Exhibit 10(c)
EXECUTION COPY
U.S. $375,000,000
FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 27, 2000
Among
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
As Company
-- -------
THE INITIAL LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
As Initial Lenders
-- ---------------
CITIBANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent
-- -------------- -----
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
as Lead Arranger and Book Manager
-- ---- -------- --- ------------
BANK ONE, NA, SUNTRUST BANK and HSBC BANK USA
as Co-arrangers
-- ------------
BANK ONE, NA
As Documentation Agent
-- ------------- -----
and
SUNTRUST BANK
As Syndication Agent
-- ----------- -----
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 1
SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms 1
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SECTION 1.02. Computation of Time Periods 11
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SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms 11
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ARTICLE II AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES 11
SECTION 2.01. The Revolving Credit Advances 11
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SECTION 2.02. Making the Revolving Credit Advances 11
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SECTION 2.03. The Competitive Bid Advances 13
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SECTION 2.04. Fees 17
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SECTION 2.05. Optional Termination or Reduction 17
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of the Commitments
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SECTION 2.06. Repayment of Revolving Credit Advances 17
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SECTION 2.07. Interest On Revolving Credit Advances 17
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SECTION 2.08. Interest Rate Determination 18
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SECTION 2.09. Optional Conversion of Revolving Credit Advances 19
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SECTION 2.10. Prepayments of Revolving Credit Advances 19
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SECTION 2.11. Increased Costs 20
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SECTION 2.12. Illegality 20
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SECTION 2.13. Payments and Computations 21
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SECTION 2.14. Taxes 21
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SECTION 2.15. Sharing of Payments, Etc. 23
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SECTION 2.16. Evidence of Debt 23
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SECTION 2.17. Use of Proceeds 24
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SECTION 2.18. Extension of Termination Date 24
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ARTICLE III CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND LENDING 25
SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness
of Sections 2.01 and 2.03 25
SECTION 3.02. Initial Advance to Each Designated Subsidiary 27
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SECTION 3.03. Conditions Precedent to Each Revolving Credit
Borrowing and Extension Date 27
SECTION 3.04. Conditions Precedent to Each 28
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Competitive Bid Borrowing
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SECTION 3.05. Determinations Under Section 3.01 and 3.02 28
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ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 28
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Company 28
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ARTICLE V COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY 30
SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants 30
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SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants 32
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SECTION 5.03. Financial Covenants 34
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ARTICLE VI EVENTS OF DEFAULT 34
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default 34
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ARTICLE VII GUARANTY 36
7.01. Guaranty 36
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7.02. Guaranty Absolute 36
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7.03. Waivers and Acknowledgments 37
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7.04. Subrogation 38
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7.05. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments 38
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ARTICLE VIII THE AGENT 38
SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action 38
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SECTION 8.02. Agent's Reliance, Etc. 39
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SECTION 8.03. Citibank and Affiliates 39
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SECTION 8.04. Lender Credit Decision 39
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SECTION 8.05. Indemnification 39
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SECTION 8.06. Successor Agent 40
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SECTION 8.07. Sub-agent 40
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SECTION 8.08. Other Agents. 40
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ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS 40
SECTION 9.01. Amendments, Etc. 40
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SECTION 9.02. Notices, Etc. 40
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SECTION 9.03. No Waiver; Remedies 41
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SECTION 9.04. Costs and Expenses 41
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SECTION 9.05. Right of Set-off 42
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SECTION 9.06. Binding Effect 42
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SECTION 9.07. Assignments and Participations 42
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SECTION 9.08. Confidentiality 44
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SECTION 9.09. Designated Subsidiaries 45
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SECTION 9.10. Governing Law 45
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SECTION 9.11. Execution in Counterparts 45
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SECTION 9.12. Judgment 45
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SECTION 9.13. Jurisdiction, Etc. 45
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SECTION 9.14. Substitution of Currency 46
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SECTION 9.15. Waiver of Jury Trial 47
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SCHEDULES
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Schedule I - List of Applicable Lending Offices
Schedule 3.01(h) - Bilateral Credit Agreements
EXHIBITS
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Exhibit A-1 - Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit A-2 - Form of Competitive Bid Note
Exhibit B-1 - Form of Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing
Exhibit B-2 - Form of Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing
Exhibit C - Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit D - Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company
Exhibit E - Form of Designation Agreement
FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 27, 2000
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), the banks, financial institutions and other
institutional lenders (the "INITIAL LENDERS") listed on the signature pages
hereof, SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC., as lead arranger and book manager, Bank One,
NA ("BANK ONE"), SunTrust Bank ("SUNTRUST") and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers,
Bank One, as documentation agent, SunTrust, as syndication agent, and CITIBANK,
N.A. ("CITIBANK"), as administrative agent (the "AGENT") for the Lenders (as
hereinafter defined), agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
SECTION 1.01. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. As used in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings
to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined):
"ADVANCE" means a Revolving Credit Advance, a Swing Line
Advance or a Competitive Bid Advance.
"AFFILIATE" means, as to any Person, any other Person that,
directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common
control with such Person or is a director or officer of such Person.
For purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including the
terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common control with")
of a Person means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
vote 10% or more of the Voting Stock of such Person or to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or
otherwise.
"AGENT'S ACCOUNT" means (a) in the case of Advances
denominated in Dollars, the account of the Agent maintained by the
Agent at Citibank at its office at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10043, Account No. 36852248, Attention: Bank Loan Syndications, (b) in
the case of Advances denominated in any Committed Currency, the account
of the Sub-Agent designated in writing from time to time by the Agent
to the Company and the Lenders for such purpose and (c) in any such
case, such other account of the Agent as is designated in writing from
time to time by the Agent to the Company and the Lenders for such
purpose.
"APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE" means, with respect to each
Lender, such Lender's Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base
Rate Advance and such Lender's Eurocurrency Lending Office in the case
of a Eurocurrency Rate Advance and, in the case of a Competitive Bid
Advance, the office of such Lender notified by such Lender to the Agent
as its Applicable Lending Office with respect to such Competitive Bid
Advance.
"APPLICABLE MARGIN" means (a) for Base Rate Advances, 0% per
annum and (b) for Eurocurrency Rate Advances, as of any date, a
percentage per annum determined by reference to the Public Debt Rating
in effect on such date as set forth below:
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| Public Debt Rating | Applicable Margin for | Applicable Margin for |
| S&P/Moody's | Base Rate Advances | Eurocurrency Rate Advances |
|--------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| LEVEL 1 | | |
| A+/A1 or above | 0.00% | 0.220% |
|--------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| LEVEL 2 | | |
| A/A2 | 0.00% | 0.300% |
|--------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| LEVEL 3 | | |
| A-/A3 | 0.00% | 0.325% |
|--------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| LEVEL 4 | | |
| BBB+/Baa1 | 0.00% | 0.400% |
|--------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
| LEVEL 5 | | |
| Lower than Level 4 | 0.00% | 0.550% |
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"APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE" means, as of any date a percentage per
annum determined by reference to the Public Debt Rating in effect on
such date as set forth below:
---------------------------------
| Public Debt Rating | Applicable |
| S&P/Moody's | Percentage |
| -------------------|------------|
| LEVEL 1 | |
| A+/A1 or above | 0.080% |
| -------------------|------------|
| LEVEL 2 | |
| A/A2 | 0.100% |
| -------------------|------------|
| LEVEL 3 | |
| A-/A3 | 0.125% |
| -------------------|------------|
| LEVEL 4 | |
| BBB+/Baa1 | 0.150% |
| -------------------|------------|
| LEVEL 5 | |
| Lower than Level 4 | 0.200% |
---------------------------------
"APPLICABLE UTILIZATION FEE" means, as of any date that the
aggregate Advances exceeds 33% of the aggregate Commitments, a
percentage per annum determined by reference to the Public Debt Rating
in effect on such date as set forth below:
--------------------------------------
| Public Debt Rating | Applicable |
| S&P/Moody's | Utilization Fee |
|--------------------|-----------------|
| LEVEL 1 | |
| A+/A1 or above | 0.050% |
|--------------------|-----------------|
| LEVEL 2 | |
| A/A2 | 0.050% |
|--------------------|-----------------|
| LEVEL 3 | |
| A-/A3 | 0.050% |
|--------------------|-----------------|
| LEVEL 4 | |
| BBB+/Baa1 | 0.075% |
|--------------------|-----------------|
| LEVEL 5 | |
| Lower than Level 4 | 0.125% |
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"ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" means an assignment and acceptance
entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the
Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.
"ASSUMING LENDER" has the meaning specified in Section
2.18(c).
"ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT" has the meaning specified in Section
2.18(c).
"BASE RATE" means a fluctuating interest rate per annum in
effect from time to time, which rate per annum shall at all times be
equal to the highest of:
(a) the rate of interest announced publicly by
Citibank in New York, New York, from time to time, as
Citibank's base rate;
(b) the sum (adjusted to the nearest 1/4 of 1% or, if
there is no nearest 1/4 of 1%, to the next higher 1/4 of 1%)
of (i) 1/2 of 1% per annum, PLUS (ii) the rate obtained by
dividing (A) the latest three-week moving average of secondary
market morning offering rates in the United States for
three-month certificates of deposit of major United States
money market banks, such three-week moving average (adjusted
to the basis of a year of 360 days) being determined weekly on
each Monday (or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the
next succeeding Business Day) for the three-week period ending
on the previous Friday by Citibank on the basis of such rates
reported by certificate of deposit dealers to and published by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if such publication
shall be suspended or terminated, on the basis of quotations
for such rates received by Citibank from three New York
certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing selected
by Citibank, by (B) a percentage equal to 100% minus the
average of the daily percentages specified during such
three-week period by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum
reserve requirement (including, but not limited to, any
emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement)
for Citibank with respect to liabilities consisting of or
including (among other liabilities) three-month U.S. dollar
non-personal time deposits in the United States, PLUS (iii)
the average during such three-week period of the annual
assessment rates estimated by Citibank for determining the
then current annual assessment payable by Citibank to the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (or any successor) for
insuring U.S. dollar deposits of Citibank in the United
States; and
(c) 1/2 of one percent per annum above the Federal
Funds Rate.
"BASE RATE ADVANCE" means a Revolving Credit Advance or a
Swing Line Advance, in each case denominated in Dollars that bears
interest as provided in Section 2.07(a)(i).
"BORROWERS" means, collectively, the Company and the
Designated Subsidiaries from time to time.
"BORROWING" means a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Swing Line
Borrowing or a Competitive Bid Borrowing.
"BUSINESS DAY" means a day of the year on which banks are not
required or authorized by law to close in New York City and, if the
applicable Business Day relates to any Eurocurrency Rate Advances or
LIBO Rate Advances, on which dealings are carried on in the London
interbank market and banks are open for business in London and in the
country of issue of the currency of such Eurocurrency Rate Advance or
LIBO Rate Advance (or, in the case of an Advance denominated in the
euro, in Frankfurt, Germany).
"COMMITMENT" means as to any Lender (a) the Dollar amount set
forth opposite such Lender's name on the signature pages hereof, (b) if
such Lender has become a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assumption
Agreement, the Dollar amount set forth in such Assumption Agreement or
(c) if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance, the
Dollar amount set forth for such Lender in the Register maintained by
the Agent pursuant to Section 9.07(d), as such amount may be reduced
pursuant to Section 2.05.
"COMMITTED CURRENCIES" means lawful currency of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, lawful currency of the
Federal Republic of Germany, lawful currency of the Republic of France,
lawful currency of The Swiss Federation, lawful currency of Japan,
lawful currency of the European Economic and Monetary Union and any
other currency requested by the applicable Borrower that can be
provided by all Lenders.
"COMPETITIVE BID ADVANCE" means an advance by a Lender to any
Borrower as part of a Competitive Bid Borrowing resulting from the
competitive bidding procedure described in Section 2.03 and refers to a
Fixed Rate Advance or a LIBO Rate Advance.
"COMPETITIVE BID BORROWING" means a borrowing consisting of
simultaneous Competitive Bid Advances from each of the Lenders whose
offer to make one or more Competitive Bid Advances as part of such
borrowing has been accepted under the competitive bidding procedure
described in Section 2.03.
"COMPETITIVE BID NOTE" means a promissory note of any Borrower
payable to the order of any Lender, in substantially the form of
Exhibit A-2 hereto, evidencing the indebtedness of such Borrower to
such Lender resulting from a Competitive Bid Advance made by such
Lender to such Borrower.
"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" means information that any Borrower
furnishes to the Agent or any Lender in a writing other than written
information which is on its face publicly available information, but
does not include any such information that is or becomes generally
available to the public or that is or becomes available to the Agent or
such Lender from a source other than a Borrower.
"CONSENTING LENDER" has the meaning specified in Section
2.18(b).
"CONSOLIDATED" refers to the consolidation of accounts in
accordance with GAAP.
"CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY" means at any date any Subsidiary or
other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of
the Company in its Consolidated financial statements as of such date.
"CONVERT", "CONVERSION" and "CONVERTED" each refers to a
conversion of Revolving Credit Advances of one Type into Revolving
Credit Advances of the other Type pursuant to Section 2.08 or 2.09.
"DEBT" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of
such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services
(other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such
Person's business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all
obligations of such Person created or arising under any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property
acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the
seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are
limited to repossession or sale of such property), (e) all obligations
of such Person as lessee under leases that have been or should be, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as
capital leases, (f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person in respect of acceptances, letters of credit or similar
extensions of credit, (g) all obligations of such Person in respect of
Hedge Agreements, (h) all Debt of others referred to in clauses (a)
through (g) above or clause (i) below guaranteed directly or indirectly
in any manner by such Person, or in effect guaranteed directly or
indirectly by such Person through an agreement (1) to pay or purchase
such Debt or to advance or supply funds for the payment or purchase of
such Debt, (2) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor)
property, or to purchase or sell services, primarily for the purpose of
enabling the debtor to make payment of such Debt or to assure the
holder of such Debt against loss, (3) to supply funds to or in any
other manner invest in the debtor (including any agreement to pay for
property or services irrespective of whether such property is received
or such services are rendered) or (4) otherwise to assure a creditor
against loss, and (i) all Debt referred to in clauses (a) through (h)
above secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing
right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property
(including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by
such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable
for the payment of such Debt; provided, HOWEVER, that the term "Debt"
shall not include obligations under agreements providing for
indemnification, deferred purchase price payments or similar
obligations incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or
disposition of assets or stock, whether by merger or otherwise.
"DEBT FOR BORROWED MONEY" of the Company means, without
duplication, Debt for money borrowed or any capitalized lease
obligation, any obligation under a purchase money mortgage, conditional
sale or other title retention agreement or any obligation under notes
payable or drafts accepted representing extensions of credit, but shall
not include Debt evidenced by the Subordinated Convertible Notes or any
Debt in respect of Hedge Agreements.
"DEFAULT" means any Event of Default or any event that would
constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be
given or time elapse or both.
"DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY" means any direct or indirect
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company designated for borrowing
privileges under this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.09.
"DESIGNATION AGREEMENT" means, with respect to any Designated
Subsidiary, an agreement in the form of Exhibit E hereto signed by such
Designated Subsidiary and the Company.
"DOLLARS" and the "$" sign each means lawful currency of the
United States of America.
"DOMESTIC LENDING OFFICE" means, with respect to any Lender,
the office of such Lender specified as its "Domestic Lending Office"
opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the Assumption Agreement
or the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender,
or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to
time specify to the Company and the Agent.
"EBITDA" means, for any period, net income (or net loss) PLUS
the sum of (a) Interest Expense, (b) income tax expense, (c)
depreciation expense and (d) amortization expense, in each case
determined in accordance with GAAP for such period.
"EFFECTIVE DATE" has the meaning specified in Section 3.01.
"ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (i) a Lender; (ii) an Affiliate of a
Lender; and (iii) any other Person approved by the Agent and, unless an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any
assignment is effected in accordance with Section 9.07, the Company,
such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor an Affiliate of the Company shall
qualify as an Eligible Assignee.
"EQUIVALENT" in Dollars of any Committed Currency on any date
means the equivalent in Dollars of such Committed Currency determined
by using the quoted spot rate at which the Sub-Agent's principal office
in London offers to exchange Dollars for such Committed Currency in
London at approximately 4:00 P.M. (London time) (unless otherwise
indicated by the terms of this Agreement) on such date as is required
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the "Equivalent" in any
Committed Currency of Dollars means the equivalent in such Committed
Currency of Dollars determined by using the quoted spot rate at which
the Sub-Agent's principal office in London offers to exchange such
Committed Currency for Dollars in London at approximately 4:00 P.M.
(London time) (unless otherwise indicated by the terms of this
Agreement) on such date as is required pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and
rulings issued thereunder.
"ERISA AFFILIATE" means any Person that for purposes of Title
IV of ERISA is a member of the Company's controlled group, or under
common control with the Company, within the meaning of Section 414 of
the Internal Revenue Code.
"ERISA EVENT" means (a) the occurrence of a reportable event,
within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, with respect to any Plan
unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect to such event has
been waived by the PBGC; (b) the application for a minimum funding
waiver with respect to a Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator
of any Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan pursuant to
Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to
a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (d) the
cessation of operations at a facility of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA;
(e) the withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a
substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (f)
the conditions for the imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of
ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan; (g) the adoption of
an amendment to a Plan requiring the provision of security to such Plan
pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; or (h) the institution by the PBGC of
proceedings to terminate a Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or
the occurrence of any event or condition described in Section 4042 of
ERISA that constitutes grounds for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan.
"EUROCURRENCY LIABILITIES" has the meaning assigned to that
term in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, as in effect from time to time.
"EUROCURRENCY LENDING OFFICE" means, with respect to any
Lender, the office of such Lender specified as its "Eurocurrency
Lending Office" opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the
Assumption Agreement or the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which
it became a Lender (or, if no such office is specified, its Domestic
Lending Office), or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may
from time to time specify to the Company and the Agent.
"EUROCURRENCY RATE" means, for any Interest Period for each
Eurocurrency Rate Advance comprising part of the same Revolving Credit
Borrowing, an interest rate per annum equal to the rate per annum
obtained by dividing (a) the rate per annum (rounded upward to the
nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum) appearing on Telerate
Markets Page 3750 (or any successor page) as the London interbank
offered rate for deposits in Dollars or the applicable Committed
Currency at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to
such Interest Period or, if for any reason such rate is not available,
the average (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1%
per annum, if such average is not such a multiple) of the respective
rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars or the applicable
Committed Currency is offered by the principal office of each of the
Reference Banks in London, England to prime banks in the London
interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days before
the first day of such Interest Period in an amount substantially equal
to such Reference Bank's Eurocurrency Rate Advance comprising part of
such Revolving Credit Borrowing to be outstanding during such Interest
Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period (subject,
however, to the provisions of Section 2.08) by (b) a percentage equal
to 100% minus the Eurocurrency Rate Reserve Percentage for such
Interest Period.
"EUROCURRENCY RATE ADVANCE" means a Revolving Credit Advance
denominated in Dollars or a Committed Currency that bears interest as
provided in Section 2.07(a)(ii).
"EUROCURRENCY RATE RESERVE PERCENTAGE" for any Interest Period
for all Eurocurrency Rate Advances or LIBO Rate Advances comprising
part of the same Borrowing means the reserve percentage applicable two
Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period under
regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum
reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency,
supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for a member bank
of the Federal Reserve System in New York City with respect to
liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency
Liabilities (or with respect to any other category of liabilities that
includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on
Eurocurrency Rate Advances or LIBO Rate Advances is determined) having
a term equal to such Interest Period.
"EVENTS OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
"EXTENSION DATE" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(b).
"FEDERAL FUNDS RATE" means, for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions
with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds
brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a
Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by the Agent from three Federal funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by it.
"FIXED RATE ADVANCES" has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(a)(i), which Advances shall be denominated in Dollars or in any
Committed Currency.
"GAAP" has the meaning specified in Section 1.03.
