTICLE III.
CLOSING
SECTION 3.1 Closing. The closing (the "Closing") of the purchase and
sale of the Notes was held on September 13, 2002 (the date of the Closing being
referred to herein as the "Closing Date"). The closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Note Purchase Agreement (the "Restatement") will be held at
9:00 a.m., Chicago, Illinois time, on or about August 14, 2008, at the offices
of Mayer Brown LLP, 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (such date
being referred to herein as the "Restatement Date").
SECTION 3.2 Transactions to be Effected at the Closing. At the
Closing (a) the Administrator delivered to the Issuer funds in an amount equal
to the sum of the Initial Purchase Price; and (b) the Issuer delivered one Note
to the Administrator in satisfaction of the Issuer's obligation to the
Administrator hereunder. On the Restatement Date the Issuer shall deliver the
then outstanding Notes to the Trustee for cancellation and shall deliver newly
issued Notes to the Administrator and the Funding Agent in the form attached to
the Series Supplement.
ARTICLE IV.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 4.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Purchase of the Notes.
In addition to the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 of the Series Supplement,
the purchase by the Administrator on behalf of the Conduit Purchaser of the
Notes was subject to the satisfaction at the time of the Closing of the
following conditions, each of which was satisfied or waived on or prior to the
Closing:
(a) The Administrator shall have received on the Closing
Date from each of the Seller and the Issuer, a certificate, dated
the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Seller
and an executive officer of the Issuer, as the case may be, to the
effect that, and the Administrator shall be satisfied that, (i) the
representations and warranties of the Seller and the Issuer in this
Note Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the other Transaction
Documents are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date as if
made on and as of such date, (ii) the Issuer and the Seller have
complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on
their part to be performed or satisfied in this Note Purchase
Agreement, the Indenture and the other Transaction Documents, as
applicable, at or prior to the Closing Date, and (iii) there has not
occurred any change or any development that is likely to result in a
change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
business, operations or prospects of the Issuer or the Seller, and
their respective Affiliates, taken as a whole, from that set forth
in the Offering Memorandum 2002 that has had or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19
(b) The Administrator shall have received a certificate,
dated the Closing Date, signed by an executive officer of Trustee to
the effect that each of the Trust Accounts have been established.
(c) The Administrator shall have received, on the
Closing Date, opinions delivered to the Administrator and the
Conduit Purchaser (and the other addressees reasonably requested by
the Initial Purchaser), in each case, dated the Closing Date,
covering such matters as the Administrator shall reasonably request.
(d) The Issuer, the Trustee, the Seller and the other
parties to the Transaction Documents shall have executed and
delivered the Transaction Documents to which they are parties in the
same form and substance as previously presented to and approved by
the Administrator.
(e) Prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer and the Seller
shall have furnished to the Administrator such further information,
certificates and documents as the Administrator may reasonably
request.
(f) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received certified copies of resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Issuer, the Servicer and the Seller (or, in each
case, of its general partner or sole member, if applicable)
authorizing or ratifying the execution, delivery and performance,
respectively, of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
together with a certified copy of its articles or certificate of
incorporation or certificate of limited partnership, as applicable,
and a copy of its limited partnership agreement or by-laws, as
applicable.
(g) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received certified copies of all documents evidencing any
necessary corporate action, consents and governmental approvals (if
any) with respect to the Transaction Documents.
(h) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received a certificate of the secretary or an assistant
secretary of each of the Issuer, the Servicer Letter of Credit Bank
and the Seller (or, in each case, of its general partner, if
applicable) certifying the names of its officer or officers
authorized to sign the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
(i) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received good standing certificates for the Issuer, the
Servicer and the Seller issued as of a recent date acceptable to
Administrator by (a) the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of
such Person's incorporation or organization, and (b) the Secretary
of State of the jurisdiction where such Person's chief executive
office and principal place of business are located.
(j) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received (i) acknowledgment copies of proper financing
statements (Form UCC-1), filed on or prior to the Closing Date,
naming Issuer as debtor and Trustee (for the benefit of the Secured
Parties) as the secured party as may be necessary or, in the opinion
of Administrator, desirable under the UCC to perfect Trustee's (for
the benefit of the Secured Parties) security interest in the Trust
Estate, (ii) acknowledgment copies of proper financing statements,
filed on or prior to the Closing Date, naming the Seller (and its
predecessors) as seller/debtor, the Issuer as purchaser/secured
party and the Trustee as assignee as may be necessary or, in the
opinion of Administrator, desirable under the UCC to perfect
Trustee's ownership interest in the Receivables and the proceeds
thereof, and (iii) executed copies of proper UCC-3 financing
statements necessary to release all liens and other Adverse Claims
of any Person in the Trust Estate, the Receivables or the Purchased
Receivables, as applicable, granted by the Issuer or the Seller or
its predecessors.
20
(k) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received a written search report by a search service acceptable
to Administrator listing all effective financing statements that
name the Issuer or the Seller and its predecessors as a debtor or
assignor and that are filed in the jurisdictions in which filings
were made pursuant to subsection 4.1(j) above and in such other
jurisdictions that Administrator shall have reasonably requested,
together with copies of such financing statements (none of which
shall cover any of the Trust Estate), and tax and judgment lien
search reports from a Person satisfactory to Administrator showing
no evidence of such lien filed against the Issuer or the Seller and
its predecessors.
(l) Prior to the Closing Date, the Administrator shall
have received all outstanding Fees payable pursuant to the Fee
Letter, including all accrued attorneys' fees and expenses.
(m) No action shall have been taken and no statute,
rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued
by any Governmental Authority that would, as of the Closing Date,
prevent the issuance or sale of the Notes; and no injunction or
order of any Federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued
that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of
the Notes.
(n) All Governmental Actions of all Governmental
Authorities required with respect to the transactions contemplated
by the Transaction Documents and the other documents related thereto
shall have been obtained or made.
(o) To the extent required by Three Pillars' commercial
paper program, a letter from each rating agency rating Three
Pillars' Commercial Paper Notes confirming its rating of such
Commercial Paper Notes or that such rating will not be withdrawn or
downgraded after giving effect to the Original Note Purchase
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
(p) No Pay Out Event, Potential Pay Out Event, Event of
Default, Servicer Default or Block Event has occurred and is
continuing.
(q) The representations and warranties of the Issuer,
the Servicer and the Seller set forth in the Original Note Purchase
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are true and correct
as of the Closing Date.
SECTION 4.2 Conditions Precedent to each Increase. In addition to
the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 of the Series Supplement, the obligation
of the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed Purchaser to fund any Increase on
the related Increase Date is subject to the condition that there exist no Pay
Out Event, Potential Pay Out Event, Event of Default, Servicer Default or Block
Event which has occurred and is continuing.
21
SECTION 4.3 Conditions Precedent to the Restatement. In addition to
the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 of the Series Supplement, the purchase
by the Administrator and the Funding Agent on behalf of the respective Conduit
Purchasers of the Notes on the Restatement Date is subject to the satisfaction
at the time of the Restatement of the following conditions:
(a) The Administrator and the Funding Agent shall have
received on the Restatement Date from each of the Seller and the
Issuer, a certificate signed by an executive officer of such Person,
dated the Restatement Date, to the effect that (i) the
representations and warranties of the Seller and the Issuer in this
Note Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the other Transaction
Documents are true and correct on and as of the Restatement Date as
if made on and as of such date, (ii) the Issuer and the Seller have
complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on
their part to be performed or satisfied in this Note Purchase
Agreement, the Indenture and the other Transaction Documents, as
applicable, at or prior to the Restatement Date, and (iii) there has
not occurred any change or any development that is likely to result
in a change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business, operations or prospects of the Issuer or the
Seller, and their respective Affiliates, taken as a whole, from that
set forth in the Seller's most recent form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission that has had or could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and the Administrator
and the Funding Agent shall be satisfied that such conditions are
true.
(b) [Reserved].
(c) The Administrator and the Funding Agent shall have
received on the Restatement Date opinion letters and/or bring-down
letters of opinions delivered to the Administrator and Three Pillars
prior to the Restatement Date from counsel to the Issuer, the Seller
and the Trustee, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrator and the Funding Agent.
(d) The Issuer, the Trustee, the Seller and the other
parties to the Transaction Documents shall have executed and
delivered to the Administrator and the Funding Agent this Note
Purchase Agreement and each other Transaction Document to be
executed as of the Restatement Date.
(e) Prior to the Restatement Date, the Issuer and the
Seller shall have furnished to the Administrator and the Funding
Agent such further information, certificates and documents as the
Administrator or the Funding Agent may reasonably request.
(f) Prior to the Restatement Date, the Administrator and
the Funding Agent shall have received certified copies of all
documents evidencing any necessary corporate action, consents and
governmental approvals (if any) with respect to the Transaction
Documents.
22
(g) Prior to the Restatement Date, the Administrator and
the Funding Agent shall have received good standing certificates for
the Issuer, the Servicer and the Seller issued as of a recent date
acceptable to Administrator and the Funding Agent by (a) the
Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of such Person's
incorporation or organization, and (b) the Secretary of State of the
jurisdiction where such Person's chief executive office and
principal place of business are located.
(h) [Reserved].
(i) Prior to the Restatement Date, each of the
Administrator and the Funding Agent shall have received all
outstanding Fees due and payable to it pursuant to its related Fee
Letter, including all accrued attorneys' fees and expenses.
(j) No action shall have been taken and no statute,
rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued
by any Governmental Authority that would, as of the Restatement
Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Notes; and no injunction
or order of any Federal, state or foreign court shall have been
issued that would, as of the Restatement Date, prevent the issuance
or sale of the Notes.
(k) No Pay Out Event, Potential Pay Out Event, Event of
Default, Servicer Default or Block Event has occurred and is
continuing.
(l) The representations and warranties of the Issuer,
the Servicer and the Seller set forth in this Note Purchase
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are true and correct
as of the Restatement Date (except to the extent they relate to an
earlier date or later time, and then as of such earlier date or
later time).
(m) All fees due and payable to each Conduit Purchaser,
the Administrator, the Funding Agent and the Committed Purchaser on
or prior to the Restatement Date shall have been paid in full.
(n) To the extent required by any Conduit Purchaser's
commercial paper program, a letter from each rating agency rating
such Conduit Purchaser's Commercial Paper Notes confirming its
rating of such Commercial Paper Notes or that such rating will not
be withdrawn or downgraded after giving effect to this Note Purchase
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER AND THE SELLER
SECTION 5.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Seller
and the Issuer. The Issuer severally represents and warrants and the Seller,
jointly and severally with the Issuer, represent and warrant to the Conduit
Purchasers, the Funding Agent, the Committed Purchaser and the Administrator,
that:
23
(a) Organization and Good Standing. Each of the Seller
and the Issuer has been duly organized and is validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the state of organization, with
full power and authority to own its properties and conduct its
business as presently conducted. Each of the Issuer and the Seller
is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a
foreign entity (or is exempt from such requirements), and has
obtained all necessary licenses and approvals, in each jurisdiction
in which failure to so qualify or to obtain such licenses and
approvals would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Power and Authority; Due Authorization. Each of the
Seller and the Issuer has (a) all necessary power, authority and
legal right to (i) execute, deliver and perform its obligations
under this Note Purchase Agreement and each of the other Transaction
Documents to which it is a party and (b) duly authorized, by all
necessary action, the execution, delivery and performance of this
Note Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which
it is a party, the transactions contemplated herein and the
borrowing, and the granting of security therefor, on the terms and
conditions provided in the Indenture.
(c) No Violation. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Note Purchase Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will
not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of
time or both) a default under, (A) the organizational documents of
the Issuer or the Seller or (B) any indenture, loan agreement,
pooling and servicing agreement, receivables purchase agreement,
mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which
the Issuer or the Seller is a party or by which the Issuer or the
Seller or any of the Issuer's or the Seller's properties is bound,
(ii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Adverse
Claim upon its properties pursuant to the terms of any such
indenture, loan agreement, pooling and servicing agreement,
receivables purchase agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other
agreement or instrument, other than pursuant to the terms of the
Transaction Documents, or (iii) violate any law or any order, rule,
or regulation applicable to the Issuer or the Seller or of any court
or of any federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative
agency, or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction
over, the Issuer or the Seller or any of its respective properties.
