UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  March 20, 2013

 


 

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Commission File Number:  001-14669

 

Bermuda

 

74-2692550

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

CLARENDON HOUSE

CHURCH STREET

HAMILTON, BERMUDA

(Business address of registrant)

 

ONE HELEN OF TROY PLAZA

EL PASO, TEXAS 79912

(United States mailing address of registrant and zip code)

 

915-225-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01              Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On March 20, 2013, Kaz USA, Inc. (“Kaz USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Helen of Troy Limited (the “Company”), entered  into that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013 (the “Loan Agreement”), by and between Kaz USA and Mississippi Business Finance Corporation (the “MBFC”) in connection with the issuance by MBFC of up to $38,000,000 of taxable industrial development revenue bonds (the “Bonds”). Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned by MBFC to Kaz USA for the purposes of financing the purchase of land, construction of a distribution facility and the acquisition and installation of equipment, machinery and related assets located in Olive Branch, Mississippi (the “Facility”).

 

The Bonds are issued under a Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2013 (the “Indenture”), between MBFC and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and are payable from payments made by Kaz USA pursuant to the Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, Kaz USA is obligated to make payments in such amounts and at such times as will be sufficient to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on the Bonds. Interim draws, accumulating up to the $38,000,000 aggregate maximum, may be made through March 20, 2014. The Loan Agreement contains customary covenants in transactions of this nature, including a covenant by Kaz USA not to grant any lien on the Facility other than certain permitted encumbrances.

 

The Bonds and the related loans to Kaz USA will bear interest at a variable rate as elected by Kaz USA equal to either (a) a “Base Rate” plus a margin of 0.000% to 1.125%, depending upon the leverage ratio at the time of the borrowing (each loan accumulating at such interest rate, a “Base Rate Loan”) or (b) the respective one, two, three, or six-month LIBOR rate plus 1.000% to 2.125%, depending upon the leverage ratio at the time of the borrowing (each loan accumulating at such interest rate, a “Eurodollar Rate Loan”).  The Base Rate is equal to the highest of  (i) the federal funds rate for the day, plus 0.500%, (ii) the prime rate of Bank of America, N.A., or (iii) the respective one, two, three, or six-month LIBOR rate plus 1.000%.

 

Assuming the $38,000,000 aggregate maximum is borrowed, outstanding principal of the Bonds is payable as follows: $1,900,000 on March 1 in each of 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, $3,800,000 on March 1, 2016, $5,700,000 on March 1, 2017, and $15,200,000 on March 1, 2023. Outstanding interest on any Base Rate Loan is payable on the last business day of each May, August, November and February.  Outstanding interest on any Eurodollar Rate Loans is payable on the date one, two, three or six months, as applicable, following the date on which the Eurodollar Rate Loan commenced. Any remaining outstanding principal and interest is due upon the maturity of the Bonds on March 1, 2023. The Bonds may be prepaid in whole or part without penalty following the earlier of March 20, 2014 or the date six months following completion of the Facility. Additionally, Bank of America, N.A., the purchaser of the Bonds, may elect for the Bonds to be prepaid in full on March 1, 2018 by providing notice of such election to MBFC, Kaz USA, and the Trustee by August 31, 2017. Following March 1, 2018, Bank of America, N.A. may elect for the Bonds to be prepaid on March 1 of each subsequent year prior to maturity upon at least 90 days’ notice. In lieu of any prepayment, the Bonds may be purchased by a transferee as permitted under the Indenture.

 

The Bonds have been guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to a Guaranty Agreement by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (the “Guaranty Agreement”), dated as of March 1, 2013.  The Guaranty Agreement requires the maintenance of certain minimums for leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios, consolidated net worth levels, in addition to other customary covenants.  The Company’s financial covenants thereunder are consistent with the covenants contained in that certain Credit Agreement, dated December 30, 2010, by and among the Company, Helen of Troy L.P. and  Bank of America, N.A., as amended.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Loan Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, and the Indenture are not complete descriptions of all of the parties’ rights and obligations under such agreements and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Loan Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, and the Indenture that are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1, Exhibit 10.2, and Exhibit 10.3, respectively, and each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

2



 

Item 2.03              Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

 

The information described above under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 9.01              Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)           Exhibits .

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Loan Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between Kaz USA, Inc. and Mississippi Business Finance Corporation.

10.2

 

Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by Helen of Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A.

10.3

 

Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2013 between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust, as trustee.

 

3



 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED

 

 

 

 

Date: March 26, 2013

/s/ Thomas J. Benson

 

Thomas J. Benson

 

Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer

 

4



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Loan Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between Kaz USA, Inc. and Mississippi Business Finance Corporation.

10.2

 

Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by Helen of Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A.

10.3

 

Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2013 between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust, as trustee.

 

5


EXHIBIT 10.1

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Between

 

MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS FINANCE CORPORATION

 

And

 

KAZ USA, INC.

 

Dated as of March 1, 2013

 

Relating to

 

Mississippi Business Finance Corporation
Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013
(Helen of Troy Olive Branch, MS Project)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1.

Definitions

4

Section 1.2.

Accounting Terms

12

Section 1.3.

Rounding

12

Section 1.4.

Times of Day

12

Section 1.5.

Other Interpretive Provisions

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

REPRESENTATIONS

 

Section 2.1.

Representations of the Issuer

13

Section 2.2.

Representations of Company

13

Section 2.3.

Benefits Under the Act

16

Section 2.4.

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption

18

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMPLETION OF PROJECT; ISSUANCE OF BONDS

 

Section 3.1.

Completion of Project; Best Efforts

18

Section 3.2.

Issuance of Bonds

19

Section 3.3.

Loan; Disposition of Bond Proceeds

19

Section 3.4.

Requisition for Project Funds

19

Section 3.5.

Notices of Borrowing and Rate Requests

20

Section 3.6.

Certificate of Completion

20

Section 3.7.

Completion of Project if Bond Proceeds Insufficient; Surplus Proceeds

20

Section 3.8.

Default by Contractor

21

Section 3.9.

Investment of Project Fund

21

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SECURITY; LOAN PAYMENTS; OTHER OBLIGATIONS

 

Section 4.1.

Note

21

Section 4.2.

Loan Payments

21

Section 4.3.

Obligation to Make Payments Absolute

22

Section 4.4.

Sole Possession of Project by the Company

23

Section 4.5.

Maintenance of Project

23

Section 4.6.

Taxes and Assessments; Tax Indemnity

23

Section 4.7.

Operation of Project

23

 

i



 

Section 4.8.

Payment of Expenses

23

Section 4.9.

Payments Continue Upon Destruction of Project

24

Section 4.10.

Payment of Administrative Fee

24

Section 4.11.

Release and Indemnification of the Issuer

24

Section 4.12.

Insurance

25

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

SPECIAL COVENANTS

 

Section 5.1.

No Warranty as to Suitability of Project by the Issuer

25

Section 5.2.

Continuation of Existence of Company

25

Section 5.3.

Covenant by the Company to Leave Project Free of Other Liens or Encumbrances

25

Section 5.4.

Loan Agreement to Cooperate

25

Section 5.5.

Qualification in Mississippi

26

Section 5.6.

Maintenance

26

Section 5.7.

Environmental Law Compliance

26

Section 5.8.

Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

ASSIGNMENT, LEASE AND SALE OF PROJECT

 

Section 6.1.

Disposal of Project by Company

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 7.1.

Default

28

Section 7.2.

Remedies Upon Default

29

Section 7.3.

No Remedy Exclusive

29

Section 7.4.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

29

Section 7.5.

Effect of Waiver

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

PREPAYMENT OF LOAN

 

Section 8.1.

Obligations to Accelerate Loan Payments

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1.

Notices

30

Section 9.2.

Parties Interested

31

 

ii



 

Section 9.3.

Amendment to Loan Agreement

32

Section 9.4.

Counterparts

32

Section 9.5.

Severability of Invalid Provisions

32

Section 9.6.

Governing Law

33

Section 9.7.

Tax Exemptions and Credits

33

Section 9.8.

No Oral Agreement

33

Section 9.9.

Termination

33

Section 9.10.

Purchaser Approval

33

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

THE PROJECT SITE

 

EXHIBIT B

EQUIPMENT

 

EXHIBIT C

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

EXHIBIT D

BOND ADVANCE AND PAYMENT GRID

 

 

iii



 

THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of March 1, 2013, between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation (the “ Issuer ”), a public corporation of the State of Mississippi (the “ State ”) and Kaz USA, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the “ Company ”),

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer is authorized by the provisions of Sections 57-10-401 et seq ., Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended and supplemented (the “ Act ”), to, among other things, provide and finance economic development projects to eligible companies in the State;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer has determined that the Company is an “eligible company” and a “business enterprise” as defined by the Act in need of assistance to permanently finance the Cost of Construction (as hereinafter defined) of the Project (as hereinafter defined);

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer is authorized pursuant to the Act to issue its revenue bonds and to lend the proceeds thereof to enable eligible companies to borrow to finance the Cost of Construction of the Project;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has requested the Issuer to issue its revenue bonds and to lend the proceeds from the sale thereof to the Company to pay for or reimburse the Company for the cost of a portion of the Cost of Construction of the Project;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer has, by due corporate action, authorized the issuance, from time to time, of its Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 (Helen of Troy Project) (the “ Bonds ”), pursuant to the Act in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $38,000,000 in order to loan the proceeds thereof to the Company (the “ Loan ”) to pay for or reimburse the Company for the Cost of Construction of the Project, pursuant to a contractual arrangement whereby the amount of Loan Payments (as hereinafter defined) to be made to the Issuer by the Company shall be sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Bonds secured by such Loan Payments as and when the same shall become due and payable; and

 

WHEREAS, the Bonds are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (as hereinafter defined) to provide monies for such Loan; and the Company will execute a Note (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to the Indenture to evidence and secure its obligations to repay said Loan.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH:

 

That the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby and in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, do hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1.           Definitions .  The terms set forth below shall have the following meanings in this Loan Agreement and in the Indenture, unless the context clearly otherwise requires.  Except where the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number shall include

 



 

the plural number and vice versa.  Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.

 

Act ” shall collectively mean the provisions of Sections 57-10-401 et seq ., Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended and supplemented.

 

Administration Expenses ” shall mean the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuer pursuant to this Loan Agreement or the Indenture, including the Administrative Fee, and the compensation and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses paid to or incurred by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under the Indenture, including reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel.

 

Administrative Fee ” shall mean the fee of the Issuer with respect to the Bonds in the amount of $30,000 which fee is required to be paid by the Company to the Issuer pursuant to this Loan Agreement.

 

Applicable Law ” shall mean (a) in respect of any Person, all provisions of Laws applicable to such Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and determinations of arbitrators applicable to such Person and (b) in respect of contracts made or performed in the State, “ Applicable Law ” shall also mean the laws of the United States, including, without limitation in addition to the foregoing, 12 USC Sections 85 and 86, and any other statute of the United States now or at any time hereafter prescribing the maximum rates of interest on loans and extensions of credit, and the laws of the State.

 

Applicable Margin ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Applicable Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Authorized Company Representative ” shall mean any person or persons from time to time designated to act on behalf of the Company by a written certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by one of its Vice Presidents or other duly authorized Person and its Secretary or its Treasurer or other duly authorized Person and furnished to the Issuer and the Trustee, containing the specimen signature of each such person.

 

Base Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Base Rate Loan ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Bond ” or “ Bonds ” shall mean the $38,000,000 Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013, (Helen of Troy Olive Branch, MS Project), dated the date of delivery thereof, and issued under the Indenture and any Bonds thereafter authenticated and delivered in lieu of or in substitution for such bonds, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture.

 

Bond Counsel ” shall mean Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, Jackson, Mississippi, or an attorney-at-law or a firm of attorneys, designated by the Issuer, of nationally recognized standing in matters pertaining to bonds issued by states and their political

 



 

subdivisions, duly admitted to the practice of law before the highest court of any state of the United States.

 

Bond Counsel’s Opinion ” shall mean an opinion signed by Bond Counsel and satisfactory to the Issuer, the Trustee, and the Purchaser.

 

Bond Fund ” shall mean the fund established pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Indenture.

 

Bondholder ” or “ holder of the Bonds ” or “ holder ” shall mean the Registered Owner(s) of any fully registered Bond.

 

Bond Purchase Agreement ” shall mean the Bond Purchase Agreement dated as of March 19, 2013, among the Issuer, the Company and the Purchaser as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Bond Register ” and “ Bond Registrar ” shall have the respective meanings specified in Section 2.9 of the Indenture.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Purchaser’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall mean any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Closing Date ” shall mean the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 8 of the Bond Purchase Agreement are satisfied or waived.

 

Company ” shall mean Kaz USA, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, or any person or entity which is the surviving, resulting or transferee person in any merger, consolidation or transfer of assets permitted under Section 5.2 of this Loan Agreement and shall also mean, unless the context otherwise requires, any assignee of this Loan Agreement as permitted by Section 6.1 of this Loan Agreement.

 

Completion Date ” shall mean, with respect to the Bonds, the date of completion of the Project, as that date shall be certified pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Indenture.

 

Construction ” when used in connection with the Project, shall mean, without limitation, the acquisition, construction, installation and equipping of the Project.

 

Cost ”  or “ Cost of Construction ” shall mean the costs and allowances for the Construction of the Project which are permitted under Sections 57-10-401 et seq. of the Act and which include, but are not limited to, all capital costs of the Project, including the following:

 

(a)           Obligations incurred for Equipment and labor and to contractors, builders and materialmen in connection with the acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project;

 



 

(b)           the cost of acquiring land or rights in land and any cost incidental thereto, including recording fees;

 

(c)           the cost of contract bonds and of insurance of all kinds that may be required or necessary during the course of acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project which is not paid by the contractor or contractors or otherwise provided for;

 

(d)           all costs of architectural and engineering services, including test borings, surveys, estimates, plans and specifications, preliminary investigations, and supervision of construction, as well as for the performance of all the duties required by or consequent upon the acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project;

 

(e)           all costs which shall be required to be paid under the terms of any contracts or contracts for the acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project; and

 

(f)            all costs, expenses, and fees incurred in connection with the issuance of bonds pursuant to Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 of the Act.

 

Debt ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, all outstanding (i) indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable on customary terms in the ordinary course of business), (ii) financial obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) financial obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases, and (iv) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or financial obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

 

Debtor Relief Laws ” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default Rate ” shall mean an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Margin, if any, applicable to a Base Rate Loan plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the “Default Rate” shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan plus 2% per annum.

 

Dollar ” and “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Environmental Laws ” shall mean any and all federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including

 



 

those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

Equipment ” shall mean all of the fixtures (including all leasehold improvements), machinery, equipment, and all other items of tangible personal property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company, and located or to be located on or affixed to the Project Site, together with all substitutions therefore and all repairs, renewals, and replacements thereof.

 

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

Eurodollar Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Event(s) of Default ” shall mean any Event(s) of Default specified in Section 7.1 of this Loan Agreement.

 

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Authority ” shall mean the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Government Securities ” shall mean bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness of the United States or the State and any other security unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the United States or any agency thereof.

 

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos, or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

HOT - L.P. ” shall mean Helen of Troy L.P., a Texas limited partnership.

 

Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture related to the Bonds dated as of March 1, 2013, between the Issuer and the Trustee, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.

 

Interest Payment Date ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 



 

Interest Period ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Investment ” or “ Invest ” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Issuer ” shall mean the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, constituting a public body corporate and a political subdivision of the State, its successors and assigns, and any public corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party.

 

Laws ” shall mean, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority, or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

Loan ” or “ Loans ” shall mean the advances (one or more) provided by the Issuer to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement from the proceeds of the Bonds.

 

Loan Agreement ” shall mean this Loan Agreement as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Loan Documents ” shall mean this Loan Agreement, the Indenture, the Bond Purchase Agreement, the Note, the Bond, the Assignment of the Loan Agreement, and the Assignment of the Note, the Guaranty Agreement, and all other agreements, documents, instruments, certificates and agreements executed and/or delivered by the Company, in connection with this Loan Agreement, the Indenture, the Bond Purchase Agreement, and the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Loan Payments ” shall mean the payments required to be made by the Company pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof.

 

Maturity Date ” shall mean March 1, 2023, or such later date as the Company and the Purchaser may otherwise agree and, to the extent required, as approved by the Issuer.

 

Note ” shall mean the promissory note of the Company issued by the Company to the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.1 hereof, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C .

 

Organization Documents ” shall mean (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the

 



 

certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

Outstanding ” when used with reference to Bonds, shall mean, at any date as of which the amount of Outstanding Bonds is to be determined, the aggregate of all Bonds authorized, issued, authenticated and delivered under the Indenture except:

 

(a)                                  Bonds canceled or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.12 of the Indenture prior to such date; or

 

(b)                                  Bonds in lieu of or in substitution for which other Bonds shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company is presented that any such Bond is held by a bona fide holder in due course.

 

In determining whether holders of a requisite aggregate principal amount of Bonds Outstanding have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the Indenture, Bonds which are owned by the Company or the Issuer shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Bonds which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

Paying Agent ” shall mean the Person appointed in Section 11.22 of the Indenture for the purposes set forth therein.

 

Payment Date ” shall mean an Interest Payment Date or a Principal Payment Date, as the case may be.

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean and include:

 

(a)                                  any lien or charge incident to construction or maintenance other than those then payable and filed of record unless such are being contested by the Company in good faith and appropriate reserves are maintained with respect thereto;

 

(b)                                  the lien of taxes and assessments which are not delinquent;

 

(c)                                   the lien of taxes and assessments which are delinquent but the validity of which is being contested as permitted by Section 4.6 of this Loan Agreement;

 

(d)                                  any liens created under this Loan Agreement, the Indenture, the Note, the Bonds, and the Guaranty Agreement;

 



 

(e)                                   the rights of the Issuer and the Trustee under this Loan Agreement, the Indenture and the Note;

 

(f)                                    any lien on the Project or any part thereof created or that may be created pursuant to this Loan Agreement from the Company to the Issuer, as assigned to the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture and;

 

(g)                                   such other encumbrances as the Purchaser may approve in writing such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

Person ” shall mean any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority, or other entity.

 

Principal Payment Date ” shall mean March 1 each year commencing on March 1, 2014, and ending on the Maturity Date.

 

Project ” shall mean the acquisition, construction, and installation of machinery and Equipment constituting the warehousing and distribution facilities, which meets the definition of “business enterprise” under Section 57-10-205 and which meets the definition of “economic development project” under Section 57-10-401 all to be located at the Project Site.

 

Project Fund ” shall mean the fund created under Section 5.1 of the Indenture.

 

Project Site ” shall mean the real property located in the State more particularly described in Exhibit A attached to this Loan Agreement upon which the Equipment will be located.

 

Purchaser ” shall mean Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association.

 

Purchaser’s Office ” shall mean, as to the Purchaser, the office or offices of the Purchaser as the Purchaser may from time to time notify the Company.

 

Redemption Price ” shall mean the principal of and interest on the Bonds to be redeemed at par, without penalty or premium, and all other amounts due and owing in respect to the Bonds.

 

Registered Owner(s) ” shall mean the Person or Persons in whose name or names the particular registered Bond or Bonds shall be registered on the Bond Register.

 

Revenues ” shall mean all payments, receipts and invoices payable by the Company to the Issuer under the Loan Agreement (except payment of Administration Expenses and indemnification payments pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 4.11 , respectively, of this Loan Agreement) and any other payments, receipts and revenues derived by the Issuer from the Company under this Loan Agreement.

 

State ” shall mean the State of Mississippi.

 

Trustee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Indenture.

 



 

United States ” or “ U.S. ” shall mean the United States of America.

 

Section 1.2.                                 Accounting Terms .

 

(a)                                  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

 

(b)                                  If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and the Company shall so request, the Purchaser and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Purchaser and the Company); provided that , until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Company shall provide to the Purchaser financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

 

Section 1.3.                                 Rounding .  Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

Section 1.4.                                 Times of Day .  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Central time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

Section 1.5.                                 Other Interpretive Provisions .  With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)                                  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “ include ,” “ includes ” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “ will ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “ shall .”

 

(b)                                  Unless the context requires otherwise:  (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “ herein ,” “ hereof’ and “ hereunder ” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any

 



 

particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “ asset ” and “ property ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

(c)                                   In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from ” means “ from and including ;” the words “ to ” and “ until ” each mean “ to but excluding ;” and the word “ through ” means “ to and including .”

 

(d)                                  Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

ARTICLE II

 

REPRESENTATIONS

 

Section 2.1.                                 Representations of the Issuer .  The Issuer makes the following representations as the basis for the undertakings on the part of the Company herein contained:

 

(a)                                  The Issuer is a public corporation of the State and is authorized pursuant to the provisions of the Act to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Loan Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Issuer has full power and authority to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Loan Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder.

 

(c)                                   The Issuer is not in default under any provisions of the laws of the State material to the performance of its obligations under this Loan Agreement.

 

(d)                                  The Issuer has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Loan Agreement and by proper corporate action has duly authorized the execution and delivery hereof and as to the Issuer, this Loan Agreement is valid and legally binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws.

 

(e)                                   The Loan for the Cost of Construction of the Project by the Company, as provided by this Loan Agreement, will further the purposes of the Act to induce the location or expansion of commercial enterprises within the State in order to advance the public purposes of relieving unemployment.

 

Section 2.2.                                 Representations of Company .  The Company makes the following representations as the basis for the issuance by the Issuer of the Bonds and the undertakings on the part of the Issuer herein contained:

 



 

(a)                                  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts and in good standing under the laws of the State.

 

(b)                                  The Company has full power and authority to authorize and thereafter consummate all transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and any and all other agreements relating thereto.

 

(c)                                   The Company has duly authorized all necessary actions to be taken by the Company (i) for the execution, delivery, receipt and due performance of the Loan Documents, (ii) for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the sale of the Bonds and the Loan Documents, and (iii) for the Loan Documents to constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, as each may apply to the Company except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws.  A copy of a resolution of the Company authorizing this Loan Agreement and the execution of related documents by the officers of the Company shall be furnished by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(d)                                  The execution and delivery by the Company of the Loan Documents and the other documents contemplated hereby and by the issuance and sale of the Bonds and compliance with the provisions thereof will not conflict with or constitute on the Company’s part a breach of or default under any existing law, court or administrative regulation, decree or order or any agreement, indenture, mortgage, lease or other instrument to which the Company is subject or by which the Company is or may be bound.

 

(e)                                   Any certificate signed by any of the Company’s authorized officers and delivered to the Purchaser shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Purchaser as to the statements made therein.

 

(f)                                    The Company has obtained or will obtain as and when required by applicable law all approvals required in connection with the execution and delivery of and performance by the Company of its obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

(g)                                   To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, investigation at law or in equity or before or by any court, public board or body pending or threatened against or affecting the Company (or any basis therefor) wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would adversely affect the transactions contemplated hereby or the issuance and sale of the Bonds or the validity of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument to which the Company is or is expected to be a party and which is used or contemplated for use in the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(h)                                  The Company will have obtained all licenses, permits, franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary for the acquisition, construction, installation, equipping and financing, from time to time, of the Project and the use of the Project.

 

(i)                                      The Project consists of the acquisition of real property and the acquisition and installation of Equipment as more particularly described in Exhibit B to this Loan Agreement.

 



 

(j)                                     The estimated Cost of Construction of the Project exceeds the principal amount of the Loan.

 

(k)                                  The Company is engaged in the sale and distribution of consumer goods, and is a commercial enterprise under the Act.

 

(l)                                      That as a result of the construction and subsequent operation of the Project, the Company will provide economic development and gainful employment opportunities to residents of the State.  The Company has been advised by the Issuer that it qualifies for bond financing under the Act.

 

(m)                              To the best of the Company’s knowledge, the Company has filed or caused to be filed all necessary tax returns that to its knowledge are required to be filed (except for returns not yet due), and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns and all taxes, impositions, assessments, fees or other charges imposed on it by governmental authority, agency or instrumentality, prior to any delinquency with respect thereto (other than taxes, impositions, assessments, fees, and charges currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, for which appropriate amounts have been reserved).

 

(n)                                  To the best of the Company’s knowledge, neither the business nor the properties of the Company are presently affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God, or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) materially and adversely affecting such business or properties or the operation of the Company.

 

(o)                                  To the best of the Company’s knowledge, all information furnished by the Company to the Issuer and the Purchaser for the purpose of approving the Project and the financing of the Loan through the issuance and sale of the Bonds including, but not limited to, the Company’s financial statements and its application for the Loan is true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof and thereof.

 

(p)                                  The Loan is being made to pay or reimburse the Company for the Costs of Construction of the Project and is not being made to finance any existing debt, except for the repayment of existing debt which qualifies as a Cost of Construction of the Project, or any costs, expenses or other obligations incurred by the Company or any other Person on behalf of the Company prior to the date that is sixty (60) days prior to November 14, 2012.

 

(q)                                  The Company is in substantial compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA.

 

(r)                                     The Company acknowledges the terms and provisions of the Indenture and will comply with such terms of the Indenture to the extent that such terms and provisions are applicable to the Company.

 

(s)                                    No material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition, operation, or business of the Company since February 28, 2011.

 



 

(t)                                     The Project and, to the extent applicable, each component thereof, is free from all Liens except Permitted Encumbrances.

 

Section 2.3.                                 Benefits Under the Act .

 

(a)                                  The parties hereto acknowledge that the Company has been induced to proceed with the acquisition and construction of the Project in part by the benefits conferred by the Act.  The Issuer hereby agrees that the Company shall be permitted to take advantage of all of the benefits provided by the Act to the fullest extent therein set forth subject to the rules and regulations of the Issuer.  The Issuer agrees that it will not take any action to limit, curtail or otherwise make unavailable to the Company any of the benefits available under the Act, including without limitation the exemption from Mississippi sales or use taxes.

 

(b)                                  With respect to benefits conferred by the Act referenced in (a) above relating to the income tax benefits, the following shall apply:

 

(i)                                      the maximum benefits accruing in any calendar year with respect to the income tax credit (other than any credits which may be carried forward to future years pursuant to the Act) shall not exceed the payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest payments on the Bonds during such year, and the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any other fees and expenses referenced herein.

 

(ii)                                   any benefit claimed or received by the Company for any Cost shall not be used as a deduction under the laws of the State of Mississippi in order to determine the taxable income of the Company.

 

(iii)                                the Company shall request the Trustee to provide the Issuer, not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each calendar year, with a certificate setting forth the amount of all payments made to the Trustee with respect to the Bonds whether for principal, premium, interest or the fees and expenses of the Trustee.

 

(iv)                               the benefits accruing to the Company under this Section 2.3 shall cease in the event:

 

(A)                                a Default should occur under this Agreement or the Indenture; or

 

(B)                                the Company should fail to operate the Project for a period of nine (9) consecutive months following the initial start-up of the Project except for force majeure, strikes, lockouts, damage, destruction, act of God or in general, reasons beyond the Company’s reasonable control excepting, however, general economic conditions.

 

(v)                                  the Company agrees to comply with the terms and provisions of the Act in all respects with respect to the benefits available under the Act.

 

(vi)                               the benefits or credits available under the Act shall cease to accrue on the date the principal and interest on the Bonds are paid in full whether at maturity or by way of redemption.

 



 

(vii)                            the benefits accruing to the Company under this Section 2.3 shall be limited to the annual debt service payments on the Bonds for qualified Cost of the Project and shall be reduced by the amount of surplus funds remaining after completion which shall be used to redeem Bonds as provided for in Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

 

(viii)                         the tax credits allowed as a benefit under the Act shall be further limited so that the credits allowed in any year shall not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the amount of taxes due to the State prior to the application of the credits (as directed in Section 27-7-22.3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended).  To the extent that the payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest payments on the Bonds during any year and the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any other fees and expenses referenced herein exceed the amount of the tax credit authorized by Section 27-7-22.3, in any taxable year, such excess payment may be recouped from excess credits in succeeding years not to exceed three (3) years following the date upon which the credit was earned.

 

(ix)                               the Company will report to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission (“ MESC ”) its employees as required by law, and shall annually report to the Issuer the average number of employees reported for each year to the MESC.  This shall be done for each year after the year in which the Project was induced for financing by the Issuer.