"HEDGE AGREEMENTS" means interest rate swap, cap or collar
agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap
agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar
agreements.
"INFORMATION MEMORANDUM" means the information memorandum
dated May 17, 2000 used by the Agent in connection with the syndication
of the Commitments.
"INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period, without duplication,
interest expense (including the interest component on obligations under
capitalized leases), whether paid or accrued, on all Debt of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, but shall
not include non-cash interest on the Subordinated Convertible Notes.
"INTEREST PERIOD" means, for each Eurocurrency Rate Advance
comprising part of the same Revolving Credit Borrowing and each LIBO
Rate Advance comprising part of the same Competitive Bid Borrowing, the
period commencing on the date of such Eurocurrency Rate Advance or LIBO
Rate Advance or the date of the Conversion of any Base Rate Advance
into such Eurocurrency Rate Advance and ending on the last day of the
period selected by the Borrower requesting such Borrowing pursuant to
the provisions below and, thereafter, with respect to Eurocurrency Rate
Advances, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the
immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of the
period selected by such Borrower pursuant to the provisions below. The
duration of each such Interest Period shall be one, two, three or six
months, or nine or twelve months if available to all Lenders, as such
Borrower may, upon notice received by the Agent not later than 11:00
A.M. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the first
day of such Interest Period, select; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:
(i) such Borrower may not select any Interest Period
that ends after the Termination Date;
(ii) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for
Eurocurrency Rate Advances comprising part of the same
Revolving Credit Borrowing or for LIBO Rate Advances
comprising part of the same Competitive Bid Borrowing shall be
of the same duration;
(iii) whenever the last day of any Interest Period
would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the
last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on
the next succeeding Business Day, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if
such extension would cause the last day of such Interest
Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the last
day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding
Business Day; and
(iv) whenever the first day of any Interest Period
occurs on a day of an initial calendar month for which there
is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that
succeeds such initial calendar month by the number of months
equal to the number of months in such Interest Period, such
Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such
succeeding calendar month.
"INTERNAL REVENUE CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and
rulings issued thereunder.
"LENDERS" means the Initial Lenders, the Swing Line Bank, each
Assuming Lender that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section
2.18 and each Person that shall become a party hereto pursuant to
Section 9.07.
"LIBO RATE" means, for any Interest Period for all LIBO Rate
Advances comprising part of the same Competitive Bid Borrowing, an
interest rate per annum equal to the rate per annum obtained by
dividing (a) the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest whole
multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum) appearing on Dow Jones Markets
Telerate Page 3750 (or any successor page) as the London interbank
offered rate for deposits in Dollars or the applicable Committed
Currency at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to
such Interest Period or, if for any reason such rate is not available,
the average (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1%
per annum, if such average is not such a multiple) of the respective
rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars or the applicable
Committed Currency is offered by the principal office of each of the
Reference Banks in London, England to prime banks in the London
interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days before
the first day of such Interest Period in an amount substantially equal
to the amount that would be the Reference Banks' respective ratable
shares of such Borrowing if such Borrowing were to be a Revolving
Credit Borrowing to be outstanding during such Interest Period and for
a period equal to such Interest Period (subject, however, to the
provisions of Section 2.08) by (b) a percentage equal to 100% minus the
Eurocurrency Rate Reserve Percentage for such Interest Period.
"LIBO RATE ADVANCES" means a Competitive Bid Advance
denominated in Dollars or in any Committed Currency and bearing
interest based on the LIBO Rate.
"LIEN" means any lien, security interest or other charge or
encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement,
including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a
conditional vendor and the assignment of the right to receive income.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" means any material adverse change in
the business, financial condition or results of operations of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on
(a) the business, financial condition or results of operations of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the
rights and remedies of the Agent or any Lender under this Agreement or
any Note or (c) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations
under this Agreement or any Note.
"MOODY'S" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means a multiemployer plan, as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or
has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an
obligation to make contributions.
"MULTIPLE EMPLOYER PLAN" means a single employer plan, as
defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA
that (a) is maintained for employees of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate and at least one Person other than the Company and the ERISA
Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Company
or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069
of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
"NON-CONSENTING LENDER" has the meaning specified in Section
2.18(b).
"NOTE" means a Revolving Credit Note or a Competitive Bid
Note.
"NOTICE OF REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING" has the meaning
specified in Section 2.02(a).
"NOTICE OF SWING LINE BORROWING" has the meaning specified in
Section 2.02(b).
"NOTICE OF COMPETITIVE BID BORROWING" has the meaning
specified in Section 2.03(a).
"PAYMENT OFFICE" means, for any Committed Currency, such
office of Citibank as shall be from time to time selected by the Agent
and notified by the Agent to the Company and the Lenders.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (or any
successor).
"PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation
(including a business trust), joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or
other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency
thereof.
"PLAN" means a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer
Plan.
"PRO RATA SHARE" of any amount means, with respect to any
Lender at any time, the product of such amount times a fraction the
numerator of which is the amount of such Lender's Commitment at such
time and the denominator of which is the aggregate of the Commitments
of the Lenders at such time.
"PUBLIC DEBT RATING" means, as of any date, the lowest rating
that has been most recently announced by either S&P or Moody's, as the
case may be, for any class of non-credit enhanced long-term senior
unsecured debt issued by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing,
(a) if only one of S&P and Moody's shall have in effect a Public Debt
Rating, the Applicable Margin, the Applicable Percentage and the
Applicable Utilization Fee shall be determined by reference to the
available Public Debt Rating announced by either S&P or Moody's; (b) if
neither S&P nor Moody's shall have in effect a Public Debt Rating, the
Applicable Margin, the Applicable Percentage and the Applicable
Utilization Fee will be set in accordance with Level 5 under the
definition of "APPLICABLE MARGIN", "APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE" or
"APPLICABLE UTILIZATION FEE", as the case may be; (c) if such ratings
established by S&P and Moody's shall fall within different levels, the
Applicable Margin, the Applicable Percentage and the Applicable
Utilization Fee shall be based upon the higher of such ratings, except
that, in the event that the lower of such ratings is more than one
level below the higher of such ratings, the Applicable Margin, the
Applicable Percentage and the Applicable Utilization Fee shall be based
upon the level immediately above the lower of such ratings; (d) if any
such rating established by S&P or Moody's shall be changed, such change
shall be effective as of the date on which such change is first
announced publicly by the rating agency making such change; and (e) if
S&P or Moody's shall change the basis on which ratings are established,
each reference to the Public Debt Rating announced by S&P or Moody's,
as the case may be, shall refer to the then equivalent rating by S&P or
Moody's, as the case may be.
"REFERENCE BANKS" means Citibank, Bank One, SunTrust and HSBC
Bank USA.
"REGISTER" has the meaning specified in Section 9.07(d).
"REQUIRED LENDERS" means at any time Lenders owed at least a
majority in interest of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount
(based on the Equivalent in Dollars at such time) of the Revolving
Credit Advances, or, if no such principal amount is then outstanding,
Lenders having at least a majority in amount of the Commitments.
"REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCE" means an advance by a Lender to any
Borrower as part of a Revolving Credit Borrowing and refers to a Base
Rate Advance or a Eurocurrency Rate Advance (each of which shall be a
"TYPE" of Revolving Credit Advance).
"REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING" means a borrowing consisting of
simultaneous Revolving Credit Advances of the same Type made by each of
the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
"REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE" means a promissory note of any
Borrower payable to the order of any Lender, delivered pursuant to a
request made under Section 2.16 in substantially the form of Exhibit
A-1 hereto, evidencing the aggregate indebtedness of such Borrower to
such Lender resulting from the Revolving Credit Advances made by such
Lender to such Borrower.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.
"SINGLE EMPLOYER PLAN" means a single employer plan, as
defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA
that (a) is maintained for employees of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate and no Person other than the Company and the ERISA Affiliates
or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the
event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
"SPC" has the meaning specified in Section 9.07(f) hereto.
"SUB-AGENT" means Citibank International plc.
"SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE NOTES" means (a) the 1.80%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 of the Company issued on
September 16, 1997 and (b) the 1.87% Convertible Subordinated Notes due
2006 of the Company issued on June 1, 1999.
"SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or
in which) more than 50% of (a) the issued and outstanding capital stock
having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time
capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall
or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), (b)
the interest in the capital or profits of such limited liability
company, partnership or joint venture or (c) the beneficial interest in
such trust or estate is at the time directly or indirectly owned or
controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of its other
Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person's other Subsidiaries.
"SWING LINE ADVANCE" means an advance made by the Swing Line
Bank pursuant to Section 2.01(b) or any other Lender by purchase from
the Swing Line Bank pursuant to Section 2.02(b).
"SWING LINE ADVANCE MATURITY DATE" has the meaning specified
in Section 2.02(b).
"SWING LINE BANK" means Citibank.
"SWING LINE BORROWING" means a Borrowing consisting of a Swing
Line Advance made by the Swing Line Bank.
"SWING LINE COMMITMENT" means with respect to the Swing Line
Bank at any time the amount set forth opposite the Swing Line Bank's
name on the signature pages hereof, as such amount may be terminated or
reduced, as the case may be, at or prior to such time pursuant to
Section 2.05.
"TERMINATION DATE" means the earlier of (a) June 27, 2005,
subject to the extension thereof pursuant to Section 2.18 and (b) the
date of termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section
2.05 or 6.01; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Termination Date of any
Lender that is a Non-Consenting Lender to any requested extension
pursuant to Section 2.18 shall be the Termination Date in effect
immediately prior to the applicable Extension Date for all purposes of
this Agreement.
"UNUSED COMMITMENT" means, with respect to any Lender at any
time, (a) such Lender's Commitment at such time minus (b) the sum of
(i) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Advances
made by such Lender outstanding at such time, plus (ii) such Lender's
Pro Rata Share of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line
Advances then outstanding and (B) the aggregate principal amount of the
Competitive Bid Advances then outstanding.
"VOTING STOCK" means capital stock issued by a corporation, or
equivalent interests in any other Person, the holders of which are
ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the
election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such
Person, even if the right so to vote has been suspended by the
happening of such a contingency.
SECTION 1.02. COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS. In this Agreement
in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified
date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until"
each mean "to but excluding".
SECTION 1.03. ACCOUNTING TERMS. All accounting terms not
specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistent with those applied in the preparation
of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e) ("GAAP").
ARTICLE II
AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES
SECTION 2.01. THE ADVANCES. (a) THE REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCES.
Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
to make Revolving Credit Advances to any Borrower from time to time on any
Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Termination
Date in an aggregate amount (based in respect of any Revolving Credit Advances
to be denominated in a Committed Currency on the Equivalent in Dollars
determined on the date of delivery of the applicable Notice of Revolving Credit
Borrowing) for all Borrowers not to exceed at any time outstanding such Lender's
Unused Commitment. Each Revolving Credit Borrowing shall be in an aggregate
amount of $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof in
the case of Revolving Credit Advances denominated in Dollars and the Equivalent
of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof in the
case of Revolving Credit Advances denominated in any Committed Currency
(determined on the date of the applicable Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing)
and shall consist of Revolving Credit Advances of the same Type made on the same
day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments. Within the
limits of each Lender's Unused Commitment, any Borrower may borrow under this
Section 2.01(a), prepay pursuant to Section 2.10 and reborrow under this Section
2.01(a).
(b) THE SWING LINE ADVANCES. The Swing Line Bank agrees, on
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make Swing Line Advances to
any Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the
date hereof until the Termination Date (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed
at any time outstanding $25,000,000 (the "SWING LINE FACILITY") and (ii) in an
amount for each such Advance not to exceed the Unused Commitments of the Lenders
immediately prior to the making of such Advance The Swing Line Bank agrees to
make one or more Swing Line Advances on any Business Day. No Swing Line Advance
shall be used for the purpose of funding the payment of principal of any other
Swing Line Advance. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be in an amount of
$1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof and shall consist of a Base Rate
Advance made by the Swing Line Bank. Within the limits of the Swing Line
Facility and within the limits referred to in clause (ii) above, any Borrower
may borrow under this 2.01(b), prepay pursuant to Section 2.10 and reborrow
under this Section 2.01(b).
SECTION 2.02. MAKING THE REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCES AND SWING
LINE ADVANCES. (a) Each Revolving Credit Borrowing shall be made on notice,
given not later than (x) 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third Business
Day prior to the date of the proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing in the case of
a Revolving Credit Borrowing consisting of Eurocurrency Rate Advances
denominated in Dollars, (y) 4:00 P.M. (London time) on the third Business Day
prior to the date of the proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing in the case of a
Revolving Credit Borrowing consisting of Eurocurrency Rate Advances denominated
in any Committed Currency, or (z) 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of
the proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing in the case of a Revolving Credit
Borrowing consisting of Base Rate Advances, by any Borrower to the Agent (and,
in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing consisting of Eurocurrency Rate
Advances, simultaneously to the Sub-Agent), which shall give to each Lender
prompt notice thereof by telecopier or telex. Each such notice of a Revolving
Credit Borrowing (a "NOTICE OF REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING") shall be by
telephone, confirmed immediately in writing, or telecopier or telex in
substantially the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, specifying therein the requested
(i) date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, (ii) Type of Advances comprising
such Revolving Credit Borrowing, (iii) aggregate amount of such Revolving Credit
Borrowing, and (iv) in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing consisting of
Eurocurrency Rate Advances, initial Interest Period and currency for each such
Revolving Credit Advance; provided, however, that if any such notice shall fail
to specify a currency, Dollars shall be deemed to have been specified. Each
Lender shall, before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of such
Revolving Credit Borrowing, in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing
consisting of Advances denominated in Dollars, and before 11:00 A.M. (London
time) on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, in the case of a Revolving
Credit Borrowing consisting of Eurocurrency Rate Advances denominated in any
Committed Currency, make available for the account of its Applicable Lending
Office to the Agent at the applicable Agent's Account, in same day funds, such
Lender's ratable portion of such Revolving Credit Borrowing. After the Agent's
receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set
forth in Article III, the Agent will make such funds available to the Borrower
requesting the Revolving Credit Borrowing at the Agent's address referred to in
Section 9.02 or, in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing in a Committed
Currency, at the applicable Payment Office, as the case may be; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Agent shall first make a portion of such funds equal to the
aggregate principal amount of any Swing Line Advances made by the Swing Line
Bank and by any other Lender and outstanding on the date of such Revolving
Credit Borrowing, plus interest accrued and unpaid thereon to and as of such
date, available to the Swing Line Bank and such other Lenders for repayment of
such Swing Line Advances.
(b) Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made on notice, given
not later than 3:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of the proposed Swing
Line Borrowing by the Borrower to the Swing Line Bank and the Agent, of which
the Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders. Each such notice of a Swing
Line Borrowing (a "NOTICE OF SWING LINE BORROWING") shall be by telephone,
confirmed at once in writing, or telecopier or telex, specifying therein the
requested (i) date of such Borrowing, (ii) amount of such Borrowing and (iii)
maturity of such Borrowing (which maturity shall be no later than the earlier of
(A) the fifth Business Day after the requested date of such Borrowing and (B)
the Termination Date (the "SWING LINE ADVANCE MATURITY DATE")). The Swing Line
Bank shall, before 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of such Swing Line
Borrowing, make such Swing Line Borrowing available to the Agent at the Agent's
Account, in same day funds. After the Agent's receipt of such funds and upon
fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Agent
will make such funds available to the applicable Borrower at the Agent's address
referred to in Section 9.02. Upon written demand by the Swing Line Bank, with a
copy of such demand to the Agent, each other Lender will purchase from the Swing
Line Bank, and the Swing Line Bank shall sell and assign to each such other
Lender, such other Lender's Pro Rata Share of such outstanding Swing Line
Advance, by making available for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to
the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Bank, by deposit to the Agent's
Account, in same day funds, an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such Swing
Line Advance. Each Borrower hereby agrees to each such sale and assignment. Each
Lender agrees to purchase its Pro Rata Share of an outstanding Swing Line
Advance on (i) the Business Day on which demand therefor is made by the Swing
Line Bank, PROVIDED that notice of such demand is given not later than 11:00
A.M. (New York City time) on such Business Day or (ii) the first Business Day
next succeeding such demand if notice of such demand is given after such time.
Upon any such assignment by the Swing Line Bank to any other Lender of a portion
of a Swing Line Advance, the Swing Line Bank represents and warrants to such
other Lender that the Swing Line Bank is the legal and beneficial owner of such
interest being assigned by it, but makes no other representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to such Swing Line Advance, this
Agreement, the Notes or the Borrowers. If and to the extent that any Lender
shall not have so made its Pro Rata Share of such Swing Line Advance available
to the Agent, such Lender agrees to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand such
amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such Lender is
required to have made such amount available to the Agent until the date such
amount is paid to the Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. If such Lender shall pay
to the Agent such amount for the account of the Swing Line Bank on any Business
Day, such amount so paid in respect of principal shall constitute a Swing Line
Advance made by such Lender on such Business Day for purposes of this Agreement,
and the outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Advance made by the Swing
Line Bank shall be reduced by such amount on such Business Day.
(c) Anything in subsection (a) above to the contrary
notwithstanding, (i) no Borrower may select Eurocurrency Rate Advances for any
Revolving Credit Borrowing if the aggregate amount of such Revolving Credit
Borrowing is less than $5,000,000 or if the obligation of the Lenders to make
Eurocurrency Rate Advances shall then be suspended pursuant to Section 2.08 or
2.12 and (ii) the Eurocurrency Rate Advances may not be outstanding as part of
more than twenty separate Revolving Credit Borrowings.
(d) Each Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing and Notice of
Swing Line Borrowing of any Borrower shall be irrevocable and binding on such
Borrower. In the case of any Revolving Credit Borrowing that the related Notice
of Revolving Credit Borrowing specifies is to be comprised of Eurocurrency Rate
Advances, the Borrower requesting such Revolving Credit Borrowing shall
indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender
as a result of any failure to fulfill on or before the date specified in such
Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing for such Revolving Credit Borrowing the
applicable conditions set forth in Article III, including, without limitation,
any loss (excluding loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by
reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by
such Lender to fund the Revolving Credit Advance to be made by such Lender as
part of such Revolving Credit Borrowing when such Revolving Credit Advance, as a
result of such failure, is not made on such date.
(e) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender
prior to the date of any Revolving Credit Borrowing that such Lender will not
make available to the Agent such Lender's ratable portion of such Revolving
Credit Borrowing, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion
available to the Agent on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing in
accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.02 and the Agent may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower proposing the
Revolving Credit Borrowing on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the
extent that such Lender shall not have so made such ratable portion available to
the Agent, such Lender and such Borrower severally agree to repay to the Agent
forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon,
for each day from the date such amount is made available to such Borrower until
the date such amount is repaid to the Agent, at (i) in the case of such
Borrower, the higher of (A) the interest rate applicable at the time to
Revolving Credit Advances comprising such Revolving Credit Borrowing and (B) the
cost of funds incurred by the Agent in respect of such amount and (ii) in the
case of such Lender, (A) the Federal Funds Rate in the case of Advances
denominated in Dollars or (B) the cost of funds incurred by the Agent in respect
of such amount in the case of Advances denominated in Committed Currencies. If
such Lender shall repay to the Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so
repaid shall constitute such Lender's Revolving Credit Advance as part of such
Revolving Credit Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.
(f) The failure of any Lender to make the Revolving Credit
Advance to be made by it as part of any Revolving Credit Borrowing shall not
relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its
Revolving Credit Advance on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the
Revolving Credit Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any
Revolving Credit Borrowing.
SECTION 2.03. THE COMPETITIVE BID ADVANCES. (a) Each Lender
severally agrees that any Borrower may make Competitive Bid Borrowings under
this Section 2.03 from time to time on any Business Day during the period from
the date hereof until the date occurring 30 days prior to the Termination Date
in the manner set forth below; PROVIDED that, following the making of each
Competitive Bid Borrowing, the aggregate amount of the Advances then outstanding
(based in respect of any Advance denominated in a Committed Currency on the
Equivalent in Dollars at the time such Competitive Bid Borrowing is requested)
shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders.
