UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 11, 2012
Meade Instruments Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
0-22183 |
95-2988062 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) | ||
27 Hubble, Irvine, California |
92618 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (949) 451-1450
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
On December 11, 2012, Meade Instruments Corp. (the Company) and its subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement (the Agreement) with FCC, LLC d/b/a First Capital Western Region, LLC (First Capital). The Agreement amends, restates, consolidates, replaces and supersedes, in their entirety, all previous agreements between the Company and First Capital (and its subsidiaries).
The Agreement consists of a factoring arrangement in which advances of up to seventy-five percent (75.0%) of the aggregate net invoice amount of domestic accounts receivable outstanding. Account advances are limited to $3 million at any one time. No advances on foreign accounts are provided for under the Agreement. The Agreement also does not provide for advances on inventory. Interest on advances will be paid at the rate of LIBOR, plus five and three-quarters percent (5.75%). Fees under the Agreement consist of a factoring commission equal to seven-tenths of one percent (0.70%) of the gross invoice amount of each account and a facility fee in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per month. The original term of the Agreement is two years but can be terminated by either party with 45 days notice and can be terminated immediately by First Capital in the event of a default, as defined in the Agreement.
The above description of the Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full Agreement, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference and attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.7.
Item 2.03 | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant |
See Item 1.01 above.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
The following exhibits are being furnished herewith:
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit Title or Description | |
10.7 |
Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement Factor Sub Accounts dated as of December 11, 2012 between Meade Instruments Corp. and FCC, LLC d/b/a First Capital Western Region, LLC. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: December 17, 2012 | MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP. (Registrant) | |||||
By: | /s/ John A. Elwood | |||||
Senior Vice President Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit Title or Description | |
10.7 |
Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement Factor Sub Accounts dated as of December 11, 2012 between Meade Instruments Corp. and FCC Factor Subsidiary, LLC |
Exhibit Index
Exhibit 10.7
AMENDED AND RESTATED FACTORING
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Date: December 1, 2012 (the Agreement Date)
Name of Client (Client): Meade Instruments Corp.
Factor: FCC, LLC d/b/a First Capital Western Region, LLC (Factor)
WHEREAS, Client has requested and Factor has agreed to purchase all of Clients Accounts, provide Account Advances against such Accounts, guaranty Letters of Credit and provide certain services;
WHEREAS, Client and Factor are parties to that certain Factoring and Security Agreement Factor Sub Accounts dated as of January 30, 2009, that certain Factoring and Inventory Advances and Security Agreement dated as of January 30, 2009, and that certain Loan and Security Agreement Factor Sub Accounts dated January 30, 2009 (all documents as amended, restated, modified, supplemented from time to time through the date hereof, the Original Agreements);
WHEREAS, Client has requested and Factor has agreed amend, restate, consolidate and replace the Original Agreements into this Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement wherein Client requests and Factor agrees to purchase all of Clients Accounts, provide Account Advances against such Accounts, guaranty Letters of Credit and provide certain services;
WHEREAS, this Agreement amends, restates, consolidates, replaces and supersedes in their entirety the Original Agreements between Client and Factor;
WHEREAS, the security interests of Factor under the Original Agreements and under the Patent and Trademark Security Agreement dated January 30, 2009, between Client and Factor and the Stock Pledge Agreement dated January 30, 2009, between Client (as Pledgor) and Factor remain in full force and effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements, provisions, and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Client and Factor, hereby agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement:
Section 1. Definitions.
1.1 Defined Terms. Capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them on Schedule A.
1.2 Other Referential Provisions.
(a) All terms in this Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules shall have the same defined meanings when used in any other Factoring Documents, unless the context shall require otherwise.
(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not specifically defined or specified herein shall have the meanings generally attributed to such terms under GAAP including, without limitation, applicable statements and interpretations issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and bulletins, opinions, interpretations and statements issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or its committees.
(c) All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders; the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
(d) The words hereof, herein, hereto and hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provisions of this Agreement.
(e) Titles of Articles and Sections in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement, and all references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Subsections, paragraphs, clauses, sub clauses, Schedules or Exhibits shall refer to the corresponding Article, Section, Subsection, paragraph, clause or sub clause of, or Schedule or Exhibit attached to, this Agreement, unless specific reference is made to the articles, sections or other subdivisions or divisions of, or to schedules or exhibits to, another document or instrument.
(f) Each definition of or reference to a document in this Agreement shall include such document as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
(g) Except where specifically restricted, reference to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and permitted assigns.
(h) Any and all terms used in this Agreement which are defined in the UCC shall be construed and defined in accordance with the meaning and definition ascribed to such terms under the UCC, unless otherwise defined herein.
(i) The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Reference to any law, constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule or ordinance, including any section or other part thereof (each, for purposes of this paragraph (i), a law), shall refer to that law as amended from time to time and shall include any successor law.
1.3 Exhibits and Schedules. All Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Section 2. Purchase & Sale of Accounts.
2.1 Purchase of Accounts. Immediately upon the creation of each and every Account of Client, such Account shall be sold to Factor hereunder. Upon such sale, Factor shall acquire all of Clients right, title and interest in and to all of Clients Accounts. Factor shall be the sole and exclusive owner of such Accounts with full power to collect and otherwise deal with such Accounts. All Accounts shall be submitted to Factor on a Schedule of Accounts listing each Account separately. The Schedule of Accounts shall be in such form as Factor may prescribe from time to time and shall be signed by an officer or authorized signer of the Client. Client may submit such Accounts electronically, by facsimile, by mail or other delivery service of Clients choosing that is approved by Factor. Any Accounts submitted electronically shall be submitted in such electronic format as Factor may require. At the time the Schedule of Accounts is presented, Client shall also deliver to Factor, if requested by Factor, one copy of an invoice for each Account together with evidence of shipment, furnishing and/or delivery of the Goods or rendition of service(s).
2.2 Credit Approval.
(a) Client shall submit to Factor the credit requirements of Clients Customers, a description of its selling terms and such other information as Factor may request. Factor may, in its sole credit judgment, establish credit lines for sales by Client to its Customers on its normal selling terms or such other terms as Factor may approve (Credit Lines). Client may also submit for credit approval specific orders from Customers and Factor may, in its sole credit judgment, approve such orders on a single order approval basis
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(Single Order Approval). Accounts arising under the terms of Credit Lines or Single Order Approvals are hereinafter referred to as Approved Accounts; Accounts not arising under Credit Lines or Single Order Approvals, and Accounts arising from sales to any foreign Customer (Foreign Accounts) are hereinafter referred to as Client Risk Accounts. Client agrees to pay Factor a fee of three-quarters of one percent (0.75%) of Foreign Account. All Credit Approvals must be in writing to be effective. Credit Approval(s) shall be limited to the specific terms and amounts indicated in either the Credit Line or Single Order Approval. If Goods are shipped or services are rendered based on a verbal approval, it is Clients responsibility to ensure that such Credit Approval is received in writing. Any Account for freight, samples, or miscellaneous sales (including the sale of Goods and/or in quantities not regularly sold by Client) shall always be a Client Risk Account, notwithstanding any written Credit Approval from Factor. For purposes of determining Factors Credit Approval hereunder, the Account(s) balance due Factor from any given Customer shall be calculated as the aggregate amount owed by that Customer less any credits to which such Customer may be entitled, and is not to be construed to mean individual invoices owed by that Customer.
(b) | Credit Approval(s) may be withdrawn, either orally or in writing, in Factors discretion at any time before actual delivery of Goods or rendering of services. Credit Approval(s) are automatically rescinded and withdrawn if: |
(i) | the terms of sale vary from the terms approved by Factor, or |
(ii) | the terms of sale are changed by Client without Factors prior written approval of the new terms, or |
(iii) | the Account is not assigned to Factor within ten days from the date of the invoice, or if the Goods are not delivered on or before the expiration of the Single Order Approval or if there is no expiration date, if the Goods are not delivered within 30 days of the date of the Single Order Credit Approval. |
If Accounts exceed either a Credit Line or Single Order Approval, only the amount in excess of the Credit Line or Single Order Approval shall be considered Client Risk Accounts, provided, however, that if Client ships Goods or provides services to a Customer who has outstanding Accounts owed to Client, and such Customers Credit Line and/or outstanding Single Order Approval(s) have been withdrawn by Factor, and the Accounts created by such shipment exceed ten percent (10%) of the total amount of Clients Accounts outstanding, any Credit Approvals applying to those Accounts shall be deemed cancelled and all outstanding Accounts from that Customer are Client Risk Accounts for all purposes.
(c) Factor shall have no liability of any kind for declining or refusing to give, or for withdrawing, revoking, or modifying, any Credit Approval pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or for exercising or failing to exercise any rights or remedies Factor may have under this Agreement or otherwise. In the event Factor declines to give Credit Approval on any order received by Client from a Customer and in advising Client of such decline Factor furnishes Client with information as to the credit standing of the Customer, such information shall be deemed to have been requested of Factor by Client and Factors advice containing such information is recognized as a privileged communication. Client agrees that such information shall not be given to Clients Customer or to Clients sales representative(s). If necessary, Client shall merely advise its Customer(s) that credit has been declined on the account and that any questions should be directed to Factor.
(d) Factor will assume the Credit Risk on Approved Accounts, i.e., if a Customer, after receiving and accepting the delivery of Goods or services (subject to all warranties herein) for which Factor has given written Credit Approval, fails to pay an Account when due, and such nonpayment is due solely to financial inability to pay, Factor shall bear any loss thereon up to the amount of the Credit Approval, subject to the terms and provisions stated herein or in the Credit Approval. If Factor fails to collect an Approved Account within 120 Days of its maturity solely due to the Customers financial inability to pay, Factor will pay the Purchase Price of such Approved Account to Client on the Collection Date. Specifically, Factor shall not be responsible for any nonpayment of a Credit Approved Account: (i) because of the assertion of any claim or Dispute by a Customer for any reason whatsoever, including, dispute as to price, terms of sales, delivery, quantity, quality, or other, or the exercise of any counterclaim or offset (whether or not such
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claim, counterclaim or offset relates to the specific Account); (ii) where nonpayment is a consequence of enemy attack, terrorism, natural disaster, civil commotion, strikes, lockouts, the act or restraint of public authorities, acts of God or force majeure; or (iii) if any representation or warranty made by Client to Factor in respect of such Account has been breached whether intentionally or unintentionally. The assertion of a Dispute by a Customer shall have the effect of negating any Credit Approval on the affected Approved Account(s) and such Approved Account(s) shall be deemed a Client Risk Account until paid or otherwise cleared from Factors books.
