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EXHIBIT 4(d)
U.S. $1,400,000,000
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of JANUARY 26, 1999
Among
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
as Borrower
THE BANKS NAMED HEREIN
as Banks
and
CITIBANK, N.A.
as Agent
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS...........................................................................1
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS...............................................2
Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms...................................................2
Section 1.2 Computation of Time Periods............................................12
Section 1.3 Accounting Terms.......................................................12
Section 1.4 Miscellaneous..........................................................12
Section 1.5 Ratings................................................................12
ARTICLE II AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES.............................................13
Section 2.1 The A Advances.........................................................13
Section 2.2 Making the A Advances..................................................13
Section 2.3 Fees...................................................................15
Section 2.4 Reduction of the Commitments...........................................16
Section 2.5 Repayment of A Advances................................................16
Section 2.6 Interest on A Advances.................................................16
Section 2.7 Additional Interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances........................17
Section 2.8 Interest Rate Determination............................................17
Section 2.9 Evidence of Debt.......................................................17
Section 2.10 Prepayments............................................................17
Section 2.11 Increased Costs........................................................18
Section 2.12 Illegality.............................................................19
Section 2.13 Payments and Computations..............................................19
Section 2.14 Taxes..................................................................20
Section 2.15 Sharing of Payments, Etc...............................................21
Section 2.16 The B Advances.........................................................22
Section 2.17 Optional Termination...................................................25
Section 2.18 Extension of Termination Date..........................................26
Section 2.19 Voluntary Conversion of Advances.......................................26
Section 2.20 Automatic Provisions...................................................26
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS....................................................................26
Section 3.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Advances...............................26
Section 3.2 Additional Conditions Precedent to Each A Borrowing....................27
Section 3.3 Conditions Precedent to Each B Borrowing...............................28
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................................29
Section 4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower.........................29
ARTICLE V COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.....................................................32
Section 5.1 Affirmative Covenants..................................................32
Section 5.2 Negative Covenants.....................................................35
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ARTICLE VI EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................................38
Section 6.1 Events of Default......................................................38
ARTICLE VII THE AGENT.....................................................................41
Section 7.1 Authorization and Action...............................................41
Section 7.2 Agent's Reliance, Etc..................................................41
Section 7.3 Citibank and Affiliates................................................41
Section 7.4 Bank Credit Decision...................................................42
Section 7.5 Indemnification........................................................42
Section 7.6 Successor Agent........................................................42
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................43
Section 8.1 Amendments, Etc........................................................43
Section 8.2 Notices, Etc...........................................................43
Section 8.3 No Waiver; Remedies....................................................44
Section 8.4 Costs, Expenses and Taxes..............................................44
Section 8.5 Right of Set-off.......................................................45
Section 8.6 Binding Effect; Transfers..............................................45
Section 8.7 Governing Law..........................................................48
Section 8.8 Interest...............................................................48
Section 8.9 Execution in Counterparts..............................................48
Section 8.10 Survival of Agreements, Representations and Warranties, Etc............48
Section 8.11 Borrower's Right to Apply Deposits.....................................49
Section 8.12 Confidentiality........................................................49
Section 8.13 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL...................................................50
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Schedules and Exhibits
Schedule I - Bank Information
Schedule II - Borrower Information
Schedule III - Permitted Liens
Schedule IV - Commitments
Schedule V - Rating Categories
Exhibit A-1 - Form of A Note
Exhibit A-2 - Form of B Note
Exhibit B-1 - Notice of A Borrowing
Exhibit B-2 - Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C - Opinion of William G. von Glahn
Exhibit D - Opinion of Special Counsel to Agent
Exhibit E - Existing Transfer Restrictions
Exhibit F - Form of Transfer Agreement
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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of January 26, 1999
This Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 26,
1999 (as may be amended, modified, supplemented, renewed, extended or restated
from time to time, this "Agreement"), is by and among WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF
DELAWARE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the various banks as
are or may become parties hereto (collectively, the "Banks"), and CITIBANK,
N.A., as Agent (in such capacity, together with any successors thereto in such
capacity, the "Agent"). In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks hereby agree as set
forth herein.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
1. The Borrower, the Agent, and certain of the Banks are parties to a
credit agreement dated as of March 30, 1998 (the "3/98 Credit Agreement") and
the Borrower, the Agent and certain of the Banks are parties to a credit
agreement dated as of July 23, 1997, as amended on July 21, 1998, (the "7/97
Credit Agreement"). The Banks party to the 3/98 Credit Agreement and the Banks
party to the 7/97 Credit Agreement (each Bank party to either of such
agreements an "Original Bank" and collectively, the "Original Banks") have made
certain advances pursuant to each such agreement (the "Original Advances") and
the Banks, the Borrower and the Agent intend that all Original Advances
comprising A Advances, which have not heretofore been repaid, shall, on the
date of this Agreement, be continued, amended, renewed, restated and converted
into A Advances of the same Type under this Agreement (but shall not be deemed
to be repaid).
2. The Borrower has requested that the 3/98 Credit Agreement and the
7/97 Credit Agreement each be amended, and, as so amended, be restated in their
entirety as a single agreement.
3. The Borrower, the Banks and the Agent have agreed that, as part of
the restructuring of the outstanding Original Advances (if any) and a
restructuring of the Commitments of the Original Banks under the 3/98 Credit
Agreement and the 7/97 Credit Agreement, the Original Banks shall assign, and
the Original Banks do hereby assign, portions of their Commitments and Original
Advances (if any) to the Banks shown on Schedule IV such that each Bank party
hereto shall have, as of the date of this Agreement, Commitments as shown on
Schedule IV hereto.
4. The parties hereto have agreed to restate the 3/98 Credit Agreement
and the 7/97 Credit Agreement in their entireties as a single agreement, and
this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement constitutes for all purposes an
amendment to the 3/98 Credit Agreement and the 7/97 Credit Agreement, and each
reference to an Advance or Borrowing herein shall include each
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Original Advance or borrowing made heretofore under the 3/98 Credit Agreement
and the 7/97 Credit Agreement as well as each Advance or Borrowing made
hereafter under this Agreement.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
"3/98 Credit Agreement" is defined in the first recital.
"7/97 Credit Agreement" is defined in the first recital.
"A Advance" means an advance by a Bank to the Borrower as
part of an A Borrowing and refers to a Base Rate Advance or a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, each of which shall be a "Type" of A Advance.
"A Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous A
Advances of the same Type to the Borrower made by each of the Banks
pursuant to Section 2.1.
"A Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
the order of any Bank, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1
hereto, evidencing the aggregate indebtedness of the Borrower to such
Bank resulting from the A Advances to the Borrower owed to such Bank.
"Advance" means an A Advance or a B Advance.
"Agent" means Citibank, N.A. in its capacity as agent
pursuant to Article VII hereof and any successor Agent pursuant to
Section 7.6.
"Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Preamble.
"Applicable Commitment Fee Rate" means the rate per annum set
forth on Schedule V under the heading "Applicable Commitment Fee Rate"
for the relevant Rating Category applicable to the Borrower from time
to time. The Applicable Commitment Fee Rate shall change when and as
the relevant Rating Category applicable to the Borrower changes.
"Applicable Lending Office" means, with respect to each Bank,
such Bank's Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base Rate Advance
and such Bank's Eurodollar Lending Office in the case of a Eurodollar
Rate Advance and, in the case of a B Advance, the office of such Bank
notified by such Bank to the Agent as its Applicable Lending Office
with respect to such B Advance.
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"Applicable Margin" means the rate per annum set forth in
Schedule V under the heading "Applicable Margin" for the relevant
Rating Category applicable to the Borrower from time to time. The
Applicable Margin for any Eurodollar Rate Advance shall change when
and as the relevant applicable Rating Category changes.
"Arranger" means Citicorp Securities, Inc.
"Attributable Obligation" of any Person means, with respect
to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction of such Person as of any
particular time, the present value at such time discounted at the rate
of interest implicit in the terms of the lease of the obligations of
the lessee under such lease for net rental payments during the
remaining term of the lease (including any period for which such lease
has been extended or may, at the option of such Person, be extended).
"B Advance" means an advance by a Bank to the Borrower as
part of a B Borrowing resulting from the auction bidding procedure
described in Section 2.16.
"B Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous B
Advances to the Borrower from each of the Banks whose offer to make
one or more B Advances as part of such borrowing has been accepted by
the Borrower under the auction bidding procedure described in Section
2.16.
"B Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
the order of any Bank, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2
hereto, evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Bank
resulting from a B Advance made to the Borrower by such Bank.
"B Reduction" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1.
"Banks" means the lenders listed on the signature pages
hereof and each other Person that becomes a Bank pursuant to the last
sentence of Section 8.6(a).
"Base Rate" means a fluctuating interest rate per annum as
shall be in effect from time to time which rate per annum shall at all
times be equal to the highest of:
(a) the rate of interest announced publicly by Citibank in
New York, New York, from time to time, as Citibank's base
rate; or
(b) 1/2 of one percent per annum above the latest three-week
moving average of secondary market morning offering rates in
the United States for three-month certificates of deposit of
major United States money market banks, such three-week
moving average being determined weekly on each Monday (or, if
any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding
Business Day) for the three-week period ending on the
previous Friday by Citibank on the basis of such rates
reported by certificate of deposit dealers to and published
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
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York or, if such publication shall be suspended or terminated,
on the basis of quotations for such rates received by Citibank
from three New York certificate of deposit dealers of
recognized standing selected by Citibank, in either case
adjusted to the nearest 1/4 of one percent or, if there is no
nearest 1/4 of one percent, to the next higher 1/4 of one
percent; or
(c) 1/2 of one percent per annum above the Federal Funds Rate
in effect from time to time.
"Base Rate Advance" means an A Advance which bears interest
as provided in Section 2.6(a).
"Borrower" means Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
"Borrowing" means an A Borrowing or a B Borrowing.
"Business Day" means a day of the year on which banks are not
required or authorized to close in New York City and, if the
applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Advances or
relates to any B Advance as to which the related Notice of B Borrowing
is delivered pursuant to clause (B) of Section 2.16(a)(i), on which
dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.
"Citibank" means Citibank, N.A.
"Code" means, as appropriate, the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or any successor federal tax code, and any reference
to any statutory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any
successor provision or provisions.
"Commitment" of any Bank means at any time the amount set
opposite or deemed (pursuant to clause (vii) of the last sentence of
Section 8.6(a) and as reflected in the relevant Transfer Agreement
referred to in such sentence) to be set opposite such Bank's name on
Schedule IV as such amount may be terminated, reduced or increased
after the date hereof, pursuant to Section 2.4, Section 2.17, Section
6.1 or Section 8.6(a).
"Consolidated" refers to the consolidation of the accounts of
any Person and its subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
"Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means the Net Worth of
such Person and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis.
"Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" of any Person means the
Tangible Net Worth of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a
Consolidated basis.
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"Convert", "Conversion" and "Converted" each refers to a
conversion of Advances of one Type into Advances of the other Type
pursuant to Section 2.2, Section 2.19 or Section 2.20.
"Debt" means, in the case of any Person, (i) indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money, (ii) obligations of such Person
evidenced by bonds, debentures or notes, (iii) obligations of such
Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services,
(iv) monetary obligations of such Person as lessee under leases that
are, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
recorded as capital leases, (v) obligations of such Person under
guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to
purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor
against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of
the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) or clause (vii) of
this definition, (vi) indebtedness or obligations of others of the
kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (v) or clause (vii) of this
definition secured by any Lien on or in respect of any property of
such Person, and (vii) all liabilities of such Person in respect of
unfunded vested benefits under any Plan; provided, however, that Debt
shall not include any obligation under or resulting from any agreement
referred to in paragraph (y) of Schedule III or under or resulting
from any sale and Lease-Back referred to in paragraph (aa) of Schedule
III.
"Domestic Lending Office" means, with respect to any Bank,
the office of such Bank specified as its "Domestic Lending Office"
opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or pursuant to Section 8.6(a),
or such other office of such Bank as such Bank may from time to time
specify to the Borrower and the Agent.
"Environment" shall have the meaning set forth in 42 U.S.C.
9601(8) as defined on the date of this Agreement and "Environmental"
shall mean pertaining or relating to the Environment.
"Environmental Protection Statute" shall mean any United
States local, state or federal, or any foreign, law, statute,
regulation, order, consent decree or other agreement or Governmental
Requirement arising from or in connection with or relating to the
protection or regulation of the Environment, including, without
limitation, those laws, statutes, regulations, orders, decrees,
agreements and other Governmental Requirements relating to the
disposal, cleanup, production, storing, refining, handling,
transferring, processing or transporting of Hazardous Waste, Hazardous
Substances or any pollutant or contaminant, wherever located.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated
and rulings issued thereunder from time to time.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) which is a member of a group of which the Borrower is a
member and which is under common control within the meaning of the
regulations under Section 414 of the Code.
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"Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that
term in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, as in effect from time to time.
"Eurodollar Lending Office" means, with respect to any Bank,
the office of such Bank specified as its "Eurodollar Lending Office"
opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or pursuant to Section 8.6(a)
(or, if no such office is specified, its Domestic Lending Office) or
such other office of such Bank as such Bank may from time to time
specify to the Borrower and the Agent.
"Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Interest Period for each
Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising part of the same A Borrowing, an
interest rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple
of 1/16 of 1% per annum, if such rate is not such a multiple) equal to
the rate per annum at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered by
the principal office of Citibank in London, England, to prime banks in
the London interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business
Days before the first day of such Interest Period in an amount
substantially equal to the amount of the Eurodollar Rate Advance of
Citibank comprising part of such A Borrowing to be outstanding during
such Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period.
"Eurodollar Rate Advance" means an A Advance that bears
interest as provided in Section 2.6(b).
"Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage" of any Bank for any
Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance means the reserve
percentage applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one
such percentage shall be so applicable, the daily average of such
percentages for those days in such Interest Period during which any
such percentage shall be so applicable) under regulations issued from
time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental or other
marginal reserve requirement) for such Bank with respect to
liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency
Liabilities having a term equal to such Interest Period.
"Events of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions
with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds
brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is
a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by the Agent from three federal funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by it.
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"Governmental Requirements" means all judgments, orders,
writs, injunctions, decrees, awards, laws, ordinances, statutes,
regulations, rules, franchises, permits, certificates, licenses,
authorizations and the like and any other requirements of any
government or any commission, board, court, agency, instrumentality or
political subdivision thereof.
"Hazardous Substance" shall have the meaning set forth in 42
U.S.C. 9601(14) and shall also include each other substance considered
to be a hazardous substance under any Environmental Protection
Statute.
"Hazardous Waste" shall have the meaning set forth in 42
U.S.C. 6903(5) and shall also include each other substance considered
to be a hazardous waste under any Environmental Protection Statute
(including, without limitation 40 C.F.R. 261.3).
"Insufficiency" means, with respect to any Plan, the amount,
if any, by which the present value of the vested benefits under such
Plan exceeds the fair market value of the assets of such Plan
allocable to such benefits.
"Interest Period" means, for each Eurodollar Rate Advance
comprising part of the same A Borrowing, the period commencing on the
date of such A Advance or the date of the Conversion of any Base Rate
Advance into a Eurodollar Rate Advance and ending on the last day of
the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below
and, thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of
the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day
of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions
below. The duration of each Interest Period shall be one, two, three
or six months, in each case as the Borrower may, upon notice received
by the Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the
third Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period,
select (it being agreed that selection of a subsequent Interest Period
for an outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advance does not require that a
Notice of A Borrowing be given, inasmuch as no Advance is being
requested or made as a result of such selection); provided, however,
that:
(i) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for A
Advances comprising part of the same A Borrowing shall be of
the same duration;
(ii) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would
otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last
day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the
next succeeding Business Day, provided that if such extension
would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in
the next following calendar month, the last day of such
Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding Business
Day;
(iii) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business
Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the
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calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end
on the last Business Day of the calendar month in which it
would have ended if there were a numerically corresponding
day in such calendar month; and
(iv) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period that
ends after the Termination Date, and the Borrower may not
select any Interest Period if any Event of Default exists.
"Lien" means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, deed of
trust, security interest, encumbrance or other type of preferential
arrangement to secure or provide for the payment of any obligation of
any Person, whether arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise
(including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor
under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title
retention agreement).
"Majority Banks" means at any time Banks holding at least
66-2/3% of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the A Notes
held by Banks, or, if no such principal amount is then outstanding,
Banks having at least 66-2/3% of the Commitments or, if no such
principal amount is then outstanding and all Commitments have
terminated, Banks holding at least 66-2/3% of the then aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the B Notes held by Banks (provided that
for purposes of this definition and Sections 2.17, 6.1 and 7.1 neither
the Borrower nor any Subsidiary or Related Party of the Borrower, if a
Bank, shall be included in (i) the Banks holding the A Notes or B
Notes or (ii) determining the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
A Notes or the B Notes or the amount of the Commitments).
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined
in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions,
or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an
obligation to make contributions.
"Multiple Employer Plan" means an employee benefit plan,
other than a Multiemployer Plan, subject to Title IV of ERISA to which
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, and one or more employers other
than the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate, is making or accruing an
obligation to make contributions or, in the event that any such plan
has been terminated, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate made
or accrued an obligation to make contributions during any of the five
plan years preceding the date of termination of such plan.
"Net Worth" of any Person means, as of any date of
determination the excess of total assets of such Person over total
liabilities of such Person, total assets and total liabilities each to
be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
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"Non-Recourse Debt" means Debt incurred by any non-material
Subsidiary to finance the acquisition (other than any acquisition from
TWC or any Subsidiary) or construction of a project, which Debt does
not permit or provide for recourse against the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than the Subsidiary that is to
acquire or construct such project) or any property or asset of the
Borrower of any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than the property or
assets of the Subsidiary that is to acquire or construct such
project).
"Note" means an A Note or a B Note.
"Notice of A Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section
2.2(a).
"Notice of B Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section
2.16(a).
"NWP" means Northwest Pipeline Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
"Original Advance" is defined in the first recital.
"Original Bank" is defined in the first recital.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
"Permitted Liens" means Liens specifically described on
Schedule III.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation,
limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a
government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
"Plan" means an employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA currently
maintained by, or to which contributions have been made at any time
after December 31, 1984, by, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate for
employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and covered by Title
IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section
412 of the Code.
"Public Filings" means TWC's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997.
"Rating Category" means, as to the Borrower, the relevant
category applicable to the Borrower from time to time as set forth on
Schedule V, which is based on the ratings (or lack thereof) of the
Borrower's senior unsecured long-term debt by S&P or Moody's. In the
event there is a split between the ratings of the Borrower's senior
unsecured long-term debt by S&P and Moody, "Rating Category" shall
mean, as to the Borrower, the relevant category applicable to the
Borrower from time to time as set forth on Schedule V, which is based
on
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the higher of the ratings of the Borrower's senior unsecured
long-term debt by S&P and Moody.
"Related Party" of any Person means any corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other entity of which more than 10% of
the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests having
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of
such corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or others
performing similar functions (irrespective of whether or not at the
time capital stock or other equity interests of any other class or
classes of such corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
entity shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any
contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such
Person or which owns at the time directly or indirectly more than 10%
of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests having
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of
such Person or others performing similar functions (irrespective of
whether or not at the time capital stock or other equity interests of
any other class or classes of such corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other entity shall or might have voting power upon the
occurrence of any contingency); provided, however, that neither TWC
nor any Subsidiary of TWC shall be considered to be a Related Party of
TWC or any Subsidiary of TWC.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
the McGraw Hill Companies on the date hereof.
"Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" of any Person means any
arrangement entered into by such Person or any Subsidiary of such
Person, directly or indirectly, whereby such Person or any Subsidiary
of such Person shall sell or transfer any property, whether now owned
or hereafter acquired, and whereby such Person or any Subsidiary of
such Person shall then or thereafter rent or lease as lessee such
property or any part thereof or other property which such Person or
any Subsidiary of such Person intends to use for substantially the
same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred;
provided, however, that any sale and Lease-Back of cushion gas,
whether now or hereafter existing, shall not be considered to be a
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction and any sale and lease-back of
inventory, whether now or hereafter existing, by WPL or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower) shall not be considered to be a
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction.
"Stated Termination Date" means January 25, 2000, or such
later date, if any as may be agreed to by the Borrower and the Banks
pursuant to Section 2.18.
"Subordinated Debt" means any Debt of the Borrower which is
effectively subordinated to the obligations of the Borrower hereunder
and under the Notes.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other entity of which more than 50% of
the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests having
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of
such corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or others
performing similar functions
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(irrespective of whether or not at the time capital stock or other
equity interests of any other class or classes of such corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other entity shall or might have voting
power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly
or indirectly owned by such Person.
"Tangible Net Worth" of any Person means, as of any date of
determination, the excess of total assets of such Person over total
liabilities of such Person, total assets and total liabilities each to
be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, excluding, however, from the determination of total assets
(i) patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights and trade
names, (ii) goodwill, organizational, experimental, research and
development expense and other like intangibles, (iii) treasury stock,
(iv) monies set apart and held in a sinking or other analogous fund
established for the purchase, redemption or other retirement of
capital stock or Subordinated Debt, and (v) unamortized debt discount
and expense.
"Termination Date" means the earlier of (i) the Stated
Termination Date or (ii) the date of termination in whole of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 2.4, 2.17 or 6.1.
"Termination Event" means (i) a "reportable event", as such
term is described in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than a "reportable
event" not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC or
an event described in Section 4062(f) of ERISA, or (ii) the withdrawal
of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan
during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer," as such
term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or the incurrence of
liability by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate under Section 4064 of
ERISA upon the termination of a Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, or
(iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan
amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (iv) the
institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC under
Section 4042 of ERISA, or (v) any other event or condition which might
constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of,
or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.
"TGPL" means Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation, a
Delaware corporation.
"TGT" means Texas Gas Transmission Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
"Transfer Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section
8.6.
"TWC" means The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
"Type" has the meaning set forth in the definition herein of
A Advance.
"Unrated" means that no senior unsecured long-term debt of
the Borrower is rated by S&P and no senior unsecured long-term debt of
the Borrower is rated by Moody's.
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"WFS" means Williams Field Services Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means any Subsidiary
of such Person all of the capital stock and other equity interests of
which is owned by such Person or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such
Person.
"WilTel" means Williams Communications Solutions, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company.
"Withdrawal Liability" shall have the meaning given such term
under Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
"WPL" means Williams Pipe Line Company, a Delaware
corporation.
Section 1.2 Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement in the
computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each
means "to but excluding."
Section 1.3 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and each reference herein to "generally accepted
accounting principles" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles
consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements
referred to in Section 4.1(e).
Section 1.4 Miscellaneous. The words "hereof," "herein" and
"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 Article, Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to
Articles and Sections of and Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, unless
otherwise specified.
Section 1.5 Ratings. A rating, whether public or private, by S&P or
Moody's shall be deemed to be in effect on the date of announcement or
publication by S&P or Moody's, as the case may be, of such rating or, in the
absence of such announcement or publication, on the effective date of such
rating and will remain in effect until the announcement or publication of, or
in the absence of such announcement or publication, the effective date of, any
change in, or withdrawal or termination of, such rating. In the event the
standards for any rating by Moody's or S&P are revised, or any such rating is
designated differently (such as by changing letter designations to different
letter designations or to numerical designations), the references herein to
such rating shall be deemed to refer to the revised or redesignated rating for
which the standards are closest to, but not lower than, the standards at the
date hereof for the rating which has been revised or redesignated, all as
determined by the Majority Banks in good faith. Long-term debt supported by a
letter of credit, guaranty, insurance or other similar credit enhancement
mechanism shall not be considered as senior unsecured long-term debt. If either
Moody's or S&P has at any time more than one rating applicable to senior
unsecured long-term debt of the Borrower, the lowest such rating shall be
applicable for purposes hereof. For example, if Moody's rates some senior
unsecured long-term debt of the
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Borrower Ba1 and other such debt of the Borrower Ba2, the senior unsecured
long-term debt of the Borrower shall be deemed to be rated Ba2 by Moody's.
ARTICLE II
AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES
Section 2.1 The A Advances. Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make A Advances to the Borrower from
time to time on any Business Day during the period from the date hereof until
the Termination Date in an aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed at any
time such Bank's Commitment; provided that the aggregate amount of the
Commitments of the Banks shall, except for purposes of Section 2.3(a), be
deemed used from time to time to the extent of the aggregate amount of the B
Advances then outstanding to the Borrower and such deemed use of the aggregate
amount of such Commitments shall be applied to the Banks ratably according to
their respective Commitments (such deemed use of the aggregate amount of the
Commitments being a "B Reduction"). Each A Borrowing shall be in an aggregate
amount not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof, and shall consist of A Advances of the same Type made to the Borrower
on the same day by the Banks ratably according to their respective Commitments.
Within the limits of each Bank's Commitment, the Borrower may borrow, prepay
pursuant to Section 2.10 and reborrow under this Section 2.1.
Section 2.2 Making the A Advances. (a) Each A Borrowing shall be made
on notice, given not later than (1) in the case of a proposed Borrowing
comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) at least
three Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, and (2) in the
case of a proposed Borrowing comprised of Base Rate Advances, 10:00 A.M. (New
York City time) on the date of the proposed Borrowing, by the Borrower to the
Agent, which shall give to each Bank prompt notice thereof by telecopy, telex
or cable. Each such notice of an A Borrowing (a "Notice of A Borrowing") shall
be by telecopy, telex or cable, confirmed immediately in writing, in
substantially the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto, executed by the Borrower and
specifying therein the requested (i) date of such A Borrowing (which shall be a
Business Day), (ii) initial Type of A Advances comprising such A Borrowing,
(iii) aggregate amount of such A Borrowing, and (iv) in the case of an A
Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, initial Interest Period for
each such A Advance. Each Bank shall, before 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on
the date of such A Borrowing, make available for the account of its Applicable
Lending Office to the Agent at its New York address referred to in Section 8.2,
in same day funds, such Bank's ratable portion of such A Borrowing. After the
Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions
set forth in Article III, the Agent will make such funds available to the
Borrower at the Agent's aforesaid address.
(b) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:
(i) at no time shall there be outstanding to the Borrower
more than six A Borrowings comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances;
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(ii) the Borrower may not select Eurodollar Rate Advances for
any Borrowing if the aggregate amount of such Borrowing is less than
$20,000,000;
(iii) if the Majority Banks shall notify the Agent that
either (A) the Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Rate Advances will not adequately reflect the cost to such
Banks of making or funding their respective Eurodollar Rate Advances
for such Interest Period, or (B) that U.S. dollar deposits for the
relevant amounts and Interest Period for their respective Advances are
not available to them in the London interbank market, or it is
otherwise impossible to have Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Agent shall
forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Banks, whereupon (I) each
Eurodollar Rate Advance will automatically, on the last day of the
then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate
Advance, and (II) the obligations of the Banks to make, or to Convert
Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the
Agent, at the request of the Majority Banks, shall notify the Borrower
and the Banks that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist, and, except as provided in Section 2.2(b)(v), each Advance
comprising any requested A Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance;
(iv) if the Agent is unable to determine the Eurodollar Rate
for Eurodollar Rate Advances, the obligation of the Banks to make, or
to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended
until the Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Banks that the
circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and, except as
provided in Section 2.2(b)(v), each Advance comprising any requested A
Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance; and
(v) if the Borrower has requested a proposed A Borrowing
consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances and as a result of
circumstances referred to in Section 2.2(b)(iii) or (iv) such A
Borrowing would not consist of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower
may, by notice given not later than 3:00 P.M. (New York City time) at
least one Business Day prior to the date such proposed A Borrowing
would otherwise be made, cancel such A Borrowing, in which case such A
Borrowing shall be canceled and no Advances shall be made as a result
of such requested A Borrowing, but the Borrower shall indemnify the
Banks in connection with such cancellation as contemplated by Section
2.2(c).
(c) Each Notice of A Borrowing shall be irrevocable and binding on the
Borrower, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b)(v). In the case of any A
Borrowing which the related Notice of A Borrowing specifies is to be comprised
of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower shall indemnify each Bank against any
loss, cost or expense incurred by such Bank as a result of any failure to
fulfill on or before the date specified in such Notice of A Borrowing for such
A Borrowing the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, including,
without limitation, any loss (including loss of reasonably anticipated
profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment
of deposits or other funds acquired by such Bank to fund the A Advance to be
made by such Bank as part of such A Borrowing when such A Advance, as a result
of such failure, is not made on such date. A certificate in reasonable detail
as to the basis for and the amount of such loss, cost or expense submitted to
the Borrower and the Agent by such Bank shall be prima facie evidence
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of the amount of such loss, cost or expense. If an A Borrowing which the
related Notice of A Borrowing specifies is to be comprised of Eurodollar Rate
Advances is not made as an A Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances as
a result of Section 2.2(b), the Borrower shall indemnify each Bank against any
loss (excluding loss of profits), cost or expense incurred by such Bank by
reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired
by such Bank prior to the time such Bank is actually aware that such A
Borrowing will not be so made to fund the A Advance to be made by such Bank as
part of such A Borrowing. A certificate in reasonable detail as to the basis
for and the amount of such loss, cost or expense submitted to the Borrower and
the Agent by such Bank shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such
loss, cost or expense.
(d) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Bank prior to
the date of any A Borrowing that such Bank will not make available to the Agent
such Bank's ratable portion of such A Borrowing, the Agent may assume that such
Bank has made such portion available to the Agent on the date of such A
Borrowing in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.2 and the Agent
may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such
date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have
so made such ratable portion available to the Agent, such Bank and the Borrower
severally agree to repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding
amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount
is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the
Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the
time to A Advances comprising such A Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such
Bank, the Federal Funds Rate. If such Bank shall repay to the Agent such
corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank's A
Advance as part of such A Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.
(e) The failure of any Bank to make the A Advance to be made by it as
part of any A Borrowing shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation, if
any, hereunder to make its A Advance on the date of such A Borrowing, but no
Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the A
Advance to be made by such other Bank on the date of any A Borrowing.
Section 2.3 Fees.
(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the
account of each Bank a commitment fee on the average daily unused (for the
purposes of this Section 2.3(a), B Advances shall not, for purposes of this
Section 2.3(a), be considered to be usage of any Commitment) portion of such
Bank's Commitment to the Borrower from the date hereof until the Termination
Date at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the Applicable Commitment
Fee Rate from time to time, payable in arrears on the last day of each March,
June, September and December during the term such Bank has any Commitment and
on the Termination Date; and Borrower agrees that it shall also pay to the
Agent on March 31, 1999 for the account of the Original Banks all commitment
fees which are accrued and unpaid as of the date hereof pursuant to Section
2.03(a) of the 7/97 Credit Agreement or Section 2.3(a) of the 3/98 Credit
Agreement.
(b) Agent's Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent, for its
sole account, such fees as may be separately agreed to in writing by the
Borrower and the Agent.
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(c) Participation and Amendment Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay on
the date of this Agreement to the Agent for the account of each Bank the
participation or amendment fee due such Bank pursuant to that certain
Memorandum to Prospective Lenders dated November 11, 1998 from Citicorp
Securities, Inc.
Section 2.4 Reduction of the Commitments. The Borrower shall have the
right, upon at least five Business Days notice to the Agent, to terminate in
whole or reduce ratably in part the unused portions of the respective
Commitments of the Banks; provided that each partial reduction shall be in the
aggregate amount of at least $20,000,000; and provided further, that the
aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Banks shall not be reduced to an
amount which is less than the aggregate principal amount of the Advances then
outstanding to the Borrower.
Section 2.5 Repayment of A Advances. The Borrower shall repay, on the
Stated Termination Date or such earlier date as the Notes may be declared due
pursuant to Article VI, the unpaid principal amount of each A Advance made by
each Bank to the Borrower.
Section 2.6 Interest on A Advances. The Borrower shall pay interest on
the unpaid principal amount of each A Advance made by each Bank to the Borrower
from the date of such A Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in
full, at the following rates per annum:
(a) Base Rate Advances. At such times as such A Advance is a Base Rate
Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times to the Base Rate in effect from
time to time, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June,
September and December and on the date such Advance shall be Converted or paid
in full; provided that any amount of principal of any Base Rate Advance,
interest, fees and other amounts payable hereunder (other than principal of any
Eurodollar Rate Advance) which is not paid when due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) shall bear interest, from the date on
which such amount is due until such amount is paid in full, payable on demand,
at a rate per annum equal at all times to the sum of the Base Rate in effect
from time to time plus 2% per annum.
(b) Eurodollar Rate Advances. At such times as such A Advance is a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times during each
Interest Period for such A Advance to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for such
Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time for such
A Advance, payable on the last day of such Interest Period and, if such
Interest Period has a duration of more than three months, on each day which
occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first day of
such Interest Period; provided that any amount of principal of any Eurodollar
Rate Advance which is not paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise) shall bear interest, from the date on which such
amount is due until such amount is paid in full, payable on demand, at a rate
per annum equal at all times to the greater of (x) the sum of the Base Rate in
effect from time to time plus 2% per annum and (y) the sum of the rate per
annum required to be paid on such A Advance immediately prior to the date on
which such amount became due plus 2% per annum.
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Section 2.7 Additional Interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances. The
Borrower shall pay to each Bank, so long as such Bank shall be required under
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to maintain
reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including
Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of
each Eurodollar Rate Advance of such Bank, from the date of such Advance until
such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum equal at
all times to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the Eurodollar Rate for
the Interest Period for such Advance from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing
such Eurodollar Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate
Reserve Percentage of such Bank for such Interest Period, payable on each date
on which interest is payable on such Advance. Such additional interest shall be
determined by such Bank and notified to the Borrower through the Agent. A
certificate as to the amount of such additional interest submitted to the
Borrower and the Agent by such Bank shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent manifest error. No Bank shall have the right to recover any
additional interest pursuant to this Section 2.7 for any period more than 90
days prior to the date such Bank notifies the Borrower that additional interest
may be charged pursuant to this Section 2.7.
Section 2.8 Interest Rate Determination. The Agent shall give prompt
notice to the Borrower and the Banks of the applicable interest rate for each
Eurodollar Rate Advance determined by the Agent for purposes of Section 2.6(b).
Section 2.9 Evidence of Debt. The indebtedness of the Borrower
resulting from the A Advances owed to each Bank by the Borrower shall be
evidenced by an A Note of the Borrower payable to the order of such Bank.
Section 2.10 Prepayments.
(a) The Borrower shall not have any right to prepay any principal
amount of any A Advance, except as provided in this Section 2.10.
(b) The Borrower shall (i) in respect of Base Rate Advances, upon
notice to the Agent before 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of
prepayment and (ii) in respect of Eurodollar Rate Advances, upon at least three
Business Days' notice to the Agent, in each case stating the proposed date
(which shall be a Business Day) and aggregate principal amount of the
prepayment, prepay the outstanding principal amounts of the A Advances
comprising part of the same A Borrowing in whole or ratably in part, together
with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount
prepaid and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 8.4(b) as
a result of such prepayment; provided, however, that each partial prepayment
pursuant to this Section 2.10(b) shall be in an aggregate principal amount not
less than $5,000,000 and in an aggregate principal amount such that after
giving effect thereto (1) no A Borrowing comprised of Base Rate Advances shall
have a principal amount outstanding of less than $5,000,000 and (2) no A
Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances shall have a principal amount
outstanding of less than $20,000,000.
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(c) The Borrower will give notice to the Agent, at or before the time
of each prepayment by the Borrower of Advances, pursuant to this Section 2.10
specifying the Advances which are to be prepaid and the amount of such
prepayment to be applied to such Advances. Each payment of any Advance pursuant
to this Section 2.10 or any other provision of this Agreement shall be made in
a manner such that all Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing are paid
in whole or ratably in part.
Section 2.11 Increased Costs.
(a) If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change (other
than any change by way of imposition or increase of reserve requirements
included in the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage) in or in the
interpretation, application or applicability of any law or regulation or (ii)
the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other
governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be
any increase in the cost to any Bank of agreeing to make or making, funding or
maintaining Eurodollar Rate Advances to the Borrower, then the Borrower shall
from time to time, upon demand by such Bank (with a copy of such demand to the
Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Bank additional amounts
sufficient to compensate such Bank for such increased cost. A certificate as to
the amount of such increased cost, submitted to the Borrower and the Agent by
such Bank, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such increased cost.
No Bank shall have the right to recover any such increased costs for any period
more than 90 days prior to the date such Bank notifies the Borrower of any such
introduction, change, compliance or proposed compliance.
(b) If any Bank determines that compliance with any law or regulation
or any guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental
authority (whether or not having the force of law) affects or would affect the
amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Bank or any
corporation controlling such Bank and that the amount of such capital is
increased by or based upon the existence of such Bank's commitment to lend to
the Borrower hereunder and other commitments of this type, then, upon demand by
such Bank (with a copy of such demand to the Agent), the Borrower shall
immediately pay to the Agent for the account of such Bank, from time to time as
specified by such Bank, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Bank
or such corporation in the light of such circumstances, to the extent that such
Bank reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the
existence of such Bank's commitment to lend hereunder. A certificate as to the
amount of such additional amounts, submitted to the Borrower and the Agent by
such Bank, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such additional
amounts. No Bank shall have any right to recover any additional amounts under
this Section 2.11(b) for any period more than 90 days prior to the date such
Bank notifies the Borrower of any such compliance.
(c) In the event that any Bank makes a demand for payment under
Section 2.7 or this Section 2.11, the Borrower may within ninety (90) days of
such demand, if no Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice
or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default then exists,
replace such Bank with another commercial bank in accordance with all of the
provisions of the last sentence of Section 8.6(a) (including execution of an
appropriate Transfer Agreement); provided that (i) all obligations of such Bank
to lend hereunder shall be terminated and
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the Notes payable to such Bank and all other obligations owed to such Bank
hereunder shall be purchased in full without recourse at par plus accrued
interest at or prior to such replacement, (ii) such replacement bank shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Majority Banks, (iii) such
replacement bank shall, from and after such replacement, be deemed for all
purposes to be a "Bank" hereunder with a Commitment in the amount of the
Commitment of such Bank immediately prior to such replacement (plus, if such
replacement bank is already a Bank prior to such replacement the respective
Commitment of such Bank to the Borrower prior to such replacement), as such
amount may be changed from time to time pursuant hereto, and shall have all of
the rights, duties and obligations hereunder of the Bank being replaced, and
(iv) such other actions shall be taken by the Borrower, such Bank and such
replacement bank as may be appropriate to effect the replacement of such Bank
with such replacement bank on terms such that such replacement bank has all of
the rights, duties and obligations hereunder as such Bank (including, without
limitation, execution and delivery of new Notes to such replacement bank,
redelivery to the Borrower in due course of the Notes of the Borrower payable
to such Bank and specification of the information contemplated by Schedule I as
to such replacement bank).