(i) Any Borrower may request a Competitive Bid Borrowing under
this Section 2.03 by delivering to the Agent (and, in the case of a
Competitive Bid Borrowing not consisting of Fixed Rate Advances or LIBO
Rate Advances to be denominated in Dollars, simultaneously to the
Sub-Agent), by telecopier or telex, a notice of a Competitive Bid
Borrowing (a "NOTICE OF COMPETITIVE BID BORROWING"), in substantially
the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto, specifying therein the requested (A)
date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, (B) aggregate amount
of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, (C) interest rate basis and
day count convention to be offered by the Lenders, (D) currency of such
proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, (E) in the case of a Competitive
Bid Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Advances, Interest Period, or in
the case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of Fixed Rate
Advances, maturity date for repayment of each Fixed Rate Advance to be
made as part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing (which maturity date may
not be earlier than the date occurring 30 days after the date of such
Competitive Bid Borrowing or later than the Termination Date), (F)
interest payment date or dates relating thereto, (G) location of such
Borrower's account to which funds are to be advanced and (H) other
terms (if any) to be applicable to such Competitive Bid Borrowing, not
later than (w) 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) at least one Business
Day prior to the date of the proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, if
such Borrower shall specify in the Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing
that the rates of interest to be offered by the Lenders shall be fixed
rates per annum (the Advances comprising any such Competitive Bid
Borrowing being referred to herein as "FIXED RATE ADVANCES") and that
the Advances comprising such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing shall
be denominated in Dollars, (x) 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) at least
four Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Competitive Bid
Borrowing, if such Borrower shall specify in the Notice of Competitive
Bid Borrowing that the Advances comprising such Competitive Bid
Borrowing shall be LIBO Rate Advances denominated in Dollars, (y) 10:00
A.M. (London time) at least two Business Days prior to the date of the
proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, if such Borrower shall specify in
the Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing that the Advances comprising
such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing shall be Fixed Rate Advances
denominated in any Committed Currency and (z) 10:00 A.M. (London time)
at least four Business Days prior to the date of the proposed
Competitive Bid Borrowing, if such Borrower shall specify in the Notice
of Competitive Bid Borrowing that the Advances comprising such
Competitive Bid Borrowing shall be LIBO Rate Advances denominated in
any Committed Currency. Each Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing shall
be irrevocable and binding on such Borrower. Any Notice of Competitive
Bid Borrowing by a Designated Subsidiary shall be given to the Agent
(or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be) from its office in New York, New
York on behalf of such Designated Subsidiary.
(ii) Each Lender may, if, in its sole discretion, it elects to
do so, irrevocably offer to make one or more Competitive Bid Advances
to the Borrower proposing the Competitive Bid Borrowing as part of such
proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing at a rate or rates of interest
specified by such Lender in its sole discretion, by notifying the Agent
or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be (which shall give prompt notice
thereof to such Borrower), (A) before 9:30 A.M. (New York City time) on
the date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a
Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of Fixed Rate Advances denominated
in Dollars, (B) before 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) three Business
Days before the date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the
case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Advances,
denominated in Dollars, (C) before 12:00 noon (London time) on the
Business Day prior to the date of such proposed Competitive Bid
Borrowing, in the case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of
Fixed Rate Advances denominated in any Committed Currency and (D)
before 12:00 noon (London time) on the third Business Day prior to the
date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a
Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Advances denominated
in any Committed Currency, of the minimum amount and maximum amount of
each Competitive Bid Advance which such Lender would be willing to make
as part of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing (which amounts or
the Equivalent thereof in Dollars, as the case may be, of such proposed
Competitive Bid may, subject to the proviso to the first sentence of
this Section 2.03(a), exceed such Lender's Commitment, if any), the
rate or rates of interest therefor and such Lender's Applicable Lending
Office with respect to such Competitive Bid Advance; PROVIDED that if
the Agent in its capacity as a Lender shall, in its sole discretion,
elect to make any such offer, it shall notify such Borrower of such
offer at least 30 minutes before the time and on the date on which
notice of such election is to be given to the Agent or to the
Sub-Agent, as the case may be, by the other Lenders. If any Lender
shall elect not to make such an offer, such Lender shall so notify the
Agent before 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) or the Sub-Agent before
12:00 noon (London time) on the date on which notice of such election
is to be given to the Agent or to the Sub-Agent, as the case may be, by
the other Lenders, and such Lender shall not be obligated to, and shall
not, make any Competitive Bid Advance as part of such Competitive Bid
Borrowing; PROVIDED that the failure by any Lender to give such notice
shall not cause such Lender to be obligated to make any Competitive Bid
Advance as part of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing.
(iii) The Borrower proposing the Competitive Bid Borrowing
shall, in turn, (A) before 10:30 A.M. (New York City time) on the date
of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a
Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of Fixed Rate Advances denominated
in Dollars, (B) before 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) three Business
Days before the date of such proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the
case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Advances
denominated in Dollars, (C) before 3:00 P.M. (London time) on the
Business Day prior to the date of such proposed Competitive Bid
Borrowing, in the case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of
either Fixed Rate Advances denominated in any Committed Currency and
(D) before 3:00 P.M. (London time) on the third Business Day prior to
the date of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, in the case of a
Competitive Bid Borrowing consisting of LIBO Rate Advances denominated
in any Committed Currency, either:
(x) cancel such Competitive Bid Borrowing by giving
the Agent notice to that effect, or
(y) accept one or more of the offers made by any
Lender or Lenders pursuant to paragraph (ii) above, in its
sole discretion, by giving notice to the Agent or to the
Sub-Agent, as the case may be, of the amount of each
Competitive Bid Advance (which amount shall be equal to or
greater than the minimum amount, and equal to or less than the
maximum amount, notified to such Borrower by the Agent or the
Sub-Agent, as the case may be, on behalf of such Lender for
such Competitive Bid Advance pursuant to paragraph (ii) above)
to be made by each Lender as part of such Competitive Bid
Borrowing, and reject any remaining offers made by Lenders
pursuant to paragraph (ii) above by giving the Agent or the
Sub-Agent, as the case may be, notice to that effect. Such
Borrower shall accept the offers made by any Lender or Lenders
to make Competitive Bid Advances in order of the lowest to the
highest rates of interest offered by such Lenders. If two or
more Lenders have offered the same interest rate, the amount
to be borrowed at such interest rate will be allocated among
such Lenders in proportion to the amount that each such Lender
offered at such interest rate.
(iv) If the Borrower proposing the Competitive Bid Borrowing
notifies the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be, that such
Competitive Bid Borrowing is cancelled pursuant to paragraph (iii)(x)
above, the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be, shall give
prompt notice thereof to the Lenders and such Competitive Bid Borrowing
shall not be made.
(v) If the Borrower proposing the Competitive Bid Borrowing
accepts one or more of the offers made by any Lender or Lenders
pursuant to paragraph (iii)(y) above, the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as
the case may be, shall in turn promptly notify (A) each Lender that has
made an offer as described in paragraph (ii) above, of the date and
aggregate amount of such Competitive Bid Borrowing and whether or not
any offer or offers made by such Lender pursuant to paragraph (ii)
above have been accepted by such Borrower, (B) each Lender that is to
make a Competitive Bid Advance as part of such Competitive Bid
Borrowing, of the amount of each Competitive Bid Advance to be made by
such Lender as part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, and (C) each
Lender that is to make a Competitive Bid Advance as part of such
Competitive Bid Borrowing, upon receipt, that the Agent or the
Sub-Agent, as the case may be, has received forms of documents
appearing to fulfill the applicable conditions set forth in Article
III. Each Lender that is to make a Competitive Bid Advance as part of
such Competitive Bid Borrowing shall, before 11:00 A.M. (New York City
time), in the case of Competitive Bid Advances to be denominated in
Dollars or 11:00 A.M. (London time), in the case of Competitive Bid
Advances to be denominated in any Committed Currency, on the date of
such Competitive Bid Borrowing specified in the notice received from
the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be, pursuant to clause (A)
of the preceding sentence or any later time when such Lender shall have
received notice from the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be
pursuant to clause (C) of the preceding sentence, make available for
the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the Agent (x) in the
case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing denominated in Dollars, at its
address referred to in Section 9.02, in same day funds, such Lender's
portion of such Competitive Bid Borrowing in Dollars and (y) in the
case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing in a Committed Currency, at the
Payment Office for such Committed Currency as shall have been notified
by the Agent to the Lenders prior thereto, in same day funds, such
Lender's portion of such Competitive Bid Borrowing in such Committed
Currency. Upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in
Article III and after receipt by the Agent of such funds, the Agent
will make such funds available to such Borrower at the location
specified by such Borrower in its Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing.
Promptly after each Competitive Bid Borrowing the Agent will notify
each Lender of the amount of the Competitive Bid Borrowing, the
consequent Competitive Bid Reduction and the dates upon which such
Competitive Bid Reduction commenced and will terminate.
(vi) If the Borrower proposing the Competitive Bid Borrowing
notifies the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be, that it
accepts one or more of the offers made by any Lender or Lenders
pursuant to paragraph (iii)(y) above, such notice of acceptance shall
be irrevocable and binding on such Borrower. Such Borrower shall
indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred by
such Lender as a result of any failure to fulfill on or before the date
specified in the related Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing for such
Competitive Bid Borrowing the applicable conditions set forth in
Article III, including, without limitation, any loss (excluding loss of
anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the
liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such
Lender to fund the Competitive Bid Advance to be made by such Lender as
part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing when such Competitive Bid
Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such date.
(b) Each Competitive Bid Borrowing shall be in an aggregate
amount of $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof
(or the Equivalent thereof in any Committed Currency, determined as of the time
of the applicable Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing) and, following the making
of each Competitive Bid Borrowing, the Borrowers shall be in compliance with the
limitation set forth in the proviso to the first sentence of subsection (a)
above.
(c) Within the limits and on the conditions set forth in this
Section 2.03, any Borrower may from time to time borrow under this Section 2.03,
repay or prepay pursuant to subsection (d) below, and reborrow under this
Section 2.03, PROVIDED that a Competitive Bid Borrowing shall not be made within
three Business Days of the date of any other Competitive Bid Borrowing.
(d) Each Borrower that has borrowed through a Competitive Bid
Borrowing shall repay to the Agent for the account of each Lender that has made
a Competitive Bid Advance, on the maturity date of each Competitive Bid Advance
(such maturity date being that specified by such Borrower for repayment of such
Competitive Bid Advance in the related Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing
delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i) above and provided in the Competitive
Bid Note evidencing such Competitive Bid Advance), the then unpaid principal
amount of such Competitive Bid Advance. No Borrower shall have any right to
prepay any principal amount of any Competitive Bid Advance unless, and then only
on the terms, specified by such Borrower for such Competitive Bid Advance in the
related Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection
(a)(i) above and set forth in the Competitive Bid Note evidencing such
Competitive Bid Advance.
(e) Each Borrower that has borrowed through a Competitive Bid
Borrowing shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Competitive
Bid Advance from the date of such Competitive Bid Advance to the date the
principal amount of such Competitive Bid Advance is repaid in full, at the rate
of interest for such Competitive Bid Advance specified by the Lender making such
Competitive Bid Advance in its notice with respect thereto delivered pursuant to
subsection (a)(ii) above, payable on the interest payment date or dates
specified by such Borrower for such Competitive Bid Advance in the related
Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i)
above, as provided in the Competitive Bid Note evidencing such Competitive Bid
Advance. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default
under Section 6.01(a), such Borrower shall pay interest on the amount of unpaid
principal of and interest on each Competitive Bid Advance owing to a Lender,
payable in arrears on the date or dates interest is payable thereon, at a rate
per annum equal at all times to 2% per annum above the rate per annum required
to be paid on such Competitive Bid Advance under the terms of the Competitive
Bid Note evidencing such Competitive Bid Advance unless otherwise agreed in such
Competitive Bid Note.
(f) The indebtedness of any Borrower resulting from each
Competitive Bid Advance made to such Borrower as part of a Competitive Bid
Borrowing shall be evidenced by a separate Competitive Bid Note of such Borrower
payable to the order of the Lender making such Competitive Bid Advance.
SECTION 2.04. FEES. (a) FACILITY FEE. The Company agrees
to pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee on the
aggregate amount of such Lender's Commitment from the Effective Date in the case
of each Initial Lender and from the effective date specified in the Assumption
Agreement or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a
Lender in the case of each other Lender until the Termination Date at a rate per
annum equal to the Applicable Percentage in effect from time to time, payable in
arrears quarterly on the last day of each March, June, September and December,
commencing June 30, 2000, and on the Termination Date.
(b) AGENT'S FEES. The Company shall pay to the Agent for its
own account such fees as may from time to time be agreed between the Company and
the Agent.
SECTION 2.05. OPTIONAL TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF THE
COMMITMENTS. The Company shall have the right, upon at least three Business
Days' notice to the Agent, to permanently terminate in whole or reduce ratably
in part the unused portions of the respective Commitments of the Lenders,
PROVIDED that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of
$10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and PROVIDED
FURTHER that the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders shall not be
reduced to an amount that is less than the aggregate principal amount of the
Competitive Bid Advances denominated in Dollars then outstanding plus the
Equivalent in Dollars (determined as of the date of the notice of prepayment) of
the aggregate principal amount of the Competitive Bid Advances denominated in
Committed Currencies then outstanding.
SECTION 2.06. REPAYMENT. (a) REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCES.
Each Borrower shall repay to the Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders on
the Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit
Advances made to it and then outstanding.
(b) SWING LINE ADVANCES. Each Borrower shall repay to the
Agent for the account of (i) the Swing Line Bank and (ii) each other Lender
which has made a Swing Line Advance by purchase from the Swing Line Bank
pursuant to Section 2.02(b) the outstanding principal amount of each Swing Line
Advance made by each of them on the Swing Line Advance Maturity Date specified
in the applicable Notice of Swing Line Borrowing.
SECTION 2.07. INTEREST ON REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCES AND SWING
LINE ADVANCES. (a) SCHEDULED INTEREST. Each Borrower shall pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Advance and Swing Line Advance
made to it and owing to each Lender from the date of such Revolving Credit
Advance or Swing Line Advance, as the case may be, until such principal amount
shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
(i) BASE RATE ADVANCES. During such periods as such Revolving
Credit Advance is a Base Rate Advance and for each Swing Line Advance,
a rate per annum equal at all times to the sum of (x) the Base Rate in
effect from time to time plus (y) the Applicable Margin in effect from
time to time PLUS (z) the Applicable Utilization Fee, if any, in effect
from time to time, payable in arrears (A) in the case of a Base Rate
Advance that is not a Swing Line Advance, quarterly on the last day of
each March, June, September and December during such periods and on the
date such Base Rate Advance shall be Converted or paid in full or (B)
in the case of a Base Rate Advance that is a Swing Line Advance, on the
date such Swing Line Advance shall be paid in full.
(ii) EUROCURRENCY RATE ADVANCES. During such periods as such
Revolving Credit Advance is a Eurocurrency Rate Advance, a rate per
annum equal at all times during each Interest Period for such Revolving
Credit Advance to the sum of (x) the Eurocurrency Rate for such
Interest Period for such Revolving Credit Advance PLUS (y) the
Applicable Margin in effect from time to time PLUS (z) the Applicable
Utilization Fee, if any, in effect from time to time, payable in
arrears on the last day of such Interest Period and, if such Interest
Period has a duration of more than three months, on each day that
occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first
day of such Interest Period and on the date such Eurocurrency Rate
Advance shall be Converted or paid in full.
(b) DEFAULT INTEREST. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default under Section 6.01(a), the Borrowers shall
pay interest on (i) the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Advance
owing to each Lender, payable in arrears on the dates referred to in clause
(a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, at a rate per annum equal at all times to 2% per annum
above the rate per annum required to be paid on such Revolving Credit Advance
pursuant to clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above and (ii) to the fullest extent
permitted by law, the amount of any interest, fee or other amount payable
hereunder that is not paid when due, from the date such amount shall be due
until such amount shall be paid in full, payable in arrears on the date such
amount shall be paid in full and on demand, at a rate per annum equal at all
times to 2% per annum above the rate per annum required to be paid on Base Rate
Advances pursuant to clause (a)(i) above.
SECTION 2.08. INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION. (a) Each Reference
Bank agrees to furnish to the Agent timely information for the purpose of
determining each Eurocurrency Rate and each LIBO Rate. If any one or more of the
Reference Banks shall not furnish such timely information to the Agent for the
purpose of determining any such interest rate, the Agent shall determine such
interest rate on the basis of timely information furnished by the remaining
Reference Banks. The Agent shall give prompt notice to the Company and the
Lenders of the applicable interest rate determined by the Agent for purposes of
Section 2.07(a)(i) or (ii), and the rate, if any, furnished by each Reference
Bank for the purpose of determining the interest rate under Section 2.07(a)(ii).
(b) If, with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Advances, the
Required Lenders notify the Agent that (i) they are unable to obtain matching
deposits in the London inter-bank market at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) on
the second Business Day before the making of a Borrowing in sufficient amounts
to fund their respective Revolving Credit Advances as a part of such Borrowing
during its Interest Period or (ii) the Eurocurrency Rate for any Interest Period
for such Advances will not adequately reflect the cost to such Required Lenders
of making, funding or maintaining their respective Eurocurrency Rate Advances
for such Interest Period, the Agent shall forthwith so notify the Company and
the Lenders, whereupon (A) the Borrower of such Eurocurrency Advances will, on
the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, (1) if such
Eurocurrency Rate Advances are denominated in Dollars, either (x) prepay such
Advances or (y) Convert such Advances into Base Rate Advances and (2) if such
Eurocurrency Rate Advances are denominated in any Committed Currency, either (x)
prepay such Advances or (y) redenominate such Advances into an Equivalent amount
of Dollars and Convert such Advances into Base Rate Advances and (B) the
obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Revolving Credit Advances into,
Eurocurrency Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Agent shall notify the
Company and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist.
(c) If any Borrower shall fail to select the duration of any
Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Rate Advances in accordance with the
provisions contained in the definition of "Interest Period" in Section 1.01, the
Agent will forthwith so notify such Borrower and the Lenders and such Advances
will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period
therefor, (i) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advances are denominated in Dollars,
Convert into Base Rate Advances and (ii) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advances are
denominated in a Committed Currency, be redenominated into an Equivalent amount
of Dollars and be Converted into Base Rate Advances.
(d) On the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of Eurocurrency Rate Advances comprising any Borrowing shall be reduced, by
payment or prepayment or otherwise, to less than $5,000,000, such Advances shall
automatically Convert into Base Rate Advances.
(e) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default under Section 6.01(a), (i) each Eurocurrency Rate Advance will
automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor,
(A) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advances are denominated in Dollars, be Converted
into Base Rate Advances and (B) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advances are
denominated in any Committed Currency, be redenominated into an Equivalent
amount of Dollars and be Converted into Base Rate Advances and (ii) the
obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurocurrency
Rate Advances shall be suspended.
(f) If Telerate Markets Page 3750 is unavailable and fewer
than two Reference Banks furnish timely information to the Agent for determining
the Eurocurrency Rate or LIBO Rate for any Eurocurrency Rate Advances or LIBO
Rate Advances, as the case may be,
(i) the Agent shall forthwith notify the Company and the
Lenders that the interest rate cannot be determined for such
Eurocurrency Rate Advances or LIBO Rate Advances, as the case may be,
(ii) with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Advances, each such
Advance will automatically, on the last day of the then existing
Interest Period therefor, (A) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advance is
denominated in Dollars, be prepaid by the applicable Borrower or be
automatically Converted into a Base Rate Advance and (B) if such
Eurocurrency Rate Advance is denominated in any Committed Currency, be
prepaid by the applicable Borrower or be automatically redenominated
into an Equivalent amount of Dollars and be Converted into a Base Rate
Advance (or if such Advance is then a Base Rate Advance, will continue
as a Base Rate Advance), and
(iii) the obligation of the Lenders to make Eurocurrency Rate
Advances or LIBO Rate Advances or to Convert Base Rate Advances into
Eurocurrency Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Agent shall
notify the Company and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such
suspension no longer exist.