(e) Client shall bear the Credit Risk on all Client Risk Accounts; Factor shall have full recourse to Client for all Client Risk Accounts. Upon demand by Factor, Client shall pay to Factor the full amount of a Client Risk Account, together with all expenses incurred by Factor up to the date of such payment, including reasonable attorneys fees in attempting to collect or enforce such payment or payment of such Account(s).
(f) If monies are owing from a Customer for both Approved Accounts and Client Risk Accounts, Client agrees that any payments or credits applying to any Account owing by such Customer will be applied: first, to any Approved Accounts outstanding on Factors books and second, to any Client Risk Account outstanding on Factors books. This order of payment applies regardless of the respective dates the sales occurred and regardless of any notations on payment items.
2.3 Purchase Price.
(a) On the Collection Date applicable to an Account, Factor shall pay to Client the Purchase Price for such Account, less (i) any Reserve or credit balance that Factor, in Factors sole discretion, determines to hold, (ii) Advances, moneys remitted, paid, or otherwise advanced by Factor to or on behalf of Client (including any amounts which Client may reasonably be obligated to pay in the future), (iii) any other charges provided for by this Agreement or otherwise due Factor by Client, and (iv) any deductions taken by the Customer in connection with such Account.
(b) No discount, credit, allowance or deduction with respect to any Account in excess of $10,000 shall be granted or approved by Client to any Customer without the prior written consent of Factor unless such discount, credit, allowance or deduction is shown on the face of an invoice at the time such invoice is submitted to Factor. Client agrees to give Factor notice of all discounts, credits, allowances or deductions in excess of $10,000.
(c) Client shall pay to Factor or Factor may charge Clients account with Factor or to the Reserve, the amount of any payment that Factor receives with respect to a Client Risk Account if Factor is subsequently required to return such payment, whether as a result of any proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise.
(d) Client agrees to repurchase (i) any Account upon the breach of any representations or warranties relating to such Account or upon a Default hereunder, (ii) any Client Risk Account that is more than ninety (90) days past due, and (iii) any Approved Account at any time after the assertion of a Dispute.
2.4 Reserve. Factor shall be entitled to withhold a Reserve, and may revise the Reserve at any time and from time to time if Factor deems it necessary to do so in order to protect Factors interests. Factor may charge against the Reserve any amount for which Client may be obligated to Factor at any time, whether under the terms of this Agreement, or otherwise, including but not limited to the repayment of any damages suffered by Factor as a result of Clients breach of any provision hereof (whether intentional or unintentional), any adjustments due and any attorneys fees, costs and disbursements due. Client recognizes that the Reserve represents bookkeeping entries only and not cash funds. It is further agreed that with respect to the balance in the Reserve, Factor is authorized to withhold, without giving prior notice to Client, such payments and credits otherwise due to Client under the terms of this Agreement for reasonably anticipated claims or to adequately satisfy reasonably anticipated Obligation(s) Client may owe Factor. In addition to the foregoing, Factor shall be entitled to withhold a Reserve of $500,000 from collections of Foreign Accounts arising from the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Canada. In the
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Reserve event the amount of Foreign Accounts arising from the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Canada drops below $500,000, the amount to bring the balance back up to $500,000 will be taken from the Domestic Accounts.
2.5 Notice Of Purchase. All invoices submitted to Customers by Client shall plainly state on their face that the amounts payable thereunder are payable to Factor at such lockbox address as Factor may designate to Client in writing from time to time.
Section 3. Account Advances.
3.1 Account Advances. In Factors sole discretion, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Factor may from time to time advance to Client up to seventy-five percent (75.0%) of the aggregate Net Invoice Amount of Domestic Accounts outstanding at the time any such Account Advance is made, except Factor may, in Factors sole discretion, advance to Client up to fifty percent (50.0%) of the aggregate Net Invoice Amount of Costco Accounts outstanding at the time any such advance is made, in either case provided that dilution is ten percent (10%) or less on a trailing 12 month basis, less: (1) Any such Accounts that are in Dispute; (2) any such Accounts that are not acceptable to Factor in its sole discretion; (3) the amount of the Reserve; and (4) any interest, fees and other items, actual or estimated, that are chargeable to the Reserve. The Account Advances shall be reduced by a minimum of two percent (2.0%) for every one percent (1.0%) of dilution in excess of ten percent (10.0%). Factor shall not make account advances to Client for Foreign Accounts at any time.
3.2 Maximum Credit Facility Amount. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall the total of the outstanding Account Advances exceed Three Million and No/100 Dollars ($3,000,000) at any one time (Maximum Credit Facility Amount), and Client shall immediately pay to Factor any and all amounts necessary to reduce the aggregate outstanding Account Advances below such limit.
Section 4. Collections/Repayment.
4.1 Collections.
(a) Factor shall have the right at any time with or without notice to Client, to notify any or all Customers of the sale and assignment of the Accounts and pledge of the Collateral to Factor and to direct such Customers to make payment of all amounts due or to become due to Client directly to Factor. Client agrees not to change any of such instructions or to give its Customers different instructions so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect. To the extent there are no Obligations of Client owed to Factor hereunder and so long as Client is not in Default, Factor shall be deemed to have received any such proceeds of Accounts and other Collateral in excess of that to which Factor is entitled as Owner of the Accounts or repayment in full of any Obligations, as a pure pass-through for and on account of Client.
(b) Factor, as the sole and absolute owner of the Accounts, shall have the sole and exclusive power and authority to collect each such Account, through legal action or otherwise, and Factor may, in its sole discretion, settle, compromise, or assign (in whole or in part) any of such Accounts, or otherwise exercise, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, any other right now existing or hereafter arising with respect to any of such Accounts.
(c) Should Client receive payment of all or any portion of any Account or other Collateral, Client shall immediately notify Factor of the receipt of such payment, hold such payment in trust for Factor separate and apart from Clients own property and funds, and shall deliver such payment to Factor without delay in the identical form in which received. Should Client receive any check or other payment instrument with respect to any Account or other Collateral and fail to surrender and deliver to Factor such check or payment instrument within five (5) days, Factor shall be entitled to charge Client a Misdirected Payment Fee to compensate Factor for the additional administrative expenses that the parties acknowledge are likely to be incurred as a result of such breach.
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(d) In the event any Goods, the sale of which gave rise to an Account, are returned to or repossessed by Client, such Goods shall be held by Client in trust for Factor, separate and apart from Clients own property, and stored in the United States of America, subject to Factors sole direction, access and control and, if applicable, subject to a lien waiver, subordination agreement or similar agreement acceptable to Factor.
(e) Client agrees to notify Factor promptly in writing of any credit loss, or anticipated credit loss, for Approved Accounts, such notice in any event to be received by Factor no longer than 120 days after the maturity date of the invoice (based on its longest optional terms). Clients failure to provide such notice to Factor within the 120 day period shall result in Client assuming the entire Credit Risk on such Account, and Factor shall be deemed free of any such Credit Risk.
4.2 Repayment.
(a) Client hereby unconditionally promises to pay all Advances, Letters of Credit Obligations and all other Obligations. All Advances and Obligations shall bear interest at the rate set forth in subsection 5.1 below until paid in full. All Advances and all other Obligations shall be immediately due and payable upon termination of this Agreement for any reason.
(b) The Purchase Price and all other amounts received by Factor will be paid to Client by crediting same to Clients account with Factor on the Collection Date. The Purchase Price and all other amounts so credited to Clients account with Factor shall be applied first to all fees and expenses due Factor, next to accrued interest, and then to Account Advances, provided, however, that the allocation of Credit Risk shall be governed by Section 2.2 hereof.
(c) Client shall make each payment required hereunder or under any other Factoring Document without setoff, deduction or counterclaim.
(d) Unless payment is otherwise timely made by Client, the becoming due of any amount required to be paid under this Agreement or any other Factoring Documents as principal, accrued interest, expenses or fees shall be deemed irrevocably to be a request by Client for an Account Advance or Inventory Advance on the due date of, and in the amount required to pay, such principal, accrued interest or fees or expenses and the proceeds of each such Account Advances if made by Factor, shall be disbursed by Factor by way of direct payment of such Obligation.
Section 5. Interest and Fees.
5.1 Interest.
(a) Client will pay Factor or, at Factors option, Factor may charge Clients account with, interest on the average daily net principal amount of all Obligations outstanding hereunder, calculated monthly and payable on the first day of each calendar month, at a rate (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal to the sum of (i) LIBOR, plus (ii) five and three-quarters percent (5.75%) (the Interest Rate). The Interest Rate may not be the lowest or best rate at which Factor calculates interest or extends credit. The Interest Rate for each calendar month shall be adjusted (if necessary) on the first day of such calendar month and shall be equal to the Interest Rate in effect as of the close of business on the last Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar month.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
LIBOR means, at any time, an interest rate per annum equal to the interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) as published in the Money Rates section of The Wall Street Journal (or another national publication selected by Factor) as the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate for United States dollar deposits (or, if such page shall cease to be publicly available or, if the information/description contained on such page, in Factors sole judgment, shall cease to accurately reflect such London Interbank Offered Rate, then such
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rate as reported by any publicly available recognized source of similar market data selected by Factor that, in Factors reasonable judgment, accurately reflects such London Interbank Offered Rate).
(b) Market Disruption Event. If, at any time, Factor determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that (i) by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market generally, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for the following month as provided in subsection (a) hereof, or (b) disruptions in the short term money markets have materially and adversely affected Factors cost of funds such that the interest rate hereunder does not adequately or fairly reflect Factors cost of making, funding or maintaining the loan hereunder, a Market Disruption Event will be deemed to have occurred and Factor shall promptly notify Client thereof. The rate of interest hereunder (the Adjusted Rate of Interest) shall be adjusted and shall thereafter be a rate equal to the sum of (x) the rate that Factor determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding), expressed as a percentage rate per annum, to be the cost to Factor of funding the loan from whatever source it may reasonably elect, plus (y) the Interest Margin. Factor shall give prompt notice to Client of the Adjusted Rate of Interest.