Section 2.12 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, if any Bank shall notify the Agent that the introduction of or any
change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation shall make it
unlawful, or that any central bank or other governmental authority shall assert
that it is unlawful, for any Bank or its Eurodollar Lending Office to perform
its obligations hereunder to make, or Convert a Base Rate Advance into, a
Eurodollar Rate Advance or to continue to fund or maintain any Eurodollar Rate
Advance, then, on notice thereof to the Borrower by the Agent, (i) the
obligation of each of the Banks to make, or to Convert Advances into,
Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Agent, at the request of
the Majority Banks, shall notify the Borrower and the Banks that the
circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and (ii) the Borrower
shall forthwith prepay in full all Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Banks then
outstanding together with all accrued interest thereon and all amounts payable
pursuant to Section 8.4(b), unless each Bank shall determine in good faith in
its sole opinion that it is lawful to maintain the Eurodollar Rate Advances
made by such Bank to the end of the respective Interest Periods then applicable
thereto or unless the Borrower, within five Business Days of notice from the
Agent, Convert all Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Banks then outstanding into
Base Rate Advances in accordance with Section 2.19.
Section 2.13 Payments and Computations.
(a) The Borrower shall make each payment hereunder and under the Notes
to be made by it not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the day when
due in U.S. dollars to the Agent at its New York address referred to in Section
8.2 in same day funds, without deduction, counterclaim or offset of any kind.
The Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating
to the payment of principal, interest or commitment fees ratably (other than
amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.11, 2.14, 2.16 or 8.4(b)) to the
Banks for the account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like
funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Bank to such
Bank for the account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be
applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In no event shall any
Bank be entitled
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to share any fee paid to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.3(b), any auction fee
paid to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(i) or any other fee paid to the
Agent, as such.
(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes each Bank, if and to the extent
payment owed to such Bank by the Borrower is not made when due hereunder or
under any Note held by such Bank, to charge from time to time against any or
all of the Borrower's accounts with such Bank any amount so due.
(c) (i) All computations of interest based on clause (a) or clause (b)
of the definition herein of Base Rate and of commitment fees shall be made by
the Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and
(ii) all computations of interest based on the Eurodollar Rate, the Federal
Funds Rate or clause (c) of the definition herein of Base Rate shall be made by
the Agent, and all computations of interest pursuant to Section 2.7 shall be
made by a Bank, on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the actual
number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring
in the period for which such interest or commitment fees are payable. Each
determination by the Agent (or, in the case of Section 2.7, by a Bank) of an
interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,
absent manifest error.
(d) Whenever any payment hereunder or under the Notes shall be stated
to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the
next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be
included in the computation of payment of interest or commitment fee, as the
case may be; provided, however, if such extension would cause payment of
interest on or principal of Eurodollar Rate Advances to be made in the next
following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding
Business Day.
(e) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower
prior to the date on which any payment is due by the Borrower to any Bank
hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Agent may
assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such
date and the Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be
distributed to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then
due such Bank hereunder. If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so
made such payment in full to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent
forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Bank together with interest
thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank
until the date such Bank repays such amount to the Agent, at the Federal Funds
Rate.
Section 2.14 Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by the Borrower hereunder or under the Notes
shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.13, free and clear of and without
deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings with respect thereto, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding in the case of each Bank and the Agent, taxes imposed on its
income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the laws
of which such Bank or the Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any
political subdivision thereof and, in the case of each Bank, taxes imposed on
its income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction
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of such Bank's Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof
(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
withholdings and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If the
Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any
sum payable hereunder or under any Note to any Bank or the Agent, (i) the sum
payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all
required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable
under this Section 2.14) such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, receives
an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been
made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall
pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other
authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay 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 by the Borrower hereunder or
under the Notes executed by it or from the execution, delivery or registration
of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or such Notes (hereinafter
referred to as "Other Taxes").
(c) The Borrower will indemnify each Bank and the Agent for the full
amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes or
Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section
2.14) owed and paid by such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, and any
liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or
with respect thereto. This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from
the date such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, makes written demand
therefore.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of the payment of Taxes by or at the
direction of the Borrower, the Borrower will furnish to the Agent, at its
address referred to in Section 8.2, the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof. Should any Bank or the Agent ever receive
any refund, credit or deduction from any taxing authority to which such Bank or
the Agent would not be entitled but for the payment by the Borrower of Taxes as
required by this Section 2.14 (it being understood that the decision as to
whether or not to claim, and if claimed, as to the amount of any such refund,
credit or deduction shall be made by such Bank or the Agent, as the case may
be, in its sole discretion), such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be,
thereupon shall repay to the Borrower an amount with respect to such refund,
credit or deduction equal to any net reduction in taxes actually obtained by
such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, and determined by such Bank or the
Agent, as the case may be, to be attributable to such refund, credit or
deduction.
(e) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in
this Section 2.14 shall survive the payment in full of principal and interest
hereunder and under the Notes.
Section 2.15 Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Bank shall obtain any
payment (whether voluntary or involuntary, or through the exercise of any right
of set-off or otherwise) on account of the A Advances made by it (other than
pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.11, 2.14 or 8.4(b)) in excess of its ratable share
of payments on account of the A Advances obtained by all the Banks, such Bank
shall
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forthwith purchase from the other Banks such participations in the A Advances
owed to them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share the
excess payment ratably with each of them, provided, however, that if all or any
portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing
Bank, such purchase from each Bank shall be rescinded and such Bank shall repay
to the purchasing Bank the purchase price to the extent of such Bank's ratable
share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of the participation
purchased from such Bank as a result of such excess payment to (ii) the total
amount of such excess payment) of such recovery together with an amount equal
to such Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of
such 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 Borrower
agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank pursuant
to this Section 2.15 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all
its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such
participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the Borrower
in the amount of such participation.
Section 2.16 The B Advances.
(a) Each Bank severally agrees that the Borrower may make B Borrowings
under this Section 2.16 from time to time on any Business Day during the period
from the date hereof until the earlier of (1) the Termination Date or (2) the
date occurring thirty (30) days prior to the Stated Termination Date in the
manner set forth below; provided that, following the making of each B
Borrowing, the aggregate amount of the Advances then outstanding to the
Borrower shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Banks
(computed without regard to any B Reduction).
(i) The Borrower may request a B Borrowing under this Section
2.16 by delivering to the Agent, by telecopier, telex or cable,
confirmed immediately in writing, a notice of a B Borrowing (a "Notice
of B Borrowing"), in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto,
specifying the date and aggregate amount of the proposed B Borrowing,
the maturity date for repayment of each B Advance to be made as part
of such B Borrowing (which maturity date may not be earlier than the
date occurring 14 days after the date of such B Borrowing or later
than the earlier of (x) 6 months after the date of such B Borrowing or
(y) the Stated Termination Date), the interest payment date or dates
relating thereto, and any other terms to be applicable to such B
Borrowing (including, without limitation, the basis to be used by the
Banks in determining the rate or rates of interest to be offered by
them as provided in paragraph (ii) below and prepayment terms, if any,
but excluding any waiver or other modification to any of the
conditions set forth in Article III), not later than 10:00 A.M. (New
York City time) (A) at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date of
the proposed B Borrowing, if the Borrower shall specify in the Notice
of B Borrowing that the rates of interest to be offered by the Banks
shall be fixed rates per annum and (B) at least five (5) Business Days
prior to the date of the proposed B Borrowing, if the Borrower shall
instead specify in the Notice of B Borrowing the basis to be used by
the Banks in determining the rates of interest to be offered by them.
The Agent shall in turn promptly notify each Bank of each request for
a B Borrowing received by it from the Borrower by sending such Bank
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a copy of the related Notice of B Borrowing. Each time that the
Borrower gives a Notice of B Borrowing, the Borrower shall pay to the
Agent an auction fee equal to $2000.
(ii) Each Bank may, if in its sole discretion it elects to do
so, irrevocably offer to make one or more B Advances to the Borrower
as part of such proposed B Borrowing at a rate or rates of interest
specified by such Bank in its sole discretion, by notifying the Agent
(which shall give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower), before 10:00
A.M. (New York City time) (x) on the date of such proposed B
Borrowing, in the case of a Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant
to clause (A) of paragraph (i) above, and (y) three Business Days
before the date of such proposed B Borrowing in the case of a Notice
of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (i)
above, of the minimum amount and maximum amount of each B Advance
which such Bank would be willing to make as part of such proposed B
Borrowing (which amounts may, subject to the proviso to the first
sentence of this Section 2.16(a), exceed such Bank's Commitment to the
Borrower), the rate or rates of interest therefor and such Bank's
Applicable Lending Office with respect to such B Advance; provided
that if the Agent in its capacity as a Bank shall, in its sole
discretion, elect to make any such offer, it shall notify the Borrower
of such offer before 9:45 A.M. (New York City time) on the date on
which notice of such election is to be given to the Agent by the other
Banks. If any Bank shall elect not to make such an offer, such Bank
shall so notify the Agent, before 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on
the date on which notice of such election is to be given to the Agent
by the other Banks, and such Bank shall not be obligated to, and shall
not, make any B Advance as part of such B Borrowing; provided that the
failure by any Bank to give such notice shall not cause such Bank to
be obligated to make any B Advance as part of such proposed B
Borrowing.
(iii) The Borrower shall, in turn, before 11:00 A.M. (New
York City time) (x) on the date of such proposed B Borrowing in the
case of a Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to clause (A) of
paragraph (i) above and (y) three Business Days before the date of
such proposed B Borrowing in the case of a Notice of B Borrowing
delivered pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (i) above, either
(A) cancel such B Borrowing by giving the Agent notice to
that effect, or
(B) accept one or more of the offers made by any Bank or
Banks pursuant to paragraph (ii) above, in order of the lowest to
highest rates of interest or margins (or, if two or more Banks bid at
the same rates of interest, and the amount of accepted offers is less
than the aggregate amount of such offers, the amount to be borrowed
from such Banks as part of such B Borrowing shall be allocated among
such Banks pro rata on the basis of the maximum amount offered by such
Banks at such rates or margin in connection with such B Borrowing), in
any aggregate amount up to the aggregate amount initially requested by
the Borrower in the relevant Notice of B Borrowing, by giving notice
to the Agent of the amount of each B Advance (which amount shall be
equal to or greater than the minimum amount, and equal to or less than
the maximum amount, notified to the Borrower by the Agent on behalf of
such Bank for such B Advance pursuant to paragraph ii above) to be
made by each
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Bank as part of such B Borrowing, and reject any remaining offers
made by Banks pursuant to paragraph (ii) above by giving the Agent
notice to that effect.
(iv) If the Borrower notifies the Agent that such B Borrowing
is canceled pursuant to paragraph (iii)(A) above, the Agent shall give
prompt notice thereof to the Banks and such B Borrowing shall not be
made.
(v) If the Borrower accepts one or more of the offers made by
any Bank or Banks pursuant to paragraph (iii)(B) above, the Agent
shall in turn promptly notify (A) each Bank that has made an offer as
described in paragraph (ii) above, of the date and aggregate amount of
such B Borrowing and whether or not any offer or offers made by such
Bank pursuant to paragraph (ii) above have been accepted by the
Borrower, (B) each Bank that is to make a B Advance as part of such B
Borrowing, of the amount of each B Advance to be made by such Bank as
part of such B Borrowing, and (C) each Bank that is to make a B
Advance as part of such B Borrowing, upon receipt, that the Agent has
received forms of documents appearing to fulfill the applicable
conditions set forth in Article III. Each Bank that is to make a B
Advance as part of such B Borrowing shall, before 12:00 noon (New York
City time) on the date of such B Borrowing specified in the notice
received from the Agent pursuant to clause (A) of the preceding
sentence or any later time when such Bank shall have received notice
from the Agent pursuant to clause (C) of the preceding sentence, make
available for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the
Agent at its New York address referred to in Section 8.2 such Bank's
portion of such B Borrowing, in same day funds. Upon fulfillment of
the applicable conditions set forth in Article III and after receipt
by the Agent of such funds, the Agent will make such funds available
to the Borrower at the Agents aforesaid address. Promptly after each B
Borrowing the Agent will notify each Bank of the amount of the B
Borrowing, the consequent B Reduction and the dates upon which such B
Reduction commenced and will terminate.
(b) Each B Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than
$5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. The
Borrower agrees that it will not request a B Borrowing unless, upon the making
of such B Borrowing, the limitations set forth in the proviso to the first
sentence of Section 2.16(a) are complied with.
(c) Within the limits and on the conditions set forth in this Section
2.16, the Borrower may from time to time borrow under this Section 2.16, repay
or prepay pursuant to subsection (d) below, and reborrow under this Section
2.16; provided that a B Borrowing shall not be made by the Borrower within
three Business Days of the date of another B Borrowing.
(d) The Borrower shall repay to the Agent for the account of each Bank
which has made a B Advance to the Borrower, or each other holder of a B Note of
the Borrower, on the maturity date of each B Advance made to the Borrower (such
maturity date being that specified by the Borrower for repayment of such B
Advance in the related Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection
(a)(i) above and provided in the B Note evidencing such B Advance) the then
unpaid principal amount of such B Advance. The Borrower shall not have any
right to prepay any principal
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amount of any B Advance unless, and then only on the terms specified by the
Borrower for such B Advance in the related Notice of B Borrowing delivered
pursuant to subsection (a)(i) above and set forth in the B Note evidencing such
B Advance.
(e) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of
each B Advance made to the Borrower from the date of such B Advance to the date
the principal amount of such B Advance is repaid in full, at the rate of
interest for such B Advance specified by the Bank making such B Advance in its
notice with respect thereto delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) above,
payable on the interest payment date or dates specified by the Borrower for
such B Advance in the related Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to
subsection (a)(i) above, as provided in the B Note evidencing such B Advance.
(f) The indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each B Advance
made to the Borrower as part of a B Borrowing shall be evidenced by a separate
B Note of the Borrower payable to the order of the Bank making such B Advance.
(g) The failure of any Bank to make the B Advance to be made by it as
part of any B Borrowing shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation, if
any, hereunder to make its B Advance on the date of such B Borrowing, but no
Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the B
Advance to be made by such other Bank on the date of any B Borrowing.
Section 2.17 Optional Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, if (i) any Person (other than a trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of TWC or of any
Subsidiary of TWC) or two or more Persons acting in concert (other than any
group of employees of TWC or of any of its Subsidiaries) shall have acquired
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule l3d-3 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or
indirectly, of securities of TWC (or other securities convertible into such
securities) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of all
securities of TWC entitled to vote in the election of directors, other than
securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency,
or (ii) during any period of up to 24 consecutive months, commencing before or
after the date of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such
24-month period were directors of TWC or who were elected by individuals who at
the beginning of such period were such directors or by individuals elected in
accordance with this clause (ii) shall cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the board of directors of TWC, or (iii) any Person (other than TWC
or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of TWC) or two or more Persons acting in concert
shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a
contract or arrangement which upon consummation will result in its or their
acquisition of, the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling
influence over the management or policies of the Borrower; then the Agent shall
at the request, or may with the consent, of the holders of at least 66-2/3% in
principal amount of the A Notes then outstanding or, if no A Notes are then
outstanding, Banks having at least 66-2/3% of the Commitments, by notice to the
Borrower, declare all of the Commitments and the obligation of each Bank to
make Advances to be terminated, whereupon all of the Commitments and each such
obligation shall forthwith terminate, and the Borrower shall not have any
further right to borrow hereunder.
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Section 2.18 Extension of Termination Date. By notice given to the
Agent and the Banks, at least thirty days but not more than forty-five days
before January 1 of any year after 1999, the Borrower may request the Banks to
extend the Stated Termination Date for an additional period to a date which is
364 days after the then current Stated Termination Date. Within thirty days
after receipt of such request, each Bank that agrees, in its sole and absolute
discretion, to so extend the Stated Termination Date shall notify the Borrower
and the Agent that it so agrees, and if all Banks so agree the Stated
Termination Date shall be so extended.
Section 2.19 Voluntary Conversion of Advances. The Borrower may on any
Business Day, if no Event of Default then exists, upon notice (which shall be
irrevocable) given to the Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (x) in the case of a
proposed Conversion into Eurodollar Rate Advances, on the third Business Day
prior to the date of the proposed conversion, and (y) in the case of a proposed
Conversion into Base Rate Advances, on the date of the proposed Conversion, and
subject to the provisions of Sections 2.2 and 2.12, Convert all Advances of one
Type comprising the same A Borrowing into Advances of the other Type; provided
that (i) no Conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Advances shall occur on a day
other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate
Advances, except as contemplated by Section 2.12, and (ii) Advances may not be
Converted into Eurodollar Rate Advances if the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Advances is less than $20,000,000. Each such notice of a
Conversion shall, within the restrictions specified above, specify (i) the date
of such Conversion, (ii) the A Advances to be Converted, and (iii) if such
Conversion is into Eurodollar Rate Advances, the duration of the Interest
Period for each such Advance.
Section 2.20 Automatic Provisions.
(a) If the Borrower shall fail to select the duration of any Interest
Period for Eurodollar Rate Advances in accordance with the provisions contained
in the definition of "Interest Period" in Section 1.1, the Agent will forthwith
so notify the Borrower and the Banks, and such Advances will automatically, on
the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into Base
Rate Advances.
(b) On the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
Eurodollar Rate Advances of the Borrower shall be reduced to less than
$20,000,000, all of such Eurodollar Rate Advances shall automatically Convert
into Base Rate Advances.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS
Section 3.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Advances. The obligation
of each Bank to make its initial Advance on or after the date hereof is subject
to the condition precedent that the Agent shall have received on or before the
date hereof, each dated on or before such date, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent and (except for the Notes) in sufficient copies for
each Bank:
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(a) The A Notes executed by the Borrower to the order of each of the
respective Banks and this Agreement executed by the Borrower.
(b) Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors, or
the Executive Committee thereof, of the Borrower authorizing the execution of
this Agreement and the Notes.
(c) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Borrower certifying (i) that attached thereto are true and correct copies of
the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Borrower and (ii) the names
and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this
Agreement, Notices of A Borrowing, Notices of B Borrowing and the Notes to be
executed by the Borrower and any other documents to be delivered hereunder by
the Borrower.
(d) An opinion of William G. von Glahn, General Counsel of TWC,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and as to such other matters as
any Bank through the Agent may reasonably request.
(e) An opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt, special counsel to the Agent,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.
(f) A certificate of an officer of the Borrower stating the respective
ratings by each of S&P and Moody's of the senior unsecured long-term debt of
the Borrower as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(g) Payment for the account of the Banks of those participation fees
and amendment fees as set forth in Section 2.3(c) hereof.
Section 3.2 Additional Conditions Precedent to Each A Borrowing. The
obligation of each Bank to make an A Advance on the occasion of any A Borrowing
(including the initial A Borrowing) shall be subject to the further conditions
precedent that on the date of such A Borrowing (a) the following statements
shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of A Borrowing
and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such A Borrowing shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of
such A Borrowing such statements are true):
(i) The representations and warranties contained in Section
4.1 pertaining to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are correct on and
as of the date of such A Borrowing, before and after giving effect to
such A Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as
though made on and as of such date,
(ii) No event has occurred and is, continuing, or would
result from such A Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or which would
constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be
given or time elapse or both, and
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(iii) After giving effect to such A Borrowing and all other
Borrowings which have been requested on or prior to such date but
which have not been made prior to such date, the aggregate principal
amount of all Advances will not exceed the aggregate of the
Commitments (computed without regard to any B Reduction);
and (b) the Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions or
documents as any Bank through the Agent may reasonably request.
