EX-99 2 ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 ex99-1.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

$50,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY


CREDIT AGREEMENT

by and among

 

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC
STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, L.P.

AND THE OTHER ENTITIES JOINED AS A BORROWER FROM TIME TO TIME

and

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent

 

Dated as of October 23, 2013

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page 

1.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1

 

1.1

Certain Definitions.

1

 

1.2

Construction.

17

 

1.3

Accounting Principles; Changes in GAAP.

17

         

2.

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

18

 

2.1

Revolving Credit Commitments.

18

   

2.1.1

Revolving Credit Loans.

18

 

2.2

Nature of Lenders' Obligations with Respect to Revolving Credit Loans.

18

 

2.3

Commitment Fees.

18

 

2.4

Facility Fees.

19

 

2.5

Revolving Credit Loan Requests.

19

   

2.5.1

Revolving Credit Loan Requests.

19

 

2.6

Making Revolving Credit Loans; Presumptions by the Administrative Agent; Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans.

19

   

2.6.1

Making Revolving Credit Loans.

19

   

2.6.2

Presumptions by the Administrative Agent.

20

   

2.6.3

Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans.

20

 

2.7

Notes.

20

 

2.8

Use of Proceeds.

20

 

2.9

Letter of Credit Subfacility.

20

   

2.9.1

Issuance of Letters of Credit.

20

   

2.9.2

Letter of Credit Fees.

21

   

2.9.3

Disbursements, Reimbursement.

21

   

2.9.4

Repayment of Participation Advances.

23

   

2.9.5

Documentation.

23

   

2.9.6

Determinations to Honor Drawing Requests.

23

   

2.9.7

Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations.

24

   

2.9.8

Indemnity.

25

   

2.9.9

Liability for Acts and Omissions.

25

   

2.9.10

Issuing Lender Reporting Requirements.

27

   

2.9.11

Cash Collateral.

27

 

2.10

Defaulting Lenders.

27

 

2.11

Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitment.

29

         

3.

RESERVED

29

         

4.

INTEREST RATES

29

 

4.1

Interest Rate Options.

29

   

4.1.1

Revolving Credit Interest Rate Options.

30

   

4.1.2

Daily LIBOR Rate.

30

   

4.1.3

Rate Quotations.

30

 

4.2

Interest Periods.

30

 

 
i

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

   

4.2.1

Amount of Borrowing Tranche.

30

   

4.2.2

Renewals.

30

 

4.3

Interest After Default.

30

   

4.3.1

Letter of Credit Fees, Interest Rate.

30

   

4.3.2

Other Obligations.

31

   

4.3.3

Acknowledgment.

31

 

4.4

LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available.

31

   

4.4.1

Unascertainable.

31

   

4.4.2

Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available.

31

   

4.4.3

Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights.

32

 

4.5

Selection of Interest Rate Options.

32

         

5.

PAYMENTS

32

 

5.1

Payments.

32

 

5.2

Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders.

33

 

5.3

Sharing of Payments by Lenders.

33

 

5.4

Presumptions by Administrative Agent.

34

 

5.5

Interest Payment Dates.

34

 

5.6

Voluntary Prepayments.

34

   

5.6.1

Right to Prepay.

34

   

5.6.2

Replacement of a Lender.

35

 

5.7

Mandatory Prepayments.

36

   

5.7.1

Revolving Facility Usage.

36

   

5.7.2

Sale of Assets/Issuance of Indebtedness.

36

   

5.7.3

Application Among Interest Rate Options

40

 

5.8

Increased Costs.

36

   

5.8.1

Increased Costs Generally.

36

   

5.8.2

Capital Requirements.

37

   

5.8.3

Certificates for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New Loans.

37

   

5.8.4

Delay in Requests.

37

 

5.9

Taxes.

37

   

5.9.1

Issuing Lender.

37

   

5.9.2

Payments Free of Taxes.

37

   

5.9.3

Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties.

38

   

5.9.4

Indemnification by the Loan Parties.

38

   

5.9.5

Indemnification by the Lenders.

38

   

5.9.6

Evidence of Payments.

38

   

5.9.7

Status of Lenders.

39

   

5.9.8

Treatment of Certain Refunds.

41

   

5.9.9

Survival.

41

 

5.10

Indemnity.

41

 

5.11

Settlement Date Procedures.

42

         

6.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

42

 

6.1

Representations and Warranties.

42

 

 
ii

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

   

6.1.1

Organization and Qualification; Power and Authority; Compliance With Laws; Title to Properties; Event of Default.

42

   

6.1.2

Subsidiaries and Owners; Investment Companies.

43

   

6.1.3

Validity and Binding Effect.

43

   

6.1.4

No Conflict; Material Agreements; Consents.

43

   

6.1.5

Litigation.

43

   

6.1.6

Financial Statements.

44

   

6.1.7

Margin Stock.

44

   

6.1.8

Full Disclosure.

44

   

6.1.9

Taxes.

45

   

6.1.10

Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Etc.

45

   

6.1.11

Liens in the Collateral.

45

   

6.1.12

Insurance.

45

   

6.1.13

ERISA Compliance.

45

   

6.1.14

Environmental Matters.

46

   

6.1.15

Solvency.

46

 

6.2

Updates to Schedules.

46

         

7.

CONDITIONS OF LENDING AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

46

 

7.1

First Loans and Letters of Credit.

46

   

7.1.1

Deliveries.

46

   

7.1.2

Payment of Fees.

47

 

7.2

Each Loan or Letter of Credit.

47

         

8.

COVENANTS

48

 

8.1

Affirmative Covenants.

48

   

8.1.1

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

48

   

8.1.2

Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc.

48

   

8.1.3

Maintenance of Insurance.

48

   

8.1.4

Maintenance of Properties and Leases.

48

   

8.1.5

Visitation Rights.

48

   

8.1.6

Keeping of Records and Books of Account.

49

   

8.1.7

Compliance with Laws; Use of Proceeds.

49

   

8.1.8

Further Assurances.

49

   

8.1.9

Anti-Terrorism Laws.

49

   

8.1.10

Deposit and Securities Accounts.

49

 

8.2

Negative Covenants.

50

   

8.2.1

Indebtedness.

50

   

8.2.2

Liens; Lien Covenants.

50

   

8.2.3

Guaranties.

50

   

8.2.4

Loans and Investments.

50

   

8.2.5

Dividends and Related Distributions.

50

   

8.2.6

Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions.

50

   

8.2.7

Dispositions of Collateral.

50

   

8.2.8

Affiliate Transactions.

51

   

8.2.9

Subsidiaries, Partnerships and Joint Ventures.

51

   

8.2.10

Continuation of or Change in Business.

51

   

8.2.11

Fiscal Year.

51

 

 
iii

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

   

8.2.12

Issuance of Stock.

51

   

8.2.13

Changes in Organizational Documents.

51

   

8.2.14

Capital Expenditures and Leases.

51

 

8.3

Reporting Requirements.

51

   

8.3.1

Quarterly Financial Statements.

51

   

8.3.2

Annual Financial Statements.

51

   

8.3.3

Certificate of the Borrower.

52

   

8.3.4

Notices.

52

         

9.

DEFAULT

53

 

9.1

Events of Default.

53

   

9.1.1

Payments Under Loan Documents.

53

   

9.1.2

Breach of Warranty.

53

   

9.1.3

Breach of Negative Covenants or Visitation Rights.

53

   

9.1.4

Breach of Other Covenants.

53

   

9.1.5

Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness.

54

   

9.1.6

Final Judgments or Orders.

54

   

9.1.7

Loan Document Unenforceable.

54

   

9.1.8

Uninsured Losses; Proceedings Against Assets.

54

   

9.1.9

Events Relating to Plans and Benefit Arrangements.

54

   

9.1.10

Change of Control.

54

   

9.1.11

Relief Proceedings.

55

 

9.2

Consequences of Event of Default.

55

   

9.2.1

Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings.

55

   

9.2.2

Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings.

55

   

9.2.3

Set-off.

55

   

9.2.4

Application of Proceeds.

56

         

10.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

56

 

10.1

Appointment and Authority.

56

 

10.2

Rights as a Lender.

57

 

10.3

Exculpatory Provisions.

57

 

10.4

Reliance by Administrative Agent.

58

 

10.5

Delegation of Duties.

58

 

10.6

Resignation of Administrative Agent.

58

 

10.7

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

59

 

10.8

Reserved.

59

 

10.9

Reserved.

59

 

10.10

Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors.

60

 

10.11

No Reliance on Administrative Agent's Customer Identification Program.

60

         

11.

MISCELLANEOUS

60

 

11.1

Modifications, Amendments or Waivers.

60

   

11.1.1

Increase of Commitment.

60

 

 
iv

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

   

11.1.2

Extension of Payment; Reduction of Principal Interest or Fees; Modification of Terms of Payment.

60

   

11.1.3

Release of Collateral or Guarantor.

60

   

11.1.4

Miscellaneous.

61

 

11.2

No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies.

61

 

11.3

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

61

   

11.3.1

Costs and Expenses.

61

   

11.3.2

Indemnification by the Borrower.

62

   

11.3.3

Reimbursement by Lenders.

62

   

11.3.4

Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.

63

   

11.3.5

Payments.

63

 

11.4

Holidays.

63

 

11.5

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.

63

   

11.5.1

Notices Generally.

63

   

11.5.2

Electronic Communications.

64

   

11.5.3

Change of Address, Etc.

64

 

11.6

Severability.  

64

 

11.7

Duration; Survival.

64

 

11.8

Successors and Assigns.

64

   

11.8.1

Successors and Assigns Generally.

64

   

11.8.2

Assignments by Lenders.

65

   

11.8.3

Register.

66

   

11.8.4

Participations.

67

   

11.8.5

Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally.

68

 

11.9

Confidentiality.

68

   

11.9.1

General.

68

   

11.9.2

Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Lenders.

68

 

11.10

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

69

   

11.10.1

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

69

 

11.11

CHOICE OF LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

69

   

11.11.1

Governing Law.

69

   

11.11.2

SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

69

   

11.11.3

WAIVER OF VENUE.

70

   

11.11.4

SERVICE OF PROCESS.

70

   

11.11.5

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

70

 

11.12

USA Patriot Act Notice.

70

 

 

 
v

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

 

SCHEDULES

 

SCHEDULE 1.1(A)

-

COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS AND ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

SCHEDULE 6.1.1

-

QUALIFICATIONS TO DO BUSINESS

SCHEDULE 6.1.2

-

SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE 6.1.4

 

REQUIRED CONSENTS

SCHEDULE 6.1.5

 

LITIGATION

SCHEDULE 6.1.7

 

MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

SCHEDULE 6.1.10

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

SCHEDULE 6.1.14

-

ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURES

SCHEDULE 8.1.3

-

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COLLATERAL

SCHEDULE 9.1.6

-

FINAL JUDGMENTS OR ORDERS

     

EXHIBITS

   
     

EXHIBIT 1.1(A)

-

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 1.1(B)

- BORROWING BASE REPORT

EXHIBIT 1.1(N)(1)

-

REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

EXHIBIT 2.5.1

-

LOAN REQUEST

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(A)

-

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(B)

-

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(C)

-

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(D)

-

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

EXHIBIT 8.3.3

-

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 
vi

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (as hereafter amended, the "Agreement") is dated as of October 23, 2013 and is made by and among SPH Group Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPH”), Steel Partners Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Steel Partners”, and together with SPH and each other Person joined as a borrower from time to time, collectively and individually as the context may require, “Borrower”), the LENDERS (as hereinafter defined), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“PNC”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement (PNC is hereinafter referred to in such capacity as the "Administrative Agent").

 

The Borrower has requested the Lenders to provide a revolving credit facility to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000. In consideration of their mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

1.             CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

1.1           Certain Definitions. In addition to words and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context hereof clearly requires otherwise:

 

Administrative Agent shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, and its successors and assigns.

 

Affiliate as to any Person shall mean any other Person (i) which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, (ii) which beneficially owns or holds 10% or more of any class of the voting or other equity interests of such Person, or (iii) 10% or more of any class of voting interests or other equity interests of which is beneficially owned or held, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

 

Anti-Terrorism Laws shall mean any Laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224, the USA Patriot Act, the Laws comprising or implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the Laws administered by the United States Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control (as any of the foregoing Laws may from time to time be amended, renewed, extended, or replaced).

 

Applicable Margin shall mean, (i) with respect to Loans bearing interest at the Daily LIBOR Rate, one percent (1.00%), (ii) with respect to Loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate, one percent (1.00%), and (iii) with respect to Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate, zero percent (0.00%).

 

Approved Fund shall mean any fund that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of 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.

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall mean an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee permitted under Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns], in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(A).

 

Authorized Officer shall mean, with respect to any Loan Party, the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Loan Party or such other individuals, designated by written notice to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower, authorized to execute notices, reports and other documents on behalf of the Loan Parties required hereunder. The Borrower may amend such list of individuals from time to time by giving written notice of such amendment to the Administrative Agent.

 

Base Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Open Rate, plus 0.5%, and (b) the Prime Rate, and (c) the Daily LIBOR Rate, plus 100 basis points (1.0%). Any change in the Base Rate (or any component thereof) shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change occurs.

 

Borrower shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Borrowing Base shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to 25% of the then current market value of Eligible Investment Property (as evidenced by the Borrowing Base Report and the report delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.3.4 hereof, which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Required Lenders may, in their reasonable business judgment, increase the level of any reserves or ineligibles, or define or maintain such other reserves or ineligibles, as the Required Lenders may deem necessary or appropriate in good faith based on either: (i) an event, condition or other circumstance arising after the date hereof, of (ii) an event, condition or other circumstance existing on the date hereof to the extent the Administrative Agent has no written notice thereof from Borrower prior to the date hereof, in either case under clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects or could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the reserves or ineligibles in the good faith determination of the Required Lenders. Any such change shall become effective immediately upon written notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower for the purpose of calculating the Borrowing Base hereunder.

 

Borrowing Base Report shall mean a daily report generated by Administrative Agent based upon the then current market value of the Marketable Securities, which Borrowing Base Report shall be in electronic form or the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1(B) and shall be presumed by all parties to be correct in all respects.

 

Borrowing Date shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the date for the making thereof or the renewal or conversion thereof at or to the same or a different Interest Rate Option, which shall be a Business Day.

 

Borrowing Tranche shall mean specified portions of Loans outstanding as follows: (i) any Loans to which the LIBOR Rate applies which become subject to the same Interest Rate Option under the same Loan Request by the Borrower and which have the same Interest Period shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche, (ii) any Loans to which the Daily LIBOR Rate applies shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche, and (iii) any Loans to which the Base Rate applies shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche.

 

 

 
2

 

 

Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed for business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and if the applicable Business Day relates to any Loan to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies, such day must also be a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.

 

Cash Collateralize shall mean to pledge and deposit with or deliver to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Issuing Lender and the Lenders, as collateral for the Letter of Credit Obligations, cash or deposit account balances pursuant to documentation satisfactory to Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders) in an amount equal to 105% of the Letter of Credit Obligations. Such cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked, non-interesting bearing deposit accounts at the Administrative Agent.

 

Change in Law shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Official Body or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Official Body; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of Law) and (y) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations 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 (whether or not having the force of Law), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

 

Closing Date shall mean the Business Day on which the first Loan shall be made, which shall be October 23, 2013.

 

Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

 

Collateral shall mean the collateral under the Security Agreement and any additional pledge or security agreement executed after the Closing Date.

 

Commitment shall mean as to any Lender the aggregate of its Revolving Credit Commitment and Commitments shall mean the aggregate of the Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Lenders.

 

Commitment Fee shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3 [Commitment Fees].

 

 

 
3

 

 

Compliance Certificate shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.3.3 [Certificate of the Borrower].

 

Connection Income Taxes shall mean Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

Daily LIBOR Rate shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent by dividing (x) the Published Rate by (y) a number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage on such day. The rate of interest will be adjusted automatically as of each Business Day based on changes in the Daily LIBOR Rate without notice to the Borrower.

 

Daily LIBOR Rate Option shall mean the option of the Borrower to have Loans bear interest at the rate and under the terms set forth in Section 4.1.1(i) [Revolving Credit Daily LIBOR Rate Option].

 

Defaulting Lender shall mean 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, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any Lender 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 the Administrative Agent 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 two Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon the Administrative Agent's receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or (e) has failed at any time to comply with the provisions of Section 5.3 with respect to purchasing participations from the other Lenders, whereby such Lender's share of any payment received, whether by setoff or otherwise, is in excess of its Ratable Share of such payments due and payable to all of the Lenders.

