EX-10.1 2 tm2015044d6_ex10-1.htm EXHIBIT 10.1

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

April 14, 2020

 

among

 

KEURIG DR PEPPER INC.,
as Borrower

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
BOFA SECURITIES, INC.,
BNP PARIBAS,
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
MORGAN STANLEY MUFG LOAN PARTNERS, LLC,
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
and
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
BNP PARIBAS,
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
MORGAN STANLEY MUFG LOAN PARTNERS, LLC,
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
and
TRUIST BANK
as Syndication Agents

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Page

 

Article I

 

Definitions

 

Section 1.01 Defined Terms 1
Section 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings 28
Section 1.03 Terms Generally 28
Section 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP 28
Section 1.05 Reserved 29
Section 1.06 LIBOR Replacement 29

 

Article II

 

The Credits

 

Section 2.01 Commitments; Loans 30
Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings 30
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings 31
Section 2.04 [Reserved] 31
Section 2.05 [Reserved] 31
Section 2.06 Funding of Borrowings 31
Section 2.07 Interest Elections 32
Section 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments 33
Section 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt 34
Section 2.10 Prepayment of Loans 34
Section 2.11 Fees 35
Section 2.12 Interest 35
Section 2.13 Alternate Rate of Interest 36
Section 2.14 Increased Costs 37
Section 2.15 Break Funding Payments 39
Section 2.16 Taxes 39
Section 2.17 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs 43
Section 2.18 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders 45
Section 2.19 Defaulting Lenders 45

 

Article III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Section 3.01 Organization; Powers 46
Section 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability 47
Section 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts 47
Section 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change 47

 

 

 

 

Section 3.05 Properties 47
Section 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters 48
Section 3.07 Compliance with Laws 48
Section 3.08 Investment Company Status 48
Section 3.09 Taxes 48
Section 3.10 ERISA 48
Section 3.11 Disclosure 48
Section 3.12 Margin Regulations 49
Section 3.13 Affected Financial Institutions 49
Section 3.14 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 49
Section 3.15 Solvency 49

 

Article IV

 

CONDITIONS

 

Section 4.01 Effective Date 50
Section 4.02 Conditions to Borrowings 51
Section 4.03 Determinations under Sections 4.01 and 4.02 51

 

Article V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

Section 5.01 Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information 52
Section 5.02 Notices of Material Events 53
Section 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business 53
Section 5.04 Payment of Taxes 54
Section 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance 54
Section 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights 54
Section 5.07 Compliance with Laws 54
Section 5.08 Use of Proceeds 55
Section 5.09 Additional Guarantors; Release of Guarantors 55

 

Article VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

Section 6.01 Liens 56
Section 6.02 Fundamental Changes 57
Section 6.03 [Reserved] 58
Section 6.04 Financial Covenant; Leverage 58
Section 6.05 Transactions with Affiliates 58

 

 

 

 

Article VII

 

Events of Default

 

Article VIII

 

The Administrative Agent; the Agents

 

Section 8.01 The Administrative Agent; the Agents 62
Section 8.02 Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Indemnification 65
Section 8.03 Certain ERISA Matters 65

 

Article IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 9.01 Notices 67
Section 9.02 Waivers; Amendments 70
Section 9.03  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver 71
Section 9.04 Successors and Assigns 72
Section 9.05 Survival 76
Section 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 76
Section 9.07 Severability 77
Section 9.08 Right of Setoff 77
Section 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process 77
Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 78
Section 9.11 Headings 78
Section 9.12 Confidentiality 78
Section 9.13 Interest Rate Limitation 80
Section 9.14  Patriot Act 80
Section 9.15 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions 80
Section 9.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility 81
Section 9.17  Release of Guarantors 81
Section 9.18  Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs 82

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 2.01 Commitments
   
Schedule 6.01 Existing Liens
   
Schedule 6.05 Transactions with Affiliates

 

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A Form of Assignment and Assumption
   
Exhibit B Form of Guaranty
   
Exhibit C [Reserved]
   
Exhibit D-1 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
(Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
   
Exhibit D-2 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
(Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
   
Exhibit D-3 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
(Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
   
Exhibit D-4 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
(Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
   
Exhibit E Form of Solvency Certificate

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 14, 2020 (as amended, restated, increased, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among KEURIG DR PEPPER INC., as Borrower, the LENDERS from time to time party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

Article I

Definitions

 

Section 1.01        Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR”, when used in reference to any dollar Loan or dollar Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternative Base Rate.

 

Acquisition” means the series of transactions consummated on July 9, 2018 pursuant to that certain merger agreement dated January 29, 2018, by and among Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (n/k/a the Borrower), Salt Merger Sub, Inc. and Maple Parent Holdings Corp.

 

Adjusted Eurodollar Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

 

Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and any successor appointed pursuant to Section 8.01(f).

 

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

 

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agents.

 

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

 

 

 

Alternative Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for any day shall be based on the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 Page (or otherwise on the Reuters screen) (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time on such day. Any change in the Alternative Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, respectively. If the Alternative Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof, then the Alternative Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. If the Alternative Base Rate as so determined would be less than 0.750%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.750% for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time that prohibit bribery or corruption.

 

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that in the case of Section 2.19 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

 

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurodollar Loan, or with respect to the Commitment Fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread”, “Eurodollar Spread” or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the ratings by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, applicable on such date to the Index Debt:

 

Index Debt Ratings:  ABR Spread   Eurodollar Spread   Commitment Fee Rate 
Category 1            
Index Debt ratings of at least BBB by S&P and/or Baa2 by Moody’s   1.250%   2.250%   0.300%
                
Category 2               
Index Debt ratings less than Category 1, but at least BBB- by S&P and/or Baa3 by Moody’s   1.500%   2.500%   0.350%
                
Category 3               
Index Debt ratings less than Category 2   1.750%   2.750%   0.400%

 

 

 

 

For purposes of the foregoing, (i) if either Moody’s or S&P shall not have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last sentence of this definition), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a rating in Category 3; (ii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Moody’s and S&P for the Index Debt shall fall within different Categories, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the higher of the two ratings unless one of the two ratings is two or more Categories lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the Category next below that of the higher of the two ratings; and (iii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Moody’s and S&P for the Index Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of Moody’s or S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01 or otherwise. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of Moody’s or S&P shall change, or if either such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Required Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

 

Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(ii).

 

ASC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.04(a).

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Commitment Termination Date and the date of the termination of the Commitments in full.

 

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

 

 

 

 

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof; provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

Benchmark Replacement” means the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate (which may be a SOFR-Based Rate) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to the LIBO Rate for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than 0.750%, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be 0.750% for the purposes of this Agreement; provided, further that any such Benchmark Replacement shall be administratively feasible as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the LIBO Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the LIBO Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities (substantially similar to this facility) at such time (for Persons similarly situated to the Borrower) (for the avoidance of doubt, such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment shall not be in the form of a reduction to the Applicable Rate).

 

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternative Base Rate,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters) that the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, determines in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent decides that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

 

 

 

 

Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the LIBO Rate:

 

(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Screen Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Screen Rate; or

 

(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

 

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the LIBO Rate:

 

(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Screen Rate announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Screen Rate, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Screen Rate;

 

(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Screen Rate, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Screen Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Screen Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Screen Rate, in each case which states that the administrator of the Screen Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the Screen Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Screen Rate; and/or

 

(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Screen Rate announcing that the Screen Rate is no longer representative.

 

Benchmark Transition Start Date” means (a) in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (i) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (ii) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (b) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the date specified by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or the Required Lenders, as applicable, by notice to the Borrower (in the case of such notice by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent (in the case of such notice by the Borrower or the Required Lenders) and the Lenders.

 

 

 

 

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the LIBO Rate and solely to the extent that the LIBO Rate has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (x) beginning at the time that such Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the LIBO Rate for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 2.13 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the LIBO Rate for all purposes hereunder pursuant to Section 2.13.

 

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

 

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America (or any successor thereto).

 

Bookrunners” means, collectively, JPMorgan, BofA Securities, Inc., BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, Sumitumo Mitsui Banking Corporation and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., in their capacities as lead arrangers and bookrunners.

 

Borrower” means Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Borrowing” means an advance of Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Borrowing Minimum” means $10,000,000.

 

Borrowing Multiple” means $1,000,000.

 

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

Business Day” means (a) any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed and (b) if such day relates to any interest rate setting as to any Eurodollar Loan, any funding, disbursement, settlement and/or payments in respect of such Eurodollar Loan or any other dealing to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurodollar Loan, any such day that is also a day on which dealings in deposits in dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank market.