(d) Validity and Binding Nature. This Note Purchase
Agreement is, and the other Transaction Documents to which the
Issuer or the Seller is a party when duly executed and delivered by
the Issuer or the Seller and the other parties thereto will be, the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer or the Seller, as
applicable, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting
creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.
(e) Government Approvals. No authorization or approval
or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body required for the due
execution, delivery or performance by the Issuer or the Seller of
any Transaction Document to which it is a party remains unobtained
or unfiled, except for the filing of the UCC financing statements
referred to in Section 15.4 of the Base Indenture.
24
(f) Bulk Sales. No transaction contemplated hereby or by
the other Transaction Documents requires compliance with any "bulk
sales" act or similar law.
(g) Margin Regulations. Neither the Seller nor the
Issuer is engaged in the business of extending credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds from
the transactions contemplated hereby, directly or indirectly, will
be used for a purpose that violates, or would be inconsistent with,
Regulations T, U and X promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board from
time to time.
(h) Perfection. (i) On the Closing Date and the date of
each Increase, the Issuer shall be the owner of all of the
Receivables and Related Security and Collections and proceeds with
respect thereto, free and clear of all Adverse Claims. On or prior
to the Closing Date and the date of each Increase and each
recomputation of the Investor Interest, all financing statements and
other documents required to be recorded or filed in order to perfect
and protect the Trust Estate against all creditors (other than
Secured Parties) of, and purchasers (other than Secured Parties)
from, the Issuer and each Seller will have been (or will have been
within ten (10) days of the Closing Date) duly filed in each filing
office necessary for such purpose, and all filing fees and taxes, if
any, payable in connection with such filings shall have been (or
will have been within ten (10) days of the Closing Date) paid in
full;
(ii) the Indenture constitutes a valid grant
of a security interest to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Conduit Purchasers and the other Secured Parties in
all right, title and interest of the Issuer in the
Receivables, the Related Security and Collections and
proceeds with respect thereto and all other assets of
the Trust Estate, now existing or hereafter created or
acquired. Accordingly, to the extent the UCC applies
with respect to the perfection of such security
interest, upon the filing of any financing statements
described in Article 8 of the Indenture, and, solely
with respect to the Related --------- Security, to the
extent required for perfection under the relevant UCC,
the delivery of possession of all instruments, if any,
included in such Related Security to the Servicer), the
Trustee shall have a first priority perfected security
interest in such property and the proceeds thereof (to
the extent provided in Section 9-315), subject to
Permitted Encumbrances and, to the extent the UCC does
not apply to the perfection of such security interest,
all notices filings and other actions required by all
applicable law have been taken to perfect and protect
such security interest or lien against and prior to all
Adverse Claims with respect to the relevant Receivables,
Related Security and Collections and proceeds with
respect thereto and all other assets of the Trust
Estate. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the
Transaction Documents, neither the Issuer nor any Person
claiming through or under the Issuer has any claim to or
interest in the Collection Account; and
25
(iii) immediately prior to, and after giving
effect to, the initial purchase of the Notes and each
Increase hereunder, the Issuer will be Solvent.
(i) Offices. The principal place of business and chief
executive office of the Issuer is located at the address referred to
in Section 15.4 of the Base Indenture (or at such other locations,
notified to the Trustee in jurisdictions where all action required
thereby has been taken and completed).
(j) Tax Status. Each of the Issuer and the Seller has
filed all tax returns (Federal, State and local) required to be
filed by it and has paid or made adequate provision for the payment
of all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges then due
and payable (including for such purposes, the setting aside of
appropriate reserves for taxes, assessments and other governmental
charges being contested in good faith).
(k) Compliance with Applicable Laws; Licenses, etc.
(i) Each of the Issuer and the Seller is in
compliance with the requirements of all applicable laws,
rules, regulations, and orders of all governmental
authorities, a breach of any of which, individually or
in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Neither of the Issuer nor the Seller
has failed to obtain any licenses, permits, franchises
or other governmental authorizations necessary to the
ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its
business, which violation or failure to obtain would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) No Proceedings. Except as described in Schedule I,
(i) there is no order, judgment, decree,
injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any
court or other government authority to which the Issuer
or the Seller is subject, and there is no action, suit,
arbitration, regulatory proceeding or investigation
pending, or, to the knowledge of the Issuer or the
Seller, threatened, before or by any court, regulatory
body, administrative agency or other tribunal or
governmental instrumentality, against the Issuer that,
individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(ii) there is no action, suit, proceeding,
arbitration, regulatory or governmental investigation,
pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer or the
Seller, threatened, before or by any court, regulatory
body, administrative agency, or other tribunal or
governmental instrumentality (A) asserting the
invalidity of this Note Purchase Agreement, the
Indenture, the Notes or any other Transaction Document,
(B) seeking to prevent the issuance of the Notes
pursuant to the Indenture or the consummation of any of
the other transactions contemplated by this Indenture or
any other Transaction Document or (C) seeking to
adversely affect the federal income tax attributes of
the Issuer.
26
(m) Investment Company Act, Etc. None of the Seller or
the Issuer is, or after applying the proceeds of this offering will
be, an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(n) Eligible Receivables. Each Receivable included in
the Trust Estate (other than any Receivable identified as not being
an Eligible Receivable and included as such in the calculation of
Minimum Issuer Interest) on the date of any Monthly Servicer Report
shall be an Eligible Receivable on such date. Each Receivable,
including Subsequently Purchased Receivables, purchased by the
Issuer on any Purchase Date shall be an Eligible Receivable as of
such Purchase Date.
(o) Receivables Schedule. The Receivable File is a true
and correct schedule of the Receivables included in the Trust
Estate.
(p) ERISA. (i) Each of the Seller, the Issuer and its
respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material
respects with ERISA unless any failure to so comply could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) no
Lien exists in favor of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation on
any of the Receivables. No ERISA Event has occurred with respect to
Title IV Plans of the Issuer. No ERISA Event has occurred with
respect to Title IV plans of the Seller's or the Issuer's ERISA
Affiliates that have an aggregate Unfunded Pension Liability equal
to or greater than $1,000,000. No ERISA Event has occurred with
respect to a Multiemployer Plan (as defined in the Base Indenture)
of the Issuer or its ERISA Affiliates.
(q) Accuracy of Information. All information heretofore
furnished by, or on behalf of, the Seller or the Issuer to the
Trustee or any of the Noteholders in connection with any Transaction
Document, or any transaction contemplated thereby, is true and
accurate in every material respect (without omission of any
information necessary to prevent such information from being
materially misleading).
(r) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the
Seller's most recent form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, there has been no material adverse change in
the collectibility of the Receivables or the Issuer's (i) financial
condition, business, operations or prospects or (ii) ability to
perform its obligations under any Transaction Document.
(s) Trade Names and Subsidiaries. Set forth on Schedule
II hereto is a complete list of trade names of the Seller for the
six year period preceding the Closing Date. The Issuer has no
Subsidiaries and does not own or hold, directly or indirectly, any
equity interest in any Person.
(t) Notes. The Notes have been duly and validly
authorized, and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, and delivered to and paid for in
accordance with this Note Purchase Agreement, will be duly and
validly issued and outstanding and will be entitled to the benefits
of the Indenture.
27
(u) Sales by Seller. (a) Each sale of Receivables by the
Seller to the Issuer shall have been effected under, and in
accordance with the terms of, the Purchase Agreement, including the
payment by the Issuer to the Seller of an amount equal to the
purchase price therefor as described in the Purchase Agreement, and
each such sale shall have been made for "reasonably equivalent
value" (as such term is used under Section 548 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Code) and not for or on account of "antecedent debt" (as
such term is used under Section 547 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code)
owed by the Issuer to the Seller.
(v) Use of Proceeds. No proceeds of any Notes will be
used by the Issuer to acquire any security in any transaction which
is subject to Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
(w) Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by
the Issuer. On the Closing Date and on each Business Day, the Issuer
shall be deemed to have certified that all representations and
warranties described in Section 7.1 of the Indenture are true and
correct on and as of such day as though made on and as of such day
(except to the extent they relate to an earlier date or later time,
and then as of such earlier date or later time).
SECTION 5.2 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by the
Issuer. On the Closing Date, the Restatement Date, on each Business Day and on
each day that an Increase is made hereunder, the Issuer, by accepting the
proceeds thereof, shall be deemed to have certified that all representations and
warranties described in Section 5.1 hereof and Section 7.1 of the Indenture are
true and correct on and as of such day as though made on and as of such day
(except to the extent they relate to an earlier date or later time, and then as
of such earlier date or later time).
ARTICLE VI.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
WITH RESPECT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR,
THE FUNDING AGENT AND THE CONDUIT PURCHASERS
SECTION 6.1 Securities Laws; Transfer Restrictions. Each of the
Administrator, the Funding Agent and each Conduit Purchaser represents and
warrants to the Issuer, for itself, as of the date hereof (or as of a subsequent
date on which a successor or assign of any Purchaser shall become a party
hereto), and agrees that:
(a) it has (i) reviewed the Indenture (including the
schedule and exhibits thereto) and all other documents which have
been provided by the Issuer to it with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the Indenture, (ii) participated in due diligence
sessions with the Servicer and (iii) had an opportunity to discuss
the Issuer's and the Seller's businesses, management and financial
affairs, and the terms and conditions of the proposed purchase with
the Issuer and the Servicer and their respective representatives;
28
(b) it is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of
Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities
Act and has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
investing in, and it is able and prepared to bear the economic risk
of investing in, the Notes;
(c) it is purchasing the Notes for its own account, or
for the account of one or more "accredited investors" within the
meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the
Securities Act that meet the criteria described in subsection (b)
and for which it is acting with complete investment discretion, for
investment purposes only and not with a view to distribution;
(d) it understands that (i) the Notes have not been and
will not be registered or qualified under the Securities Act or any
applicable state securities laws or the securities laws of any other
jurisdiction and is being offered only in a transaction not
involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities
Act, (ii) the Issuer is not required to so register or qualify the
Notes, and (iii) the Notes may be resold, pledged or otherwise
transferred only (A) to the Issuer, (B) to a "qualified
institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A under
the Securities Act, or (C) in a transaction otherwise exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act, in each case in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and any applicable
securities laws of any state of the United States or any other
jurisdiction;
(e) it understands that upon original issuance thereof,
and until such time as the same may no longer be required under the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the certificate
evidencing the Notes (and all securities issued in exchange therefor
or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend substantially in the
form set forth in the form of Notes included as an exhibit to the
Series Supplement;
(f) it understands that the Registrar and Transfer Agent
for the Notes will not be required to accept for registration of
transfer the Notes acquired by it, except upon presentation of, if
applicable, the certificate and, if applicable, the opinion
described in the Series Supplement; and
(g) it will obtain from any transferee of the Notes (or
any interest therein) substantially the same representations,
warranties and agreements contained in this Section 6.1.
ARTICLE VII.
COVENANTS
SECTION 7.1 Monthly Noteholders' Statement; Notice of Adverse Effect.
(a) The Issuer will cause each Monthly Noteholders'
Statement pertaining to the Series Supplement to be delivered to
each Conduit Purchaser and the Committed Purchaser,
contemporaneously with the delivery thereof to the Trustee.
29
(b) As soon as possible, and in any event within one (1)
day after the occurrence thereof, the Issuer shall (or shall cause
the Servicer to) give each Conduit Purchaser and the Committed
Purchaser written notice of each Pay Out Event, Potential Pay Out
Event, Event of Default, Servicer Default or Block Event.
SECTION 7.2 Further Assurances. The Issuer agrees to take any and
all acts and to create any and all further instruments necessary or reasonably
requested by the Administrator and the Funding Agent to fully effect the
purposes of this Note Purchase Agreement.
