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Exhibit: 10.22T
[FIRST UNION LOGO]
PROMISSORY NOTE
$250,000.00 March 30, 1998
Trudy Corporation d/b/a TMC Soundprints
353 Main Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
(Individually and collectively "Borrower")
First Union National Bank
300 Main Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06904
(Hereinafter referred to as the "Bank")
Borrower promises to pay to the order of Bank, in lawful money of the United
States of America, at its office indicated above or wherever else Bank may
specify, the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($250,000.00)
or such sum as may be advanced and outstanding from time to time with interest
on the unpaid principal balance at the rate and on the terms provided in this
Promissory Note (including all renewals, extensions or modifications hereof,
this "Note").
SECURITY. Borrower has granted Bank a security interest in the collateral
described in the Loan Documents, including, but not limited to, personal
property collateral described in that certain Security Agreement of even date
herewith.
INTEREST RATE. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this
Note from the date hereof at the rate of 8.75% ("Interest Rate").
DEFAULT RATE. In addition to all other rights contained in this Note, if a
Default (defined herein) occurs and as long as a Default continues, all
outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the Interest Rate plus 3%
("Default Rate"). The Default Rate shall also apply from acceleration until the
Obligations or any judgment thereon is paid in full.
INTEREST AND FEE(S) COMPUTATION. (ACTUAL/360). Interest and fees, if any, shall
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days in the
applicable period ("Actual/360 Computation"). The Actual/360 Computation
determines the annual effective yield by taking the stated (nominal) rate for a
year's period and then dividing said rate by 360 to determine the daily
periodic rate to be applied for each day in the applicable period. Application
of the Actual/360 Computation produces an annualized effective rate exceeding
that of the nominal rate.
PREPAYMENT COMPENSATION. Principal may be prepaid in whole or in part at any
time; provided, however, that if principal is paid before it is due under this
Note, whether voluntary, mandatory, upon acceleration or otherwise, such
prepayment shall include a fee equal to 1% of the amount prepaid for each one
year period (or portion thereof) remaining on the term of the loan, up to a
maximum prepayment fee of 5% of the amount prepaid.
Any prepayment in whole or in part shall include accrued interest and all
other sums then due under any of the Loan Documents. No partial prepayment
shall affect the obligation of Borrower to make any prepayment of principal or
interest due under this Note on the due dates specified.
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REPAYMENT TERMS. This Note shall be due and payable in consecutive monthly
payments of principal and interest in the amount of $6,207.44 commencing on May
1, 1998, and on the same day of each month thereafter until fully paid. In any
event, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable on April 30,
2002.
SCHEDULED PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT (FOR VARIABLE INTEREST RATE LOANS ONLY). At Bank's
option and with notice to Borrower, the scheduled payment amount will increase
as is necessary (i) to pay all accruals of interest for the period and previous
periods and (ii) to maintain principal repayment according to the amortization
that would have occurred if the Interest Rate in effect on the date of this
Note had remained constant. The increased payment amount shall remain in effect
for as long as the original scheduled payment amount is insufficient to pay
accrued interest and principal and shall be further adjusted upward or downward
to reflect changes in the variable interest rate. The scheduled payment amount
will not be reduced below the original scheduled payment amount.
APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Monies received by Bank from any source for application
toward payment of the Obligations shall be applied to accrued interest and then
to principal. If a Default occurs, monies may be applied to the Obligations in
any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank.
If any payment received by Bank under this Note or other Loan Documents is
rescinded, avoided or for any reason returned by Bank because of any adverse
claim or threatened action, the returned payment shall remain payable as an
obligation of all persons liable under this Note or other Loan Documents as
though such payment had not been made.
LOAN DOCUMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The term "Loan Documents" used in this Note and
other Loan Documents refers to all documents executed in connection with the
loan evidenced by this Note and any prior notes which evidence all or any
portion of the loan evidenced by this Note, and any letters of credit issued
pursuant to any loan agreement executed in connection with this Note, any
applications for such letters of credit and any other documents executed in
connection therewith, and may include, without limitation, a commitment letter
that survives closing, a loan agreement, this Note, guaranty agreements,
security agreements, security instruments, financing statements, mortgage
instruments, letters of credit and any renewals or modifications, whenever any
of the foregoing are executed, but does not include swap agreements (as defined
in 11 U.S.C. Section 101).
The term "Obligations" used in this Note refers to any and all indebtedness and
other obligations under this Note, all other obligations under any other Loan
Document(s), and all obligations under any swap agreements as defined in 11
U.S.C. Section 101 between Borrower and Bank whenever executed.
LATE CHARGE. If any payments are not timely made, Borrower shall also pay to
Bank a late charge equal to 5% of each payment past due for 10 or more days.
Acceptance by Bank of any late payment without an accompanying late charge
shall not be deemed a waiver of Bank's right to collect such late charge or to
collect a late charge for any subsequent late payment received.
If this Note is secured by owner-occupied residential real property located
outside the state in which the office or Bank first shown above is located, the
late charge of the state where the real property is located shall apply to this
Note and the late charge shall be the highest amount allowable under such laws.