 

 

 

 

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that all obligations of any Person that are or would have been treated as operating leases (including for avoidance of doubt, any network lease or any operating indefeasible right of use) for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purpose of this Agreement (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as Capital Lease Obligations in the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

 

CFC” means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code.

 

CFC Holdco” means a Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of whose assets consist (directly or indirectly through entities that are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of the voting Stock and/or Stock Equivalents of one or more CFCs.

 

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) (other than any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Borrower in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock in the Borrower), of Stock representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Stock of the Borrower or (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated or approved by the board of directors of the Borrower nor (ii) approved or appointed by directors so nominated.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, (a) the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or treaty by any Governmental Authority, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (x) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives issued under, or in connection with, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

 

 

 

Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Commitments as of the Effective Date is $1,500,000,000.

 

Commitment Fee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(a).

 

Commitment Termination Date” means April 13, 2021.

 

Communications” has the meaning provided to such term in Section 9.01(b).

 

Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate (which may include compounding in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable prior to the end of each Interest Period) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with:

 

(1)the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR; provided that:

 

(2)if, and to the extent that, the Administrative Agent determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (1) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion are substantially consistent with any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining compounded SOFR for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time;

 

provided, further, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such rate, methodology or convention determined in accordance with clause (1) or clause (2) is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then Compounded SOFR will be deemed unable to be determined for purposes of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement.”

 

Consolidated” means, with respect to any Person, the consolidation of accounts of such Person and its subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

 

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus (A) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of:

 

1.the aggregate amount of Consolidated Interest Expense for such period,

 

2.expense for income taxes paid or accrued for such period,

 

3.all amounts attributable to (i) the write-off or amortization of deferred financing costs and premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness or (ii) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets) or impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets for such period,

 

4.(i) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, expenses and losses during such period (including costs, expenses and payments, in connection with actual or prospective litigation, legal settlements, fines, judgments or orders), (ii) any non-cash charges, expenses or losses and (iii) any costs, charges, accruals, reserves or expenses attributable to the undertaking and/or implementation of cost savings, synergies, operating expense reductions, business optimization initiatives, integration, transition, decommissioning, consolidation and other restructuring costs, charges, accruals, reserves or expenses (including costs related to the opening, pre-opening, expansion, closure and/or consolidation of stores, offices and facilities (including rent termination, moving and relocation costs), costs related to the termination of distributor and joint venture arrangements and discontinued operations, costs, expenses or charges associated with inventory obsolescence (including, resulting from discontinued products and excess inventory), retention charges, contract termination costs, recruiting, signing, retention or completion bonuses and expenses, severance expenses and any cost associated with any modification to any pension and post-retirement employee benefit plan, software and other systems development, establishment and implementation costs, costs relating to entry into a new market, project startup costs, costs relating to any strategic initiative or new operations and conversion costs and any business development, consulting or legal costs and fees relating to the foregoing),

 

5.the aggregate amount of all non-cash compensation charges incurred during such period arising from the grant of or the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents and any equity incentive plans, arrangements or programs,

 

6.any loss realized by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any dispositions (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business) or discontinued operations that occur during such period,

 

7.at the discretion of the Borrower, Transaction Costs (including those related to the Transactions) incurred or paid in cash in such period (whether or not such underlying transaction is successful),

 

 

 

 

8.the amount of pro forma cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to the Acquisition, any acquisitions or other investments, dispositions, restructurings, cost savings initiatives or other initiatives that are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable and projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from actions taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) within 24 months after the Acquisition, such acquisition or other investment, disposition, restructuring, cost savings initiative or other initiative, as applicable, net of the amount of actual benefits realized prior to or during such period from such actions,

 

9.any earn-out obligation and contingent consideration obligations (including adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments) incurred in connection with the Acquisition and/or any acquisition or other investment (including any acquisition or other investment consummated prior to the Effective Date) which is paid or accrued during the applicable period,

 

10.the amount of any expense or deduction associated with any subsidiary of such Person attributable to non-controlling interests or minority interests of third parties,

 

11.the amount of any fee, cost, expense or reserve, including in respect of any product recall, to the extent actually reimbursed or reimbursable by third parties pursuant to indemnification, reimbursement, insurance or similar arrangements; provided that, the Borrower in good faith expects to receive reimbursement for such fee, cost, expense or reserve within the next four fiscal quarters (it being understood that to the extent not actually received within such fiscal quarters, such reimbursement amounts shall be deducted in calculating Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal quarters),

 

12.(i) any unrealized or realized net foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses, and (ii) any unrealized net losses, charges or expenses and unrealized net gains in the fair market value of any arrangements under any swap, cap, collar, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, and

 

13.the amount of any charge, cost or expense in connection with a single or one-time event, including, without limitation, in connection with (x) the Acquisition and/or any acquisition or other investment consummated before or after the Effective Date, (y) the consolidation, closing or reconfiguration of any facility during such period and (z) early extinguishment of Indebtedness,

 

minus (B) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring income or gains during such period, (ii) any credit for income taxes paid or accrued in such period, (iii) any other gains realized by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any dispositions (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business) that occur during such period and (iv) any other non-cash income or gains during such period.

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the amount of interest expense reflected on the consolidated statement of income of such Person and its subsidiaries for such period in conformity with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the amount of net income reflected on the consolidated statement of income of such Person and its subsidiaries for such period in conformity with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of determination, total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Consolidated Total Debt” means (a) as of the date of determination, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (other than clauses (c), (d), (e) and (i) thereof) reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date in conformity with GAAP minus (b) unrestricted and unencumbered cash and cash equivalents maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $300 million at any time.

 

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the applicable Interest Period with respect to the LIBO Rate.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

(i)       a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

(ii)      a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

(iii)     a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent or any other Lender.

 

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

 

 

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans or (ii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, as applicable, of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to the requesting party and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has or has had a direct or indirect parent become the subject (i) of a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) Bail-In Action; provided further that a Lender shall not become a Defaulting Lender solely as a result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or Person controlling such Lender or the exercise of control over such Lender or Person controlling such Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof.

 

Disclosing Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12(a).

 

Dividing Person” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Division”.

 

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

 

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

 

Division Successor Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02(a).

 

dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

 

 

 

Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:

 

(1) (i) a determination by the Administrative Agent, (ii) a notification by the Required Lenders to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) that the Required Lenders have determined or (iii) a notification by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has determined, in each case, that dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in Section 2.13 are being executed or amended, as applicable, to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace the LIBO Rate, and

 

(2) (i) the election by the Administrative Agent, (ii) the election by the Required Lenders or (iii) the election by the Borrower to declare that an Early Opt-in Election has occurred and the provision, as applicable, by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Borrower (in the case of such election by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders) and the Lenders or by the Required Lenders (in the case of such election by the Required Lenders) or the Borrower (in the case of such election by the Borrower) of written notice of such election to the Administrative Agent.

 

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of a financial institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01.

 

Electronic System” has the meaning provided to such term in Section 9.01(b).

 

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating to the protection of the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or, as such relate to exposure to Hazardous Materials, to health and safety matters.

 

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m), (n) or (o) of the Code

 

ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) any failure to satisfy statutory minimum funding standards with respect to any Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Foreign Subsidiary, (b) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that is a direct or indirect subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary or a CFC Holdco or (ii) that is a CFC Holdco or (c) any Subsidiary with respect to which the Guaranty would result in material adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent.

 

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or otherwise under a Loan Document pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or becomes a party to this Agreement (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.18(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.16(a), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.16(e) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

 

 

 

Facility Termination” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(c).

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

 

Fee Letter” means each of the fee letter agreements dated April 14, 2020, by and between the Borrower and certain Bookrunners (collectively, the “Fee Letters”).

 

Financial Officer” means, with respect to any Person, its chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller.

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time.

 

Governmental Authority” means any supranational body, the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

 

 

 

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other payment obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other payment obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other payment obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other payment obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or payment obligation; provided, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets.

 

Guarantor” means (a) each Subsidiary that is required to become (and is) a party to the Guaranty pursuant to Section 5.09 and (b) any other Subsidiary that voluntarily becomes a party to the Guaranty, in each case, other than those Subsidiaries released from their obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to Section 5.09, Section 9.17 or otherwise.

 

Guaranty” means the Guaranty, executed and delivered by each Guarantor, in substantially the form of Exhibit B.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes, petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances, materials or wastes of any nature regulated as hazardous or toxic, or a pollutant or contaminant, pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

IBA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.06.