 

As used in this definition and in Section 2.10 [Defaulting Lenders], the term "Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, such Person or such Person's direct or indirect parent company 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 or such Person's direct or indirect parent company by an Official Body or instrumentality thereof if, and only if, 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 Official Body or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

 

 
4

 

 

Dollar, Dollars, U.S. Dollars and the symbol $ shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Drawing Date shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3.1 [Disbursements, Reimbursement].

 

Eligible Investment Property shall mean the Marketable Securities owned by any Borrower which are subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Administrative Agent and which are not subject to any restrictions other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.1 of the Security Agreement.

 

Environmental Laws shall mean all applicable federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and foreign Laws (including common law), constitutions, statutes, treaties, regulations, rules, ordinances and codes and any consent decrees, settlement agreements, judgments, orders, directives, policies or programs issued by or entered into with an Official Body pertaining or relating to: (i) pollution or pollution control; (ii) protection of human health from exposure to regulated substances; (iii) protection of the environment and/or natural resources; (iv) employee safety in the workplace; (v) the presence, use, management, generation, manufacture, processing, extraction, treatment, recycling, refining, reclamation, labeling, packaging, sale, transport, storage, collection, distribution, disposal or release or threat of release of regulated substances; (vi) the presence of contamination; (vii) the protection of endangered or threatened species; and (viii) the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.

 

ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

 

ERISA Affiliate shall mean, at any time, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower and are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

ERISA Event shall mean (a) a reportable event (under Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder) with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

 

 
5

 

 

ERISA Group shall mean, at any time, the Borrower and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control and all other entities which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Event of Default shall mean any of the events described in Section 9.1 [Events of Default] and referred to therein as an "Event of Default."

 

Excluded Taxes shall mean 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, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (a) 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 (b) that are Other Connection Taxes, (ii) 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 pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (a) such Lender acquires such interest in such Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender]) or (b) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 5.9.7 [Status of Lenders], 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, (iii) Taxes attributable to such Recipient's failure to comply with 5.9.7 [Status of Lenders], and (iv) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA (except to the extent imposed due to the failure of the Borrower to provide documentation or information to the IRS).

 

Executive Order No. 13224 shall mean the Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

 

Expiration Date shall mean, with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments, October 23, 2016.

 

Facility Fees shall mean the fees referred to in Section 2.4 [Facility Fees].

 

FATCA shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

 

 
6

 

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions arranged by federal funds brokers on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" as of the date of this Agreement; provided, if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the last day on which such rate was announced.

 

Federal Funds Open Rate for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) which is the daily federal funds open rate as quoted by ICAP North America, Inc. (or any successor) as set forth on the Bloomberg Screen BTMM for that day opposite the caption "OPEN" (or on such other substitute Bloomberg Screen that displays such rate), or as set forth on such other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying such rate as selected by the Administrative Agent (for purposes of this definition, an "Alternate Source") (or if such rate for such day does not appear on the Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen) or on any Alternate Source, or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen) or any Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Administrative Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided however, that if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Open Rate for such day shall be the "open" rate on the immediately preceding Business Day. If and when the Federal Funds Open Rate changes, the rate of interest hereunder with respect to any advance to which the Federal Funds Open Rate applies will change automatically without notice to the Borrower, effective on the date of any such change.

 

Foreign Lender shall mean (i) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (ii) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

 

GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as are in effect from time to time, subject to the provisions of Section 1.3 [Accounting Principles], and applied on a consistent basis both as to classification of items and amounts.

 

Guarantor shall mean any Person which joins this Agreement as a Guarantor after the date hereof.

 

Guarantor Joinder shall mean a joinder by a Person as a Guarantor under the Loan Documents in the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(1).

 

 

 
7

 

 

Guaranty of any Person shall mean any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, except endorsement of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

 

Guaranty Agreement shall mean a Continuing Agreement of Guaranty and Suretyship, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by each of the Guarantors.

 

Indebtedness shall mean, as to any Person at any time, any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or joint or several) of such Person for or in respect of: (i) borrowed money, (ii) amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any note purchase or acceptance credit facility, (iii) reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any letter of credit agreement, (iv) obligations under any currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor agreement or other interest rate management device, (v) any other transaction (including forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Person to finance its operations or capital requirements (but not including trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not represented by a promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness and which are not more than sixty (60) days past due or bond contracts unless drawn upon or claims have been made thereunder), or (vi) any Guaranty of Indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

Indemnified Taxes shall mean (i) 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 (ii) to the extent not otherwise described in the preceding clause (i), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitee shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower].

 

Information shall mean all information received from the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries relating to the Loan Parties or any of such Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, provided that, in the case of information received from the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.

 

Insolvency Proceeding shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) a case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person (i) before any court or any other Official Body under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or (ii) for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party or otherwise relating to the liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or relief of such Person, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of such Person's creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; undertaken under any Law.

 

 

 
8

 

 

Interest Period shall mean the period of time selected by the Borrower in connection with (and to apply to) any election permitted hereunder by the Borrower to have Revolving Credit Loans bear interest under the LIBOR Rate Option. Subject to the last sentence of this definition, such period shall be one, two, three or six Months. Such Interest Period shall commence on the effective date of such Interest Rate Option, which shall be (i) the Borrowing Date if the Borrower is requesting new Loans, or (ii) the date of renewal of or conversion to the LIBOR Rate Option if the Borrower is renewing or converting to the LIBOR Rate Option applicable to outstanding Loans. Notwithstanding the second sentence hereof: (A) any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a date which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (B) the Borrower shall not select, convert to or renew an Interest Period for any portion of the Loans that would end after the Expiration Date.

 

Interest Rate Hedge shall mean (i) an interest rate exchange, collar, cap, swap, adjustable strike cap, adjustable strike corridor or similar agreements entered into by the Loan Parties in order to provide protection to, or minimize the impact upon, the Borrower, or any Guarantor of increasing floating rates of interest applicable to Indebtedness.

 

Interest Rate Option shall mean any LIBOR Rate Option or Daily LIBOR Rate Option.

 

IRS shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Issuing Lender shall mean PNC, in its individual capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and any other Lender that Borrower, Administrative Agent and such other Lender may agree may from time to time issue Letters of Credit hereunder.

 

Law shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, release, ruling, order, injunction, writ, decree, bond, judgment, authorization or approval, lien or award by or settlement agreement with any Official Body.

 

Lender Provided Interest Rate Hedge shall mean an Interest Rate Hedge which is provided by any Lender or its Affiliate and with respect to which the Administrative Agent confirms: (i) is documented in a standard International Swap Dealer Association Agreement, and (ii) provides for the method of calculating the reimbursable amount of the provider's credit exposure in a reasonable and customary manner.

 

Lenders shall mean the financial institutions named on Schedule 1.1(A) and their respective successors and assigns as permitted hereunder, each of which is referred to herein as a Lender. For the purpose of any Loan Document which provides for the granting of a security interest or other Lien to the Lenders or to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders as security for the Obligations, "Lenders" shall include any Affiliate of a Lender to which such Obligation is owed.

 

 

 
9

 

 

Letter of Credit shall have mean the letters of credit issued under Section Section 2.9.1.1 [Issuance of Letters of Credit].

 

Letter of Credit Borrowing shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement].

 

Letter of Credit Fee shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees].

 

Letter of Credit Obligation shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit on such date (if any Letter of Credit shall increase in amount automatically in the future, such aggregate amount available to be drawn shall currently give effect to any such future increase) plus the aggregate Reimbursement Obligations and Letter of Credit Borrowings on such date.

 

Letter of Credit Sublimit shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.1 [Issuance of Letters of Credit].

 

LIBOR Rate shall mean, with respect to the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (i) the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which US dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the Administrative Agent which has been approved by the British Bankers' Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which US dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (for purposes of this definition, an "Alternate Source"), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. Dollars for an amount comparable to such Borrowing Tranche and having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such Interest Period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Administrative Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error)), by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage. LIBOR may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

London interbank offered rates quoted by Bloomberg
LIBOR Rate            =    or appropriate successor as shown on Bloomberg Page BBAM1

1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

 

The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Loan to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies that is outstanding on the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of the LIBOR Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

 

 
10

 

 

LIBOR Rate Option shall mean the option of the Borrower to have Loans bear interest at the rate and under the terms set forth in Section 4.1.1(i) [Revolving Credit LIBOR Rate Option].

 

LIBOR Reserve Percentage shall mean as of any day the maximum percentage in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities").

 

Lien shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement or other notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at the time of the filing).

 

Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Agreement, the Notification and Control Agreement, the Regulation U Form, and other instruments, certificates or documents delivered in connection herewith or therewith, each as amended, restated, modified, or supplemented from time to time.

 

Loan Parties shall mean the Borrower and any Guarantors.

 

Loan Request shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5 [Revolving Credit Loan Requests].

 

Loans shall mean collectively and Loan shall mean separately all Revolving Credit Loans or any Revolving Credit Loan.

 

Marketable Securities shall mean the investment property comprised of equity or debt instruments for which a trading market exists or that can be converted to cash or exchanged, which are held by Borrowers, or any of them, in the Pledged PNC Accounts, and all financial assets now or hereafter credited to such account, and all additions, substitutions, replacements, proceeds, income, dividends and distributions thereon.

 

Material Adverse Change shall mean any set of circumstances or events which (a) has or could reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) is or could reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the business, properties, assets, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, (c) impairs materially or could reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to duly and punctually pay or perform any of the Obligations, or (d) impairs materially or could reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders, to the extent permitted, to enforce their legal remedies pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

 

 
11

 

 

Month, with respect to an Interest Period under the LIBOR Rate Option, shall mean the interval between the days in consecutive calendar months numerically corresponding to the first day of such Interest Period. If any LIBOR Rate Interest Period begins on a day of a calendar month for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which such Interest Period is to end, the final month of such Interest Period shall be deemed to end on the last Business Day of such final month.

 

Multiemployer Plan shall mean any employee benefit plan which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or, within the preceding five Plan years, has made or had an obligation to make such contributions.

 

Non-Consenting Lender shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers].

 

Notes shall mean, collectively, the promissory notes in the form of Exhibit 1.1(N)(1) evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans.

 

Notification and Control Agreement shall mean the Notification and Control Agreement (Trust, Custody, or Brokerage Accounts) dated as of even date herewith executed by and among the Loan Parties, PNC Bank, National Association, as custodian, and Administrative Agent.

 

Obligation shall mean any obligation or liability of any of the Loan Parties, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, under or in connection with (i) this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit or any other Loan Document whether to the Administrative Agent, any of the Lenders or their Affiliates or other persons provided for under such Loan Documents, (ii) any Lender Provided Interest Rate Hedge and (iii) any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product.

 

Official Body shall mean the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including, without limitation, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).

 

Other Connection Taxes shall mean, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of such Recipient conducting or having conducted a sufficient level of ongoing business or income-generating activity in the jurisdiction imposing such Tax to subject it to tax generally on the income or privilege of doing business or unretained earnings associated with such activity (but, without broadening the scope of the foregoing, not including any Tax imposed as a result of 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 Documents, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

 

 
12

 

 

Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product shall mean agreements or other arrangements under which any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender provides any of the following products or services to any of the Loan Parties: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH transactions, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services, or (g) foreign currency exchange.

 

Other Taxes shall mean 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 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender]).

 

Participant has the meaning specified in Section 11.8.4 [Participations].

 

Participant Register shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.8.4 [Participations].

 

Participation Advance shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement].

 

Payment Date shall mean the first day of each calendar month after the date hereof and on the Expiration Date or upon acceleration of the Notes.

 

Payment In Full shall mean the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Loans and other Obligations hereunder, termination of the Commitments and expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit.

 

PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any successor.

 

Pension Plan shall mean any "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any times during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, government or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any other entity.

 

 

 
13

 

 

Plan shall mean at any time an employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan, but not a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and either (i) is maintained by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained by any entity which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any entity which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

 

Pledged PNC Accounts shall mean, collectively, the securities accounts maintained by the Loan Parties at PNC which are described in the Security Agreement.

 

PNC shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, its successors and assigns.

 

Potential Default shall mean any event or condition which with notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Prime Rate shall mean the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent at its Principal Office as its then prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest or most favorable rate then being charged commercial borrowers or others by the Administrative Agent. Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change is announced.

 

Principal Office shall mean the main banking office of the Administrative Agent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

Prior Security Interest shall mean a valid and enforceable perfected first-priority security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code in the Collateral which is subject to no other Liens whatsoever, except to the extent applicable, statutory Liens for taxes not yet due and payable.

 

Published Rate shall mean the rate of interest published each Business Day in The Wall Street Journal "Money Rates" listing under the caption "London Interbank Offered Rates" for a one month period (or, if no such rate is published therein for any reason, then the Published Rate shall be the rate at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market for a one month period as published in another publication selected by the Administrative Agent).

 

Ratable Share shall mean the proportion that a Lender's Commitment bears to the Commitments of all of the Lenders, provided that in the case of Section 2.10 [Defaulting Lenders] when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, "Ratable Share" shall mean the percentage of the aggregate Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender's Commitment) represented by such Lender's Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Ratable Share shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

 

Recipient shall mean (i) the Administrative Agent, (ii) any Lender and (iii) the Issuing Lender, as applicable.

 

 

 
14

 

 

Regulation U Form shall mean that certain Statement of Purpose for an Extension of Credit Secured by Margin Stock (Federal Reserve Form U-1) dated as of even date herewith executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders.

 

Reimbursement Obligation shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement].

 

Related Parties shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person's Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person's Affiliates.

 

Relief Proceeding shall mean any proceeding seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of any Loan Party in a voluntary or involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party for any substantial part of its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, or an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

 

Required Lenders shall mean

 

(A)           If there exists fewer than three (3) Lenders, all Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender), and

 

(B)           If there exist three (3) or more Lenders, Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders (excluding any Defaulting Lender) or, after the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations of the Lenders (excluding any Defaulting Lender).

 

Required Share shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11 [Settlement Date Procedures].

 

Revolving Credit Commitment shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the amount initially set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1.1(A) in the column labeled "Amount of Commitment for Revolving Credit Loans," as such Commitment is thereafter assigned or modified and Revolving Credit Commitments shall mean the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Lenders.

 

Revolving Credit Loans shall mean collectively and Revolving Credit Loan shall mean separately all Revolving Credit Loans or any Revolving Credit Loan, made by the Lenders or one of the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 [Revolving Credit Commitments] or 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement].

 

Revolving Interest Rate shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.1 hereof.

 

Revolving Facility Usage shall mean at any time the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and the Letter of Credit Obligations.

 

 

 
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Security Agreement shall mean the Pledge Agreement (Stocks, Bonds, and Commercial Paper) dated as of even date herewith executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

 

Settlement Date shall mean the Business Day on which the Administrative Agent elects to effect settlement pursuant Section 5.11 [Settlement Date Procedures].

 

Solvent shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, taking into account such right of reimbursement, contribution or similar right available to such Person from other Persons, that on such date (i) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person, (ii) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (iv) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (v) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person's property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

Statements shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.6(i) [Historical Statements].

 

Subsidiary of any Person at any time shall mean any corporation, trust, partnership, any limited liability company or other business entity (i) of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities or other interests normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors or trustees (regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by such Person or one or more of such Person's Subsidiaries, or (ii)  which is controlled or capable of being controlled by such Person or one or more of such Person's Subsidiaries.

 

Subsidiary Equity Interests shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.2 [Subsidiaries and Owners; Investment Companies].

 

Taxes shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Official Body, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Undrawn Availability at a particular date shall mean an amount equal to the difference between the (i) Revolving Credit Commitments and (ii) the Revolving Facility Usage.

 

 

 
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USA Patriot Act shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

 

U.S. Person shall mean any Person that is a "United States Person" as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.9.7 [Status of Lenders].

 

Withholding Agent shall mean any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

 

Working Cash Documents” shall mean, collectively, the Working Cash Rider and all other documents from time to time in connection therewith.

 

Working Cash Rider” shall mean that certain Working Cash®, Line of Credit, Investment Sweep Rider of even date herewith among Borrowers and PNC.

 

1.2           Construction.

 

Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents: (i) references to the plural include the singular, the plural, the part and the whole and the words "include," "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation"; (ii) the words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder," "hereto" and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole; (iii) article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or another Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise specified; (iv) reference to any Person includes such Person's successors and assigns; (v) reference to any agreement, including this Agreement and any other Loan Document together with the schedules and exhibits hereto or thereto, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, modified, replaced, substituted for, superseded or restated; (vi) relative to the determination of any period of time, "from" means "from and including," "to" means "to but excluding," and "through" means "through and including"; (vii) 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, (viii) section headings herein and in each other Loan Document are included for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or such Loan Document, and (ix) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern Time.

