EX-99.1 6 ex99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1
 
WELLS FARGO HSBC TRADE BANK
REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS NOTE - 1
   
   
$3,000,000
San Francisco, California
 
___________________________, 2005

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower") promises to pay to the order of WELLS FARGO HSBC TRADE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Trade Bank") at its office at One Front Street, 21st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, or at such other place as the holder hereof may designate, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, the principal sum of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), or so much thereof as may be advanced and be outstanding, with interest thereon, to be computed on each advance from the date of its disbursement (computed on the basis of a 360 day year, actual days elapsed) either (i) at a fluctuating rate per annum one and three-quarters percent (1.75%) below the Prime Rate in effect from time to time, or (ii) at a fixed rate per annum determined by WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank") to be one percent (1%) above Bank's LIBOR in effect on the first day of the applicable Fixed Rate Term. When interest is determined in relation to the Prime Rate, each change in the rate of interest hereunder shall become effective on the date each Prime Rate change is announced within Bank. With respect to each LIBOR option selected hereunder, Trade Bank is hereby authorized to note the date, principal amount, interest rate and Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto and any payments made thereon on Trade Bank's books and records (either manually or by electronic entry) and/or on any schedule attached to this Note, which notations shall be prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information noted.
 
 
1.
DEFINITIONS: As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth after each:

 
1.1
"Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or any other day designated as a holiday under Federal or California statute or regulation.

 
1.2
"Fixed Rate Term" means a period commencing on a Business Day and continuing for thirty (30), sixty (60) or ninety (90) days, as designated by Borrower, during which all or a portion of the outstanding principal balance of this Note bears interest determined in relation to Bank's LIBOR; provided however, that no Fixed Rate Term may be selected for a principal amount less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); and provided further, that no Fixed Rate Term shall extend beyond the scheduled maturity date hereof. If any Fixed Rate Term would end on a day which is not a Business Day, then such Fixed Rate Term shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.

 
1.3
"LIBOR" means the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest whole 1/8 of 1%) and determined pursuant to the following formula:

LIBOR
=
Base LIBOR
   
100% - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

 
(a)
"Base LIBOR" means the rate per annum for United States dollar deposits quoted by Bank as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate, with the understanding that such rate is quoted by Bank for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference thereto, on the first day of a Fixed Rate Term for delivery of funds on said date for a period of time approximately equal to the number of days in such Fixed Rate Term and in an amount approximately equal to the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applies. Borrower understands and agrees that Bank may base its quotation of the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate upon such offers or other market indicators of the Inter-Bank Market as Bank in its discretion deems appropriate including, but not limited to, the rate offered for U.S. dollar deposits on the London Inter-Bank Market.

 
(b)
"LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means the reserve percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for "Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as defined in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as amended), adjusted by Bank for expected changes in such reserve percentage during the applicable Fixed Rate Term.

 
1.4
"Prime Rate" means at any time the rate of interest most recently announced within Bank at its principal office in San Francisco as its Prime Rate, with the understanding that the Prime Rate is one of Bank's base rates and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto, and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publication or publications as Bank may designate.

 
2.
INTEREST:

 
2.1
Payment of Interest. Interest accrued on this Note shall be payable on the first day of each month, commencing May 1, 2005.
 
Page 1 of 6

 
 
2.2
Selection of Interest Rate Options. At any time any portion of this Note bears interest determined in relation to Bank's LIBOR, it may be continued by Borrower at the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto so that all or a portion thereof bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate or in relation to Bank's LIBOR for a new Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At any time any portion of this Note bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate, Borrower may convert all or a portion thereof so that it bears interest determined in relation to Bank's LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At the time each advance is requested hereunder or Borrower wishes to select the LIBOR option for all or a portion of the outstanding principal balance hereof, and at the end of each Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall give Trade Bank notice specifying (a) the interest rate option selected by Borrower, (b) the principal amount subject thereto, and (c) if the LIBOR option is selected, the length of the applicable Fixed Rate Term. Any such notice may be given by telephone so long as, with respect to each LIBOR selection, (i) Trade Bank receives written confirmation from Borrower not later than three (3) Business Days after such telephone notice is given, and (ii) such notice is given to Trade Bank prior to 10:00 a.m., California time, on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term. For each LIBOR option requested hereunder, Trade Bank will quote the applicable fixed rate to Borrower at approximately 10:00 a.m., California time, on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term. If Borrower does not immediately accept the rate quoted by Trade Bank, any subsequent acceptance by Borrower shall be subject to a redetermination by Trade Bank of the applicable fixed rate; provided however, that if Borrower fails to accept any such rate by 11:00 a.m., California time, on the Business Day such quotation is given, then the quoted rate shall expire and Trade Bank shall have no obligation to permit a LIBOR option to be selected on such day. If no specific designation of interest is made at the time any advance is requested hereunder or at the end of any Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall be deemed to have made a Prime Rate interest selection for such advance or the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applied.