 

Impacted Interest Period”: has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (i) intercompany expenses and charges among such Person and its subsidiaries, (ii) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) any earn-out obligation until such earn-out obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and if not paid after becoming due and payable), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty (but only to the extent drawn and not reimbursed) and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) above shall be deemed to be the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indebtedness that has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Permitted Investments (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such obligations relating to such Indebtedness at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the benefit of the holders of such Indebtedness, and subject to the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness, shall, to the extent so defeased, not constitute or be deemed “Indebtedness”.

 

 

 

 

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

 

Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, a Subsidiary) or subject to any other credit enhancement.

 

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12(a).

 

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

 

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December, and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

 

Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter (or any such shorter period, including one week), as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

 

 

 

Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the applicable Screen Rate in dollars for the longest period that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the applicable Screen Rate in dollars for the shortest period that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

 

JPMorgan” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

 

Leverage Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

 

LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 Page (or otherwise on the Reuters screen or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service; in each case, the “Screen Rate”) providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollars in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollars with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period; provided that if the Screen Rate shall be less than 0.750%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.750% for the purposes of this Agreement; provided further that if the Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate at such time; provided that if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than 0.750%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.750% for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge, security interest or similar preferential arrangement of any kind in the nature of security including any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each Promissory Note, the Guaranty and, to the extent expressly designated as a “Loan Document” by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, each certificate, agreement or document executed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with or pursuant to any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

Loan Parties” means, as of any date, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

Loans” means loans made pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

Material Acquisition” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

 

Material Adverse Change” means any material adverse change in the business, business operations, property or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided that the impacts of COVID-19 on the business, business operations, property or financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that occurred and were disclosed in the Borrower’s Prospectus Supplement filed on April 9, 2020 or the transcripts of investor calls posted to the Lenders on April 10, 2020 will be disregarded.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, business operations, property or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower and the Guarantors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under this Agreement or (c) the rights and remedies of the Lenders under this Agreement.

 

Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary that is outstanding in an amount exceeding the Minimum Threshold.

 

Material Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each Subsidiary which, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower occurring immediately prior to such date of determination, individually contributed greater than 10.0% of Consolidated Total Assets, after intercompany eliminations.

 

Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13.

 

Minimum Threshold” means an outstanding aggregate principal amount exceeding $250,000,000.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or any successor thereto).

 

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation to make contributions.

 

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

NYFRB Rate” means for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (which if less than zero shall be deemed to be zero) in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. New York City time on such day received to the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rates shall be deemed to be zero.

 

 

 

 

Obligations” means the Loans and all other amounts owing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Affiliate of any of them or any Indemnitee, of every type and description (whether by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guarantee, indemnification or otherwise), present or future, arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired and whether or not evidenced by any note, guarantee or other instrument or for the payment of money, including all fees, interest, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and other sums chargeable to the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.18(b)).

 

Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

 

Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c)(i).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c)(ii).

 

Patriot Act” means the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (31 U.S.C. 5318 et seq.) as amended from time to time.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

 

(a)             Liens for Taxes (i) that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04, or (ii) with respect to which the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)             carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s landlord’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days (or if more than 60 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Liens) or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

 

 

 

(c)             (i) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and (ii) pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(d)             Liens arising out of pledges or deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, insurance or other contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money), leases or to secure statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, or indemnity, performance or other similar bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations), in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)             judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;

 

(f)              easements, restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances and minor title defects on real property imposed pursuant to any law (including any Environmental Law) or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any payment obligations and do not, in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(g)             leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not (i) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

(h)             Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)              Liens (i) of a collection bank on the items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set off) and which are customary in the banking industry;

 

(j)              any interest or title of a lessor under leases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiaries and financing statements with respect to a lessor’s right in and to property leased to such Person;

 

(k)             Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

 

 

(l)              Liens deemed to exist in connection with Permitted Investments and reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(m)            Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other financial institutions not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)             Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement;

 

(o)             ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

 

(p)             Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

 

(q)             any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(r)              Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof securing such Person’s obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit or banker’s acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or goods;

 

(s)             Liens in connection with the sale or transfer of the Stock in a Subsidiary not prohibited under this Agreement and customary rights and restrictions contained in agreements relating to such sale or transfer, in each case, pending the completion thereof;

 

(t)              Liens arising by virtue of Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings (or similar filings under applicable law) regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(u)             Liens on cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under Swap Agreements not incurred for speculative purposes.

 

Permitted Investments” means:

 

(v)             direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

 

 

 

(w)            investments in commercial paper maturing within 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(x)             investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 

(y)             fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and

 

(z)             money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $1,000,000,000.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

 

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan as its prime rate in effect at its office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

Promissory Note” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(e).

 

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

Recipient” means the Administrative Agent and any Lender.

 

Reference Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.04(b).

 

 

 

 

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(b)(iv).

 

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.

 

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having more than 50% in total of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Commitments or, after the Commitment Termination Date (or if earlier, any other date on which the Commitments have been terminated in full), the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure.

 

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

 

Responsible Officer” means, with respect to any Person, its president, Financial Officer or other executive officer.

 

Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans at such time.

 

S&P” shall mean S&P Global Ratings (or any successor thereto).

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any comprehensive Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Crimea).

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned 50% or more or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

 

Sanctions” means any international economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

Screen Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

 

 

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

SOFR” with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the NYFRB, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator), on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

 

SOFR-Based Rate” means SOFR, Compounded SOFR or Term SOFR.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (a) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, exceeds, on a consolidated basis, their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability, on a consolidated basis, of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are not engaged in, and are not about to engage in, business for which they have unreasonably small capital. For the purposes of the foregoing, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentage (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentage shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Stock” means shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), beneficial, partnership or membership interests, participations or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or equivalent entity, whether voting or non-voting.

 

Stock Equivalents” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any Stock, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

 

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held.

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Swap Agreement” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any obligations or liabilities under any such master; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Agreements.

 

Syndication Agents” means, collectively, Bank of America, N.A., BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, Sumitumo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Truist Bank, in their capacities as syndication agents.

 

Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, assessments, fees or similar charges imposed (including by deduction or withholding, including backup withholding) by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Threshold Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.09.

 

Transaction Costs” means, with respect to any period, all non-recurring transaction fees, costs and expenses relating to (i) the pay-off, redemption, defeasance, repurchase, incurrence, assumption and/or establishment of any Indebtedness (including the Indebtedness evidenced by the Loan Documents) of the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries and/or (ii) any acquisition (including the Acquisition) or disposition by the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, in each case, including, without limitation, any non-recurring financing related fees, merger and acquisition fees, legal fees and expenses, due diligence fees or any other non-recurring transaction fees, costs and expenses in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

   

 

 

Transactions” means the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans hereunder on the Effective Date and the payment of fees and expenses related thereto.

 

Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or the Alternative Base Rate.

 

U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(e)(ii)(B)(3).

 

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than 0.750%, the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be 0.750% for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

 

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

 

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 of ERISA.

 

Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

 

   

 

 

Section 1.02        Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan” or “Eurodollar Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).

 

Section 1.03        Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) any reference to any law, rule or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

Section 1.04        Accounting Terms; GAAP. (a)Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith; notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to (i) any election under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Borrower Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under ASC 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

 

   

 

 

(b)        For the purpose of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower (each such period, a “Reference Period”), (i) if during such Reference Period the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made any disposition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made an acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis; provided, that Borrower shall not be required to calculate Consolidated EBITDA on a pro forma basis with respect to any acquisition or disposition if the Borrower determines in its sole discretion that it does not have reasonably and readily identifiable information to make such pro forma calculation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if for SEC reporting purposes the Borrower is required to prepare pro forma financial statements in connection with an acquisition or disposition of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, then the Borrower will calculate Consolidated EBITDA on a pro forma basis with respect to such acquisition and/or disposition.

 

Section 1.05        Reserved.

 

Section 1.06        LIBOR Replacement. The interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined by reference to the LIBO Rate, which is derived from the London interbank offered rate. The London interbank offered rate is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. In July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that, after the end of 2021, it would no longer persuade or compel contributing banks to make rate submissions to the ICE Benchmark Administration (together with any successor to the ICE Benchmark Administrator, the “IBA”) for purposes of the IBA setting the London interbank offered rate. As a result, it is possible that commencing in 2022, the London interbank offered rate may no longer be available or may no longer be deemed an appropriate reference rate upon which to determine the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans. In light of this eventuality, public and private sector industry initiatives are currently underway to identify new or alternative reference rates to be used in place of the London interbank offered rate. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-In Election, Section 2.13 provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower, pursuant to Section 2.13, of any change to the reference rate upon which the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is based. However, the Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the London interbank offered rate or other rates in the definition of “LIBO Rate” or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof (including, without limitation, (i) any such alternative, successor or replacement rate implemented pursuant to Section 2.13, whether upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, and (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes pursuant to Section 2.13), including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the LIBO Rate or have the same volume or liquidity as did the London interbank offered rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. Each party hereto further acknowledges and agrees for the benefit of each of the other parties that there is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as the LIBO Rate or that it will have the same volume or liquidity as did LIBO Rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability.

