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J CREW INTERMEDIATE LLC
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8-K
Dec 28, 4:19 PM ET
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J CREW INTERMEDIATE LLC 8-K
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Contents
511
(a) the lesser of: (i) the sum of: (A) the amount equal to ninety (90%) percent of Eligible Credit Card Receivables; plus (B) the amount equal to the lesser of: (1) eighty-five (85%) percent multiplied by the Value of each category of Eligible Inventory of each Borrower or (2) during the period from August 1 of any year through and including December 15 of such year, ninety (90%) percent of the Net Recovery Percentage as to each category of Eligible Inventory of each Borrower multiplied by the Value of such category of Eligible Inventory of such Borrower, and at all other times, eighty-five (85%) percent of the Net Recovery Percentage as to each category of Eligible Inventory of each Borrower multiplied by the Value of such category of Eligible Inventory of such Borrower; plus (C) the Adjusted Real Property Availability, and (ii) the Maximum Credit, minus
(b) Reserves.
(a) the lesser of: (i) the sum of: (A) the amount equal to ninety (90%) percent of Eligible Credit Card Receivables; plus (B) the amount equal to the lesser of: (1) ninety-five (95%) percent multiplied by the Value of each category of Eligible Inventory of each Borrower or (2) during the period from August 1 of any year through and including December 15 of such year, ninety-five (95%) percent of the Net Recovery Percentage as to each category of Eligible Inventory of each Borrower multiplied by the Value of such category of Eligible Inventory of such Borrower, and at all other times, ninety-two and one-half (92.5%) percent of the Net Recovery Percentage as to each category of Eligible Inventory of each Borrower multiplied by the Value of such category of Eligible Inventory of such Borrower; plus (C) the Real Property Availability, and (ii) the Maximum Credit, minus
(b) Reserves;
(a) such Credit Card Receivables arise from the actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods or rendition of services by such Borrower in the ordinary course of the business of such Borrower which transactions are completed in accordance with the terms and provisions contained in any agreements binding on such Borrower or the other party or parties related thereto;
(b) such Credit Card Receivables are not past due (beyond any stated applicable grace period, if any, therefor) pursuant to the terms set forth in the Credit Card Agreements with the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor of the credit card or debit card used in the purchase which give rise to such Credit Card Receivables;
(c) such Credit Card Receivables are not unpaid more than five (5) Business Days after the date of the sale of Inventory giving rise to such Credit Card Receivables;
(d) all material procedures required by the Credit Card Issuer or the Credit Card Processor of the credit card or debit card used in the purchase which gave rise to such Credit Card Receivables shall have been followed by such Borrower and all documents required for the authorization and approval by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor shall have been obtained in connection with the sale giving rise to such Credit Card Receivables;
(e) the required authorization and approval by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor shall have been obtained for the sale giving rise to such Credit Card Receivables;
(f) such Borrower or Guarantor, on behalf of such Borrower, shall have submitted all materials required by the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor obligated in respect of such Credit Card Receivables in order for such Borrower to be entitled to payment in respect thereof;
(g) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor obligated in respect of such Credit Card Receivable has not failed to remit any monthly payment in respect of such Credit Card Receivable;
(h) such Credit Card Receivables comply with the applicable terms and conditions contained in Section 7.2 of this Agreement;
(i) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not asserted a counterclaim, defense or dispute and does not have, and does not engage in transactions which may give rise to, any right of setoff against such Credit Card Receivables (other than setoffs to fees and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with such Borrower as of the date hereof or as such practices may change as a result of changes to the policies of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor applicable to its customers generally and unrelated to the circumstance of such Borrower), but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in excess of the amount owing by such Borrower to such Credit Card
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Issuer or Credit Card Processor pursuant to such fees and chargebacks may be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;
(j) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not setoff against amounts otherwise payable by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to such Borrower for the purpose of establishing a reserve or collateral for obligations of such Borrower to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (notwithstanding that the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor may have setoffs for fees and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with such Borrower as of the date hereof or as such practices may hereafter change as a result of changes to the policies of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor applicable to its customers generally and unrelated to the circumstances of such Borrower);
(k) there are no facts, events or occurrences which would impair the validity, enforceability or collectability of such Credit Card Receivables or reduce the amount payable or delay payment thereunder (other than for setoffs for fees and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with such Borrower or any Guarantor as of the date hereof or as such practices may hereafter change as a result of changes to the policies of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor applicable to its customers generally and unrelated to the circumstances of such Borrower or any Guarantor);
(l) such Credit Card Receivables are subject to the first priority, valid and perfected security interest and lien of Agent, for and on behalf of itself and Lenders, as to such Credit Card Receivables of such Borrower and any goods giving rise thereto are not, and were not at the time of the sale thereof, subject to any security interest or lien in favor of any person other than Agent except as otherwise permitted in this Agreement, in each case subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable hereunder to any such permitted security interest or lien;
(m) there are no proceedings or actions which are pending or to the best of any Borrower’s knowledge threatened, against the Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors with respect to such Credit Card Receivables which would reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse change in the financial condition of any such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor;
(n) such Credit Card Receivables are owed by Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors deemed creditworthy at all times by Agent in good faith;
(o) no event of default has occurred under the Credit Card Agreement of such Borrower with the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor who has issued the credit card or debit card or handles payments under the credit card or debit card used in the sale which gave rise to such Credit Card Receivables which event of default gives such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor the right to cease or suspend payments to such Borrower or any Guarantor and no event shall have occurred which gives such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor the right to setoff against amounts otherwise payable to such Borrower, including on behalf of a Guarantor (other than for then current fees and chargebacks consistent with the current practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor as of the date hereof or as such practices
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may hereafter change as a result of changes to the policies of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor applicable to its customers generally and unrelated to the circumstances of such Borrower or any Guarantor), except as may have been waived in writing on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to Agent pursuant to the Credit Card Acknowledgment by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor) or the right to establish reserves or establish or demand collateral, and the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor has not sent any written notice of default and/or notice of its intention to cease or suspend payments to such Borrower in respect of such Credit Card Receivables or to establish reserves or cash collateral for obligations of such Borrower to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, and such Credit Card Agreements are otherwise in full force and effect and constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the parties thereto;
(p) the terms of the sale giving rise to such Credit Card Receivables and all practices of such Borrower and Guarantors with respect to such Credit Card Receivables comply in all material respects with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; and
(q) the customer using the credit card or debit card giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable shall not have returned the merchandise purchased giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable.
(a) the sum of: (i) Qualified Cash and (ii) the Borrowing Base (in each case after giving effect to any Reserves other than any Reserves in respect of Letter of Credit Accommodations), minus
(b) the sum of: (i) the amount of all then outstanding and unpaid Obligations (but not including for this purpose Obligations of any Borrower arising pursuant to any guarantees in favor of Agent and Lenders of the Obligations of the other Borrowers or any outstanding Letter of Credit Accommodations), plus (ii) the amount of all Reserves then established in respect of Letter of Credit Accommodations, plus (iii) the aggregate amount of all then outstanding and unpaid trade payables and other obligations of any Borrower which are outstanding more than sixty (60) days past due as of the end of the immediately preceding month or at Agent’s option, as of a more recent date based on such reports as Agent may from time to time specify (other than trade payables or other obligations being contested or disputed by such Borrower in good faith), plus (iv) without duplication, the amount of checks issued by any Borrower to pay trade payables and other obligations which are more than sixty (60) days past due as of the end of the immediately preceding month or at Agent’s option, as of a more recent
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date based on such reports as Agent may from time to time specify (other than trade payables or other obligations being contested or disputed by such Borrower in good faith), but not yet sent.
(a) subject to clause (b) of this definition below:
(i) as to Prime Rate Loans, a rate equal to the then Applicable Margin for Prime Rate Loans on a per annum basis in excess of the Prime Rate, and
(ii) as to Eurodollar Rate Loans, a rate equal to the then applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans on a per annum basis in excess of the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Agent may, at its option, and Agent shall, at the direction of the Required Lenders, increase the Applicable Margin otherwise used to calculate the Interest Rate for Prime Rate Loans and Eurodollar Rate Loans in each case to the highest percentage set forth in the definition of the term Applicable Margin for each category of Revolving Loans (without regard to the amount of Quarterly Average Excess Availability) plus two (2%) percent per annum: (A) for the period (1) from and after the effective date of termination or non-renewal hereof until Agent and Lenders have received full and final payment of all outstanding and unpaid Obligations which are not contingent and cash collateral or letter of credit, as Agent may specify, in the amounts and on the terms required under Section 14.1 hereof for contingent Obligations (notwithstanding entry of a judgment against any Borrower or Guarantor) and (2) from and after the date of the occurrence of an Event of Default and for so long as such Event of Default is continuing and (B) on Revolving Loans at any time outstanding in excess of the Borrowing Base (whether or not such excess(es) arise or are made with or without the knowledge or consent of Agent or any Lender and whether made before or after an Event of Default), but only to the extent of such excess.
2.1 Revolving Loans. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions contained herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make its Pro Rata Share of Revolving Loans to Borrowers from time to time in amounts requested by Borrowers (or Borrower Agent on behalf of Borrowers) up to the amount outstanding at any time equal to the Borrowing Base at such time.
2.2 Letter of Credit Accommodations.
(a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions contained herein, at the request of a Borrower (or Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower), Agent agrees, for the ratable risk of each Lender according to its Pro Rata Share, to provide or arrange for Letter of Credit Accommodations for the account of such Borrower containing terms and conditions acceptable to Agent and the issuer thereof. Any payments made by or on behalf of Agent or any Lender to any issuer thereof and/or related parties in connection with the Letter of Credit Accommodations provided to or for the benefit of a Borrower shall constitute additional Revolving Loans to such Borrower pursuant to this Section 2 (or Special Agent Advances as the case may be).
(b) In addition to any charges, fees or expenses charged by any bank or issuer in connection with the Letter of Credit Accommodations, Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, monthly a letter of credit fee at a rate equal to the percentage (on a per annum basis) set forth below on the daily outstanding balance of the Letter of Credit Accommodations during the immediately preceding month (or part thereof), payable in arrears as of the first of each succeeding month, provided, that, such percentage shall be increased or decreased, as the case may be, to the percentage (on a per annum basis) set forth below based on the Quarterly
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Average Excess Availability for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter being at or within the amounts indicated for such percentage:
(c) The Borrower requesting such Letter of Credit Accommodation (or Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower) shall give Agent two (2) Business Days’ prior written notice of such Borrower’s request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit Accommodation. Such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the original face amount of the Letter of Credit Accommodation requested, the effective date (which date shall be a Business Day ) of issuance of such requested Letter of Credit Accommodation, whether such Letter of Credit Accommodations may be drawn in a single or in partial draws, the date on which such requested Letter of Credit Accommodation is to expire (which date shall be a Business Day and in no event shall the expiration date of any Letter of Credit Accommodation be a date less than five (5)
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Business Days prior to the end of the then current term of this Agreement), the purpose for which such Letter of Credit Accommodation is to be issued, and the beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit Accommodation. The Borrower requesting the Letter of Credit Accommodation (or Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower) shall attach to such notice the proposed form of the Letter of Credit Accommodation.
(d) In addition to being subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions precedent contained in Section 4 hereof and the other terms and conditions contained herein, no Letter of Credit Accommodations shall be available unless each of the following conditions precedent have been satisfied in a manner satisfactory to Agent: (i) the Borrower requesting such Letter of Credit Accommodation (or Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower) shall have delivered to the proposed issuer of such Letter of Credit Accommodation at such times and in such manner as such proposed issuer may require, an application, in form and substance satisfactory to such proposed issuer and Agent, for the issuance of the Letter of Credit Accommodation and such other documents as may be required pursuant to the terms thereof, and the form and terms of the proposed Letter of Credit Accommodation shall be satisfactory to Agent and such proposed issuer, (ii) as of the date of issuance, no order of any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Authority shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain money center banks generally from issuing letters of credit of the type and in the amount of the proposed Letter of Credit Accommodation, and no law, rule or regulation applicable to money center banks generally and no request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over money center banks generally shall prohibit, or request that the proposed issuer of such Letter of Credit Accommodation refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the issuance of such Letters of Credit Accommodation; and (iii) the Excess Availability, prior to giving effect to any Reserves with respect to such Letter of Credit Accommodations, on the date of the proposed issuance of any Letter of Credit Accommodation shall be equal to or greater than: (A) if the proposed Letter of Credit Accommodation is a Commercial Letter of Credit for the purpose of purchasing Inventory and the documents of title with respect thereto are consigned to the issuer or delivered to and in the possession of a Customs Broker (provided, that, as to such Customs Broker, Agent shall have received a Collateral Access Agreement duly authorized, executed and delivered by such person, such agreement shall be in full force and effect and such person shall be in compliance in all material respects with the terms thereof), the sum of: (1) the percentage equal to one hundred (100%) percent minus the then applicable percentage with respect to the category of Eligible Inventory to be purchased with such Letter of Credit Accommodation plus (2) the amount of the Reserve to be established based on freight, taxes, duty and other amounts which Agent estimates must be paid in connection with such Inventory being purchased with such Letter of Credit Accommodation calculated as described below and (B) if the proposed Letter of Credit Accommodation is a Standby Letter of Credit or for any other purpose or the documents of title are note consigned to the issuer or are not delivered to and in the possession of a Customs Broker (or if delivered to and in the possession of a Customs Broker, an of the conditions set forth in clause (A) are not satisfied as to such Customs Broker) in connection with a Letter of Credit Accommodation for the purpose of purchasing Inventory, an amount equal to one hundred (100%) percent of the face amount thereof and all other commitments and obligations made or incurred by Agent with respect thereto. Effective on the issuance of each Letter of Credit Accommodation, a Reserve shall be established in the applicable amount set forth in Section 2.2(d)(iii)(A) or Section 2.2(d)(iii)(B).
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(e) The amount of the Reserve based on freight, taxes, duty and other amounts referred to above shall be calculated from time to time as follows: (i) the amount equal to (A) the most recent determination by Agent of the average of the freight, taxes, duty and other amounts referred to above as a percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit Accommodations consisting of Commercial Letters of Credit used to purchase Inventory as of the date of such calculation in accordance with the current practices and procedures of Agent as of the date hereof, multiplied by (B) the then outstanding amount of such Letter of Credit Accommodations multiplied by (ii) the percentage equal to (A) the percentage of one hundred (100%) percent minus (B) the average of the percentages used for Inventory at such time in the calculation of the Borrowing Base.
(f) Except in Agent’s discretion, with the consent of all Lenders (except as otherwise provided herein), the amount of all outstanding Letter of Credit Accommodations and all other commitments and obligations made or incurred by Agent or any Lender in a connection therewith shall not at any time exceed the Maximum Credit less any Revolving Loans outstanding.
(g) Borrowers and Guarantors shall indemnify and hold Agent and Lenders harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses which Agent or any Lender may suffer or incur in connection with any Letter of Credit Accommodations and any documents, drafts or acceptances relating thereto, including any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses due to any action taken by any issuer or correspondent with respect to any Letter of Credit Accommodation, except for such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses that are a direct result of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of Agent or any Lender as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Each Borrower and Guarantor assumes all risks with respect to the acts or omissions of the drawer under or beneficiary of any Letter of Credit Accommodation and for such purposes the drawer or beneficiary shall be deemed such Borrower’s agent. Each Borrower and Guarantor assumes all risks for, and agrees to pay, all foreign, Federal, State and local taxes, duties and levies relating to any goods subject to any Letter of Credit Accommodations or any documents, drafts or acceptances thereunder. Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby releases and holds Agent and Lenders harmless from and against any acts, waivers, errors, delays or omissions, whether caused by any Borrower, Guarantor, by any issuer or correspondent or otherwise with respect to or relating to any Letter of Credit Accommodation, except for the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of Agent or any Lender as determined pursuant to a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this Section 2.2(f) shall survive the payment of Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(h) In connection with Inventory purchased pursuant to Letter of Credit Accommodations, Borrowers and Guarantors shall, at Agent’s request, instruct all suppliers, carriers, forwarders, customs brokers, warehouses or others receiving or holding cash, checks, Inventory, documents or instruments in which Agent holds a security interest to deliver them to Agent and/or subject to Agent’s order, and if they shall come into such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s possession, to deliver them, upon Agent’s request, to Agent in their original form; provided, that, Agent shall not exercise the rights under this clause (g) to have such persons deliver any cash, checks, Inventory, documents or instruments (but as to such documents and instruments, Agent shall not exercise such rights only so long as the same are held by a Customs Broker and the conditions set forth in Section 2.2(d)(iii)(A) hereof as to such Customs Broker are satisfied), unless an Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing. Borrowers and Guarantors shall also, at Agent’s request, designate Agent as the consignee on all bills of lading and other negotiable and non-negotiable documents.
(i) Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs any issuer of a Letter of Credit Accommodation to name such Borrower or Guarantor as the account party therein and to deliver to Agent all instruments, documents and other writings and property received by issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit Accommodations and to accept and rely upon Agent’s instructions and agreements with respect to all matters arising in connection with the Letter of Credit Accommodations or the applications therefor. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or construed to grant any Borrower or Guarantor any right or authority to pledge the credit of Agent or any Lender in any manner. Agent and Lenders shall have no liability of any kind with respect to any Letter of Credit Accommodation provided by an issuer other than Agent or any Lender unless Agent has duly executed and delivered to such issuer the application or a guarantee or indemnification in writing with respect to such Letter of Credit Accommodation. Borrowers and Guarantors shall be bound by any reasonable interpretation made in good faith by Agent, or any other issuer or correspondent under or in connection with any Letter of Credit Accommodation or any documents, drafts or acceptances thereunder, notwithstanding that such interpretation may be inconsistent with any instructions of any Borrower or Guarantor.
(j) At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Agent shall have the right and authority to, and Borrowers shall not, without the prior consent of Agent, (i) approve or resolve any questions of non-compliance of documents, (ii) give any instructions as to acceptance or rejection of any documents or goods, (iii) execute any and all applications for steamship or airway guaranties, indemnities or delivery orders, (iv) grant any extensions of the maturity of, time of payments for, or time of presentation of, any drafts, acceptances, or documents, and (v) agree to any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications, changes or cancellations of any of the terms or conditions of any of the applications, Letter of Credit Accommodations, or documents, drafts or acceptances thereunder or any letters of credit included in the Collateral. Agent may take such actions either in its own name or in any Borrower’s name.
(k) At any time, so long as no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, a Borrower may, with Agent’s consent, (i) grant any extensions of the maturity of, time of payment for, or time of presentation of, any drafts, acceptances, or documents, and (ii) agree to any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications, changes or cancellations of any of the terms or conditions of any of the applications, Letter of Credit Accommodations, or documents, drafts or acceptances thereunder or any letters of credit included in the Collateral; provided, that, Borrowers may approve or resolve any questions of non-compliance of documents following notice to Agent thereof and without Agent’s consent except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(i).
(l) Any rights, remedies, duties or obligations granted or undertaken by any Borrower or Guarantor to any issuer or correspondent in any application for any Letter of Credit Accommodation, or any other agreement in favor of any issuer or correspondent relating to any Letter of Credit Accommodation, shall be deemed to have been granted or undertaken by such
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Borrower or Guarantor to Agent for the ratable benefit of Lenders. Any duties or obligations undertaken by Agent to any issuer or correspondent in any application for any Letter of Credit Accommodation, or any other agreement by Agent in favor of any issuer or correspondent to the extent relating to any Letter of Credit Accommodation, shall be deemed to have been undertaken by Borrowers and Guarantors to Agent for the ratable benefit of Lenders and to apply in all respects to Borrowers and Guarantors.
(m) Immediately upon the issuance or amendment of any Letter of Credit Accommodation, each Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation to the extent of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the liability with respect to such Letter of Credit Accommodation (including, without limitation, all Obligations with respect thereto).
(n) Each Borrower is irrevocably and unconditionally obligated, without presentment, demand or protest, to pay to Agent any amounts paid by an issuer of a Letter of Credit Accommodation with respect to such Letter of Credit Accommodation (whether through the borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.2(a) or otherwise). In the event that any Borrower fails to pay Agent on the date of any payment under a Letter of Credit Accommodation in an amount equal to the amount of such payment, Agent (to the extent it has actual notice thereof) shall promptly notify each Lender of the unreimbursed amount of such payment and each Lender agrees, upon one (1) Business Day’s notice, to fund to Agent the purchase of its participation in such Letter of Credit Accommodation in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the unpaid amount. The obligation of each Lender to deliver to Agent an amount equal to its respective participation pursuant to the foregoing sentence is absolute and unconditional and such remittance shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or continuance of any Event of Default, the failure to satisfy any other condition set forth in Section 4 or any other event or circumstance. If such amount is not made available by a Lender when due, Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount was due until the date such amount is paid to Agent at the interest rate then payable by any Borrower in respect of Revolving Loans that are Prime Rate Loans as set forth in Section 3.1(a) hereof.
2.3 Intentionally Omitted.
2.4 Commitments. The aggregate amount of each Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations shall not exceed the amount of such Lender’s Commitment, as the same may from time to time be amended in accordance with the provisions hereof.
2.5 Loan Limits.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except in Agent’s determination, with the consent of all Lenders, or as otherwise provided herein, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans and the Letter of Credit Accommodations outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Borrowing Base.
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6.6 Use of Proceeds. All Revolving Loans made or Letter of Credit Accommodations provided to or for the benefit of any Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be used by such Borrower only for general operating, working capital and other corporate purposes of such Borrower not otherwise prohibited by the terms hereof. None of the proceeds will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin security or for the purposes of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Revolving Loans to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended.
6.7 Appointment of Borrower Agent as Agent for Requesting Revolving Loans and Receipts of Revolving Loans and Statements.
(a) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and constitutes Borrower Agent as its agent to request and receive Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations pursuant to this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements from Agent or any Lender in the name or on behalf of such Borrower. Agent and Lenders may disburse the Loans to such bank account of Borrower Agent or a Borrower or otherwise make such Loans to a Borrower and provide such Letter of Credit Accommodations to a Borrower as Borrower Agent may designate or direct, without notice to any other Borrower or Obligor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Agent may at any time and from time to time require that Loans to or for the account of any Borrower be disbursed directly to an operating account of such Borrower.
(b) Borrower Agent hereby accepts the appointment by Borrowers to act as the agent of Borrowers pursuant to this Section 6.7.
(c) Borrower Agent shall ensure that the disbursement of any Revolving Loans to each Borrower requested by or paid to or for the account of Parent, or the issuance of any Letter of Credit Accommodations for a Borrower hereunder, shall be paid to or for the account of such Borrower.
(d) Each Borrower and other Guarantor hereby irrevocably appoints and constitutes Borrower Agent as its agent to receive statements on account and all other notices from Agent and Lenders with respect to the Obligations or otherwise under or in connection with this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements.
(e) Any notice, election, representation, warranty, agreement or undertaking by or on behalf of any other Borrower or any Guarantor by Borrower Agent shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Borrower or Guarantor, as the case may be, and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower or Guarantor to the same extent as if made directly by such Borrower of Guarantor.
(f) No purported termination of the appointment of Borrower Agent as agent as aforesaid shall be effective, except after ten (10) days’ prior written notice to Agent.
6.8 Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement: (a) the making and conversion of Revolving Loans shall be made among the Lenders based on their respective Pro Rata Shares as to the Revolving Loans and (b) each payment on account of any
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Obligations to or for the account of one or more of Lenders in respect of any Obligations due on a particular day shall be allocated among the Lenders entitled to such payments based on their respective Pro Rata Shares and shall be distributed accordingly.
6.9 Sharing of Payments, Etc.
(a) Each Borrower and Guarantor agrees that, in addition to (and without limitation of) any right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim Agent or any Lender may otherwise have, each Lender shall be entitled, at its option (but subject, as among Agent and Lenders, to the provisions of Section 12.3(b) hereof), to offset balances held by it for the account of such Borrower or Guarantor at any of its offices, in dollars or in any other currency, against any principal of or interest on any Revolving Loans owed to such Lender or any other amount payable to such Lender hereunder, that is not paid when due (regardless of whether such balances are then due to such Borrower or Guarantor), in which case it shall promptly notify Borrower Agent and Agent thereof; provided, that, such Lender’s failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity thereof.
