UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
or
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 001-34628
QuinStreet, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware | 77-0512121 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
|
950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor Foster City, California |
94404 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
650-578-7700
Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | x | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2011: 47,641,625
QUINSTREET, INC.
2
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, | June 30, | |||||||
2011 | 2011 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 106,469 | $ | 132,290 | ||||
Marketable securities |
38,831 | 34,927 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
56,982 | 48,225 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets |
10,253 | 10,253 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
2,771 | 5,773 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
215,306 | 231,468 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
9,650 | 8,875 | ||||||
Goodwill |
227,977 | 211,856 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net |
72,954 | 65,847 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets, noncurrent |
5,864 | 5,866 | ||||||
Other assets, noncurrent |
983 | 1,012 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 532,734 | $ | 524,924 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 28,055 | $ | 23,300 | ||||
Accrued liabilities |
27,830 | 33,238 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
2,247 | 2,531 | ||||||
Debt |
14,377 | 10,038 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
72,509 | 69,107 | ||||||
Debt, noncurrent |
89,424 | 96,010 | ||||||
Other liabilities, noncurrent |
4,882 | 4,418 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
166,815 | 169,535 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8) |
||||||||
Stockholders equity |
||||||||
Common stock: $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
|
50 | 50 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
260,696 | 255,689 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (2,177,452 shares at September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011) |
(7,779 | ) | (7,779 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
80 | 51 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
112,872 | 107,378 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders equity |
365,919 | 355,389 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 532,734 | $ | 524,924 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
4
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 5,494 | $ | 7,501 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
7,108 | 5,897 | ||||||
Provision for sales returns and doubtful accounts receivable |
36 | (470 | ) | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
3,374 | 3,730 | ||||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation |
(35 | ) | (287 | ) | ||||
Other non-cash adjustments, net |
243 | 15 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(6,087 | ) | (10,008 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
3,155 | (1,852 | ) | |||||
Other assets, noncurrent |
29 | 20 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
4,487 | 6,960 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities |
(7,307 | ) | (2,727 | ) | ||||
Deferred revenue |
(339 | ) | 70 | |||||
Other liabilities, noncurrent |
519 | (5 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
10,677 | 8,844 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(753 | ) | (902 | ) | ||||
Business acquisitions, net of notes payable and cash acquired |
(30,204 | ) | (34,121 | ) | ||||
Internal software development costs |
(559 | ) | (384 | ) | ||||
Purchases of marketable securities |
(9,610 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities |
5,433 | | ||||||
Other investing activities |
28 | (6 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(35,665 | ) | (35,413 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
||||||||
Payments for issuance of common stock |
| (5 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options |
1,817 | 2,095 | ||||||
Principal payments on bank debt |
(1,313 | ) | (900 | ) | ||||
Principal payments on acquisition-related notes payable |
(1,213 | ) | (3,365 | ) | ||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation |
35 | 287 | ||||||
Withholding taxes related to restricted stock net share settlement |
(184 | ) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(858 | ) | (1,888 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
25 | (19 | ) | |||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(25,821 | ) | (28,476 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
132,290 | 155,770 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 106,469 | $ | 127,294 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information |
||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
1,048 | 1,006 | ||||||
Cash paid for taxes |
113 | 5,763 | ||||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities |
||||||||
Notes payable issued in connection with business acquisitions |
161 | 2,870 |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
5
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
( Unaudited)
1. The Company
QuinStreet, Inc. (the Company) is an online vertical marketing and media company. The Company was incorporated in California on April 16, 1999 and reincorporated in Delaware on December 31, 2009. The Company provides vertically oriented customer acquisition programs for its clients. The Company also provides hosted solutions for direct selling companies. The corporate headquarters are located in Foster City, California, with offices in Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, India and the United Kingdom.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2011 and for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are unaudited. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, as filed with the SEC on August 30, 2011. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2011 included herein was derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures, including notes required by GAAP.
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and in the opinion of management include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair statement of the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011, its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and its condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 or any other future period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accounting Policies
The Companys significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. There have been no significant changes in the accounting policies subsequent to June 30, 2011.
6
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Concentrations of Credit Risk
One client represented 10% of net accounts receivable as of September 30, 2011. No client represented 10% or more of net accounts receivable as of June 30, 2011 or 10% or more of net revenue for any period presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2011, the FASB issued an update to the accounting standard for goodwill and intangibles. The revised standard is intended to simplify the goodwill impairment test by providing an option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of the revised standard on July 1, 2012 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
3. Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders and Net Income per Share
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, including potential dilutive shares of common stock assuming the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method.
7
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share:
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||
Basic and Diluted: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 5,494 | $ | 7,501 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Denominator: |
||||||||
Basic: |
||||||||
Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing basic net income per share |
47,505 | 45,098 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Diluted: |
||||||||
Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing basic net income per share |
47,505 | 45,098 | ||||||
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities: |
||||||||
Stock options |
1,433 | 2,014 | ||||||
Restricted stock units |
37 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing diluted net income per share |
48,975 | 47,112 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income per share: |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.12 | $ | 0.17 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.16 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Securities excluded from weighted average shares used in computing diluted net income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive: (1) |
4,461 | 5,348 |
(1) |
These weighted shares relate to anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock units as calculated using the treasury stock method and could be dilutive in the future. |
4. Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements
Marketable Securities
All liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months at the date of purchase are classified as marketable securities. The Companys marketable securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates the available-for-sale designation as of each balance sheet date. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a component of stockholders equity.
8
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
The following table summarizes unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities held by the Company as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011:
The Company did not realize any gains or losses from sales of its securities in the periods presented. As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, the Company did not hold securities that had maturity dates greater than one year.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value has been defined to minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring the use of observable market data when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on active market data. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Companys view of the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:
Level 1 | | Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | ||
Level 2 | | Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. | ||
Level 3 | | Inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Companys assumptions. |
9
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
The securities held by the Company as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011 were categorized as follows in the fair value hierarchy:
Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2011 Using | ||||||||||||
Total |
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other
Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
||||||||||
US municipal securities |
$ | 28,590 | $ | | $ | 28,590 | ||||||
Certificates of deposit |
14,242 | | 14,242 | |||||||||
Money market funds |
56,463 | 56,463 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
$ | 99,295 | $ | 56,463 | $ | 42,832 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2011 Using | ||||||||||||
Total |
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant
Other
Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
||||||||||
US municipal securities |
$ | 23,637 | $ | | $ | 23,637 | ||||||
Certificates of deposit |
19,036 | | 19,036 | |||||||||
Money market funds |
51,654 | 51,654 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
$ | 94,327 | $ | 51,654 | $ | 42,673 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. Acquisitions
Acquisitions in Fiscal Year 2012
Acquisition of NarrowCast Group, LLC (IT Business Edge or ITBE)
On August 25, 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests of ITBE, in exchange for $23,961 in cash paid upon closing of the acquisition. The results of ITBEs operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The Company acquired ITBE to broaden its media access in the business-to-business market.
Amount | ||||
Cash |
$ | 23,961 | ||
|
|
The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase business combination. The Company allocated the purchase price to tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price and the estimated useful lives of the identifiable intangible assets acquired as of the date of the acquisition:
Estimated
Fair Value |
Estimated
Useful Life |
|||||
Tangible assets acquired |
$ | 3,597 | ||||
Liabilities assumed |
(1,868 | ) | ||||
Customer/publisher/advertiser relationships |
3,230 | 5 years | ||||
Content |
420 | 2 years | ||||
Website/trade/domain names |
2,220 | 5 years | ||||
Registered user database and others |
4,220 | 4 years | ||||
Noncompete agreements |
100 | 3 years | ||||
Goodwill |
12,042 | Indefinite | ||||
|
|
|||||
$ | 23,961 | |||||
|
|
10
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Other Acquisitions in Fiscal Year 2012
During the three months ended September 30, 2011, in addition to the acquisition of ITBE, the Company acquired operations from five other online publishing businesses in exchange for $6,620 in cash paid upon closing of the acquisitions and $165 in non-interest-bearing, unsecured promissory notes payable over a period of one year. The aggregate purchase price recorded was as follows:
Amount | ||||
Cash |
$ | 6,620 | ||
Fair value of debt (net of $4 of imputed interest) |
161 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 6,781 | |||
|
|
The acquisitions were accounted for as purchase business combinations. In each of the acquisitions, the Company allocated the purchase price to identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase prices of these other acquisitions during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and the estimated useful lives of the identifiable intangible assets acquired as of the respective dates of these acquisitions:
Estimated
Fair Value |
Estimated
Useful Life |
|||||
Customer/publisher/relationships |
$ | 187 | 3 years | |||
Content |
1,538 | 2-3 years | ||||
Website/trade/domain names |
364 | 4 years | ||||
Acquired technology and others |
560 | 4-5 years | ||||
Noncompete agreements |
53 | 1-3 years | ||||
Goodwill |
4,079 | Indefinite | ||||
|
|
|||||
$ | 6,781 | |||||
|
|
Acquisitions in Fiscal Year 2011
In fiscal year 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Car Insurance.com, Inc., a Florida-based online insurance business, and certain of its affiliated companies, for its capacity to generate online visitors in the financial services market, the website business of Insurance.com, an Ohio-based online insurance business for its capacity to generate online visitors in the financial services market, as well as 13 other online publishing businesses. The Company also recorded $4,500 in earn-out payments related to a prior period acquisition as addition to goodwill.
11
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
The total purchase prices recorded were as follows:
CarInsurance.com | Insurance.com | Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Cash |
$ | 49,655 | $ | 33,000 | $ | 9,222 | $ | 91,877 | ||||||||
Fair value of debt (net of imputed interest) |
| 2,483 | 828 | 3,311 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 49,655 | $ | 35,483 | $ | 10,050 | $ | 95,188 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The acquisitions were accounted for as purchase business combinations. The Company allocated the purchase price to tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price and the estimated useful lives of the identifiable intangible assets acquired as of the date of the acquisitions:
CarInsurance.com | Insurance.com | Other | Total |
Estimated
Useful Life |
||||||||||||||
Tangible assets acquired |
$ | 661 | $ | 1,204 | $ | | $ | 1,865 | ||||||||||
Liabilities assumed |
(807 | ) | | | (807 | ) | ||||||||||||
Customer/publisher/advertiser relationships |
260 | 2,120 | 233 | 2,613 | 3-7 years | |||||||||||||
Content |
16,130 | 4,290 | 1,274 | 21,694 | 3-7 years | |||||||||||||
Website/trade/domain names |
4,350 | 2,940 | 541 | 7,831 | 4-10 years | |||||||||||||
Acquired technology |
3,000 | 5,530 | | 8,530 | 2-4 years | |||||||||||||
Noncompete agreements |
40 | 60 | 88 | 188 | 1-5 years | |||||||||||||
Goodwill |
26,021 | 19,339 | 7,914 | 53,274 | Indefinite | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
$ | 49,655 | $ | 35,483 | $ | 10,050 | $ | 95,188 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations for the Company and other companies that were acquired since the beginning of fiscal year 2011. The pro forma financial information includes the business combination accounting effects resulting from these acquisitions including amortization charges from acquired intangible assets and the related tax effects as though the acquisitions were effected as of the beginning of fiscal year 2011. The unaudited pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of fiscal year 2011.
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net revenue |
$ | 102,867 | $ | 107,954 | ||||
Net income |
5,131 | 7,410 | ||||||
Basic net income per share |
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.16 | ||||
Diluted net income per share |
$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.16 |
12
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
6. Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill
Intangible assets, net balances, excluding goodwill, consisted of the following:
September 30, 2011 | June 30, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net
Carrying Amount |
Gross
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net
Carrying Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Customer/publisher/advertiser relationships |
$ | 32,686 | $ | (18,270 | ) | $ | 14,416 | $ | 29,269 | $ | (16,892 | ) | $ | 12,377 | ||||||||||
Content |
58,621 | (27,459 | ) | 31,162 | 56,663 | (25,142 | ) | 31,521 | ||||||||||||||||
Website/trade/domain names |
26,117 | (9,513 | ) | 16,604 | 23,533 | (8,569 | ) | 14,964 | ||||||||||||||||
Acquired technology and others |
25,124 | (14,352 | ) | 10,772 | 20,190 | (13,205 | ) | 6,985 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
$ | 142,548 | $ | (69,594 | ) | $ | 72,954 | $ | 129,655 | $ | (63,808 | ) | $ | 65,847 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of intangible assets was $5,786 and $4,922 in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Future amortization expense for the Companys acquisition-related intangible assets as of September 30, 2011 was as follows:
Year Ending June 30, |
Amortization | |||
2012 (remaining nine months) |
$ | 17,885 | ||
2013 |
18,274 | |||
2014 |
13,611 | |||
2015 |
9,158 | |||
2016 |
6,599 | |||
Thereafter |
7,427 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 72,954 | |||
|
|
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill in the Companys Direct Marketing Services (DMS) and Direct Selling Services (DSS) operating segments for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:
DMS | DSS | Total | ||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2011 |
$ | 210,625 | $ | 1,231 | $ | 211,856 | ||||||
Additions |
16,121 | | 16,121 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at September 30, 2011 |
$ | 226,746 | $ | 1,231 | $ | 227,977 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the three months ended September 30, 2011, the additions to goodwill relate to the Companys acquisitions as described in Note 5, and primarily reflect the value of the synergies expected to be generated from combining the Companys technology and know-how with the acquired businesses access to online visitors.
7. Debt
Promissory Notes
During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company issued total promissory notes for the acquisition of businesses of $165 and $2,870, respectively, net of imputed interest amounts of $4 and $163, respectively. All of the promissory notes are non-interest-bearing and unsecured. For these notes, interest was imputed such that the notes carry an interest rate commensurate with that available to the Company in the market for similar debt instruments. The Company recorded accretion of promissory notes of $80 and $176 as interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Credit Facility
In February 2011, the Company increased its existing credit facility with a total borrowing capacity of $175,000 to $225,000. The new credit facility consists of a $35,000 four-year term loan, with principal amortization of 10%, 15%, 35% and 40% annually starting in fiscal year 2011, and a $190,000 four-year revolving credit line.
Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by the Companys assets and interest is computed using specified margins above either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. The interest rate varies dependent upon the ratio of funded debt to adjusted EBITDA and
13
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
ranges from LIBOR + 2.125% to 2.875% or Prime + 1.00% to 1.50% for the revolving credit line and from LIBOR + 2.50% to 3.25% or Prime + 1.00% to 1.50% for the term loan. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income less provision for taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, interest and other income (expense) and acquisition costs for business combinations. The revolving credit line requires a facility fee of 0.375% of the revolving credit line capacity. The credit facility expires in January 2014. The credit facility agreement restricts the Companys ability to raise additional debt financing and pay dividends. In addition, the Company is required to maintain financial ratios computed as follows:
1. Quick ratio: ratio of (i) the sum of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables less than 90 days from invoice date to (ii) current liabilities and face amount of any letters of credit less the current portion of deferred revenue.
2. Fixed charge coverage: ratio of (i) trailing twelve months of adjusted EBITDA to (ii) the sum of capital expenditures, net cash interest expense, cash taxes, cash dividends and trailing twelve months payments of indebtedness. Payment of unsecured indebtedness is excluded to the degree that sufficient unused revolving credit line exists such that the relevant debt payment could be made from the credit facility.
3. Funded debt to adjusted EBITDA: ratio of (i) the sum of all obligations owed to lending institutions, the face amount of any letters of credit, indebtedness owed in connection with acquisition-related notes and indebtedness owed in connection with capital lease obligations to (ii) trailing twelve months of adjusted EBITDA.
Under the terms of the credit facility the Company must maintain a minimum quick ratio of 1.15:1.00, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15:1.00 and a maximum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.50:1.00, and the terms also require the Company to comply with other nonfinancial covenants. The Company was in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011.