SECTION 7.3 Modifications to Transaction Documents.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in the Indenture to the
contrary, no provision of this Note Purchase Agreement, the
Indenture, the Servicing Agreement or the Purchase Agreement may be
amended, waived or otherwise modified without (i) the prior written
consent of the Issuer and the Required Persons and (ii) if such
amendment is material, without satisfying the Rating Agency
Condition; provided that the consent of all of the Noteholders shall
be required for (i) any amendment, waiver, modification or
supplement of any such document described above relating to (i) the
definitions of "Eligible Receivables," "Purchase Expiration Date,"
"Final Purchase Expiration Date," "Tranche A Expiration Date,"
"Required Persons," "Required Reserve Amount," "Coverage Test" and
"Maximum Principal Amount" and any defined terms incorporated
therein, (ii) the reduction or postponement of the time for payment
of any fee or other amount payable to or on behalf of such
Noteholders or (iii) this Section 7.3.
(b) The Issuer shall (or shall cause the Servicer to)
give the Administrator, the Funding Agent, the Committed Purchaser
and the Conduit Purchasers written notice of any proposed amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of the Transaction
Documents.
SECTION 7.4 Expenses. Whether or not the Closing takes place, except
as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Fee Letter, all reasonable
costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Note Purchase Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Issuer.
SECTION 7.5 Reorganizations and Transfers. The Issuer shall not
enter into any transaction described in subsection 8.3(c) of the Indenture
unless the Trustee and the Required Persons shall have given their prior written
consent thereto.
30
SECTION 7.6 Financial Covenants.
(a) Parent shall, on a consolidated basis with its
Subsidiaries: (i) maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio at least
equal to 1.30:1.00 measured quarterly as at the last day of each
Fiscal Quarter on a trailing twelve month basis and (ii) maintain a
Leverage Ratio not greater than the ratio set forth below for each
Fiscal Quarter during the specified period, measured as of the last
day of each Fiscal Quarter:
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Period Ratio
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Restatement Date through January 31, 2009 3.50:1.00
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
February 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 3.75:1.00
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
January 1, 2010 and thereafter 4.00:1.00
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
(b) Notwithstanding anything set forth in Section
2.04(e) of the Servicing Agreement, the Seller will not permit, at
any time, Consolidated Net Worth to be less than the sum of (i)
$109,541,000 plus (ii) 75% of positive Consolidated Net Income
generated after January 31, 2005 plus (iii) 100% of any capital
stock or other ownership or profit interest or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or other
ownership or profit interest or any warrants, rights or options to
acquire the same, issued after January 31, 2005. Any gains
attributable to the effects of Statements of Financial Accounting
Standards Nos. 125/140 and/or 133, or their successors, and any
losses attributable thereto, shall be excluded in determining
Consolidated Net Worth for purposes of this Section.
For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto hereby agree that each covenant
set forth in this Section 7.6 shall be tested by the Seller quarterly.
SECTION 7.7 ABL Covenants. Prior to the execution of any loan
facility secured by the indebtedness of any obligor under a Pool Contract other
than the Receivables (each an "ABL Receivable") (an "ABL Facility"), the Issuer
and the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrator and
the Funding Agent the following agreements in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrator and the Funding Agent: (a) an intercreditor agreement among
the Trustee and the parties granted a security interest in the ABL Receivables
pursuant to such ABL Facility, and any necessary consents related thereto and
(b) an agreement detailing the procedures by which the Parent and its
Subsidiaries that originate Pool Contracts agree which customers of such Persons
approved for credit will be allocated among such originators for purposes of
providing such credit.
SECTION 7.8 Most Favored Lender. The Issuer and the Seller hereby
agree to promptly notify the Administrator and Funding Agent of any amendment or
modification to the transaction documents related to the ABL Facility. The
Issuer and the Seller hereby agree that if an ABL Facility is entered into on or
after the date hereof or if any amendments thereto are executed from time to
time that contains any credit enhancement levels, required reserve percentage,
covenant, event of default, servicer default, trigger event, remedy or any
similar items or definitional terms related thereto (other than pricing) that
are more favorable (in the determination of the Administrator and the Funding
Agent) than those contained in the Transaction Documents (the "More Favorable
Provisions"), then the Transaction Documents shall be deemed to be similarly
amended, mutatis mutandis, for the benefit of the Administrator, the Funding
Agent, the Committed Purchaser and each Conduit Purchaser to the extent
permitted under the Transaction Documents. The Issuer and the Seller hereby
agree to document any deemed amendment to the Transaction Documents in writing,
if requested to do so by the Administrator and Funding Agent and permitted by
the Transaction Documents.
31
SECTION 7.9 Restrictions on Amendments. The Issuer and the Seller
hereby agree that it will not, and will not permit any of their Affiliates to,
enter into any agreement with any Person that restricts the Issuer's and the
Seller's ability to amend, modify and supplement the Transaction Documents other
than as restricted by the Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE VIII.
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 8.1 Indemnification. The Seller and the Issuer, jointly and
severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrator, the Funding
Agent, the Committed Purchaser, each Conduit Purchaser, each Liquidity Bank,
each Credit Bank, each Bank, each of such Banks' Affiliates and each of their
respective successors, transferees, participants and assigns and all officers,
directors, shareholders, controlling persons, employees and agents of any of the
foregoing (each of the foregoing Persons being individually called an
"Indemnified Party"), forthwith on demand, from and against any and all damages,
losses, claims, liabilities and related costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements (all of the foregoing being collectively
called "Indemnified Amounts") awarded against or incurred by any of them arising
out of or relating to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated
thereby, any commingling of funds (whether or not permitted hereunder), or the
use of proceeds therefrom by the Issuer, including (without limitation) in
respect of the Initial Purchase Price or any Increases or in respect of any
Receivable; excluding, however, (a) Indemnified Amounts to the extent determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from gross negligence or
willful misconduct on the part of any Indemnified Party or its agent or
subcontractor (BUT EXPRESSLY EXCLUDING FROM THIS CLAUSE (a), AND EXPRESSLY
INCLUDING IN THE INDEMNITY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 8.1, INDEMNIFIED AMOUNTS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ORDINARY, SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH
INDEMNIFIED PARTY, IT BEING THE INTENT OF THE PARTIES THAT, TO THE EXTENT
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 8.1, INDEMNIFIED PARTIES SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED FOR THEIR
OWN ORDINARY, SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE NOT CONSTITUTING GROSS NEGLIGENCE
OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT), and (b) any tax upon or measured by net income (except
those described in Section 8.1) on any Indemnified Party.
SECTION 8.2 Increased Costs.
(a) If after September 10, 2007, the adoption of any law
or bank regulatory guideline or any amendment or change in the
interpretation of any existing or future law or bank regulatory
guideline by any Official Body charged with the administration,
interpretation or application thereof, or the compliance with any
directive of any Official Body (in the case of any bank regulatory
guideline, whether or not having the force of law), other than laws,
interpretations, guidelines or directives relating to Taxes:
32
(i) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve,
special deposit or similar requirement (including, without
limitation, any such requirement imposed by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System) against assets of, deposits with or
for the account of, or credit extended by, an Affected Party or
shall impose on any Affected Party or on the United States market
for certificates of deposit or the London interbank market any other
condition affecting this Note Purchase Agreement, the other
Transaction Documents, the ownership, maintenance or financing of
the Notes, the Receivables, any other assets of the Trust Estate or
payments of amounts due hereunder or its obligation to advance funds
hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents; or
(ii) imposes upon any Affected Party any other expense
deemed by such Affected Party to be material (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, and expenses of
litigation or preparation therefor in contesting any of the
foregoing) with respect to this Note Purchase Agreement, the other
Transaction Documents, the ownership, maintenance or financing of
the Notes, the Receivables, any other assets of the Trust Estate, or
payments of amounts due hereunder or its obligation to advance funds
hereunder or otherwise in respect of this Note Purchase Agreement or
the other Transaction Documents,
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to or reduce the
return of such Affected Party with respect to this Note Purchase Agreement, the
other Transaction Documents, the ownership, maintenance or financing of the
Notes, the Receivables, any other assets of the Trust Estate, the obligations
hereunder, the funding of any Increases hereunder or under the other Transaction
Documents, by an amount reasonably deemed by such Affected Party to be material,
then, on the first Payment Date which is not less than three Business Days after
demand by such Affected Party through the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as
applicable, the Issuer shall pay to such Affected Party such additional amount
or amounts as will compensate such Affected Party for such increased cost or
reduction. In making demand hereunder, the applicable Affected Party shall
submit to the Issuer a certificate as to such increased costs incurred which
shall provide in detail the basis for such claim which certificate shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error; provided,
however, that no such Affected Party shall be required to disclose any
confidential or tax planning information in any such certificate.
(b) If any Affected Party shall have determined that
after the Closing Date, the adoption of any applicable law or bank
regulatory guideline regarding capital adequacy, or any change
therein, or any change in the interpretation thereof by any Official
Body, or any directive regarding capital adequacy (in the case of
any bank regulatory guideline, whether or not having the force of
law) of any such Official Body, has or would have, due to an
increase in the amount of capital required to be maintained by such
Affected Party, the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital
of such Affected Party as a consequence of such Affected Party's
obligations hereunder or with respect hereto to a level below that
which such Affected Party could have achieved but for such adoption,
change, request or directive (taking into consideration its policies
with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount reasonably deemed by
such Affected Party to be material, then from time to time, on the
first Payment Date which is not less than ten (10) Business Days
after demand by such Affected Party through the Administrator or the
Funding Agent, as applicable, the Issuer shall pay to such Affected
Party such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Affected Party for such reduction. In making demand hereunder, the
applicable Affected Party shall submit to the Issuer a certificate
as to such increased costs incurred which shall provide in
reasonable detail the basis for such claim which certificate shall
be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error;
provided, however, that no such Affected Party shall be required to
disclose any confidential or tax planning information in any such
certificate.
33
(c) If an Accounting Based Consolidation Event shall at
any time occur then, on the first Payment Date which is not less
than three Business Days after demand by such Affected Party through
the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, the Issuer
shall pay such amounts as such Affected Party reasonably determines
will compensate or reimburse the Affected Party for any resulting
(i) fee, expense or increased cost charged to, incurred or otherwise
suffered by such Affected Party, (ii) reduction in the rate of
return on such Affected Party's capital or reduction in the amount
of any sum received or receivable by such Affected Party or (iii)
opportunity cost, internal capital charge or other imputed cost
determined by such Affected Party to be allocable to Issuer or the
transactions contemplated in this Agreement in connection therewith.
Amounts under this Section 10.5 may be demanded at any time without
regard to the timing of issuance of any financial statement by
company or by any Affected Party. In making demand hereunder, the
applicable Affected Party shall submit to the Issuer a certificate
as to such increased costs incurred which shall provide in
reasonable detail the basis for such claim which certificate shall
be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error;
provided, however, that no such Affected Party shall be required to
disclose any confidential or tax planning information in any such
certificate.
SECTION 8.3 Indemnity for Taxes. All payments made by the Issuer to
the Administrator or the Funding Agent for the benefit of any related Conduit
Purchaser or the Committed Purchaser under this Note Purchase Agreement or any
other Transaction Document shall be made free and clear of, and without
deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future stamp or
similar taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed
by any Official Body, excluding (i) taxes that would not have been imposed if
the Affected Party had timely complied with the requirements of subsection
8.3(b) hereof, and (ii) taxes imposed on the net income of the Administrator,
the Funding Agent or any other Affected Party, in each case imposed by any
jurisdiction under the laws of which the Administrator, the Funding Agent or
such Affected Party is organized or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, collectively or individually,
"Taxes"). If any such Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable
to the Administrator, the Funding Agent or any Affected Party hereunder, the
amounts so payable to the Administrator, the Funding Agent or such Affected
Party shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrator,
the Funding Agent or such Affected Party (after payment of all Taxes) all
amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Note
Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Issuer shall
indemnify the Administrator, the Funding Agent and any such Affected Party for
the full amount of any such Taxes on the first Payment Date which is not less
than ten (10) days after the date of written demand therefor by the
Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable.