SECTION 2.09. OPTIONAL CONVERSION OF REVOLVING CREDIT
ADVANCES. The Borrower of any Revolving Credit Advance may on any Business Day,
upon notice given to the Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on
the third Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Conversion and subject
to the provisions of Sections 2.08 and 2.12, Convert all Revolving Credit
Advances denominated in Dollars of one Type comprising the same Borrowing into
Revolving Credit Advances denominated in Dollars of the other Type; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that any Conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Advances into Base Rate
Advances shall be made only on the last day of an Interest Period for such
Eurocurrency Rate Advances, any Conversion of Base Rate Advances into
Eurocurrency Rate Advances shall be in an amount not less than the minimum
amount specified in Section 2.02(b) and no Conversion of any Revolving Credit
Advances shall result in more separate Revolving Credit Borrowings than
permitted under Section 2.02(b). Each such notice of a Conversion shall, within
the restrictions specified above, specify (i) the date of such Conversion, (ii)
the Dollar denominated Revolving Credit Advances to be Converted, and (iii) if
such Conversion is into Eurocurrency Rate Advances, the duration of the initial
Interest Period for each such Advance. Each notice of Conversion shall be
irrevocable and binding on the Borrower giving such notice.
SECTION 2.10. PREPAYMENTS OF REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCES AND
SWING LINE ADVANCES. (a) OPTIONAL. Each Borrower may, upon notice at least two
Business Days' prior to the date of such prepayment, in the case of Eurocurrency
Rate Advances, and not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of
such prepayment, in the case of Base Rate Advances and Swing Line Advances, to
the Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the
prepayment, and if such notice is given such Borrower shall, prepay the
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Advances comprising part of
the same Revolving Credit Borrowing or Swing Line Advances comprising part of
the same Swing Line Borrowing in whole or ratably in part, together with accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) each partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate
principal amount of (x) $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof in the case of Revolving Credit Advances denominated in Dollars,
(y) the Equivalent of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof in the case of Revolving Credit Advances denominated in any Committed
Currencies (determined on the date notice of prepayment is given) and (z)
$1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof in the case of Swing Line Advances
and (ii) in the event of any such prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Advance,
such Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Lenders in respect thereof
pursuant to Section 9.04(c).
(b) MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS. (i) If the Agent notifies the
Company on the second Business Day prior to any interest payment date that the
sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all Advances denominated in Dollars
then outstanding plus (B) the Equivalent in Dollars (both (A) and (B) determined
on the third Business Day prior to such interest payment date) of the aggregate
principal amount of all Advances denominated in Committed Currencies then
outstanding exceeds 103% of the aggregate Commitments of the Lenders on such
date, the Borrowers shall, within two Business Days after receipt of such
notice, prepay the outstanding principal amount of any Advances owing by the
Borrowers in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such sum after such
payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the aggregate Commitments of the
Lenders. The Agent shall provide such notice to the Company at the request of
any Lender.
(ii) Each prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.10(b)
shall be made together with any interest accrued to the date of such prepayment
on the principal amounts prepaid and, in the case of any prepayment of a
Eurocurrency Rate Advance or a LIBO Rate Advance on a date other than the last
day of an Interest Period or at its maturity, any additional amounts which the
Borrowers shall be obligated to reimburse to the Lenders in respect thereof
pursuant to Section 9.04(c). The Agent shall give prompt notice of any
prepayment required under this Section 2.10(b) to the Company and the Lenders.
SECTION 2.11. INCREASED COSTS. (a) If, due to either (i) the
introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central
bank or other governmental authority including, without limitation, any agency
of the European Union or similar monetary or multinational authority (whether or
not having the force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to any
Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurocurrency Rate
Advances or LIBO Rate Advances (excluding for purposes of this Section 2.11 any
such increased costs resulting from (i) Taxes or Other Taxes (as to which
Section 2.14 shall govern) and (ii) changes in the basis of taxation of overall
net income or overall gross income by the United States or by the foreign
jurisdiction or state under the laws of which such Lender is organized or has
its Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof), then the
Company shall from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such
demand to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Lender additional
amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increased cost. A
certificate as to the amount of such increased cost, submitted to the Company
and the Agent by such Lender, shall constitute prima facie evidence of such
amounts.
(b) If any Lender determines that due to the introduction of
or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation or any
guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority
(whether or not having the force of law), taking into consideration the policies
of such Lender and any corporation controlling such Lender with respect to
capital adequacy, increases or would increase the amount of capital required or
expected to be maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such
Lender and that the amount of such increase is based upon the existence of such
Lender's commitment to lend hereunder and other commitments of this type and the
effect of such increase is to reduce the rate of return on such Lender's capital
or on the capital of the corporation controlling such Lender, then, upon demand
by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Agent), the Company shall pay
to the Agent for the account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by
such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or such
corporation in the light of such circumstances, to the extent that such Lender
reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the existence
of such Lender's commitment to lend hereunder. A certificate as to such amounts
submitted to the Company and the Agent by such Lender shall constitute prima
facie evidence of such amounts.
SECTION 2.12. ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, if any Lender shall notify the Agent that the introduction of
or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it
unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is
unlawful, for any Lender or its Eurocurrency Lending Office to perform its
obligations hereunder to make Eurocurrency Rate Advances in Dollars or any
Committed Currency or LIBO Rate Advances in Dollars or any Committed Currency or
to fund or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Advances in Dollars or any Committed
Currency or LIBO Rate Advances in Dollars or any Committed Currency hereunder,
(a) each Eurocurrency Rate Advance or LIBO Rate Advance, as the case may be,
will automatically, upon such demand, (i) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advance or
LIBO Rate Advance is denominated in Dollars, be Converted into a Base Rate
Advance or an Advance that bears interest at the rate set forth in Section
2.07(a)(i), as the case may be, and (ii) if such Eurocurrency Rate Advance or
LIBO Rate Advance is denominated in any Committed Currency, be redenominated
into an Equivalent amount of Dollars and be Converted into a Base Rate Advance
or an Advance that bears interest at the rate set forth in Section 2.07(a)(i),
as the case may be, and (b) the obligation of the Lenders to make Eurocurrency
Rate Advances or LIBO Rate Advances or to Convert Revolving Credit Advances into
Eurocurrency Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Agent shall notify the
Company and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist.
SECTION 2.13. PAYMENTS AND COMPUTATIONS. (a) Each Borrower
shall make each payment hereunder, except with respect to principal of, interest
on, and other amounts relating to, Advances denominated in a Committed Currency,
not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the day when due in Dollars to
the Agent at the applicable Agent's Account in same day funds and without
deduction, set off or counterclaim. Each Borrower shall make each payment
hereunder with respect to principal of, interest on, and other amounts relating
to, Advances denominated in a Committed Currency, not later than 11:00 A.M. (at
the Payment Office for such Committed Currency) on the day when due in such
Committed Currency to the Agent, by deposit of such funds to the applicable
Agent's Account in same day funds. The Agent will promptly thereafter cause to
be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or
facility fees ratably (other than amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.03,
2.11, 2.14 or 9.04(c)) to the Lenders for the account of their respective
Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating to the payment of any other
amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the account of its Applicable
Lending Office, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Upon any Assuming Lender becoming a Lender hereunder as a result of
an extension of the Termination Date pursuant to Section 2.18, and upon the
Agent's receipt of such Lender's Assumption Agreement and recording of the
information contained therein in the Register, from and after the applicable
Extension Date the Agent shall make all payments hereunder and under any Notes
issued in connection therewith in respect of the interest assumed thereby to the
Assuming Lender. Upon its acceptance of an Assignment and Acceptance and
recording of the information contained therein in the Register pursuant to
Section 9.07(c), from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment
and Acceptance, the Agent shall make all payments hereunder and under the Notes
in respect of the interest assigned thereby to the Lender assignee thereunder,
and the parties to such Assignment and Acceptance shall make all appropriate
adjustments in such payments for periods prior to such effective date directly
between themselves.
(b) All computations of interest based on the Base Rate shall
be made by the Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may
be, all computations of interest based on the Eurocurrency Rate or the Federal
Funds Rate and of facility fees shall be made by the Agent on the basis of a
year of 360 days and computations in respect of Competitive Bid Advances shall
be made by the Agent or the Sub-Agent, as the case may be, as specified in the
applicable Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing (or, in each case of Advances
denominated in Committed Currencies where market practice differs, in accordance
with market practice), in each case for the actual number of days (including the
first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such
interest or facility fees are payable. Each determination by the Agent of an
interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent
manifest error.
(c) Whenever any payment hereunder or under the Notes shall be
stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made
on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such
case be included in the computation of payment of interest or facility fee, as
the case may be; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if such extension would cause payment
of interest on or principal of Eurocurrency Rate Advances or LIBO Rate Advances
to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on
the next preceding Business Day.
(d) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from any
Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders hereunder
that such Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Agent may assume that
such Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date and the
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each
Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender. If
and to the extent such Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to
the Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such amount
distributed to such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date such Lender repays
such amount to the Agent, at (i) the Federal Funds Rate in the case of Advances
denominated in Dollars or (ii) the cost of funds incurred by the Agent in
respect of such amount in the case of Advances denominated in Committed
Currencies.
SECTION 2.14. TAXES. (a) Any and all payments by each Borrower
hereunder or under the Notes shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.13,
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
respect thereto, EXCLUDING, in the case of each Lender and the Agent, taxes
imposed on its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of
net income taxes, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender or the
Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political subdivision thereof
and, in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its overall net income, and
franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income taxes, by the jurisdiction
of such Lender's Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof
(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings
and liabilities in respect of payments hereunder or under the Notes being
hereinafter referred to as "TAXES"). If any Borrower shall be required by law to
deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under any
Note to any Lender or the Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may
be necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.14) such Lender or
the Agent (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have
received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such
deductions and (iii) such Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable
law.
(b) In addition, the Company shall pay any present or future
stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or under the Notes or
from the execution, delivery or registration of, performing under, or otherwise
with respect to, this Agreement or the Notes (hereinafter referred to as "OTHER
TAXES").
(c) Each Borrower shall indemnify each Lender and the Agent
for and hold it harmless against the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes
(including, without limitation, taxes of any kind imposed by any jurisdiction on
amounts payable under this Section 2.14) imposed on or paid by such Lender or
the Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest
and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto. This indemnification
shall be made within 30 days from the date such Lender or the Agent (as the case
may be) makes written demand therefor.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes,
each Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, at its address referred to in Section
9.02, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment. In
the case of any payment hereunder or under the Notes by or on behalf of such
Borrower through an account or branch outside the United States or by or on
behalf of such Borrower by a payor that is not a United States person, if such
Borrower determines that no Taxes are payable in respect thereof, such Borrower
shall furnish, or shall cause such payor to furnish, to the Agent, at such
address, an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Agent stating that such payment
is exempt from Taxes. For purposes of this subsection (d) and subsection (e),
the terms "UNITED STATES" and "UNITED STATES PERSON" shall have the meanings
specified in Section 7701 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(e) Each Lender organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
outside the United States, on or prior to the date of its execution and delivery
of this Agreement in the case of each Initial Lender and on the date of the
Assumption Agreement or the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it
becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to time
thereafter as requested in writing by the Company (but only so long as such
Lender remains lawfully able to do so), shall provide each of the Agent and the
Company with two original Internal Revenue Service forms W-8BEN or W-8ECI, as
appropriate, or any successor or other form prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service, certifying that such Lender is exempt from or entitled to a reduced
rate of United States withholding tax on payments pursuant to this Agreement or
the Notes. If the form provided by a Lender at the time such Lender first
becomes a party to this Agreement indicates a United States interest withholding
tax rate in excess of zero, withholding tax at such rate shall be considered
excluded from Taxes unless and until such Lender provides the appropriate forms
certifying that a lesser rate applies, whereupon withholding tax at such lesser
rate only shall be considered excluded from Taxes for periods governed by such
form; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if at the date of the Assignment and Acceptance
pursuant to which a Lender assignee becomes a party to this Agreement, the
Lender assignor was entitled to payments under subsection (a) in respect of
United States withholding tax with respect to interest paid at such date, then,
to such extent, the term Taxes shall include (in addition to withholding taxes
that may be imposed in the future or other amounts otherwise includable in
Taxes) United States withholding tax, if any, applicable with respect to the
Lender assignee on such date. If any form or document referred to in this
subsection (e) requires the disclosure of information, other than information
necessary to compute the tax payable and information required on the date hereof
by Internal Revenue Service form W-8BEN or W-8ECI, that the Lender reasonably
considers to be confidential, the Lender shall give notice thereof to the
Borrowers and shall not be obligated to include in such form or document such
confidential information.
(f) Each Initial Lender hereby confirms as of the Effective
Date, and each other Lender confirms as of the effective date of the Assignment
and Acceptance pursuant to which it becomes a party hereto, in favor of the
Agent that either (i) such Lender is not resident in the United Kingdom and is
beneficially entitled to the Advances and the interest thereon or (ii) it is a
bank as defined for the purposes of Section 349 of the Income and Corporation
Taxes Act of 1988 of the United Kingdom and is beneficially entitled to the
Advances and the interest thereon, and each Lender agrees to notify the Agent if
there is any change in its position from that set forth in this clause (f).
(g) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed
to provide the Company with the appropriate form described in Section 2.14(e)
(OTHER THAN if such failure is due to a change in law occurring subsequent to
the date on which a form originally was required to be provided, or if such form
otherwise is not required under subsection (e) above), such Lender shall not be
entitled to indemnification under Section 2.14(a) or (c) with respect to Taxes
imposed by the United States by reason of such failure; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
should a Lender become subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form
required hereunder, the Company shall take such steps at such Lender's expense
as the Lender shall reasonably request to assist the Lender to recover such
Taxes.
(h) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 2.14 agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with
its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the
jurisdiction of its Eurocurrency Lending Office if the making of such a change
would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, any such additional amounts
that may thereafter accrue and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such
Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
SECTION 2.15. SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC. If any Lender shall
obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Revolving Credit Advances or
Swing Line Advances owing to it (other than pursuant to Section 2.11, 2.14 or
9.04(c)) in excess of its ratable share of payments on account of the Revolving
Credit Advances or Swing Line Advances obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender
shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the
Revolving Credit Advances or Swing Line Advances owing to them as shall be
necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably
with each of them; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from
each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender shall repay to the purchasing
Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery together with an amount
equal to such Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the
amount of such Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered
from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by
the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. Each Borrower
agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender
pursuant to this Section 2.15 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect
to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of
such Borrower in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 2.16. EVIDENCE OF DEBT. (a) Each Lender shall maintain
in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the
indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Revolving
Credit Advance and each Swing Line Advance owing to such Lender from time to
time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such
Lender from time to time hereunder in respect of Revolving Credit Advances and
Swing Line Advances. Each Borrower agrees that upon notice by any Lender to such
Borrower (with a copy of such notice to the Agent) to the effect that a
Revolving Credit Note is required or appropriate in order for such Lender to
evidence (whether for purposes of pledge, enforcement or otherwise) the
Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances owing to, or to be made by,
such Lender, such Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver to such Lender a
Revolving Credit Note payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount
up to the Commitment of such Lender.
(b) The Register maintained by the Agent pursuant to Section
9.07(d) shall include a control account, and a subsidiary account for each
Lender, in which accounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the date and
amount of each Borrowing made hereunder, the Type of Advances comprising such
Borrowing and, if appropriate, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the
terms of each Assumption Agreement and each Assignment and Acceptance delivered
to and accepted by it, (iii) the amount of any principal or interest due and
payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each Lender hereunder
and (iv) the amount of any sum received by the Agent from such Borrower
hereunder and each Lender's share thereof.
(c) Entries made in good faith by the Agent in the Register
pursuant to subsection (b) above, and by each Lender in its account or accounts
pursuant to subsection (a) above, shall be PRIMA FACIE evidence of the amount of
principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each
Borrower to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of such
account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement, absent manifest error;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure of the Agent or such Lender to make an
entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register or such
account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of any
Borrower under this Agreement.
SECTION 2.17. USE OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of the Advances
shall be available (and each Borrower agrees that it shall use such proceeds)
solely for general corporate purposes of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, including commercial paper backstop and acquisition financing.
SECTION 2.18. EXTENSION OF TERMINATION DATE. (a) At least 30
days but not more than 45 days prior to each anniversary of the Effective Date,
the Company, by written notice to the Agent, may request an extension of the
Termination Date in effect at such time by one year from its then scheduled
expiration. The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such request, and
each Lender shall in turn, in its sole discretion, not later than 20 days prior
to such anniversary of the Effective Date, notify the Company and the Agent in
writing as to whether such Lender will consent to such extension. If any Lender
shall fail to notify the Agent and the Company in writing of its consent to any
such request for extension of the Termination Date at least 20 days prior to
such anniversary of the Effective Date, such Lender shall be deemed to be a
Non-Consenting Lender with respect to such request. The Agent shall notify the
Company not later than 15 days prior to such anniversary of the Effective Date
of the decision of the Lenders regarding the Company's request for an extension
of the Termination Date.
(b) If all the Lenders consent in writing to any such request
in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.18, the Termination Date in
effect at such time shall, effective as at the applicable anniversary of the
Effective Date (the "EXTENSION DATE"), be extended for one year; PROVIDED that
on each Extension Date the applicable conditions set forth in Article III shall
be satisfied. If less than all of the Lenders consent in writing to any such
request in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.18, the Termination
Date in effect at such time shall, effective as at the applicable Extension Date
and subject to subsection (d) of this Section 2.18, be extended as to those
Lenders that so consented (each a "CONSENTING LENDER") but shall not be extended
as to any other Lender (each a "NON-CONSENTING LENDER"). To the extent that the
Termination Date is not extended as to any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.18
and the Commitment of such Lender is not assumed in accordance with subsection
(c) of this Section 2.18 on or prior to the applicable Extension Date, the
Commitment of such Non-Consenting Lender shall automatically terminate in whole
on such unextended Termination Date without any further notice or other action
by the Company, such Lender or any other Person; PROVIDED that such
Non-Consenting Lender's rights under Sections 2.11, 2.14 and 9.04, and its
obligations under Section 8.05, shall survive the Termination Date for such
Lender as to matters occurring prior to such date. It is understood and agreed
that no Lender shall have any obligation whatsoever to agree to any request made
by the Company for any requested extension of the Termination Date.