Upfront arrangement fees incurred in connection with the credit facility are deferred and amortized over the remaining term of the arrangement as interest expense. As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, $28,875 and $30,188, respectively, was outstanding under the term loan. Under the revolving credit line $66,553 was outstanding as of both September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011.
Refer to Note 12 for the replacement of the existing credit facility with a new credit facility subsequent to September 30, 2011.
Debt Maturities
The maturities of debt as of September 30, 2011 were as follows:
Year Ending June 30, |
Promissory
Notes |
Credit
Facility |
||||||
2012 (remaining nine months) |
$ | 2,299 | $ | 5,688 | ||||
2013 |
5,124 | 12,687 | ||||||
2014 |
1,823 | 77,053 | ||||||
2015 |
560 | | ||||||
2016 |
50 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
9,856 | 95,428 | |||||||
Less: imputed interest and unamortized discounts |
(368 | ) | (1,115 | ) | ||||
Less: current portion |
(6,115 | ) | (8,262 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Noncurrent portion of debt |
$ | 3,373 | $ | 86,051 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Letters of Credit
The Company has a $350 letter of credit agreement with a financial institution that is used as collateral for fidelity bonds placed with an insurance company and a $500 letter of credit agreement with a financial institution that is used as collateral for the Companys corporate headquarters operating lease. The letters of credit automatically renew annually without amendment unless cancelled by the financial institutions within 30 days of the annual expiration date.
14
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company leases office space and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2018. Rent expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $853 and $670, respectively. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period and accrues for rent expense incurred but not paid.
Future annual minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2011 were as follows:
Year Ending June 30, |
Operating
Leases |
|||
2012 (remaining nine months) |
$ | 1,810 | ||
2013 |
3,144 | |||
2014 |
3,251 | |||
2015 |
3,117 | |||
2016 |
3,060 | |||
2017 and thereafter |
6,335 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 20,717 | |||
|
|
In February 2010, the Company entered into a new lease agreement for office space located at 950 Tower Lane, Foster City, California. The term of the lease began on November 1, 2010 and expires on October 31, 2018. The Company has the option to extend the term of the lease twice by one additional year. The monthly base rent is abated for the first year of the lease, is $118 in the second year, and $182 in the third year of the lease term. In subsequent years the monthly base rent will increase approximately 3% annually.
Guarantor Arrangements
The Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Companys request in such capacity. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer or directors lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and enables the Company to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of its insurance policy coverage, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, the Company had no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011.
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company enters into standard indemnification provisions in its agreements with its clients. Pursuant to these provisions, the Company indemnifies its clients for losses suffered or incurred in connection with third-party claims that a Company product infringed upon any United States patent, copyright or other intellectual property rights. Where applicable, the Company generally limits such infringement indemnities to those claims directed solely to its products and not in combination with other software or products. With respect to its DSS products, the Company also generally reserves the right to resolve such claims by designing a non-infringing alternative or by obtaining a license on reasonable terms, and failing that, to terminate its relationship with the client. Subject to these limitations, the term of such indemnity provisions is generally coterminous with the corresponding agreements.
The potential amount of future payments to defend lawsuits or settle indemnified claims under these indemnification provisions is unlimited; however, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnity provisions is minimal, and accordingly, the Company had no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011.
15
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Litigation
In September 2010, a patent infringement lawsuit was filed against the Company by LendingTree, LLC (LendingTree) in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, seeking a judgment that the Company has infringed a certain patent held by LendingTree, an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. Subsequently, LendingTree filed a first amended complaint adding an additional defendant. If an injunction is granted, it could force the Company to stop or alter certain of its business activities, such as its lead generation in certain client verticals. While the Company intends to vigorously defend its position, neither the outcome of the litigation nor the amount and range of potential damages or exposure associated with the litigation can be assessed at this time.
9. Stock Benefit Plans
Stock Incentive Plans
The Company may grant incentive stock options (ISOs), nonstatutory stock options (NQSOs), restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance-based stock awards and other forms of equity compensation, as well as performance cash awards under its 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2010 Incentive Plan), or NQSOs and restricted stock units to non-employee directors under the 2010 Non-Employee Directors Stock Award Plan (the Directors Plan). To date, the Company has issued only ISOs, NQSOs and restricted stock units under the plans.
As of September 30, 2011, 4,905,132 shares were reserved and 2,661,002 shares were available for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan and 820,000 shares were reserved and 700,000 shares were available for issuance under the Directors Plan.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant. The weighted average Black-Scholes model assumptions and the weighted average grant date fair value of employee stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the closing price of the Companys common stock on the grant date.
Compensation expense is amortized net of estimated forfeitures on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the stock-based compensation awards.
16
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
10. Stockholders Equity
The following table sets forth the components of comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net income |
$ | 5,494 | $ | 7,501 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
||||||||
Unrealized gain on investments |
4 | | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
25 | (19 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Comprehensive income |
$ | 5,523 | $ | 7,482 | ||||
|
|
|
|
11. Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Companys chief operating decision maker is its chief executive officer. The Companys chief executive officer reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by information about operating segments, including net sales and operating income before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense.
The Company determined its operating segments to be DMS, which derives revenue from fees earned through the delivery of qualified leads, clicks and, to a lesser extent, impressions, and DSS, which derives revenue from the sale of direct selling services through a hosted solution. The Companys reportable operating segments consist of DMS and DSS. The accounting policies of the two reportable operating segments are the same as those described in Note 2.
The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on net sales and operating income before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense.
The Company does not allocate most of its assets, as well as its depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, interest income, interest expense and income tax expense by segment. Accordingly, the Company does not report such information.
17
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Summarized information by segment was as follows:
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net revenue by segment: |
||||||||
DMS |
$ | 100,841 | $ | 103,306 | ||||
DSS |
383 | 310 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net revenue |
101,224 | 103,616 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Segment operating income before depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation expense: |
||||||||
DMS |
20,378 | 24,432 | ||||||
DSS |
255 | 164 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total segment operating income before depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation expense |
20,633 | 24,596 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(7,108 | ) | (5,897 | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
(3,374 | ) | (3,730 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total operating income |
$ | 10,151 | $ | 14,969 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
The following tables set forth net revenue and long-lived assets by geographic area: |
||||||||
Three Months Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net revenue: |
||||||||
United States |
$ | 101,078 | $ | 103,395 | ||||
International |
146 | 221 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net revenue |
$ | 101,224 | $ | 103,616 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
September 30, | June 30, | |||||||
2011 | 2011 | |||||||
Long-lived assets: |
||||||||
United States |
$ | 9,242 | $ | 8,641 | ||||
International |
408 | 234 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total long-lived assets |
$ | 9,650 | $ | 8,875 | ||||
|
|
|
|
12. Subsequent Events
Credit Facility
On November 4, 2011, the Company replaced its existing $225,000 credit facility with a new $300,000 credit facility. The new facility consists of a $100,000 five-year term loan, with principal amortization of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 50% annually, and a $200,000 five-year revolving credit line.
18
QUINSTREET, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by the Companys assets and interest is payable at specified margins above either the LIBOR or the Prime Rate. The interest rate varies dependent upon the ratio of funded debt to adjusted EBITDA and ranges from LIBOR + 1.625% to 2.375% or Prime + 0.625% to 1.375% for the revolving credit line and from LIBOR + 2.00% to 2.75% or Prime + 1.00% to 1.75% for the term loan. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income less provision for taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, interest and other income (expense), and acquisition costs for business combinations. The interest rate margins for the new facility are 0.50% less than the commensurate margins under the Companys previous credit facility. The revolving credit line requires a facility fee of 0.375% of the revolving credit line capacity. The credit facility expires in November 2016. The credit facility agreement restricts the Companys ability to raise additional debt financing and pay dividends. In addition, the Company is required to maintain financial ratios computed as follows:
1. Fixed charge coverage: ratio of (i) trailing twelve months of adjusted EBITDA to (ii) the sum of capital expenditures, net cash interest expense, cash taxes, cash dividends and trailing twelve months payments of indebtedness. Payment of unsecured indebtedness is excluded to the degree that sufficient unused revolving credit line exists such that the relevant debt payment could be made from the credit facility.
2. Funded debt to adjusted EBITDA: ratio of (i) the sum of all obligations owed to lending institutions, the face amount of any letters of credit, indebtedness owed in connection with acquisition-related notes and indebtedness owed in connection with capital lease obligations to (ii) trailing twelve months of adjusted EBITDA.
Under the terms of the credit facility, the Company must maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15:1.00 and a maximum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.00:1.00, and the terms also require the Company to comply with other nonfinancial covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of the execution of the facility.
Upfront arrangement fees incurred in connection with the credit facility totaled $1,500 and will be deferred and amortized over the remaining term of the arrangement. In connection with the replacement of the previous credit facility, the Company will accelerate amortization of approximately $400 of unamortized deferred upfront costs incurred in connection with the previous credit facility in the three months ending December 31, 2011.
Stock Repurchase Program
On November 3, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program allowing the Company to repurchase up to $50,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock. The repurchase program expires in November 2012. Repurchases under this program may take place in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and the Company may discontinue repurchases at any time. The amount authorized by the Companys board of directors excludes broker commissions.
19
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 30, 2011.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, anticipate, believe, can, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, will, plan, project, seek, should, target, will, would, and similar expressions or variations intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management based on information currently available to management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified in Part II Item 1A. Risk Factors below, and those discussed in the sections titled Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, as filed with the SEC on August 30, 2011. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
Management Overview
Quinstreet is a leader in vertical marketing and media online. We have built a strong set of capabilities to engage Internet visitors with targeted media and to connect our marketing clients with their potential customers online. We focus on serving clients in large, information-intensive industry verticals where relevant, targeted media and offerings help visitors make informed choices, find the products that match their needs, and thus become qualified customer prospects for our clients.
We deliver cost-effective marketing results to our clients most typically in the form of a qualified lead or inquiry, or in the form of a click. These leads or clicks can then convert into a customer or sale for clients at a rate that results in an acceptable marketing cost to them. We are typically paid by clients when we deliver qualified leads or clicks as defined by our agreements with them. Because we bear the costs of media, our programs must deliver value to our clients and provide for a media yield, or our ability to generate an acceptable margin on our media costs, that provides a sound financial outcome for us. Our general process is:
|
We own or access targeted media; |
|
We run advertisements or other forms of marketing messages and programs in that media to create visitor responses or clicks through to client offerings; |
|
We match these responses or clicks to client offerings that meet visitor interests or needs, converting visitors into qualified leads or clicks; and |
|
We optimize client matches and media yield such that we achieve desired results for clients and a sound financial outcome for us. |
Our primary financial objective has been and remains creating revenue growth from sustainable sources, at target levels of profitability. Our primary financial objective is not to maximize profits, but rather to achieve target levels of profitability while investing in various growth initiatives, as we believe we are in the early stages of a large, long-term market.
Our Direct Marketing Services, or DMS, business accounted for substantially all of our net revenue in both the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our DMS business derives net revenue from fees earned through the delivery of qualified leads and clicks and, to a lesser extent, display advertisements, or impressions. Through a vertical focus, targeted media presence and our technology platform, we are able to deliver targeted, measurable marketing results to our clients.
20
Our two largest client verticals are education and financial services. Our education client vertical represented 44% and 41% of net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our financial services client vertical represented 41% and 48% of net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Other DMS client verticals, consisting primarily of home services, B2B technology and medical, represented 15% and 11% of net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
In addition, we derived less than 1% of our net revenue in both the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, from the provision of a hosted solution and related services for clients in the direct selling industry, also referred to as our Direct Selling Services, or DSS, business.
We generated substantially all of our revenue from sales to clients in the United States.
No client accounted for 10% of our net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2011 or 2010.
Trends Affecting our Business
Client Verticals
To date, we have generated the majority of our revenue from clients in our education and financial services client verticals. We expect that a majority of our revenue in fiscal year 2012 will be generated from clients in these two client verticals.
Our education client vertical is affected by a number of factors, including most significantly, uncertainty from the adoption of the new regulations of for-profit educational institutions. The uncertainty and the regulations may affect our clients businesses and marketing practices and may result in fluctuations in the volume and mix of our business with these clients.
Our financial services client vertical has been negatively affected by pricing pressure. Prices for clicks in our financial services client vertical are largely determined by bidding. Changes in volume of one or more bidders can dynamically impact pricing for all clients. Recently, revenue in our financial services client vertical has been negatively affected by the pricing impact from volume reductions by certain clients. We have also recently seen increased competition for quality media.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions in Fiscal Year 2012
In August 2011, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests of NarrowCast Group, LLC, or IT BusinessEdge, a Kentucky-based Internet media company, in exchange for $24.0 million in cash, to broaden our media access in the business-to-business market. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, in addition to the acquisition of IT BusinessEdge, we acquired five other online publishing businesses.
Acquisitions in Fiscal Year 2011
In November 2010, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Car Insurance.com, Inc., a Florida-based online insurance business, and certain of its affiliated companies, in exchange for $49.7 million in cash, for its capacity to generate online visitors in the financial services market. In July 2010, we acquired the website business Insurance.com, an Ohio-based online insurance business, in exchange for $33.0 million in cash and the issuance of a $2.6 million non-interest-bearing, unsecured promissory note, for its capacity to generate online visitors in the financial services market. During fiscal year 2011, in addition to the acquisitions of CarInsurance.com and Insurance.com, we acquired 13 other online publishing businesses.
Our acquisition strategy may result in significant fluctuations in our available working capital from period to period and over the years. We may use cash, stock or promissory notes to acquire various businesses or technologies, and we cannot accurately predict the timing of those acquisitions or the impact on our cash flows and balance sheet. Large acquisitions or multiple acquisitions within a particular period may significantly affect our financial results for that period. We may utilize debt financing to make acquisitions, which could give rise to higher interest expense and more restrictive operating covenants. We may also utilize our stock as consideration, which could result in substantial dilution.
21
Development and Acquisition of Targeted Media
One of the primary challenges of our business is finding or creating media that is targeted enough to attract prospects economically for our clients and at costs that work for our business model. In order to continue to grow our business, we must be able to continue to find or develop quality targeted media on a cost-effective basis. Our inability to find, develop or retain high quality targeted media could impair our growth or adversely affect our financial performance.
Seasonality
Our results are subject to significant fluctuation as a result of seasonality. In particular, our quarters ending December 31 (our second fiscal quarter) are typically characterized by seasonal weakness. In our second fiscal quarters, there is lower availability of lead supply from some forms of media during the holiday period on a cost effective basis and some of our clients request fewer leads due to holiday staffing. In our quarters ending March 31 (our third fiscal quarter), this trend generally reverses with better lead availability and often new budgets at the beginning of the year for our clients with fiscal years ending December 31.
Basis of Presentation
General
We operate in two segments: DMS and DSS. For further discussion and financial information about our reporting segments, see Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Net Revenue
DMS. Our DMS business generates revenue from fees earned through the delivery of qualified leads, clicks and, to a lesser extent, display advertisements, or impressions. We deliver targeted and measurable results through a vertical focus that we classify into the following client verticals: financial services, education and other (which includes home services, B2B technology and medical).
DSS. Our DSS business generated less than 1% of net revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We expect DSS to continue to represent an immaterial portion of our business.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue consists primarily of media costs, personnel costs, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, depreciation expense and amortization of internal software development costs relating to revenue-producing technologies. Media costs consist primarily of fees paid to website publishers that are directly related to a revenue-generating event and pay-per-click, or PPC, ad purchases from Internet search companies. We pay these Internet search companies and website publishers on a revenue-share, a cost-per-lead, or CPL, cost-per-click, or CPC and cost-per-thousand-impressions, or CPM basis. Personnel costs include salaries, stock-based compensation expense, bonuses and employee benefit costs. Personnel costs are primarily related to individuals associated with maintaining our servers and websites, our editorial staff, client management, creative team, compliance group and media purchasing analysts. Costs associated with software incurred in the development phase or obtained for internal use are capitalized and amortized in cost of revenue over the softwares estimated useful life. We anticipate that our cost of revenue will increase in absolute dollars as we continue to increase our revenue base and product offerings.