Client shall begin to be charged interest at the Adjusted Rate of Interest effective as of the first day of the month following the month in which Factor provides notice thereof to Client; provided, however, that if Client is unwilling to accept the Adjusted Rate of Interest, it may terminate this Agreement and prepay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the Adjusted Rate of Interest without paying a prepayment fee.
(c) If during any month, a net credit balance exists (i.e., the Reserve or credit balance exceeds outstanding Accounts), then Factor shall credit Clients account as of the last day of each month with interest at a rate equal to zero percent (0.0%) or one percent (1.0%) below LIBOR.
(d) Interest shall be charged to Clients account with Factor as of the last day of each month and shall constitute Obligations. Any adjustment in Factors interest rate, whether downward or upward will become effective on the first day of the month following the month in which Interest Rate is reduced or increased. All interest shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days.
(e) To the extent permitted by law and without limiting any other right or remedy of Factor hereunder, whenever there is a Default under this Agreement, the rate of interest on the Obligations shall, at the option of Factor, be increased to a default interest rate by adding five percent (5.0%) to the highest interest rate otherwise in effect hereunder. Factor may charge such default interest rate retroactively beginning on the date the applicable Default first occurred or existed. Client acknowledges that: (i) such additional rate is a material inducement to Factor to purchase Accounts or consider requests for Advances hereunder; (ii) Factor would not have made the Advances in the absence of the agreement of Client to pay such additional rate; (iii) such additional rate represents compensation for increased risk to Factor that Factor will not be repaid; and (iv) such rate is not a penalty and represents a reasonable estimate of (A) the cost to Factor in allocating its resources (both personnel and financial) to the ongoing review, monitoring, administration or collection of the Advances and Obligations, and (B) compensation to Factor for losses that are difficult to ascertain. In the event of termination of this Agreement by either party hereto, Factors entitlement to this charge will continue until all Obligations are paid in full.
(f) IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES HERETO THAT AS TO ALL ACCOUNTS, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL CONSTITUTE A TRUE PURCHASE AND SALE OF ACCOUNT(S) UNDER § 9-318 OF THE UCC AS IN EFFECT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND AS SUCH, THE CLIENT SHALL HAVE NO LEGAL OR EQUITABLE INTEREST IN SUCH PROPERTY SOLD. NEVERTHELESS, IN THE EVENT ANY PORTION OF THIS TRANSACTION IS CHARACTERIZED AS A LOAN AND AS IT RELATES TO THE INVENTORY ADVANCE, THE PARTIES HERETO INTEND TO CONTRACT IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE USURY LAW FROM TIME TO TIME IN EFFECT. IN FURTHERANCE THEREOF SUCH PARTIES STIPULATE AND AGREE
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THAT NONE OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL EVER BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE A CONTRACT TO PAY, FOR THE USE, FORBEARANCE OR DETENTION OF MONEY, INTEREST IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM RATE (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED) FROM TIME TO TIME IN EFFECT. NEITHER CLIENT, ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE GUARANTOR OR ANY OTHER PERSON HEREAFTER BECOMING LIABLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL EVER BE LIABLE FOR ANY OBLIGATION THAT MAY BE CHARACTERIZED AS UNEARNED INTEREST THEREON OR SHALL EVER BE REQUIRED TO PAY ANY OBLIGATION THAT MAY BE CHARACTERIZED AS INTEREST THEREON IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT MAY BE LAWFULLY CHARGED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW FROM TIME TO TIME IN EFFECT, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL CONTROL OVER ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT WHICH MAY BE IN CONFLICT THEREWITH. IF ANY INDEBTEDNESS OR OBLIGATION OWED BY CLIENT HEREUNDER IS DETERMINED TO BE IN EXCESS OF THE LEGAL MAXIMUM, OR FACTOR SHALL OTHERWISE COLLECT MONEYS WHICH ARE DETERMINED TO CONSTITUTE INTEREST WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE INCREASE THE INTEREST ON ALL OR ANY PART OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS TO AN AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF THAT PERMITTED TO BE CHARGED BY APPLICABLE LAW THEN IN EFFECT, THEN ALL SUCH SUMS DETERMINED TO CONSTITUTE INTEREST IN EXCESS OF SUCH LEGAL LIMIT SHALL, WITHOUT PENALTY, BE PROMPTLY APPLIED TO REDUCE THE THEN OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS OR, AT FACTORS OPTION, RETURNED TO CLIENT OR THE OTHER PAYOR THEREOF UPON SUCH DETERMINATION. IF AT ANY TIME THE RATE AT WHICH INTEREST IS PAYABLE HEREUNDER EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM RATE, THE AMOUNT OUTSTANDING HEREUNDER SHALL CEASE BEARING INTEREST UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF INTEREST ACCRUED HEREUNDER EQUALS (BUT DOES NOT EXCEED) THE MAXIMUM RATE APPLICABLE HERETO. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM APPLICABLE LAW MEANS THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR, IF DIFFERENT, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OR TERRITORY IN WHICH THE CLIENT RESIDES, WHICHEVER LAW ALLOWS THE GREATER RATE OF INTEREST, AS SUCH LAWS NOW EXIST OR MAY BE CHANGED OR AMENDED OR COME INTO EFFECT IN THE FUTURE AND THE TERM MAXIMUM RATE MEANS THE MAXIMUM NONUSURIOUS RATE OF INTEREST THAT FACTOR IS PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW TO CONTRACT FOR, TAKE, CHARGE OR RECEIVE WITH RESPECT TO THE OBLIGATIONS.
5.2 Commission.
(a) For Factors services hereunder, Client shall pay and Factor shall be entitled to receive a factoring Commission equal to seven-tenths of one percent (0.70%) of the gross invoice amount of each Account (Commission). The Commission shall be due and payable to Factor on the date of creation of each Account and shall be chargeable to Clients account with Factor. Factor shall be entitled to receive a surcharge equal to two percent (2.0%) of the gross invoice amount of all Accounts arising out of sales to any Customer that is a debtor-in-possession. All of the foregoing fees constitute compensation to Factor for services rendered and are not interest or a charge for the use of money.
(b) Factors Commission is based upon Clients maximum selling terms of ninety (90) days. Client will not grant additional dating to any Customer without Factors prior written approval. If Factor approves extended terms or additional dating, the rate of Commission shall be increased by one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the gross invoice amount of each Account for each 30 days or portion thereof of extended or additional dating.
5.3 Fees.
(a) All of the fees charged under this Agreement constitute compensation to Factor for services rendered and are not interest or a charge for the use of money. Each installment of such fees shall be fully earned when due and payable and shall not be subject to refund or rebate.
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(b) It is agreed by and between Client and Factor that Client shall pay Factor a facility fee in the amount of Two Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($2,000) per month, payable on the first day of each calendar month beginning with the first such date following the Agreement Date, and continuing so long as any loan shall remain outstanding or this Agreement shall not have been terminated.
Section 6. Collateral.
6.1 Security Interest. In order to secure the payment of all Account Advances and Obligations of Client to Factor, Client hereby grants to Factor a first priority security interest in and lien upon and assigns, mortgages and pledges to Factor all of Clients right, title and interest in and to all of Clients presently existing or hereafter arising Collateral wherever located.
6.2 Perfection/Further Assurances. Client agrees to comply with all appropriate laws in order to perfect Factors security interest in and to the Collateral and to execute such documents as Factor may require from time to time. Client authorizes Factor to file at such times and places as Factor may designate such financing statements, continuations and amendments thereto as are necessary or desirable to perfect Factors rights in and give notice of Factors purchase of the Accounts under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable jurisdiction and Factors security interest in the Collateral. Factor may at any time and from time to time file financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto that describe the Collateral as all assets of Client or words of similar effect and which contain any other information required by Part 5 of Article 9 of the applicable UCC for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statement, continuation statement or amendment, including whether Client is an organization, the type of organization and any organization identification number issued to Client. Client agrees to furnish any such information to Factor promptly upon request. Any such financing statements, continuation statements or amendments may be signed by Factor on behalf of Client or filed by Factor without the signature of Client and may be filed at any time in any jurisdiction. Client acknowledges that it is not authorized to file any financing statement or amendment or termination statement with respect to any financing statement naming Client as the debtor and Factor as the secured party without the prior written consent of Factor, and Client agrees that it shall not do so without the prior written consent of Factor. Client hereby ratifies any UCC financing statements previously filed by Factor.
6.3 Collateral Representations, Warranties & Covenants
(a) Client is the sole owner and holder of all Collateral and there is no security interest, Lien, judgment or other encumbrance in or affecting such Accounts or any of the other Collateral except for Permitted Liens;
(b) The Collateral is located at the locations set forth on Schedule 6.3 (b) hereof and at no other location. Client shall provide written notice to Factor of any change in the locations at which it keeps its Collateral at least thirty (30) days prior to any such change. Client shall obtain from any landlord, warehouseman, or other third party operator of premises on which any Collateral is located an acceptable lien waiver or subordination agreement in Factors favor with respect to such Collateral. In the event that any Collateral, including proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, Client shall, immediately endorse and assign such Negotiable Collateral over to Factor and deliver actual physical possession of the Negotiable Collateral to Factor. Client shall at any time and from time to time take such steps as Factor may request for Factor (i) to obtain an acknowledgment, in form and substance satisfactory to Factor, of any bailee having possession of any of the Collateral that such bailee holds such Collateral for Factor, (ii) to obtain control of any investment property, deposit accounts, letter-of-credit rights or electronic chattel paper in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC, with any agreements establishing control to be in form and substance satisfactory to Factor, and (iii) otherwise to insure the continued perfection and priority of Factors security interest in the Collateral and of the preservation of its rights therein other than the Inventory in Mexico.
(c) Accounts. The Accounts are a valid, bona fide account, representing an undisputed indebtedness incurred by the named Customer for goods actually sold and delivered or for services
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completely rendered. Other than those discounts, allowances and deductions set forth on the face of the invoice at the time it was created, there are and shall be no set-offs, allowances, discounts, deductions, counterclaims, or disputes with respect to any Account. Client shall inform Factor, in writing, immediately upon learning that there exists any Dispute. Without prior notice to Factor, Client shall accept no returns greater than $10,000 at any one time and shall grant no allowance or credit to any Customer greater than $10,000 at any one time. If required by Factor, Client shall submit to Factor credit memos itemized on a separate Schedule of Accounts for all returns and allowances made during the previous week. At Factors option, Factor may require that Client pay Factor for the amount of such credit memos, or in Factors sole and exclusive discretion, Factor may agree to accept the Schedule of Accounts and apply same to Clients Reserve.