34
(a) Each Affected Party that is a Non-United States
Person shall:
(i) deliver to the Issuer and the
Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, two
duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8 BEN or Form W-8
ECI, or successor applicable form, as the case may be;
(ii) deliver to the Issuer and the
Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, two
(2) further copies of any such form or certification on
or before the date that any such form or certification
expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of
any event requiring a change in the most recent form
previously delivered by it to the Issuer; and
(iii) obtain such extensions of time for
filing and complete such forms or certifications as may
reasonably be requested by the Issuer, the Administrator
or the Funding Agent;
unless, in any such case, an event (including, without limitation, any change in
treaty, law or regulation) has occurred prior to the date on which any such
delivery would otherwise be required which, regardless of the identity of the
Affected Party, renders all such forms inapplicable or which, regardless of the
identity of the Affected Party, would prevent such Affected Party from duly
completing and delivering any such form with respect to it, and such Affected
Party so advises the Issuer and the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as
applicable. Each such Affected Party so organized shall certify in the case of
an IRS Form W-8 BEN or IRS Form W-8 ECI (or successor applicable form), that it
is entitled to receive payments under this Note Purchase Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes. Each Affected Party which is a Non-United States Person
represents and warrants to the Issuer and the Administrator or the Funding
Agent, as applicable, that, as of the date of this Note Purchase Agreement (or
the date such Person otherwise becomes an Affected Party, as the case may be),
(i) it is entitled to receive all payments hereunder without deduction or
withholding for or on account of any United States federal Taxes and (ii) it is
permitted to take the actions described in the preceding sentence under the laws
and any applicable double taxation treaties of the jurisdiction of its head
office or any booking office used in connection with this Note Purchase
Agreement. Each Affected Party which is a Non-United States Person further
agrees that, to the extent any form claiming complete or partial exemption from
withholding and deduction of United States federal Taxes delivered under this
clause (b) is found to be incomplete or incorrect in any material respect, such
Affected Party shall (to the extent it is permitted to do so under the laws and
any double taxation treaties of the United States, the jurisdiction of its
organization and the jurisdictions in which its relevant booking offices are
located) execute and deliver to each of the Administrator or the Funding Agent,
as applicable, and the Issuer a complete and correct replacement form.
35
(b) Limitations. Each Affected Party agrees to use
reasonable efforts to mitigate the imposition of any Taxes referred
to in this Section 8.3, including changing the office of such
Affected Party from which any Funding Tranche (or portion thereof)
funded or maintained by such Affected Party or this Note Purchase
Agreement is booked; provided that such reasonable efforts would not
be disadvantageous to such Affected Party or result in the
imposition of any additional Taxes upon such Affected Party or cause
such Affected Party, in its good faith judgment, to violate one or
more of its policies in order to avoid such imposition of Taxes.
SECTION 8.4 Other Costs, Expenses and Related Matters.
(a) The Issuer agrees, upon receipt of a written
invoice, to pay or cause to be paid, and to save the Affected
Parties harmless against liability for the payment of, all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys', accountants' and other third parties' fees
and expenses, any filing fees and expenses incurred by officers or
employees of any of the Affected Parties) or intangible, documentary
or recording taxes incurred by or on behalf of the Affected Parties
(i) in connection with the negotiation, execution, delivery and
preparation of this Note Purchase Agreement, the other Transaction
Documents and any documents or instruments delivered pursuant hereto
and thereto and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
(including, without limitation, the perfection or protection of the
Affected Parties' interest in the Trust Estate) and (ii) (A)
relating to any amendments, waivers or consents under this Note
Purchase Agreement, any Program Documents and the other Transaction
Documents, (B) arising in connection with any of the Affected
Parties' enforcement or preservation of rights (including, without
limitation, the perfection and protection of the Affected Parties'
interest in the Trust Estate), or (C) arising in connection with any
audit, dispute, disagreement, litigation or preparation for
litigation involving this Note Purchase Agreement or any of the
other Transaction Documents.
(b) The Administrator or the Funding Agent will notify
the Issuer and the Servicer in writing of any event occurring after
September 10, 2007 which will entitle an Indemnified Party or
Affected Party to compensation pursuant to this Article VIII. Any
notice by the Administrator or the Funding Agent claiming
compensation under this Article VIII and setting forth the
additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such
amount, the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, or
any applicable Indemnified Party or Affected Party may use any
reasonable averaging and attributing methods.
(c) If the Issuer is required to pay any additional
amount to any Conduit Purchaser pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3, then
such Conduit Purchaser shall use reasonable efforts (which shall not
require such Conduit Purchaser to incur an unreimbursed loss or
unreimbursed cost or expense or otherwise take any action
inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory
restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden reasonably deemed
by it to be significant) to assign its rights and delegate and
transfer its obligations hereunder to another of its offices,
branches or Affiliates, if such filing or assignment would reduce
amounts payable pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3, as the case may be,
in the future.
36
ARTICLE IX.
THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE FUNDING AGENT
SECTION 9.1 Authorization and Action. Three Pillars hereby appoints
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as its Administrator for purposes of the
Transaction Documents and authorizes the Administrator to take such action as
agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the
Administrator, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. PARCO and the Committed Purchaser, hereby appoint JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. as its Funding Agent for purposes of the Transaction Documents
and authorizes the Funding Agent to take such action as agent on their behalf
and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Funding Agent, by the terms
hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Three
Pillars hereby authorizes the Administrator, in its sole discretion, to take any
actions and exercise any rights or remedies under this Note Purchase Agreement
and any permitted related agreements and documents. PARCO and the Committed
Purchaser hereby authorize the Funding Agent, in its sole discretion, to take
any actions and exercise any rights or remedies under this Note Purchase
Agreement and any permitted related agreements and documents. Except for actions
which the Administrator or the Funding Agent is expressly required to take
pursuant to this Note Purchase Agreement or the applicable Program Documents,
neither the Administrator nor the Funding Agent shall be required to take any
action which exposes the Administrator or the Funding Agent to personal
liability or which is contrary to applicable law unless the Administrator or the
Funding Agent, as applicable, shall receive further assurances to its
satisfaction from the related Conduit Purchaser, of the indemnification
obligations under Section 9.4 hereof against any and all liability and expense
which may be incurred in taking or continuing to take such action. The
Administrator agrees to give to Three Pillars prompt notice of each notice and
determination given to it by the Issuer, the Servicer or the Trustee, pursuant
to the terms of this Note Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. The Funding Agent
agrees to give to PARCO and the Committed Purchaser prompt notice of each notice
and determination given to it by the Issuer, the Servicer or the Trustee,
pursuant to the terms of this Note Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. Subject
to Section 9.5 hereof, the appointment and authority of each of the
Administrator and the Funding Agent hereunder shall terminate upon the later of
(i) the payment to (a) each Conduit Purchaser and the Committed Purchaser of all
amounts owing to such Person hereunder and (b) the Administrator and the Funding
Agent of all amounts due hereunder and (ii) the Series 2002-A Termination Date.
SECTION 9.2 Administrator's and Funding Agent's Reliance, Etc.
Neither the Administrator, the Funding Agent nor any of its respective
directors, officers, agents who are natural persons or employees shall be liable
for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them as Administrator or
Funding Agent under or in connection with this Note Purchase Agreement or any
related agreement or document, except for its or their own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator and the
Funding Agent: (i) may consult with legal counsel, independent public
accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the
advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (ii) makes no warranty or
representation to the Conduit Purchasers, the Funding Agent or the Committed
Purchaser and shall not be responsible to the Conduit Purchasers, the Funding
Agent or the Committed Purchaser for any statements, warranties or
representations made by any other Person in connection with any Transaction
Document; (iii) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any
Transaction Document on the part of any Person or to inspect the property
(including the books and records) of any Person; (iv) shall not be responsible
to the Conduit Purchasers, the Funding Agent or the Committed Purchaser for the
due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or
value of any Transaction Document or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto or thereto; and (v) shall incur no liability under or in respect
of any Transaction Document by acting upon any notice (including notice by
telephone), consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by
telex) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and signed or sent by the
proper party or parties.
37
SECTION 9.3 Administrator, Funding Agent and their Respective
Affiliates. Each of the Administrator, the Funding Agent and any of their
respective Affiliates may generally engage in any kind of business with the
Issuer, the Seller, any Bank, Servicer, any Obligor, any insurer, any of their
respective Affiliates and any Person who may do business with or own securities
of the Issuer, the Seller, any Bank, Servicer, any Obligor or any of their
respective Affiliates, all as if such entities were not the Administrator or the
Funding Agent, as applicable, and without any duty to account therefor to the
Conduit Purchasers, the Funding Agent and the Committed Purchaser, as
applicable.
SECTION 9.4 Purchase Decision. Each of the Conduit Purchasers and
the Committed Purchaser acknowledges that it has, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrator or the Funding Agent, and based on such
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own evaluation
and decision to enter into this Note Purchase Agreement and to purchase an
interest in the Notes. Each of the Conduit Purchasers and the Committed
Purchaser also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance
upon the Administrator or the Funding Agent or any of their respective
Affiliates, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not
taking action under this Note Purchase Agreement or any related agreement,
instrument or other document.
SECTION 9.5 Successor Administrator and Funding Agent.
38
(a) The Administrator may resign at any time by giving
five days' written notice thereof to each of the parties hereto and
the Trustee. Upon any such resignation of the Administrator, Three
Pillars shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrator.
If no successor Administrator shall have been so appointed and shall
have accepted such appointment, within five days after the retiring
Administrator's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring
Administrator may, on behalf of Three Pillars, appoint a successor
Administrator. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrator hereunder by a successor Administrator, such successor
Administrator shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all
of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring
Administrator, and the retiring Administrator shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations under this Note Purchase Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents (other than obligations arising
or to have been performed prior to such retirement). After any
retiring Administrator's resignation hereunder as Administrator, the
provisions of this Article IX shall inure to its benefit as to any
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while ---------- it was
an Administrator under this Note Purchase Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents.
(b) The Funding Agent may resign at any time by giving
five days' written notice thereof to each of the parties hereto and
the Trustee. Upon any such resignation of the Funding Agent, PARCO
and the Committed Purchaser shall have the right to appoint a
successor Funding Agent. If no successor Funding Agent shall have
been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, within
five days after the retiring Funding Agent's giving of notice of
resignation, then the retiring Funding Agent may, on behalf of the
PARCO and the Committed Purchaser, appoint a successor Funding
Agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Funding Agent
hereunder by a successor Funding Agent, such successor Funding Agent
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all of the rights,
powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Funding Agent, and the
retiring Funding Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Note Purchase Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents (other than obligations arising or to have
been performed prior to such retirement). After any retiring Funding
Agent's resignation hereunder as Funding Agent, the provisions of
this Article IX shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by it while it was an Funding Agent under
this Note Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.1 Amendments. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Note Purchase Agreement shall in any event be effective unless the same
shall be made in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 7.3, and
then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
SECTION 10.2 Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein
otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and, if to the Conduit
Purchasers, shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such
Persons at the following addresses:
Three Pillars Funding LLC
c/o AMACAR Group, L.L.C.
6525 Morrison Boulevard,
Suite 318
Charlotte, NC 28211
Attention: Doris Hearn
Facsimile: (704) 365-1362
39
and
Park Avenue Receivables Company, LLC
10 South Dearborn Street
Mail Code: IL1-0597
Chicago, IL 60670
Attention: Kyle Kimme
Facsimile: (312) 732-3600
if to the Administrator, shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed
and confirmed to the Administrator at the following address:
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
303 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Attention: Kecia Howson
Facsimile: (404) 813-0000
if to the Funding Agent or the Committed Purchaser, shall be mailed,
delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such Person at the following address:
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn Street
Mail Code: IL1-0597
Chicago, IL 60670
Attention: Kyle Kimme
Facsimile: (312) 732-3600
if to the Seller, shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to the Seller at the following address:
Conn Appliances, Inc.