Operating Expenses
We classify our operating expenses into three categories: product development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative. Our operating expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and, to a lesser extent, professional services fees, rent and allocated costs. Personnel costs for each category of operating expenses generally include salaries, stock-based compensation expense, bonuses, commissions and employee benefit costs.
Product Development. Product development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and professional services fees associated with the development and maintenance of our technology platforms, development and launching of our websites, product-based quality assurance and testing. We believe that continued investment in technology is critical to attaining our strategic objectives and, as a result, we expect product development expenses to increase in absolute dollars in the future.
22
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and, to a lesser extent, allocated overhead costs, professional services fees, travel costs, advertising and marketing materials. We expect sales and marketing expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we hire additional personnel in sales and marketing to support our increasing revenue base and product offerings.
General and Administrative . General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs of our executive, finance, legal, corporate and business development, employee benefits and compliance, technical support and other administrative personnel, as well as accounting and legal professional services fees and other corporate expenses. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars in future periods as we continue to invest in corporate infrastructure and incur additional expenses associated with being a public company, including increased legal and accounting costs, higher insurance premiums, investor relations costs and compliance costs associated with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest and other income (expense), net, consists primarily of interest expense, other income and expense and interest income. Interest expense is related to our credit facility and promissory notes issued in connection with our acquisitions, and includes imputed interest. Borrowings under our credit facility and related interest expense could increase as we continue to implement our acquisition strategy. Interest income represents interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which may increase or decrease depending on market interest rates and the amounts invested.
Other income (expense), net, includes foreign currency exchange gains and losses and other non-operating items.
Income Tax Expense
We are subject to tax in the United States as well as other tax jurisdictions or countries in which we conduct business. Earnings from our limited non-U.S. activities are subject to local country income tax and may be subject to U.S. income tax.
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments
In presenting our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepting accounting principles, or GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures.
Some of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. We base these estimates and assumptions on historical experience or on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we reconsider and evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates.
We believe that the critical accounting policies listed below involve our more significant judgments, assumptions and estimates and, therefore, could have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
|
Revenue recognition; |
|
Stock-based compensation; |
|
Goodwill; |
|
Long-lived assets; and |
|
Income taxes. |
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies, estimates and judgments subsequent to June 30, 2011. For further information on our critical and other significant accounting policies and estimates, see Part II, Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011, as filed with the SEC on August 30, 2011.
23
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Net revenue |
$ | 101,224 | 100.0 | % | $ | 103,616 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Cost of revenue (1) |
75,748 | 74.8 | 73,629 | 71.1 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Gross profit |
25,476 | 25.2 | 29,987 | 28.9 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: (1) |
||||||||||||||||
Product development |
6,074 | 6.0 | 5,551 | 5.4 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
4,034 | 4.0 | 4,745 | 4.6 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
5,217 | 5.2 | 4,722 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Operating income |
10,151 | 10.0 | 14,969 | 14.4 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
38 | 0.0 | 67 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(1,083 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (989 | ) | (1.0 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(31 | ) | (0.0 | ) | 164 | 0.2 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income before income taxes |
9,075 | 9.0 | 14,211 | 13.7 | ||||||||||||
Provision for taxes |
(3,581 | ) | (3.5 | ) | (6,710 | ) | (6.5 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 5,494 | 5.4 | % | $ | 7,501 | 7.2 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(1) Cost of revenue and operating expenses include stock-based compensation expense as follows: |
|
|||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue |
$ | 1,179 | 1.2 | % | $ | 1,144 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||
Product development |
660 | 0.7 | 724 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
779 | 0.8 | 1,206 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
756 | 0.7 | 656 | 0.6 |
24
Net Revenue
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
Three
Months % Change |
|||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net revenue |
$ | 101,224 | $ | 103,616 | (2 | %) | ||||||
Cost of revenue |
75,748 | 73,629 | 3 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 25,476 | $ | 29,987 | (15 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Net revenue decreased $2.4 million, or 2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010. The majority of this decrease was attributable to a decrease in revenue from our financial services client vertical, which was partially offset by revenue growth in our other client verticals and education client vertical. Financial services client vertical revenue decreased $7.9 million, or 16%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, as lower prices were partially offset by increases in click and lead volume. Our other client verticals revenue increased by $3.8 million, or 34%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to higher lead volume in the home services client vertical and, to a lesser extent, the acquisition of IT BusinessEdge in the B2B technology client vertical. Education client vertical revenue increased $1.8 million, or 4%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, driven by higher prices and a shift in mix towards higher priced inquiries.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue increased $2.1 million, or 3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, driven by an increase in media costs of $1.5 million due to higher lead and click volumes and increased amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets of $0.9 million resulting from acquisitions during the past twelve months, which were partially offset by decreased personnel costs of $0.7 million. The decrease in personnel costs was attributable to decreased performance bonus expenses associated with the lower achievement of specified financial metrics. Gross margin, which is the difference between net revenue and cost of revenue as a percentage of net revenue fell to 25% in the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 29% in the three months ended September 30, 2010, as lower margins from publisher arrangements, a lower mix of traffic from owned and operated targeted media and higher amortization expenses were partially offset by the above-mentioned decrease in personnel costs.
25
Operating Expenses
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
Three
Months % Change |
|||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Product development |
$ | 6,074 | $ | 5,551 | 9 | % | ||||||
Sales and marketing |
4,034 | 4,745 | (15 | %) | ||||||||
General and administrative |
5,217 | 4,722 | 10 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Operating expenses |
$ | 15,325 | $ | 15,018 | 2 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Product Development Expenses
Product development expenses increased $0.5 million, or 9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, due to increased personnel costs of $0.6 million. The increase in personnel costs was due to a 20% increase in average headcount from additional hiring in connection with development projects and recent acquisitions.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses decreased $0.7 million, or 15%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, due to decreased compensation expense of $0.2 million and decreased stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million. The decrease in compensation expense was due to decreased performance bonus expenses associated with the lower achievement of specified financial metrics.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million, or 10%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, due to various smaller increases in general and administrative expenses.
Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
Three
Months % Change |
|||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | 38 | $ | 67 | (43 | %) | ||||||
Interest expense |
(1,083 | ) | (989 | ) | 10 | % | ||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(31 | ) | 164 | (119 | %) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Interest and other income (expense), net |
$ | (1,076 | ) | $ | (758 | ) | 42 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income (expense), net decreased $0.3 million, or 42%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, mainly due to a decline in other income (expense), net of $0.2 million attributable to proceeds from a settlement of a legal matter in the three months ended September 30, 2010.
26
Provision for Taxes
Three Months
Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Provision for taxes |
$ | 3,581 | $ | 6,710 | ||||
Effective tax rate |
39 | % | 47 | % |
The decrease in our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, was primarily driven by lower state income tax rates and lower non-deductible stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary operating cash requirements include the payment of media costs, personnel costs, costs of information technology systems and office facilities.
Our principal sources of liquidity as of September 30, 2011, consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $106.5 million, short-term marketable securities of $38.8 million and our credit facility, which had $123.4 million available for borrowing. In November 2011, the Company replaced its existing $225.0 million credit facility with a new one that expands the overall borrowing capacity by $75.0 million to $300.0 million. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, available borrowings under the credit facility and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our currently anticipated cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.
Three Months Ended
September 30, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
$ | 10,677 | $ | 8,844 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
(35,665 | ) | (35,413 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
(858 | ) | (1,888 | ) |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities is primarily the result of our net income adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and changes in working capital components, and is influenced by the timing of cash collections from our clients and cash payments for purchases of media and other expenses.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended September 30, 2011 was due to net income of $5.5 million, non-cash depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense of $10.5 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $3.2 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $6.1 million and a net decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $2.8 million. The decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts receivable, as well as the net decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is primarily due to timing of payments.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was due to net income of $7.5 million, non-cash depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense of $9.6 million and a net increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $4.2 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $10.0 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.8 million. The net increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is due to timing of payments and increased cost of sales associated with increased revenue. The increase in accounts receivable is attributable to increased revenue, as well as timing of receipts. The increase in prepaid expenses and other assets is primarily due to timing of payments.
27
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Our investing activities include acquisitions of media websites and businesses; capital expenditures and capitalized internal development costs.
Cash used in investing activities in the three months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily due to our acquisition of ITBE for a cash payment of $24.0 million and the purchases of the operations of five other online publishing businesses for an aggregate of $6.6 million in cash payments, as well as net investments in marketable securities of $4.2 million. Capital expenditures and internal software development costs totaled $1.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Cash used in investing activities in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to our acquisition of Insurance.com for a cash payment of $33.0 million and purchases of the operations of four other website publishing businesses for an aggregate of $1.1 million in cash payments. Capital expenditures and internal software development costs totaled $1.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily due to proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1.8 million, partially offset by $2.5 million in principal payments on our term loan and acquisition-related promissory notes.
Cash used in financing activities in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to principal payments on acquisition-related promissory notes and our term loan of $4.3 million, partially offset by $2.1 million in proceeds from stock option exercises.
Stock Repurchase Program
In November 2011, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we may repurchase up to $50.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program expires in November 2012.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the periods presented, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations relate primarily to borrowings under our credit facility, acquisition-related notes payable, operating leases and purchase obligations. There have been no significant changes in our contractual obligations from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2011.
Credit Facility
In January 2010, we replaced our existing credit facility with a credit facility totaling $175.0 million. The new facility consisted of a $35.0 million four-year term loan, with principal amortization of 10%, 15%, 35% and 40% annually, and a $140.0 million four-year revolving credit line with an option to increase the revolving credit line by $50.0 million. We exercised this option in February 2011, thereby increasing the total capacity of the credit facility to $225.0 million. Borrowings under the credit facility are collateralized by our assets and interest is computed using specified margins above either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. The interest rate varies dependent upon the ratio of funded debt to adjusted EBITDA and ranges from LIBOR + 2.125% to 2.875% or Prime + 1.00% to 1.50% for the revolving credit line and from LIBOR + 2.50% to 3.25% or Prime + 1.00% to 1.50% for the term loan. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income less provision for taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, interest and other income (expense) and acquisition costs for business combinations. The revolving credit line requires a facility fee of 0.375% of the revolving credit line capacity. The credit facility expires in January 2014. The credit facility agreement restricts our ability to raise additional debt financing and pay dividends. In addition, we are required to maintain financial ratios computed as follows:
1. Quick ratio: ratio of (i) the sum of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables less than 90 days from invoice date to (ii) current liabilities and face amount of any letters of credit less the current portion of deferred revenue.
2. Fixed charge coverage: ratio of (i) trailing twelve months of adjusted EBITDA to (ii) the sum of capital expenditures, net cash interest expense, cash taxes, cash dividends and trailing twelve months payments of indebtedness. Payment of unsecured indebtedness is excluded to the degree that sufficient unused revolving credit line exists such that the relevant debt payment could be made from the credit facility.
28
3. Funded debt to adjusted EBITDA: ratio of (i) the sum of all obligations owed to lending institutions, the face amount of any letters of credit, indebtedness owed in connection with acquisition-related notes and indebtedness owed in connection with capital lease obligations to (ii) trailing twelve months of adjusted EBITDA.
Under the terms of the credit facility we must maintain a minimum quick ratio of 1.15:1.00, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15:1.00 and a maximum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.50:1.00, and the terms also require us to comply with other non-financial covenants. We were in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011.
In November 2011, we replaced our existing $225.0 million credit facility with a new $300.0 million credit facility. The new facility consists of a $100.0 million five-year term loan, with principal amortization of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 50% annually, and a $200.0 million five-year revolving credit line.
New Lease
As the previous lease for our corporate headquarters located at 1051 Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City, California expired in October 2010, we entered into a new lease agreement in February 2010 for approximately 63,998 square feet of office space located at 950 Tower Lane, Foster City, California. The term of the lease began on November 1, 2010 and expires on October 31, 2018. The monthly base rent is abated for the first 12 calendar months under the lease. Thereafter the base rent will be $118,000 through the 24th calendar month of the term of the lease, after which the monthly base rent will increase to $182,000 for the subsequent 12 months. In the following years the monthly base rent will increase approximately 3% after each 12-month anniversary during the term of the lease, including any extensions under our options to extend.
We have two options to extend the term of the lease for one additional year for each option following the expiration date of the lease or renewal term, as applicable.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks include primarily foreign currency exchange and interest rate risks.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
To date, our international client agreements have been predominately denominated in U.S. dollars, and accordingly, we have limited exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to client agreements, and do not currently engage in foreign currency hedging transactions. As the local accounts for some of our foreign operations are maintained in the local currency of the respective country, we are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations associated with the remeasurement to U.S. dollars. A hypothetical change of 10% in foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Interest Rate Risk
We invest our cash equivalents and short-term investments primarily in money market funds, US government securities and short-term deposits with original maturities of less than three months. Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are held for working capital purposes and acquisition financing. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. We believe that we do not have material exposure to changes in the fair value as a result of changes in interest rates due to the short-term nature of our investments. Declines in interest rates may reduce future investment income. However, a hypothetical decline of 1% in the interest rate on our investments would not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
As of September 30, 2011, our credit facility had a borrowing capacity of $225.0 million. Interest on borrowings under the credit facility is payable quarterly at specified margins above either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. Our exposure to interest rate risk under the credit facility will depend on the extent to which we utilize such facility. As of September 30, 2011, we had $95.4 million outstanding under our credit facility. A hypothetical increase of 1% in the LIBOR or Prime Rate-based interest rate on our credit facility would result in an increase in our interest expense of $1.0 million per year, assuming constant borrowing levels.
29
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011. The term disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the companys management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
30
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
On September 8, 2010, a patent infringement lawsuit was filed against us by LendingTree, LLC (LendingTree) in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, seeking a judgment that we have infringed a certain patent held by LendingTree, an injunctive order against the alleged infringing activities and an award for damages. On September 24, 2010, LendingTree filed a first amended complaint adding an additional defendant. If an injunction is granted, it could force us to stop or alter certain of our business activities, such as our lead generation in certain of our client verticals. While we intend to vigorously defend our position, neither the outcome of the litigation nor the amount and range of potential damages or exposure associated with the litigation can be assessed with at this time.
From time to time, we may become involved in other legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business.
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. If any of such risks actually occur, our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected. In those cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We operate in an immature industry and have a relatively new business model, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects.
We derive nearly all of our revenue from the sale of online marketing and media services, which is an immature industry that has undergone rapid and dramatic changes in its short history. The industry in which we operate is characterized by rapidly-changing Internet media, evolving industry standards, and changing user and client demands. Our business model is also evolving and is distinct from many other companies in our industry, and it may not be successful. As a result of these factors, the future revenue and income potential of our business is uncertain. Although we have experienced significant revenue growth in recent periods, we may not be able to sustain current revenue levels or growth rates. Any evaluation of our business and our prospects must be considered in light of these factors and the risks and uncertainties often encountered by companies in an immature industry with an evolving business model such as ours. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate to our ability to:
|
maintain and expand client relationships; |
|
sustain and increase the number of visitors to our websites; |
|
sustain and grow relationships with third-party website publishers and other sources of web visitors; |
|
manage our expanding operations and implement and improve our operational, financial and management controls; |
|
overcome challenges presented by adverse global economic conditions as they impact spending in our client verticals; |
|
raise capital at attractive costs, or at all; |
|
acquire and integrate websites and other businesses; |
|
successfully expand our footprint in our existing client verticals and enter new client verticals; |
|
respond effectively to competition and potential negative effects of competition on profit margins; |
|
attract and retain qualified management, employees and independent service providers; |
|
successfully introduce new processes and technologies and upgrade our existing technologies and services; |
|
protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property rights; and |
|
respond to government regulations relating to the Internet, marketing in our client verticals, personal data protection, email, software technologies and other aspects of our business. |
If we are unable to address these risks, our business, results of operations and prospects could suffer.