(d) Inventory. Client will maintain Inventory at the locations set forth on Schedule 6.3 (b) hereof subject to a perfected, first-priority Lien in favor of Factor (other than Inventory located in Mexico). Sales of Inventory will be made in compliance with all material requirements of applicable law. Client covenants and agrees:
(i) To notify Factor immediately of any event causing loss or depreciation in the value of Inventory and the amount of such loss or depreciation;
(ii) To keep correct current stock, cost and sales records of Clients Inventory, accurately and sufficiently itemizing and describing the kinds, type, and quantities of Inventory and the cost and selling prices thereof, all of which records shall be continuously available to Factor for inspection, and Factor shall at all reasonable times have access to and the right to inspect and draw off data from any of Clients other books and records for the purposes of checking and verifying all such statements, stock, cost and sales records;
(iii) At all reasonable times and from time to time, by or through any of Clients officers, agents, attorneys, or accountants, permit Factor to examine or inspect the Inventory wherever located and, for such purposes, to enter upon Clients premises or wherever any of the Inventory may be found; and
(iv) Until Default, Client may use the Inventory in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this Agreement or with the terms or conditions of any policy of insurance thereon, may use and consume any raw materials or supplies, the use and consumption of which is necessary in order to carry on Clients business, and may also sell the Inventory in the ordinary course of business. (A sale in the ordinary course of business does not include a transfer in partial or total satisfaction of a debt owing by Client to any person other than Factor.)
(e) Equipment. Client will maintain all Equipment used or useful in Clients business in good and workable condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, subject to a perfected, first-priority security interest in Factors favor and free and clear of all other Liens except as set forth on Schedule 6.3 (e) at one of the locations set forth on Schedule 6.3(b).
(f) Defense of Title. All Collateral will at all times be owned by Client, and Client will defend Clients title to the Collateral against the claims of third parties. Client will at all times keep accurate and complete records of the Collateral.
(g) Insurance. Client will obtain and maintain in full force and effect insurance covering the Collateral against all risks to which the Collateral is exposed, including loss, damage, fire, theft, and all other such risks, in such amounts, with such companies, under such policies and in such form as will be satisfactory to Factor, which policies will name Factor as an additional insured and provide that loss thereunder will be payable to Factor as Factors interests may appear upon a loss payee endorsement acceptable to Factor. All proceeds of any such insurance will be paid over to Factor directly, and Factor may apply such proceeds to payment of the Obligations, whether or not due, in such order of application as Factor determines or, in Factors sole discretion, apply such proceeds, in whole or in part, to the replacement, restoration or rebuilding of the lost or damaged property. Client will provide to Factor from time to time certificates showing such coverage in effect and, at Factors request, the underlying policies.
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(h) Commercial Tort Claims. If Client shall at any time acquire a commercial tort claim, Client shall immediately notify Factor in a writing signed by Client of the details thereof and grant to Factor in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to Factor.
Section 7. Power of Attorney.
7.1 Power of Attorney. Client hereby grants to Factor an irrevocable power of attorney authorizing and permitting Factor, at its option, without notice to Client to do any or all of the following: (a) endorse the name of Client on any checks or other evidences of payment whatsoever that may come into the possession of Factor regarding Accounts or Collateral, including checks received by Factor pursuant to Section 9 hereof; (b) receive, open and dispose of any mail addressed to Client and put Factors address on any statements mailed to Customers; (c) pay, settle, compromise, prosecute or defend any action, claim, conditional waiver and release, or proceeding relating to Accounts or Collateral; (d) upon the occurrence of a Default, notify in the name of the Client, the U.S. Post Office to change the address for delivery of mail addressed to Client to such address as Factor may designate, however, Factor shall turn over to Client all such mail not relating to Accounts or Collateral; (e) file any financing statement deemed necessary or appropriate by Factor to protect Factors interest in and to the Accounts or Collateral, or under any provision of this Agreement; (f) effect debits to any deposit account or other account that Client or Clients principals who have executed a guaranty agreement maintain at any bank for any sums due to or from the Client under this Agreement; (g) upon a Default, to prepare and mail all invoices relating to Accounts; and (h) to take all actions necessary and proper in order to carry out this Agreement. The authority granted to Factor herein is irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and all Obligations are fully satisfied.
Section 8. Clients Representations, Covenants and Warranties.
Section 8.1 Clients Representations, Covenants and Warranties. Client represents, warrants and covenants to Factor that:
(a) Client is a corporation or limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware and is qualified and authorized to do business and is in good standing in all states in which such qualification and good standing are necessary or desirable;
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by Client of this Agreement does not and will not constitute a violation of any applicable law, violation of Clients articles of incorporation or organization or bylaws or any material breach of any other document, agreement or instrument to which Client is a party or by which Client is bound. The Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Client enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
(c) Clients address, as set forth below its signature line hereto, is Clients mailing address, its chief executive office, principal place of business and the office where all of the books and records concerning the Accounts and/or Collateral are maintained which shall not be changed without giving thirty (30) days prior written notice to Factor;
(d) Client shall maintain its books and records in accordance with GAAP and shall reflect on its books the absolute sale of the Accounts to Factor. Client shall furnish Factor, upon request, such information and statements, as Factor shall require from time to time regarding Clients business affairs, financial condition and results of its operations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Client shall provide Factor, (i) on or prior to the 30th day of each month, unaudited financial statements with respect to the prior month, (ii) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of Clients quarters, unaudited financial statements (on a fiscal year-to-date basis), (iii) within ninety (90) days after the end of each of Clients fiscal years, audited financial statements (on a fiscal year-to-date basis) prepared by a CPA acceptable to Factor, (iv) prior to the Agreement Date and annually thereafter, projected income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows by month for the next year, (v) within 30 days of each month-end, a certificate from the president or chief financial officer of Client stating whether any Default has occurred and stating the nature of the Default, (vi) within 10 days of each month end, a detailed listing of
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Inventory with a cover summary report, (vii) within 10 days of each month-end, a current listing of all open and unpaid accounts payable, and (viii) such other information as Factor may request. All financial statements and reports furnished to Factor hereunder shall be prepared and all financial computations and determinations pursuant hereto shall be made in accordance with GAAP;
(e) Client has paid and will pay all taxes and governmental charges imposed with respect to sale of Goods and rendition of services and shall furnish to Factor upon request satisfactory proof of payment and compliance with all federal, state and local tax requirements;
(f) Client will promptly notify Factor of (i) the filing of any lawsuit against Client involving amounts greater than $100,000.00, and (ii) any attachment or any other legal process levied against Client;
(g) The application made and information delivered by or on behalf of Client in connection with this Agreement, and the statements made therein are true and correct at the time that this Agreement is executed. There is no fact which Client has not disclosed to Factor in writing which could materially adversely affect the properties, business or financial condition of Client, or any of the Accounts or Collateral, or which is necessary to disclose in order to keep the foregoing representations and warranties from being misleading;
(h) In no event shall the funds paid to Client hereunder be used directly or indirectly for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes;
(i) Client does business under no trade or assumed names except as indicated below. These names are a trade name and/or tradestyle by which Client will or may identify and sell certain of its products and under which Client will or may conduct a portion of its business, and are not an independent corporation or other legal entity. Factor is hereby authorized to receive, endorse and deposit any and all checks sent to it in payment of such Accounts including such checks as are payable to any of the trade styles or tradenames. Accounts invoiced in the name of any tradename or tradestyle are subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement with the same force and effect as if they were in Clients corporate name.
Tradenames or Tradestyles: | Meade | |||
Meade.com | ||||
Coronado |
(j) Any invoice or written communication that is issued by Client to Factor by facsimile transmission is a duplicate of the original;
(k) Any electronic communication of data, whether by e-mail, tape, disk, or otherwise that Client remits or causes to be remitted to Factor shall be authentic and genuine; and
(l) Client does not own, control or exercise dominion over, in any way whatsoever, the business of any Account or Customer.
(m) Client represents and warrants to Factor that: (i) Client is not engaged as one of Clients principal activities in owning, carrying or financing the purchase or ownership by others of margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System); (ii) Client owns no real property and leases no real property other than as listed on Schedule 8.1 (m); (iii) a true, correct and complete list of any warehousemen, processors, consignees or other bailees with possession or control of any Inventory is set forth on Schedule 6.3 (b); and (iv) a list and brief description of all bank accounts maintained by Client with any bank or financial institution is set forth on Schedule 8.1 (m);
8.2 Negative Covenants .
(a) No Merger. Client will not merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell, transfer, lease, abandon, or otherwise dispose of a substantial portion of Clients assets or any of the Collateral or any interest therein, except that, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, Client may sell Inventory in the ordinary course of Clients business.
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(b) No Debt or Liens; Taxes. Client will not obtain or attempt to obtain from any Person other than Factor any loans, Account Advances, or other financial accommodations or indebtedness of any kind, nor will Factor enter into any direct or indirect guaranty of any obligation of another Person. Client will not permit any of Clients assets or any part of the Collateral to be subject to any Lien. Client shall pay when due (or before the expiration of any extension period) any tax or other assessment (including all required payments or deposits with respect to withholding taxes), and Client will, upon request by Factor, promptly furnish Factor with proof satisfactory to Factor that Client has made such payments and deposits.
(c) No Distributions. Client will not retire, repurchase or redeem any of Clients capital stock or other ownership interest in Client, nor declare or pay any dividend in cash or other property (other than additional shares of capital stock or additional ownership interests) to any owner or holder of Clients shares or other ownership interest.
(d) No ERISA Liabilities. Client will make timely payments of all contributions required to meet the minimum funding standards for Clients employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended, ERISA) and will promptly report to Factor the occurrence of any reportable event (as defined in ERISA) and any giving or receipt by Client of any governmental notice (other than routine requests for information) in respect of any such plan.