(c) If less than all of the Lenders consent to any such
request pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.18, the Agent shall
promptly so notify the Consenting Lenders, and each Consenting Lender may, in
its sole discretion, give written notice to the Agent not later than 10 days
prior to the applicable anniversary of the Effective Date of the amount of the
Non-Consenting Lenders' Commitments for which it is willing to accept an
assignment. If the Consenting Lenders notify the Agent that they are willing to
accept assignments of Commitments in an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount
of the Commitments of the Non-Consenting Lenders, such Commitments shall be
allocated among the Consenting Lenders willing to accept such assignments in
such amounts as are agreed between the Company and the Agent. If after giving
effect to the assignments of Commitments described above there remain any
Commitments of Non-Consenting Lenders, the Company may arrange for one or more
Consenting Lenders or other Eligible Assignees (each, an "ASSUMING LENDER") to
assume, effective as of any date not later than three months after the
applicable Extension Date, any Non-Consenting Lender's Commitment and all of the
obligations of such Non-Consenting Lender under this Agreement thereafter
arising, without recourse to or warranty by, or expense to, such Non-Consenting
Lender; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the amount of the Commitment of any such
Assuming Lender as a result of such substitution shall in no event be less than
$10,000,000 unless the amount of the Commitment of such Non-Consenting Lender is
less than $10,000,000, in which case such Assuming Lender shall assume all of
such lesser amount; and PROVIDED FURTHER that:
(i) any such Consenting Lender or Assuming Lender shall have
paid to such Non-Consenting Lender (A) the aggregate principal amount
of, and any interest accrued and unpaid to the effective date of the
assignment on, the outstanding Advances, if any, of such Non-Consenting
Lender PLUS (B) any accrued but unpaid facility fees owing to such
Non-Consenting Lender as of the effective date of such assignment;
(ii) all additional costs reimbursements, expense
reimbursements and indemnities payable to such Non-Consenting Lender,
and all other accrued and unpaid amounts owing to such Non-Consenting
Lender hereunder, as of the effective date of such assignment shall
have been paid to such Non-Consenting Lender; and
(iii) with respect to any such Assuming Lender, the applicable
processing and recordation fee required under Section 9.07(a) for such
assignment shall have been paid;
PROVIDED FURTHER that such Non-Consenting Lender's rights under Sections 2.11,
2.14 and 9.04, and its obligations under Section 8.05, shall survive such
substitution as to matters occurring prior to the date of substitution. At least
three Business Days prior to any Extension Date, (A) each such Assuming Lender,
if any, shall have delivered to the Company and the Agent an agreement in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Company (each, an
"ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT"), duly executed by such Assuming Lender, such
Non-Consenting Lender, the Company and the Agent, (B) any such Consenting Lender
shall have delivered confirmation in writing satisfactory to the Company and the
Agent as to the increase in the amount of its Commitment and (C) each
Non-Consenting Lender being replaced pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall have
delivered to the Agent any Note or Notes held by such Non-Consenting Lender.
Upon the payment or prepayment of all amounts referred to in clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence, each such Consenting Lender or
Assuming Lender, as of the Extension Date, will be substituted for such
Non-Consenting Lender under this Agreement and shall be a Lender for all
purposes of this Agreement, without any further acknowledgment by or the consent
of the other Lenders, and the obligations of each such Non-Consenting Lender
hereunder shall, by the provisions hereof, be released and discharged.
(d) If (after giving effect to any assignments or assumptions
pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section 2.18) Lenders having Commitments
equal to at least 50% of the Commitments in effect immediately prior to the
Extension Date consent in writing to a requested extension (whether by execution
or delivery of an Assumption Agreement or otherwise) not later than one Business
Day prior to such Extension Date, the Agent shall so notify the Company, and,
subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions in Article III, the
Termination Date then in effect shall be extended for the additional one year
period as described in subsection (a) of this Section 2.18, and all references
in this Agreement, and in the Notes, if any, to the "TERMINATION DATE" shall,
with respect to each Consenting Lender and each Assuming Lender for such
Extension Date, refer to the Termination Date as so extended. Promptly following
each Extension Date, the Agent shall notify the Lenders (including, without
limitation, each Assuming Lender) of the extension of the scheduled Termination
Date in effect immediately prior thereto and shall thereupon record in the
Register the relevant information with respect to each such Consenting Lender
and each such Assuming Lender.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND LENDING
SECTION 3.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS OF
SECTIONS 2.01 AND 2.03. Sections 2.01 and 2.03 of this Agreement shall become
effective on and as of the first date (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") on which the
following conditions precedent to the initial Advance by any Lender have been
satisfied:
(a) There shall exist no action, suit, investigation,
litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries pending or threatened before any court,
governmental agency or arbitrator that (i) could be reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) purports to affect the
legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any Note or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Nothing shall have come to the attention of the Lenders
during the course of their due diligence investigation to lead them to
believe that the Information Memorandum was or has become misleading,
incorrect or incomplete in any material respect; without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Lenders shall have been given such
access to the management, records, books of account, contracts and
properties of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as they
shall have reasonably requested as a basis for making its decision to
enter into its commitment hereunder.
(c) All governmental and third party consents and approvals
necessary in connection with the transactions by the Company
contemplated hereby shall have been obtained (without the imposition of
any conditions that are not acceptable to the Lenders) and shall remain
in effect, and no law or regulation shall be applicable in the
reasonable judgment of the Lenders that restrains, prevents or imposes
materially adverse conditions upon the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(d) The Company shall have notified the Agent in writing as to
the proposed Effective Date.
(e) The Company shall have paid all accrued fees and expenses
of the Agent and the Lenders (including the invoiced accrued fees and
expenses of counsel to the Agent).
(f) On the Effective Date, the following statements shall be
true and the Agent shall have received for the account of each Lender a
certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, dated
the Effective Date, stating that:
(i) The representations and warranties
contained in Section 4.01 are correct on and as of the
Effective Date, and
(ii) No event has occurred and is continuing that
constitutes a Default.
(g) The Agent shall have received on or before the Effective
Date the following, each dated such day, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent and (except for the Revolving Credit Notes)
in sufficient copies for each Lender:
(i) The Revolving Credit Notes of the Company to the
order of the Lenders to the extent requested by any Lender
pursuant to Section 2.16.
(ii) Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board
of Directors of the Company approving this Agreement and the
Notes to be delivered by it, and of all documents evidencing
other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals,
if any, with respect to this Agreement and the Notes to be
delivered by it.
(iii) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company certifying the names and true
signatures of the officers of the Company authorized to sign
this Agreement and the Notes to be delivered by it and the
other documents to be delivered by it hereunder.
(iv) A favorable opinion of Nicholas J. Camera,
General Counsel of the Company, and of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen
& Hamilton, counsel for the Company, substantially in the form
of Exhibits D-1 and D-2 hereto, respectively.
(v) A favorable opinion of Shearman & Sterling,
counsel for the Agent, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Agent.
(h) The termination of the commitments of the Lenders and the
payment in full of all Debt outstanding under the bilateral credit
agreements and other confirmed lines of credit listed on Schedule
3.01(h).
SECTION 3.02. INITIAL ADVANCE TO EACH DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY.
The obligation of each Lender to make an initial Advance to each Designated
Subsidiary is subject to the receipt by the Agent on or before the date of such
initial Advance of each of the following, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent and dated such date, and (except for the Revolving
Credit Notes) in sufficient copies for each Lender:
(a) The Revolving Credit Notes of such Designated Subsidiary
to the order of the Lenders to the extent requested by any Lender
pursuant to Section 2.16.
(b) Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of such Designated Subsidiary (with a certified English
translation if the original thereof is not in English) approving this
Agreement and the Notes to be delivered by it, and of all documents
evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals,
if any, with respect to this Agreement.
(c) A certificate of a proper officer of such Designated
Subsidiary certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of
such Designated Subsidiary authorized to sign this Agreement and the
Notes to be delivered by it and the other documents to be delivered by
it hereunder.
(d) A certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the
Company, certifying that such Designated Subsidiary shall have obtained
all governmental and third party authorizations, consents, approvals
(including exchange control approvals) and licenses required under
applicable laws and regulations necessary for such Designated
Subsidiary to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Notes to be
delivered by it and to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder.
(e) A Designation Agreement duly executed by such Designated
Subsidiary and the Company.
(f) Favorable opinions of counsel (which may be in-house
counsel) to such Designated Subsidiary substantially in the form of
Exhibits D-1 and D-2 hereto, respectively, and as to such other matters
as any Lender through the Agent may request.
(g) Such other approvals, opinions or documents as any
Lender, through the Agent may reasonably request.
SECTION 3.03. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH REVOLVING CREDIT
BORROWING, EACH SWING LINE BORROWING AND EXTENSION Date. The obligation of each
Lender and the Swing Line Bank to make an Advance (other than a Competitive Bid
Advance and other than a Swing Line Advance made by a Lender pursuant to Section
2.02(b)) and each extension of Commitments pursuant to Section 2.18 shall be
subject to the conditions precedent that the Effective Date shall have occurred
and on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing or the applicable Extension
Date the following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the
applicable Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing, Notice of Swing Line Borrowing
or request for Commitment Extension and the acceptance by any Borrower of the
proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing or Swing Line Borrowing shall
constitute a representation and warranty by such Borrower that on the date of
such Borrowing or such Extension Date, as the case may be, such statements are
true):
(a) the representations and warranties contained in Section
4.01 (except, in the case of Revolving Credit Borrowings or Swing Line
Borrowings, the representation set forth in the last sentence of
subsection (e) thereof) and, in the case of any Revolving Credit
Borrowing or Swing Line Borrowing made to a Designated Subsidiary, in
the Designation Agreement for such Designated Subsidiary, are correct
on and as of such date, before and after giving effect to such
Revolving Credit Borrowing, Swing Line Borrowing or such Extension Date
and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and
as of such date, and
(b) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
from such Revolving Credit Borrowing, Swing Line Borrowing or such
Extension Date or from the application of the proceeds therefrom, that
constitutes a Default.
SECTION 3.04. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH COMPETITIVE BID
BORROWING. The obligation of each Lender that is to make a Competitive Bid
Advance on the occasion of a Competitive Bid Borrowing to make such Competitive
Bid Advance as part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing is subject to the
conditions precedent that (i) the Agent shall have received the written
confirmatory Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing with respect thereto, (ii) on
or before the date of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, but prior to such
Competitive Bid Borrowing, the Agent shall have received a Competitive Bid Note
payable to the order of such Lender for each of the one or more Competitive Bid
Advances to be made by such Lender as part of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, in
a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Competitive Bid Advance
to be evidenced thereby and otherwise on such terms as were agreed to for such
Competitive Bid Advance in accordance with Section 2.03, and (iii) on the date
of such Competitive Bid Borrowing the following statements shall be true (and
each of the giving of the applicable Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing and the
acceptance by the Borrower requesting such Competitive Bid Borrowing of the
proceeds of such Competitive Bid Borrowing shall constitute a representation and
warranty by such Borrower that on the date of such Competitive Bid Borrowing
such statements are true):
(a) the representations and warranties contained in Section
4.01 (except the representation set forth in the last sentence of
subsection (e) thereof) and, in the case of any Competitive Bid
Borrowing made to a Designated Subsidiary, in the Designation Agreement
for such Designated Subsidiary, are correct on and as of the date of
such Competitive Bid Borrowing, before and after giving effect to such
Competitive Bid Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds
therefrom, as though made on and as of such date, and
(b) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
from such Competitive Bid Borrowing or from the application of the
proceeds therefrom, that constitutes a Default.
SECTION 3.05. DETERMINATIONS UNDER SECTION 3.01 AND 3.02. For
purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Sections
3.01 and 3.02, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or
accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required
thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to
the Lenders unless an officer of the Agent responsible for the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have received notice from such Lender prior
to the date that the Company, by notice to the Agent, designates as the proposed
Effective Date or the date of the initial Advance to the applicable Designated
Subsidiary, as the case may be, specifying its objection thereto. The Agent
shall promptly notify the Lenders of the occurrence of the Effective Date and
each date of initial Advance to a Designated Subsidiary, as applicable.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, incorporated,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and has all corporate powers and all material governmental
licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on
its business.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
this Agreement and the Notes to be delivered by it, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, are within the
Company's corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and do not contravene, or constitute a default under,
any provision of applicable law or regulation or of the certificate of
incorporation of the Company or of any judgment, injunction, order,
decree, material agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company
or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the
Company or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
or any other third party is required for the due execution, delivery
and performance by the Company of this Agreement or the Notes to be
delivered by it.
(d) This Agreement has been, and each of the Notes to be
delivered by it when delivered hereunder will have been, duly executed
and delivered by the Company. This Agreement is, and each of the Notes
to be delivered by it when delivered hereunder will be, the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general
principles of equity.
(e) The Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1999, and the related
Consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, accompanied
by an opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public
accountants, and the Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as at March 31, 2000, and the related
Consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries for the three months then ended, duly
certified by the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of
the Company, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, fairly
present, subject, in the case of said balance sheet as at March 31,
2000, and said statements of income and cash flows for the three months
then ended, to the absence of footnotes and year-end audit adjustments,
the Consolidated financial condition of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as at such dates and the Consolidated results
of the operations of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for
the periods ended on such dates, all in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Since December 31,
1999, there has been no Material Adverse Change.
(f) There is no action, suit, investigation, litigation or
proceeding pending against, or to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries
before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or
official in which there is a significant probability of an adverse
decision that (i) would have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) purports
to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or
any Note or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(g) Each of the Company and its ERISA Affiliates has fulfilled
its obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the
Internal Revenue Code with respect to each Plan and is in compliance in
all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA
and the Internal Revenue Code except when the failure to comply would
not have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company or any of its
ERISA Affiliates has incurred any unsatisfied material liability to the
PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the
PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA.
(h) The Company is not engaged in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within
the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System). Following the application of the proceeds of
each Advance, not more than 25% of the value of the property and assets
of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
subject to the provisions of Section 5.02(a) or subject to any
restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the
Company and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Debt
within the scope of Section 6.01(d) will be "margin stock" (within the
meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System).
(i) The Company is not an "investment company", or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company", within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(j) The Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries have filed
all United States Federal income tax returns and all other material tax
returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid all taxes
due reported on such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by
the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary, to the extent that such
assessment has become due. The charges, accruals and reserves on the
books of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in respect of
taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Company,
adequate except for those which are being contested in good faith by
the Company.
(k) Each of the Company's Consolidated Subsidiaries is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all corporate
powers and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents
and approvals required to carry on its business, all to the extent
material to the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.01. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. So long as any Advance
shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the
Company will:
(a) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC. Comply and cause each of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable laws, rules,
regulations and orders, such compliance to include, without limitation,
compliance with ERISA and applicable environmental laws, except where
the necessity of compliance is being contested in good faith or where
failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) PAYMENT OF TAXES, ETC. Pay and discharge, and cause each
of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, before the same
shall become delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its property and (ii) all
lawful claims that, if unpaid, might solely by operation of law become
a Lien upon its property; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Company
nor any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall be required to pay or
discharge any such tax, assessment, levy, charge or claim that is being
contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which
appropriate reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles are being maintained, unless and until any Lien resulting
therefrom attaches to its property and becomes enforceable against its
other creditors.
(c) MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. Maintain, and cause each of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries to maintain, all to the extent material to
the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole, with
responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations, physical
damage insurance on all real and personal property on an all risks
basis, covering the repair and replacement cost of all such property
and consequential loss coverage for business interruption and extra
expense, public liability insurance in an amount not less than
$25,000,000 and such other insurance covering such other risks as is
customarily carried by companies of established reputations engaged in
similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general
areas in which the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary operates;
PROVIDED, however, that the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
may self-insure to the same extent as other companies engaged in
similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general
areas in which the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary operates and
to the extent consistent with prudent business practice.
(d) PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC. Preserve and
maintain, and cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to preserve
and maintain, its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory)
and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business, all to
the extent material to the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
taken as a whole; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries may consummate any merger or consolidation
permitted under Section 5.02(b) and PROVIDED FURTHER that neither the
Company nor any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall be required to
preserve any right or franchise if the Board of Directors of the
Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary shall determine that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the normal conduct of
the business of the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary, as the
case may be, and that the loss thereof is not material to the Company
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(e) VISITATION RIGHTS. At any reasonable time and from time to
time, permit the Agent or any of the Lenders or any agents or
representatives thereof at their own expense, to examine and make
copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and
visit the properties of, the Company and any of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the
Company and any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries with any of their
officers and with their independent certified public accountants, all
as often as may reasonably be necessary to ensure compliance by the
Company with its obligations hereunder.
(f) KEEPING OF BOOKS. Keep, and cause each of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account, in which full
and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the
assets and business of the Company and each such Consolidated
Subsidiary in accordance with sound business practices and applicable
statutory requirements so as to permit the preparation of the
Consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in effect from time to time.
(g) MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES, ETC. Maintain and preserve, and
cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve,
all of its properties that are used and useful in the conduct of its
business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear
excepted, except where the failure to do so would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(h) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. Furnish to the Lenders or notify
the Lenders of the availability of:
(i) as soon as available and in any event within 50
days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each
fiscal year of the Company, the unaudited Consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of
the end of such quarter and unaudited Consolidated statements
of income and cash flows of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the
previous fiscal year and ending with the end of such quarter,
duly certified (except for the absence of footnotes and
subject to year-end audit adjustments) by the chief financial
officer of the Company as having been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and a
certificate of the chief financial officer or chief accounting
officer of the Company, which certificate shall include a
statement that such officer has no knowledge, except as
specifically stated, of any condition, event or act which
constitutes a Default and setting forth in reasonable detail
the calculations necessary to demonstrate compliance with
Section 5.03 on the date of such balance sheet, PROVIDED that
in the event that generally accepted accounting principles
used in the preparation of such financial statements shall
differ from GAAP, the Company shall also provide, if necessary
for the determination of compliance with Section 5.03, a
statement of reconciliation conforming such financial
statements to GAAP;
(ii) as soon as available and in any event within 95
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy
of the audited financial statements for such year for the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, containing the
Consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and
Consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal
year, in each case accompanied by the report thereon of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public
accountants of nationally recognized standing, together with a
certificate of the chief financial officer or chief accounting
officer of the Company, which certificate shall include a
statement that such officer has no knowledge, except as
specifically stated, of any condition, event or act which
constitutes a Default and setting forth in reasonable detail
the calculations necessary to demonstrate compliance with
Section 5.03 on the date of such financial statements,
PROVIDED that in the event that generally accepted accounting
principles used in the preparation of such financial
statements shall differ from GAAP, the Company shall also
provide, if necessary for the determination of compliance with
Section 5.03, a statement of reconciliation conforming such
financial statements to GAAP;
(iii) as soon as possible and in any event within ten
days after the chief executive officer, chief operation
officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting
officer of the Company knows or has reason to know of the
occurrence of each Default continuing on the date of such
statement, a statement of such officer of the Company setting
forth details of such Default and the action that the Company
has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(iv) promptly after the sending or filing thereof,
copies of all quarterly and annual reports and proxy
solicitations that the Company sends to any of its
securityholders, and copies of all reports on form 8-K and
registration statements for the public offering of securities
(other than pursuant to employee Plans) that the Company or
any Consolidated Subsidiary files with the Securities and
Exchange Commission;
(v) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice
of all actions and proceedings before any court, governmental
agency or arbitrator affecting the Company or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries of the type described in Section
4.01(f); and
(vi) such other information respecting the financial
condition or business of the Company or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries as any Lender through the Agent may
from time to time reasonably request.
The financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to clauses
(i) and (ii) and the reports required to be delivered pursuant to
clause (iv) of this Section 5.01(h) shall be deemed to have been
delivered on the date on which the Company notifies the Agent, in the
case of clauses (i) and (ii), that the reports on Form 10-K and Form
10-Q, respectively, containing such financial statements and, in the
case of clause (iv), that such reports have been posted on the SEC's
website at WWW.SEC.GOV; PROVIDED that the Company shall deliver paper
copies of the reports (without the exhibits thereto) referred to in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) of this Section 5.01(h) to the Agent or any
Lender who requests the Company to deliver such paper copies until
written notice to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Agent
or such Lender and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that in every instance the
Company shall provide paper copies of the certificates required to be
delivered in accordance with this Section 5.01(h) until such time as
the Agent shall provide the Company notice otherwise.