31
We depend upon Internet search companies to attract a significant portion of the visitors to our websites, and any change in the search companies search algorithms or perception of us or our industry could result in our websites being listed less prominently in either paid or algorithmic search result listings, in which case the number of visitors to our websites and our revenue could decline.
We depend in significant part on various Internet search companies, such as Google, Microsoft and Yahoo!, and other search websites to direct a significant number of visitors to our websites to provide our online marketing services to our clients. Search websites typically provide two types of search results, algorithmic and paid listings. Algorithmic, or organic, listings are determined and displayed solely by a set of formulas designed by search companies. Paid listings can be purchased and then are displayed if particular words are included in a users Internet search. Placement in paid listings is generally not determined solely on the bid price, but also takes into account the search engines assessment of the quality of the website featured in the paid listing and other factors. We rely on both algorithmic and paid search results, as well as advertising on other websites, to direct a substantial share of the visitors to our websites.
Our ability to maintain the number of visitors to our websites from search websites and other websites is not entirely within our control. For example, Internet search websites frequently revise their algorithms in an attempt to optimize their search result listings or to maintain their internal standards and strategies. Changes in the algorithms could cause our websites to receive less favorable placements, which could reduce the number of users who visit our websites. We have experienced fluctuations in the search result rankings for a number of our websites. Some of our sites and paid listing campaigns have been negatively impacted by Google algorithmic changes. In addition, our business model may be deemed similar to those of our competitors and others in our industry that Internet search websites may consider to be unsuitable or unattractive. Internet search websites could deem our content to be unsuitable or below standards or less attractive or worthy than those of other or competing websites. In either such case, our websites may receive less favorable placement in algorithmic or paid listings, or both.
In addition, we may make decisions that are suboptimal regarding the purchase of paid listings or our proprietary bid management technologies may contain defects or otherwise fail to achieve their intended results, either of which could also reduce the number of visitors to our websites or cause us to incur additional costs. We may also make decisions that are suboptimal regarding the placement of advertisements on other websites and pricing, which could increase our costs to attract such visitors or cause us to incur unnecessary costs. A reduction in the number of visitors to our websites could negatively affect our ability to earn revenue. If visits to our websites decrease, we may need to resort to more costly sources to replace lost visitors, and such increased expense could adversely affect our business and profitability.
A substantial portion of our revenue is generated from a limited number of clients and, if we lose a major client, our revenue will decrease and our business and prospects would be adversely impacted.
A substantial portion of our revenue is generated from a limited number of clients. Our top three clients accounted for 23% of our net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Our clients can generally terminate their contracts with us at any time, with limited prior notice or penalty. Our clients may reduce their level of business with us, leading to lower revenue. In addition, reductions in business by one or more significant clients of our programs may lead to price reductions to our other clients for those products whose prices are determined in whole or in part by client bidding or competition, resulting in lower revenue. We expect that a limited number of clients will continue to account for a significant percentage of our revenue, and the loss of, or material reduction in, their marketing spending with us could decrease our revenue and harm our business.
There is significant activity and uncertainty in the regulatory and legislative environment for the for-profit education sector. These regulatory or legislative changes could negatively affect our clients businesses, marketing practices and budgets and could impact demand, pricing or form of our services, any or all of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
We generate nearly half of our revenue from our education client vertical and nearly all of that revenue is generated from for-profit educational institutions. There is intense governmental interest in and scrutiny of the for-profit education industry and a high degree of focus on marketing practices in the industry. The Department of Education has promulgated regulations that could adversely impact us and our education clients. The intense focus on the for-profit education industry could result in further regulatory or legislative action. We cannot predict whether this will happen or what the impact could be on our financial results.
The Higher Education Act, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, provides that to be eligible to participate in Federal student financial aid programs, an educational institution must enter into a program participation agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Education. The agreement includes a number of conditions with which an institution must comply to be granted initial and continuing eligibility to participate. Among those conditions is a prohibition on institutions providing to any individual or entity engaged in recruiting or admission activities any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments. The Department of Education issued final regulations on incentive compensation and other matters which became effective July 1, 2011. The Departments regulations repeal all safe harbors regarding incentive compensation which existed under the prior regulations, including the safe harbor for Internet-based recruiting and admissions activities. The elimination of the safe harbors could create uncertainty for us and our education clients and impact the way in which we are paid by our clients and, accordingly, could reduce the amount of revenue we generate from the education client vertical.
32
In addition, the same regulations impose strict liability on educational institutions for misrepresentations made by entities, like us, who contract with the institutions to provide marketing services. As a result, our clients have demanded and we have agreed to be subject to increased limitations of liability in our contracts as well as indemnification for actions by our third-party publishers. We could be subject to costly litigation and damage to our reputation, if we are unsuccessful in defending ourselves, damages for our violation of any applicable regulation and the unauthorized or unlawful acts of third-party website publishers.
Other regulations could negatively impact our for-profit education clients. For example, the regulations on gainful employment that would restrict or eliminate federal financial aid to students in programs where certain debt-to-income ratios and loan default rates are not satisfied could result in the elimination or reduction in some of our clients programs. Over the past year, enrollments have dropped significantly at some of our clients, caused in part by changes being made in anticipation of the implementation of this regulation. In addition, some of our large for-profit education clients have indicated that in coming years they may violate the 90/10 rule, whereby for-profit institutions must receive at least 10 percent of their revenue from sources other than federal student financial aid. If a for-profit institution fails to comply with the rule for two consecutive fiscal years, it may lose its eligibility to receive student-aid funds for at least two years. These and other regulations or a failure of our clients to comply with such regulations, could adversely affect our clients businesses and, as a result, affect or materially reduce the amount of revenue we generate from those clients.
Moreover, some of our education clients have had and may in the future have issues regarding their academic accreditation, which could adversely affect their ability to offer certain degree programs. If any of our significant education clients lose their accreditation, they may reduce or eliminate their marketing spending, which could adversely affect our financial results.
Any of the aforementioned regulatory or legislative risks could cause some or all of our education clients to significantly shrink or even to cease doing business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
We are dependent on two market verticals for a majority of our revenue. Negative changes in the economic condition, market dynamics or regulatory environment in one or both of these verticals could cause our revenue to decline and our business and growth could suffer.
To date, we have generated a majority of our revenue from clients in our education and financial services client verticals. We expect that a majority of our revenue in the near term will continue to be generated from clients in our education and financial services client verticals. Changes in the market conditions or the regulatory environment in these two highly-regulated client verticals may negatively impact our clients businesses, marketing practices and budgets and, therefore, adversely affect our financial results.
Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and may do so in the future, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and could cause our operating results to fall short of analysts and investors expectations.
While we have experienced revenue growth, our prior quarterly and annual operating results have fluctuated due to changes in our business, our industry and the general economic climate. Similarly, our future operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our fluctuating results could cause our performance to be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, causing the price of our common stock to fall. Because our business is changing and evolving, our historical operating results may not be useful to you in predicting our future operating results. Factors that may increase the volatility of our operating results include the following:
|
changes in demand and pricing for our services; |
|
changes in our pricing policies, the pricing policies of our competitors, or the pricing of Internet advertising or media; |
|
the addition of new clients or the loss of existing clients; |
|
changes in our clients advertising agencies or the marketing strategies our clients or their advertising agencies employ; |
|
changes in the regulatory environment for us or our clients; |
|
changes in the economic prospects of our clients or the economy generally, which could alter current or prospective clients spending priorities, or could increase the time or costs required to complete sales with clients; |
33
|
changes in the availability of Internet advertising or the cost to reach Internet visitors; |
|
changes in the placement of our websites on search engines; |
|
the introduction of new product or service offerings by our competitors; and |
|
costs related to acquisitions of businesses or technologies. |
Our future growth depends on part on our ability to identify and complete acquisitions. Any acquisitions that we pursue or complete will involve a number of risks. If we are unable to address and resolve these risks successfully, such acquisition activity could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our growth over the past several years is in significant part due to the large number of acquisitions we have completed of third-party website publishing businesses and other businesses that are complementary to our own. We intend to evaluate and pursue additional acquisitions of complementary businesses and technologies to expand our capabilities, client base and media. We have also evaluated, and expect to continue to evaluate, a wide array of potential strategic transactions. However, we may not be successful in identifying suitable acquisition candidates or be able to complete acquisitions of such candidates. In addition, we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms, or at all, to fund acquisitions that we may wish to pursue. The anticipated benefit of acquisitions that we complete may not materialize and the process of integrating acquired businesses or technologies may create unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. Some of the areas where we may face acquisition-related risks include:
|
diversion of management time and potential business disruptions; |
|
difficulties integrating and supporting acquired products or technologies; |
|
disruptions or reductions in client revenues associated with changes to the business models of acquired businesses; |
|
expenses, distractions and potential claims resulting from acquisitions, whether or not they are completed; |
|
retaining and integrating employees from any businesses we may acquire; |
|
issuance of dilutive equity securities, incurrence of debt or reduction in cash balances; |
|
integrating various accounting, management, information, human resource and other systems to permit effective management; |
|
incurring possible impairment charges, contingent liabilities, amortization expense or write-offs of goodwill; |
|
unexpected capital expenditure requirements; |
|
insufficient revenue to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions; |
|
underperformance problems associated with acquisitions; and |
|
becoming involved in acquisition-related litigation. |
Foreign acquisitions involve risks in addition to those mentioned above, including those related to integration of operations across different cultures and languages, currency risks and the particular economic, political, administrative and management, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries. We may not be able to address these risks successfully, or at all, without incurring significant costs, delay or other operating problems. Our inability to resolve such risks could harm our business and results of operations.
34
If we are unable to retain the members of our management team or attract and retain qualified management team members in the future, our business and growth could suffer.
Our success and future growth depend, to a significant degree, on the continued contributions of the members of our management team. Each member of our management team is an at-will employee and may voluntarily terminate his or her employment with us at any time with minimal notice. We also may need to hire additional management team members to adequately manage our growing business. We may not be able to retain or identify and attract additional qualified management team members. Competition for experienced management-level personnel in our industry is intense. Qualified individuals are in high demand, particularly in the Internet marketing industry, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. Members of our management team have also become, or will soon become, substantially vested in their stock option grants. Management team members may be more likely to leave as a result of the recent establishment of a public market for our common stock. If we lose the services of any member of our management team or if we are unable to attract and retain additional qualified senior managers, our business and growth could suffer.
We need to hire and retain additional qualified personnel to grow and manage our business. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, our business and growth could be seriously harmed.
Our performance depends on the talents and efforts of our employees. Our future success will depend on our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled personnel in all areas of our organization and, in particular, in our engineering/technology, sales and marketing, media, finance and legal/regulatory teams. We plan to continue to grow our business and will need to hire additional personnel to support this growth. We have found it difficult from time to time to locate and hire suitable personnel. If we experience similar difficulties in the future, our growth may be hindered. Qualified individuals are in high demand, particularly in the Internet marketing industry, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. Many of our employees have also become, or will soon become, substantially vested in their stock option grants. Employees may be more likely to leave us as a result of the establishment of a public market for our common stock. If we are unable to attract and retain the personnel we need to succeed, our business and growth could be harmed.
We depend on third-party website publishers for a significant portion of our visitors, and any decline in the supply of media available through these websites or increase in the price of this media could cause our revenue to decline or our cost to reach visitors to increase.
A significant portion of our revenue is attributable to visitors originating from arrangements that we have with third-party websites. In many instances, website publishers can change the media inventory they make available to us at any time and, therefore, impact our revenue. In addition, website publishers may place significant restrictions on our offerings. These restrictions may prohibit advertisements from specific clients or specific industries, or restrict the use of certain creative content or formats. If a website publisher decides not to make media inventory available to us, or decides to demand a higher revenue share or places significant restrictions on the use of such inventory, we may not be able to find advertising inventory from other websites that satisfy our requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner. In addition, the number of competing online marketing service providers and advertisers that acquire inventory from websites continues to increase. Consolidation of Internet advertising networks and website publishers could eventually lead to a concentration of desirable inventory on a small number of websites or networks, which could limit the supply of inventory available to us or increase the price of inventory to us. We cannot assure you that we will be able to acquire advertising inventory that meets our clients performance, price and quality requirements. If any of these things occur, our revenue could decline or our operating costs may increase.
If we do not effectively manage our growth, our operating performance will suffer and we may lose clients.
We have experienced rapid growth in our operations and operating locations, and we expect to experience further growth in our business, both through acquisitions and internally. This growth has placed, and will continue to place, significant demands on our management and our operational and financial infrastructure. In particular, continued rapid growth and acquisitions may make it more difficult for us to accomplish the following:
|
successfully scale our technology to accommodate a larger business and integrate acquisitions; |
|
maintain our standing with key vendors, including Internet search companies and third-party website publishers; |
|
maintain our client service standards; and |
|
develop and improve our operational, financial and management controls and maintain adequate reporting systems and procedures. |
In addition, our personnel, systems, procedures and controls may be inadequate to support our future operations. The improvements required to manage our growth will require us to make significant expenditures, expand, train and manage our employee base and allocate valuable management resources. If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our operating performance will suffer and we may lose clients, key vendors and key personnel.
35
We may need additional capital in the future to meet our financial obligations and to pursue our business objectives. Additional capital may not be available or may not be available on favorable terms and our business and financial condition could therefore be adversely affected.
While we anticipate that our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with availability under our existing credit facility and cash from operations, will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months, we may need to raise additional capital to fund operations in the future or to finance acquisitions. If we seek to raise additional capital in order to meet various objectives, including developing future technologies and services, increasing working capital, acquiring businesses and responding to competitive pressures, capital may not be available on favorable terms or may not be available at all. In addition, pursuant to the terms of our existing and new credit facility, we are required to use a portion of the net proceeds of certain equity financings to repay the outstanding balance of our term loan. Lack of sufficient capital resources could significantly limit our ability to take advantage of business and strategic opportunities. Any additional capital raised through the sale of equity or debt securities with an equity component would dilute our stock ownership. If adequate additional funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate material parts of our business strategy, including potential additional acquisitions or development of new technologies.
We have incurred a significant amount of debt, which may limit our ability to fund general corporate requirements and obtain additional financing, limit our flexibility in responding to business opportunities and competitive developments and increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions.
As of September 30, 2011, we had an outstanding term loan with a principal balance of $28.9 million and a revolving credit line pursuant to which we can borrow up to an additional $190.0 million. As of September 30, 2011, we had drawn $66.6 million from our revolving credit line. As of such date, we also had outstanding notes to sellers arising from numerous acquisitions in the total principal amount of $9.9 million. As a result of our debt:
|
we may not have sufficient liquidity to respond to business opportunities, competitive developments and adverse economic conditions; |
|
we may not have sufficient liquidity to fund all of these costs if our revenue declines or costs increase; and |
|
we may not have sufficient funds to repay the principal balance of our debt when due. |
Our debt obligations may also impair our ability to obtain additional financing, if needed. Our indebtedness is secured by substantially all of our assets, leaving us with limited collateral for additional financing. Moreover, the terms of our indebtedness restrict our ability to take certain actions, including the incurrence of additional indebtedness, mergers and acquisitions, investments and asset sales. In addition, even if we are able to raise needed equity financing, we are required to use a portion of the net proceeds of certain types of equity financings to repay the outstanding balance of our term loan. A failure to pay interest or indebtedness when due could result in a variety of adverse consequences, including the acceleration of our indebtedness. In such a situation, it is unlikely that we would be able to fulfill our obligations under our credit facility or repay the accelerated indebtedness or otherwise cover our costs.