 

1.3           Accounting Principles; Changes in GAAP. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP; provided, however, that all accounting terms used in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] (and all defined terms used in the definition of any accounting term used in Section 8.2 shall have the meaning given to such terms (and defined terms) under GAAP as in effect on the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing Statements referred to in Section 6.1.6(i) [Historical Statements]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there occurs after the Closing Date any change in GAAP that affects in any respect the calculation of any covenant contained in this Agreement or the definition of any term defined under GAAP used in such calculations, Administrative Agent, Lenders and Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend the provisions of this Agreement that relate to the calculation of such covenants with the intent of having the respective positions of Administrative Agent, Lenders and Borrower after such change in GAAP conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the Closing Date, provided, that, until any such amendments have been agreed upon, the covenants in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such change in GAAP had occurred and Borrower shall provide additional financial statements or supplements thereto, attachments to Compliance Certificates and/or calculations regarding financial covenants as Administrative Agent may reasonably require in order to provide the appropriate financial information required hereunder with respect to Borrower both reflecting any applicable changes in GAAP and as necessary to demonstrate compliance with the financial covenants before giving effect to the applicable changes in GAAP.

 

 

 
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2.             REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

 

2.1           Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower at any time or from time to time on or after the date hereof to the Expiration Date; provided that after giving effect to each such Loan (i) the aggregate amount of Revolving Credit Loans from such Lender shall not exceed such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment minus such Lender's Ratable Share of the Letter of Credit Obligations and (ii) the Revolving Facility Usage shall not exceed the lesser of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Borrowing Base. Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow pursuant to this Section 2.1.

 

2.2           Nature of Lenders' Obligations with Respect to Revolving Credit Loans. Each Lender shall be obligated to participate in each request for Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.5 [Revolving Credit Loan Requests] in accordance with its Ratable Share. The aggregate of each Lender's Revolving Credit Loans outstanding hereunder to the Borrower at any time shall never exceed its Revolving Credit Commitment minus its Ratable Share of the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations. The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several. The failure of any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower to any other party nor shall any other party be liable for the failure of such Lender to perform its obligations hereunder. The Lenders shall have no obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans hereunder on or after the Expiration Date.

 

2.3           Commitment Fees. Upon the execution of this Agreement, Borrowers shall pay to Agent for the ratable benefit of Lenders a nonrefundable commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) of $125,000.

 

2.4           Facility Fees. Accruing from the date hereof until the Expiration Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender according to its Ratable Share, a nonrefundable facility fee (the “Facility Fee”) equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%) (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) multiplied by the average daily difference between the amount of (i) the Revolving Credit Commitments and (ii) the Revolving Facility Usage; provided, however, that any Facility Fee accrued with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrower so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender except to the extent that such Facility Fee shall otherwise have been due and payable by the Borrower prior to such time; and provided further that no Facility Fee shall accrue with respect to the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender. Subject to the proviso in the directly preceding sentence, all Facility Fees shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter.

 

 

 
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2.5           Revolving Credit Loan Requests. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower may from time to time prior to the Expiration Date request the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, based upon the Borrowing Base Report, or renew or convert the Interest Rate Option applicable to existing Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 4.2 [Interest Periods], by delivering to the Administrative Agent, not later than 10:00 a.m., (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of Revolving Credit Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies or the conversion to or the renewal of the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans; and (ii) the same Business Day of the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of a Revolving Credit Loan to which the Daily LIBOR Rate Option applies or the last day of the preceding Interest Period with respect to the conversion to the Daily LIBOR Rate Option for any Loan, of a duly completed request therefor substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5.1 or a request by telephone immediately confirmed in writing by letter, facsimile or telex in such form (each, a "Loan Request"), it being understood that the Administrative Agent may rely on the authority of any individual making such a telephonic request without the necessity of receipt of such written confirmation. Each Loan Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify the aggregate amount of the proposed Loans comprising each Borrowing Tranche, and, if applicable, the Interest Period, which amounts shall be in (x) integral multiples of $100,000 and not less than $500,000 for each Borrowing Tranche under the LIBOR Rate Option, and (y) integral multiples of $10,000 and not less than $100,000 for each Borrowing Tranche under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent Working Cash Documents govern advance procedures and such procedures conflict with the terms of the Working Cash Documents, the terms of such Working Cash Documents shall govern.

 

2.6           Making Revolving Credit Loans; Presumptions by the Administrative Agent; Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans.

 

2.6.1        Making Revolving Credit Loans. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly after receipt by it of a Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.5 [Revolving Credit Loan Requests], notify the Lenders of its receipt of such Loan Request specifying the information provided by the Borrower and the apportionment among the Lenders of the requested Revolving Credit Loans as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.2 [Nature of Lenders' Obligations with Respect to Revolving Credit Loans]. Each Lender shall remit the principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan to the Administrative Agent such that the Administrative Agent is able to, and the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent the Lenders have made funds available to it for such purpose and subject to Section 7.2 [Each Loan or Letter of Credit], fund such Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds at the Principal Office prior to 2:00 p.m., on the applicable Borrowing Date; provided that if any Lender fails to remit such funds to the Administrative Agent in a timely manner, the Administrative Agent may elect in its sole discretion to fund with its own funds the Revolving Credit Loans of such Lender on such Borrowing Date, and such Lender shall be subject to the repayment obligation in Section 2.6.2 [Presumptions by the Administrative Agent].

 

 

 
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2.6.2        Presumptions by the Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Loan that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's share of such Loan, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.6.1 [Making Revolving Credit Loans] 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 Loan 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 a payment to be made by 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 and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Loans under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Loan to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender's Loan. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

2.6.3        Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall repay the Revolving Credit Loans together with all outstanding interest thereon on the Expiration Date. The aggregate balance of Loans outstanding at any time in excess of the the lesser of the Revolving Credit Commitments or the Borrowing Base shall be immediately due and payable without the necessity of any demand whether or not a Default or Event of Default has occurred.

 

2.7           Notes. The Obligation of the Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made to it by each Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a revolving credit Note dated the Closing Date payable to the order of such Lender in a face amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender.

 

2.8           Use of Proceeds.

 

The proceeds of the Loans shall be used to provide for the working capital and investment needs of Borrower and reimbursement of letters of credit.

 

2.9           Letter of Credit Subfacility.

 

2.9.1        Issuance of Letters of Credit.

 

2.9.1.1      Borrower may at any time prior to the Expiration Date request the issuance of a standby or trade letter of credit on behalf of itself or another Loan Party, or the amendment or extension of an existing Letter of Credit, by delivering or having such other Loan Party deliver to the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a completed application and agreement for letters of credit, or request for such amendment or extension, as applicable, in such form as the Issuing Lender may specify from time to time by no later than 10:00 a.m. at least five (5) Business Days, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Issuing Lender, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. Promptly after receipt of any letter of credit application, the Issuing Lender shall confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit application and if not, such Issuing Lender will provide Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Issuing Lender has received notice from any Lender, Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one day prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] is not satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.9, the Issuing Lender or any of the Issuing Lender's Affiliates will issue a Letter of Credit or agree to such amendment or extension, provided that each Letter of Credit shall (A) have a maximum maturity of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance, and (B) in no event expire later than the date which is 364 days after the Expiration Date and provided further that; (i) Borrower shall Cash Collateralize such Letter of Credit Obligations if required pursuant to Section 2.9.11, and (ii) in no event shall (a) the Letter of Credit Obligations exceed, at any one time, $10,000,000 (the "Letter of Credit Sublimit") or (b) the Revolving Facility Usage exceed, at any one time, the Revolving Credit Commitments. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that it shall be in compliance with the preceding sentence and with Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] after giving effect to the requested issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit. Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable Issuing Lender will also deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

 

 
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2.9.2        Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") equal to one percent (1.00%) per annum, and (ii) to the Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee equal to 0.125% per annum (in each case computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed), which fees shall be computed on the daily average Letter of Credit Obligations and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter following issuance of each Letter of Credit. The Borrower shall also pay to the Issuing Lender for the Issuing Lender's sole account the Issuing Lender's then in effect customary fees and administrative expenses payable with respect to the Letters of Credit as the Issuing Lender may generally charge or incur from time to time in connection with the issuance, maintenance, amendment (if any), assignment or transfer (if any), negotiation, and administration of Letters of Credit.

 

2.9.3        Disbursements, Reimbursement. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Lender a participation in such Letter of Credit and each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to such Lender's Ratable Share of the maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and the amount of such drawing, respectively.

 

 

 
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2.9.3.1     In the event of any request for a drawing under a Letter of Credit by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, the Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Provided that it shall have received such notice, the Borrower shall reimburse (such obligation to reimburse the Issuing Lender shall sometimes be referred to as a "Reimbursement Obligation") the Issuing Lender prior to 12:00 noon on each date that an amount is paid by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit (each such date, a "Drawing Date") by paying to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender an amount equal to the amount so paid by the Issuing Lender. In the event the Borrower fails to reimburse the Issuing Lender (through the Administrative Agent) for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by 12:00 noon on the Drawing Date, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof, and the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that Revolving Credit Loans be made by the Lenders under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option to be disbursed on the Drawing Date under such Letter of Credit, subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 [Each Loan or Letter of Credit] other than any notice requirements. Any notice given by the Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.9.3.1 may be oral if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

2.9.3.2     Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.9.3.1 make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender an amount in immediately available funds equal to its Ratable Share of the amount of the drawing, whereupon the participating Lenders shall (subject to Section 2.9.3 [Disbursement; Reimbursement]) each be deemed to have made, a Revolving Credit Loan under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option to the Borrower in that amount which shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the rate per annum applicable to Revolving Credit Loans under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option. If any Lender so notified fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender the amount of such Lender's Ratable Share of such amount by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Drawing Date, then interest shall accrue on such Lender's obligation to make such payment, from the Drawing Date to the date on which such Lender makes such payment (i) at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate during the first three (3) days following the Drawing Date and (ii) at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to Loans under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option on and after the fourth day following the Drawing Date. The Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender will promptly give notice (as described in Section 2.9.3.1 above) of the occurrence of the Drawing Date, but failure of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender to give any such notice on the Drawing Date or in sufficient time to enable any Lender to effect such payment on such date shall not relieve such Lender from its obligation under this Section 2.9.3.2.

 

2.9.3.3     With respect to any unreimbursed drawing that is not converted into a Revolving Credit Loan under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option to the Borrower in whole or in part as contemplated by Section 2.9.3.1, because of the Borrower's failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 [Each Loan or Letter of Credit] other than any notice requirements, or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the Issuing Lender a borrowing (each a "Letter of Credit Borrowing") in the amount of such drawing. Such Letter of Credit Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option. Each Lender's payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement] shall be deemed to be a payment in respect of its participation in such Letter of Credit Borrowing (each a "Participation Advance") from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.9.3.

 

 

 
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2.9.4        Repayment of Participation Advances.

 

2.9.4.1     Upon (and only upon) receipt by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender of immediately available funds from the Borrower (i) in reimbursement of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under the Letter of Credit with respect to which any Lender has made a Participation Advance to the Administrative Agent, or (ii) in payment of interest on such a payment made by the Issuing Lender under such a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Issuing Lender will pay to each Lender, in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent, the amount of such Lender's Ratable Share of such funds, except the Administrative Agent shall retain for the account of the Issuing Lender the amount of the Ratable Share of such funds of any Lender that did not make a Participation Advance in respect of such payment by the Issuing Lender.

 

2.9.4.2     If the Administrative Agent is required at any time to return to any Loan Party, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or any official in any Insolvency Proceeding, any portion of any payment made by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section in reimbursement of a payment made under the Letter of Credit or interest or fee thereon, each Lender shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent, forthwith return to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender the amount of its Ratable Share of any amounts so returned by the Administrative Agent plus interest thereon from the date such demand is made to the date such amounts are returned by such Lender to the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect from time to time.

 

2.9.5        Documentation. Each Loan Party agrees to be bound by the terms of the Issuing Lender's application and agreement for letters of credit and the Issuing Lender's written regulations and customary practices relating to letters of credit, though such interpretation may be different from such Loan Party's own. In the event of a conflict between such application or agreement and this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern. It is understood and agreed that, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission or commission, in following any Loan Party's instructions or those contained in the Letters of Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto.

 

2.9.6        Determinations to Honor Drawing Requests. In determining whether to honor any request for drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.

 

 

 
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2.9.7        Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations. Each Lender's obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make the Revolving Credit Loans, or Participation Advances, as contemplated by Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement], as a result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit, and the Obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender upon a draw under a Letter of Credit, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.9 under all circumstances, including the following circumstances:

 

(i)            any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, or which any Loan Party may have against the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates, any Lender or any other Person for any reason whatsoever;

 

(ii)           the failure of any Loan Party or any other Person to comply, in connection with a Letter of Credit Borrowing, with the conditions set forth in Sections 2.1 [Revolving Credit Commitments], 2.5 [Revolving Credit Loan Requests], 2.6 [Making Revolving Credit Loans] or 7.2 [Each Loan or Letter of Credit] or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement for the making of a Revolving Credit Loan, it being acknowledged that such conditions are not required for the making of a Letter of Credit Borrowing and the obligation of the Lenders to make Participation Advances under Section 2.9.3 [Disbursements, Reimbursement];

 

(iii)          any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)          any claim of breach of warranty that might be made by any Loan Party or any Lender against any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit, or the existence of any claim, set-off, recoupment, counterclaim, crossclaim, defense or other right which any Loan Party or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary, successor beneficiary any transferee or assignee of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates or any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between any Loan Party or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);

 

(v)           the lack of power or authority of any signer of (or any defect in or forgery of any signature or endorsement on) or the form of or lack of validity, sufficiency, accuracy, enforceability or genuineness of any draft, demand, instrument, certificate or other document presented under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, or any fraud or alleged fraud in connection with any Letter of Credit, or the transport of any property or provision of services relating to a Letter of Credit, in each case even if the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates has been notified thereof;

 

(vi)          payment by the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

 

 

 
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(vii)         the solvency of, or any acts or omissions by, any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or any other Person having a role in any transaction or obligation relating to a Letter of Credit, or the existence, nature, quality, quantity, condition, value or other characteristic of any property or services relating to a Letter of Credit;

 

(viii)        any failure by the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates to issue any Letter of Credit in the form requested by any Loan Party, unless the Issuing Lender has received written notice from such Loan Party of such failure within three Business Days after the Issuing Lender shall have furnished such Loan Party and the Administrative Agent a copy of such Letter of Credit and such error is material and no drawing has been made thereon prior to receipt of such notice;

 

(ix)           any adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Loan Party;

 

(x)            any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party thereto;

 

(xi)           the occurrence or continuance of an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any Loan Party;

 

(xii)          the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(xiii)         the fact that the Expiration Date shall have passed or this Agreement or the Commitments hereunder shall have been terminated; and

 

(xiv)         any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

2.9.8        Indemnity. The Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless the Issuing Lender and any of its Affiliates that has issued a Letter of Credit from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, taxes, penalties, interest, judgments, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of the issuance of any Letter of Credit, other than as a result of (A) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) the wrongful dishonor by the Issuing Lender or any of Issuing Lender's Affiliates of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit, except if such dishonor resulted from any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Official Body.

 

2.9.9        Liability for Acts and Omissions. As between any Loan Party and the Issuing Lender, or the Issuing Lender's Affiliates, such Loan Party assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for any of the following, including any losses or damages to any Loan Party or other Person or property relating therefrom: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for an issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged (even if the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of any Loan Party against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute between or among any Loan Party and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, facsimile, e-mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates, as applicable, including any act or omission of any Official Body, and none of the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of the Issuing Lender's or its Affiliates rights or powers hereunder. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall relieve the Issuing Lender from liability for the Issuing Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with actions or omissions described in such clauses (i) through (viii) of such sentence. In no event shall the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates be liable to any Loan Party for any indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary or special damages or expenses (including without limitation attorneys' fees), or for any damages resulting from any change in the value of any property relating to a Letter of Credit.