(e) Transactions with Affiliates. Client will not engage in any transaction with any of Clients officers, directors, employees, owners or other affiliates, except for an arms-length transaction on terms no less favorable to Client than would be granted to Client in a transaction with a Person who is not an affiliate, which transaction shall be approved by Clients disinterested directors and shall be disclosed in a timely manner to Client prior to the consummation of the transaction.
(f) Loans/Investments. Client will not make any loans or Account Advances to or extend any credit to any Person except (i) the extension of trade credit in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) Account Advances to employees not to exceed an aggregate outstanding amount of $10,000 at any one time outstanding for all employees. Client shall not purchase, acquire or otherwise invest in any Person except: (A) existing investments in Clients subsidiaries described on Schedule 8.2 (f); (B) direct obligations of the United States of America maturing within one year from the acquisition thereof; (C) certificates of deposit issued by, or investment accounts in, banks or financial institutions having a net worth of not less than $50,000,000; and (D) commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard & Poors Ratings Group or P-1 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Client shall not create any new subsidiary.
(g) Capital Expenditures. Client shall give Factor notice of any capital expenditures in excess of $450,000 during any fiscal year.
Section 9. Administration.
9.1 Disputes/Chargebacks. Client shall notify Factor immediately upon the assertion by a Customer of a Dispute and Factor may charge such Account back to Client. Factor may charge back to Client all amounts owing on Client Risk Accounts at any time either before or after the due date. Client indemnifies and holds Factor harmless from and against any and all loss, costs and expenses arising out of Disputes or Client Risk Accounts, including collection and attorneys fees with respect thereto. A chargeback shall not be deemed a reassignment of an Account and title thereto and to the Goods represented thereby shall remain in Factor until such time as Factor executes a reassignment of the Account.
9.2 Expenses. Client shall pay all costs incurred by Factor pursuant to this Agreement, including search and filing fees, wire and ACH transfer fees, audit and field examination fees, legal fees (including the allocated cost of internal counsel) for preparation of this Agreement and any other Factoring Documents and the perfection, preservation and enforcement of any of Factors rights hereunder.
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9.3 Credit Inquiries. Client authorizes Factor to disclose such information as Factor deems appropriate to Persons making credit inquiries about Client.
9.4 Persons Authorized to Request Advances. Client hereby authorizes and directs Factor to make Advances to or for the benefit of Client upon receipt of instructions from any of the persons listed on Schedule 9.4. Factor shall have no liability whatsoever to Client or any other Person for acting upon any such instructions which Factor, in good faith, believes were given by any such person, and Factor shall have no duty to inquire as to the propriety of any disbursement. Factor is hereby authorized to make the loans provided for herein based on instructions received by facsimile, electronic mail, telephone or other method of communication from any of such persons. Although Factor shall make a reasonable effort to determine the persons identity, Factor shall not be responsible for determining the authenticity of any such instructions, and Factor may act on the instructions of anyone it perceives to be one of the persons authorized to request loans hereunder. Factor shall have the right to accept the instructions of any of the foregoing persons unless and until Factor actually receives from Client (in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement) written notice of termination of the authority of that person. Client may change persons designated to give Factor borrowing instructions only by delivering to Factor written notice of such change. Client will ensure that each telephone instruction from any person designated in or pursuant to this paragraph shall be followed by written confirmation of the request for disbursement in such form as Factor makes available to Client from time to time for such purpose; provided, however, that Clients failure to provide written confirmation of any telephonic instruction shall not invalidate such telephonic instruction.
9.5 Field Examinations. During the term of this Agreement and so long as there exists or has existed no Default, Factor may conduct up to four (4) field examinations per Contract Year; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of a Default and so long as it continues, Factor may conduct additional field examinations. Client agrees to pay to Factor an audit fee of $900 per auditor, per day (including partial days), plus all of Factors out-of-pocket travel and living expenses incurred while performing each field examination.
Section 10. Accounting Information.
10.1 Accounting Statements. Factor shall provide Client with information on the Accounts and a monthly reconciliation of the factoring relationship relating to billing, collection, Account Advances, Obligations and account maintenance such as aging, posting, error resolution and e-mailing or mailing of statements. All of the foregoing shall be in a format and in such detail, as Factor, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Factors books and records shall be admissible in evidence without objection as prima facie evidence of the status of the Accounts and Reserve between Factor and Client. Each statement, report, or accounting rendered or issued by Factor to Client shall be deemed conclusively accurate and binding on Client unless within thirty (30) days after the date of issuance Client notifies Factor to the contrary pursuant to Section 13 hereof, setting forth with specificity the reasons why Client believes such statement, report, or accounting is inaccurate, as well as what Client believes to be correct amount(s) therefore. If the Client gives notice of its disagreement with Factors statement, all matters in such statement that are not objected to in Clients notice, shall be deemed conclusively accurate and binding on Client. Clients failure to receive any monthly statement shall not relieve it of the responsibility to request such statement and Clients failure to do so shall nonetheless bind Client to whatever Factors records would have reported.
10.2 Inspections. Factor shall have the right at any time, at Clients expense, to visit and inspect Clients books and records, and to make and take away copies of Clients books and records.
Section 11. Defaults and Remedies.
11.1 Default. A Default shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder upon the happening of one or more of the following: (a) Client shall fail to pay as and when due any amount owed to Factor; (b) any
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Obligor shall breach any covenant, warranty or representation set forth herein or in any Factoring Document or same shall be untrue when made; (c) any Obligor becomes insolvent in that its debts are greater than the fair value of its assets or is unable to pay its debts as they mature, or admits in writing that it is insolvent or unable to pay its debts, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, makes a conveyance fraudulent as to creditors under any state or federal law, or a proceeding is instituted by or against any Obligor alleging that such Obligor is insolvent or unable to pay debts as they mature, or a petition under any provision of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any state insolvency proceeding is filed by or against any Obligor; (d) any involuntary lien, garnishment, attachment or the like shall be issued against or shall attach to the Accounts, the Collateral or any portion thereof and the same is not released within ten (10) days; (e) any Obligor suffers the entry against it for a final judgment for the payment of money in excess of $100,000.00, unless the same is discharged within thirty (30) days after the date of entry thereof or an appeal or appropriate proceeding for review thereof is taken within such periods and a stay of execution pending such appeal is obtained; (f) any report, certificate, schedule, financial statement, profit and loss statement or other statement furnished by Client, or by any Obligor or other person on behalf of Client, to Factor is not true and correct in any material respect; (g) Obligor shall have a federal or state tax lien filed against any of its properties, or shall fail to pay any federal or state tax when due, or shall fail to file any federal or state tax form as and when due; (h) a material adverse change shall have occurred in Obligors financial conditions, business or operations; (i) any suspension of the operation of Obligors present business; (j) dissolution, merger, or consolidation of any Obligor that is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company; (k) transfer of a substantial part (determined by market value) of the property of any Obligor; (l) sale, transfer or exchange, either directly or indirectly, of a controlling stock or equity ownership interest of any Obligor; (m) termination, unenforceability or withdrawal of any guaranty for the Obligations, or failure of any Obligor to perform any of its obligations under such a guaranty or assertion by any Obligor that it has no liability or obligation under such a guaranty, (n) a default or event of default shall occur under the terms of any agreement between Client and Factor, or (o) Client shall breach any covenant or fail to perform any covenant in any agreement between Client and Factor. .
11.2 Remedies. (a) Upon a Default, Factor may, without demand or notice to Client, exercise all rights and remedies available to it under this Agreement, under the UCC or otherwise, including terminating this Agreement and declaring all Obligations immediately due and payable, provided, however, that in the event a Default occurs under subsection (c) of Section 11.1, such termination and acceleration shall occur automatically without any notice, demand or presentment of any kind.
(b) Without notice to or demand upon Client or any other Person, Factor may make such payments and do such acts as Factor considers necessary or reasonable to protect its security interest in the Collateral. Client authorizes Factor to enter each premises where any Collateral is located, take and maintain possession of the Collateral, or any part of it, and to pay, purchase, contest or compromise any lien which in Factors opinion appears to be prior or superior to its security interest and to pay all expenses incurred in connection therewith. Factor may ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale and sell the Collateral. Any such sale may be either a public or private sale, or both, by way of one or more contracts or transactions, for cash or on terms. It is not necessary that the Collateral be present at any such sale.
(c) Factor shall be entitled to any form of equitable relief that may be appropriate without having to establish that any remedy at law is inadequate or other grounds. Factor shall be entitled to freeze, debit and/or effect a set-off against any fund or account Client may maintain with any bank. In the event Factor deems it necessary to seek equitable relief, including but not limited to injunctive or receivership remedies, as a result of a Default, Client waives any requirement that Factor post or otherwise obtain or procure any bond. Alternatively, in the event Factor, in its sole and exclusive discretion, desires to procure and post a bond, Factor may procure and file with the court a bond in an amount up to and not greater than $100,000.00 notwithstanding any common or statutory law requirement to the contrary. Upon Factors posting of such bond it shall be entitled to all benefits as if such bond was posted in compliance with state law. Client waives any right it may be entitled to, including an award of attorneys fees or costs, in the event any equitable relief sought by and awarded to Factor is thereafter, for whatever reason(s), vacated, dissolved or reversed.
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11.3 Cumulative Rights; Waivers. The occurrence of any Default shall entitle Factor to all of the default rights and remedies (without limiting the other rights and remedies exercisable by Factor either prior or subsequent to a Default) as available to a Secured Party under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any applicable jurisdiction. All rights, remedies and powers granted to Factor in this Agreement, or in any other instrument or agreement given by Client to Factor or otherwise available to Factor in equity or at law, are cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently with such other rights as Factor may have. These rights may be exercised from time to time as to all or any part of the Accounts hereunder or the Collateral as Factor in its discretion may determine. In the event that any part of the purchase of Accounts hereunder by Factor is construed to be a loan from Factor to Client, any Account Advances or payments made as the Purchase Price for all Accounts shall be secured by the Accounts and the Collateral. Factor may not be held to have waived its rights and remedies unless the waiver is in writing and signed by Factor. A waiver by Factor of a right, remedy or default under this Agreement on one occasion is not a waiver of any right, remedy or default on any subsequent occasion. No exercise by Factor of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by Factor of any default on Clients part shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by Factor shall constitute a waiver, election or acquiescence by it.
Section 12. Term.