The severe economic downturn in the United States still poses additional risks to our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The United States has recently experienced a severe economic downturn and significant uncertainty about the economic outlook remains. The slow pace of recovery in the United States, deterioration of global economies, potential insolvency of one or more countries globally, high unemployment and reduced and/or volatile equity valuations all create risks that could harm our business. If macroeconomic conditions were to worsen, we are not able to predict the impact such worsening conditions will have on the online marketing industry in general, and our results of operations specifically. Clients in particular client verticals such as financial services, particularly mortgage, credit cards and deposits, small- and medium-sized business customers and home services are facing very difficult conditions and their marketing spend has been negatively affected. These conditions could also damage our business opportunities in existing markets, and reduce our revenue and profitability. While the effect of these and related conditions poses widespread risk across our business, we believe that it may particularly affect our efforts in the mortgage, credit cards and deposits, small- and medium-sized business and home services client verticals, due to reduced availability of credit for households and business and reduced household disposable income. Economic conditions may not improve or may worsen.
36
Poor perception of our business or industry as a result of the actions of third parties could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is dependent on attracting a large number of visitors to our websites and providing leads and clicks to our clients, which depends in part on our reputation within the industry and with our clients. There are companies within our industry that regularly engage in activities that our clients customers may view as unlawful or inappropriate. These activities, such as spyware or deceptive promotions, by third parties may be seen by clients as characteristic of participants in our industry and, therefore, may have an adverse effect on the reputation of all participants in our industry, including us. Any damage to our reputation, including from publicity from legal proceedings against us or companies that work within our industry, governmental proceedings, consumer class action litigation, or the disclosure of information security breaches or private information misuse, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our quarterly revenue and operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter due to seasonal fluctuations in advertising spending.
Our results are subject to significant fluctuation as a result of seasonality. In particular, our quarters ending December 31 (our second fiscal quarter) generally demonstrate seasonal weakness. In our second fiscal quarters, there is generally lower availability of lead supply from some forms of media during the holiday period on a cost effective basis and some of our clients request fewer leads due to holiday staffing. Our fluctuating results could cause our performance to be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, causing the price of our common stock to fall. To the extent our rate of growth slows, we expect that the seasonality in our business may become more apparent and may in the future cause our operating results to fluctuate to a greater extent.
If we fail to compete effectively against other online marketing and media companies and other competitors, we could lose clients and our revenue may decline.
The market for online marketing is intensely competitive. We expect this competition to continue to increase in the future. We perceive only limited barriers to entry to the online marketing industry. We compete both for clients and for limited high quality advertising inventory. We compete for clients on the basis of a number of factors, including return on marketing expenditures, price, and client service.
We compete with Internet and traditional media companies for a share of clients overall marketing budgets, including:
|
online marketing or media services providers such as Halyard Education Partners in the education client vertical and BankRate in the financial services client vertical; |
|
offline and online advertising agencies; |
|
major Internet portals and search engine companies with advertising networks such as Google, Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL; |
|
other online marketing service providers, including online affiliate advertising networks and industry-specific portals or lead generation companies; |
|
website publishers with their own sales forces that sell their online marketing services directly to clients; |
|
in-house marketing groups at current or potential clients; |
|
offline direct marketing agencies; and |
|
television, radio and print companies. |
Competition for web traffic among websites and search engines, as well as competition with traditional media companies, could result in significant price pressure, declining margins, reductions in revenue and loss of market share. In addition, as we continue to expand the scope of our services, we may compete with a greater number of websites, clients and traditional media companies across an increasing range of different services, including in vertical markets where competitors may have advantages in expertise, brand recognition and other areas. Large Internet companies with brand recognition, such as Google, Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL, have significant numbers of direct sales personnel and substantial proprietary advertising inventory and web traffic that provide a significant competitive advantage and have significant impact on pricing for Internet advertising and web traffic. These companies may also develop more vertically targeted products that match consumers with products and services, such as Googles mortgage rate and credit card comparison products, and thus compete with us more directly. The trend toward consolidation in the Internet
37
advertising arena may also affect pricing and availability of advertising inventory and web traffic. Many of our current and potential competitors also enjoy other competitive advantages over us, such as longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, larger client bases, greater access to advertising inventory on high-traffic websites, and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources. As a result, we may not be able to compete successfully. Competition from other marketing service providers on- and offline offerings could affect both volume and price, and thus revenue. If we fail to deliver results that are superior to those that other online marketing service providers achieve, we could lose clients and our revenue may decline.
If the market for online marketing services fails to continue to develop, our future growth may be limited and our revenue may decrease.
The online marketing services market is relatively new and rapidly evolving, and it uses different measurements than traditional media to gauge its effectiveness. Some of our current or potential clients have little or no experience using the Internet for advertising and marketing purposes and have allocated only limited portions of their advertising and marketing budgets to the Internet. The adoption of Internet advertising, particularly by those entities that have historically relied upon traditional media for advertising, requires the acceptance of a new way of conducting business, exchanging information and evaluating new advertising and marketing technologies and services. In particular, we are dependent on our clients adoption of new metrics to measure the success of online marketing campaigns. We may also experience resistance from traditional advertising agencies who may be advising our clients. We cannot assure you that the market for online marketing services will continue to grow. If the market for online marketing services fails to continue to develop or develops more slowly than we anticipate, our ability to grow our business may be limited and our revenue may decrease.
Third-party website publishers can engage in unauthorized or unlawful acts that could subject us to significant liability or cause us to lose clients.
We generate a significant portion of our web visitors from media advertising that we purchase from third-party website publishers. Some of these publishers are authorized to display our clients brands, subject to contractual restrictions. In the past, some of our third-party website publishers have engaged in activities that certain of our clients have viewed as harmful to their brands, such as displaying outdated descriptions of a clients offerings or outdated logos. Any activity by publishers that clients view as potentially damaging to their brands can harm our relationship with the client and cause the client to terminate its relationship with us, resulting in a loss of revenue. In addition, the law is unsettled on the extent of liability that an advertiser in our position has for the activities of third-party website publishers. Recent Department of Education regulations impose strict liability on our education clients for misrepresentations made by their marketing service providers and many of our contracts in the education client vertical impose liability on us for the acts of our third-party publishers. We could be subject to costly litigation and, if we are unsuccessful in defending ourselves, damages for the unauthorized or unlawful acts of third-party website publishers.
Because many of our client contracts can be cancelled by the client with little prior notice or penalty, the cancellation of one or more contracts could result in an immediate decline in our revenue.
We derive our revenue from contracts with our Internet marketing clients, most of which are cancelable with little or no prior notice. In addition, these contracts do not contain penalty provisions for cancellation before the end of the contract term. The non-renewal, renegotiation, cancellation, or deferral of large contracts, or a number of contracts that in the aggregate account for a significant amount of our revenue, is difficult to anticipate and could result in an immediate decline in our revenue.
Unauthorized access to or accidental disclosure of consumer personally-identifiable information that we collect may cause us to incur significant expenses and may negatively affect our credibility and business.
There is growing concern over the security of personal information transmitted over the Internet, consumer identity theft and user privacy. Despite our implementation of security measures, our computer systems may be susceptible to electronic or physical computer break-ins, viruses and other disruptions and security breaches. Any perceived or actual unauthorized disclosure of personally-identifiable information regarding website visitors, whether through breach of our network by an unauthorized party, employee theft, misuse or error or otherwise, could harm our reputation, impair our ability to attract website visitors and attract and retain our clients, or subject us to claims or litigation arising from damages suffered by consumers, and thereby harm our business and operating results. In addition, we could incur significant costs in complying with the multitude of state, federal and foreign laws regarding the unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property rights, our competitive position and business may suffer.
Our ability to compete effectively depends upon our proprietary systems and technology. We rely on trade secret, trademark and copyright law, confidentiality agreements, technical measures and patents to protect our proprietary rights. We currently have one patent application pending in the United States and no issued patents. Effective trade secret, copyright, trademark and patent
38
protection may not be available in all countries where we currently operate or in which we may operate in the future. Some of our systems and technologies are not covered by any copyright, patent or patent application. We cannot guarantee that: (i) our intellectual property rights will provide competitive advantages to us; (ii) our ability to assert our intellectual property rights against potential competitors or to settle current or future disputes will not be limited by our agreements with third parties; (iii) our intellectual property rights will be enforced in jurisdictions where competition may be intense or where legal protection may be weak; (iv) any of the patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights that we presently employ in our business will not lapse or be invalidated, circumvented, challenged, or abandoned; (v) competitors will not design around our protected systems and technology; or (vi) that we will not lose the ability to assert our intellectual property rights against others.
We are a party to a number of third-party intellectual property license agreements and in the future, may need to obtain additional licenses or renew existing license agreements. We are unable to predict with certainty whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
We have from time to time become aware of third parties who we believe may have infringed on our intellectual property rights. The use of our intellectual property rights by others could reduce any competitive advantage we have developed and cause us to lose clients, third-party website publishers or otherwise harm our business. Policing unauthorized use of our proprietary rights can be difficult and costly. In addition, litigation, while it may be necessary to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights or to defend litigation brought against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention and could adversely affect our business, even if we are successful on the merits.
Confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.
We have devoted substantial resources to the development of our proprietary systems and technology. In order to protect our proprietary systems and technology, we enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, independent contractors and other advisors. These agreements may not effectively prevent unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or unauthorized parties from copying aspects of our services or obtaining and using information that we regard as proprietary. Moreover, these agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of such unauthorized disclosures of confidential information and we cannot assure you that our rights under such agreements will be enforceable. In addition, others may independently discover trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such cases we could not assert any trade secret rights against such parties. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could reduce any competitive advantage we have and cause us to lose clients, publishers or otherwise harm our business.
Third parties may sue us for intellectual property infringement which, if successful, could require us to pay significant damages or curtail our offerings.
We cannot be certain that our internally-developed or acquired systems and technologies do not and will not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, we license content, software and other intellectual property rights from third parties and may be subject to claims of infringement if such parties do not possess the necessary intellectual property rights to the products they license to us. We have in the past and may in the future be subject to legal proceedings and claims that we have infringed the patent or other intellectual property rights of a third-party. These claims sometimes involve patent holding companies or other adverse patent owners who have no relevant product revenue and against whom our own patents, if any, may therefore provide little or no deterrence. In addition, third parties have asserted and may in the future assert intellectual property infringement claims against our clients, which we have agreed in certain circumstances to indemnify and defend against such claims. Any intellectual property related infringement claims, whether or not meritorious, could result in costly litigation and could divert management resources and attention. Moreover, should we be found liable for infringement, we may be required to enter into licensing agreements, if available on acceptable terms or at all, pay substantial damages, or limit or curtail our systems and technologies. Moreover, we may need to redesign some of our systems and technologies to avoid future infringement liability. Any of the foregoing could prevent us from competing effectively and increase our costs.
Additionally, the laws relating to use of trademarks on the Internet are currently unsettled, particularly as they apply to search engine functionality. For example, other Internet marketing and search companies have been sued in the past for trademark infringement and other intellectual property-related claims for the display of ads or search results in response to user queries that include trademarked terms. The outcomes of these lawsuits have differed from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For this reason, it is conceivable that certain of our activities could expose us to trademark infringement, unfair competition, misappropriation or other intellectual property related claims which could be costly to defend and result in substantial damages or otherwise limit or curtail our activities, and adversely affect our business or prospects.
39
Our proprietary technologies may include design or performance defects and may not achieve their intended results, either of which could impair our future revenue growth.
Our proprietary technologies are relatively new, and they may contain design or performance defects that are not yet apparent. The use of our proprietary technologies may not achieve the intended results as effectively as other technologies that exist now or may be introduced by our competitors, in which case our business could be harmed.
If we fail to keep pace with rapidly-changing technologies and industry standards, we could lose clients or advertising inventory and our results of operations may suffer.
The business lines in which we currently compete are characterized by rapidly-changing Internet media and marketing standards, changing technologies, frequent new product and service introductions, and changing user and client demands. The introduction of new technologies and services embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices could render our existing technologies and services obsolete and unmarketable or require unanticipated investments in technology. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to adapt to these rapidly-changing Internet media formats and other technologies. We will need to enhance our existing technologies and services and develop and introduce new technologies and services to address our clients changing demands. If we fail to adapt successfully to such developments or timely introduce new technologies and services, we could lose clients, our expenses could increase and we could lose advertising inventory.
Changes in government regulation and industry standards applicable to the Internet and our business could decrease demand for our technologies and services or increase our costs.
Laws and regulations that apply to Internet communications, commerce and advertising are becoming more prevalent. These regulations could increase the costs of conducting business on the Internet and could decrease demand for our technologies and services.
In the United States, federal and state laws have been enacted regarding copyrights, sending of unsolicited commercial email, user privacy, search engines, Internet tracking technologies, direct marketing, data security, childrens privacy, pricing, sweepstakes, promotions, intellectual property ownership and infringement, trade secrets, export of encryption technology, taxation and acceptable content and quality of goods. Other laws and regulations may be adopted in the future. Laws and regulations, including those related to privacy and use of personal information, are changing rapidly outside the United States as well which may make compliance with such laws and regulations difficult and which may negatively affect our ability to expand internationally. This legislation could: (i) hinder growth in the use of the Internet generally; (ii) decrease the acceptance of the Internet as a communications, commercial and advertising medium; (iii) reduce our revenue; (iv) increase our operating expenses; or (v) expose us to significant liabilities.
The laws governing the Internet remain largely unsettled, even in areas where there has been some legislative action. While we actively monitor this changing legal and regulatory landscape to stay abreast of changes in the laws and regulations applicable to our business, we are not certain how our business might be affected by the application of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyrights, encryption and other intellectual property issues, libel, obscenity and export or import matters to the Internet advertising industry. The vast majority of such laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet. As a result, they do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies. Changes in laws intended to address such issues could create uncertainty in the Internet market. It may take years to determine how existing laws apply to the Internet and Internet marketing. Such uncertainty makes it difficult to predict costs and could reduce demand for our services or increase the cost of doing business as a result of litigation costs or increased service delivery costs.
In particular, a number of U.S. federal laws impact our business. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, is intended, in part, to limit the liability of eligible online service providers for listing or linking to third-party websites that include materials that infringe copyrights or other rights. Portions of the Communications Decency Act, or CDA, are intended to provide statutory protections to online service providers who distribute third-party content. We rely on the protections provided by both the DMCA and CDA in conducting our business. The Higher Education Act, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, provides that to be eligible to participate in Federal student financial aid programs, an educational institution must enter into a program participation agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Education. The agreement includes a number of conditions with which an institution must comply to be granted initial and continuing eligibility to participate. Among those conditions is a prohibition on institutions providing to any individual or entity engaged in recruiting or admission activities any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments. The Department of Education issued final regulations on incentive compensation and other matters which became effective July 1, 2011. The Departments regulations repeal all safe harbors regarding incentive compensation which existed under the prior regulations, including the safe harbor for Internet-based recruiting and admissions activities. The elimination of the safe harbors create uncertainty for us and our education clients and impact the way in which we are paid by our clients and, accordingly, could reduce the amount of revenue we generate from the education client vertical.
40
In addition, the Department has issued final regulations that will also restrict Title IV funding for programs not meeting prescribed income-to-debt ratios (i.e., programs not leading to gainful employment as defined under the proposed regulation). These regulations will take effect on July 1, 2012. These provisions, could negatively affect our business with education clients. Any changes in these laws or judicial interpretations narrowing their protections will subject us to greater risk of liability and may increase our costs of compliance with these regulations or limit our ability to operate certain lines of business.