 

 

 
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender and each of its Affiliates (i) may rely on any oral or other communication believed in good faith by the Issuing Lender or such Affiliate to have been authorized or given by or on behalf of the applicant for a Letter of Credit, (ii) may honor any presentation if the documents presented appear on their face substantially to comply with the terms and conditions of the relevant Letter of Credit; (iii) may honor a previously dishonored presentation under a Letter of Credit, whether such dishonor was pursuant to a court order, to settle or compromise any claim of wrongful dishonor, or otherwise, and shall be entitled to reimbursement to the same extent as if such presentation had initially been honored, together with any interest paid by the Issuing Lender or its Affiliate; (iv) may honor any drawing that is payable upon presentation of a statement advising negotiation or payment, upon receipt of such statement (even if such statement indicates that a draft or other document is being delivered separately), and shall not be liable for any failure of any such draft or other document to arrive, or to conform in any way with the relevant Letter of Credit; (v) may pay any paying or negotiating bank claiming that it rightfully honored under the laws or practices of the place where such bank is located; and (vi) may settle or adjust any claim or demand made on the Issuing Lender or its Affiliate in any way related to any order issued at the applicant's request to an air carrier, a letter of guarantee or of indemnity issued to a carrier or any similar document (each an "Order") and honor any drawing in connection with any Letter of Credit that is the subject of such Order, notwithstanding that any drafts or other documents presented in connection with such Letter of Credit fail to conform in any way with such Letter of Credit.

 

 

 
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In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions set forth above, any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put the Issuing Lender or its Affiliates under any resulting liability to the Borrower or any Lender.

 

2.9.10      Issuing Lender Reporting Requirements. Each Issuing Lender shall, on the first Business Day of each month, provide to Administrative Agent and Borrower a schedule of the Letters of Credit issued by it, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, showing the date of issuance of each Letter of Credit, the account party, the original face amount (if any), and the expiration date of any Letter of Credit outstanding at any time during the preceding month, and any other information relating to such Letter of Credit that the Administrative Agent may request.

 

2.9.11      Cash Collateral.  Upon the request of Administrative Agent, (i) if any Issuing Lender has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in a Letter of Credit Borrowing, or (ii) if, six months prior to the Expiration Date, any Letter of Credit Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, Borrower shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then outstanding amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations. Borrower hereby grants to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Issuing Lender and the Lenders, a security interest in all cash collateral pledged pursuant to this Section or otherwise under this Agreement.

 

2.10         Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement 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:

 

(i)            fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.4 [Facility Fees];

 

(ii)           the Commitment and outstanding Loans of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers]); provided, that this clause (ii) 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 directly affected thereby;

 

(iii)          if any Letter of Credit Obligations exist at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then:

 

(a)           all or any part of the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Ratable Shares but only to the extent that (x) with respect to the Letter of Credit Obligations, the Revolving Facility Usage does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders' Revolving Credit Commitments, and (y) no Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation;

 

 

 
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(b)           if the reallocation described in clause (a) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent, cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Lender the Borrower's obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender's Letter of Credit Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (a) above) in a deposit account held at the Administrative Agent for so long as such Letter of Credit Obligations are outstanding;

 

(c)           if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender's Letter of Credit Obligations pursuant to clause (b) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] with respect to such Defaulting Lender's Letter of Credit Obligations during the period such Defaulting Lender's Letter of Credit Obligations are cash collateralized;

 

(d)           if the Letter of Credit Obligations of the non-Defaulting Lenders are reallocated pursuant to clause (a) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.9.2 shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders' Ratable Share; and

 

(e)           if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender's Letter of Credit Obligations are neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any other Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees payable under Section 2.9.2 with respect to such Defaulting Lender's Letter of Credit Obligations shall be payable to the Issuing Lender (and not to such Defaulting Lender) until and to the extent that such Letter of Credit Obligations are reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

 

(iv)           so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless such Issuing Lender is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender's then outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations will be 100% covered by the Revolving Credit Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.10(iii), and participating interests in any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.10(iii)(a) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a parent company of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue, or (ii) PNC or the Issuing Lender has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless PNC or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to PNC or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

 

 

 
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In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, PNC and the Issuing Lender agree in writing that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, and the Ratable Share of the Letter of Credit Obligations of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender's Commitment, and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Ratable Share.

 

2.11         Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitment.  The Borrower shall have the right at any time after the Closing Date upon five (5) days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent to permanently reduce (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to their Ratable Shares) the Revolving Credit Commitments, in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and whole multiples of $1,000,000, or to terminate completely the Revolving Credit Commitments, without penalty or premium except as hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) any such reduction or termination shall be accompanied by prepayment of the Notes, together with outstanding Facility Fees, and the full amount of interest accrued on the principal sum to be prepaid (and all amounts referred to in Section 5.10 [Indemnity] hereof) to the extent necessary to cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Usage after giving effect to such prepayments to be equal to or less than the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Revolving Credit Commitments as so reduced or terminated, (ii) after giving effect to such reduction Borrower has Undrawn Availability at all times thereafter in an amount equal to at least $2,500,000, and (iii) contemporaneously with any termination completely of the Revolving Credit Commitments, Borrower shall Cash Collateralize such letter of Credit Obligations pursuant to Section 2.9.11.. Any notice to reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section 2.11 shall be irrevocable.

 

3.             RESERVED

 

4.             INTEREST RATES

 

4.1           Interest Rate Options. The Borrower shall pay interest in respect of the outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Loans as selected by it at the Revolving Interest Rates set forth below in Section 4.1.1 applicable to the Loans, it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, if the Borrower selects the LIBOR Rate, the Borrower may select different Interest Periods to apply simultaneously to the Loans comprising different Borrowing Tranches and may convert to or renew one or more Interest Rate Options with respect to all or any portion of the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche; provided that there shall not be at any one time outstanding more than six (6) Borrowing Tranches in the aggregate among all of the Loans and provided further that if an Event of Default or Potential Default exists and is continuing, the Borrower may not request, convert to, or renew the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans and the Required Lenders may demand that all existing Borrowing Tranches bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate shall be converted immediately to the Daily LIBOR Rate, subject to the obligation of the Borrower to pay any indemnity under Section 5.10 [Indemnity] in connection with such conversion. If at any time the designated rate applicable to any Loan made by any Lender exceeds such Lender's highest lawful rate, the rate of interest on such Lender's Loan shall be limited to such Lender's highest lawful rate.

 

 

 
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4.1.1        Revolving Credit Interest Rate Options. The Borrower shall have the right to select from the following Interest Rate Options applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans (the “Revolving Interest Rates”), subject to Sections 4.1.2, 4.3.3, and 4.4.3 below:

 

(i)           Revolving Credit Daily LIBOR Rate Option: A fluctuating rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) equal to the Daily LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(ii)           Revolving Credit LIBOR Rate Option: A rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

4.1.2        Daily LIBOR Rate. If the Administrative Agent does not receive timely notice of an interest rate option, Borrower shall be deemed to have selected or converted to a Loan accruing interest at the Daily LIBOR Rate.

 

4.1.3        Rate Quotations. The Borrower may call the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which a Loan Request is to be delivered to receive an indication of the rates then in effect, but it is acknowledged that such projection shall not be binding on the Administrative Agent or the Lenders nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually in effect when the election is made.

 

4.2           Interest Periods. At any time when the Borrower shall select, convert to or renew a LIBOR Rate Option, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such LIBOR Rate Option by delivering a Loan Request. The notice shall specify an Interest Period during which such Interest Rate Option shall apply. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the following provisions shall apply to any selection of, renewal of, or conversion to a LIBOR Rate Option:

 

4.2.1        Amount of Borrowing Tranche. Each Borrowing Tranche of Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option shall be in integral multiples of $100,000 and not less than $500,000; and

 

4.2.2        Renewals. In the case of the renewal of a LIBOR Rate Option at the end of an Interest Period, the first day of the new Interest Period shall be the last day of the preceding Interest Period, without duplication in payment of interest for such day.

 

4.3           Interest After Default. To the extent permitted by Law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and until such time such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived, and at the discretion of the Administrative Agent or upon written demand by the Required Lenders to the Administrative Agent:

 

4.3.1        Letter of Credit Fees, Interest Rate. The Letter of Credit Fees and the rate of interest for each Loan otherwise applicable pursuant to Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] or Section 4.1 [Interest Rate Options], respectively, shall be increased by 3.0% per annum;

 

 

 
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4.3.2        Other Obligations. Each other Obligation hereunder if not paid when due shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the applicable Revolving Interest Rate plus an additional 3.0% per annum from the time such Obligation becomes due and payable and until it is paid in full;

 

The obligation of the Lenders to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew a Loan at the Daily LIBOR Rate or the LIBOR Rate shall be suspended, and the interest rate for all Loans shall be equal to the Base Rate; and

 

4.3.3        Acknowledgment. The Borrower acknowledges that the increase in rates referred to in this Section 4.3 reflects, among other things, the fact that such Loans or other amounts have become a substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Lenders are entitled to additional compensation for such risk; and all such interest shall be payable by Borrower upon demand by Administrative Agent.

 

4.4           LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available.

 

4.4.1         Unascertainable. If on any date on which a LIBOR Rate or Published Rate would otherwise be determined, the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably determined that:

 

(i)            adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining such LIBOR Rate or Published Rate, or

 

(ii)           a contingency has occurred which materially and adversely affects the London interbank eurodollar market relating to the LIBOR Rate or Published Rate,

 

then, the Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights].

 

4.4.2        Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available. If at any time any Lender shall have determined that:

 

(i)            the making, maintenance or funding of any Loan at the LIBOR Rate or Daily LIBOR Rate has been made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Law or any interpretation or application thereof by any Official Body or with any request or directive of any such Official Body (whether or not having the force of Law), or

 

(ii)           such LIBOR Rate or Daily LIBOR Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of the establishment or maintenance of any such Loan, or

 

(iii)          after making all reasonable efforts, deposits of the relevant amount in Dollars for the relevant Interest Period for a Loan, or to banks generally, to which the LIBOR Rate applies, respectively, are not available to such Lender with respect to such Loan, or to banks generally, in the interbank eurodollar market,

 

then the Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights].

 

 

 
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4.4.3        Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights. In the case of any event specified in Section 4.4.1 [Unascertainable] above, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Lenders and the Borrower thereof, and in the case of an event specified in Section 4.4.2 [Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available] above, such Lender shall promptly so notify the Administrative Agent and endorse a certificate to such notice as to the specific circumstances of such notice, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly send copies of such notice and certificate to the other Lenders and the Borrower. Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation of (A) the Lenders, in the case of such notice given by the Administrative Agent, or (B) such Lender, in the case of such notice given by such Lender, to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew a Loan at the Daily LIBOR Rate or the LIBOR Rate shall be suspended, and the interest rate for all Loans shall be equal to the Base Rate, until the Administrative Agent shall have later notified the Borrower, or such Lender shall have later notified the Administrative Agent, of the Administrative Agent's or such Lender's, as the case may be, determination that the circumstances giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist. If at any time the Administrative Agent makes a determination under Section 4.4.1 [Unascertainable] and the Borrower has previously notified the Administrative Agent of its selection of, conversion to or renewal of a Loan at the Daily LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Rate and such Interest Rate Option has not yet gone into effect, such Loan shall accrue interest at the Base Rate. If any Lender notifies the Administrative Agent of a determination under Section 4.4.2 [Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available], the Borrower shall, subject to the Borrower's indemnification Obligations under Section 5.10 [Indemnity], as to any Loan of the Lender to which the Daily LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Rate applies, on the date specified in such notice convert such Loan to the Base Rate or prepay such Loan in accordance with Section 5.6 [Voluntary Prepayments]. Absent due notice from the Borrower of conversion or prepayment, such Loan shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate otherwise available with respect to such Loan upon such specified date.

 

4.5           Selection of Interest Rate Options. If the Borrower fails to select a new Interest Period to apply to any Borrowing Tranche of Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option at the expiration of an existing Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing Tranche in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 [Interest Periods], the Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such Borrowing Tranche to the Daily LIBOR Rate commencing upon the last day of the existing Interest Period.

 

5.             PAYMENTS

 

5.1           Payments. All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees, or other fees or amounts due from the Borrower hereunder shall be payable prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, and without set-off, counterclaim or other deduction of any nature, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. Such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office for the ratable accounts of the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans in U.S. Dollars and in immediately available funds, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute such amounts to the Lenders in immediately available funds; provided that in the event payments are received by 11:00 a.m. by the Administrative Agent with respect to the Loans and such payments are not distributed to the Lenders on the same day received by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall pay the Lenders the Federal Funds Effective Rate with respect to the amount of such payments for each day held by the Administrative Agent and not distributed to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent's and each Lender's statement of account, ledger or other relevant record shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the amount of principal of and interest on the Loans and other amounts owing under this Agreement and shall be deemed an "account stated."

 

 

 
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5.2           Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders. Each borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans shall be allocated to each Lender according to its Ratable Share, and each selection of, conversion to or renewal of any Interest Rate Option and each payment or prepayment by the Borrower with respect to principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Facility Fees, and Letter of Credit Fees (but excluding the Issuing Lender's fronting fee) shall (except as otherwise may be provided with respect to a Defaulting Lender and except as provided in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights] in the case of an event specified in Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Etc.], 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] or 5.8 [Increased Costs]) be payable ratably among the Lenders entitled to such payment in accordance with the amount of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Facility Fees, and Letter of Credit Fees, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

5.3           Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff, counterclaim or banker's lien, by receipt of voluntary payment, by realization upon security, or by any other non-pro rata source, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender's receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than the pro-rata share of the amount such Lender is entitled thereto, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, 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 and other amounts owing them, 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, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law (including court order) to be paid by the Lender or the holder making such purchase; and

 

(ii)           the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Loan Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of the Loan Documents or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or Participation Advances to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall apply).

 

 

 
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Each Loan Party 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 each Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

 

5.4           Presumptions by Administrative Agent. 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 or the Issuing Lender 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 or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it 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.

 

5.5           Interest Payment Dates. Interest on Loans to which the Daily LIBOR Rate Option applies shall be due and payable in arrears on each Payment Date. Interest on Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period for those Loans and, if such Interest Period is longer than three (3) Months, also on the 90th day of such Interest Period. Interest on mandatory prepayments of principal under Section 5.7 [Mandatory Prepayments] shall be due on the date such mandatory prepayment is due. Interest on the principal amount of each Loan or other monetary Obligation shall be due and payable on demand after such principal amount or other monetary Obligation becomes due and payable (whether on the stated Expiration Date, upon acceleration or otherwise).

 

5.6           Voluntary Prepayments.

 

5.6.1        Right to Prepay.

 

The Borrower shall have the right at its option from time to time to prepay the Loans in whole or part without premium or penalty (except as provided in Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] below, in Section 5.8 [Increased Costs] and Section 5.10 [Indemnity]). Whenever the Borrower desires to prepay any part of the Loans, it shall provide a prepayment notice to the Administrative Agent by 1:00 p.m. at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date of prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans, setting forth the following information:

 

(w)          the date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the proposed prepayment is to be made;

 

(x)           a statement indicating the application of the prepayment between to the Revolving Credit Loans;

 

(y)           a statement indicating the application of the prepayment between Loans to which the Daily LIBOR Rate applies, Loans to which the LIBOR Rate applies, and Loans to which the Base Rate applies, if any; and

 

 

 
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(z)           the total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall not be less than the lesser of (i) the Revolving Facility Usage or (ii) $5,000,000 for any Revolving Credit Loan.

 

All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable. The principal amount of the Loans for which a prepayment notice is given, together with interest on such principal amount shall be due and payable on the date specified in such prepayment notice as the date on which the proposed prepayment is to be made. Except as provided in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent's and Lender's Rights], if the Borrower prepays a Loan but fails to specify the applicable Borrowing Tranche which the Borrower is prepaying, the prepayment shall be applied (i) to Revolving Credit Loans; and (ii) after giving effect to the allocations in clause (i) above and in the preceding sentence, first to Loans to which the Base Rate applies, if any, then to Loans to which the Daily LIBOR Rate applies, then to Loans to which the LIBOR Rate applies. Any prepayment hereunder shall be subject to the Borrower's Obligation to indemnify the Lenders under Section 5.10 [Indemnity].

 

5.6.2     Replacement of a Lender. In the event any Lender (i) gives notice under Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable, Etc.], (ii) requests compensation under Section 5.8 [Increased Costs], or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amount to any Lender or any Official Body for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.9 [Taxes], (iii) is a Defaulting Lender, (iv) becomes subject to the control of an Official Body (other than normal and customary supervision), or (v) is a Non-Consenting Lender referred to in Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers], then in any such event the Borrower may, at its sole expense, 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, and consents required by, Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns]), all of its interests, rights (other than existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 5.8 [Increased Costs] or 5.9 [Taxes]) 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 paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns], except in the case of Section 5.6.2(iii) below;

 

(ii)           such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and Participation Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 5.10 [Indemnity]) 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);

 

(iii)          in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 5.8.1 [Increased Costs Generally] or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 5.9 [Taxes], such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(iv)          such assignment does not conflict with applicable Law.