 

   

 

 

Article II

The Credits

 

Section 2.01        Commitments; Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Loans denominated in dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans.

 

Section 2.02        Loans and Borrowings. (a)Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

(b)         Subject to Section 2.13 and Section 2.07(e), each Borrowing shall be ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans, as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (it being understood that any such Affiliate that makes a Loan shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest in such Loan from such Lender by assignment pursuant to Section 9.04(b)); provided further that, as a result of the exercise of such option, such Lender, or such foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender, shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16 than such Lender is entitled to prior to exercising such option; and provided further that each such foreign branch or Affiliate agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 2.16 and be subject to the provisions of Section 2.18 as though it were a Lender.

 

(c)         At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 15 Eurodollar Borrowings.

 

(d)         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Commitment Termination Date.

 

   

 

 

Section 2.03        Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone or, subject to Section 9.01(b), facsimile or electronic mail (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, the same Business Day as the proposed Borrowing (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent). Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or, subject to Section 9.01(b), facsimile or electronic mail to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)           the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

(ii)          the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)         whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

(iv)         in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

(v)          the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06.

 

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

Section 2.04        [Reserved].

 

Section 2.05        [Reserved].

 

Section 2.06        Funding of Borrowings. (a)Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., New York City time (or, in the case of a notice for a same day Borrowing of ABR Loans, 3:00 p.m., New York City time) to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the aggregate amounts so received from the Lenders, in immediately available funds, to an account of the Borrower pursuant to instructions of the Borrower on file with the Administrative Agent or otherwise designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request.

 

   

 

 

(b)        Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

Section 2.07        Interest Elections. (a)Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods, therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

(b)        To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone, subject to Section 9.01(b), facsimile or electronic mail by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or, subject to Section 9.01(b), facsimile or electronic mail to the Administrative Agent with a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and signed by the Borrower.

 

(c)        Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.03:

 

(i)      the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)     the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

   

 

 

(iii)     whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

 

(iv)     if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period, to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d)        Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)        If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period, such Borrowing shall have an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

Section 2.08       Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a)Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Commitment Termination Date.

 

(b)        The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.

 

(c)        The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction (or such shorter notice as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of an event, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

 

   

 

 

Section 2.09       Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a)The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the earlier of (i) the Commitment Termination Date and (ii) the date of termination of the Commitments in full.

 

(b)        Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)        The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)        The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein (absent manifest error); provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)        Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note (a “Promissory Note”). In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a Promissory Note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 2.10       Prepayment of Loans. (a)The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Loan in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(b)        The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail (and, in the case of telephonic notice, promptly confirmed by hand delivery, facsimile or electronic mail) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment (or such shorter notice as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment (or such shorter notice as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, a notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of an event, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.

 

   

 

 

Section 2.11       Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”), which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the unused Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Commitments terminate (including upon the Commitment Termination Date) commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

(b)        The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agents and the Bookrunners the additional fees, the amount and dates of payment of which are embodied in each Fee Letter.

 

(c)        All fees payable hereunder (other than under the Fee Letters) shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds in dollars, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, in the case of Commitment Fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances. All fees payable under the Fee Letters shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fee Letter.

 

Section 2.12       Interest. (a)The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternative Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)        [Reserved].

 

(c)        The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(d)        [Reserved].

 

(e)        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal or interest of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

(f)         Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon the earlier of (i) Commitment Termination Date and (ii) the termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

   

 

 

(g)        All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternative Base Rate at times when the Alternative Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternative Base Rate, Adjusted Eurodollar Rate and LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Section 2.13      Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

 

(a)        the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or LIBO Rate, as applicable (including because the Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period; provided that no Benchmark Transition Event shall have occurred at such time; or

 

(b)        the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the LIBO Rate with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such proposed amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders; provided that, with respect to any proposed amendment containing any SOFR-Based Rate, the Lenders shall be entitled to object only to the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment contained therein. Any such amendment with respect to an Early Opt-in Election will become effective on the date that Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders accept such amendment. No replacement of LIBO Rate with a Benchmark Replacement will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

 

   

 

 

In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make, in consultation with the Borrower, Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

 

The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iv) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.13, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.13.

 

Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

 

Section 2.14     Increased Costs. (a)If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)                subject the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes and (B) Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

 

(ii)              impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or

 

(iii)             impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than with respect to Taxes) affecting this Agreement, Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, continuing, converting or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

   

 

 

(b)        If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)        A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, including in reasonable detail a description of the basis for such claim for compensation and an explanation of how such amount or amounts were determined (it being agreed that no Lender shall be required to disclose any of its proprietary or confidential information), shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)        Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof. Any claim made by a Lender under this Section 2.14 shall be generally consistent with such Lender’s treatment of other customers of such Lender that such Lender considers, in its reasonable discretion, to (i) be similarly situated to the Borrower and (ii) have generally similar provisions in their credit agreements with such Lender.

 

(e)        If any Lender determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or the LIBO Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all applicable Eurodollar Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans to such day, or promptly, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted and all amounts due, if any, in connection with such prepayment or conversion under Section 2.15.

 

   

 

 

Section 2.15        Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) [reserved], (d) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.10(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (e) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender (other than, in the case of a claim for compensation based on the failure to borrow as specified in clause (d) above, any Lender whose failure to make a Loan required to be made by it hereunder has resulted in such failure to borrow) for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

 

Section 2.16        Taxes. (a)Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.16(a)) the Administrative Agent or Lender (as applicable) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding for Indemnified Tax been made.

 

(b)         Without duplication of any Tax paid under Section 2.16(a), the Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

   

 

 

(c)         (i)The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.16(c)) payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender (as the case may be) or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (as the case may be), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority (which demand shall be made within 180 days of the earlier of (x) if the Administrative Agent or such Lender received written notice from a Governmental Authority demanding payment of such Indemnified Taxes, the date the Administrative Agent or such Lender received such written notice or (y) the date the Administrative Agent or such Lender filed a tax return on which such Indemnified Taxes are reflected). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(ii)              If the Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax with respect to which it has made an indemnification payment under this subsection (c), the Administrative Agent or the relevant Lender shall cooperate with the Borrower in challenging such Tax at the Borrower’s expense if requested by the Borrower in writing; provided, however, that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required to take any action pursuant to this Section 2.16(c)(ii) that, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, would cause the Administrative Agent or such Lender to suffer any material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage and such disadvantage is communicated to the Borrower in writing; provided further that nothing contained in this Section 2.16(c)(ii) shall interfere with the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit nor oblige the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns or disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof to the Borrower or require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to do anything that would materially prejudice its ability to benefit from any other refunds, credits, reliefs, remissions or repayments to which it may be entitled.

 

(d)         As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.16, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)         (i)Any Lender (which, solely for purposes of this Section 2.16(e), shall include the Administrative Agent) that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.16(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

   

 

 

(ii)          Without limiting the foregoing,

 

(A)         any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), two (2) duly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-9 (or successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)          any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1)        in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, two (2) duly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or, in each case, any successor form) claiming eligibility for benefits of such treaty;

 

(2)        two (2) duly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form);

 

(3)        in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (I) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (II) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or (III) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) two (2) duly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or, in each case, any successor form); or

 

(4)        to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, two (2) duly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY (or successor form), accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or Exhibit D-3, IRS Form W-9 and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

   

 

 

(C)          any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)          if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(f)          If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes (including any Tax credit in lieu of a refund) as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.16 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender (as applicable) and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that such Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party by the Administrative Agent or such Lender (as applicable) pursuant to this subsection (f) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the Administrative Agent or Lender, as applicable, in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to a Loan Party or any other Person.

 

   

 

 

(g)        Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Taxes and without limiting any obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) and (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c)(ii) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, in either case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable and documented expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this subsection (g).