(b) If any Lender (including Agent) shall obtain from any Borrower or Guarantor payment of any principal of or interest on any Revolving Loan owing to it or payment of any other amount under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements through the exercise of any right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim or similar right or otherwise (other than from Agent as provided herein), and, as a result of such payment, such Lender shall have received more than its Pro Rata Share of the principal of the Revolving Loans or more than its share of such other amounts then due hereunder or thereunder by any Borrower or Guarantor to such Lender than the percentage thereof received by any other Lender, it shall promptly pay to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, the amount of such excess and simultaneously purchase from such other Lenders a participation in the Loans or such other amounts, respectively, owing to such other Lenders (or such interest due thereon, as the case may be) in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable, to the end that all Lenders shall share the benefit of such excess payment (net of any expenses that may be incurred by such Lender in obtaining or preserving such excess payment) in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares or as otherwise agreed by Lenders. To such end all Lenders shall make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participation sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored.
(c) Each Borrower and Guarantor agrees that any Lender purchasing a participation (or direct interest) as provided in this Section may exercise, in a manner consistent with this Section, all rights of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct holder of Revolving Loans or other amounts (as the case may be) owing to such Lender in the amount of such participation.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall require any Lender to exercise any right of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaims or similar rights or shall affect the right of any Lender to exercise, and retain the benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to any other Indebtedness or obligation of any Borrower or Guarantor. If, under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, assign such rights to Agent for
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the benefit of Lenders and, in any event, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of Lenders entitled under this Section to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
6.10 Settlement Procedures.
(a) In order to administer the Credit Facility in an efficient manner and to minimize the transfer of funds between Agent and Lenders, Agent may, at its option, subject to the terms hereof, make available, on behalf of Lenders, the full amount of the Revolving Loans requested or charged to any Borrower’s loan account(s) or otherwise to be advanced by Lenders pursuant to the terms hereof, without requirement of prior notice to Lenders of the proposed Loans.
(b) With respect to all Loans made by Agent on behalf of Lenders as provided in this Section, the amount of each Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Loans shall be computed weekly, and shall be adjusted upward or downward on the basis of the amount of the outstanding Loans as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of each settlement computation; provided, that, Agent retains the absolute right at any time or from time to time to make the above described adjustments at intervals more frequent than weekly, but in no event more than twice in any week. Agent shall deliver to each of the Lenders after the end of each week, or at such lesser period or periods as Agent shall determine, a summary statement of the amount of outstanding Loans for such period (such week or lesser period or periods being hereinafter referred to as a “Settlement Period”). If the summary statement is sent by Agent and received by a Lender prior to 12:00 p.m. New York City time, then such Lender shall make the settlement transfer described in this Section by no later than 3:00 p.m. New York City time on the same Business Day and if received by a Lender after 12:00 p.m. New York City time, then such Lender shall make the settlement transfer by not later than 3:00 p.m. New York City time on the next Business Day following the date of receipt. If, as of the end of any Settlement Period, the amount of a Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Revolving Loans is more than such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Loans as of the end of the previous Settlement Period, then such Lender shall forthwith (but in no event later than the time set forth in the preceding sentence) transfer to Agent by wire transfer in immediately available funds the amount of the increase. Alternatively, if the amount of a Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Revolving Loans in any Settlement Period is less than the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Loans for the previous Settlement Period, Agent shall forthwith transfer to such Lender by wire transfer in immediately available funds the amount of the decrease. The obligation of each of the Lenders to transfer such funds and effect such settlement shall be irrevocable and unconditional and without recourse to or warranty by Agent. Agent and each Lender agrees to mark its books and records at the end of each Settlement Period to show at all times the dollar amount of its Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations. Each Lender shall only be entitled to receive interest on its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans to the extent such Loans have been funded by such Lender. Because the Agent on behalf of Lenders may be advancing and/or may be repaid Loans prior to the time when Lenders will actually advance and/or be repaid such Revolving Loans, interest with respect to Revolving Loans shall be allocated by Agent in accordance with the amount of Revolving Loans actually advanced by and repaid to each Lender and the Agent and shall accrue from and including the date such
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Revolving Loans are so advanced to but excluding the date such Revolving Loans are either repaid by Borrowers or actually settled with the applicable Lender as described in this Section.
(c) To the extent that Agent has made any such amounts available and the settlement described above shall not yet have occurred, upon repayment of any Revolving Loans by Borrowers, Agent may apply such amounts repaid directly to any amounts made available by Agent pursuant to this Section. In lieu of weekly or more frequent settlements, Agent may, at its option, at any time require each Lender to provide Agent with immediately available funds representing its Pro Rata Share of each Revolving Loan, prior to Agent’s disbursement of such Revolving Loan to Borrowers. In such event, all Revolving Loans under this Agreement shall be made by the Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their Pro Rata Shares. No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in the other Lender’s obligation to make a Revolving Loan requested hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of the default by any other Lender in the other Lender’s obligation to make a Revolving Loan hereunder.
(d) If Agent is not funding a particular Revolving Loan to Borrowers (or Borrower Agent for the benefit of Borrowers) pursuant to this Section on any day, Agent may assume that each Lender will make available to Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan requested or otherwise made on such day and Agent may, in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, cause a corresponding amount to be made available to or for the benefit of such Borrower on such day. If Agent makes such corresponding amount available to a Borrower and such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Agent by such Lender, Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to Agent at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during such period (as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or at Agent’s option based on the arithmetic mean determined by Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that day by each of the three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by Agent) and if such amounts are not paid within three (3) days of Agent ‘s demand, at the highest Interest Rate provided for in Section 3.1 hereof applicable to Prime Rate Loans. During the period in which such Lender has not paid such corresponding amount to Agent, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements, the amount so advanced by Agent to or for the benefit of any Borrower shall, for all purposes hereof, be a Loan made by Agent for its own account. Upon any such failure by a Lender to pay Agent, Agent shall promptly thereafter notify Borrower Agent of such failure and Borrowers shall pay such corresponding amount to Agent for its own account within five (5) Business Days of Borrower Agent’s receipt of such notice. A Lender who fails to pay Agent its Pro Rata Share of any Loans made available by the Agent on such Lender’s behalf, or any Lender who fails to pay any other amount owing by it to Agent, is a “Defaulting Lender”. Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments received by Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit, nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to the sharing of any payments hereunder (including any principal, interest or fees). Amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender shall instead be paid to or retained by Agent. Agent may hold and, in its discretion, relend to a Borrower the amount of all such payments received or retained by it for the account of such Defaulting Lender. For purposes of voting or consenting to matters with respect to this Agreement and the other
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Financing Agreements and determining Pro Rata Shares, such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” and such Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be zero (0). This Section shall remain effective with respect to a Defaulting Lender until such default is cured. The operation of this Section shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Commitment of any Lender, or relieve or excuse the performance by any Borrower or Obligor of their duties and obligations hereunder.
(e) Nothing in this Section or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Financing Agreements shall be deemed to require Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment hereunder or to prejudice any rights that any Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by any Lender hereunder in fulfilling its Commitment.
6.11 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights. The obligation of each Lender hereunder is several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligation or commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements and no action taken by the Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto shall be deemed to constitute the Lenders to be a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt, and subject to Section 12.3 hereof, each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement and it shall not be necessary for any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
7.1 Collateral Reporting.
(a) Borrowers, or Borrower Agent on behalf of Borrowers, shall provide Agent with the following documents in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent:
(i) as soon as possible after the end of each month (but in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the end thereof) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists and Excess Availability shall be greater than $20,000,000 (and more frequently as Agent may require at any time a Default or Event of Default exists or Excess Availability is less than $20,000,000), a Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth the calculation of the Borrowing Base as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding period as to the Accounts and Inventory, duly completed and executed by the chief financial officer, vice president of finance, treasurer or controller of Borrower Agent, together with all schedules required pursuant to the terms of the Borrowing Base Certificate duly completed, including but not limited to (A) a monthly aging of Credit Card Receivables identifying those outstanding more than five (5) Business Days since the sale date giving rise thereto and (B) an inventory summary report by category (consisting of retail, factory outlet and direct inventory (and upon Agent’s request, letter of credit inventory) and identifying in the case of each of retail, factory outlet and direct, the applicable store and warehouse where such Inventory is located;
(ii) as soon as possible after the end of each month (but in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the end thereof), on a monthly basis or more frequently as
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Agent may request, (A) perpetual inventory reports by location and category (and including the amounts of Inventory and the value thereof at any leased locations and at premises of warehouses, processors or other third parties), (B) list of outstanding accounts payable (and including information indicating the amounts owing to owners and lessors of leased premises, warehouses, fulfillment centers, processors and other third parties from time to time in possession of any Collateral), and (C) reports on sales and use tax collections, deposits and payments, including monthly sales and use tax accruals;
(iii) as soon as possible after the end of each month (but in any event ten (10) Business Days after the end thereof), in each case certified by the chief financial officer or controller of Borrowers or Borrower Agent as true and correct: (A) a statement confirming the payment of rent and other amounts due to owners and lessors of real property used by Borrower in the immediately preceding month, subject to year-end or monthly percentage rent payment adjustments, (B) the addresses of all new retail store locations (including factory store locations) of Borrowers and Guarantors opened and existing retail store locations (including factory store locations) closed or sold, in each case since the date of the most recent certificate delivered to Agent containing the information required under this clause, and (C) a report of any new deposit account established or used by any Borrower or Guarantor with any bank or other financial institution, including the Borrower or Guarantor in whose name the account is maintained, the account number, the name and address of the financial institution at which such account is maintained, the purpose of such account and, if any, the amount held in such account on or about the date of such report;
(iv) upon Agent’s request, (A) reports of sales for each category of Inventory, (B) reports of aggregate Inventory purchases (including all costs related thereto, such as freight, duty and taxes) and identifying items of Inventory in transit to any Borrower or Guarantor related to the applicable documentary letter of credit and/or bill of lading number, (C) copies of remittance advices and reports, and copies of deposit slips and bank statements, (D) copies of shipping and delivery documents, (E) copies of purchase orders, invoices and delivery documents for Inventory and Equipment acquired by Borrowers and Guarantor, and (F) reports by retail store location of sales and operating profits for each such retail store location;
(v) upon Agent’s request, the monthly statements received by any Borrower or any of its Affiliates from any Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors, together with such additional information with respect thereto as shall be sufficient to enable Agent to monitor the transactions pursuant to the Credit Card Agreements;
(vi) such other reports as to the Collateral as Agent shall reasonably request from time to time.
(b) Nothing contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate shall be deemed to limit, impair or otherwise affect the rights of Agent contained herein and in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the calculation of the Borrowing Base as set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate and as determined by Agent in its good faith, the determination of Agent shall govern and be conclusive and binding upon Borrowers and Guarantors, absent manifest error. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrowers shall furnish to Agent any information which Agent may reasonably request regarding the determination and calculation of any of the
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amounts set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate. The Borrowing Base may be adjusted based on the information set forth in the reports received by Agent pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(i) above.
7.2 Accounts Covenants.
(a) Each Borrower shall notify Agent promptly of the assertion of (i) any claims, offsets, defenses or counterclaims by any account debtor, Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor or any disputes with any of such persons or any settlement, adjustment or compromise thereof, to the extent any of the foregoing exceeds $75,000 in any one case or $200,000 in the aggregate and (ii) all material adverse information relating to the financial condition of any account debtor, Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor. No credit, discount, allowance or extension or agreement for any of the foregoing shall be granted to any account debtor, Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor except in the ordinary course of a Borrower’s business in accordance with the current practices of such Borrower as in effect on the date hereof. So long as no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, no Borrower shall settle, adjust or compromise any claim, offset, counterclaim or dispute with any account debtor, Credit Card Issuer, Credit Card Processor. At any time that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Agent shall, at its option, have the exclusive right to settle, adjust or compromise any claim, offset, counterclaim or dispute with account debtors, Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors or grant any credits, discounts or allowances.
(b) With respect to each Account: (i) no payments shall be made thereon except payments delivered to Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (ii) there shall be no setoffs, deductions, contras, defenses, counterclaims or disputes existing or asserted with respect thereto except as reported to Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (iii) none of the transactions giving rise thereto will violate in any material respect any applicable State or Federal Laws or regulations, all documentation relating thereto will be legally sufficient under such laws and regulations and all such documentation will be legally enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(c) Each Borrower shall notify Agent promptly of: (i) any notice of a material default by such Borrower under any of the Credit Card Agreements or of any default which has a reasonable likelihood of resulting in the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor ceasing to make payments or suspending payments to such Borrower, (ii) any notice from any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor that such person is ceasing or suspending, or will cease or suspend, any present or future payments due or to become due to such Borrower from such person, or that such person is terminating or will terminate any of the Credit Card Agreements, and (iii) the failure of such Borrower to comply with any material terms of the Credit Card Agreements or any terms thereof which has a reasonable likelihood of resulting in the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor ceasing or suspending payments to such Borrower.
(d) Agent shall have the right at any time or times, in Agent’s name or in the name of a nominee of Agent, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Receivables or other Collateral, by mail, telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise.
7.3 Equipment and Real Property Covenants. With respect to the Inventory: (a) each Borrower and Guarantor shall at all times maintain inventory records reasonably satisfactory to Agent, keeping correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality and quantity of Inventory, such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s cost therefor and daily withdrawals therefrom and additions thereto; (b) Borrowers and Guarantors shall conduct a physical count of the Inventory either through periodic cycle counts or wall to wall counts, so that all Inventory is subject to such counts at least once each year, but at any time or times as Agent may request at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, and promptly following such physical inventory (whether through periodic cycle counts or wall to wall counts) shall supply Agent with a report in the form and with such specificity as may be reasonably satisfactory to Agent concerning such physical count; (c) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not remove any Inventory from the locations set forth or permitted herein, without the prior written consent of Agent, except for sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of Borrowers’ business and except to move Inventory directly from one location set forth or permitted herein to another such location and except for Inventory shipped from the manufacturer thereof to such Borrower or Guarantor which is in transit to the locations set forth or permitted herein; (d) upon Agent’s request, Borrowers shall, at their expense, no more than three (3) times in any twelve (12) month period, but at any time or times as Agent may request at Agent’s expense, or at any time or times as Agent may request at Borrowers’ expense at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, deliver or cause to be delivered to Agent written reports or appraisals as to the Inventory in form, scope and methodology acceptable to Agent and by an appraiser acceptable to Agent, addressed to Agent and upon which Agent and Lenders are expressly permitted to rely; (e) upon Agent’s request, Borrowers shall, at their expense, conduct through RGIS Inventory Specialists, Inc. or another inventory counting service acceptable to Agent, a physical count of the Inventory in form, scope and methodology acceptable to Agent no more than two (2) times in any twelve (12) month period, but at any time or times as Agent may request at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing or at any time or times as Agent may request in the event of test count variances in excess of the shrinkage reserve established by any Borrower, the results of which shall be reported directly by such inventory counting service to Agent and Borrowers shall promptly deliver confirmation in a form satisfactory to Agent that appropriate adjustments have been made to the inventory records of Borrowers to reconcile the inventory count to Borrowers’ inventory records; (f) each Borrower and Guarantor shall produce, use, store and maintain the Inventory, with all reasonable care and caution and in accordance with applicable standards of any insurance and in conformity with applicable laws (including the requirements of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended and all rules, regulations and orders related thereto); (g) none of the Inventory or other Collateral constitutes farm products or the proceeds thereof; (h) each Borrower and Guarantor assumes all responsibility and liability arising from or relating to the production, use, sale or other disposition of the Inventory; (i) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not sell Inventory to any customer on approval, or any other basis which entitles the customer to return or may obligate any Borrower or Guarantor to repurchase such Inventory except for the right of return given to retail customers of such Borrower in the ordinary course of the business of such Borrower in accordance with the then current return policy of such Borrower; (j) Borrowers and Guarantors shall keep the Inventory in good and marketable condition; (k) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, without prior written notice to Agent or the specific identification of such Inventory in a
report with respect thereto provided by Borrower Agent to Agent pursuant to Section 7.1(a) hereof, acquire or accept any Inventory on consignment or approval.
7.4 Equipment and Real Property Covenants. With respect to the Equipment and Real Property subject to the Mortgages: (a) Borrowers and Guarantors shall keep the Equipment in good order, repair, running and marketable condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted); (b) Borrowers and Guarantors shall use the Equipment and Real Property with all reasonable care and caution and in accordance with applicable standards of any insurance and in material conformity with all applicable laws; (c) the Equipment is and shall be used in the business of Borrowers and Guarantors and not for personal, family, household or farming use; (d) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not remove any Equipment from the locations set forth or permitted herein, except to the extent necessary to have any Equipment repaired or maintained in the ordinary course of its business or to move Equipment directly from one location set forth or permitted herein to another such location and except for the movement of motor vehicles used by or for the benefit of such Borrower or Guarantor in the ordinary course of business; (e) the Equipment is now and shall remain personal property and Borrowers and Guarantors shall not permit any of the Equipment to be or become a part of or affixed to real property; and (f) each Borrower and Guarantor assumes all responsibility and liability arising from the use of the Equipment and Real Property.
7.5 Power of Attorney. Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Agent (and all persons designated by Agent) as such Borrower’s and Guarantor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, and authorizes Agent, in such Borrower’s, Guarantor’s or Agent’s name, to: (a) at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing (i) demand payment on Receivables or other Collateral, (ii) enforce payment of Receivables by legal proceedings or otherwise, (iii) exercise all of such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s rights and remedies to collect any Receivable or other Collateral, (iv) sell or assign any Receivable upon such terms, for such amount and at such time or times as the Agent deems advisable, (v) settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew an Account, (vi) discharge and release any Receivable, (vii) prepare, file and sign such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name on any proof of claim in bankruptcy or other similar document against an account debtor or other obligor in respect of any Receivables or other Collateral, (viii) notify the post office authorities to change the address for delivery of remittances from account debtors or other obligors in respect of Receivables or other proceeds of Collateral to an address designated by Agent, and open and dispose of all mail addressed to such Borrower or Guarantor and handle and store all mail relating to the Collateral; (ix) sign any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name on any verification of Receivables and notices thereof to account debtors or any secondary obligors or other obligors in respect thereof, and (x) do all acts and things which are necessary, in Agent’s determination, to fulfill such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements and (b) at any time to (i) take control in any manner of any item of payment in respect of Receivables or constituting Collateral or otherwise received in or for deposit in the Blocked Accounts or otherwise received by Agent or any Lender, (ii) have access to any lockbox or postal box into which remittances from account debtors or other obligors in respect of Receivables or other proceeds of Collateral are sent or received, (iii) endorse such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name upon any items of payment in respect of Receivables or constituting Collateral or otherwise received by Agent and any Lender and deposit the same in Agent’s account for application to the Obligations, (iv) endorse such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name upon any chattel paper,
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document, instrument, invoice, or similar document or agreement relating to any Receivable or any goods pertaining thereto or any other Collateral, including any warehouse or other receipts, or bills of lading and other negotiable or non-negotiable documents, and (v) clear Inventory the purchase of which was financed with Letter of Credit Accommodations through U.S. Customs or foreign export control authorities in such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name, Agent’s name or the name of Agent’s designee, and to sign and deliver to customs officials powers of attorney in such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name for such purpose, and to complete in such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s or Agent’ s name, any order, sale or transaction, obtain the necessary documents in connection therewith and collect the proceeds thereof. Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby releases Agent and Lenders and their respective officers, employees and designees from any liabilities arising from any act or acts under this power of attorney and in furtherance thereof, whether of omission or commission, except as a result of Agent’s or any Lender’s own gross negligence or wilful misconduct as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
7.6 Right to Cure. Agent may, at its option, upon notice to Borrower Agent, (a) cure any default by any Borrower or Guarantor under any material agreement with a third party that affects the Collateral, its value or the ability of Agent to collect, sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or the rights and remedies of Agent or any Lender therein or the ability of any Borrower or Guarantor to perform its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Financing Agreements, (b) pay or bond on appeal any judgment entered against any Borrower or Guarantor, (c) discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied on or existing with respect to the Collateral and pay any amount, incur any expense or perform any act which, in Agent’s good faith judgment, is necessary or appropriate to preserve, protect, insure or maintain the Collateral and the rights of Agent and Lenders with respect thereto. Agent may add any amounts so expended to the Obligations and charge any Borrower’s account therefor, such amounts to be repayable by Borrowers on demand. Agent and Lenders shall be under no obligation to effect such cure, payment or bonding and shall not, by doing so, be deemed to have assumed any obligation or liability of any Borrower or Guarantor. Any payment made or other action taken by Agent or any Lender under this Section shall be without prejudice to any right to assert an Event of Default hereunder and to proceed accordingly.
7.7 Access to Premises. From time to time as requested by Agent, at the cost and expense of Borrowers, (a) Agent or its designee shall have complete access to all of each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s premises during normal business hours and after reasonable notice to Parent, or at any time and without notice to Borrower Agent if an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, for the purposes of inspecting, verifying and auditing the Collateral and all of each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s books and records, including the Records, and (b) each Borrower and Guarantor shall promptly furnish to Agent such copies of such books and records or extracts therefrom as Agent may reasonably request, and Agent or any Lender or Agent’s designee may use during normal business hours such of any Borrower’s and Guarantor’s personnel, equipment, supplies and premises as may be reasonably necessary for the foregoing (provided, that, Borrowers and Guarantors shall make such personnel, equipment, supplies and premises available to Agent or its designee in such manner so as to minimize any interference with the operations of Borrowers and Guarantors) and if an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing for the collection of Receivables and realization of other Collateral.
7.8 Intellectual Property Appraisal. At Agent’s request, no more than once in any twelve (12) month period, but at any time or times as Agent may request at Agent’s expense, or at any time as Agent may request at Borrowers’ expense on or after an Event of Default, deliver or cause to be delivered to Agent written appraisals as to the Intellectual Property by an appraiser acceptable to Agent, in form, scope and methodology acceptable to Agent, addressed to Agent and upon which Agent and Lenders are expressly permitted to rely.
8.1 Corporate or Limited Liability Company Existence, Power and Authority. Each Borrower and Guarantor is a corporation or limited liability company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company and in good standing in all states or other jurisdictions where the nature and extent of the business transacted by it or the ownership of assets makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder (a) are all within each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s corporate or limited liability company powers, (b) have been duly authorized, (c) are not in contravention of law or the terms of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, by-laws, membership agreement or other organizational documentation, or any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which any Borrower or Guarantor is a party or by which any Borrower or Guarantor or its property are bound and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or require or give rise to any obligation to grant, any lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any property of any Borrower or Guarantor. This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements to which any Borrower or Guarantor is a party constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Borrower and Guarantor enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
8.2 Name; State of Organization; Chief Executive Office; Collateral Locations.
(a) The exact legal name of each Borrower and Guarantor is as set forth on the signature page of this Agreement and in the Information Certificate. No Borrower or Guarantor has, during the past five years, been known by or used any other corporate or fictitious name or been a party to any merger or consolidation, or acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or acquired any of its property or assets out of the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in the Information Certificate.
(b) Each Borrower and Guarantor is an organization of the type and organized in the jurisdiction set forth in the Information Certificate. The Information Certificate accurately sets forth the organizational identification number of each Borrower and Guarantor or accurately states that such Borrower or Guarantor has none and accurately sets forth the federal employer identification number of each Borrower and Guarantor.
(c) The chief executive office and mailing address of each Borrower and Guarantor and each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s Records concerning Accounts are located only at the address identified as such in Schedule 8.2 to the Information Certificate and its only other places of business and the only other locations of Collateral, if any, are the addresses set forth in Schedule 8.2 to the Information Certificate, subject to the rights of any Borrower or Guarantor to establish new locations in accordance with Section 9.2 below. The Information Certificate correctly identifies any of such locations which are not owned by a Borrower or Guarantor and sets forth the owners and/or operators thereof.
8.3 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Change. All financial statements relating to any Borrower or Guarantor which have been or may hereafter be delivered by any Borrower or Guarantor to Agent and Lenders have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as to any interim financial statements, to the extent such statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments and do not include any notes) and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and the results of operation of such Borrower and Guarantor as at the dates and for the periods set forth therein. Except as disclosed in any interim financial statements furnished by Borrowers and Guarantors to Agent prior to the date of this Agreement, there has been no act, condition or event which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect since the date of the most recent audited financial statements of any Borrower or Guarantor furnished by any Borrower or Guarantor to Agent prior to the date of the Existing Agreement.