12.1 Term. The Original Term of this Agreement shall be two (2) years from the Agreement Date (the Original Term). Client may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving not less than forty-five (45) days notice. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Factor may terminate this Agreement i) at any time without notice after the occurrence of a Default, or ii) assuming no Default hereunder, at any time by giving not less than forty-five (45) days notice. Notwithstanding payment in full of all Obligations by Client, any such notice of termination is conditioned on Clients delivery, to Factor, of a general release (General Release). Client understands that this provision constitutes a waiver of its rights under § 9-513 of the UCC. The substance and content of the General Release must be substantially similar to the example set forth on Schedule 12.1; provided, however, that the form of such General Release may be a separate document, or incorporated as part of a payoff letter, or incorporated as part of some other document. Factor shall not be required to record any terminations or satisfactions of any of Factors liens on the Collateral unless and until Client has executed and delivered to Factor said General Release and Client shall have no authority to do so without Factors express written consent. Any termination of this Agreement shall not affect Factors security interest in the Collateral and Factors ownership of the Accounts, and this Agreement shall continue to be effective, until all transactions entered into and Obligations incurred hereunder have been completed and satisfied in full. The expense reimbursement, repayment and indemnification provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement. All Obligations shall be immediately due and payable in full upon termination of this Agreement.
Section 13. Notices. Any notice or communication with respect to this Agreement shall be given in writing, sent by (i) personal delivery, or (ii) overnight delivery service with proof of delivery, or (iii) United States mail, first-class with postage prepaid, or registered or certified mail, or (iv) prepaid telegram, telex or telecopy, addressed to each party hereto at its address and to the attention of the person listed as set forth below the signatures of the parties to this Agreement. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given either at the time of personal delivery or, in the case of overnight delivery service or telecopy, on the next Business Day at the receiving location or in the case of mail, upon receipt. Factor may deliver to Client any notice under this Agreement via an email sent to the address set forth following Clients signature below, if sent by a system that will verify the date and time of delivery, and such email will be deemed received when the recipients server associated with the designated email address receives the email.
Section 14. Attorneys Fees. Client agrees to reimburse Factor upon demand for all reasonable attorneys fees, court costs and other expenses incurred by Factor in the preparation, negotiation and enforcement of this Agreement and protecting or enforcing its interest in the Accounts or the Collateral, or in the representation of Factor in connection with any bankruptcy case or insolvency proceeding involving Client, the Collateral, or any Accounts, including any defense of any Avoidance Claims (except to the extent related to Approved Accounts where no Dispute exists). Client hereby agrees to pay such fees, costs
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and expenses and Factor shall also have the right to charge the Reserve therefore. Notwithstanding the existence of any law, statute or rule, in any jurisdiction which may provide Client with a right to attorneys fees or costs, Client hereby waives any and all rights to hereafter seek attorneys fees or costs hereunder and Client agrees that Factor exclusively shall be entitled to indemnification and recovery of any and all attorneys fees or costs in respect to any litigation based hereon, arising out of, or related hereto, whether under, or in connection with, this and/or any agreement executed in conjunction herewith, or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether verbal or written) or actions of either party.
Section 15. Indemnity. Client hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless and defend Factor from and against any and all claims, judgments, liabilities, fees and expenses (including attorneys fees) which may be imposed upon, threatened or asserted against Factor at any time and from time to time in any way connected with this Agreement or the Collateral. The foregoing indemnification shall apply whether or not such indemnified claims are in any way or to any extent owed, in whole or in part, under any claim or theory of strict liability, or are caused, in whole or in part, by any negligent act or omission of Factor, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct of Factor.
Section 16. Severability. Each and every provision, condition, covenant and representation contained in this Agreement is, and shall be construed to be, a separate and independent covenant and agreement. If any term or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
Section 17. Parties in Interest. All grants, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that Client may not delegate or assign any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Factor. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Factor may, without consent of the Client, grant a security interest in, sell or assign, grant or sell participations in or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations hereunder to one or more Persons and, upon notice of such assignment, sale or grant of participation by Factor, to treat such assignee, transferee or participant as Factor for all purposes hereunder.
Section 18. Governing Law; Submission to Process and Venue. This Agreement shall be deemed a contract made under the laws of the State of California and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of California, without reference to the rules thereof relating to conflicts of law. Client hereby irrevocably submits itself to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the county of Los Angeles, California, and agrees and consents that service of process may be made upon it in any legal proceeding relating to this Agreement, the purchase of Accounts or any other relationship between Factor and Client by any means allowed under state or federal law. Client hereby waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, that any such proceeding, is brought in any inconvenient forum or that the venue thereof is improper.
Section 19. Entire Agreement/Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement amends, restates, consolidates, replaces and supersedes in their entirety the Original Agreements. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Original Agreements) embody the entire agreement and understanding between Factor and Client and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, including the Original Agreements. All Obligations (as defined in the Original Agreements) incurred by Client, and all security interests and liens granted by Client pursuant to the Original Agreements shall continue in full force and effect, subject to the terms hereof and not the Original Agreements, effective as of the Agreement Date hereof. All Obligations (as defined in the Original Agreements) that are outstanding under the Original Agreements are deemed to be Advances under this Agreement as of the Agreement Date. This Agreement is an amendment and a restatement of the Original Agreements and is not a novation, cancellation or accord and satisfaction of the Original Agreements. Any addendum or modification hereto must be signed by both parties and attached hereto in order to be effective.
Section 20. Acknowledgement and Agreement/Release. To induce Factor to enter into this Agreement and grant the accommodations set forth herein, Client (a) acknowledges and agrees that no right
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of offset, defense, counterclaim, claim or objection exists in favor of Client against Factor arising out of or with respect to the Original Agreements or any other Factoring Documents (as defined in the Original Agreements), the Obligations (as defined in the Original Agreements) or any other arrangement or relationship between Factor and Client, and (b) releases, acquits, remises and forever discharges Factor and is affiliates and all of their past, present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns from any and all claims, demands, actions and causes of action, whether at law or in equity, whether now accrued or hereafter maturing, and whether known or unknown, which Client now or hereafter may have by reason of any manner, cause or things to and including the date of this Agreement with respect to matters arising out of or with respect to the Original Agreements, any other Factoring Documents (as defined in the Original Agreements), the Obligations (as defined in the Original Agreements), or any other arrangement or relationship between Factor and Client.
Section 21. Miscellaneous.
(a) Client acknowledges that there is no, and it will not seek or attempt to establish any, fiduciary relationship between Factor and Client, and Client waives any right to assert, now or in the future, the existence or creation of any fiduciary relationship between Factor and Client in any action or proceeding (whether by way of claim, counterclaim, crossclaim or otherwise) for damages.
(b) This Agreement shall be deemed to be one of financial accommodation and not assumable by any debtor, trustee or debtor-in-possession in any bankruptcy proceeding without Factors express written consent and may be suspended in the event a petition in bankruptcy is filed by or against Client.
(c) In the event Clients principals, officers or directors form a new entity, whether corporate, partnership, limited liability company or otherwise, similar to that of Client during the term of this Agreement, such entity shall be deemed to have expressly assumed the obligations due Factor by Client under this Agreement. Upon the formation of any such entity, Factor shall be deemed to have been granted an irrevocable power of attorney with authority to file, on behalf of the newly formed successor business, a new UCC financing statement or other Uniform Commercial Code financing statement with the appropriate secretary of state or Uniform Commercial Code filing office. Factor shall be held-harmless and be relieved of any liability resulting from the filing of a financing statement or the resulting perfection of a lien in any of the successor entitys assets. In addition, Factor shall have the right to notify the successor entitys Customers of Factors lien rights, its right to collect all Accounts, and to notify any new factor or Factor who has sought to procure a competing lien of Factors right is in such successor entitys assets.
(d) Client expressly authorizes Factor to access the systems of and/or communicate with any shipping or trucking company in order to obtain or verify tracking, shipment or delivery status of any Goods regarding an Account.
(e) INTENTIONALLY RESERVED.
(f) Client shall indemnify Factor from any loss arising out of the assertion of any Avoidance Claim. Client shall notify Factor within two Business Days of it becoming aware of the assertion of an Avoidance Claim.
(g) Client agrees to execute any and all forms (i.e. Forms 8821 and/or 2848) that Factor may require in order to enable Factor to obtain and receive tax information issued by the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, or receive refund checks.
(h) The Client shall make each payment required hereunder, and/or under any instrument delivered hereunder, without setoff, deduction or counterclaim of any kind, whether any right of setoff, deduction or counterclaim arises pursuant to this Agreement, arises pursuant to applicable law or otherwise.
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(i) The terms of this Agreement and the other Factoring Documents are confidential and Client agrees not to disclose same to any party other than its accountants, attorneys and others that are in a confidential relationship with Client and who agree to treat this Agreement and the other Factoring documents and the contents of same as confidential, except as required by law (i.e. SEC filings).
(j) Client will cooperate with Factor in obtaining a control agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Factor with respect to Collateral consisting of: Deposit Accounts; Investment Property; Letter-of-Credit Rights; and electronic Chattel Paper.
Section 22. Advertising Release Agreement. Client hereby authorizes Factor to use the name of Client, together with variants of such names and related logotypes, in advertising and promoting Factor and the business transactions between Factor and Client through the use of so-called tombstones and similar publicity. Client hereby releases Factor, its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, employees and advertising agents, from any and all liability to Client arising out of or related to the exercise of the rights hereby granted to Factor.
Section 23. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue, Waiver of Jury Trial and Service of Process. (A) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED AND THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS EXECUTED, DELIVERED AND PERFORMED WITHIN SUCH STATE, AND CLIENT HEREBY AGREES TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, AND WAIVE PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON CLIENT AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS BE CERTIFIED MAIL DIRECTED TO CLIENT AT ITS ADDRESS AS IT APPEARS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS AGREEMENT AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SAME SHALL HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE U. S. MAILS, CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, POSTAGE PREPAID. CLIENT WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE COURT. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT FACTORS RIGHT TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AFFECT FACTORS RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST CLIENT OR ITS PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(B) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (1) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR (2) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO. IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTIONS SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
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Section 24. Acknowledgment of Waivers and Loss of Defenses.