 

(h)        Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.16 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

(i)         For purposes of this Section 2.16, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

 

Section 2.17       Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a)The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of amounts payable under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York, except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder and under each other Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

 

   

 

 

(b)        If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

 

(c)        If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(d)        Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

(e)        If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.06(b), 2.17(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof) (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold such amounts in a segregated account over which the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

   

 

 

Section 2.18        Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a)If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay Indemnified Taxes or any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)         If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, (iii) if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or (iv) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination requiring the consent of all the Lenders or all affected Lenders, the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of any Lender whose consent is required is not obtained, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04 or pursuant to procedures agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), all its interests, rights (other than its rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 or Section 9.03 arising prior to the effectiveness of such assignment) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent with respect to any assignee that is not already a Lender hereunder, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

Section 2.19        Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)         fees shall cease to accrue on the undrawn amount of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(a); and

 

   

 

 

(b)         the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders (or all Lenders, as the case may be) have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided, that this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender affected thereby if such Defaulting Lender is an affected Lender.

 

(c)         If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments, and reimburse each such Lender for any costs of the type described in Section 2.15 incurred by any Lender as a result of such purchase, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

The rights and remedies against, and with respect to, a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.19 are in addition to, and cumulative and not in limitation of, all other rights and remedies that the Administrative Agent, each Lender or the Borrower or any other Loan Party may have at any time against, or with respect to, such Defaulting Lender.

 

Article III

Representations and Warranties

 

To induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower makes each of the representations and warranties set forth below as of the Effective Date and (except as set forth in Section 4.02(c)) as of the date of each Borrowing hereunder:

 

Section 3.01        Organization; Powers. (a)Each Loan Party is (i) duly organized (where relevant) and validly existing and (ii) in good standing (where relevant), in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation, except in the case of a Subsidiary, where the failure to so be duly organized, validly exist or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)         Each Loan Party has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing (where relevant) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

 

   

 

 

Section 3.02        Authorization; Enforceability. Each Loan Party has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party. Each of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

Section 3.03        Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The execution and delivery of each Loan Document by each Loan Party party thereto and performance thereof: (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect (except for (i) any reports required to be filed by the Borrower with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act or (ii) those that may be required from time to time in the ordinary course of business that may be required to comply with certain covenants contained in the Loan Documents), (b) will not violate the charter or by-laws (or equivalent organizational documents) of the Borrower or of any other Loan Party, (c) will not violate any applicable law (including ERISA and Environmental Laws) or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority to which any Loan Party is subject, and (d) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any other Loan Party or its assets or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except in the case of clauses (a), (c) and (d) above for any such violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.04        Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a)The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP. To the knowledge of the Borrower, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP.

 

(b)         As of the Effective Date, since December 31, 2019, there has been no Material Adverse Change.

 

Section 3.05        Properties. (a)The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to their business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with their ability to conduct their business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes or where the failure to have such title or interest would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)         The Borrower and its Subsidiaries collectively own, or are licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property used in their business, and such use by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, to the best of knowledge of the Borrower, does not infringe upon the material rights of any other Person except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

   

 

 

Section 3.06        Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a)There are no actions, suits or proceedings or investigations by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as to which there is a reasonable expectation of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, except as disclosed in filings made by the Borrower with the SEC on or before the date that is five days prior to the date hereof.

 

(b)         Except with respect to any other matters that would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) have not failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, have not become subject to any Environmental Liability, and (iii) have not received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability.

 

Section 3.07        Compliance with Laws. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to them or their property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.08        Investment Company Status. No Loan Party is an “investment company” as such term is defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Section 3.09        Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed by them and have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by them, except (a) Taxes not yet delinquent, not yet in default or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.10        ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Accounting Standards Codification 715-30-35-1A) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans, in each case by an amount that, if required to be paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

   

 

 

Section 3.11        Disclosure. None of the reports, financial statements or certificates or other written information (other than information of a global economic or industry nature) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or its Affiliates to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or otherwise delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other written information so furnished prior to the relevant measurement date for this representation and warranty), taken as a whole, contained as of the date such reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information were so furnished, any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information and other forward-looking statements, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time; it being recognized by the Lenders that such projections and other forward-looking statements are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections or other forward-looking statements may differ significantly from the projected results and such differences may be material.

 

Section 3.12        Margin Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan have been used or will be used by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of Regulation U or X of the Board.

 

Section 3.13        Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.

 

Section 3.14        Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and to the knowledge of the Borrower its employees, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Borrower or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. None of the proceeds of this Agreement will be used by the Borrower directly or to the Borrower’s knowledge indirectly, for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, business or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state, will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions or will violate the Patriot Act or any other applicable terrorism or money laundering laws, rules, regulations or orders.

 

Section 3.15        Solvency. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are, as of the Effective Date, after giving effect to the Transactions and the making of the Loans and application of the proceeds thereof, on a consolidated basis, Solvent.

 

   

 

 

Article IV

CONDITIONS

 

Section 4.01        Effective Date. This Agreement shall not become effective until the time and date (the “Effective Date”) on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

 

(a)         The Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement, duly executed by each party hereto, and the Guaranty, duly executed by each party thereto;

 

(b)         The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the Borrower and each Guarantor, a certificate of good standing (or the equivalent) from the appropriate governing agency of such Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization (to the extent the concept of good standing is applicable in such jurisdiction);

 

(c)         The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party (or, if such Loan Party does not have a secretary or assistant secretary, any other Person duly authorized to execute such a certificate on behalf of such Loan Party) certifying as to (i) specimen signatures of the persons authorized to execute Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party, (ii) copies of such Loan Party’s constituent organizational documents, and (iii) the resolutions of the board of directors or other appropriate governing body of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

(d)         At least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information regarding the Loan Parties required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, to the extent reasonably requested at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date;

 

(e)         The Administrative Agent shall have received a customary favorable written legal opinion dated the Effective Date (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) of (i) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Loan Parties, and (ii) Lowenstein Sandler LLP, New Jersey counsel for the Loan Parties;

 

(f)          On the Effective Date, including upon giving effect to the Borrowing of any Loans on the Effective Date, the representations and warranties in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct, in all material respects (and in all respects if already qualified by materiality, except to the extent any such representations or warranties are limited to a specific date, in which case, such representations and warranties are accurate in all material respects as of such specific date (and in all respects if already qualified by materiality);

 

(g)         On the Effective Date, including upon giving effect to any Borrowing of any Loans on the Effective Date, there shall not exist any Default or Event of Default;

 

   

 

 

(h)         The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance as of the Effective Date with the conditions contained in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this Section 4.01;

 

(i)          The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto;

 

(j)          The Administrative Agent shall have received all costs, fees, expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) to the extent invoiced at least two Business Days prior to the Effective Date and the fees contemplated by the Fee Letter payable to the Bookrunners, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall have been paid on or prior to the Effective Date, in each case, to the extent required by the Fee Letter or the Loan Documents to be paid on or prior to the Effective Date;

 

(k)         Since December 31, 2019, there shall not have occurred a Material Adverse Change; and

 

(l)          All amounts outstanding under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2019, by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, shall have been repaid and all commitments outstanding thereunder shall have been terminated.

 

Section 4.02        Conditions to Borrowings. The several obligations of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing during the Availability Period is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)         With respect to any Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed Borrowing Request or such other notice or request reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(b)         As of the date of such Borrowing, the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement (other than, after the Effective Date, those set forth in Sections 3.04(b), 3.06 and 3.15) and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (and in all respects if already qualified by materiality), except to the extent any such representations or warranties are limited to a specific date, in which case, such representations and warranties are accurate in all material respects as of such specific date (and in all respects if already qualified by materiality); and

 

(c)         At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.02.

 

Section 4.03        Determinations under Sections 4.01 and 4.02. For the purposes of determining whether the conditions precedent specified in Section 4.01 and 4.02 have been satisfied, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved, accepted or be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consent to, approved by, acceptable to or satisfactory to the Lenders, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Effective Date or date of Borrowing, as applicable, specifying its objection thereto.

 

   

 

 

Article V

Affirmative Covenants

 

Until the Facility Termination, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 5.01        Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender):

 

(a)         on or before the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any permitted extensions) or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 90 days after the end of each such fiscal year, its audited consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, all certified by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; provided that such report may contain a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, if such qualification or exception is related solely from the classification of the Loans hereunder as short-term indebtedness during the twelve-month period prior to the Commitment Termination Date hereunder) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b)         on or before the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any permitted extensions) with respect to each of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 45 days after the end of each such quarterly accounting period, its consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly period, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c)         concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.04;

 

   

 

 

(d)         promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower with the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

 

(e)         promptly after Moody’s or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change; and

 

(f)          promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; provided, that such financial information is otherwise prepared by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, is of a type customarily provided to lenders in similar credit facilities and is not subject to attorney-client or similar privilege.