If no amount is stated thereunder, the late charge shall be 5% of each payment
past due for 10 or more days.
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ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER COLLECTION COSTS. Borrower shall pay all of Bank's
reasonable expenses incurred to enforce or collect any of the Obligations,
including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals', attorneys'
and experts' fees and expenses, whether incurred without the commencement of a
suit, in any trial, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any
appellate or bankruptcy proceeding.
USURY. Regardless of any other provision of this Note or other Loan Documents,
if for any reason the effective interest should exceed the maximum lawful
interest, the effective interest shall be deemed reduced to, and shall be, such
maximum lawful interest, and (i) the amount which would be excessive interest
shall be deemed applied to the reduction of the principal balance of this Note
and not to the payment of interest, and (ii) if the loan evidenced by this Note
has been or is thereby paid in full, the excess shall be returned to the party
paying same, such application to the principal balance of this Note or the
refunding of excess to be a complete settlement and acquittance thereof.
DEFAULT. If any of the following occurs, a default ("Default") under this Note
shall exist: Nonpayment; Nonperformance. The failure of timely payment or
performance of the Obligations or Default (however denominated) under this Note
or any other Loan Documents. False Warranty. A warranty or representation made
or deemed made in the Loan Documents or furnished Bank in connection with the
loan evidenced by this Note proves materially false, or if a continuing nature,
becomes materially false. Cross Default. At Bank's option, any default in
payment or performance of any obligation under any other loans, contracts or
agreements of Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, any general
partner of or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Borrower
with Bank or its affiliates ("Affiliate" shall have the meaning as defined in
11 U.S.C. Section 101, except that the term "debtor" therein shall be
substituted by the term "Borrower" herein; "Subsidiary" shall mean any
corporation of which more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting stock
is owned directly or indirectly by Borrower). Cessation; Bankruptcy. The death
of, appointment of guardian for, dissolution of, termination of existence of,
loss of good standing status by, appointment of a receiver for, assignment for
the benefit of creditors of, or commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding by or against the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any,
or any general partner of or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests
of Borrower, or any party to the Loan Documents. Material Capital Structure or
Business Alteration. Without prior written consent of Bank, (i) a material
alteration in the kind or type of Borrower's business or that of Borrower's
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any; (ii) the sale of substantially all of the
business or assets of Borrower, any of Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates or
guarantor or a material portion (10% or more) of such business or assets if
such a sale is outside the ordinary course of business of Borrower, or any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor or more than 50% of the
outstanding stock or voting power of or in any such entity in a single
transaction or a series of transactions; (iii) the acquisition of substantially
all of the business or assets or more than 50% of the outstanding stock or
voting power of any other entity; or (iv) should any Borrower, or any
Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates or guarantor enter into any merger or
consolidation.
REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. If a Default occurs under this Note or any Loan
Documents, Bank may at any time thereafter, take the following actions: Bank
Lien. Foreclose its security interest or lien against Borrower's accounts
without notice. Acceleration Upon Default. Accelerate the maturity of this Note
and all other Obligations, and all of the Obligations shall be immediately due
and payable. Cumulative. Exercise any rights and remedies as provided under the
Note and other Loan Documents, or as provided by law or equity.
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FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Borrower shall deliver to Bank such information
as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, including without limitation,
financial statements and information pertaining to Borrower's financial
condition. Such information shall be true, complete, and accurate.
AUTOMATIC DEBIT OF CHECKING ACCOUNT FOR LOAN PAYMENT. Borrower authorizes Bank
to debit its demand deposit account number 2030000971835 or any other account
with Bank (routing number 021101108) designated in writing by Borrower,
beginning May 1, 1998 for any payments due under this Note. Borrower further
certifies that Borrower holds legitimate ownership of this account and
preauthorizes this periodic debit as part of its right under said ownership.
LOAN AGREEMENT. This Note is subject to the provisions of that certain Loan
Agreement between Bank and Borrower dated ------------, 1998 as modified from
time to time.
WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Note and
other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an officer
of Bank. No waiver by Bank of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other
Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any
delay on the part of Bank in exercising any right, power, or remedy under this
Note and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a
single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.
Each Borrower or any person liable under this Note waives presentment, protest,
notice of dishonor, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate
maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale and all other
notices of any kind. Further, each agrees that Bank may extend, modify or renew
this Note or make a novation of the loan evidenced by this Note for any period
and grant any releases, compromises or indulgences with respect to any
collateral securing this Note, or with respect to any other Borrower or any
other person liable under this Note or other Loan Documents, all without notice
to or consent of each Borrower or each person who may be liable under this Note
or other Loan Documents and without affecting the liability of Borrower or any
person who may be liable under this Note or other Loan Documents.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. Assignment. This Note and other Loan Documents shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank's interests in and
rights under this Note and other Loan Documents are freely assignable, in whole
or in part, by Bank. In addition, nothing in this Note or any of the Loan
Documents shall prohibit Bank from pledging or assigning this Note or any of the
Loan Documents or any interest therein to any Federal Reserve Bank. Borrower
shall not assign its rights and interest hereunder without the prior written
consent of Bank, and any attempt by Borrower to assign without Bank's prior
written consent is null and void. Any assignment shall not release Borrower from
Obligations. Applicable Law; Conflict Between Documents. This Note and other
Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state
named in Bank's address shown above without regard to that state's conflict of
laws principles. If the terms of this Note should conflict with the terms of the
loan agreement or any commitment letter that survives closing, the terms of this
Note shall control. Borrower's Accounts. Except as prohibited by law, Borrower
grants Bank a security interest in all of Borrower's accounts with Bank and any
of its affiliates. Jurisdiction. Borrower irrevocably agrees to non-exclusive
personal jurisdiction in the state named in Bank's address shown above.