8.4 Priority of Liens; Title to Properties. The security interests and liens granted to Agent under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements constitute valid and upon the filing of a financing statement, control or possession by Agent, as applicable, perfected first priority liens and security interests in and upon the Collateral subject only to the liens indicated on Schedule 8.4 to the Information Certificate and the other liens permitted under Section 9.8 hereof, including as to priority to the extent that such liens have priority under applicable law or as specified in Section 9.8. Each Borrower and Guarantor has good and marketable fee simple title to or valid leasehold interests in all of its Real Property and good, valid and merchantable title to all of its other properties and assets subject to no liens, mortgages, pledges, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind, except those granted to Agent and such others as are specifically listed on Schedule 8.4 to the Information Certificate or permitted under Section 9.8 hereof.
8.5 Tax Returns. Each Borrower and Guarantor has filed, or caused to be filed, in a timely manner all tax returns, reports and declarations which are required to be filed by it, where the failure to so file has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All information in such tax returns, reports and declarations is complete and accurate in all material respects. Each Borrower and Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes due and payable or claimed due and payable in any assessment received by it, except taxes the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to such Borrower or Guarantor and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books. Adequate provision has been made for the payment of all accrued and unpaid Federal, State, county, local, foreign and other Taxes whether or not yet due and payable and whether or not disputed.
8.6 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 8.6 to the Information Certificate, (a) there is no investigation by any Governmental Authority pending, or to the best of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s knowledge threatened, against or affecting any Borrower or Guarantor, its or their assets or business and (b) there is no action, suit, proceeding or claim by any Person pending, or to the best of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s knowledge threatened, against any Borrower or Guarantor or its or their assets or goodwill, or against or affecting any transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case, which has a reasonable possibility of being adversely determined and which, if adversely determined against such Borrower or Guarantor, has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.7 Compliance with Other Agreements and Applicable Laws. To Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ knowledge, no Borrower or Guarantor is in default in any respect under, or in violation in any respect of any of the terms of, any material agreement, contract, instrument, lease or other commitment to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound where such default or violation has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ knowledge, each Borrower is in compliance with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority relating to its business, including, without limitation, those set forth in or promulgated pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, ERISA, the Code, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, all Federal, State and local statutes, regulations, rules and orders relating to consumer credit (including, without limitation, as each has been amended, the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Fair Credit Billing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and regulations, rules and orders promulgated thereunder), all Federal, State and local states, regulations, rules and orders pertaining to sales of consumer goods (including, without limitation, the Consumer Products Safety Act of 1972, as amended, and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, as amended, and all regulations, rules and orders promulgated thereunder) where the failure to so comply has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.8 Environmental Compliance.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.8 to the Information Certificate, Borrowers, Guarantors and any Subsidiary of any Borrower or Guarantor have not generated, used, stored, treated, transported, manufactured, handled, produced or disposed of any Hazardous Materials, on or off its premises (whether or not owned by it) in any manner which at any time violates any applicable Environmental Law or Permit that is required under any applicable Environmental Laws where such violation has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the operations of Borrowers, Guarantors and any Subsidiary of any Borrower or Guarantor complies with all Environmental Laws and all Permits that are required under any applicable Environmental Law where the failure to so comply has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.8 to the Information Certificate, there has been no investigation by any Governmental Authority or any proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claim, citation or notice by any Governmental Authority or any other person nor is any pending or to any Borrower’s or Guarantor’ s knowledge threatened, with respect to any non-
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compliance with or violation of the requirements of any Environmental Law by any Borrower or Guarantor and any Subsidiary of any Borrower or Guarantor or the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Materials or any other environmental, health or safety matter, which has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.8 to the Information Certificate, Borrowers, Guarantors and their Subsidiaries have no liability (contingent or otherwise) in connection with a release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Materials or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Borrowers, Guarantors and their Subsidiaries have all Permits required to be obtained or filed in connection with the operations of Borrowers and Guarantors under any Environmental Law and all of such licenses, certificates, approvals or similar authorizations and other Permits are valid and in full force and effect, where failure to have obtained or filed such could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.9 Credit Card Agreements. Set forth in Schedule 8.9 hereto is a correct and complete list of all of the Credit Card Agreements and all other agreements, documents and instruments existing as of the date hereof between or among any Borrower, any of its Affiliates, the Credit Card Issuers, the Credit Card Processors and any of their Affiliates. The Credit Card Agreements constitute all of such agreements necessary for each Borrower to operate its business as presently conducted with respect to credit cards and debit cards and no Receivables of any Borrower arise from purchases by customers of Inventory with credit cards or debit cards, other than those which are issued by Credit Card Issuers with whom such Borrower has entered into one of the Credit Card Agreements set forth on Schedule 8.9 hereto or with whom Borrower has entered into a Credit Card Agreement in accordance with Section 9.16 hereof. Each of the Credit Card Agreements constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower that is party thereto and to the best of each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and is in full force and effect. No material default or material event of default, or act, condition or event which after notice or passage of time or both, would constitute a material default or a material event of default under any of the Credit Card Agreements (other than any Credit Card Agreement with a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor where the sales using the applicable card are less than ten (10%) percent of all such sales in the immediately preceding fiscal year) exists or has occurred that would entitle the other party thereto to suspend, withhold or reduce amounts that would otherwise be payable to a Borrower. Each Borrower and the other parties thereto have complied in all material respects with all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Card Agreements (other than any Credit Card Agreement with a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor where the sales using the applicable card are less than ten (10%) percent of all such sales in the immediately preceding fiscal year) to the extent necessary for such Borrower to be entitled to receive all payments thereunder. Borrowers have delivered, or caused to be delivered to Agent, true, correct and complete copies of all of the Credit Card Agreements.
8.10 Interrelated Businesses. Borrowers and Guarantors make up a related organization of various entities constituting a single economic and business enterprise so that Borrowers and Guarantors share an identity of interests such that any benefit received by any one of them benefits the others. Borrowers and Guarantors render services to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and/or Guarantors, as the case may be, purchase or sell and supply goods to or from or for the benefit of the others, make loans, advances and provide other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and Guarantors (including inter alia, the payment by Borrowers and Guarantors of creditors of the other Borrowers or Guarantors and guarantees by Borrowers and Guarantors of indebtedness of the other Borrowers and Guarantors and provide administrative, marketing, payroll and management services to or for the benefit of the other Borrowers and Guarantors). Substantially all of the Inventory is paid for pursuant to Letter of Credit Accommodations funded by Operating on behalf of the other Borrowers or are otherwise paid for by Operating, and Borrowers use substantially all of the proceeds from the disposition of the Inventory so purchased to repay the amounts owing to Operating as a result of such arrangements. Borrowers and Guarantors (other than JCI) have the same chief executive office, centralized accounting and legal services, certain common officers and directors and generally do not provide consolidating financial statements to creditors. Nothing contained herein should be construed to mean that each Borrower and Guarantor is not a separate corporate entity and entitled to the rights and privileges thereof, and except to the extent contractually agreed or required under applicable law, no Borrower or Guarantor is obligated for the liabilities of any other Borrower or Guarantor.
8.11 Employee Benefits.
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or State law. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and to the best of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s knowledge, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of such qualification. Each Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates have made all required contributions to any 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 best of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan, which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan, which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) the current value of each Plan’s assets are not less than such Plan’s liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA; (iii) each Borrower and Guarantor, and their ERISA Affiliates, have not incurred and do not reasonably expect to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) each Borrower and Guarantor, and their ERISA Affiliates, have not incurred and do not reasonably expect to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of
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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) each Borrower and Guarantor, and their ERISA Affiliates, have not engaged in a transaction that would be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
8.12 Bank Accounts. All of the deposit accounts, investment accounts or other accounts in the name of or used by any Borrower or Guarantor maintained at any bank or other financial institution are set forth on Schedule 8.10 to the Information Certificate, subject to the right of each Borrower and Guarantor to establish new accounts in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof.
8.13 Intellectual Property. Each Borrower and Guarantor owns or licenses or otherwise has the right to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the operation of its business as presently conducted or proposed to be conducted. As of the date hereof, Borrowers and Guarantors do not have any Intellectual Property registered, or subject to pending applications, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar office or agency in the United States, any State thereof, any political subdivision thereof or in any other country, other than those described in Schedule 8.11 or Schedule 8.6 to the Information Certificate and has not granted any licenses with respect thereto other than as set forth in Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate. To the best of any Borrower’s and Guarantor’s knowledge, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance or other Intellectual Property or goods bearing or using any Intellectual Property presently contemplated to be sold by or employed by any Borrower or Guarantor infringes any patent, trademark, servicemark, tradename, copyright, license or other Intellectual Property owned by any other Person presently and no claim or litigation is pending or threatened against or affecting any Borrower or Guarantor contesting its right to sell or use any such Intellectual Property except as set forth on Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate. Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate sets forth all of the agreements or other arrangements of each Borrower and Guarantor pursuant to which such Borrower or Guarantor has a license or other right to use any trademarks, logos, designs, representations or other Intellectual Property owned by another person as in effect on the date hereof and the dates of the expiration of such agreements or other arrangements of such Borrower or Guarantor as in effect on the date hereof (collectively, together with such agreements or other arrangements as may be entered into by any Borrower or Guarantor after the date hereof, collectively, the “License Agreements” and individually, a “License Agreement”). No trademark, servicemark, copyright or other Intellectual Property at any time used by any Borrower or Guarantor which is owned by another person, or owned by such Borrower or Guarantor subject to any security interest, lien, collateral assignment, pledge or other encumbrance in favor of any person other than Agent, is affixed to any Eligible Inventory, except (a) to the extent permitted under the term of the license agreements listed on Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate and (b) to the extent the sale of Inventory to which such Intellectual Property is affixed is permitted to be sold by such Borrower or Guarantor under applicable law (including the United States Copyright Act of 1976) and (c) to the extent permitted under Section 9.8(o) hereof.
8.14 Subsidiaries; Affiliates; Capitalization; Solvency; Inactive Entities.
(a) Each Borrower and Guarantor does not have any direct or indirect Subsidiaries or Affiliates and is not engaged in any joint venture or partnership except as set forth in Schedule 8.12 to the Information Certificate.
(b) Each Borrower and Guarantor is the record and beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 8.12 to the Information Certificate as being owned by such Borrower or Guarantor and there are no proxies, irrevocable or otherwise, with respect to such shares and no equity securities of any of the Subsidiaries are or may become required to be issued by reason of any options, warrants, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any kind or nature and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of it Capital Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares.
(c) The issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of each Borrower and Guarantor are directly and beneficially owned and held by the persons indicated in the Information Certificate, and in each case all of such shares or membership interests have been duly authorized and are fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all claims, liens, pledges and encumbrances of any kind, except as disclosed in writing to Agent prior to the date hereof.
(d) There is no debt outstanding that is convertible into membership interests in Intermediate, and there are no outstanding rights, options or warrants to acquire any membership interests in or debt convertible into membership interests in Intermediate.
(e) Each Borrower and International is Solvent and will continue to be Solvent after the creation of the Obligations, the security interests of Agent and the other transaction contemplated hereunder.
(f) Each of C&W Outlet Inc., a New York corporation, J. Crew Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and ERL, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, is an Inactive Subsidiary and does not and will not engage in any business or commercial activities and each does not and will not own or hold any assets or properties. The only activity of J. Crew Virginia, Inc., a Virginia corporation, is in connection with the issuance of gift cards and store credits for and on behalf of Borrowers. J. Crew Virginia, Inc. does not and will not engage in any other business or activity and does not and will not hold any assets or properties.
8.15 Labor Disputes.
(a) Set forth on Schedule 8.13 to the Information Certificate is a list (including dates of termination) of all collective bargaining or similar agreements between or applicable to each Borrower and Guarantor and any union, labor organization or other bargaining agent in respect of the employees of any Borrower or Guarantor on the date hereof.
(b) There is (i) no significant unfair labor practice complaint pending against any Borrower or Guarantor or, to the best of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened against it, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no significant grievance or significant arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is pending on the date hereof against any Borrower or Guarantor or, to best of any Borrower’s or
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Guarantor’ s knowledge, threatened against it, and (ii) no significant strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage is pending against any Borrower or Guarantor or, to the best of any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened against any Borrower or Guarantor.
8.16 Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Except for restrictions contained in this Agreement or any other agreement with respect to Indebtedness of any Borrower or Guarantor permitted hereunder as in effect on the date hereof, there are no contractual or consensual restrictions on any Borrower or Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which prohibit or otherwise restrict (a) the transfer of cash or other assets (i) between any Borrower or Guarantor and any of its or their Subsidiaries or (ii) between any Subsidiaries of any Borrower or Guarantor or (b) the ability of any Borrower or Guarantor or any of its or their Subsidiaries to incur Indebtedness or grant security interests to Agent or any Lender in the Collateral.
8.17 Material Contracts. Schedule 8.15 to the Information Certificate sets forth all Material Contracts to which any Borrower or Guarantor is a party or is bound as of the date hereof. Agent has received true, correct and complete copies of such Material Contracts on or before the date hereof. To Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ knowledge, Borrowers and Guarantors are not in breach (for a period equal to the lesser of ten (10) days or the applicable cure period, if any, with respect thereto) or in default in any material respect of or under any Material Contract and have not received any notice of the intention of any other party thereto to terminate any Material Contract.
8.18 Black Canyon Documents. Neither the execution and delivery of any of the Black Canyon Documents nor the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated, nor compliance with the provisions thereof (a) has violated or will violate any of the Securities Laws or any other law or regulation or any order or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality in any respect, or (b) does or shall conflict with or result in the breach of, or constitute a default in any respect under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, agreement or instrument to which any Borrower or Guarantor is a party or by which it or any of its assets may be bound, or (c) violate any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, Articles of Formation or Operating Agreement of any Borrower or Guarantor.
8.19 Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All written information furnished by or on behalf of any Borrower or Guarantor to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, including all information on the Information Certificate is true and correct in all material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and does not omit any material fact necessary in order to make such information not misleading. No event or circumstance has occurred prior to the date hereof which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Affect, which has not been disclosed to Agent in writing prior to the date hereof.
8.20 Survival of Warranties; Cumulative. All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been made again to Agent and Lenders on the date of each additional borrowing or other credit accommodation hereunder and shall be
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conclusively presumed to have been relied on by Agent and Lenders regardless of any investigation made or information possessed by Agent or any Lender. The representations and warranties set forth herein shall be cumulative and in addition to any other representations or warranties which any Borrower or Guarantor shall now or hereafter give, or cause to be given, to Agent or any Lender.
9.1 Maintenance of Existence.
(a) Each Borrower and Guarantor shall at all times preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate or limited liability company existence and rights and franchises with respect thereto and maintain in full force and effect all licenses, trademarks, tradenames, approvals, authorizations, leases, contracts and Permits necessary to carry on the business as presently or proposed to be conducted, except as to any Guarantor other than Parent as permitted in Section 9.7 hereof or to the extent that the failure to maintain the same has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No Borrower or Guarantor shall change its name unless each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) Agent shall have received not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice from Borrower Agent of such proposed change in its corporate or limited liability company name, which notice shall accurately set forth the new name; and (ii) Agent shall have received a copy of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Incorporation (or Certificate of Formation or other organizational document as applicable) of such Borrower or Guarantor providing for the name change certified by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of such Borrower or Guarantor as soon as it is available.
(c) No Borrower or Guarantor shall change its chief executive office or its mailing address or organizational identification number (or if it does not have one, shall not acquire one) unless Agent shall have received not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice from Borrower Agent of such proposed change, which notice shall set forth such information with respect thereto as Agent may require and Agent shall have received such agreements as Agent may reasonably require in connection therewith. No Borrower or Guarantor shall change its type of organization, jurisdiction of organization or other legal structure.
9.2 New Collateral Locations. Each Borrower and Guarantor may only open any new location within the continental United States provided such Borrower or Guarantor (a) gives Agent ten (10) days prior written notice of the intended opening of any such new location and (b) executes and delivers, or causes to be executed and delivered, to Agent such agreements, documents, and instruments as Agent may deem reasonably necessary or desirable to protect its interests in the Collateral at such location; provided, that, without limiting the obligations of Borrowers and Guarantors pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof or otherwise hereunder, Borrowers and Guarantors shall not be required to comply with the foregoing conditions with respect to the opening by them of any new retail or factory store locations.
9.3 Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Etc.
(a) Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, at all times, comply in all material respects with all laws, rules, regulations, licenses, approvals, orders and other Permits applicable to it and duly observe all requirements of any foreign, Federal, State or local Governmental Authority, including ERISA, the Code, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, all Federal, State and local statutes, regulations, rules and orders relating to consumer credit (including, without limitation, as each has been amended, the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Fair Credit Billing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and regulations, rules and orders promulgated thereunder), all Federal, State and local statutes, regulations, rules and orders pertaining to sales of consumer goods (including, without limitation, the Consumer Products Safety Act of 1972, as amended, and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, as amended, and all regulations, rules and orders promulgated thereunder) and all applicable Environmental Laws, in each case where the failure to so comply or observe has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Borrowers and Guarantors shall give written notice to Agent promptly upon any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s receipt of any notice of, or any Borrower’s or Guarantor’s otherwise obtaining knowledge of, with respect to the Real Property subject to the Mortgages, (i) the occurrence of any event involving the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material or (ii) any investigation, proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claims, citation or notice with respect to: (A) any non-compliance with or violation of any Environmental Law by any Borrower or Guarantor or (B) the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material other than in the ordinary course of business and other than as permitted under any applicable Environmental Law which is reasonably likely to result in a material liability. Copies of all environmental surveys, audits, assessments, feasibility studies and results of remedial investigations of such matters shall be promptly furnished, or caused to be furnished, by such Borrower or Guarantor to Agent. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall take action in a commercially reasonable manner to respond to any material non-compliance with any of the Environmental Laws as required by law and shall regularly report to Agent on such response.
(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, whenever Agent reasonably determines that, with respect to the Real Property subject to the Mortgages, there is non-compliance, or any condition which requires any action by or on behalf of any Borrower or Guarantor in order to avoid any non-compliance, with any Environmental Law which is reasonably likely to result in a material liability, Borrowers shall, at Agent’s request and Borrowers’ expense: (i) cause an independent environmental engineer reasonably acceptable to Agent to conduct such tests of any such Real Property subject to the Mortgages where non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with such Environmental Laws has occurred as to such non-compliance and prepare and deliver to Agent a report as to such non-compliance setting forth the results of such tests, a proposed plan for responding to any requirements of Environmental Laws with respect to the findings of such tests and an estimate of the costs thereof and (ii) provide to Agent a supplemental report of such engineer whenever the scope of such non-compliance, or such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s response thereto or the estimated costs thereof, shall change in any material respect.
(d) Each Borrower and Guarantor shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent and Lenders and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, invitees, representatives, successors and assigns, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) directly or indirectly arising out of or attributable to the use, generation, manufacture, reproduction, storage, release, threatened release, spill, discharge, disposal or presence of a Hazardous Material at the Real Property subject to the Mortgages, including the costs of any required or necessary repair, cleanup or other remedial work with respect to any Real Property of any Borrower or Guarantor subject to the Mortgages and the preparation and implementation of any closure, remedial or other plans required by Environmental Laws. All representations, warranties, covenants and indemnifications in this Section 9.3 shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
9.4 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, duly pay and discharge all Taxes, assessments, contributions and governmental charges upon or against it or its properties or assets, except for Taxes the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to such Borrower, Guarantor or Subsidiary, as the case may be, and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall be liable for any Tax or penalties other than Excluded Taxes imposed on Agent or any Lender as a result of the financing arrangements provided for herein and each Borrower and Guarantor agrees to indemnify and hold Agent harmless with respect to the foregoing, and to repay to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, on demand the amount thereof, and until paid by such Borrower or Guarantor such amount shall be added and deemed part of the Revolving Loans, provided, that, nothing contained herein shall be construed to require any Borrower or Guarantor to pay any income or franchise taxes attributable to the income of Agent or Lenders from any amounts charged or paid hereunder to Agent or Lenders. The foregoing indemnity shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement. If Agent or any Lender receives a tax refund or credit (“Tax Benefit”), or otherwise would have received a Tax Benefit in respect of Agent’s or such Lender’s Taxes which, in the good faith determination of Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, is allocable to a Borrower or Guarantor, Agent shall promptly remit such Tax Refund to such Borrower or Guarantor; provided, that, no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing.
9.5 Insurance. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, at all times, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with respect to the Collateral against loss or damage and all other insurance of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against or carried by corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or similar businesses and similarly situated. Said policies of insurance shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent as to form, amount and insurer. Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish certificates, policies or endorsements to Agent as Agent shall reasonably require as proof of such insurance, and, if any Borrower or Guarantor fails to do so, Agent is authorized, but not required, to obtain such insurance at the expense of Borrowers. All policies shall provide for at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to Agent of any cancellation or reduction of coverage and that Agent may act as attorney for each Borrower and Guarantor in obtaining, and at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, adjusting, settling, amending and canceling such insurance. Borrowers and Guarantors shall cause Agent to be named as a loss
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payee and an additional insured (but without any liability for any premiums) under such insurance policies and Borrowers and Guarantors shall obtain non-contributory lender’s loss payable endorsements to all insurance policies in form and substance satisfactory to Agent. Such lender’s loss payable endorsements shall specify that the proceeds of such insurance shall be payable to Agent as its interests may appear and further specify that Agent and Lenders shall be paid regardless of any act or omission by any Borrower, Guarantor or any of its or their Affiliates. Without limiting any other rights of Agent or Lenders, any insurance proceeds received by Agent at any time may be applied to payment of the Obligations, whether or not then due, in any order and in such manner as Agent may determine. Upon application of such proceeds to the Revolving Loans, Revolving Loans may be available subject and pursuant to the terms hereof to be used for the costs of repair or replacement of the Collateral lost or damages resulting in the payment of such insurance proceeds.
9.6 Financial Statements and Other Information.
(a) Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, keep proper books and records in which true and complete entries shall be made of all dealings or transactions of or in relation to the Collateral and the business of such Borrower, Guarantor and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP. Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Agent, the following: (i) within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal month, monthly unaudited consolidated financial statements (including balance sheets, statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow and statements of shareholders’ equity), and unaudited consolidating financial statements (consisting of balance sheets and statements of income and loss), all in reasonable detail, fairly presenting in accordance with GAAP the financial position and the results of the operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and through such fiscal month, certified by the chief financial officer or controller of Parent, subject to normal year-end adjustments and no footnotes and accompanied by a compliance certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, along with a schedule in a form satisfactory to Agent of the calculations used in determining, as of the end of such month, whether Borrowers and Guarantors are in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 9.18 and 9.19 of this Agreement for such month and (ii) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, audited consolidated financial statements (including in each case, balance sheets and statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow and statements of shareholders’ equity) of Parent and its Subsidiaries, and the accompanying notes thereto (including in each case, balance sheets and statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow, and statements of shareholders’ equity), all in reasonable detail, fairly presenting the financial position and the results of the operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal year, together with the unqualified opinion of independent certified public accountants with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements, which accountants shall be an independent accounting firm selected by Borrowers and acceptable to Agent, that such audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and present fairly the results of operations and financial condition of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the fiscal year then ended.
(b) At such time as available, but in no event later than five (5) days prior to the end of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year of Parent ending in January of 2003), projected consolidated financial statements (including in each case, balance sheets and
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statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow, and statements of shareholders’ equity) of Parent and its Subsidiaries for the next fiscal year (including forecasted income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheets and statements of income and loss), all in reasonable detail, and in a format consistent with the projections delivered by Parent to Agent prior to the date hereof, together with such supporting information as Agent may reasonably request. Such projected financial statements shall be prepared on a monthly basis for the next succeeding year. Such projections shall represent Borrowers’ reasonable best estimate of the future financial performance of Borrowers for the periods set forth therein and shall have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein which Borrowers believe are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions (it being understood that actual results may differ from those set forth in such projected financial statements). Each year Borrowers shall provide to Agent a semi-annual update with respect to such projections.
(c) At such time as available, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, Borrower Agent shall furnish to Agent a profit and loss summary analysis on a store-by-store basis for all store locations with respect to the immediately preceding twelve (12) months.
(d) Borrowers and Guarantors shall promptly notify Agent in writing of the details of (i) any loss, damage, investigation, action, suit, proceeding or claim relating to Collateral having a value of more than $1,000,000 or which if adversely determined would have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any Material Contract being terminated or amended or any new Material Contract entered into (in which event Borrowers and Guarantors shall provide Agent with a copy of such Material Contract), (iii) any order, judgment or decree in excess of $1,000,000 shall have been entered against any Borrower or Guarantor any of its or their properties or assets, (iv) any written notification of a material violation of laws or regulations received by any Borrower or Guarantor, (v) any ERISA Event, and (vi) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.