The financial services, education and medical industries are highly regulated and our marketing activities on behalf of our clients in those industries are also regulated. As described above, and for example, the regulations from the Department of Education on incentive compensation, gainful employment and other matters could limit our clients businesses and limit the revenue we receive from our education clients. As an additional example, our mortgage and insurance websites and marketing services we offer are subject to various federal, state and local laws, including state licensing laws, federal and state laws prohibiting unfair acts and practices, and federal and state advertising laws. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to revocation of required licenses, civil, criminal or administrative liability, damage to our reputation or changes to or limitations on the conduct of our business. Any of the foregoing could cause our business, operations and financial condition to suffer.
Increased taxation of companies engaged in Internet commerce may adversely affect the commercial use of our marketing services and our financial results.
The tax treatment of Internet commerce remains unsettled, and we cannot predict the effect of current attempts to impose sales, income or other taxes on commerce conducted over the Internet. Tax authorities at the international, federal, state and local levels are currently reviewing the taxation of Internet commerce, particularly as many governmental agencies seek to address fiscal concerns and budgetary shortfalls by introducing new taxes or expanding the applicability of existing tax laws. We have experienced certain states taking expansive positions with regard to their taxation of our services. The imposition of new laws requiring the collection of sales or other transactional taxes on the sale of our services via the Internet could create increased administrative burdens or costs, discourage clients from purchasing services from us, decrease our ability to compete or otherwise substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Limitations on our ability to collect and use data derived from user activities could significantly diminish the value of our services and cause us to lose clients and revenue.
When a user visits our websites, we use technologies, including cookies, to collect information such as the users Internet Protocol, or IP, address, offerings delivered by us that have been previously viewed by the user and responses by the user to those offerings. In order to determine the effectiveness of a marketing campaign and to determine how to modify the campaign, we need to access and analyze this information. The use of cookies has been the subject of regulatory scrutiny and litigation and users are able to block or delete cookies from their browser. Periodically, certain of our clients and publishers seek to prohibit or limit our collection or use of this data. Interruptions, failures or defects in our data collection systems, as well as privacy concerns regarding the collection of user data, could also limit our ability to analyze data from our clients marketing campaigns. This risk is heightened when we deliver marketing services to clients in the financial and medical services client verticals. If our access to data is limited in the future, we may be unable to provide effective technologies and services to clients and we may lose clients and revenue.
As a creator and a distributor of Internet content, we face potential liability and expenses for legal claims based on the nature and content of the materials that we create or distribute. If we are required to pay damages or expenses in connection with these legal claims, our operating results and business may be harmed.
We create original content for our websites and marketing messages and distribute third-party content on our websites and in our marketing messages. As a creator and distributor of original content and third-party provided content, we face potential liability based on a variety of theories, including defamation, negligence, deceptive advertising (including the Department of Educations regulations regarding misrepresentation in education marketing), copyright or trademark infringement or other legal theories based on the nature, creation or distribution of this information. It is also possible that our website visitors could make claims against us for losses incurred in reliance upon information provided on our websites. In addition, as the number of users of forums and social media features on our websites increases, we could be exposed to liability in connection with material posted to our websites by users and other third parties. These claims, whether brought in the United States or abroad, could divert management time and attention away from our business and result in significant costs to investigate and defend, regardless of the merit of these claims. In addition, if we become subject to these types of claims and are not successful in our defense, we may be forced to pay substantial damages.
41
Wireless devices and mobile phones are increasingly being used to access the Internet, and our online marketing services may not be as effective when accessed through these devices, which could cause harm to our business.
The number of people who access the Internet through devices other than personal computers has increased substantially in the last few years. Our online marketing services were designed for persons accessing the Internet on a desktop or laptop computer. The smaller screens, lower resolution graphics and less convenient typing capabilities of these devices may make it more difficult for visitors to respond to our offerings. In addition, the cost of mobile advertising is relatively high and may not be cost-effective for our services. If our services continue to be less effective or economically attractive for clients seeking to engage in marketing through these devices and this segment of web traffic grows at the expense of traditional computer Internet access, we will experience difficulty attracting website visitors and attracting and retaining clients and our operating results and business will be harmed.
We may not succeed in expanding our businesses outside the United States, which may limit our future growth.
One potential area of growth for us is in the international markets and we have recently entered into certain markets. However, we have limited experience in marketing, selling and supporting our services outside of the United States and we may not be successful in introducing or marketing our services abroad. There are risks inherent in conducting business in international markets, such as:
|
the adaptation of technologies and services to foreign clients preferences and customs; |
|
application of foreign laws and regulations to us, including marketing and privacy regulations; |
|
changes in foreign political and economic conditions; |
|
tariffs and other trade barriers, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and potentially adverse tax consequences; |
|
language barriers or cultural differences; |
|
reduced or limited protection for intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions; |
|
difficulties and costs in staffing, managing or overseeing foreign operations; and |
|
education of potential clients who may not be familiar with online marketing. |
If we are unable to successfully expand and market our services abroad, our business and future growth may be harmed and we may incur costs that may not lead to future revenue.
We rely on Internet bandwidth and data center providers and other third parties for key aspects of the process of providing services to our clients, and any failure or interruption in the services and products provided by these third parties could harm our business.
We rely on third-party vendors, including data center and Internet bandwidth providers. Any disruption in the network access or co-location services provided by these third-party providers or any failure of these third-party providers to handle current or higher volumes of use could significantly harm our business. Any financial or other difficulties our providers face may have negative effects on our business, the nature and extent of which we cannot predict. We exercise little control over these third-party vendors, which increases our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. We license technology and related databases from third parties to facilitate analysis and storage of data and delivery of offerings. We have experienced interruptions and delays in service and availability for data centers, bandwidth and other technologies in the past. Any errors, failures, interruptions or delays experienced in connection with these third-party technologies and services could adversely affect our business and could expose us to liabilities to third parties.
Our systems also heavily depend on the availability of electricity, which also comes from third-party providers. If we or third-party data centers which we utilize were to experience a major power outage, we would have to rely on back-up generators. These back-up generators may not operate properly through a major power outage and their fuel supply could also be inadequate during a major power outage or disruptive event. Furthermore, we do not currently have backup generators at our Foster City, California headquarters. Information systems such as ours may be disrupted by even brief power outages, or by the fluctuations in power resulting from switches to and from back-up generators. This could give rise to obligations to certain of our clients which could have an adverse effect on our results for the period of time in which any disruption of utility services to us occurs.
42
Interruption or failure of our information technology and communications systems could impair our ability to effectively deliver our services, which could cause us to lose clients and harm our operating results.
Our delivery of marketing and media services depends on the continuing operation of our technology infrastructure and systems. Any damage to or failure of our systems could result in interruptions in our ability to deliver offerings quickly and accurately and/or process visitors responses emanating from our various web presences. Interruptions in our service could reduce our revenue and profits, and our reputation could be damaged if people believe our systems are unreliable. Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, terrorist attacks, floods, fires, power loss, break-ins, hardware or software failures, telecommunications failures, computer viruses or other attempts to harm our systems, and similar events.
We lease or maintain server space in various locations, including in San Francisco, California. Our California facilities are located in areas with a high risk of major earthquakes. Our facilities are also subject to break-ins, sabotage and intentional acts of vandalism, and to potential disruptions if the operators of these facilities have financial difficulties. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. The occurrence of a natural disaster, a decision to close a facility we are using without adequate notice for financial reasons or other unanticipated problems at our facilities could result in lengthy interruptions in our service.
Any unscheduled interruption in our service would result in an immediate loss of revenue. If we experience frequent or persistent system failures, the attractiveness of our technologies and services to clients and website publishers could be permanently harmed. The steps we have taken to increase the reliability and redundancy of our systems are expensive, reduce our operating margin, and may not be successful in reducing the frequency or duration of unscheduled interruptions.
Any constraints on the capacity of our technology infrastructure could delay the effectiveness of our operations or result in system failures, which would result in the loss of clients and harm our business and results of operations.
Our future success depends in part on the efficient performance of our software and technology infrastructure. As the numbers of websites and Internet users increase, our technology infrastructure may not be able to meet the increased demand. A sudden and unexpected increase in the volume of user responses could strain the capacity of our technology infrastructure. Any capacity constraints we experience could lead to slower response times or system failures and adversely affect the availability of websites and the level of user responses received, which could result in the loss of clients or revenue or harm to our business and results of operations.
We could lose clients if we fail to detect click-through or other fraud on advertisements in a manner that is acceptable to our clients.
We are exposed to the risk of fraudulent clicks or actions on our websites or our third-party publishers websites. We may in the future have to refund revenue that our clients have paid to us and that was later attributed to, or suspected to be caused by, fraud. Click-through fraud occurs when an individual clicks on an ad displayed on a website or an automated system is used to create such clicks with the intent of generating the revenue share payment to the publisher rather than to view the underlying content. Action fraud occurs when on-line forms are completed with false or fictitious information in an effort to increase the compensable actions in respect of which a web publisher is to be compensated. From time to time we have experienced fraudulent clicks or actions and we do not charge our clients for such fraudulent clicks or actions when they are detected. It is conceivable that this activity could negatively affect our profitability, and this type of fraudulent act could hurt our reputation. If fraudulent clicks or actions are not detected, the affected clients may experience a reduced return on their investment in our marketing programs, which could lead the clients to become dissatisfied with our campaigns, and in turn, lead to loss of clients and the related revenue. Additionally, we have from time to time had to terminate relationships with web publishers who we believed to have engaged in fraud and we may have to do so in the future. Termination of such relationships entails a loss of revenue associated with the legitimate actions or clicks generated by such web publishers.
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired, which would adversely affect our ability to operate our business.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We may in the future discover areas of our internal financial and accounting controls and procedures that need improvement. Our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control systems objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected. If we are unable to maintain proper and effective internal controls, we may not be able to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis, which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and could result in regulatory action.
43
Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our stock price may be volatile, and you may not be able to resell shares of our common stock at or above the price you paid.
The trading price of our common stock has been highly volatile since our initial public offering and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include those discussed in this Risk Factors section of this report on Form 10-Q and others such as:
|
changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; |
|
announcements about our revenues, earnings or growth rates that are not in line with analyst expectations, the risk of which is heightened because it is our policy not to give quarterly guidance on revenue, earnings, or growth rates. |
|
changes in governmental regulations; |
|
announcements by us or our competitors of new services, significant contracts, commercial relationships, acquisitions or capital commitments; |
|
changes in the search engine rankings of our sites or our ability to access PPC advertising; |
|
developments with respect to intellectual property rights; |
|
our ability to develop and market new and enhanced products on a timely basis; |
|
our commencement of, or involvement in, litigation; |
|
negative publicity about us, our industry, our clients or our clients industries; and |
|
a slowdown in our industry or the general economy. |
In recent years, the stock market in general, and the market for technology and Internet-based companies in particular, has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a particular companys securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our managements attention and resources.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse opinion regarding our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse opinion regarding our stock, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
Our directors, executive officers and principal stockholders and their respective affiliates have substantial control over us and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control.
As of September 30, 2011, our directors and executive officers, together with their affiliates, beneficially owned approximately 32% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders, acting together, have substantial control over the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, these stockholders, acting together, have significant influence over the management and affairs of our company. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership may have the effect of:
|
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in corporate control; |
44
|
impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us; or |
|
discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us. |
Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
If our existing stockholders sell, or indicate an intent to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market the trading price of our common stock could decline significantly. We had 47,602,227 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2011. In addition, (i) the 11,469,939 shares subject to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units under our equity incentive plans as of September 30, 2011 and (ii) the shares reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans will become eligible for sale in the public market in the future, subject to certain legal and contractual limitations. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the price of our common stock could decline substantially.
Provisions in our charter documents under Delaware law and in contractual obligations, could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable and may lead to entrenchment of management.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in our management without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions include:
|
a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors; |
|
no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates; |
|
the exclusive right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors; |
|
the ability of our board of directors to determine to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer; |
|
a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders; |
|
the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer or the board of directors, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and |
|
advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirors own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us. |
We are subject to certain anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not, in general, engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other things, the board of directors has approved the transaction.
45
We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.
We do not intend to declare and pay dividends on our capital stock for the foreseeable future. We currently intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth. Additionally, the terms of our credit facility restrict our ability to pay dividends. Therefore, you are not likely to receive any dividends on your common stock for the foreseeable future.
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds
On February 10, 2010, our registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-163228) was declared effective for our initial public offering. From the effective date of the registration statement through September 30, 2011, we have used the net proceeds of the offering for working capital purposes and acquisitions.
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
We did not purchase any of our equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2011.
ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
None.
ITEM 4. | (REMOVED AND RESERVED) |
ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION |
(a) Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement and Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation
On November 4, 2011, QuinStreet, Inc. (the Company) replaced its existing $225.0 million credit facility with a new $300.0 million credit facility. Comerica Bank was the administrative agent and lead arranger for both the old and new credit facility. The new facility consists of a $100.0 million five-year term loan, with principal amortization of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 50% annually, and a $200.0 million five-year revolving credit line. See Note 12 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information. The description of the credit facility is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the credit facility, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Other Events
On November 3, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a stock repurchase program allowing the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. The repurchase program expires in November 2012. Repurchases under this program may take place in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and the Company may discontinue repurchases at any time. The amount authorized by the Companys Board of Directors excludes broker commissions.
(c) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Company held its fiscal year 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on November 3, 2011. Of the 47,600,718 shares of the Companys common stock outstanding as of September 15, 2011 (the record date), 43,993,869 shares, or 92.42%, were present or represented by proxy at the meeting. Four proposals were considered at the meeting.
Proposal One . The stockholders elected the Companys three Class II nominees to the Companys Board of Directors to each serve for a three-year term, each until his or her successor is duly elected. The table below presents the results of the election:
Name |
For | Withheld | Broker Non-Votes | |||||||||
John G. McDonald |
39,255,239 | 688,529 | 4,050,101 | |||||||||
Gregory Sands |
39,329,571 | 614,197 | 4,050,101 | |||||||||
Bronwyn Syiek |
39,336,986 | 606,782 | 4,050,101 |
Proposal Two . The stockholders ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. The table below presents the voting results on this proposal:
For |
Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes |
|||
43,837,480 |
153,662 | 2,727 | 3,606,849 |
Proposal Three . The stockholders approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers, as disclosed in the Companys 2011 Proxy Statement. The table below presents the voting results on this proposal:
For |
Against |
Abstentions |
Broker Non-Votes |
|||
39,914,013 |
22,691 | 7,064 | 7,656,950 |
Proposal Four . The stockholders voted, on a non-binding advisory basis, on the frequency (among the options of every one year, every two years or every three years) of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Companys named executive officers. The table below presents the voting results on this proposal:
One Year |
Two Years | Three Years | Abstentions | Broker Non-Votes | ||||||||||||
32,733,285 |
1,625,900 | 635,783 | 4,948,800 | 7,656,950 |
With regard to Proposal Four, a majority of the shares were voted, consistent with the recommendation of the Companys Board of Directors set forth in the Companys 2011 Proxy Statement, for holding future advisory votes on executive compensation on an annual basis.
46
ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
Exhibit Number |
Description of Document |
|
10.1* | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of November 4, 2011. | |
31.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2* | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
101.INS** | XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
* | Filed herewith. |
| Furnished herewith. |
** | XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections. |
47
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
QUINSTREET, INC. |
/s/ Kenneth Hahn |
Kenneth Hahn |
Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized signatory) |
Date: November 8, 2011 |
48
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number |
Description of Document |
|
10.1* | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of November 4, 2011. | |
31.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2* | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
101.INS** | XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
* | Filed herewith. |
| Furnished herewith. |
** | XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections. |
49
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
QUINSTREET, INC.