 

 

 
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A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or 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.

 

5.7           Mandatory Prepayments.

 

5.7.1        Revolving Facility Usage. If for any reason the Revolving Facility Usage at any time (including as a result of the sale of Collateral or exchanges of Marketable Securities) exceeds the lesser of the Revolving Credit Commitments or the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall repay Revolving Credit Loans and/or Cash Collateralize Letter of Credit Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

 

5.7.2        Application Among Interest Rate Options. All prepayments required pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall first be applied among the Interest Rate Options to the principal amount of the Loans subject to the Base Rate, if any, then to Loans subject to the Daily LIBOR Rate, then to Loans subject to the LIBOR Rate. In accordance with Section 5.10 [Indemnity], the Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders for any loss or expense, including loss of margin, incurred with respect to any such prepayments applied against Loans subject to the LIBOR Rate on any day other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period.

 

5.8           Increased Costs.

 

5.8.1     Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)            impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing Lender;

 

(ii)           subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (ii) through (iv) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

 

(iii)          impose on any Lender, the Issuing Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

 

 
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5.8.2        Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's capital or on the capital of such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's policies and the policies of such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

5.8.3        Certificates for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New Loans. A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Lender setting forth in reasonably sufficient detail for the calculation of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Sections 5.8.1 [Increased Costs Generally] or 5.8.2 [Capital Requirements] and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

5.8.4        Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

5.9           Taxes.

 

5.9.1        Issuing Lender. For purposes of this Section 5.9, the term "Lender" includes the Issuing Lender.

 

5.9.2        Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be 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 Official Body 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 5.9 [Taxes]) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

 

 
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5.9.3        Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

5.9.4        Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.9 [Taxes]) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient 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 Official Body. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability reasonably describing the basis for such determination 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.

 

5.9.5        Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of any of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.8.4 [Participations] relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Official Body. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability reasonably describing the basis for such determination 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 Section 5.9.5 [Indemnification by the Lenders].

 

5.9.6        Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to an Official Body pursuant to this Section 5.9 [Taxes], such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Official Body evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 
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5.9.7        Status of Lenders.

 

(i)            Any Lender 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 5.9.7(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 generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Borrower,

 

(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), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)           any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the 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), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(i)            in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the "interest" article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the "business profits" or "other income" article of such tax treaty;

 

(ii)           executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

 

 
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(iii)          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 5.9.7(A) to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a "bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a "10 percent shareholder" of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a "controlled foreign corporation" described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a "U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate") and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or

 

(iv)          to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.9.7(B) or Exhibit 5.9.7(C), 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 5.9.7(D) 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.

 

 

 
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5.9.8     Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 5.9 [Taxes] (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.9 [Taxes]), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 5.9 [Taxes] with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Official Body with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party incurred in connection with obtaining such refund, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 5.9.8 [Treatment of Certain Refunds] (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Official Body) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Official Body. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.9.8 [Treatment of Certain Refunds]), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 5.9.8 [Treatment of Certain Refunds] the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

5.9.9     Survival. Each party's obligations under this Section 5.9 [Taxes] shall survive the resignation 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.

 

5.10         Indemnity. In addition to the compensation or payments required by Section 5.8 [Increased Costs] or Section 5.9 [Taxes], the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against all liabilities, losses or expenses (including loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan, from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract) which such Lender sustains or incurs as a consequence of any:

 

(i)            payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of any Loan to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies on a day other than the last day of the corresponding Interest Period (whether or not such payment or prepayment is mandatory, voluntary or automatic and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due),

 

(ii)           attempt by the Borrower to revoke (expressly, by later inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or part any Loan Requests under Section 2.5 [Revolving Credit Loan Requests] or Section 4.2 [Interest Periods] or notice relating to prepayments under Section 5.6 [Voluntary Prepayments], or

 

(iii)          default by the Borrower in the performance or observance of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any failure of the Borrower to pay when due (by acceleration or otherwise) any principal, interest, Facility Fee or any other amount due hereunder.

 

 

 
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If any Lender sustains or incurs any such loss or expense, it shall from time to time notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such Lender (which determination may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses and averaging or attribution methods as such Lender shall deem reasonable) to be necessary to indemnify such Lender for such loss or expense. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due and payable by the Borrower to such Lender ten (10) Business Days after such notice is given.

 

5.11         Settlement Date Procedures. The Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of its Ratable Share of the total of the Revolving Credit Loans (each a "Required Share"). On such Settlement Date, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent the amount equal to the difference between its Required Share and its Revolving Credit Loans and the Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender its Ratable Share of all payments made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans. The Administrative Agent shall also effect settlement in accordance with the foregoing sentence on the proposed Borrowing Dates for Revolving Credit Loans and may at its option effect settlement on any other Business Day. These settlement procedures are established solely as a matter of administrative convenience, and nothing contained in this Section 5.11 shall relieve the Lenders of their obligations to fund Revolving Credit Loans on dates other than a Settlement Date. The Administrative Agent may at any time at its option for any reason whatsoever require each Lender to pay immediately to the Administrative Agent such Lender's Ratable Share of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and each Lender may at any time require the Administrative Agent to pay immediately to such Lender its Ratable Share of all payments made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans.

 

6.             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

6.1           Representations and Warranties. The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders as follows:

 

6.1.1        Organization and Qualification; Power and Authority; Compliance With Laws; Title to Properties; Event of Default. Each Loan Party (i) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has the lawful power to own or lease its properties and to engage in the business it presently conducts or proposes to conduct, (iii) is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule 6.1.1 and in all other jurisdictions where the property owned or leased by it or the nature of the business transacted by it or both makes such licensing or qualification necessary, (iv) has full power to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, to incur the Indebtedness contemplated by the Loan Documents and to perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and all such actions have been duly authorized by all necessary proceedings on its part, (v) is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws (other than Environmental Laws which are specifically addressed in Section 6.1.14 [Environmental Matters]) in all jurisdictions in which any Loan Party is presently or will be doing business except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change, and (vi) has good and marketable title to or valid leasehold interest in all Collateral, free and clear of all Liens. No Event of Default or Potential Default exists or is continuing.

 

 

 
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6.1.2        Subsidiaries and Owners; Investment Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.1.2, the Borrowers have good and marketable title to all of the equity interests in each of its Subsidiaries included in the Collateral (the “Subsidiary Equity Interests”) it purports to own, free and clear in each case of any Lien and all such Subsidiary Equity Interests have been validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. None of the Loan Parties is an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the "control" of an "investment company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and shall not become such an "investment company" or under such "control."

 

6.1.3        Validity and Binding Effect. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents (i) has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each Loan Party, and (ii) constitutes, or will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party which is or will be a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) and the implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

6.1.4        No Conflict; Material Agreements; Consents.Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents by any Loan Party nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by any of them will conflict with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and conditions of the certificate of incorporation, byla ws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any Loan Party or (ii) any Law or any material agreement or instrument or order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree to which any Loan Party is a party or by which it is bound or to which it is subject, or result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired) of any Loan Party (other than Liens granted under the Loan Documents). There is no default under such material agreement (referred to above) and none of the Loan Parties is bound by any contractual obligation, or subject to any restriction in any organization document, or any requirement of Law which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Except as set forth in Schedule 6.1.4 or with respect to filings required pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder, no consent, approval, exemption, order or authorization of, or a registration or filing with, any Official Body or any other Person is required by any Law or any agreement in connection with the execution, delivery and carrying out of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

6.1.5        Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 6.1.5, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against such Loan at law or in equity before any Official Body which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change, except with regard to the environmental matters and issues disclosed herein or otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent or as reported by Steel Partners in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which is identified with reasonable specificity in a separate disclosure to Administrative Agent. None of the Loan Parties is in violation of any order, writ, injunction or any decree of any Official Body which could reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change.

 

 

 
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6.1.6        Financial Statements.

 

(i)            Historical Statements. The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of its audited consolidated year-end financial statements for and as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. In addition, the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of its unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the fiscal year to date and as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013 (all such annual and interim statements being collectively referred to as the "Statements"). The Statements were compiled from the books and records maintained by the Borrower's management, are correct and complete in all material respects and fairly represent the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal periods then ended and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject (in the case of the interim statements) to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(ii)           Accuracy of Financial Statements. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower has any material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, or forward or long-term commitments that are not disclosed in the Statements or in the notes thereto, and except as disclosed therein there are no unrealized or anticipated losses from any commitments of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2012, no Material Adverse Change has occurred, except as set forth on Schedule 6.1.6.

 

6.1.7        Margin Stock. None of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiaries of any Loan Party engages or intends to engage principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U, T or X as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). To the extent proceeds of any Loan has been or will be used, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry any margin stock such activity will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (including without limitation, Regulation U) or the provisions of this Agreement.

 

6.1.8        Full Disclosure. Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, nor any certificate, statement, agreement or other documents furnished to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection herewith or therewith, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There is no fact known to any Loan Party which materially adversely affects the business, property, assets, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of any Loan Party which has not been set forth in this Agreement or in the certificates, statements, agreements or other documents furnished in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or in Steel Partners’ public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, prior to or at the date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 

 
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6.1.9        Taxes. All federal, state, local and other tax returns required to have been filed with respect to each Loan Party have been filed, and payment or adequate provision has been made for the payment of all taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges which have or may become due pursuant to said returns or to assessments received, except to the extent that such taxes, fees, assessments and other charges are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made.

 

6.1.10      Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Etc. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.1.10, each Loan Party owns or possesses all the material patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, registrations, franchises, permits and rights necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted and planned to be conducted by such Loan Party, without known possible, alleged or actual conflict with the rights of others, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

6.1.11      Liens in the Collateral. The Liens in the Collateral granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to the Security Agreement constitute and will continue to constitute Prior Security Interests. All filing fees and other expenses in connection with the perfection of such Liens have been or will be paid by the Borrower.

 

6.1.12      Insurance. The properties of each Loan Party are insured pursuant to policies and other bonds which are valid and in full force and effect and which provide adequate coverage from reputable and financially sound insurers in amounts sufficient to insure the assets and risks of each such Loan Party in accordance with prudent business practice in the industry of such Loan Parties.

 

6.1.13      ERISA Compliance.  (i)    Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and, to the best knowledge of Borrower, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have made all required contributions to each Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.

 

(ii)           No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (a) no Pension Plan has any unfunded pension liability (i.e. excess of benefit liabilities over the current value of that Pension Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan for the applicable plan year); (b) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (c) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (d) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

 

 

 
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6.1.14      Environmental Matters. Each Loan Party is and has been in compliance in all material respects with applicable Environmental Laws except as disclosed on Schedule 6.1.14.

 

6.1.15      Solvency. Before and after giving effect to the initial Loans hereunder, each of the Loan Parties is Solvent.

 

6.2           Updates to Schedules. Should any of the information or disclosures provided on any of the Schedules attached hereto become outdated or incorrect in any material respect, the Borrower shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent in writing with such revisions or updates to such Schedule as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to update or correct same. No Schedule shall be deemed to have been amended, modified or superseded by any such correction or update, nor shall any breach of warranty or representation resulting from the inaccuracy or incompleteness of any such Schedule be deemed to have been cured thereby, unless and until the Required Lenders, in their reasonable discretion, shall have accepted in writing such revisions or updates to such Schedule; provided however, that the Borrower may update Schedules 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 without any Lender approval in connection with any transaction permitted under Sections 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] and Section 8.7.2 [Dispositions of Collateral].

 

7.             CONDITIONS OF LENDING AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

The obligation of each Lender to make Loans and of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder is subject to the performance by each of the Loan Parties of its Obligations to be performed hereunder at or prior to the making of any such Loans or issuance of such Letters of Credit and to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

 

7.1           First Loans and Letters of Credit.

 

7.1.1        Deliveries. On the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)            A certificate of each of the Loan Parties signed by an Authorized Officer, dated the Closing Date stating that (w) all representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, (x) the Loan Parties are in compliance with each of the covenants and conditions hereunder, (y) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists, and (z) no Material Adverse Change has occurred since the date of the last audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent except as set forth on Schedule 6.1.6;

 

 

 
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(ii)           A certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each of the Loan Parties, certifying as appropriate as to: (a) all action taken by each Loan Party in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) the names of the Authorized Officers authorized to sign the Loan Documents and their true signatures; and (c) copies of its organizational documents as in effect on the Closing Date certified by the appropriate state official where such documents are filed in a state office together with certificates from the appropriate state officials as to the continued existence and good standing of each Loan Party in each state where organized or qualified to do business;

 

(iii)          This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents signed by an Authorized Officer and all appropriate financing statements and appropriate stock powers and certificates evidencing the pledged Collateral;

 

(iv)          A written opinion of counsel for the Loan Parties, dated the Closing Date;

 

(v)           Evidence that adequate insurance required to be maintained under this Agreement is in full force and effect, with additional insured, mortgagee and lender loss payable special endorsements attached thereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel naming the Administrative Agent as additional insured, mortgagee and lender loss payee;

 

(vi)          A duly completed Compliance Certificate as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Borrower most recently ended prior to the Closing Date, signed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower;

 

(vii)         All material consents required to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(viii)        A Lien search in acceptable scope and with acceptable results;

 

(ix)           Evidence that deposit accounts have been opened at PNC for the purpose of paying the Obligations; and

 

(x)           Such other documents in connection with such transactions as the Administrative Agent or said counsel may reasonably request.

 

7.1.2        Payment of Fees.

  

The Borrower shall have paid all fees payable on or before the Closing Date as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

7.2           Each Loan or Letter of Credit. At the time of making any Loans or issuing, extending or increasing any Letters of Credit and after giving effect to the proposed extensions of credit: (i) the representations, warranties of the Loan Parties shall then be true and correct, (ii) no Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) the making of the Loans or issuance, extension or increase of such Letter of Credit shall not contravene any Law applicable to any Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Loan Party or any of the Lenders, and (iv) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed and completed Loan Request or to the Issuing Lender an application for a Letter of Credit, as the case may be.

 

 

 
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8.             COVENANTS

 

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until Payment In Full, the Loan Parties shall comply at all times with the following covenants:

 

8.1           Affirmative Covenants.

 

8.1.1        Preservation of Existence, Etc. Each Loan Party shall maintain its legal existence as a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company and its license or qualification and good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature of its business makes such license or qualification necessary, except where the failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or as otherwise expressly permitted in Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Etc.].

 

8.1.2        Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc. Each Loan Party shall duly pay and discharge all liabilities to which it is subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same shall become due and payable, including all taxes, assessments and governmental charges upon it or any of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or to the extent that such liabilities, including taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made.

 

8.1.3        Maintenance of Insurance. Each Loan Party shall insure its properties and assets against loss or damage by fire and such other insurable hazards as such assets are commonly insured (including fire, extended coverage, property damage, workers' compensation, public liability and business interruption insurance) and against other risks (including errors and omissions) in such amounts as similar properties and assets are insured by prudent companies in similar circumstances carrying on similar businesses, and with reputable and financially sound insurers, including self-insurance to the extent customary, all as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent. The Loan Parties shall comply with the covenants and provide the endorsement set forth on Schedule 8.1.3 relating to property and related insurance policies covering the Collateral.

 

8.1.4        Maintenance of Properties and Leases. Each Loan Party shall maintain in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) in accordance with the general practice of other businesses of similar character and size, all of those properties useful or necessary to its business, and from time to time, such Loan Party will make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals or replacements thereof.

 

8.1.5        Visitation Rights. Each Loan Party shall permit any of the officers or authorized employees or representatives of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders to visit and inspect any of its properties and to examine and make excerpts from its books and records and discuss its business affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all in such detail and at such times during normal business hours and as often as any of the Lenders may reasonably request, provided that each Lender shall provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with reasonable notice prior to any visit or inspection. In the event any Lender desires to conduct an audit of any Loan Party, such Lender shall make a reasonable effort to conduct such audit contemporaneously with any audit to be performed by the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 
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8.1.6        Keeping of Records and Books of Account. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower to, maintain and keep proper books of record and account which enable the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to issue financial statements in accordance with GAAP and as otherwise required by applicable Laws of any Official Body having jurisdiction over the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, and in which full, true and correct entries shall be made in all material respects of all its dealings and business and financial affairs.