 

(x)                                  for purposes of determining the benefits to which the Company is eligible under the Act, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(A)                                (i)                                      “Base Employment” (“ BE ”) means the average number of employees of the Company in the State during the preceding twelve (12) month period ending August 31, 2013, as reported by the Company to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission.

 

(ii)                                   “Base Investment” (“ BI ”) means the present value of the capital assets owned or leased, by the Company within the State as determined by the Tax Assessor of each County in which the Company owns or leases capital assets related to telecommunications facilities, or corporate or regional offices.

 

(iii)                                “Future Employment” (“ FE ”) means the average number of employees of the Company in the State each year after August 31, 2013, which may be an estimate for the first twelve (12) months, and as reported by the Company to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission over each twelve (12) month period thereafter.

 

(iv)                               “Future Investment” (“ FI ”) means the sum of (a) the Base Investment; (b) the Costs of the Project paid with proceeds of the Bonds; and (c) funds of the Company used to pay Costs of the Project or related improvements on the Project Site.

 



 

(B)                                The Company represents and warrants that as of the date of this Agreement that:

 

(i)                                      the Base Employment is zero employees and the Base Investment is $0.00 as of the date hereof.

 

(ii)                                   the Company reasonably anticipates that the Future Employment for the first twelve (12) months after August 31, 2013 will be 140 employees which represents increased employment of 140 employees in connection with the Project, and the Future Investment will be approximately $35,000,000 by September 30, 2013 and $2,000,000 by September 30, 2014.

 

(C)                                The percentage of the Company’s total state income tax liability in which the Company shall be entitled to an income tax credit provided by the Act (subject to further limitation as set forth in Section 2.3(b)(8) above) shall be determined annually as follows:

 

(i)                                      (FE - BE) ÷ FE = Employment Valuation Percentage (“ EVP ”)

 

(ii)                                   (FI - BI) ÷ FI = Investment Valuation Percentage (“ IVP ”)

 

(iii)                                [(EVP x 2) + IVP] ÷ 3 = Percentage of income tax liabilities of the Company to which the Company is entitled to an income tax credit.

 

(c)                                   The Issuer makes no warranty or guaranty concerning the availability or application of the benefits granted or earned by the Company under this Section 2.3 or the Act.

 

Section 2.4.                                 Ad Valorem Tax Exemption .  The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall only be entitled to an ad valorem tax exemption from city or county ad valorem taxes regarding the Project upon making proper application to and obtaining the approval of the respective Mississippi city or county in which the Project is located.  Any such ad valorem tax exemption may be granted for a term of up to ten (10) years with the approval of each respective Mississippi city or county in which the Project is located, and in accordance with additional requirements under State law.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMPLETION OF PROJECT; ISSUANCE OF BONDS

 

Section 3.1.                                 Completion of Project; Best Efforts .  (a) The Company will acquire, construct, install and equip the Project or cause the Project to be acquired, constructed, installed and equipped as herein provided, will use its best efforts to cause the acquisition, construction, installation and equipping thereof to be completed with all reasonable dispatch, but if for any reason such acquisition, construction, installation and equipping shall not be completed there

 



 

shall be no resulting diminution in or postponement of the payments required in Section 4.2 hereof to be paid by the Company under this Loan Agreement and the Note.

 

(b)                                  Anything in this Loan Agreement notwithstanding, the Issuer shall not be obligated to complete the acquisition, construction, installation and equipping of the Project upon acceleration of the payment of the unpaid portion of the payments due pursuant to this Loan Agreement and the Note, and the making of all payments in the amount required by and in accordance with the terms of this Loan Agreement and the Note.

 

(c)                                   In order to effectuate the purposes of this Loan Agreement, the Company will make, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all contracts, orders, receipts, writings and instructions, in the name of the Company or otherwise, with or to other persons, firms or corporations, and in general do or cause to be done all such other things as may be requisite or proper for the construction, installation and equipping of the Project and fulfillment of the obligations of the Company under this Loan Agreement.

 

(d)                                  The Company will maintain such records in connection with the cost of the construction, installation and equipping of the Project as to permit ready identification thereof which records the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee shall have the right to inspect upon reasonable notice during regular business hours.

 

Section 3.2.                                 Issuance of Bonds .  The Issuer, concurrent with or as soon as practical after the execution of this Loan Agreement, will use its best efforts to sell, issue and deliver, from time to time, the Bonds to the Purchaser thereof and deposit the proceeds thereof, from time to time, with the Trustee in accordance with Sections 5.1 and 6.1 of the Indenture.

 

Section 3.3.                                 Loan; Disposition of Bond Proceeds .  The Issuer, as issuer of the Bonds, hereby lends from the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Bonds, the maximum principal amount of $38,000,000 to the Company, which is equal to the original face amount of the Bonds, paid by the Purchaser thereof, for the purposes and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.4.                                 Requisition for Project Funds .  (a) The Issuer has, in the Indenture, authorized and directed the Trustee to make payments from the Project Fund to pay or reimburse the Company for the Cost of Construction of the Project, upon receipt by the Trustee, with a copy to the Purchaser, of (i) original executed requisitions in the form of Exhibit A in the Indenture (upon which both the Issuer and the Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in so relying) signed by an Authorized Company Representative, and approved by the Purchaser stating with respect to each payment to be made:  (1) the requisition number, (2) the name and address of the Person to whom payment is due or, in the event such payment is to reimburse the Issuer or the Company, the name and address of the Person to whom payment previously has been made (or, in the case of payments to the Bond Fund, instructions to make such payments to the Bond Fund), (3) the amount to be paid, (4) that no Event of Default under Section 7.1 of this Loan Agreement by the Company under this Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing, and (5) that each obligation, item of cost or expense mentioned therein has been properly incurred, is a proper charge against the Project Fund and has not been the basis of

 



 

any previous withdrawal; and (ii) copies of all invoices or statements from a contractor, vendor or other payee supporting each requisition for payment from the Project Fund and clearly identifying the property or service comprising the Cost of Construction of the Project to be paid or reimbursed which shall be maintained by the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  If any contract provides for retention by the Company of a portion of the contract price, any advances delivered by the Purchaser to the Trustee for deposit into the Project Fund shall be net of any such retainage.

 

Section 3.5.                                 Notices of Borrowing and Rate Requests .  (a) The Loan shall be advanced and remain outstanding as requested by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Indenture.  All advances shall bear interest at the rates defined in the Indenture.

 

(b)                                  In addition to the documents required to be submitted pursuant to Section 3.4 of this Loan Agreement in connection with each borrowing of funds under this Loan Agreement, the Company shall submit to the Purchaser (and simultaneously deliver copies thereof to the Trustee) a written notice of borrowing (a “ Notice of Borrowing ”), in the form of Exhibit A to the Bond Purchase Agreement, specifying the amount and date of the requested borrowing.  The Trustee may conclusively rely on any Notice of Borrowing approved in writing by the Purchaser.

 

Section 3.6.                                 Certificate of Completion .  When the Project is completed and ready to be placed in service, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, the Purchaser, and the Issuer a certificate of an Authorized Company Representative stating, as applicable, that the construction of the Project has been completed and payment, or provision therefor of the Cost of Construction of the Project has been made except for any such cost not then due and payable or the liability for payment of which in good faith is being contested or disputed by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, such certificate shall state that it is given without prejudice to any rights against third parties which exist at the date thereof or which may subsequently come into being.  The Issuer and the Company agree to cooperate in causing such certificates to be furnished to the Trustee, the Purchaser, and the Issuer.  No additional amounts shall be delivered to fund the Cost of Construction of the Project following delivery of the certificate under this Section 5.3 except for any such cost not then due and payable or the liability for payment of which is being contested or disputed in good faith by the Company.

 

Section 3.7.                                 Completion of Project if Bond Proceeds Insufficient; Surplus Proceeds .  (a) If the moneys in the Project Fund available for payment of the Cost of Construction of the Project are not sufficient to pay the Cost of Construction of the Project in full, the Company will complete or cause to be completed the Project and pay or cause to be paid all of that portion of the Cost of Construction of the Project in excess of the moneys available therefore in the Project Fund.  The Issuer does not make any warranty, either express or implied, that the moneys which will be paid into the Project Fund will be sufficient to pay the Cost of Construction of the Project.  If the Company shall pay any portion of the Cost of Construction of the Project pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.7 , it shall not be entitled to any reimbursement therefore from the Issuer, the Trustee or the holders of any of the Bonds, nor shall it be entitled to any diminution in or postponement of the Loan Payments required in Section 4.2 hereof to be paid by the Company.

 



 

(b)                                  If, upon the Completion Date, there shall be any surplus funds remaining in the Project Fund not reserved to pay for the Cost of Construction of the Project, such funds shall, (i) be deposited in the Bond Fund and used, at the earliest date permissible under the terms of the Indenture without the payment of a call premium or penalty, to pay principal on such Bonds through redemption or retirement; and (ii) be Invested as provided for in the Indenture until such time as such surplus funds are expended as provided for in this Section 3.7.

 

Section 3.8.                                 Default by Contractor .  In the event of default of any supplier, contractor or subcontractor under any contract made by it in connection with the Project or in the event of a breach of warranty with respect to any materials, workmanship or performance guaranty, the Company may proceed, either separately or in conjunction with others, to pursue such remedies against the supplier, contractor or subcontractor so in default and against each surety for the performance of such contract as it may deem advisable.  The Company will advise the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee of the steps it intends to take in connection with any such default.  If the Company shall so notify the Issuer and the Trustee, the Company may, in its own name or in the name of the Issuer, prosecute any action or proceeding or take any other action involving any such supplier, contractor, subcontractor or surety which the Company deems reasonably necessary, and in such event the Issuer will cooperate fully with the Company.

 

Section 3.9.                                 Investment of Project Fund .  Any moneys held as a part of the Project Fund or any other fund created pursuant to the Indenture shall, at the facsimile request of an Authorized Company Representative, confirmed in writing within two (2) Business Days, be Invested or reinvested by the Trustee as provided in Article VII of the Indenture. The Trustee shall invest any moneys only at the direction of the Company, and the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss incurred as a result of complying with the directions of the Company.

 

Section 3.10.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SECURITY; LOAN PAYMENTS; OTHER OBLIGATIONS

 

Section 4.1.                                 Note .  Concurrently with the sale and delivery by the Issuer of the Bonds, in order to secure the obligation of the Company hereunder, the Company will execute and deliver the Note substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C to this Loan Agreement, which shall be dated the same date as the date of delivery of the Bonds.

 

Section 4.2.                                 Loan Payments .  As and for security for repayment of the Loan made to the Company by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, the Company agrees to the assignment of the Loan Documents to the Trustee for the account of the Issuer and Purchaser.  Subject to Section 6.2 of the Indenture, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee a sum equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds issued under the Indenture, premium, if any, and interest on the unpaid balance thereof at the rates payable by the Trustee on such Bonds, in the amounts and on the Payment Dates as follows:

 

(a)                                  for deposit in the Bond Fund, on the Business Day prior to each Interest Payment Date, the amount which equals the interest to be paid on the Bonds on such Interest Payment

 



 

Date (computed in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Indenture); provided, however, such deposits of interest shall not be required to be made into the Bond Fund to the extent that money on deposit therein is available for such purpose; and

 

(b)                                  for deposit in the Bond Fund, on the Business Day prior to each Principal Payment Date on which principal of the Bonds is due, the amount which equals the sum of (i) the principal of the Bonds which will be due and payable on such Principal Payment Date, and (ii) the amount of the Redemption Price due and payable on such Principal Payment Date, if any, provided, however, that such deposits of principal shall not be required to be made into the Bond Fund to the extent that money on deposit therein is available for such purpose; provided, however, that if the Bonds shall theretofore have been deemed to have been paid pursuant to the Indenture from amounts paid by the Company, but solely to the extent of amounts paid by the Company, no further payments need be made under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

(c)                                   In the event the Company shall fail to make or cause to be made any of the payments required in this Section 4.2 , the payment so in default shall continue as an obligation of the Company until the amount in default shall have been fully paid, and the Company will pay the same with interest thereon until paid at the rate or rates per annum borne by the Bonds.

 

(d)                                  The Company further agrees to pay, when due, to the party to whom such payment is due, the Administration Expenses, all sums constituting a Cost of Construction of the Project and all other amounts due in respect of the Bonds, including reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Purchaser and Trustee, and required under the terms and provisions of this Loan Agreement as same shall have become due and payable.

 

(e)                                   In addition, in the event the Company is obligated to make payments which are accelerated hereunder upon the occurrence of certain events, all as described in Article VII hereof, such payments are to be made in an amount sufficient (i) to redeem at the earliest date permitted under the Indenture the Bonds to be redeemed at the Redemption Price, (ii) to pay any interest which will become due on such Bonds to such redemption date and (iii) to pay all Administration Expenses accrued and to accrue.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Indenture, the Company may make payments on the Bonds directly to the Purchaser and provide the Trustee with notice of amounts paid.  The Trustee shall be permitted to rely conclusively upon such notices.

 

Section 4.3.                                 Obligation to Make Payments Absolute .  (a) It is understood and agreed that all payments by the Company under this Loan Agreement and the Note shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject to any defense (other than payment) or any right of set-off, counterclaim or recoupment arising out of any breach by the Issuer or the Trustee of any obligation to the Company, whether hereunder or otherwise, or out of any indebtedness or liability at any time owing to the Company by the Issuer or the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  So long as any Bonds are Outstanding, the Company will pay directly to the Issuer or the Trustee when due, as the case may be, the amount of Administration Expenses payable to them respectively and not theretofore provided for which have then accrued and become payable (except as otherwise provided herein); provided, however, that before any such

 



 

payment is due and payable, the Issuer or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall give notice to the Company, at least fifteen (15) days prior to such Payment Date, of the amount and nature of such Administration Expenses.

 

Section 4.4.                                 Sole Possession of Project by the Company .  The Company is entitled to sole and exclusive possession of the Project subject to the provisions of this Loan Agreement.

 

Section 4.5.                                 Maintenance of Project .  (a) The Company will use its best efforts to maintain, preserve and keep the Project or cause the Project to be maintained, preserved and kept, with the appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof; in good repair, working order and condition and will from time to time make or cause to be made all necessary and proper repairs, replacements and renewals.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 6.1 of this Loan Agreement, the Company shall have the privilege of making substitutions, modifications and improvements to the Project from time to time as it, in its discretion, may deem to be desirable for its uses and purposes, the cost of which substitutions, modifications and improvements shall be paid by the Company, and the same shall be included under the terms of this Loan Agreement as part of the Project.

 

Section 4.6.                                 Taxes and Assessments; Tax Indemnity .  The Company shall:

 

(a)                                  file all tax returns and appropriate schedules thereto that are required to be filed under Applicable Law, prior to the date of delinquency;

 

(b)                                  pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon by the Company, upon its income and profits or upon any properties belonging to it, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto unless such taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies are being contested in good faith by the Company; and

 

(c)                                   pay all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies that, if unpaid, might become a Lien upon any of its properties; provided, however, that the Company in good faith may contest any such tax, assessment, governmental charge or levy described in the foregoing clauses (b) and (c) so long as appropriate reserves are maintained with respect thereto.  If any tax is or may be imposed by any governmental entity in respect of sales of the Company’s inventory or the payment of compensation to the Company’s employees, or as a result of any other transaction of the Company, which tax the Issuer is or may be required to withhold or pay, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer in connection with such taxes (including penalties and interest), and the Company shall immediately reimburse the Issuer for any such out-of-pocket amounts paid by the Issuer.

 

Section 4.7.                                 Operation of Project .  The Company agrees that so long as any of the Bonds are Outstanding it will maintain the Project as an eligible company in accordance with the Act, unless the Project is sold pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof.

 

Section 4.8.                                 Payment of Expenses .  The Company will pay, or cause to be paid, in addition to the payments provided for in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof, all of the expenses of operation of the Project, including, without limitation, the cost of all necessary and proper

 



 

repairs, replacements and renewals made pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof and any and all taxes and assessments payable pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof.

 

Section 4.9.                                 Payments Continue Upon Destruction of Project .  It is understood and agreed that the payments under Section 4.2 hereof and on the Note and other charges payable hereunder shall continue to be payable at the time and in the amounts herein specified, whether or not the Project, or any portion thereof, shall have been condemned or taken by eminent domain or destroyed, wholly or partially, by fire or other casualty, and that there shall be no abatement or diminution of any such payments and other charges by reason thereof.

 

Section 4.10.                          Payment of Administrative Fee .  Concurrently with the sale and delivery by the Issuer of the Bonds, the Company shall pay to the Issuer the Administrative Fee.

 

Section 4.11.                          Release and Indemnification of the Issuer .  (a) The Company hereby releases the Issuer from, and agrees that the Issuer and its respective officers, directors, members, employees, attorneys, and agents shall not be liable for, and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold the Issuer and its respective officers, directors, members, employees, attorneys, and agents harmless against:

 

(i)                                      any liability, cost or expense in the administration of this Loan Agreement and the obligations imposed on the Issuer thereby and hereby;

 

(ii)                                   any or all liability or loss, cost or expense, including reasonable outside attorneys’ fees, resulting from or arising out of any loss or damage to property or any injury to or death of any person occurring on or about the Project Site or resulting from any defect in the fixtures, machinery, equipment or other property located on the Project Site or arising out of, pertaining to, or having any connection with the Project or the financing thereof (whether or not arising out of acts, omissions or negligence of the Company);

 

(iii)                                any or all liability or loss, cost or expense, including reasonable outside attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in connection with, or pertaining to the issuance, sale or delivery of the Bonds, including, but not limited to, liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any applicable state securities laws;

 

(iv)                               any and all claims, damages, judgments, penalties, costs, and expenses (including reasonable outside attorneys’ fees and court costs now or hereafter arising from the aforesaid enforcement of this paragraph) arising directly or indirectly from (1) the activities of the Company and its predecessors in interest, (2) third parties with whom it has a contractual relationship, or (3) the violation of any environmental protection, health, or safety law, whether any such claims are asserted by any Governmental Authority or any other Person which indemnity shall survive the termination of this Loan Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The indemnity specified in this Section 4.11 shall not be effective to relieve the Issuer or its respective officers, directors, members, employees, attorneys and agents from damages that result from willful misconduct or gross negligence or intentional misconduct on the part of the Issuer.  This indemnification covenant shall survive the termination of this Loan

 



 

Agreement with respect to liability arising out of any event or act occurring prior to such termination.

 

(c)                                   The provisions of this Section 4.11 shall also apply in favor of the Trustee, except to the extent that any liability, loss, cost or expense on the part of the Trustee results from the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

Section 4.12.                          Insurance .  The Company shall maintain a program of insurance or self-insurance acceptable to the Purchaser to be in effect on all material Company assets so long as any Bonds are outstanding.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SPECIAL COVENANTS

 

Section 5.1.                                 No Warranty as to Suitability of Project by the Issuer .  The Issuer makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the actual or designed capacity of the Project, as to the suitability of the Project for the purposes specified in this Loan Agreement, as to the condition of the Project, or that the Project will be suitable for the Company’s purposes or needs.

 

Section 5.2.                                 Continuation of Existence of Company .  (a) The Company covenants that it will maintain its existence, will obtain, maintain and keep in full force and effect all governmental approvals, consents, permits and licenses as may be necessary for continued use of the Project, will not dissolve or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets and will not consolidate with or merge into another Person (other than a subsidiary) or permit one or more other Persons (other than a subsidiary) to consolidate with or merge into it without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Purchaser.  If written approval of the Purchaser is obtained upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with this Section 5.2 , the successor Company formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Loan Agreement with the same effect as if such successor Company had been named as the Company herein.  In the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company as the predecessor person may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated (if applicable) at any time thereafter.

 

(b)                                  If a consolidation, merger or sale or other transfer is made as permitted by this Section 5.2 , the provisions of this Section 5.2 shall continue in full force and effect and no further consolidation, merger or sale or other transfer shall be made except in compliance with the provisions of this Sections 5.2 and 6.1 hereof.

 

Section 5.3.                                 Covenant by the Company to Leave Project Free of Other Liens or Encumbrances .  The Company covenants that it shall not create or suffer to be created any Lien on the Project or any part thereof, except Permitted Encumbrances.

 

Section 5.4.                                 Loan Agreement to Cooperate .  In the event it may be necessary for the proper performance of this Loan Agreement, or for the exercise of any rights hereunder, on the part of the Issuer or the Company that any application or applications for any permit or license or

 



 

authorization to do or to perform certain things be made to any Governmental Authority by the Company or the Issuer, or both, the Company and the Issuer each agree to execute and prosecute upon the request of the other such application or applications.

 

Section 5.5.                                 Qualification in Mississippi .  Subject to Section 5.2 hereof, the Company, throughout the term of this Loan Agreement, will continue to be duly qualified to do business in the State.

 

Section 5.6.                                 Maintenance .  The Company covenants to maintain all of its tangible property used in connection with its business in good condition and repair and make all necessary replacements thereof, and preserve and maintain all material licenses, trademarks, privileges, permits, franchises, certificates and the like necessary for the operation of its business.

 

Section 5.7.                                 Environmental Law Compliance .  To the best knowledge of the Company, the Company has not and will not knowingly in any material respect violate any Environmental Laws, and the Company will not use or permit any other party to use any Hazardous Materials at any of the Company’s places of business or at any other property owned by the Company, except such materials as are incidental to the Company’s normal course of business, maintenance and repairs and which are handled in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.  On or after a default under any of the Loan Documents, the Company agrees to permit the Issuer, its agents, contractors and employees to enter and inspect any of the Company’s places of business or any other property of the Company at any reasonable times upon three (3) days prior notice for the purposes of conducting an environmental investigation and audit (including taking physical samples) to ensure that the Company is complying with this covenant and the Company shall reimburse the Issuer on demand for the out-of-pocket costs of any such environmental investigation and audit.  The Company shall provide the Issuer, its agents, contractors, employees and representatives with access to and copies of any and all data and documents relating to or dealing with any Hazardous Materials used, generated, manufactured, stored or disposed of by Company’s business operations within five (5) days of the written request therefor.

 

Section 5.8.                                 Maintenance of Books and Records; Inspection .  The Company shall maintain its books, accounts and records in accordance with GAAP and permit the Issuer, the Purchaser or the Trustee, their officers and employees and any professionals designated by the Issuer, the Purchaser or the Trustee in writing, upon reasonable notice during regular business hours, to visit and inspect any of its properties (including but not limited to the collateral security described in the Loan Documents), corporate books and financial records, and to discuss its accounts, affairs and finances with any employee, officer, director, or partner of the Company.  Unless written notice of another location is given to the Issuer, the Purchaser or the Trustee, the Company’s books and records will be located at Company’s chief executive office or at 1 Helen of Troy Plaza, El Paso, Texas 79912.

 



 

ARTICLE VI

 

ASSIGNMENT, LEASE AND SALE OF PROJECT

 

Section 6.1.                                 Disposal of Project by Company.

 

(a)                                  The Company will not sell, lease or otherwise dispose of or encumber its interest in the Project, except for Permitted Encumbrances or transactions permitted pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof and this Section 6.1 , without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and the Issuer, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, and with notice to the Trustee.  Upon prior written consent of the Purchaser, this Loan Agreement may be assigned in whole or in part, and the interest of the Company in the Project may be sold or leased as a whole or in part by the Company, provided, however, that any such assignee, vendee or lessee shall, in writing, specifically assume the obligations and affirm in its own capacity the representations, warranties and covenants made by the Company in this Loan Agreement, subject, however, to the following conditions:

 

(i)                                      No sale, assignment or leasing of the Project (other than pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof), shall relieve the Company from liability for any of its obligations hereunder, and in the event of any such sale, assignment or leasing the Company shall continue to remain primarily liable for the payments specified in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof and for performance and observance of the other agreements on its part herein provided, unless otherwise approved by the Purchaser, in writing, in which case such vendee, assignee or lessee shall assume the obligations of the Company hereunder and shall become liable for the payments specified in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof and for performance and observance of the other agreements of the Company herein provided as to which the Company shall no longer be liable and the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee shall execute such release.

 

(ii)                                   The Company shall, no later than ten (10) days prior to the effective date thereof; furnish or cause to be furnished to the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee a copy of each such proposed sale agreement, assignment and lease, as the case may be.

 

(iii)                                The Company shall, ten (10) days after the delivery thereof, furnish or cause to be furnished to the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee, a true and complete copy of each such sale agreement, assignment and lease, as the case may be.

 

(iv)                               If requested by the Issuer, there shall be delivered to the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee a Bond Counsel’s Opinion, addressed to the Issuer and the Trustee, to the effect that such sale, assignment or leasing is in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and is not prohibited by the Act.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company may with the prior written consent of the Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, (with notice to the Trustee and the Issuer) from time to time sell or permit the sale of or lease or otherwise dispose of a portion of the Equipment without complying with the conditions of subsection (a) hereof if the aggregate fair market value of the Equipment or other assets so sold, leased or otherwise

 



 

disposed of does not exceed $250,000.00, and if the Company shall certify, in writing, to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Purchaser that such Equipment or other assets are no longer needed or are no longer useful in its operation of the Project and at the option of the Company, the proceeds thereof shall be applied to the replacement of or substitution of Equipment or other assets of equal value or utility for the Equipment or other assets so sold or disposed of, and such Equipment or other assets purchased in replacement or substitution shall become part of the Project, or the proceeds shall be paid to the Trustee for deposit in the Bond Fund for application as provided in the Indenture.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 7.1.                                 Default .  Any of the following events shall constitute a “default” or “event of default” under this Loan Agreement:

 

(a)                                  the failure to pay any obligation, liability or indebtedness of the Company (i) to the Purchaser under any of the Loan documents, or (ii) to the Issuer or the Trustee under any of the Loan Documents, as and when due (whether upon demand, at maturity or by acceleration); provided, however, such failure to pay shall not be an Event of Default if the Company makes such payment obligation within five (5) days after written notice thereof to the Company by the Trustee (or the Purchaser under Section 6.2 of the Indenture); or

 

(b)                                  the failure to comply with the insurance requirements as set forth in Section 4.12 hereof;

 

(c)                                   the failure to pay or perform any other obligation, liability or indebtedness of the Company to the Purchaser under the Loan Documents, and such failure to pay a monetary obligation is not cured within ninety (90) days thereof, or the failure to perform any other obligation is not cured within ninety (90) days following written notice to the Company by the Purchaser;

 

(d)                                  any default under any Loan Documents, subject to any cure period applicable thereto;

 

(e)                                   the filing or commencement of a proceeding against the Company for dissolution or liquidation, or the Company’s voluntary or involuntary termination or dissolution;

 

(f)                                    the Company or any subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or stayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding;

 



 

(g)                                   any representation or warranty made by the Company in any Loan Documents or otherwise to the Purchaser was untrue or materially misleading when made; or

 

(h)                                  an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the Guaranty.

 

Section 7.2.                                 Remedies Upon Default .  (a) Whenever any Event of Default referred to in Section 7.1 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing, any one or more of the following remedial steps may be taken; provided that written notice of the default has been given to the Company by the Issuer, the Purchaser or the Trustee and the default has not theretofore been cured; and provided further that no remedial steps shall be taken by the Issuer the effect of which would be to entitle the Issuer to provide funds necessary for the payment of principal and interest on Bonds which have not yet matured unless such principal and interest shall have been declared due and payable in accordance with the Indenture and such declaration shall not have been rescinded.

 

(b)                                  In the event of any default under this Loan Agreement, the Issuer may and upon written request of the Purchaser shall:

 

(i)                                      declare all amounts due under any of the Loan Documents, at the option of the Purchaser, immediately due and payable, and/or

 

(ii)                                   exercise all other rights, powers and remedies available under each of the Loan Documents and well as all rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

 

Section 7.3.                                 No Remedy Exclusive .  The failure at any time of the Issuer, Trustee or Purchaser to exercise any of its options or any other rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver thereof, nor shall it be a bar to the exercise of any of its options or rights at a later date.  All rights and remedies of the Issuer shall be cumulative and may be pursued singly, successively or together, at the option of the Issuer.  The acceptance by the Issuer of any partial payment shall not constitute a waiver or any default or of any of Issuer’s rights under the Note.  No waiver of any of its rights hereunder and no modification or amendment of this Loan Agreement or the Note shall be deemed to be made by the Issuer unless the same will be in writing, duly signed on behalf of the Purchaser; and each such waiver shall apply only with respect to the specific instance involved, and shall in no way impair the rights of the Purchaser or the obligations of the Company to the Purchaser or the Issuer in any other respect at any such time.