 

Information required to be delivered pursuant to subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 5.01 shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual or quarterly or other reports or proxy statements containing such information shall have been posted by the Administrative Agent on IntraLinks or similar site to which the Lenders have been granted access or posted and available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Section 5.02        Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender) prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)         A Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of the existence of any Default; and

 

(b)         A Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

Section 5.03        Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect (a) its legal existence (in the case of the Borrower, to remain organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia) except, solely in the case of a Material Subsidiary, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (b) the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole except to the extent that failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any transaction permitted under Section 6.02.

 

   

 

 

Section 5.04        Payment of Taxes. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, pay its Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto.

 

Section 5.05        Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty and condemnation excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (which may include self-insurance and co-insurance) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, except in the case of clauses (a) and (b), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as otherwise not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

Section 5.06        Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct (in all material respects) entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities, to the extent necessary to permit financial statements to be prepared in conformity with GAAP. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice coordinated through the Administrative Agent, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours; provided that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, only one visit shall be permitted during any calendar year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06, none of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (i) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives) is prohibited by Law or any binding agreement not entered into in contemplation of avoiding such inspection and disclosure rights, (iii) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product, or (iv) in respect of which the Borrower or any Subsidiary owes confidentiality obligations to any third party not entered into in contemplation of avoiding such inspection and disclosure rights.

 

Section 5.07        Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws (including ERISA and Environmental Laws), rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.

 

 

 

 

Section 5.08        Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans will be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including to refinance debt, make and pay dividends and distributions, to finance working capital needs, to make acquisitions and for other investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case as otherwise permitted hereunder. The Borrower will not request any Borrowing, and the Borrower shall not use and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to use, the proceeds of any Borrowing in any manner that would result in the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.12 becoming untrue. The Borrower will not directly or to the Borrower’s knowledge, indirectly, (i) use the proceeds of any Loan or (ii) lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, in any other manner that would result in a violation of applicable Sanctions by any Person party hereto (including any Person participating in the Loans, whether as underwriter, investor, or otherwise), or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, business or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state, or will violate any Anti-Corruption Law.

 

Section 5.09        Additional Guarantors; Release of Guarantors. The Borrower shall cause (i) each of its Material Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that incurs or assumes any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of a debt security or a credit facility (other than this Agreement) with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $100,000,000 (such Indebtedness for borrowed money being herein referred to as “Threshold Indebtedness”), that is Guaranteed by the Borrower or (ii) each of its Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that Guarantees any Threshold Indebtedness of the Borrower, in each case, to become a party to the Guaranty as a Guarantor within 30 days of the date such Subsidiary so incurs or assumes such Threshold Indebtedness Guaranteed by the Borrower or Guarantees Threshold Indebtedness of the Borrower (or such longer period of time as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent). In the event a Subsidiary that is a Guarantor ceases to Guarantee or ceases to be the borrower of any such Threshold Indebtedness referenced in the immediately preceding sentence, the Borrower may provide written notice certifying to the occurrence of such event (which notice and certification may be provided in advance of the occurrence of such event) to the Administrative Agent, whereupon such Subsidiary shall automatically be released from the Guaranty and shall cease to be a Guarantor immediately upon the occurrence of such event. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any amendments, supplements or termination or release confirmations to effect the provisions of this Section 5.09.

 

 

 

 

Article VI
 

Negative Covenants

 

Until the Facility Termination, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 6.01        Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

 

(a)               Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(b)               any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof (with all such Liens securing Indebtedness of any Loan Party for borrowed money being set forth in Schedule 6.01); provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the proceeds or products of the property or asset originally subject to such Lien) and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except by the amount of any accrued interest and premiums with respect to such Indebtedness and transaction costs and expenses in connection with such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement);

 

(c)               Liens of any Subsidiary in favor of any Loan Party or Liens of any Loan Party in favor of another Loan Party;

 

(d)               Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding consisting of Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money obligations (including equipment leases) provided that such Liens do not encumber any property other than property financed by such Indebtedness or subject to such Capital Lease Obligations (other than the proceeds or products thereof (it being understood for purposes of this clause (d) that individual financings provided by a Person or its Affiliates may be cross collateralized to other financings provided by such Person or its Affiliates);

 

(e)               Liens on the assets of any Excluded Subsidiary;

 

(f)                any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether by merger or otherwise) or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (except improvements or proceeds of such property) and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and any refinancing, replacement, modification, repayment, redemption, refunding, renewal or extension thereof on such property or assets and do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except by the amount of any accrued interest and premiums with respect to such Indebtedness and transaction fees, costs and expenses in connection with such refinancing, replacement, modification, repayment, redemption, refunding, renewal or extension thereof);

 

(g)               Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 270 days after such acquisition or the completion of such acquisition, construction or improvement, (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iii) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

 

 

 

(h)               any Lien arising in connection with the financing of accounts receivable by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that the uncollected amount of account receivables subject at any time to any such financing shall not exceed the greater of (x) $750,000,000 and (y) 2% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower as of such date;

 

(i)                 Liens not otherwise permitted by clauses (a) through (h) above securing any Indebtedness, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of which as of the date of any incurrence thereof shall not exceed 7.5% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower as of such date.

 

Section 6.02        Fundamental Changes. (a)The Borrower will not merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary) (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) any Person may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which (x) the Borrower is the surviving corporation or (y) the surviving Person (1) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (2) has long-term senior unsecured, unguaranteed debt securities rated no lower than Baa2 by Moody’s and BBB by S&P, (3) expressly assumes all of the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (4) provides such information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, as is reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent and such other approvals, opinions or documents consistent with the requirements in Section 4.01 as the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Lenders) may reasonably request and (ii) the Borrower may consummate a Division if (v) the Division Successor which holds the rights and liabilities under this Agreement (“Division Successor Borrower”) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (w) the Division Successor Borrower has long-term senior unsecured, unguaranteed debt securities rated no lower than Baa2 by Moody’s and BBB by S&P, (x) the Division will not result in a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets held the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis immediately prior to giving effect to such Division, (y) the Division Successor Borrower expressly assumes all of the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (z) the Division Successor Borrower provides such information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, as is reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent and such other approvals, opinions or documents consistent with the requirements in Section 4.01 as the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Lenders) may reasonably request.

 

(b)               The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto or that is a reasonable extension thereof.

 

 

 

 

Section 6.03        [Reserved].

 

Section 6.04        Financial Covenant; Leverage. The Borrower will not permit the ratio determined as of the last day of each of its fiscal quarters, commencing with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020, of (i) Consolidated Total Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such fiscal quarter to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the last four fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter (such ratio, the “Leverage Ratio”) to be greater than the applicable level set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter under the heading “Leverage Ratio”

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending
on or about
  Leverage Ratio
June 30, 2020  4.50:1.00
September 30, 2020  4.50:1.00
December 31, 2020  4.50:1.00
March 31, 2021  4.00:1.00

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any proposed acquisition or series of related acquisitions (that shall close within six months of the first such related acquisition to close) by the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries for which the payment of consideration or assumption or incurrence of Indebtedness by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection therewith is at least $750,000,000 as certified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which certificate shall contain a request to increase the Leverage Ratio pursuant to the terms hereof and shall be delivered on or prior to the date that is 30 days (or such later date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) after the date of the applicable acquisition, or the last of a series of acquisitions constituting the applicable series of related acquisitions, is consummated (a “Material Acquisition”), for the period commencing on the date of consummation of a Material Acquisition, through the first full twelve calendar month period ending immediately following the consummation of the Material Acquisition, the maximum Leverage Ratio shall instead be 0.50:1.00 higher than the otherwise applicable level set forth above; provided, further, that in the event any such Indebtedness is incurred prior to the consummation of such Material Acquisition and the Borrower provides a certification to the Administrative Agent that the proceeds of such Indebtedness are to be used in connection with the consummation of such Material Acquisition (including Indebtedness incurred to pay related Transaction Costs), such Indebtedness shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrower’s Leverage Ratio until the consummation of the Material Acquisition.