 

8.1.7        Compliance with Laws; Use of Proceeds. Each Loan Party shall comply with all applicable Laws, including all Environmental Laws, in all respects; provided that it shall not be deemed to be a violation of this Section 8.1.7 if any failure to comply with any Law would not result in fines, penalties, remediation costs, other similar liabilities or injunctive relief which in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change. The Loan Parties will use the Letters of Credit and the proceeds of the Loans only in accordance with Section 2.8 [Use of Proceeds] and as permitted by applicable Law.

 

8.1.8        Further Assurances. Each Loan Party shall, from time to time, at its expense, faithfully preserve and protect the Administrative Agent's Lien on and Prior Security Interest in the Collateral whether now owned or hereafter acquired as a continuing first priority perfected Lien, and shall do such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order to preserve, perfect and protect the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies thereunder with respect to the Collateral.

 

8.1.9        Anti-Terrorism Laws. None of the Loan Parties is or shall be (i) a Person with whom any Lender is restricted from doing business under Executive Order No. 13224 or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, (ii) engaged in any business involved in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of such a Person or in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) otherwise in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law. The Loan Parties shall provide to the Lenders any certifications or information that a Lender requests to confirm compliance by the Loan Parties with Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

8.1.10      Deposit and Securities Accounts.  Each Loan Party shall maintain their primary demand, time and other deposit accounts with the Agent or a Lender approved by the Agent in order to facilitate the making of the Loans and to provide security for repayment of the Obligations.

 

 

 
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8.1.11    Minimum Cash Balance. The Loan Parties shall maintain a minimum cash balance in an account or accounts located at PNC, or Undrawn Availability or a combination thereof of not less than $2,500,000 at all times.

 

8.1.12   Pledged Accounts. The Loan Parties shall cause all Collateral held or maintained at financial institutions to be subject to a securities account control agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

8.2           Negative Covenants.

 

8.2.1        Reserved.

 

8.2.2        Liens; Lien Covenants. Each of the Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of the Collateral, now owned or hereafter acquired, or agree or become liable to do so.

 

8.2.3        Guaranties. Each of the Loan Parties shall not at any time, directly or indirectly, become or be liable in respect of any Guaranty, or assume, guarantee, become surety for, endorse or otherwise agree, become or remain directly or contingently liable upon or with respect to any obligation or liability of any other Person, except for Guaranties of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Loan Parties permitted hereunder. Any Loan Party may guarantee the obligations of another Loan Party, provided that such other Loan Party is permitted to take such action or incur such obligations under this Agreement.

 

8.2.4        Reserved.

 

8.2.5        Dividends and Related Distributions. Each of the Loan Parties shall not make or pay, or agree to become or remain liable to make or pay, any dividend or other distribution of any nature (whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise) on account of or in respect of its shares of capital stock, partnership interests or limited liability company interests on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of its shares of capital stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor), partnership interests or limited liability company interests at any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the making of such dividend or distribution; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.2.5 to the contrary, Steel Partners shall be permitted to issue partnership interests pursuant to that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Management Agreement by and among Steel Partners, SPH Group LLC and SP General Services LLC, dated as of May 11, 2012, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

 

8.2.6        Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions. Each of the Loan Parties shall not, dissolve, liquidate or wind-up its affairs, or become a party to any merger or consolidation, or acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of any other Person; provided that (i) any Loan Party, other than the Borrower, may consolidate or merge into another Loan Party which is wholly-owned by one or more of the other Loan Parties, so long as any consolidation and/or merger involving any Borrower results in the Borrower entity being the surviving entity, and (ii) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, the Borrowers may acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of any other Person.

 

 

 
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8.2.7        Disposition of Collateral. Each of the Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, convey, assign, lease, abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of the Collateral, except as permitted by the Security Agreement.

 

8.2.8        Reserved.

 

8.2.9        Reserved.

 

8.2.10      Continuation of or Change in Business. Each of the Loan Parties shall not engage in any business other than as substantially conducted and operated by such Loan Party as a global diversified holding company or accretive to such Loan Party’s business, and such Loan Party shall not permit any material change in such business.

 

8.2.11      Fiscal Year The Borrower shall not change its fiscal year from the twelve-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

 

8.2.12      Reserved.

 

8.2.13      Changes in Organizational Documents. Each of the Loan Parties shall not amend in any respect its certificate of incorporation (including any provisions or resolutions relating to capital stock), by-laws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents without providing at least five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and, in the event such change would be adverse to the Lenders as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, obtaining the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

8.3           Reporting Requirements. The Loan Parties will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

 

8.3.1        Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) calendar days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year, consolidated financial statements of Steel Partners, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter and related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter then ended and the fiscal year through that date, all in reasonable detail and certified (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments) by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of Steel Partners as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and setting forth in comparative form the respective financial statements for the corresponding date and period in the previous fiscal year.

 

8.3.2        Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within one-hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Steel Partners, consolidated financial statements of the Steel Partners consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year, and related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the financial statements as of the end of and for the preceding fiscal year, and certified by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The certificate or report of accountants shall be free of qualifications (other than any consistency qualification that may result from a change in the method used to prepare the financial statements as to which such accountants concur) and shall not indicate the occurrence or existence of any event, condition or contingency which would materially impair the prospect of payment or performance of any covenant, agreement or duty of any Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents.

 

 

 
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8.3.3        Certificate of the Borrower. Concurrently with the financial statements of the Borrower furnished to the Administrative Agent and to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements], a certificate (each a "Compliance Certificate") of the Borrower signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit 8.3.3.

 

8.3.4        Monthly Statements of Activity. As soon as available and in any event within 20 days after the end of each calendar month, a statement showing the current market value of Eligible Investment Property and a summary of all transaction activity within the Pledged PNC Accounts, and such other information requested by Administrative Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

8.3.5        Notices.

 

8.3.5.1     Default. Promptly after any officer of any Loan Party has learned of the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Default, a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Potential Default and the action which such Loan Party proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

8.3.5.2     Litigation. Promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits, proceedings or investigations before or by any Official Body or any other Person against any Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Loan Party which relate to the Collateral, involve a claim or series of claims in excess of $1,000,000 or which if adversely determined could reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

8.3.5.3     Organizational Documents. Within the time limits set forth in Section 8.2.13 [Changes in Organizational Documents], any amendment to the organizational documents of any Loan Party.

 

8.3.5.4     Erroneous Financial Information. Promptly following the conclusion by the Borrower or its accountants that any previously issued financial statement, audit report or interim review should no longer be relied upon or that disclosure should be made or action should be taken to prevent future reliance.

 

8.3.5.5     ERISA Event. Immediately upon the occurrence of any ERISA Event.

 

 

 
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8.3.5.6     Other Reports. Promptly upon their becoming available to the Borrower:

 

(i)            Annual Budget. The annual budget and any forecasts or projections of the Borrower, to be supplied upon request by Administrative Agent;

 

(ii)           SEC Reports; Shareholder Communications. Reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, registration statements and prospectuses and other shareholder communications, filed by the Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to be provided upon request by the Administrative Agent unless available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR website; and

 

(iii)          Other Information. Such other reports and information as any of the Lenders may from time to time reasonably request.

 

9.             DEFAULT

 

9.1           Events of Default. An Event of Default shall mean the occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever the reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation of Law):

 

9.1.1        Payments Under Loan Documents. The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan (including scheduled installments, mandatory prepayments or the payment due at maturity), Reimbursement Obligation or Letter of Credit or Obligation on any Loan, Reimbursement Obligation or Letter of Credit Obligation or any other amount owing hereunder or under the other Loan Documents on the date on which such principal becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. The Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan, Reimbursement Obligation or Letter of Credit Obligation or any other amount owing hereunder or under the other Loan Documents on the date on which such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof and such amount shall remain unpaid for a period of three (3) Business Days;

 

9.1.2     Breach of Warranty. Any representation or warranty made at any time by any of the Loan Parties herein or by any of the Loan Parties in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, other instrument or statement furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the time it was made or furnished;

 

9.1.3        Breach of Negative Covenants or Visitation Rights. Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 8.1.5 [Visitation Rights] or Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants];

 

9.1.4        Breach of Other Covenants. Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof or of any other Loan Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of ten (10) Business Days;

 

 

 
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9.1.5        Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness. A default or event of default shall occur at any time under the terms of any other agreement involving borrowed money or the extension of credit or any other Indebtedness under which any Loan Party may be obligated as a borrower or guarantor in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate, and such breach, default or event of default consists of the failure to pay (beyond any period of grace permitted with respect thereto, whether waived or not) any Indebtedness when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if such breach or default permits or causes the acceleration of any Indebtedness (whether or not such right shall have been waived) or the termination of any commitment to lend;

 

9.1.6        Final Judgments or Orders. Except as set forth in Schedule 9.1.6, any final judgments or orders for the payment of money in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate and not covered by insurance in amounts and subject to policies acceptable to Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion shall be entered against any Loan Party by a court having jurisdiction in the premises, which judgment is not discharged, vacated, bonded or stayed pending appeal within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of entry;

 

9.1.7        Loan Document Unenforceable. Any of the Loan Documents shall cease to be legal, valid and binding agreements enforceable against the party executing the same or such party's successors and assigns (as permitted under the Loan Documents) in accordance with the respective terms thereof or shall in any way be terminated (except in accordance with its terms) or become or be declared ineffective or inoperative or shall in any way be challenged or contested or cease to give or provide the respective Liens, security interests, rights, titles, interests, remedies, powers or privileges intended to be created thereby;

 

9.1.8     Uninsured Losses; Proceedings Against Assets. There shall occur any material uninsured damage to or loss, theft or destruction of any of the Collateral in excess of $1,000,000 or the Collateral or any other of the Loan Parties' assets are attached, seized, levied upon or subjected to a writ or distress warrant; or such come within the possession of any receiver, trustee, custodian or assignee for the benefit of creditors and the same is not cured within thirty (30) days thereafter;

 

9.1.9        Events Relating to Plans and Benefit Arrangements. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000, or (ii) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000;

 

9.1.10      Change of Control. (i) Any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) other than the Loan Parties or their Affiliates, shall have acquired beneficial ownership of (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) 50% or more of the voting capital stock and/or partnership interests of any Borrower, or (ii) within a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of the general partner or managing member of a Borrower on the first day of such period shall cease to constitute a majority of the board of directors of the general partner or managing member of the Borrower.

 

 

 
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9.1.11      Relief Proceedings. (i) A Relief Proceeding shall have been instituted against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party to the extent a Loan Party has guaranteed such entity’s Indebtedness and such Relief Proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief sought in such Relief Proceeding, (ii) Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party to the extent a Loan Party has guaranteed such entity’s Indebtedness institutes, or takes any action in furtherance of, a Relief Proceeding, or (iii) any Loan Party ceases to be Solvent or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature.

 

9.2           Consequences of Event of Default.

 

9.2.1        Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings. If an Event of Default specified under Sections 9.1.1 through 9.1.10 shall occur and be continuing, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be under no further obligation to make Loans and the Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to issue Letters of Credit and the Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall (i) by written notice to the Borrower, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lenders hereunder and thereunder to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be immediately due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Lender without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, and (ii) require the Borrower to, and the Borrower shall thereupon, deposit in a non-interest-bearing account with the Administrative Agent, as cash collateral for its Obligations under the Loan Documents, an amount equal to the maximum amount currently or at any time thereafter available to be drawn on all outstanding Letters of Credit, and the Borrower hereby pledges to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and grants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a security interest in, all such cash as security for such Obligations; and

 

9.2.2        Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings. If an Event of Default specified under Section 9.1.11 [Relief Proceedings] shall occur, the Lenders shall be under no further obligations to make Loans hereunder and the Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to issue Letters of Credit and the unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Obligations of the Borrower to the Lenders hereunder and thereunder shall be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; and

 

9.2.3        Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Lender, and each of their respective Affiliates and any participant of such Lender or Affiliate which has agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the Issuing Lender or any such Affiliate or participant to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the Obligations of such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the Issuing Lender, Affiliate or participant, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing Lender, Affiliate or participant shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or the Issuing Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Lender and their respective Affiliates and participants under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Lender or their respective Affiliates and participants may have. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application; and

 

 

 
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9.2.4        Application of Proceeds. From and after the date on which the Administrative Agent has taken any action pursuant to this Section 9.2 and until all Obligations of the Loan Parties have been paid in full, any and all proceeds received by the Administrative Agent from any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, or any part thereof, or the exercise of any other remedy by the Administrative Agent, shall be applied as follows:

 

(i)            first, to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys' and paralegals' fees and legal expenses, incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with realizing on the Collateral or collection of any Obligations of any of the Loan Parties under any of the Loan Documents, including advances made by the Lenders or any one of them or the Administrative Agent for the reasonable maintenance, preservation, protection or enforcement of, or realization upon, the Collateral, including advances for taxes, insurance, repairs and the like and reasonable expenses incurred to sell or otherwise realize on, or prepare for sale or other realization on, any of the Collateral;

 

(ii)           second, to the repayment of all Obligations then due and unpaid of the Loan Parties to the Lenders or their Affiliates incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or agreements evidencing any Lender Provided Interest Rate Hedge or Other Lender Provided Financial Services Obligations, whether of principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise and to cash collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations, in such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine in its discretion; and

 

(iii)          the balance, if any, as required by Law.

 

10.           THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

10.1         Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably appoints PNC to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents 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 or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

 

 
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10.2         Rights as a Lender. The Person 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 the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

10.3         Exculpatory Provisions. 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, the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)           shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)           shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law; and

 

(c)           shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent 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 shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] and 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default]) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Potential Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Potential Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the Issuing Lender.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

 

 
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10.4         Reliance by Administrative Agent. 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 (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. 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.

 

10.5         Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 10 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 credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

10.6         Resignation of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with approval from the Borrower (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a successor, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, appoint a successor Administrative Agent; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section 10.6. Upon the acceptance of a successor's appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the 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 retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Section 10 and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver] 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 the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

 

 
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If PNC resigns as Administrative Agent under this Section 10.6, PNC shall also resign as an Issuing Lender. Upon the appointment of a successor Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall (i) succeed to all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of PNC as the retiring Issuing Lender and Administrative Agent and PNC shall be discharged from all of its respective duties and obligations as Issuing Lender and Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents, and (ii) issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by PNC, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangement satisfactory to PNC to effectively assume the obligations of PNC with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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

 

10.8         Reserved.

 

10.9         Reserved.

 

 

 
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10.10       Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors. The Lenders and Issuing Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent to release (i) any Collateral consisting of assets or equity interests sold or otherwise disposed of in a sale or other disposition or transfer permitted under Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] or Section 8.2.7 [Disposition of Collateral], and (ii) any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement if the ownership interests in such Guarantor are sold or otherwise disposed of or transferred to persons other than Loan Parties or Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties in a transaction permitted under Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] or Section 8.2.7 [Disposition of Collateral].

 

10.11       No Reliance on Administrative Agent's Customer Identification Program. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the Administrative Agent to carry out such Lender's, Affiliate's, participant's or assignee's customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA Patriot Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the "CIP Regulations"), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Loan Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (i) any identity verification procedures, (ii) any recordkeeping, (iii) comparisons with government lists, (iv) customer notices or (v) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other Laws.

 

11.           MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.1         Modifications, Amendments or Waivers. With the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, acting on behalf of all the Lenders, and the Borrower, on behalf of the Loan Parties, may from time to time enter into written agreements amending or changing any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the rights of the Lenders or the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder, or may grant written waivers or consents hereunder or thereunder. Any such agreement, waiver or consent made with such written consent shall be effective to bind all the Lenders and the Loan Parties; provided, that no such agreement, waiver or consent may be made which will:

 

11.1.1      Increase of Commitment. Increase the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender hereunder without the consent of such Lender;

 

11.1.2      Extension of Payment; Reduction of Principal Interest or Fees; Modification of Terms of Payment. Whether or not any Loans are outstanding, extend the Expiration Date or the time for payment of principal or interest of any Loan (excluding the due date of any mandatory prepayment of a Loan), the Facility Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, or reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest borne by any Loan or reduce the Facility Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

11.1.3      Release of Collateral or Guarantor. Except for sales of assets permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Disposition of Collateral], release all or substantially all of the Collateral or any Guarantor from its Obligations under the Guaranty Agreement without the consent of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders);

 

 

 
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11.1.4      Borrowing Base. Increase the advance rates constituting part of the Borrowing Base or increase the sublimits within the definition thereof without the consent of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders); or

 

11.1.6      Miscellaneous. Amend Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], 10.3 [Exculpatory Provisions] or 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or this Section 11.1, alter any provision regarding the pro rata treatment of the Lenders or requiring all Lenders to authorize the taking of any action or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, in each case without the consent of all of the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders);

 

provided that no agreement, waiver or consent which would modify the interests, rights or obligations of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender may be made without the written consent of such Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, and provided, further that, if in connection with any proposed waiver, amendment or modification referred to in Sections 11.1.1 through 11.1.4 above, the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (each a "Non-Consenting Lender"), then the Borrower shall have the right to replace any such Non-Consenting Lender with one or more replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender].