 

Section 7.4.                                 Payment of Fees and Expenses .  If the Company shall default under any of the provisions of this Loan Agreement and the Issuer or the Trustee shall employ attorneys or incur other expenses for the collection of the Loan Payments or to secure possession, or to resell the Project or for the enforcement of performance or observance of any obligation or agreement on the part of the Company contained in this Loan Agreement, the Company will on demand therefore pay the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Issuer, the Purchaser or the Trustee and their outside attorneys as they are incurred including all reasonable fees of outside counsel including those incurred for negotiation, trial, appeals of ruling of any lower tribunals, administrative hearings, bankruptcy and creditors’ reorganization proceedings.

 

Section 7.5.                                 Effect of Waiver .  The Trustee, after having first received the prior written approval of the Purchaser, may waive any Event of Default under this Loan Agreement.

 



 

In the event any agreement contained in this Loan Agreement shall be breached and such breach shall thereafter be waived, such waiver shall be limited to the particular breach so waived and shall not be deemed to waive any other breach hereunder.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

PREPAYMENT OF LOAN

 

Section 8.1.                                 Obligations to Accelerate Loan Payments .  The Company may prepay all Loan Payments and any other amounts payable pursuant to the Loan Documents in accordance with Article VIII of the Indenture, following written notification thereof to the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee.  In such event, the total amount due will be a sum, payable in cash and/or Government Securities, sufficient, together with interest earned on such Government Securities and other funds held by the Trustee and available for such purpose, (a) to redeem at the earliest redemption date or dates provided in the Indenture all Bonds then outstanding under the Indenture at a Redemption Price equal to the principal amount thereof, (b) to pay in accordance with the Indenture the interest which will become due on all such Bonds to the date fixed for redemption, (c) to pay all Administration Expenses accrued and to accrue through the date fixed for redemption, and (d) pay any other fees owed to the Purchaser and the Trustee.  Furthermore, Loan Payments and amounts due under the Note shall be accelerated prior to the Maturity Date of the Bonds if the Bonds shall be subject to redemption pursuant to Sections 2.3 or 2.4 , as the case may be, of the Indenture.  In such case, the total amount due shall be the sums required pursuant to Sections 2.3 or 2.4 , as the case may be, of the Indenture, on the dates required by Sections 2.3 or 2.4 , as the case may be, of the Indenture.

 

The Bonds are subject to mandatory prepayment at the election of the Purchaser as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture on March 1, 2018 or on any March 1 thereafter.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1.                                 Notices .  All notices, certificates, requests or other communications hereunder shall be sufficiently given and shall be deemed given when received by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (except as otherwise specified herein), postage prepaid; or when received by overnight delivery; or when personally delivered; addressed as follows:

 

If to the Issuer:

 

Mississippi Business Finance Corporation
735 Riverside Drive, Suite 300
Jackson, Mississippi  39202
Attention:  Executive Director
Telephone Number:  (601) 355-6232
Facsimile Number:  (601) 355-3888

 



 

If to the Trustee:

 

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company
Trust & Securities Services
6810 Crumpler Blvd., Suite 100
Olive Branch, MS 38654
Attention:  John C. Robertson, Vice President
Telephone Number:  (662)890-0109
Facsimile Number:  (662)890-0114

 

If to the Company:

 

Kaz USA, Inc.
c/o Helen of Troy L.P.
1 Helen of Troy Plaza
El Paso, Texas 79912
Attention:  Thomas J. Benson, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Telephone Number:  (912) 225-4894
Facsimile Number:  (912) 225-8002

 

With a copy to:
Office of the General Counsel
Telephone Number:  (915) 225-8033
Facsimile Number:  (915) 225-8081

 

With a copy to:
Andre Miranda, Treasurer
Telephone Number:  (915) 225-4854
Facsimile Number:  (915) 225-8002

 

If to the Purchaser:

 

Bank of America, N.A.
TX4-213-07-05
700 Louisiana — 7th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention:  Gary Mingle, Senior Vice President
Telephone Number:  (713) 247-6447
Facsimile Number:  (713) 247-7748

 

A duplicate copy of each notice, certificate, request or other communication given hereunder to the Issuer, the Company, the Trustee or the Purchaser shall also be given to the others.  The Company, the Issuer, the Trustee or the Purchaser may, by notice given under this Section 9.1 , designate any further or different addresses to which subsequent notices, certificates, requests or other communications shall be sent.

 

Section 9.2.                                 Parties Interested .  (a) This Loan Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Issuer and the Company and shall be binding upon the Issuer, the Company and their

 



 

respective successors and assigns, subject to the limitation that any obligation or liability of the Issuer created by or arising out of this Loan Agreement shall not be a general debt of the Issuer or the State, but shall be payable by the Issuer solely out of the proceeds derived from this Loan Agreement or from the security interests granted herein.

 

(b)                                  No covenant, stipulation, obligation or agreement contained in this Loan Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be a covenant, stipulation, obligation or agreement of any present or future member, agent, employee or official of the Issuer in his individual capacity, and no present or future member, agent, employee or official of the Issuer shall be liable personally, for any breach or non-observance or failure to comply with the above mentioned covenants, stipulations, obligations, or on the Bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof or by reason of the said covenants, stipulations, obligations or agreements, above mentioned.  No present or future member, agent, employee or official of the Issuer shall incur any personal liability in acting or proceeding or in not acting or proceeding, in good faith, reasonably, under the provisions of this Loan Agreement.  If in or by or as a result of the execution of this Loan Agreement or any other document in connection with this transaction or any other related transaction, the Issuer or any member, agent, employee or official thereof shall become obligated in excess of or contrary to the provisions of the statutory authority granted by the Act, then such excess or contrary obligation shall not be binding on or enforceable against the Issuer or any present or future member, agent, employee or official thereof.

 

Section 9.3.                                 Amendment to Loan Agreement .  Except as otherwise provided in this Loan Agreement, subsequent to the initial issuance of the Bonds and prior to payment or provision for the payment of such Bonds in full (including interest and premium, if any, thereon), in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and payment or provisions for the payment of other obligations incurred by the Issuer to pay the Cost of Construction of the Project including interest, premiums and other charges, if any, thereon, and payment or provision for the payment of Administration Expenses, this Loan Agreement may not be amended, changed, modified, altered or terminated without the prior approval of the Purchaser and the Trustee.  No amendment, change, modification, or alteration of this Loan Agreement shall be made other than pursuant to a written instrument signed by the Issuer and the Company and of an Opinion of Bond Counsel to the effect that such amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Loan Agreement is authorized or permitted by the provisions of this Loan Agreement.

 

Section 9.4.                                 Counterparts .  This Loan Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Loan Agreement.

 

Section 9.5.                                 Severability of Invalid Provisions .  If any clause, provision or section of this Loan Agreement be held illegal or invalid by any court, the invalidity of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof, and this Loan Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid clause, provision or section had not been contained herein.

 



 

Section 9.6.                                 Governing Law .  This Loan Agreement shall be governed as to validity, construction and performance by the laws of the State, excluding any choice of law rules that might direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

Section 9.7.                                 Tax Exemptions and Credits .  The Company may take action to secure certain ad valorem tax exemptions (other than school taxes) available under Sections 57-10-255, 57-10-401 et seq., and/or 27-31-101 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended.

 

Section 9.8.                                 No Oral Agreement .  This written Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.

 

Section 9.9.                                 Termination .  This Loan Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of all amounts owed by the Company under the Loan Documents.

 

Section 9.10.                          Purchaser Approval .  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Indenture, whenever the approval, waiver, or consent of Purchaser is required herein, such approval, waiver, or consent shall be signified by an individual listed on an incumbency certificate on file with the Trustee on which the Trustee may conclusively rely.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Loan Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written on the cover page hereof.

 

 

 

MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS FINANCE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William T Barry

 

 

 

William T. Barry, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Cindy S. Carter

 

 

Cindy S. Carter, Secretary

 

 

 

[Issuer’s Signature Page to Loan Agreement]

 



 

 

 

KAZ USA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

 

Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

 

Chairman, Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 /s/ Vincent D. Carson

 

 

Secretary

 

 

 

[Company’s Signature Page to Loan Agreement]

 


EXHIBIT 10.2

 

 

GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

By

 

HELEN OF TROY L.P., A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED, A BERMUDA COMPANY,
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED, A BARBADOS CORPORATION,
HOT NEVADA, INC., A NEVADA CORPORATION,
HELEN OF TROY NEVADA CORPORATION, A NEVADA CORPORATION,
HELEN OF TROY TEXAS CORPORATION, A TEXAS CORPORATION,
IDELLE LABS LTD., A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, OXO INTERNATIONAL LTD., A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
HELEN OF TROY MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE LIMITED,
A MACAU CORPORATION,
KAZ, INC., A NEW YORK CORPORATION,
KAZ CANADA, INC., A MASSACHUSETTS CORPORATION, AND
PUR WATER PURIFICATION PRODUCTS, INC., A NEVADA CORPORATION,
GUARANTORS

 

In Favor of

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
GUARANTIED PARTY

 

Dated as of March 1, 2013

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

SECTION 1.

Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

SECTION 2.

Other Interpretive Provisions

16

 

 

 

SECTION 3.

Accounting Terms

17

 

 

 

SECTION 4.

Rounding

18

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

Times of Day

18

 

 

 

SECTION 6.

Representations and Warranties

18

 

 

 

SECTION 7.

Affirmative Covenants

23

 

 

 

SECTION 8.

Negative Covenants

27

 

 

 

SECTION 9.

Guaranty

35

 

 

 

SECTION 10.

Guaranty Absolute

36

 

 

 

SECTION 11.

Waiver

37

 

 

 

SECTION 12.

Events of Default

38

 

 

 

SECTION 13.

Remedies Upon Event of Default

40

 

 

 

SECTION 14.

Application of Funds

40

 

 

 

SECTION 15.

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

41

 

 

 

SECTION 16.

Amendments, Etc.

42

 

 

 

SECTION 17.

Addresses for Notices

42

 

 

 

SECTION 18.

No Waiver; Remedies

42

 

 

 

SECTION 19.

Right of Set-off

42

 

 

 

SECTION 20.

Continuing Guaranty; Transfer of Note

43

 

 

 

SECTION 21.

Reimbursement

43

 

 

 

SECTION 22.

Reinstatement

43

 

 

 

SECTION 23.

Governing Law

44

 

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SECTION 24.

Waiver of Jury Trial

44

 

 

 

SECTION 25.

Section Titles

45

 

 

 

SECTION 26.

Execution in Counterparts

45

 

 

 

SECTION 27.

Miscellaneous

45

 

 

 

SECTION 28.

Subrogation and Subordination

45

 

 

 

SECTION 29.

Guarantor Insolvency

46

 

 

 

SECTION 30.

Rate Provision

46

 

 

 

SECTION 31.

Severability

47

 

 

 

SECTION 32.

Taxes

47

 

 

 

SECTION 33.

Additional Guarantors

48

 

 

 

SECTION 34.

Entire Agreement

48

 

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GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty Agreement ”), dated as of March 1, 2013, made by each of the parties listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, the “ Guarantors ”, and each, a “ Guarantor ”), in favor of the Guarantied Parties referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer pursuant to laws of the State of Mississippi (the “ State ”) intends to issue its Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 (Helen of Troy Olive Branch, MS Project), in the maximum principal amount of Thirty-Eight Million Dollars ($38,000,000) (the “ Bonds ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds will be loaned by the Issuer to Kaz USA, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the “ Borrower ”), pursuant to a Loan Agreement between the Issuer and the Borrower of even date herewith (the “ Loan Agreement ”), to finance the cost of acquiring constructing and equipping its warehouse and distribution facility to be located in Olive Branch, De Soto County, Mississippi (the “Project”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower will execute and deliver that certain Promissory Note (the “ Note ”) of even date herewith payable to the Issuer in the maximum principal amount of $38,000,000 in the form of Exhibit C to the Loan Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Borrower and Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association (the “ Purchaser ”), have entered into that certain bond purchase agreement (the “ Bond Purchase Agreement ”) pursuant to which the Purchaser has agreed to acquire one hundred percent (100%) of the Bonds; and

 

WHEREAS, the Guarantors desire that the Issuer issue the Bonds and apply the proceeds as aforesaid and are willing to enter into this Guaranty Agreement in order to enhance the marketability of the Bonds and as an inducement to purchase the Bonds by all who shall at any time become the owner of the Bonds; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and each of the Guarantors are members of the same consolidated group of companies and are engaged in operations which require financing on a basis in which credit can be made available from time to time to the Borrower and the Guarantors, and the Guarantors will derive direct and indirect economic benefit from the Loan; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Bonds that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser and any Affiliate of the Purchaser are herein referred to as the “ Guarantied Parties ”; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable considerations, the Guarantors hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

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SECTION 1.  Defined Terms .  As used in this Guaranty Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

Acquisition ” means the acquisition by any Person of (a) a majority of the Equity Interests of another Person, (b) all or substantially all of the assets of another Person or (c) all or substantially all of a line of business of another Person, in each case (i) whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person and (ii) whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions.

 

Acquisition Consideration ” means the consideration given by Limited or any of its Subsidiaries for an Acquisition, including but not limited to the sum of (without duplication) (a) the fair market value of any cash, property (excluding Equity Interests) or services given, plus (b) the amount of any Indebtedness assumed, incurred or guaranteed (to the extent not otherwise included) in connection with such Acquisition by Limited or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Affiliate ” means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, (a) any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person, and (b) any Person beneficially owning or holding, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the total voting power of voting Equity Interests of such first Person or any Subsidiary or such first Person or any corporation of which such first Person and its Subsidiaries beneficially own or hold, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the total voting power of voting Equity Interests.  As used in this definition, “ Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “ Controlled ” has the meaning correlative thereto.  Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to an “ Affiliate ” is a reference to an Affiliate of Limited.

 

Applicable Law ” means (a) in respect of any Person, all provisions of Laws applicable to such Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and determinations of arbitrators applicable to such Person and (b) in respect of contracts made or performed in the State of Texas, “ Applicable Law ” shall also mean the laws of the United States of America, including, without limitation in addition to the foregoing, 12 USC Sections 85 and 86, and any other statute of the United States of America now or at any time hereafter prescribing the maximum rates of interest on loans and extensions of credit, and the laws of the State of Texas.

 

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

 

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of Limited and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year of Limited and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

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Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

Borrower ” means Kaz USA, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation.

 

Borrowing ” means the Loan of the Issuer to the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement and evidenced by the Note.

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws of Texas, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Purchaser’s Office is located.

 

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of the aggregate of any expenditures by such Person during such period for an asset which is properly classifiable in relevant financial statements of such Person as property, equipment or improvement, fixed assets or a similar type of tangible capital asset in accordance with GAAP; provided , however , the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures during any period shall be reduced by the cash proceeds received by such Person from the Disposition of such assets during such period, and, provided ,  further , however , Capital Expenditures incurred in connection with an Acquisition will not be considered Capital Expenditures for purposes of this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Capital Lease ” means, at any time, a lease with respect to which the lessee is required concurrently to recognize the acquisition of an asset and the incurring of a liability in accordance with GAAP.

 

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Guaranty Agreement, of any of the following:  (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “ Change in Law ”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

Change of Control ” means an event or series of events by which any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of Voting Equity Interests of Limited, HOT-L.P. or HOT-Nevada, as the case may be, provided that in determining whether such beneficial ownership has been acquired by any such

 

3



 

“person” or “group”, all members of, or Affiliates of any of, the Current Control Group, shall be deemed not to be persons or members of such acquiring group.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A .

 

Consolidated EBIT ” means for any period the sum of Consolidated Net Earnings for such period, plus to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Earnings for such period: the total of (a) interest expense, (b) federal and state income and franchise tax expense, (c) to the extent non-cash, any impairment charges incurred during such period, and (d) to the extent non-cash, any write-downs of goodwill or other intangibles during such period, in each case for Limited and its Subsidiaries, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means for any period the sum of Consolidated Net Earnings for such period, plus to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Earnings for such period:  the total of (a) depreciation and amortization expenses, (b) interest expense, (c) federal and state income and franchise tax expenses, and (d) non-cash charges for such period, minus to the extent added in calculating Consolidated Net Earnings for such period, non-cash credits for such period, in each case for Limited and its Subsidiaries, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, for Limited and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (eliminating intercompany Indebtedness), the sum of

 

(a)                                  all obligations for borrowed money and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or similar instruments;

 

(b)                                  all redemption obligations in respect of Redeemable Stock;

 

(c)                                   all liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business but including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any such property);

 

(d)                                  all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of Capital Leases;

 

(e)                                   all liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien with respect to any property owned (whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such liabilities);

 

(f)                                    all outstanding reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit or instruments serving a similar function issued or accepted for its account by banks and other financial institutions (whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money); and

 

4



 

(g)                                   without duplication, all Guarantees with respect to liabilities of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (f) hereof.

 

Consolidated Net Earnings ” means for any period, net earnings (or loss) after income taxes of Limited and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but not including in such net earnings (or loss) the following:

 

(a)                                  any extraordinary gain or loss arising from the sale of capital assets;

 

(b)                                  any extraordinary gain or loss arising from any write-up or write-down of assets;

 

(c)                                   net earnings of any Person in which Limited or any Subsidiary shall have an ownership interest other than a Subsidiary unless such net earnings (or any portion thereof)  shall have actually been received by Limited or such Subsidiary in the form of cash distributions;

 

(d)                                  earnings or losses of any Subsidiary accrued prior to the date it became a Subsidiary;

 

(e)                                   any portion of the net earnings of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that by reason of any contract or charter restriction or Applicable Law or regulation (or in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of Limited for any reason) is unavailable for payment of dividends to Limited or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that the aggregate amount of such net earnings that could be paid to Limited or a Subsidiary by loans or advances or repayment of loans or advances that are due beyond the Maturity Date, intercompany transfer or otherwise will be included in Consolidated Net Earnings;

 

(f)                                    the earnings or losses of any Person acquired by Limited or any Subsidiary through purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, or the earnings or losses of any Person substantially all of whose assets have been acquired by Limited or any of its Subsidiaries, for any period prior to the date of such acquisition;

 

(g)                                   any gain arising from the acquisition of any securities of Limited or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)                                  the earnings or losses attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses Disposed of prior to the date of determination, shall be excluded; and

 

(i)                                      any other extraordinary gains or losses or any other gain or loss arising from any event or transaction that is unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence (but which otherwise does not constitute an extraordinary item under GAAP) and which GAAP requires to be reported as a separate component of revenues and expenses from continuing operations.

 

5



 

Consolidated Net Worth ” means, as of any date of determination, for Limited and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Shareholders’ Equity for Limited and its Subsidiaries as of such date.

 

Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

Credit Facility ” means that certain credit facility governed by that certain Credit Agreement, dated December 10, 2010, among the parties thereto, including HOT-L.P., as the borrower thereunder.

 

Current Control Group ” means (a) Gerald J. Rubin, (b) the spouse, children and lineal descendants of Gerald J. Rubin or (c) the estate of, any trust or partnership for the benefit of Gerald J. Rubin or any of the persons described in clause (b).

 

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

 

Dividend ” means, with respect to any Person, any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interests of such Person.

 

Dollar ” and “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Environmental Laws ” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure

 

6



 

to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with Limited within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

ERISA Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by Limited or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by HOT-L.P. or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (g) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon HOT-L.P. or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 12 .

 

Excluded Taxes ” has the meaning specified in the Indenture.

 

Financial Projections ” has the meaning specified in Section 6(e)(3) .

 

FRB ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute

 

7



 

of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, any (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that a Guarantee shall exclude (A) the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and (B) obligations under indemnities incurred in the ordinary course of business or under stock purchase or asset purchase or sale agreements, or which do not cover Indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a) through (i) of the definition of Indebtedness.  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantied Parties ” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals to this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Guarantors ” means, collectively, HOT-L.P., Limited, HOT-Barbados, HOT-Nevada, HOT Nevada, Inc., a Nevada corporation, Helen of Troy Texas Corporation, a Texas corporation, Idelle Labs, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, OXO International, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, Helen of Troy Macao Commercial Offshore Limited, a Macau company, Kaz, Inc., a New York corporation, Kaz USA, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Kaz Canada,

 

8



 

Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Pur Water Purification Products, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and each other Subsidiary that executes a supplement to this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

HOT-Barbados ” means Helen of Troy Limited, a Barbados company.

 

HOT-L.P. ” means Helen of Troy L.P., a Texas limited partnership.

 

HOT-Nevada ” means Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, a Nevada corporation and general partner of HOT-L.P.

 

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)                                  all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)                                  all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments (but for purposes of Section 7.03 only, such obligations shall only be Indebtedness to the extent drawn upon or a claim is made in respect thereof);

 

(c)                                   net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

 

(d)                                  all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and, in each case, not past due for more than 60 days after the date on which such trade account payable was created);

 

(e)                                   indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

(f)                                    Capital Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations;

 

(g)                                   all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends;

 

9



 

(h)                                  any “withdrawal liability” of such Person as such term is defined under Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA; and

 

(i)                                      all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation, a limited liability company or similar entity) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.  The amount of any Capital Lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBIT to (b) interest expense of Limited and its Subsidiaries, in each case for the items set forth in clauses (a) and (b) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date.

 

Investment ” or “ Invest ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

IP Rights ” has the meaning specified in Section 6(q) .

 

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Kaz ” means Kaz, Inc., a New York corporation.

 

Laws ” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four

 

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consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended for which Limited has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 7(a) .  For purposes of calculating the Leverage Ratio as of any date, Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (as certified by a Responsible Officer of Limited to the Purchaser and as approved by the Purchaser) assuming that all Acquisitions made, and all Dispositions completed, during the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended had been made on the first day of such period (but without any adjustment for projected cost savings or other synergies).

 

Licenses ” means, collectively, (a) the Scheduled Licenses and (b) any other license or similar agreement the loss of which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and all rights under any of those items described in clauses (a) and (b) immediately preceding.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

Limited ” means Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company.

 

Litigation ” means any proceeding, claim, lawsuit, arbitration and/or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator, including, without limitation, proceedings, claims, lawsuits, and/or such investigations conducted by or before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator or pursuant to any environmental, occupational, safety and health, antitrust, unfair competition, securities, tax or other Law, or under or pursuant to any contract, agreement or other instrument.

 

Loan ” means the advances (one or more) provided by the Issuer to the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement from the proceeds of the Bonds.

 

Loan Agreement ” means the Loan Agreement between the Borrower and the Issuer dated as of March 1, 2013.

 

Loan Documents ” means the Loan Agreement, the Indenture, the Bond Purchase Agreement, the Note, the Bond, the Assignment of the Loan Agreement, the Assignment of the Note and this Guaranty Agreement, and all other agreements, documents, instruments, certificates and agreements executed and/or delivered by the Borrower in connection with the Loan Agreement, the Indenture, and the Bond Purchase Agreement.

 

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

London Banking Day ” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition

 

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(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, or Limited and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) an impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under any Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which HOT-L.P. or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

Multiple Employer Plan ” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including HOT-L.P. or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

Note ” means the promissory note of the Borrower to the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Loan Agreement the form of which is attached thereto as Exhibit C .

 

Obligations ” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to the Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, without duplication and to the extent not included as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP:  (a) with respect to any asset securitization transaction (including any accounts receivable purchase facility) (i) the unrecovered investment of purchasers or transferees of assets so transferred, and (ii) any other payment, recourse, repurchase, hold harmless, indemnity or similar obligation of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of assets transferred or payments made in respect thereof, other than limited recourse provisions that are customary for transactions of such type and that neither (x) have the effect of limiting the loss or credit risk of such purchasers or transferees with respect to payment or performance by the obligors of the assets so transferred nor (y) impair the characterization of the transaction as a true sale under Applicable Laws (including Debtor Relief Laws); (b) the monetary obligations under any financing lease or so-called “synthetic,” tax retention or off-balance sheet lease transaction which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Law to such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, would be characterized as indebtedness; (c) the monetary obligations under any sale and leaseback transaction which does not create a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries; or (d) any other monetary obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which (i) is characterized as indebtedness for tax purposes but not for accounting purposes in accordance with GAAP or (ii) is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries (for purposes of this clause (d), any transaction structured to provide

 

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tax deductibility as interest expense of any dividend, coupon or other periodic payment will be deemed to be the functional equivalent of a borrowing).

 

Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document, but not including Excluded Taxes.

 

Outstanding Amount ” means with respect to the Loan on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of the Loan, as the case may be, occurring on such date.

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

 

Pension Funding Rules ” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

Pension Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by HOT-L.P. and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan ” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of HOT-L.P. or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which HOT-L.P. or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

 

Purchaser ” means Bank of America.

 

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Purchaser’s Office ” means, as to the Purchaser, the office or offices of the Purchaser as the Purchaser may from time to time notify the Borrower.

 

Redeemable Stock ” means any Equity Interest of Limited or any of its Subsidiaries which prior to the Maturity Date may be (a) mandatorily redeemable, (b) redeemable at the option of the holder thereof or (c) convertible into Indebtedness.

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Reportable Event ” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

 

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, executive vice president, controller, treasurer or assistant treasurer of a Loan Party, or if such Loan Party does not have such officers, a director of such Loan Party, or if the Loan Party is a limited partnership, an officer of the general partner of the Loan Party.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

Restricted Payment ” means, collectively, (a) any Dividend, (b) any Treasury Stock Purchase and (c) any payment or prepayment of principal, interest, premium or penalty of or in respect of any Subordinated Indebtedness or any defeasance, redemption, purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value, in whole or in part, of any Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

Scheduled Licenses ” means those Licenses set forth on Schedule 1 .

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

Senior Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, for Limited and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to the sum of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date minus (b) Subordinated Indebtedness as of such date.

 

Senior Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Senior Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four fiscal consecutive quarters most recently ended for which Limited has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 7(a) .  For purposes of calculating the Senior Leverage Ratio as of any date, Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (as certified by a Responsible Officer of Limited to the Purchaser and as approved by the Purchaser) assuming that all Acquisitions made, and all Dispositions completed, during the four consecutive fiscal quarters the most recently ended has been made on the first day of such period (but without any adjustment for projected cost savings or other synergies).

 

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Senior Notes ” means, collectively, the 2004 Senior Notes and the 2011 Senior Notes.

 

Senior Note Agreements ” means, collectively, the 2004 Senior Note Agreement and the 2011 Senior Note Agreement.

 

Shareholders’ Equity ” means, as of any date of determination, consolidated shareholders’ equity of Limited and its Subsidiaries as of that date determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of Limited or any Subsidiary which is expressly subordinated to the Obligations at all times pursuant to terms satisfactory to the Required Lenders.

 

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “ Subsidiary ” or to “ Subsidiaries ” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Limited.

 

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

Swap Obligations ” means any and all obligations owed by any Loan Party to the Purchaser or an Affiliate of the Purchaser in respect of a Swap Contract.

 

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or

 

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other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include the Purchaser or any Affiliate of the Purchaser).

 

Synthetic Lease Obligation ” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Treasury Stock Purchase ” means, with respect to any Person, any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any capital stock or other Equity Interests of such Person or on account of any returns of Capital to such Person’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).

 

2004 Senior Notes ” means those senior notes of HOT-L.P. issued pursuant to the 2004 Senior Note Agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $225,000,000.

 

2011 Senior Notes ” means those senior notes of HOT-L.P. issued pursuant to the 2011 Senior Note Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000.

 

2004 Senior Note Agreement ” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 29, 2004, among the parties thereto, including Limited and HOT-L.P., pursuant to which the 2004 Senior Notes were issued, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

2011 Senior Note Agreement ” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated January 12, 2011, among the parties thereto pursuant to which the 2011 Senior Notes were issued, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.