Section 3.3 Conditions Precedent to Each B Borrowing. The obligation
of each Bank which is to make a B Advance to the Borrower on the occasion of a
B Borrowing (including the initial B Borrowing) to make such B Advance as part
of such B Borrowing is subject to the further conditions precedent that (i) at
or before the time required by paragraph (iii) of Section 2.16(a), the Agent
shall have received the written confirmatory notice of such B Borrowing
contemplated by such paragraph, (ii) on or before the date of such B Borrowing,
but prior to such B Borrowing, the Agent shall have received a B Note executed
by the Borrower payable to the order of such Bank for each of the one or more B
Advances to be made by such Bank as part of such B Borrowing, in a principal
amount equal to the principal amount of the B Advance to be evidenced thereby
and otherwise on such terms as were agreed to for such B Advance in accordance
with Section 2.16, and (iii) on the date of such B Borrowing (a) the following
statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of B
Borrowing and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such B
Borrowing shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that
on the date of such B Borrowing such statements are true):
(1) The representations and warranties contained in Section
4.1 are correct on and as of the date of such B Borrowing, before and
after giving effect to such B Borrowing and to the application of the
proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such date,
(2) No event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
from such B Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or which would
constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be
given or time elapse or both,
(3) Following the making of such B Borrowing and all other
Borrowings to be made on the same day to the Borrower under this
Agreement, the aggregate principal amount of all Advances to the
Borrower then outstanding will not exceed the aggregate amount of the
Commitments (computed without regard to any B Reduction), and
(4) After giving effect to such B Borrowing and all other
Borrowings which have been requested on or prior to such date but
which have not been made prior to such date, the aggregate principal
amount of all Advances will not exceed the aggregate of the
Commitments of the Banks (computed without regard to any B Reduction);
and (b) the Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions or
documents as any Bank through the Agent may reasonably request.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. The
Borrower represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate
powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, certificates, consents
and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted in all
material respects, except for those licenses, authorizations, certificates,
consents and approvals the failure to have which could not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, condition
or operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each
Subsidiary of the Borrower is duly organized or validly formed, validly
existing and (if applicable) in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, except where the failure to be so
organized, existing and in good standing could not reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, condition or operations
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each Subsidiary of the
Borrower has all corporate powers and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, certificates, consents and approvals required to carry on its
business as now conducted in all material respects, except for those licenses,
authorizations, certificates, consents and approvals the failure to have which
could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, assets, condition or operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this
Agreement and the Notes and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement are within the Borrower's corporate powers, have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action, do not contravene (i) the
Borrower's charter or by-laws or (ii) law or any contractual restriction
binding on or affecting the Borrower and will not result in or require the
creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement. At the time of
each borrowing of any Advance by the Borrower, such borrowing and the use of
the proceeds of such Advance will be within the Borrower's corporate powers,
will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, will not
contravene (i) the Borrower's charter or by-laws or (ii) law or any contractual
restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower and will not result in or
require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement.
(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to
or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for
the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement
or the Notes or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. At the time of each borrowing of any Advance by the Borrower, no
authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with,
any governmental authority or regulatory body will be required for such
borrowing or the use of the proceeds of such Advance.
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(d) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Borrower. This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except
as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors' rights generally
and by general principles of equity. The A Notes are, and when executed the B
Notes will be, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms,
except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors'
rights generally and by general principles of equity.
(e) The Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1996, and the related Consolidated statement of
income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year
then ended, copies of which have been furnished to each Bank, and the
Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at September
30, 1997, and the related Consolidated statement of income and cash flows of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the three months then ended, duly
certified by an authorized financial officer of the Borrower, copies of which
have been furnished to each Bank, fairly present, subject, in the case of such
balance sheet as at September 30, 1997, and such statement of income and cash
flows for the three months then ended, to year-end audit adjustments, the
Consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at
such dates and the Consolidated results of operation s of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for the year and three month period, respectively, ended on such
dates, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied. Since September 30, 1997, there has been no material
adverse change in the condition or operations of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries.
(f) Except as set forth in the Public Filings or as otherwise
disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Banks and the Agent after the date
hereof and approved by the Majority Banks, there is no pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened action or proceeding affecting the
Borrower or any material Subsidiary of the Borrower before any court,
governmental agency or arbitrator, which could reasonably be expected to
materially and adversely affect the financial condition or operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or which purports to affect the
legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any
Note.
(g) No proceeds of any Advance has been or will be used for any
purpose or in any manner not permitted by Section 5.2(k).
(h) The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit
for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of
Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System),
and no proceeds of any Advance will be used to purchase or carry any such
margin stock (other than purchases of common stock expressly permitted by
Section 5.2(k)) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any such margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of
each Advance, not more than 25% of the value of the assets of the Borrower will
be represented by such margin stock and not more than 25% of the value of the
assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries will be represented by such margin
stock.
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(i) The Borrower is not an "investment company" or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(j) No Termination Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur with respect to any Plan for which an Insufficiency exists. Neither the
Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification that any
Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated, within the
meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and the Borrower is not aware of any reason to
expect that any Multiemployer Plan is to be in reorganization or to be
terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
(k) The Borrower and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower have filed all
United States Federal income tax returns and all other material domestic tax
returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid, or provided for
the payment before the same become delinquent of, all taxes due pursuant to
such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower or any such
Subsidiary, other than those taxes contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower
and the material Subsidiaries of the Borrower in respect of taxes are adequate.
(l) The Borrower is not a "holding company," or a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or a "public utility" within the
meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
(m) Except as set forth in the Public Filings or as otherwise
disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Banks and the Agent after the date
hereof and approved by the Majority Banks, the Borrower and its material
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental
Protection Statutes to the extent material to their respective operations or
financial condition. Except as set forth in the Public Filings or as otherwise
disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Banks and the Agent after the date
hereof and approved by the Majority Banks, the aggregate contingent and
non-contingent liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than
those reserved for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and set forth in the financial statements regarding the Borrower referred to in
Section 4.1(e) and delivered to each Bank) which are reasonably expected to
arise in connection with (i) the requirements of Environmental Protection
Statutes or (ii) any obligation or liability to any Person in connection with
any Environmental matters (including, without limitation, any release or
threatened release (as such terms are defined in the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980) of any
Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Substance, other waste, petroleum or petroleum
products into the Environment) does not exceed 10% of the Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth of the Borrower (excluding liabilities to the extent covered by
insurance if the insurer has confirmed that such insurance covers such
liabilities or which the Borrower reasonably expects to recover from
ratepayers).
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(n) The Borrower has (i) reviewed the areas within its business and
operations and those of its Subsidiaries which could be adversely affected by
failure to become "Year 2000 Compliant" (that is, that computer applications,
imbedded microchips and other systems used by any of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries or their material vendors, will be able properly to recognize and
perform date-sensitive functions involving certain dates prior to and any date
after December 31, 1999); (ii) developed a detailed plan and timetable to
become Year 2000 Compliant in a timely manner; and (iii) committed adequate
resources to support its plan to become Year 2000 Compliant in a timely manner.
Based on such review and plan the Borrower reasonably believes that it and its
Subsidiaries will become Year 2000 Compliant on a timely basis except to the
extent that a failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the ability of the
Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER
Section 5.1 Affirmative Covenants. So long as any Note shall remain
unpaid or any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will,
unless the Majority Banks shall otherwise consent in writing:
(a) Compliance with Laws, Etc. Comply, and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all applicable laws,
rules, regulations and orders (except where failure to comply could not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
assets, condition or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole), such compliance to include, without limitation, the payment and
discharge before the same become delinquent of all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or
upon any of its property or any property of any of its Subsidiaries, and all
lawful claims which, if unpaid, might become a Lien upon any property of it or
any of its Subsidiaries; provided that neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of the Borrower shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy
or claim which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and
with respect to which reserves in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, if required by such principles, have been provided on the books of
the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b) Reporting Requirements. Furnish to each of the Banks:
(i) as soon as possible and in any event within five days
after the occurrence of each Event of Default or each event which,
with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute
an Event of Default, continuing on the date of such statement, a
statement of an authorized financial officer of the Borrower setting
forth the details of such Event of Default or event and the actions,
if any, which the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect
thereto;
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(ii) as soon as available and in any event not later than 60
days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal
year of the Borrower, the Consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the
Consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the previous
year and ending with the end of such quarter, all in reasonable detail
and duly certified (subject to year-end audit adjustments) by an
authorized financial officer of the Borrower as having been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, together
with a certificate of said officer (a) stating that he has no
knowledge that an Event of Default, or an event which, with notice or
lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or, if an Event of Default or such an event
has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof
and the action, if any, which the Borrower proposes to take with
respect thereto, and (b) showing in detail the calculation supporting
such statement in respect of Section 5.2(b);
(iii) as soon as available and in any event not later than
105 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of
the annual audit report for such year for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, including therein Consolidated balance sheets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and
Consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, in each case prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and certified
by Ernst & Young, LLP or other independent certified public
accountants of recognized standing acceptable to the Majority Banks,
together with a certificate of such accounting firm to the Banks (a)
stating that, in the course of the regular audit of the business of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted by such
accounting firm in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge that an
Event of Default or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred and is
continuing, or if, in the opinion of such accounting firm, an Event of
Default or such an event has occurred and is continuing, a statement
as to the nature thereof, and (b) showing in detail the calculations
supporting such statement in respect of Section 5.2(b);
(iv) such other information respecting the business or
properties, or the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of
the Borrower or any of its material Subsidiaries as any Bank through
the Agent may from time to time reasonably request;
(v) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of
all proxy material, reports and other information which the Borrower
sends to any of its security holders, and copies of all final reports
and final registration statements which the Borrower or any material
Subsidiary of the Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any national securities exchange;
(vi) as soon as possible and in any event (A) within 30
Business Days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has
reason to know that any Termination Event
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described in clause (i) of the definition of Termination Event with
respect to any Plan has occurred and (B) within 30 Business Days after
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that
any other Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred or
is reasonably expected to occur, a statement of the chief financial
officer or chief accounting officer of the Borrower describing such
Termination Event and the action, if any, which the Borrower or such
ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto;
(vii) promptly and in any event within 25 Business Days after
receipt thereof by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, copies of each
notice received by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC
stating its intention to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee
appointed to administer any Plan;
(viii) within 30 days following request therefor by any Bank,
copies of each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to each annual
report (Form 5500 Series) of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with
respect to each Plan;
(ix) promptly and in any event within 25 Business Days after
receipt thereof by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the
sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan, a copy of each notice received by the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate concerning (A) the imposition of a
Withdrawal Liability by a Multiemployer Plan, (B) the determination
that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in reorganization
within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (C) the termination of a
Multiemployer Plan within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (D) the
amount of liability incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in connection with any event described
in clause (A), (B) or (C) above;
(x) not more than 60 days (or 105 days in the case of the
last fiscal quarter of a fiscal year of the Borrower) after the end of
each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, a certificate of an authorized
financial officer of the Borrower stating the respective ratings, if
any, by each of S&P and Moody's of the senior unsecured long-term debt
of the Borrower as of the last day of such quarter; and
(xi) promptly after any withdrawal or termination of any
letter of credit, guaranty, insurance or other credit enhancement
referred to in the second to last sentence of Section 1.5 or any
change in the indicated rating set forth therein or any change in, or
issuance, withdrawal or termination of, the rating of any senior
unsecured long-term debt of the Borrower by S&P or Moody's, notice
thereof.
(c) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain, and cause each of its material
Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance
companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar
properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
operate, provided that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may self-insure
to the extent and in the manner normal for companies of like size, type and
financial condition.
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(d) Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Preserve and maintain,
and cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain, its corporate
existence, rights, franchises and privileges in the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, and qualify and remain qualified, and cause each Subsidiary to
qualify and remain qualified, as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in
which qualification is necessary or desirable in view of its business and
operations or the ownership of its properties, except (1) in the case of any
Subsidiary of the Borrower, where the failure of such Subsidiary to so
preserve, maintain, qualify and remain qualified could not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, condition
or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (2) in
the case of the Borrower, where the failure of the Borrower to preserve and
maintain such rights, franchises and privileges and to so qualify and remain
qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the business, assets, condition or operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 5.2 Negative Covenants. So long as any Note shall remain
unpaid or any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will not,
without the written consent of the Majority Banks:
(a) Liens, Etc. Create, assume, incur or suffer to exist, or permit
any of its Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur or suffer to exist, any Lien
on or in respect of any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or assign or otherwise convey, or permit any such Subsidiary to
assign or otherwise convey, any right to receive income, in each case to secure
or provide for the payment of any Debt of any Person, except, that the Borrower
may create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Permitted Liens.
(b) Debt. Permit the ratio of (A) the aggregate amount of all Debt of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis to (B) the sum of the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower plus the aggregate amount of all Debt of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis to exceed (1) 0.6 to
1.0 at any time during the period beginning on January 1, 1999 through December
31, 2000, (2) 0.575 to 1.0 at any time during the period beginning January 1,
2001 through December 31, 2001 or (3) 0.55 to 1.0 at any time on or after
January 1, 2002.
(c) Merger and Sale of Assets. Merge or consolidate with or into any
other Person, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of
its assets, or permit any of its material Subsidiaries to merge or consolidate
with or into any other Person, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or
substantially all of its assets, except that this Section 5.2(c) shall not
prohibit:
(i) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from selling, leasing
or otherwise transferring their respective assets in the ordinary
course of business;
(ii) any merger, consolidation or sale, lease or other
transfer of assets involving only the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that transactions under this paragraph (ii) shall
be permitted if, and only if, (x) there shall not exist or result an
Event of Default or an event which with notice or lapse of time or
both would constitute an Event of
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Default and (y) in the case of each transaction referred to in this
paragraph (ii) involving the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, such
transaction could not reasonably be expected to impair materially the
ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder and under
the Notes and the Borrower shall continue to exist;
(iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from selling, leasing
or otherwise transferring their respective gathering assets and other
production area facilities, or the stock of any Person substantially
all of the assets of which are gathering assets and other production
area facilities, to TWC or to any Subsidiary of TWC for consideration
that is not materially less than the net book value of such assets and
facilities; provided, however, that transactions under this paragraph
(iii) shall be permitted if, and only if, there shall not exist or
such transaction shall not result in an Event of Default or an event
which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event
of Default;
(iv) any sale and lease-back of cushion gas by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries or any sale and lease-back of inventory by
WPL or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower);
(v) sales of receivables of any kind; or
(vi) any sale, lease or other transfer of any stock or assets
of Transco Energy Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however,
that transactions under this paragraph(vi) shall be permitted if, and
only if, prior to the time of such transaction Transco Energy Company
and its Subsidiaries shall have transferred to TWC all of their
respective interests in TGPL and TGT and shall not have reacquired any
such interest and there shall not exist or result an Event of Default
or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute an Event of Default.
(d) Agreements to Restrict Dividends and Certain Transfers. Enter into
or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into or suffer
to exist, any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) to pay, directly or indirectly, dividends or
make any other distributions in respect of its capital stock or pay any Debt or
other obligation owed to the Borrower or to any Subsidiary of the Borrower; or
(ii) to make loans or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower, except (1) encumbrances and restrictions on any immaterial Subsidiary
of the Borrower (other than WFS), (2) those encumbrances and restrictions
existing on the date hereof and described in Exhibit E, (3) other encumbrances
and restrictions now or hereafter existing of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries that are not more restrictive in any material respect than the
encumbrances and restrictions with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
described in Exhibit E, and (4) any encumbrances and restrictions created in
connection with any sale and lease-back of cushion gas by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower or any sale and lease-back of inventory by WPL or
any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower).
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(e) Loans and Advances. Borrow or otherwise receive or permit to
remain outstanding any loan or advance from TWC, or own, purchase or acquire
any obligations or debt securities of, any Subsidiary of TWC, except that the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may borrow or otherwise receive loans and
advances from TWC, if each such loan or advance (excluding loans and advances
to a Subsidiary of TWC if the aggregate principal amount of all such excluded
loans and advances to such Subsidiary does not exceed $100,000) is evidenced by
a written instrument duly executed by the Subsidiary of TWC to which such loan
or advance is made, bears interest at TWC's or such Subsidiary's market rate of
interest and matures on or before the Termination Date.
(f ) Maintenance of Ownership of Certain Subsidiaries. Sell, issue or
otherwise dispose of, or create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on
or in respect of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, issue or otherwise
dispose of or create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on or in
respect of, any shares of or any interest in any shares of the capital stock of
or interest in (1) the Borrower, WFS, WPL, WCG, TGPL, TGT, NWP, or WilTel or
any of their respective material Subsidiaries or (2) any Subsidiary of TWC at
the time it owns any shares of or any interest in any shares of the capital
stock of the Borrower, WFS, WPL, WCG, TGPL, TGT or NWP or any of their
respective material Subsidiaries; provided, however, that this Section 5.2(f)
shall not prohibit the sale or other disposition of the stock of any Subsidiary
of TWC to TWC or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of TWC if, but only if, (x) there
shall not exist or result an Event of Default or an event which with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default and (y) in the case
of each sale or other disposition referred to in this proviso involving the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, such sale or other disposition could not
reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Borrower to
perform its obligations hereunder and under the Notes and the Borrower shall
continue to exist.
(g) Compliance with ERISA. (i) Terminate, or permit any ERISA
Affiliate to terminate, any Plan so as to result in any liability of the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC in excess of $5,000,000, or (ii)
permit to exist any occurrence of any Termination Event with respect to a Plan
for which there is an Insufficiency in excess of $5,000.00.
(h) Transactions with Related Parties. Make any sale to, make any
purchase from, extend credit to, make payment for services rendered by, or
enter into any other transaction with, or permit any material Subsidiary of the
Borrower to make any sale to, make any purchase from, extend credit to, make
payment for services rendered by, or enter into any other transaction with, any
Related Party of the Borrower or of such Subsidiary unless as a whole such
sales, purchases, extensions of credit, rendition of services and other
transactions are (at the time such sale, purchase, extension of credit,
rendition of services or other transaction is entered into) on terms and
conditions reasonably fair in all material respects to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary in the good faith judgment of the Borrower.
(i) Guarantees. Guarantee or otherwise become contingently liable for,
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to guarantee or otherwise become contingently
liable for, Debt of any Subsidiary of TWC (other than a guaranty of the
obligations of Williams Communications Group, Inc. pursuant to that certain
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 23, 1997 among the
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Borrowers as named therein, certain financial institutions party thereto (the
"Banks"), certain Co-Agents identified therein, and Citibank, N.A., as Agent
for the Banks, as amended by an Amendment dated as of the date hereof, and as
the same may be otherwise amended, supplemented, restated or modified and
guaranties of obligations of Williams Energy Company and any Subsidiary of
Williams Energy Company that is not the Borrower) while an Event of Default is
continuing.
(j) Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Enter into, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to enter into, any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, if after
giving effect thereto the Borrower would not be permitted to incur at least
$1.00 of additional Debt secured by a Lien permitted by paragraph (z) of
Schedule III.
(k) Use of Proceeds. Use any proceeds of any Advance for any purpose
other than general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, working
capital and capital expenditures) or use any such proceeds in any manner which
violates or results in a violation of law; provided, however, that no proceeds
of any Advance will be used to acquire any equity security of a class which is
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, (other than any purchase of common stock of any corporation, if such
purchase is not subject to Sections 13 and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and is not opposed, resisted or recommended against by such corporation or
its management or directors, provided that the aggregate amount of common stock
of any corporation (other than Apco Argentina Inc., a Cayman Islands
corporation) purchased during any calendar year shall not exceed 1% of the
common stock of such corporation issued and outstanding at the time of such
purchase) or in any manner which contravenes law, and no proceeds of any
Advance will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock (within the meaning
of Regulation G or Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System).