 

11.2         No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No course of dealing and no delay or failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power, remedy or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and any other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have.

 

11.3         Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

11.3.1      Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), and shall pay all reasonable fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit, and (iv) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent's regular employees and agents engaged periodically to perform audits of the Loan Parties' books, records and business properties.

 

 

 
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11.3.2      Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the Issuing 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 any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all reasonable fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance or nonperformance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) breach of representations, warranties or covenants of the Borrower under the Loan Documents, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, including any such items or losses relating to or arising under Environmental Laws or pertaining to environmental matters, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee's obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower] shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

11.3.3      Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Sections 11.3.1 [Costs and Expenses] or 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower] to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender's Ratable Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that 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 any such sub-agent) or the Issuing Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or Issuing Lender in connection with such capacity.

 

 

 
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11.3.4      Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by Borrower] shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

11.3.5      Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) days after demand therefor.

 

11.4         Holidays. Whenever payment of a Loan to be made or taken hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day such payment shall be due on the next Business Day (except as provided in Section 4.2 [Interest Periods]) and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest and fees, except that the Loans shall be due on the Business Day preceding the Expiration Date if the Expiration Date is not a Business Day. Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder (other than payment of the Loans) shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall not be included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

 

11.5         Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.

 

11.5.1      Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications]), 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 telecopier (i) if to a Lender, to it at its address set forth in its administrative questionnaire, or (ii) if to any other Person, to it at its address set forth on Schedule 1.1(A).

 

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 telecopier 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 communications to the extent provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications], shall be effective as provided in such Section.

 

 

 
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11.5.2      Electronic Communications.

 

Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Lender if such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the 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); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, 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.

 

11.5.3      Change of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its address, e-mail address or telecopier number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

11.6         Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

 

11.7         Duration; Survival. All representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the completion of the transactions hereunder and Payment In Full. All covenants and agreements of the Borrower contained herein relating to the payment of principal, interest, premiums, additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including those set forth in the Notes, Section 5 [Payments] and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver], shall survive Payment In Full. All other covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties shall continue in full force and effect from and after the date hereof and until Payment In Full.

 

11.8         Successors and Assigns.

 

11.8.1      Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders], (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.4 [Participations], or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 11.8.6 [Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally] (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 11.8.4 [Participations] 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.

 

 

 
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11.8.2      Assignments by Lenders.

 

Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees 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); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)            Minimum Amounts.

 

(A)           in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B)           in any case not described in clause (i)(A) of this Section 11.8.2, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if "Trade Date" is specified in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitment of the assigning Lender, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(ii)           Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

 

(iii)          Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except for the consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and:

 

(A)           the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof; and

 

 

 
65

 

 

(B)           the consent of the Issuing Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding).

 

(iv)          Assignment and Assumption Agreement. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire provided by the Administrative Agent.

 

(v)           No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

(vi)          No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.8.3 [Register], from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, 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 Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement 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 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Etc.], 5.8 [Increased Costs], and 11.3 [Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver] with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 11.8.2 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 Section 11.8.4 [Participations].

 

11.8.3      Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time. Such register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is in such register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. Such 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.

 

 

 
66

 

 

11.8.4      Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Issuing Lender 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 (other than as is already provided for herein) to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to Sections 11.1.1 [Increase of Commitment], 11.1.2 [Extension of Payment, Etc.], or 11.1.3 [Release of Collateral or Guarantor]) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.4 [Libor Rate Unascertainable, Etc.], 5.8 [Increased Costs], 5.10 [Indemnity] and 5.9 [Taxes] (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 5.9.7 [Status of Lenders] (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 5.9.7 [Status of Lenders] 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 Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders]; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] as if it were an assignee under Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders]; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 5.8 [Increased Costs] or 5.9 [Taxes], with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. 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 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.2.3 [Set-off] as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an 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 (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit 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.

 

 

 
67

 

 

11.8.5      Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally. 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 any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

11.9         Confidentiality.

 

11.9.1      General. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates' respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (B) 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 (Y) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (Z) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or the other Loan Parties. 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.

 

11.9.2      Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Lenders. Each Loan Party acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Lender and each of the Loan Parties hereby authorizes each Lender to share for such purpose any information delivered to such Lender by such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement to any such Subsidiary or Affiliate subject to the provisions of Section 11.9.1 [General].

 

 

 
68

 

 

11.10       Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

 

11.10.1    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and 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 including any prior confidentiality agreements and commitments. Except as provided in Section 7 [Conditions Of Lending And Issuance Of Letters Of Credit], this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or e-mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

11.11       CHOICE OF LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

11.11.1    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract under the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Each standby Letter of Credit issued under this Agreement shall be subject either to the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (the "ICC") at the time of issuance ("UCP") or the rules of the International Standby Practices (ICC Publication Number 590) ("ISP98"), as determined by the Issuing Lender, and each trade Letter of Credit shall be subject to UCP, and in each case to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the Laws of the State of New York without regard to is conflict of laws principles.

 

11.11.2    SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY 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 THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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 COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE 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. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE ISSUING LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

 

 
69

 

 

11.11.3    WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 11.11. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT ASSERT ANY SUCH DEFENSE.

 

11.11.4    SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.5 [NOTICES; EFFECTIVENESS; ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION]. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

11.11.5    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 OR 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, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON 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 AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

11.12     USA Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the USA Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

 

 

 
70

 

 

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

 

 

BORROWERS:

STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.

 

 

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James F. McCabe, Jr

 

 

 

 

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James F. McCabe, Jr

 

 

 

 

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

AGENT AND LENDER:

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

 

 individually as a Lender and as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kirk M. Mader

 

 

Name:

Kirk M. Mader

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT] 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1(A)

 

COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS AND ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

 

Page 1 of 2

 

 

Part 1 - Commitments of Lenders and Addresses for Notices to Lenders

 

Lender

 

Amount of Commitment for Revolving Credit Loans

   

Commitment

   

Ratable Share

 
Name: PNC Bank, National Association                        
Address: 1600 Market Street,                        
22nd Floor, F2-F070-22-2                        

Philadelphia, PA 19103

                       

Attention: Kirk Mader,

  $ 50,000,000     $ 50,000,000       100 %
Senior Vice President                        

Telecopy:    215.585.4144

                       
Telephone:  215.585.1385                        

 

 

 
SCHEDULE 1.1 (A) - 1

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1(A)

 

COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS AND ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

 

Page 2 of 2

  

Part 2 - Addresses for Notices to Borrower and Guarantors:

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Name: PNC Bank, National Association
Address: 1600 Market Street, 22nd Floor, F2-F070-22-2

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: Kirk Mader, Senior Vice President

Telephone:     215.585.1385

Telecopy:       215.585.4144

  

With a Copy To:

 

Loan Administration
PNC Bank
500 First Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Mail Stop: P7-PFSC-04-Z
Phone: 412-762-8168 | Fax: 412-768-4586
email: benjamin.pasky@PNC.com
Attention: B. Tyler Pasky, Loan Support Analyst I

 

BORROWER:

 

Name: Steel Partners Holdings L.P.

SPH Group Holdings LLC

590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attention:        James F. McCabe, Jr.

Telephone:      212.520.2300

Telecopy:        212.520.2377

 

 
SCHEDULE 1.1 (A) - 2 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.1.1

 

QUALIFICATIONS TO DO BUSINESS

 

 

1.

Steel Partners Holdings L.P. is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware

 

 

2.

SPH Group Holdings LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware  

 

 

 
 

 

 

 SCHEDULE 6.1.2

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

1.

Handy & Harman Ltd.

 

 

2.

Steel Excel Inc.

 

 

3.

DGT Holdings Corp.

 

 

4.

GenCorp Inc.

 

 

5.

Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

 

 

6.

SL Industries, Inc.

 

 

7.

JPS Industries, Inc.     

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.1.4

 

REQUIRED CONSENTS

 

None

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.1.5

 

LITIGATION 

 

 

-

Handy & Harman Ltd. (“HNH”) Litigation Matters

 

 

o

In the ordinary course of its business, HNH is subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations, claims and proceedings, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes, employment, environmental, health and safety matters, as well as claims associated with its historical acquisitions and divestitures. Although HNH cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations, claims and proceedings asserted against it, HNH does not believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations or liquidity.

 

 

-

BNS Holding, Inc. (“BNS”) Litigation Matters

 

 

o

A former subsidiary of BNS (“BNS Sub”) has been named as a defendant in 1,160 and 1,020 alleged asbestos-related toxic-tort claims as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The claims were filed over a period beginning 1994 through June 30, 2012. In many cases these claims involved more than 100 defendants. Of the claims filed, 926 and 694 were dismissed, settled or granted summary judgment and closed as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Of the claims settled, the average settlement was less than $3. There remained 234 and 326 pending asbestos claims as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. There can be no assurance that the number of future claims and the related costs of defense, settlements or judgments will be consistent with the experience to date of existing claims.

 

 

o

BNS Sub has insurance policies covering asbestos-related claims for years beginning 1974 through 1988 with estimated aggregate coverage limits of $183,000, with $2,282 and $1,660 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in estimated remaining self insurance retention (deductible). There is secondary evidence of coverage from 1970 to 1973 although there is no assurance that the insurers will recognize that the coverage was in place. Policies issued for BNS Sub beginning in 1989 contained exclusions related to asbestos. Under certain circumstances, some of the settled claims may be reopened. Also, there may be a significant delay in receipt of notification by BNS Sub of the entry of a dismissal or settlement of a claim or the filing of a new claim. BNS Sub believes it has significant defenses to any liability for toxic-tort claims on the merits. None of these toxic-tort claims have gone to trial and, therefore, there can be no assurance that these defenses will prevail. In addition, there can be no assurance that the number of future claims and the related costs of defense, settlements or judgments will be consistent with the experience to date of existing claims; and, that BNS Sub will not need to increase significantly its estimated liability for the costs to settle these claims to an amount that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

o

BNS Sub annually receives retroactive billings or credits from its insurance carriers for any increase or decrease in claims accruals as claims are filed, settled or dismissed, or as estimates of the ultimate settlement and defense costs for the then-existing claims are revised. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, BNS Sub has accrued $1,020 and $635 relating to the open and active claims against BNS Sub. This accrual represents Steel Partners Holdings L.P.’s best estimate of the likely costs to defend against or settle these claims by BNS Sub beyond the amounts accrued by the insurance carriers and previously funded, through the retroactive billings by BNS Sub. However, there can be no assurance that BNS Sub will not need to take additional charges in connection with the defense, settlement or judgment of these existing claims or that the costs of future claims and the related costs of defense, settlements or judgments will be consistent with the experience to date relating to existing claims. These claims are now being managed by the liquidating trust formed by BNS. 

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.1.7

 

MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE

 

None

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.1.10

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

Steel Partners Holdings L.P. has a non-exclusive royalty free license that runs with the management agreement with SP General Services LLC for use of the “Steel Partners” and “SPII” trademarks.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6.1.14

 

ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURES

 

 

-

Overview

 

 

o

As discussed in more detail below, Handy & Harman Ltd. (“HNH”) and BNS Holding, Inc. (“BNS”) have been designated as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) by federal and state agencies with respect to certain sites with which they may have had direct or indirect involvement. These claims are in various stages of administrative or judicial proceedings and include demands for recovery of past governmental costs and for future investigations and remedial actions. In many cases, the dollar amounts of the claims have not been specified and, with respect to a number of the PRP claims, have been asserted against a number of other entities for the same cost recovery or other relief as was asserted against the HNH and BNS. Steel Partners Holdings L.P. accrues costs associated with environmental matters, on an undiscounted basis, when they become probable and reasonably estimable. As of June 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, on a consolidated basis, Steel Partners Holdings L.P. has accrued $6,420,000 and $7,320,000, respectively, which represents its current estimate of the probable cleanup liabilities, including remediation and legal costs. In addition, Steel Partners Holdings L.P. has insurance coverage available for several of these matters and believes that excess insurance coverage may be available as well.

 

 

o

Estimates of Steel Partners Holdings L.P.’s liability for remediation of a particular site and the method and ultimate cost of remediation require a number of assumptions that are inherently difficult to make, and the ultimate outcome may be materially different from current estimates.

 

 

-

HNH Environmental Matters

 

 

o

Certain subsidiaries of H&H Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of HNH, have existing and contingent liabilities relating to environmental matters, including capital expenditures, costs of remediation and potential fines and penalties relating to possible violations of national and state environmental laws. Those subsidiaries have substantial remediation expenses on an ongoing basis, although such costs are continually being readjusted based upon the emergence of new techniques and alternative methods. HNH had approximately $5,400,000 accrued related to estimated environmental remediation costs as of June 30, 2013. In addition, HNH has insurance coverage available for several of these matters and believes that excess insurance coverage may be available as well. Based upon information currently available, the H&H Group subsidiaries do not expect their respective environmental costs, including the incurrence of additional fines and penalties, if any, will have a material adverse effect on them or that the resolution of these environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of such subsidiaries or HNH, but there can be no such assurances. HNH anticipates that the H&H Group subsidiaries will pay any such amounts out of their respective working capital, although there is no assurance that they will have sufficient funds to pay them. In the event that the H&H Group subsidiaries are unable to fund their liabilities, claims could be made against their respective parent companies, including H&H Group and/or HNH, for payment of such liabilities.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

o

In addition, certain subsidiaries of H&H Group have been identified as PRPs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) or similar state statutes at sites and are parties to administrative consent orders in connection with certain properties. Those subsidiaries may be subject to joint and several liabilities imposed by CERCLA on PRPs. Due to the technical and regulatory complexity of remedial activities and the difficulties attendant in identifying PRPs and allocating or determining liability among them, the subsidiaries are unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate cost of compliance with such laws.

 

 

o

Among the sites where certain subsidiaries of H&H Group may have existing and material environmental liabilities are the following:

 

 

Handy & Harman (“H&H”), a subsidiary of HNH, has been working with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (“CTDEP”) with respect to its obligations under a 1989 consent order that applies to a property in Connecticut that H&H sold in 2003 (“Sold Parcel”) and an adjacent parcel (“Adjacent Parcel”) that together with the Sold Parcel comprises the site of a former H&H manufacturing facility. Remediation of all soil conditions on the Sold Parcel was completed on April 6, 2007. On September 11, 2008, the CTDEP advised H&H that it had approved H&H’s December 28, 2007 Soil Remediation Action Report, as amended, thereby concluding the active remediation of the Sold Parcel. The remaining remediation and monitoring costs for the Sold Parcel are expected to approximate $100. With respect to the Adjacent Parcel, H&H has been conducting an ecological risk assessment and an environmental field investigation in order to assess viable remediation options. The total remediation costs for the Adjacent Parcel cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the resolution of this matter will not be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of H&H or HNH.