(e) Borrowers and Guarantors shall promptly after the sending or filing thereof furnish or cause to be furnished to Agent copies of all reports which any Borrower or Guarantor sends to its stockholders generally and copies of all reports and registration statements which any Borrower or Guarantor files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(f) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Agent such budgets, forecasts, projections and other information respecting the Collateral and the business of Borrowers and Guarantors, as Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request. Agent is hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any financial statement or any other information relating to the business of Borrowers and Guarantors to any court or other Governmental Authority or to any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant or any Affiliate of any Lender or Participant. Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs all accountants or auditors to deliver to Agent, at Borrowers’ expense, copies of the financial statements of any Borrower and Guarantor and any reports or management letters prepared by such accountants or auditors on behalf of any Borrower or Guarantor and to disclose to Agent and Lenders such information as they may have regarding the business of any Borrower
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and Guarantor. Any documents, schedules, invoices or other papers delivered to Agent or any Lender may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by Agent or such Lender one (1) year after the same are delivered to Agent or such Lender, except as otherwise designated by Borrower Agent to Agent or such Lender in writing.
9.7 Sale of Assets, Consolidation, Merger, Dissolution, Etc. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly,
(a) merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or with or consolidate with it except that any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent (other than any Borrower) may merge with and into or consolidate with any other wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent (other than any Borrower), and any Borrower may merge with and into or consolidate with any other Borrower, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied as determined by Agent in good faith: (i) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of such Subsidiaries to so merge or consolidate, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent, the persons that are merging or consolidating, which person will be the surviving entity, the locations of the assets of the persons that are merging or consolidating, and the material agreements and documents relating to such merger or consolidation, (ii) Agent shall have received such other information with respect to such merger or consolidation as Agent may reasonably request, (iii) as of the effective date of the merger or consolidation and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred, (iv) Agent shall have received, true, correct and complete copies of all agreements, documents and instruments relating to such merger or consolidation, including, but not limited to, the certificate or certificates of merger to be filed with each appropriate Secretary of State (with a copy as filed promptly after such filing), (v) the surviving corporation shall expressly confirm, ratify and assume the Obligations and the Financing Agreements to which it is a party in writing, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and Borrowers and Guarantors shall execute and deliver such other agreements, documents and instruments as Agent may request in connection therewith;
(b) sell, issue, assign, lease, license, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock or Indebtedness to any other Person or any of its assets to any other Person, except for
(i) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business,
(ii) the sale or other disposition of Equipment (including worn-out or obsolete Equipment or Equipment no longer used or useful in the business of any Borrower or Guarantor) so long as such sales or other dispositions do not involve Equipment having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $7,500,000 for all such Equipment disposed of in any fiscal year of Borrowers or as Agent may otherwise agree,
(iii) the issuance and sale by any Borrower or Guarantor of Capital Stock of such Borrower or Guarantor after the date hereof; provided, that, (A) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of such issuance and sale by such Borrower or Guarantor, which notice shall specify the parties to whom such shares are to be sold, the terms of such sale, the total amount which it is anticipated will be realized from the
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issuance and sale of such stock and the net cash proceeds which it is anticipated will be received by such Borrower or Guarantor from such sale, (B) such Borrower or Guarantor shall not be required to pay any cash dividends or repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock or make any other payments in respect thereof, except as otherwise permitted in Section 9.11 hereof and except after the end of the then current term of this Agreement and the payment in full in cash or other immediately available funds of all of the Obligations, (C) the terms of such Capital Stock, and the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale thereof, shall not include any terms that include any limitation on the right of any Borrower to request or receive Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Accommodations or the right of any Borrower and Guarantor to amend or modify any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or otherwise in any way relate to or affect the arrangements of Borrowers and Guarantors with Agent and Lenders or are more restrictive or burdensome to any Borrower or Guarantor than the terms of any Capital Stock in effect on the date hereof, (D) except with respect to any sale and issuance of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating and as to the other Borrowers and Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries, except as Agent may otherwise agree in writing, all of the proceeds of the sale and issuance of such Capital Stock shall be paid to Agent for application to the Obligations in accordance with Section 6.4(a) hereof and (E) after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred,
(iv) the issuance of Capital Stock of any Borrower or Guarantor consisting of common stock pursuant to an employee stock option or grant or similar equity plan or 401(k) plans of such Borrower or Guarantor for the benefit of its employees, directors and consultants, provided, that, in no event shall such Borrower or Guarantor be required to issue, or shall such Borrower or Guarantor issue, Capital Stock pursuant to such stock plans or 401(k) plans which would result in a Change of Control or other Event of Default,
(v) sales or other dispositions by any Borrower of assets in connection with the closing or sale of a retail store location of such Borrower in the ordinary course of such Borrower’s business which consist of leasehold interests in the premises of such store, the Equipment and fixtures located at such premises and the books and records relating exclusively and directly to the operations of such store; provided, that, as to each and all such sales and closings, (A) on the date of, and after giving effect to, any such closing or sale, the aggregate number of retail store locations operated by Retail and Factory closed or sold by Borrowers in any fiscal year minus the number of retail stores operated by Retail and Factory opened by Borrowers in such fiscal year, shall not exceed the amount equal to twenty (20%) percent of the number of retail store locations of Borrowers operated by Retail and Factory, as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year, (B) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of such sale or closing, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent, the parties to such sale or other disposition, the assets to be sold or otherwise disposed of, the purchase price and the manner of payment thereof and such other information with respect thereto as Agent may request, (C) after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, (D) such sale shall be on commercially reasonable prices and terms in a bona fide arm’s length transaction, and (E) any and all proceeds payable or delivered to such Borrower in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be paid or delivered, or caused to be paid or delivered, to Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (except to the extent such proceeds reflect payment in respect of Indebtedness
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secured by a properly perfected first priority security interest in the assets sold, in which case, such proceeds shall be applied to such indebtedness secured thereby),
(vi) the grant by any Borrower or Guarantor after the date hereof of a non-exclusive license or an exclusive license to any person for the use of any Intellectual Property consisting of trademarks owned by such Borrower or Guarantor; provided, that, as to any such license, each of the following conditions is satisfied, (A) such license is only for the use of trademarks in the manufacture, distribution or sale of products outside the United States of America and Canada or, if such license is for the use of such trademarks in the manufacture, distribution or sale of products within the United States of America or Canada, it is only for categories or types of Inventory other than men’s or women’s wearing apparel of the type or category being sold by any Borrower or Guarantor as of the date of this Agreement or that Borrower and Guarantors do not manufacture, distribute or sell, (B) such licenses shall be on commercially reasonable prices and terms in a bona fide arms’ length transactions, (C) in the case of a non-exclusive license, the rights of the licensee shall be subject to the rights of Agent, and in the case of any license, shall not adversely affect, limit or restrict the rights of Agent to use any Intellectual Property of a Borrower or Guarantor to sell or otherwise dispose of any Inventory or other Collateral, (D) Agent shall have received, true, correct and complete copies of the executed license agreement, promptly upon the execution thereof and (E) as of the date of the grant of any such license, and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing,
(vii) sales, transfers and dispositions to Operating or a Subsidiary of Operating (other than an Inactive Subsidiary); provided, that, any such sales, transfers or dispositions involving a Subsidiary that is not a Borrower or Guarantor shall be made in compliance with Section 9.12 hereof,
(c) wind up, liquidate or dissolve except that any Guarantor (other than Parent) may wind up, liquidate and dissolve, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied, (i) the winding up, liquidation and dissolution of such Guarantor shall not violate any law or any order or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority in any material respect and shall not conflict with or result in the breach of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or any other agreement or instrument to which any Borrower or Guarantor is a party or may be bound, (ii) such winding up, liquidation or dissolution shall be done in accordance with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, (iii) effective upon such winding up, liquidation or dissolution, all of the assets and properties of such Guarantor shall be duly and validly transferred and assigned to its shareholders, free and clear of any liens, restrictions or encumbrances other than the security interest and liens of Agent (and Agent shall have received such evidence thereof as Agent may require) and Agent shall have received such deeds, assignments or other agreements as Agent may request to evidence and confirm the transfer of such assets to of such Guarantor to such shareholders, (iv) Agent shall have received all documents and agreements that any Borrower or Guarantor has filed with any Governmental Authority or as are otherwise required to effectuate such winding up, liquidation or dissolution, (v) no Borrower or Guarantor shall assume any Indebtedness, obligations or liabilities as a result of such winding up, liquidation or dissolution, or otherwise become liable in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the entity that is winding up, liquidating or dissolving, unless such Indebtedness is otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, (vi) Agent shall have received not less
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than ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of the intention of such Guarantor to wind up, liquidate or dissolve, and (vii) as of the date of such winding up, liquidation or dissolution and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall exist or have occurred; or
(d) agree to any of the foregoing set forth in subsections (a) through (c) of this Section 9.7.
9.8 Encumbrances. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever on any of its assets or properties, including the Collateral, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any security interest or lien with respect to any such assets or properties, except:
(a) the security interests and liens of Agent for itself and the benefit of Lenders and the security interests and liens of Agent for the benefit of itself, any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender or any other financial institution acceptable to Agent (and in each case as to any such Lender, Affiliate or other financial institution only to the extent approved by Agent) that is party to a Hedge Agreement to the extent provided for herein and subject to the terms hereof;
(b) liens securing the payment of taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies either not yet overdue or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to such Borrower, or Guarantor or Subsidiary, as the case may be and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books;
(c) non-consensual statutory liens (other than liens securing the payment of taxes) arising in the ordinary course of such Borrower’s, Guarantor’s or Subsidiary’s business to the extent: (i) such liens secure Indebtedness which is not overdue or which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, diligently pursued and available to such Borrower, Guarantor or Subsidiary or (ii) such liens secure Indebtedness relating to claims or liabilities that are fully insured and being defended at the sole cost and expense and at the sole risk of the insurer or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to such Borrower, Guarantor or such Subsidiary, but in each case under clause (i) and (ii) hereof, (A) prior to the commencement of foreclosure or other similar proceedings, (B) with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books, (C) subject to the right of Agent, at its option, to establish a Reserve in respect thereof (which Reserve shall be terminated upon the payment and satisfaction in full of such Indebtedness and the receipt by Agent of evidence thereof satisfactory to Agent or may be used by Agent to pay such Indebtedness after notice to Borrower Agent in the event of the commencement or threatened commencement (to the extent such threat is imminent as determined in good faith by Agent) of any action by the party to whom such Indebtedness is owed to exercise its remedies with respect thereto or to the extent necessary for Agent to exercise any of its rights or remedies); and (D) as to any such liens (or the Indebtedness secured thereby) that are being contested, the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness secured by all such liens at any time outstanding shall not exceed $1,000,000;
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(d) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, covenants and other restrictions affecting the use of Real Property which do not interfere in any material respect with the use of such Real Property or ordinary conduct of the business of such Borrower, Guarantor or such Subsidiary as presently conducted thereon or, in the case of Real Property subject to the Mortgages, materially impair the value of the Real Property which may be subject thereto;
(e) purchase money security interests in Equipment (including Capital Leases) and purchase money mortgages on Real Property to secure Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.9(b) hereof;
(f) pledges and deposits of cash by any Borrower or Guarantor after the date hereof in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security benefits consistent with the current practices of such Borrower or Guarantor as of the date hereof;
(g) pledges and deposits of cash by any Borrower or Guarantor after the date hereof to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, trade contracts (other than for the repayment of Indebtedness), statutory obligations and other similar obligations in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with the current practices of such Borrower or Guarantor as of the date hereof; provided, that, in connection with any performance bonds issued by a surety or other person, the issuer of such bond shall have waived in writing any rights in or to, or other interest in, any of the Collateral in an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in good faith;
(h) liens arising from (i) operating leases and the precautionary UCC financing statement filings in respect thereof and (ii) equipment or other materials which are not owned by any Borrower or Guarantor located on the premises of such Borrower or Guarantor (but not in connection with, or as part of, the financing thereof) from time to time in the ordinary course of business and consistent with current practices of such Borrower or Guarantor and the precautionary UCC financing statement filings in respect thereof;
(i) liens or rights of setoff against credit balances of Borrowers with Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors or amounts owing by such Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors to Borrower in the ordinary course of business, but not liens on or rights of setoff against any other property or assets of Borrowers, pursuant to the Credit Card Agreements (as in effect on the date hereof) to secure the obligations of Borrowers to the Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors as a result of fees and chargebacks;
(j) statutory or common law liens or rights of setoff of depository banks with respect to funds of Borrowers or Guarantors at such banks to secure fees and charges in connection with returned items or the standard fees and charges of such banks in connection with the deposit accounts maintained by Borrowers and Guarantors at such banks (but not any other Indebtedness or obligations);
(k) deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased and operated by Borrowers in the ordinary course of the business of Borrowers to secure the performance by Borrowers of their respective obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises;
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(l) judgments and other similar liens arising in connection with court proceedings that do not constitute an Event of Default, provided, that, (i) such liens are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to such Borrower, Guarantor or Subsidiary, (ii) adequate reserves or other appropriate provision, if any, as are required by GAAP have been made therefor, (iii) a stay of enforcement of any such liens is in effect and (iv) Agent may establish a Reserve with respect thereto (which Reserve shall be terminated simultaneously with the payment and satisfaction in full of the Indebtedness secured thereby and the receipt by Agent of evidence thereof satisfactory to Agent or may be used by Agent to pay such Indebtedness after notice to Borrower Agent in the event of the commencement or threatened commencement (to the extent such threat is imminent as determined in good faith by Agent) of any action by the party to whom such Indebtedness is owed to exercise its remedies with respect thereto or to the extent necessary for Agent to exercise any of its rights or remedies); and
(m) the security interests and liens set forth on Schedule 8.4 to the Information Certificate;
(n) the security interests and liens of the Noteholder Collateral Agent in the Collateral pursuant to the Black Canyon Security Agreement to secure (i) the Indebtedness of Operating and the Black Canyon Guarantors under the Black Canyon Documents to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 9.9(r) hereof and (ii) the Indebtedness of Intermediate evidenced by the remaining portion of the 16% Senior Discount Notes on an equal and ratable basis to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 9.9(q) hereof, which security interests and liens of the Noteholder Collateral Agent are and shall at all times be junior and subordinate to the security interests and liens of Agent pursuant to the Black Canyon Intercreditor Agreement;
(o) the security interests and liens of the financial institution or institutions providing the Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 9.9(t) hereof on the Intellectual Property and all other Collateral, in each case to secure the Indebtedness of Borrowers and Guarantors permitted under Section 9.9(t) hereof, which security interests and liens of such financial institution or institutions shall at all times be subject to an intercreditor agreement on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, including a subordinate and junior lien of such financial institution or institutions as to all Collateral (other than Intellectual Property) and the priority of the security interests and liens of such financial institution or institutions as to the Intellectual Property and the right of Agent to use the Intellectual Property to realize on the Collateral.
9.9 Indebtedness. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, incur, create, assume, become or be liable in any manner with respect to, or permit to exist, any Indebtedness, or guarantee, assume, endorse, or otherwise become responsible for (directly or indirectly), the Indebtedness, performance, obligations or dividends of any other Person, except:
(a) the Obligations;
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(b) purchase money Indebtedness (including Capital Leases) arising after the date hereof to the extent secured by purchase money security interests in Equipment (including Capital Leases) and purchase money mortgages on Real Property not to exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding so long as such security interests and mortgages do not apply to any property of such Borrower, Guarantor or Subsidiary other than the Equipment or Real Property so acquired, and the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of the Equipment or Real Property so acquired, as the case may be;
(c) guarantees by any Borrower or Guarantor of the Obligations of the other Borrowers or Guarantors in favor of Agent for the benefit of Lenders;
(d) unsecured guarantees by Parent or a Borrower of the obligations of a Borrower arising pursuant to a lease or license by a third party in a bona fide arm’s length transaction of real property for use as a retail store location in the ordinary course of the business of such Borrower; provided, that, (i) the Person issuing such guarantee is permitted hereunder to incur directly the obligation that is being guaranteed and (ii) as of the date on which such guarantee is issued no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing;
(e) unsecured guarantees by any Borrower or Guarantor of the obligations to a third party of any other Borrower or Guarantor (other than Parent); provided, that, (i) the Person issuing such guarantee is permitted hereunder to incur directly the Indebtedness that is being guaranteed, and (ii) as of the date on which such guarantee is issued, no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing;
(f) the Indebtedness of any Borrower or Guarantor to any other Borrower or Guarantor arising after the date hereof pursuant to loans by any Borrower or Guarantor permitted under Section 9.10(g) hereof;
(g) unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower or Guarantor arising after the date hereof to any third party (but not to any other Borrower or Guarantor and other than any Indebtedness permitted under Sections 9.9(h) or 9.9(i) below) pursuant to loans in cash or other immediately available funds by such person to such Borrower or Guarantor, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied as determined by Agent: (i) such Indebtedness shall be on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, (ii) in no event shall any Borrower or Guarantor make, or be required to make under the terms thereof, payments in respect of such Indebtedness prior to the date one hundred eighty (180) days after the end of the then current term of this Agreement (other than regularly scheduled payments of interest and fees or payments pursuant to the issuance of additional Indebtedness on substantially the same terms as the initial Indebtedness), (iii) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to incur such Indebtedness, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent the amount of such Indebtedness, the person or persons to whom such Indebtedness will be owed, the interest rate, the schedule of repayments and maturity date with respect thereto and such other information as Agent may reasonably request with respect thereto, (iv) Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of all agreements, documents and instruments evidencing or otherwise related to such Indebtedness, (v) except as Agent may otherwise agree in writing, all of the proceeds of the loans or other accommodations giving rise to such Indebtedness shall be paid to
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Agent for application to the Obligations in such order and manner as Agent may determine, (vi) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $20,000,000, (vii) as of the date of incurring such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred, (viii) such Borrower and Guarantor shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto, except, that, such Borrower or Guarantor may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness (except pursuant to regularly scheduled payments permitted herein), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (ix) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be;
(h) unsecured Indebtedness of Parent arising after the date hereof to any Person (but not to any other Borrower or Guarantor and other than any Indebtedness permitted under Sections 9.9(g) above or 9.9(i) below) pursuant to loans in cash or other immediately available funds by such person to Parent, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied as determined by Agent: (i) such Indebtedness shall be on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, (ii) in no event shall any Borrower or Guarantor make, or be required to make under the terms thereof, payments in respect of such Indebtedness prior to the termination of this Agreement and the payment in full in cash or other immediately available funds of all of the Obligations (other than payments pursuant to the issuance of additional Indebtedness by Parent on substantially the same terms as the initial Indebtedness), (iii) Agent shall have received prior written notice of the intention of Parent to incur such Indebtedness, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent the amount of such Indebtedness, the person or persons to whom such Indebtedness will be owed, the interest rate, the schedule of repayments and maturity date with respect thereto and such other information as Agent may reasonably request with respect thereto, (iv) Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of all agreements, documents and instruments evidencing or otherwise related to such Indebtedness, (v) Parent shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto, except, that, Parent may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness (except pursuant to payments in the form permitted herein), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (vi) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be;
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(i) unsecured Indebtedness of Operating arising after the date hereof to TPG Partners, any Affiliate of TPG Partners or any third party to the extent such Indebtedness of Operating to such third party is guaranteed by TPG Partners or any Affiliate of TPG Partners (other than any Indebtedness permitted under Sections 9.9(g) or 9.9(h) above) pursuant to loans in cash or other immediately available funds by such person to Operating, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied as determined by Agent: (i) such Indebtedness shall be on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, and such Indebtedness shall be subject and subordinate in right of payment to the right of Agent and Lenders to receive the prior indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in cash or other immediately available funds of all of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of an intercreditor agreement between Agent and the person to whom such Indebtedness is owed, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, (ii) Agent shall have received prior written notice of the intention of Operating to incur such Indebtedness, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent the amount of such Indebtedness, the person or persons to whom such Indebtedness will be owed, the interest rate, the schedule of repayments and maturity date with respect thereto and such other information as Agent may reasonably request with respect thereto, (iii) Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of all agreements, documents and instruments evidencing or otherwise related to such Indebtedness, (iv) Operating shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto, except, that, Operating may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness (except pursuant to regularly scheduled payments that may be permitted under the terms of the intercreditor agreement referred to above), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (v) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be;
(j) Indebtedness of Parent evidenced by the Senior Discount Debentures as in effect on the date hereof or as permitted to be amended pursuant to the terms hereof, provided, that:
(i) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $25,000,000, less the aggregate amount of all repayments or redemptions, whether optional or mandatory, in respect thereof, plus interest thereon at the rate provided for in the Senior Discount Debentures as in effect on the date hereof,
(ii) the Credit Facility is and shall at all times continue to be the “New Credit Facility” as such term is defined in the Senior Debenture Indenture as in effect on the date hereof and is and shall be entitled to all of the rights and benefits thereof, if any, under the Senior Debenture Indenture as in effect on the date hereof,
(iii) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, make any payments in respect of such Indebtedness, except that they may make (A) regularly scheduled
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payments of interest and fees, if any, in respect of such Indebtedness when due in accordance with the terms of the Senior Discount Debentures and the Senior Debenture Indenture, in each case as in effect on the date hereof and any reasonable and customary fees required to be paid to holders of the Senior Discount Debentures in connection with a consent solicitation and (B) payments permitted under clause (j)(v) below of this Section 9.9,
(iv) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter or change, in each case, in any material respect any terms of such Indebtedness or any of the Senior Discount Debentures, the Senior Debenture Indenture or any related agreements, documents and instruments, except that Borrowers and Guarantors may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness other than pursuant to payments thereof, or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or to eliminate any covenants contained therein, or make any such covenants less restrictive or otherwise more favorable to any Borrower or Guarantor, and
(v) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any part of such Indebtedness other than at maturity (as set forth in the Senior Debenture Indenture as in effect on the date hereof or as extended after the date hereof), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, except that
(A) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any part of such Indebtedness with Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto to the extent permitted under Section 9.9(o) hereof,
(B) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any portion of such Indebtedness with the net proceeds of the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating permitted hereunder received by such Borrower or Guarantor in cash or other immediately available funds, provided, that, as of the date of any such redemption or purchase or any payment in respect thereof and after giving effect thereto, (1) Borrowers and Guarantors shall have complied with all of the requirements of Sections 9.7(b)(iii)(A), (B), (C) and (E) with respect to such issuance and sale of Capital Stock and in addition to such requirements, the notice provided to Agent pursuant thereto shall specify that the proceeds are to be used for the redemption, retirement, defeasance, purchase or acquisition of all or any part all of such Indebtedness (and shall specify which of the foregoing is intended), the maximum amount that Borrowers and Guarantors will pay in respect thereof and the range of the principal amount of the Senior Discount Debentures that Borrowers and Guarantors anticipate will be so redeemed, retired, defeased, purchased or otherwise acquired, (2) the redemption, retirement, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition of all or any part of such Indebtedness shall be substantially contemporaneous with the issuance and sale of the Capital Stock of Parent or Operating subject to such notice provided to Agent, (3) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, there shall be Excess Availability, and (4) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing,
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(C) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem or repurchase such Indebtedness in cash or other immediately available funds (other than with proceeds of the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating as provided in clause (B) above); provided, that, (1) Borrower Agent shall have provided to Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days’ notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to redeem or repurchase such Indebtedness (specifying the amount to be paid by Borrowers or Guarantors and the principal amount of the Senior Discount Debentures that Borrowers and Guarantors anticipate will be so redeemed or repurchased), (2) for the two consecutive month period immediately prior to the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, Excess Availability shall have been not less than $30,000,000, (3) Agent shall have received, not more than twenty (20) Business Days prior to such payment and not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such payment, current, updated projections of the amount of the Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the one month period after the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent, representing Borrowers’ reasonable best estimate of the future Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the period set forth therein as of the date not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the payment in respect of such redemption and repurchase, which projections shall have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein which Borrowers believe are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions, (4) the amount of the Excess Availability as set forth in such projections for such one month period shall be not less than $20,000,000, and (5) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing;
(k) intentionally omitted;
(l) contingent Indebtedness arising pursuant to the guarantee existing on the date hereof by any Subsidiary of Operating of the Indebtedness of Operating evidenced by the 10 3/8% Subordinated Notes to the extent such Indebtedness of Operating is permitted hereunder, set forth in the 10 3/8% Subordinated Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof;
(m) Indebtedness incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by a Borrower or Guarantor in the ordinary course of business consistent with current practices as of the date hereof;
(n) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (other than daylight overdrafts and drafts in the controlled disbursement accounts to be covered by Revolving Loans) inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, that, such Indebtedness shall be repaid within five (5) days of its incurrence and shall not exceed $1,000,000 outstanding at any one time;
(o) Indebtedness of Parent, Operating or Intermediate, as the case may be, arising after the date hereof issued in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, replace or substitute for Indebtedness permitted under Sections 9.9(j), 9.9(q), 9.9(r), 9.9(s), 9.9(t) or 9.9(u) hereof (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided, that, as to any such Refinancing Indebtedness, each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) Agent shall have
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received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention to incur such Indebtedness, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent, the amount of such Indebtedness, the schedule of repayments and maturity date with respect thereto and such other information with respect thereto as Agent may reasonably request, (ii) promptly upon Agent’s request, Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of all agreements, documents and instruments evidencing or otherwise related to such Indebtedness, as duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (iii) the Refinancing Indebtedness shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity and a final maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity and the final maturity, respectively, of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, replaced, or substituted for, (iv) the Refinancing Indebtedness shall rank in right of payment no more senior than, and be at least as subordinated (if subordinated) to, the Obligations as the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, replaced or substituted for, (v) the Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include terms and conditions with respect to any Borrower or Guarantor which are more burdensome or restrictive in any material respect than those included in the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, replaced or substituted for, (vi) such Indebtedness incurred by any Borrower or Guarantor shall be at rates and with fees or other charges that are commercially reasonable, (vii) the incurring of such Indebtedness shall not result in an Event of Default, (viii) the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, replaced or substituted for (plus the amount of refinancing fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith outstanding on the date of such event), (ix) Borrowers and Guarantors may only make payments of principal, interest and fees, if any, in respect of such Indebtedness to the extent such payments would have been permitted hereunder in respect of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, replaced or substituted for (and except as otherwise permitted below), (x) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change any terms of the agreements with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, except that Borrowers and Guarantors may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof to the extent permitted with respect to the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, replaced or substituted for, or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquired such Indebtedness, or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose (other than with Refinancing Indebtedness to the extent permitted herein and to the extent permitted with respect to the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, replaced or substituted for), and (xi) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent copies of all material notices or demands in connection with Indebtedness received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf promptly after the receipt thereof or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be; and
(p) the Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 9.9 to the Information Certificate; provided, that, (i) Borrowers and Guarantors may only make regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest in respect of such Indebtedness in accordance with the terms of the agreement or instrument evidencing or giving rise to such Indebtedness as in effect on the date hereof, (ii) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto as in effect on the date hereof except, that, Borrowers and Guarantors may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the
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interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness, or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (iii) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf, promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf, concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be.