 

 

 

 

Section 6.05        Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries 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, in excess of $15,000,000, except (a) transactions at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) compensation to employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (including in the form of equity grants, sales or issuances of Stock (and associated matching equity awards), restricted stock plans, long-term incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, participation plans or similar employee benefits plans), severance arrangements and the payment and/or reimbursement of directors’ and officers’ fees and expenses and the provision of indemnification to directors, officers, employees, members of management and consultants of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, (c) transactions between or among the Borrower and any Subsidiary or between or among Subsidiaries, (d) pursuant to a contract or agreement for the sharing or allocation of Taxes, (e) any agreement between any Person and an Affiliate of such Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by or merged into such Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided that such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such acquisition or merger, (f) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Stock in the Borrower, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Stock in the Borrower, (g) transactions that are approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of the Borrower, (h) transactions undertaken in good faith for the purpose of improving the consolidated Tax efficiency of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Agreement, (i) transactions with joint ventures for the purchase, sale or distribution of goods and services entered into in the ordinary course of business, and (j) the existence of, and the performance of obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under the terms of any agreement in existence or contemplated as of the Effective Date and identified on Schedule 6.05, as these agreements may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended, renewed or otherwise modified from time to time; provided, however, that any future amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, supplement, extension, renewal or other modification entered into after the Effective Date will be permitted only to the extent that its terms are not more disadvantageous in any material respect, taken as a whole, to the Lenders than the terms of the agreements on the Effective Date.

 

Article VII
 

Events of Default

 

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

 

(a)               the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

 

(b)               the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

 

(c)               any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party that is a Material Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made (unless any such representation or warranty is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case such representation or warranty shall prove to have been incorrect in any respect);

 

 

 

 

(d)               the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or 5.08 or in Article VI;

 

(e)               the Borrower or any other Loan Party that is a Material Subsidiary shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the Administrative Agent gives notice thereof to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);

 

(f)                the Borrower or any Loan Party that is a Material Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue after any applicable grace period;

 

(g)               any default occurs in respect of any Material Indebtedness that results in such Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to (i) any Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of property or assets securing such Indebtedness and (ii) any default in observance or performance of any of the obligations of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary under any Swap Agreement that results in the exercise by the counterparty thereunder of such counterparty’s right to terminate its position under such Swap Agreement, and the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary as a result of such termination is less than $250,000,000.

 

(h)               an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (including any group of Subsidiaries considered collectively in the aggregate, that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any such Significant Subsidiary (including any group of Subsidiaries considered collectively in the aggregate, that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for 60 consecutive days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

 

 

 

(i)                 the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (including any group of Subsidiaries considered collectively in the aggregate, that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (including any group of Subsidiaries considered collectively in the aggregate, that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding or (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

(j)                 the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary (including any group of Subsidiaries considered collectively in the aggregate, that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(k)               one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance or indemnity (other than standard deductibles) as to which the insurer or indemnnitor has been notified of such judgment and has not denied coverage thereof) shall be entered against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary and the same shall remain unpaid or undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

 

(l)                 an ERISA Event shall have occurred that results in liability of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(m)             a Change in Control shall occur; or

 

(n)               the Guaranty shall cease to be valid and enforceable against any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (including any group of Subsidiaries considered collectively in the aggregate, that would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), or any such Person or Persons shall so assert in writing;

 

then, and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate any outstanding Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, any outstanding Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

 

 

 

Article VIII
 

The Administrative Agent; the Agents

 

Section 8.01        The Administrative Agent; the Agents. (a)Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and of the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Document.

 

(b)               The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

(c)               The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby and in the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) and, unless and until revoked in writing, such written directions shall be binding upon each Lender; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (x) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification satisfactory to it from the Lenders with respect to such action or (y) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may affect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided, and (iii) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (D) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (E) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost, or expense suffered by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Lender as a result of any determination of the Revolving Credit Exposure, any component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

 

 

 

(d)               The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

(e)               The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the revolving credit facility provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.

 

 

 

 

(f)               Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the consent of the Borrower (unless an Event of Default under clauses (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within sixty (60) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

(g)               Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger, any other Lender or any other Related Parties of any of the foregoing and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

(h)               Nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account.

 

(i)                Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Agents or the Bookrunners listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in their capacity, as applicable, as Agent or a Lender hereunder.

 

(j)                In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or other Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

 

 

 

(i)                 to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(ii)              to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

Section 8.02        Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Indemnification. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.

 

Section 8.03        Certain ERISA Matters. (a)Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of each Agent, each Bookrunner and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i)                 such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

 

 

 

(ii)              the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii)            (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv)             such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b)               In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, each Agent, each Bookrunner and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that no Agent, Bookrunner or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto).

 

(c)               Each Agent and each Bookrunner hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, arrangement fees, commitment fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

Article IX
 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 9.01        Notices. (a)Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, facsimile or electronic mail, as follows:

 

if to the Borrower, to it at:

 

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
53 South Avenue
Burlington, MA 01803
Attention: Ozan Dokmeciouglu, Chief Financial Officer
E-mail: Ozan.Dokmecioglu@keurig.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
53 South Avenue
Burlington, MA 01803
Attention: James L. Baldwin, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Secretary
E-mail: jim.baldwin@kdrp.com

 

and

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
4 Times Square
New Nork, NY 10036
Attn: Steven Messina
Facsimile No.: 917-777-3509
Email: steven.messina@skadden.com

 

 

 

 

if to the Administrative Agent, to:

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
500 Stanton Christiana Road
NCC5/1st Floor
Newark, DE 19713
Attention: Andrew Katella
Facsimile No.: (302) 634-8193
Email: andrew.katella@chase.com

 

with a copy to:

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank
383 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10179
Attention: Tony Yung
Facsimile No.: (212) 270-6637
Email: tony.yung@jpmorgan.com

 

if to any other Lender, to it at:

 

its address (or facsimile number or electronic mail address) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

(b)               Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by facsimile or electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications available to the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System. Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. “Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

 

 

 

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

(c)               Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

 

(d)               NO AGENT, BOOKRUNNER, ANY OF THE LENDERS, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERSONS OR ANY OF THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, PARTNERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ADVISORS OR REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “AGENT PARTIES”) SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE BY UNINTENDED RECIPIENTS OF ANY INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED BY IT THROUGH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRONIC OR OTHER INFORMATION TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND EACH SUCH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN SUCH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRONIC OR OTHER INFORMATION TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS OR THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ARISING FROM THE BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH PARTY, OR THE MATERIAL BREACH BY SUCH PARTY OF SECTION 9.12, IN EACH CASE IN THE USE OF SUCH SYSTEMS, AS DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NON- APPEALABLE JUDGMENT OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR CODE DEFECTS IS MADE BY THE AGENT PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRONIC OR OTHER INFORMATION TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS.

 

 

 

 

Section 9.02        Waivers; Amendments. (a)No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

(b)               Subject to Section 2.13(b) and Section 9.02(c) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon (other than (x) interest accruing pursuant to Section 2.12(e) or a waiver thereof and (y) amendments to the definition of “Applicable Rate” pursuant to the last sentence thereof), or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon (other than interest accruing pursuant to Section 2.12(e) or a waiver thereof), or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.17(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender or (vi) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (other than in accordance with Section 9.17) without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender to the extent set forth in Section 2.19(b).

 

(c)               Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement (including, without limitation, this Section 9.02(b)) or any other Loan Document to the contrary, guarantees or supplements or joinders to the Guaranty executed by Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or any terminations or releases thereof pursuant to Section 5.09 or Section 9.17 may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with any other Loan Document, entered into, amended, supplemented or waived (without the consent of any other Person) by the applicable Subsidiary or Subsidiaries, Loan Party or Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

 

 

 

(d)               Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, with the prior written consent of the Borrower, may amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document without the consent of any Lender or the Required Lenders in order to correct, amend or cure any ambiguity, inconsistency or defect or correct any typographical error or other error in any Loan Document and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

 

Section 9.03        Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a)To the extent the Effective Date occurs, the Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including due diligence expenses, syndication expenses, consultant’s fees and expenses, travel expenses, but in the case of legal fees limited to reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel and if reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, local counsel or specialist counsel, and, if there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest that requires separate representation for any Agent, any Bookrunner or any Lender, one additional counsel for each Person subject to such conflict of interest (in each case except allocated costs of in-house counsel)) incurred by the Bookrunners, the Administrative Agent, the Agents and their respective Affiliates, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) [reserved] and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent, the Bookrunners or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Bookrunners, the Agents or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of their rights (A) in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

 

 

 

 

(b)               The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Agent, each Bookrunner and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for any Indemnitee and if reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, local counsel or specialist counsel, and, if there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest that requires separate representation for any Indemnitee, one additional counsel for each Person subject to such conflict of interest (in each case except allocated costs of in-house counsel), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability arising from any activities or operations of, or ownership of any property by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to (A) the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to arise from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or the material breach by such Indemnitee of the express terms of this Agreement, (B) to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses arise out of, or in connection with, any proceeding that does not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates and that is brought by an Indemnitee against any other Indemnitee (other than in its capacity as an agent, arranger or bookrunner with respect to the credit facility evidenced hereby), or (C) to the extent of any settlement of any proceeding if the amount of such settlement was effected without the Borrower’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the Borrower’s written consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such proceeding, the Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses by reason of such settlement or judgment in accordance with this Section 9.03(b). To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless as set forth in this Section 9.03(b) may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any law or public policy, the Borrower shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)               To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Bookrunners pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Bookrunners, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that (i) the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Bookrunners in its capacity as such and (ii) no such payment shall release any of the Borrower’s indemnity or reimbursement obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

(d)               To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, and each Indemnitee shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against the Borrower, in each case 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 or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that nothing contained in this paragraph shall limit the Borrower’s obligations set forth in this Section 9.03.