 
3.
ADDITIONAL LIBOR PROVISIONS.

 
3.1
If Trade Bank at any time shall determine that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining Bank's LIBOR, then Trade Bank shall promptly give notice thereof to Borrower. If such notice is given and until such notice has been withdrawn by Trade Bank, than (i) no new LIBOR option may be selected by Borrower, and (ii) any portion of the outstanding principal balance hereof which bears interest determined in relation to Bank's LIBOR, subsequent to the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto, shall bear interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate.

 
3.2
If any law, treaty, rule, regulation or determination of a court or governmental authority or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof (each, a "Change in Law") shall make it unlawful for Trade Bank (i) to make LIBOR options available hereunder, or (ii) to maintain interest rates based on Bank's LIBOR, then in the former event, any obligation of Trade Bank to make available such unlawful LIBOR options shall immediately be canceled, and in the latter event, any such unlawful LIBOR-based interest rates then outstanding shall be converted, at Trade Bank's option, so that interest on the portion of the outstanding principal balance subject thereto is determined in relation to the Prime Rate; provided however, that if any such Change in Law shall permit any LIBOR-based interest rates to remain in effect until the expiration of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto, then such permitted LIBOR-based interest rates shall continue in effect until the expiration of such Fixed Rate Term. Upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events, Borrower shall pay to Trade Bank immediately upon demand such amounts as may be necessary to compensate Trade Bank for any fines, fees, charges, penalties or other costs incurred or payable by Trade Bank as a result thereof and which are attributable to any LIBOR options made available to Borrower hereunder, and any reasonable allocation made by Trade Bank among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.

 
3.3
If any Change in Law or compliance by Trade Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other governmental authority shall:

 
(a)
subject Trade Bank to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to any LIBOR options, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Trade Bank of principal, interest, fees or any other amount payable hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of Trade Bank); or

 
(b)
impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances or loans by, or any other acquisition of funds by any office of Trade Bank; or

 
(c)
impose on Trade Bank any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Trade Bank of making, renewing or maintaining any LIBOR options hereunder and/or to reduce any amount receivable by Trade Bank in connection therewith, then in any such case, Borrower shall pay to Trade Bank immediately upon demand such amounts as may be necessary to compensate Trade Bank for any additional costs incurred by Trade Bank and/or reductions in amounts received by Trade Bank which are attributable to such LIBOR options. In determining which costs incurred by Trade Bank and/or reductions in amounts received by Trade Bank are attributable to any LIBOR options made available to Borrower hereunder, any reasonable allocation made by Trade Bank among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.
 
 
4.
BORROWING AND REPAYMENT:

 
4.1
Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower may from time to time during the term of this Note borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions of this Note and of any document executed in connection with or governing this Note; provided however, that the total outstanding borrowings under this Note shall not at any time exceed the principal amount stated above. The unpaid principal balance of this obligation at any time shall be the total amounts advanced hereunder by the holder hereof less the amount of principal payments made hereon by or for any Borrower, which balance may be endorsed hereon from time to time by the holder. The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall be due and payable in full on May 31, 2006.

 
4.2
Advances. Advances hereunder, to the total amount of the principal sum stated above, may be made by the holder at the oral or written request of Thomas G. Hood, Maury Austin or Sylvia Kamenski, any one acting alone, who are authorized to request advances and direct the disposition of any advances until written notice of the revocation of such authority is received by the holder at the office designated above, or (b) any person, with respect to advances deposited to the credit of any account of any Borrower with the holder, which advances, when so deposited, shall be conclusively presumed to have been made to or for the benefit of each Borrower regardless of the fact that persons other than those authorized to request advances may have authority to draw against such account. The holder shall have no obligation to determine whether any person requesting an advance is or has been authorized by any Borrower.
 
Page 2 of 6

 
 
4.3
Application of Payments. Each payment made on this Note shall be credited first, to any interest then due and second, to the outstanding principal balance hereof. All payments credited to principal shall be applied first, to the outstanding principal balance of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate, if any, and second, to the outstanding principal balance of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to Bank's LIBOR, with such payments applied to the oldest Fixed Rate Term first.

 
4.4
Prepayment.

 
(a)
Prime Rate. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to the Prime Rate at any time, in any amount and without penalty.