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 4, 2011
COMERICA BANK
AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, SOLE LEAD ARRANGER AND
SOLE BOOKRUNNER
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
AS SYNDICATION AGENT
UNION BANK, N.A.
AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
1. |
DEFINITIONS. | 1 | ||||||
1.1 | Certain Defined Terms | 1 | ||||||
2. | REVOLVING CREDIT. | 27 | ||||||
2.1 | Commitment | 27 | ||||||
2.2 | Accrual of Interest and Maturity; Evidence of Indebtedness. | 27 | ||||||
2.3 | Requests for and Refundings and Conversions of Advances | 28 | ||||||
2.4 | Disbursement of Advances. | 30 | ||||||
2.5 | Swing Line | 32 | ||||||
2.6 | Interest Payments; Default Interest | 37 | ||||||
2.7 | Optional Prepayments. | 38 | ||||||
2.8 | Base Rate Advance in Absence of Election or Upon Default | 39 | ||||||
2.9 | Revolving Credit Facility Fee | 39 | ||||||
2.10 | Mandatory Repayment of Revolving Credit Advances. | 39 | ||||||
2.11 | Optional Reduction or Termination of Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment | 41 | ||||||
2.12 | Use of Proceeds of Advances | 41 | ||||||
2.13 | Optional Increase in Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment | 42 | ||||||
3. | LETTERS OF CREDIT. | 43 | ||||||
3.1 | Letters of Credit | 43 | ||||||
3.2 | Conditions to Issuance | 43 | ||||||
3.3 | Notice | 45 | ||||||
3.4 | Letter of Credit Fees; Increased Costs | 45 | ||||||
3.5 | Other Fees | 47 | ||||||
3.6 | Participation Interests in and Drawings and Demands for Payment Under Letters of Credit. | 47 | ||||||
3.7 | Obligations Irrevocable | 49 | ||||||
3.8 | Risk Under Letters of Credit. | 50 | ||||||
3.9 | Indemnification | 51 | ||||||
3.10 | Right of Reimbursement | 52 | ||||||
4. | TERM LOAN. | 52 | ||||||
4.1 | Term Loan | 52 | ||||||
4.2 | Accrual of Interest and Maturity; Evidence of Indebtedness. | 52 | ||||||
4.3 | Repayment of Principal | 53 | ||||||
4.4 | Term Loan Rate Requests; Refundings and Conversions of Advances of Term Loan | 54 | ||||||
4.5 | Base Rate Advance in Absence of Election or Upon Default. | 55 | ||||||
4.6 | Interest Payments; Default Interest | 55 | ||||||
4.7 | Optional Prepayment of Term Loan | 56 | ||||||
4.8 | Mandatory Prepayment of Term Loan. | 56 | ||||||
4.9 | Use of Proceeds | 58 |
i
ii
iii
12.4 | Successor Agent | 98 | ||||||
12.5 | Credit Decisions | 98 | ||||||
12.6 | Authority of Agent to Enforce This Agreement | 98 | ||||||
12.7 | Indemnification of Agent | 99 | ||||||
12.8 | Knowledge of Default | 99 | ||||||
12.9 | Agents Authorization; Action by Lenders | 100 | ||||||
12.10 | Enforcement Actions by the Agent | 100 | ||||||
12.11 | Collateral Matters. | 100 | ||||||
12.12 | Agents in their Individual Capacities | 101 | ||||||
12.13 | Agents Fees | 101 | ||||||
12.14 | Documentation Agent or other Titles | 101 | ||||||
12.15 | No Reliance on Agents Customer Identification Program | 101 | ||||||
13. | MISCELLANEOUS. | 102 | ||||||
13.1 | Accounting Principles | 102 | ||||||
13.2 | Consent to Jurisdiction | 102 | ||||||
13.3 | Law of California | 102 | ||||||
13.4 | Interest | 103 | ||||||
13.5 | Closing Costs and Other Costs; Indemnification. | 103 | ||||||
13.6 | Notices. | 104 | ||||||
13.7 | Further Action | 105 | ||||||
13.8 | Successors and Assigns; Participations; Assignments. | 105 | ||||||
13.9 | Counterparts | 108 | ||||||
13.10 | Amendment and Waiver. | 109 | ||||||
13.11 | Confidentiality | 110 | ||||||
13.12 | Substitution or Removal of Lenders | 111 | ||||||
13.13 | Withholding Taxes | 112 | ||||||
13.14 | Taxes and Fees | 113 | ||||||
13.15 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 114 | ||||||
13.16 | USA Patriot Act Notice | 116 | ||||||
13.17 | Complete Agreement; Conflicts | 116 | ||||||
13.18 | Severability | 116 | ||||||
13.19 | Table of Contents and Headings; Section References | 116 | ||||||
13.20 | Construction of Certain Provisions | 117 | ||||||
13.21 | Independence of Covenants | 117 | ||||||
13.22 | Electronic Transmissions | 117 | ||||||
13.23 | Advertisements | 118 | ||||||
13.24 | Reliance on and Survival of Provisions | 118 | ||||||
13.25 | Amendment and Restatement; Assignment and Assumptions | 118 | ||||||
13.26 | Individual Employee Liability to Lenders | 118 |
iv
EXHIBITS
A FORM OF REQUEST FOR REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCE
B FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
C FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE
D FORM OF REQUEST FOR SWING LINE ADVANCE
E FORM OF NOTICE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT
F FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT
G [RESERVED]
H FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
I FORM OF GUARANTY
J FORM OF COVENANT COMPLIANCE REPORT
K FORM OF TERM LOAN NOTE
L FORM OF TERM LOAN RATE REQUEST
M FORM OF SWING LINE PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE
N FORM OF NEW LENDER ADDENDUM
SCHEDULES |
v
QUINSTREET, INC.
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
This Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (Agreement) is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011, to be effective on the Effective Date, by and among QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower), the financial institutions from time to time signatory hereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent), Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent and Union Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agent.
RECITALS
A. Borrower and Comerica Bank entered into that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of January 14, 2010 (as subsequently amended from time to time, the Prior Credit Agreement).
B. Borrower now desires to amend and replace the Prior Credit Agreement with an amended and restated credit agreement evidenced by this Agreement.
C. Borrower has requested that the Lenders extend to it credit and letters of credit on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
D. The Lenders are prepared to extend such credit as aforesaid, but only on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants contained herein, Borrower, the Lenders, and the Agent agree as follows:
1. | DEFINITIONS. |
1.1 Certain Defined Terms . For the purposes of this Agreement the following terms will have the following meanings:
Account(s) shall mean any account or account receivable as defined under the UCC, including without limitation, with respect to any Person, any right of such Person to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered.
Account Control Agreement(s) shall mean those certain account control agreements, or similar agreements that are delivered pursuant to Section 7.14 of this Agreement or otherwise, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Account Debtor shall mean the party who is obligated on or under any Account.
Advance(s) shall mean, as the context may indicate, a borrowing requested by the Borrower, and made by the Revolving Credit Lenders under Section 2.1 hereof, the Term Loan
1
Lenders under Section 4.1 hereof, or the Swing Line Lender under Section 2.5 hereof, including without limitation any readvance, refunding or conversion of such borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3, 2.5 or 4.4 hereof, and any advance deemed to have been made in respect of a Letter of Credit under Section 3.6(a) hereof, and shall include, as applicable, a Eurodollar-based Advance, a Base Rate Advance and a Quoted Rate Advance.
Affected Lender shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.12 hereof.
Affiliate shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling (including but not limited to all directors and officers of such Person), controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person for the purposes of this definition if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power (i) to vote 30% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or managers of such other Person or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agent shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble, and include any successor agents appointed in accordance with Section 12.4 hereof.
Agents Correspondent shall mean for Eurodollar-based Advances, Agents Grand Cayman Branch (or for the account of said branch office, at Agents main office in San Jose, California, United States).
Applicable Fee Percentage shall mean, as of any date of determination thereof, the applicable percentage used to calculate certain of the fees due and payable hereunder, determined by reference to the appropriate columns in the Pricing Matrix attached to this Agreement as Schedule 1.1.
Applicable Interest Rate shall mean, (i) with respect to each Revolving Credit Advance and Term Loan Advance, the Eurodollar-based Rate or the Base Rate, and (ii) with respect to each Swing Line Advance, the Base Rate or, the Quoted Rate, in each case as selected by the Borrower from time to time and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Applicable Margin shall mean, as of any date of determination thereof, the applicable interest rate margin, determined by reference to the appropriate columns in the Pricing Matrix attached to this Agreement as Schedule 1.1, such Applicable Margin to be adjusted solely as specified in Section 11.8 hereof.
Applicable Measuring Period shall mean the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the applicable date of determination.
Asset Sale shall mean the sale, transfer or other disposition by any Credit Party of any asset (other than the sale or transfer of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the stock or other ownership interests of any Subsidiary) to any Person (other than to Borrower or a Guarantor).
Assignment Agreement shall mean an Assignment Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto.
2
Authorized Signer shall mean each person who has been authorized by the Borrower to execute and deliver any requests for Advances hereunder pursuant to a written authorization delivered to the Agent and whose signature card or incumbency certificate has been received by the Agent.
Bankruptcy Code shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code and the rules promulgated thereunder.
Base Rate shall mean for any day, that rate of interest which is equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate for such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day, plus one percent (1.0%), and (c) the Daily Adjusting LIBOR Rate plus one percent (1.0%); provided, however, for purposes of determining the Base Rate during any period that LIBOR Rate is unavailable as determined under Sections 11.3 or 11.4 hereof, the Base Rate shall be determined using, for clause (c) hereof, the Daily Adjusting LIBOR Rate in effect immediately prior to the LIBOR Rate becoming unavailable pursuant to Sections 11.3 or 11.4.
Base Rate Advance shall mean an Advance which bears interest at the Base Rate.
Borrower shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which commercial banks are open for domestic and international business (including dealings in foreign exchange) in San Jose, California and New York, New York, and in the case of a Business Day which relates to a Eurodollar-based Advance, on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank eurodollar market.
Capital Expenditures shall mean, for any period, with respect to any Person (without duplication), the aggregate of all expenditures incurred by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a Capitalized Lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment, plant and property that should be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries, but excluding expenditures made in connection with the Reinvestment of Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds or the Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Sales.
Capitalized Lease shall mean, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) with respect to which the discounted present value of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee thereunder, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of that Person.
Cash shall mean unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.
Cash Proceeds shall mean Cash, proceeds of Advances of the Revolving Credit and proceeds of Seller Notes that are payable in full within 12 months from the date of the closing of the related acquisitions.
Change in Law shall mean the occurrence, after the Effective Date, of any of the following: (i) the adoption or introduction of, or any change in any applicable law, treaty, rule or
3
regulation (whether domestic or foreign) now or hereafter in effect and whether or not applicable to any Lender or Agent on such date, or (ii) any change in interpretation, administration or implementation of any such law, treaty, rule or regulation by any Governmental Authority, or (iii) the issuance, making or implementation by any Governmental Authority of any interpretation, administration, request, regulation, guideline, or directive (whether or not having the force of law), including any risk-based capital guidelines. For purposes of this definition, (x) a change in law, treaty, rule, regulation, interpretation, administration or implementation shall include, without limitation, any change made or which becomes effective on the basis of a law, treaty, rule, regulation, interpretation administration or implementation then in force, the effective date of which change is delayed by the terms of such law, treaty, rule, regulation, interpretation, administration or implementation, (y) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub. L. 111-203, H.R. 4173) and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith shall be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or promulgated, whether before or after the Effective Date and (z) 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 regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall each be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
Change of Control shall mean an event or series of events whereby any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of a sufficient number of shares of all classes of stock then outstanding of Borrower ordinarily entitled to vote in the election of directors, empowering such person or group to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of Borrower, who did not have such power before such transaction.
Collateral shall mean all property or rights in which a security interest, mortgage, lien or other encumbrance for the benefit of the Lenders is or has been granted or arises or has arisen, under or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or otherwise to secure the Indebtedness.
Collateral Access Agreement shall mean an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent in its sole discretion, pursuant to which a mortgagee or lessor of real property on which Collateral is stored or otherwise located, or a warehouseman, processor or other bailee of inventory or other property owned by any Credit Party, that acknowledges the Liens under the Collateral Documents and subordinates or waives any Liens held by such Person on such property and, includes such other agreements with respect to the Collateral as Agent may require in its sole discretion, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Collateral Documents shall mean the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreements, the Mortgages, the Account Control Agreements, the Collateral Access Agreements, and all other security documents (and any joinders thereto) executed by any Credit Party in favor of the Agent prior to, on or after the Effective Date, in connection with any of the foregoing collateral documents, in each case, as such collateral documents may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time.
4
Comerica Bank shall mean Comerica Bank and its successors or assigns.
Condemnation Proceeds shall mean the cash proceeds received by any Credit Party in respect of any condemnation proceeding net of reasonable fees and expenses (including without limitation attorneys fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the collection thereof.
Consolidated (or consolidated) or Consolidating (or consolidating) shall mean, when used with reference to any financial term in this Agreement, the aggregate for two or more Persons of the amounts signified by such term for all such Persons determined on a consolidated (or consolidating) basis in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis. Unless otherwise specified herein, Consolidated and Consolidating shall refer to Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a Consolidated or Consolidating basis.
Covenant Compliance Report shall mean the report to be furnished by Borrower to the Agent pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof, substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit J and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, in which report Borrower shall set forth the information specified therein and which shall include a statement of then applicable level for the Applicable Margin and Applicable Fee Percentages as specified in Schedule 1.1 attached to this Agreement.
Credit Parties shall mean the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and Credit Party shall mean any one of them, as the context indicates or otherwise requires.
Current Liabilities shall mean, as of any applicable date, all amounts that should, in accordance with GAAP, be included as current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as at such date (but excluding any Indebtedness to Lenders under the Revolving Credit).
Daily Adjusting LIBOR Rate shall mean for any day a per annum interest rate which is equal to the quotient of the following:
(a) | the LIBOR Rate; |
divided by
(b) | a percentage (expressed as a decimal) equal to 1.00 minus the maximum rate on such date at which Agent is required to maintain reserves on Euro-currency Liabilities as defined in and pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or, if such regulation or definition is modified, and as long as Agent is required to maintain reserves against a category of liabilities which includes eurodollar deposits or includes a category of assets which includes eurodollar loans, the rate at which such reserves are required to be maintained on such category; |
5
such sum to be rounded upward, if necessary, in the discretion of the Agent, to the seventh decimal place.
Debt shall mean as to any Person, without duplication (a) all Funded Debt of a Person, (b) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all indebtedness of such Person arising in connection with any Hedging Transaction entered into by such Person, (e) all recourse Debt of any partnership of which such Person is the general partner, and (f) any Off Balance Sheet Liabilities.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code, 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.
Default shall mean any event that with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement.
Defaulting Lender shall mean a Lender that, as determined by the Agent (with notice to the Borrower of such determination), (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, in respect of its Percentage of any Advances or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Advances, within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Agent or any Lender that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within one Business Day after request by the Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state, federal or other governmental or regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority unless deemed so by the Agent in its sole discretion.
Deferred Revenue shall mean all non-refundable amounts received in advance of performance under contracts and not yet recognized as revenue.
Disclosure Letter means the disclosure letter delivered to the Agent by the Borrower on the Effective Date.
Distribution is defined in Section 8.5 hereof.
Dollars and the sign $ shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.
Domestic Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary of Borrower incorporated or organized
6
under the laws of the United States of America, or any state or other political subdivision thereof or which is considered to be a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes and which is not a controlled foreign corporation as defined under Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code, in each case provided such Subsidiary is owned by Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower, and Domestic Subsidiaries shall mean any or all of them.