 

 

 

 

Section 9.04        Successors and Assigns. (a)The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)               (i)Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (other than (1) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (2) natural persons and investment vehicles of natural persons and (3) any Defaulting Lender or any Subsidiary of a Defaulting Lender) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) of:

 

(A)             the Borrower, provided that, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten Business Days after having received a written request for its consent to such proposed assignment; provided further that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default under Article VII(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and

 

(B)              the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.

 

(ii)              Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)             except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Article VII(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing;

 

(B)              each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Commitments or Loans or to prohibit assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Commitments or Loans;

 

 

 

 

(C)              the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

 

(D)             the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including federal and state securities laws.

 

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

(iii)            Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 to the extent that any claim thereunder relates to an event arising prior to such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

(iv)             The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and any interest thereon owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

 

 

 

(v)               Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Sections 2.06(b), 2.17(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)               (i)Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) (other than (i) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) natural persons and investment vehicles of natural persons and (iii) any Defaulting Lender or any Subsidiary of a Defaulting Lender) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.16(e), it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.16(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.17 and 2.18 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.18(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

 

 

 

(ii)              A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless (x) the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent or (y) such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.16(e) as though it were a Lender and in any event shall not be entitled to any greater payment than the applicable Lender that sold such participation to such Participant would have been entitled to receive. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(d)               Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, central bank or similar institution and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

Section 9.05        Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement of any provision hereof.

 

 

 

 

Section 9.06        Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic communication (including by electronic mail as a .pdf or .tif attachment) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

Section 9.07        Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 9.08        Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all Obligations held by such Lender to the extent then due and owing, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly of its exercise of any rights under this Section, but the failure to provide such notice shall not otherwise limit its rights under this Section or result in any liability to such Lender. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

Section 9.09        Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a)This Agreement and any claim or controversy arising hereunder or related hereto shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

(b)               Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County, Borough of Manhattan and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

 

 

 

(c)               Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(d)               Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process at the address provided for in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

Section 9.10        WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

Section 9.11        Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Section 9.12        Confidentiality. (a)Each of the Administrative Agent, the Agents, the Bookrunners and the Lenders (each, a “Disclosing Party”) agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below) in accordance with such Person’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of such nature, except that Information may be disclosed (i) to Related Parties of such Disclosing Party, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Disclosing Party or its Affiliates (in which case such Disclosing Party shall, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority (x) promptly notify the Borrower, in advance, to the extent permitted by law and (y) so furnish only that portion of such information which the applicable Disclosing Party is legally required to disclose), (iii) in any legal, judicial, administrative proceeding or other compulsory process or as required by applicable law or regulations (in which case such Disclosing Party shall except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority (x) promptly notify the Borrower, in advance, to the extent permitted by law and (y) so furnish only that portion of such information which the applicable Disclosing Party is legally required to disclose), (iv) to any other party to this Agreement, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions no less restrictive than those of this Section, to (x) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (y) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower or (viii) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to any Disclosing Party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any of its Related Parties not known by such Disclosing Party to be disclosed by such source in breach of any legal or contractual obligation to the Borrower or any of its Related Parties. In addition, each Disclosing Party may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that, no such Disclosing Party shall disclose the identity of the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information that is made available to any Disclosing Party by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Related Parties in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any such information that is available to such Disclosing Party on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Related Parties, excluding any information which, to such Disclosing Party’s actual knowledge, has been disclosed by the source of such information in violation of a duty of confidentiality to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

(b)               EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(A) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

 

 

 

(c)               ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.

 

Section 9.13        Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

Section 9.14        Patriot Act. Each Lender subject to the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation hereby notifies the Borrower and each Guarantor that, pursuant to Section 326 of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and each Guarantor, including the name and address of the Borrower and each Guarantor and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and each Guarantor in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

Section 9.15        Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)               the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

 

(b)               the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)                 a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

 

 

 

(ii)              a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)            the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

 

Section 9.16        No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Agents and the Bookrunners are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Bookrunners, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Administrative Agent, the Agents, the Bookrunners and the Lenders is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person, (B) irrespective of whether any Lender, any Bookrunner, any Agent, the Administrative Agent or any of their Affiliates has advised or is advising the Borrower on other matters, the Borrower shall not claim any such fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or services and the Borrower acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent, any Agent, any Lender, any Bookrunner or any of their Affiliates owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrower in connection with the Transactions or the process leading thereto and; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Agents and the Bookrunners and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and no Agent nor any Bookrunner or Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates.

 

Section 9.17        Release of Guarantors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document:

 

(a)               A Guarantor shall automatically be released and discharged in full from its obligations under the Guaranty upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided that, if so required by this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

 

(b)               Further, the Administrative Agent may (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to), upon the request of the Borrower, release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if, as of the time such Guarantor is released and immediately after giving effect thereto, the Guaranty of such Guarantor is not required by Section 5.09.

 

(c)               At such time as the principal and interest with respect to all Loans and all other monetary payment Obligations which are then due and payable (other than contingent indemnification obligations and other Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) have been paid in full and all Commitments have been terminated or expired (such time, the “Facility Termination”), the Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of each Guarantor thereunder shall automatically terminate and be released and discharged in full, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person. Any such release of guarantee obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such guarantee obligations shall be reinstated if within 180 days after such release (or such longer period under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect during which any payment in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby can be annulled, avoided, set aside, rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or otherwise required to be refunded or repaid) any portion of any payment in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made; provided, however, that any such reinstated guarantee shall be released immediately upon the Obligations being indefeasibly paid in full.

 

Section 9.18        Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

    KEURIG DR PEPPER INC., as Borrower
       
       
       
  By /s/ Ozan Dokmecioglu
    Name: Ozan Dokmecioglu
    Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

 

  JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Lender
       
  By /s/ Gregory T. Martin
    Name: Gregory T. Martin
    Title: Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender
       
  By /s/ Robert C. Megan
    Name: Robert C. Megan
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

  

 

 

 

  BNP Paribas, as Lender

 

By /s/ Christopher Sked 
  Name: Christopher Sked
  Title: Managing Director

 

 

By /s/ Karim Remtoula
  Name: Karim Remtoula
  Title: Vice President

  

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

  

  GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as Lender

 

By /s/ Annie Carr
    Name: Annie Carr
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

  

  MIZUHO BANK, LTD., as Lender
   
  By /s/ Tracy Rahn
    Name: Tracy Rahn
    Title: Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

  

  MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A., as Lender
   
By /s/ Alysha Salinger
    Name: Alysha Salinger
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

 

  MUFG Union Bank, N.A, as Lender
   
  By /s/ Reema Sharma
    Name: Reema Sharma
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT] 

 

 

 

  

  SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as Lender
   
  By /s/ Katie Lee
    Name: Katie Lee
    Title: Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

  

  Truist Bank, as Lender
       
  By /s/ Matthew J. Davis
    Name: Matthew J. Davis
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

  

  

 

 

  ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC, as Lender
       
  By /s/ Amit Wynalda
    Name: Amit Wynalda
    Title: Executive Director
       
    /s/ Javier Ramirez
    Name: Javier Ramirez
    Title: Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

  

  

 

 

  Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., New York Branch, as Lender
       
  By /s/ Xiaoyu Yang
    Name: Xiaoyu Yang
    Title: Vice President
       
  By /s/ Haiyao Su
    Name: Haiyao Su
    Title: Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

  

  

 

 

  COOPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A.. NEW YORK BRANCH, as Lender
       
  By /s/ Van Brandenburg
    Name: Van Brandenburg
    Title: Managing Director
       
  By /s/ Erin Scott
    Name: Erin Scott
    Title: Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

  

  

 

 

  THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Lender
       
  By /s/ Michael Borowiecki
    Name: Michael Borowiecki
    Title: AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 

 

  

 

 

  U.S. Bank National Association, as Lender
       
  By: /s/ Michael P. Dickman
    Name: Michael P. Dickman
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]