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attention: David Atnip
Telephone: 409-832-1696 ext. 3270
Facsimile: 409-839-4609
40
if to the Issuer, shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and
confirmed to the Issuer at the following address:
Conn Funding II, L.P.
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Attention: David Atnip
Telephone: 409-832-1696 ext. 3270
Facsimile: 409-839-4609
SECTION 10.3 No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any
party hereto to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
SECTION 10.4 Binding Effect; Assignability.
(a) This Note Purchase Agreement shall be binding on the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that the Issuer may not assign any of its rights
or delegate any of its duties hereunder or under any of the other
Transaction Documents to which it is a party without the prior
written consent of the Administrator and the Funding Agent. No
provision of this Note Purchase Agreement or any other Transaction
Document shall in any manner restrict the ability of any Affected
Party to assign, participate, grant security interests in, or
otherwise transfer any portion of its interest in the Notes (and its
rights to receive any payments in respect thereof, including in
connection with any collateral securing payment with respect to such
Notes); provided, that any such transfer, participation or
assignment shall only be made in compliance with the transfer
restrictions set forth in the Indenture; provided, further, that
unless otherwise consented to by the Issuer, such transferee,
participant or assignee shall have executed and delivered to the
Issuer, the Trustee, the Funding Agent and the Administrator, a
transfer certificate, the form of which is attached as Exhibit C to
the Series Supplement, with such changes as shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Issuer. Without limiting the foregoing, any
Conduit Purchaser may, in one or a series of transactions, transfer
all or any portion of its interest in the Trust Estate and the
Notes, and its rights and obligations under the Transaction
Documents to any Bank, any Liquidity Bank (or any successor of any
thereof by merger, consolidation or otherwise), any Affiliate of any
Bank or any Liquidity Bank in connection with a draw under a
Liquidity Agreement or a Credit Advance (which may then assign all
or any portion thereof so assigned or any interest therein to such
party or parties as it may choose).
41
(b) Any Conduit Purchaser or any assignee permitted
pursuant to subsection (a) above may, in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to
one or more Persons (each, a "Participant") participating interests
in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Note
Purchase Agreements; provided, that any such transfer, participation
or assignment shall only be made in compliance with the transfer
restrictions set forth in the Indenture; provided, further, that the
Administrator shall have consented to any such participation by
Three Pillars, as a Conduit Purchaser and the Funding Agent shall
have consented to any such participation by PARCO or the Committed
Purchaser. Notwithstanding any such sale by such Conduit Purchaser
or assignee of participating interests to a Participant, such
Conduit Purchaser or assignee rights and obligations under this Note
Purchase Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Conduit Purchaser or
assignee shall remain solely responsible for the performance
thereof, and the other parties hereto shall continue to deal solely
and directly with such Conduit Purchaser or assignee in connection
with such Conduit Purchaser or assignee's rights and obligations
under this Note Purchase Agreement. Each Conduit Purchaser or
assignee shall be entitled to the benefits of Article IX hereof;
provided, however, that all amounts payable to any such Participant
shall be limited to the amounts which would have been payable to
such Conduit Purchaser or assignee selling such participating
interest had such interest not been sold.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, any Conduit Lender, Committed Lender or
the Administrator may at any time pledge or grant a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights (including, without
limitation, its pro rata share of the Aggregate Purchaser Funded
Amount and any rights to payment of principal or interest with
respect thereto) under this Agreement to secure obligations of such
Person to a Federal Reserve Bank, without notice to or consent of
the Issuer or the Administrator; provided that no such pledge or
grant of security interest shall release such Person from any such
Person of its obligations hereunder, or substitute any such pledgee
or grantee for such Person as a party hereto.
(d) This Note Purchase Agreement shall create and
constitute the continuing obligation of the parties hereto in
accordance with its terms, and shall remain in full force and effect
until such time as all amounts payable with respect to the Notes
shall have been paid in full.
SECTION 10.5 Confidentiality. Unless otherwise consented to by the
Administrator and the Funding Agent, each of the Issuer and the Seller hereby
agrees that it will not disclose the contents of any Transaction Document, or
any other confidential or proprietary information furnished by the
Administrator, the Funding Agent, the Committed Purchaser or any Conduit
Purchaser to any Person other than its Affiliates (which Affiliates shall have
executed an agreement satisfactory in form and in substance to the Administrator
and the Funding Agent to be bound by this Section 10.5) auditors and attorneys
or as required by applicable law.
SECTION 10.6 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. THIS NOTE PURCHASE
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS
(OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).
EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO THE
NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND ANY APPELLATE COURT HAVING JURISDICTION TO REVIEW THE
JUDGMENTS THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON
FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED
HEREUNDER IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF
SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT.
42
SECTION 10.7 Wavier of Trial by Jury. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives all right of trial
by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or in
connection with this Note Purchase Agreement or any matter arising hereunder.
SECTION 10.8 No Proceedings. The Issuer agrees that so long as any
indebtedness of any Conduit Purchaser shall be outstanding or there shall not
have elapsed one year plus one day since the last day on which any indebtedness
of such Conduit Purchaser shall have been outstanding, it shall not file, or
join in the filing of, a petition against such Conduit Purchaser under the
Federal Bankruptcy Code, or join in the commencement of any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, liquidation or other similar proceeding
against such Conduit Purchaser.
SECTION 10.9 Execution in Counterparts. This Note Purchase Agreement
may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement.
SECTION 10.10 No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, the obligations of the Conduit Purchasers under this Note
Purchase Agreement are solely the corporate obligations of such Conduit
Purchaser and, in the case of obligations of any Conduit Purchaser other than
its respective Commercial Paper Notes, shall be payable at such time as funds
are actually received by, or are available to, such Conduit Purchaser in excess
of funds necessary to pay in full all of its respective outstanding Commercial
Paper Notes and, to the extent funds are not available to pay such obligations,
the claims relating thereto shall not constitute a claim against such Conduit
Purchaser but shall continue to accrue. Each party hereto agrees that the
payment of any claim (as defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) of any
such party shall be subordinated to the payment in full of all Commercial Paper
Notes.
No recourse under any obligation, covenant or agreement of any
Conduit Purchaser contained in this Note Purchase Agreement shall be had against
any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, member, manager, employee or
agent of such Conduit Purchaser (solely by virtue of such capacity) by the
enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue
of any statute or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this
Note Purchase Agreement is solely a corporate obligation of each Conduit
Purchaser, and that no personal liability whatever shall attach to or be
incurred by any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, member, manager,
employee or agent of any Conduit Purchaser (solely by virtue of such capacity)
or any of them under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or
agreements of such Conduit Purchaser contained in this Note Purchase Agreement,
or implied therefrom, and that any and all personal liability for breaches by
such Conduit Purchaser of any of such obligations, covenants or agreements,
either at common law or at equity, or by statute, rule or regulation, of every
such incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, member, manager, employee or
agent is hereby expressly waived as a condition of and in consideration for the
execution of this Note Purchase Agreement; provided that the foregoing shall not
relieve any such Person from any liability it might otherwise have as a result
of fraudulent actions taken or fraudulent omissions made by them.
43
SECTION 10.11 Survival. All representations, warranties, covenants,
guaranties and indemnifications contained in this Note Purchase Agreement
(including, without limitation, in Sections 10.8 and 10.10), and in any
document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection
herewith shall survive the sale, transfer or repayment of the Notes.
SECTION 10.12 Recourse. The obligations of the Issuer under this
Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are full-recourse obligations of the
Issuer.
SECTION 10.13 No Fiduciary Duty. Each of the Issuer and the Seller
acknowledges that each of the Administrator and the Funding Agent is acting
solely in the capacity of arm's-length contractual counterparties to the Issuer
and the Seller with respect to the offering of Notes contemplated hereby
(including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as
a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of the Issuer, the Seller or
any other Person. Additionally, neither the Administrator nor the Funding Agent
is advising the Issuer, the Seller or any other Person as to any legal, tax,
investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Issuer and
the Seller shall consult with their own advisors concerning such matters and
shall be responsible for making their own independent investigation and
appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Administrator
nor the Funding Agent shall have any responsibility or liability to the Issuer
or the Seller with respect thereto. Any review by the Administrator or the
Funding Agent of the Issuer, the Seller, the transactions contemplated hereby or
other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the
benefit of the Administrator or the Funding Agent, as applicable, and shall not
be on behalf of the Issuer, the Seller or any other party.
SECTION 10.14 Consent. The Administrator and the Funding Agent
hereby consent to the execution and delivery of the Intercreditor Agreement as
of the date hereof.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank --
signature pages follow.]
44
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Note Purchase
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.
CONN FUNDING II, L.P., as Issuer
By: Conn Funding II GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
Title: Treasurer
CONN APPLIANCES, INC., as Seller
By: /s/ David R. Atnip.
------------------
Name: David R. Atnip, Jr.
Title: Treasurer
THREE PILLARS FUNDING LLC,
as a Conduit Purchaser
By: /s/ Doris J. Hearn
-----------------
Name: Doris J. Hearn
Title: Vice President
PARK AVENUE RECEIVABLES COMPANY LLC,
as a Conduit Purchaser
By: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
its attorney-in-fact
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch
---------------
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
S-1
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as
Funding Agent
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch
--------------
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. as
Committed Purchaser
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch
---------------
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,
as Administrator
By: /s/ Joseph R. Franke
------------------
Name: Joseph R. Franke
Title: Director
S-2
Exhibit 99.4
CONN FUNDING II, L.P.,
as Issuer
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
---------------------------
Asset Backed Notes
(Issuable in Series)
FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
---------------------------
Dated as of August 14, 2008
---------------------------
This FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Fourth Supplemental
Indenture"), dated as of August 14, 2008, is between CONN FUNDING II, L.P., a
special purpose limited partnership established under the laws of Texas, as
issuer (the "Issuer") and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor by
merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association), a banking
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, as trustee (the "Trustee"). Capitalized terms used herein but not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings given in the Indenture (as defined
below).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Trustee have entered into a Base Indenture,
dated as of September 1, 2002 , between the Issuer and the Trustee (the "Base
Indenture"), as supplemented by (i) the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
October 29, 2004 (the "First Supplemental Indenture"), (ii) the Amended and
Restated Series 2002-A Supplement dated as of September 10, 2007 (as so amended
and as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, the "2002-A Supplement"),
(iii) the Series 2006-A Supplement dated as of August 1, 2006 (the "2006-A
Supplement"), (iv) the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 2006
(the "Second Supplemental Indenture"), and (v) the Third Supplemental Indenture
dated as of June 28, 2007 (the "Third Supplemental Indenture," and together with
the Base Indenture, the First Supplemental Indenture, the 2002-A Supplement, the
2006-A Supplement and the Second Supplemental Indenture, the "Indenture"); and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Trustee desire to modify certain
definitions contained in the Indenture; and
WHEREAS, Section 13.1 of the Base Indenture requires the consent of the
Notice Persons of each Series and that notice be sent to the Rating Agencies for
the execution of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the consent of the Notice Persons of the Series 2006-A Notes
is deemed obtained upon the satisfaction of the Rating Agency Condition.
NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in
consideration of the above premises, the Issuer and the Trustee covenant and
agree for the benefit of the respective Noteholders as follows:
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL
SECTION 1.01. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the
Indenture and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in
connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 1.02. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective
immediately upon the execution and delivery of this Fourth Supplemental
Indenture by each of the Administrator, the Funding Agent, Three Pillars, the
Issuer and the Trustee and the satisfaction of the Rating Agency Condition.
ARTICLE 2
AMENDMENT TO THE BASE INDENTURE
SECTION 2.01. The definition of "Available Servicer Letter of Credit
Amount" as set forth in Section 1.1 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"Available Servicer Letter of Credit Amount" means the Stated
Amount and, if applicable, the meaning specified in subsection 5.10(e).