 

Voting Equity Interests ” of any Person means Equity Interests of any class or classes having ordinary voting power for the election of at least a majority of the members of the board of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent governing body of such Person, irrespective of whether, at the time, Equity Interests of any other class or classes or such entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency.

 

SECTION 2.  Other Interpretive Provisions .  With reference to this Guaranty Agreement:

 

(a)                                  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “ include ,” “ includes ” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will”

 

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shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “ shall .”  Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereunder ” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “ asset ” and “ property ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

(b)                                  In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from ” means “ from and including ;” the words “ to ” and “ until ” each mean “ to but excluding ;” and the word “ through ” means “ to and including .”

 

(c)                                   Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(d)                                  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 3.  Accounting Terms.

 

(a)                                  Generally .  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Guaranty Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

 

(b)                                  Changes in GAAP .  If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and the Borrower shall so request, the Purchaser and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Purchaser and the Borrower); provided that , until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Purchaser financial statements and other documents required under this Guaranty Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder

 

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setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

 

SECTION 4.  Rounding .  Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Guaranty Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

SECTION 5.  Times of Day .  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Central time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

SECTION 6.  Representations and Warranties .  Limited represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

 

(a)                                  Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws .  Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (d) is in compliance with all Laws; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i), (c) or (d), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                  Authorization; No Contravention .  The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.  Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Contractual Obligations referred to in clause (b)(i), except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                                   Governmental Authorization; Other Consents .  No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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(d)                                  Binding Effect .  This Guaranty Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto.  This Guaranty Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement to any Debtor Relief Laws and general equitable principles.

 

(e)                                   Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect .

 

(1)                                  The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of Limited and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of Limited and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

 

(2)                                  Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had, and continues to have, or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(3)                                  The consolidated forecasted balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows of Limited and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Financial Projections ”) delivered prior to the Closing Date were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, in all material respects Limited’s best estimate of its future financial performance.  Nothing in this clause (3) shall be deemed to constitute an assurance by Limited or its Subsidiaries that they will meet the results contained in the Financial Projections.

 

(4)                                  As of the Closing Date, neither Limited nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities.

 

(f)                                    Litigation .  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of Limited after due and diligent investigation prior to the Closing Date, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against Limited or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) could reasonably affect or pertain to this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)                                   No Default .  Neither Limited nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No Default has occurred and is

 

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continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(h)                                  Ownership of Property; Liens .  Limited and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The property of Limited and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 8(a) .

 

(i)                                      Environmental Compliance .  Limited and its Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof Limited has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(j)                                     Insurance .  The properties of Limited and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of Limited, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where Limited or the applicable Subsidiary operates.

 

(k)                                  Taxes .  Limited and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all material amounts with respect to Federal and material state and other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP.  There is no proposed tax assessment against Limited or any of its Subsidiaries that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Limited nor any of its Subsidiaries thereof is party to any tax sharing agreement.  As of the Closing Date, the Federal Income tax liabilities of Limited and its Subsidiaries have been determined by the IRS and paid for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal year 2006.

 

(l)                                      ERISA Compliance .

 

(1)                                  Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws.  Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service.  To the best knowledge of Limited and HOT-L.P., nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

 

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(2)                                  There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of Limited and HOT-L.P., threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(3)                                  (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither HOT-L.P. nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) HOT-L.P. and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and neither HOT-L.P. nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) neither HOT-L.P. nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither HOT-L.P. nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan, except in each case with respect to clauses (i) through (vi) above where the occurrence or existence thereof could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(4)                                  Neither HOT-L.P. nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan other than (A) on the Closing Date, those listed on Schedule 6(1)  and (B) thereafter, Pension Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Guaranty Agreement.

 

(m)                              Subsidiaries; Equity Interests .  As of the Closing Date, Limited has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 6(m) , and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by a Loan Party in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 6(m)  free and clear of all Liens.  As of the Closing Date, Limited and its Subsidiaries have no equity investments in any other corporation or entity (other than a Subsidiary) other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 6(m) .  All of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower has been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.  As of the Closing Date, Part (a) of Schedule 6(m)  sets forth as to each Subsidiary of Limited the percentage of shares or interests of each class of its Equity Interests owned by Limited and each other Subsidiary.

 

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(n)                                  Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act

 

(1)                                  The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.  Following the application of the proceeds of the Loan, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of Limited only or of Limited and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 8(a)  or Section 8(e)  or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between Limited and the Purchaser or any Affiliate of the Purchaser relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 12(e)  will be margin stock.

 

(2)                                  Neither Limited, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(o)                                  Disclosure .  Limited and HOT-L.P. have disclosed to the Purchaser all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which they or any of their Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Guaranty Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, Limited and the Borrower represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of delivery thereof.

 

(p)                                  Compliance with Laws .  Each of Limited and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(q)                                  Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc .  Limited and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ IP Rights ”) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by Limited or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other Person, except to the extent that such infringement could not reasonably be expected to have a Material

 

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Adverse Effect.  No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of Limited, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(r)                                     Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc .  Use of the proceeds of the Loan will not violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, or is in violation of any federal statute or Presidential Executive Order, including without limitation Executive Order 13224 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (September 25, 2001) (Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons who Commit, Threaten to Commit or Support Terrorism), or the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56).

 

SECTION 7.  Affirmative Covenants .  So long as the Loan or other Obligation thereunder and hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, Limited shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 7(a) , 7(b) , and 7(c) ) cause each Subsidiary to:

 

(a)                                  Financial Statements .  Deliver to the Purchaser:

 

(1)                                  as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Limited (commencing with the fiscal year ended February 28, 2013), a consolidated balance sheet of Limited and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, and consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative consolidated form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Grant Thornton LLP or such other independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit and such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Limited to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of Limited and its Subsidiaries; and

 

(2)                                  as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Limited (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2013), a consolidated balance sheet of Limited and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, and consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of Limited’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative consolidated form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Limited as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity, partners’ capital and cash flows of Limited

 

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and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and such consolidating statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Limited to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of Limited and its Subsidiaries.

 

As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 7(b)(3) , Limited shall not be separately required to furnish such information under clause (1) or (2) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of Limited to furnish the information and materials described in clauses (1) and (2) above at the times specified therein.

 

(b)                                  Certificates; Other Information .  Deliver to the Purchaser, in form and detail satisfactory to the Purchaser:

 

(1)                                  concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7(a)(1)  and (2)  (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2013), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Limited;

 

(2)                                  promptly after any request by the Purchaser, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of Limited by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of Limited or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

 

(3)                                  promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of Limited, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Limited may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Purchaser pursuant hereto; provided that any documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 7(b)(3)  shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which HOT-L.P. posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on HOT-L.P.’s website;

 

(4)                                  promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency, in each case that are material to HOT-L.P. or any other Loan Party, regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; and

 

(5)                                  promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of Limited or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Purchaser may from time to time reasonably request.

 

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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)(1)  or (2)  or Section 7(b)(3)  (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which Limited posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Limited’s website on the Internet; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Limited’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which the Purchaser has access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Purchaser); provided that: (i) Limited shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Purchaser until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Purchaser and (ii) Limited shall notify the Purchaser (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Purchaser by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance Limited shall be required to provide paper copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 7(b)(1)  to the Purchaser.

 

(c)                                   Notices .  Promptly notify the Purchaser:

 

(1)                                  of the occurrence of any Default;

 

(2)                                  of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of Limited or any Subsidiary, except to the extent that breach, non-performance or default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or result in a Default; (ii) any material dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between Limited or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting Limited or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, in which the amount involved is $10,000,000 or more, which involve the probability of any judgment or liability not adequately covered by insurance or (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought, and which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(3)                                  of the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and

 

(4)                                  of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by Limited or any Subsidiary.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Limited setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Limited has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.  Each notice pursuant to Section 7(c)(1)  shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Guaranty Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

 

(d)                                  Payment of Obligations .  Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, except to the extent that failure to pay or discharge obligations and liabilities could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and such obligations and liabilities shall include (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being

 

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contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by Limited or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property; and (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness.

 

(e)                                   Preservation of Existence, Etc .  (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 8(d)  or (e) ; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(f)                                    Maintenance of Properties .  (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.

 

(g)                                   Maintenance of Insurance .  Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of Limited, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

 

(h)                                  Compliance with Laws .  Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(i)                                      Books and Records .  Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Limited or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

 

(j)                                     Inspection Rights .  Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Purchaser to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants.  Before an Event of Default exists, (a) such visits and inspections shall be at such reasonable times during business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to Limited and the Borrower and (b) the Borrower shall pay for the reasonable costs and expenses of the Purchaser with respect to no more than one such visit and inspection by the Purchaser

 

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during any twelve-month period.  After an Event of Default exists and is continuing, (a) such visits and inspections may be at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice and (b) the Borrower shall pay the reasonable costs and expenses of all such visits and inspections.

 

(k)                                  Use of Proceeds .  Use the proceeds of the Loan for the Cost of Construction of the Project, not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

 

SECTION 8.  Negative Covenants .  So long as the Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, Limited shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

 

(a)                                  Liens .   Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

 

(1)                                  Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;

 

(2)                                  Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 8(a)  and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that (i) the property covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased, (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 8(c)(2) ;

 

(3)                                  Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(4)                                  carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;

 

(5)                                  pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, other social security legislation and similar obligations, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

(6)                                  deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds, performance bonds, customs bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)                                  easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

 

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(8)                                  Liens, or an existing pledge of a deposit, securing payment of senior debt by an Affiliate or Subsidiary to a foreign financial institution as described in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)  or which may be disclosed from time to time by any such party; provided the Indebtedness secured by such Liens does not exceed $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount;

 

(9)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 8(c)(5) ; provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;

 

(10)                           Liens in favor of a Loan Party;

 

(11)                           Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by, merged with or into or consolidated with Limited or a Subsidiary; provided, that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person acquired by, merged into or consolidated with Limited or a Subsidiary;

 

(12)                           Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by Limited or a Subsidiary; provided , that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;

 

(13)                           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 8(c)(8) ; and

 

(14)                           Liens existing on the Closing Date against the Investments described in Section 8(b(10) .

 

(b)                                  Investments .   Make any Investments, except:

 

(1)                                  Investments in the form of direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof, in any case maturing within three years after the acquisition thereof;

 

(2)                                  Investments in bankers’ acceptance, certificates of deposits, eurodollar deposits or time deposits issued or accepted by the Purchaser or any other commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $1,000,000,000 and having (or having a parent holding company that has) outstanding short term debt rated P-1 by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. or A-1 by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group and long-term debt rated at least A by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. or Standard and Poor’s Rating Group;

 

(3)                                  Investments in commercial paper rated in one of the two highest rating categories by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. or by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group and maturing not more than 270 days from the date of creation thereof;

 

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(4)                                  repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (b) above;

 

(5)                                  Investments in money market mutual funds that are classified as current assets in accordance with GAAP and that invest at least 95% of its assets in Investments described in clauses (1) through (2) and of this definition maturing not more than one year after the acquisition thereof, which funds are managed by Persons having, or who are members of holding companies having, capital and surplus in excess of $100,000,000;

 

(6)                                  advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Guarantors in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;

 

(7)                                  Investments of the Borrower in any Guarantor and Investments of any Guarantor in the Borrower or in another Guarantor;

 

(8)                                  Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

 

(9)                                  Investments as a result of Acquisitions, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied:  (i) immediately before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) if the Senior Leverage Ratio at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such Acquisition is greater than 2.00 to 1.00, the aggregate Acquisition Consideration for all Acquisitions during the fiscal year in which such proposed Acquisition is to occur shall not exceed 100% of the Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal year immediately preceding such fiscal year, (iii) such Acquisition shall not be opposed by the board of directors or similar governing body of the Person or assets being acquired and (iv) if the Acquisition results in a Domestic Subsidiary being acquired having a net worth at the time of such Acquisition of more than $1,000,000 (or within ten Business Days after any such Domestic Subsidiary thereafter attains a net worth of more than $1,000,000), such Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Purchaser (x) a supplement to this Guaranty Agreement, (y) incumbency certificates, Organization Documents and documents evidencing due organization, valid existence, good standing and qualification to do business and (z) a favorable opinion of counsel to such Person located in the jurisdiction of organization of such Person, in form, content and scope reasonable satisfactory to the Purchaser;

 

(10)                           Investments that are otherwise permitted by this Guaranty Agreement, including Section 8(c)(9)  and Guaranties permitted pursuant to Section 8(c)(3) ;

 

(11)                           Investments by a Subsidiary (other than a Loan Party) in any other Subsidiary (other than a Loan Party);

 

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(12)                           Investments existing on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 6(m)  or Schedule 8(b) ; and

 

(13)                           so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, Investments not otherwise permitted to be made pursuant to clauses (1) through (12) above, which, as of the date of any such Investment, do not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Worth.

 

(c)                                   Indebtedness .   Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(1)                                  Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

 

(2)                                  Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 8(c)  or permitted hereunder, and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (ii) the terms relating to amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or the Purchaser than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

 

(3)                                  Guarantees by Limited or any Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any Guarantor;

 

(4)                                  obligations (contingent or otherwise) of Limited or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

 

(5)                                  Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets and obligations for the construction and improvement of fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 8(a)(9) ; provided , however , that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $50,000,000;

 

(6)                                  Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes, the Senior Note Agreements, the Credit Facility; and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable

 

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premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (ii) the terms relating to amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Purchaser than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

 

(7)                                  unsecured Indebtedness not otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to any of clauses (1) through (6) above provided that (i) the final maturity of such Indebtedness is beyond the Maturity Date and (ii) no Default exists at the time of incurrence of any such Indebtedness or would result therefrom;

 

(8)                                  Indebtedness not to exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided that at the time of, and after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Indebtedness no Default shall exist; and

 

(9)                                  intercompany Indebtedness (i) between Loan Parties, (ii) between Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, or (iii) between a Loan Party and a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in which the net principal amount thereof, together with all other such Indebtedness between Loan Parties and Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (excluding for purposes of this calculation any Indebtedness owed by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party if such Indebtedness is subject to a subordination agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Purchaser), shall not exceed $100,000,000 in aggregate amount at any time outstanding.

 

(d)                                  Fundamental Changes .   Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:

 

(1)                                  any Subsidiary (other than HOT-L.P.) may merge with (i) one of the Loan Parties, provided such Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary, the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

 

(2)                                  HOT-L.P. may merge with one of the Loan Parties or a Subsidiary, provided (i) HOT-L.P. shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) a Domestic Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person and shall become the Borrower, subject to the consent of the Purchaser;

 

(3)                                  any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to Limited or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be HOT-L.P. or a Guarantor and (ii) if the transferor in such a transaction is HOT-L.P., then the

 

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transferee must be a Domestic Subsidiary that becomes the Borrower, subject to the consent of the Purchaser; and

 

(4)                                  Limited or any Subsidiary may make any Acquisition or Disposition permitted by Section 8(b)  or 8(e) .

 

(e)                                   Dispositions .   Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

 

(1)                                  Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                  Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(3)                                  Dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

 

(4)                                  Dispositions of property by Limited or any Subsidiary to one of HOT-L.P. or to a wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor;

 

(5)                                  Dispositions permitted by Section 8(d) ; and

 

(6)                                  Dispositions of assets (including Equity Interests of a Subsidiary) not otherwise permitted in clauses (1) through (5) above provided (i) there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such Disposition and (ii) the assets being Disposed of, together with all other assets Disposed of during the period of 12 consecutive months ending on the date of such Disposition generated less than 15% of Consolidated EBITDA determined as of the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding such Disposition;

 

provided , however , that any Disposition pursuant to clauses (1) through (6) shall be for fair market value.

 

(f)                                    Restricted Payments .   Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any action described below or would result therefrom:

 

(1)                                  each Subsidiary may make Dividends to Limited, the Guarantors and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Dividend is being made;

 

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(2)                                  Limited and each Subsidiary may declare and make Dividends payable solely in the common stock or other Equity Interests of such Person (other than Redeemable Stock);

 

(3)                                  Limited and each Subsidiary may pay, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests or Indebtedness issued or incurred by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other Equity Interests (other than Redeemable Stock) or Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(4)                                  Limited may (i) declare or pay cash Dividends to its stockholders and (ii) make Treasury Stock Purchases not to exceed in aggregate amount during any fiscal year in the case of both subclauses (i) and (ii) immediately preceding 35% of Consolidated Net Earnings for the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided , however , nothing in this clause (4) shall prohibit or restrict Treasury Stock Purchases made pursuant to Limited’s employee stock option repurchase programs; and

 

(5)                                  Limited and each Subsidiary may make regularly scheduled payments of interest on any Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

(g)                                   Change in Nature of Business .   Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Limited and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business reasonably related or incidental thereto.

 

(h)                                  Transactions with Affiliates .   Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of Limited, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to Limited or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by Limited or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to transactions between or among the Borrower and any Guarantor or between and among any Guarantors.

 

(i)                                      Burdensome Agreements .   Enter into or be a party to any Contractual Obligation (other than this Guaranty Agreement and any other Loan Document) that limits the ability (a) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (b) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrower or (c) of Limited or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person.  The provisions of this Section 8(i)  will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) the Credit Facility, the Senior Notes, the Senior Note Agreements, or agreements, instruments and documents entered into in connection with Indebtedness permitted under Section 8(c)(2) , (5) , (6)  or (7)  and any restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in such Contractual Obligations, (ii) Applicable Law, and (iii) customary non-assignment provisions in Contractual Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (iv) purchase money obligations permitted under this Guaranty Agreement that impose restrictions on the property so acquired, (v) any agreement for the Disposition of a Subsidiary or assets of a

 

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Subsidiary that restricts distributions, the transfer of, or encumbrances on such assets by that Subsidiary pending its Disposition or any agreement entered into with respect to assets acquired or disposed of in connection with an Acquisition or a Disposition, and (vi) Liens securing Indebtedness that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Lien.

 

(j)                                     Use of Proceeds .   Use the proceeds of the Loan, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

 

(k)                                  Financial Covenants .

 

(1)                                  Consolidated Net Worth .  Permit Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of (i) 530,000,000, (ii) an amount equal to 40% of the Consolidated Net Earnings of each full fiscal quarter ending after August 31, 2010 (with no deduction for a net loss in any such fiscal quarter), (iii) an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate increases in Shareholders’ Equity of Limited and its Subsidiaries after August 31, 2010 by reason of the issuance and sale of Equity Interests of Limited or any Subsidiary (other than issuances to Limited or a wholly-owned Subsidiary), including upon any conversion of debt securities of Limited into such Equity Interests, and (iv) 100% of the net worth of any Person (other than Kaz) that becomes a Subsidiary or substantially all of the assets of which are acquired by Limited or any Subsidiary after August 31, 2010 to the extent the purchase price therefor is paid in Equity Interests of Limited or any Subsidiary or pursuant to the conversion or exchange of any convertible subordinated debt or redeemable preferred stock into Equity Interests of Limited or any Subsidiary.

 

(2)                                  Interest Coverage Ratio .  Permit the Interest Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of Limited to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.

 

(3)                                  Leverage Ratio .  Permit the Leverage Ratio at any time during any period of four fiscal quarters of Limited to be greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

 

(l)                                      Amendments of Subordinated Indebtedness .   Change or permit any Subsidiary to change or amend (or take any action or fail to take any action the result of which is an effective amendment or change) or accept any waiver or consent with respect to, any document, instrument or agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness that would result in (a) an increase in the principal, interest, overdue interest, fees or other amounts payable under any Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) an acceleration of any date fixed for payment or prepayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable under any Subordinated Indebtedness (including, without limitation, as a result of any redemption), in each case where such date fixed would result in a payment prior to the Maturity Date, (c) a change in any of the subordination provisions of any Subordinated Indebtedness, or (d) any other change in any term, provision or covenant of any Subordinated Indebtedness that could reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the interest of the Purchaser.

 

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(m)                              Licenses .   Assign or otherwise transfer any of the Licenses, in whole or in part, except that Licenses may be transferred to HOT-Barbados or another Guarantor if, and only if, (a) at the time of such transfer no Default exists or would result therefrom and (b) at the time of such transfer, HOT-L.P. is a Subsidiary of HOT-Barbados.

 

(n)                                  Capital Expenditures .   Make or become legally obligated to make Capital Expenditures, except for Capital Expenditures not exceeding $30,000,000 in the aggregate to Limited and its Subsidiaries during any fiscal year; provided , however , that so long as no default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Capital Expenditure, 50% of any portion of such amount not expended in a fiscal year may be carried over for expenditure in the next following fiscal year; and provided , further , if any such amount is so carried over, it will be deemed used in the applicable subsequent fiscal year before the $30,000,000 permitted for such fiscal year.

 

SECTION 9.  Guaranty .  The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of, and the performance of, (a) the Obligations, whether now or hereafter existing and whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise, (b) all Swap Obligations owed to the Purchaser or any Affiliate of the Purchaser, (c) any and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses and reasonable counsel fees and expenses of the Purchaser) incurred by any of the Guarantied Parties in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty Agreement and (d) all present and future amounts that would become due but for the operation of any provision of Debtor Relief Laws, and all present and future accrued and unpaid interest, including, without limitation, all post-petition interest if the Borrower or any Guarantor voluntarily or involuntarily becomes subject to any Debtor Relief Laws (the items set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) immediately above being herein referred to as the “ Guarantied Obligations ”).  Upon failure of the Borrower to pay any of the Guarantied Obligations when due after the giving by the Purchaser of any notice and the expiration of any applicable cure period in each case provided for in the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), the Guarantors hereby further jointly and severally agree to promptly pay the same after the Guarantors’ receipt of notice from the Purchaser of the Borrower’s failure to pay the same, without any other demand or notice whatsoever, including without limitation, any notice having been given to any Guarantor of either the acceptance by the Guarantied Parties of this Guaranty Agreement or the creation or incurrence of any of the Guarantied Obligations.  This Guaranty Agreement is an absolute guaranty of payment and performance of the Guarantied Obligations and not a guaranty of collection, meaning that it is not necessary for the Guarantied Parties, in order to enforce payment by the Guarantors, first or contemporaneously to accelerate payment of any of the Guarantied Obligations, to institute suit or exhaust any rights against any Loan Party, or to enforce any rights against any Collateral.  Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state or federal bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if, as a result of applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, including Section 548 of Bankruptcy Code or any applicable provisions of comparable state law (collectively, “ Fraudulent Transfer Laws ”), the obligations of any Guarantor under this Section 9 would otherwise, after giving effect to (a) all other liabilities of such Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under such Fraudulent Transfer Laws

 

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(specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of such Guarantor in respect of intercompany Indebtedness to the Borrower to the extent that such Indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by such Guarantor hereunder) and (b) to the value as assets of such Guarantor (as determined under the applicable provisions of such Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights held by such Guarantor pursuant to (i) applicable requirements of Law, (ii)  Section 21 hereof or (iii) any other contractual obligations providing for an equitable allocation among such Guarantor and other Subsidiaries or Affiliates of the Borrower of obligations arising under this Guaranty Agreement or other guaranties of the Guarantied Obligations by such parties, be held or determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under this Section 9 , then the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Guarantor, the Purchaser, or any other Person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

SECTION 10.  Guaranty Absolute .  Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guarantied Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents, without set-off or counterclaim, and regardless of any Applicable Law now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Guarantied Parties with respect thereto.  The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

(a)                                  any lack of validity or enforceability of any provision of any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument relating to any Loan Document, or avoidance or subordination of any of the Guarantied Obligations;

 

(b)                                  any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, or any increase in the amount of, all or any of the Guarantied Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of any term of, or any consent to departure from any requirement of, the Loan Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents;

 

(c)                                   any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on any collateral for, or any release of any Loan Party or amendment or waiver of any term of any other guaranty of, or any consent to departure from any requirement of any other guaranty of, all or any of the Guarantied Obligations;

 

(d)                                  the absence of any attempt to collect any of the Guarantied Obligations from the Borrower or from any other Loan Party or any other action to enforce the same or the election of any remedy by any of the Guarantied Parties;

 

(e)                                   any waiver, consent, extension, forbearance or granting of any indulgence by any of the Guarantied Parties with respect to any provision of any other Loan Document;

 

(f)                                    the election by any of the Guarantied Parties in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

 

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(g)                                   any borrowing or grant of a security interest by the Borrower, as debtor-in-possession, under any Debtor Relief Law; or

 

(h)                                  any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Borrower or any Guarantor other than payment or performance of the Guarantied Obligations.

 

SECTION 11.  Waiver .  Each Guarantor hereby (i) waives (A) promptness, diligence, and, except as otherwise provided herein, notice of acceptance and any and all other notices, including, without limitation, notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration, with respect to any of the Guarantied Obligations or this Guaranty Agreement, (B) any requirement that any of the Guarantied Parties protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest in or other Lien on any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against the Borrower or any other Person or any collateral, (C) the filing of any claim with a court in the event of receivership or bankruptcy of the Borrower or any other Person, (D) except as otherwise provided herein, protest or notice with respect to nonpayment of all or any of the Guarantied Obligations, (E) the benefit of any statute of limitation, (F) except as otherwise provided herein, all demands whatsoever (and any requirement that demand be made on the Borrower or any other Person as a condition precedent to such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder), (G) all rights by which any Guarantor might be entitled to require suit on an accrued right of action in respect of any of the Guarantied Obligations or require suit against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or Person, whether arising pursuant to Chapter 43 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as amended, Section 17.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as amended, Rule 31 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended, or otherwise, (H) any defense based upon an election of remedies by any Guarantied Party, or (I) notice of any events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (h) of Section 10 hereof; and (ii) covenants and agrees that, except as otherwise agreed by the parties, this Guaranty Agreement will not be discharged except by complete payment and performance of the Guarantied Obligations and any other obligations of such Guarantor contained herein.

 

If, in the exercise of any of its rights and remedies in accordance with the provisions of Applicable Law, any of the Guarantied Parties shall forfeit any of its rights or remedies, including, without limitation, its right to enter a deficiency judgment against the Borrower or any other Person, whether because of any Applicable Law pertaining to “election of remedies” or the like, each Guarantor hereby consents to such action by such Guarantied Party and waives any claim based upon such action.  Any election of remedies which, by reason of such election, results in the denial or impairment of the right of such Guarantied Party to seek a deficiency judgment against the Borrower shall not impair the obligation of such Guarantor to pay the full amount of the Guarantied Obligations or any other obligation of such Guarantor contained herein.

 

In the event any of the Guarantied Parties shall bid at any foreclosure or trustee’s sale or at any private sale permitted by Law or under any of the Loan Documents, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, such Guarantied Party may bid all or less than the amount of the Guarantied Obligations and the amount of such bid, if successful, need not be paid by such Guarantied Party but shall be credited against the Guarantied Obligations.

 

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Each Guarantor agrees that notwithstanding the foregoing and without limiting the generality of the foregoing if, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Guarantied Parties are prevented by Applicable Law from exercising their respective rights to accelerate the maturity of the Guarantied Obligations, to collect interest on the Guarantied Obligations, or to enforce or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Guarantied Obligations, or the Purchaser is prevented from taking any action to realize on the collateral, such Guarantor agrees to pay to the Purchaser for the account of the Guarantied Parties, upon demand therefor, for application to the Guarantied Obligations, the amount that would otherwise have been due and payable had such rights and remedies been permitted to be exercised by the Guarantied Parties.

 

Each Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of the Borrower and of each other Loan Party, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guarantied Obligations or any part thereof, that diligent inquiry would reveal.  Each Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guarantied Parties shall have no duty to advise any Guarantor of information known to any of the Guarantied Parties regarding such condition or any such circumstance.  In the event that any of the Guarantied Parties in its sole discretion undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to any Guarantor, such Guarantied Party shall be under no obligation (i) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, (ii) to disclose any information which, pursuant to accepted or reasonable banking or commercial finance practices, such Guarantied Party wishes to maintain as confidential, or (iii) to make any other or future disclosures of such information or any other information to such Guarantor.