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 6.1 Events of Default. If any of the following events ("Events
of Default") shall occur and be continuing:
(a) The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Note executed
by it when the same becomes due and payable, or shall fail to pay any interest
on any such Note or any fee or other amount to be paid by it hereunder within
ten days after the same becomes due and payable; or
(b) Any certification, representation or warranty made by the Borrower
herein or by the Borrower (or any officer of the Borrower) in writing under or
in connection with any Note or this Agreement (including, without limitation,
representations and warranties deemed made pursuant to Section 3.2 or 3.3)
shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed
made; or
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(c) The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe (i) any term,
covenant or agreement contained in Section 5. 1 (b) on its part to be performed
or observed and such failure shall continue for five Business Days after the
earlier of the date notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the
Agent or any Bank or the date the Borrower shall have knowledge of such
failure, or (ii) any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement
(other than a term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5. 1 (b)) or any
Note on its part to be performed or observed; or
(d) The Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall fail to pay
any principal of or premium or interest on any Debt which is outstanding in a
principal amount of at least $60,000,000 in the aggregate (excluding Debt
evidenced by the Notes) of the Borrower or such Subsidiary (as the case may
be), when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity,
required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall
continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement
or instrument relating to such Debt; or any other event shall occur or
condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such
Debt and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in
such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to
accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Debt; or any
such Debt shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid
(other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or as required
pursuant to an illegality event of the type set forth in Section 2.12), prior
to the stated maturity thereof; provided, however, that the provisions of this
Section 6.1(d) shall not apply to any Non-Recourse Debt of any Subsidiary of
the Borrower; or
(e) The Borrower or any material Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing
its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or
against the Borrower or any material Subsidiary of the Borrower seeking to
adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up,
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of
it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for
relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for
it or for any substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such
proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it), shall remain
undismissed or unstaved for a period of 30 days; or the Borrower or any
material Subsidiary of the Borrower shall take any action to authorize any of
the actions set forth above in this subsection (e); or
(f) Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of
$60,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower or any material Subsidiary
of the Borrower and remain unsatisfied and either (i) enforcement proceedings
shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii)
there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of
enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or
otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
(g) Any Termination Event with respect to a Plan shall have occurred
and, 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the
Agent, (i) such Termination Event shall
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still exist and (ii) the sum (determined as of the date of occurrence of such
Termination Event) of the Insufficiency of such Plan and the Insufficiency of
any and all other Plans with respect to which a Termination Event shall have
occurred and then exist (or in the case of a Plan with respect to which a
Termination Event described in clause (ii) of the definition of Termination
Event shall have occurred and then exist, the liability related thereto) is
equal to or greater than $5,000,000; or
(h) The Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by
the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred Withdrawal Liability
to such Multiemployer Plan in an amount which, when aggregated with all other
amounts required to be paid to Multiemployer Plans in connection with
Withdrawal Liabilities (determined as of the date of such notification),
exceeds $15,000,000 in the aggregate or requires payments exceeding $10,000,000
per annum; or
(i) The Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by
the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in
reorganization or is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA,
if as a result of such reorganization or termination the aggregate annual
contributions of the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates to all Multiemployer
Plans which are then in reorganization or being terminated have been or will be
increased over the amounts contributed to such Multiemployer Plans for the
respective plan years which include the date hereof by an amount exceeding
$5,000,000;
then, and in any such event, the Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with
the consent, of the holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the A
Notes then outstanding or, if no A Notes are then outstanding, Banks having at
least 66-2/3% of the Commitments, by notice to the Borrower, declare all of the
Commitments and the obligation of each Bank to make Advances to be terminated,
whereupon all of the Commitments and each such obligation shall forthwith
terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the
holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the A Notes then outstanding
or if no A Notes are then outstanding, Banks having at least 66-2/3% of the
Commitments, or, if no A Notes are then outstanding and all Commitments have
terminated, the holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the B Notes
then outstanding, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Notes, all interest
thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrower under this Agreement to
be forthwith due and payable, whereupon such Notes, such interest and all such
amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without requirement of
any presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, further
notice of acceleration or other further notice of any kind (other than the
notice expressly provided for above), all of which are hereby expressly waived
by the Borrower; provided, however, that in the event of any Event of Default
described in Section 6.1(e), (A) the obligation of each Bank to make Advances
shall automatically be terminated and (B) the Notes, all such interest and all
such amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of
acceleration or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by the Borrower.
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ARTICLE VII
THE AGENT
Section 7.1 Authorization and Action. Each Bank hereby appoints and
authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms
hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to
any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including, without
limitation, enforcement or collection of the Notes), the Agent shall not be
required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required
to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or
refraining from acting) upon the instructions of holders of at least 66-2/3% in
principal amount of the A Notes then outstanding or, if no A Notes are then
outstanding, Banks having at least 66-2/3% of the Commitments (or, if no A
Notes are then outstanding and all Commitments have terminated, upon the
instructions of holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the B Notes
then outstanding), and such instructions shall be binding upon all Banks and
all holders of Notes; provided, however, that the Agent shall not be required
to take any action which exposes the Agent to personal liability or which is
contrary to any Note, this Agreement or applicable law. The Agent agrees to
give to each Bank prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Borrower
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Section 7.2 Agent's Reliance, Etc. Neither the Agent nor any of its
directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken
or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with any Note or
this Agreement, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the Agent:
(i) may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof until the Agent
receives and accepts a Transfer Agreement executed by the Borrower, the Bank
which is the payee of such Note, as assignor, and the assignee in accordance
with the last sentence of Section 8.6(a); (ii) may consult with legal counsel
(including counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and other
experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted
to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel,
accountants or experts; (iii) makes no warranty or representation to any Bank
and shall not be responsible to any Bank for any statements, warranties or
representations (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any
Note or this Agreement; (iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire
as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or
conditions of any Note or this Agreement on the part of the Borrower or to
inspect the property (including the books and records) of the Borrower; (v)
shall not be responsible to any Bank for the due execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of any Note or this Agreement
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (vi) shall
incur no liability under or in respect of any, Note or this Agreement by acting
upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may
be by telecopier, telegram, cable or telex) believed by it to be genuine and
signed or sent by the proper party or parties.
Section 7.3 Citibank and Affiliates. With respect to its Commitments,
the Advances made by it and the Notes issued to it, Citibank shall have the
same rights and powers under any Note and
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this Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it was not
the Agent; and the term "Bank" or "Banks" shall, unless otherwise expressly
indicated, include Citibank in its individual capacity. Citibank and its
affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as trustee under
indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower,
any Subsidiary of the Borrower, any Person who may do business with or own,
directly or indirectly, securities of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary and
any other Person, all as if Citibank were not the Agent and without any duty to
account therefor to the Banks.
Section 7.4 Bank Credit Decision. Each Bank acknowledges that it has,
independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank and based
on the financial statements referred to in Section 4.1(e) and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate. made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Bank also acknowledges
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent 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 decisions in taking or not taking
action under any Note or this Agreement.
Section 7.5 Indemnification. The Banks agree to indemnify the Agent
(to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to the
respective principal amounts of the A Notes then held by each of them (or if no
A Notes are at the time outstanding or if any A Notes are held by Persons which
are not Banks, ratably according to either (i) the respective amounts of their
Commitments, or (ii) if all Commitments have terminated, the respective amounts
of the Commitments immediately prior to the time the Commitments terminated),
from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of any Note or this
Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Agent under any Note or this
Agreement, provided that no Bank shall be liable to the Agent for any portion
of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Agents
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing,
each Bank agrees to reimburse the Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable
share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees) incurred by the
Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, any Note or this Agreement to the extent that the Agent
is not reimbursed for such expenses by the Borrower.
Section 7.6 Successor Agent. The Agent may resign at any time as Agent
under this Agreement by giving written notice thereof to the Banks and the
Borrower and may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Majority
Banks. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Majority Banks shall have the
right to appoint, with the consent the Borrower (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), a successor Agent from among the Banks. If no successor
Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Banks with such consent, and
shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Agent's
giving of notice of resignation or the Majority Banks' removal of the retiring
Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint
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a successor Agent, which shall be a Bank which is a commercial bank organized
under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as Agent under this Agreement by a successor
Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent and shall
function as the Agent under this Agreement, and the retiring Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations as Agent under this Agreement. After
any retiring Agents resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the provisions
of this Article VII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision
of any Note or this Agreement, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower
therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by the Majority Banks, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given; provided, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by all the Banks, do any of the following: (a) waive any of
the conditions specified in Article III, (b) increase the Commitments of the
Banks or subject the Banks to any additional obligations, (c) reduce the
principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or
interest on, the Notes or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (e) take
any action which requires the signing of all the Banks pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement, (f) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the A Notes or B Notes, or the number of
Banks, which shall be required for the Banks or any of them to take any action
under this Agreement, or (g) amend this Section 8.1; and provided, further,
that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the
Agent in addition to the Banks required above to take such action, affect the
rights or duties of the Agent under any Note or this Agreement.
Section 8.2 Notices, Etc. All notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy, telegraphic,
telex or cable communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed,
cabled or delivered, if to any Bank, as specified opposite its name on Schedule
I hereto or specified pursuant to Section 8.6(a); if to the Borrower, as
specified opposite its name on Schedule II hereto; and if to Citibank, as
Agent, to its address at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10043, (telecopier
number: (212) 527-1084), Attention: John Sahr, with a copy to Citicorp North
America, Inc., 1200 Smith Street, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77002 (telecopier
number: (713) 654-2849; telex number 127001 (Attn: Route Code HOUAA)),
Attention: The Williams Companies, Inc. Account Officer, or, as to the Borrower
or the Agent, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties and, as to each other party, at such other
address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the
Borrower and the Agent. All such notices and communications shall, when mailed,
telecopied,
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telegraphed, telexed or cabled, be effective when received in the mail, sent by
telecopier to any party to the telecopier number as set forth herein or on
Schedule I or Schedule 11 or specified pursuant to Section 8.6(a) (or other
telecopy number specified by such party in a written notice to the other
parties hereto), delivered to the telegraph company, telexed to any party to
the telex number set forth herein or on Schedule I or Schedule II or specified
pursuant to Section 8.6(a) (or other telex number designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties hereto), confirmed by telex answerback, or
delivered to the cable company, respectively, except that notices and
communications to the Agent shall not be effective until received by the Agent.
Section 8.3 No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Bank or
the Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under any Note or
this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies provided in any Note
and this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by
law.
Section 8.4 Costs, Expenses and Taxes. (a)(i) The Borrower agrees to
pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Arranger
and the Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement, the Notes and the
other documents to be delivered under this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the
Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Agent as to its
rights and responsibilities under any Note and this Agreement, and (ii) the
Borrower agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses, if any (including,
without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses, which may include
allocated costs of in-house counsel), of the Agent and each Bank in connection
with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or
otherwise) against the Borrower of any Note of the Borrower or this Agreement
and the other documents to be delivered by the Borrower under this Agreement.
(b) If any payment (or purchase pursuant to Section 2.11(c) or Section
8.6(b)) of principal of, or Conversion of, any Eurodollar Rate Advance or B
Advance made to the Borrower is made other than on the last day of an Interest
Period relating to such Advance (or in the case of a B Advance, other than on
the original scheduled maturity date thereof), as a result of a payment
pursuant to Section 2.10 or 2.12 or acceleration of the maturity of the Notes
pursuant to Section 6.1 or for any other reason or as a result of any such
purchase or any Conversion, the Borrower shall, upon demand by any Bank (with a
copy of such demand to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such
Bank any amounts required to compensate such Bank for any additional losses,
costs or expenses which it may reasonably incur as a result of any such
payment, purchase or Conversion, including, without limitation, any loss, cost
or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or
other funds acquired by such Bank to fund or maintain such Advance.
(c) The Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, the Arranger and each Bank and each of
their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any
and all claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket
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expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel) for which any of them may become liable or which may be incurred by or
asserted against the Agent, the Arranger or such Bank or any such director,
officer, employee or agent (other than by another Bank or any successor or
assign of another Bank), in each case in connection with or arising out of or
by reason of any investigation, litigation, or proceeding, whether or not the
Agent, the Arranger such Bank or any such director, officer, employee or agent
is a party thereto, arising out of, related to or in connection with this
Agreement or the Notes or any transaction in which any proceeds of all or any
part of the Advances are applied (other than any such claim, damage, liability
or expense to the extent attributable to the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of, or violation of any law or regulation by, either the party
seeking indemnity under this Section 8.4(c) or any of its directors, officers,
employees or agents).
Section 8.5 Right of Set-off. Upon (i) the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default and (ii) the making of the request or the
granting of the consent specified by Section 6.1 to authorize the Agent to
declare the Notes due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1,
each Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and
other indebtedness at any time owing by such Bank to or for the credit or the
account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower
now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and the Notes held by such Bank,
irrespective of whether or not such Bank shall have made any demand under this
Agreement or such Notes and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each
Bank agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after such set-off and application
made by such Bank, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not
affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Bank
under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including,
without limitation, other rights of set-off) which such Bank may have.
Section 8.6 Binding Effect; Transfers. (a) This Agreement shall become
effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Agent and
when each Bank, listed on the signature pages hereof has delivered an executed
counterpart hereof to the Agent, has sent to the Agent a facsimile copy of its
signature hereon or has notified the Agent that such Bank has executed this
Agreement and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrower, the Agent and each Bank and their respective successors and assigns;
provided that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign any of its rights
hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of all of
the Banks. Each Bank may assign to one or more banks, financial institutions or
government entities all or any part of, or may grant participations to one or
more banks, financial institutions or government entities in or to all or any
part of, any Advance or Advances owing to such Bank, any Note or Notes held by
such Bank and all or any portion of such Bank's Commitments, and to the extent
of any such assignment or participation (unless otherwise stated therein), the
assignee or purchaser of such assignment or participation shall, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, have the same rights and benefits hereunder and under
such Note or Notes as it would have if it were such Bank hereunder; provided
that, except in the case of an assignment meeting the requirements of the next
sentence hereof, (1) (i) such Bank's obligations under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, its Commitment hereunder, shall remain
unchanged, (ii)
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such Bank shall remain responsible for the performance thereof, (iii) such Bank
shall remain the holder of any such Note or Notes for all purposes under this
Agreement, and (iv) the Borrower, the other Banks and the Agent shall continue
to deal solely with and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's
rights and obligations under this Agreement; and (2) no Bank shall assign or
grant a participation that conveys to the assignee or participant the right to
vote or consent under this Agreement, other than the right to vote upon or
consent to (i) any increase in the amount of any Commitment of such Bank; (ii)
any reduction of the principal amount of, or interest to be paid on, such
Bank's Advance or Advances or Note or Notes; (iii) any reduction of any fee or
other amount payable hereunder to such Bank; or (iv) any postponement of any
date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, such Bank's Advance
or Advances or Note or Notes or any fee or other amount payable hereunder to
such Bank.
If (I) the assignee of any Bank either (1) is another Bank or is an
affiliate of a Bank or (2) is approved in writing by the Agent and the Borrower
or (3) is approved in writing by the Agent and either an Event of Default
exists or the Borrower has relinquished the right to approve the assignment
pursuant to Section 8.6(b) and (II) such assignee assumes all or any portion
(which portion shall be a constant, and not a varying, percentage, and the
amount of the Commitment assigned, whether all or a portion, shall be in a
minimum amount of $5,000,000 or such lesser amount as may be approved in
writing by the Agent and the Borrower for such assignment) of the Commitment of
such assigning Bank by executing a document in the form of Exhibit F (or with
such changes thereto as have been approved in writing by the Agent in its sole
discretion as evidenced by its execution thereof) duly executed by the Agent,
the Borrower (unless an Event of Default exists or the Borrower has
relinquished the right to approve the assignment pursuant to Section 8.6(b)),
such assigning Bank and such assignee and delivered to the Agent ("Transfer
Agreement"), then upon such delivery, (i) such assigning Bank shall be released
from its obligations under this Agreement with respect to all or such portion,
as the case may be, of its Commitments; (ii) such assignee shall become
obligated for all or such portion, as the case may be, of such Commitments and
all other obligations of such assigning Bank hereunder with respect to or
arising as a result of all or such portion, as the case may be, of such
Commitments; (iii) such assignee shall be assigned the right to vote or consent
under this Agreement, to the extent of all or such portion, as the case may be,
of such Commitments; (iv) the Borrower shall deliver, in replacement of the A
Note of the Borrower to such assigning Bank then outstanding (a) to such
assignee, a new A Note of the Borrower in the amount of the Commitment of such
assigning Bank which is being so assumed by such assignee plus, in the case of
any assignee which is already a Bank hereunder, the amount of such assignee's
Commitment immediately prior to such assignment (any such assignee which is
already a Bank hereunder agrees to cancel and return to the Borrower, with
reasonable promptness following the delivery of such new A Note, the A Note
being replaced thereby), (b) to such assigning Bank, a new A Note in the amount
of the balance, if any, of the Commitment of such assigning Bank to the
Borrower (without giving effect to any B Reduction) retained by such assigning
Bank (and such assigning Bank agrees to cancel and return to the Borrower, with
reasonable promptness following delivery of such new A Notes, the A Note being
replaced thereby), and (c) to the Agent, photocopies of such new A Notes; (v)
if such assignment is of all of such assigning Bank's Commitment, all of the
outstanding A Advances made by such assigning Bank shall be transferred to such
assignee; (vi) if such assignment is not of all of such Commitments, a
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part of each A Advance to the Borrower equal to the amount of such Advance
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of such portion
of such assigning Bank's Commitment so assumed and the denominator of which is
the amount of the Commitment of such assigning Bank (without giving effect to
any B Reduction) immediately prior to such assumption, shall be transferred to
such assignee and evidenced by such assignee's A Note from the Borrower, and
the balance of such A Advance shall be evidenced by such assigning Bank's new A
Note from the Borrower delivered pursuant to clause (iv)(b) of this sentence;
(vii) if such assignee is not a "Bank" hereunder prior to such assignment, such
assignee shall become a party to this Agreement as a Bank and shall be deemed
to be a "Bank" hereunder and the amount of all or such portion, as the case may
be, of the Commitment so assumed shall be deemed to be the amount set opposite
such assigning Bank's name on Schedule IV for purposes of this Agreement and
(viii) if such assignee is not a Bank hereunder prior to such assignment, such
assignee shall be deemed to have specified the offices of such assignee named
in the respective Transfer Agreement as its "Domestic Lending Office" and
"Eurodollar Lending Office" for all purposes of this Agreement and to have
specified for purposes of Section 8.2 the notice information set forth in such
Transfer Agreement; and the Agent shall promptly after execution of any
Transfer Agreement by the Agent and the other parties thereto notify the Banks
of the parties to such Transfer Agreement and the amounts of the assigning
Bank's Commitment assumed thereby.
(b) If the Borrower does not consent to a proposed assignment by a
Bank pursuant to the last sentence of Section 8.6(a), the Borrower may, within
15 days of its receipt of a request that it consent to such assignment,
nominate by notice to the Agent and such Bank a bank which, if it is not a
Bank, is acceptable to the Agent, and which unconditionally offers in writing
(with a copy to the Agent) to purchase and assume, to the extent of the amount
of such proposed assignment, in accordance with all of the provisions of the
last sentence of Section 8.6(a) (including execution of an appropriate Transfer
Agreement), all of such Bank's rights and obligations (including, without
limitation, its Commitment) hereunder and interest in the Advances owing to
such Bank and the Notes held by such Bank without recourse at par plus interest
accrued thereon to the date of such purchase on a date therein specified (not
less than three nor greater than five Business Days after such nomination).
Such Bank at its option may elect to accept or not accept such purchase offer.
If a Bank accepts such an offer and the bank first nominated by the Borrower
pursuant to this Section 8.6(b) fails to purchase such rights and interest on
such specified date in accordance with the terms of such offer, the Borrower
may, within 15 days of such failure, repeat the process contemplated by the
first sentence of this Section 8.6(b) by nominating another bank for purposes
of this Section 8.6(b) by notice to the Agent and such Bank. If (i) the
Borrower does not so nominate such a bank, within 15 days of its receipt of
such request that it consent to such assignment, or (ii) the Borrower fails to
nominate another bank following such a failure to purchase or (iii) such second
nominated bank fails to purchase in accordance with the terms of an offer
complying with the first sentence of this Section 8.6(b), the Borrower shall be
deemed to have relinquished its right to consent to such assignment. If such
Bank elects to not accept such a purchase offer under this Section 8.6(b) as to
a particular proposed assignment, the Borrower shall not be deemed to have
relinquished its right to consent to such assignment.