SECTION 5.02. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. So long as any Advance
shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the
Company will not:
(a) LIENS, ETC. Create or suffer to exist, or permit any
of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to create or suffer to exist, any
Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, other than:
(i) Liens existing on the date hereof;
(ii) any Lien existing on any asset of any
corporation at the time such corporation becomes a
Consolidated Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of
such event;
(iii) any Lien on any asset securing Debt incurred or
assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
cost of acquiring such asset, PROVIDED that such Lien attaches
to such asset concurrently with or within 90 days after the
acquisition thereof;
(iv) any Lien on any asset of any corporation
existing at the time such corporation is merged into or
consolidated with the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary and
not created in contemplation of such event;
(v) any Lien existing on any asset prior to the
acquisition thereof by the Company or a Consolidated
Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such
acquisition;
(vi) any Lien created in connection with capitalized
lease obligations, but only to the extent that such Lien
encumbers property financed by such capital lease obligation
and the principal component of such capitalized lease
obligation is not increased;
(vii) Liens arising in the ordinary course of its
business which (A) do not secure Debt and (B) do not in the
aggregate materially impair the operation of the business of
the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole;
(viii) any Lien arising out of the refinancing,
extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt secured by any
Lien permitted by any of the foregoing clauses of this
Section, PROVIDED that such Debt is not increased and is not
secured by any additional assets;
(ix) Liens securing taxes, assessments, fees or other
governmental charges or levies, Liens securing the claims of
materialmen, mechanics, carriers, landlords, warehousemen and
similar Persons, Liens incurred in the ordinary course of
business in connection with workmen's compensation,
unemployment insurance and other similar laws, Liens to secure
surety, appeal and performance bonds and other similar
obligations not incurred in connection with the borrowing of
money, and attachment, judgment and other similar Liens
arising in connection with court proceedings so long as the
enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and the claims
secured thereby are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings;
(x) Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing
clauses of this Section securing Debt in an aggregate
principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed 10% of
the Consolidated net worth of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries; and
(xi) any Liens on property arising in connection with
a securities repurchase transaction.
(b) MERGERS, ETC. (i) Merge or consolidate with or into any
Person (other than a Consolidated Subsidiary of the Company) except
that the Company may agree to merge or consolidate any Consolidated
Subsidiary with any Person in connection with an acquisition of such
Person, (ii) sell, lease or otherwise transfer (whether in one
transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of
the Company's business or assets (whether now owned or hereafter
acquired) to any Person (other than a Consolidated Subsidiary of the
Company) or (iii) permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to merge or
consolidate with or into or transfer (whether in one transaction or a
series of transactions) all or any substantial part of its assets
(whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any Person except (x) the
Company or another Consolidated Subsidiary of the Company or to any
other Person if the Board of Directors of the Company (or the finance
committee or an officer of the Company duly authorized for such
purpose) determines in good faith that the Consolidated Subsidiary or
the assets of such Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be, are not
material to the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, and (y) any Consolidated Subsidiary may merge with or
consolidate into any Person in connection with an acquisition of such
Person, PROVIDED, in each case, that no Default shall have occurred and
be continuing at the time of such proposed transaction or would result
therefrom.
(c) ACCOUNTING CHANGES. Make or permit, or permit any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries to make or permit, any change in accounting
policies or reporting practices, except as required or permitted by
generally accepted accounting principles or applicable statutory
requirements.
(d) CHANGE IN NATURE OF BUSINESS. Engage, or permit any
Consolidated Subsidiary to engage, predominantly in any business other
than business of the same general type as conducted on the date hereof
by the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
SECTION 5.03. FINANCIAL COVENANTS. So long as any Advance
shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the
Company will:
(a) INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Maintain, as of the end of each
fiscal quarter, a ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries for the four fiscal quarters then ended to
Interest Expense during such period by the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries of not less than 3.5 to 1.
(b) DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO. Maintain, as of the end of each
fiscal quarter, a ratio of Debt for Borrowed Money to Consolidated
EBITDA of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the four
quarters then ended of not greater than 3.5 to 1.
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. If any of the following
events ("EVENTS OF DEFAULT") shall occur and be continuing:
(a) The Company or any other Borrower shall fail to pay any
principal of any Advance when the same becomes due and payable; or the
Company or any other Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any
Advance or make any other payment of fees or other amounts payable
under this Agreement or any Note within five Business Days after the
same becomes due and payable; or
(b) Any representation or warranty made by the Company or any
Designated Subsidiary (or any of its officers) in any certificate,
financial statement or other document delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect
when made; or
(c) (i) The Company shall fail to perform or observe any term,
covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.01(e) or (h), 5.02(a), (b)
or (d) or 5.03; (ii) the Company or any other Borrower shall fail to
perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section
5.01(d) if such failure shall remain unremedied for 10 days after
written notice thereof shall have been given to the Company by the
Agent or any Lender; or (iii) the Company or any other Borrower shall
fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement on its part to be performed or observed if
such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after written notice
thereof shall have been given to the Company by the Agent or any
Lender; or
(d) The Company or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall
fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Debt (but
excluding Debt outstanding hereunder) of the Company or such
Consolidated Subsidiary (as the case may be), when the same becomes due
and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue
after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement
or instrument creating or evidencing such Debt; or any other event
shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument
creating or evidencing any such Debt and shall continue after the
applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or
instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate,
or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Debt; or any
such Debt shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be
prepaid or redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment or redemption), purchased or defeased, or an offer to
prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Debt shall be required to be
made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; PROVIDED that
the aggregate principal amount (or, in the case of any payment default,
failure or other event in respect of a Hedge Agreement, the net amount
due and payable under such Hedge Agreement as of the date of such
payment default, failure or event) of all Debt as to which any such
payment defaults (whether or not at stated maturity thereof), failures
or other events shall have occurred and be continuing exceeds
$10,000,000; or
(e) The Company or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall
generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in
writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding
shall be instituted by or against the Company or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or
insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or
its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order
for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its
property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it
(but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain
undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or any of the actions
sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of
an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part
of its property) shall occur; or the Company or any of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the
actions set forth above in this subsection (e); PROVIDED, that if any
of the actions or events set forth above in this subsection (e) shall
be taken in respect of, or occur with respect to, a Consolidated
Subsidiary and the assets or revenues of such Consolidated Subsidiary
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, comprise 5% or
less of the assets or revenues, respectively, of the Company and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole; the taking of such action
or the happening of such event shall not constitute an Event of
Default; so long as the aggregate assets and revenues of any
Consolidated Subsidiaries otherwise subject to such actions or events
set forth above do not compromise more than 15% of the assets or
revenues, respectively, of the Company and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or
(f) Judgments or orders for the payment of money in excess of
$10,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered against the Company or
any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries and either (i) enforcement
proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such
judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 60 consecutive
days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by
reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
(g) (i) Any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert
(other than the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary) shall have
acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of the Company (or other
securities convertible into such Voting Stock) representing 30% or more
of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of the Company; or
(ii) during any period of up to 24 consecutive months, commencing after
the date of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such
period were directors of the Company shall cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the board of directors of the Company unless
the election or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders
of each new director was approved by the vote of at least two-thirds of
the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning
of such period; or
(h) The Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates shall incur
liability, or in the case of clause (i) below, shall be reasonably
likely to incur liability, in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate as
a result of one or more of the following: (i) the occurrence of any
ERISA Event; (ii) the partial or complete withdrawal of the Company or
any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan; or (iii) the
reorganization or termination of a Multiemployer Plan; or
(i) so long as any Consolidated Subsidiary of the Company is a
Designated Subsidiary, any provision of Article VII shall for any
reason cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against the
Company, or the Company shall so state in writing;
then, and in any such event, the Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the
consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Company and the other
Borrowers, declare the obligation of each Lender to make Advances (other than
Swing Line Advances to be made by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.02(b)) to be
terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the
request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the
Company and the other Borrowers, declare the Advances, all interest thereon and
all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon the Advances, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and
be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order
for relief with respect to any Borrower under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (A)
the obligation of each Lender to make Advances (other than Swing Line Advances
to be made by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.02(b)) shall automatically be
terminated and (B) the Advances, all such interest and all such amounts shall
automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
each Borrower.
ARTICLE VII
GUARANTY
SECTION 7.01. GUARANTY. The Company hereby absolutely,
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as a guarantee of payment and not of
collection, the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on
any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of
all obligations of each other Borrower now or hereafter existing under or in
respect of this Agreement and the Notes (including, without limitation, any
extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all
of the foregoing obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities,
contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such obligations being
the "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS"), and agrees to pay any and all expenses
(including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the
Agent or any other Lender in enforcing any rights under this Article VII.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company's liability shall
extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and
would be owed by any such Borrower to the Agent or any Lender under or in
respect of this Agreement or the Notes but for the fact that they are
unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy,
reorganization or similar proceeding involving such Borrower.
SECTION 7.02. GUARANTY ABSOLUTE. The Company guarantees that
the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and the Notes, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or
hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the
rights of any Lender with respect thereto. The obligations of the Company under
or in respect of this Article VII are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations
or any other obligations of any other Borrower under or in respect of this
Agreement and the Notes, and a separate action or actions may be brought and
prosecuted against the Company to enforce this Article VII, irrespective of
whether any action is brought against any Borrower or whether any Borrower is
joined in any such action or actions. The liability of the Company under this
Article VII shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of,
and the Company hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or
hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:
(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement
(other than this Article VII), the Notes or any agreement or instrument
relating thereto;
(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any
other obligations of any Borrower under or in respect of this Agreement
or the Notes, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to
departure from this Agreement or the Notes, including, without
limitation, any increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from
the extension of additional credit to any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or otherwise;
(c) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any
collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of, or
consent to departure from, any other guaranty, for all or any of the
Guaranteed Obligations;
(d) any manner of application of collateral, or proceeds
thereof, to all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of
sale or other disposition of any collateral for all or any of the
Guaranteed Obligations or any other obligations of any Borrower under
this Agreement or the Notes or any other assets of any Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries;
(e) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate
structure or existence of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) any failure of any Lender or the Agent to disclose to the
Company any information relating to the business, condition (financial
or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any
Borrower now or hereafter known to such Lender or the Agent (the
Company waiving any duty on the part of the Lenders and the Agent to
disclose such information); or
(g) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any
statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any
representation by any Lender or the Agent that might otherwise
constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Borrower or
any other guarantor or surety.
This Article VII shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case
may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is
rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Lender or the Agent or any other
Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or
otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
SECTION 7.03. WAIVERS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. (a) The Company
hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives promptness, diligence, notice of
acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance,
default, acceleration, protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect to
any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Article VII and any requirement that
any Lender or the Agent protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any
property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any
Borrower or any other Person or any collateral.
(b) The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives
any right to revoke this Article VII and acknowledges that the guaranty under
this Article VII is continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed
Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.
(c) The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives
(i) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election
of remedies by any Lender or the Agent that in any manner impairs, reduces,
releases or otherwise adversely affects the subrogation, reimbursement,
exoneration, contribution or indemnification rights of the Company or other
rights of the Company to proceed against any Borrower, any other guarantor or
any other Person or any collateral and (ii) any defense based on any right of
set-off or counterclaim against or in respect of the obligations of the Company
hereunder.
(d) The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives
any duty on the part of any Lender or the Agent to disclose to the Company any
matter, fact or thing relating to the business, condition (financial or
otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter known by such Lender or the Agent.
(e) The Company acknowledges that it will receive substantial
direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by
this Agreement and the Notes and that the waivers set forth in Section 7.02 and
this Section 7.03 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
SECTION 7.04. SUBROGATION. The Company hereby unconditionally
and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or
hereafter acquire against any Borrower or any other insider guarantor that arise
from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company's
Obligations under or in respect of this Article VII, including, without
limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution
or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any
Lender or the Agent against any Borrower or any other insider guarantor or any
collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under
contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to
take or receive from any Borrower or any other insider guarantor, directly or
indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner,
payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until
all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this
Article VII shall have been paid in full in cash and the Commitments shall have
expired or been terminated. If any amount shall be paid to the Company in
violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the later
of (a) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other
amounts payable under this Article VII and (b) the Termination Date, such amount
shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the Lenders and the
Agent, shall be segregated from other property and funds of the Company and
shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Agent in the same form as so
received (with any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and
applied to the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this
Article VII, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, or to be held as collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations or other
amounts payable under this Article VII thereafter arising. If (i) the Company
shall make payment to any Lender or the Agent of all or any part of the
Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other
amounts payable under this Article VII shall have been paid in full in cash and
(iii) the Termination Date shall have occurred, the Lenders and the Agent will,
at the Company's request and expense, execute and deliver to the Company
appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty,
necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to the Company of an interest
in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from such payment made by the Company
pursuant to this Article VII.
SECTION 7.05. CONTINUING GUARANTY; ASSIGNMENTS. The guaranty
under this Article VII is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full
force and effect until the later of (i) the payment in full in cash of the
Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Article VII and
(ii) the Termination Date, (b) be binding upon the Company, its successors and
assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Lenders and
the Agent and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the
generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Lender may
assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its
Commitments, the Advances owing to it and the Note or Notes held by it) to any
other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the
benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, in each
case as and to the extent provided in Section 9.07. The Company shall not have
the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the
prior written consent of the Lenders.
ARTICLE VIII
THE AGENT
SECTION 8.01. AUTHORIZATION AND ACTION. Each Lender hereby
appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and
to exercise such powers and discretion under this Agreement as are delegated to
the Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers and discretion as are
reasonably incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for by
this Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of the
Notes), the Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any
action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be
fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of
the Required Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders
and all holders of Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Agent shall not be
required to take any action that exposes the Agent to personal liability or that
is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law. The Agent agrees to give to
each Lender prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Company or any other
Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 8.02. AGENT'S RELIANCE, ETC. Neither the Agent nor any
of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this
Agreement, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the Agent: (i) may treat
the Lender that made any Advance as the holder of the Debt resulting therefrom
until the Agent receives and accepts an Assumption Agreement entered into by an
Assuming Lender as provided in Section 2.18 or an Assignment and Acceptance
entered into by such Lender, as assignor, and an Eligible Assignee, as assignee,
as provided in Section 9.07; (ii) may consult with legal counsel (including
counsel for the Company), independent public accountants and other experts
selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be
taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel,
accountants or experts; (iii) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender
and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties or
representations (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with this
Agreement; (iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this
Agreement on the part of the Company or any other Borrower or to inspect the
property (including the books and records) of the Company or any other Borrower;
(v) shall not be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or
any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (vi) shall incur
no liability under or in respect of this Agreement by acting upon any notice,
consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopier,
telegram or telex) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper
party or parties.
SECTION 8.03. CITIBANK AND AFFILIATES. With respect to its
Commitment, the Advances made by it and the Note issued to it, Citibank shall
have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Agent; and the term "Lender" or
"Lenders" shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include Citibank in its
individual capacity. Citibank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend
money to, act as trustee under indentures of, accept investment banking
engagements from and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Company,
any of its Subsidiaries and any Person who may do business with or own
securities of the Company or any such Subsidiary, all as if Citibank were not
the Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
SECTION 8.04. LENDER CREDIT DECISION. Each Lender acknowledges
that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Lender and based on the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01 and
such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or
any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement.
SECTION 8.05. INDEMNIFICATION. The Lenders agree to indemnify
the Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Company), ratably according to
the respective principal amounts of the Revolving Credit Advances then owed to
each of them (or if no Revolving Credit Advances are at the time outstanding,
ratably according to the respective amounts of their Commitments), from and
against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or
nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the
Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any action
taken or omitted by the Agent under this Agreement (collectively, the
"INDEMNIFIED COSTS"), PROVIDED that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of
the Indemnified Costs resulting from the Agent's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse
the Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket
expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by the Agent in connection
with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification,
amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or
otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under,
this Agreement, to the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses
by the Company. In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding
giving rise to any Indemnified Costs, this Section 8.05 applies whether any such
investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Agent, any Lender or a
third party.
SECTION 8.06. SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may resign at any
time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Company and may be
removed at any time with or without cause by the Required Lenders. Upon any such
resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a
successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the
Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
the retiring Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the Required Lenders'
removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the
Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized
under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such
successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, discretion, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the
retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this
Agreement. After any retiring Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Agent,
the provisions of this Article VII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.
SECTION 8.07. SUB-AGENT. The Sub-Agent has been designated
under this Agreement to carry out duties of the Agent. The Sub-Agent shall be
subject to each of the obligations in this Agreement to be performed by the
Sub-Agent, and each of the Company, each other Borrower and the Lenders agrees
that the Sub-Agent shall be entitled to exercise each of the rights and shall be
entitled to each of the benefits of the Agent under this Agreement as relate to
the performance of its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 8.08. OTHER AGENTS. Each Lender hereby acknowledges
that neither the documentation agent nor any other Lender designated as any
"Agent" (other than the Agent) on the signature pages hereof has any liability
hereunder other than in its capacity as a Lender.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01. AMENDMENTS, ETC. No amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or the Revolving Credit Notes, nor consent to any
departure by the Company or any other Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required
Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the
Lenders, do any of the following: (a) waive any of the conditions specified in
Section 3.01 or Section 3.02, (b) except as provided in Section 2.18(c),
increase the Commitments of the Lenders or subject the Lenders to any additional
obligations, (c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Revolving Credit
Advances or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (d) except as provided
in Section 2.18(c), postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or
interest on, the Revolving Credit Advances or any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, (e) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Advances, or the number of
Lenders, that shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any
action hereunder, (f) reduce or limit the obligations of the Company under
Section 7.01 or release or otherwise limit the Company's liability with respect
to its obligations under Article VII or (g) amend this Section 9.01; and
provided FURTHER that (x) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to
take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this Agreement
or any Note; (y) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and
signed by the Swing Line Bank, in addition to the Lenders required above to take
such action, affect the rights or obligations of the Swing Line Bank under this
Agreement and (z) no amendment, waiver or consent of Section 9.07(f) shall,
unless in writing and signed by each Lender that has granted a funding option to
an SPC in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the
rights or duties of such Lender or SPC under this Agreement or any Note.
SECTION 9.02. NOTICES, ETC. All notices and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier,
telegraphic or telex communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed
or delivered, if to the Company or any other Borrower, to the Company, at its
address at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, Attention:
Vice President and Treasurer (with a copy at the same address to the Senior Vice
President and General Counsel); if to any Initial Lender, at its Domestic
Lending Office specified opposite its name on Schedule I hereto; if to any other
Lender, at its Domestic Lending Office specified in the Assumption Agreement or
the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender; and if to
the Agent, at its address at Two Penns Way, New Castle, Delaware 19720,
Attention: Bank Loan Syndications Department; or, as to the Company or the
Agent, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written
notice to the other parties and, as to each other party, at such other address
as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the Company and the
Agent. All such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telecopied,
telegraphed or telexed, be effective when deposited in the mails, telecopied,
delivered to the telegraph company or confirmed by telex answerback,
respectively, except that notices and communications to the Agent pursuant to
Article II, III or VII shall not be effective until received by the Agent.
Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of any amendment or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement or the Notes or of any Exhibit hereto to be
executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart thereof.
SECTION 9.03. NO WAIVER; REMEDIES. No failure on the part of
any Lender or the Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right
hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein
provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
SECTION 9.04. COSTS AND EXPENSES. (a) The Company agrees to
pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent in connection
with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification and
amendment of this Agreement, the Notes and the other documents to be delivered
hereunder, including, without limitation, (A) all due diligence, syndication
(including printing, distribution and bank meetings), transportation, computer,
duplication, appraisal, consultant, and audit expenses and (B) the reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent with respect thereto and with respect
to advising the Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this
Agreement. The Company further agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of
the Agent and the Lenders, if any (including, without limitation, reasonable
counsel fees and expenses), in connection with the enforcement (whether through
negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of this Agreement, the Notes and
the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent and each Lender in
connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 9.04(a).
(b) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Agent and each Lender and each of their Affiliates and their officers,
directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") from
and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel)
incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case
arising out of or in connection with or by reason of (including, without
limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation or proceeding or
preparation of a defense in connection therewith) the Notes, this Agreement, any
of the transactions contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the
proceeds of the Advances, except to the extent such claim, damage, loss,
liability or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. In the case of an investigation, litigation or
other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 9.04(b) applies, such
indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or
proceeding is brought by the Company, its directors, shareholders or creditors
or an Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified Party is
otherwise a party thereto. The Company also agrees not to assert any claim for
special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages against the Agent, any
Lender, any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees, attorneys and agents, on any theory of liability, arising out of or
otherwise relating to the Notes, this Agreement, any of the transactions
contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the
Advances.