 

Each Guarantor consents and agrees that the Guarantied Parties shall be under no obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Guarantor or otherwise in connection with obtaining payment of any or all of the Guarantied Obligations from any Person or source.

 

SECTION 12.  Events of Default .  Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)                                  Non-Payment .  The failure to pay any amount payable by the Guarantor hereunder; or

 

(b)                                  Specific Covenants .  Any Guarantor fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 7(c)(1) — (4) , 7(e) , 7(j)  or 7(k)  or Section 8(d) , (e) , (f) , (g) , (j) , (k) , (l) , (m)  or (n) ; or

 

(c)                                   Other Defaults .  Any Guarantor fails to perform or observe (i) any of Section 8(a) , (b) , (c) , (h)  or (i)  and such failure continues for 15 days or (ii) any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in this Guaranty Agreement on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or

 

(d)                                  Representations and Warranties .  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading when made or deemed made; or

 

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(e)                                   Cross-Default .  (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $10,000,000 or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which any Loan Party is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party as a result thereof is greater than $10,000,000; or

 

(f)                                    Insolvency Proceedings, Etc .  Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                                   Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment .  (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or

 

(h)                                  Judgments .  There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (i) a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000 not stayed, discharged or paid 30 days after entry thereof (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of

 

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30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

 

(i)                                      ERISA .  (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000, or (ii) Limited or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000; or

 

(j)                                     Invalidity of Loan Documents .  Any provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or

 

(k)                                  Change of Control .  There occurs any Change of Control; or

 

(l)                                      Licenses .  Any License shall expire and not be renewed or shall be otherwise terminated and such expiration, non-renewal or termination could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 13.  Remedies Upon Event of Default .  If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Purchaser shall take any or all of the following actions:

 

(a)                                  declare the unpaid principal amount of the Loan and the Note, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, including notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and

 

(b)                                  exercise all rights and remedies available to it under the Loan Documents;

 

provided , however , that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection (f) of Section 12 , the unpaid principal amount of the Loan and the Note and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, without further act of the Purchaser.

 

SECTION 14.  Application of Funds .  After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 13 (or after the Loan has automatically become immediately due and payable), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Purchaser in the following order:

 

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First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Purchaser and taxes, increased costs and compensation for losses due to Purchaser);

 

Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Purchaser (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Purchaser and taxes, increased costs and compensation for losses due to Purchaser), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause  Second payable to it;

 

Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loan;

 

Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loan, and to the extent payments under any Guaranty, to the Guarantied Parties, in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause  Fourth held by them;

 

Fifth , to any remaining outstanding unpaid Obligations, and to the extent that any amounts are payments under any Guaranty, Swap Obligations in respect of Swap Contracts, ratably among the Purchaser and the Guarantied Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause  Fifth held by them; and

 

Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

 

SECTION 15.  Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality .  The Purchaser agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.

 

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from Limited or any Subsidiary relating to Limited or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Purchaser on a non-confidential basis

 

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prior to disclosure by Limited or any Subsidiary.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

SECTION 16.  Amendments, Etc .  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty Agreement nor consent to any departure by any Guarantor herefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing, approved and signed by the Purchaser, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

 

SECTION 17.  Addresses for Notices .  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be effectuated in the manner provided for in Section 9.1 of the Loan Agreement, provided that if a notice or communication hereunder is sent to a Guarantor, said notice shall be addressed to such Guarantor, in care of the Borrower at the Borrower’s then current address (or facsimile number) for notice under the Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 18.  No Waiver; Remedies .

 

(a)                                  No failure on the part of any Guarantied Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.  The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by Applicable Law or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

(b)                                  No waiver by the Guarantied Parties of any default shall operate as a waiver of any other default or the same default on a future occasion, and no action by any of the Guarantied Parties permitted hereunder shall in way affect or impair any of the rights of the Guarantied Parties or the obligations of any Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents, except as specifically set forth in any such waiver.  Any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of the amount of any principal and/or interest or other amount constituting any of the Guarantied Obligations shall be conclusive and binding on each Guarantor irrespective of whether such Guarantor was a party to the suit or action in which such determination was made.

 

SECTION 19.  Right of Set-off .  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under the Loan Agreement, each of the Guarantied Parties is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to set-off and apply any and all deposits (general or special (except trust and escrow accounts), time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other Indebtedness (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Guarantied Party to or for the credit or the account of each Guarantor against any and all of the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty Agreement, irrespective of whether or not such Guarantied Party shall have made any demand under this Guaranty Agreement; provided , however , such Guarantied Party shall promptly notify such Guarantor and the Borrower after such set-off and the application made by such Guarantied Party.  The rights of each Guarantied Party under this

 

42



 

Section 19 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of setoff) which such Guarantied Party may have.

 

SECTION 20.  Continuing Guaranty; Transfer of Note .  This Guaranty Agreement (a)(i) is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in full force and effect until the date that all Obligations have been paid in full (the “ Release Date ”) and (ii) binding upon each Guarantor, its permitted successors and assigns, and (b) inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Guarantied Parties and their respective successors, permitted transferees, and permitted assigns.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (b), each of the Guarantied Parties may assign or otherwise transfer the Note held by it or the Guarantied Obligations owed to it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the rights in respect thereof granted to such Guarantied Party herein or otherwise with respect to the Note and the Guarantied Obligations so transferred or assigned, subject, however, to compliance with the provisions of Section 6.1 of the Loan Agreement in respect of assignments.  Except as the result of the consummation of a transaction permitted under Section 8(d)  or 8(e)  of this Guaranty Agreement, no Guarantor may assign any of its obligations under this Guaranty Agreement without first obtaining the written consent of the Purchaser as set forth in the Loan Agreement.  If upon any merger, dissolution, liquidation or consolidation permitted under Section 8(d)  of this Guaranty Agreement or any Disposition permitted by Section 8(e)  of this Guaranty Agreement, a Guarantor no longer exists or is no longer a Subsidiary of Limited, such Guarantor shall be released of its obligations hereunder.

 

SECTION 21.  Reimbursement .  To the extent that any Guarantor shall be required hereunder to pay a portion of the Guarantied Obligations exceeding the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit actually received by such Guarantor from the Loan and (b) the amount such Guarantor would otherwise have paid if such Guarantor had paid the aggregate amount of the Guarantied Obligations (excluding the amount thereof repaid by the Borrower) in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s net worth at the date enforcement is sought hereunder bears to the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors at the date enforcement is sought hereunder, then such Guarantor shall be reimbursed by such other Guarantors for the amount of such excess, pro rata, based on the respective net worths of such other Guarantors at the date enforcement hereunder is sought.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Guarantor agrees that the Guarantied Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without impairing its guaranty herein or effecting the rights and remedies of the Guarantied Parties hereunder.  This Section 21 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 21 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay to the Guarantied Parties the Guarantied Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 22.  Reinstatement .  This Guaranty Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against any Loan Party for liquidation or reorganization, should any Loan Party become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any Loan Party’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Guarantied Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to Applicable Law,

 

43



 

rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligees of the Guarantied Obligations or such part thereof, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer,” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made.  In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Guarantied Obligations shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

SECTION 23.  Governing Law .

 

(a)                                  THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE; PROVIDED THAT EACH PARTY SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

 

(b)                                  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SITTING IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS (DALLAS DIVISION), AND BY EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE OF THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT, EACH GUARANTOR AND THE PURCHASER CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.  EACH GUARANTOR AND THE PURCHASER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO.  EACH GUARANTOR AND THE PURCHASER WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.

 

SECTION 24.  Waiver of Jury Trial .  EACH GUARANTOR AND THE PURCHASER HEREBY (OR BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF) EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF ANY ONE OR MORE OF EACH GUARANTOR, THE BORROWER, OR THE PURCHASER WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS AND THE PURCHASER HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY OF THE GUARANTORS AND THE PURCHASER MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH GUARANTOR AND THE PURCHASER TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

44



 

SECTION 25.  Section Titles .  The Section titles contained in this Guaranty Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not a part of this Guaranty Agreement.

 

SECTION 26.  Execution in Counterparts .  This Guaranty Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Guaranty.

 

SECTION 27.  Miscellaneous .  All references herein to the Borrower or to any Guarantor shall include their respective successors and assigns, including, without limitation, a receiver, trustee or debtor-in-possession of or for the Borrower or such Guarantor.  All references to the singular shall be deemed to include the plural where the context so requires.

 

SECTION 28.  Subrogation and Subordination .

 

(a)                                  Subrogation .  Notwithstanding any reference to subrogation contained herein to the contrary, until the Release Date, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may have or hereafter acquire against the Borrower that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty Agreement, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification, any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Purchaser against the Borrower or any collateral which the Purchaser now has or hereafter acquires, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statutes or common law, including without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Borrower, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Guarantied Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Purchaser, and shall forthwith be paid to the Purchaser to be credited and applied upon the Guarantied Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement.  Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Agreement and that the waiver set forth in this Section 28 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

(b)                                  Subordination .  All debt and other liabilities of the Borrower to any Guarantor (“ Borrower Debt ”) are expressly subordinate and junior to the Guarantied Obligations and any instruments evidencing the Borrower Debt to the extent provided below.

 

(i)                                      Until the Release Date, each Guarantor agrees that it will not request, demand, accept, or receive (by set-off or other manner) any payment amount, credit or reduction of all or any part of the amounts owing under the Borrower Debt or any security therefor, except as specifically allowed pursuant to clause (ii) below;

 

(ii)                                   Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (i) above, the Borrower may pay to the Guarantors and the Guarantors may request, demand, accept and receive and retain

 

45



 

from the Borrower payments, credits or reductions of all or any part of the amounts owing under the Borrower Debt or any security therefor on the Borrower Debt, provided that the Borrower’s right to pay and the Guarantors’ right to receive any such amount shall automatically and be immediately suspended and cease (A) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or (B) if; after taking into account the effect of such payment, an Event of Default would occur and be continuing.  The Guarantors’ right to receive amounts under this clause (ii) (including any amounts which theretofore may have been suspended) shall automatically be reinstated at such time as the Event of Default which was the basis of such suspension has been cured or waived (provided that no subsequent Event of Default has occurred) or such earlier date, if any, as the Purchaser gives notice to the Guarantors of reinstatement by the Purchaser, in the Purchaser’s sole discretion;

 

(iii)                                If any Guarantor receives any payment on the Borrower Debt in violation of this Guaranty Agreement, such Guarantor will hold such payment in trust for the Purchaser and will immediately deliver such payment to the Purchaser; and

 

(iv)                               In the event of the commencement or joinder of any suit, action or proceeding of any type (judicial or otherwise) or proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law against the Borrower (an “ Insolvency Proceeding ”) and subject to court orders issued pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, the Guarantied Obligations shall first be paid, discharged and performed in full before any payment or performance is made upon the Borrower Debt notwithstanding any other provisions which may be made in such Insolvency Proceeding.  In the event of any Insolvency Proceeding, each Guarantor will at any time prior to the Release Date (A) file, at the request of any Guarantied Party, any claim, proof of claim or similar instrument necessary to enforce the Borrower’s obligation to pay the Borrower Debt, and (B) hold in trust for and pay to the Guarantied Parties any and all monies, obligations, property, stock dividends or other assets received in any such proceeding on account of the Borrower Debt in order that the Guarantied Parties may apply such monies or the cash proceeds of such other assets to the Obligations.

 

SECTION 29.  Guarantor Insolvency .  Should any Guarantor voluntarily seek, consent to, or acquiesce in the benefits of any Debtor Relief Law or become a party to or be made the subject of any proceeding provided for by any Debtor Relief Law (other than as a creditor or claimant) that could suspend or otherwise adversely affect the rights of any Guarantied Party granted hereunder, then, the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement shall be, as between such Guarantor and such Guarantied Party, a fully-matured, due, and payable obligation of such Guarantor to such Guarantied Party (without regard to whether there is an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement or whether any part of the Guarantied Obligations is then due and owing by the Borrower to such Guarantied Party), payable in full by such Guarantor to such Guarantied Party upon demand, which shall be the estimated amount owing in respect of the contingent claim created hereunder.

 

SECTION 30.  Rate Provision .  It is not the intention of any Guarantied Party to make an agreement violative of the laws of any applicable jurisdiction relating to usury.  Regardless of any provision in this Guaranty Agreement, no Guarantied Party shall ever be entitled to contract,

 

46



 

charge, receive, collect or apply, as interest on the Guarantied Obligations, any amount in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate.  In no event shall any Guarantor be obligated to pay any amount in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate.  If from any circumstance the Purchaser or any Guarantied Party shall ever receive, collect or apply anything of value deemed excess interest under Applicable Law, an amount equal to such excess shall be applied to the reduction of the principal amount of the outstanding Loan and any remainder shall be promptly refunded to the payor.  In determining whether or not interest paid or payable with respect to the Guarantied Obligations, under any specified contingency, exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the Guarantors and the Guarantied Parties shall, to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) characterize any non-principal payment as an expense, fee or premium rather than as interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayment and the effects thereof, (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the full term of such Guarantied Obligations so that the interest paid on account of such Guarantied Obligations does not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate and/or (d) allocate interest between portions of such Guarantied Obligations; provided that if the Guarantied Obligations are paid and performed in full prior to the end of the full contemplated term thereof, and if the interest received for the actual period of existence thereof exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the Guarantied Parties shall refund to the payor the amount of such excess or credit the amount of such excess against the total principal amount owing, and, in such event, no Guarantied Party shall be subject to any penalties provided by any laws for contracting for, charging or receiving interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

SECTION 31.  Severability .  Any provision of this Guaranty Agreement which is for any reason prohibited or found or held invalid or unenforceable by any court or governmental agency shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity or unenforceability, without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 32.  Taxes .

 

(a)                                  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be made free and clear of and” without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if any Guarantor shall be required by Applicable Law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Guarantied Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) such Guarantor shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

 

(b)                                  Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Guarantors shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

 

(c)                                   The Guarantors shall indemnify each Guarantied Party, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including

 

47



 

Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by such Guarantied Party and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Guarantors by such Guarantied Party (with a copy to the Purchaser), or by the Purchaser on its own behalf or on behalf of any Guarantied Party shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                                  As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by any Guarantor to a Governmental Authority, such Guarantor shall deliver to the Purchaser the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser.

 

(e)                                   If any Guarantied Party determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Guarantor or with respect to which any Guarantor has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to such Guarantor an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Guarantor under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Guarantied Party, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that such Guarantor, upon the request of such Guarantied Party, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Guarantor (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to such Guarantied Party in the event such Guarantied Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  This subsection shall not be construed to require any Guarantied Party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Guarantors or any other Person.

 

(f)                                    The obligations of each Guarantor and Guarantied Party under this Section 32 shall survive repayment of all Guarantied Obligations.

 

SECTION 33.  Additional Guarantors .  Upon the execution and delivery by any other Person of a Guaranty Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit B (each, a “ Guaranty Supplement ”), such Person shall become a “Guarantor” hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein.  The execution and delivery of any Guaranty Supplement shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder.  The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Guaranty Agreement.

 

SECTION 34.  Entire Agreement .  THE LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES REGARDING THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREIN AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

 

48



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto have caused this Guaranty Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer on the date first above written.

 

 

HELEN OF TROY L.P.,

 

a Texas limited partnership

 

 

 

 

By:

HELEN OF TROY NEVADA CORPORATION,

 

 

a Nevada corporation, General Partner

 

 

 

 

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED,

 

a Bermuda company

 

 

 

 

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED,

 

a Barbados corporation

 

 

 

 

HOT NEVADA, INC.,

 

a Nevada corporation

 

 

 

 

HELEN OF TROY NEVADA CORPORATION,

 

a Nevada corporation

 

 

 

 

HELEN OF TROY TEXAS CORPORATION,

 

a Texas corporation

 

 

 

 

IDELLE LABS LTD.,

 

a Texas limited partnership

 

 

 

 

By:

HELEN OF TROY NEVADA CORPORATION,

 

 

a Nevada corporation, General Partner

 

 

 

 

OXO INTERNATIONAL LTD.,

 

a Texas limited partnership

 

 

 

 

By:

HELEN OF TROY NEVADA CORPORATION,

 

 

a Nevada corporation, General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Chairman, CEO and President for all

 



 

 

HELEN OF TROY MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE LIMITED,

 

a Macau corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

KAZ, INC.,

 

a New York corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

KAZ CANADA, INC.,

 

a Massachusetts corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

PUR WATER PURIFICATION PRODUCTS, INC.,

 

a Nevada corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Gerald J. Rubin

 

 

Chairman

 

2



 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gary L. Mingle

 

 

Gary L. Mingle

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

3


EXHIBIT 10.3

 

Mississippi Business Finance Corporation

 

“Issuer”

 

to

 

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

 


“Trustee”


 

TRUST INDENTURE

 


 

Dated as of March 1, 2013

 

Securing

 

Mississippi Business Finance Corporation
Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013
(Helen of Troy Olive Branch, MS Project)

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

3

Section 1.2

Accounting Terms

16

Section 1.3

Rounding

16

Section 1.4

Times of Day

16

Section 1.5

Other Interpretive Provisions

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION, AUTHORIZATION, MANNER OF EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF BONDS

 

 

 

 

Section 2.1

Authorization of Bonds

17

Section 2.2

Issuance of Bonds

19

Section 2.3

Mandatory Redemption

21

Section 2.4

Optional Redemption

21

Section 2.5

Method of Partial Redemption

21

Section 2.6

Bonds Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen or Lost

21

Section 2.7

Additional Advances of Principal

22

Section 2.8

Execution

23

Section 2.9

Negotiability, Transfer and Registry

23

Section 2.10

Regulations with Respect to Exchanges and Transfers

24

Section 2.11

Authentication

24

Section 2.12

Destruction of Bonds

24

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

 

 

AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF BONDS

 

 

 

 

Section 3.1

Bonds Equally and Ratably Secured

25

Section 3.2

Provisions for Issuance of Bonds

25

Section 3.3

Limited Obligations

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION AND ACQUISITION OF PROJECT

 

 

 

 

Section 4.1

Covenant to Proceed with Reasonable Dispatch; Revision of Plans and Specifications

27

Section 4.2

Covenant to Comply with Laws

27

 

i



 

ARTICLE V

 

 

 

 

PROJECT FUND

 

 

 

 

Section 5.1

Establishment of Project Fund

27

Section 5.2

Use of Monies

27

Section 5.3

Completion of Project

28

Section 5.4

Completion of Project if Bond Proceeds Insufficient; Surplus Proceeds

28

Section 5.5

Default by Contractor

29

Section 5.6

Investment of Project Fund

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

 

 

 

BOND FUND

 

 

 

 

Section 6.1

Establishment of Bond Fund

29

Section 6.2

Flow of Funds

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

 

 

 

SECURITY FOR AND INVESTMENT OF MONIES

 

 

 

 

Section 7.1

Security

30

Section 7.2

Investments

30

Section 7.3

Transfer of Balance

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

 

 

 

REDEMPTION OF BONDS

 

 

 

 

Section 8.1

Method of Redemption

31

Section 8.2

Notice of Redemption

31

Section 8.3

Payment of Redeemed Bonds

32

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

 

 

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

 

 

 

Section 9.1

Payment of Bonds

32

Section 9.2

Maintain Its Existence

32

Section 9.3

Payments Under Loan Agreement; No Amendment to Loan Agreement Without Consent

33

Section 9.4

Further Documents

34

Section 9.5

Payment of Taxes and Assessments; Compliance with Regulations; No Creation of Liens or Charges

34

Section 9.6

Extension of Payment of Bonds

36

 

ii



 

ARTICLE X

 

 

 

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

Section 10.1

Events of Default

36

Section 10.2

Right to Declare Bonds Due and Payable

37

Section 10.3

Proceedings by Trustee

37

Section 10.4

Effect of Discontinuance or Abandonment

37

Section 10.5

Rights of the Purchaser

38

Section 10.6

Restriction on Bondholder’s Action

38

Section 10.7

Power of Trustee to Enforce

38

Section 10.8

Remedies Not Exclusive

39

Section 10.9

Effect of Waiver

39

Section 10.10

Application of Monies

39

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

 

 

 

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

Section 11.1

Appointment and Acceptance of Duties

40

Section 11.2

Responsibilities

40

Section 11.3

Powers

40

Section 11.4

Compensation

40

Section 11.5

No Duty to Maintain Insurance

41

Section 11.6

Notice of Event of Default

41

Section 11.7

Action Upon Default

41

Section 11.8

Compensation and Reimbursement; Limitation of Liability

41

Section 11.9

Relationship of Trustee

42

Section 11.10

No Duty to Invest

42

Section 11.11

Reserved

42

Section 11.12

Resignation

42

Section 11.13

Removal

43

Section 11.14

Appointment of Successor Trustee

43

Section 11.15

Successor to be Bank or Trust Company

43

Section 11.16

Failure to Appoint a Successor Trustee

43

Section 11.17

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

43

Section 11.18

Merger or Consolidation

44

Section 11.19

Action Upon Event of Default

44

Section 11.20

Notice of Occurrence of Event of Default

44

Section 11.21

Intervention by Trustee

44

Section 11.22

Appointment and Acceptance of Paying Agents

44

Section 11.23

Resignation or Removal of Paying Agent; Appointment of Successor

45

Section 11.24

Trust Estate May Be Vested in Separate or Co-Trustee

45

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

 

iii



 

EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS BY BONDHOLDERS AND PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF BONDS

 

 

 

 

Section 12.1

Execution of Instruments; Proof of Ownership

46

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

 

 

 

MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE AND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

 

 

 

Section 13.1

Supplemental Indentures With Consent of the Company, But Without Consent of Bondholders

46

Section 13.2

Trustee Authorized to Enter Supplemental Indenture

47

Section 13.3

Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Bondholders and the Company

47

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

Section 14.1

Dissolution of Issuer

47

Section 14.2

Parties Interested Herein

48

Section 14.3

Severability of Invalid Provisions

48

Section 14.4

No Recourse on Bonds

48

Section 14.5

Notice

48

Section 14.6

Counterparts

49

Section 14.7

Governing Law

49

Section 14.8

Purchaser Approval

49

Section 14.9

Entire Agreement

50

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV

 

 

 

 

BOND FORM

 

 

 

 

Section 15.1

Form of Bonds

50

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF REQUISITION

 

 

iv



 

THIS TRUST INDENTURE , dated as of March 1, 2013, among Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, a public corporation (the “ Issuer ”), and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Olive Branch, Mississippi, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United State of America.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS , the Issuer is authorized by the provisions of Sections 57-10-401 et seq ., Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended (collectively, the “ Act ”) to, among other things, provide and finance economic development projects in the State of Mississippi (the “ State ”) by, among other things, providing loans and other assistance to eligible companies, and to finance such assistance to eligible companies by the issuance of revenue bonds;

 

WHEREAS , the Issuer has duly authorized, under the Act, the financing of all or a part of the Project (as hereinafter defined) by Kaz USA, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation authorized to conduct business in the State (the “ Company ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Company is an affiliate of Helen of Troy L.P.;

 

WHEREAS , the Issuer desires to authorize the issuance of its taxable revenue bonds hereunder, to secure the payment of the principal thereof and the interest and redemption premium, if any, thereon and any other payments required under this Indenture and to assure the performance and observance of the covenants and conditions herein contained in order to provide for the financing, from time to time, of the Project;

 

WHEREAS , the Issuer has entered into a Loan Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “ Loan Agreement ”) with the Company to provide for the financing of the Project with the proceeds of the loan from the Issuer and to repay such loan to the Issuer;

 

WHEREAS , the Issuer has determined to issue and sell $38,000,000 maximum aggregate principal amount of Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 (Helen of Troy Olive Branch, MS Project), dated as of the date of issuance thereof (the “ Bonds ”), the proceeds of which are to reimburse the Company for a portion of the Costs of Construction of the Project, and to pay the necessary expenses incidental to the issuance of the Bonds;

 

WHEREAS , to further secure the Bonds, the Company has authorized, executed and delivered a Note (as defined herein) to the Issuer, which Note the Issuer has assigned to the Trustee;

 

WHEREAS , the Issuer, at a meeting thereof duly convened and held, has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Bonds, upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

WHEREAS , all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Bonds, when executed and issued by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered to Purchaser (as defined herein), the valid and binding legal obligations of the Issuer,

 

1



 

in accordance with their terms and to make this Indenture a valid and binding agreement for the security of the Bonds authenticated and delivered under this Indenture;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

That the Issuer, in consideration of the premises, the acceptance by the Trustee of the trusts hereby created, the purchase and acceptance of the Bonds by the Purchaser thereof, and other good and valuable considerations, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in order to secure the payment of the principal of, redemption premium, if any, and interest on all Bonds outstanding hereunder from time to time, according to their tenor and effect, and such other payments required to be made under this Indenture, and to secure the observance and performance by the Issuer of all the covenants, expressed or implied herein and in the Bonds, does hereby grant, bargain, sell, convey, assign, pledge and grant a security interest unto the Trustee, and unto its successors in the trusts hereunder, and to them and their successors and assigns forever, all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and under, subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture, any and all of the following (collectively, the “ Trust Estate ”):

 

(a)           the Loan Agreement, including but not limited to the Issuer’s rights to receive the loan payments and other revenues and receipts payable thereunder, and the Issuer’s rights to enforce the Loan Agreement, provided, however, that the Issuer hereby reserves its rights under the Loan Agreement to receive notices, the payment of Administration Expenses and indemnification payments, all as provided in the Loan Agreement;

 

(b)           the Note, including, without limitation, all payments to be made by the Company pursuant to the Note;

 

(c)           the proceeds of the Bonds (subject to provisions pertaining to the use thereof set forth herein and in the Loan Agreement);

 

(d)           any and all other property of every kind and nature from time to time hereafter by delivery or by writing of any kind, conveyed, mortgaged, sold, pledged, assigned and transferred, as and for additional security hereunder, by the Issuer or by any other Person in its behalf or with its written consent to the Trustee, and the Trustee is hereby authorized to receive any and all such property at any and all times and to hold and apply the same subject to the terms hereof provided, however, the Trustee consents in writing to the acceptance of such additional security;

 

(e)           any income received by the Trustee from the Investment of the proceeds of the Bonds and other funds held by the Trustee hereunder (subject to provisions pertaining to the use thereof set forth herein and in the Loan Agreement); and

 

(f)            the proceeds of any of the foregoing;

 

2



 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all the same hereby pledged, conveyed and assigned, or agreed or intended so to be, to the Trustee and its successors in said trust and to it and its assigns forever;

 

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Issuer, its successors or assigns, shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, the principal of the Bonds issued and secured hereunder and the interest due or to become due thereon, at the times and in the manner mentioned in such Bonds, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, and shall well and truly keep, perform and observe all the covenants and conditions pursuant to the terms of this Indenture to be kept, performed and observed by it, and shall pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums of money due or to become due to it in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, then upon such final payments this Indenture and the unvested rights hereby granted shall cease and terminate, otherwise this Indenture will remain in full force and effect;

 

THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH that, and it is expressly declared, all Bonds issued and secured hereunder are to be issued, authenticated and delivered and all the rights and property hereby pledged are to be dealt with and disposed of under, upon and subject to the terms, conditions, stipulations, covenants, agreements, trusts, uses and purposes as hereinafter expressed, and the Issuer has agreed and covenanted, and does hereby agree and covenant, with the Trustee and with the Registered Owners, from time to time, of the said Bonds, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1            Definitions .  The terms set forth below shall have the following meanings in this Indenture and in the Loan Agreement, unless the context clearly otherwise requires.  Except where the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

Act ” shall mean collectively the provisions of Sections 57-10-401 et seq ., Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended and supplemented.

 

Administration Expenses ” shall mean the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuer pursuant to the Loan Agreement or this Indenture, including the Administrative Fee, and the compensation and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses paid to or incurred by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Indenture, including reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel.

 

Administrative Fee ” shall mean the fee of the Issuer with respect to the Bonds in the amount of $30,000 which fee is required to be paid by the Company to the Issuer pursuant to the Section 4.10 of the Loan Agreement.