SECTION 2.02. The definition of "Eligible Installment Contract
Receivable" as set forth in Section 1.1 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended
by deleting "20%" therein and substituting "15%" therefor.
SECTION 2.03. Section 1.1 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended by
adding the following definition in appropriate alphabetical order therein:
"Back-up Servicer" has the meaning specified in the Servicing
Agreement.
SECTION 2.04. Section 1.1 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended by
adding the following definition in appropriate alphabetical order therein:
"Stated Amount" has the meaning specified in the Servicer
Letter of Credit.
SECTION 2.05. The definition of "Servicing Fee" as set forth in Section
1.1 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as
follows:
"Servicing Fee" means (i) for any Monthly Period during which
Conn Appliances, Inc. (successor by merger to CAI, L.P.) or any
Affiliate acts as Servicer, an amount equal to the product of (i)
3.00%/12 multiplied by (ii) the average aggregate Principal Receivables
for such Monthly Period and (ii) for any Monthly Period during which
any other successor Servicer acts as Servicer, the Servicing Fee shall
be an amount equal to the product of (i) the current market rate for
servicing receivables similar to the Receivables divided by 12,
multiplied by (ii) the average aggregate Principal Receivables for such
Monthly Period; provided, however, that in no event shall the current
market rate exceed 5.00%."
SECTION 2.06. The Base Indenture is hereby further amended by the
addition of Section 8.7, which shall read as follows:
Section 8.7. Resignation or Removal of Back-Up Servicer. If the
Back-Up Servicer fails or is unable to perform its duties under the Transaction
Documents, has resigned or otherwise been terminated as Back-Up Servicer the
Issuer will promptly provide notice to the Rating Agencies of such failure,
removal or resignation.
2
ARTICLE 3
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture, as
heretofore amended, and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed
(mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with
their terms.
SECTION 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties,
responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be
assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and this
Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall not affect the rights or immunities of the
Trustee under the Indenture, the Series Supplements or otherwise. This Fourth
Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all
the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and
effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made
applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.
SECTION 3.03. The laws of the State of New York shall govern this
Fourth Supplemental Indenture without regard to the conflict of laws provisions
thereof.
SECTION 3.04. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in two
or more counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of
which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument.
SECTION 3.05. The Issuer reaffirms that (i) each of the representations
and warranties made by it in the Indenture and each of the other Transaction
Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects
on and as of the effective date hereof (except to the extent they expressly
relate to an earlier or later time and then as of such earlier or later time),
(ii) no Event of Default or event which, upon notice or lapse of time or both,
would result in an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and
(iii) no Servicer Default or event which, upon notice or lapse of time or both,
would result in a Servicer Default has occurred.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer and the Trustee have caused this Fourth
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers,
thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.
CONN FUNDING II, L.P., as Issuer
By: Conn Funding II GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
----------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
Title: Treasurer
S-1 Fourth Supplemental Indenture
(Conn Funding II, L.P.)
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its
individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By: /s/ Marianna C. Sterschic
-------------------------
Name: Marianna C. Stershic
Title: Vice President
S-2 Fourth Supplemental Indenture
(Conn Funding II, L.P.)
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
CONN APPLIANCES, INC.,
Individually and as Servicer
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
Title: Treasurer
S-3 Fourth Supplemental Indenture
(Conn Funding II, L.P.)
CONSENTED TO BY:
THREE PILLARS FUNDING LLC
By: /s/ Doris J. Hearn
------------------------
Name: Doris J. Hearn
Title: Vice President
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
as Administrator and Notice Person
for the Series 2002-A Notes
By: /s/ Joseph R. Franke
--------------------
Name: Joseph R. Franke
Title: Director
S-4 Fourth Supplemental Indenture
(Conn Funding II, L.P.)
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Funding Agent and Notice Person
for the Series 2002-A Notes
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch
----------------
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
PARK AVENUE RECEIVABLES COMPANY
LLC, as a Conduit Purchaser
By: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
its attorney-in-fact
By: /s/ Trisha Lesch
----------------
Name: Trisha Lesch
Title: Vice President
S-5 Fourth Supplemental Indenture
(Conn Funding II, L.P.)
EXHIBIT 99.5
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
-----------------------
THIS INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of August 14, 2008 (such agreement
as amended, modified, waived, supplemented or restated from time to time, this
"Agreement"), is by and among:
(1) BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as agent for the lenders under the ABL
Agreement (as defined below) (together with its successors and assigns in such
capacity, the "ABL Agent");
(2) WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Securitization Trustee
under the Securitization Documents (as defined below) (together with its
successors and assigns in such capacity, the "Securitization Trustee" and
together with the ABL Agent, the "Agents");
(3) CONN APPLIANCES, INC. (together with its successors and assigns,
"Conn"), as the Initial Servicer under the Securitization Documents and as the
initial servicer for the ABL Agent hereunder (the "Initial Servicer") and its
permitted successors (together with the Initial Servicer, the "Servicer") and as
a borrower;
(4) CONN CREDIT CORPORATION, INC., as a borrower;
(5) CONN CREDIT I, L.P., as a borrower; and
(6) BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as collateral agent for the ABL Agent and the
Securitization Trustee hereunder (together with its successors and assigns, the
"Collateral Agent").
R E C I T A L S
---------------
WHEREAS, Conn has entered into an asset-backed securitization transaction
pursuant to which Conn has and will from time to time sell and transfer certain
chattel paper, installment sales contracts, revolving charge account agreements,
accounts receivable, other assets and related security to Conn Funding II, L.P.
(the "Securitization SPV") pursuant to a Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated
as of September 1, 2002 (as amended, supplemented and as otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Securitization Sale Agreement"), and Securitization SPV has,
pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of September 1, 2002 (as supplemented from
time to time, the "Securitization Indenture"), in turn, granted a security
interest in such receivables, chattel paper, installment sales contracts,
revolving charge account agreements, accounts receivable, other assets and
related security to the Securitization Trustee, for the benefit of certain
secured parties provided therein ((i) the receivables, chattel paper,
installment sales contracts revolving charge account agreements, accounts
receivable, other assets and related security sold, conveyed or otherwise
transferred or pledged or purportedly sold, conveyed or otherwise transferred or
pledged to the Securitization SPV (including the Trust Estate as defined in the
Securitization Indenture), (ii) any Records (as defined in the Securitization
Indenture), (iii) all right, title and interest of Conn, the Borrowers, the
Securitization SPV and any of their affiliates, as applicable, in and to
returned, repossessed or foreclosed goods and/or merchandise the sale of which
gave rise to a receivable transferred or pledged or purportedly transferred or
pledged to the Securitization SPV pursuant to the Securitization Sale Agreement
(other than a receivable that has been paid in full and the Securitization
Trustee has received such payments) (the "Securitization Returned Goods"), (iv)
any claims or judgments against Conn, the Borrowers, the Securitization SPV and
any of their affiliates in favor of the Securitization Trustee arising out of
the transactions contemplated under the Securitization Documents and (v) the
Securitization Remittances (as defined below) are collectively referred to
herein as the "Securitization Assets"; and the Securitization Sale Agreement,
Securitization Indenture and other agreements, instruments or documents executed
in connection therewith, as any of the same may be amended, supplemented,
waived, modified or restated from time to time, are referred to collectively
herein as the "Securitization Documents");
WHEREAS, Conn Credit Corporation, Inc., Conn and Conn Credit I, L.P.
(collectively the "Borrowers"), the ABL Agent and the lenders party thereto (the
"Lenders") have entered into a loan transaction (the "ABL Transaction") pursuant
to a Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2008 (as amended,
supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, the "ABL Agreement"; the
ABL Agreement and all other agreements, instruments or documents executed in
connection therewith, as any of the same may be amended, supplemented, waived,
modified and restated from time to time are referred to collectively herein as
the "ABL Documents" and together with the Securitization Documents, the "Credit
Documents"), pursuant to which the Borrowers have pledged all of their
respective assets (other than the Securitization Assets), including certain
receivables and related security, to the ABL Agent to secure advances made by
the Lenders (the specified receivables and related security, and all other
assets of Borrowers, including the limited partner interests in the
Securitization SPV but excluding any rights in or to the Securitization Assets
are referred to herein as the "ABL Assets");
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
Section 1. Appointment of Collateral Agent.
(a) Each of the Agents hereby appoints and designates Bank of America,
N.A. as Collateral Agent with respect to the Master Collection Accounts (as
defined below) and the Remittances (as defined below) on deposit therein, to act
as agent for each Agent for the purpose, among others, of perfection of each
Agent's security interest in the Master Collection Accounts and the Remittances
on deposit therein and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action on
behalf of each Agent with respect to the Master Collection Accounts and to
exercise such powers and perform such duties as are hereby expressly delegated
to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Master Collection Accounts by the
terms of this Agreement, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.
(b) The Collateral Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to
hold, maintain, and administer, for the exclusive benefit of the Agents, the
Remittances on deposit therein. The Collateral Agent acknowledges and agrees
that the Collateral Agent is acting and will act with respect to the Master
Collection Accounts and the Remittances on deposit therein, for the exclusive
benefit of the Agents and shall not be subject with respect to the Master
Collection Accounts in any manner or to any extent to the direction of the
Initial Servicer, the Borrowers or any of affiliates, except as expressly
permitted hereunder.
2
Section 2. Liens and Interests.
(a) The ABL Agent and the Lenders shall not have or assert, and hereby
disclaim, any right, title or interest in (including a security interest or
lien) or to any Securitization Assets existing on the date hereof and from time
to time thereafter, including the proceeds of any inventory that is subject to a
security interest or lien in favor of the ABL Agent or any Lender pursuant to
the ABL Documents or otherwise if such proceeds are Securitization Assets;
provided, however, that the ABL Agent and the Lenders do not disclaim their
rights as a beneficiary of the security interest in the Master Collection
Accounts.
(b) The Securitization Trustee shall not have or assert, and hereby
disclaims, any right, title or interest in or to any ABL Assets; provided,
however, that (i) the Securitization Trustee does not disclaim its rights as a
beneficiary of the security interest in the Master Collection Accounts and (ii)
the Securitization Trustee does not disclaim its right to enforce its claims
against Conn, the Borrowers, or any of their affiliates or their property
arising out of the transactions contemplated under the Securitization Documents.
(c) Conn has not and will not, and has not permitted and will not permit
any Borrower to, grant, sell, convey, assign, transfer, mortgage or pledge (i)
the Securitization Assets to any Person (as defined in the Securitization
Indenture) other than the Securitization SPV and the Securitization Trustee
pursuant to and in accordance with the Securitization Documents, and (ii) the
ABL Assets to any Person other than the ABL Agent pursuant to and in accordance
with the ABL Documents other than the Master Collection Accounts. Conn
represents that it employs a billing process and record keeping process that
clearly distinguishes between the ABL Assets and the Securitization Assets and
collections and other remittances (including checks, drafts, credit card
payments, instruments and cash) with respect thereto (collectively, the
"Remittances"). Without limiting the requirements set forth in the Credit
Documents, the Initial Servicer and the Borrowers shall cause all Remittances on
the Securitization Assets ("Securitization Remittances") and all Remittances on
the ABL Assets ("ABL Remittances") to be directly deposited into the Collection
Account (as defined in the Securitization Indenture and solely in the case of
Securitization Remittances) or the Master Collection Accounts listed on Schedule
I attached hereto; provided, however, upon the occurrence of a Daily Payment
Event (as defined in the Securitization Indenture) or a Dominion Trigger Period
(as defined in the ABL Agreement), the Servicer and the Borrowers shall cause
all (i) ABL Remittances to be directly deposited into a deposit account
dedicated solely to the ABL Assets and such ABL Remittances shall no longer be
commingled with the Securitization Remittances in the Master Collection Accounts
and (ii) Securitization Remittances to be deposited directly into a segregated
non-commingled account(s) in accordance with the terms of the Securitization
Documents; provided, further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if a single
Credit Card Remittance (as defined below) containing both ABL Remittances and
Securitization Remittances is deposited into a Master Collection Account such
Remittances shall then immediately be transferred to the applicable
non-commingled accounts.
