EXHIBIT 4.3
Mr Ravi Subrarnanian, Chairman
Silverline Technologies Ltd
53 Knightsbridge Road
Piscataway
NJ 08854
5th January 2001
Dear Mr Subramanian,
It is my pleasure to inform you that HSBC Bank USA (the "Bank") is willing to
make available to Silverline Technologies Inc. (the "Borrower") an uncommitted
Advised Line of Credit totaling USD40,000,000 (of which USD30,000,000 will be
provided by HSBC Bank USA), and also a facility for entering into interest-rate
swap arrangements with maximum weighted cash risk determined by the Bank of
USD1,000,000. Availability of all lines is at the discretion of the Bank and
subject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions listed on the attached
Summary of Terms and Conditions.
In particular, credit availability is subject to the receipt of satisfactory
current financial and other information relating to the Borrower. This
information shall be furnished to, or requested by, the Bank from time to time
as described below. The line of credit may be used for Loan Advances and Standby
Letters of Credit, in accordance with the attached Summary of Terms and
Conditions.
Loan Advances and Standby Letters of Credit under the line of credit will be
made at our discretion from time to time and all Loan Advances and Standby
Letters of Credit are repayable according to the Bank's standard form of
Promissory Note, Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement, Continuing Acceptance
Credit Agreement and/or such other documentation required by the Bank which is
satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank's counsel. Either party may
terminate this line with respect to future extensions of credit at any time upon
notice to the other party.
In the event of termination by any party your obligations under the promissory
note(s), Letters of Credit or Bankers Acceptances shall remain in force until
the outstanding balance is paid in full. Unless the line is terminated, we will
fully review the credit basis for this non-contractual line at least annually
upon submission of appropriate financial information.
This line is scheduled to be reviewed by 31 Jan 2002. The line will
automatically expire as of that date unless renewed or extended by us in
writing.
To accept this offer of facilities, please return one original of this letter
and its attachments by the close of business on 12 Jan 2001, signed by the
undersigned on all applicable pages. Your acceptance will be effective with
payment of 20bp Agency Fee on the portion of the facility provided by HSBC Bank
USA.
Yours sincerely, Acknowledged by
For HSBC Bank USA For Silverline Technologies Inc.
Christopher M S Harrocks Ravi Subramanian
Relationship Manager Chairman
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There is no signed copy of this commitment letter. The commitment was made and
accepted via an email exchange.
Summary of Terms and Conditions
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Borrower: Silverline Technologies Inc.
Amount: USD30,000,000 of maximum USD 40,000,000 Advised Line of Credit.
Availability will be subject to the lesser of this Amount or the
eligibility under "Line Availability/Collateral Margin". Within
the line there is a sublimit of USD2,000,000 for Standby Letters
of Credit (SBDC).
USD1,000,000 weighted cash risk available for USD-denominated
interest-rate swap arrangements with maximum initial tenor of
fifteen months and maximum combined notional principal of
USD40,000,000. Weighted cash risk to be determined by the Bank.
All transactions subject to terms and conditions of underlying
documentation.
HSBC Bank USA is to act as Funding Agent and Collateral Agent for
the total facility, with agency functions limited exclusively to
those detailed in the Agency Agreement executed in connection
with this transaction. Outstandings under the Line of Credit will
be shared pro rata between all lending banks. Notwithstanding
these agency functions, prior funding of pro rata shares in Loan
Advances is required by other lending banks to HSBC Bank USA.
Expiry Date: 31Jan2002.
Purpose: To provide lines for the finance of the working capital
requirements of the Borrower. Standby Letters of Credit to
support the working capital needs and banking facilities of
subsidiaries, and for other general corporate purposes.
Other Facilities:
No other credit facilities are permitted to the Borrower or any
majority-owned subsidiaries outside the existing arrangements
with HSBC Bank USA, Bank of Baroda and Columbia Savings Bank; up
to USD 100,000 of new lease financing with any parties; and/or
new arrangements with other HSBC Group offices, without the prior
written consent from HSBC Bank USA to the Borrower.
Corporate Guarantees:
No new Corporate Guarantees are to be granted by the Borrower or
any majority-owned subsidiaries without the prior written consent
of HSBC Bank USA.
Ownership: There is to be no material change in Director Shareholdings of
the Parent, or the ownership structure of the Borrower and
existing majority-owned subsidiaries of the Borrower without
prior written notice from the Borrower to the Bank. A material
change is a change of more than 25% (No. shares held) from
30Sep2000.
Acquisitions:
The Borrower is to advise the Bank in writing of any proposed
Merger or Acquisition-related transaction relating to the
Borrower and/or any majority-owned subsidiaries not later than
concurrent with advice to the SEC and/or the investor community,
and, in any case, prior to final execution of the subject
transaction.
Operating Accounts:
All Operating Accounts to be maintained solely with members of
the HSBC Group. Existing accounts will be transferred on an
orderly basis.
All Accounts Receivable proceeds of the Borrower and subsidiaries
are to be paid into one of the aforementioned Operating Accounts.
Financial Requirements:
The Borrower must at all times be in compliance with the
following:
1). Maintain at all times a Working Capital of not less than
USD15,000,000
Working Capital to be defined as Cash & Equivalents plus net
Accounts Receivable less Current Liabilities (Subordinated
portion of Intercompany Payable excluded from Current
Liabilities).
2). Maintain at all times a Tangible Net Worth of not less than
USD20,000,000
Tangible Net Worth to be defined as Common Stock plus
Paid-in Capital plus Retained Earnings less Goodwill less
Advances to Non-Subsidiary Affiliated Companies.