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(c) The Borrower agrees to promptly execute the Transfer Agreement
pertaining to any assignment as to which approval by the Borrower of the
assignee is not required by clause (I) of the last paragraph of Section 8.6(a).
(d) Any Bank may assign, as collateral or otherwise, any of its rights
(including, without limitation, rights to payments of principal of and/or
interest on the Notes) under this Agreement or any of the Notes to any Federal
Reserve Bank without notice to or consent of the Borrower or the Agent.
Section 8.7 Governing Law. This Agreement and the Notes shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York.
Section 8.8 Interest. It is the intention of the parties hereto that
the Agent and each Bank shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it,
if any. Accordingly, if the transactions with the Agent or any Bank
contemplated hereby would be usurious under applicable law, then, in that
event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Notes, this Agreement or
any other agreement entered into in connection with or as security for this
Agreement or the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all
consideration which constitutes interest under applicable law that is
contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by the Agent or such Bank,
as the case may be, under the Notes, this Agreement or under any other
agreement entered into in connection with or as security for this Agreement or
the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by
such applicable law and any excess shall be canceled automatically and, if
theretofore paid, shall at the option of the Agent or such Bank, as the case
may be, be credited by the Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, on the
principal amount of the obligations owed to the Agent or such Bank, as the case
may be, by the Borrower or refunded by the Agent or such Bank, as the case may
be, to the Borrower, and (ii) in the event that the maturity of any Note or
other obligation payable to the Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, is
accelerated or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such
consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to the Agent or
such Bank, as the case may be, may never include more than the maximum amount
allowed by such applicable law and excess interest, if any, to the Agent or
such Bank, as the case may be, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise
shall be canceled automatically as of the date of such acceleration or
prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall, at the option of the Agent or such
Bank, as the case may be, be credited by the Agent or such Bank, as the case
may be, on the principal amount of the obligations owed to the Agent or such
Bank, as the case may be, by the Borrower or refunded by the Agent or such
Bank, as the case may be, to the Borrower.
Section 8.9 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 8.10 Survival of Agreements, Representations and Warranties,
Etc. All warranties, representations and covenants made by the Borrower or any
officer of the Borrower herein or in any
48
53
certificate or other document delivered in connection with this Agreement shall
be considered to have been relied upon by the Banks and shall survive the
issuance and delivery of the Notes and the making of the Advances regardless of
any investigation. The indemnities and other payment obligations of the
Borrower contained in this Agreement, and the indemnities by the Banks in favor
of the Agent and its officers, directors, employees and agents, will survive
the repayment of the Advances and the termination of this Agreement.
Section 8.11 Borrower's Right to Apply Deposits. In the event that any
Bank is placed in receivership or enters a similar proceeding, the Borrower
may, to the full extent permitted by law, make any payment due to such Bank
hereunder, to the extent of finally collected unrestricted deposits of the
Borrower in U.S. dollars held by such Bank, by giving notice to the Agent and
such Bank directing such Bank to apply such deposits to such indebtedness. If
the amount of such deposits is insufficient to pay such indebtedness then due
and owing in full, the Borrower shall pay the balance of such insufficiency in
accordance with this Agreement.
Section 8.12 Confidentiality. Each Bank agrees that it will use best
efforts, to the extent not inconsistent with practical business requirements,
not to disclose without the prior consent of the Borrower (other than to
employees, auditors, accountants, counsel or other professional advisors of the
Agent or any Bank) any information with respect to the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries which is furnished pursuant to this Agreement and which (i) the
Borrower in good faith considers to be confidential and (ii) is either clearly
marked confidential or is designated by the Borrower to the Agent or the Banks
in writing as confidential, provided that any Bank may disclose any such
information (a) as has become generally available to the public, (b) as may be
required or appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted to or
required by any municipal, state or Federal regulatory body having or claiming
to have jurisdiction over such Bank or submitted to or required by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or similar organizations (whether in the United States or
elsewhere) or their successors, (c) as may be required or appropriate in
response to any summons or subpoena in connection with any litigation, (d) in
order to comply with any law, order, regulation or ruling applicable to such
Bank, (e) to the prospective transferee in connection with any contemplated
transfer of any of the Notes or any interest therein by such Bank, provided
that such prospective transferee executes an agreement with or for the benefit
of the Borrower containing provisions substantially identical to those
contained in this Section 8.12, and provided further that if the contemplated
transfer is a grant of a participation in a Note (and not an assignment), no
such information shall be authorized to be delivered to such participant
pursuant to this clause (e) except (i) such information delivered pursuant to
Section 4.1(e) or Section 5.1(b) (other than paragraph (iv) thereof), and (ii)
if prior notice of the delivery thereof is given to the Borrower, such
information as may be required by law or regulation to be delivered, (f) in
connection with the exercise of any remedy by such Bank pertaining to this
Agreement, any of the Notes or any other document delivered in connection
herewith, (g) in connection with any litigation involving such Bank pertaining
to this Agreement, any of the Notes or any other document delivered in
connection herewith, (h) to any Bank or the Agent, or (i) to any affiliate of
any Bank, provided that such affiliate executes an agreement with or for the
benefit of the Borrower containing provisions substantially identical to those
contained in this Section 8.12.
49
54
Section 8.13 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE AGENT, AND THE
BANKS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY NOTE OR ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the
date first above written.
BORROWER:
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
By: /s/ JAMES IVEY
-----------------------------------
Name: James Ivey
Title: Treasurer
AGENT:
CITIBANK, N.A., as Agent
By: [ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------------------
Title: V.P.
--------------------------------
BANKS:
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: [ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------------------
Title: V.P.
--------------------------------
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
By: /s/ PETER M. LING
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
CIBC INC.
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
50
55
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ CLAIRE M. LIU
-----------------------------------
Title: Managing Director
--------------------------------
BANK OF MONTREAL
By: /s/ MARY LEE LATTA
-----------------------------------
Title: Director
--------------------------------
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
By: /s/ PHILIPPE SOUSTRA
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
--------------------------------
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------------------
Title: First Vice President
--------------------------------
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
BANKBOSTON, N.A.
By: /s/ R. STEVE SCHAUER
-----------------------------------
Title: Director
--------------------------------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ RAYMOND J. PALMER
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By: /s/ F.C.H. ASHBY
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Manager, Loan Operations
--------------------------------
51
56
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.,
HOUSTON AGENCY
By: /s/ ICHIRO OTANI
-----------------------------------
Title: Deputy General Manager
--------------------------------
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
By: /s/ RICHARD B. WILLIAMS
-----------------------------------
Title: Director
--------------------------------
INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ MIKE OAKS
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
--------------------------------
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED
HOUSTON OFFICE
(Authorized Representative)
MELLON BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ MARK W. ROGERS
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By: /s/ J. D. FROST
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Manager
--------------------------------
SOCIETE GENERALE, SOUTHWEST AGENCY
By: /s/ RICHARD M. LEWIS
-----------------------------------
Title: Director
--------------------------------
THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT,
ATLANTA AGENCY
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
52
57
FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS, HOUSTON
AGENCY
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
ARAB BANKING CORPORATION (B.S.C.)
By: /s/ STEPHEN A. PLAUCHE
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
BW CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE,
NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
SUNTRUST BANK
By: /s/ TODD C. DAVIS
-----------------------------------
Title: Assistant Vice President
--------------------------------
By: /s/ STEVEN J. NEWBY
-----------------------------------
Title: Corporate Banking Officer
--------------------------------
DG BANK DEUTSCHE GENOSSENSCHAFTSBANK
AG, CAYMAN ISLAND BRANCH
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC
NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
-----------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
53
58
BANK OF OKLAHOMA, N.A.
By: /s/ ROBERT D. MATTAX
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
--------------------------------
COMMERCE BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
--------------------------------
CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ
By: /s/ DAVID BODHL
-----------------------------------
Title: F.V.P. Head of Corporate
--------------------------------
Banking Chicago
THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED, HOUSTON AGENCY
By: /s/ RAYMOND VENTURA
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President & Manager
--------------------------------
54
59
SCHEDULE I
APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICES
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- --------------
Citibank N.A. Citibank N.A. Citibank N.A.
399 Park Avenue 399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043 New York, New York 10043
Notices: Notices:
Citibank, N.A. Citibank, N.A.
399 Park Avenue 399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043 New York, New York 10043
Telecopier: (212) 527-1084 Telecopier: (212) 527-1084
Telex: None Telex: None
Attn: Christine Grundel Attn: Christine Grundel
Dept: Medium Term Finance Dept: Medium Term Finance
with copies to: with copies to:
Citicorp North America, Inc. Citicorp North America, Inc.
1200 Smith Street, Suite 2000 1200 Smith Street, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier: (713) 654-2849 Telecopier: (713) 654-2849
Telex: 127001 Telex: 127001
(Attn. Route Code HOUAA) (Attn. Route Code HOUAA)
Attn: The Williams Companies, Inc. Attn: The Williams Companies, Inc.
Account Officer Account Officer
The Chase The Chase Manhattan Bank The Chase Manhattan Bank
Manhattan 270 Park Avenue, 21st Floor 270 Park Avenue, 21st Floor
Bank New York, New York 10017 New York, New York 10017
Telecopier: (212) 270-3897 Telecopier: (212) 270-3897
Telephone: (212) 270-4676 Telephone: (212) 270-4676
Attn: Peter Ling Attn: Peter Ling
The Fuji Bank, The Fuji Bank, Limited The Fuji Bank, Limited
Limited (New York Branch) (New York Branch)
(New York Branch) 2 World Trade Center 2 World Trade Center
79th Floor 79th Floor
New York, New York 10048 New York, New York 10048
Telecopier: (212) 321-9407 Telecopier: (212) 321-9407
Telephone: (212) 898-2597 Telephone: (212) 898-2597
Attn: Felix Amerasinghe Attn: Felix Amerasinghe
Schedule I-1
60
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- ---------------
Bank of Montreal Bank of Montreal Bank of Montreal
115 S. LaSalle St., 11W 115 S. LaSalle St., 11W
Chicago, Illinois 60603 Chicago, Illinois 60603
Telecopier: (312) 750-6061 Telecopier: (312) 750-6061
Telephone: (312) 750-6047 Telephone: (312) 750-6047
Attn: Craig Reynolds - Client Services Attn: Craig Reynolds - Client Services
Commerzbank AG, Commerzbank AG, Atlanta Agency Commerzbank AG, Atlanta Agency
Atlanta Agency 1230 Peachtree St., NE 1230 Peachtree St., NE
Suite 3500 Suite 3500
Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Telephone: (404) 888-6518 Telephone: (404) 888-6518
Telecopier: (404) 888-6539 Telecopier: (404) 888-6539
Attn: Brian Campbell Attn: Brian Campbell
Credit Lyonnais Credit Lyonnais New York Branch Credit Lyonnais New York Branch
New York Branch 1301 Avenue of the Americas 1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019 New York, New York 10019
Telecopier: (713) 759-9766 Telecopier: (713) 759-9766
Telephone: (713) 751-0500 Telephone: (713) 751-0500
Attn: Bernadette Archie Attn: Bernadette Archie
The First National The First National Bank of Chicago The First National Bank of Chicago
Bank of Chicago One First National Plaza One First National Plaza
0634, 1FNP, 10 0634, 1FNP, 10
Chicago, Illinois 60670 Chicago, Illinois 60670
Telecopier: (312) 732-5219 Telecopier: (312) 732-5219
Telephone: (312) 732-4840 Telephone: (312) 732-4840
Attn: Mattie Reed Attn: Mattie Reed
ABN AMRO Bank ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.
N.V. 208 South LaSalle, Suite 1500 208 South LaSalle, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1003 Chicago, Illinois 60604-1003
Telephone: (312) 992-5110 Telephone: (312) 992-5110
Facsimile: (312) 992-5111 Facsimile: (312) 992-5111
Attn: Credit Administration Attn: Credit Administration
with copies to: with copies to:
ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.
208 South LaSalle, Suite 1500 208 South LaSalle, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1003 Chicago, Illinois 60604-1003
Telephone: (312) 992-5152 Telephone: (312) 992-5152
Facsimile: (312) 992-5157 Facsimile: (312) 992-5157
Attn: Loan Administration Attn: Loan Administration
Schedule I-2
61
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- --------------
ABN AMRO North America, Inc. ABN AMRO North America, Inc.
Three Riverway, Suite 1700 Three Riverway, Suite 1700
Houston, Texas 77056 Houston, Texas 77056
Telephone: (713) 964-3316 Telephone: (713) 964-3316
Facsimile: (713) 621-5810 Facsimile: (713) 621-5810
Attn: Michael Nepreux Attn: Michael Nepreux
BankBoston, N.A. BankBoston, N.A. BankBoston, N.A.
100 Federal Street, M/S 01-08-02 100 Federal Street, M/S 01-08-02
Boston, MA 02110 Boston, MA 02110
Telephone: (617) 434-4655 Telephone: (617) 434-4655
Telecopier: (617) 434-9820 Telecopier: (617) 434-9820
Attn: Leah Hardy Attn: Leah Hardy
The Bank of The Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi, The Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi,
Toyko-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Houston Agency Ltd., Houston Agency
Ltd., Houston 1100 Louisiana St., Suite 2800 1100 Louisiana St., Suite 2800
Agency Houston, Texas 77002-5216 Houston, Texas 77002-5216
Telephone: (713) 655-3845 Telephone: (713) 655-3845
Telecopier: (713) 655-3855 Telecopier: (713) 655-3855
Attn: J.M. McIntyre Attn: J.M. McIntyre
Barclays Bank PLC Barclays Bank PLC-New York Branch Barclays Bank PLC-New York Branch
222 Broadway, 11th Floor 222 Broadway, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10038 New York, New York 10038
Telephone: (212) 412-3717 Telephone: (212) 412-3717
Telecopier: (212) 412-5307 Telecopier: (212) 412-5307
Attn: Judy Kwong Attn: Judy Kwong
First American First American National Bank First American National Bank
National Bank First American Center First American Center
Fourth & Union St. NA-0310 Fourth & Union St. NA-0310
Nashville, Tennessee 37237-0310 Nashville, Tennessee 37237-0310
Telephone: (615) 736-6223 Telephone: (615) 736-6223
Telecopier: (615) 748-2485 Telecopier: (615) 748-2485
Attn: Stephen Arnold Attn: Stephen Arnold
Banque Nationale Banque Nationale de Paris, Houston Banque Nationale de Paris, Houston
de Paris, Houston Agency Agency
Agency 333 Clay Street, Suite 3400 333 Clay Street, Suite 3400
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 951-1240 Telephone: (713) 951-1240
Telecopier: (713) 659-1414 Telecopier: (713) 659-1414
Attn: Donna Rose Attn: Donna Rose
Schedule I-3
62
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- --------------
Arab Banking Arab Banking Corp. Arab Banking Corp. (Grand Cayman)
Corporation 277 Park Avenue, 32nd Floor 277 Park Avenue, 32nd Floor
(B.S.C.) New York, New York 10172 New York, New York 10172
Telephone: (212) 583-4771 Telephone: (212) 583-4770
Telecopier: (212) 583-0932 Telecopier: (212) 583-0932
Attn: Loan Administration Attn: Loan Administration
BW Capital BW Capital Markets, Inc. BW Capital Markets, Inc.
Markets, Inc. 630 Fifth Avenue 630 Fifth Avenue
Rockefeller Center Rockefeller Center
Suite 1919 Suite 1919
New York, New York 10111 New York, New York 10111
Telecopier: (212) 218-1810 Telecopier: (212) 218-1810
Attn: Thomas A. Lowe Attn: Thomas A. Lowe
Westdeutsche Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale,
Landesbank New York Branch New York Branch
Girozentrale, 1211 Avenue of the Americas 1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York New York, New York 10038 New York, New York 10038
Branch Telecopier: (212) 302-7946 Telecopier: (212) 302-7946
Telephone: (212) 852-6113 Telephone: (212) 852-6113
Attn: Phil Green Attn: Phil Green
SunTrust Bank SunTrust Bank, Atlanta SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
25 Park Place, 24th Floor MC120 25 Park Place, 24th Floor MC120
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone: (404) 658-4917 Telephone: (404) 658-4917
Telecopier: (404) 827-6270 Telecopier: (404) 827-6270
Attn: Todd C. Davis Attn: Todd C. Davis
DG Bank DG Bank DG Bank
609 Fifth Avenue 609 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10017 New York, New York 10017
Telephone: (212) 745-1560 Telephone: (212) 745-1560
Telecopier: (212) 745-1556 Telecopier: (212) 745-1556
Attn: Mark K. Connelly Attn: Mark K. Connelly
Societe Generale, Societe Generale, Southwest Agency Societe Generale, Southwest Agency
Southwest Agency 2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 4800 2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 4800
Dallas, Texas 75201 Dallas, Texas 75201
Telecopier: (214) 754-0171 Telecopier: (214) 754-0171
Telephone: (214) 979-2767 Telex: (214) 979-2767
Attn: Tequlla English Attn: Tequlla English
Loan Specialist Loan Specialist
Schedule I-4
63
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- --------------
The Sumitomo The Sumitomo Bank, Limited The Sumitomo Bank, Limited
Bank, Limited 277 Park Avenue 277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172 New York, NY 10172
Telex: SUMBK 420515/SUMBK Telex: SUMBK 420515/SUMBK
Telecopier: (212) 224-5188 Telecopier: (212) 224-5188
with copies to: with copies to:
The Sumitomo Bank, Limited The Sumitomo Bank, Limited
700 Louisiana, Suite 1750 700 Louisiana, Suite 1750
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: William McKown, III Attn: William McKown, III
The Sumitomo Bank, Limited The Sumitomo Bank, Limited
277 Park Avenue 277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172 New York, NY 10172
Attn: Ms. Andrea Wei, V.P. Attn: Ms. Andrea Wei, V.P.
PANA - Legal Department PANA - Legal Department
National National Westminster Bank PLC National Westminster Bank PLC
Westminster 600 Travis St., Suite 6070 600 Travis St., Suite 6070
Bank PLC Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier: (713) 221-2430 Telecopier: (713) 221-2430
Telephone: (713) 221-2404 Telephone: (713) 221-2404
Attn: Kevin Howard Attn: Kevin Howard
The Bank of Nova The Bank of Nova Scotia The Bank of Nova Scotia
Scotia 600 Peachtree St., N.E. 600 Peachtree St., N.E.
Suite 2700 Suite 2700
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Telecopier: (404) 888-8998 Telecopier: (404) 888-8998
Telex: 00542319 Telex: 00542319
Attn: Robert L. Ahern Attn: Robert L. Ahern
with copy to: with copy to:
1100 Louisiana, Suite 3000 1100 Louisiana, Suite 3000
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier: (713) 752-2425 Telecopier: (713) 752-2425
Telephone: (713) 759-3440 Telephone: (713) 759-3440
Attn: Greg Smith Attn: Greg Smith
Schedule I-5
64
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- --------------
Bank of America Bank of America National Trust Bank of America National Trust
National Trust and Savings Association and Savings Association
and Savings Account Administration Account Administration
Association 231 South LaSalle Street 231 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60697 Chicago, Illinois 60697
Telecopier: (312) 974-9626 Telecopier: (312) 974-9626
Telephone: (312) 828-3793 Telephone: (312) 828-3793
Attn: Debbie Aguilar Attn: Debbie Aguilar
with copy to: with copy to:
Bank of America Bank of America
Three Allen Center, Suite 4550 Three Allen Center, Suite 4550
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier: (713) 651-4807 Telecopier: (713) 651-4807
Telephone: (713) 651-4855 Telephone: (713) 651-4855
Bank of New York Bank of New York Bank of New York
One Wall St., 19th Floor One Wall St., 19th Floor
New York, New York 10286 New York, New York 10286
Telecopier: (212) 635-7923 Telecopier: (212) 635-7923
Telephone: (212) 635-7834 Telephone: (212) 635-7834
Attn: Raymond Palmer (Ray) Attn: Raymond Palmer (Ray)
Bank of Oklahoma, Bank of Oklahoma, N.A. Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.