(q) Indebtedness of Intermediate evidenced by the 16% Senior Discount Notes as in effect on the date hereof or as permitted to be amended pursuant to the terms hereof, provided, that:
(i) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $75,000,000, plus Contingent Principal, less the aggregate amount of all repayments or redemptions, whether optional or mandatory, in respect thereof, plus interest thereon at the rate provided for in the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof;
(ii) the Credit Facility is and shall at all times continue to be the “New Credit Facility” as such term is defined in the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof and is and shall be entitled to all of the rights and benefits thereof, if any, under the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof,
(iii) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, make any payments in respect of such Indebtedness, except that (A) they may make regularly scheduled payments of interest by capitalizing such interest and adding such capitalized amount to the outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness, and fees, if any, in respect of such Indebtedness when due in accordance with the terms of the 16% Senior Discount Notes in effect on the date hereof and the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer Documents as in effect on the date hereof and any reasonable and customary fees required to be paid to holders of the 16% Senior Discount Notes in connection with a consent solicitation, it being understood and agreed that in no event shall the provisions of the 16% Senior Discount Notes as in effect on the date hereof and the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof with respect thereto, vary from the provisions of the Exchange Offer Documents and (B) payments permitted under clause (q)(v) below of this Section 9.9,
(iv) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter or change, in each case, in any material respect any terms of such Indebtedness or any of the 16% Senior Discount Notes, the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture or any related agreements, documents and instruments, except that Borrowers and Guarantors may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness other than pursuant to payments thereof, or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or to eliminate any covenants contained therein, or make any such covenants less restrictive or otherwise more favorable to any Borrower or Guarantor, and
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(v) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any part of such Indebtedness other than at maturity (as set forth in the 16% Senior Discount Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof or as extended after such date), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, except that
(A) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any part of such Indebtedness with Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto to the extent permitted under Section 9.9(o) hereof,
(B) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any portion of such Indebtedness with the net proceeds of the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating permitted hereunder received by such Borrower or Guarantor in cash or other immediately available funds; provided, that, as of the date of any such redemption or purchase or any payment in respect thereof and after giving effect thereto, (1) Borrowers and Guarantors shall have complied with all of the requirements of Sections 9.7(b)(iii)(A), (B), (C) and (E) with respect to such issuance and sale of Capital Stock and in addition to such requirements, the notice provided to Agent pursuant thereto shall specify that the proceeds are to be used for the redemption, retirement, defeasance, purchase or acquisition of all or any part all of such Indebtedness (and shall specify which of the foregoing is intended), the maximum amount that Borrowers and Guarantors will pay in respect thereof and the range of the principal amount of the 16% Senior Discount Notes that Borrowers and Guarantors anticipate will be so redeemed, retired, defeased, purchased or otherwise acquired, (2) the redemption, retirement, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition of all or any part of such Indebtedness shall be substantially contemporaneous with the issuance and sale of the Capital Stock of Parent or Operating subject to such notice provided to Agent, (3) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, there shall be Excess Availability, and (4) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, and
(C) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem or repurchase such Indebtedness in cash or other immediately available funds (other than with proceeds of the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating as provided in clause (B) above); provided, that, (1) Borrower Agent shall have provided to Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days’ notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to redeem or purchase such Indebtedness (specifying the amount to be paid by Borrowers or Guarantors and the principal amount of the 16% Senior Discount Notes that Borrowers and Guarantors anticipate will be so redeemed or repurchased), (2) for the two consecutive month period immediately prior to the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, Excess Availability shall have been not less than $30,000,000, (3) Agent shall have received, not more than twenty (20) Business Days prior to such payment and not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such payment, current, updated projections of the amount of the Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the one month period after the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent, representing Borrowers’ reasonable best estimate of the future Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the period set forth therein as of the date not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the payment in respect of such redemption and repurchase, which projections shall have been prepared on the basis of the
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assumptions set forth therein which Borrowers believe are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions, and (4) the amount of the Excess Availability as set forth in such projections for such one month period shall be not less than $20,000,000, and (5) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing;
(r) Indebtedness of Operating arising on the Black Canyon Closing Date under the Black Canyon Credit Agreement (or under the Black Canyon Indenture upon its execution and delivery after the Black Canyon Closing Date), provided, that:
(i) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $275,000,000 (or such greater amount as is permitted below), less the aggregate amount of all repayments or redemptions, whether optional or mandatory, in respect thereof, plus interest thereon at the rate provided for in the Black Canyon Credit Agreement (or provided for in the Black Canyon Indenture upon its execution and delivery after the date hereof), except, that, at the option of Borrowers, the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding at such time may be increased, provided, that, (A) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of Borrowers to exercise such option, which notice shall specify the then current amounts of such Indebtedness, the amount of such increase and such other information with respect thereto as Agent may reasonably request, (B) each of the conditions to any such increase under the terms of the Black Canyon Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof have been satisfied and Agent shall have received such evidence thereof as Agent may request, (C) such Indebtedness shall be on the same terms and conditions as the Indebtedness of Borrowers under the Black Canyon Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof (or as permitted to be amended hereunder) or the same terms and conditions of the Black Canyon Indenture (as such terms and conditions are permitted hereunder) or terms and conditions more favorable to Borrowers and Guarantors and subject in all respects to the Black Canyon Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreements no less favorable to Agent in any respect, (D) Agent shall receive written confirmation from Borrower Agent that Borrowers have received the proceeds of the loans in immediately available funds giving rise to such increase in Indebtedness promptly upon the receipt thereof and the amount of such funds, (E) in no event shall the aggregate amount of all such increases exceed at any time the amount equal to $50,000,000 minus the amount of the outstanding Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.9(u) hereof, (F) after giving effect to any such increase, Excess Availability shall be not less than $20,000,000 and (G) as of the date of such increase and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing,
(ii) the Credit Facility is and shall at all times continue to be the “Congress Credit Facility” as such term is defined in the Black Canyon Documents and the Obligations are and shall at all times constitute “Senior Debt” and “Designated Senior Debt” as each of such terms is defined in the Black Canyon Documents and is and shall be entitled to all of the rights and benefits thereof, if any, under the Black Canyon Documents,
(iii) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, make any payments in respect of such Indebtedness, except that (A) they may make regularly scheduled payments of interest and fees, if any, in respect of such Indebtedness when due in accordance with the terms of the Black Canyon Credit Agreement (or in accordance with the terms of the
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Black Canyon Indenture upon its execution and delivery after the Black Canyon Closing Date), and any reasonable and customary fees required to be paid to lenders or holders of the Indebtedness of Operating under the Black Canyon Documents and (B) payments permitted under clause (r)(v) below of this Section 9.9,
(iv) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter or change, in each case, in any material respect any terms of such Indebtedness or any of the Black Canyon Documents or any related agreements, documents and instruments, except that Borrowers and Guarantors may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness other than pursuant to payments thereof, or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or to eliminate any covenants contained therein, or make any such covenants less restrictive or otherwise more favorable to any Borrower or Guarantor or to execute and deliver a loan guarantee in the form attached as Exhibit B to the Black Canyon Credit Agreement (or the equivalent form attached to the Black Canyon Indenture), and
(v) Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any part of such Indebtedness other than at maturity (as set forth in the Black Canyon Credit Agreement or the Black Canyon Indenture upon its execution and delivery after the Black Canyon Closing Date), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, except that
(A) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any part of such Indebtedness with Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto to the extent permitted under Section 9.9(o) hereof,
(B) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire all or any portion of such Indebtedness with the net proceeds of the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating permitted hereunder received by such Borrower or Guarantor in cash or other immediately available funds; provided, that, as of the date of any such redemption or purchase or any payment in respect thereof and after giving effect thereto, (1) Borrowers and Guarantors shall have complied with all of the requirements of Sections 9.7(b)(iii)(A), (B), (C) and (E) with respect to such issuance and sale of Capital Stock and in addition to such requirements, the notice provided to Agent pursuant thereto shall specify that the proceeds are to be used for the redemption, retirement, defeasance, purchase or acquisition of all or any part all of such Indebtedness (and shall specify which of the foregoing is intended), the maximum amount that Borrowers and Guarantors will pay in respect thereof and the range of the principal amount of such Indebtedness that Borrowers and Guarantors anticipate will be so redeemed, retired, defeased, purchased or otherwise acquired, (2) the redemption, retirement, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition of all or any part of such Indebtedness shall be substantially contemporaneous with the issuance and sale of the Capital Stock of Parent or Operating subject to such notice provided to Agent, (3) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, there shall be Excess Availability, and (4) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, and
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(C) Borrowers or Guarantors may redeem or repurchase such Indebtedness in cash or other immediately available funds (other than with proceeds of the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of Parent or Operating as provided in clause (B) above); provided, that, (1) Borrower Agent shall have provided to Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days’ notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to redeem or repurchase such Indebtedness (specifying the amount to be paid by Borrowers or Guarantors and the principal amount of such Indebtedness that Borrowers and Guarantors anticipate will be so redeemed or repurchased), (2) for the two consecutive month period immediately prior to the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, Excess Availability shall have been not less than $30,000,000, (3) Agent shall have received, not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to such payment and not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such payment, current, updated projections of the amount of the Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the one month period after the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent, representing Borrowers’ reasonable best estimate of the future Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the period set forth therein as of the date not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the payment in respect of such redemption and repurchase, which projections shall have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein which Borrowers believe are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions, (4) the amount of the Excess Availability as set forth in such projections for such one month period shall be not less than $20,000,000, and (5) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing.
(s) contingent Indebtedness arising pursuant to the guarantees existing on November 24, 2004 by the Black Canyon Guarantors (or thereafter pursuant to any person that becomes a Black Canyon Guarantor after November 24, 2004 in accordance with the terms of the Black Canyon Documents) of the Indebtedness of Operating arising under the Black Canyon Documents to the extent such Indebtedness of Operating is permitted hereunder, set forth in the Black Canyon Credit Agreement, or on substantially the same terms, in the Black Canyon Indenture upon the execution and delivery thereof.
(t) Indebtedness of any Borrower or Guarantor arising after the date hereof to any financial institution or institutions pursuant to loans in cash or other immediately available funds by such institution or institutions to such Borrower or Guarantor, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied as determined by Agent: (i) such Indebtedness shall be owing to a financial institution or institutions reasonably acceptable to Agent, (ii) in no event shall any Borrower or Guarantor make, or be required to make under the terms thereof, any payments in respect of such Indebtedness prior to the date one hundred eighty (180) days after the end of the then current term of this Agreement, except for (A) regularly scheduled payments of interest and (B) regularly scheduled payments of principal so long as the aggregate amount of such payments of principal in any twelve (12) consecutive month period (but not including payments on the final maturity date of such Indebtedness) do not exceed $10,000,000 (provided, that, the amount of any such payments of principal in excess of $2,500,000 to be made in any such twelve (12) month period shall be included in the calculation of the Fixed Interest Charge Coverage Ratio as provided herein), (iii) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness shall be on “market” terms (based on the market for a secured term loan provided in conjunction with an asset-based facility of the type provided for in this Agreement) and otherwise on commercially
reasonable rates and terms in a bona fide transaction, (iv) such Indebtedness shall be secured only by a first priority security interest in the Intellectual Property and a security interest in such other Collateral as such financial institution or institutions may require which is subordinate and junior in all respects to the security interest and lien of Agent therein, (v) Agent shall have received an intercreditor agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the persons to whom such Indebtedness is owed, and acknowledged and agreed to by Borrowers and Guarantors, (vi) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to incur such Indebtedness, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent the amount of such Indebtedness, the person or persons to whom such Indebtedness will be owed, the interest rate, the schedule of repayments and maturity date with respect thereto and such other information as Agent may reasonably request with respect thereto, (vii) on and after the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Adjusted Borrowing Base shall be used for purposes hereof and as of the date of incurring such Indebtedness, immediately after giving effect to the Adjusted Borrowing Base, Excess Availability shall be not less than $20,000,000, (viii) Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of all material agreements, documents and instruments evidencing or otherwise related to such Indebtedness and such other agreements, documents and instruments as Agent may reasonably request, (ix) the net cash proceeds of such loans received by the Borrowers shall not be less than $20,000,000 and shall not exceed $80,000,000, (x) as of the date of incurring such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, (xi) such Borrower and Guarantor shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto, except, that, such Borrower or Guarantor may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or in such other manner as Agent may agree or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness (except pursuant to regularly scheduled payments permitted herein), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (xii) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all material notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be;
(u) Indebtedness of any Borrower or Guarantor arising after the date hereof to any financial institution or institutions pursuant to loans in cash or other immediately available funds by such institution or institutions to such Borrower or Guarantor, provided, that, each of the following conditions is satisfied as determined by Agent: (i) such Indebtedness shall be owing to a financial institution or institutions reasonably acceptable to Agent, (ii) each of the conditions to any increase in the amount of Indebtedness under the terms of the Black Canyon Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof shall have been satisfied and Agent shall have received such evidence thereof as Agent may request, (iii) such Indebtedness shall be on the same terms and conditions as the Indebtedness of Borrowers under the Black Canyon Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof (or as permitted to be amended hereunder) or the terms and conditions of the Black Canyon Indenture (as such terms and conditions are permitted hereunder) or terms and conditions more favorable to Borrowers and Guarantors, (iv) Agent shall
have received an intercreditor agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the persons to whom such Indebtedness is owed, and acknowledged and agreed to by Borrowers and Guarantors, which shall be no less favorable to Agent and Lenders than the Black Canyon Intercreditor Agreement, (v) Agent shall receive written confirmation from Borrower Agent that Borrowers have received the proceeds of the loans in immediately available funds giving rise to such Indebtedness on the date of the receipt thereof and the amount of such funds, (vi) in no event shall the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness exceed at any time the amount equal to $50,000,000 minus the amount of all increases in the Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.9(r)(i) hereof above, (vii) after giving effect to any such Indebtedness, Excess Availability shall be not less than $20,000,000, (vii) Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to incur such Indebtedness, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail satisfactory to Agent the amount of such Indebtedness, the person or persons to whom such Indebtedness will be owed, the interest rate, the schedule of repayments and maturity date with respect thereto and such other information as Agent may reasonably request with respect thereto, (viii) Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of all material agreements, documents and instruments evidencing or otherwise related to such Indebtedness and such other agreements, documents and instruments as Agent may reasonably request, (ix) as of the date of incurring such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, (x) such Borrower and Guarantor shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto, except, that, such Borrower or Guarantor may, after prior written notice to Agent, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or in such other manner as Agent may agree, (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness (except pursuant to regularly scheduled payments permitted herein), or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (xi) Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all material notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be; and
(v) Indebtedness of any Borrower or Guarantor entered into in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a Hedge Agreement; provided, that, (i) such arrangements are either with Agent, any Lender, or any Affiliate of any Lender or other financial institutions acceptable to Agent (and in each case as to any such Lender, Affiliate or other financial institution only to the extent approved by Agent), (ii) such arrangements are not for speculative purposes, and (iii) such Indebtedness shall be unsecured, except to the extent such Indebtedness constitutes part of the Obligations arising under or pursuant to Hedge Agreements with Agent, any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender or another financial institution that are secured under the terms hereof.
9.10 Loans, Investments, Etc. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any loans or advance money or property to any person, or invest in (by capital contribution or otherwise) or purchase or repurchase the
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Capital Stock or Indebtedness or all or a substantial part of the assets or property of any person, or form or acquire any Subsidiaries, or agree to do any of the foregoing, except:
(a) the endorsement of instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;
(b) investments in cash or Cash Equivalents, provided, that, (i) no Revolving Loans are then outstanding and (ii) the terms and conditions of Section 5.2 hereof shall have been satisfied with respect to the deposit account, investment account or other account in which such cash or Cash Equivalents are held;
(c) the equity investments of each Borrower and Guarantor in its Subsidiaries, provided, that, no Borrower or Guarantor shall have any further obligations or liabilities to make any capital contributions or other additional investments or other payments to or in or for the benefit of any of such Subsidiaries;
(d) loans and advances by any Borrower or Guarantor to employees of such Borrower or Guarantor not to exceed the principal amount of $3,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding for: (i) reasonably and necessary work-related travel or other ordinary business expenses to be incurred by such employee in connection with their work for such Borrower or Guarantor and (ii) reasonable and necessary relocation expenses of such employees (including home mortgage financing for relocated employees);
(e) stock or obligations issued to any Borrower or Guarantor by any Person (or the representative of such Person) in respect of Indebtedness of such Person owing to such Borrower or Guarantor in connection with the insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership or reorganization of such Person or a composition or readjustment of the debts of such Person; provided, that, the original of any such stock or instrument evidencing such obligations shall be promptly delivered to Agent, upon Agent’s request, together with such stock power, assignment or endorsement by such Borrower or Guarantor as Agent may request;
(f) obligations of account debtors to any Borrower or Guarantor arising from Accounts which are past due evidenced by a promissory note made by such account debtor payable to such Borrower or Guarantor; provided, that, promptly upon the receipt of the original of any such promissory note by such Borrower or Guarantor, such promissory note shall be endorsed to the order of Agent by such Borrower or Guarantor and promptly delivered to Agent as so endorsed;
(g) loans by Operating to any Subsidiary of Operating (other than an Inactive Subsidiary) or by Intermediate or any Subsidiary of Operating to Operating or any other Subsidiary of Operating (other than an Inactive Subsidiary); provided, that, as to all of such loans, the Indebtedness arising pursuant to any such loan shall not be evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument, unless the single original of such note or other instrument is promptly delivered to Agent upon its request to hold as part of the Collateral, with such endorsement and/or assignment by the payee of such note or other instrument as Agent may require,
(h) the formation by Parent of a direct wholly-owned Subsidiary after the date hereof that is incorporated under the laws of a State of the United States of America; provided,
that, each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) the only asset of such wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be Capital Stock of Operating issued after the date hereof to the extent such issuance is permitted under this Agreement and such Subsidiary shall not engage in any business or commercial activity or own or hold any other assets or properties, (ii) Parent shall cause any such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent, each of the following, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Agent: (A) an absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment of the Obligations, (B) a security agreement granting to Agent a first security interest in and lien upon all of the assets of any such Subsidiary, and (C) such other agreements, documents and instruments as Agent may require and (iii) Parent shall (A) execute and deliver to Agent, a pledge and security agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, granting to Agent a first pledge of and lien on all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of any such Subsidiary, and (B) deliver the original stock certificates evidencing such shares of Capital Stock (or such other evidence as may be issued in the case of a limited liability company), together with stock powers with respect thereto duly executed in blank (or the equivalent thereof in the case of a limited liability company in which such interests are certificated, or otherwise take such actions as Agent shall require with respect to Agent’s security interests therein),
(i) other investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding, provided, that, as of the date of any such investment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing;
(j) the loans and advances set forth on Schedule 9.10 to the Information Certificate; provided, that, as to such loans and advances, Borrowers and Guarantors shall not, directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such loans and advances or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto and Borrowers and Guarantors shall furnish to Agent all notices or demands in connection with such loans and advances either received by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf, promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by any Borrower or Guarantor or on its behalf, concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be;
(k) an intercompany loan by Operating to Intermediate on or about the Black Canyon Closing Date with a portion of the proceeds of the loans received by Operating under the Black Canyon Credit Agreement, the proceeds of which shall be used on or about the Black Canyon Closing Date by Intermediate solely to prepay a portion of the 16% Senior Discount Notes, provided, that, the Indebtedness arising pursuant to such loan shall not be evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument, unless the single original of such note or other instrument is promptly delivered to Agent upon its request to hold as part of the Collateral, with such endorsement and/or assignment by the payee of such note or other instrument as Agent may require.
(l) the acquisition after the date of the date hereof by any Borrower or Guarantor of any direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor organized under the laws of a jurisdiction in the United States of America; provided, that, as to any such acquisition of any such Subsidiary, each of the following conditions is satisfied:
(i) as of the date of any such acquisition of such Subsidiary or any payments in connection with the acquisition of such Subsidiary, and in each case after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing,
(ii) as of the date of any such acquisition of such Subsidiary or any payments in connection with the acquisition of such Subsidiary, for the two consecutive month period immediately prior to the date of any payment in respect of such redemption or repurchase, Excess Availability shall have been not less than $30,000,000,
(iii) Agent shall have received, not more than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the acquisition of such Subsidiary or any payment in connection with the acquisition of such Subsidiary, and not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such payment, current, updated projections of the amount of the Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the one month period after the date of any payment in respect of such acquisition, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent, representing Borrowers’ reasonable best estimate of the future Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the period set forth therein as of the date not more than term (10) days prior to the date of such acquisition or any payment in connection with it, which projections shall have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein which Borrowers believe are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions,
(iv) the amount of the Excess Availability as set forth in such projections for such one month period shall be not less than $20,000,000,
(v) the Subsidiary acquired shall be engaged in a business related, ancillary or complementary to the business of Borrowers permitted in this Agreement,
(vi) the Borrower or Guarantor forming such Subsidiary shall, except as Agent may otherwise agree, (A) execute and deliver to Agent, a pledge and security agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, granting to Agent a first pledge of and lien on all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of any such Subsidiary, and (B) deliver the original stock certificates evidencing such shares of Capital Stock (or such other evidence as may be issued in the case of a limited liability company), together with stock powers with respect thereto duly executed in blank (or the equivalent thereof in the case of a limited liability company in which such interests are certificated, or otherwise take such actions as Agent shall require with respect to Agent’s security interests therein),
(vii) as to any such Subsidiary, except as Agent may otherwise agree, (A) the Borrower or Guarantor forming such Subsidiary shall cause any such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent, the following (each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent), (A) an absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment of the Obligations, (B) a security agreement granting to Agent a first security interest and lien (except as otherwise consented to in writing by Agent) upon all of the assets of any such Subsidiary, and (C) such other agreements, documents and instruments as Agent may reasonably require in connection with the documents referred to above, including, but not limited to, supplements and amendments hereto and other loan agreements or instruments evidencing Indebtedness of such new Subsidiary to Agent,
(viii) Agent shall have received (A) not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice thereof setting forth in reasonable detail the nature and terms thereof, (B) true, correct and complete copies of all material agreements, documents and instruments relating thereto and (C) such other agreements, documents and instruments relating thereto and information with respect thereto as Agent may reasonably request.