3
(d) In exercising any of its rights or remedies under the ABL Documents or
the Securitization Documents, as applicable, with respect to any right, title
and interest of Conn as lessee, licensee, owner or otherwise in and to any
records (including, without limitation, Records as defined in the Securitization
Indenture) and other files (including electronic files), documentation, computer
hardware and software and related intellectual property, each of the ABL Agent,
the Lenders and the Securitization Trustee agrees that it shall not take any
action that would materially impair the rights or ability of any other agent to
use such property or the facilities where the same are located in connection
with the transactions contemplated under the ABL Documents or the Securitization
Documents, as applicable. The parties acknowledge that such property may be
necessary to or useful in the servicing, administration and collection of the
ABL Assets and the Securitization Assets and agree to cooperate in good faith
such that the respective interests of the ABL Agent and the Securitization
Trustee therein and with respect thereto shall be protected and preserved.
(e) The Securitization Trustee hereby agrees that it will not challenge
the validity and perfection of the ABL Agent's security interest in the ABL
Assets. The ABL Agent hereby agrees that it will not challenge the validity and
perfection of the Securitization Trustee's security interest in the
Securitization Assets.
Section 3. Separation of Collateral.
(a) Subject to Section 4, the ABL Agent and each Lender hereby agrees
promptly to transfer and return to, or in accordance with the written direction
of, the Securitization Trustee, at such account or other place as the
Securitization Trustee may so instruct, any funds or other property that are
received by the ABL Agent or a Lender and that are identified to the ABL Agent
by the Servicer or the Securitization Trustee in writing as constituting
Securitization Assets. For purposes of maintaining and protecting the
Securitization Trustee's interest therein, the Securitization Trustee hereby
appoints the ABL Agent as its agent in respect of such funds or other property;
provided, that the ABL Agent's sole duty as such agent shall be to hold such
funds and other property in trust for the benefit of the Securitization Trustee,
to perfect any ownership or security interest of Securitization Trustee therein,
and to transfer such funds or other property to or at the written direction of
the Securitization Trustee as aforesaid.
(b) Subject to Section 4 and solely to the extent of available funds on
deposit in the Collection Account (as defined in the Securitization Indenture),
the Securitization Trustee hereby agrees promptly to transfer and return to, or
in accordance with the written direction of, the ABL Agent, such account or
other place as the ABL Agent may so instruct, any funds or other property that
are received by the Securitization Trustee and that are identified by the
Servicer or the ABL Agent to the Securitization Trustee in writing as
constituting ABL Assets. For purposes of maintaining and protecting the ABL
Agent's interest therein, the ABL Agent hereby appoints the Securitization
Trustee as its agent in respect of such funds and other property; provided, that
the Securitization Trustee's sole duty as such agent shall be to hold such funds
or other property in trust for the benefit of the ABL Agent, to perfect any
ownership or security interest of ABL Agent therein, and to transfer such funds
or other property to or at the direction of the ABL Agent as aforesaid.
4
(c) The ABL Agent, the Lenders, the Securitization Trustee, and Conn each
hereby acknowledges that certain related records and other files (including
electronic files), documentation, computer hardware, software, intellectual
property and similar assets may comprise a portion of the ABL Assets and the
Securitization Assets. Each of the parties hereto agrees to cooperate in good
faith such that the respective interests of the ABL Agent, the Lenders and the
Securitization Trustee (or further assignees of either) in such assets shall be
protected and preserved, and, without limiting the obligations of Conn, the
Borrowers or Securitization SPV (as applicable) under the Securitization
Documents or the ABL Documents, the ABL Agent, the Lenders and the
Securitization Trustee agree to permit each other reasonable access to such
assets and the premises of Conn and its affiliates where the same may be located
(in each case, to the extent they shall be in the possession or control of such
party) as shall be necessary or desirable to manage and realize on the ABL
Assets and the Securitization Assets, as the case may be. Except as otherwise
provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the event that any of the ABL
Assets or the Securitization Assets become commingled, then each of the ABL
Agent and the Securitization Trustee shall, in good faith, cooperate with each
other to separate the ABL Assets and the Securitization Assets. If the ABL Agent
shall have in its possession or control any of Conn's assets including any
records, computer hardware, software and intellectual property related to or
necessary or desirable for the servicing of the Securitization Assets, the ABL
Agent shall provide the Securitization Trustee and its agents access to such
assets and the premises of Conn and its affiliates where the same may be located
and such access shall be without condition or charge.
(d) The out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the parties hereto to
effect any separation and/or sharing (including, without limitation, reasonable
fees and expenses of auditors and attorneys) required by this Section 3 shall be
borne by Conn and payable upon receipt by Conn of an invoice or other
documentation. If Conn does not or is unable to pay such amounts, such amounts
shall be paid pro rata (based on Remittances) by the ABL Agent and
Securitization Trustee. Neither the ABL Agent nor the Securitization Trustee
shall be required by this Section 3 to take any action that it believes, in good
faith, may prejudice its ability to realize the value of, or to otherwise
protect, its interests (and the interests of the parties for which it acts) in
the ABL Assets or the Securitization Assets, respectively; provided, that
nothing in this sentence shall relieve any of Conn, the Borrowers or
Securitization SPV of its obligations hereunder or under the ABL Documents or
the Securitization Documents, as applicable, with respect to the ABL Assets or
the Securitization Assets.
(e) The proceeds of any Securitization Returned Goods shall be treated as
Securitization Remittances; provided, however, that if any ABL Assets that
consist of inventory as defined under Section 9-102 of the Uniform Commercial
Code of the State of New York have been commingled with any Securitization
Returned Goods and the Securitization Returned Goods cannot be properly
identified by the Servicer, the proceeds (whether Remittances or otherwise)
related to such inventory shall be applied first, to the Securitization Assets,
an amount equal to the fair market value of such Securitization Returned Goods
as determined pursuant to the Securitization Documents and as reported by the
Securitization Trustee and second, any remaining proceeds, to the ABL Agent.
(f) Payments made by a credit card issuer or processor or other bill
payment service ("Credit Card Remittances") on account of (i) any Securitization
Assets shall be treated as Securitization Remittances and (ii) any ABL Assets
shall be treated as ABL Remittances; provided, however, that if a single Credit
Card Remittance contains both ABL Remittances and Securitization Remittances and
the Securitization Remittances cannot be properly identified by the Servicer,
such funds shall be deemed to be, first, Securitization Remittances in an amount
equal to the aggregate receivable balance of any outstanding receivables that
are Securitization Assets paid by credit cards issued by such credit card issuer
or processor and second, ABL Remittances.
5
Section 4. Remittances.
(a) The parties hereto acknowledge that Conn has established (i) post
office boxes listed on Schedule I and dedicated solely to the Securitization
Remittances and subject to the control of the Securitization Trustee and (ii)
post office boxes listed on Schedule I and dedicated solely to ABL Remittances
and subject to the control of the ABL Agent. The parties hereto acknowledge that
Conn has established deposit accounts listed on Schedule I hereto into which
Remittances are initially deposited upon collection, each of which is subject to
the control of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Agents (notwithstanding
that any control agreements with respect to such accounts indicate that the
Collateral Agent is acting in any other capacity or its individual capacity)
(collectively and including any other deposit accounts into which Remittances
are deposited but excluding the Collection Account, Finance Charge Account,
Principal Account, Payment Accounts, Series Accounts and any other Trust
Accounts established under and as defined in the Securitization Documents, the
"Master Collection Accounts"). Schedule I may be amended from time to time with
the prior written consent of the Agents.
(b) Subject to the rights and limitations of the Securitization Trustee
under the Securitization Documents and until any Agent has delivered a Control
Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B (the "Control Notice") to the
Collateral Agent, the Initial Servicer will have access to the Master Collection
Accounts. After the receipt of a Control Notice by the Collateral Agent from the
Securitization Trustee, the Collateral Agent shall instruct the account bank
related to each Master Collection Account to prohibit the Initial Servicer and
any other Person other than the Collateral Agent from having access to the
Master Collection Accounts.
(c) The Servicer shall (within two (2) business day of receipt of the
associated Remittances by Servicer, Conn, any Borrower, or any other of their
affiliates) determine and identify (or cause its agents to determine and
identify) which Remittances received in the Master Collection Accounts represent
ABL Remittances or Securitization Remittances. In addition, the Servicer shall
determine whether any amounts in the Master Collection Accounts do not
constitute ABL Remittances or Securitization Remittances, but have nonetheless
been paid or deposited thereto in error ("Misdirected Payments").
(d) Subject to this clause (d), the Servicer shall have authority to
deliver the written disbursement instructions identifying Remittances held in
the Master Collection Accounts as ABL Remittances or Securitization Remittances.
The Servicer shall, or the Collateral Agent shall after the delivery of a
Control Notice, wire Remittances representing collected funds from the Master
Collection Accounts within two (2) business days of receipt to (i) the account
or accounts specified in the written instructions received by the Servicer from
the ABL Agent with respect to the ABL Remittances, and (ii) the account or
accounts specified in the written instructions received by the Servicer from the
Securitization Trustee with respect to the Securitization Remittances. The
Initial Servicer agrees to cooperate with any successor Servicer, ABL Agent and
Securitization Trustee in effecting the termination of its rights under this
Agreement, including providing any successor Servicer, the ABL Agent and the
Securitization Trustee, or other party, as the case may be, with such records
and reports as are required to determine the disposition of Remittances.
6
Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges that from time to time the
Master Collection Accounts may contain amounts that are not readily identifiable
as Securitization Assets or ABL Assets (such amounts, the "Unallocated
Amounts"). All amounts constituting Unallocated Amounts for sixty (60) days or
more as of the last day of the preceding calendar month shall be deemed to be
Securitization Assets. If the Securitization Trustee shall receive any funds
distributed in accordance with this clause (d) that is later identified as
property of the ABL Agent ("Diverted Funds"), such Diverted Funds shall be
repaid to the ABL Agent by reducing the subsequent allocation of funds to the
Securitization Trustee by an amount equal to such Diverted Funds and by
allocating such Diverted Funds to the ABL Agent.
If any payments are received by the parties hereto with respect to an
obligor that contains receivables that are both Securitization Assets and ABL
Assets and the obligor does not designate which receivable to apply such payment
against, such payment shall be applied against the oldest receivable that is a
Securitization Asset.
In the event that the Servicer receives a notice from the ABL Agent or the
Securitization Trustee challenging the correctness of any disbursements or
related Remittances (the "Disputed Amounts"), the Servicer shall maintain an
amount equal to the Disputed Amounts in the related Master Collection Account
and require such disputing party to resolve such dispute by obtaining the
written agreement of the other disputing parties as to the proper allocation of
the Disputed Amounts from both the ABL Agent and the Securitization Trustee. In
the event the disputing parties cannot resolve such dispute amongst themselves
by written agreement, the Servicer shall select an independent public accounting
firm (who may also render other services to the ABL Agent or the Securitization
Trustee) to determine the proper allocation of the Disputed Amounts. Upon the
resolution of a dispute the amount equal to the Disputed Amounts shall be
released from the applicable Master Collection Account in accordance with the
terms herein. The expenses of such independent public accounting firm shall be
paid in accordance with Section 3(d).
Section 5. Security Interest in Master Collection Accounts.
Conn and the Borrowers hereby grant a security interest in all of its
right, title and interest (if any) in, to and under the Master Collection
Accounts and the Securitization Remittances on deposit in the Master Collection
Accounts in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Securitization
Trustee in order to secure the Issuer Obligations (as defined in the
Securitization Indenture). Conn and the Borrowers acknowledge they have granted
a security interest to the ABL Agent pursuant to the ABL Agreement in all of
their rights, title and interest in, to and under the Master Collection Accounts
in order to secure the Obligations (as defined in the ABL Agreement). The ABL
Agent hereby appoints the Collateral Agent to act on behalf of the ABL Agent in
order to perfect its security interest and the Collateral Agent acknowledges it
is acting in such capacity.