(a) Client acknowledges that certain provisions of this Agreement operate as waivers of rights that Client would otherwise have under applicable law. Other provisions permit Factor to take actions that Factor would otherwise not have a right to take, to fail to take actions that Factor would otherwise have an obligation to take, or to take actions that may prejudice Clients rights and obligations under this Agreement and against the Client. In the absence of these provisions Client might have defenses against Clients obligations under this Agreement. These defenses might permit Client to avoid some or all of Clients obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Client intends by the waivers and other provisions of this Agreement, including the acknowledgement set forth in this section, to be liable to the greatest extent permitted by law for all of Clients obligations to Factor. Client intends to have this liability even if the terms of the Factoring Documents change or if Client does not have any rights against Client.
(c) Client acknowledges that (i) Client understands the seriousness of the provisions of this Agreement; (ii) Client has had a full opportunity to consult with counsel of Clients choice; and (iii) Client has consulted with counsel of Clients choice or has decided not to consult with counsel.
Section 25. Waiver Of Jury Trial. This Section concerns the resolution of any controversies or claims between the Client and Factor, whether arising in contract, tort or by statute, including but not limited to controversies or claims that arise out of or relate to: (i) this Agreement (including any renewals, extensions or modifications); or (ii) any of the other Factoring Documents (collectively a Claim).
(a) Judicial Reference.
i. | The parties prefer that any dispute between them be resolved in litigation subject to a Jury Trial Waiver as set forth in Section 23 herein, but the California Supreme Court has held that such pre-dispute jury trial waivers are unenforceable. This Section will be applicable until: (i) the California Supreme Court holds that a pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision similar to that contained in Section 23 herein is valid or enforceable; or (ii) the California Legislature passes legislation and the governor of the State of California signs into law a statute authorizing pre-dispute jury trial waivers and as a result such waivers become enforceable. |
ii. | Other than the exercise of provisional remedies (any of which may be initiated pursuant to applicable law), any controversy, dispute or claim (each, a Claim) between the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Section 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), or their successor sections, which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Claim, including whether the Claim is subject to the reference proceeding. Venue for the reference proceeding will be in the Superior Court or Federal District Court in Los Angeles County, California (the Court). |
iii. | The referee shall be a retired Judge or Justice selected by mutual written agreement of the parties. If the parties do not agree, the referee shall be selected by the Presiding Judge of the Court (or his or her representative). A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. The referee shall be appointed to sit with all the powers provided by law. Pending appointment of the referee, the Court has power to issue temporary or provisional remedies. |
iv. | The parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the reference proceedings. Accordingly, the referee shall be requested, subject to change |
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in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (a) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within forty-five (45) days after the date of selection of the referee, (b) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the conference and (c) report a statement of decision within twenty (20) days after the matter has been submitted for decision. |
v. | The referee will have power to expand or limit the amount and duration of discovery. The referee may set or extend discovery deadlines or cutoffs for good cause, including a partys failure to provide requested discovery for any reason whatsoever. Unless otherwise ordered based upon good cause shown, no party shall be entitled to priority in conducting discovery, depositions may be taken by either party upon ten (10) days written notice, and all other discovery shall be responded to within twenty (20) days after service. All disputes relating to discovery which cannot be resolved by the parties shall be submitted to the referee whose decision shall be final and binding. |
vi. | Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the referee shall determine the manner in which the reference proceeding is conducted including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the reference proceeding. All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referee, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referee, and the referee will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter. Subject to the referees power to award costs to the prevailing party, the parties will equally share the cost of the referee and the court reporter at trial. |
vii. | The referee shall be required to determine all issues in accordance with existing case law and the statutory laws of the State of California. The rules of evidence applicable to proceedings at law in the State of California will be applicable to the reference proceeding. The referee shall be empowered to enter equitable as well as legal relief, provide all temporary or provisional remedies, enter equitable orders that will be binding on the parties and rule on any motion which would be authorized in a trial, including without limitation motions for summary judgment or summary adjudication. The referee shall issue a decision pursuant to CCP Section 644 the referees decision shall be entered by the Court as a judgment or an order in the same manner as if the action had been tried by the Court. The final judgment or order or from any appealable decision or order entered by the referee shall be fully appealable as provided by law. The parties reserve the right to findings of fact, conclusions of laws, a written statement of decision, and the right to move for a new trial or a different judgment, which new trial, if granted, is also to be a reference proceeding under this provision. |
viii. | If the enabling legislation which provides for appointment of a referee is repealed (and no successor statute is enacted), any dispute between the parties that would otherwise be determined by reference procedure will be resolved and determined by arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted by a retired judge or Justice, in accordance with the California Arbitration Act Section 1280 through Section 1294.2 of the CCP as amended from time to time. The limitations with respect to discovery set forth above shall apply to any such arbitration proceeding. |
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ix. | THE PARTIES RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL DISPUTES RESOLVED UNDER THIS REFERENCE PROVISION WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY. AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND FOR THEIR MUTUAL BENEFIT AGREES THAT THIS REFERENCE PROVISION WILL APPLY TO ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM WHICH ARISES OUT OF OR IS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. |
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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In Witness Whereof, the parties have set their hands and seals on the day and year first hereinabove written.
FCC, LLC d/b/a First Capital | ||
Western Region, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ KENNETH P. SMOOKE | |
Name: | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
601 S. Figueroa Street | ||
Suite 3460 | ||
Los Angeles, California 90017 | ||
Attention: | ||
MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ STEVEN G. MURDOCK | |
Name: Steven G. Murdock | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
Client address & name for notice | ||
27 Hubble | ||
Irvine, California 92618 | ||
Attention: | ||
Email: |
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA | ) | |||
) SS: | ||||
COUNTY OF | ) |
On , 2012, before me, , Notary Public, personally appeared Steven G. Murdock, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his authorized capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature (Signature of Notary) (Seal of Notary)
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SCHEDULE A
Definitions
Account(s) means (i) all accounts as defined in the UCC due to Client, whether presently existing or hereafter arising due to Client, and (ii) all presently existing or hereafter arising accounts receivable due to Client (including medical and health-care-insurance receivables), book debts, notes, drafts and acceptances and other forms of obligations or rights to payment of a monetary obligation now or hereafter owing to Client, whether arising from the sale or lease of goods or the rendition of services by Client or otherwise (including any obligation that might be characterized as an account, contract right, general intangible or chattel paper under the UCC), all of Clients rights in, to and under all purchase orders now or hereafter received by Client for goods and services, all proceeds from the sale of Inventory, all monies due or to become due to Client under all contracts for the sale or lease of goods or the rendition of services by Client or otherwise (whether or not yet earned by performance) (including the right to receive the proceeds of said purchase orders and contracts), all collateral security and guarantees of any kind given by any obligor with respect to any of the foregoing, and all goods returned to or reclaimed by Client that correspond to any of the foregoing and all proceeds of the foregoing. Accounts shall include Domestic Accounts and also Foreign Accounts, unless otherwise noted.
Account Advance means amounts Account Advances by Factor to or for the benefit of the Client under this Agreement or otherwise against the Net Invoice Amount of Accounts.
Account Advance Availability means the amount determined by Factor pursuant to section 3.1 hereof.
Advance(s) means all Account Advances and Inventory Advances and any other amounts advanced by Factor to or on behalf of Client.
Agreement means this Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement, including the Exhibits and any Schedules hereto, and all amendments, modifications and supplements hereto and thereto and restatements hereof and thereof.
Approved Account means an Account representing a sale to a Customer within the terms of a Credit Line established for such Customer on Clients normal selling terms or within the Single Order Approval issued by Factor provided that delivery is completed while such Credit Line or Single Order Approval remains in effect and such Account has not been charged back to the Client.
Avoidance Claim means any claim that any payment received by Factor from or for the account of an Account Debtor is avoidable under the federal Bankruptcy Code or any other debtor relief statute.
Business Day means any day that a bank located in California, Oklahoma or Ohio is open for business.
Chattel Paper means (i) all chattel paper as defined in the UCC, and (ii) all record or records that evidence both a monetary obligation and a security interest in specific goods, a security interest in specific goods and software used in the goods, a security interest in specific goods and license of software used in the goods, a lease of specific goods, or a lease of specific goods and license of software used in the goods.
Client has the meaning ascribed thereto in the introductory paragraphs hereof.
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Client Risk Account means those Accounts for which Factor has not given Credit Approval, for which Credit Approval has been withdrawn or revoked or with respect to which Factor is not responsible under Section 2 hereof.
Collateral means and includes all of Clients right, title and interest in and to all of Clients property, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located, including all of the following: (a) all Accounts, (b) Chattel Paper, (c) Commercial Tort Claims, (d) Deposit Accounts, (e) Documents, (f) Equipment (g) General Intangibles (including but not limited to all files, correspondence, computer programs, tapes, disks and related data processing software which contain information identifying or pertaining to any of the Collateral or any Customer or showing the amounts thereof or payments thereon or otherwise necessary or helpful in the realization thereon or the collection thereof), (h) Goods, (i) Inventory, (j) Instruments, (k) Investment Property, (l) Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Rights, (m) Negotiable Collateral (n) the Reserve, (o) all Supporting Obligations, (p) to the extent permitted by law, all other personal property and assets of the Client and (q) all proceeds (as defined in the UCC) and any other products of the foregoing and this clause (q).
Collection Date means (a) for payments received by Factor in payment of Accounts, the date a check, draft or other item representing payment on an invoice is posted to Factors account plus two (2) Business Days; or (b) for Approved Accounts paid by Factor solely for any reason other than a Bona Fide Defense, the Friday of the calendar week following the calendar week in which the 120 day period for such Approved Account ends.
Commercial Tort Claim means (i) all commercial tort claims as defined in the UCC, and (ii) all claims arising in tort with respect to which: (A) The claimant is an organization; or (B) The claimant is an individual and the claim: (x) arose in the course of the claimants business or profession; and (y) does not include damages arising out of personal injury to or the death of an individual.
Commission has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.2 hereof.
Contract Year means the twelve month period ending on the date that is twelve months after the Agreement Date and the twelve month period ending on each annual anniversary thereof.
Credit Approval(s) and Credit Approved means, with regard to an Approved Account, that Factor has accepted the Credit Risk.
Credit Lines has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.2 (a).
Credit Risk means the Customers failure to pay an Account when due solely because of its financial inability to pay.
Customer means any Person who is obligated on an Account, Chattel Paper or General Intangible.
Default means any of the events specified in Section 11 of this Agreement.