9.11 Restricted Payments. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:
(a) Parent or Operating may make Restricted Payments with respect to its Capital Stock payable solely in additional shares of its Capital Stock that satisfies the requirements for issuance of Capital Stock by Parent or Operating under Section 9.7(b)(iii) hereof;
(b) Parent may make Restricted Payments with respect to the 14.50% Series A Preferred Stock of Parent and the 14.50% payment-in-kind Series B Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Stock of Parent, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred stock;
(c) Subsidiaries of Operating may make Restricted Payments to Operating and to wholly owned Subsidiaries of Operating (other than Inactive Subsidiaries) and may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their common stock;
(d) if at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, Operating may pay cash dividends to Parent, in an aggregate amount not exceeding $1,500,000 during any fiscal year, at such time and in such amounts as shall be necessary to permit Parent to (i) pay Taxes imposed upon it and liabilities incidental to its existence when due and (ii) pay directors’ fees and management compensation to its directors when due; provided, that, any dividends permitted to be paid to Parent shall not be paid prior to the date that Parent will apply the proceeds of such dividends to the purposes for which such dividends are permitted;
(e) Operating and its Subsidiaries may make payments to Parent pursuant to and in accordance with the tax sharing agreement by and among Parent and its Subsidiaries to reimburse Parent for their respective shares of income taxes paid by Parent determined as if Operating or such Subsidiary had filed its tax returns separately from Parent;
(f) (i) Operating may declare and pay a dividend to Parent (directly, or by payment of such dividend to Intermediate), and Intermediate may declare and pay a dividend to Parent, from time to time, (A) in the amount equal to any payment by Parent of cash interest permitted to be made by Parent pursuant to Section 9.9(j) hereof in respect of the Senior Discount Debentures, the proceeds of which shall be used by Parent only to make a payment of the interest then due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Senior Discount Debentures as in effect on the date hereof, and (B) in the amount up to the amount of any prepayments of principal that Parent is then permitted to make in respect of the Senior Discount Debentures under Section 9.9(j)(v)(C) hereof, the proceeds of which shall only be used by Parent to make prepayments of principal under the Senior Discount Debentures to the extent that Parent is
permitted to make such prepayments permitted under Section 9.9(j)(v)(C) hereof and (C) in the amount of the payment of principal required to be made by Parent on the scheduled final maturity date under the Senior Discount Debentures as in effect on the date hereof (or as such maturity date may be extended), the proceeds of which shall only be used by Parent to make such required payment on such scheduled final maturity date and (ii) Operating may declare and pay a dividend to Intermediate, from time to time, (A) in the amount up to the amount of any prepayments of principal that Intermediate is then permitted to make in respect of the 16% Senior Discount Notes under Section 9.9(q)(v)(C) hereof, the proceeds of which shall only be used by Intermediate to make such prepayments permitted under Section 9.9(q)(v)(C) and (B) in the amount of the payment of principal required to be made by Intermediate on the scheduled final maturity date under the 16% Senior Discount Notes as in effect on the date hereof (or as such maturity date may be extended), the proceeds of which shall only be used by Intermediate to make such required payment on such scheduled final maturity date; provided, that, as to any of the dividends referred to in clauses (i)(A) and (i) (C) and (ii)(B) above, any such dividend shall not be paid more than ninety (90) days prior to the date such payment of interest or principal is due and payable and if such dividend is paid by Operating to Parent or Intermediate prior to the date that such interest or principal is due and payable, all such funds shall be held in an investment account or deposit account subject to an Investment Property Control Agreement or Deposit Account Control Agreement, as the case may be, in favor of Agent, as duly authorized, executed and delivered by the financial intermediary where such funds are held, Parent and/or Intermediate and Agent and as to any of the dividends referred to in clause (i)(B) and (ii)(A) above, any such dividend shall not be paid more than five (5) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment and Agent shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of Operating to pay such dividends, which notice shall set forth the amount thereof that Operating is intending to pay,
(g) Operating may declare and pay to a dividend to Parent from time to time, in each case, in the amount equal to any payment by Parent of cash interest permitted to be made by Parent pursuant to Section 9.9(o) hereof in respect of Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Senior Discount Debentures, the proceeds of which shall be used by Parent only to make a payment of the interest then due and payable in accordance with the terms of such Refinancing Indebtedness, provided, that, any such dividend shall not be paid more than ninety (90) days prior to the date such payment of interest is due and payable and if such dividend is paid by Operating to Parent prior to the date that such interest is due and payable, all such funds shall be held in an investment account subject to an Investment Property Control Agreement in favor of Agent, as duly authorized, executed and delivered by the financial intermediary where such funds are held, Parent and Agent;
(h) Borrowers and Guarantors may repurchase Capital Stock consisting of common stock held by employees pursuant to any employee stock ownership plan thereof upon the termination, retirement or death of any such employee in accordance with the provisions of such plan, provided, that, as to any such repurchase, each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) as of the date of the payment for such repurchase and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing, (ii) such repurchase shall be paid with funds legally available therefor, (iii) such repurchase shall not violate any law or regulation or the terms of any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which such Borrower or Guarantor is a party or by which such Borrower or Guarantor or its or their property are bound,
and (iv) the aggregate amount of all payments for such repurchases in any calendar year shall not exceed $500,000;
(i) Borrowers and Guarantors may make Restricted Payments for the purpose of paying dividends and paying other distributions in respect of Capital Stock or the repurchase of Capital Stock, provided, that, (A) Borrower Agent shall have provided to Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of such Borrower or Guarantor to pay such dividends or other distributions or make such other repurchases (specifying the amount to be paid by Borrowers or Guarantors), (B) for the two consecutive month period immediately prior to the date of any payment in respect of such dividends or other distributions or repurchases, Excess Availability shall have been not less than $30,000,000, (C) Agent shall have received, not more than twenty (20) Business Days prior to such payment and not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such payment, current, updated projections of the amount of the Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the one month period after the date of any payment in respect of such dividends, other distributions or repurchases, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Agent, representing Borrowers’ reasonable best estimate of the future Borrowing Base and Excess Availability for the period set forth therein as of the date not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the payment in respect of such dividend or other distributions, which projections shall have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein which Borrowers believe are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions, (D) the amount of the Excess Availability as set forth in such projections for such one month period shall be not less than $20,000,000, and (E) as of the date of any such payment and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing.
9.12 Transactions with Affiliates. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except: (a) transactions in the ordinary course of business that do not involve Parent and are at prices and on terms no less favorable to such Borrower or Guarantor than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties or are otherwise permitted under Section 9.9(i) hereof, (b) transactions between and among Operating and the other Borrowers and Guarantors not involving any other Affiliate, and (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 9.11.
9.13 Compliance with ERISA. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, and shall cause each of its ERISA Affiliates, to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal and State law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code to maintain such qualification; (c) not terminate any of such Plans so as to incur any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that would have a Material Adverse Effect; (d) not allow or suffer to exist any prohibited transaction involving any of such Plans or any trust created thereunder which would subject such Borrower, Guarantor or such ERISA Affiliate to a material tax or penalty or other material liability on prohibited transactions imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or ERISA; (e) make all required contributions to any Plan which it is obligated to pay under Section 302 of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code or the terms of such Plan; (f) not allow or suffer to exist any accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, with respect to any such Plan; or (g)
allow or suffer to exist any occurrence of a reportable event or any other event or condition which presents a material risk of termination by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation of any such Plan that is a single employer plan, which termination could result in any liability in excess of $5,000,000.
9.14 End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, for financial reporting purposes, cause its, and each of its Subsidiaries’ (a) fiscal years to end on the Saturday closest to January 31st of each year and (b) fiscal quarters to end on or around each of April 30th, July 31st, October 31st, and January 31st of each year.
9.15 Credit Card Agreements. Each Borrower shall (a) observe and perform all material terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of the Credit Card Agreements to be observed and performed by it at the times set forth therein; and (b) at all times maintain in full force and effect the Credit Card Agreements and not terminate, cancel, surrender, modify, amend, waive or release any of the Credit Card Agreements, or consent to or permit to occur any of the foregoing; except, that, (i) any Borrower may terminate or cancel any of the Credit Card Agreements in the ordinary course of the business of such Borrower; provided, that, such Borrower shall give Agent not less than fifteen (15) days prior written notice of its intention to so terminate or cancel any of the Credit Card Agreements; (d) not enter into any new Credit Card Agreements with any new Credit Card Issuer unless (i) Agent shall have received not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of the intention of such Borrower to enter into such agreement (together with such other information with respect thereto as Agent may request) and (ii) such Borrower delivers, or causes to be delivered to Agent, a Credit Card Acknowledgment in favor of Agent, (e) give Agent immediate written notice of any Credit Card Agreement entered into by such Borrower after the date hereof, together with a true, correct and complete copy thereof and such other information with respect thereto as Agent may request; and (f) furnish to Agent, promptly upon the request of Agent, such information and evidence as Agent may require from time to time concerning the observance, performance and compliance by such Borrower or the other party or parties thereto with the terms, covenants or provisions of the Credit Card Agreements.
9.16 Changes in Business. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not engage in any business other than the business of such Borrower or Guarantor on the date hereof and any business reasonably related, ancillary or complimentary to the business in which such Borrower or Guarantor is engaged on the date hereof. Operating does and shall continue to fund the payments under the Letter of Credit Accommodations and issue checks and other payments for the purchase of substantially all of the Inventory for which the other Borrowers shall repay Operating on a regular basis in a manner consistent with the current practices of Borrowers as of the date hereof.
9.17 Limitation of Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall not, directly, or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any encumbrance or restriction which prohibits or limits the ability of any Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor to (a) pay dividends or make other distributions or pay any Indebtedness owed to such Borrower or Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor; (b) make loans or advances to such Borrower or Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor, (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to such Borrower or Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor; or (d) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any lien upon any of its property, assets
or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than encumbrances and restrictions arising under (i) applicable law, (ii) this Agreement, (iii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of such Borrower or Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor, (iv) customary restrictions on dispositions of real property interests found in reciprocal easement agreements of such Borrower or Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor, (v) any agreement relating to permitted Indebtedness incurred by a Subsidiary of such Borrower or Guarantor prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired by such Borrower or such Guarantor and outstanding on such acquisition date, and (vi) the extension or continuation of contractual obligations in existence on the date hereof; provided, that, any such encumbrances or restrictions contained in such extension or continuation are no less favorable to Agent and Lenders than those encumbrances and restrictions under or pursuant to the contractual obligations so extended or continued.
9.18 Fixed Interest Charge Coverage Ratio. At any time that Excess Availability is less than $20,000,000, the Fixed Interest Charge Coverage Ratio of Operating and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for the immediately preceding twelve (12) consecutive fiscal months (treated as a single account period) ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal month for which financial statements of Operating and its Subsidiaries have been received by Agent pursuant to Section 9.6(a) shall be not less than 1.10 to 1.00 with respect to such period.
9.19 Capital Expenditures.
(a) Subject to the terms of Section 9.19(b) below, Borrowers and Guarantors shall not permit the aggregate amount of all Capital Expenditures of Borrowers and Guarantors during the fiscal year of Borrowers and Guarantors ending on or about:
(i) January 31, 2005, to exceed $15,000,000;
(ii) January 31, 2006, to exceed the greater of (A) the amount equal to: (1) $40,000,000 as reduced by the amount by which the EBITDA of Operating and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2005 as set forth in the audited year-end financial statements for such period is less than $75,000,000 or (B) $25,000,000;
(iii) January 31, 2007, to exceed the greater of (A) the amount equal to: (1) $50,000,000 as reduced by the amount by which the EBITDA of Operating and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2006 as set forth in the audited year-end financial statements for such period is less than $85,000,000 or (B) $25,000,000;
(iv) January 31, 2008, to exceed the greater of (A) the amount equal to: (1) $60,000,000 as reduced by the amount by which the EBITDA of Operating and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2007 as set forth in the audited year-end financial statements for such period is less than $95,000,000 or (B) $25,000,000;
(v) January 31, 2009, to exceed the greater of (A) the amount equal to: (1) $70,000,000 as reduced by the amount by which the EBITDA of Operating and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008 as set forth in the audited year-end financial statements for such period is less than $105,000,000 or (B) $25,000,000;
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(vi) January 31, 2010, to exceed the greater of (A) the amount equal to: (1) $80,000,000 as reduced by the amount by which the EBITDA of Operating and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009 as set forth in the audited year-end financial statements for such period is less than $115,000,000 or (B) $25,000,000.
(b) To the extent that the actual amount of Capital Expenditures in any fiscal year shall be less than the amount otherwise permitted hereunder for such fiscal year, Capital Expenditures may be made in the immediately subsequent fiscal year in the amount of up to $10,000,000 of such excess, in addition to the amount otherwise permitted hereunder for such subsequent fiscal year.
9.20 License Agreements.
(a) With respect to a License Agreement applicable to Intellectual Property that is owned by a third party and licensed to a Borrower or Guarantor and that is affixed to or otherwise used in connection with the manufacture, sale or distribution of any Inventory, each Borrower and Guarantor shall (i) give Agent not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice of its intention to not renew or to terminate, cancel, surrender or release its rights under any such License Agreement, or to amend any such License Agreement or related arrangements to limit the scope of the right of such Borrower or Guarantor to use the Intellectual Property subject to such License Agreement, either with respect to product, territory, term or otherwise, or to increase the amounts to be paid by such Borrower or Guarantor thereunder or in connection therewith (and Agent may establish such Reserves as a result of any of the foregoing as Agent may reasonably determine), (ii) give Agent prompt written notice of any such License Agreement entered into by such Borrower or Guarantor after the date hereof, or any material amendment to any such License Agreement existing on the date hereof, in each case together with a true, correct and complete copy thereof and such other information with respect thereto as Agent may in good request, (iii) give Agent prompt written notice of any material breach of any obligation, or any default, by the third party that is the licensor or by the Borrower or Guarantor that is the licensee or any other party under any such License Agreement, and deliver to Agent (promptly upon the receipt thereof by such Borrower or Guarantor in the case of a notice to such Borrower or Guarantor and concurrently with the sending thereof in the case of a notice from such Borrower or Guarantor) a copy of each notice of default and any other notice received or delivered by such Borrower or Guarantor in connection with any such a License Agreement that relates to the scope of the right, or the continuation of the right, of such Borrower or Guarantor to use the Intellectual Property subject to such License Agreement or the amounts required to be paid thereunder.
(b) With respect to a License Agreement applicable to Intellectual Property that is owned by a third party and licensed to a Borrower or Guarantor and that is affixed to or otherwise used in connection with the manufacture, sale or distribution of any Inventory, at any time an Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing or if after giving effect to any Reserves, or the reduction in the applicable Borrowing Base as a result of Eligible Inventory using such licensed Intellectual Property ceasing to be Eligible Inventory, Agent shall have, and is hereby granted, the irrevocable right and authority, at its option, to renew or extend the term of such License Agreement, whether in its own name and behalf, or in the name and behalf of a designee or nominee of Agent or in the name and behalf of such Borrower or Guarantor, subject
to and in accordance with the terms of such License Agreement. Agent may, but shall not be required to, perform any or all of such obligations of such Borrower or Guarantor under any of the License Agreements, including, but not limited to, the payment of any or all sums due from such Borrower or Guarantor thereunder. Any sums so paid by Agent shall constitute part of the Obligations.
9.21 After Acquired Real Property. If any Borrower or Guarantor hereafter acquires any Real Property, fixtures or any other property that is of the kind or nature described in the Mortgages and such Real Property, fixtures or other property is adjacent to, contiguous with or necessary or related to or used in connection with any Real Property then subject to a Mortgage, or if such Real Property is not adjacent to, contiguous with or related to or used in connection with such Real Property, then if such Real Property, fixtures or other property at any location (or series of adjacent, contiguous or related locations, and regardless of the number of parcels) has a fair market value in an amount equal to or greater than $1,000,000 (or if an Event of Default exists, then regardless of the fair market value of such assets), without limiting any other rights of Agent or any Lender, or duties or obligations of any Borrower or Guarantor, promptly upon Agent’s request, such Borrower or Guarantor shall execute and deliver to Agent a mortgage, deed of trust or deed to secure debt, as Agent may determine, in form and substance substantially similar to the Mortgages and as to any provisions relating to specific state laws satisfactory to Agent and in form appropriate for recording in the real estate records of the jurisdiction in which such Real Property or other property is located granting to Agent a first and only lien and mortgage on and security interest in such Real Property, fixtures or other property (except as such Borrower or Guarantor would otherwise be permitted to incur hereunder or under the Mortgages or as otherwise consented to in writing by Agent) and such other agreements, documents and instruments as Agent may require in connection therewith provided, that, as to any such Real Property that is not adjacent, contiguous or related to Real Property then subject to a Mortgage, if the purchase price for such Real Property is paid with the initial proceeds of a loan from a financial institution giving rise to Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.9(b) hereof, then such Borrower or Guarantor shall not be required to execute and deliver such mortgage, deed of trust or deed to secure debt in favor of Agent with respect to such Real Property.
9.22 Costs and Expenses. Borrowers and Guarantors shall pay to Agent on demand all costs, expenses, filing fees and taxes paid or payable in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, recording, administration, collection, liquidation, enforcement and defense of the Obligations, Agent’s rights in the Collateral, this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and all other documents related hereto or thereto, including any amendments, supplements or consents which may hereafter be contemplated (whether or not executed) or entered into in respect hereof and thereof, including: (a) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses of filing or recording (including Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filing taxes and fees, documentary taxes, intangibles taxes and mortgage recording taxes and fees, if applicable); (b) out-of-pocket costs and expenses and fees for insurance premiums, environmental audits, title insurance premiums, surveys, assessments, engineering reports and inspections, appraisal fees and search fees, costs and expenses of remitting loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the Blocked Accounts, together with Agent’s customary charges and fees with respect thereto; (c) charges, fees or expenses charged by any bank or issuer in connection with the Letter of Credit
Accommodations; (d) costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral; (e) costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection with obtaining payment of the Obligations, enforcing the security interests and liens of Agent, selling or otherwise realizing upon the Collateral, and otherwise enforcing the provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements or defending any claims made or threatened against Agent or any Lender arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including preparations for and consultations concerning any such matters); (f) all out-of-pocket expenses and costs heretofore and from time to time hereafter incurred by Agent during the course of periodic field examinations of the Collateral and such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s operations, plus a per diem charge at Agent’s then standard rate for Agent’s examiners in the field and office (which rate as of the date hereof is $850 per person per day), provided that periodic field examinations will be limited to two in any twelve (12) consecutive month period unless (i) Excess Availability is less than $30,000,000, in which case, Agent shall be entitled to conduct a third field examination, and (ii) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, there shall be no restriction on field examinations; and (g) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including legal assistants) to Agent in connection with any of the foregoing.
9.23 Further Assurances. At the request of Agent at any time and from time to time, Borrowers and Guarantors shall, at their expense, duly execute and deliver, or cause to be duly executed and delivered, such further agreements, documents and instruments, and do or cause to be done such further acts as may be necessary or proper to evidence, perfect, maintain and enforce the security interests and the priority thereof in the Collateral and to otherwise effectuate the provisions or purposes of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements. Agent may at any time and from time to time request a certificate from an officer of any Borrower or Guarantor representing that all conditions precedent to the making of Revolving Loans and providing Letter of Credit Accommodations contained herein are satisfied. In the event of such request by Agent, Agent and Lenders may, at Agent’ s option, cease to make any further Revolving Loans or provide any further Letter of Credit Accommodations until Agent has received such certificate and, in addition, Agent has determined that such conditions are satisfied.
9.24 Minimum Excess Availability. Operating and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) shall maintain Excess Availability at all times in excess of $5,000,000.
9.25 Black Canyon Closing.
(a) On or prior to the Black Canyon Closing Date, the Black Canyon Credit Agreement shall have been duly authorized, issued and delivered by Operating, and the transactions contemplated thereunder shall have been performed in accordance with their terms by the respective parties thereto in all respects to the extent to be performed thereunder on or before the Black Canyon Closing Date, including the fulfillment (or the waiver) of all conditions precedent set forth therein.
(b) On or prior to the Black Canyon Closing Date, all actions and proceedings required by the Black Canyon Documents, applicable law or regulations, including, without limitation, all Securities Laws, shall have been taken in all material respects, and the transactions
required thereunder shall have been (or will be when required to under the Black Canyon Documents or applicable law) duly and validly taken and consummated.
(c) Borrowers shall provide written notice to Agent of the Black Canyon Closing Date on such date.
(d) The Black Canyon Closing Date shall occur on or about December 23, 2004 and Borrowers and Guarantors shall have received the proceeds of the initial loans under the Black Canyon Credit Agreement on or about such date.
10.1 Events of Default. The occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events are referred to herein individually as an “Event of Default”, and collectively as “Events of Default”:
(a) (i) any Borrower fails to pay any of the Obligations when due or (ii) any Borrower or Obligor fails to perform any of the covenants contained in Sections 7.1(a)(i), 7.1(a)(ii) or 7.1(a)(iii) of this Agreement and such failure shall continue for ten (10) days or Sections 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.6(a), 9.6(c), 9.13, 9.14, 9.16 and 9.17 of this Agreement or any covenants contained in any of the Financing Agreements other than any note, guarantee, security agreement, mortgage or deed of trust and such failure shall continue for fifteen (15) days; provided, that, such five (5) day period or ten (10) day period, as applicable, shall not apply in the case of: (A) any failure to observe any such covenant which is not capable of being cured at all or within such ten (10) or fifteen (15) day period, as applicable, or which in the case of a failure to perform any covenant contained in Sections 7.1(a)(i), 7.1(a)(ii) or 7.1(a)(iii) has been the subject of two (2) prior failures within a calendar year or, in the case of a failure to perform any of the other covenants set forth in this clause (a)(ii) has been the subject of a prior failure within a six (6) month period or (B) an intentional breach by any Borrower or Obligor of any such covenant or (iii) any Borrower or Obligor fails to perform any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements other than those described in Sections 10.1(a)(i) and 10.1(a)(ii) above;
(b) any representation, warranty or statement of fact made by any Borrower or Guarantor to Agent in this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements shall when made or deemed made be false or misleading in any material respect;
(c) any Obligor revokes or terminates or purports to revoke or terminate or fails to perform any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of any guarantee, endorsement or other agreement of such party in favor of Agent or any Lender;
(d) any judgment for the payment of money is rendered against any Borrower or Obligor in excess of $7,500,000 in any one case or in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time (to the extent not covered by insurance where the insurer has assumed responsibility in writing for such judgment) and shall remain undischarged and unvacated for a period in excess of sixty (60) days or execution shall at any time not be effectively stayed, or any judgment other than for the payment of money, or injunction, attachment, garnishment or execution is rendered against any Borrower or Obligor that has or is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect or any of the Collateral having a value in excess of $7,000,000 and shall remain undischarged and unvacated for a period in excess of sixty (60) days;
(e) any Obligor (being a natural person or a general partner of an Obligor which is a partnership) dies or any Borrower or Obligor, which is a partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or a corporation, dissolves or suspends or discontinues doing business;
(f) any Borrower or Obligor makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, makes or sends notice of a bulk transfer;
(g) a case or proceeding under the bankruptcy laws of the United States of America now or hereafter in effect or under any insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect (whether at law or in equity) is filed against any Borrower or Obligor or all or any part of its properties and such petition or application is not dismissed or vacated within sixty (60) days after the date of its filing or any Borrower or Obligor shall file any answer admitting or not contesting such petition or application or indicates its consent to, acquiescence in or approval of, any such action or proceeding or the relief requested is granted sooner;
(h) a case or proceeding under the bankruptcy laws of the United States of America now or hereafter in effect or under any insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect (whether at a law or equity) is filed by any Borrower or Obligor or for all or any part of its property;
(i) any default by any Borrower or any Obligor under any agreement, document or instrument relating to any Indebtedness owing to any person other than Lenders, or any capitalized lease obligations, contingent indebtedness in connection with any guarantee, letter of credit, indemnity or similar type of instrument in favor of any person other than Lenders, in any case in an amount in excess of $5,000,000, which default continues for more than the applicable cure period, if any, with respect thereto, or any default by any Borrower or any Obligor under any Material Contract (including, without limitation, any of the Credit Card Agreements), which default continues for more than the applicable cure period, if any, with respect thereto which default has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (other than with a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor where the sales using the applicable card are less than ten (10%) percent of all such sales in the immediately preceding fiscal year) withholds payment of amounts otherwise payable to a Borrower to fund a reserve account or otherwise hold as collateral, or shall require a Borrower to pay funds into a reserve account or for such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to otherwise hold as collateral, or any Borrower shall provide a letter of credit, guarantee, indemnity or similar instrument to or in favor of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor such that in the aggregate all of such funds in the reserve account, other amounts held as collateral and the amount of such letters of credit, guarantees, indemnities or similar instruments shall exceed $2,000,000 or any such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor shall debit or deduct any amounts in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of Borrowers and Guarantors from any deposit account of any Borrower;
(j) any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor shall send written notice to any Borrower that it is ceasing to make or suspending payments to any Borrower of amounts due or to become due to any Borrower or shall cease or suspend such payments, or shall send written notice to any Borrower that it is terminating its arrangements with any Borrower or such arrangements shall terminate as a result of any event of default under such arrangements, which continues for more than the applicable cure period, if any, with respect thereto, unless such Borrower shall have entered into arrangements with another Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, as the case may be, within sixty (60) days after the date of any such notice;
(k) any material provision hereof or of any of the other Financing Agreements shall for any reason cease to be valid, binding and enforceable with respect to any party hereto or thereto (other than Agent) in accordance with its terms, or any such party shall challenge the enforceability hereof or thereof, or shall assert in writing, or take any action or fail to take any action based on the assertion that any provision hereof or of any of the other Financing Agreements has ceased to be or is otherwise not valid, binding or enforceable in accordance with its terms, or any security interest provided for herein or in any of the other Financing Agreements shall cease to be a valid and perfected first priority security interest in any of the Collateral purported to be subject thereto (except as otherwise permitted herein or therein);
(l) an ERISA Event shall occur which results in or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Borrower in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000;
(m) any Change of Control;
(n) the indictment by any Governmental Authority, or as Agent may reasonably and in good faith determine, the threatened indictment by any Governmental Authority of any Borrower or Obligor of which any Borrower, Obligor or Agent receives notice, in either case, as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination, in the good faith determination of Agent, under any criminal statute, or commencement or threatened commencement of criminal or civil proceedings against such Borrower or Obligor, pursuant to which statute or proceedings the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture of (i) any of the Collateral having a value in excess of $5,000,000 or (ii) any other property of any Borrower or Guarantor which is necessary or material to the conduct of its business; or
(o) there shall be a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that this Section 10.1(p) shall not constitute a limitation upon the dollar threshold amounts set forth in Section 10.1(d) hereof).