 

Applicable Law ” shall mean (a) in respect of any Person, all provisions of Laws applicable to such Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and determinations of

 

3



 

arbitrators applicable to such Person and (b) in respect of contracts made or performed in the State, “Applicable Law” shall also mean the laws of the United States, including, without limitation in addition to the foregoing, 12 USC Sections 85 and 86, and any other statute of the United States now or at any time hereafter prescribing the maximum rates of interest on loans and extensions of credit, and the laws of the State.

 

Applicable Margin ” shall mean the following percentages per annum, based upon the Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7(b)(2)  of the Guaranty Agreement:

 

Pricing
Level

 

Leverage Ratio

 

Eurodollar Rate
for the Loan

 

Base Rate
for the Loan

 

I

 

Less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00

 

1.000

%

0.000

%

II

 

Greater than 1.25 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00

 

1.375

%

0.375

%

III

 

Greater than 1.75 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00

 

1.750

%

0.750

%

IV

 

Greater than 2.25 to 1.00

 

2.125

%

1.125

%

 

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 7(b)(2)  of the Guaranty Agreement; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section 7(b)(1) , then Pricing Level IV shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the first Business Day immediately following the date such Compliance Certificate is actually delivered to the Purchaser.  From the Closing Date the Applicable Margin in effect through and including the date the Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 7(b)(1)  for the fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2013 shall be Level II.  Purchaser shall calculate the effective Applicable Margin and the Applicable Rate, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to make such calculations.

 

If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of Limited (as defined in the Guaranty Agreement) or for any other reason, the Company, Limited or the Purchaser determines that (i) the Leverage Ratio as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Company shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Purchaser, promptly on demand by the Purchaser (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Company under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Purchaser), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period.  This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Purchaser under this Indenture or any other Loan Document.  The Company’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the repayment of obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

4



 

Applicable Rate ” shall mean a rate per annum equal to (a) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans for an Interest Period, the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans, and (b) with respect to a Base Rate Loan, the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans.

 

Audited Financial Statements ” shall have the meaning specified in the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Authorized Company Representative ” shall mean any Person from time to time designated to act on behalf of the Company by a written certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by one of its Vice Presidents or other duly authorized Person and its Secretary or its Treasurer or other duly authorized Person and furnished to the Issuer and the Trustee, containing the specimen signature of each such Person.

 

Bank of America ” shall mean Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

Base Rate ” shall mean for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect for such day plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1%.  The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Federal Funds Rate, the prime rate or the rate for such Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Federal Funds Rate, the prime rate or such Eurodollar Rate.

 

Base Rate Loan ” shall mean the Loan when it bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

Bonds ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals of this Indenture, including any Bonds thereafter authenticated and delivered in lieu of or in substitution for such Bonds, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Bond Counsel ” shall mean Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, Jackson, Mississippi, or an attorney-at-law or a firm of attorneys, designated by the Issuer, of nationally recognized standing in matters pertaining to bonds issued by states and their political subdivisions, duly admitted to the practice of law before the highest court of any state of the United States.

 

Bond Counsel’s Opinion ” shall mean an opinion signed by Bond Counsel and satisfactory to the Issuer, the Trustee, and the Purchaser.

 

Bond Fund ” shall mean the fund established pursuant to Section 6.1 of this Indenture.

 

Bondholder ” or “ holder of the Bonds ” or “ holder ” shall mean the Registered Owner(s) of any fully registered Bond.

 

5



 

Bond Purchase Agreement ” shall mean the Bond Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2013, among the Issuer, the Company and the Purchaser as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Bond Register ” and “ Bond Registrar ” shall have the respective meanings specified in Section 2.9 of this Indenture.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Purchaser’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall mean any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for determining what constitutes a “Business Day” for purposes of carrying out its obligations under this Indenture.

 

Change in Law ” shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Indenture, of any of the following:  (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “ Change in Law ”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued. The Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether a Change in Law has occurred for purposes of carrying out its obligations under this Indenture.

 

Closing Date ” shall mean the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 8 of the Bond Purchase Agreement are satisfied or waived.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning specified in the Recitals of this Indenture, or any Person which is the surviving, resulting or transferee Person in any merger, consolidation or transfer of assets permitted under Section 5.2 of the Loan Agreement and shall also mean, unless the context otherwise requires, any assignee of the Loan Agreement as permitted by Section 6.1 of the Loan Agreement.

 

Compliance Certificate ” shall mean a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A to the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Completion Date ” shall mean, with respect to the Bonds, the date of completion of the Project as that date shall be certified pursuant to Section 5.3 of this Indenture.

 

Construction ” when used in connection with the Project, shall mean, without limitation, the acquisition, construction, installation and equipping of the Project.

 

6



 

Cost of Construction of the Project ” shall mean the costs and allowances for the Construction of the Project which are permitted under Sections 57-10-201, et seq. and 5710-401, et seq. of the Act and which include, but are not limited to, all capital costs of the Project, including the following:

 

(a)           obligations incurred for Equipment and labor and to contractors, builders and materialmen in connection with the acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project;

 

(b)           the cost of acquiring land or rights in land and any cost incidental thereto, including recording fees;

 

(c)           the cost of contract bonds and of insurance of all kinds that may be required or necessary during the course of acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project which is not paid by the contractor or contractors or otherwise provided for;

 

(d)           all costs of architectural and engineering services, including test borings, surveys, estimates, plans and specifications, preliminary investigations, and supervision of construction, as well as for the performance of all the duties required by or consequent upon the acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project;

 

(e)           all costs which shall be required to be paid under the terms of any contracts or contracts for the acquisition, construction, and installation of an economic development project; and

 

(f)            all costs, expenses, and fees incurred in connection with the issuance of bonds pursuant to Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 of the Act.

 

Debtor Relief Laws ” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default Rate ” shall mean an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Margin, if any, applicable to a Base Rate Loan plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided , however , that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the “ Default Rate ” shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan plus 2% per annum.

 

Dollar ” and “ $ ” shall mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Environmental Laws ” shall mean any and all federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including

 

7



 

those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

Equipment ” shall mean all of the fixtures (including all leasehold improvements), machinery, equipment, and all other items of tangible personal property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company, and located or to be located on or affixed to the Project Site, together with all substitutions therefore and all repairs, renewals, and replacements thereof.

 

Eurodollar Rate ” shall mean:

 

(a)           for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to (i) the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“ BBA LIBOR ”), as published by Reuters (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as may be designated by the Purchaser from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period or, (ii) if such rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Purchaser to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and

 

(b)           for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) BBA LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Purchaser to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at the date and time of determination.

 

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” shall mean the Loan when it bears interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

 

Event(s) of Default ” shall mean any Event(s) of Default specified in Section 10.1 of this Indenture.

 

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Purchaser or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Issuer or the Company hereunder, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of Purchaser, in which its applicable Purchaser’s Office is located

 

8



 

or (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Issuer or the Company is located.

 

Federal Funds Rate ” shall mean for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Purchaser.

 

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Authority ” shall mean the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Government Securities ” shall mean bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness of the United States or the State and any other security unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the United States or any agency thereof.

 

Guarantee ” shall have the meaning specified in the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Guarantor ” or “ Guarantors ” shall mean the parties to the Guaranty Agreement providing the Guarantee.

 

Guaranty Agreement ” shall mean that certain Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, in favor of the Purchaser and executed by the Guarantors.

 

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes, or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos, or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

9



 

Highest Lawful Rate ” shall mean at the particular time in question the maximum rate of interest which, under Applicable Law, the Issuer is then permitted to charge on the Bonds.  If the maximum rate of interest which, under Applicable Law, the Issuer is permitted to charge on the Bonds shall change after the date hereof, the Highest Lawful Rate shall be automatically increased or decreased, as the case may be, from time to time as of the effective time of each change in the Highest Lawful Rate without notice to the Company.  For purposes of determining the Highest Lawful Rate under Applicable Law, the indicated rate ceiling shall be the lesser of (a) the applicable rate under §75-17-103 of the Mississippi Code, as amended, and (b)(i) if the amount outstanding under this Indenture is less than $250,000, twenty-four percent (24%), or (ii) if the amount under this Indenture is equal to or greater than $250,000, twenty-eight percent (28%) per annum.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for determining the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

Indebtedness ” shall have the meaning specified in the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Indenture ” shall mean this Indenture related to the Bonds dated as of March 1, 2013, between the Issuer and the Trustee, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.

 

Interest Payment Date ” shall mean (a) as to the Loan when it is not a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Loan and the Maturity Date; provided , however , that if any Interest Period for the Loan while it is a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to the Loan while it is a Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each May, August, November and February and the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Period ” shall mean, as to the Loan while it is a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Company in its Loan Notice or such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Company and consented to by the Purchaser; provided that:

 

(i)            any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)           any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(iii)          no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

10



 

Investment ” or “ Invest ” shall mean as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually Invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

Investment Securities ” shall mean, only to the extent permitted by State law, any of the following unless the Company has determined that the same are not at the time legal Investments of the Company’s monies:

 

(a)           savings accounts and certificates of deposit issued by a commercial bank or savings and loan association incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having a capital stock and surplus of more than $50,000,000, including the Trustee, or which are fully collateralized by investments of the type described in (b) below or are rated either A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or P-1 or P-2 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.;

 

(b)           bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness of the United States or the State and any other security unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the United States or any agency thereof;

 

(c)           repurchase agreements involving the purchase and resale of investments described in (b) above; provided, that (i) the purchase price of any such agreement shall at no time exceed the fair market value of the investments underlying the same, (ii) each such agreement shall provide for the payment of cash or deposit of additional investments at least monthly so that the sum of the fair market value of investments and the amount of cash underlying the same shall remain at least equal to the purchase price thereof, (iii) the Trustee shall take physical possession of such investments or the Trustee shall be named as the record owner of such investments in the records of a Federal Reserve Bank, in each case no later than the time the purchase price therefore is paid by the Trustee, (iv) the other party to such repurchase agreement shall be a commercial bank or savings and loan association incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or a securities firm registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in either case having combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 including the Trustee, and (v) the repurchase obligations are at the demand of the Trustee or have a maturity of less than one year;

 

(d)           any money market fund rated “AAA” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. comprised of the investments of the type described in paragraph (b);

 

11



 

(e)           any other investment or investment agreement as the Registered Owner(s) of fifty-one percent (51%) or more in the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds then Outstanding may approve.

 

The Trustee shall assume without independent verification that any investments of Bond proceeds directed in writing by the Company to be made by the Trustee shall comply with State law.

 

Issuer ” shall mean the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, constituting a public body corporate and a political subdivision of the State, its successors and assigns, and any public corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party.

 

Laws ” shall mean, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority, or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

Loan ” or “ Loans ” shall mean the advances (one or more) in the aggregate provided by the Issuer to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement from the proceeds of the Bonds.

 

Loan Agreement ” shall mean the Loan Agreement between the Company and the Issuer dated as of March 1, 2013, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Loan Documents ” shall mean the Loan Agreement, this Indenture, the Bond Purchase Agreement, the Note, the Bond, the Assignment of the Loan Agreement, and the Assignment of the Note, the Guaranty Agreement, and all other agreements, documents, instruments, certificates and agreements executed and/or delivered by the Company, in connection with the Loan Agreement, this Indenture, the Bond Purchase Agreement, and the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Loan Payments ” shall mean the payments required to be made by the Company pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Loan Agreement.

 

London Banking Day ” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London eurodollar market.

 

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Maturity Date ” shall mean March 1, 2023, or such later date (not to exceed 25 years) as the Company and the Purchaser may otherwise agree and, to the extent required, as approved by the Issuer.

 

Note ” shall mean the promissory note issued by the Company to the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Loan Agreement, the form of which is attached thereto as Exhibit C .

 

Notice of Borrowing ” shall mean Exhibit A attached to the Bond Purchase Agreement, duly executed by the Company all as required by Section 3.5 of the Loan Agreement.

 

Organization Documents ” shall mean (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Indenture or any other Loan Document; provided that Other Taxes shall exclude Excluded Taxes.

 

Outstanding ” when used with reference to Bonds, shall mean, at any date as of which the amount of outstanding Bonds is to be determined, the aggregate of all Bonds authorized, issued, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture except:

 

(a)           Bonds canceled or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.12 of this Indenture prior to such date; or

 

(b)           Bonds in lieu of or in substitution for which other Bonds shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company is presented that any such Bond is held by a bona fide holder in due course.

 

In determining whether holders of a requisite aggregate principal amount of Bonds Outstanding have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Bonds which are owned by the Company or the Issuer shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided, however, that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Bonds which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

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Paying Agent ” shall mean the Person appointed in Section 11.22 of this Indenture for the purposes set forth therein.

 

Payment Date ” shall mean an Interest Payment Date or a Principal Payment Date, as the case may be.

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean and include:

 

(a)           any lien or charge incident to construction or maintenance other than those then payable and filed of record unless such are being contested by the Company in good faith and appropriate reserves are maintained with respect thereto;

 

(b)           the lien of Taxes and assessments which are not delinquent;

 

(c)           the lien of Taxes and assessments which are delinquent but the validity of which is being contested as permitted by Section 4.6 of the Loan Agreement;

 

(d)           any liens created under the Loan Agreement, this Indenture, the Note, the Bonds, and the Guaranty Agreement;

 

(e)           the rights of the Issuer and the Trustee under the Loan Agreement, this Indenture and the Note;

 

(f)            any lien on the Project or any part thereof created or that may be created pursuant to the Loan Agreement from the Company to the Issuer, as assigned to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture and;

 

(g)           such other encumbrances as the Purchaser may approve in writing such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

Person ” shall mean any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority, or other entity.

 

Principal Payment Amounts ” shall mean the respective amounts set forth opposite each such date:

 

Date

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 1, 2014

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2015

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2016

 

$

3,800,000

 

March 1, 2017

 

$

5,700,000

 

March 1, 2018

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2019

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2020

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2021

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2022

 

$

1,900,000

 

March 1, 2023

 

$

15,200,000

 

 

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Principal Payment Date ” shall mean March 1 of each year commencing on March 1, 2014, and ending on the Maturity Date.

 

Project ” shall mean the acquisition, construction, and installation of machinery and Equipment constituting the warehousing and distribution facilities, which meets the definition of “business enterprise” under Section 57-10-205 and which meets the definition of “economic development project” under Section 57-10-401, all to be located at the Project Site.

 

Project Fund ” shall mean the fund created under Section 5.1 of this Indenture.

 

Project Site ” shall mean the real property located in the State more particularly described in Exhibit A attached to the Loan Agreement upon which the Equipment will be located.

 

Purchaser ” shall mean Bank of America, N.A., or its successors or assigns.

 

Purchaser’s Office ” shall mean, as to the Purchaser, the office or offices of the Purchaser as the Purchaser may from time to time notify the Company.

 

Redemption Price ” shall mean the principal of and interest on the Bonds to be redeemed at par, without penalty or premium, and all other amounts due and owing in respect to the Bonds.

 

Registered Owner(s) ” shall mean the Person or Persons in whose name or names the particular registered Bond or Bonds shall be registered on the Bond Register.

 

Revenues ” shall mean all payments, receipts and invoices payable by the Company to the Issuer under the Loan Agreement (except payment of Administration Expenses and indemnification payments pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 4.11 , respectively, of the Loan Agreement) and any other payments, receipts and revenues derived by the Issuer from the Company under the Loan Agreement.

 

State ” shall mean the State of Mississippi.

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Trustee ” shall mean Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Olive Branch, Mississippi, or its successor.

 

Type ” means, with respect to the Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

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United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.

 

Section 1.2                                    Accounting Terms .

 

(a)                                  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Indenture shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

 

(b)                                  If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and the Company shall so request, the Purchaser and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Purchaser and the Company); provided that , until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Company shall provide to the Purchaser financial statements and other documents required under this Indenture or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

 

Section 1.3                                    Rounding .  Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Indenture shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).  The Trustee shall not be responsible for any calculations under this Section 1.3.

 

Section 1.4                                    Times of Day .  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Central time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

Section 1.5                                    Other Interpretive Provisions .  With reference to this Indenture and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)                                  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “ include ,” “ includes ” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  The word “ will ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “ shall .”

 

(b)                                  Unless the context requires otherwise: (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the

 

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words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereunder ” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “ asset ” and “ property ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

(c)                                   In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from ” means “ from and including ;” the words “ to ” and “ until ” each mean “ to but excluding ;” and the word “ through ” means “ to and including .”

 

(d)                                  Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Indenture or any other Loan Document.

 

ARTICLE II

 

DESCRIPTION, AUTHORIZATION, MANNER OF
EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, REGISTRATION AND
TRANSFER OF BONDS

 

Section 2.1                                    Authorization of Bonds .  (a) No Bonds may be issued under the provisions of this Indenture except in accordance with this Article and shall be limited to the maximum principal amount of $38,000,000.  The proceeds of the Bonds shall be advanced from time to time by the Purchaser upon receipt by the Purchaser (with a copy to the Trustee) of a Notice of Borrowing; provided , however , no advances shall be made by the Purchaser after March 20, 2014. The Trustee shall make a notation on the grid attached to the Note of the date and amount of each such advance and each payment of principal and interest on the Bonds.  The Purchaser has agreed in the Bond Purchase Agreement to make a similar notation on the grid attached to the Bond.  To the extent of any inconsistency between the grid attached to the Note and the grid attached to the Bond, the grid attached to the Bond shall prevail. The principal amount outstanding under this Indenture shall be determined by records maintained by the Trustee and the Purchaser.  To the extent of any inconsistency between the records maintained by the Trustee and the records maintained by the Purchaser, the records maintained by the Purchaser shall prevail.  Each Notice of Borrowing submitted by the Company to the Purchaser requesting an advance of the proceeds of the Loan under the Loan Agreement, or the conversion of a Loan from one Type to the other (as described below in Section 2.1(b) ), shall be deemed a request hereunder for funding or conversion of a corresponding and equal amount under the Bonds.  Each advance of a Loan may initially be made as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan, and may be converted from one Type to another from time to time, at the request of the Company, as further provided herein.

 

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(b)                                  (i) Each conversion of a portion of the Loan from one Type to the other, and each continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be made upon the Company’s irrevocable notice to the Purchaser, which may be given by telephone.  Each such notice must be received by the Purchaser not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days prior to the requested date of any conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or of any conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan.  Each telephonic notice by the Company pursuant to this Section 2.1(b)  must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Purchaser of a written Notice of Borrowing, appropriately completed and signed by an Authorized Company Representative. Each conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or any whole dollar amount in excess thereof. Each Loan of or conversion to a Base Rate Loan shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or any whole dollar amount in excess thereof. Each Notice of Borrowing (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (1) whether the Company is requesting a conversion of the Loan from one Type to the other or a continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, (2) the requested date of the conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (3) the principal amount of the Loan to be converted or continued, and (4) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Company fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Notice of Borrowing or if the Company fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan. Any such automatic conversion to a Base Rate Loan shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Eurodollar Rate Loan. If the Company requests a conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan in any such Notice of Borrowing, but fails to specify an Interest Period, the Company will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

 

(ii)                                   Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for the Eurodollar Rate Loan.  During the existence of an Event of Default, the Loan may not be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan without the consent of the Purchaser.

 

(iii)                                The Purchaser shall promptly notify the Company of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan upon determination of such interest rate.  At any time that a Base Rate Loan is outstanding, the Purchaser shall notify the Company of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

 

(iv)                               After giving effect to all conversions of the Loan from one Type to the other, and all continuations of the Loan as the same Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect with respect to the Loan.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Purchaser shall be responsible for maintaining records of each conversion, the applicable Types and amounts of each portion of the Loan and interest payable with respect to the Loan as of each Payment Date.  The Purchaser shall notify the Trustee of each such calculation and the Trustee shall conclusively rely upon such notifications.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for the calculation the Applicable Rates or amounts of interest payable on any Payment Date.

 

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Section 2.2                                    Issuance of Bonds .  (a)  Designation of and Maximum Principal Amount of Bonds .  The Bonds shall be designated “Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 (Helen of Troy Olive Branch, MS Project)” and shall be issued under and secured by this Indenture in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $38,000,000; provided, however, that the principal amount of the Bonds, up to the maximum principal amount, may be advanced to the Issuer periodically, upon the Company’s request to the Purchaser through a Notice of Borrowing with notice of such request to the Trustee, as provided in Sections 2.1 and 2.7 of this Indenture and in the Bond Purchase Agreement. The principal amount of the Bonds Outstanding at any time shall be determined by the records maintained by the Trustee and the Purchaser pursuant to this Indenture. The Bonds and each advance thereon shall be dated the date of the respective issuance and delivery and shall mature (subject to prior redemption at the prices and dates and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth) as set forth below, shall be numbered sequentially from R-1 upward and initially shall be issued in the form of one (1) typewritten bond. The initial advance of the Bonds shall bear interest from the date of such advance. Interest shall thereafter be paid on the succeeding Interest Payment Dates on the outstanding principal of the Bonds. Except as hereinafter provided, the principal of and interest due on any Bonds shall be paid to the Registered Owner of such Bond as shown on the registration books kept by the Bond Registrar.

 

(b)                                  Maturity, Interest Rate, and Payments .  (i) After all principal has been advanced on the Bonds or to the extent of principal advanced if all has not been advanced by March 20, 2014, all interest accrued thereon shall be paid simultaneously on each Interest Payment Date.  Principal shall be payable on each Principal Payment Date and in full on the Maturity Date, if not sooner paid under Sections 2.3 or 2.4 hereof.

 

(ii)                                   The Bonds shall bear interest equal to the Applicable Rate.  Bonds may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty or premium, upon written notice to the Trustee, the Issuer, and the Purchaser as required in Section 2.4 of this Indenture; provided, however, in no event shall the Bonds be subject to redemption under Section 2.4 prior to the earlier of March 20, 2014 or six (6) months after the Completion Date.

 

(iii)                                Subject to the provisions of subsection (iv) below, (A) a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (y) the Highest Lawful Rate and (z) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin; and (B) a Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (y) the Highest Lawful Rate and (z) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(iv)                               (A)                                If any amount of principal of the Bonds is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

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(B)                                If any amount (other than principal of the Bonds) payable by the Company or any Guarantor under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Purchaser, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

(C)                                Upon the request of the Purchaser, while any Event of Default exists, the Company shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Bonds hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the lesser of (y) the Highest Lawful Rate and (z) the Default Rate, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

(D)                                Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

(v)                                  Interest on the Bonds shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

(vi)                               All payments of principal of and interest on the Bonds shall be payable in any coin or currency of the United States which, at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts and shall be made to the Registered Owner(s) thereof by check drawn and mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, on the Payment Date or by bank wire or bank transfer as such Registered Owner(s) may specify or otherwise as the Trustee and such Registered Owner(s) may agree.

 

(c)                                   Computation of Interest and Fees .  All computations of interest for a Base Rate Loan to be made by the Purchaser when the Base Rate is determined by Bank of America’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made by the Purchaser on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on the Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on the Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that if the Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day.

 

(d)                                  Inability to Determine Rates .  If the Purchaser determines that for any reason in connection with any request for a conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of the Eurodollar Rate Loan or (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Purchaser will promptly so notify the Company and the Trustee. Thereafter, the obligation of the Purchaser to convert to or maintain a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be suspended until the Purchaser revokes such notice.

 

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Upon receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a conversion of the Loan to a Base Rate Loan in the amount specified therein.

 

(e)                                   Interest Rate Limitation .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under this Indenture shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the Purchaser shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Bonds or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Company. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Purchaser exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, such Person shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term hereunder.

 

Section 2.3                                    Mandatory Redemption .  The Bonds shall be subject to mandatory redemption prior to the Maturity Date in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII hereof upon direction of the Issuer, without premium or penalty, upon payment in each case of an amount equal to the amount of the Bonds to be redeemed, together with interest accrued on such principal amount to such date, in whole or in part, at any time, (i) in case of damage or destruction to, or condemnation of the Project if the Company has determined to prepay a similar portion of the Note pursuant to the Loan Agreement or (ii) in the event and to the extent that there remains surplus funds in the Project Fund upon completion as provided in Section 3.7 of the Loan Agreement.

 

Section 2.4                                    Optional Redemption .  The Bonds are also subject to redemption and prepayment by the Issuer without premium or penalty, except as provided in Section 9.3(a)(iii)  hereof, at the written request of the Company, with such request to be provided to the Trustee and the Issuer no less than fifteen (15) days, or such lesser period of time as shall be acceptable to the Purchaser and the Trustee, prior to the redemption date, in whole or in part, upon the Issuer’s providing notice of redemption in accordance with Section 8.2 hereof and at the times in the amounts as hereinafter set forth. Provided, however, in no event shall the Bonds be subject to redemption under this Section 2.4 prior to the earlier of March 20, 2014 or six (6) months after the Completion Date.

 

Section 2.5                                    Method of Partial Redemption .  All redemptions and prepayments made by the Company are to be applied first in reduction of interest then due at the rate stated herein, and any amount remaining after such payment of said interest shall be applied in reduction of principal.

 

Section 2.6                                    Bonds Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen or Lost .

 

(a)                                  In the event any Outstanding Bond, whether temporary or definitive, is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Issuer may execute, and upon its request in writing, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Bond of the same Series, principal amount and maturity and of

 

21



 

like tenor as the mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Bond in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Bond, or in lieu of and substitution for such lost, stolen or destroyed Bond.

 

(b)                                  Application for exchange and substitution of mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Bonds shall be made to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or at such other office as designated by the Trustee. In every case the applicant for a substitute Bond shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. In every case of loss, theft or destruction of a Bond, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the loss, theft or destruction and of the ownership of such Bond, and in every case of mutilation of a Bond, the applicant shall surrender the Bond so mutilated.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6, in the event any such Bond shall have matured, and no default has occurred which is then continuing in the payment of the principal of, redemption premium (if any) or interest on the Bonds, the Issuer may authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Bond) instead of issuing a substitute Bond provided security or indemnity is furnished as above provided in this Section 2.6 .

 

(d)                                  Upon the issuance of any substitute Bond, the Issuer and the Trustee may charge the holder of such Bond with their reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. Every substitute Bond issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6 by virtue of the fact that any Bond is lost, stolen or destroyed shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Bond shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionally with any and all other Bonds duly issued under this Indenture to the same extent as the Bonds in substitution of for which such Bonds were issued.

 

(e)                                   The provisions of this Section 2.6 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all of the rights and remedies with respect to the payment of mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Bonds, including those granted by any Laws now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

Section 2.7                                    Additional Advances of Principal .  The aggregate amount of principal advances under the Bonds shall not exceed $38,000,000. Subsequent to the initial issuance of the Bonds, such advances shall be made upon the Company’s written request to the Purchaser pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing, with notice of such request to the Trustee, as provided in the Loan Agreement and the Bond Purchase Agreement and subject to the satisfaction of all conditions set forth therein as determined by the Purchaser. The proceeds of each advance made by the Purchaser to the Trustee shall be deposited by the Trustee in the Project Fund and disbursed by the Trustee as provided in Section 3.4 of the Loan Agreement and Section 5.2 of this Indenture. The Purchaser has agreed in the Bond Purchase Agreement to note the date and amount of each advance on the grid attached to the Bond but failure to make such notation shall not affect the obligation of the Company to repay such principal advance as required by the Loan Agreement and this Indenture. The principal amount of each advance shall be Outstanding under the Bonds, and the terms and provisions of this Indenture shall apply to each such advance.

 

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Section 2.8                                    Execution .

 

(a)                                  All the Bonds shall, from time to time, be executed on behalf of the Issuer by, or bear the manual or facsimile signature of, its Executive Director and its corporate seal (which may be in facsimile) shall be thereunto affixed (or imprinted or engraved if facsimile) and attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the Secretary. No party shall be liable for any loss or liability of any nature (direct or indirect) suffered by such party as a result of acting or relying on any communication which such party believes in good faith to be given or made pursuant to this Section 2.8.

 

(b)                                  If any of the officers who shall have signed or sealed any of the Bonds or whose facsimile signature shall be upon the Bonds shall cease to be such officer of the Issuer before the Bonds so signed and sealed shall have been actually authenticated by the Trustee or delivered by the Issuer, such Bonds nevertheless may be authenticated, issued and delivered with the same force and effect as though the Person or Persons who signed or sealed such Bonds or whose facsimile signature shall be upon the Bonds had not ceased to be such officers of the Issuer; and also any such Bond may be signed and sealed on behalf of the Issuer by those Persons who, at the actual date of the execution of such Bonds, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of such Bond any such Person shall not have been such officer of the Issuer.

