Exhibit 4.4
EXECUTION COPY
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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF AUGUST 24, 2001
AMONG
DELUXE CORPORATION,
BANK ONE, NA,
AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
AS SYNDICATION AGENT
AND
THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO
ARRANGED BY
BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,
AND
BNY CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,
AS CO-LEAD ARRANGERS AND JOINT BOOK RUNNERS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS........................................................ 1
1.01 Certain Defined Terms........................................ 1
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions .............................. 13
1.03 Accounting Principles....................................... 14
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS...................................................... 14
2.01 The Revolving Credit........................................ 14
2.02 Loan Accounts; Bid Loan Notes .............................. 14
2.03 Procedure for Committed Borrowing........................... 15
2.04 Conversion and Continuation Elections for
Committed Borrowings........................................ 16
2.05 Bid Borrowings ............................................. 17
2.06 Procedure for Bid Borrowings ............................... 17
2.07 Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments;
Increase of Commitments..................................... 20
2.08 Optional Prepayments........................................ 21
2.09 Extension of Revolving Termination Date..................... 22
2.10 Repayment................................................... 22
2.11 Interest.................................................... 22
2.12 Fees........................................................ 23
2.13 Computation of Fees and Interest............................ 24
2.14 Payments by the Company..................................... 25
2.15 Payments by the Banks to the Agent.......................... 25
2.16 Sharing of Payments, Etc ................................... 26
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY.......................... 26
3.01 Taxes....................................................... 26
3.02 Illegality.................................................. 29
3.03 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return..................... 30
3.04 Funding Losses.............................................. 30
3.05 Inability to Determine Rates ............................... 31
3.06 Reserves on Offshore Rate Committed Loans .................. 31
3.07 Certificates of Banks ...................................... 32
3.08 Substitution of Banks ...................................... 32
3.09 Survival.................................................... 32
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT............................................. 32
4.01 Conditions of Initial Loans................................. 32
4.02 Conditions to All Borrowings ............................... 33
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ................................... 34
5.01 Corporate Existence and Power .............................. 34
5.02 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention................... 34
5.03 Governmental Authorization.................................. 35
5.04 Binding Effect.............................................. 35
ii.
5.05 Litigation.................................................. 35
5.06 No Default.................................................. 35
5.07 ERISA Compliance............................................ 35
5.08 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations ........................ 36
5.09 Title to Properties......................................... 36
5.10 Taxes....................................................... 36
5.11 Financial Condition......................................... 37
5.12 Environmental Matters....................................... 37
5.13 Regulated Entities ......................................... 37
5.14 No Burdensome Restrictions.................................. 37
5.15 Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc........... 37
5.16 Subsidiaries ............................................... 38
5.17 Insurance .................................................. 38
5.18 Full Disclosure ............................................ 38
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS ........................................... 38
6.01 Financial Statements ....................................... 38
6.02 Certificates; Other Information............................. 39
6.03 Notices..................................................... 39
6.04 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.................... 40
6.05 Maintenance of Property..................................... 41
6.06 Insurance .................................................. 41
6.07 Payment of Obligations ..................................... 41
6.08 Compliance with Laws........................................ 41
6.09 Compliance with ERISA....................................... 41
6.10 Inspection of Property and Books and Records ............... 42
6.11 Environmental Laws ......................................... 42
6.12 Use of Proceeds............................................. 42
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS ............................................. 42
7.01 Limitation on Liens ........................................ 42
7.02 Disposition of Assets....................................... 44
7.03 Consolidations and Mergers.................................. 44
7.04 Transactions with Affiliates................................ 45
7.05 Use of Proceeds............................................. 45
7.06 Restricted Payments ........................................ 45
7.07 ERISA....................................................... 45
7.08 Change in Business ......................................... 45
7.09 Accounting Changes ......................................... 45
7.10 Interest Coverage........................................... 46
7.11 Subsidiary Indebtedness..................................... 46
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................. 46
8.01 Event of Default ........................................... 46
8.02 Remedies.................................................... 48
8.03 Rights Not Exclusive........................................ 49
iii.
ARTICLE IX THE AGENT........................................................ 49
9.01 Appointment and Authorization............................... 49
9.02 Delegation of Duties........................................ 49
9.03 Liability of Agent.......................................... 49
9.04 Reliance by Agent .......................................... 49
9.05 Notice of Default........................................... 50
9.06 Credit Decision............................................. 50
9.07 Indemnification............................................. 51
9.08 Agent in Individual Capacity................................ 51
9.09 Successor Agent ............................................ 51
9.10 Withholding Tax............................................. 52
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS..................................................... 52
10.01 Amendments and Waivers ..................................... 52
10.02 Notices..................................................... 53
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.............................. 54
10.04 Costs and Expenses ......................................... 54
10.05 Indemnity................................................... 54
10.06 Payments Set Aside.......................................... 55
10.07 Successors and Assigns...................................... 55
10.08 Assignments, Participations, etc............................ 56
10.09 Set-off..................................................... 58
10.10 Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc ............ 58
10.11 Counterparts................................................ 58
10.12 Severability................................................ 58
10.13 No Third Parties Benefited.................................. 58
10.14 Governing Law and Jurisdiction.............................. 58
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial........................................ 59
10.16 Entire Agreement ........................................... 59
ANNEX I Pricing Grid
SCHEDULES
Schedule 2.01 List of Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
Schedule 5.05 Litigation Schedule
Schedule 5.07 ERISA Matters
Schedule 5.12 Environmental Schedule
Schedule 5.16 List of Subsidiaries and Material Equity Investments
Schedule 7.01 Existing Liens
Schedule 10.02 Offshore and Domestic Lending Offices, Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit B Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit D Form of Invitation for Competitive Bids
iv.
Exhibit E Form of Competitive Bid Request
Exhibit F Form of Competitive Bid
Exhibit G-1 Form of Committed Loan Note
ExhibitG-2 Form of Bid Loan Note
Exhibit H Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Company
Exhibit I Form of Assignment and Acceptance
v.
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of August 24, 2001, among
DELUXE CORPORATION, a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), the several
financial institutions from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively,
the "Banks"; individually, a "Bank"), and BANK ONE, NA, with its principal
office in Chicago, Illinois, as administrative agent (the "Agent") for the Banks
and The Bank of new York, as syndication agent (the "Syndication Agent") for the
Banks.
WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to make available to the Company a
revolving credit facility upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions
and covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
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1.01 Certain Defined Terms. The following terms have the following
meanings:
"Absolute Rate" has the meaning specified in subsection
2.06(c).
"Absolute Rate Auction" means a solicitation of Competitive
Bids setting forth Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.06.
"Absolute Rate Bid Loan" means a Bid Loan that bears interest
at a rate determined with reference to the Absolute Rate.
"Acquisition" means any transaction or series of related
transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly,
in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a
Person, or of any material part of the business and operations or
division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the
capital stock, partnership interests or equity of any Person, or
otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or
consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than
a Person that is a Subsidiary) provided that the Company or a
Subsidiary is the surviving entity.
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which,
directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control
another Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of the other Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
"Agent" means Bank One in its capacity as administrative agent
for the Banks hereunder, and any successor agent arising under Section
9.09.
1.
"Agent-Related Persons" means Bank One in its capacity as
Agent and any successor agent arising under Section 9.09, together with
their respective Affiliates (including, in the case of Bank One, Banc
One Capital Markets, Inc.) and The Bank of New York in its capacity as
Syndication Agent, together with its affiliates (including BNY Capital
Markets, Inc.), and the officers, directors, employees, agents and
attorneysin- fact of such Persons and Affiliates.
"Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set
forth on Schedule 10.02 hereto in relation to the Agent, or such other
address as the Agent may from time to time specify.
"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement.
"Applicable Margin" means (i) with respect to Base Rate
Committed Loans, the amount set forth opposite the indicated Level
Status below the heading "Committed Loan Base Rate Spread" and (ii)
with respect to Offshore Rate Committed Loans, the amount set forth
opposite the indicated Level Status below the heading "Committed Loan
LIBO Rate Spread," in the pricing grid set forth on Annex I. The
Applicable Margin shall automatically change in respect of all
Committed Loans then outstanding or as to which a Notice of Borrowing
has been delivered as of the date of any public announcement by S&P or
Moody's resulting in a change of Level Status.
"Arrangers" means Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. and BNY
Capital Markets, Inc.
"Assignee" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(a).
"Assignment and Acceptance" has the meaning specified in
Section 10.08(a).
"Attorney Costs" means and includes all reasonable fees and
disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel, the reasonable
allocated cost of internal legal services and all reasonable
disbursements of internal counsel.
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the introductory clause
hereto.
"Bank One" means Bank One, NA, a national banking association
having its principal office in Chicago, Illinois, in its individual
capacity, and its successors.
"Bankruptcy Code" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978 (11 U.S.C. ss.101, et seq.).
"Base Rate" means, for any day, a fluctuating rate of interest
per annum equal to the higher of (i) the Prime Rate for such day and
(ii) the sum of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day and
(b) one-half of one percent (0.5%) per annum.
"Base Rate Committed Loan" means a Committed Loan that bears
interest based on the Base Rate.
2.
"Bid Borrowing" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of one
or more Bid Loans made to the Company on the same day by one or more
Banks.
"Bid Loan" means a Loan by a Bank to the Company under Section
2.05, which may be a LIBOR Bid Loan or an Absolute Rate Bid Loan.
"Bid Loan Lender" means, in respect of any Bid Loan, the Bank
making such Bid Loan to the Company.
"Bid Loan Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.
"Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of
the same Type (in the case of Committed Loans) made to the Company on
the same day by one or more of the Banks under Article II, and may be a
Committed Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing and, other than in the case of
Base Rate Committed Loans, having the same Interest Period.
"Borrowing Date" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs
under Section 2.03.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in New York City or Chicago are
authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business
Day relates to any Offshore Rate Loan, means such a day on which
dealings are carried on in the applicable offshore dollar interbank
market.
"Capital Adequacy Regulation" means any guideline, request or
directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any
other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law,
in each case, regarding capital adequacy of any bank or of any
corporation controlling a bank.
"Closing Date" means the date on which all conditions
precedent set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived by all
Banks (or, in the case of subsection 4.01(e), waived by the Person
entitled to receive such payment).
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Commitment", as to each Bank, has the meaning specified in
Section 2.01.
"Committed Borrowing" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting
of Committed Loans made on the same day by the Banks ratably according
to their respective Pro Rata Shares and, in the case of Offshore Rate
Committed Loans, having the same Interest Periods.
"Committed Loan" means a Loan by a Bank to the Company under
Section 2.01, and may be an Offshore Rate Committed Loan or a Base Rate
Committed Loan (each, a "Type" of Committed Loan).
3.
"Committed Loan Note" has the meaning specified in Section
2.02.
"Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Bank to make a Bid Loan
in accordance with subsection 2.06(c).
"Competitive Bid Request" has the meaning specified in
subsection 2.06(a).
"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in
the form of Exhibit A.
"Contingent Obligation" means, as applied to any Person, any
material direct or indirect liability of that Person with respect to
any Indebtedness, lease, dividend, Surety Instrument or other
obligation (the "primary obligations") of another Person (the "primary
obligor"), including any obligation of that Person, whether or not
contingent, (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such
primary obligations or any property constituting direct or indirect
security therefor, or (b) to advance or provide funds (i) for the
payment or discharge of any such primary obligation, or (ii) to
maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or
otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any balance sheet
item, level of income or financial condition of the primary obligor, or
(c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the
ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary
obligation, or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of
any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; in each
case (a), (b), (c) or (d), including arrangements wherein the rights
and remedies of the holder of the primary obligation are limited to
repossession or sale of certain property of such Person. The amount of
any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed equal to the lesser of (x)
the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect
of which such Contingent Obligation is made or, if not stated or if
indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
thereof, or (y) any limitation of such Contingent Obligation contained
in the instrument or agreement creating such Contingent Obligation.
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any
provision either of any security issued by such Person or of any
agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or
other instrument, document or agreement to which such Person is a party
or by which it or any of its property is bound and which in either case
is material to such Person.
"Conversion/Continuation Date" means any date on which, under
Section 2.04, the Company (a) converts Committed Loans of one Type to
another Type, or (b) continues Committed Loans of the same Type, but
with a new Interest Period, in the case of Committed Loans having
Interest Periods expiring on such date.
"Default" means any event or circumstance which, with the
giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or
otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.
"Dollars", "dollars" and "$" each mean lawful money of the
United States.
4.
"Eligible Assignee" means (i) a commercial bank organized
under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000; (ii) a
commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is
a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of any such country, and
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000,
provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in
the United States; or (iii) a Person that is primarily engaged in the
business of commercial banking and that is (A) a Subsidiary of a Bank,
(B) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary, or (C) a
Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary; provided that any such bank or
Person shall also have senior unsecured longterm debt ratings which are
rated at least A- (or the equivalent) as publicly announced by S&P or
A3 (or the equivalent) as publicly announced by Moody's.
"Environmental Claims" means all claims, however asserted, by
any Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability
or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for
release or injury to the environment.
"Environmental Laws" means all federal, state or local laws,
statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes,
together with all administrative orders, directed duties, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental
Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and
land use matters.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with the Company within the meaning
of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of
the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the
Code).
"ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a
Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year
in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations which is treated as
such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or
partial withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in
reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the
treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or
4041A of ERISA of, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to
terminate, a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or
condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds
under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment
of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or
(f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than
PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon
the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.
5.
"Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances
specified in Section 8.01.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any day, an interest
rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight
Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published for such
day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the immediately
preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if
such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on
such day on such transactions received by the Agent from three Federal
funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Agent in its sole
discretion.
"Fee Letters" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.12(a).
"FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, and any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its
principal functions.
"Funded Debt" means as of the date of any determination all
outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries which matures more than one (1) year after the incurrence
thereof or is extendable, renewable or refundable, at the option of the
obligor, to a date more than one (1) year after the incurrence thereof.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set
forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the
Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of
comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting
profession).
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any
state or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or
similar monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any
governmental regulatory authority or agency such as the FDIC, FRB, IRS
or SEC.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a)
all indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued,
undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or
services (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course
of business on ordinary terms); (c) all non-contingent reimbursement or
payment obligations with respect to Surety Instruments; (d) all
obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar
instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection
with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (e) all
recourse indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either
case with respect to property acquired by the Person; and (f) all
obligations with respect to capital leases; provided, however, that the
term "Indebtedness" shall not include non-recourse obligations or
indebtedness of any
6.
kind; and provided further, however, that the term "Indebtedness" shall
not include any such obligations or indebtedness owing by the Company
or any Subsidiary to the Company or any Subsidiary.
"Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning specified in Section
10.05.
"Indemnified Person" has the meaning specified in Section
10.05.
"Independent Auditor" has the meaning specified in subsection
6.01(a).
"Insolvency Proceeding" means with respect to a Person (a) any
case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental
Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of
debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
composition, marshalling of assets for creditors generally, or other,
similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any
substantial portion of its creditors; in each case undertaken under
U.S. Federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.
"Interest Payment Date" means, as to any Loan other than a
Base Rate Committed Loan, the last day of each Interest Period
applicable to such Loan and, as to any Base Rate Committed Loan, the
last Business Day of each calendar quarter, provided, however, that (a)
if any Interest Period for an Offshore Rate Committed Loan exceeds
three months, the date that falls three months after the beginning of
such Interest Period and after each Interest Payment Date thereafter is
also an Interest Payment Date, and (b) as to any Bid Loan, such
intervening dates prior to the maturity thereof as may be specified by
the Company and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender in the
applicable Competitive Bid shall also be Interest Payment Dates.
"Interest Period" means, (a) as to any Offshore Rate Committed
Loan, the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed,
or on the Conversion/Continuation Date on which the Loan is converted
into or continued as an Offshore Rate Committed Loan, and ending on the
date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the
Company in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as the case may be; (b) as to any LIBOR Bid
Loan, the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed
and ending on the date one, two, three, six, nine or twelve months
thereafter as selected by the Company in the applicable Competitive Bid
Request and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender(s); and (c) as
to any Absolute Rate Bid Loan, a period of not less than 7 days and not
more than 364 days as selected by the Company in the applicable
Competitive Bid Request and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan
Lender(s);
provided that:
(i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be
extended to the following Business Day unless, in the case of
an Offshore Rate Loan, the result of such extension would be
to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in
which event such Interest Period shall end on the preceding
Business Day;
7.
(ii) any Interest Period pertaining to an Offshore
Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar
month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the
calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(iii) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend
beyond the Revolving Termination Date.
"Invitation for Competitive Bids" means a solicitation for
Competitive Bids, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.
"Lending Office" means, as to any Bank, the office or offices
of such Bank specified as its "Lending Office" or "Domestic Lending
Office" or "Offshore Lending Office", as the case may be, on Schedule
10.02, or such other office or offices as such Bank may from time to
time notify the Company and the Agent.
"Level I Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level II Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level III Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level IV Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level V Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level VI Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level VII Status" has the meaning specified in Annex I.
"Level Status" means Level I Status, Level II Status, Level
III Status, Level IV Status, Level V Status, Level VI Status or Level
VII Status (as such terms are defined in Annex I), as applicable at any
time.
"LIBO Base Rate" for any Interest Period, with respect to each
LIBOR Bid Loan in any Bid Borrowing or each Offshore Rate Committed
Loan comprising part of the same Committed Borrowing, means, with
respect to a Eurodollar Advance for the relevant Interest Period, the
applicable British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rate for
deposits in Dollars appearing on Reuters Screen FRBD as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such
Interest Period, and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period,
PROVIDED that, (i) if Reuters Screen FRBD is not available to the Agent
for any reason, the applicable LIBO Base Rate for the relevant Interest
Period shall instead be the applicable British Bankers' Association
Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars as reported by any
other generally recognized financial information service as of 11:00
a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior
8.
to the first day of such Interest Period, and having a maturity equal
to such Interest Period, and (ii) if no such British Bankers'
Association Interest Settlement Rate is available, the applicable LIBO
Base Rate for the relevant Interest Period shall instead be the rate
determined by the Agent to be the rate at which Bank One offers to
place deposits in Dollars with first class banks in the London
interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2)
Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, in the
approximate amount of Bank One's relevant Eurodollar Loan, and having a
maturity equal to such Interest Period.
"LIBO Rate" means, with respect to each LIBOR Bid Loan in any
Bid Borrowing or Offshore Rate Committed Loan comprising part of the
same Committed Borrowing for the relevant Interest Period, the sum of
(i) the quotient of (a) the LIBO Base Rate applicable to such Interest
Period, DIVIDED BY (b) one MINUS the Reserve Requirement (expressed as
a decimal) applicable to such Interest Period, PLUS (ii) the then
Applicable Margin, changing as and when the Applicable Margin changes.
"LIBOR Auction" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids
setting forth a LIBOR Bid Margin pursuant to Section 2.06.
"LIBOR Bid Loan" means any Bid Loan that bears interest at a
rate based upon the LIBO Rate.
"LIBOR Bid Margin" has the meaning specified in subsection
2.06(c)(ii)(C).
"Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust,
pledge, hypothecation, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
(statutory or other) or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever in respect of any property (including those created by,
arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a capital lease,
any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as
any of the foregoing, or the filing of any financing statement signed
by and naming the owner of the asset to which such lien relates as
debtor, under the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable law), but
not including the interest of a lessor under an operating lease.
"Loan" means an extension of credit by a Bank to the Company
under Article II, and may be a Committed Loan or a Bid Loan.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, any Notes, the Fee
Letters and all other documents delivered to the Agent or any Bank in
connection herewith.
"Majority Banks" means (a) at any time prior to the Revolving
Termination Date, Banks then holding greater than 50% of the
Commitments, and (b) otherwise, Banks then holding greater than 50% of
the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans.
"Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
Regulation T, U or X of the FRB.
"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change
in, or a material adverse effect upon, the financial condition of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as
9.
a whole; or (b) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity,
binding effect or enforceability against the Company of this Agreement
or the Notes.
"Material Subsidiary" means, at any time, any Subsidiary
having at such time either (i) total (gross) revenues for the preceding
four fiscal quarter period in excess of 20% of total (gross) revenues
of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period or
(ii) total assets, as of the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter,
having a net book value in excess of 20% of the total assets of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such day, in each case,
based upon the Company's most recent annual or quarterly financial
statements delivered to the Agent under Section 6.01.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, a division of Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan", within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions
or, during the preceding three calendar years, has made, or been
obligated to make, contributions.
"Notes" means the Committed Loan Notes and the Bid Loan Notes.
"Notice of Borrowing" means a notice in substantially the form
of Exhibit B.
"Notice of Conversion/Continuation" means a notice in
substantially the form of Exhibit C.
"Obligations" means all advances, debts, liabilities,
obligations, covenants and duties arising under this Agreement and the
Notes, owing by the Company to any Bank, the Agent, or any Indemnified
Person, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by
assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing
or hereafter arising.
"Offshore Rate Committed Loan" means any Committed Loan that
bears interest based on the LIBO Rate.
"Offshore Rate Loan" means any LIBOR Bid Loan or any Offshore
Rate Committed Loan.
"Organization Documents" means, for any corporation, the
certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate
of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred
shareholders of such corporation, any shareholder rights agreement, and
all applicable resolutions of the board of directors (or any committee
thereof) of such corporation.
"Other Taxes" means any present or future stamp or documentary
taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies
which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution,
delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this
Agreement or any other Loan Documents.
10.
"Participant " has the meaning specified in subsection
10.08(d).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions
under ERISA.
"Pension Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which the Company sponsors,
maintains, or to which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make
contributions, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described
in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any time during
the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.
"Permitted Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation,
business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
joint venture or Governmental Authority.
"Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA) which the Company sponsors or maintains or to which the
Company makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions and
includes any Pension Plan.
"Prime Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the prime rate of
interest announced from time to time by Bank One or its parent (which
is not necessarily the lowest rate charged to any customer), changing
when and as said prime rate changes.
"Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Bank at any time, the
percentage equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth
decimal place) at such time of such Bank's Commitment divided by the
combined Commitments of all Banks (or, if all Commitments have been
terminated, the aggregate principal amount of such Bank's Loans divided
by the aggregate principal amount of the Loans then held by all Banks).
The initial Pro Rata Share of each Bank is set forth opposite such
Bank's name in Schedule 2.01 under the heading "Pro Rata Share.".
"Replacement Bank" has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.
"Reportable Event" means, any of the events set forth in
Section 4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any
such event for which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been
waived in regulations issued by the PBGC.
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law
(statutory or common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of
an arbitrator or of a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
to or binding upon the Person or any of its property or to which the
Person or any of its property is subject.
"Reserve Requirement" means, with respect to an Interest
Period, the maximum aggregate reserve requirement (including all basic,
supplemental, marginal and other reserves) which is imposed under
Regulation D on "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as defined in Regulation
D).
11.
"Responsible Officer" means any of the following officers of
the Company: the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer,
the president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, the
assistant treasurer, or any other officer of the Company having similar
authority and responsibility to any of the foregoing.
"Revolving Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of:
(a) August 22, 2002, as such date may be extended in
accordance with Section 2.09; and
(b) the date on which the Commitments terminate in
accordance with Section 2.07 or 8.02 of this Agreement.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
"Subsidiary" of a Person means any corporation, association,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other business
entity of which more than 60% of the voting stock, membership interests
or other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than
corporations), is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the
Person, or one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a
combination thereof. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires,
references herein to a "Subsidiary" refer to a Subsidiary of the
Company.
"Surety Instruments" means all letters of credit (including
standby and commercial), banker's acceptances, bank guaranties,
shipside bonds, surety bonds and similar instruments.
"Taxes" means 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 Bank and the Agent,
such taxes (including income taxes or franchise taxes) as are imposed
on or measured by each Bank's net income by the jurisdiction (or any
political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Bank or the
Agent, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a lending office;
provided, however, that "Taxes" shall be limited to taxes, levies,
imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
respect thereto, which are imposed by any Governmental Authority in the
United States unless the Company makes any payments hereunder with
funds derived from sources outside the United States.
"Total Capitalization" means, as of any date of determination,
the sum of (i) Funded Debt, and (ii) the sum of the amounts set forth
on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as shareholders' equity as determined in accordance with
GAAP.
"Type" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Committed Loan."
12.
"Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Plan's
benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the
current value of that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the
assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412
of the Code for the applicable plan year.
"United States" and "U.S." each means the United States of
America.
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means any corporation in which
(other than directors' qualifying shares or similar nominal shares
required by law) 100% of the capital stock of each class having
ordinary voting power, and 100% of the capital stock of every other
class, in each case, at the time as of which any determination is being
made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by the Company, or by one
or more of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or both.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions.
(a) Defined Terms. Unless otherwise specified herein or
therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings
when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant
hereto. The meaning of defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular
and plural forms of the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not
otherwise defined herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings
therein described.
(b) The Agreement. The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder"
and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and
subsection, section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement
unless otherwise specified.
(c) Certain Common Terms.
(i) The term "documents" includes any and all
instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures,
notices and other writings, however evidenced.
(ii) The term "including" is not limiting and means
"including without limitation."
(d) Performance; Time. Whenever any performance obligation
hereunder shall be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other
than a Business Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next
succeeding Business Day. In the computation of periods of time from a specified
date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including"; the
words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding", and the word "through"
means "to and including." If any provision of this Agreement refers to any
action taken or to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited
from taking, such provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all
reasonable means, direct or indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action.
(e) Contracts. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein,
references to agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to
include all subsequent
13.
amendments and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such
amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan
Document.
(f) Laws. References to any statute or regulation are to be
construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating,
amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.
(g) Captions. The captions and headings of this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of
this Agreement.
(h) Independence of Provisions. The parties acknowledge that
this Agreement and other Loan Documents may use several different limitations,
tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such
limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed,
except as expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.
1.03 Accounting Principles.
(a) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all
accounting terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all
financial computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in
accordance with GAAP, consistently applied.
(b) References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter"
refer to such fiscal periods of the Company.
ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS
-----------
2.01 The Revolving Credit. Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms and
conditions set forth herein, to make Committed Loans to the Company from time to
time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date to the
Revolving Termination Date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time
outstanding the amount set forth on Schedule 2.01 (such amount as the same may
be reduced under Section 2.07, Section 2.09 or changed as a result of one or
more assignments under Section 10.08, the Bank's "Commitment"); provided,
however, that, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Committed
Loans, together with the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans
outstanding, shall not at any time exceed the combined Commitments. Within the
limits of each Bank's Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions
hereof, the Company may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section
2.08 and reborrow under this Section 2.01.
2.02 Loan Accounts; Notes.
(a) The Committed Loans and Bid Loans made by each Bank shall
be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by such Bank in
the ordinary course of business. The loan accounts or records maintained by the
Agent and each Bank shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of the Loans
made by the Banks to the Company and the interest and payments thereon. Any
failure so to record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit
14.
or otherwise affect the obligation of the Company hereunder to pay any amount
owing with respect to the Loans.
(b) If requested by any Bank, the Company shall execute and
deliver to such Bank a promissory note evidencing such Bank's Committed Loans
(each a "Committed Loan Note") and a promissory note evidencing such Bank's Bid
Loans (each a "Bid Loan Note", and collectively, the "Notes") (each such
Committed Loan Note to be substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1, and each
such Bid Loan Note to be substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2). Each Bank
shall endorse on the schedule annexed to its Note the date, amount and maturity
of each Loan made by it and the amount of each payment of principal made by the
Company with respect thereto. Each such Bank is irrevocably authorized by the
Company to endorse its Note and each Bank's record shall be prima facie evidence
of the amount of each such Loan; provided, however, that the failure of a Bank
to make, or an error in making, a notation thereon with respect to any Loan
shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or
under any such Note to such Bank.
2.03 Procedure for Committed Borrowing.
(a) Each Committed Borrowing shall be made upon the Company's
irrevocable written notice delivered to the Agent in the form of a Notice of
Borrowing (which notice must be received by the Agent (i) prior to 10:00 a.m.
(Chicago time) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the
case of Offshore Rate Committed Loans; and (ii) prior to 10:00 a.m. (Chicago
time) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Base Rate Committed Loans,
specifying:
(A) the amount of the Committed Borrowing, which
shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 or any
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(B) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a
Business Day;
(C) the Type of Committed Loans comprising the
Committed Borrowing; and
(D) if the Committed Loans consist of Offshore Rate
Committed Loans, the duration of the Interest Period
applicable to such Committed Loans included in such notice. If
the Notice of Borrowing fails to specify the duration of the
Interest Period for any Committed Borrowing comprised of
Offshore Rate Committed Loans, such Interest Period shall be
one month.
(b) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of
any Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Bank's Pro Rata Share of that
Committed Borrowing.
(c) Each Bank will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of
each Committed Borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Company
at the Agent's Payment Office by 12:00 noon (Chicago time) on the Borrowing Date
requested by the Company in funds immediately available to the Agent. Any such
amount which is received later than 12:00 noon (Chicago time) shall be deemed to
have been received on the immediately succeeding Business Day. The proceeds of
each such Committed Borrowing will then be made available to the
15.
Company by the Agent at such office by crediting the account of the Company on
the books of Bank One for the aggregate of the amounts made available to the
Agent by the Banks and in like funds as received by the Agent, or if requested
by the Company, by wire transfer in accordance with written instructions
provided to the Agent by the Company of such funds as received by the Agent,
unless on the date of the Committed Borrowing all or any portion of the proceeds
thereof shall then be required to be applied to the repayment of any outstanding
Loans, in which case such proceeds or portion thereof shall be applied to the
payment of such Loans.
(d) After giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, there may
not be more than eight (8) different Interest Periods in effect in respect of
all Committed Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.
2.04 Conversion and Continuation Elections for Committed Borrowings.
(a) The Company may, upon irrevocable written notice to the
Agent in accordance with subsection 2.04(b):
(i) elect, as of any Business Day, in the case of
Base Rate Committed Loans, or as of the last day of the
applicable Interest Period, in the case of Offshore Rate
Committed Loans, to convert any such Committed Borrowings (or
any part thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or
that is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof) into Committed Borrowings of the other Type; or
(ii) elect, as of the last day of the applicable
Interest Period, to continue any Committed Borrowings having
Interest Periods expiring on such day (or any part thereof in
an amount not less than $5,000,000, or that is in an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof);
provided, that if at any time the aggregate amount of Offshore Rate Committed
Loans in respect of any Committed Borrowing is reduced, by payment, prepayment,
or conversion of part thereof to be less than $1,000,000, such Offshore Rate
Committed Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Committed Loans, and
on and after such date the right of the Company to continue such Committed Loans
as, and convert such Committed Loans into, Offshore Rate Committed Loans shall
terminate.
(b) The Company shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/
Continuation to be received by the Agent not later than (i) 10:00 a.m. (Chicago
time) at least three Business Days in advance of the Conversion/Continuation
Date, if the Committed Borrowings are to be converted into or continued as
Offshore Rate Committed Loans; and (ii) 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be converted into Base Rate
Committed Loans, specifying:
(A) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;
(B) the aggregate amount of Committed Loans to be
converted or continued;
(C) the Type of Committed Loans resulting from the
proposed conversion or continuation; and
16.
(D) other than in the case of conversions into Base
Rate Committed Loans, the duration of the requested Interest
Period.
(c) If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable
to Offshore Rate Committed Loans, the Company has failed to select timely a new
Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans in accordance with Section
2.04(b), or if any Event of Default then exists, the Company shall be deemed to
have elected to convert such Offshore Rate Committed Loans into Base Rate
Committed Loans effective as of the expiration date of such Interest Period.
(d) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of
a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation, or, if no timely notice is provided by the
Company, the Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the details of any
automatic conversion. All conversions and continuations shall be made ratably
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Committed Loans
with respect to which the notice was given held by each Bank.
(e) Unless the Majority Banks otherwise agree, during the
existence of an Event of Default, the Company may not elect to have a Committed
Loan made as, converted into or continued as, an Offshore Rate Committed Loan.
(f) Unless otherwise agreed to by the Agent, after giving
effect to any conversion or continuation of Committed Loans, there may not be
more than eight (8) different Interest Periods in effect in respect of all
Committed Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.
2.05 Bid Borrowings. In addition to Committed Borrowings, each Bank
severally agrees that the Company may, as set forth in Section 2.06, from time
to time request the Banks prior to the Revolving Termination Date to submit
offers to make Bid Loans to the Company; provided, however, that the Banks may,
but shall have no obligation to, submit such offers and the Company may, but
shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers; and provided, further, that
at no time shall (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans
made by all Banks, plus the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all
Committed Loans made by all Banks exceed the combined Commitments; or (b) the
number of Interest Periods for Bid Loans then outstanding plus the number of
Interest Periods for Committed Loans then outstanding exceed eight (8) unless
agreed by the Agent.
2.06 Procedure for Bid Borrowings. The Company may, as set forth in
this Section, request the Agent to solicit offers from all the Banks to make Bid
Loans.
(a) When the Company wishes to request the Banks to submit
offers to make Bid Loans hereunder, it shall transmit to the Agent by telephone
call followed promptly by facsimile transmission a notice in substantially the
form of Exhibit E (a "Competitive Bid Request") so as to be received no later
than 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) (x) four Business Days prior to the date of a
proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or (y) one Business Day
prior to the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of an Absolute Rate
Auction, specifying:
(i) the date of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a
Business Day;
(ii) the aggregate amount of such Bid Borrowing,
which shall be a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or in multiples
of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
17.
(iii) whether the Competitive Bids requested are to
be for LIBOR Bid Loans or Absolute Rate Bid Loans or both; and
(iv) the duration of the Interest Period applicable
thereto, subject to the provisions of the definition of
"Interest Period" herein.
Subject to subsection 2.06(c), the Company may not request Competitive Bids for
more than three Interest Periods in a single Competitive Bid Request and may not
request Competitive Bids more than once in any period of five Business Days.
(b) Upon receipt of a Competitive Bid Request, the Agent will
promptly send to the Banks by facsimile transmission an Invitation for
Competitive Bids, which shall constitute an invitation by the Company to each
Bank to submit Competitive Bids offering to make the Bid Loans to which such
Competitive Bid Request relates in accordance with this Section 2.06.
(c)(i) Each Bank may at its discretion submit a Competitive
Bid containing an offer or offers to make Bid Loans in response to any
Invitation for Competitive Bids. Each Competitive Bid must comply with the
requirements of this subsection 2.06(c) and must be submitted to the Agent by
facsimile transmission at its offices specified in or pursuant to Section 10.02
not later than (1) 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) three Business Days prior to the
proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction or (2) 10:00 a.m. (C
hicago time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate
Auction; provided that Competitive Bids by Bank One (or any Affiliate of Bank
One) may only be submitted if Bank One or such Affiliate notifies the Company of
the terms of the offer or offers contained therein not later than (A) 10:00 a.m.
(Chicago time) three Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in
the case of a LIBOR Auction or (B) 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the proposed
date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction.
(ii) Each Competitive Bid shall be in substantially
the form of Exhibit F, specifying therein:
(A) the proposed date of Borrowing;
(B) the principal amount of each Bid Loan
for which such Competitive Bid is being made, which principal
amount (x) may be equal to, greater than or less than the
Commitment of the quoting Bank, (y) must be $5,000,000 or in
multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (z) may not
exceed the principal amount of Bid Loans for which Competitive
Bids were requested;
(C) in case the Company elects a LIBOR
Auction, the margin above or below the LIBO Rate (the "LIBOR
Bid Margin") offered for each such Bid Loan, expressed in
multiples of 1/1000th of one basis point to be added to or
subtracted from the applicable LIBO Rate and the Interest
Period applicable thereto;
(D) in case the Company elects an Absolute
Rate Auction, the rate of interest per annum expressed in
multiples of 1/1000th of one basis point (the
18.
"Absolute Rate") offered for each such Bid Loan and the Interest Period
applicable thereto; and
(E) the identity of the quoting Bank.
(F) a Competitive Bid may contain up to
three separate offers by the quoting Bank with respect to each
Interest Period specified in the related Invitation for
Competitive Bids.
(iii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it:
(A) is not substantially in conformity with
Exhibit F or does not specify all of the information required
by subsection (c)(ii) of this Section;
(B) contains qualifying, conditional or
similar language;
(C) proposes terms other than or in addition
to those set forth in the applicable Invitation for
Competitive Bids; or
(D) arrives after the time set forth in
subsection (c)(i).
(d) Promptly on receipt and not later than 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time)
three Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a
LIBOR Auction, or 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the proposed date of Borrowing,
in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, the Agent will notify the Company of
the terms (i) of any Competitive Bid submitted by a Bank that is in accordance
with subsection 2.06(c), and (ii) of any Competitive Bid that amends, modifies
or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Competitive Bid submitted by such
Bank with respect to the same Competitive Bid Request. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any such subsequent Competitive Bid shall be disregarded by the Agent
unless such subsequent Competitive Bid is submitted solely to correct a manifest
error in such former Competitive Bid and only if received within the times set
forth in subsection 2.06(c). The Agent's notice to the Company shall specify (1)
the aggregate principal amount of Bid Loans for which offers have been received
for each Interest Period specified in the related Competitive Bid Request; (2)
the respective principal amounts and LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates, as the
case may be, so offered; and (3) any other information regarding such
Competitive Bid reasonably requested by the Company. Subject only to the
provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 4.02 hereof and the provisions of this
subsection (d), any Competitive Bid shall be irrevocable except with the written
consent of the Agent given on the written instructions of the Company.
(e) Not later than 10:00 a.m. (Chicago time) three Business Days prior
to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or 10:00 a.m.
(Chicago time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute
Rate Auction, the Company shall notify the Agent, in writing and in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Agent, of its acceptance or non-acceptance of the
offers received by it pursuant to subsection 2.06(c) or notified to it pursuant
to subsection 2.06(d). The Company shall be under no obligation to accept any
offer and may choose to accept or reject some or all offers. In the case of
acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of offers
for each Interest Period that is accepted. The Company may accept any
Competitive Bid in whole or in part; provided that:
19.
(i) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing
may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related
Competitive Bid Request;
(ii) the principal amount of each Bid Borrowing must be
$5,000,000 or in any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of
ascending LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest
Period, as the case may be; and
(iv) the Company may not accept any offer that is
described in subsection 2.06(c)(iii) or that otherwise fails to comply
with the requirements of this Agreement.
(f) If offers are made by two or more Banks with the same LIBOR Bid
Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a greater aggregate principal
amount than the amount in respect of which such offers are accepted for the
related Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid Loans in respect of which
such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Agent among such Banks (in
such multiples, not less than $1,000,000, as the Agent may deem appropriate) as
nearly as practicable in proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such
offers. Determination by the Agent of the amounts of Bid Loans shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(g)(i) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank having submitted a
Competitive Bid if its offer has been accepted and, if its offer has been
accepted, of the amount of the Bid Loan or Bid Loans to be made by it on
the date of the Bid Borrowing.
(ii) Each Bank, which has received notice pursuant to
subsection 2.06(g)(i) that its Competitive Bid has been accepted, shall make the
amounts of such Bid Loans available to the Agent for the account of the Company
at the Agent's Payment Office, by 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) in the case of
Absolute Rate Bid Loans, and by 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) in the case of LIBOR
Bid Loans, on such date of Bid Borrowing, in funds immediately available to the
Agent for the account of the Company at the Agent's Payment Office.
(iii) Promptly following each Bid Borrowing, the Agent shall
notify each Bank of the ranges of bids submitted and the highest and lowest bids
accepted for each Interest Period requested by the Company and the aggregate
amount borrowed pursuant to such Bid Borrowing.
(h) If, on or prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, the Commitments
have not been terminated and if, on such proposed date of Borrowing all
applicable conditions to funding referenced in Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 4.02
hereof are satisfied, the Bank or Banks whose offers the Company has accepted
will fund each Bid Loan so accepted. Nothing in this Section 2.06 shall be
construed as a right of first offer in favor of the Banks or to otherwise limit
the ability of the Company to request and accept credit facilities from any
Person (including any of the Banks), provided that such credit facilities are
not prohibited by this Agreement.
2.07 Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments; Increase of
Commitments.
20.
(a) The Company may, upon not less than three Business Days' prior
notice to the Agent, terminate the Commitments, or permanently reduce the
Commitments by an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof; unless, after giving effect thereto and to any
payments or prepayments of Committed Loans made on the effective date thereof,
the then-outstanding principal amount of the Loans would exceed the amount of
the combined Commitments then in effect. The Agent shall promptly notify the
Banks of any such termination or reduction. Once reduced in accordance with this
Section, the Commitments may not be increased. Any reduction of the Commitments
shall be applied to each Bank according to its Pro Rata Share. All accrued
commitment fees to, but not including the effective date of any reduction or
termination of Commitments, shall be paid on the effective date of such
reduction or termination.
(b) At any time the Company may, on the terms set forth below, request
that the Commitments hereunder be increased by an amount up to $150,000,000 (the
maximum aggregate amount of all Commitments hereunder not to exceed
$500,000,000); provided, however, that an increase in the Commitments hereunder
may only be made at a time when no Default or Unmatured Default shall have
occurred and be continuing. In the event of such a requested increase in the
Commitments, any financial institution which the Company and the Agent invite to
become a Bank or to increase its Commitment may set the amount of its Commitment
at a level agreed to by the Company and the Agent. In the event that the Company
and one or more of the Banks (or other financial institutions) shall agree upon
such an increase in the Commitments (i) the Company, the Agent and each Bank or
other financial institution increasing its Commitment or extending a new
Commitment shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement setting forth the
amounts of the Commitments, as so increased, providing that the financial
institutions extending new Commitments shall be Banks for all purposes under
this Agreement, and setting forth such additional provisions as the Agent and
the Company shall consider reasonably appropriate and (ii) the Company shall
furnish, if requested, new Notes to each financial institution that is extending
a new Commitment or increasing its Commitment. No such amendment shall require
the approval or consent of any Bank whose Commitment is not being increased.
Upon the execution and delivery of such amendment as provided above, and upon
satisfaction of such other conditions as the Agent may reasonably specify upon
the request of the financial institutions that are extending new Commitments
(including, without limitation, the Agent administering the reallocation of any
outstanding Loans (other than Bid Loans) ratably among the Banks after giving
effect to each such increase in the Commitments, and the delivery of
certificates, evidence of corporate authority and legal opinions on behalf of
the Company), this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.
2.08 Optional Prepayments.
(a) Subject to Section 3.04, the Company may, at any time or from time
to time, upon not less than three Business Days' irrevocable notice to the
Agent, in the case of Offshore Rate Committed Loans, or upon not less than one
Business Day's irrevocable notice to the Agent, in the case of Base Rate
Committed Loans, ratably prepay such Loans in whole or in part, in minimum
amounts of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Such
notice of prepayment shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and
the Type(s) of Committed Loans to be prepaid. The Agent will promptly notify
each Bank of its receipt of any such notice, and of such Bank's Pro Rata Share
of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall
make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in
21.
such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together
with accrued interest thereon to each such date on the amount prepaid and any
amounts required pursuant to Section 3.04; provided that if the Company shall
fail to make any such payment on the date specified therein, such failure shall
not constitute an Event of Default hereunder, and if the Committed Loan is a
Base Rate Committed Loan such Loan shall continue as if such prepayment notice
had not been given, and if the Committed Loan is an Offshore Rate Committed Loan
such Loan shall be automatically converted to a Base Rate Committed Loan as of
the date specified in such notice.
(b) Bid Loans may not be voluntarily prepaid.
2.09 Extension of Revolving Termination Date. Provided that no Default
or Event of Default exists as of the date of the Request, the Company may, by
irrevocable written notice ("Request") to the Agent and each Bank delivered no
earlier than 60 days and no later than 30 days before the then-applicable
Revolving Termination Date, request the Banks to extend the Revolving
Termination Date to the date that is 364 days after the then-current Revolving
Termination Date. Each Bank shall, no later than 20 days after the date of such
Request, give written notice to the Agent stating whether such Bank agrees to
extend the Revolving Termination Date, in its sole discretion. If the Agent
receives such agreement by such date from each of the Banks, provided there
exists no Default or Event of Default on the then-current Revolving Termination
Date, the Revolving Termination Date shall be extended for 364 days and the
Agent shall promptly notify the Bank and the Company of such extension. If any
Bank fails to respond to the Request within the time specified above, it shall
be deemed to have declined the Request. If less than all the Banks shall agree
to such extension, the extension contemplated in this Section may nonetheless
occur with respect to the consenting Banks, provided that any such extension
shall be conditioned upon an agreement to such extension by Banks with at least
80% of the aggregate Commitments. The Agent shall notify the Company and each of
the Banks as to which Banks have agreed to such extension and as to the new
Revolving Termination Date as a result thereof, or that such extension shall not
occur, as the case may be. In the event that the Revolving Termination Date is
extended by some but not all of the Banks, on the existing Revolving Termination
Date for any Bank not extending (each a "Non- Continuing Bank"), the Company
shall repay all Loans of such Non-Continuing Bank, together with all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon, and all fees and other amounts (including amounts
arising under Section 3.04(d)) owing to such Non-Continuing Bank, and upon such
payment each such Non-Continuing Bank shall cease to constitute a Bank
hereunder, except with respect to the indemnification provisions of this
Agreement, which shall survive as to such Non- Continuing Bank.
2.10 Repayment. The Company shall repay to the Banks on the Revolving
Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding on such
date. The Company shall repay each Offshore Rate Committed Loan and each Bid
Loan on the last day of the relevant Interest Period.
2.11 Interest.
(a) Each Committed Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the LIBO Rate or the Base Rate, as the case may be (and subject to the
Company's right to convert to other Types of
22.
Loans under Section 2.04), plus the Applicable Margin. Each Bid Loan shall bear
interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the relevant Borrowing
Date at a rate per annum equal to the LIBO Rate plus (or minus) the LIBOR Bid
Margin, or at the Absolute Rate, as the case may be.
(b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any prepayment
of Committed Loans (except in the case of a Base Rate Committed Loan, as to
which such interest shall be paid on the next Interest Payment Date) under
Section 2.08 for the portion of the Loans so prepaid and upon payment (including
prepayment) in full thereof.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, after
acceleration or the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default under
Section 8.01(a) or (c), or commencing five (5) days after the occurrence and
continuation of any other Event of Default, the Company shall pay interest
(after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by
law) on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations, at a rate per annum
which is determined by adding 2% per annum to the Applicable Margin then in
effect for such Loans and, in the case of Obligations not subject to an
Applicable Margin, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%; provided,
however, that, on and after the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to
any Offshore Rate Loan outstanding on the date of occurrence of such Event of
Default or acceleration, the principal amount of such Loan shall, after the
expiration of such Interest Period and during the continuation of such Event of
Default or after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the
Base Rate plus 2%. Interest payable under this subsection 2.11(c) shall be
payable on demand by the Majority Banks or the applicable Bid Loan Bank, as the
case may be.
(d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
obligations of the Company to any Bank hereunder shall be subject to the
limitation that payments of interest shall not be required for any period for
which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent)
that contracting for or receiving such payment by such Bank would be contrary to
the provisions of any law applicable to such Bank limiting the highest rate of
interest that may be lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Bank,
and in such event the Company shall pay such Bank interest at the highest rate
permitted by applicable law.
2.12 Fees.
(a) Arrangement, Agency Fees. The Company shall pay an
arrangement fee to Bank One for its own or any affiliate's account, and shall
pay agency (including bid agency) fees and other sums to the Agent for the
Agent's own account, as required by the letter agreement among the Company, the
Agent and Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. dated July 31, 2001. In addition, the
Company shall pay an arrangement fee to The Bank of New York for its own or any
affiliate's account as required by the letter agreement among the Company, the
Syndication Agent and BNY Capital Markets, Inc. dated July 31, 2001
(collectively, the "Fee Letters").
(b) Facility Fees. The Company shall pay to the Agent for the
account of each Bank a facility fee on the entire portion of such Bank's
Commitment (whether utilized or unutilized), computed on a quarterly basis in
arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, equal to (i) 0.070%
per annum if Level I Status exists, (ii) 0.075% per annum if Level II
23.
Status exists, (iii) 0.080% per annum if Level III Status exists, (iv) 0.100%
per annum if Level IV Status exists, (v) 0.125% per annum if Level V Status
exists, (vi) 0.150% per annum if Level VI Status exists, and (vii) 0.200% if
Level VII Status exists. Such facility fee shall accrue from the Closing Date to
the Revolving Termination Date and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears
on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing on September 30,
2001 through the Revolving Termination Date, with the final payment to be made
on the Revolving Termination Date; provided that, in connection with any
reduction or termination of Commitments under Section 2.07, the accrued facility
fee calculated for the period ending on such date shall also be paid on the date
of such reduction or termination, with the following quarterly payment being
calculated on the basis of the period from such reduction or termination date to
such quarterly payment date. The facility fees provided in this subsection shall
accrue at all times after the above-mentioned commencement date, including at
any time during which one or more conditions in Article IV are not met.
(c) Utilization Fee. The Company shall pay to the Agent for
the account of each Bank a utilization fee on the actual outstanding Loan
balance for all days on which the aggregate outstanding Loans exceed 33.0% of
the aggregate Commitments balance of the Banks, equal to a rate per annum of
0.10%. Such utilization fee shall be computed on a quarterly basis in arrears on
the last Business Day of each calendar quarter during which aggregate
outstanding loans exceed 33.0% of the aggregate Commitments, shall accrue for
all such days from the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date, and shall
be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each such quarter commencing
on the last Business Day of the fiscal quarter following the Closing Date
through the Revolving Termination Date, with the final payment, if applicable,
to be made on the Revolving Termination Date.
2.13 Computation of Fees and Interest.
(a) All computations of facility fees under Section 2.12 (b)
and interest for Base Rate Committed Loans shall be made on the basis of a year
of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other
computations of interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual
days elapsed (which results in more interest being paid than if computed on the
basis of a 365-day year). Interest and fees shall accrue during each period
during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day thereof to
the last day thereof.
(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall
be conclusive and binding on the Company and the Banks in the absence of
manifest error. The Agent will, at the request of the Company or any Bank,
deliver to the Company or the Bank, as the case may be, a statement showing the
quotations used by the Agent in determining any interest rate.
(c) The Agent will, with reasonable promptness, notify the
Company and the Banks of each determination of the LIBO Rate; provided that any
failure to do so shall not relieve the Company of any liability hereunder or
provide the basis for any Event of Default or any claim against the Agent. Any
change in the interest rate payable on the Offshore Rate Committed Loans or in
the facility fees payable under Section 2.12(b) resulting from a change in the
Company's senior unsecured long-term debt ratings shall become effective and
shall apply to any such Loans then outstanding or to such fees as of the opening
of business on the day on which such change in the Company's debt ratings
becomes effective. The Agent will with reasonable promptness notify the Company
and the Banks of the effective date and the amount
24.
of each such change, provided that any failure to do so shall not relieve the
Company of any liability hereunder or provide the basis for any Event of Default
or any claim against the Agent.
2.14 Payments by the Company.
(a) All payments to be made by the Company shall be made
without set-off, recoupment or counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all payments by the Company shall be made to the Agent for the
account of the Banks at the Agent's Payment Office, and shall be made in dollars
and in immediately available funds, no later than 12:00 noon (Chicago time) on
the date specified herein. The Agent will promptly distribute to each Bank its
Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as expressly provided herein) of such
payment in like funds as received. Any payment received by the Agent later than
12:00 noon (Chicago time) shall be deemed to have been received on the following
Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.
(b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of
"Interest Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest
or fees, as the case may be.
(c) Unless the Agent receives notice from the Company prior to
the date on which any payment is due to the Banks that the Company will not make
such payment in full as and when required, the Agent may assume that the Company
has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date in immediately available
funds and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such
assumption, distribute to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the
amount then due such Bank. If and to the extent the Company has not made such
payment in full to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent on demand such
amount distributed to such Bank, together with interest thereon at the Federal
Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank
until the date repaid.
2.15 Payments by the Banks to the Agent.
(a) Unless the Agent receives notice from a Bank on or prior
to the Closing Date or, with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing Date,
prior to 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the date of such Borrowing, that such Bank
will not make available as and when required hereunder to the Agent for the
account of the Company the amount of that Bank's Loan comprising a Borrowing,
the Agent may assume that each Bank has made such amount available to the Agent
in immediately available funds on the Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but
shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to
the Company on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Bank
shall not have made its full amount available to the Agent in immediately
available funds and the Agent in such circumstances has made available to the
Company such amount, that Bank shall on the Business Day following such
Borrowing Date make such amount available to the Agent, together with interest
at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during such period. A notice of the Agent
submitted to any Bank with respect to amounts owing under this subsection (a)
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such amount is so made available,
such payment to the Agent shall constitute such Bank's Loan on the date of
Borrowing for all purposes of this Agreement. If such amount is not made
available to the Agent on the Business Day following the Borrowing Date, the
Agent
25.
will notify the Company of such failure to fund and, upon demand by the Agent,
the Company shall pay such amount to the Agent for the Agent's account, together
with interest thereon for each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at
a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans
comprising such Borrowing.
(b) The failure of any Bank to make any Committed Loan on any
Borrowing Date shall not relieve any other Bank of any obligation hereunder to
make a Committed Loan on such Borrowing Date, but no Bank shall be responsible
for the failure of any other Bank to make the Committed Loan to be made by such
other Bank on any Borrowing Date.
2.16 Sharing of Payments, Etc. If, other than as expressly provided in
Section 3.08 or 10.08 hereof, any Bank shall obtain on account of the Committed
Loans made by it any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the
exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its Pro Rata Share,
such Bank shall immediately (a) notify the Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase
from the other Banks such participations in the Committed Loans made by them as
shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share the excess payment pro
rata with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such
excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Bank, such purchase
shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Bank shall repay to the
purchasing Bank the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal
to such paying Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the
amount of such paying Bank's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so
recovered from the purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or
payable by the purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered. The
Company agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.09) with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the
Company in the amount of such participation. The Agent will keep records (which
shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of
participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the
Banks following any such purchases or repayments. Any Bank having outstanding
both Committed Loans and Bid Loans at any time a right of set-off is exercised
by such Bank shall apply the proceeds of such set-off first to such Bank's
Committed Loans, until its Committed Loans are reduced to zero, and thereafter
to its Bid Loans.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
--------------------------------------
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Subject to subsection 3.01(f), any and all payments by the
Company to each Bank or the Agent under this Agreement and any other Loan
Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding
for, any Taxes. In addition, the Company shall pay all Other Taxes.
(b) Subject to subsection 3.01(f), the Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each Bank and the Agent for the full amount of Taxes
or Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction
on amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Bank or the Agent and any
liability (including penalties, interest, additions to tax and
26.
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes
or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. Payment under this
indemnification shall be made within 30 days after the date the Bank or the
Agent makes written demand therefor. If the Company in good faith determines
that any such Taxes or Other Taxes for which indemnification has been sought
hereunder are not due or owing or otherwise correctly assessed, the Bank or
Agent at the request of the Company, or the Company at the election of the Bank
or Agent following any such request, in either case at the expense of the
Company, shall by appropriate means file for a refund or otherwise contest the
payment of such Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that any such filing or contest
does not result in any penalty, lien or other liability to the Bank or Agent for
which the Company has not provided a satisfactory undertaking to indemnify and
hold the Bank or Agent harmless. The Bank and the Agent agree to provide
reasonable cooperation to the Company in connection with any such filing or
contest, at the Company's expense and, if the Company has paid any such Tax or
Other Tax or compensated the Bank or Agent with respect thereto, any refund
thereof shall belong and be remitted to the Company.
(c) If the Company shall be required by law to deduct or
withhold any Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable
hereunder to any Bank or the Agent, then, subject to subsection 3.01(f):
(i) the sum payable shall be increased as
necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings
(including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums
payable under this Section) such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be,
receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
deductions or withholdings been made;
(ii) the Company shall make such deductions and
withholdings;
(iii) the Company shall pay the full amount
deducted or withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other
authority in accordance with applicable law; and
(iv) the Company shall also pay to each Bank or
the Agent for the account of such Bank, at the time interest is paid,
all additional amounts which the respective Bank specifies as necessary
to preserve the after-tax yield the Bank would have received if such
Taxes or Other Taxes had not been imposed.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the
Company of Taxes or Other Taxes, the Company shall furnish the Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other
evidence of payment satisfactory to the Agent.
(e) Each Bank which is a foreign person (i.e., a person other
than a United States person for United States Federal income tax purposes)
agrees that:
(i) it shall, no later than the Closing Date
(or, in the case of a Bank which becomes a party hereto pursuant to
Section 10.08 after the Closing Date, the date upon which the Bank
becomes a party hereto) deliver to the Company through the Agent two
accurate and complete signed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8 BEN or any successor thereto ("Form W-8 BEN"), or two accurate and
complete signed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 ECI or
any successor thereto ("Form W- 8 ECI"), as appropriate, in each case
indicating that the Bank is on the date of delivery
27.
thereof entitled to receive payments of principal, interest and fees
under this Agreement free from withholding of United States Federal
income tax;
(ii) if at any time the Bank makes any changes
necessitating a new Form W-8 BEN or Form W-8 ECI, it shall with
reasonable promptness deliver to the Company through the Agent in
replacement for, or in addition to, the forms previously delivered by
it hereunder, two accurate and complete signed originals of Form W-8
BEN; or two accurate and complete signed originals of Form W-8 ECI,
as appropriate, in each case indicating that the Bank is on the date of
delivery thereof entitled to receive payments of principal, interest
and fees under this Agreement free from withholding of United States
Federal income tax;
(iii) it shall, before or promptly after the
occurrence of any event (including the passing of time) requiring a
change in or renewal of the most recent Form W-8 BEN or Form W-8 ECI
previously delivered by such Bank, deliver to the Company through the
Agent two accurate and complete original signed copies of Form W-8 BEN
or Form W-8 ECI in replacement for the forms previously delivered by
the Bank; and
(iv) it shall, promptly upon the Company's or the
Agent's reasonable request to that effect, deliver to the Company or
the Agent (as the case may be) such other forms or similar
documentation as may be required from time to time by any applicable
law, treaty, rule or regulation in order to establish such Bank's tax
status for withholding purposes.
(f) The Company will not be required to indemnify, hold
harmless or pay any additional amounts in respect of United States Federal
income tax pursuant to subsection 3.01(c) to any Bank for the account of any
Lending Office of such Bank:
(i) if the obligation to indemnify, hold
harmless or pay such additional amounts would not have arisen
but for a failure by such Bank to comply with its obligations
(if any) under subsection 3.01(e) in respect of such Lending
Office;
(ii) if such Bank shall have delivered to the
Company a Form W-8 BEN in respect of such Lending Office
pursuant to subsection 3.01(e), and such Bank shall not at any
time be entitled to exemption from deduction or withholding of
United States Federal income tax in respect of payments by the
Company hereunder for the account of such Lending Office for
any reason other than a change in United States law or
regulations or in the official interpretation of such law or
regulations by any governmental authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof (whether or not
having the force of law) after the date of delivery of such
Form W-8 BEN; or
(iii) if the Bank shall have delivered to the
Company a Form W-8 ECI in respect of such Lending Office
pursuant to subsection 3.01(e), and such Bank shall not at any
time be entitled to exemption from deduction or withholding of
United States Federal income tax in respect of payments by the
Company hereunder for the account of such Lending Office for
any reason other than a change in United States law or
regulations or any applicable tax treaty or regulations or in
the official interpretation of any such law, treaty or
regulations by any governmental authority charged with the
28.
interpretation or administration thereof (whether or not having the
force of law) after the date of delivery of such Form W-8 ECI.
(g) If the Company is required to pay additional amounts to
any Bank or the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, then such Bank
shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions)
to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office so as to eliminate any such
additional payment by the Company which may thereafter accrue, if such change in
the judgment of such Bank is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank.
(h) Each Bank agrees to promptly notify the Company of the
first written assessment of any Taxes payable by the Company hereunder which is
received by such Bank, provided that failure to give such notice shall not in
any way prejudice the Bank's rights under Section 3.01 hereof. The Company shall
not be obligated to pay any Taxes under Section 3.01 which are assessed against
any Bank if the statute of limitations applicable thereto (as same may be
extended from time to time by agreement between such Bank and the relevant
Governmental Authority) has lapsed. Additionally, the Company shall not be
obligated to pay any penalties, interest, additions to tax or expenses with
respect to any final assessment of Taxes against any Bank (i) unless such Bank
shall have first notified the Company in writing of such final assessment, and
(ii) which are attributable to periods exceeding 90 days prior to the date of
receipt by the Company of such notice.
3.02 Illegality.
(a) If any Bank determines that the introduction of any
Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the
interpretation or administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it
unlawful, or any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that
it is unlawful, for any Bank or its applicable Lending Office to make Offshore
Rate Loans, then, on notice thereof by the Bank to the Company through the
Agent, any obligation of that Bank to make additional Offshore Rate Loans
(including in respect of any LIBOR Bid Loan as to which the Company has accepted
such Bank's Competitive Bid, but as to which the Borrowing Date has not arrived)
shall be suspended until the Bank notifies the Agent and the Company that the
circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.
(b) If a Bank determines that it is unlawful to maintain any
Offshore Rate Loan, the Company shall, upon its receipt of notice of such fact
and demand from such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), prepay in full such
Offshore Rate Loans of that Bank then outstanding, together with interest
accrued thereon and amounts required under Section 3.04, either on the last day
of the Interest Period thereof, if the Bank may lawfully continue to maintain
such Offshore Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Bank may not
lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate Loan. If the Company is
required to so prepay any Offshore Rate Committed Loan, then concurrently with
such prepayment, the Company shall borrow from the affected Bank, and the
affected Bank shall lend to the Company, in the amount of such repayment, a Base
Rate Committed Loan.
(c) If the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain Offshore
Rate Committed Loans has been so terminated or suspended, the Company may elect,
by giving notice to the Bank through the Agent that all Loans which would
otherwise be made by the Bank as Offshore Rate Committed Loans shall be instead
Base Rate Committed Loans.
29.
(d) Before giving any notice to the Agent under this Section,
the affected Bank shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its
Offshore Rate Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such
notice or making such demand and will not, in the judgment of the Bank, be
illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Bank in such Bank's reasonable
judgment.
3.03 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.
(a) If any Bank determines that, due to either (i) the
introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation after the Closing Date or (ii) the compliance by that Bank with any
guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority
(whether or not having the force of law) after the Closing Date, there shall be
any increase in the cost to such Bank of agreeing to make or making, funding or
maintaining any Offshore Rate Loans, then the Company shall be liable for, and
shall from time to time, upon demand (with a copy of such demand to be sent to
the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Bank, additional amounts as
are sufficient to compensate such Bank for such increased costs.
(b) If any Bank shall have determined that (i) the
introduction after the Closing Date of any Capital Adequacy Regulation , (ii)
any change after the Closing Date in any Capital Adequacy Regulation, (iii) any
change after the Closing Date in the interpretation or administration of any
Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (iv) compliance by
the Bank (or its Lending Office) or any corporation controlling the Bank with
any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation after the Closing Date, affects
the amount of capital required to be maintained by the Bank or any corporation
controlling the Bank and (taking into consideration such Bank's or such
corporation's policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Bank's desired
return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a
consequence of its Commitment, loans, credits or obligations under this
Agreement, then, upon demand of such Bank to the Company through the Agent, the
Company shall pay to the Bank, from time to time as specified by the Bank,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Bank for such increase.
(c) The Company shall not be obligated to pay any amounts
under subsection 3.03(a) or (b) to any Bank (i) unless such Bank shall have
first notified the Company in writing that it intends to seek compensation from
the Company pursuant to such subsection, and (ii) which are attributable to
periods exceeding 90 days prior to the date of receipt by the Company of such
notice.
3.04 Funding Losses. The Company shall reimburse each Bank and hold
each Bank harmless from any direct loss or expense (but excluding any
consequential loss or expense) which the Bank may sustain or incur as a
consequence of:
(a) the failure of the Company to make on a timely basis any
payment required hereunder of principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;
(b) the failure of the Company to borrow a Bid Loan after the
Agent has notified a Bank pursuant to subsection 2.06(g)(i) that its Competitive
Bid has been accepted by the
30.
Company, or the failure of the Company to borrow, continue or convert a
Committed Loan after the Company has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice
of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;
(c) the failure of the Company to make any prepayment of any
Committed Loan in accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.08;
(d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Sections 2.08 or
2.09) or payment after acceleration thereof following an Event of Default of any
Offshore Rate Loan or Absolute Rate Bid Loan on a day that is not the last day
of the relevant Interest Period; or
(e) the automatic conversion under the proviso contained in
Section 2.04(a) or under the proviso contained in Section 2.08 of any Offshore
Rate Committed Loan to a Base Rate Committed Loan on a day that is not the last
day of the relevant Interest Period;
including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from fees payable
to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. For purposes of
calculating amounts payable by the Company to the Banks under this Section and
under subsection 3.03(a), each Offshore Rate Committed Loan made by a Bank (and
each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be
conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBO Rate by a matching deposit
or other borrowing in the interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount
and for a comparable period, whether or not such Offshore Rate Committed Loan is
in fact so funded.
3.05 Inability to Determine Rates. If the LIBO Rate applicable pursuant
to subsection 2.11(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a
proposed Offshore Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to
the Banks of funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the Company
and each Bank. Thereafter, the obligation of the Banks to make additional
Offshore Rate Loans hereunder shall be suspended until the Agent upon the
instruction of the Majority Banks revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt
of such notice, the Company without cost or expense may revoke any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the
Company does not revoke such Notice, the Banks shall make, convert or continue
the Committed Loans, as proposed by the Company, in the amount specified in the
applicable notice submitted by the Company, but such Committed Loans shall be
made, converted or continued as Base Rate Committed Loans instead of Offshore
Rate Committed Loans.
3.06 Reserves on Offshore Rate Committed Loans. The Company shall pay
to each Bank, as long as such Bank shall be required under regulations of the
FRB to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as "Eurocurrency
liabilities"), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each
Offshore Rate Committed Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves
allocated to such Committed Loan by the Bank (as reasonably determined by the
Bank), payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Committed Loan,
provided the Company shall have received at least 30 days' prior written notice
(with a copy to the Agent) of such additional interest from the Bank. If a Bank
fails to give notice 30 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such
additional interest shall be payable 30 days from receipt of such notice.
31.
3.07 Certificates of Banks. Any Bank claiming reimbursement or
compensation under this Article III shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to
the Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable
to the Bank hereunder and such certificate shall be conclusive and binding on
the Company in the absence of manifest error unless the Company shall have
notified such Bank of its objection to such certificate (with a copy to the
Agent) within 30 days of the Company's receipt of such claim.
3.08 Substitution of Banks. Upon the receipt by the Company from any
Bank (an "Affected Bank") of a claim for compensation under Section 3.01, 3.02
or 3.03, the Company may: (i) request the Affected Bank to use its reasonable
efforts to obtain a replacement bank or financial institution satisfactory to
the Company and the Agent and meeting the qualifications of an Eligible Assignee
to acquire and assume all or a ratable part of all of such Affected Bank's
Committed Loans and Commitment (a "Replacement Bank"); (ii) request one or more
of the other Banks to acquire and assume all or part of such Affected Bank's
Committed Loans and Commitment (but no other Bank shall be required to do so);
or (iii) designate a Replacement Bank. Any such designation of a Replacement
Bank under clause (i) or (iii) shall be subject to the prior written consent of
the Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). Any transfer
arising under this Section 3.08 shall comply with the requirements of Section
10.08 and on the date of transfer the Affected Bank shall be entitled to all
sums payable to it hereunder on such date including, outstanding principal,
accrued interest and fees, and other sums (including amounts payable under
Section 3.04(d)) arising under the provisions of this Agreement with reference
to such Committed Loans.
3.09 Survival. The agreements and obligations of the Company in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
--------------------
4.01 Conditions to Effectiveness of Commitments. The obligation of each
Bank to make its initial Committed Loan hereunder, and to receive through the
Agent the initial Competitive Bid Request, is subject to and shall become
effective when the Agent shall have received on or before the Closing Date all
of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and each Bank,
and in sufficient copies for each Bank:
(a) Credit Agreement; Notes. This Agreement (and, if
requested, Notes for each such requesting Bank) properly executed;
(b) Resolutions; Incumbency.
(i) Copies of the resolutions of the board of
directors of the Company authorizing the transactions contemplated
hereby, certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary, Assistant
Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company; and
(ii) A certificate of the Secretary, Assistant
Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company certifying the
names and true signatures of the officers of the Company authorized to
execute, deliver and perform, this Agreement, and all other Loan
Documents to be delivered by it hereunder;
32.
(c) Organization Documents; Good Standing. Each of the
following documents:
(i) the articles or certificate of incorporation
and the bylaws of the Company as in effect on the Closing Date,
certified by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other appropriate
officer of the Company as of the Closing Date; and
(ii) a good standing certificate dated within
five (5) days of the Closing Date for the Company from the Secretary of
State (or similar, applicable Governmental Authority) of its state of
incorporation;
(d) Legal Opinions. An opinion of Anthony C. Scarfone, General
Counsel to the Company and addressed to the Agent and the Banks, substantially
in the form of Exhibit H;
(e) Payment of Fees. Evidence of payment by the Company of all
accrued and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due and payable
on the Closing Date, including any such costs, fees and expenses arising under
or referenced in Section 2.12;
(f) Certificate. A certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by the Company's chief executive officer, chief financial officer or treasurer,
dated as of the Closing Date, stating that:
(i) the representations and warranties contained
in Article V are true and correct on and as of such date, as though
made on and as of such date;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or
would result from the initial Borrowing; and
(iii) there has occurred since December 31, 2000,
no event or circumstance that has resulted or would reasonably be
expected to result in a material change in the business, assets,
liabilities (actual or contingent), operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
(g) Existing Credit Facilities. Evidence satisfactory to the
Agent that the Credit Agreement dated as of August 30, 1999 and the Multi-Year
Credit Agreement dated as of July 8, 1997 have been terminated.
(h) Other Documents. Such other approvals, opinions, documents
or materials as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.
4.02 Conditions to All Borrowings. The obligation of each Bank to make
any Committed Loan to be made by it, or any Bid Loan as to which the Company has
accepted the relevant Competitive Bid (including its initial Loan), or to
continue or convert any Committed Loan under Section 2.04 is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing
Date or Conversion/Continuation Date:
(a) Notice of Borrowing or Conversion/Continuation. As to any
Committed Loan, the Agent shall have received (with, in the case of the initial
Loan only, a copy for each Bank) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as applicable;
33.
(b) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties in Article V shall be true and correct on and as
of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date with the same effect as
if made on and as of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date (except
to the extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier
date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date); and
(c) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall
exist or shall result from such Borrowing or continuation or conversion.
Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Conversion/Continuation and Competitive
Bid Request submitted by the Company hereunder shall constitute a representation
and warranty by the Company hereunder, as of the date of each such notice or
request and as of each Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date, as
applicable, that the conditions in Section 4.02 are satisfied.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
The Company represents and warrants to the Agent and each Bank that:
5.01 Corporate Existence and Power. The Company and each of its
Material Subsidiaries:
(a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;
(b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on its business
(except where the failure to have any such governmental license, authorization,
consent or approval would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect) and as to the Company only, to execute, deliver, and perform its
obligations under the Loan Documents;
(c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is licensed
and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership,
lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification or license except when the failure to so qualify or be so licensed
or in good standing would preclude it from enforcing its rights with respect to
any of its assets or expose it to any liability, which in either case would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(d) is in all material respects in compliance with the
Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to do so would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery
and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which the Company is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and do not and will not:
34.
(a) contravene the terms of any of the Company's Organization
Documents;
(b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of,
or the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual
Obligation to which the Company is a party or any order, injunction, writ or
decree of any Governmental Authority to which the Company or its property is
subject except where such conflict, breach, contravention or Lien would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(c) violate any Requirement of Law.
5.03 Governmental Authorization. No approval, consent, exemption,
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Company of
the Agreement or any other Loan Document.
5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which the Company is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.
5.05 Litigation. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.05,
there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the
best knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in
arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against the Company, or its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties which:
(a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby;
or
(b) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has
been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or
restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, or directing that the transactions provided for herein or therein
not be consummated as herein or therein provided.
5.06 No Default. At the Closing Date and at the time of any Borrowing,
no Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the incurring of any
Obligations by the Company. As of the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in
any respect which, individually or together with all such defaults, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that would, if such
default had occurred after the Closing Date, create an Event of Default under
subsection 8.01(e).
5.07 ERISA Compliance. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule
5.07:
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with
the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law
except where non-compliance would not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section
401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination
35.
letter from the IRS or, if otherwise, the failure to apply for or receive a
favorable determination letter would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Company, nothing has
occurred which would cause the loss of qualification the effect of which would
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and
each ERISA Affiliate has made all required contributions to any Plan subject to
Section 412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension
of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made
with respect to any Plan when the failure to make such contribution or when such
application or extension would reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of Company,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Plan which has resulted or would reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or
violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which
has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(c)(i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected
to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to
incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan
(other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv)
neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects
to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of
notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under
Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v)
neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that
could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA that, in the case of any of
clauses (i) through (v), would reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
5.08 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The proceeds of the Loans are
to be used solely for the purposes set forth in and permitted by Section 6.12
and Section 7.05. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is generally engaged in
the business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.
5.09 Title to Properties. The Company and each Subsidiary have good
record and marketable title in fee simple to, or to their knowledge valid
leasehold interests in, all real property necessary for the ordinary conduct of
their respective businesses, except for such defects in title as would not
reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material
Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, the property of the Company and its
Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens.
5.10 Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal and
other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all
Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets
otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in
accordance with GAAP or where failure to file such return or to pay any such tax
would not
36.
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no proposed
tax assessment against the Company or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a
Material Adverse Effect.
5.11 Financial Condition.
(a) The audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company and its Subsidiaries dated December 31, 2000, and the unaudited
consolidated financial statements dated June 30, 2001, and the related
consolidated statements of income or operations, balance sheet and cash flows
for the fiscal year or the fiscal quarter, respectively, ended on that date:
(i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as
otherwise expressly noted therein, subject to ordinary, good faith year
end audit adjustments in the case of such unaudited statements;
(ii) fairly present the financial condition of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of
operations for the period covered thereby; and
(iii) show all material Indebtedness and other
liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes,
material commitments and Contingent Obligations except for Indebtedness
and other liabilities, the existence of which would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) Since December 31, 2000, there has been no Material
Adverse Effect.
5.12 Environmental Matters. The Company conducts in the ordinary course
of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and existing
Environmental Claims on its business, operations and properties, and as a result
thereof the Company has reasonably concluded that, except as specifically
disclosed in Schedule 5.12, such Environmental Laws and Environmental Claims
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
5.13 Regulated Entities. None of the Company, any Person controlling
the Company, or any Subsidiary, is an "Investment Company" within the meaning of
the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company is not subject to any other
Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur
Indebtedness.
5.14 No Burdensome Restrictions. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is a party to or bound by any Contractual Obligation, or subject to any
restriction in any Organization Document, or any Requirement of Law, which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.15 Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 5.15, the Company or its Subsidiaries own or are licensed
or otherwise have the right to use all of the patents, trademarks, service
marks, trade names, copyrights, contractual franchises, authorizations and other
rights that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective
businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person except where
the failure to own,
37.
be licensed to or otherwise have the right to use the same would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Company, no material
slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or
other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Company
or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other Person where any
such infringement would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.05, no claim or
litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or to the knowledge of the
Company threatened, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
5.16 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, the Company has no
Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in part (a) of Schedule
5.16 hereto and has no material equity investments in any other corporation or
entity other than those specifically disclosed in part (b) of Schedule 5.16.
5.17 Insurance. The properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries are
insured with financially sound and reputable insurance or reinsurance companies,
in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are believed
by the Company to be adequate in the exercise of its reasonable business
judgment.
5.18 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by
the Company in the Loan Documents as of the date such representations and
warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements contained in any
exhibit, financial report or statements or certificate furnished by or on behalf
of the Company in connection with the Loan Documents, contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made
or delivered.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
---------------------
So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation (other than indemnification) shall remain unpaid or
unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks waive compliance in writing:
6.01 Financial Statements. The Company shall deliver to the Agent, in
form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, with sufficient copies for
each Bank:
(a) as soon as available, but not later than the date which is
the earlier of (x) 120 days after the end of each fiscal year or (y) five (5)
Business Days after the delivery of the following financial statements to the
SEC, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related
consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures
for the previous fiscal year, and accompanied by the opinion of
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP or another nationally-recognized independent public
accounting firm ("Independent Auditor") which report shall state that such
consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP. Such
opinion shall not be qualified or limited
38.
because of a restricted or limited examination by the Independent Auditor of any
material portion of the Company's or any Subsidiary's records; and
(b) as soon as available, but not later than 60 days after the
end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a copy of
the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows for the period commencing on the first day
and ending on the last day of such quarter, and certified on behalf of the
Company by a Responsible Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects
and in accordance with GAAP (subject to ordinary, good faith year-end audit
adjustments), the financial position and the results of operations of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
6.02 Certificates; Other Information. The Company shall furnish to the
Agent, with sufficient copies for each Bank:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in subsections 6.01(a) and (b), a Compliance Certificate executed by
a Responsible Officer on behalf of the Company which certifies that no Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (except as described
therein);
(b) promptly, copies of all financial statements and reports
that the Company sends to its shareholders, and copies of all financial
statements and regular, periodical or special reports (including Forms 10K, 10Q
and 8K) that the Company or any Subsidiary may make to, or file with, the SEC;
and
(c) promptly, such additional information regarding the
business, financial or corporate affairs of the Company or any Subsidiary as the
Agent, at the request of any Bank, may from time to time reasonably request and
which relates to the ability of the Company to perform under this Agreement.
6.03 Notices. Upon obtaining knowledge of any event described below,
the Company shall promptly notify the Agent and each Bank:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) of any of the following matters of which a Responsible
Officer obtains knowledge that would result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i)
breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of
the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation,
proceeding or suspension between the Company or any Subsidiary and any
Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material
development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or any
Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;
(c) of the occurrence of any of the following events affecting
the Company or any ERISA Affiliate which would reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect (but in no event more than 10 days after a
Responsible Officer obtains knowledge of such event), and deliver to the Agent
and each Bank a copy of any notice with respect to such event that is filed with
a Governmental Authority and any notice delivered by a Governmental Authority to
the Company or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to such event:
39.
(i) an ERISA Event;
(ii) a material increase in the Unfunded Pension
Liability of any Pension Plan;
(iii) the adoption of, or the commencement of
contributions to, any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code by the
Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or
(iv) the adoption of any amendment to a Plan
subject to Section 412 of the Code, if such amendment results in a
material increase in contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability;
(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial
reporting practices by the Company or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries which
would reasonably be expected to materially affect the Company's consolidated
financial reports; and
(e) of any change in the Company's senior unsecured long-term
debt ratings as publicly announced by either S&P or Moody's including placement
of such ratings on watch status, provided that any failure by the Company to
give notice of such change shall not affect the Company's payment obligations
hereunder and such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default.
Each notice under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement by a
Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein,
and stating what action the Company or any affected Subsidiary proposes to take
with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice under subsection 6.03(a)
shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement or
other Loan Document (if any) that have been breached or violated.
6.04 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. The Company shall, and
shall cause each Material Subsidiary to:
(a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its
corporate existence and good standing under the laws of its state or
jurisdiction of incorporation;
(b) to the extent practicable, using reasonable efforts,
preserve and maintain in full force and effect all governmental rights,
privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or
desirable in the normal conduct of its business except (x) when the
nonpreservation and non-maintenance of such rights, privileges, qualifications,
permits, licenses or franchises would reasonably be expected not to have a
Material Adverse Effect or (y) in connection with transactions permitted by
Section 7.03 and sales of assets permitted by Section 7.02;
(c) use reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of
business, to preserve its business organization and goodwill except when in the
reasonable judgment of the Company it is not economical to do so or where the
failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; and
(d) to the extent practicable, using reasonable efforts,
preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and
service marks, except when non-preservation or
40.
non-renewal of such patents, trademarks, trade names or service marks would
reasonably be expected not to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.05 Maintenance of Property. The Company shall maintain, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its property which is used
or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and
tear and casualty loss excepted and make all necessary repairs thereto and
renewals and replacements thereof except when in the reasonable judgment of the
Company it is not economical to do so or where the failure to do so would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each
Subsidiary shall use the standard of care typical in the industry in the
operation and maintenance of its facilities.
6.06 Insurance. The Company shall maintain, and shall cause each
Material Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers
or independent reinsurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business
against loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts determined by the Company
to be necessary or desirable in the exercise of its reasonable business
judgment.
6.07 Payment of Obligations. The Company shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective obligations and liabilities, including:
(a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges
or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Company or such Subsidiary or
unless the failure to pay or discharge would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a
Lien upon its property except when the failure to pay or discharge would not
have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable (except for
such Indebtedness which is contested by the Company or any Subsidiary in good
faith or where the failure to pay or discharge would not reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect), but subject to any subordination
provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such
Indebtedness.
6.08 Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply, and shall cause
each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements of Law
of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), except such as may be
contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist or where
the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09 Compliance with ERISA. The Company shall, and shall cause each of
its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or
state law except where non-compliance would not reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) make all
41.
required contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code except
where failure to make any contribution would not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 Inspection of Property and Books and Records. The Company shall
maintain and shall cause each Material Subsidiary to maintain proper books of
record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with
GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and
matters involving the assets and business of the Company and such Subsidiary.
Subject to reasonable safeguards to protect confidential information, the
Company shall permit, and shall cause each Material Subsidiary to permit,
representatives and independent contractors of the Agent to visit and inspect
any of their respective properties, to examine their respective corporate,
financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom,
and with respect to the Company but not its Subsidiaries to discuss their
respective affairs, finances and accounts with the Company's directors, senior
officers, and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon
reasonable advance notice to the Company; provided, however, when an Event of
Default exists the Agent or any Bank may do any of the foregoing at the expense
of the Company at any time during normal business hours and without advance
notice.
6.11 Environmental Laws. The Company shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, conduct its operations and keep and maintain its property in
compliance with all Environmental Laws except where the failure to comply would
not have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.12 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the Loans
for general corporate purposes including Acquisitions not in contravention of
any Requirement of Law or any provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
------------------
So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation (other than indemnification) shall remain unpaid or
unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks waive compliance in writing:
7.01 Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following ("Permitted
Liens"):
(a) any Lien existing on property of the Company or any
Subsidiary on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.01 or shown as a
liability on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2001
securing Indebtedness outstanding on such date, provided that the aggregate
amount of all such Indebtedness secured by all such Liens does not exceed
$10,000,000;
(b) any Lien created under any Loan Document;
(c) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental
charges which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the
extent that non-payment thereof is
42.
permitted by Section 6.07, provided that no notice of lien has been filed or
recorded under the Code;
(d) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords',
materialmen's, repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course
of business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which
are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property
subject thereto;
(e) Liens consisting of pledges or deposits required in the
ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;
(f) Liens on the property of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries securing (i) the non-delinquent performance of bids, trade
contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, (ii)
contingent obligations on surety and appeal bonds, and (iii) other
non-delinquent obligations of a like nature; in each case, incurred in the
ordinary course of business, provided all such Liens in the aggregate would not
(even if enforced) cause a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case
materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere
with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(h) Liens on assets of corporations which become Subsidiaries
after the date of this Agreement, provided, however, that such Liens existed at
the time the respective corporations became Subsidiaries;
(i) purchase money security interests on any property acquired
or held by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,
securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing all or
any part of the cost of acquiring such property; provided that (i) any such Lien
attaches to such property concurrently with or within 20 days after the
acquisition thereof, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property so acquired
in such transaction, and (iii) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured
thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such property;
(j) Liens securing obligations in respect of capital leases on
assets subject to such leases;
(k) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common
law provision relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar rights
and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor
depository institution; provided that (i) such deposit account is not a
dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against
access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by
the FRB, and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any
Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution except in either
case when such deposit accounts are established or required in the ordinary
course of business and would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
43.
(l) Any extensions, renewals or replacements of the Liens
permitted by clauses (a), (f), (h), (i) and (j) above; and
(m) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections 7.01(a)
through (l), there shall be permitted Liens on property (including Liens which
would otherwise be in violation of such subsections), provided that the sum of
the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by all
Liens permitted under this subsection (m), excluding the Liens permitted under
subsections (a) through (l), shall not exceed an amount equal to 15% of the
Company's total consolidated assets as shown on its consolidated balance sheet
for its most recent prior fiscal quarter.
7.02 Disposition of Assets. Except as otherwise permitted by any other
provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Material Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:
(a) dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus
equipment, all in the ordinary course of business;
(b) dispositions on reasonable commercial terms and for fair
value or which would not have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that
dispositions of the stock of any Material Subsidiary shall not be permitted
under this subsection (b);
(c) dispositions of property between the Company and any
consolidated Subsidiary or among consolidated Subsidiaries; and
(d) other dispositions of property during the term of this
Agreement (excluding dispositions permitted under subsections
7.02(a) through (c)) whose net book value in the aggregate shall not exceed 25%
of the Company's total consolidated assets as shown on its consolidated balance
sheet for its most recent prior fiscal quarter.
7.03 Consolidations and Mergers. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Material Subsidiary to, merge, consolidate with or into, or
convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or
in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:
(a) any Person may merge with the Company, provided that the
Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation;
(b) any Subsidiary may merge with the Company, provided that
the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, or with any one or
more Subsidiaries, provided that if any transaction shall be between a
Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation; and
(c) the Company or any Subsidiary may convey, transfer, lease
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary
liquidation or otherwise), to the Company or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, as
the case may be.
44.
7.04 Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate (other than a Wholly- Owned Subsidiary) of the Company, except
transactions (a) entered into in good faith and (b) upon commercially reasonable
terms and taking into consideration the totality of circumstances pertaining to
such transaction as determined by the Company.
7.05 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or
indirectly, in a manner which violates any applicable Requirement of Law and
which would have a Material Adverse Effect (provided that this Section 7.05
shall not be deemed to permit the use of Loan proceeds in violation of any
Requirement of Law applicable to any Bank). Notwithstanding the foregoing, at no
time shall more than 25% of the value (as determined by a method deemed
reasonable for purposes of applicable regulations relating to Margin Stock) of
the Company's assets consist of Margin Stock, unless the Company has taken all
necessary action so that in the event that more than 25% of the Company's assets
consist of Margin Stock there shall occur no violation of any Requirement of Law
applicable to it or any Bank.
7.06 Restricted Payments. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary (other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to, declare or
make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash,
rights, obligations or securities on account of any shares of any class of its
capital stock, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any shares of
its capital stock or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such shares, now
or hereafter outstanding; except that the Company or any non-Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary may:
(a) declare and make dividend payments or other distributions
payable solely in its common stock;
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common
stock or warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the proceeds
received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common
stock; and
(c) declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders and
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or warrants,
rights or options to acquire any such shares for cash provided, that, before and
immediately after giving effect to such proposed action, no Default or Event of
Default exists or would exist.
7.07 ERISA. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any
of its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) engage in a prohibited transaction or violation
of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which has
resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
or (b) engage in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c)
of ERISA and which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.08 Change in Business. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any business that would substantially change
the general nature of the business conducted by the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on the Closing Date.
7.09 Accounting Changes. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Material Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting
treatment or reporting
45.
practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of the Company
or of any such Subsidiary, if such change would reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect.
7.10 Interest Coverage. The Company shall not permit as of the last day
of any fiscal quarter (commencing with the period ending September 30, 2001), on
a consolidated basis, the ratio of (i) Earnings Before Interest and Taxes to
(ii) Interest Expense, to be less than 2.5 to 1.0. For purposes of this section,
"Earnings Before Interest and Taxes" means as at the end of any fiscal quarter
of the Company for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended as at
such date, the sum of (a) the consolidated net income (or net loss) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with
GAAP, plus (b) all amounts treated as interest expense for such period to the
extent included in the determination of such consolidated net income (or loss);
plus (c) all taxes accrued for such period on or measured by income to the
extent included in the determination of such consolidated net income (or loss);
provided, however, that consolidated net income (or loss) shall be computed for
the purposes of this definition without giving effect to extraordinary losses or
extraordinary gains for such period; and "Interest Expense" means as at the end
of any fiscal quarter of the Company for the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ended as at such date, all amounts treated as interest expense for such
period to the extent included in the determination of the Company's consolidated
net income (or net loss) for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.
7.11 Subsidiary Indebtedness. The Company shall not permit as of the
last day of any fiscal quarter (commencing with the period ending September 30,
2001), the aggregate Indebtedness of its consolidated Subsidiaries to exceed
$50,000,000. For purposes of this Section 7.11, the term "Indebtedness" shall be
deemed to exclude Indebtedness of a Person which becomes a Subsidiary after the
date hereof, provided that such excluded Indebtedness existed at the time such
Person became a Subsidiary and was not created in anticipation thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
8.01 Event of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an "Event
of Default":
(a) Non-Payment. The Company fails to pay, (i) when and as
required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within
two (2) Business Days following written notice to the Company given by the Agent
or any Bank after the same becomes due, any interest, fee or any other amount
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Representation or Warranty. Any representation or warranty
by the Company or any Subsidiary made or deemed made herein, in any other Loan
Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or financial or
other statement by the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Responsible Officer,
furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under any other Loan
Document, is incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made or
deemed made; or
(c) Specific Defaults. The Company fails to perform or observe
any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.03(a), 6.12,
7.02, 7.03, 7.04, 7.05, 7.06, 7.09, 7.10 or 7.11; or
46.
(d) Other Defaults. The Company fails to perform or observe
(i) Section 6.01(a) hereunder and such default shall continue unremedied for a
period of 5 days after the earlier of (A) the date upon which a Responsible
Officer knew of such failure or (B) the date upon which written notice thereof
is given to the Company by the Agent or any Bank; or (ii) any other term or
covenant contained in the Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default
shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (A) the
date upon which a Responsible Officer knew of such failure or (B) the date upon
which written notice thereof is given to the Company by the Agent or any Bank;
or
(e) Cross-Default. (i) The Company or any Subsidiary fails to
perform or observe any condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or
condition shall exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any
Indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed
or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any
combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $50,000,000, and such
failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified
in the relevant document on the date of such failure, if the effect of such
failure, event or condition is to cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be
due and payable prior to its stated maturity; or (ii) if there shall occur any
default or event of default, however denominated, under any cross default
provision under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness of
more than $50,000,000; or
(f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings. The Company or any
Material Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be solvent, or generally fails to
pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due,
subject to applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or
otherwise; (ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary
course; (iii) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or
(iv) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or
(g) Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency
Proceeding is commenced or filed against the Company or any Material Subsidiary,
or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is
issued or levied against a substantial part of the Company's or any such
Subsidiary's properties, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be
dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process shall not be released, stayed, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days
after commencement, filing, issuance or levy; (ii) the Company or any Material
Subsidiary admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any
Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S.
law involving a material portion of the Company's or such Subsidiary's total
assets) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding involving the Company or any
such Subsidiary; or (iii) the Company or any Material Subsidiary acquiesces in
the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator,
mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself
or a substantial portion of its property or business; or
(h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a
Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to result in liability of the Company under Title IV of ERISA to the
Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of
$50,000,000; (ii) the aggregate amount of Unfunded Pension Liability among all
Pension Plans at any time exceeds $50,000,000; or (iii) the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate shall fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable
grace period,
47.
any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section
4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of
$50,000,000 and, in the case of any of clauses (i) through (iii), such liability
or failure to pay shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed, appealed or
paid within ten (10) Business Days after such liability or payment obligation
arises; or
(i) Monetary Judgments. One or more non-interlocutory
judgments, noninterlocutory orders, non-interlocutory decrees or arbitration
awards is entered against the Company or any Material Subsidiary involving in
the aggregate a liability (to the extent not covered by independent third-party
insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage) as to any single or
related series of transactions, incidents or conditions, of $50,000,000 or more,
and the same shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or appealed within
the applicable period for appeal from the date of entry thereof or paid within
ten (10) Business Days after the same becomes non-appealable; or
(j) Non-Monetary Judgments. Any non-monetary judgment, order
or decree is entered against the Company or any Subsidiary which does or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control. For
purposes of this Section 8.01(k), (i) a "Change of Control" shall occur if any
person or group of persons becomes the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the
voting power of the Company for a period of 30 days or more; and (ii) the term
"person" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act
and the term "beneficial owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
8.02 Remedies. If any Event of Default occurs, the Agent shall, at the
request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks,
(a) declare the obligation of each Bank to make any Loans to
be terminated, whereupon such obligation and such Commitment shall be
terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding
Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or
payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and
payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company; and
(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Banks all rights and
remedies available to it and the Banks under the Loan Documents or applicable
law;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection
(f) or (g) of Section 8.01 (in the case of clause (i) of subsection (g) upon the
expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Bank
to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of
all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall
automatically become due and payable without further act of the Agent or any
Bank without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by the Company.
48.
8.03 Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents (whether now existing or hereafter arising) are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or
remedies provided by law or in equity.
ARTICLE IX
THE AGENT
---------
9.01 Appointment and Authorization. Each Bank hereby irrevocably
appoints, designates and authorizes the Agent to take such action on its behalf
under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to
exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by
the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan
Document, the Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Agent have or be deemed to have any
fiduciary relationship with any Bank, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Agent.
9.02 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may execute any of its duties
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees
or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with
reasonable care.
9.03 Liability of Agent. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i) be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement or
in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other
document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in
connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the Company or any other party to
any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No
Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Bank to ascertain or
to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements
contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to
inspect the properties, books or records of the Company or any of the Company's
Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
9.04 Reliance by Agent.
(a) The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully
protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message,
statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons,
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the
Company), independent
49.
accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The Agent shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of
the Majority Banks (or all the Banks if specifically required hereunder) as it
deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its
satisfaction by the Banks against any and all liability and expense which may be
incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The
Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from
acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a
request or consent of the Majority Banks (or all the Banks if specifically
required hereunder) and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Banks.
(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions
specified in Section 4.01, each Bank that has executed this Agreement shall be
deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each
document or other matter either sent on or prior to the Closing Date by the
Agent to such Bank for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or
required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or
satisfactory to the Bank.
9.05 Notice of Default. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge
or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with
respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to
be paid to the Agent for the account of the Banks, unless the Agent shall have
received written notice from a Bank or the Company referring to this Agreement,
describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a
"notice of default". The Agent will notify the Banks of its receipt of any such
notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event
of Default as may be requested by the Majority Banks in accordance with Article
VIII; provided, however, that unless and until the Agent has received any such
request, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or
refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of
Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of the Banks.
9.06 Credit Decision. Each Bank acknowledges that none of the
Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no
act by the Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any representation
or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Bank. Each Bank represents to the
Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent- Related
Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,
made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects,
operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating
to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into
this Agreement and to extend credit to the Company hereunder. Each Bank also
represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any
Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall
deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis,
appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary
to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial
and other condition and creditworthiness of the Company. Except for notices,
reports and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the
Banks by the Agent, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Bank with any credit or other information
50.
concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition or creditworthiness of the Company which may come into the possession
of any of the Agent-Related Persons.
9.07 Indemnification. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby are consummated, the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the Agent-Related
Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company and without
limiting the obligation of the Company to do so), pro rata, from and against any
and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, however, that no Bank shall be liable
for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of any portion of such Indemnified
Liabilities resulting solely from such Person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Bank shall reimburse the
Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses
(including Attorney Costs) 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,
any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein,
to the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf
of the Company. The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of all
Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of the Agent.
9.08 Agent in Individual Capacity. Bank One and The Bank of New York
and their respective Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for
the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally
engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other
business with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as though Bank One
were not the Agent and The Bank of New York were not the Syndication Agent
hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Banks. The Banks acknowledge
that, pursuant to such activities, Bank One and The Bank of New York or their
respective Affiliates may receive information regarding the Company or its
Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality
obligations in favor of the Company or such Subsidiary) and acknowledge that
neither the Agent nor the Syndication Agent shall be under any obligation to
provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans, each of Bank One
and The Bank of New York shall have the same rights and powers under this
Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the
Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks" include each of Bank One and The Bank of
New York in its individual capacity.
9.09 Successor Agent. The Agent may, and at the request of the Company
(so long as no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such request)
or the Majority Banks shall, resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Banks.
If the Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Company shall appoint from among
the Banks a successor agent for the Banks (unless an Event of Default then
exists in which case the Majority Banks shall appoint the successor agent). If
no successor agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation
of the Agent, the Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Banks and the
Company, a successor agent from among the Banks. Upon the acceptance of its
appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to
all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Agent and the term "Agent"
shall mean such successor agent and the retiring Agent's appointment, powers and
duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent's resignation
hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.04 and
10.05 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken
by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no
51.
successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days
following a retiring Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Agent's
resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Banks shall
perform all of the duties of the Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the
Company or the Majority Banks appoint a successor agent as provided for above.
9.10 Withholding Tax.
(a) If any Bank claims exemption from withholding tax under a
United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form W-8 BEN and such Bank sells,
assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the
Obligations of the Company to such Bank, such Bank agrees to notify the Agent of
the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of
Obligations of the Company to such Bank. To the extent of such percentage
amount, the Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form W-8 BEN as no longer valid.
(b) Subject to the requirements of this Agreement, if any Bank
claiming exemption from United States withholding tax by filing IRS Form W-8 ECI
with the Agent sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers
all or part of the Obligations of the Company to such Bank, such Bank agrees to
undertake sole responsibility for complying with the withholding tax
requirements imposed by the Code.
(c) If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the
United States or any other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Agent did not
properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Bank
(because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or
because such Bank failed to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances which
rendered the exemption from withholding tax ineffective, or for any other
reason) such Bank shall indemnify the Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly
or indirectly, by the Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and
interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts
payable to the Agent under this subsection, together with all costs and expenses
(including Attorney Costs). The obligation of the Banks under this subsection
shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement
of the Agent.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
10.01 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Company therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be
in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (or by the Agent at the written
request of the Majority Banks) and the Company and acknowledged by the Agent,
and then any such waiver and consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that
no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all
the Banks and the Company and acknowledged by the Agent, do any of the
following:
(a) increase or extend the Commitment of any Bank (or
reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to subsection 8.02(a));
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(b) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, facility fees or
other material amounts due to the Banks (or any of them) hereunder or under any
other Loan Document;
(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified
herein on any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) below) any facility fees or other
amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document;
(d) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks
or any of them to take any action hereunder; or
(e) amend this Section, or Section 2.14, or any provision
herein providing for consent or other action by all Banks;
and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Majority Banks or all the
Banks, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) the Fee Letters may be amended,
or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties
thereto.
10.02 Notices.
(a) All notices, requests and other communications shall be in
writing (including, unless the context expressly otherwise provides, by
facsimile transmission, provided that any matter transmitted by facsimile (i)
shall be immediately confirmed by a telephone call to the recipient at the
number specified on Schedule 10.02, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by
delivery of a hard copy original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the
address or facsimile number specified for notices on Schedule 10.02; or, as
directed to the Company or the Agent, to such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties, and as
directed to any other party, at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to the Company and the Agent.
(b) All such notices, requests and communications shall, when
transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for
overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile
machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the fifth Business Day after the date
deposited into the U.S. mail, or if delivered, upon delivery; except that
notices pursuant to Article II or IX shall not be effective until actually
received by the Agent.
(c) Any agreement of the Agent and the Banks herein to receive
certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at
the request of the Company. The Agent and the Banks shall be entitled to rely on
the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Company
to give such notice and, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, the
Agent and the Banks shall not have any liability to the Company or other Person
on account of any action taken or not taken by the Agent or the Banks in
reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Company
to repay the Loans shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any
failure by the Agent and the Banks to receive written confirmation of any
telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Agent and the Banks of a
53.
confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood by the Agent and the
Banks to be contained in the telephonic or facsimile notice.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Bank, any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, remedy, power or privilege.
10.04 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall:
(a) pay or reimburse the Agent within five Business Days after
demand for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Agent in connection
with the development, preparation, negotiation and closing of this Agreement and
the Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection therewith
(whether or not closing occurs), and the administration of, and any amendment,
supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether or not
consummated), this Agreement, any Loan Document and any such other documents,
including reasonable Attorney Costs incurred by the Agent with respect thereto;
and
(b) pay or reimburse the Agent, the Arrangers and each Bank
within five Business Days after demand for all reasonable costs and expenses
(including Attorney Costs) incurred by them in connection with the enforcement,
attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document during the existence of an Event of Default
or after acceleration of the Loans (including in connection with any "workout"
or restructuring regarding the Loans, and including in any Insolvency Proceeding
or appellate proceeding).
10.05 Indemnity. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Agent-Related Persons,
and each Bank and each of its respective officers, directors, employees,
counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an "Indemnified Person") harmless
from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, charges, expenses and disbursements
(including reasonable Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may
at any time (including at any time following repayment of the Loans and the
termination, resignation or replacement of the Agent or replacement of any Bank)
result from an action, suit, proceeding or claim asserted against any such
Indemnified Person by any Person not entitled to indemnification under this
section in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any document
contemplated by or referred to herein, or the transactions contemplated hereby,
or any action taken or omitted by any such Person under or in connection with
any of the foregoing, including with respect to any investigation, litigation or
proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceeding) related
to or arising out of this Agreement or the Loans or the use of the proceeds
thereof, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto (all the
foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"); provided, however, that
the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person for any portion of
such Indemnified Liabilities resulting from such Indemnified Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. In the event this indemnity is unenforceable
as a matter of law as to a particular matter or consequence referred to herein,
it shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law. Promptly upon
receipt of notice of the making of any claim or the initiation of any action,
suit, or proceeding (together, "Dispute"), the
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Indemnified Person shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against
the Company hereunder, notify the Company in writing thereof, provided that any
failure to provide such notice shall not excuse the Company from its obligations
under this Section, except to the extent that such failure to notify shall have
materially prejudiced the Company's position. The Company shall have the right
at its expense to control the defense of any Dispute, provided the Company has
delivered prompt notice to the Indemnified Person expressly agreeing to assume
the defense thereof and reaffirming its obligation to indemnify and hold
harmless hereunder, with nationally-recognized counsel selected by the Company,
but reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. In such event, the
Company shall promptly notify the Indemnified Person of any and all material
developments in such Dispute and the Company shall not agree to any settlement
or material stipulation in such Dispute without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Person (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the reasonable judgment of the Indemnified
Person, there may exist BONA FIDE legal defenses available to it relating to the
Dispute which conflict with those of the Company or another Indemnified Person,
such Indemnified Person shall have the right to select separate counsel, at the
expense of the Company, to assert such legal defenses and otherwise participate
in the legal defense of such Dispute on behalf of such Indemnified Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dispute subject to this paragraph shall be
settled without the Company's prior consent, not to be unreasonably withheld;
provided, however, that any Indemnified Person may settle any such Dispute
without the Company's consent if (a) the market reputation of Bank One or its
Affiliates, or any Bank or its Affiliates which becomes an Indemnified Person
under this Section 10.05, or the relationship of any of such Persons with their
applicable state or federal regulators, in the judgment of such Persons, is
being or foreseeably will be materially impaired as a result of the continuation
of such Dispute, or (b) such Dispute involves or relates to any allegation of
criminal wrongdoing, or (c) the Company is disputing its obligation to indemnify
under this Section, or (d) the Company has failed to respond to any request for
such consent within 10 days of its receipt of written notice of such proposed
settlement. No Indemnified Person shall have any liability to the Company or any
of its Affiliates for any indirect or consequential damages in connection with
its activities related to this Agreement. The agreements in this Section shall
survive payment of all other Obligations and the termination of the Commitments.
10.06 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a
payment to the Agent or the Banks, or the Agent or the Banks exercise their
right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part
thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential,
set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the
Agent or such Bank in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any
other party, in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, then (a)
to the extent of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b)
each Bank severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon demand its pro rata share or
other applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Agent.
10.07 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, except that the Company may not assign or transfer any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the Agent and each Bank and no Bank shall assign any of its rights or
obligations hereunder except in accordance with Section 10.08.
55.
10.08 Assignments, Participations, etc.
(a) Any Bank may, with the written consent of the Company at
all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default and the Agent,
which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time assign and
delegate to one or more Eligible Assignees (provided that no written consent of
the Company or the Agent shall be required in connection with any assignment and
delegation by a Bank to an Eligible Assignee that is an Affiliate of such Bank)
(each an "Assignee") all, or any ratable part of all, of the Loans, the
Commitment and the other rights and obligations of such Bank hereunder, in a
minimum amount of $15,000,000; provided, however, that the Company and the Agent
may continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with the
interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment,
together with payment instructions, addresses and related information with
respect to the Assignee, shall have been given to the Company and the Agent by
such Bank and the Assignee; (ii) such Bank and its Assignee shall have delivered
to the Company and the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit
I ("Assignment and Acceptance") and (iii) the assignor Bank or Assignee has paid
to the Agent a processing fee in the amo unt of $4,000, provided that in the
case of a transfer under Section 3.08, the assignor Bank shall not be obligated
to pay such processing fee.
(b) From and after the date that the Agent notifies the
Company and the assignor Bank that it has received an executed Assignment and
Acceptance which has been consented to by the Agent and by the Company (if
required), and payment of the above-referenced processing fee, (i) 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, shall have the rights and obligations of a Bank under the Loan
Documents, and (ii) the assignor Bank shall, to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned by
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be
released from its obligations under the Loan Documents.
(c) Within five Business Days after its receipt of notice by
the Agent that it has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment
of the processing fee (and provided that the Agent and the Company consent to
such assignment in accordance with subsection 10.08(a), to the extent required),
the Company shall execute and deliver to the Agent Notes for the Assignee (if
the Assignee was not previously a Bank under this Agreement) and, if the
assignor Bank is not retaining any interest in this Agreement such assignor Bank
shall promptly cancel and return its Notes to the Agent for return to the
Company. Immediately upon each Assignee's making its processing fee payment
under the Assignment and Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed to be
amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition
of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising
therefrom. The Commitment allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such
Commitments of the assigning Bank pro tanto.
(d) Any Bank may, with the written consent of the Company at
all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time sell to one or more Eligible
Assignees (a "Participant") participating interests in any Loans, the Commitment
of that Bank and the other interests of that Bank (the "originating Bank")
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that (i) the
originating Bank's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii)
the
56.
originating Bank shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such
obligations, (iii) the Company and the Agent shall continue to deal solely and
directly with the originating Bank in connection with the originating Bank's
rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv)
no Bank shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the
Participant has rights to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver
with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent
such amendment, consent or waiver would require unanimous consent of the Banks
as described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 and (v) with respect to the
sale of participating interests in any Bid Loan to any Participant, (x) the
Company's consent shall not be required and (y) the Participant need not be an
Eligible Assignee. In the case of any such participation, the Participant shall
not have any rights under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents,
and all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be determined as if such
Bank had not sold such participation.
(e) Each Bank agrees to take normal and reasonable precautions
and exercise due care to maintain the confidentiality of all information
identified as "confidential" or "secret" by the Company and provided to it by
the Company or any Subsidiary, or by the Agent on such Company's or Subsidiary's
behalf, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and neither it nor any
of its Affiliates shall disseminate such information except on a "need to know"
basis to employees of such Bank or Affiliate, as the case may be, and their
respective representatives or use any such information other than in connection
with or in enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; except to
the extent such information (i) was or becomes generally available to the public
other than as a result of disclosure by the Bank, or (ii) was or becomes
available on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company,
provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the
Company known to the Bank; provided, however, that any Bank may disclose such
information (A) at the request or pursuant to any requirement of any
Governmental Authority to which the Bank is subject or in connection with an
examination of such Bank by any such authority; (B) pursuant to subpoena or
other court process (provided that such Bank shall promptly notify the Company
of any such subpoena or process, unless it is legally prohibited from doing so,
and cooperate with the Company at the Company's expense in obtaining a suitable
order protecting the confidentiality of such information); (C) when required to
do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law;
(D) to the extent reasonably required in connection with any litigation or
proceeding to which the Agent, any Bank or their respective Affiliates may be
party provided that such Bank will promptly notify the Company of any such
disclosure and use reasonable efforts at the Company's expense to obtain a
suitable order protecting the confidentiality of such information; (E) to the
extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy
hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (F) to such Bank's independent
auditors and other professional advisors; and (G) to any Affiliate of such Bank,
or to any Participant or Assignee, actual or (provided that there exists no
Event of Default, with the written consent of the Company, ) potential, provided
that such Affiliate, Participant or Assignee agrees in writing to keep such
information confidential to the same extent required of the Banks hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any
Bank may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any
portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement and any Note held by
it in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the
FRB or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR ss.203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank
may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under
57.
applicable law. If requested by any such Bank for purposes of this subsection
10.08(f), the Company shall execute and deliver Notes to such Bank.
10.09 Set-off. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Banks
provided by law, if an Event of Default exists, each Bank is authorized at any
time and from time to time, without prior notice to the Company, any such notice
being waived by the Company 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 by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such
Bank to or for the credit or the account of the Company against any and all
Obligations owing to such Bank, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of
whether or not the Agent or such Bank shall have made demand under this
Agreement or any Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent
or unmatured. In the event of any inconsistency between this section and any
agreement governing deposits maintained by the Company with any Bank, this
Section shall control with respect to set-offs affecting this Agreement. Each
Bank agrees promptly to notify the Company and the Agent after any such set-off
and application made by such Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give
such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.
10.10 Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc. Each Bank shall
notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to
the Bank should be directed, of addresses of any Lending Office, of payment
instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such
other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.
10.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute but one and the same instrument.
10.12 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in
any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.
10.13 No Third Parties Benefited. This Agreement is made and entered
into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Company, the Banks, the
Agent and the Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted successors and assigns,
and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have
any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
10.14 Governing Law and Jurisdiction.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT (AND THE NOTES) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT
THE AGENT AND THE BANKS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE
58.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT,
EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT
OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE
COMPANY, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY
OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON
CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT
RELATED HERETO.
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE COMPANY, THE BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST
ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON, PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER
WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE. THE COMPANY, THE
BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE
PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED
BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING
WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF.
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
10.16 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Loan
Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Company,
the Banks and the Agent, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements
and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject
matter hereof and thereof. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint
participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither
against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair
meaning thereof.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION OF EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------
The Company, the Banks and the Agent agree that upon (i) the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the parties hereto and (ii)
satisfaction (or waiver by the aforementioned parties) of the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 4.01, the "Commitments" (as defined in that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 30, 1999 among the Company, the
lenders parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the
"Existing Credit Agreement")) shall be reduced to zero and terminated
permanently as of the date immediately preceding the Closing Date of this
Agreement. All facility fees and related fees
59.
payable pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be due and payable on
the effective date of the termination of such agreement, which date shall be
concurrent with the Closing Date of this Agreement.
60.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By _____________________________
Title _____________________________
BANK ONE, NA (MAIN OFFICE -
CHICAGO), individually and as Agent
By _____________________________
Title _____________________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, individually
and as Syndication Agent
By _____________________________
Title _____________________________
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By _____________________________
Title _____________________________
SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST, 2001
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY
By ____________________
Title ____________________
UMB BANK, N.A.
By ____________________
Title ____________________
WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.
By ____________________
Title ____________________
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
By ____________________
Title ____________________
SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST, 2001
ANNEX I
-------
PRICING GRID
------------
Interest Rates will be based, at the Company's option, on either the
Base Rate or the LIBO Rate plus the Applicable Margin as determined by the
Pricing Grid below:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
364-DAY REVOLVING CREDIT
PRICING GRID
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEVEL I LEVEL II LEVEL III LEVEL IV LEVEL V LEVEL VI LEVEL VII
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REFERENCE A+ or A1 A or A2 A- or A3 BBB+ or BBB OR BBB- OR BB+ and
RATING Baa1 Baa2 Baa3 Ba1 or
lower
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facility Fee 0.07% 0.075% 0.08% 0.10% 0.125% 0.15% 0.20%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIBO Rate 0.23% 0.275% 0.37% 0.50% 0.625% 0.85% 1.30%
Applicable
Margin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Rate 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0.05%
Applicable
Margin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the purposes of this Schedule, the following terms have the
following meanings, subject to the final paragraph of this Schedule:
"Level I Status" exists at any date if, on such date, the Company's
Moody's Rating is A1 or better OR the Company's S&P Rating is A+ or better.
"Level II Status" exists at any date if, on such date, (i) the Company
has not qualified for Level I Status and (ii) the Company's Moody's Rating is A2
or better OR the Company's S&P Rating is A or better.
"Level III Status" exists at any date if, on such date, (i) the Company
has not qualified for Level I Status or Level II Status and (ii) the Company's
Moody's Rating is A3 or better OR the Company's S&P Rating is A- or better.
"Level IV Status" exists at any date if, on such date, (i) the Company
has not qualified for Level I Status, Level II Status or Level III Status and
(ii) the Company's Moody's Rating is Baa1 or better OR the Company's S&P Rating
is BBB+ or better.
"Level V Status" exists at any date if, on such date, (i) the Company
has not qualified for Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status or Level
IV Status and (ii) the Company's Moody's Rating is Baa2 or better OR the
Company's S&P Rating is BBB or better.
ANNEX I
"Level VI Status" exists at any date if, on such date, (i) the Company
has not qualified for Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level
IV Status or Level V Status and (ii) the Company's Moody's Rating is Baa3 or
better OR the Company's S&P Rating is BBB- or better.
"Level VII Status" exists at any date if, on such date, the Company has
not qualified for Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level IV
Status, Level V Status or Level VI Status.
"Moody's Rating" means, at any time, the rating issued by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. and then in effect with respect to the Company's senior
unsecured long-term debt securities without third-party credit enhancement.
"Rating" means Moody's Rating or S&P Rating.
"S&P Rating" means, at any time, the rating issued by Standard and
Poor's Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and then
in effect with respect to the Company's senior unsecured long-term debt
securities without third-party credit enhancement.
"Status" means Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level
IV Status, Level V Status, Level VI Status or Level VII Status.
The Applicable Margins and Applicable Facility Fee shall be determined
in accordance with the foregoing table based on the Company's Status as
determined from its then-current Moody's or S&P Rating. If the Company is
split-rated and the ratings differential is two levels or more, the intermediate
rating at the midpoint will apply. If there is no midpoint, the higher of the
two intermediate ratings will apply. The credit rating in effect on any date for
the purposes of this Schedule is that in effect at the close of business on such
date. If the Company does not have both a Moody's Rating and an S&P Rating,
Level VII Status shall apply.
ANNEX I
SCHEDULE 2.01
LIST OF COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
---------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LENDER COMMITMENT PRO RATA SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANK ONE, NA $62,500,000 17.85714286%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK $62,500,000 17.85714286%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. BANK NATIONAL $55,000,000 15.71428571%
ASSOCIATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WACHOVIA BANK, N.A. $55,000,000 15.71428571%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WELLS FARGO BANK, $55,000,000 15.71428571%
N.A.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE NORTHERN TRUST $50,000,000 14.28571429%
COMPANY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMB BANK, N.A. $10,000,000 2.85714286%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $350,000,000 100.00%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 5.05
LITIGATION
----------
None.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 5.07
ERISA MATTERS
-------------
None.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 5.12
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
---------------------
None.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 5.16
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES AND MATERIAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS
----------------------------------------------------
(a) Subsidiaries
------------
Deluxe Financial Services, Inc. (MN - 100%)
Designer Checks, Inc. (AL - 100%)
Direct Checks Unlimited, LLC (DE - 100%)
DLX Check Printers, Inc. (MN - 100%)
DLX Check Texas, Inc. (MN - 100%)
Deluxe Financial Services Texas L.P.
Paper Payment Services LLC (MN - 100%)
Plaid Moon, Inc. (MN - 100%)
PPS Holding Company, Inc. (MN - 100%)
PPS Services 1, Inc. (MN - 100%)
PPS Services 2, Inc. (MN - 100%)
(b) Material Equity Investments
---------------------------
Deluxe Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (Mexico - 50%)
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 7.01
EXISTING LIENS
--------------
None.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 10.02
OFFSHORE AND DOMESTIC LENDING OFFICES, ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
------------------------------------------------------------
DELUXE CORPORATION
Address for Notices
3680 Victoria Street North
Shoreview, MN 55126
Attention: Karen Wiegert, Vice President & Treasurer
Telephone: (651) 787-1068
Facsimile: (651) 787-1566
With a copy to:
3680 Victoria Street North
Shoreview, MN 55126
Attention: Anthony C. Scarfone, General Counsel
Telephone: (651) 483-7122
Facsimile: (651) 787-2749
BANK ONE, N.A. as Agent
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
Bank One, N.A.
One Bank One Plaza
Chicago, IL 60670
Attention: Deanna Lee
Telephone : (312) 732-4967
Facsimile: (312) 732-4303
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
Bank One, N.A.
111 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attention: Anthony Maggiore
Telephone : (414) 765-3111
Facsimile: (414) 765-2625
SCHEDULES
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
19th Floor
New York, NY 10286
Attention: Millie Hall
Telephone: (212) 635-6687
Facsimile: (212) 635-1208
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
19th Floor
New York, NY 10286
Attention: John-Paul Marotta
Telephone: (212) 635-8204
Facsimile: (212) 635-1208
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
The Northern Trust Company
50 S. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60675
Attention: Linda Honda
Telephone: (312) 444-3532
Facsimile: (312) 630-1566
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
The Northern Trust Company
50 S. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60675
Attention: Martin Alston
Telephone: (312) 444-5058
Facsimile: (312) 444-7028
SCHEDULES
UMB BANK, N.A.
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
UMB Bank, N.A
1010 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64141
Attention: Vaughnda Ritchie
Telephone: (816) 860-7019
Facsimile: (816) 860-3772
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
UMB Bank, N.A
1010 Grand Boulevard
Second Floor, Commercial Loans
Attention: Robert Elbert
Telephone: (816) 860-7116
Facsimile: (816) 860-7143
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
U.S. Bank National Association
601 Second Avenue South
MPFP0704
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention: Yvonne Brenne
Telephone: (612) 973-0537
Facsimile: (612) 973-0832
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
U.S. Bank National Association
601 Second Avenue South
MPFP0704
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention: Jason Tornow
Telephone: (612) 973-0554
Facsimile: (612) 973-0832
SCHEDULES
WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
Wachovia Bank, N.A.
401 N. Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27102
Telephone: (336) 777-5781
Facsimile: (336) 777-5111
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
Wachovia Bank, N.A.
191 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Attention: Tera Cox
Telephone: (404) 332-5272
Facsimile: (404) 332-4048
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Notices for Borrowing, Conversions/Continuations, and Payments
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
201 Third Street, MAC 0187-081
San Francisco, CA 94103
Attention: Ginnie Padgett
Telephone: (415) 477-5374
Facsimile: (415) 515-1943
Address for Notices other than Borrowing:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Sixth & Marquette
MAC - N9305-031
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Attention: Molly Van Metre
Telephone: (612) 667-9147
Facsimile: (612) 667-2276
SCHEDULES
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF TRANSMITTAL LETTER/COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
-------------------------------------------------
DELUXE CORPORATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DATE: ______________
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August
24, 2001 (as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement"), among Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), the several
financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the "Banks") and Bank
One, NA, as Agent (in such capacity, the "Agent"). Unless otherwise defined
herein, capitalized terms used herein have the respective meanings assigned to
them in the Credit Agreement.
[USE THE FOLLOWING IF THIS TRANSMITTAL LETTER/CERTIFICATE IS DELIVERED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION 6.01(a) OF THE
CREDIT AGREEMENT.]
Transmittal Letter
------------------
Pursuant to subsection 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement, attached hereto
are true copies of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal year ended _______________
and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative
form the figures for the previous fiscal year, accompanied by the opinion of the
Independent Auditor, which report states that such consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position for
the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP.
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is a Responsible Officer
as defined in the Credit Agreement and hereby certifies as of the date hereof on
behalf of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries that:
1. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, except
as described in Attachment 1 hereto.
2. The computations set forth below are true and correct as of
_________________, ____, the last day of the accounting period for
which the aforesaid financial statements were prepared.
3. If the financial statements of the Company being concurrently delivered
were not prepared in accordance with GAAP, Attachment 2 hereto sets
forth any derivations required to conform the relevant data in such
financial statements to the computations set forth below.
A-1
4. There have been no changes in accounting policies or financial
reporting practices of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the
date of the last compliance certificate delivered to you, except as
described in Attachment 3 hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate on
behalf of the Company (and not personally) as the ____________ of the Company as
of ______________, ____.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:_________________________
Title: _____________________
[USE THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IF THIS CERTIFICATE IS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION 6.01(b) OF THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT.]
Certificate
-----------
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is a Responsible Officer
as defined in the Credit Agreement and hereby certifies as of the date hereof on
behalf of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, and that:
1. Pursuant to Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement, attached hereto
are true copies of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal
quarter ended _________ and the related consolidated statements of
income and cash flows for the period commencing on the first day and
ending on the last day of such quarter, which fairly present in all
material respects and in accordance with GAAP (subject to ordinary,
good faith year-end audit adjustments), the financial position and the
results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
2. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, except
as described in Attachment 1 hereto.
3. The computations set forth below are true and correct as of
_________________, ____, the last day of the accounting period for
which the aforesaid financial statements were prepared.
4. If the financial statements of the Company being concurrently delivered
were not prepared in accordance with GAAP, Attachment 2 hereto sets
forth any derivations required to conform the relevant data in such
financial statements to the computations set forth below.
5. There have been no changes in accounting policies or financial
reporting practices of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the
date of the last compliance certificate delivered to you, except as
described in Attachment 3 hereto.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate on
behalf of the Company (and not personally) as the ____________ of the Company as
of ______________, ____.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:_________________________
Title: _____________________
A-3
SCHEDULE 1
to the Compliance Certificate
Dated _______________ / For the fiscal quarter ended ___________.
Actual Required/Permitted
------ ------------------
I. Section 7.10 - Interest Coverage
--------------------------------
Ratio of Earnings Before Not less than 2.50
Interestand Taxes to to 1.00 (measured
Interest Expense under as of the last day
Section 7.10 _____to 1.00 of any fiscal quarter)
II. Section 7.11 - Subsidiary Indebtedness
--------------------------------------
Not greater than $50,000,000
Aggregate Indebtedness of Company's (measured as of the last day
consolidated Subsidiaries ____________ of any fiscal quarter)
1
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
---------------------------
Date: ______________
To: Bank One, NA
as Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), refers to the
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2001 (as extended, renewed, amended or
restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, the
several financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the "Banks") and
Bank One, NA, as Agent (the "Agent"), the terms defined therein being used
herein as therein defined, and hereby gives you notice irrevocably, pursuant to
Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement, of the Committed Borrowing specified
below:
1. The Business Day of the proposed Committed Borrowing is
_______________.
2. The aggregate amount of the proposed Committed Borrowing is
$______________.
3. The Committed Borrowing is to be comprised of $___________ of [Offshore
Rate] [Base Rate] Committed Loans.
4. [If applicable:] The duration of the Interest Period for the Offshore
Rate Committed Loans included in the Committed Borrowing shall be _____
months.
5. As of the date hereof, the current senior credit rating established or
deemed established for the Company by Moody's and S&P is _________ for
Moody's and _________ for S&P.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the proposed Committed
Borrowing, before and after giving effect thereto and to the application of the
proceeds therefrom:
1. the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Article
V of the Credit Agreement are true and correct as though made on and as
of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties
expressly refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and
correct as of such date;
2. no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would
result from such proposed Committed Borrowing;
B-1.
3. after giving effect to the proposed Committed Borrowing the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Committed Loans plus the aggregate
principal amount of all Bid Loans outstanding, does not exceed the
combined Commitments.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:___________________________
Title:________________________
B-2.
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
-----------------------------------------
Date: _______________
To: Bank One, NA
as Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), refers to the
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 1999 (as extended, renewed, amended or
restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, the
several financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the "Banks") and
Bank One, NA, as Agent (the "Agent"), the terms defined therein being used
herein as therein defined, and hereby gives you notice irrevocably, pursuant to
Section 2.04 of the Credit Agreement, of the [conversion] [continuation] of
Committed Loans specified below:
1. The Conversion/Continuation Date is ______________.
2. The aggregate amount of the Committed Loans to be [converted]
[continued] is $_______________.
3. The Committed Loans are to be [converted into] [continued as] [Offshore
Rate] [Base Rate] Committed Loans.
4. [If applicable:] The duration of the Interest Period for the Committed
Loans included in the [conversion] [continuation] shall be ____ months.
5. As of the date hereof, the current senior credit rating established or
deemed established for the Company by Moody's and S&P is _________ for
Moody's and _________ for S&P.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements will be
true on and as of the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date, before and after
giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom:
1. the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Article
V of the Credit Agreement are true and correct as though made on and as
of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties
relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as
of such date;
2. no Default or Event of Default exists or shall result from such
proposed [conversion] [continuation];
3. after giving effect to the proposed [conversion][continuation], the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Committed Loans plus the
aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans outstanding, does not
exceed the combined Commitments.
C-1.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:___________________________
Title:________________________
C-2.
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF INVITATION FOR COMPETITIVE BIDS
---------------------------------------
Via Facsimile
-------------
Date: __________________
To the Banks Listed on Annex A Attached Hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August
24, 2001 (as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement"), among Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), the Banks party
thereto and Bank One, NA, as Agent for the Banks (the "Agent"). Capitalized
terms used herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to subsection 2.06(b) of the Credit Agreement, you are hereby
invited to submit offers to make Bid Loans to the Company based on the following
specifications:
1. Date of Bid Borrowing: _______________;
2. Aggregate amount of Bid Borrowing: $___________________;
3. The Bid Loans shall be: [LIBOR Bid Loans] [Absolute Rate Bid Loans];
and
4. Interest Period[s] and requested Interest Payment Dates, if any:
[____________________], [________________] and [________________].
All Competitive Bids shall be in the form of Exhibit F to the Credit
Agreement and shall be received by the Agent no later than 10:00 a.m. (Chicago
time) on ___________, _____; provided that terms of the offer or offers
contained in any Competitive Bid(s) to be submitted by the Agent (or any
Affiliate of the Agent) shall be notified to the Company not later than 10:00
a.m. (Chicago time) on _____________.(1)
BANK ONE, NA, as Agent
By:____________________________
Title:_________________________
------------------------
(1) Insert a date which is three Business Days prior to the date of Borrowing,
in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or on the date of Borrowing, in the case of an
Absolute Rate Auction.
D-1
ANNEX A
-------
to the Invitation for Competitive Bids
List of Bid Loan Banks
----------------------
[Bank One, NA,
as a Bank]
Facsimile: (415) 622-____
[Bank]
Facsimile: (___) ___-____
[Bank]
Facsimile: (___) ___-____
[Bank]
Facsimile: (___) ___-____
[Bank]
Facsimile: (___) ___-____
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST
-------------------------------
Date: _______________
To: Bank One, NA
as Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 24, 2001
(as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), the Banks party thereto,
and Bank One, NA, as Agent for the Banks (the "Agent"). Capitalized terms used
herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.
This is a Competitive Bid Request for Bid Loans pursuant to Section
2.06(a) of the Credit Agreement as follows:
The Business Day of the proposed Bid Borrowing is: ______________.
The aggregate amount of the proposed Bid Borrowing is: $___________________.
The proposed Bid Borrowing to be made pursuant to Section 2.06 shall be
comprised of [LIBOR] [Absolute Rate] Bid Loans.
The Interest Period[s] and Interest Payment Dates, if any, for the Bid Loans
comprised in the Bid Borrowing shall be: _______________, [_________________]
and [___________________].
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:___________________________
Title:________________________
E-1.
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF COMPETITIVE BID
-----------------------
Date: _______________
To: Bank One, NA,
as Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 24, 2001
(as extended, renewed, amended or restated from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), the Banks party thereto,
and Bank One, NA, as Agent for the Banks (the "Agent"). Capitalized terms used
herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.
In response to the Invitation for Competitive Bids dated ___________
and in accordance with subsection 2.06(c)(ii) of the Credit Agreement, the
undersigned Bank offers to make [a] Bid Loan[s] thereunder in the following
principal amounts[s], at the following interest rates and for the following
Interest Period[s], with Interest Payment Dates as specified by the Company:
Date of Bid Borrowing: _____________________
Aggregate Maximum Bid Amount: $________________
OFFER 1 (MAXIMUM BID AMOUNT: $_____________) Interest Period: ______________
Principal Amount $_______ Principal Amount $_______ Principal Amount $_______
Interest: Interest: Interest:
[Absolute Rate __%]* [Absolute Rate __%]* [Absolute Rate __%]*
or or or
[LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]* [LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]* [LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]*
------------------------------
* Interest rate may be quoted to five decimal places.
F-1.
OFFER 2 (MAXIMUM BID AMOUNT: $_____________) Interest Period: ______________
Principal Amount $_______ Principal Amount $_______ Principal Amount $_______
Interest: Interest: Interest:
[Absolute Rate __%] [Absolute Rate __%] [Absolute Rate __%]
or or or
[LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]* [LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]* [LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]*
OFFER 3 (MAXIMUM BID AMOUNT: $_____________) Interest Period: ______________
Principal Amount $_______ Principal Amount $_______ Principal Amount $_______
Interest: Interest: Interest:
[Absolute Rate __%]* [Absolute Rate __%]* [Absolute Rate __%]*
or or or
[LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]* [LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]* [LIBOR Bid Margin +/-__%]*
[NAME OF BANK]
By:___________________________
Title:________________________
------------------------------
* Interest rate may be quoted to five decimal places.
F-2.
EXHIBIT G-1
FORM OF COMMITTED LOAN NOTE
---------------------------
Date: August 24, 2001
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Deluxe Corporation, a Minnesota
corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
______________________ (the "Bank") at the offices of Bank One, NA, as
Administrative Agent for the Banks (the "Agent") the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of all Committed Loans made by the Bank to the Company pursuant to the
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2001 (as amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
among the Company, the Bank, the other financial institutions from time to time
party thereto (the "Banks") and the Agent, on the dates and in the amounts
provided in the Credit Agreement. The Company further promises to pay interest
on the unpaid principal amount of the Committed Loans evidenced hereby from time
to time at the rates and on the dates as agreed upon by the Company and the
Bank, and otherwise as provided in the Credit Agreement.
As provided in the Credit Agreement, the Bank is authorized to endorse
the amount of and the date on which each Committed Loan is made, the maturity
date therefor and each payment of principal with respect thereto on the
schedules annexed hereto and made a part hereof, or on continuations of such
schedules which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof; provided that
any failure to endorse such information on such schedule or continuation thereof
shall not in any manner affect any obligation of the Company under the Credit
Agreement and this Promissory Note (this "Note").
This Note is one of the Committed Loan Notes referred to in, and is
entitled to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement, which Credit Agreement, among
other things, contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon
the happening of certain stated events.
Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with their
defined meanings therein unless otherwise defined herein.
This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:__________________________________
Title:_______________________________
Address:
3680 Victoria Street North
Shoreview, Minnesota 55126-2966
SCHEDULE
--------
to Committed Loan Note
[Offshore Rate Committed Loans]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE LOAN AMOUNT OF MATURITY PRINCIPAL DATE PRINCIPAL
DISBURSED LOAN DATE PAYMENT PAID
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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G-2.
SCHEDULE
--------
to Bid Loan Note
[Base Rate Committed Loans]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE LOAN AMOUNT OF MATURITY PRINCIPAL DATE PRINCIPAL
DISBURSED LOAN DATE PAYMENT PAID
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G-3.
EXHIBIT G-2
FORM OF BID LOAN NOTE
---------------------
Date: August 24, 2001
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Deluxe Corporation, a Minnesota
corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
______________________ (the "Bank") at the offices of Bank One, NA, as
Administrative Agent for the Banks (the "Agent") the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of all Bid Loans made by the Bank to the Company pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2001 (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the
Company, the Bank, the other financial institutions from time to time party
thereto (the "Banks") and the Agent, on the dates and in the amounts provided in
the Credit Agreement. The Company further promises to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of the Bid Loans evidenced hereby from time to time at the
rates and on the dates as agreed upon by the Company and the Bank, and otherwise
as provided in the Credit Agreement.
As provided in the Credit Agreement, the Bank is authorized to endorse
the amount of and the date on which each Bid Loan is made, the maturity date
therefor and each payment of principal with respect thereto on the schedules
annexed hereto and made a part hereof, or on continuations of such schedules
which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof; provided that any failure
to endorse such information on such schedule or continuation thereof shall not
in any manner affect any obligation of the Company under the Credit Agreement
and this Promissory Note (this "Note").
This Note is one of the Bid Loan Notes referred to in, and is entitled
to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement, which Credit Agreement, among other
things, contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the
happening of certain stated events.
Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with their
defined meanings therein unless otherwise defined herein.
This Note shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:__________________________________
Title:_______________________________
Address:
3680 Victoria Street North
Shoreview, Minnesota 55126-2966
G-4.
SCHEDULE
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to Bid Loan Note
[Absolute Rate Bid Loans]
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DATE LOAN AMOUNT OF MATURITY PRINCIPAL DATE PRINCIPAL
DISBURSED LOAN DATE PAYMENT PAID
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G-5.
SCHEDULE
--------
to Bid Loan Note
[LIBOR Bid Loans]
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DATE LOAN AMOUNT OF MATURITY PRINCIPAL DATE PRINCIPAL
DISBURSED LOAN DATE PAYMENT PAID
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G-6.
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY
August 24, 2001
Bank One, NA
as Agent
Each of the Banks referred to as the Banks in the
Agreement mentioned below
c/o Bank One, NA
1 Bank One Plaza
Chicago, Illinois
60670
Attn:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the execution and
delivery of the Credit Agreement dated as of August 24, 2001 (the "Agreement")
between Deluxe Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (the "Company") and Bank
One, NA, as Agent (the "Agent") for the Banks named on the signature pages
thereto (the "Banks") and such Banks.