N.A. One Williams Center, 8th Floor One Williams Center, 8th Floor
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74192 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74192
Telecopier: (918) 588-6880 Telecopier: (918) 588-6880
Telephone: (918) 588-6217 Telephone: (918) 588-6217
Attn: Robert Mattax (Bob) Attn: Robert Mattax (Bob)
Canadian Imperial Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Bank of Commerce Two Paces West Two Paces West
2727 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 1200 2727 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 1200
Atlanta, Georgia 30339 Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Telecopier: (770) 319-4950 Telecopier (770) 319-4950
Telephone: (770) 319-4821 Telephone: (770) 319-4821
Attn: Katherine McGovern Attn: Katherine McGovern
with a copy to: with a copy to:
1600 Smith, Ste. 3000 1600 Smith, Ste. 3000
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier: (713) 650-3727 Telecopier: (713) 650-3727
Telephone: (713) 650-2588 Telephone: (713) 650-2588
Attn: Mark Wolf Attn: Mark Wolf
Schedule I-6
65
Domestic Eurodollar
Name of Bank Lending Office Lending Office
- ------------ -------------- --------------
Commerce Bank, Commerce Bank, N.A. Commerce Bank, N.A.
N.A. 1000 Walnut Street, 17th Floor 1000 Walnut Street, 17th Floor
Kansas City, Missouri 64106 Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Telecopier: (816) 234-7290 Telecopier: (816) 234-7290
Telephone: (816) 234-2477 Telephone: (816) 234-2477
Attn: Dennis Block Attn: Dennis Block
Industrial Bank Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Industrial Bank of Japan Trust
of Japan Trust 1251 Avenue of the Americas 1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020 New York, New York 10020
Telecopier: (212) 282-4480 Telecopier: (212) 282-4480
Telephone: (212) 282-4067 Telephone: (212) 282-4067
Attn: Bob Cummings Attn: Bob Cummings
Credit Agricole Credit Agricole Indosuez Credit Agricole Indosuez
Indosuez Texas Commerce Tower Texas Commerce Tower
600 Travis, Suite 2340 600 Travis, Suite 2340
Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77002
Telecopier: (713) 223-7029 Telecopier: (713) 223-7029
Telephone: (713) 223-7001 Telephone: (713) 223-7001
Attn: Brian Knezeak Attn: Brian Knezeak
Mellon Bank, N.A. Mellon Bank, N.A. Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Center, 44th Floor One Mellon Center, 44th Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
Telecopier: (412) 236-1840 Telecopier: (412) 236-1840
Telephone: (412) 236-2786 Telephone: (412) 236-2786
Attn: A. Gary Chase Attn: A. Gary Chase
NationsBank NationsBank NationsBank
515 S. Boulder 515 S. Boulder
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
Telecopier: (918) 591-8221 Telecopier: (918) 591-8221
Telephone: (918) 591-8518 Telephone: (918) 591-8518
Attn: Linda Parish Attn: Linda Parish
Royal Bank of Royal Bank of Canada, New York Royal Bank of Canada, New York
Canada One Liberty Plaza, 4th Floor One Liberty Plaza, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10006 New York, New York 10006
Telecopier: (212) 428-2372 Telecopier: (212) 428-2372
Telephone: (212) 428-6321 Telephone: (212) 428-6321
Attn: Assistant Manager, Loan Attn: Assistant Manager, Loan
Processing Processing
Schedule I-7
66
SCHEDULE II
BORROWER INFORMATION
Name of Borrower Information for Notices
- ---------------- -----------------------
The Williams Companies, Inc. The Williams Companies, Inc.
One Williams Center, Suite 4800
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172
Attention: Patti J. Kastl
Telecopier: (918) 588-4755
Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc. Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc.
One Williams Center, Suite 4800
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172
Attention: Patti J. Kastl
Telecopier: (918) 588-4755
Northwest Pipeline Corporation Northwest Pipeline Corporation
295 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, Utah 84158
Attention: Curtis C. Kennedy
Telecopier: (801) 584-6726
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation
2800 Post Oak Boulevard, 21st Floor
Houston, Texas 77056
Attention: Nick Bacile
Telecopier: (713) 439-2440
Texas Gas Transmission Corporation Texas Gas Transmission Corporation
3800 Frederica St.
Owensboro, Kentucky 42302
Attention: Susanne W. Harris
Telecopier: (502) 683-5657
Williams Pipe Line Company Williams Pipe Line Company
One Williams Center, Suite 4800
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172
Attention: Paul W. Nelson
Telecopier: (918) 588-3371
WilTel Communications, LLC WilTel Communications, LLC
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
Attention: G.L. Best
Telecopier: (713) 307-4880
67
SCHEDULE III
PERMITTED WHD LIENS
a) Any purchase money Lien created by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries to
secure all or part of the purchase price of any property (or to secure
a loan made to enable WHD or any of its Subsidiaries to acquire the
property secured by such Lien); provided that the principal amount of
the Debt secured by any such Lien, together with all other Debt secured
by a Lien on such property, shall not exceed the purchase price of the
property acquired.
b) Any Lien existing on any property at the time of the acquisition
thereof by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not assumed by
WHD or any of its Subsidiaries, and any Lien on any property acquired
or constructed by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries and created not later
than 12 months after (i) such acquisition or completion of such
construction or (ii) commencement of full operation of such property,
whichever is later; provided, however, that if assumed or created by
WHD or any of its Subsidiaries, the principal amount of the Debt
secured by such Lien, together with all other Debt secured by a Lien on
such property, shall not exceed the purchase price of the property
acquired and/or the cost of the property constructed.
c) Any Lien created or assumed by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries on any
contract for the sale of any product or service or any rights
thereunder or any proceeds therefrom, including accounts and other
receivables, related to the operation or use of any property acquired
or constructed by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries and created not later
than 12 months after (i) such acquisition or completion of such
construction or (ii) commencement of full operation of such property,
whichever is later; provided, however, that the principal amount of the
Debt secured by such mortgage together with all other Debt secured by
any such contract, rights or property, shall not exceed the purchase
price of the property acquired and/or the cost of the property
constructed.
d) Any Lien existing on any property of a Subsidiary of WHD at the time it
becomes a Subsidiary of WHD.
e) Any refunding or extension of maturity, in whole or in part, of any
Lien created or assumed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph
(a), (b), (c) or (d) above or (j) below; provided that the principal
amount of the Debt secured by such refunding Lien or extended Lien
shall not exceed the principal amount of the Debt secured by the Lien
to be refunded or extended outstanding at the time of such refunding or
extension and that such refunding Lien or extended Lien shall be
limited to the same property that secured the Lien so refunded or
extended.
f) Mechanics' or materialmen's liens arising in the ordinary course of
business which are not more than 90 days past due or are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or any Lien arising
by reason of pledges or deposits to secure payment of workmen's
68
compensation or other insurance, good faith deposits in connection with
tenders or leases of real estate, bids or contracts (other than
contracts for the payment of money), in each case to secure obligations
of TWC or any of its Subsidiaries.
g) Deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, deposits to secure
or in lieu of surety, stay or appeal bonds and deposits as security for
the payment of taxes or assessments or other similar charges, in each
case to secure obligations of TWC or any of its Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that the aggregate amount of obligations secured by Liens
permitted by this paragraph (g) shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth of TWC.
h) Any Lien arising by reason of deposits with or the giving of any form
of security to any governmental agency or any body created or approved
by law or governmental regulation for any purpose at any time as
required by law or governmental regulation (i) as a condition to the
transaction by TWC or any of its Subsidiaries of any business or the
exercise by TWC or any of its Subsidiaries of any privilege or license,
(ii) to enable TWC or any of its Subsidiaries to maintain
self-insurance or to participate in any fund for liability on any
insurance risks or (iii) in connection with workmen's compensation,
unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security with
respect to TWC or any of its Subsidiaries to share in the privileges or
benefits required for companies participating in such arrangements.
i) Any Lien which is payable, both with respect to principal and interest,
solely out of the proceeds of oil, gas, coal or other minerals or
timber to be produced from the property subject thereto and to be sold
or delivered by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries, including any interest
of the character commonly referred to as a "production payment".
j) Any Lien created or assumed by a Subsidiary of WHD on oil, gas, coal or
other mineral or timber property, owned or leased by such Subsidiary to
secure loans to such Subsidiary for the purposes of developing such
properties, including any interest of the character commonly referred
to as a "production payment"; provided, however, that neither WHD nor
any other Subsidiary of WHD shall assume or guarantee such loans or
otherwise be liable in respect thereto.
k) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business upon rights-of-way.
l) Undetermined mortgages and charges incidental to construction or
maintenance arising in the ordinary course of business which are not
more than 90 days past due or are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings.
m) The right reserved to, or vested in, any municipality or governmental
or other public authority or railroad by the terms of any right, power,
franchise, grant, license, permit or by any provision of law, to
terminate or to require annual or other periodic payments as a
condition to the continuance of such right, power, franchise, grant,
license or permit.
Page III-2
69
n) The Lien of taxes and assessments which are not at the time delinquent.
o) The Lien of specified taxes and assessments which are delinquent but
the validity of which is being contested in good faith by WHD or any of
its Subsidiaries by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which
reserves in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles,
if required by such principles, have been provided on the books of WHD
or the relevant Subsidiary of WHD, as the case may be.
p) The Lien reserved in leases entered into in the ordinary course of
business for rent and for compliance with the terms of the lease in the
case of real property leasehold estates.
q) Defects and irregularities in the titles to any property (including
rights-of-way and easements) which are not material to the business,
assets, operations or financial condition of WHD and its Subsidiaries
considered as a whole.
r) Any Liens securing Debt neither assumed nor guaranteed by WHD or any of
its Subsidiaries nor on which any of them customarily pays interest,
existing upon real estate or rights in or relating to real estate
(including rights-of-way and easements) acquired by WHD or any of its
Subsidiaries for pipeline, metering station or right-of-way purposes,
which Liens were not created in anticipation of such acquisition and do
not materially impair the use of such property for the purposes for
which it is held by WHD or such Subsidiary.
s) Easements, exceptions or reservations in any property of WHD or any of
its Subsidiaries granted or reserved in the ordinary course of business
for the purpose of pipelines, roads, telecommunication equipment and
cable, streets, alleys, highways, railroads, the removal of oil, gas,
coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the
joint or common use of real property, facilities and equipment, which
do not materially impair the use of such property for the purposes for
which it is held by WHD or such Subsidiary.
t) Rights reserved to or vested in any municipality or public authority to
control or regulate any property of WHD or any of its Subsidiaries, or
to use such property in any manner which does not materially impair the
use of such property for the purposes for which it is held by WHD or
such Subsidiary.
u) Any obligations or duties, affecting the property of WHD or any of its
Subsidiaries, to any municipality or public authority with respect to
any franchise, grant, license or permit.
v) The Liens of any judgments in an aggregate amount for WHD and all of
its Subsidiaries (i) not in excess of $5,000,000, the execution of
which has not been stayed and (ii) not in excess of $25,000,000, the
execution of which has been stayed and which have been appealed and
secured, if necessary and permitted hereby, by the filing of an appeal
bond.
w) Zoning laws and ordinances.
Page III-3
70
x) Any Lien on any office equipment, data processing equipment (including
computer and computer peripheral equipment), motor vehicles, aircraft,
marine vessels or similar transportation equipment.
y) Any Lien consisting of interests in receivables in connection with
agreements for sales of receivables of any kind by WHD or any of its
Subsidiaries for cash.
z) Any Lien not permitted by paragraphs (a) through (y) above or (aa)
below securing Debt of WHD and its Subsidiaries or securing any Debt of
WHD and its Subsidiaries which constitutes a refunding or extension of
any such Debt if at the time of, and after giving effect to, the
creation or assumption of any such Lien, the sum of aggregate of all
Debt of WHD and its Subsidiaries secured by all such Liens not so
permitted by paragraphs (a) through (y) above or (aa) below plus the
amount of Attributable Obligations of WHD and its Subsidiaries in
respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 5.2(j)
does not exceed 5% of the sum of (i) Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of
WHD plus (ii) Debt of WHD and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis.
aa) Any Lien resulting from any sale and lease-back of cushion gas by WHD
or any of its Subsidiaries.
bb) Any Lien created by WHD or any of its Subsidiaries on any contract (or
any rights thereunder or proceeds therefrom) providing for advances by
WHD or any of its Subsidiaries to finance gas exploration and
development, which Lien is created to secure only indebtedness incurred
to finance such advances.
71
SCHEDULE IV
COMMITMENTS
AS OF ___________________
BANKS WHD COMMITMENT
Citibank, N.A $ 89,000,000
Arab Banking Corporation $ 35,000,000
BW Capital Markets, Inc. $ 50,000,000
The Chase Manhattan Bank $ 89,000,000
CIBC Inc. $ 89,000,000
The Fuji Bank, Limited - Houston Agency $ 62,000,000
Bank of America $ 49,000,000
Banque Nationale de Paris $ 25,000,000
Commerce Bank, N.A $ 5,000,000
Commerzbank $ 25,000,000
Credit Agricole Indosuez $ 30,000,000
SunTrust $ 16,000,000
Westdeutsche Landesbank $ 40,000,000
DG Bank $ 25,000,000
Greenwich NatWest $ 35,000,000
First American National $ 20,000,000
Bank of Oklahoma $ 6,000,000
Bank of Montreal $ 50,000,000
Credit Lyonnais New York Branch $ 89,000,000
The First National Bank of Chicago $ 89,000,000
ABN Amro Bank NV $ 70,000,000
BankBoston, N.A $ 20,000,000
The Bank of New York $ 65,000,000
The Bank of Nova Scotia $ 89,000,000
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. - Houston Agency $ 20,000,000
Barclays Bank PLC $ 65,000,000
Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company $ 25,000,000
Mellon Bank, N.A $ 33,000,000
Royal Bank of Canada $ 45,000,000
Societe Generale - Southwest Agency $ 40,000,000
The Sumitomo Bank, Limited $ 10,000,000
================
COMMITMENTS $ 1,400,000,000
================
Page IV-1
72
SCHEDULE V
RATING CATEGORIES
Rating Category S&P or Moody's ratings of the senior unsecured Applicable Applicable
of the Borrower long-term debt of the Borrower* Margin Commitment
Fee Rate
One A or better by S&P or A2 or better by Moody's .50% .075%
Two A- by S&P or A3 by Moody's .625% .085%
Three BBB+ by S&P or Baa1 by Moody's .75% .095%
Four BBB by S&P or Baa2 by Moody's .875% .10%
Five BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moody's 1.125% .15%
Six BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody's 1.5% .20%
Seven Borrower is Unrated or none of the above applies to 2.0% .25%
Borrower
*If split-rated, the higher rating will apply.
Page V-1
73
EXHIBIT A-1
A PROMISSORY NOTE
U.S. $__________________ January 26, 1999
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Williams Holdings of Delaware,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to the
order of ____________________ (the "Bank"), for the account of its Applicable
Lending Office (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below), on the
Stated Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below),
the principal amount of $______________, or, if less, the aggregate principal
amount of the A Advances (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below)
owed to the Bank by the Borrower on such Stated Termination Date.
The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
hereof until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and
payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit Agreement referred to
below. Both principal and interest are payable in lawful money of the United
States of America to Citibank, N.A., as Agent, at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New
York 10043, in same day funds. Each A Advance owed to the Bank by the Borrower,
and all payments made on account of principal thereof, shall be recorded by the
Bank and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto
which is part of this A Promissory Note.
This A Promissory Note is one of the A Notes referred to in, and is
subject to and entitled to the benefits of the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of January 26, 1999 (as amended or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), by and among the Borrower, the Bank,
certain other financial institutions parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as
Agent for the Bank and such other financial institutions. The Credit Agreement
provides, among other things, for (i) the making of advances to the Borrower
from time to time pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Credit Agreement in an
aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed at any time the U.S. dollar amount
first above mentioned, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each such
advance owed to the Bank being evidenced by this A Promissory Note, (ii)
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events
and (iii) prepayments on account of principal hereof prior to the maturity
hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified. Capitalized terms used
herein which are not defined herein and are defined in the Credit Agreement are
used herein as therein defined.
[This A Promissory Note is [in part] in extension, continuation and
renewal of, and not in satisfaction of, outstanding amounts under the Borrower's
note(s) dated [July 23, 1997] [and] [March 30, 1998] in the original principal
amount(s) of [$________________] [and $__________, respectively].]
The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of
intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration and any other notice of any kind,
except as provided in the Credit Agreement.
74
No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights hereunder on the
part of the holder hereof shall operate as a waiver of such rights.
This A Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
Page A-1-2
75
ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
Amount of
Amount Principal Unpaid
of Paid or Principal Notation
Date Advance Prepaid Balance Made By
---- ------- ---------- --------- --------
Page A-1-3
76
EXHIBIT A-2
B PROMISSORY NOTE
U.S. $__________________ Dated: ____________, _____
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Williams Holdings of
Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY
to the order of ____________________ (the "Bank"), for the account of its
Applicable Lending Office (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to
below), on _________, the principal amount of _____________ U.S. Dollars
($______________).
The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
hereof from the date hereof until such principal amount is paid in full, at the
interest rate and payable on the interest payment date or dates provided below:
Interest Rate: ______% per annum (calculated on the basis
of a year of _____ days for the actual number of
days elapsed).
Interest Payment
Date or Dates: ___________________
Both principal and interest are payable in lawful money of the United
States of America to Citibank, N.A., as Agent, for the account of the Bank at
the office of Citibank, N.A., at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10043, in
same day funds.
This B Promissory Note is one of the B Notes referred to in, and is
entitled to the benefits of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as
of January 26, 1999 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement"), by and among the Borrower, the Bank, certain other
financial institutions parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Agent for the Bank
and such other financial institutions. The Credit Agreement contains, among
other things, provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the
happening of certain stated events. Capitalized terms used herein which are not
defined herein and are defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as
therein defined.
The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of
intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration and any other notice of any kind,
except as provided in the Credit Agreement. No failure to exercise, and no delay
in exercising, any rights hereunder on the part of the holder hereof shall
operate as a waiver of such rights.
77
This B Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
Page A-2-2
78
EXHIBIT B-1
NOTICE OF A BORROWING
[Date]
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
for the Banks parties to the Credit
Agreement referred to below
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
ATTENTION: John Sahr
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc. (the "Borrower"),
(a) refers to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 26,
1999 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"; the terms defined therein and not defined herein being used herein
as therein defined), by and among the undersigned, certain Banks parties thereto
and Citibank, N.A., as Agent for such Banks; (b) hereby gives you notice,
irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement that the
undersigned hereby requests an A Borrowing under the Credit Agreement and (c) in
that connection sets forth below the information relating to such A Borrowing
(the "Proposed A Borrowing") as required by Section 2.2 (a) of the Credit
Agreement:
(i) The Business Day of the Proposed A Borrowing is
______________, 19____.
(ii) The Type of A Advances comprising the Proposed A Borrowing is
[Base Rate Advances] [Eurodollar Rate Advances].
(iii) The aggregate amount of the Proposed A Borrowing is
$__________________.
[(iv) The Interest Period for each A Advance made as part of the
Proposed A Borrowing is ______ months.]