 

Section 2.9                                    Negotiability, Transfer and Registry .

 

(a)                                  The Bonds shall only be sold, assigned or transferred as provided in this Section 2.9 and the form of Bond in Section 15.1 hereof. The Issuer hereby designates the Trustee as initial “ Bond Registrar ” to keep the books for the registration of Bonds (the “ Bond Register ”) as provided in this Indenture. All Bonds presented for exchange, redemption or payment (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee), shall be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of authorization for exchange, in form and with guaranty of signature satisfactory to the Trustee, duly executed by the Registered Owner(s) or by his attorney duly authorized in writing. No charge shall be made to Registered Owners for the registration of the Bonds except for a sum sufficient to pay any tax, fee or governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  The Issuer, the Trustee, the Bond Registrar and any Paying Agent may deem and treat the Registered Owner(s) of any registered Bond as the absolute owner of such Bond for the purpose of receiving any payment on such Bond and for all other purposes of this Indenture and the Loan Agreement, whether such Bond shall be overdue or not, and neither the Issuer, nor the Trustee, nor the Bond Registrar nor any Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Payment of, or on account of, the principal of and interest and redemption premium, if any, on any registered Bond shall be made to such Registered Owner(s) or upon his written order. All such payments shall be valid and effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability upon such Bond to the extent of the sum or sums so paid.

 

(c)                                   All Bonds issued under this Indenture otherwise shall have such attributes of negotiability as are provided for under the laws of the State.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, there shall never be more than one registered Bond.

 

Section 2.10                             Regulations with Respect to Exchanges and Transfers .  In all cases in which the privilege of exchanging Bonds or registering the transfer of Bonds is exercised, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Bonds in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. All Bonds surrendered in any such exchange or upon any such registration of transfer shall forthwith be delivered to the Trustee and canceled by it. There shall be no charge to Registered Owners for any such exchange or registration of transfer of Bonds, but the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to pay any tax or other governmental charge required to be paid with respect to any such exchange or registration of transfer. Neither the Issuer nor the Trustee shall be required (a) to register the transfer of or exchange any Bond for a period of fifteen (15) days next preceding any Interest Payment Date on such Bond or next preceding any selection of such Bond to be redeemed and after mailing of any notice of redemption, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Bond called for redemption in whole or in part.

 

Section 2.11                             Authentication .  No Bond shall be secured by this Indenture or entitled to the benefit hereof or shall be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there shall be endorsed on such Bond the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, substantially in the form prescribed in this Indenture, executed by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Trustee; and such certificate on a Bond issued by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence and the only competent evidence that such Bond has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

Section 2.12                             Destruction of Bonds .  Upon the surrender to the Trustee of any temporary or mutilated Bond, or any Bond acquired, redeemed, or paid at Maturity, the same shall forthwith be canceled and, at the written request of the Issuer, be cremated or otherwise destroyed by the Trustee, and the Trustee shall, if such Bond is so cremated or destroyed, deliver its certificate of such cremation or other destruction to the Issuer.

 

Section 2.13                             Mandatory Prepayment at the Election of Purchaser .  Not later than August 31, 2017, the Purchaser shall give written notice to the Issuer, Company and Trustee which notice shall state whether (i) the Purchaser will continue to own the Bonds upon the same or different terms after August 31, 2017, or (ii) the Purchaser is electing not to continue to own the Bonds after March 1, 2018 in which case the Bonds shall be prepaid in full on March 1, 2018.  If the Purchaser offers to continue to own the Bonds upon different terms and the Company fails to accept such terms by August 31, 2017, the Bonds shall be prepaid in full on March 1, 2018.  If the Purchaser elects to continue to own the Bonds after March 1, 2018 whether on the same or different terms, the Purchaser shall have the right to require the Company to prepay the Bonds in full each March 1 thereafter upon giving the Company (with a copy to the Issuer and the Trustee) not less than ninety (90) days’ written notice.  Any such prepayment shall be in an amount equal to the principal amount being prepaid plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of prepayment.

 

Section 2.14                             Purchase In Lieu of Mandatory Prepayment .  At the option of the Company, the Bonds may be purchased from the Purchaser by a transferee permitted under

 

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Section 2.9 hereof in lieu of mandatory prepayment on March 1, 2018 or any March 1 thereafter; provided, however, this Section 2.14 shall not alter, limit or impair the ability of the Purchaser to otherwise sell, assign or transfer the Bonds at any time pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and the other Loan Documents.

 

ARTICLE III

 

AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF BONDS

 

Section 3.1                                    Bonds Equally and Ratably Secured .  The aggregate principal amount of Bonds which may be executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee and delivered and secured by this Indenture is not limited, except as is, or may hereafter be, provided in this Indenture or as may be limited by Law. All Bonds issued and to be issued hereunder are, and are to be, to the extent provided in this Indenture, equally and ratably secured by this Indenture without preference, priority or distinction on account of the actual time or times of the authentication or delivery or maturity of the Bonds, so that, subject as aforesaid, all Bonds at any time Outstanding hereunder shall have the same right, lien and preference under and by virtue of this Indenture and shall all be equally executed, authenticated and delivered simultaneously on the date hereof, whether the same or any of them shall actually be disposed of at such date, or whether they, or any of them, shall be disposed of at some future date, or whether they, or any of them, shall have been authorized to be executed, authenticated and delivered under Section 2.11 of this Indenture or may be authorized to be executed, authenticated and delivered hereafter pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Section 3.2                                    Provisions for Issuance of Bonds .  Bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $38,000,000 shall forthwith be executed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, together with a statement as to the amount and disposition of the proceeds of the sale of such principal amount of said Bonds, and thereupon the Bonds shall be authenticated by the Trustee and shall be delivered to or upon the written order of the Executive Director of the Issuer, but only upon the receipt, from time to time, by the Trustee of the aforesaid proceeds of sale, which proceeds shall be deposited, from time to time, in the Project Fund. Each such advance in respect of the Bonds when paid for by the Purchaser at the direction of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Loan Agreement, the Bonds, including each such advance, will have been duly authorized, executed and issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding limited obligations of the Issuer enforceable in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Prior to the initial authentication and delivery of the Bonds by the Trustee, the Trustee shall also have received the following items (a) through (f), and prior to any subsequent authentication and delivery of the Bonds by the Trustee, the following item (f):

 

(a)                                  a resolution adopted by the Issuer authorizing the execution and delivery of the Loan Agreement, this Indenture, and the Bond Purchase Agreement and the issuance and delivery of the Bonds, duly certified by the Secretary, under its corporate seal, to have been duly adopted by the Issuer and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification;

 

(b)                                  the Loan Agreement, this Indenture, the Note, the Bond Purchase Agreement, and the Guaranty;

 

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(c)                                   written direction to the Trustee on behalf of the Issuer and signed by the Executive Director and by the Secretary of the Issuer to authenticate and deliver the Bonds to the Purchaser therein identified upon payment to the Trustee, but for the account of the Issuer, of a sum specified in such direction. Such proceeds shall be paid over to the Trustee and deposited in the manner provided herein;

 

(d)                                  an opinion of counsel for the Company addressed to the Issuer, the Trustee, the Purchaser, and Bond Counsel to the effect that: (i) the Company is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts and qualified to do business and in good standing under the laws of the State; (ii) the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents; (iii) the execution and delivery of each of the Loan Documents and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company; (iv) each of the Loan Documents has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws; (v) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Loan Documents, the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, constitutes or will result in a breach of the Company’s certificate of formation or bylaws, or to the knowledge of counsel, constitutes or will result in a violation of any Law that is applicable to the Company; (vi) to the knowledge of counsel, neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Loan Documents, the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, will conflict with, or result in any material breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than as provided in the Loan Documents) upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, or require any consent not obtained under, any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound or to which it is subject; and (vii) except as disclosed, to the knowledge of counsel after due inquiry, there is no action, suit or proceeding or governmental investigation pending or threatened against the Company, and no order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree against the Company before or by any court, arbitrator or governmental or administrative body that challenges the validity of any of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby; and

 

(e)                                   the approving Bond Counsel’s Opinion with respect to the validity of the Bonds; and

 

(f)                                    the certificates required by Section 8(a)  of the Bond Purchase Agreement.

 

The Trustee shall be deemed to have received all of the items set forth in this Section 3.2 upon receipt of a certificate from the Purchaser to the effect that the Purchaser has received such items.  Upon receipt of such certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate the Bonds.

 

Section 3.3                                    Limited Obligations .  The Bonds, redemption premium, if any, together with the interest thereon, are limited obligations of the Issuer payable solely by the Issuer from the Revenues and other funds and collateral pledged hereunder and under the Loan Agreement.

 

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Neither the State, nor any other political subdivision thereof, shall be obligated to pay the Bonds or the interest thereon or other costs incident thereto except from the Revenues pledged by the Issuer or other monies held hereunder for such purpose, and neither the full faith and credit nor the taxing power of the State or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or the interest on, the Bonds.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONSTRUCTION AND ACQUISITION OF PROJECT

 

Section 4.1                                    Covenant to Proceed with Reasonable Dispatch; Revision of Plans and Specifications .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the provisions of the Loan Agreement, the Issuer covenants that it will cause the Company to complete the Project with reasonable dispatch and to maintain and operate the Project in accordance with the Act.

 

(b)                                  The Company may revise the scope of the Project at any time and from time to time prior to the completion of the Project, provided, however, the Company will make no change in the scope of the Project which will cause the Project to no longer be an “economic development project” under the Act. A copy of each such revision, duly certified by an Authorized Company Representative, shall be filed with the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee.

 

Section 4.2                                    Covenant to Comply with Laws .  The Issuer covenants that in the installation and equipping of the Project it will comply and will cause the Company in all material respects to comply with all applicable requirements of the laws of the State and with all applicable lawful requirements of any agency, board or commission created under the laws of the State or any other duly constituted public authority with respect to the Project.

 

ARTICLE V

 

PROJECT FUND

 

Section 5.1                                    Establishment of Project Fund .  There is hereby created and established with the Trustee a “ Project Fund ”. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee the proceeds from the sale to the Purchaser by the Issuer of Bonds, and the Trustee shall deposit the same in the Project Fund.

 

Section 5.2                                    Use of Monies .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided herein, until the earlier of the Completion Date or March 20, 2014, the Trustee shall make payments from the Project Fund to pay or reimburse the Company for the Cost of Construction of the Project upon receipt from the Company by the Trustee of (i) original executed requisitions, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (upon which both the Trustee and the Issuer shall rely and shall be protected in relying) signed by an Authorized Company Representative and approved in writing by the Purchaser stating with

 

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respect to each payment to be made: (1) the requisition number, (2) the name and address of the Person to whom payment is due or, in the event such payment is to reimburse the Company, the name and the address of the Person to whom payment previously has been made (or, in the case of payments to the Bond Fund, instructions to make such payments to the Bond Fund), (3) the amount to be paid, (4) that no “Event of Default” under Section 7.1 of the Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing, and (5) that each obligation, item of cost or expense mentioned therein has been properly incurred, is a proper charge against the Project Fund and has not been the basis of any previous withdrawal; and (ii) copies or a listing of all invoices or statements from a contractor, vendor or other payee or other documents acceptable to the Purchaser supporting each requisition for payment from the Project Fund for the Cost of Construction of the Project to be paid or reimbursed which shall be maintained by the Trustee. The Company has agreed in the Loan Agreement to deliver a copy of each such requisition to the Purchaser.

 

(b)                                  If any contract provides for retention by the Company of a portion of the contract price, the advances delivered by the Purchaser to the Trustee for deposit into the Project Fund shall be net of any such retainage.

 

Section 5.3                                    Completion of Project .  When the Project is completed and ready to be placed in service, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, the Purchaser, and the Issuer a certificate of an Authorized Company Representative stating, as applicable, that the construction of the Project has been completed and payment, or provision therefore of the Cost of Construction of the Project has been made except for any such cost not then due and payable or the liability for payment of which is being contested or disputed in good faith by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such certificate shall state that it is given without prejudice to any rights against third parties which exist at the date thereof or which may subsequently come into being. The Issuer and the Company agree to cooperate in causing such certificates to be furnished to the Trustee, the Purchaser, and the Issuer.  No additional amounts shall be delivered to fund the Cost of Construction of the Project following delivery of the certificate under this Section 5.3 except for any such cost not then due and payable or the liability for payment of which is being contested or disputed in good faith by the Company.

 

Section 5.4                                    Completion of Project if Bond Proceeds Insufficient; Surplus Proceeds .

 

(a)                                  If the monies in the Project Fund available for payment of the Cost of Construction of the Project are not sufficient to pay such costs in full, the Company will complete or cause to be completed the Project and pay or cause to be paid all of that portion of the Cost of Construction of the Project in excess of the monies available therefore in the Project Fund. The Issuer does not make any warranty, either express or implied, that the monies which will be paid into the Project Fund will be sufficient to pay the Cost of Construction of the Project. If the Company shall pay any portion of the Cost of Construction of the Project pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.4, it shall not be entitled to any reimbursement from the Issuer, the Trustee or the holders of any of the Bonds, nor shall it be entitled to any diminution in or postponement of the Loan Payments required under Section 4.2 of the Loan Agreement and the Note to be paid by the Company.

 

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(b)                                  If, upon the Completion Date, there shall be any surplus funds remaining in the Project Fund not reserved to pay for the Cost of Construction of the Project, such funds shall, (i) be deposited in the Bond Fund and used, at the earliest date permissible under the terms of this Indenture without the payment of any premium or penalty, to pay principal on such Bonds through redemption or retirement; and (ii) be Invested as provided for in this Indenture until such time as such surplus funds are expended as provided for in this Section 5.4.

 

Section 5.5                                    Default by Contractor .  In the event of default of any supplier, contractor or subcontractor under any contract made by it in connection with the Project or in the event of a breach of warranty with respect to any materials, workmanship or performance guaranty, the Company may proceed, either separately or in conjunction with others, to pursue such remedies against the supplier, contractor or subcontractor so in default and against each surety for the performance of such contract as it may deem advisable. The Company will advise the Issuer, the Purchaser and the Trustee of the steps it intends to take in connection with any such default. If the Company shall so notify the Issuer, the Purchaser, and the Trustee, the Company may, in its own name or in the name of the Issuer, prosecute any action or proceeding or take any other action involving any such supplier, contractor, subcontractor or surety which the Company deems reasonably necessary, and in such event the Issuer will cooperate fully with the Company. Any amounts recovered by way of damages, refunds, adjustments or otherwise in connection with the foregoing prior to the Completion Date shall be applied to Costs of Construction of the Project or as provided in Section 10.10 hereof.

 

Section 5.6                                    Investment of Project Fund .  Any monies held as a part of the Project Fund or any other fund created pursuant to this Indenture shall, at the facsimile request of an Authorized Company Representative, confirmed in writing within two (2) Business Days, be Invested or reinvested by the Trustee as provided in Article VII of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

BOND FUND

 

Section 6.1                                    Establishment of Bond Fund .  There is hereby created and established a “ Bond Fund ” which shall be held by the Trustee. There shall be deposited into the Bond Fund as and when received: (a) all Loan Payments specified in Section 4.2 of the Loan Agreement and all payments made on the Note; (b) after completion of the Project, such amounts in the Project Fund as are required to be deposited in the Bond Fund by Sections 5.2 and 5.4(b)  of this Indenture; (c) any amounts to be deposited in the Bond Fund pursuant to the provisions of a supplemental Indenture; and (d) all other monies received by the Trustee and required under or pursuant to any of the provisions of the Loan Agreement, the Note, this Indenture, the Bonds, or the Guaranty Agreement to be paid into the Bond Fund. The Issuer hereby covenants and agrees that so long as any of the Bonds issued hereunder are Outstanding, it will deposit or cause to be deposited in the Bond Fund sums, but only from the Revenues or other monies or securities available therefore, sufficient to meet and pay promptly the principal, redemption premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds as the same become due and payable.

 

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Section 6.2                                    Flow of Funds .

 

(a)                                  To the extent monies are available in the Bond Fund, the Trustee shall withdraw from the Bond Fund and apply such monies on or before each Payment Date an amount which will be sufficient to pay the principal, redemption premium, if any, and interest on such Bonds which will become due on each such date in payment to the holders of the Bonds.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing provision regarding the flow of funds, as long as no Event of Default exists, hereunder, and with the written consent of any Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, the Company may, on or before each Payment Date, make all principal and interest payments required by the Note and the Loan Agreement directly to such consenting Purchaser or Purchasers, ratably in accordance with the outstanding principal amount of the Bonds held by each of them, upon providing the Trustee with notice of such payments. All such payments shall be noted in the Trustee’s records and shall be recorded on the grid attached to the Bonds.  The Trustee may conclusively rely on any such notice in carrying out its obligations under this Indenture and the Act.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SECURITY FOR AND INVESTMENT OF MONIES

 

Section 7.1                                    Security .  All monies from time to time received by the Trustee and held in any fund created under this Indenture shall be held in trust by the Trustee for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Bonds entitled to be paid therefrom, subject to the provisions of Section 11.4 of this Indenture.

 

Section 7.2                                    Investments .  Monies held by the Trustee for the credit of the Project Fund shall be initially Invested in the Investment Securities as directed by the Company. All other monies held by the Trustee for the credit of either the Project Fund or the Bond Fund shall be Invested by the Trustee as directed by the Company in Investment Securities which shall mature or be redeemable at the option of the Company before the respective dates when the monies held for the credit of such fund will be required for the purposes intended, and any earnings on or income from said Investments shall be deposited in the fund from which such Investment was made. The Company shall direct the Trustee to, Invest and reinvest the monies in any fund in Investment Securities so that the maturity date or date of redemption at the option of the Company shall coincide as nearly as practicable with the times at which monies are needed to be so expended; provided, however, the Trustee shall not be required to Invest any funds in the Bond Fund or the Project Fund in the absence of direction by the Company to do so. The Investment Securities purchased shall be held by or on behalf of the Trustee and shall be deemed at all times to be part of such fund from which such Investment was made, and the Trustee shall inform the Company of the details of all such Investments. If such Investment Securities include any book-entry government securities, the Trustee shall have such Investment Securities held in the name of the Trustee at the appropriate Federal Reserve Bank. The Trustee shall at the direction of the Company sell at the best price obtainable in accordance with usual and customary trust department procedures, or present for redemption, any Investment Securities purchased by it as an Investment whenever it shall be necessary to provide monies to meet any payment from the fund from which Investments were made. The Trustee shall advise the

 

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Company in writing each calendar month of all Investments held for the credit of each fund in its custody under the provisions of this Indenture as of the end of the preceding month and of the amount of earnings on all Investments allocable to the funds during the preceding calendar month. Investment Securities may be purchased through the Trustee.  The Trustee shall invest any moneys only at the direction of the Company, and the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss incurred as a result of complying with the directions of the Company.

 

Section 7.3                                    Transfer of Balance .  Any balance in any of the Funds created under this Indenture or otherwise held by the Trustee after all the Bonds, redemption premium, if any, together with the interest thereon, have been paid in full and all amounts due to the Trustee, Paying Agent, the Purchaser, and the Issuer have been paid, shall be paid over to the Company.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

REDEMPTION OF BONDS

 

Section 8.1                                    Method of Redemption .  Any redemption of all or any part of the Bonds which are subject to redemption shall be made in the manner provided in this Article VIII .

 

Section 8.2                                    Notice of Redemption .

 

(a)                                  In the case of any redemption, the Trustee shall give in its own name or in the name of the Issuer notice, as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.2, stating (i) that the Bonds have been called for redemption and, in the case of Bonds to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been called for redemption, (ii) that they will be due and payable on the date fixed for redemption (specifying such date) upon surrender thereof at the offices of the Trustee, at the applicable Redemption Price (specifying such price) together with accrued interest to such date, and (iii) that all interest on the Bonds (or portions thereof) so to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after such date. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or any whole dollar amount in excess thereof; and any prepayment of a Base Rate Loan shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or any whole dollar amount in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.

 

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(b)                                  Such notice shall be mailed by first class mail, in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, or some other commercially reasonable method used by the Trustee, and must be received by the Purchaser (and other holders of the Bonds, if any, at their respective addresses as the same shall last appear on the Bond Register) and the Trustee not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, and (ii) on the date of prepayment of a Base Rate Loan. If such notice is given by the Company, the Company shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required under Section 9.3(a)(iii)  hereof.

 

Section 8.3                                    Payment of Redeemed Bonds .

 

(a)                                  If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 8.2 of this Indenture, the Bonds or portions thereof called for redemption shall be due and payable on the date fixed for redemption at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, shall be made by the Trustee upon surrender of such Bonds. The Redemption Price shall be paid out of the Bond Fund. The expense of giving notice and any other expenses of redemption shall be paid by the Company. Accrued interest shall be paid out of the Bond Fund. If there shall be called for redemption less than the principal amount of a registered Bond, the Issuer shall execute and deliver and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon surrender of such Bond, and without charge to the Registered Owner(s) thereof, at the option of the Registered Owner(s), registered Bonds of like series and maturity date for the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the registered Bond so surrendered.

 

(b)                                  From and after the date fixed for redemption designated in such notice (deposit of sufficient redemption monies having been made with the Trustee and notice having been given or waived), notwithstanding that any Bonds so called for redemption in whole or in part shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, no further interest shall accrue upon the principal of any of the Bonds or portions thereof so called for redemption; and such Bonds or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall cease to be entitled to any Lien, benefit or security under this Indenture, and the holders thereof shall have no rights in respect of such Bonds or portions thereof except to receive payment of the Redemption Price and unpaid interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

Section 9.1                                    Payment of Bonds .  The Issuer will promptly pay from the Revenues and other funds and collateral pledged hereunder the principal of and the interest on every Bond issued under and secured by this Indenture at the places, on the dates and in the manner specified in this Indenture and in said Bonds according to the true intent and meaning thereof.

 

Section 9.2                                    Maintain Its Existence .  The Issuer will at all times maintain its existence and will use its best efforts to maintain, preserve and renew all its rights, powers, privileges and

 

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franchises; and it will cause the Company to covenant to remain in material compliance with all valid acts, rules, regulations, orders and directions of any legislative, executive, administrative or judicial body applicable to the Project or the Project Site.

 

Section 9.3                                    Payments Under Loan Agreement; No Amendment to Loan Agreement Without Consent .

 

(a)                                  So long as any of the Bonds are Outstanding, the Issuer will require the Company to pay, or cause to be paid, all the payments and other costs and charges payable by the Company under the Loan Agreement, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(i)                                      If any Change in Law shall:

 

(1)                                  impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, the Purchaser;

 

(2)                                  subject the Purchaser to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Indenture, or change the basis of taxation of payments to the Purchaser in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 9.5(a)  and the imposition of, or a change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by the Purchaser); or

 

(3)                                  impose on the Purchaser or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Indenture and the agreements made by the Purchaser;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to the Purchaser of making or maintaining the Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Purchaser hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of the Purchaser, the Issuer will cause the Company to pay to the Purchaser such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Purchaser for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(ii)                                   If the Purchaser determines that any Change in Law affecting the Purchaser or any Purchaser’s Office or the Purchaser’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Purchaser’s capital or on the capital of the Purchaser’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Indenture or Bonds, to a level below that which the Purchaser or the Purchaser’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration the Purchaser’s policies and the policies of the Purchaser’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Issuer shall cause the Company to pay to the Purchaser such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Purchaser or the Purchaser’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(iii)                                Upon demand of the Purchaser from time to time, the Issuer shall cause the Company to promptly compensate the Purchaser for and hold the Purchaser harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(1)                                  any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of the Loan when it is not a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for the Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or

 

(2)                                  any failure by the Company to prepay, borrow, continue or convert the Loan when it is not a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Company; or

 

(3)                                  any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain the Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

 

(iv)                               The Issuer shall also cause the Company to pay any customary administrative fees charged by the Purchaser in connection with the foregoing.

 

(b)                                  The Loan Agreement may not be amended, changed, modified, altered or terminated without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. No amendment, change, modification, alteration or termination of the Loan Agreement shall be made other than pursuant to a written instrument signed by the Issuer, the Company, and the Trustee.

 

(c)                                   The Issuer will require the Company to observe faithfully all of its covenants and agreements under the Loan Agreement and, in case the Company shall fail to make such payments or observe said covenants and agreements, the Issuer will institute and prosecute all such legal proceedings as may be appropriate for the protection of the holders of the Bonds. The Loan Agreement specifically provides that the rights of the Company under the Loan Agreement, and its right, title and interest in and to the Project, are subject to the rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee under this Indenture.

 

Section 9.4                                    Further Documents .  The Issuer covenants that it will from time to time execute and deliver such further instruments and take such further action as may be reasonable and as may be required to carry out the purpose of this Indenture; provided, however, that no such instruments or actions shall pledge the full faith and credit nor taxing power of the State, or any political subdivision of said State.

 

Section 9.5                                    Payment of Taxes and Assessments; Compliance with Regulations; No Creation of Liens or Charges .  Subject to Section 2.3 of the Loan Agreement, the Issuer will:

 

(a)                                  pay or make provision for payment of, or cause the Company to pay or make provision for payment of,

 

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(i)                                      all lawful taxes and assessments, including income, profits, property or excise taxes, if any, or other municipal or governmental charges lawfully levied or assessed by the federal, state or municipal government upon the Issuer with respect to or upon the Project or the Project Site or any part thereof or upon any payments in respect thereof under the Loan Agreement when the same shall become due;

 

(ii)                                   any and all payments by or on account of any obligations of the Company hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if the Company shall be required by Applicable Law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (1) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Purchaser receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (2) the Issuer shall make, or cause the Company to make, such deductions, and (3) the Issuer shall timely pay, or cause the Company to timely pay, the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law;

 

(iii)                                any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law;

 

(iv)                               indemnification payments to the Purchaser within ten (10) days after demand therefore, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Purchaser, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority, with a certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Issuer or the Company by the Purchaser to be conclusive absent manifest error; provided , that if the Purchaser determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Issuer or the Company or with respect to which the Issuer or the Company has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, the Purchaser shall pay to the Issuer or the Company, as the case may be, an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Issuer or the Company under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Purchaser and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided, further, that the Issuer, upon the request of the Purchaser, agrees to repay, or shall cause the Company to repay, the amount paid over to the Issuer or the Company, as the case may be, (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Purchaser in the event the Purchaser is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority; and

 

(v)                                  as soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Issuer or the Company to a Governmental Authority, the Issuer shall deliver, or cause the Company to deliver, to the Purchaser the original or a certified copy

 

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of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, provided that this subsection (a) shall not be construed to require the Purchaser to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Company or any other Person; and

 

(b)                                  not create or suffer to be created any Lien upon the payments in respect to the Loan Agreement or the Note; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9.5 shall require the Issuer or the Company to pay any tax or assessment, observe or comply with any requirement or pay or cause to be discharged or make provision for any such Lien so long as the validity thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceeding duly prosecuted or there shall have been provided a bond reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to discharge such Lien.

 

Section 9.6                                    Extension of Payment of Bonds .  In order to prevent any accumulation of claims for interest after the Maturity Date of the Bonds, the Issuer will not directly or indirectly extend or assent to the extension of time of payment of any claims for interest on any of the Bonds and will not directly or indirectly be a party to or approve any such arrangement by purchasing or funding such claims for interest or in any other manner. In case any such claim for interest shall be extended or funded in violation of this Section 9.6, such claim for interest shall not be entitled, in case of any default under this Indenture, to the benefit or security of this Indenture, except subject to the prior payment in full of the principal of and redemption premium (if any) on all Bonds issued and Outstanding under this Indenture, and of all claims for interest which shall not have been so extended or funded.