(c) If any payment of principal of, or Conversion of, any
Eurocurrency Rate Advance or LIBO Rate Advance is made by any Borrower to or for
the account of a Lender other than on the last day of the Interest Period for
such Advance, as a result of a payment or Conversion pursuant to Section 2.08(d)
or (e), 2.10 or 2.12, acceleration of the maturity of the Notes pursuant to
Section 6.01 or for any other reason, or by an Eligible Assignee to a Lender
other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance upon an
assignment of rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to Section
9.07 as a result of a demand by the Company pursuant to Section 9.07(a), such
Borrower shall, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the
Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Lender any amounts required to
compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses that it may
reasonably incur as a result of such payment or Conversion, including, without
limitation, any loss (excluding loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense
incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds
acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such Advance.
(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement
of the Company and the other Borrowers hereunder, the agreements and obligations
of the Company and the other Borrowers contained in Sections 2.11, 2.14 and 9.04
shall survive the payment in full of principal, interest and all other amounts
payable hereunder and under the Notes.
SECTION 9.05. RIGHT OF SET-OFF. Upon (i) the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default and (ii) the making of the
request or the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.01 to authorize
the Agent to declare the Notes due and payable pursuant to the provisions of
Section 6.01, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any
time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off
and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional
or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such
Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Company or
any Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Company or any
Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and the Note held by
such Lender, whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this
Agreement or such Note and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each
Lender agrees promptly to notify the appropriate Borrower after any such set-off
and application, PROVIDED that the failure to give such notice shall not affect
the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender and its
Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies
(including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Lender and
its Affiliates may have.
SECTION 9.06. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall become
effective (other than Sections 2.01 and 2.03, which shall only become effective
upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01) when it
shall have been executed by the Company and the Agent and when the Agent shall
have been notified by each Initial Lender that such Initial Lender has executed
it and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company,
the Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except
that neither the Company nor any other Borrower shall have the right to assign
its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of
the Lenders.
SECTION 9.07. ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS. (a) Each Lender
may and, if demanded by the Company (following a demand by such Lender pursuant
to Section 2.11 or 2.14) upon at least 5 Business Days' notice to such Lender
and the Agent, will assign to one or more Persons all or a portion of its rights
and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a
portion of its Commitment, the Revolving Credit Advances owing to it and the
Revolving Credit Note or Notes held by it); provided, HOWEVER, that (i) each
such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all
rights and obligations under this Agreement (other than any right to make
Competitive Bid Advances, Competitive Bid Advances owing to it and Competitive
Bid Notes), (ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Person that,
immediately prior to such assignment, was a Lender or an assignment of all of a
Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, the amount of the
Commitment of the assigning Lender being assigned pursuant to each such
assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance with
respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than $5,000,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) each such assignment
shall be to an Eligible Assignee, (iv) each such assignment made as a result of
a demand by the Company pursuant to this Section 9.07(a) shall be arranged by
the Company after consultation with the Agent and shall be either an assignment
of all of the rights and obligations of the assigning Lender under this
Agreement or an assignment of a portion of such rights and obligations made
concurrently with another such assignment or other such assignments that
together cover all of the rights and obligations of the assigning Lender under
this Agreement, (v) no Lender shall be obligated to make any such assignment as
a result of a demand by the Company pursuant to this Section 9.07(a) unless and
until such Lender shall have received one or more payments from either the
Company or one or more Eligible Assignees in an aggregate amount at least equal
to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Advances owing to such
Lender, together with accrued interest thereon to the date of payment of such
principal amount and all other amounts payable to such Lender under this
Agreement, and (vi) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and
deliver to the Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an
Assignment and Acceptance, together with any Revolving Credit Note subject to
such assignment and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 payable by the
parties to each such assignment, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of each
assignment made as a result of a demand by the Company, such recordation fee
shall be payable by the Company except that no such recordation fee shall be
payable in the case of an assignment made at the request of the Company to an
Eligible Assignee that is an existing Lender, and (vii) any Lender may, without
the approval of the Company or the Agent, assign all or a portion of its rights
to any of its Affiliates or to another Lender unless on the date of such
assignment the assignee would be entitled to make a demand pursuant to Section
2.11 or 2.14, in which case such assignment shall be permitted only if the
assignee shall waive in a manner satisfactory to the Company in form and
substance its rights to make such a demand. Upon such execution, delivery,
acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date specified in each
Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto
and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations
of a Lender hereunder and (y) the Lender assignor thereunder shall, to the
extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant
to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (other than its rights
under Section 2.11, 2.14 and 9.04 to the extent any claim thereunder relates to
an event arising prior such assignment) and be released from its obligations
under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering
all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights and obligations
under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).
(b) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance,
the Lender assignor thereunder and the assignee thereunder confirm to and agree
with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as
provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this
Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto; (ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition
of the Company or the performance or observance by the Company or any other
Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other instrument
or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms that it has
received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the financial
statements referred to in Section 4.01 and such other documents and information
as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to
enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee will,
independently and without reliance upon the Agent, such assigning Lender or any
other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee confirms that it is an
Eligible Assignee; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion
under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof, together
with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii)
such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of
the obligations that by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed
by it as a Lender.
(c) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by an assigning Lender and an assignee representing that it is an Eligible
Assignee, together with any Revolving Credit Note or Notes subject to such
assignment, the Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has been
completed and is in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto, (i) accept such
Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in the
Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Company.
(d) The Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in
Section 9.02 a copy of each Assumption Agreement and each Assignment and
Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of
the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and principal
amount of the Advances owing to, each Lender from time to time (the "REGISTER").
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,
absent manifest error, and the Company, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each
Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all
purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by
the Company or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.
(e) Each Lender may sell participations to one or more banks
or other entities (other than the Company or any of its Affiliates) in or to all
or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including,
without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment, the Advances owing to it
and any Note or Notes held by it); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) such Lender's
obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Commitment
to the Company hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain
solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such
obligations, (iii) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Note for all
purposes of this Agreement, (iv) the Company, the other Borrowers, the Agent and
the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and
(v) no participant under any such participation shall have any rights as a
Lender hereunder, including, without limitation, any right to make any demand
under Section 2.11 or 2.14 or right to approve any amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or any Note, or any consent to any departure by the
Company or any other Borrower therefrom, except to the extent that such
amendment, waiver or consent would reduce the principal of, or interest on, the
Notes or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, in each case to the extent
subject to such participation, or postpone any date fixed for any payment of
principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, or reduce or limit the obligations of the Company under Section 7.01
or release or otherwise limit the Company's liability with respect to its
obligations under Article VII or amend this Section 9.07(e) in any manner
adverse to such participant, in each case to the extent subject to such
participation.
(f) Each Lender may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle
(an "SPC") the option to fund all or any part of any Advance that such Lender is
obligated to fund under this Agreement (and upon the exercise by such SPC of
such option to fund, such Lender's obligations with respect to such Advance
shall be deemed satisfied to the extent of any amounts funded by such SPC);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, its Commitment to the Company hereunder) shall
remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) each Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, (iv) any such option granted to an SPC shall
not constitute a commitment by such SPC to fund any Advance, (v) neither the
grant nor the exercise of such option to an SPC shall increase the costs or
expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of any Borrower under
this Agreement (including, without limitation, its obligations under Section
2.14) and (vi) no SPC shall have any right to approve any amendment or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement or any Note, or any consent to any departure by
any Borrower therefrom, except to the extent that such amendment, waiver or
consent would reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees or
other amounts payable hereunder, in each case to the extent subject to such
grant of funding option, or postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal
of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, in
each case to the extent subject to such grant of funding option. Each party to
this Agreement hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or
payment under this Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable. In
furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreements
shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is
one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial
paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or
join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the
laws of the United States or any State thereof.
(g) Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment,
participation or grant of funding option or proposed assignment, participation
or grant of funding option pursuant to this Section 9.07, disclose to the
assignee, participant or SPC or proposed assignee, participant or SPC, any
information relating to any Borrower furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of
such Borrower; PROVIDED that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee,
participant or SPC or proposed assignee, participant or SPC shall agree to
preserve the confidentiality of any Confidential Information relating to any
Borrower received by it from such Lender.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this
Agreement, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
Advances owing to it and any Note or Notes held by it) in favor of any Federal
Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
SECTION 9.08. CONFIDENTIALITY. Neither the Agent nor any
Lender or SPC shall disclose any Confidential Information to any other Person
without the consent of the Company, other than (a) to the Agent's or such
Lender's Affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, agents and
advisors and, as contemplated by Section 9.07(f), to actual or prospective
assignees and participants, and then only on a confidential basis, (b) as
required by any law, rule or regulation or judicial process and (c) as requested
or required by any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner regulating
banks or banking.
SECTION 9.09. DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARIES. (a) DESIGNATION. The
Company may at any time, and from time to time, by delivery to the Agent of a
Designation Agreement duly executed by the Company and the respective Subsidiary
and substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, designate such Subsidiary as
a "Designated Subsidiary" for purposes of this Agreement and such Subsidiary
shall thereupon become a "Designated Subsidiary" for purposes of this Agreement
and, as such, shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Borrower
hereunder. The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of each such designation
by the Company and the identity of the respective Subsidiary.
(b) TERMINATION. Upon the payment and performance in full of
all of the indebtedness, liabilities and obligations under this Agreement of any
Designated Subsidiary then, so long as at the time no Notice of Revolving Credit
Borrowing or Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing in respect of such Designated
Subsidiary is outstanding, such Subsidiary's status as a "Designated Subsidiary"
shall terminate upon notice to such effect from the Agent to the Lenders (which
notice the Agent shall give promptly, and only upon its receipt of a request
therefor from the Company). Thereafter, the Lenders shall be under no further
obligation to make any Advance hereunder to such Designated Subsidiary.
SECTION 9.10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the Notes
shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York.
SECTION 9.11. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this
Agreement by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.12. JUDGMENT. (a) If for the purposes of obtaining
judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in Dollars
into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they
may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in
accordance with normal banking procedures the Agent could purchase Dollars with
such other currency at Citibank's principal office in London at 11:00 A.M.
(London time) on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is
given.
(b) If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it
is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in a Committed Currency into
Dollars, the parties agree to the fullest extent that they may effectively do
so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with
normal banking procedures the Agent could purchase such Committed Currency with
Dollars at Citibank's principal office in London at 11:00 A.M. (London time) on
the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.
(c) The obligation of the Company and each other Borrower in
respect of any sum due from it in any currency (the "PRIMARY CURRENCY") to any
Lender or the Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in any other
currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following
receipt by such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be), of any sum adjudged to
be so due in such other currency, such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be)
may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the applicable Primary
Currency with such other currency; if the amount of the applicable Primary
Currency so purchased is less than such sum due to such Lender or the Agent (as
the case may be) in the applicable Primary Currency, the Company and each other
Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment,
to indemnify such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be) against such loss,
and if the amount of the applicable Primary Currency so purchased exceeds such
sum due to any Lender or the Agent (as the case may be) in the applicable
Primary Currency, such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be) agrees to remit
to the Company or such other Borrower such excess.
SECTION 9.13. JURISDICTION, ETC. (a) Each of the parties
hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its
property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or
federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any
appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the Notes, or for recognition or enforcement of
any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or
proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to
the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The Company and each other
Borrower hereby further irrevocably consent to the service of process in any
action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties hereto
by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Company at its address
specified pursuant to Section 9.02. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a
final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party
may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement
or the Notes in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes
in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an
inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such
court.
SECTION 9.14. SUBSTITUTION OF CURRENCY. If a change in any
Committed Currency occurs pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation of
any governmental, monetary or multi-national authority, this Agreement
(including, without limitation, the definitions of Eurocurrency Rate and LIBO
Rate) will be amended to the extent determined by the Agent (acting reasonably
and in consultation with the Company) to be necessary to reflect the change in
currency and to put the Lenders and the Company in the same position, so far as
possible, that they would have been in if no change in such Committed Currency
had occurred.
SECTION 9.15. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each of the Company, each
other Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders hereby irrevocably waives all right to
trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based on
contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
Notes or the actions of the Agent or any Lender in the negotiation,
administration, performance or enforcement thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC.
By /s/ STEVEN BERNS
-----------------------------
STEVEN BERNS
Title: VP & Treasurer
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Agent
By /s/ CAROLYN A. KEE
-----------------------------
CAROLYN A. KEE
Title:Vice President
INITIAL LENDERS
COMMITMENT
$47, 500,000 CITIBANK, N.A.,
By /s/ CAROLYN A. KEE
-----------------------------
CAROLYN A. KEE
Title:Vice President
$37,500,000 BANK ONE, NA
By /s/ JEFFREY LUBATKIN
-----------------------------
JEFFREY LUBATKIN
Title:Vice President
$30,000,000 BANK OF AMERICA, NA
By /s/ MICHAEL R. HEREDIA
-----------------------------
MICHAEL R. HEREDIA
Title: Managing Director
$17,500,000 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By /s/ KENNETH SNEIDER
-----------------------------
KENNETH SNEIDER
Title: Vice President
$17,500,000 BARCLAYS BANK PLC
By /s/ MATHEW TUCK
-----------------------------
MATHEW TUCK
Title: Associate Director
& Vice President
$30,000,000 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
By /s/ ALDO QUINI
-----------------------------
ALDO QUINI
Title: Vice President
$17,500,000 CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ
By /s/ JOHN MCCLOSKEY
-----------------------------
JOHN MCCLOSKEY
Title:FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
$30,000,000 FLEET BANK, N.A.
By /s/ THOMAS LEVY
-----------------------------
THOMAS LEVY
Title: Senior Vice President
$37,500,000 HSBC BANK USA
By /s/ CHRISTOPHER CASEY
-----------------------------
CHRISTOPHER CASEY
Title: Vice President
$17,500,000 KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By /s/ DAN LALLY
-----------------------------
DAN LALLY
Title: Assistant Vice
President
$37,500,00 LLOYDS TSB BANK PLC
By /s/ DAVID RODWAY
-----------------------------
DAVID RODWAY
Title: Assistant Director
$37,500,000 SUNTRUST BANK
By /s/ DAVID WISDOM
-----------------------------
DAVID WISDOM
Title: Vice President
$17,500,000 WACHOVIA BANK, NA
By /s/ WILLIAM CHRISTIE
-----------------------------
WILLIAM CHRISTIE
Title: Senior Vice President
$375,000,000 Total of the Commitments
SCHEDULE I
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
FIVE YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT
APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| NAME OF INITIAL LENDER | DOMESTIC LENDING OFFICE | EUROCURRENCY LENDING OFFICE |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Bank One, NA | 1 Bank One Plaza | 1 Bank One Plaza |
| | Chicago, IL 60670 | Chicago, IL 60670 |
| | Attn: Claudia Kech | Attn: Claudia Kech |
| | T: 312 732-1031 | T: 312 732-1031 |
| | F: 312 732-4840 | F: 312 732-4840 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Bank of America, NA | 101 N. Tryon Street, 15th Floor | 101 N. Tryon Street, 15th Floor |
| | Charlotte, NC 28255 | Charlotte, NC 28255 |
| | Attn: Michael Plamice | Attn: Michael Plamice |
| | T: 704 386-3781 | T: 704 386-3781 |
| | F: 704 409-0066 | F: 704 409-0066 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| The Bank of New York | One Wall Street | One Wall Street |
| | New York, NY 10286 | New York, NY 10286 |
| | Attn: | Attn: |
| | T: 212 635-1471 | T: 212 635-1471 |
| | F: 212 635-6397 | F: 212 635-6397 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Barclays Bank PLC | 222 Broadway | 222 Broadway |
| | New York, NY 10038 | New York, NY 10038 |
| | Attn: Christina Challenger-Batiz | Attn: Christina Challenger-Batiz |
| | T: 212 412-3701 | T: 212 412-3701 |
| | F: 212 412-5306 | F: 212 412-5306 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| The Chase Manhattan Bank | 4 Chase Metrotech Center | 4 Chase Metrotech Center |
| | 15th Floor | 15th Floor |
| | Brooklyn, NY 11245 | Brooklyn, NY 11245 |
| | Attn: Marcia Green-Alleyne | Attn: Marcia Green-Alleyne |
| | T: 718 242-8064 | T: 718 242-8064 |
| | F: 718 242-6550 | F: 718 242-6550 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Citibank, N.A. | Two Penns Way, Suite 200 | Two Penns Way, Suite 200 |
| | New Castle, DE 19720 | New Castle, DE 19720 |
| | Attn: May Wong | T: 302 894-6015 |
| | T: 302 894-6015 | F: 302 894-6120 |
| | F: 302 894-6120 | |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Credit Agricole Indosuez | 666 Third Avenue, 10th Floor | 666 Third Avenue, 10th Floor |
| | New York, NY 10017 | New York, NY 10017 |
| | Attn: John McCloskey | Attn: John McCloskey |
| | T: 212 658-2118 | T: 212 658-2118 |
| | F: 212 658-2111 | F: 212 658-2111 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Fleet Bank, N.A. | 1185 Avenue of the Americas | 1185 Avenue of the Americas |
| | New York, NY 10036 | New York, NY 10036 |
| | Attn: Thomas J. Levy | Attn: Thomas J. Levy |
| | T: 212 819-5735 | T: 212 819-5735 |
| | F: 212 819-4120 | F: 212 819-4120 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| HSBC Bank USA | 1 HSBC Center | 1 HSBC Center |
| | Buffalo, NY 14203 | Buffalo, NY 14203 |
| | Attn: Donna Reilly | Attn: Donna Reilly |
| | T: 716 841-4178 | T: 716 841-4178 |
| | F: 716 841-0269 | F: 716 841-0269 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Keybank National Association | 127 Public Square | 127 Public Square |
| | Cleveland, OH 94111 | Cleveland, OH 94111 |
| | Attn: Dan Lally | T: 216 689-8065 |
| | T: 216 689-8065 | F: 216 689-4981 |
| | F: 216689-4981 | |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Lloyds TSB Bank PLC | Lloyds TSB Bank PLC Miami | Lloyds TSB Bank PLC Miami |
| | One Biscayne Tower Suite 3200 | One Biscayne Tower Suite 3200 |
| | 2 South Biscayne Boulevard | 2 South Biscayne Boulevard |
| | Miami, FL 33131 | Miami, FL 33131 |
| | Attn: Patricia Kilian | Attn: Patricia Kilian |
| | T: | T: |
| | F: | F: |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Suntrust Bank | 25 Park Place, 21st Floor | 25 Park Place, 21st Floor |
| | Center 1927 | Center 1927 |
| | Atlanta, GA 30303 | Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| | Attn: | Attn: |
| | T: | T: |
| | F: | F: |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Wachovia Bank, NA | 191 Peachtree Street | 191 Peachtree Street |
| | M/C GA380 | M/C GA380 |
| | Atlanta, GA 30303 | Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| | Attn: Trudy T. Collins | Attn: Trudy T. Collins |
| | T: 404 332-6688 | T: 404 332-6688 |
| | F: 404 332-4820 | F: 404 332-4820 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE 3.01 (H)
(1) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1994, between The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (the "Company") and Bank of America NT
and SA.
(2) US$ 20,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1992, between
the Company and The Bank of New York.
(3) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1992, between
the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (as successor to Chemical Bank).
(4) US$ 35,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1992, between
the Company and Citibank, N.A..
(5) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1992, between
the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago.
(6) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1995, between the
Company and Lloyds Bank Plc.
(7) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1992, between
the Company and SunTrust Bank, Atlanta.
(8) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1998, between the
Company and Wachovia Bank, N.A..
(9) US$ 25,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 1999, between the
Company and HSBC Bank USA.
(10) US$ 200,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2000, between the
Company and Citibank, N.A..