7
Section 6. Preservation of Bankruptcy Remoteness.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other
ABL Documents, each of the ABL Agent and each Lender hereby agrees that it shall
not:
(a) institute or join any Person in instituting against the Securitization
SPV, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
proceeding or other proceedings under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar
law,
(b) contest or challenge, or join any other Person in contesting or
challenging, the transfers of the Securitization Assets from Conn to the
Securitization SPV contemplated by the Securitization Sale Agreement or any
other documents or instruments related thereto, whether on the grounds that such
transfers were disguised financings, preferential transfers, fraudulent
conveyances or otherwise or a transfer other than a "true sale" or a "true
contribution",
(c) (i) assert that any Person and the Securitization SPV should be
substantively consolidated or that the Securitization SPV is not or was not a
limited partnership separate and distinct from Conn or any other Person, or (ii)
challenge the valuation of any Securitization Assets,
(d) transfer any of its interest in the Securitization SPV or any interest
therein, unless the assignee of such interest shall have agreed in writing to be
bound by the terms of this Agreement, to any Person,
(e) exercise any voting rights under the Securitization SPV's limited
partnership agreement,
(f) attempt to prohibit or restrict any sale or other transfer of the
Securitization Assets or interfere in any manner with the transactions
contemplated under the Securitization Documents,
(g) alter or cause the alteration of the independent partner provisions of
the Securitization SPV's limited partnership agreement or attempt to remove or
replace any serving independent director of Conn Funding II GP, LLC, or
(h) take any action that would cause or constitute a Pay Out Event or
Event of Default (as defined in the Securitization Indenture),
in any case, for one year and a day after the date on which all amounts payable
to the Secured Parties (as defined in the Securitization Indenture) pursuant to
the Securitization Documents shall have been paid in full and any commitments to
advance funds to the Securitization SPV under any Securitization Document have
terminated. The agreements contained in this paragraph shall survive termination
of this Agreement or any documents related hereto or thereto. The ABL Agent and
the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that the Securitization SPV has no
fiduciary duty to the ABL Agent or any Lender based on the pledge of the limited
partner interest of the Securitization SPV under the ABL Documents.
8
Section 7. Partial Release of Confidential Information.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the ABL Documents to the contrary,
the Initial Servicer, Conn, and the Borrowers hereby agree that the ABL Agent,
the Lenders, the Securitization Trustee and any noteholders party to the
Securitization Documents may share any information with respect to the
Securitization Assets and the ABL Assets with such other Person, including any
audits or inspection of the books and records of Conn, the Initial Servicer, the
Borrowers and their affiliates.
Section 8. Successor Servicer.
Any successor servicer appointed under the Securitization Documents shall
be the successor Servicer hereunder.
Section 9. Lenders/Borrowers/Limitation on Amendments to ABL Agent.
(a) The ABL Agent hereby represents to the Securitization Trustee that it
has the power and authority to bind the Lenders by, and the Lenders are bound
by, the terms of this Agreement and that pursuant to Section 12.1.1 of the ABL
Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to the terms of this Agreement. Conn, the
Borrowers and the ABL Agent hereby agree not to amend such Section 12.1.1 of the
ABL Agreement without the consent of the Securitization Trustee.
(b) Conn, the Borrowers, and the ABL Agent hereby agree that no additional
parties shall be added as "borrowers" to the ABL Documents if such additional
borrowers are not a party to the agreement by joinder and agree to be bound by
the terms herein as a "Borrower."
(c) Conn, the Borrower and the ABL Agent hereby agree not to directly or
indirectly amend the last paragraph of Section 7.1 of the ABL Agreement, or the
substance thereof, without the written consent of the Securitization Trustee.
Section 10. Notice Matters.
All notices and other communications hereunder or in connection herewith
shall be in writing (including facsimile communication) and shall be personally
delivered or sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, by facsimile or by
overnight delivery service, to the intended party at the address or facsimile
number of such party set forth on Exhibit A hereto or at such other address or
facsimile number as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the
other parties hereto given in accordance with this paragraph. All notices and
communications hereunder or in connection herewith shall be effective only upon
receipt. Facsimile transmissions shall be deemed received upon receipt of verbal
confirmation of the receipt of such facsimile.
9
Section 11. Authorization; Binding Effect; Survival.
Each of the parties hereto confirms that it is authorized to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement. The obligations of the parties hereunder are
enforceable and binding in, and are subject in all events to any laws, rules,
court orders or regulations applicable to the assets of Conn, the Securitization
SPV, and the Borrowers, or applicable to actions of creditors with respect
thereto in connection with any bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization or
similar action by or against Conn, the Securitization SPV and the Borrowers.
This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The provisions of this
Agreement may not be relied upon by any third party for any purpose (except any
participants, lenders and secured parties under the ABL Documents or the
Securitization Documents, who shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries
with respect to this Agreement). The holders of any Notes (as defined in the
Securitization Indenture) shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement.
Section 12. Integration.
This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the
parties hereto and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreement and
understandings of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement.
Section 13. Amendments.
No amendment or supplement to or modification of this Agreement and no
waiver of or consent to departure from any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be effective unless such amendment, modification, waiver or consent is in
writing and signed by all of the parties hereto and any waiver or consent shall
be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for
which given.
Section 14. Governing Law/Subjection to Jurisdiction.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF
ANY UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND OF
ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR PURPOSES OF ALL LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT POSSIBLE, ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY
SUCH PROCEEDING AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENTS
TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE CONN, OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR
THEIR PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
10
Section 15. Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY
ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT,
ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS. EACH PARTY FURTHER (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EACH OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO
THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED
IN THIS SECTION 15.
Section 16. Headings.
Captions and section headings are used in this Agreement for convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision hereof.
Section 17. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by
facsimile) and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 18. Termination/Assignment.
In the event that all obligations secured by the ABL Assets shall have
been paid in full and liens created with respect thereto shall have been
terminated or released, then the ABL Agent shall promptly notify the other
parties hereto, and the ABL Agent thereafter shall no longer have any rights or
obligations hereunder. In the event that all obligations secured by the
Securitization Assets shall have been paid in full and the Securitization
Documents and liens created thereunder shall have been terminated or released,
then the Securitization Trustee shall promptly notify the other parties hereto,
and the Securitization Trustee shall no longer have any rights or obligations
hereunder. Except as set forth above in this Section 18, the ABL Agent, the
Lenders and the Collateral Agent may not terminate its rights and obligations
under this Agreement without the prior consent of the Securitization Trustee and
the Securitization Trustee may not terminate its rights and obligations under
this Agreement without the prior written consent of the ABL Agent, provided
nothing herein shall prevent the Securitization Trustee from resigning or being
removed pursuant to the terms of the Securitization Documents (and any successor
thereto shall be entitled to the benefit of, and be bound by this Agreement).
The Initial Servicer and the Borrowers may not terminate its rights and
obligations under this Agreement except with the written consent of the ABL
Agent and the Securitization Trustee and upon 60 days' prior written notice to
the other parties hereto. Any successor Servicer may terminate its rights and
obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms of the
Securitization Documents.
11
The Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent shall not assign their rights and
obligations under this Agreement to any Person without the written consent of
the Securitization Trustee.
Section 19. Indemnification.
Conn hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Successor Servicer,
the ABL Agent, the Lenders, the Securitization Trustee, the Securitization SPV
and the holders of any Notes (as defined in the Securitization Indenture), and
each director, officer, employee, agent and affiliate thereof (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all losses, liabilities
(including liabilities for penalties), claims, demands, actions, suits,
judgments, out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses)
(collectively, the "Indemnified Amounts") arising out of or resulting from the
execution, performance and enforcement of this Agreement, except for Indemnified
Amounts arising out of or resulting from the gross negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith of the applicable Indemnified Party. The obligations of
Conn under this Section 19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and/or the earlier termination or resignation of an Indemnified Party.
Section 20. No Constraints; Securitization Documents Amendment; ABL
Documents Amendments; No Modifications.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall preclude the ABL Agent or the
Securitization Trustee from discontinuing its extension of credit to Conn,
Securitization SPV, any other Borrower, or any affiliate thereof. Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall preclude the ABL Agent or the Securitization
Trustee from taking (without notice to any parties hereunder) any other action
in respect of Conn, the Securitization SPV, any Borrower, or any affiliate
thereof that such person is entitled to take under its applicable Credit
Documents so long as such action does not conflict with this Agreement. Among
the actions which the ABL Agent or the Securitization Trustee may take are: (a)
renewing, extending, and increasing the amount of the debt owing under its
applicable Credit Documents; (b) otherwise changing the terms of the applicable
Credit Documents; (c) settling, releasing, compromising, and collecting on the
related collateral, making (and refraining from making) other secured and
unsecured loans and advances to Conn, the Securitization SPV, any Borrower, or
any affiliate thereof; and (d) all other actions that such person deems
advisable under the applicable Credit Documents. Nothing contained herein shall
limit the obligations of the Securitization SPV or the Initial Servicer under
the Securitization Documents.
Section 21. Back-up Servicer.
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as back-up servicer (the "Back-up
Servicer") pursuant to the Back-Up Servicing Agreement, dated as of September 1,
2002, as amended, supplemented and as otherwise modified from time to time,
hereby agrees that if appointed as the successor servicer pursuant to the
Securitization Documents, it shall be bound by the terms hereof as the
"Servicer" hereunder; provided, however, that the ABL Agent and the Collateral
Agent hereby acknowledge and agree that in the event that the Back-up Servicer
serves as the Servicer hereunder, the back-up Servicer will not be acting as
agent or fiduciary for or on behalf of the ABL Agent, the Collateral Agent or
any Lender, but will be acting solely for the Securitization Trustee, and, by
its agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, is undertaking no
responsibility to act, with respect to the ABL Remittances, with a level of care
greater than successor servicers in like transactions that have not entered into
agreement with third parties whose funds may be commingled with funds of a
Person as to which it owes a duty to service.
12
Section 22. Securitization Trustee's Capacity.
It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that insofar
as this Agreement is executed by the Securitization Trustee (i) this Agreement
is executed and delivered by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, not in its
individual capacity but solely as Securitization Trustee pursuant to the
Securitization Documents in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred
and vested in it thereunder and pursuant to instruction set forth in the
Securitization Indenture, (ii) each of the representations, undertakings and
agreements herein made on behalf of the trust is made and intended not as a
personal representation, undertaking or agreement of the Securitization Trustee,
(iii) nothing contained herein shall be construed as creating any liability of
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, individually or personally, to perform
any covenant either express or implied contained herein, all such liability, if
any, being expressly waived by the parties hereto and by any person claiming by,
through or under the parties hereto, and (iv) under no circumstances will Wells
Fargo Bank, National Association, in its individual capacity be personally
liable for the breach or failure of any obligation, representation, warranty or
covenant made or undertaken under this Agreement.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as ABL Agent on behalf of itself and the
Lenders and the Collateral Agent
By: /s/ John Tolle
---------------------------------------
Name: John Tolle
---------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Securitization Trustee
By: /s/ Marianna C. Stershic
---------------------------------------
Name: Marianna C. Stershic
-------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------------------------
CONN CREDIT CORPORATION, INC.,
as a Borrower
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
---------------------------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
---------------------------------------
Title: Treasurer
------------------------------------
S-1 Intercreditor Agreement
CONN CREDIT I, L.P.,
as a Borrower
By: Conn Credit Corporation, Inc.,
general partner
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
---------------------------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
---------------------------------------
Title: Treasurer
------------------------------------
CONN APPLIANCES, INC.,
as the Initial Servicer and a Borrower
By: /s/ David R. Atnip
---------------------------------------
Name: David R. Atnip
---------------------------------------
Title: Treasurer
------------------------------------
S-2 Intercreditor Agreement
Acknowledged and
Agreed to with respect to Section 21
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Back-Up Servicer
By: /s/ Marianna C. Stershic
------------------------
Name: Marianna C. Stershic
---------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------
S-3 Intercreditor Agreement