Deposit Account means (i) all deposit accounts as defined in the UCC , and (ii) any demand, time, savings, passbook or like account maintained with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, trust company or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a certificate of deposit that is an instrument under the UCC.
Dispute or Disputed Account means any claim, whether or not provable, bona fide, or with or without support, made by an Customer as a basis for refusing to pay an Account, either in whole or in part, including any contract dispute, charge back, credit, right to return Goods, or other matter which diminishes or may diminish the dollar amount or timely collection of such Account.
Documents means a document of title or a receipt of the type described in UCC 7-201(2).
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Domestic Accounts means all Accounts arising from sales to Customers that (i) maintain their chief executive office in the United States of America, or (ii) are organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof, or (iii) is the government of the United States of America or of any state, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof.
Equipment means (a) all equipment as defined in the UCC, and (b) all of Clients present and hereafter acquired machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, goods, and all other tangible personal property (other than Inventory), including computer and other electronic data processing equipment and other office equipment and supplies, computer programs and related data processing software, embedded software, spare parts, tools, motors, automobiles, trucks, tractors and other motor vehicles, rolling stock, jigs, as well as all of such types of property leased by Client and all of Clients rights and interests with respect thereto under such leases (including options to purchase), together with all present and future additions and accessions thereto, replacements therefor, component and auxiliary parts and supplies used or to be used in connection therewith, and all substitutes for any of the foregoing, and all manuals, drawings, instructions, warranties and rights with respect thereto; wherever any of the foregoing is located.
Factor has the meaning ascribed thereto in the introductory paragraph hereof.
Factoring Documents means, collectively, this Agreement and any other agreements, instruments, certificates or other documents entered into in connection with this Agreement, including collateral documents, letter of credit agreements, riders covering inventory or other loans, security agreements, pledges, guaranties, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments and subordination agreements, and any other agreement executed by Client, any guarantor or any affiliate of Client or any guarantor pursuant hereto or in connection herewith.
Financing Statement means each Uniform Commercial Code financing statement naming the Factor as purchaser/secured party and the Client as Client/debtor, in connection with this Agreement.
Foreign Accounts means all Accounts that do not comply with the definition of Domestic Accounts.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and maintained throughout the period indicated and consistent with the prior financial practices of the Person referred to.
General Intangible means (i) all general intangibles as defined in the UCC, and (ii) all of Clients present and future general intangibles and all other presently owned or hereafter acquired intangible personal property of Client (including payment intangibles and any and all choses or things in action, goodwill, patents and patent applications, tradenames, servicemarks, trademarks and trademark applications, copyrights, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, licenses and rights under any licensing agreements, route lists, infringement claims, software, computer programs, computer discs, computer tapes, literature, reports, catalogs, deposit accounts, tax refunds and tax refund claims) other than Goods, Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Equipment, Instruments, Investment Property, Letters of Credit or Letters of Credit Rights, but specifically including all of Clients books and records.
Goods means (i) all goods as defined in the UCC, and (ii) all of Clients present and hereafter acquired goods, wherever located, including imbedded software to the extent included in goods, manufactured homes, and standing timber that is cut and removed for sale.
Instrument means (i) all instruments as defined in the UCC, and (ii) all negotiable instruments or any other writings that evidence a right to the payment of a monetary obligation, is not itself a security agreement or lease, and is of a type that in ordinary course of business is transferred by delivery with any necessary endorsement or assignment. The term does not include (i) Investment Property, (ii) Letters of Credit, or (iii) writings that evidence a right to payment arising out of the use of a credit or charge card or information contained on or for use with the card.
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Inventory means (i) all inventory as defined in the UCC, and (ii) all of Clients inventory, together with all of Clients present and future inventory, including goods held for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service and all of Clients present and future raw materials, work in process, finished goods, shelving and racking upon which the inventory is stored and packing and shipping materials, wherever located, and any documents of title representing any of the above.
Inventory Certificate means the certificate, in such form as Factor may prescribe from time to time substantially with appropriate insertions, to be submitted to Factor by Client pursuant to this Agreement and certified as true and correct by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of Client.
Investment Property means (i) any investment property as defined in the UCC, and (ii) a security, whether certificated or uncertificated, security entitlement, securities account, commodity contract, or commodity account.
Issuer means a financial institution selected by Factor and reasonably acceptable to Client.
Ledger Debt means any debt, liability or obligation now or hereafter owing by Client to others, including any present or future client of Factor, which Factor may have obtained or may obtain by purchase, assignment, negotiation, discount, participation or otherwise.
Letter of Credit means a commercial or stand-by letter of credit issued by or on behalf of or for the benefit of Client.
Letter of Credit Right means (i) letter of credit right as defined in the UCC, and (ii) a right to payment or performance under a Letter of Credit, whether or not the beneficiary has demanded or is at the time entitled to demand payment or performance. The term does not include the right of a beneficiary to demand payment or performance under a Letter of Credit.
Lien means any security interest, security title, mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of any property, including the interest of each lessor under any capitalized lease and the interest of any bondsman under any payment or performance bond, in, of or on any assets or properties of a Person, whether now owned or hereafter acquired and whether arising by agreement or operation of law.
Misdirected Payment Fee means fifteen percent (15%) of the amount of any payment on account of an Account which has been received by Client and not delivered in kind to Factor within two (2) Business Days following the date of receipt by Client.
Negotiable Collateral means all of Clients present and future letters of credit, advises of credit, notes, drafts, instruments, and documents, including bills of lading, leases, and chattel paper, and Clients books and records relating to any of the foregoing.
Net Invoice Amount means the invoice amount of the Account, less returns (whenever made), all selling discounts (at Factors option, calculated on shortest terms), credits or deductions of any kind allowed or granted to or taken by the Customer at any time.
Obligations means all present and future Account Advances, Letter of Credit Obligations, Commissions, interest, fees, expenses, and all other present and future obligations (including the obligation to turn over all proceeds of Accounts purchased hereunder) owing by Client to Factor, including interest thereon, whether or not for the payment of money, whether or not evidenced by any note or other instrument, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, joint or several, primary or secondary, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, original or renewed or extended, whether presently contemplated or not, regardless of how the same arise, or by what instrument, agreement or book account they may be evidenced, or whether evidenced by any instrument, agreement or book
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account, whether arising before, during or after the commencement of any federal Bankruptcy Case in which Client is a debtor including, but not limited to, obligations arising pursuant to Letters of Credit or acceptance transactions or any other financial accommodations, agreements, or any guaranty executed by Client in favor of Factor.
Obligor means Client and any other Person primarily or secondarily, directly or indirectly, liable on any of the Obligations, including, but not limited to, any guarantor thereof (individually an Obligor and collectively, the Obligors),
Permitted Liens means (a) liens for unpaid taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that are not yet delinquent, (b) liens set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, (c) the interests of lessors in goods which are leased to Client, including leases which are deemed to be capital leases in accordance with GAAP, (d) liens arising by operation of law in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which liens are for sums not yet delinquent, (e) Liens in favor of FCC or its affiliates; and (f) encumbrances on trademarks arising pursuant to any agreements whereby Client grants a license to a third party to use one or more of Clients trademarks.
Person means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated organization or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Purchase Price means the Net Invoice Amount less Factors Commission.
Reserve means a bookkeeping account on the books of the Factor representing an unpaid portion of the Purchase Price and such other amounts as Factor deems advisable as security for the payment and performance by Client of its Obligations hereunder.
Schedule of Accounts means a form supplied by Factor from time to time wherein Client lists all Accounts.
Security Interest means the rights, title and interest in and to and liens of Factor on and in the Collateral.
Single Order Approval has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.2 (a) hereof.
Supporting Obligation means (i) a supporting obligation as defined in the UCC, and (ii) a Letter of Credit Right or secondary obligation that supports the payment or performance of an Account, Chattel paper, a Document, a General Intangible, an Instrument, or Investment Property.
UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of California.
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Schedule 1
Permitted Liens
None
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Schedule 6.3 (a)
Other Encumbrances
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Schedule 6.3 (b)
Collateral Locations
Ave La Paz No 10009
Parque Industrial Pacifico
Nave 15-AB-0500
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico CP.22670
27 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
Warehousemen, Bailees, Consignees & Processors
Otay Logistics, Inc. | ||||
9255 Custom House Plaza, Suite A | ||||
San Diego, Ca. 92154 |
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Schedule 6.3 (e)
Equipment Liens
None
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Schedule 8.1 (m)
Real Property
Ave La Paz No 10009
Parque Industrial Pacifico
Nave 15-AB-0500
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico CP.22670
Bank Accounts
Union Bank (Controlled Disbursement) | ||||
Union Bank (Payroll) | ||||
Union Bank (Money Market) | ||||
Union Bank (Account Disbursement) | ||||
Bancomer (General) | ||||
Bancomer (Payroll) | ||||
Bancomer (USD Account) |
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Schedule 8.1 (n)
Subsidiaries
Meade Coronado Holdings Corp.
Coronado Instruments, Inc.
MTSC Holdings, Inc.
Simmons Outdoor Corporation
MC Holdings, Inc.
Meade.com
Meade Instruments (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.
Meade Instruments Foreign Sales Corporation Limited
Meade Instruments Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.
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Schedule 9.4
Persons Authorized to Request Loans
Steven G. Murdock
John A. Elwood
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Schedule 12.1
Example of General Release Language
Client and each guarantor (a) acknowledges and agrees that no right of offset, defense, counterclaim, claim or objection exists in favor of Client or any guarantor against Factor arising out of or with respect to the Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement or any guarantors guaranty in favor of Factor, any other factoring documents, the obligations owing by any Obligor to Factor, or any other arrangement or relationship between Factor, on the one hand, and any Obligor, on the other hand, and (b) releases, acquits, remises and forever discharges Factor and its affiliates and all of its past, present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns from any and all claims, demands, actions and causes of action, whether at law or in equity, whether now accrued or hereafter maturing, and whether known or unknown, which any Obligor now or hereafter may have by reason of any manner, cause or things to and including the date hereof with respect to matters arising out of or with respect to the Amended and Restated Factoring and Security Agreement, any guarantors guaranty in favor of Factor, any other factoring documents, the obligations owing by any Obligor to Factor, or any other arrangement or relationship between Factor, on one hand, and any Obligor, on the other hand.
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