 

ARTICLE X

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 10.1                             Events of Default .  In case one or more of the following events, in this Indenture referred to as the “ Events of Default ”, shall occur and be continuing, that is to say, if:

 

(a)                                  payment of the principal of, redemption premium (if any), or interest on the Bonds shall not be made when the same shall become due and payable; or

 

(b)                                  the occurrence and continuance of an “event of default” under any of the Loan Documents after giving effect to any applicable grace period; or

 

(c)                                   the Issuer shall fail to observe or perform in any material way any covenant, condition, agreement or provision contained in the Bonds or in this Indenture on the part of the Issuer to be performed other than those set forth in (a) and (b) of this Section 10.1, and such failure shall continue for thirty (30) days after written notice specifying such failure and requiring the same to be remedied shall have been given to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Company by the Purchaser;

 

then, in each such case, unless the principal of all the Bonds shall have become due and payable otherwise than by acceleration, the Trustee may, and upon written request of the Purchaser, shall by written notice given to the Issuer and the Company by the Trustee, declare the principal of all

 

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Bonds then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration the said principal, together with interest accrued thereon, shall become due and payable immediately at the place of payment provided in the said notice, anything in this Indenture or in said Bonds to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

The above provisions, however, are subject to the condition that, an Event of Default may be waived upon the consent of the Purchaser, or if there is more than one Registered Owner, upon the consent of the holders of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of principal amount of the Bonds then Outstanding.

 

Section 10.2                             Right to Declare Bonds Due and Payable .  In any case in which under the provisions of Section 10.1 of this Indenture the Trustee has the right to declare the principal of all Bonds then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately, or when the Bonds by their terms mature (upon redemption or otherwise) and are not paid, the Trustee, as the assignee and pledgee of all the right, title and interest of the Issuer in and to the Loan Agreement, may enforce each and every right granted to the Issuer under the Loan Agreement, except those rights specifically retained by the Issuer; provided, however, the Trustee shall only declare Bonds due and payable pursuant to this Section 10.2 if so directed by the Purchaser.

 

Section 10.3                             Proceedings by Trustee .  Upon the happening and continuance of any Event of Default, then and in every such case the Trustee in its discretion may, and upon the written request of the Purchaser and the receipt of indemnification by the Purchaser satisfactory to the Trustee, shall:

 

(a)                                  by mandamus, or other suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity,
enforce all rights of the Bondholders and require the Issuer or the Company to carry out any agreements with or for the benefit of the Bondholders and to perform its or their duties under the Act, the Loan Agreement and this Indenture;

 

(b)                                  bring suit upon the Bonds;

 

(c)                                   by action or suit in equity require the Issuer to account as if it were the trustee of an express trust for the Bondholders;

 

(d)                                  by action or suit in equity enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the Bondholders;

 

(e)                                   exercise any and all rights available under law, including but not limited to the rights of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State.

 

(f)                                    exercise its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents.

 

Section 10.4                             Effect of Discontinuance or Abandonment .  In case any proceeding taken by the Trustee on account of any default shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Trustee and the Bondholders shall be restored to their former positions and rights

 

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under this Indenture, respectively, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

 

Section 10.5                             Rights of the Purchaser .  Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the happening and continuance of any Event of Default, the Purchaser shall have the sole right to declare an Event of Default, upon providing the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, by an instrument in writing executed and delivered to the Trustee, the Purchaser shall have the sole right to direct the method and place of conducting all remedial proceedings to be taken by the Trustee under this Indenture.

 

Section 10.6                             Restriction on Bondholder’s Action .  No holder of any of the Bonds shall have any right to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law for the enforcement of any trust under this Indenture, or any other remedy under this Indenture, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default as hereinabove provided and shall have made written request of the Trustee to institute any such suit, action, proceeding or other remedy, after the right to exercise such powers or rights of action, as the case may be, shall have accrued, and shall have afforded the Trustee a reasonable opportunity either to proceed to exercise the powers in this Indenture granted, or to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its or their name; nor unless there also shall have been offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee shall not have complied with such request within a reasonable time; and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case, at the option of the Trustee, to be conditions precedent to the execution of the trusts of this Indenture or for any other remedy under this Indenture; it being understood and intended that no one or more Registered Owner(s) of the Bonds secured by this Indenture shall have any right in any manner whatever by his or their action to affect, disturb or prejudice the security of this Indenture, or to enforce any right under this Indenture or under the Bonds, except in the manner in this Indenture provided, and that all proceedings at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner in this Indenture provided and for the equal benefit of all holders of Outstanding Bonds. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.6 or any other provision of this Indenture, (a) the obligation of the Issuer shall be absolute and unconditional to pay, but solely from the Revenues and other funds and collateral pledged under this Indenture, the principal of and interest on the Bonds to the respective holders thereof at the respective due dates thereof, and nothing herein shall affect or impair the right of action, which is absolute and unconditional, of such Registered Owner(s) to enforce such payment; and (b) upon providing satisfactory indemnification to the Trustee, the Purchaser may exercise the rights of the Trustee under this Indenture including consolidating any actions or remedies under this Indenture with any actions and remedies available to the Issuer under the Loan Agreement.

 

Section 10.7                             Power of Trustee to Enforce .  All rights of action under this Indenture or under any of the Bonds secured by this Indenture which are enforceable by the Trustee may be enforced by it only at the direction of the Purchaser.  Any such rights of action may be enforced without the possession of any of the Bonds, or the production thereof at the trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such suit, action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee

 

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shall be brought in its own name, as trustee, for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Bonds subject to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Section 10.8                             Remedies Not Exclusive .  No remedy in this Indenture conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the holders of the Bonds is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to every other remedy given under this Indenture or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute.

 

Section 10.9                             Effect of Waiver .  No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Registered Owner(s) of the Bonds to exercise any right or power accruing upon any default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or Event of Default, or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article X to the Trustee and to the holders of the Bonds, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient.

 

Section 10.10                      Application of Monies .  Any monies held by the Trustee or received by the Trustee pursuant to this Article X shall, after payment of all Administration Expenses and all costs and expenses of the proceedings resulting in the collection of such monies and of the expenses, liabilities and advances incurred or made by the Trustee and the fees and expenses, if any of the Issuer in carrying out this Indenture or the Agreement, be deposited in the Bond Fund and be applied as follows:

 

FIRST - To the payment of the Persons entitled thereto of all installments of interest then due on the Bonds, in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest and, if the amount available shall not be sufficient to pay in full any particular installment, then to the payment ratably, according to the amounts due on such installment, to the Persons entitled thereto, without any discrimination or privilege;

 

SECOND - To the payment to the Persons entitled thereto of the unpaid principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Bonds which shall have become due (other than Bonds matured or called for redemption for the payment of which monies are held pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture), in the order of their due dates, with interest on such Bonds from the respective dates upon which they became due until paid and, if the amount available shall not be sufficient to pay in full the Bonds due on any particular date, together with such interest, then to the payment ratably, according to the amount of principal due on such date, to the Persons entitled thereto without any discrimination or privilege;

 

THIRD - To be held for the payment to the Persons entitled thereto as the same shall become due of the principal of and interest on the Bonds which may thereafter become due either at maturity or upon call for redemption prior to maturity and, if the amount available shall not be sufficient to pay in full Bonds due on any particular date, together with interest then due and owing thereon, payment shall be made ratably according to the amount of principal due on such date to the Persons entitled thereto without any discrimination or privilege; and

 

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FOURTH - To the Company, provided, however, that no monies shall be paid to the Company until the Trustee is satisfied that no other Persons are owed monies under this Indenture, the Loan Agreement and the Note.

 

Whenever monies are to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.10 , such monies shall be applied at such times, and from time to time, as the Trustee shall determine, having due regard to the amount of such monies available for application and the likelihood of additional monies becoming available for such application in the future. Whenever the Trustee shall apply such funds, it shall fix the date (which shall be a Payment Date unless it shall deem another date more suitable) upon which such application is to be made and upon such date interest on the amounts of principal to be paid on such dates shall cease to accrue. The Trustee shall give, by mailing as it may deem appropriate, such notice of the deposit with it of any such monies and of the fixing of any such date.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 11.1                             Appointment and Acceptance of Duties .  The Trustee hereby accepts and agrees to the trusts hereby created, but only upon the additional terms set forth in this Article XI , to all of which the Issuer agrees and the respective holders of the Bonds by their purchase and acceptance thereof, agree.

 

Section 11.2                             Responsibilities .  The recitals, statements and representations in this Indenture or in the Bonds contained, save only the Trustee’s certificate of authentication upon the Bonds, shall be taken and construed as made by and on the part of the Issuer, and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee does not assume, and shall not have, any responsibility or obligation for the correctness of any recitals, statements and representations in this Indenture. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for any funds other than those funds actually paid to or received or held by it hereunder.

 

Section 11.3                             Powers .  The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers of this Indenture and perform the duties required of it under this Indenture by or through attorneys, agents, receivers, or employees, and shall be entitled to obtain and rely on advice of counsel concerning all matters of trust and its duty under this Indenture and the Trustee shall not be answerable for the default or misconduct of any such attorney, agent, receiver, or employee selected by it with reasonable care. The Trustee shall not be answerable for the exercise of any discretion or power under this Indenture or for anything whatever in connection with the trusts in this Indenture created, except only for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

Section 11.4                             Compensation .  The Company shall pay to the Trustee reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it under this Indenture and also all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, charges and other disbursements and those of its outside attorneys and agents incurred in and about the administration and execution of the trusts by this Indenture created and the performance of its powers and duties under this Indenture. In default of such payment, the Trustee may deduct the same from any monies coming into its hands and shall be entitled to a preference in payment over any of the Bonds Outstanding under this Indenture.

 

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Section 11.5                             No Duty to Maintain Insurance .  The Trustee shall be under no duty to effect or to renew any policies of insurance or under any liability for the failure of the Issuer or the Company to effect or renew insurance; or to report or file claims or proofs of loss for any loss or damage insured against or which may occur; nor shall the Trustee be liable as an insurer.

 

Section 11.6                             Notice of Event of Default .  Except as provided in Section 10.6 hereof, the Trustee shall not be required to take notice, or to be deemed to have notice, of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture other than a default or Event of Default under Section 10.1(a)  of this Indenture, unless specifically notified in writing of such default or Event of Default by the Purchaser. The Trustee may, however, at any time, in its discretion, require of the Issuer full information and advice as to the performance of any of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained in this Indenture.

 

Section 11.7                             Action Upon Default .  The Trustee shall be under no obligations to take any action in respect to any default or Event of Default or otherwise, or toward the execution or enforcement of any of the trusts by this Indenture created, or to institute, appear in or defend any suit or other proceeding in connection therewith, unless requested in writing so to do by the Purchaser, and if in its opinion such action may tend to involve it in expense or liability, unless furnished, from time to time as often as it may require, with reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it; but the foregoing provisions are intended only for the protection of the Trustee, and shall not affect any discretion or power given by any provisions of this Indenture to the Trustee to take action in respect of any default or Event of Default without such notice or request from the Bondholders, or without security or indemnity.

 

Section 11.8                             Compensation and Reimbursement; Limitation of Liability .

 

(a)                                  The Trustee shall be protected and shall incur no liability in acting or proceeding in good faith upon any resolution, notice, telegram, request, consent, waiver, certificate, statement, affidavit, voucher, bond, requisition or other paper or document which it shall in good faith believe to be genuine and to have been authorized or signed by the proper Person or to have been prepared and furnished pursuant to any of the provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation or inquiry as to any statements contained or matters referred to in any such instrument, but may accept and rely upon the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statements. The Trustee shall not be bound to recognize any Person as a holder of any Bond or to take any action at his request unless such Bond shall be deposited with the Trustee or evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the ownership of such Bond shall be furnished to the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  The Company agrees:

 

(i)                                      to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(ii)                                   except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture

 

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(including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and outside counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its gross negligence or bad faith; and

 

(iii)                                to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold harmless against, any loss, damages, claims, liability or expense of whatsoever kind incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 11.8 , the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Bonds upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such. Any expenses and compensation for any services rendered by the Trustee after the occurrence of an Event of Default shall constitute expenses and compensation for services of administration under all applicable Debtor Relief Laws and if the Trustee shall not be compensated for such costs, the Trustee may reimburse itself from such property or funds and shall be entitled to a preference therefore over any Bonds Outstanding hereunder.

 

(c)                                   The provisions of this Section 11.8 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.9                             Relationship of Trustee .  The Trustee and any bank or trust company in common control with the Trustee, as principal or agent, may engage in or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Issuer or the Company, and may act as depository, trustee, or agent for any committee or body of holders of the Bonds issued under or secured by this Indenture or other obligations of the Issuer as freely as if it were not Trustee under this Indenture.

 

Section 11.10                      No Duty to Invest .  The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest upon any monies which it may at any time receive under any of the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it may agree in writing with the Issuer or the Company to pay thereon. The Trustee shall incur no liability for any losses incurred in connection with any Investment of funds by it made in accordance with this Indenture, subject to Section 11.3 of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.11                      Reserved .

 

Section 11.12                      Resignation .  The Trustee may at any time and for any reason resign and be discharged of the trusts created by this Indenture by executing an instrument in writing resigning such trust and specifying the date when such resignation shall take effect, and filing the same with the Secretary of the Issuer not less than thirty (30) days before the date specified in such instrument when such resignation shall take effect. Such resignation shall take effect on the day specified in such instrument and notice, unless a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed and accepted such appointment as hereinafter provided, in which event such resignation shall take effect immediately on the appointment of and acceptance by such successor Trustee.

 

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Section 11.13                      Removal .  The Trustee at any time and for any reason may be removed by an instrument in writing appointing a successor filed with the Trustee so removed and executed by the holders of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of principal amount of the Bonds then Outstanding.

 

Section 11.14                      Appointment of Successor Trustee .

 

(a)                                  In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed, or be dissolved, or if its property or affairs shall be taken under the control of any state or federal court or administrative body because of insolvency or bankruptcy, or for any other reason, a vacancy shall forthwith and ipso facto exist in the office of Trustee and a successor may be appointed by the Registered Owner(s) of greater than fifty percent (50%) in aggregate principal amount of the Bonds then Outstanding, by an instrument or instruments in writing filed with the Secretary of the Issuer, signed by such Bondholders or by their attorneys-in-fact duly authorized in writing. Copies of each instrument shall be promptly delivered by the Issuer to the predecessor Trustee and to the Trustee so appointed.

 

(b)                                  Until a successor Trustee shall be appointed by the Bondholders as authorized by this Section 11.14, the Issuer, by an instrument authorized by resolution, shall appoint a Trustee to fill such vacancy. Any new Trustee so appointed by the Issuer shall immediately and without further act be superseded by a Trustee appointed by the Bondholders in the manner hereinabove in this Section 11.14 provided.

 

Section 11.15                      Successor to be Bank or Trust Company .  Every successor in the trust hereunder appointed pursuant to Section 11.14 of this Indenture shall be a bank or trust company organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof with trust powers, having combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 if such a bank or trust company willing and able to accept the trust on customary terms can, with reasonable effort, be located.

 

Section 11.16                      Failure to Appoint a Successor Trustee .  In case at any time the Trustee shall resign and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall be made pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Article XI prior to the date specified in the notice of resignation as the date when such resignation shall take effect, the Trustee or the holder of any Bond may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a successor Trustee.

 

Section 11.17                      Acceptance by Successor Trustee .

 

(a)                                  Any successor Trustee appointed under this Article XI shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer an instrument accepting such appointment under this Indenture, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become duly vested with all the estates, property, rights, powers, trusts, duties and obligations of its predecessor in the trust under this Indenture, with like effect as if originally named Trustee in this Indenture. Upon request of such successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act and the Issuer shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the estates, property, rights, powers and trusts under this Indenture of the Trustee so ceasing

 

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to act, and the Trustee so ceasing to act shall pay over to the successor Trustee all monies and other assets at the time held by it under this Indenture.

 

(b)                                  Any Trustee ceasing to act shall nevertheless retain a Lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such Trustee to secure any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.4 of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.18                      Merger or Consolidation .  Any corporation or association into which any Trustee under this Indenture may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or association resulting from any merger or consolidation to which any Trustee under this Indenture shall be a party, or any corporation or association to which any Trustee under this Indenture may transfer all or substantially all of its assets or its corporate trust business, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

Section 11.19                      Action Upon Event of Default .  Except as provided in Section 10.6 hereof and notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article XI, the Trustee shall, during the existence of an Event of Default known to the Trustee, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of skill and care in their exercise as a prudent man would use and exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs; provided, however, that the liability of the Trustee shall only be to the extent provided in Section 11.3 of this Indenture and shall be subject to the indemnity of the Company in Section 11.8 of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.20                      Notice of Occurrence of Event of Default .  Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall, within fifteen (15) days of such Event of Default becoming known to the Trustee give written notice thereof by mail to each Registered Owner(s) of registered Bonds then Outstanding at his last address appearing upon the Bond Register, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured before the giving of such notice.

 

Section 11.21                      Intervention by Trustee .  In any judicial proceeding to which the Issuer is a party and which in the opinion of the Trustee and its counsel has a substantial bearing on the interests of holders of the Bonds, the Trustee may in its own name and as trustee of an express trust intervene on behalf of the holders of the Bonds and shall, upon receipt of indemnity satisfactory to it, do so if requested in writing by the Purchaser if permitted by the court having jurisdiction in the premises.

 

Section 11.22                      Appointment and Acceptance of Paying Agents .  The Trustee is hereby appointed and does hereby accept its appointment as Paying Agent for the Bonds. The Issuer may at any time or from time to time appoint one or more other Paying Agents for the Bonds or any other Bonds, in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.23 of this Indenture for the appointment of a successor Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) shall signify its acceptance of the duties and obligations imposed upon it by written instrument of acceptance deposited with the Issuer and the Trustee.

 

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Section 11.23                      Resignation or Removal of Paying Agent; Appointment of Successor .

 

(a)                                  Any Paying Agent may at any time resign and be discharged of the duties and obligations created by this Indenture by giving at least sixty (60) days written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee. Any Paying Agent may be removed at any time by an instrument filed with such Paying Agent and the Trustee and signed by the Purchaser. Any successor Paying Agent shall be appointed by the Issuer, with the approval of the Trustee and the Purchaser and shall be a bank or trust company duly organized under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof, having a capital stock and surplus aggregating at least $50,000,000 and willing and able to accept the office on reasonable and customary terms and authorized by Applicable Law to perform all the duties imposed upon it by this Indenture.

 

(b)                                  In the event of the resignation or removal of any Paying Agent, such Paying Agent shall pay over, assign and deliver any monies held by it as Paying Agent to its successor, or to the Trustee. In the event that for any reason there shall be a vacancy in the office of any Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such Paying Agent.

 

Section 11.24                      Trust Estate May Be Vested in Separate or Co-Trustee .  It is the purpose of this Indenture that there shall be no violation of any Laws (including particularly the laws of the State) denying or restricting the right of banking corporations or associations to transact business as trustee in such jurisdiction. It is recognized that in case of litigation under this Indenture, the Loan Agreement or the Note, and in particular in case of the enforcement of either upon default, or in case the Trustee deems that by reason of any present or future Law of any jurisdiction it may not exercise any of the powers, rights or remedies herein granted to the Trustee or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in connection therewith, it may be necessary that the Trustee appoint an additional individual or institution as a separate or co-trustee. The following provisions of this Section 11.24 are adopted to these ends:

 

(a)                                  In the event that the Trustee appoints an additional individual or institution as a separate or co-trustee, each and every remedy, power, right, claim, demand, cause of action, immunity, estate, title, interest and lien expressed or intended by this Indenture to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to the Trustee with respect thereto shall be exercisable by and vest in such separate or co-trustee but only to the extent necessary to enable such separate or co-trustee to exercise such powers, rights and remedies, and every covenant and obligation necessary to the exercise thereof by such separate or co-trustee shall run to and be enforceable by either of them.

 

(b)                                  Should any deed, conveyance or instrument in writing from the Issuer be required by the separate trustee or co-trustee so appointed by the Trustee for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to him or it such properties, rights, powers, trusts, duties and obligations, any and all such deeds, conveyances and instruments in writing shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Issuer. In case any separate trustee or co-trustee, or a successor to either, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign, be removed or be dissolved, or shall be in the course of dissolution or liquidation, all the estates, properties, rights, powers, trusts, duties and obligations of such separate trustee or co-trustee, so far as permitted by Law, shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee until the appointment of a new trustee or successor to such separate trustee or co-trustee.

 

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ARTICLE XII

 

EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS BY BONDHOLDERS AND
PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF BONDS

 

Section 12.1                             Execution of Instruments; Proof of Ownership .  Any request, direction, consent or other instrument in writing required or permitted by this Indenture to be signed or executed by Bondholders may be in any number of concurrent instruments of similar tenor and may be signed or executed by such Bondholders in person or by agent appointed by an instrument in writing. Proof of the execution of any such instrument and of the ownership of Bonds shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and shall be conclusive in favor of the Trustee and any Paying Agent with regard to any action taken, suffered or omitted by any of them under such instrument if made in the following manner:

 

(a)                                  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved by the certificate of any officer in any jurisdiction who, by the Laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments within such jurisdiction, to the effect that the Person signing such instrument acknowledged before him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution.

 

(b)                                  The fact of the holding of Bonds under this Indenture by any Bondholder and the serial numbers of such Bonds and the date of his holding the same shall be proved by the Bond Register.

 

(c)                                   Nothing contained in this Article XII shall be construed as limiting the Trustee to such proof, it being intended that the Trustee may accept any other evidence of the matters in this Article XII stated which to it may seem sufficient. Any request or consent of the holder of any Bond shall bind every future holder of the same Bond and any Bond or Bonds issued in exchange or substitution therefore or upon the registration of transfer thereof in respect of anything done by the Trustee in pursuance of such request or consent.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE AND SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURES

 

Section 13.1                             Supplemental Indentures With Consent of the Company, But Without Consent of Bondholders .  Subject to the conditions and restrictions in this Indenture contained, the Issuer, when the execution hereof is consented to in writing by the Company, may, without the consent of the Bondholders, enter into a Supplemental Indenture or Supplemental Indentures which thereafter shall form a part of this Indenture, for any one or more of the following purposes:

 

(a)                                  to add to the covenants and agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture, other covenants and agreements thereafter to be observed, and to surrender any right or power in this Indenture reserved to or conferred upon the Issuer;

 

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(b)                                  to cure any ambiguity or to cure, correct or supplement any inconsistent provision contained in this Indenture or in any Supplemental Indenture;

 

and the Issuer hereby covenants that it will perform all the requirements of any such Supplemental Indenture which may be in effect from time to time; but no restriction or obligation imposed by this Indenture upon the Issuer in respect of any of the Bonds Outstanding under this Indenture may, except as otherwise provided in Section 13.3 of this Indenture, be waived or modified by such Supplemental Indenture, or otherwise. Nothing in this Article XIII contained shall affect or limit the right or obligation of the Issuer to execute and deliver to the Trustee any instrument of further assurance or other instrument which elsewhere in this Indenture it is provided shall be delivered to the Trustee.

 

Section 13.2                             Trustee Authorized to Enter Supplemental Indenture .  The Trustee is hereby authorized to enter into with the Issuer any Supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture, and to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, and the Trustee, in entering into any Supplemental Indenture, shall be fully protected in relying on an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that such Supplemental Indenture is authorized or permitted by the provisions of this Indenture and is not inconsistent with this Indenture.

 

Section 13.3                             Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Bondholders and the Company .

 

(a)                                  Any modification or alteration of this Indenture or of the rights and obligations of the Issuer or of the holders of the Bonds may be made with the consent of the Company and the Purchaser.

 

(b)                                  For the purposes of this Indenture, the Bonds shall be deemed to be affected by a modification or amendment of this Indenture if the same adversely affects or diminishes the rights of the holders of Bonds. In determining whether such modification or amendment of this Indenture adversely affects or diminishes the rights of the holders of Bonds, the Trustee may rely upon an opinion of Bond Counsel.

 

(c)                                   For all purposes of this Article XIII , the Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon an opinion of counsel with respect to the extent, if any, to which any action affects the rights under this Indenture of any holders of Bonds then Outstanding.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 14.1                             Dissolution of Issuer .  In the event of the dissolution of the Issuer, all the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained, by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Issuer, shall bind or inure to the benefit of the successors of the Issuer from time to time and any officer, board, commission, agency or instrumentality to whom or to which any power or duty of the Issuer shall be transferred.

 

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Section 14.2                             Parties Interested Herein .  Except as in this Indenture otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this Indenture expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any Person other than the Company, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Purchaser of the Bonds issued under this Indenture, any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture, this Indenture being intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Purchaser of the Bonds issued under this Indenture.

 

Section 14.3                             Severability of Invalid Provisions .  If any provision of this Indenture or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Indenture and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 14.4                             No Recourse on Bonds .  No covenant or agreement contained in the Bonds or in this Indenture shall be deemed to be the covenant or agreement of any member, agent, or employee of the Issuer in his individual capacity, and neither the members of the Issuer nor any official executing the Bonds shall be liable personally on the Bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

 

Section 14.5                             Notice .  All notices, certificates, requests or other communications under this Indenture shall be sufficiently given and shall be deemed given, unless otherwise required by this Indenture, when received by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture), postage prepaid; or when received by overnight delivery; or when personally delivered; addressed as follows:

 

If to the Issuer:

Mississippi Business Finance Corporation

 

735 Riverside Drive, Suite 300

 

Jackson, Mississippi  39202

 

Attention:  Executive Director

 

Telephone Number:  (601) 355-6232

 

Facsimile Number:  (601) 355-3888

 

 

If to the Trustee:

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company

 

Trust & Securities Services

 

6810 Crumpler Blvd., Suite 100

 

Olive Branch, MS 38654

 

Attention:  John C. Robertson, Vice President

 

Telephone Number:  (662)890-0109

 

Facsimile Number:  (662)890-0114

 

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If to the Company:

Kaz USA, Inc.

 

c/o Helen of Troy L.P.

 

1 Helen of Troy Plaza

 

El Paso, Texas 79912

 

Attention:

Thomas J. Benson,

 

 

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

Telephone Number:  (915) 225-4894

 

Facsimile Number:  (915) 225-8002

 

 

With a copy to:

Office of the General Counsel

 

Telephone Number:  (915) 225-8033

 

Facsimile Number:  (915) 225-8081

 

 

With a copy to:

Andre Miranda, Treasurer

 

Telephone Number:  (915) 225-4854

 

Facsimile Number:  (915) 225-8002

 

 

If to the Purchaser:

Bank of America, N.A.

 

TX4-213-07-05

 

700 Louisiana — 7th Floor

 

Houston, Texas  77002

 

Attention:

Gary Mingle,

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

Telephone Number:  (713) 247-6447

 

Facsimile Number:  (713) 247-7748

 

A duplicate copy of each notice, certificate, request or other communication given under this Indenture to the Issuer, the Company, the Purchaser or the Trustee shall also be given to the others. The Company, the Issuer and the Trustee may, by notice given under this Section 14.5 , designate any further or different addresses to which subsequent notices, certificates, requests or other communications shall be sent. In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impractical to mail to the Registered Owner(s) of registered Bonds notice of any event when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice, provided, however, that the Bondholder receives actual notice.

 

Section 14.6                             Counterparts .  This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

 

Section 14.7                             Governing Law .  This Indenture shall be governed as to validity, construction and performance by the laws of the State, excluding any choice of law rules that may direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

Section 14.8                             Purchaser Approval .  Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture and the Loan Agreement, whenever the approval, waiver, or consent of Purchaser is required herein,

 

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such approval, waiver, or consent shall be signified upon the unanimous written consent of the Persons collectively identified as “Purchaser” in this Indenture.

 

Section 14.9                             Entire Agreement .  THE LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES REGARDING THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREIN AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS. OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES, THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN. THE PARTIES.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

BOND FORM

 

Section 15.1                             Form of Bonds .  The Bonds to be issued under this Indenture, the form of Assignment, the provisions for registration and the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be in substantially the following form, respectively, with necessary and appropriate variations, omissions and insertions as permitted or required by this Indenture:

 

[Intentionally left blank]

 

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