Reporting Requirements:
The Borrower must provide the Bank with the following:
1). Fiscal year end audited financial statements separately for
the Borrower and Silverline Technologies Ltd (consolidated
at Borrower and Parent level separately, and
non-consolidated for subsidiary entities of the Borrower),
prepared by Deloitte & Touche or another CPA acceptable to
the Bank, within 90 days after the respective fiscal year
ends.
2). Six-month reviewed financial statements (consolidated)
separately for the Borrower and Silverline Technologies Ltd,
prepared by Deloitte & Touche or another CPA acceptable to
the Bank, within 90 days after the respective period end.
3) Quarterly management-prepared financial statements within 30
days of quarter end.
4). Monthly Borrowing Base Certificate per the attached format.
To be supported by full due date and invoice date Accounts
Receivable Agings. To be received within 20 days of month
end.
5). Other information the Bank may reasonably request (including
backlog position when available).
Collateral Required:
Perfected first position in all Accounts Receivable non-
encumbered equipment chattel paper and general intangibles
of the Borrower and majority-owned subsidiaries, to be
covered by security agreements and appropriate UCC-1
filings. Such position to be subject to Intercreditor
Agreement effective between HSBC Bank USA and Bank of Baroda
as appropriate.
Unlimited Cross Corporate Guarantees of all Silverline
Technologies Inc. majority-owned subsidiaries. Adjusted to
accommodate legal limitations and withholding and tax
considerations where appropriate.
Unlimited Corporate Guarantee of Silverline Technologies
Ltd., to be provided upon approval of Reserve Bank of India.
The Bank must be named additional loss-payee on all
Professional Liability and Errors & Omissions insurance
policies.
Verification of Collateral:
The Bank will conduct two annual audits of the collateral to
verify any or all collateral. The Bank reserves the right to
conduct additional audits of the collateral to verify any or
all collateral as may reasonably be required. The Borrower
agrees to furnish all assistance and information and to
perform any acts which the Bank may require in connection
therewith. The Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses
incurred by HSBC Bank USA in performing the audit, to a
maximum of USD10,000 per any twelve-month period (exc.
pre-funding audit).
Line Availability/Collateral Margin:
Based on the Borrower's domestic Accounts Receivable
Title held by the Borrower, and invoiced party to be located
in the US or Canada.
Eligibility to be determined, in part, by Accounts
Receivables aged less than 90 days past date of invoice
(margined at 80%), with further eligibility for Accounts
Receivable aged 90 - 120 days past date of invoice and with
original invoice payment terms of 90 days (margined at 80%).
All Accounts Receivable subject to a perfected security
interest and filing under the UCC. The whole of any Account
Receivable due from a single debtor will be excluded if 50%
or greater of the debtor's total Accounts Receivable balance
is more than 120 days past date of invoice.
Loan Interest: Loan outstandings shall bear interest subject to the standing
calculation base of the Bank (Actual Day Month / 360 Day Year) at
a per annum rate set by the following grid:
0/S less than 40% BB 40% less than 0/S less than 70% BB 70% less than 0/S less than 80% BB
----------------- -- ------------------------------- -- ------------------------------- --
P-75 bp P-25 bp P+25 bp
L+2l0 bp L+260 bp L+3l0 bp
0/S - Usage under the facility, including SBDC
BB - eligible borrowing base
P - HSBC Bank USA Prime Interest Rate*
L - LIBOR-pegged loan borrowings are subject to minimum amounts
of USD500,000 and Multiples of USD100,000 thereafter with minimum
30 day tenor, maximum 90-day tenor. Subject to applicable
prepayment penalties.
Rate to be applied from receipt of Borrowing Base Certificate
forward to receipt of next monthly Borrowing Base Certificate.
Applicable rate charged on full amount.
If twelve-month rolling Funded Debt/EBITDA rises above 2.5, a
25bp increase will be levied, tested quarterly and applied from
receipt of quarterly financial statements evidencing this ratio
until receipt of the next set of quarterly financial statements
evidencing a reduction in this ratio to below 2.5.
*"Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest announced by HSBC
Bank USA from time to time as the Bank's Prime Rate and as a
base rate for calculating interest on certain loans. The Prime
Rate is subject to change when and as there occurs an announced
rate change.
SBDC Fees: Issuance: 1/8% per month, subject to the standing minima of the
Bank
Amendment: 1/8% per month, USD50 for any amendments not
pertaining to amount or tenor.
Expenses: All legal fees and other external provider fees to document and
execute this transaction are to be undertaken at the Borrower's
expense.
Conditions Precedent to Funding:
1). Documentation from the Borrower and co-lending bank;
2). Subordination of Intercompany Payable in a minimum amount of
USD10,000,000 to meet the Working Capital condition above;
3). Perfection of Security Interest as described above;
4). HSBC Bank USA named as loss payee on insurance policies
covering collateralized assets;
5). Full information regarding the likely corporate structure
and financial performance of the Borrower following
completion of the proposed Seranova transaction;
6). Satisfactory Tax Opinion regarding any potential liability
of the Borrower or corporate guarantors arising from the
likely structure of the proposed Seranova transaction;
7). Satisfactory Bank checkings;
8). Customer confirmations of invoice details (per Field
Examination requirements).
Adverse Change:
Nothing shall have occurred, and the Bank shall have become aware
of no facts or conditions, which the Bank in its reasonable
judgment shall determine has, or could reasonably be expected to
have, a material adverse effect on the rights or remedies of the
Bank, or which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a
materially adverse effect on the business, operations, property,
assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the Borrower.
The Borrower hereby agrees to immediately notify the Bank as and
when such an occurrence, fact or condition becomes known to the
Borrower.
Conflicts With Other Instruments:
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Summary
of Terms and Conditions, and other instruments executed between
the Bank and the Borrower in connection with the facilities
outlined herein, the provisions of the other instruments will
prevail.