 
(b)
LIBOR. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to Bank's LIBOR at any time and in the minimum amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); provided however, that if the outstanding principal balance of such portion of this Note is less than said amount, the minimum prepayment amount shall be the entire outstanding principal balance thereof. In consideration of Trade Bank providing this prepayment option to Borrower, or if any such portion of this Note shall become due and payable at any time prior to the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto by acceleration or otherwise, Borrower shall pay to Trade Bank immediately upon demand a fee which is the sum of the discounted monthly differences for each month from the month of prepayment through the month in which such Fixed Rate Term matures, calculated as follows for each such month:

 
(1)
Determine the amount of interest which would have accrued each month on the amount prepaid at the interest rate applicable to such amount had it remained outstanding until the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto.

 
(2)
Subtract from the amount determined in (1) above the amount of interest which would have accrued for the same month on the amount prepaid for the remaining term of such Fixed Rate Term at Bank's LIBOR in effect on the date of prepayment for new loans made for such term and in a principal amount equal to the amount prepaid.

 
(3)
If the result obtained in (2) for any month is greater than zero, discount that difference by Bank's LIBOR used in (2) above.

Each Borrower acknowledges that prepayment of such amount may result in Trade Bank incurring additional costs, expenses and/or liabilities, and that it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses and/or liabilities. Each Borrower, therefore, agrees to pay the above-described prepayment fee and agrees that said amount represents a reasonable estimate of the prepayment costs, expenses and/or liabilities of Trade Bank. If Borrower fails to pay any prepayment fee when due, the amount of such prepayment fee shall thereafter bear interest until paid at a rate per annum five percent (5%) above the Prime Rate in effect from time to time (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed).

 
5.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT: This Note is made pursuant to and is subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Credit Agreement between Borrower and Trade Bank dated as of ___________________________, 2005, as amended from time to time ("Credit Agreement"). Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation under this Note, or any defined event of default under the Credit Agreement, shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Note.
 
 
6.
MISCELLANEOUS:

 
6.1
Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the holder of this Note, at the holder's option, may declare all sums of principal and interest outstanding hereunder to be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are expressly waived by each Borrower, and the obligation, if any, of the holder to extend any further credit hereunder shall immediately cease and terminate. Each Borrower shall pay to the holder immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees (to include outside counsel fees and all allocated costs of the holder's in-house counsel), incurred by the holder in connection with the enforcement of the holder's rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to the holder under this Note, and the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to this Note, including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding relating to any Borrower.

 
6.2
Obligations Joint and Several. Should more than one person or entity sign this Note as a Borrower, the obligations of each such Borrower shall be joint and several.

Page 3 of 6

 
 
6.3
Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, except to the extent Trade Bank has greater rights or remedies under Federal law, whether as a national bank or otherwise, in which case such choice of California law shall not be deemed to deprive Bank of any such rights and remedies as may be available under Federal law.


“BORROWER”

SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

By: ___________________________

Title: __________________________


Borrower’s Address:
3975 East Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
 
Page 4 of 6


ADDENDUM TO PROMISSORY NOTE


THIS ADDENDUM is attached to and made a part of that certain promissory note executed by SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower") and payable to WELLS FARGO HSBC TRADE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, or order, dated as of ___________________________, 2005, in the principal amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) (the "Note").

The following arbitration provision is hereby incorporated into the Note:

ARBITRATION:

1.    Arbitration. The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to submit to binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or among them (and their respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and other agents), whether in tort, contract or otherwise arising out of or relating to in any way (i) the loan and related loan and security documents which are the subject of this Note and its negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.

2.    Governing Rules. Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location in California selected by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”); (ii) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA’s commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes to be referred to, as applicable, as the “Rules”). If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any dispute. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. §91 or any similar applicable state law.

3.    No Waiver; Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.

4.    Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers. Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral attorney licensed in the State of California or a neutral retired judge of the state or federal judiciary of California, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the dispute to be arbitrated. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrator's discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all disputes in accordance with the substantive law of California and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the California Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.

5.    Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date and within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the AAA. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party's presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.

6.    Class Proceedings and Consolidations. The resolution of any dispute arising pursuant to the terms of this Note shall be determined by a separate arbitration proceeding and such dispute shall not be consolidated with other disputes or included in any class proceeding.

7.    Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees. The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.
 
8.    Real Property Collateral; Judicial Reference. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if the dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien or security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or benefits that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute of California, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable. If any such dispute is not submitted to arbitration, the dispute shall be referred to a referee in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 et seq., and this general reference agreement is intended to be specifically enforceable in accordance with said Section 638. A referee with the qualifications required herein for arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the AAA’s selection procedures. Judgment upon the decision rendered by a referee shall be entered in the court in which such proceeding was commenced in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.
 
Page 5 of 6

 
9.    Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the documents between the parties or the subject matter of the dispute shall control. This Note may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each party hereto. If any provision of this Note shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Note. This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the documents or any relationship between the parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Addendum has been executed as of the same date as the Note.


“BORROWER”

SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES INC.

By: ___________________________

Title: __________________________
 
Page 6 of 6