10.2 Remedies.
(a) At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Agent and Lenders shall have all rights and remedies provided in this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements, the UCC and other applicable law, all of which rights and remedies may be exercised without notice to or consent by any Borrower or Obligor, except as such notice or consent is expressly provided for hereunder or required by applicable law. All rights, remedies and powers granted to Agent and Lenders hereunder, under any of the other Financing Agreements, the UCC or other applicable law, are cumulative, not exclusive and enforceable, in
Agent’s discretion, alternatively, successively, or concurrently on any one or more occasions, and shall include, without limitation, the right to apply to a court of equity for an injunction to restrain a breach or threatened breach by any Borrower or Obligor of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements. Subject to Section 12 hereof, Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, at any time or times, proceed directly against any Borrower or Obligor to collect the Obligations without prior recourse to the Collateral.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Agent may, in its discretion, and upon the direction of the Required Lenders, shall (i) accelerate the payment of all Obligations and demand immediate payment thereof to Agent for itself and the ratable benefit of Lenders (provided, that, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 10.1(g) and 10.1(h), all Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable), (ii) with or without judicial process or the aid or assistance of others, enter upon any premises on or in which any of the Collateral may be located and take possession of the Collateral or complete processing, manufacturing and repair of all or any portion of the Collateral, (iii) require any Borrower or Obligor, at Borrowers’ expense, to assemble and make available to Agent any part or all of the Collateral at any place and time designated by Agent, (iv) collect, foreclose, receive, appropriate, setoff and realize upon any and all Collateral, (v) remove any or all of the Collateral from any premises on or in which the same may be located for the purpose of effecting the sale, foreclosure or other disposition thereof or for any other purpose, (vi) sell, lease, transfer, assign, deliver or otherwise dispose of any and all Collateral (including entering into contracts with respect thereto, public or private sales at any exchange, broker’s board, at any office of Agent or elsewhere) at such prices or terms as Agent may deem reasonable, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery, with the Agent having the right to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral at any such public sale, all of the foregoing being free from any right or equity of redemption of any Borrower or Obligor, which right or equity of redemption is hereby expressly waived and released by Borrowers and Obligors and/or (vii) terminate this Agreement. If any of the Collateral is sold or leased by Agent upon credit terms or for future delivery, the Obligations shall not be reduced as a result thereof until payment therefor is finally collected by Agent. If notice of disposition of Collateral is required by law, ten (10) days prior notice by Agent to Borrower Agent designating the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale or other intended disposition of Collateral is to be made, shall be deemed to be reasonable notice thereof and Borrowers and Obligors waive any other notice. In the event Agent institutes an action to recover any Collateral or seeks recovery of any Collateral by way of prejudgment remedy, each Borrower and Obligor waives the posting of any bond which might otherwise be required. At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, upon Agent’s request, Borrowers will either, as Agent shall specify, furnish cash collateral to the issuer to be used to secure and fund Agent’s reimbursement obligations to the issuer in connection with any Letter of Credit Accommodations or furnish cash collateral to Agent for the Letter of Credit Accommodations. Such cash collateral shall be in the amount equal to one hundred ten (110%) percent of the amount of the Letter of Credit Accommodations plus the amount of any fees and expenses payable in connection therewith through the end of the latest expiration date of such Letter of Credit Accommodations.
(c) At any time or times that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Agent may, in its discretion, and upon the direction of the Required Lenders, Agent
shall, enforce the rights of any Borrower or Obligor against any account debtor, secondary obligor or other obligor in respect of any of the Accounts or other Receivables. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent may, in its discretion, and upon the direction of the Required Lenders, Agent shall, at such time or times (i) notify any or all account debtors (including Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors), secondary obligors or other obligors in respect thereof that the Receivables have been assigned to Agent and that Agent has a security interest therein and Agent may direct any or all accounts debtors (including Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors), secondary obligors and other obligors to make payment of Receivables directly to Agent, (ii) extend the time of payment of, compromise, settle or adjust for cash, credit, return of merchandise or otherwise, and upon any terms or conditions, any and all Receivables or other obligations included in the Collateral and thereby discharge or release the account debtor or any secondary obligors or other obligors in respect thereof without affecting any of the Obligations, (iii) demand, collect or enforce payment of any Receivables or such other obligations, but without any duty to do so, and Agent and Lenders shall not be liable for any failure to collect or enforce the payment thereof nor for the negligence of its agents or attorneys with respect thereto and (iv) take whatever other action Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the protection of its interests and the interests of Lenders. At any time that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, at Agent’s request, all invoices and statements sent to any account debtor shall state that the Accounts and such other obligations have been assigned to Agent and are payable directly and only to Agent and Borrowers and Obligors shall deliver to Agent such originals of documents evidencing the sale and delivery of goods or the performance of services giving rise to any Accounts as Agent may require. In the event any account debtor returns Inventory when an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers shall, upon Agent’s request, hold the returned Inventory in trust for Agent, segregate all returned Inventory from all of its other property, dispose of the returned Inventory solely according to Agent’s instructions, and not issue any credits, discounts or allowances with respect thereto without Agent’s prior written consent.
(d) To the extent that applicable law imposes duties on Agent or any Lender to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner (which duties cannot be waived under such law), each Borrower and Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it is not commercially unreasonable for Agent or any Lender (i) to fail to incur expenses reasonably deemed significant by Agent or any Lender to prepare Collateral for disposition or otherwise to complete raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished products for disposition, (ii) to fail to obtain third party consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of, or to obtain or, if not required by other law, to fail to obtain consents of any Governmental Authority or other third party for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed of, (iii) to fail to exercise collection remedies against account debtors, secondary obligors or other persons obligated on Collateral or to remove liens or encumbrances on or any adverse claims against Collateral, (iv) to exercise collection remedies against account debtors and other persons obligated on Collateral directly or through the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (v) to advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (vi) to contact other persons, whether or not in the same business as any Borrower or Guarantor, for expressions of interest in acquiring all or any portion of the Collateral, (vii) to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of Collateral, whether or not the collateral is of a specialized nature, (viii) to dispose of Collateral by utilizing Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the
types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (ix) to dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (x) to disclaim disposition warranties, (xi) to purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure Agent or Lenders against risks of loss, collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to Agent or Lenders a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of Collateral, or (xii) to the extent deemed appropriate by Agent, to obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist Agent in the collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. Each Borrower and Guarantor acknowledges that the purpose of this Section is to provide non-exhaustive indications of what actions or omissions by Agent or any Lender would not be commercially unreasonable in the exercise by Agent or any Lender of remedies against the Collateral and that other actions or omissions by Agent or any Lender shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this Section. Without limitation of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to grant any rights to any Borrower or Guarantor or to impose any duties on Agent or Lenders that would not have been granted or imposed by this Agreement or by applicable law in the absence of this Section.
(e) For the purpose of enabling Agent to exercise the rights and remedies hereunder, each Borrower and Obligor hereby grants to Agent, to the extent assignable, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable at any time an Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and for so long as the same is continuing) without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Borrower or Obligor, to use, assign, license or sublicense any of the trademarks, service-marks, trade names, business names, trade styles, designs, logos and other source of business identifiers and other Intellectual Property and general intangibles now owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower or Obligor, wherever the same maybe located, including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, which license shall be provided for in, and subject to, the terms of the intercreditor agreement described in Section 9.8(o) hereof on and after the incurrence of any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 9.9(t) hereof.
(f) Agent may apply the cash proceeds of Collateral actually received by Agent from any sale, lease, foreclosure or other disposition of the Collateral to payment of the Obligations, in whole or in part and in such order as Agent may elect, whether or not then due. Borrowers and Guarantors shall remain liable to Agent and Lenders for the payment of any deficiency with interest at the highest rate provided for herein and all costs and expenses of collection or enforcement, including attorneys’ fees and expenses.
(g) Without limiting the foregoing, (i) upon the occurrence of a Default (other than a Default as a result of the failure of any Borrower or Obligor to perform any of the covenants contained in Sections 7.1(a)(i), 7.1(a)(ii), 7.1(a)(iii), 9.6(a), 9.6(b) or 9.6(c) hereof) or an Event of Default, Agent and Lenders may, at Agent’s option, and upon the occurrence of an Event of Default at the direction of the Required Lenders, Agent and Lenders shall, without notice, (A) cease making Revolving Loans or arranging for Letter of Credit Accommodations or reduce the lending formulas or amounts of Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations available to Borrowers and/or (B) terminate any provision of this Agreement providing for any future Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Accommodations to be made by
11.1 Governing Law; Choice of Forum; Service of Process; Jury Trial Waiver.
(a) The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements (other than the Mortgages to the extent provided therein) and any dispute arising out of the relationship between the parties hereto, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York but excluding any principles of conflicts of law or other rule of law that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York.
(b) Borrowers, Guarantors, Agent and Lenders irrevocably consent and submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York for New York County and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, whichever Agent may elect, and waive any objection based on venue or forum non conveniens with respect to any action instituted therein arising under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or in any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of the parties hereto in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or the transactions related hereto or thereto, in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, and agree that any dispute with respect to any such matters shall be heard only in the courts described above (except that Agent and Lenders shall have the right to bring any action or proceeding against any Borrower or Guarantor or its or their property in the courts of any other jurisdiction which Agent deems necessary or appropriate in order to realize on the Collateral or to otherwise enforce its rights against any Borrower or Guarantor or its or their property).
(c) Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby waives personal service of any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of process may be made by certified mail (return receipt requested) directed to its address set forth herein and service so made shall be deemed to be completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so deposited in the U.S. mails, or, at Agent’s option, by service upon any Borrower or Guarantor (or Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower or Guarantor) in any other manner provided under the rules of any such courts. Within thirty (30) days after such service, such Borrower or Guarantor shall appear in answer to such process, failing which such Borrower or Guarantor shall be deemed in default and judgment may be entered by Agent against such Borrower or Guarantor for the amount of the claim and other relief requested.
(d) BORROWERS, GUARANTORS, AGENT AND LENDERS EACH HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER FINANCING AGREEMENTS OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN
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RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER FINANCING AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE. BORROWERS, GUARANTORS, AGENT AND LENDERS EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT ANY BORROWER, ANY GUARANTOR, AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
(e) Agent and Lenders shall not have any liability to any Borrower or Guarantor (whether in tort, contract, equity or otherwise) for losses suffered by such Borrower or Guarantor in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to the transactions or relationships contemplated by this Agreement, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection herewith, unless it is determined by a final and non-appealable judgment or court order binding on Agent and such Lender, that the losses were the result of acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each Borrower and Guarantor: (i) certifies that neither Agent, any Lender nor any representative, agent or attorney acting for or on behalf of Agent or any Lender has represented, expressly or otherwise, that Agent and Lenders would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce any of the waivers provided for in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements and (ii) acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, Agent and Lenders are relying upon, among other things, the waivers and certifications set forth in this Section 11.1 and elsewhere herein and therein.
11.3 Amendments and Waivers.
(a) Neither this Agreement nor any other Financing Agreement nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated unless such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing signed by Agent and the Required Lenders or at Agent’s option, by Agent with the authorization of the Required Lenders, and as to amendments to any of the Financing Agreements (other than with respect to any provision of Section 12 hereof), by any Borrower; except, that, no such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination shall:
(i) reduce the interest rate or any fees or extend the time of payment of principal, interest or any fees or reduce the principal amount of any Loan or Letter of Credit Accommodations, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby,
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(ii) increase the Commitment of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect or provided hereunder, in each case without the consent of the Lender directly affected thereby,
(iii) release any Collateral (except as expressly required hereunder or under any of the other Financing Agreements or applicable law and except as permitted under Section 12.11(b) hereof), without the consent of Agent and all of Lenders,
(iv) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, without the consent of Agent and all of Lenders,
(v) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower or Guarantor of any of their rights and obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of Agent and all of Lenders,
(vi) amend, modify or waive any terms of this Section 11.3 hereof, without the consent of Agent and all of Lenders, or
(vii) increase the advance rates constituting part of the Borrowing Base, without the consent of Agent and all of Lenders.
(b) Agent and Lenders shall not, by any act, delay, omission or otherwise be deemed to have expressly or impliedly waived any of its or their rights, powers and/or remedies unless such waiver shall be in writing and signed as provided herein. Any such waiver shall be enforceable only to the extent specifically set forth therein. A waiver by Agent or any Lender of any right, power and/or remedy on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any such right, power and/or remedy which Agent or any Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion, whether similar in kind or otherwise.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 11.3(a) above, in connection with any amendment, waiver, discharge or termination, in the event that any Lender whose consent thereto is required shall fail to consent or fail to consent in a timely manner (such Lender being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), but the consent of any other Lenders to such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination that is required are obtained, if any, then Congress shall have the right, but not the obligation, at any time thereafter, and upon the exercise by Congress of such right, such Non-Consenting Lender shall have the obligation, to sell, assign and transfer to Congress or such Eligible Transferee as Congress may specify, the Commitment of such Non-Consenting Lender and all rights and interests of such Non-Consenting Lender pursuant thereto. Congress shall provide the Non-Consenting Lender with prior written notice of its intent to exercise its right under this Section, which notice shall specify on date on which such purchase and sale shall occur. Such purchase and sale shall be pursuant to the terms of an Assignment and Acceptance (whether or not executed by the Non-Consenting Lender), except that on the date of such purchase and sale, Congress, or such Eligible Transferee specified by Congress, shall pay to the Non-Consenting Lender the amount equal to: (i) the principal balance of the Revolving Loans held by the Non-Consenting Lender outstanding as of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the effective date of such purchase and sale, plus (ii) amounts accrued and unpaid in respect of interest and fees payable to
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the Non-Consenting Lender to the effective date of the purchase (but in no event shall the Non-Consenting Lender be deemed entitled to any early termination fee), minus (iii) the amount of the closing fee received by the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to the terms hereof or of any of the other Financing Agreements multiplied by the fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months remaining in the then current term of the Credit Facility and the denominator of which is the number of months in the then current term thereof. Such purchase and sale shall be effective on the date of the payment of such amount to the Non-Consenting Lender and the Commitment of the Non-Consenting Lender shall terminate on such date.
(d) The consent of Agent shall be required for any amendment, waiver or consent affecting the rights or duties of Agent hereunder or under any of the other Financing Agreements, in addition to the consent of the Lenders otherwise required by this Section and the exercise by Agent of any of its rights hereunder with respect to Reserves or Eligible Credit Card Receivables or Eligible Inventory shall not be deemed an amendment to the advance rates provided for in this Section 11.3.
(e) The consent of Agent and any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender or any other financial institution acceptable to Agent, as the case may be, that is party to a Hedge Agreement at such time shall be required for any amendment to the priority of payment of Obligations arising under or pursuant to any Hedge Agreements of a Borrower or Guarantor as set forth in Section 6.4(a) hereof.
11.4 Waiver of Counterclaims. Each Borrower and Guarantor waives all rights to interpose any claims, deductions, setoffs or counterclaims of any nature (other then compulsory counterclaims) in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, the Obligations, the Collateral or any matter arising therefrom or relating hereto or thereto.
11.5 Indemnification. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold Agent and each Lender, and its officers, directors, agents, employees, advisors and counsel and their respective Affiliates (each such person being an “Indemnitee”), harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of them in connection with any litigation, investigation, claim or proceeding commenced or threatened related to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of this Agreement, any other Financing Agreements, or any undertaking or proceeding related to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or any act, omission, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, including amounts paid in settlement (but only after notice to Borrower Agent), court costs, and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel except that Borrowers and Guarantors shall not have any obligation under this Section 11.5 to indemnify an Indemnitee with respect to a matter covered hereby resulting from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined pursuant to a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction (but without limiting the obligations of Borrowers or Guarantors as to any other Indemnitee) or which is a liability for Taxes (to the extent that the indemnification for such Taxes is subject to Section 6.4 hereof). To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy, Borrowers and Guarantors shall pay the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay under applicable law to Agent and Lenders in
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satisfaction of indemnified matters under this Section. To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Borrower or Guarantor shall assert, and each Borrower and Guarantor hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any of the other Financing Agreements or any undertaking or transaction contemplated hereby. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable upon demand. The foregoing indemnity shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement.
12.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities. Each Lender irrevocably designates, appoints and authorizes Congress to act as Agent hereunder and under the other Financing Agreements with such powers as are specifically delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement and of the other Financing Agreements, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent (a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and in the other Financing Agreements, and shall not by reason of this Agreement or any other Financing Agreement be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b) shall not be responsible to Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Financing Agreements, or in any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any of them under, this Agreement or any other Financing Agreement, or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Financing Agreement or any other document referred to or provided for herein or therein or for any failure by any Borrower or any Obligor or any other Person to perform any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder; and (c) shall not be responsible to Lenders for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any other Financing Agreement or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it in good faith. Agent may deem and treat the payee of any note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until the assignment thereof pursuant to an agreement (if and to the extent permitted herein) in form and substance satisfactory to Agent shall have been delivered to and acknowledged by Agent. Wachovia Capital Markets LLC is hereby designated as the sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner with respect to the Credit Facility, Wachovia Bank, National Association is hereby designated as the administrative agent with respect to the Credit Facility and Bank of America, N.A. is hereby designated as the syndication agent. The designation of Wachovia Capital Markets LLC as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent and Bank of America, N.A. as syndication agent shall not as to any of them create any rights in favor of it in such capacity nor subject it to any duties or obligations in such capacity.
12.2 Reliance by Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice or other communication (including any thereof by telephone, telecopy, telex, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent
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accountants and other experts selected by Agent. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement or any other Financing Agreement, Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or thereunder in accordance with instructions given by the Required Lenders or all of Lenders as is required in such circumstance, and such instructions of such Agents and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all Lenders.
12.3 Events of Default.
(a) Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default or other failure of a condition precedent to the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations hereunder, unless and until Agent has received written notice from a Lender, or a Borrower specifying such Event of Default or any unfulfilled condition precedent, and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default or Failure of Condition”. In the event that Agent receives such a Notice of Default or Failure of Condition, Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. Agent shall (subject to Section 12.7) take such action with respect to any such Event of Default or failure of condition precedent as shall be directed by the Required Lenders; provided, that, unless and until Agent shall have received such directions, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to or by reason of such Event of Default or failure of condition precedent, as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of Lenders. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding the existence or occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default or any other failure to satisfy any of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement to the contrary, Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, continue to make Revolving Loans and issue or cause to be issued Letter of Credit Accommodations for the ratable account and risk of Lenders from time to time if Agent believes making such Revolving Loans or issuing or causing to be issued such Letter of Credit Accommodations is in the best interests of Lenders.
(b) Except with the prior written consent of Agent, no Lender may assert or exercise any enforcement right or remedy in respect of the Revolving Loans, Letter of Credit Accommodations or other Obligations, as against any Borrower or Obligor or any of the Collateral or other property of any Borrower or Obligor.
12.4 Congress in its Individual Capacity. With respect to its Commitment and the Revolving Loans made and Letter of Credit Accommodations issued or caused to be issued by it (and any successor acting as Agent), so long as Congress shall be a Lender hereunder, it shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include Congress in its individual capacity as Lender hereunder. Congress (and any successor acting as Agent) and its Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) lend money to, make investments in and generally engage in any kind of business with Borrowers (and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) as if it were not acting as Agent, and Congress and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from any Borrower or Guarantor and any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.
12.5 Indemnification. Lenders agree to indemnify Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrowers hereunder and without limiting any obligations of Borrowers hereunder) ratably, in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, for any and all claims of any kind and nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent (including by any Lender) arising out of or by reason of any investigation in or in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Financing Agreement or any other documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the costs and expenses that Agent is obligated to pay hereunder) or the enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof or of any such other documents, provided, that, no Lender shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent it arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The foregoing indemnity shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement.
12.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on Agent or other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of Borrowers and Obligors and has made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements. Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by any Borrower or Obligor of any term or provision of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or any other document referred to or provided for herein or therein or to inspect the properties or books of any Borrower or Obligor. Agent will use reasonable efforts to provide Lenders with any information received by Agent from any Borrower or Obligor which is required to be provided to Lenders hereunder or deemed to be requested by Lenders hereunder and with a copy of any Notice of Default or Failure of Condition received by Agent from any Borrower or any Lender; provided, that, Agent shall not be liable to any Lender for any failure to do so, except to the extent that such failure is attributable to Agent’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to Lenders by Agent hereunder, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any other credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of any Borrower or Obligor that may come into the possession of Agent.
12.7 Failing to Act. Except for action expressly required of Agent hereunder and under the other Financing- Agreements, Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder and thereunder unless it shall receive further assurances to its satisfaction from Lenders of their indemnification obligations under Section 12.5 hereof against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.