EXHIBIT A-1 - FORM OF
REVOLVING CREDIT
PROMISSORY NOTE
U.S.$______________ Dated: _______________, 200_
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY
to the order of ________________________ (the "LENDER") for the account of its
Applicable Lending Office on the Termination Date (each as defined in the Credit
Agreement referred to below) the principal sum of U.S.$[amount of the Lender's
Commitment in figures] or, if less, the aggregate principal amount of the
Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances made by the Lender to the
Borrower pursuant to the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2000
among the Borrower, the Lender and certain other lenders parties thereto,
Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book manager, Bank One, NA,
SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as documentation
agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A. as Agent for the
Lender and such other lenders (as amended or modified from time to time, the
"CREDIT AGREEMENT"; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein
defined) outstanding on the Termination Date.
The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each Revolving Credit Advance and each Swing Line Bank from the date
of such Revolving Credit Advance and such Swing Line Advance, as the case may
be, until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and
payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit Agreement.
Both principal and interest in respect of each Revolving
Credit Advance (i) in Dollars are payable in lawful money of the United States
of America to the Agent at its account maintained at 399 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10043, in same day funds and (ii) in any Committed Currency are payable
in such currency at the applicable Payment Office in same day funds. Both
principal and interest in respect of each Swing Line Advance are payable in
lawful money of the United States of America to the Agent at its account
maintained at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10043 in same day funds. Each
Revolving Credit Advance and each Swing Line Advance owing to the Lender by the
Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and all payments made on account of
principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender and, prior to any transfer
hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto which is part of this Promissory
Note.
This Promissory Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes
referred to in, and is entitled to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement. The
Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for the making of Revolving
Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances by the Lender to the Borrower from time
to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the U.S.
dollar amount first above mentioned, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting
from each such Revolving Credit Advance and each Swing Line Advance being
evidenced by this Promissory Note, (ii) contains provisions for determining the
Dollar Equivalent of Revolving Credit Advances denominated in Committed
Currencies and (iii) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof
upon the happening of certain stated events and also for prepayments on account
of principal hereof prior to the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions
therein specified.
This Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC.
By___________________________
Title:
ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
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EXHIBIT A-2 - FORM OF
COMPETITIVE BID
PROMISSORY NOTE
U.S.$_______________ Dated: _______________, 200_
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY
to the order of ________________________ (the "LENDER") for the account of its
Applicable Lending Office (as defined in the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as
of June 27, 2000 among the Borrower, the Lender and certain other lenders
parties thereto, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book manager,
Bank One, NA, SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as
documentation agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A., as
Agent for the Lender and such other lenders (as amended or modified from time to
time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"; the terms defined therein being used herein as
therein defined)), on __________ __, 200_, the principal amount of
[U.S.$_______________] [for a Competitive Bid Advance in a Committed Currency,
list currency and amount of such Advance].
The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount hereof from the date hereof until such principal amount is paid in full,
at the interest rate and payable on the interest payment date or dates provided
below:
Interest Rate: _____% per annum (calculated on the basis of a
year of _____ days for the actual number of days elapsed).
Both principal and interest are payable in lawful money of
________________ to Citibank, as agent, for the account of the Lender at the
office of _________________________, at _________________________ in same day
funds.
This Promissory Note is one of the Competitive Bid Notes
referred to in, and is entitled to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement. The
Credit Agreement, among other things, contains provisions for acceleration of
the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events.
The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest and
notice of any kind. No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
rights hereunder on the part of the holder hereof shall operate as a waiver of
such rights.
This Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC.
By____________________________
Title:
EXHIBIT B-1 - FORM OF NOTICE OF
REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
for the Lenders parties
to the Credit Agreement
referred to below
Two Penns Way
New Castle, Delaware 19720
[Date]
Attention: Bank Loan Syndications Department
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, [The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.][Name of Designated Subsidiary], refers to the Five-Year Credit Agreement,
dated as of June 27, 2000 (as amended or modified from time to time, the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined),
among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., certain Lenders parties thereto,
Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book manager, Bank One, NA,
SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as documentation
agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A., as Agent for
said Lenders, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.02
of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned hereby requests a Revolving Credit
Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below
the information relating to such Revolving Credit Borrowing (the "PROPOSED
REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING") as required by Section 2.02(a) of the Credit
Agreement:
(i) The Business Day of the Proposed Revolving Credit
Borrowing is _______________, 200_.
(ii) The Type of Advances comprising the Proposed Revolving
Credit Borrowing is [Base Rate Advances] [Eurocurrency Rate
Advances].
(iii)The aggregate amount of the Proposed Revolving Credit
Borrowing is $_______________][for a Revolving Credit Borrowing
in a Committed Currency, list currency and amount of Revolving
Credit Borrowing].
[(iv) The initial Interest Period for each Eurocurrency Rate
Advance made as part of the Proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing
is _____ month[s].]
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements
are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed
Revolving Credit Borrowing:
(A) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 of
the Credit Agreement (except the representation set forth in the last
sentence of subsection (e) thereof) [and in the Designation Agreement of
the undersigned] are correct, before and after giving effect to the
Proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds
therefrom, as though made on and as of such date; and
(B) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such
Proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
therefrom, that constitutes a Default.
Very truly yours,
[THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC.][DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY]
By______________________________
Title:
EXHIBIT B-2 - FORM OF NOTICE OF
COMPETITIVE BID BORROWING
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
for the Lenders parties
to the Credit Agreement
referred to below
Two Penns Way
New Castle, Delaware 19720
[Date]
Attention: Bank Loan Syndications Department
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.[, on
behalf of [Name of Designated Subsidiary]], refers to the Five-Year Credit
Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2000 (as amended or modified from time to time,
the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein being used herein as therein
defined), among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., certain Lenders
parties thereto, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book manager,
Bank One, NA, SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as
documentation agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A., as
Agent for said Lenders, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to
Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned hereby requests a
Competitive Bid Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection
sets forth the terms on which such Competitive Bid Borrowing (the "PROPOSED
COMPETITIVE BID BORROWING") is requested to be made:
(A) Date of Competitive Bid Borrowing ___________________________
(B) Amount of Competitive Bid Borrowing___________________________
(C) [Maturity Date] [Interest Period] ___________________________
(D) Interest Rate Basis ___________________________
(E) Day Count Convention ___________________________
(F) Interest Payment Date(s) ___________________________
(G) Currency ___________________________
(H) Borrower's Account Location ___________________________
(I) ___________________________ ___________________________
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements
are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed
Competitive Bid Borrowing:
(a) the representations and warranties contained in Section
4.01 of the Credit Agreement (except the representation set forth in
the last sentence of subsection (e) thereof) [and in the Designation
Agreement of the undersigned] are correct, before and after giving
effect to the Proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing and to the application
of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such date;
(b) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
from the Proposed Competitive Bid Borrowing or from the application of
the proceeds therefrom, that constitutes a Default; and
(c) the aggregate amount of the Proposed Competitive Bid
Borrowing and all other Borrowings to be made on the same day under the
Credit Agreement is within the aggregate amount of the Unused
Commitments of the Lenders.
The undersigned hereby confirms that the Proposed Competitive
Bid Borrowing is to be made available to it in accordance with Section
2.03(a)(v) of the Credit Agreement.
Very truly yours,
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP
OF COMPANIES, INC.
By___________________________
Title:
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as
of June 27, 2000 (as amended or modified from time to time, the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement),
Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book manager, Bank One, NA,
SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as documentation
agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A., as agent for the
Lenders (the "AGENT"). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein
with the same meaning.
The "Assignor" and the "Assignee" referred to on Schedule I
hereto agree as follows:
1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and
the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, an interest in and
to the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement as of the
date hereof (other than in respect of Competitive Bid Advances and Competitive
Bid Notes) equal to the percentage interest specified on Schedule 1 hereto of
all outstanding rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (other than in
respect of Competitive Bid Advances and Competitive Bid Notes). After giving
effect to such sale and assignment, the Assignee's Commitment and the amount of
the Revolving Credit Advances owing to the Assignee will be as set forth on
Schedule 1 hereto.
2. The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the
legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and
that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the
Credit Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (iii) makes no representation
or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial
condition of the Company or the performance or observance by the Company of any
of its obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant thereto; and (iv) attaches the Revolving Credit
Note, if any, held by the Assignor [and requests that the Agent exchange such
Revolving Credit Note for a new Revolving Credit Note payable to the order of
[the Assignee in an amount equal to the Commitment assumed by the Assignee
pursuant hereto or new Revolving Credit Notes payable to the order of the
Assignee in an amount equal to the Commitment assumed by the Assignee pursuant
hereto and] the Assignor in an amount equal to the Commitment retained by the
Assignor under the Credit Agreement[, respectively,] as specified on Schedule 1
hereto].
3. The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of
the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred
to in Section 4.01(e) thereof and such other documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into
this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and
without reliance upon the Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under
the Credit Agreement; (iii) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (iv)
appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and
to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement as are
delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and
discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; (v) agrees that it will perform
in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; and (vi)
attaches any U.S. Internal Revenue Service forms required under Section 2.14 of
the Credit Agreement.
4. Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance,
it will be delivered to the Agent for acceptance and recording by the Agent. The
effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") shall
be the date of acceptance hereof by the Agent, unless otherwise specified on
Schedule 1 hereto.
5. Upon such acceptance and recording by the Agent, as of the
Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and,
to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and
obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be
released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.
6. Upon such acceptance and recording by the Agent, from and
after the Effective Date, the Agent shall make all payments under the Credit
Agreement and the Revolving Credit Notes in respect of the interest assigned
hereby (including, without limitation, all payments of principal, interest and
facility fees with respect thereto) to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee
shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Credit Agreement
and the Revolving Credit Notes for periods prior to the Effective Date directly
between themselves.
7. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
8. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of Schedule 1 to this Assignment and Acceptance by
telecopier shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of
this Assignment and Acceptance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused
Schedule 1 to this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date specified thereon.
Schedule 1
to
Assignment and Acceptance
Percentage interest assigned:
_____%
Assignee's Commitment:
$______
Aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Advances
assigned: $______
Principal amount of Revolving Credit Note payable to Assignee:
$______
Principal amount of Revolving Credit Note payable to Assignor:
$______
Effective Date*: _______________, 200_
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR], as Assignor
By___________________________
Title:
Dated:________________, 200_
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE], as Assignee
By___________________________
Title:
Dated:________________, 200_
Domestic Lending Office:
[Address]
Eurocurrency Lending Office:
[Address]
Accepted [and Approved]** this
__________ day of _______________, 200_
CITIBANK, N.A., as Agent
By__________________________________________]*
Title:
[Approved this_____ day
of _______________, 200_
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
By__________________________________________]*
Title:
- --------
* This date should be no earlier than five Business Days after the delivery
of this Assignment and Acceptance to the Agent.
** Required if the Assignee is an Eligible Assignee solely by reason of clause
(iii) of the definition of "Eligible Assignee". * Required if the Assignee
is an Eligible Assignee solely by reason of clause (iii) of the definition
of "Eligible Assignee".
EXHIBIT D1 - FORM OF
OPINION OF
CLEARY, GOTTLIEB,
STEEN & HAMILTON
[Effective Date]
To each of the Lenders parties
to the Credit Agreement dated
as of June __, 2000
among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.,
said Lenders and Citibank, N.A.,
as Agent for said Lenders, and
to Citibank, N.A., as Agent
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
----------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to The Interpublic Group of
Companies, Inc. (the "COMPANY") in connection with that certain Five-Year Credit
Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2000 (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among the
Company, the Lenders parties thereto, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead
arranger and book manager, Bank One, NA, SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as
co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as documentation agent, SunTrust Bank, as
syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A., as Agent for said Lenders. Terms defined
in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined. This opinion is
furnished to you pursuant to Section 3.01(h)(iv) of the Credit Agreement.
In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have examined
the following documents:
(1) An executed copy of the Credit Agreement.
(2) The documents furnished by the Company pursuant to Article
III of the Credit Agreement.
In addition, we have examined the originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other corporate
records of the Company, certificates of public officials and of officers and
representatives of the Company and such other persons, and we have made such
investigations of law, as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions
expressed below.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to
the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have
assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each
document we have reviewed (including, without limitation, the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company in the Credit Agreement).
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the further
assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that:
1. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
the Credit Agreement and the Notes, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby, are within the Company's corporate
powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action,
and do not contravene any law, rule or regulation applicable to the
Company.
2. The Credit Agreement is, and after giving effect to the
initial Borrowing, the Notes delivered by the Company will be, valid,
binding and enforceable obligations of the Company in accordance with
their respective terms.
3. No authorization, approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority of the United
States or the State of New York is required for the execution, delivery
and performance by the Company of the Credit Agreement and the Notes to
be delivered by it.
Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity,
binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company,
(a) we have assumed that each party to such agreement or obligation has
satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent
necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it (except
that no such assumption is made as to the Company regarding matters of the
federal law of the United States of America, the law of the State of New York or
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) and (b) such opinions are
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity.
We express no opinion as to (i) Section 2.14 of the Credit
Agreement insofar as it provides that any Lender purchasing a participation from
another Lender pursuant thereto may exercise set-off or similar rights with
respect to such participation and (ii) the effect of the law of any jurisdiction
other than the State of New York wherein any Lender may be located or wherein
enforcement of the Credit Agreement or the Notes may be sought that limits the
rates of interest legally chargeable or collectible.
We note that the designations in Section 9.13(a) of the Credit
Agreement, are (notwithstanding the waiver in Section 9.13(b) of the Credit
Agreement) subject to the power of such courts to transfer actions pursuant to
28 U.S.C. ss.1404(a) or to dismiss such actions or proceedings on the grounds
that such a federal court is an inconvenient forum for such action or
proceeding.
With respect to the first sentence of Section 9.13(a) of the
Credit Agreement, we express no opinion as to the subject matter jurisdiction of
any United States federal court to adjudicate any action relating to the Credit
Agreement where jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship under 28 U.S.C.
ss.1332 does not exist.
We express no opinion as to Section 9.12 of the Credit
Agreement. In addition, the opinion expressed in paragraph (1) above relates
only to those laws and regulations that, in our experience, are normally
applicable to transactions of the type referred to in the Credit Agreement.
The foregoing opinions are limited to the law of the State of
New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal
law of the United States.
We are furnishing this opinion letter to you solely for your
benefit in connection with the Credit Agreement. This opinion letter is not to
be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a copy of this opinion letter may be furnished
to, and relied upon by, a permitted transferee who becomes a party to the Credit
Agreement as a Lender thereunder, and you or any such transferee may show this
opinion to any governmental authority pursuant to requirements of applicable law
or regulations. The opinions expressed herein are, however, rendered on and as
of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any such
transferee or governmental authority or any other person, or to make any
investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising
subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.
Very truly yours,
CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON
By: /s/ JAMES F. MUNSELL
-------------------------------
JAMES F. MUNSELL, a partner
EXHIBIT D2 - FORM OF
OPINION OF IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE COMPANY
[Effective Date]
To each of the Lenders parties
to the Credit Agreement dated
as of June --, 2000
among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.,
said Lenders and Citibank, N.A.,
as Agent for said Lenders, and
to Citibank, N.A., as Agent
FIVE-YEAR REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to Section 3.01(h)(iv)
of the Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2000 (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT"), among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (the "COMPANY"), the
Lenders parties thereto, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book
manager, Bank One, NA, SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank
One, NA, as documentation agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and
Citibank, N.A., as Agent for said Lenders. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement
are used herein as therein defined.
I have acted as General Counsel for the Company in connection
with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement.
In arriving at the opinions expressed below, I have examined the
following documents:
(1) An executed copy of the Credit Agreement.
(2) The documents furnished by the Company pursuant to Article
III of the Credit Agreement.
(3) A copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company and all amendments thereto (the "Charter").
(4) A copy of the by-laws of the Company and all amendments
thereto (the "BY-LAWS"). _______
(5) A certificate of the Secretary of State of Delaware, dated
June 23, 2000, attesting to the continued corporate existence and good
standing of the Company in that State.
In addition, I have examined the originals, or copies certified
or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such other corporate records of
the Company, certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company and
such other persons as I have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions
expressed below.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, I have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals and the conformity to
the originals of all documents submitted to me as copies. In addition, I have
assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each
document I have reviewed (including, without limitation, the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company in the Credit Agreement).
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the further assumptions
and qualifications set forth below, it is my opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
the Credit Agreement and the Notes, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby, are within the Company's corporate
powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action,
and do not contravene (i) the Charter or the By-laws or (ii) any
material contractual or legal restriction known to me contained in any
material document to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound. The Credit Agreement and the Notes have been duly executed and
delivered on behalf of the Company.
3. To my knowledge, no authorization, approval or other action
by, and no notice to or filing with, any third party is required for
the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Credit
Agreement and the Notes to be delivered by it.
4. To my knowledge, there are no pending or overtly threatened
actions or proceedings against the Company or any of its Consolidated
Subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that
purport to affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of the
Credit Agreement or any of the Notes or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby or that are likely to have a
materially adverse effect upon the financial condition or operations of
the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The foregoing opinions are limited to the law of the State of
New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Federal
law of the United States.
I am furnishing this opinion letter to you solely for your
benefit in connection with the Credit Agreement. This opinion letter is not to
be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a copy of this opinion letter may be furnished
to, and relied upon by, a permitted transferee who becomes a party to the Credit
Agreement as a Lender thereunder, and you or any such transferee may show this
opinion to any governmental authority pursuant to requirements of applicable law
or regulations. The opinions expressed herein are, however, rendered on and as
of the date hereof, and I assume no obligation to advise you or any such
transferee or governmental authority or any other person, or to make any
investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising
subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ NICHOLAS J. CAMERA
-----------------------------------
NICHOLAS J. CAMERA, General Counsel
EXHIBIT E - FORM OF
DESIGNATION AGREEMENT
[DATE]
To each of the Lenders
parties to the Credit Agreement
(as defined below) and to Citibank, N.A.
as Administrative Agent for such Lenders
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement
dated as of June 27, 2000 among The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (the
"COMPANY"), certain other borrowers parties thereto, the Lenders parties
thereto, Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., as lead arranger and book manager, Bank
One, NA, SunTrust Bank and HSBC Bank USA, as co-arrangers, Bank One, NA, as
documentation agent, SunTrust Bank, as syndication agent, and Citibank, N.A., as
Agent for said Lenders (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"). Terms used herein and defined
in the Credit Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such
terms in the Credit Agreement.
Please be advised that the Company hereby designates its
undersigned Subsidiary, ____________ ("DESIGNATED Subsidiary"), as a "Designated
Subsidiary" under and for all purposes of the Credit Agreement.
The Designated Subsidiary, in consideration of each Lender's
agreement to extend credit to it under and on the terms and conditions set forth
in the Credit Agreement, does hereby assume each of the obligations imposed upon
a "Designated Subsidiary" and a "Borrower" under the Credit Agreement and agrees
to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement. In furtherance
of the foregoing, the Designated Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants to
each Lender as follows:
(a) The Designated Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of ______________.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Designated
Subsidiary of this Designation Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the
Notes to be delivered by it are within the Designated Subsidiary's
corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action and do not contravene (i) the Designated Subsidiary's charter or
by-laws or (ii) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the
Designated Subsidiary or (iii) any material contractual or legal
restriction binding on the Designated Subsidiary. The Designation
Agreement and the Notes delivered by it have been duly executed and
delivered on behalf of the Designated Subsidiary.
(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the
Designated Subsidiary of this Designation Agreement, the Credit
Agreement or the Notes to be delivered by it.
(d) This Designation Agreement is, and the Notes to be
delivered by the Designated Subsidiary when delivered will be, legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Designated Subsidiary enforceable
against the Designated Subsidiary in accordance with their respective
terms.
(e) There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Designated
Subsidiary, threatened action or proceeding affecting the Designated
Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, governmental
agency or arbitrator which purports to affect the legality, validity or
enforceability of this Designation Agreement, the Credit Agreement or
any Note of the Designated Subsidiary.
This Designation Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Very truly yours,
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
By
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Name:
Title:
[THE DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY]
By
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Name:
Title: