PROMISSORY NOTE
Account Officer
Principal Loan Date Maturity Loan No Call/Coll Initials
$125,150.00 02-27-2004 04-27-2004 11012973 4(2N)/OPN TJS
References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the
applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above
containing ***** has been omitted due to text length limitations.
Borrower: The Beard Company (TIN: 73-0970298) Lender: BANK OF NICHOLS HILLS
5600 N. May Ave., Suite 320 2644 N. W. 63rd
Oklahoma City, OK 73112 P.O. Box 18329 (73154)
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Principal Amount: $125,150.00
Interest Rate: 7.000%
Date of Note: February 27,2004
PROMISE TO PAY. The Beard Company ("Borrower") promises to pay to BANK OF
NICHOLS HILLS ("Lender"), or order, in lawful money of the United States of
America, the principal amount of One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand One Hundred
Fifty & 00/100 Dollars ($125,150.00) or so much as may be outstanding, together
with interest at the rate of 7.000% per annum on the unpaid outstanding
principal balance of each advance. Interest shall be calculated from the date of
each advance until repayment of each advance.
PAYMENT. Borrower will pay this loan In one payment of all outstanding principal
plus all accrued unpaid interest on April 27, 2004. Unless otherwise agreed or
required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to any accrued unpaid
interest; then to prlnclpal; and then to any unpaid collection costs. The annual
interest rate for this Note Is computed on a 365/360 basis; that is, by applying
the ratio of the annual interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the
outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the
principal balance is outstanding. Borrower will pay Lender at Lender's address
shown above or at such other place as Lender may designate in writing.
PREPAYMENT. Borrower agrees that all loan fees and other prepaid finance charges
are eamed fully as of the date of the loan and will not be subject to refund
upon early payment (whether voluntary or as a result of default), except as
otherwise required by law. Except for the foregoing, Borrower may pay without
penalty all or a portion of the amount owed earlier than it is due. Early
payments will not, unless agreed to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of
Borrower's obligation to continue to make payments. Rather, early payments will
reduce the principal balance due. Borrower agrees not to send Lender payments
marked "paid In full", "without recourse", or similar language. If Borrower
sends such a payment, Lender may accept it without losing any of Lender's rights
under this Note, and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further amount
owed to Lender. All written communications concerning disputed amounts,
including any check or other payment instrument that indicates that the payment
constitutes "payment in full" of the amount owed or that is tendered with other
conditions or limitations or as full satisfaction of a disputed amount must be
mailed or delivered to: BANK OF NICHOLS HILLS, 2644 N.W. 63rd, P.O. Box 18329
(73154), Oklahoma City, OK 73116.
INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. Upon default, including failure to pay upon final
maturity, Lender, at its option, may, if permitted under applicable law,
increase the interest rate on this Note 5.000 percentage points. The interest
rate will not exceed the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.
DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default ("Event of
Default") under this Note:
Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under this
Note.
Other Defaults. Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any other term,
obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Note or in any of the
related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation,
covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and
Borrower.
False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or
furnished to Lender by Borrower or on Borrower's behalf under this Note or
the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect,
either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading
at any time thereafter.
Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower's existence as a
going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver
for any part of Borrower's property, any assignment for the benefit of
creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any
proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.
Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or
forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help,
repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any
governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan. This includes
a garnishment of any of Borrower's accounts, including deposit accounts,
with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a
good faith dispute by Borrower as to the validity or reasonableness of the
claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if
Borrower gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture
proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the
creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in
its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.
Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect
to any Guarantor of any of the indebtedness or any Guarantor dies or
becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability
under, any guaranty of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note. In the
event of a death, Lender, at its option, may, but shall not be required to,
permit the Guarantor's estate to assume unconditionally the obligations
arising under the guaranty in a manner satisfactory to Lender, and, in
doing so, cure any Event of Default.
Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%)
or more of the common stock of Borrower.
Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial
condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of
this Note is impaired.
Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.
Cure Provisions. If any default, other than a default in payment is curable
and if Borrower has not been given a notice of a breach of the same
provision of this Note within the preceding twelve (12) months, it may be
cured (and no event of default will have occurred) if Borrower, after
receiving written notice from Lender demanding cure of such default: (1)
cures the default within fifteen (15) days; or (2) if the cure requires
more than fifteen (15) days, immediately initiates steps which Lender deems
in Lender's sole discretion to be sufficient to cure the default and
thereafter continues and completes all reasonable and necessary steps
sufficient to produce compliance as soon as reasonably practical.
LENDER'S RIGHTS. Upon default, Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal
balance on this Note and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due, and then
Borrower will pay that amount.
ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Lender may hire or pay someone else to help collect
this Note if Borrower does not pay. Borrower will pay Lender that amount. This
includes, subject to any limits under applicable law, Lender's attorneys' fees
and Lender's legal expenses, whether or not there is a lawsuit, including
without limitation all attorneys' fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy
proceedings (including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or
injunction), and appeals. If not prohibited by applicable law, Borrower also
will pay any court costs, in addition to all other sums provided by law.
JURY WAIVER. Lender and Borrower hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any
action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either Lender or Borrower against
the other.
GOVERNING LAW. This Note will be governed by, construed and enforced in
accordance with federal law and the laws of the State of Oklahoma. This Note has
been accepted by Lender in the State of Oklahoma.
CHOICE OF VENUE. If there is a lawsuit, Borrower agrees upon Lender's request to
submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma.
DISHONORED ITEM FEE. Borrower will pay a fee to Lender of $10.00 if Borrower
makes a payment on Borrower's loan and the check or other payment order
including any preauthorized charge with which Borrower pays is later dishonored.
RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a
right of setoff in all Borrower's accounts with Lender (whether checking,
savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds
jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future.
However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts
for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the
debt against any and all such accounts and at Lender's option, to
administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender's
charge and setoff rights provided in this paragraph.
COLLATERAL. This loan is unsecured.
LINE OF CREDIT. This Note evidences a straight line of credit. Once the total
amount of principal has been advanced, Borrower is not entitled to further loan
advances. Advances under this Note may be requested orally by Borrower or as
provided in this paragraph. Lender may, but need not, requlre that all ora1
requests be confirmed in writing. All communications, instructions, or
directions by telephone or otherwise to Lender are to be dlrected to Lender's
office shown above. The following persons currently are authorized to request
advances and authorize payments under the line of credit until Lender receives
from Borrower, at Lender's address shown above, written notice of revocation of
their authority: Herb Moo, Jr., P.resldentlCFO of The Beard Company; and William
M. Beard, Chairman/CEO of The Beard Company. Borrower agrees to be liable for
all sums elther: (A) .advanced in accordance. with the instructions of an
authorized person or (B) credited to any of Borrower's accounts with Lender. The
unpaid pnnclpal balance owing on this Note at any time may be evidenced by
endorsements on this Note or by Lender's internal records, including daily
computer print-outs. Lender will have no obligation to advance funds under this
Note if: (A) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of this
Note or any agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender, including
any agreement made in connection with the signing of this Note; (B) Borrower or
any guarantor ceases doing business or is insolvent; (C) any guarantor seeks,
claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such guarantor's
guarantee of this Note or any other loan with Lender; (D) Borrower has applied
funds provided pursuant to this Note for purposes other than those authorized by
Lender; or (E) Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.
SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. The terms of this Note shall be binding upon Borrower, and
upon Borrower's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, and
shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns.
GENERAL PROVISIONS. Lender may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights or
remedies under this Note without losing them. Borrower and any other person who
signs, guarantees or endorses this Note, to the extent allowed by law, waive
presentment, demand for payment, and notice of dishonor. Upon any change in the
terms of this Note, and unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, no party
who signs this Note, whether as maker, guarantor, accommodation maker or
endorser, shall be released from liability. All such parties agree that Lender
may renew or extend (repeatedly and for any length of time) this loan or release
any party or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect
Lender's security interest in the collateral; and take any other action deemed
necessary by Lender without the consent of or notice to anyone. All such parties
also agree that Lender may modify this loan without the consent of or notice to
anyone other than the party with whom the modification is made. The obligations
under this Note are joint and several.
PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS NOTE, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS NOTE. BORROWER AGREES TO THE TERMS OF THE NOTE.
BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COMPLETED COPY OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE.
BORROWER:
THE BEARD Company
By: /s/ Herb Mee, Jr.
Herb Mee, Jr., President/CFO of The Beard Company