The undersigned is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
of the Company. In rendering this opinion, I have consulted with other officers
of the Company, outside counsel, and other attorneys within the Company's Law
Department, as I have deemed appropriate for purposes of this opinion.
This opinion is provided pursuant to Section 4.01(d) of the Agreement.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set
forth in the Agreement.
In connection with this opinion, I, or other attorneys within the
Company's Law Department, have reviewed the Agreement, the Notes, the Fee
Letter, the other Loan Documents (collectively, the "Loan Documents"), and such
other documents as I have deemed necessary and appropriate for purposes of this
opinion, including, without limitation, the Amended Articles of Incorporation
and the By-laws (as amended) of the Company. In addition, I, or other attorneys
within the Company's Law Department, have investigated such questions of law
(including where deemed appropriate, consulting with outside counsel) and
reviewed such certificates of government officials and information from officers
and representatives of the Company as I have deemed necessary or appropriate for
the purposes of this opinion.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, I have assumed, with the
Agent's and each Bank's permission and without verification:
H-1.
(a) the authenticity of all Loan Documents submitted to me as
originals,
(b) the genuineness of all signatures (other than persons signing on
behalf of the Company),
(c) the legal capacity of natural persons,
(d) the conformity to originals of the Loan Documents submitted to me
as copies,
(e) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents
by the parties thereto other than the Company,
(f) that all conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Loan
Documents have been satisfied or waived, and
(g) that the Loan Documents constitute the valid, binding and
enforceable obligations of the parties thereto other than the Company.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth
below, I am of the opinion that:
1. The Company and each of its Material Subsidiaries, is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and is duly qualified to conduct business
under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of
property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to
the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Agreement). The Company has the
requisite corporate power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under
the Loan Documents.
2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Loan
Documents to which the Company is a party have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate action. The Loan Documents have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and constitute the valid and binding obligations of the
Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms.
3. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Loan Documents to
which the Company is a party, and the performance by the Company of its
obligations thereunder, do not and will not (a) violate any provision of law,
statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award of any court, governmental agency or arbitrator presently
in effect having applicability to the Company, (b) violate or be in conflict
with any provision of the Amended Articles of Incorporation or By-laws (as
amended) of the Company, (c) result in breach or constitute a default under any
indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other material agreement, lease or
instrument known to me to which the Company is a party or by which it or any of
its properties may be bound or result in the creation of a Lien thereunder.
H-2.
4. No order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation
of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any governmental
or public body or authority is required on the part of the Company to authorize,
or is required in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance
of, or the legality, validity or binding effect or enforceability of, the Loan
Documents.
5. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.05 of the Agreement, there are no
actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best of my knowledge, overtly
threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its properties before any
court or arbitrator, or any governmental department, board, agency or other
instrumentality which (i) challenge the legality, validity or enforceability of
the Loan Documents, or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
6. 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.
7. There is no litigation pending or, to the best of my knowledge,
threatened, alleging that any slogan or other advertising device, product,
process, method, substance, part or other material now employed by the Company
or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights of any other Person which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
8. The making of the Loans contemplated by the Agreement, and the use
of the proceeds thereof as provided in the Agreement, does not violate
Regulations T, U or X of the FRB.
The opinions set forth above are subject to the following
qualifications and exceptions:
(a) I express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the State of Minnesota and the federal laws of the United
States of America. I call to your attention the fact that the
Loan Documents provide that they are to be governed by the
laws of the State of New York. For purposes of my opinion
concerning the enforceability of the Loan Documents, I have
assumed, with your permission, that the laws of the State of
New York are the same in all material respects as the laws of
the State of Minnesota.
(b) My opinions are subject to the effect of any applicable
statute of limitation, and to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
arrangement, fraudulent transfer or other similar law of
general application affecting creditors' rights generally.
(c) My opinions are subject to the effect of ge neral principles
of equity and concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good
faith and fair dealing, and other similar doctrines affecting
the enforceability of agreements generally (regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
H-3.
(d) My opinion with respect to the enforceability of the
provisions of the Agreement is qualified to the extent that
the provision that terms contained therein may not be waived
or modified except in writing may be limited under certain
circumstances.
(e) My opinion with respect to the enforceability of the
provisions of the Agreement is further qualified to the extent
that the availability of specific performance, injunctive
relief and other equitable remedies is subject to the
discretion of the tribunal before which any proceeding
therefor may be brought.
(f) I express no opinion as to the enforceability of the Loan
Documents to the extent they contain:
1) choice of law or forum selection provisions,
2) waivers by the Company of any statutory or
constitutional rights or remedies,
3) grants to the Agent or Banks of powers of attorney,
4) terms purporting to establish evidentiary standards,
or
5) terms to the effect that provisions in the Loan
Documents may not be waived or modified except in
writing that may be limited under certain
circumstances.
(g) I express no opinion as to (i) the enforceability of
provisions of the Loan Documents to the extent they contain
cumulative remedies which purport to compensate, or would have
the effect of compensating, the party entitled to the benefits
thereof in an amount in excess of the actual loss suffered by
such party, or (ii) the enforceability of the Company's
obligation to pay any default interest rate if the payment of
such interest rate may be construed as unreasonable in
relation to actual damages or grossly disproportionate to
actual damages suffered by the Agent or the Banks as a result
of such default.
(h) I express no opinion concerning the Company's rights in or
title to, or the creation, perfection or priority of any
security interest, pledge, lien, mortgage or other similar
interest in, any real or personal property.
(i) I express no opinion as to compliance or the effect of
noncompliance by the Agent or the Banks or any subsequent
holder of the Notes with any state or federal laws or
regulations applicable to the Agent or the Banks or such
holder in connection with the transactions described in the
Agreement.
H-4.
(j) My opinion as to the enforceability of the Loan Documents is
subject to the effect of Minnesota Statutes 290.371, Subd. 4.
(k) My opinions, insofar as they relate to the enforceability of
indemnification provisions, are subject to the effect of
federal and state securities laws and public policy relating
thereto. In addition, certain cases in the Federal District
Courts have called into question the enforceability of private
contractual agreements allocating financial responsibility
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA") as between parties who
are potentially responsible parties under CERCLA, and the
reasoning in such cases could be utilized by parties
attempting to avoid indemnity liability under both CERCLA and
state environmental statutes which may contain similar
language respecting indemnity agreements. I express no opinion
with respect to the enforceability of any provision of the
Loan Documents which purports to excuse the Agent or Banks
from liability for, or require the Company to indemnify the
Agent or the Banks against, the Agent or the Bank's negligence
or willful misconduct.
(l) My opinion is limited solely to facts and laws existing as of
the date hereof. I disclaim any obligation to update this
opinion letter for events occurring or coming to my attention,
or any changes in the law taking effect, after the date
hereof.
The foregoing opinions are being furnished to you solely for your
benefit and may not be relied upon by, nor may copies be delivered to, any other
person except any Participant or Assignee without my prior written consent. By
your acceptance, you acknowledge that this opinion is given without personal
recourse of any nature to me individually.
Very truly yours,
Anthony C. Scarfone
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel
and Secretary
H-5.
EXHIBIT I
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT
-------------------------------------------
This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT (this "Assignment and
Acceptance") dated as of _____________ is made between __________________ (the
"Assignor") and ________________ (the "Assignee").
RECITALS
--------
WHEREAS, the Assignor is party to that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of August 24, 2001 (as amended, restated, modified, supplemented or renewed
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Deluxe Corporation (the
"Company"), the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto
(including the Assignor, the "Banks") and Bank One, NA, as agent for the Banks
(the "Agent"). Any terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not defined in this
Assignment and Acceptance are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS, as provided under the Credit Agreement, the Assignor has
committed to making Committed Loans to the Company in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $__________ (the "Commitment");
WHEREAS, [the Assignor has made Committed Loans in the aggregate
principal amount of $__________ to the Company consisting of $___________
principal amount of Committed Loans [no Committed Loans are outstanding under
the Credit Agreement]; and
WHEREAS, the Assignor wishes to assign to the Assignee [part of the]
[all] rights and obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement in
respect of its Commitment, [together with a corresponding portion of each of its
outstanding Committed Loans], in an amount equal to ___% of the Assignor's
Commitment and Committed Loans, on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein, and the Assignee wishes to accept assignment of such rights and to
assume such obligations from the Assignor on such terms and subject to such
conditions;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Assignment and Acceptance.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Assignment and
Acceptance, (i) the Assignor hereby sells, transfers and assigns to the
Assignee, and (ii) the Assignee hereby purchases, assumes and undertakes from
the Assignor, without recourse and without representation or warranty (except as
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance) ___% (the "Assignee's Percentage
Share") of (A) the Commitment [and the Committed Loans] of the Assignor and (B)
all related rights, benefits, obligations, liabilities and indemnities of the
Assignor under and in connection with the Credit Agreement and the Loan
Documents.
(b) With effect on and after the Effective Date (as defined in Section
5 hereof), the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and succeed to
all of the rights and be
I-1
obligated to perform all of the obligations of a Bank under the Credit
Agreement, including the requirements concerning confidentiality and the payment
of indemnification, with a Commitment in the amount set forth in subsection (c)
below. The Assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms
all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required
to be performed by it as a Bank. It is the intent of the parties hereto that the
Commitment of the Assignor shall, as of the Effective Date, be reduced by an
amount equal to the portion thereof assigned to the Assignee hereunder, and the
Assignor shall relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under
the Credit Agreement to the extent such obligations have been assumed by the
Assignee; provided, however, that the Assignor shall not relinquish its rights
under Article III or Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Credit Agreement to the
extent such rights relate to the time prior to the Effective Date.
(c) After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set
forth herein, on the Effective Date: (i) the Assignee's Commitment will be
$__________ ; and (ii) the principal amount of the Assignee's aggregate
outstanding Committed Loans will be $_______________ .
(d) After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set
forth herein, on the Effective Date: (i) the Assignor's Commitment will be
$__________ ; and (ii) the principal amount of the Assignor's aggregate
outstanding Committed Loans will be $_______________ .
2. Payments.
(a) As consideration for the sale, assignment and transfer
contemplated in Section 1 hereof, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor on the
Effective Date in immediately available funds an amount equal to $__________,
representing the Assignee's Percentage Share of the principal amount of all
Committed Loans previously made by the Assignor to the Company under the Credit
Agreement and outstanding on the Effective Date.
(b) The [Assignor] [Assignee] further agrees to pay to the
Agent a processing fee in the amount specified in Section 10.08(a) of the Credit
Agreement.
3. Reallocation of Payments. Any interest, fees and other payments
accrued prior to the Effective Date with respect to the Commitment and Committed
Loans of the Assignor shall be for the account of the Assignor. Any interest,
fees and other payments accrued on and after the Effective Date with respect to
the portion of such Commitment and Committed Loans assigned to the Assignee
shall be for the account of the Assignee. Each of the Assignor and the Assignee
agrees that it will hold in trust for the other party any interest, fees and
other amounts which it may receive to which the other party is entitled pursuant
to the preceding sentence and pay to the other party any such amounts which it
may receive promptly upon receipt.
4. Independent Credit Decision. The Assignee: (a) acknowledges that it
has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits
thereto, together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred
to in Section 5.11 or Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement, and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
and legal analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance;
and (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Assignor,
I-2
the Agent, the Arranger, or any other Bank and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit and legal decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit
Agreement.
5. Effective Date; Notices.
(a) As between the Assignor and the Assignee, the effective
date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall be ______________ (the "Effective
Date"); provided that the following conditions precedent have been satisfied on
or before the Effective Date:
(i) this Assignment and Acceptance shall be executed
and delivered by the Assignor and the Assignee;
(ii) any consent of the Company and the Agent
required under Section 10.08(a) of the Credit Agreement for the
effectiveness of the assignment hereunder by the Assignor to the
Assignee shall have been duly obtained and shall be in full force and
effect as of the Effective Date;
(iii) the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor all
amounts due to the Assignor under this Assignment and Acceptance;
(iv) the processing fee referred to in Section 2(b)
hereof and in Section 10.08(a) of the Credit Agreement shall have been
paid to the Agent; and
(v) the Assignor and Assignee shall have complied
with the other requirements of Section 10.08 of the Credit Agreement
and with the requirements of Sections 9.10 and 3.01 of the Credit
Agreement (in each case to the extent applicable).
(b) Promptly following the execution of this Assignment and
Acceptance, the Assignor shall deliver to the Company and the Agent for
acknowledgement by the Agent, a Notice of Assignment substantially in the form
attached hereto as Schedule 1.
6. Agent. The Assignee hereby appoints and authorizes the Agent to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit
Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the Banks pursuant to the terms of
the Credit Agreement. [The Assignee shall assume no duties or obligations held
by the Assignor in its capacity as Agent under the Credit Agreement.] [INCLUDE
ONLY IF ASSIGNOR IS AGENT]
7. Withholding Tax. The Assignee agrees to comply with Sections 3.01
and 9.10 of the Credit Agreement (if applicable).
8. Representations and Warranties.
(a) The Assignor represents and warrants that (i) 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 Lien or other adverse claim; (ii) it
is duly organized and existing and it has the full power and
I-3
authority to take, and has taken, all action necessary to execute and deliver
this Assignment and Acceptance and any other documents required or permitted to
be executed or delivered by it in connection with this Assignment and Acceptance
and to fulfill its obligations hereunder; (iii) no notices to, or consents,
authorizations or approvals of, any Person are required (other than those
referred to in Section 5(a)(ii) hereof and any already given or obtained) for
its due execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance,
and apart from any agreements or undertakings or filings required by the Credit
Agreement, no further action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Person is
required of it for such execution, delivery or performance; and (iv) this
Assignment and Acceptance has been duly executed and delivered by it and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignor, enforceable
against the Assignor in accordance with the terms hereof, subject, as to
enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other
laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
general equitable principles.
(b) The Assignor 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. The Assignor makes no representation or warranty in connection with,
and assumes no responsibility with respect to, the solvency, financial condition
or statements of the Company, or the performance or observance by the Company,
of any of its respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other
instrument or document furnished in connection therewith.
(c) The Assignee represents and warrants that (i) it is duly
organized and existing and it has full power and authority to take, and has
taken, all action necessary to execute and deliver this Assignment and
Acceptance and any other documents required or permitted to be executed or
delivered by it in connection with this Assignment and Acceptance, and to
fulfill its obligations hereunder; (ii) no notices to, or consents,
authorizations or approvals of, any Person are required (other than those
referred to in Section 5(a)(ii) hereof and any already given or obtained) for
its due execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance;
and apart from any agreements or undertakings or filings required by the Credit
Agreement, no further action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Person is
required of it for such execution, delivery or performance; (iii) this
Assignment and Acceptance has been duly executed and delivered by it and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignee, enforceable
against the Assignee in accordance with the terms hereof, subject, as to
enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other
laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
general equitable principles; and (iv) it is an Eligible Assignee.
9. Further Assurances.
The Assignor and the Assignee each hereby agrees to execute
and deliver such other instruments, and take such other action, as either party
may reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the delivery of any
I-4
notices or other documents to the Company or the Agent, which may be required in
connection with the assignment and assumption contemplated hereby.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Assignment and Acceptance shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
No failure or delay by either party hereto in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof and any waiver of any
breach of the provisions of this Assignment and Acceptance shall be without
prejudice to any rights with respect to any other or further breach thereof.
(b) All payments made hereunder shall be made without any
set-off or counterclaim.
(c) The Assignor and the Assignee shall each pay its own costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution
and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance.
(d) This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any
number of counterparts and all of such counterparts taken together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE ASSIGNOR AND
THE ASSIGNEE EACH IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY
STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK OVER ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AND IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND
DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. EACH PARTY TO THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT
MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF
VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION
IN RESPECT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO, AND
PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE
BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY NEW YORK LAW.
(f) THE ASSIGNOR AND THE ASSIGNEE EACH HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY
IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE, AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS AND
AGREEMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES
AGAINST THE
I-5
OTHER PARTY, WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE.
EACH OF THE PARTIES ALSO AGREES THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY.
[OTHER PROVISIONS TO BE ADDED AS MAY BE NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE ASSIGNOR AND THE
ASSIGNEE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH PROVISIONS ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this
Assignment and Acceptance to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized
officers as of the date first above written.
[ASSIGNOR]
By:___________________________
Title:________________________
[ASSIGNEE]
By:___________________________
Title:________________________
I-6
SCHEDULE 1
to the Assignment and Acceptance
NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
-----------------------------------
Date: ___________________
Bank One, NA
as Agent
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Attention: _________________
Deluxe Corporation
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Attention: _________________
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 24, 2001 (as
amended, restated, modified, supplemented or renewed from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement") among Deluxe Corporation (the "Company"), the Banks referred
to therein and Bank One, NA, as Agent for the Banks (the "Agent"). Terms defined
in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.
1. We hereby give you notice of[, and request the consent of the
Company and the Agent to, the assignment by ________________________ (the
"Assignor") to ____________________ (the "Assignee") of ____% of the right,
title and interest of the Assignor in and to the Credit Agreement (including,
without limitation, ____% of the right, title and interest of the Assignor in
and to the Commitment of the Assignor and all outstanding Committed Loans made
by the Assignor) pursuant to that certain Assignment and Acceptance Agreement,
dated as of ___________ (the "Assignment and Acceptance") between Assignor and
Assignee, a copy of which Assignment and Acceptance is attached hereto. Before
giving effect to such assignment the Assignor's Commitment is $___________ and
the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Committed Loans is $_________.
2. The Assignee agrees that, upon receiving the consent of the Company
and the Agent to such assignment and from and after the Effective Date (as such
term is defined in Section 5 of the Assignment and Acceptance), the Assignee
shall be bound by the terms of the Credit Agreement, with respect to the
interest in the Credit Agreement assigned to it as specified above, as fully and
to the same extent as if the Assignee were the Bank originally holding such
interest in the Credit Agreement.
3. The following administrative details apply to the Assignee:
(A) Lending Office(s):
Assignee name: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Attention: _________________________________
Telephone: (_)_______________________________
Facsimile: (_)_______________________________
Assignee name: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Attention: _________________________________
Telephone: (_)_______________________________
Facsimile: (_)_______________________________
(B) Notice Address:
Assignee name: _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Attention: _________________________________
Telephone: (_)_______________________________
Facsimile: (_)_______________________________
(C) Payment Instructions:
Account No.: __________________________________
At: __________________________________
Reference: __________________________________
Attention: __________________________________
4. You are entitled to rely upon the representations, warranties and
covenants of each of the Assignor and Assignee contained in the Assignment and
Acceptance.
Schedule 1
Page 2
5. This Notice of Assignment and Acceptance may be executed by the
Assignor and the Assignee in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same notice and agreement.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Schedule 1
Page 3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this Notice of
Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their respective duly authorized
officials, officers or agents as of the date first above mentioned.
Very truly yours,
Adjusted Commitment: [ASSIGNOR]
-------------------
$_______________________ By:____________________________
Title:_________________________
Adjusted Pro Rata Share:
------------------------
_____%
Commitment: [ASSIGNEE]
----------
$_______________________ By:____________________________
Title:_________________________
ACKNOWLEDGED this ____ day of
________________________:
BANK ONE, NA
as Agent
By:__________________________
Title:_______________________
CONSENTED TO this ____ day of
_____________________________:
DELUXE CORPORATION
By:__________________________
Title:_______________________
Schedule 1
Page 4