12.8 Additional Loans. Agent shall not make any Revolving Loans intentionally and with actual knowledge that such Revolving Loans would cause the aggregate amount of the total outstanding Revolving Loans to exceed the Borrowing Base or make any Revolving Loans or
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provide any Letter of Credit Accommodations intentionally and with actual knowledge that such Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Accommodations would cause the aggregate amount of the total outstanding Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations to exceed the Borrowing Base, without the prior consent of all Lenders, except, that, Agent may make such additional Revolving Loans intentionally and with actual knowledge that such Revolving Loans will cause the total outstanding Revolving Loans to exceed the Borrowing Base and Agent may make such additional Revolving Loans and provide such additional Letter of Credit Accommodations on behalf of Lenders, intentionally and with actual knowledge that such Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Accommodations will cause the total outstanding Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations to exceed the Borrowing Base, as Agent may deem necessary or advisable in its discretion, provided, that: (a) the total principal amount of the additional Revolving Loans which Agent may make after obtaining actual knowledge that the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans equal or exceed the Borrowing Base and the additional Revolving Loans and additional Letter of Credit Accommodations which Agent may make or provide after obtaining such actual knowledge that the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations equal or exceed the Borrowing Base, plus the amount of Special Agent Advances made pursuant to Section 12.11(a)(ii) hereof then outstanding, shall not exceed the aggregate amount equal to the lesser of $10,000,000 or ten (10%) percent of the Maximum Credit outstanding at any time and shall not cause the total principal amount of the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations to exceed the Maximum Credit and (b) no such additional Revolving Loan or Letter of Credit Accommodation shall be outstanding more than sixty (60) days after the date such additional Revolving Loan or Letter of Credit Accommodation is made or issued (as the case may be), except as the Required Lenders may otherwise agree. Each Lender shall be obligated to pay Agent the amount of its Pro Rata Share of any such additional Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Accommodations.
12.9 Concerning the Collateral and the Related Financing Agreements. Each Lender authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements. Each Lender agrees that any action taken by Agent or Required Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Financing Agreements and the exercise by Agent or Required Lenders of their respective powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.
12.10 Field Audit, Examination Reports and Other Information; Disclaimer by Lenders. By signing this Agreement, each Lender:
(a) is deemed to have requested that Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field audit or examination report and a report with respect to the Borrowing Base prepared by Agent (each field audit or examination report and report with respect to the Borrowing Base being referred to herein as a “Report” and collectively, “Reports”);
(b) expressly agrees and acknowledges that Agent (i) does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report, or (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report;
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(c) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that Agent or any other party performing any audit or examination will inspect only specific information regarding Borrowers and Guarantors and will rely significantly upon Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ books and records, as well as on representations of Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ personnel; and
(d) agrees to keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use in accordance with the terms of Section 14.5 hereof, and not to distribute or use any Report in any other manner.
12.11 Collateral Matters.
(a) Agent may, at its option, from time to time, at any time on or after an Event of Default and for so long as the same is continuing or upon any other failure of a condition precedent to the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations hereunder, make such disbursements and advances (“Special Agent Advances”) which Agent, in its sole discretion, (i) deems necessary or desirable either to preserve or protect the Collateral or any portion thereof or (ii) to enhance the likelihood or maximize the amount of repayment by Borrowers and Guarantors of the Revolving Loans and other Obligations, provided, that, the aggregate principal amount of the Special Agent Advances pursuant to this clause (ii), plus the then outstanding principal amount of the additional Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations which Agent may make or provide as set forth in Section 12.8 hereof, shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the lesser of $10,000,000 or ten (10%) percent of the Maximum Credit outstanding at any time or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to any Borrower or Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements consisting of (A) costs, fees and expenses and (B) payments to any issuer of Letter of Credit Accommodations. Special Agent Advances shall be repayable on demand and be secured by the Collateral. Special Agent Advances shall not constitute Revolving Loans but shall otherwise constitute Obligations hereunder. Without limitation of its obligations pursuant to Section 6.10, each Lender agrees that it shall make available to Agent, upon Agent’s demand, in immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each such Special Agent Advance. If such funds are not made available to Agent by such Lender, such Lender shall be deemed a Defaulting Lender and Agent shall be entitled to recover such funds, on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to Agent at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during such period (as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or at Agent’s option based on the arithmetic mean determined by Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that day by each of the three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by Agent) and if such amounts are not paid within three (3) days of Agent’s demand, at the highest Interest Rate provided for in Section 3.1 hereof applicable to Prime Rate Loans.
(b) Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize Agent, at its option and in its discretion to release any security interest in, mortgage or lien upon, any of the Collateral (i) upon termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction of all of the Obligations and delivery of cash collateral to the extent required under Section 14.1 below, or (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if Borrower Agent or any Borrower or Guarantor certifies to
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Agent that the sale or disposition is made in compliance with Section 9.7 hereof (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), or (iii) constituting property in which any Borrower or Guarantor did not own an interest at the time the security interest, mortgage or lien was granted or at any time thereafter, or (iv) having a value in the aggregate in any twelve (12) month period of less than $5,000,000, or (v) if required or permitted under the terms of any of the other Financing Agreements, including any intercreditor agreement, or (vi) approved, authorized or ratified in writing by all of Lenders. Except as provided above, Agent will not release any security interest in, mortgage or lien upon, any of the Collateral without the prior written authorization of all of Lenders. Upon request by Agent at any time, Lenders will promptly confirm in writing Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section.
(c) Without any manner limiting Agent’s authority to act without any specific or further authorization or consent by the Required Lenders, each Lender agrees to confirm in writing, upon request by Agent, the authority to release Collateral conferred upon Agent under this Section. Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by Lenders to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the security interest, mortgage or liens granted to Agent upon any Collateral to the extent set forth above; provided, that, (i) Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in Agent’s opinion, would expose Agent to liability or create any obligations or entail any consequence other than the release of such security interest, mortgage or liens without recourse or warranty and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Obligations or any security interest, mortgage or lien upon (or obligations of any Borrower or Guarantor in respect of) the Collateral retained by such Borrower or Guarantor.
(d) Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Lender or any other Person to investigate, confirm or assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by any Borrower or Guarantor or is cared for, protected or insured or has been encumbered, or that any particular items of Collateral meet the eligibility criteria applicable in respect of the Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Accommodations hereunder, or whether any particular reserves are appropriate, or that the liens and security interests granted to Agent pursuant hereto or any of the Financing Agreements or otherwise have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Agent in this Agreement or in any of the other Financing Agreements, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission or event related thereto, Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its discretion, given Agent’s own interest in the Collateral as a Lender and that Agent shall have no duty or liability whatsoever to any other Lender.
12.12 Agency for Perfections. Each Lender hereby appoints Agent and each other Lender as agent and bailee for the purpose of perfecting the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral of Agent in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC can be perfected only by possession (or where the security interest of a secured party with possession has priority over the security interest of another secured party) and Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges that it holds possession of any such Collateral for the benefit of Agent as secured party. Should any Lender obtain possession of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify
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Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to Agent or in accordance with Agent’s instructions.
12.13 Successor Agent. Agent may resign as Agent upon thirty (30) days ‘ notice to Lenders and Parent. If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for Lenders. If no successor agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with Lenders and Parent, a successor agent from among Lenders. Upon the acceptance by the Lender so selected of its appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to all of the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” as used herein and in the other Financing Agreements shall mean such successor agent and the retiring Agent’ s appointment, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 12 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is thirty (30) days after the date of a retiring Agent ‘s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nonetheless thereupon become effective and Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.
12.14 Co-Agent. Agent may at any time and from time to time determine that a Lender may, in addition, be a “Co-Agent”, “Co-Documentation Agent” or similar designation hereunder and enter into an agreement with such Lender to have it so identified for purposes of this Agreement. Agent shall provide written notice to Borrower Agent of any such agreement. Any Lender that is so designated as a Co-Agent, Co-Documentation Agent or such similar designation by Agent shall have no right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, the Lenders so identified shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender and no Lender shall be deemed to have relied, nor shall any Lender rely, on a Lender so identified as a Co-Agent, Co-Documentation Agent or such similar designation in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.
13.1 Existing Obligations. Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby acknowledges, confirms and agrees that (a) Borrowers and Guarantors are indebted to Agent and Lenders for outstanding loans and advances to Borrowers under the Existing Agreements and in respect of Letter of Credit Accommodations (as defined in the Existing Agreements), together with all interest accrued and accruing thereon (to the extent applicable), and all fees, costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, all of which are unconditionally owing by Borrowers and Guarantors to Agent and Lenders to the extent set forth in the Existing Agreements, without offset, defense or counterclaim of any kind, nature or description whatsoever.
13.2 Acknowledgment of Security Interests
(a) Each Borrower and Guarantor hereby acknowledges, confirms and agrees that Agent on behalf of itself and Lenders shall continue to have a security interest in and lien
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upon the Collateral heretofore granted to Agent pursuant to the Existing Agreements to secure the Obligations, as well as any Collateral granted under this Agreement or under any of the other Financing Agreements or otherwise granted to or held by Agent or any Lender.
(b) The liens and security interests of Agent in the Collateral shall be deemed to be continuously granted and perfected from the earliest date of the granting and perfection of such liens and security interests to Agent, whether under the Existing Agreements, this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements.
13.3 Existing Agreements. Borrowers and Guarantors each hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that, subject to Section 13.4 hereof: (a) the Existing Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by Borrowers and Guarantors and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof; (b) the agreements and obligations of Borrowers and Guarantors contained in the Existing Agreements constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrowers or Guarantors, as the case may be, enforceable against such Borrower or Guarantor in accordance with its terms and no Borrower or Guarantor has a valid defense to the enforcement of such obligations; and (c) Agent and Lenders are entitled to all of the rights, remedies and benefits provided for in or arising pursuant to the Existing Agreements.
13.4 Restatement.
(a) Except as otherwise stated in Section 13.2 hereof and this Section 13.4, as of the date hereof, the terms, conditions, agreements, covenants, representations and warranties set forth in the Existing Agreements are simultaneously amended and restated in their entirety, and as so amended and restated, replaced and superseded by the terms, conditions, agreements, covenants, representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements executed and/or delivered on or after the date hereof, except that nothing herein or in the other Financing Agreements shall impair or adversely affect the continuation of the liability of Borrowers and Guarantors for the Obligations heretofore incurred and the security interests, liens, hypothecs and other interests in the Collateral heretofore granted, pledged and/or assigned by Borrowers or Guarantors to Agent, Agent or any Lender (whether directly, indirectly or otherwise).
(b) The amendment and restatement contained herein shall not, in any manner, be construed to constitute payment of, or impair, limit, cancel or extinguish, or constitute a novation in respect of, the Indebtedness and other obligations and liabilities of Borrowers or Guarantors evidenced by or arising under the Existing Agreements, and the liens and security interests of Agent securing such Indebtedness and other obligations and liabilities, which shall not in any manner be impaired, limited, terminated, waived or released, but shall continue in full force and effect in favor of Agent for the benefit of itself and Lenders.
(c) All loans, advances and other financial accommodations under the Existing Agreements and all other Obligations of Borrowers and Guarantors to Agent and Lenders outstanding and unpaid as of the date hereof pursuant to the Existing Agreements or otherwise shall be deemed Obligations of Borrowers and Guarantors pursuant to the terms hereof. The principal amount of the Revolving Loans and the amount of the Letters of Credit Accommodations outstanding as of the date hereof under the Existing Agreements shall be
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allocated to the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Accommodations hereunder in such manner and in such amounts as Agent shall determine in accordance with the terms hereof.
14.1 Term.
(a) This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on December 23, 2009 (the “Renewal Date”), and from year to year thereafter, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the terms hereof. Agent may, at its option (or shall at the direction of any Lender in writing received by Agent at least ninety (90) days prior to the Renewal Date or the anniversary of any Renewal Date, as the case may be), terminate this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, or Borrower Agent may terminate this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, each case, effective on the Renewal Date or on the anniversary of the Renewal Date in any year by giving to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior written notice; provided, that, this Agreement and all other Financing Agreements must be terminated simultaneously. In addition, Borrowers may terminate this Agreement at any time upon ten (10) days prior written notice to Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable) and Agent may, at its option, and shall at the direction of Required Lenders, terminate this Agreement at any time on or after an Event of Default. Upon any effective date of termination of the Financing Agreements, Borrowers shall pay to Agent all outstanding and unpaid monetary Obligations and shall furnish cash collateral to Agent (or at Agent’s option, a letter of credit issued for the account of Borrowers and at Borrowers’ expense, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, by an issuer acceptable to Agent and payable to Agent as beneficiary) in such amounts as Agent determines are reasonably necessary to secure Agent and Lenders from loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, in connection with any contingent Obligations, including issued and outstanding Letter of Credit Accommodations and checks or other payments provisionally credited to the Obligations and/or as to which Agent or any Lender has not yet received final and indefeasible payment (and including any contingent liability of Agent to any bank at which deposit accounts of Borrowers and Guarantors are maintained under any Deposit Account Control Agreement) and for any of the Obligations arising under or in connection with any Hedge Agreement in such amounts as the other party to such Hedge Agreement may require (unless such Obligations arising under or in connection with any Hedge Agreement are paid in full in cash and terminated in a manner satisfactory to such other party). The amount of such cash collateral (or letter of credit, as Agent may determine) as to any Letter of Credit Accommodations shall be in the amount equal to one hundred ten (110%) percent of the amount of the Letter of Credit Accommodations plus the amount of any fees and expenses payable in connection therewith through the end of the latest expiration date of such Letter of Credit Accommodations. Such payments in respect of the Obligations and cash collateral shall be remitted by wire transfer in Federal funds to the Agent Payment Account or such other bank account of Agent, as Agent may, in its discretion, designate in writing to Borrower Agent for such purpose. Interest shall be due until and including the next Business Day, if the amounts so paid by Borrowers to the Agent Payment Account or other bank account designated by Agent are received in such bank account later than 12:00 noon, New York City time.
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(b) No termination of this Agreement or the other Financing Agreements shall relieve or discharge any Borrower or Guarantor of its respective duties, obligations and covenants under this Agreement or the other Financing Agreements until all monetary Obligations have been fully and finally discharged and paid and as to contingent Obligations, Agent shall have received such cash collateral (or letter of credit, as Agent may determine), as is required pursuant to the terms hereof, and Agent’s continuing security interest in the Collateral and the rights and remedies of Agent and Lenders hereunder, under the other Financing Agreements and applicable law, shall remain in effect until all such monetary Obligations have been so paid and as to contingent Obligations, Agent shall have received such cash collateral (or letter of credit, as Agent may determine) as is required pursuant to the terms hereof. Accordingly, each Borrower and Guarantor waives any rights it may have under the UCC to demand the filing of termination statements with respect to the Collateral and Agent shall not be required to send such termination statements to Borrowers or Guarantors, or to file them with any filing office, unless and until this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms and all monetary Obligations paid in full in immediately available funds and as to contingent Obligations, Agent shall have received such cash collateral (or letter of credit, as Agent may determine), as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
(c) If for any reason this Agreement is terminated prior to the Renewal Date and upon such termination the Obligations are repaid with proceeds of loans that are secured by any assets of a Borrower or Guarantor not provided by Agent or any of its Affiliates where Agent or such Affiliate is the administrative and collateral agent (with rights and duties consistent with the rights and duties of Agent hereunder), in view of the impracticality and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of Agent’s and each Lender’ s lost profits as a result thereof, Borrowers agree to pay to Agent for itself and the ratable benefit of Lenders, upon the effective date of such termination, an early termination fee in the amount equal to
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 14.1(c) above, in the event of the termination of this Agreement at the request of Borrower Agent prior to the end of the term of this Agreement and the full and final repayment of all Obligations and the receipt by Agent of cash collateral all as provided in Section 14.1(a) above, Borrowers shall not be required to pay to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders an early termination fee if such
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payments are made to Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, with the initial proceeds of an unsecured credit facility provided by Wachovia Bank, National Association, to Borrowers.
14.2 Interpretative Provisions.
(a) All terms used herein which are defined in Article 1, Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC shall have the meanings given therein unless otherwise defined in this Agreement.
(b) All references to the plural herein shall also mean the singular and to the singular shall also mean the plural unless the context otherwise requires.
(c) All references to any Borrower, Guarantor, Agent and Lenders pursuant to the definitions set forth in the recitals hereto, or to any other person herein, shall include their respective successors and assigns.
(d) The words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereunder”, “this Agreement” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular provision of this Agreement and as this Agreement now exists or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.
(e) The word “including” when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation”.
(f) An Event of Default shall exist or continue or be continuing until such Event of Default is waived in accordance with Section 11.3 or is cured in a manner satisfactory to Agent, if such Event of Default is capable of being cured as determined by Agent.
(g) All references to “store” or “retail store” as applied to Borrowers shall include both factory outlet stores and other retail stores operated by Borrowers.
(h) All references to the term “knowledge” used herein when applicable to any Borrower or Guarantor shall mean the actual knowledge of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Chief Accounting Officer of a Borrower or Guarantor or persons having the same or similar responsibilities or functions as such positions as in effect on the date hereof, or as customarily understood to be the case for companies similarly situated.
(i) All references to the term “good faith” used herein or the term “reasonable” or “reasonably” when applicable to Agent or any Lender shall be based upon the manner in which a comparable asset-based lender similarly situated, with similar rights and providing a credit facility of the type and with the Collateral and information then available to it set forth herein, would act in such circumstances.
(j) Any accounting term used in this Agreement shall have, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, the meaning customarily given in accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations hereunder shall be computed unless otherwise specifically provided herein, in accordance with GAAP as consistently applied and using the same method for
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inventory valuation as used in the preparation of the financial statements of Parent most recently received by Agent prior to the date hereof.
(k) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including”.
(l) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references herein to any agreement, document or instrument shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, renewals, restatements or replacements with respect thereto, but only to the extent the same are not prohibited by the terms hereof or of any other Financing Agreement, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, recodifying, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.
(m) The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
(n) This Agreement and other Financing Agreements may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall each be performed in accordance with their terms.
(o) This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements are the result of negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to Agent and the other parties, and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements shall not be construed against Agent or Lenders merely because of Agent’s or any Lender’s involvement in their preparation.
14.3 Notices. All notices, requests and demands hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have been given or made: if delivered in person, immediately upon delivery; if by nationally recognized overnight courier service with instructions to deliver the next Business Day, one (1) Business Day after sending; and if by certified mail, return receipt requested, five (5) days after mailing. All notices, requests and demands upon the parties are to be given to the following addresses (or to such other address as any party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section):
14.4 Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate this Agreement as a whole, but this Agreement shall be construed as though it did not contain the particular provision held to be invalid or unenforceable and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced only to such extent as shall be permitted by applicable law.
14.5 Confidentiality.
(a) Agent and each Lender shall use all reasonable efforts to keep confidential, in accordance with its customary procedures for handling confidential information and safe and sound lending practices, any non-public information supplied to it by any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement which is clearly and conspicuously marked as confidential at the time such information is furnished by such Borrower to Agent or such Lender, provided, that, nothing contained herein shall limit the disclosure of any such information: (i) to the extent required by statute, rule, regulation, subpoena or court order, (ii) to bank examiners and other regulators, auditors and/or accountants, in connection with any litigation to which Agent or such Lender is a party, (iii) to any Lender or Participant (or prospective Lender or Participant) or to any Affiliate of any Lender so long as such Lender or Participant (or prospective Lender or Participant) or Affiliate shall have been instructed to treat such information as confidential in accordance with this Section 14.5, or (iv) to counsel for Agent or any Lender or Participant (or prospective Lender or Participant).
(b) In the event that Agent or any Lender receives a request or demand to disclose any confidential information pursuant to any subpoena or court order, Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees (i) to the extent permitted by applicable law or if permitted by applicable law, to the extent Agent or such Lender determines in good faith that it will not create any risk of liability to Agent or such Lender, Agent or such Lender will promptly notify Borrower Agent of such request so that Borrower Agent may seek a protective order or other appropriate relief or remedy and (ii) if disclosure of such information is required, disclose such information and, subject to reimbursement by Borrowers of Agent’s or such Lender’s expenses, cooperate with Borrower Agent in the reasonable efforts to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the disclosed information which Borrower Agent so designates, to the extent permitted by applicable law or if permitted by applicable law, to the extent Agent or such Lender determines in good faith that it will not create any risk of liability to Agent or such Lender.
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(c) In no event shall this Section 14.5 or any other provision of this Agreement, any of the other Financing Agreements or applicable law be deemed: (i) to apply to or restrict disclosure of information that has been or is made public by any Borrower, Guarantor or any third party or otherwise becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure in violation hereof, (ii) to apply to or restrict disclosure of information that was or becomes available to Agent or any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) on a non-confidential basis from a person other than a Borrower or Guarantor, (iii) to require Agent or any Lender to return any materials furnished by a Borrower or Guarantor to Agent or a Lender or prevent Agent or a Lender from responding to routine informational requests in accordance with the Code of Ethics for the Exchange of Credit Information promulgated by The Robert Morris Associates or other applicable industry standards relating to the exchange of credit information. The obligations of Agent and Lenders under this Section 14.5 shall supersede and replace the obligations of Agent and Lenders under any confidentiality letter signed prior to the date hereof.
14.6 Successors. This Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and any other document referred to herein or therein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Agent, Lenders, Borrowers, Guarantors and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign its rights under this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and any other document referred to herein or therein without the prior written consent of Agent and Lenders. Any such purported assignment without such express prior written consent shall be void. No Lender may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Agent, except as provided in Section 14.7 below. The terms and provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements are for the purpose of defining the relative rights and obligations of Borrowers, Guarantors, Agent and Lenders with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and there shall be no third party beneficiaries of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements.
14.7 Assignments; Participations
(a) Each Lender may, with the prior written consent of Agent, assign all or, if less than all, a portion equal to at least $10,000,000 in the aggregate for the assigning Lender, of such rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Eligible Transferees (but not including for this purpose any assignments in the form of a participation), each of which assignees shall become a party to this Agreement as a Lender by execution of an Assignment and Acceptance; provided, that, (i) such transfer or assignment will not be effective until recorded by Agent on the Register and (ii) Agent shall have received for its sole account payment of a processing fee from the assigning Lender or the assignee in the amount of $5,000.
(b) Agent shall maintain a register of the names and addresses of Lenders, their Commitments and the principal amount of their Revolving Loans (the “Register”). Agent shall also maintain a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and shall modify the Register to give effect to each Assignment and Acceptance. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and any Borrowers, Obligors, Agent and Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be
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available for inspection by Borrower Agent and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(c) Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and to the other Financing Agreements and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations (including, without limitation, the obligation to participate in Letter of Credit Accommodations) of a Lender hereunder and thereunder and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement.
(d) By execution and delivery of an Assignment and Acceptance, the assignor and assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or the execution, legality, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements furnished pursuant hereto, (ii) the assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Borrower, Obligor or any of their Subsidiaries or the performance or observance by any Borrower or Obligor of any of the Obligations; (iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, together with such other documents and information it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance, (iv) such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon the assigning Lender, Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, (v) such assignee appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements as are delegated to Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and (vi) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements are required to be performed by it as a Lender. Agent and Lenders may furnish any information concerning any Borrower or Obligor in the possession of Agent or any Lender from time to time to assignees and Participants.
(e) Each Lender may sell participations to one or more banks or other entities in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitments and the Revolving Loans owing to it and its participation in the Letter of Credit Accommodations, without the consent of Agent or the other Lenders); provided, that, (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Commitment hereunder) and the other Financing Agreements shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and Borrowers, Guarantors,
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the other Lenders and Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, and (iii) the Participant shall not have any rights under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements (the Participant’s rights against such Lender in respect of such participation to be those set forth in the agreement executed by such Lender in favor of the Participant relating thereto) and all amounts payable by any Borrower or Obligor hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation.
(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or prohibit any Lender from pledging its Revolving Loans hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings made by such Lenders from such Federal Reserve Bank.
(g) Borrowers and Guarantors shall assist Agent or any Lender permitted to sell assignments or participations under this Section 14.7 in whatever manner reasonably necessary in order to enable or effect any such assignment or participation, including (but not limited to) the execution and delivery of any and all agreements, notes and other documents and instruments as shall be requested and the delivery of informational materials, appraisals or other documents for, and the participation of relevant management in meetings and conference calls with, potential Lenders or Participants. Borrowers shall certify the correctness, completeness and accuracy, in all material respects, of all descriptions of Borrowers and Guarantors and their affairs provided, prepared or reviewed by any Borrower or Guarantor that are contained in any selling materials and all other information provided by it and included in such materials.
14.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Financing Agreements, any supplements hereto or thereto, and any instruments or documents delivered or to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith represents the entire agreement and understanding concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof between the parties hereto, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, representations, warranties, commitments, proposals, offers and contracts concerning the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any schedule or exhibit hereto, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.
14.9 Counterparts, Etc. This Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements by telefacsimile shall have the same force and effect as the delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement or any of such other Financing Agreements. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of any such agreement by telefacsimile shall also deliver an original executed counterpart, but the failure to do so shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding effect of such agreement.
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