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed A Borrowing:
(a) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1 of
the Credit Agreement as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
are correct on and as of the date of the Proposed A Borrowing,
before and after giving effect to the Proposed A Borrowing and
to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made
on and as of such date;
79
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
- ---------------,-------
Page 2
(b) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from
the Proposed A Borrowing or from the application of the
proceeds therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or
which would constitute an Event of Default but for the
requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both; and
(c) after giving effect to the Proposed A Borrowing and all other
Borrowings which have been requested on or prior to the date
of the Proposed A Borrowing but which have not been made prior
to such date, the aggregate principal amount of all Advances
will not exceed the aggregate of the Commitments of the Banks
to the Borrower (computed without regard to any B Reduction).
Very truly yours,
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------------
cc: Citicorp North America, Inc.
1200 Smith Street, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: The Williams Companies, Inc.
Account Officer
Page B-1-2
80
EXHIBIT B-2
NOTICE OF B BORROWING
[Date]
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
for the Banks parties to the
Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement referred to below
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
ATTENTION: John Sahr
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc. (the "Borrower"),
(a) refers to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 26,
1999 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"; the terms defined therein and not defined herein being used herein
as therein defined), by and among the undersigned, certain Banks parties thereto
and Citibank, N.A., as Agent for such Banks; (b) hereby gives you notice,
irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.16 of the Credit Agreement that the
undersigned hereby requests a B Borrowing under the Credit Agreement and (c) in
that connection sets forth the terms on which such B Borrowing (the "Proposed B
Borrowing") is requested to be made:
(A) Date of B Borrowing _________________________
(B) Amount of B Borrowing _________________________
(C) Maturity Date _________________________
(D) Interest Rate Basis _________________________
(E) Interest Payment Date(s) _________________________
(F) Prepayment Permitted [Yes/No] [Conditions]
(G) ____________________ _________________________
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true
on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed B Borrowing:
(a) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1 of
the Credit Agreement as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
are correct on and as of the date of the Proposed B Borrowing,
before and after giving effect to the Proposed B Borrowing and
to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made
on and as of such date;
81
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
- -------------, -----
Page 2
(b) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from
the Proposed B Borrowing or from the application of the
proceeds therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or
which would constitute an Event of Default but for the
requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both;
(c) following the making of the Proposed B Borrowing and all other
Borrowings to be made on the same day under the Credit
Agreement, the aggregate principal amount of all Advances of
the Banks to the Borrower then outstanding will not exceed the
aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Banks to the
Borrower (computed without regard to any B Reduction); and
(d) after giving effect to the Proposed B Borrowing and all other
Borrowings which have been requested on or prior to the date
of the Proposed B Borrowing but which have not been made prior
to such date, the aggregate principal amount of all Advances
will not exceed the aggregate of the Commitments of the Banks.
The undersigned hereby confirms that the Proposed B Borrowing is to be
made available to it in accordance with Section 2.16(a)(v) of the Credit
Agreement.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------
cc: Citicorp North America, Inc.
1200 Smith Street, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: The Williams Companies, Inc.
Account Officer
Page B-2-2
82
EXHIBIT C
January ___, 1999
To each of the Banks parties to the Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of
January 26, 1999, by and among
Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc.,
the Banks parties thereto and Citibank, N.A.,
as Agent for the Banks
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to Section 3.1(d) of the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 26, 1999 (the "Credit
Agreement"), by and among Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), the Banks parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as
Agent for the Banks. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as
therein defined.
I am General Counsel of TWC, and I have acted as counsel for the
Borrower in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the
Credit Agreement and the A Notes.
In that connection, either I or the attorneys acting under my
supervision have examined:
(1) Original counterparts of the Credit Agreement executed by the
Agent and the Borrower and the ___ original A Notes dated
January 26, 1999 executed by the Borrower ("Executed Notes").
(2) The documents furnished by the Borrower pursuant to Section
3.1 of the Credit Agreement.
(3) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Borrower and all
amendments thereto (the "Charter" of the Borrower).
(4) The by-laws of the Borrower and all amendments thereto (the
"By-laws").
(5) Certificates of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, dated ____________, 1999, attesting to the continued
corporate existence and good standing of the Borrower in that
State.
I have also examined the originals, or copies certified to my
satisfaction, of such corporate records of the Borrower, certificates of public
officials and of officers of the Borrower, and agreements, instruments, and
other documents, as I have deemed necessary as a basis for the
83
_______________________, 1999
Page 2
opinions expressed below. As to questions of fact material to such opinions, I
have, when relevant facts were not independently established by me, relied upon
certificates of officers of the Borrower or of public officials. I have assumed
(i) the genuineness of all signatures of the Banks and the Agent, (ii) the
capacity of the signing officers of each of the Banks and the Agent, (iii) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to me as original and the conformity
with the authentic originals of all documents submitted to me as copies and (iv)
the due execution and delivery, pursuant to due authorization, of the Credit
Agreement by the Banks and the Agent and the enforceability (subject to
limitations on enforceability of the types referred to in paragraphs (a) through
(c) of this opinion) of the Credit Agreement against the Banks and the Agent.
Based upon the following and upon such investigation as I have deemed
necessary, I am of the following opinion:
(1) The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(2) The execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of
the Credit Agreement, the Executed Notes executed by the
Borrower, and the Notes to be executed by the Borrower and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Agreement are within the Borrower's corporate powers, (a) have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (b) do
not contravene (i) the Charter or the By-laws of the Borrower,
(ii) any law, rule, or regulation applicable to the Borrower
(including, without limitation, Regulation X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or (iii) any
contractual or legal restriction and (c) will not result in or
require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by
the Credit Agreement. With respect to the Notes to be executed
after the date hereof by the Borrower, this opinion is limited
to the law, the Charter and By-laws of the Borrower and
restrictions in effect on the date hereof. The Credit
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower
and the Executed Notes have been duly executed and delivered
by the Borrower. The Borrower has duly executed and delivered
to the Agent an A Note payable to each Bank.
(3) No authorization, approval, or other action by, and no notice
to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory
body is required for the due execution, delivery, and
performance by the Borrower of the Credit Agreement and the
respective Notes or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Agreement, except in the case of
such performance for (A) such authorizations, approvals,
actions, notices, and filings which have been made or obtained
and (B) such authorizations, approvals, actions, notices, and
filings that are required by the terms of the Credit Agreement
(such as filings made under the Securities Exchange
Page C-2
84
_______________________, 1999
Page 3
Act of 1934) which would not customarily be made or obtained
prior to the time when they are required.
(4) Each of the Executed Notes executed by, and the other Notes
when funded and when executed and delivered by, the Borrower
and the Credit Agreement constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower
in accordance with their respective terms.
(5) Except as set forth in the Public Filings, to my knowledge
there are no pending or overtly threatened actions or
proceedings against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that
purport to affect the legality, validity, binding effect, or
enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any of the Notes or
that could reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse
effect upon the financial condition or operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(6) The Borrower is not an "investment company" or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning off
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Borrower
is not a "holding company," or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or
of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or a "public
utility" within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended.
(7) In any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the
Credit Agreement or any of the Notes in any court of the State
of Oklahoma or in any Federal court sitting in the State of
Oklahoma, assuming (i) proper venue, jurisdiction, and a full
and proper presentation of the issue and the law to the court,
(ii) such action or proceeding is not dismissed on the basis
of an inconvenient forum and (iii) that the court properly
applies Oklahoma law, such court would (a) recognize and give
effect to the provisions of Section 8.7 of the Credit
Agreement and (b) construe the Credit Agreement and the Notes
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
Subject to the foregoing and without limiting the generality
thereof, a court of the State of Oklahoma or a Federal court
sitting in the State of Oklahoma would apply the usury law of
the State of New York, and would not apply the usury law of
the State of Oklahoma, to the Credit Agreement and the Notes.
However, if a court were to hold that the Credit Agreement or
any of the Notes are governed by, or to be construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Oklahoma, the Credit
Agreement, the Executed Notes, and the other Notes, when
executed, delivered and funded, would be, under the laws of
the State of Oklahoma, legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Borrower signatory thereto and enforceable against the
Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.
Page C-3
85
_______________________, 1999
Page 4
The opinions set forth above are subject to the following
qualifications:
(a) My opinions in paragraph 4 above and my opinion in the last
sentence of paragraph 7 above are subject, insofar as
enforceability is concerned, to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance,
moratorium or similar law affecting creditors' rights and
remedies generally.
(b) My opinions in paragraph 4 above and my opinion in the last
sentence of paragraph 7 above are subject, insofar as
enforceability is concerned, to the effect of general
principles of equity including principles of commercial
reasonableness, good faith, and fair dealing (regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(c) I express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of any
of the following: (i) indemnification provisions to the extent
the same are violative of federal or state securities laws,
rules, or regulations or of public policy, (ii) clauses
waiving right to trial by jury, exculpation clauses, or
clauses granting offset rights to the Banks or against any
deposits or in respect of matured claims, (iii) clauses
relating to recovery of attorneys' fees in connection with the
enforcement of obligations, (iv) clauses relating to release
of unmatured claims, integration clauses to the effect that no
representation was made other than as appears in the Credit
Agreement, (v) clauses purporting to waive unmatured rights,
representations, warranties or affirmative or negative
covenants to the extent such representations, warranties, or
covenants can be construed to be independent clauses which
purport to be legal, valid, binding, and enforceable by
themselves, as distinguished from being clauses that trigger
an event of default, and severability and similar clauses, and
(vi) clauses that incorporate by reference a document or
instrument or agreement not in existence on the date hereof to
the extent that any such document, instrument, or agreement is
the basis of an effort to enforce the Notes or Credit
Agreement, insofar as any of the foregoing are contained in
the Credit Agreement or the Notes.
(d) I express no opinion as to the effect on the opinions herein
stated of compliance or non-compliance by any Bank with any
applicable state, federal, or other laws or regulations
applying only to banks, or the legal or regulatory status of
any Bank.
(e) My opinion in paragraph 4 above and my opinion in paragraph 7
above assumes (i) application of New York law would not be
found to be contrary to a fundamental policy of a state with a
materially greater interest in determining the question
presented and the laws of which would govern in absence of an
effective choice of law, (ii) Citibank, N.A. has a place of
business located in the State of New York and (iii) the
Borrower is required to perform a part of its obligations
relating to the
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86
_______________________, 1999
Page 5
transaction contemplated by the Credit Agreement, such as
delivery of payment, in the State of New York.
(f) [I am admitted to practice law in the State of Oklahoma and
the State of New York, and, accordingly, the opinions
expressed herein are based upon and limited exclusively to the
laws of the State of Oklahoma, the laws of the State of New
York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and
the laws of the United States of America insofar as any of
such laws are applicable. I render no opinion with respect to
any other laws [except the laws of Utah, insofar as such laws
are applicable to the matters opined upon herein. In giving
the opinions expressed herein as to the laws of the State of
Utah, I have, with your approval and without independent
investigation, relied solely upon attorneys acting under my
supervision admitted to practice law in that State].
(g) My opinion in paragraph 1 above as to the due qualification
and good standing of the Borrower is based solely on
certificates, dated as of _______________, 1999 from the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware certifying as to
such matters.
This opinion is solely for the benefit of the Banks and the Agent,
their respective successors, assigns, participants, and other transferees and
counsel for the Persons referred to in this sentence, and may be relied upon
only by such Persons and such counsel. This opinion speaks as of its date, and I
undertake no, and hereby expressly disclaim any, duty to advise you as to any
changes of fact or law coming to my attention after the date hereof.
Very truly yours,
William G. von Glahn
Page C-5
87
EXHIBIT D
January _____, 1999
To each of the Banks party to the
Credit Agreement described below and
Citibank, N.A., as Agent
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Citibank, N.A., acting for itself
and as Agent, in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January ____, 1999 (the
"Credit Agreement"), by and among Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), and each of you. Terms defined in the
Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.
In that connection, we have examined the following documents:
(1) Counterparts of the Credit Agreement, executed by the
Agent and the Borrower, respectively.
(2) The documents furnished by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 3.1 of the Credit Agreement and listed on Annex A hereto,
including the opinion of William G. von Glahn ("Opinion").
In our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed
(i) the authenticity of all such documents submitted to us as originals, (ii)
the genuineness of all signatures and (iii) the conformity to the originals of
all such documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the accuracy
of all matters set forth in the certificates referred to on Annex A hereto and
assumed that the Borrower, the Banks and the Agent have duly executed and
delivered, with all necessary power and authority (corporate and otherwise), the
Credit Agreement and that the Borrower has duly executed and delivered, with all
necessary power and authority (corporate and otherwise), the respective A Notes.
We have also assumed that no Bank has requested that the opinion required by
Section 3.1(d) of the Credit Agreement contain any matter not contained in the
form of opinion set forth as Exhibit C to the Credit Agreement.
Based upon the foregoing examination of documents and assumptions and
upon such other investigation as we have deemed necessary, we are of the opinion
that the Opinion and the other documents referred to in item (2) above are
substantially responsive to the requirements of the Credit Agreement.
This opinion (i) is furnished solely for the benefit of the Banks, the
Agent, their respective successors, assigns, participants and other transferees
and solely in connection with the transactions described above and (ii) may not
be relied upon by, or communicated to, any other Person or for any
88
other purpose, nor may it be quoted, circulated or published or made public, in
whole or in part, or furnished, without our prior written consent, to any
Person. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we express no
opinion as to, and disclaim any undertaking or obligation to update this opinion
in respect of changes in laws or interpretations thereof or in circumstances or
events that occur subsequent to this date.
Very truly yours,
Mayer, Brown & Platt
Page D-2
89
ANNEX A
(1) The respective A Notes dated January _____, 1999 of the Borrower
payable to the order of the respective Banks.
(2) Certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
Borrower pertaining to the Credit Agreement and the Notes.
(3) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Borrower certifying (a) the names and the signatures of officers of the
Borrower authorized to sign the Credit Agreement and the respective
Notes of the Borrower and (b) copies of the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Borrower.
(4) The opinion of William G. von Glahn, Esq., substantially in the form of
Exhibit C to the Credit Agreement.
(5) A certificate of an officer of the Borrower stating the respective
ratings by each of S&P and Moody's of the senior unsecured long-term
debt of the Borrower as in effect on January ____, 1999.
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90
EXHIBIT E
RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED IN
PARAGRAPH 5.2(d) OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
None.
91
EXHIBIT F
TRANSFER AGREEMENT
This Transfer Agreement, dated as of ___________________ (this
"Agreement"), is made by and among (a) Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Borrower"); (b) Citibank, N.A., as Agent for the banks
party to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 26, 1999
(as may be amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), by and among the
Borrower, such Agent and such banks; (c) ___________________ ("Assignor") and
(d) _______________ ("Assignee"). In consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as set forth herein.
1. Transfer. Pursuant to the last sentence of Section 8.6(a) of the
Credit Agreement, Assignor hereby assigns to Assignee (without representation or
warranty to Assignee and without Assignee having recourse against Assignor as a
result of such assignment), and Assignee hereby assumes, a constant ____% of
each of the Assignor's Commitments (such term used throughout this Agreement
without giving effect to any B Reduction) to the Borrower under the Credit
Agreement, such assignment from Assignor to Assignee being [all of Assignor's
Commitments to the Borrower][$___________ of Assignor's $____________ Commitment
to the Borrower] (the amount of such Commitment to the Borrower so assigned is
called the "Assigned Portion" of such Commitment). [The Assignee is already a
Bank under the Credit Agreement with a Commitment of $___________ to the
Borrower prior to the assumption contemplated hereby.] [The Assignee is hereby
approved by the Agent [and the Borrower] for purposes of the assignment and
assumption contemplated hereby.] As contemplated by such Section 8.6, it is
hereby agreed that:
(i) the Assignor is hereby released from all of its obligations
under the Credit Agreement with respect to or arising as a
result of the Assigned Portions of its Commitment assigned
hereby;
(ii) the Assignee hereby becomes obligated for the Assigned
Portions of such Commitment and all other obligations of the
Assignor (including, without limitation, obligations to the
Agent under Section 7.5 of the Credit Agreement or otherwise)
under the Credit Agreement with respect to or arising as a
result of the Assigned Portions of such Commitments;
(iii) the Assignee is hereby assigned the right to vote or consent
under the Credit Agreement and the other rights and
obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement, in
each case to the extent of the Assigned Portions of such
Commitment;
(iv) The Borrower, contemporaneously with its execution and
delivery hereof, will deliver, in replacement of the A Note of
the Assignor currently outstanding [(and in replacement of
Assignee's existing $___________ A Note)] (a) to the Assignee,
a new A Note in the amount of $____________ [(and the Assignee
agrees to cancel and return to the Borrower, with reasonable
promptness following such delivery, the
92
A Note of the Assignee being replaced thereby)], (b) to the
Assignor, a new A Note in the amount of $____________ (and the
Assignor agrees to cancel and return to the Borrower, with
reasonable promptness following delivery of such new A Note,
the A Note of the Assignor being replaced thereby), and (c) to
the Agent, photocopies of all such new A Notes and of all such
canceled A Notes;
[(v) inasmuch as there are currently no outstanding A Advances, no
transfer of A Advances is hereby made];
[(vi) $__________ of the Assignor's outstanding A Advances to the
Borrower are hereby transferred to the Assignee, which amounts
represent [the aggregate amount of all of the Assignor's
outstanding A Advances to the Borrower respectively,] [the
amount of the assigned portions of the outstanding A Advances
of the Assignor to the Borrower being hereby assigned to
Assignee a portion of each such A Advance with the assigned
portion of each such A Advance being equal to the amount of
such A Advance multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the amount of the Assignor's Commitments assumed
hereby by the Assignee and the denominator of which is the
amount of the Assignor's Commitments (without giving effect to
any B Reduction) immediately prior to such assumption]; [and]
(vii) the Assignee hereby confirms that it is a party to the Credit
Agreement as a Bank and agrees that after giving effect to
this Agreement its Commitments will be $_______________ to the
Borrower; [and]
(viii) the Assignee hereby specifies the following offices as its
Applicable Lending Offices under the Credit Agreement:
Domestic Eurodollar
Lending Office Lending Office
-------------- --------------
Attention: Attention:
-------------- ----------------
Telephone: Telephone:
-------------- ----------------
Telecopy: Telecopy:
--------------- -----------------
Answerback: Answerback:
------------- ---------------
[(ix) the Assignee hereby specifies the following as its address for
notices and communications under the Credit Agreement:
[Assignee]
Attention:
------------------------
Telephone:
------------------------
Telecopy:
-------------------------
Answerback: ]
-----------------------
Page F-2
93
2. Miscellaneous.
2.1 Amendments, Etc. This Agreement shall not be amended,
waived or otherwise modified except in writing executed by the parties hereto.
2.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
2.3 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein which are
defined in the Credit Agreement and not defined herein are used herein as
defined in the Credit Agreement.
2.4 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
2.5 Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective as of
the date first above written for purposes of computation of commitment fees
under the Credit Agreement and for all other relevant purposes.
2.6 Assignee Credit Decision. The Assignee acknowledges that
it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank and
based on such financial statements and such other documents and information as
it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter
into this Agreement. The Assignee also acknowledges that it will, independently
and without reliance upon the Agent 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 decisions in taking or not taking action under any Note, the
Credit Agreement or this Agreement.
2.7 Indemnity. The Assignee agrees to indemnify and hold the
Assignor harmless against any and all losses, costs and expenses (including
without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities incurred by the
Assignor in connection with or arising in any manner from the Assignee's
performance or non-performance of obligations assumed by Assignee under this
Agreement.
Page F-3
94
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date
first above written.
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE] WILLIAMS HOLDINGS OF DELAWARE, INC.
By: By:
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Name:
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Title: Title:
------------------------------ ------------------------------
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR] CITIBANK, N.A., AS AGENT
By: By:
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Name:
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Title: Title:
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Page F-4