 

 

In 1986, Handy & Harman Electronics Material Corporation (“HHEM”) entered into an administrative consent order (“ACO”) with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) with regard to certain property that it purchased in 1984 in New Jersey. The ACO involves investigation and remediation activities to be performed with regard to soil and groundwater contamination. Thereafter, in 1998, HHEM and H&H settled a case brought by the local municipality in regard to this site and also settled with certain of its insurance carriers. HHEM is actively remediating the property and continuing to investigate effective methods for achieving compliance with the ACO. A remedial investigation report was filed with the NJDEP in December 2007. By letter dated December 12, 2008, the NJDEP issued its approval with respect to additional investigation and remediation activities discussed in the December 2007 remedial investigation report. HHEM anticipates entering into discussions with the NJDEP to address that agency’s potential natural resource damage claims, the ultimate scope and cost of which cannot be estimated at this time. Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the former owner/operator of the site, the responsibility for site investigation and remediation costs, as well as any other costs, as defined in the settlement agreement, related to or arising from environmental contamination on the property (collectively, “Costs”) are contractually allocated 75% to the former owner/operator (with separate guaranties by the two joint venture partners of the former owner/operator for 37.5% each) and 25% jointly to HHEM and H&H after the first $1,000,000. The $1,000,000 was paid solely by the former owner/operator. As of June 30, 2013, over and above the $1,000,000, total investigation and remediation costs of approximately $2,800,000 and $1,000,000 have been expended by the former owner/operator and HHEM, respectively, in accordance with the settlement agreement. Additionally, HHEM is currently being reimbursed indirectly through insurance coverage for a portion of the Costs for which HHEM is responsible. HHEM believes that there is additional excess insurance coverage, which it intends to pursue as necessary. HHEM anticipates that there will be additional remediation expenses to be incurred once a final remediation plan is agreed upon. There is no assurance that the former owner/operator or guarantors will continue to timely reimburse HHEM for expenditures and/or will be financially capable of fulfilling their obligations under the settlement agreement and the guaranties. The additional Costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, and accordingly, there can be no assurance that the resolution of this matter will not be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of HHEM or HNH.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

In August 2006, H&H received a notice letter from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) formally naming H&H as a PRP at a superfund site in Massachusetts (“Superfund Site”). H&H is part of a group of thirteen other PRPs (“PRP Group”) that work cooperatively regarding remediation of the Superfund Site. On June 13, 2008, H&H executed a participation agreement, consent decree and settlement trust that all of the other PRPs have signed as well. The PRP Group has both chemical and radiological PRPs. H&H is a chemical PRP; not a radiological PRP. The remediation of radiological contamination at the Superfund Site, under the direction of the Department of Energy, has been completed and a final status survey was submitted to the EPA in August 2012. The final status survey was approved by the EPA, and the PRPs have had access to the Superfund Site since November 2012. On July 12, 2013, H&H received its percentage assessment for the remediation work to be performed at the Superfund Site. While the amount of the assessment is less than the reserve recorded by H&H for this matter, a revised reserve estimate cannot be made until assessment payments are made by all of the PRP Group members, H&H’s related financial guarantee is removed and a final assessment of H&H’s potential future costs for this matter is completed, all of which HNH expects will be completed by the end of 2013. In addition, because the assessment is an estimate and dependent upon several factors, including actual remediation activities and costs, full involvement by the PRP Group, and continued collaboration and financial support from the town of Attleboro, the party responsible for the subsequent operations and maintenance activities at the Superfund Site, there can be no assurance that final resolution of this matter will not be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of H&H or HNH.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

HHEM is continuing to comply with a 1987 consent order from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MADEP”) to investigate and remediate the soil and groundwater conditions at the MA Property that is the subject of the Arista Development litigation discussed above. On June 30, 2010, HHEM filed a Response Action Outcome (“RAO”) report to close the site since HHEM’s licensed site professional concluded that groundwater monitoring demonstrated that the groundwater conditions have stabilized or continue to improve at the site. On June 20, 2013, HHEM received the MADEP’s Notice of Audit Findings and Notice of Noncompliance (“Notice”). HHEM believes that its original positions presented in the RAO report are supportable and has scheduled initial discussions with the MADEP to resolve any differences identified in the Notice. Until such discussions are completed, no estimate of additional remediation costs, if any, can be made.

 

 

-

BNS Environmental Matters

 

 

o

On August 12, 2008, a former subsidiary of BNS (“BNS Sub”) was identified as a PRP by the EPA as an alleged drum reconditioning customer (PRP) of New England Container Corp. (“NECC”). BNS Sub is presently investigating the matter and has joined a group of other alleged NECC drum reconditioning customers. The NECC drum reconditioning PRP’s have incurred and will continue to incur costs in the investigation and each PRP has been assessed a pro-rata fee for its cost share of the assessment. BNS Sub believes that it has an adequate environmental liability accrual associated with the site, which is reflected in the remediation estimate discussed above. The liability accrual is part of the liquidating trust formed by BNS.

 

 

o

On June 4, 2013 BNS LLC was identified by the EPA as a PRP as an alleged waste generator that disposed of wastes at the Operable Unit Two of the Peterson/Puritan, Inc. Superfund Site which includes the J.M. Mills Landfill in Cumberland, Rhone Island. BNS LLC is currently investigating the matter and has joined a group of other alleged PRPs.

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE 8.1.3

 

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE COLLATERAL

COVENANTS:

 

At the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders (x) on the Closing Date and annually thereafter an original certificate of insurance signed by the Loan Parties' independent insurance broker describing and certifying as to the existence of the insurance on the Collateral required to be maintained by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with a copy of the lender loss payee and additional insured endorsement, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, attached to such certificate, and (y) from time to time a summary schedule indicating all insurance then in force with respect to each of the Loan Parties. Such policies of insurance shall contain special endorsements which are in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its discretion. The applicable Loan Parties shall notify the Administrative Agent promptly of any occurrence causing a material loss or decline in value of the Collateral and the estimated (or actual, if available) amount of such loss or decline. Any monies received by the Administrative Agent constituting insurance proceeds may, at the option of the Administrative Agent, (i) in the case of property insurance proceeds received during the existence of an Event of Default, be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of the Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, (ii) for losses of less than $1,000,000 received at such time as no Event of Default or Potential Default exists, be disbursed by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Loan Parties, and (iii) for losses equal to or greater than $1,000,000 received at such time as no Event of Default or Potential Default exists, be disbursed by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Loan Parties on such terms as are deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent for the repair, restoration and/or replacement of Collateral and other property in respect of which such proceeds were received.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 9.1.6

 

FINAL JUDGMENTS OR ORDERS

 

None

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1.1(A)

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (the "Assignment") is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between ____________________________________________________ (the "Assignor") and ________________________________________________ (the "Assignee"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the "Credit Agreement"), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by each Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to each Assignee, and each Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, the interest in and to all of the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto that represents the amount and percentage interests identified below each Assignee's name on the signature pages hereto, of all of the Assignor's outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified on the signature pages hereto (including, to the extent included in any such facilities, letters of credit and swingline loans) (each an "Assigned Interest" and collectively the "Assigned Interests"). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

 

 

1.            Assignor:

 

 

 

 

 

2.            Assignee: 

 

 

 

[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1]

 

 

 

 

3.            Borrower(s):

SPH Group Holdings LLC

 

 

Steel Partners Holdings L.P.

 

 

 

 

4.            Administrative Agent:

PNC Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement  

     
5.            Credit Agreement: The Credit Agreement dated October __, 2013 by and among Borrowers, the Lenders parties thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.

 


1 Select as applicable. 

 

 
 

 

 

6.           Assigned Interest:

 

 

 

Facility Assigned

 

Aggregate Amount of Commitment/
Loans for all Lenders

   

Amount of Commitment/ Loans Assigned

   

Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans2

   

CUSIP Number

 

Revolving Credit Commitment

  $       $           %        

 

7.            [Trade Date:          ______________]3

 

8.            Effective Date: ________________, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]4

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW] 

 

 

 


2 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

3 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

4 Assignor shall pay a fee of $3,500 to the Administrative Agent in connection with the Assignment and Assumption.

 

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE - ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT]

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consented to and Accepted:

 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

[Consented to:]1

 

BORROWER

 

[NAME]

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 


5 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

 
 

 

 

ANNEX 1

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

1.             Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1            Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interests, (ii) the Assigned Interests are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document delivered pursuant thereto, other than this Assignment (herein collectively the "Loan Documents"), or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2            Assignee. Each Assignee severally (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all requirements, if any, of an eligible assignee under the Credit Agreement, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and, to the extent of its Assigned Interests, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1.6 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase its Assigned Interests on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision, and (v) if such Assignee is not incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, attached to the Assignment is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by such Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

2.             Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of each Assignee's Assigned Interests (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the respective Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

 

 
 

 

 

3.             General Provisions. This Assignment shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment. This Assignment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1.1(B)

 

FORM OF BORROWING BASE REPORT

 

(see attached)

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Steel Partners Holdings L.P.  

Certificate No.

 

SPH Group Holdings LLC

Report Date

 

590 Madison Avenue,

32nd Floor New York,

New York 10022

 

Borrowing Base Certificate

 

 

Eligible Investment Property

 

No. of shares

Issue

 

Ticker

   

Market price per
share

   

Date and source of valuation (See note below)

   

Total market value per issue 

 
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  
                              $ 0.00  

Total Value of Eligible Investment Property

    $ 0.00  

 

 

TOTAL BORROWING BASE AVAILABILITY

                 

AVAILABILITY: THE LESSOR OF MAX LOAN:

  $ 50,000,000.00  

Or 25% of sum of Eligible Investment Property (line 20), subject to the Credit Agreement

  $ 0.00  

 

 

LOAN ACTIVITY

         

Beginning Loan Balance

    $ 0.00  

Plus: Advances

    $ 0.00  

Plus: Adjustments

    $ 0.00  

Less: Cash Receipts

    $ 0.00  

Less: Adjustments

    $ 0.00  

ENDING REVOLVER LOAN BALANCE

    $ 0.00  

 

           

LOAN ACTIVITY

         

Calculated Borrowing Base Availability

    $ 0.00  

Less. Ending loan Balance

    $ 0.00  

Less: Outstanding L/c Balance

    $ 0.00  

Less: Systems Reserve

    $ 0.00  

Less: Other Reserves

    $ 0.00  

Net Excess Availability

    $ 0.00  

 

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), made by and among SPH GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPH”), STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Steel Partners”, and together with SPH and each other Person joined as a borrower from time to time, collectively and individually as the context may require, “Borrower”), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“PNC”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement ("Administrative Agent"). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement

 

Pursuant to section 8.3.3 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned Authorized Officer of the Borrower hereby certifies that as of the close of business on the date set forth above, the applicable Borrowing Base of the Borrower is computed as set forth hereto.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name:

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1.1(N)(1)

 

FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$50,000,000

October 23, 2013

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPH”) and STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Steel Partners”, and together with SPH and each other Person joined as a borrower from time to time, collectively and individually as the context may require, “Borrower”), jointly and severally, hereby promise to pay to the order of PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Lender”) the principal sum of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000), or such lessor or greater amount comprising the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all Revolving Credit Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, among the Borrower, the Lenders now or hereafter party thereto, and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent for the Lenders (hereinafter referred to in such capacity as the “Agent”) (as amended, restated, modified, or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), payable on the Expiration Date, together with interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from time to time outstanding from the date hereof at the rate or rates per annum specified by the Borrower pursuant to, or as otherwise provided in, the Credit Agreement.

 

Interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from time to time outstanding from the date hereof will be payable at the times provided for in the Credit Agreement. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall pay interest on the entire principal amount of the then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans evidenced by this Revolving Credit Note (this “Note”) and all other obligations due and payable to the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents at a rate per annum as set forth in Section 4.3 [Interest After Default] of the Credit Agreement. Such interest rate will accrue before and after any judgment has been entered.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, payments of both principal and interest shall be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other deduction of any nature at the office of the Agent located at Commercial Loan Operations, P.O. Box 747046, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15274-7046, unless otherwise directed in writing by the holder hereof, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds.

 

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in, and is entitled to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, including the representations, warranties, covenants, conditions, security interests, and Liens contained or granted therein. The Credit Agreement among other things contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events and also for prepayment, in certain circumstances, on account of principal hereof prior to maturity upon the terms and conditions therein specified. The Borrower waives presentment, demand, notice, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note and the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 
 

 

 

This Note shall bind the Borrower and its successors and assigns, and the benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of the Lender and its successors and assigns. All references herein to the “Borrower” and the “Lender” shall be deemed to apply to the Borrower and the Lender, respectively, and their respective successors and assigns as permitted under the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note and any other documents delivered in connection herewith and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto and thereto shall for all purposes be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles.

 

All capitalized terms used herein shall, unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

 

 
 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the undersigned has executed this Revolving Credit Note by its duly authorized officer with the intention that it constitutes a sealed instrument.

 

 

 

STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its general partner

   
 

By:

 
   

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

   

Title:

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its manager

   
 

By:

 
   

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

   

Title:

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 2.5.1
FORM OF

LOAN REQUEST

 

 

TO:

PNC Bank, National Association, as Agent

  500 First Ave
  Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  Mail Stop: P7-PFSC-04-Z
  Phone: 412-762-8168
  Fax: 412-768-4586
  Attention: B. Tyler Pasky
  Loan Support Analyst I
   

FROM:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RE:

 

Credit Agreement (as it may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented, the Agreement”) dated as of October __, 2013 by and among SPH Group Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPH”), Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Steel Partners”, and together with SPH and each other Person joined as a borrower from time to time, collectively and individually as the context may require, “Borrower”), the LENDERS (as hereinafter defined), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“PNC”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement (PNC is hereinafter referred to in such capacity as the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them by the Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Agreement, the undersigned Borrower irrevocably requests

  [check one line under 1(a) below and fill in blank space next to the line as appropriate]:

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.(a)

 

A new Revolving Credit Loan OR  

 

 

 

Renewal of the LIBOR Rate Option applicable to an outstanding Revolving Credit Loan OR  

 

 

 

Conversion to the Daily LIBOR Rate Option applicable to an outstanding Revolving Credit Loan  

 

 

 

 

 

SUCH NEW OR RENEWED OR CONVERTED LOAN SHALL BEAR INTEREST:

 

[Check one line under 1(b) below and fill in blank spaces in line next to line]:

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.(b)(i)

 

Under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option. Such Loan shall have a Borrowing Date of __________, ___ (which date shall be the same Business Day of the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of a Revolving Credit Loan to which the Daily LIBOR Rate Option applies or the last day of the preceding Interest Period with respect to the conversion to the Daily LIBOR Rate Option for any Loan).

     
     

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

 

Under the LIBOR Rate Option. Such Loan shall have a Borrowing Date of _____________ (which date shall be three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of Revolving Credit Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies or the conversion to or the renewal of the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans).

 

     
     

 

2.

Such Loan is in the principal amount of U.S. $_____________ or the principal amount to be renewed or converted is U.S. $_____________

 

 

[for Revolving Credit Loans under Section 2.5, each Loan Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify the aggregate amount of the proposed Loans comprising each Borrowing Tranche, and, if applicable, the Interest Period, which amounts shall be in (x) integral multiples of $100,000 and not less than $500,000 for each Borrowing Tranche under the LIBOR Rate Option, and (y) integral multiples of $10,000 and not less than $100,000 for each Borrowing Tranche under the Daily LIBOR Rate Option.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

[Complete blank below if the Borrower is selecting the LIBOR Rate Option]:

 

 

Such Loan shall have an Interest Period of one, two, three, or six Months.

 

 

 

 

 

         

B.

As of the date hereof and the date of making of the above-requested Loan (and after giving effect thereto): the Borrower has performed and complied with all covenants and conditions of the Agreement; all of Borrower's representations and warranties therein are true and correct (except representations and warranties which expressly relate solely to an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties were true and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred to therein); no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or shall exist; and the making of such Loan shall not contravene any Law applicable to the Borrower; the making of any Revolving Credit Loan shall not cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Usage to exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE 1 OF 1 TO LOAN REQUEST]

 

The undersigned certifies to the Agent as to the accuracy of the foregoing.

 

 

Date:                     , 20__

 

 

STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.

 

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(A)

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among [ ], and each lender from time to time party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.9 [Taxes] of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(B)

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among [ ], and each lender from time to time party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.9 [Taxes] of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code].

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(C)

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among [ ], and each lender from time to time party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.9 [Taxes] of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner's/member's beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 5.9.7(D)

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [ ] (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among [ ], and each lender from time to time party thereto.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.9 [Taxes] of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner's/member's beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT 8.3.3

 

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

This certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 8.3.3 of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 23, 2013 (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among SPH Group Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPH”), Steel Partners Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Steel Partners”, and together with SPH and each other Person joined as a borrower from time to time, collectively and individually as the context may require, “Borrower”), the LENDERS (as hereinafter defined), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“PNC”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement (PNC is hereinafter referred to in such capacity as the (“Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

The undersigned officer, James F. McCabe, Jr., the Chief Financial Officer of Steel Partners Holdings GP, Inc., the general partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., and the manager of SPH Group Holdings LLC, does hereby certify as of the quarter/year ended _________________, 20___ (the “Report Date”), as follows:

 

 

 

(1)

Minimum Cash Balance [Section 8.1.11]. As of the Report Date, the cash balance in Loan Parties’ accounts maintained at PNC, or Undrawn Availability, or combination thereof, is not less than $2,500,000, as required by Section 8.1.11.

 

(2)

Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations and warranties contained in Section 6 of the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the date of this certificate with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on the date hereof, and each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties has performed and complied with all covenants and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(3)

Event of Default or Potential Default. No Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or exists as of the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

[signatures follow]

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

signature page 1 of 1 to
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this _____ day of ____________, 20___.

 

 

STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its general partner

   
 

By:

 
   

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

   

Title:

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

 

By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its manager

   
 

By:

 
   

Name:

James F. McCabe, Jr.

   

Title:

Title: Chief Financial Officer