Severability. If any provision of this Note or of the other Loan Documents shall
be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
Note or other such document. Notices. Any notices to Borrower shall be
sufficiently given, if in writing and mailed or delivered to the Borrower's
address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if
in
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writing and mailed or delivered to Bank's office address shown above or such
other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. In the event
that Borrower changes Borrower's address at any time prior to the date the
Obligations are paid in full, Borrower agrees to promptly give written notice
of said change of address by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, all charges prepaid. PLURAL; CAPTIONS. All references in the Loan
Documents to Borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of reference
mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the term
"person" shall mean any individual, person or entity. The captions contained in
the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the
meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. BINDING CONTRACT. Borrower by
execution of and Bank by acceptance of this Note agree that each party is bound
to all terms and provisions of this Note. ADVANCES. Bank in its sole discretion
may make other Advances under this Note pursuant hereto. POSTING OF PAYMENTS.
All payments received during normal banking hours after 2:00 p.m. local time at
the office of Bank first shown above shall be deemed received at the opening of
the next banking day. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. Each Borrower is jointly
and severally obligated under this Note. FEES AND TAXES. Borrower shall
promptly pay all documentary, intangible recordation and/or similar taxes on
this transaction whether assessed at closing or arising from time to time.
ARBITRATION. Upon demand of any party hereto, whether made before or after
institution of any judicial proceeding, any dispute, claim or controversy
arising out of, connected with or relating to this Note and other Loan
Documents ("Disputes") between or among parties to this Note shall be resolved
by binding arbitration as provided herein. Institution of a judicial proceeding
by a party does not waive the right of that party to demand arbitration
hereunder. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims,
counterclaims, disputes as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration,
claims brought as class actions, claims arising from Loan Documents executed in
the future, or claims arising out of or connected with the transaction
reflected by this Note.
Arbitration shall be conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial
Disputes Arbitration Rules (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American
Arbitration Association (the "AAA") and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All
arbitration hearings shall be conducted in the city in which the office of Bank
first stated above is located. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51 et
seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than
$1,000,000.00. All applicable statutes of limitation shall apply to any
Dispute. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. The panel from which all arbitrators are selected shall be
comprised of licensed attorneys. The single arbitrator selected for expedited
procedure shall be a retired judge from the highest court of general
jurisdiction, state or federal, of the state where the hearing will be
conducted or if such person is not available to serve, the single arbitrator
may be a licensed attorney. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration
provision does not apply to disputes under or related to swap agreements.
PRESERVATION AND LIMITATION OF REMEDIES. Notwithstanding the preceding binding
arbitration provisions, Bank and Borrower agree to preserve, without
diminution, certain remedies that any party hereto may employ or exercise
freely, independently or in connection with an arbitration proceeding or after
an arbitration action is brought. Bank and Borrower shall have the right to
proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self-help to exercise or
prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose
against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power
of sale granted under Loan Documents or under applicable law or by judicial
foreclosure and sale, including a proceeding to confirm the sale; (ii) all
rights of self-help including peaceful occupation of real property and
collection of rents, set-off, and peaceful possession of personal property;
(iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief,
sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and filing an
involuntary bankruptcy proceeding; and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by
confession of judgment.
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Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an arbitrator to
grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.
Borrower and Bank agree that they shall not have a remedy of punitive or
exemplary damages against the other in any Dispute and hereby waive any right
or claim to punitive or exemplary damages they have now or which may arise in
the future in connection with any Dispute whether the Dispute is resolved by
arbitration or judicially.
CONNECTICUT PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WAIVER. EACH BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE
TRANSACTIONS REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE ARE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND HEREBY
VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS TO NOTICE OF AND HEARING ON
PREJUDGMENT REMEDIES UNDER CHAPTER 903A OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES OR
OTHER STATUTES AFFECTING PREJUDGMENT REMEDIES, AND AUTHORIZES THE BANK'S
ATTORNEY TO ISSUE A WRIT FOR A PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WITHOUT COURT ORDER, PROVIDED
THE COMPLAINT SHALL SET FORTH A COPY OF THIS WAIVER.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, on the day and year first above written, has
caused this Note to be executed under seal.
Trudy Corporation d/b/a TMC Soundprints
Taxpayer Identification Number: 06-1007765
CORPORATE By: /s/ William W. Burnham
SEAL ----------------------------------------------
William W. Burnham, President
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