EBITDA shall mean with respect to any fiscal period an amount equal to the sum of earnings before depreciation, amortization, non-cash stock compensation, net interest and taxes, but excluding one-time acquisition costs related to FASB 141r, measured on a trailing four fiscal quarter basis.
Effective Date shall mean the date on which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 have been satisfied or waived in writing.
Electronic Transmission shall mean each document, instruction, authorization, file, information and any other communication transmitted, posted or otherwise made or communicated by e-mail or E-Fax, or otherwise to or from an E-System or other equivalent service.
Eligible Assignee shall mean (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) any Person (other than a natural person) that is or will be engaged in the business of making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans or similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business, provided that such Person is administered or managed by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an entity or Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender; or (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the (i) Agent in its reasonable discretion (and in the case of an assignment of a commitment under the Revolving Credit, the Issuing Lender and Swing Line Lender), and (ii) unless a Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Assignee shall not include the Borrower, or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries; (y) notwithstanding clause (d)(ii) of this definition, no assignment shall be made to an entity which is a competitor of any Credit Party without the consent of the Borrower, which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion; and (z) no assignment shall be made to a Defaulting Lender (or any Person who would be a Defaulting Lender if such Person was a Lender hereunder) without the consent of the Agent, and in the case of an assignment of a commitment under the Revolving Credit, the Issuing Lender and the Swing Line Lender.
Equity Interest shall mean (i) in the case of any corporation, all capital stock and any securities exchangeable for or convertible into capital stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents of corporate stock (however designated) in or to such association or entity, (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distribution of assets of, the issuing Person, and including, in all of the foregoing cases described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), any warrants, rights or other options to purchase or otherwise acquire any of the interests described in any of the foregoing cases.
7
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor act or code and the regulations in effect from time to time thereunder.
E-System shall mean any electronic system and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Agent, any of its Affiliates or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
Eurodollar-based Advance shall mean any Advance which bears interest at the Eurodollar-based Rate.
Eurodollar-based Rate shall mean a per annum interest rate which is equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin, plus the quotient of:
(i) the LIBOR Rate, divided by
(ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the maximum rate on such date at which Agent is required to maintain reserves on Eurocurrency Liabilities as defined in and pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or, if such regulation or definition is modified, and as long as Agent is required to maintain reserves against a category of liabilities which includes eurocurrency deposits or includes a category of assets which includes eurocurrency loans, the rate at which such reserves are required to be maintained on such category,
such sum to be rounded upward, if necessary, in the discretion of the Agent, to the seventh decimal place.
Eurodollar-Interest Period shall mean, for any Eurodollar-based Advance, an Interest Period of one, two or three months (or any shorter or longer periods agreed to in advance by the Borrower, Agent and the Lenders) as selected by Borrower, for such Eurodollar-based Advance pursuant to Section 2.3 or 4.4 hereof, as the case may be.
Eurodollar Lending Office shall mean, (a) with respect to the Agent, Agents office located at its Grand Caymans Branch or such other branch of Agent, domestic or foreign, as it may hereafter designate as its Eurodollar Lending Office by written notice to Borrower and the Lenders and (b) as to each of the Lenders, its office, branch or affiliate located at its address set forth on the signature pages hereof (or identified thereon as its Eurodollar Lending Office), or at such other office, branch or affiliate of such Lender as it may hereafter designate as its Eurodollar Lending Office by written notice to Borrower and Agent.
Event of Default shall mean each of the Events of Default specified in Section 9.1 hereof.
Excluded Equity Issuances shall mean (a) any issuance of Equity Interests under any stock option or employee incentive plans and issuances of Equity Interests of the Borrower pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants issued under any such plans, (b) any issuance of Equity Interests to current shareholders and other private equity issuances, (c) any issuance by any Subsidiary of Borrower of its Equity Interests to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of
8
Borrower, (d) any receipt by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower of a capital contribution from Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, (e) issuances of Equity Interests, the Net Cash Proceeds of which are applied by Borrower or any Subsidiary to the consideration paid for a Permitted Acquisition, and (f) issuances of Equity Interests in connection with any IPO or other public equity offering.
Existing Letters of Credit shall mean the letters of credit previously issued by Comerica Bank for the account of certain of the Credit Parties which are listed in attached Schedule 1.4.
Federal Funds Effective Rate shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating interest 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, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected reasonably by Agent, all as conclusively determined by the Agent, such sum to be rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of 1/100th of 1%.
Fee Letter shall mean the fee letter by and between Borrower and Comerica Bank dated as of August 25, 2011, relating to the Indebtedness hereunder, as amended, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.
Fees shall mean the Revolving Credit Facility Fee, the Letter of Credit Fees and the other fees and charges (including any agency fees) payable by Borrower to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or Agent hereunder or under the Fee Letter.
Final Maturity Date shall mean the last to occur of (i) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or (ii) the Term Loan Maturity Date.
Fiscal Year shall mean the twelve-month period ending on each June 30.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall mean as of any date of determination a ratio the numerator of which is EBITDA for the preceding four fiscal quarters ending on the date of determination and the denominator of which is the sum of each of the following fixed charges for the preceding four fiscal quarters ending on such date of determination: unfinanced Capital Expenditures, plus Net Cash Interest Expenses, plus cash taxes, plus cash dividends, plus trailing four fiscal quarters payments of Debt which are actually made by Borrower (excluding unsecured payments with respect to Seller Notes to the extent there is equivalent unused capacity under the Revolving Credit as of the date paid), all as determined on a consolidated basis by Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
Foreign Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary, other than a Domestic Subsidiary, and Foreign Subsidiaries shall mean any or all of them.
Fronting Exposure shall mean, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Percentage of the outstanding Letter of
9
Credit Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender (other than Letter of Credit Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof), and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Percentage of outstanding Swing Line Advances made by the Swing Line Lender (other than Swing Line Advances as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof).
Funded Debt of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services as of such date (other than operating leases and trade liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary practices) or which is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, (b) the principal component of all obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases, (c) all reimbursement obligations (actual, contingent or otherwise) of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances or similar obligations issued or created for the account of such Person, (d) all liabilities of the type described in (a), (b) and (c) above that are secured by any Liens on any property owned by such Person as of such date even though such Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable for the payment thereof, the amount of which is determined in accordance with GAAP; provided however that so long as such Person is not personally liable for any such liability, the amount of such liability shall be deemed to be the lesser of the fair market value at such date of the property subject to the Lien securing such liability and the amount of the liability secured, and (e) all Guarantee Obligations in respect of any liability which constitutes Funded Debt; provided, however that Funded Debt shall not include any indebtedness under any Hedging Transaction prior to the occurrence of a termination event with respect thereto.
Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall mean as of any date of determination, a ratio the numerator of which is Funded Debt and the denominator of which is EBITDA, all as determined on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
GAAP shall mean, as of any applicable date of determination, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, consistently applied, as in effect on the Effective Date.
Governmental Authority shall mean the government of the United States of America 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 without limitation any supranational bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Governmental Obligations means noncallable direct general obligations of the United States of America or obligations the payment of principal of and interest on which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America.
10
Guarantee Obligation shall mean as to any Person (the guaranteeing person) any obligation of the guaranteeing Person in respect of any obligation of another Person (the primary obligor) (including, without limitation, any bank under any letter of credit), the creation of which was induced by a reimbursement agreement, guaranty agreement, keepwell agreement, purchase agreement, counterindemnity or similar obligation issued by the guaranteeing person, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Funded Debt (the primary obligations) of the primary obligor in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing persons maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the applicable Person in good faith.
Guarantor(s) shall mean each Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower which has executed and delivered to the Agent a Guaranty (or a joinder to a Guaranty), and a Security Agreement (or a joinder to the Security Agreement).
Guaranty shall mean, collectively, the Guaranty executed and delivered by the applicable Guarantors on September 29, 2008, and those guaranty agreements executed and delivered from time to time after the Effective Date (whether by execution of joinder agreements or otherwise) pursuant to Section 7.13 hereof or otherwise, in each case in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Hazardous Material shall mean any hazardous or toxic waste, substance or material defined or regulated as such or regulated for reasons of health, safety or the environment in the Hazardous Material Laws.
Hazardous Material Law(s) shall mean all laws, codes, ordinances, rules, regulations and other governmental restrictions and requirements issued by any federal, state, local or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority or body (or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof) pertaining to any Hazardous Material and which is present or alleged to be present on or about or used in any facilities owned, leased or operated by any Credit Party, or any portion thereof including, without limitation, those relating to soil, surface, subsurface ground water conditions and the condition of the indoor and outdoor ambient air; any
11
so-called superfund or superlien law; and any other United States federal, state or local statute, law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order or decree regulating, relating to, or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning, any Hazardous Material, as now or at any time during the term of the Agreement in effect.
Hedging Agreement shall mean any agreement relating to a Hedging Transaction entered into between the Borrower (or Borrower jointly with any Guarantor) and any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.
Hedging Transaction means each interest rate swap transaction, basis swap transaction, currency hedge, forward rate transaction, equity transaction, equity index transaction, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions and any combination of any of the foregoing).
Hereof, hereto, hereunder and similar terms shall refer to this Agreement and not to any particular paragraph or provision of this Agreement.
Indebtedness shall mean all indebtedness and liabilities (including without limitation principal, interest (including without limitation interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in this Agreement or any other applicable Loan Document after an applicable maturity date and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in this Agreement or any other applicable Loan Document after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Credit Parties whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), fees, expenses and other charges) arising under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, of any Credit Party to any of the Lenders or Affiliates thereof or to the Agent, in any manner and at any time, whether arising under this Agreement, the Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents (including without limitation, payment obligations under Hedging Transactions evidenced by Hedging Agreements) , due or hereafter to become due, now owing or that may hereafter be incurred by any Credit Party to any of the Lenders or Affiliates thereof or to the Agent, and which shall be deemed to include protective advances made by Agent with respect to the Collateral under or pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document and any liabilities of any Credit Party to Agent or any Lender arising in connection with any Lender Products, in each case whether or not reduced to judgment, with interest according to the rates and terms specified, and any and all consolidations, amendments, renewals, replacements, substitutions or extensions of any of the foregoing; provided, however that for purposes of calculating the Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, the direct and indirect and absolute and contingent obligations of the Credit Parties (whether direct or contingent) shall be determined without duplication.
Initial Reinvestment Period shall mean a 180-day period during which Reinvestment must be commenced under Section 4.8(a) and (c) of this Agreement.
Insurance Proceeds shall mean the cash proceeds received by any Credit Party from any insurer in respect of any damage or destruction of any property or asset net of reasonable fees and expenses (including without limitation attorneys fees and expenses) incurred solely in connection with the recovery thereof.
12
Intercompany Note shall mean any promissory note issued or to be issued by any Credit Party to evidence an intercompany loan substantially in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
Interest Period shall mean (a) with respect to a Eurodollar-based Advance, a Eurodollar-Interest Period, commencing on the day a Eurodollar-based Advance is made, or on the effective date of an election of the Eurodollar-based Rate made under Section 2.3 or 4.4 hereof, and (b) with respect to a Swing Line Advance carried at the Quoted Rate, an interest period of 30 days (or any lesser number of days agreed to in advance by the Borrower, Agent and the Swing Line Lender); provided, however that (i) any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall end on the next succeeding Business Day, except that as to an Interest Period in respect of a Eurodollar-based Advance, if the next succeeding Business Day falls in another calendar month, such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) when an Interest Period in respect of a Eurodollar-based Advance begins on a day which has no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month during which such Interest Period is to end, it shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month, and (iii) no Interest Period in respect of any Advance shall extend beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or the Term Loan Maturity Date, as applicable.
Internal Revenue Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the United States of America, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Investment shall mean, when used with respect to any Person, (a) any loan, investment or advance made by such Person to any other Person (including, without limitation, any Guarantee Obligation) in respect of any Equity Interest, Debt, obligation or liability of such other Person and (b) any other investment made by such Person (however acquired) in Equity Interests in any other Person, including, without limitation, any investment made in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interest of such Person and any investment made as a capital contribution to such other Person.
IPO shall mean an initial public offering of Equity Interests of Borrower registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Issuing Lender shall mean Comerica Bank in its capacity as issuer of one or more Letters of Credit hereunder, or its successor designated by Borrower and the Revolving Credit Lenders.
Issuing Office shall mean such office as Issuing Lender shall designate as its Issuing Office.
Lender Products shall mean any one or more of the following types of services or facilities extended to the Credit Parties by any Lender: (i) credit cards, (ii) credit card processing services, (iii) debit cards, (iv) purchase cards, (v) Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, (vi) cash management, including controlled disbursement services, and (vii) establishing and maintaining deposit accounts.
13
Lenders shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble, and shall include the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Term Loan Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and any assignee which becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 13.8 hereof.
Letter of Credit Agreement shall mean, collectively, the letter of credit application and related documentation executed and/or delivered by the Borrower in respect of each Letter of Credit, in each case satisfactory to the Issuing Lender, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Letter of Credit Documents shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.7(a) hereof.
Letter of Credit Fees shall mean the fees payable in connection with Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3.4(a) and (b) hereof.
Letter of Credit Maximum Amount shall mean Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).
Letter of Credit Obligations shall mean at any date of determination, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit then outstanding, and (b) the aggregate amount of Reimbursement Obligations which remain unpaid as of such date.
Letter of Credit Payment shall mean any amount paid or required to be paid by the Issuing Lender in its capacity hereunder as issuer of a Letter of Credit as a result of a draft or other demand for payment under any Letter of Credit.
Letter(s) of Credit shall mean any standby letters of credit issued by Issuing Lender at the request of or for the account of Borrower pursuant to Article 3 hereof and shall include, without limitation, the Existing Letters of Credit.
LIBOR Rate shall mean,
(a) with respect the principal amount of any Eurodollar-based Advance outstanding hereunder, the per annum rate of interest determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in United States Dollars for a period equal to the relevant Eurodollar-Interest Period, commencing on the first day of such Eurodollar-Interest Period, appearing on Page BBAM of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Information Service as of 11:00 a.m. (Detroit, Michigan time) (or soon thereafter as practical), two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Eurodollar-Interest Period. In the event that such rate does not appear on Page BBAM of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Information Service (or otherwise on such Service), the LIBOR Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying LIBOR rates as may be agreed upon by Agent and Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, the LIBOR Rate shall, instead, be the per annum rate equal to the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent (1/16%)) of the rate at which Agent is offered dollar deposits at or about 11:00 a.m. (Detroit, Michigan time) (or soon thereafter as practical), two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Eurodollar-Interest Period in the interbank LIBOR market in an amount comparable to the principal amount of the relevant Eurodollar-based Advance which is to bear interest at such Eurodollar-based Rate and for a period equal to the relevant Eurodollar-Interest Period; and
14
(b) with respect to the principal amount of any Advance carried at the Daily Adjusting LIBOR Rate outstanding hereunder, the per annum rate of interest determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in United States Dollars for a period equal to one (1) month appearing on Page BBAM of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Information Service as of 11:00 a.m. (Detroit, Michigan time) (or soon thereafter as practical) on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the event that such rate does not appear on Page BBAM of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Information Service (or otherwise on such Service), the LIBOR Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying eurodollar rates as may be agreed upon by Agent and Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, the LIBOR Rate shall, instead, be the per annum rate equal to the average of the rate at which Agent is offered dollar deposits at or about 11:00 a.m. (Detroit, Michigan time) (or soon thereafter as practical) on such day in the interbank eurodollar market in an amount comparable to the principal amount of the Indebtedness hereunder which is to bear interest at such LIBOR Rate and for a period equal to one (1) month.
Lien shall mean any security interest in or lien on or against any property arising from any pledge, assignment, hypothecation, mortgage, security interest, deposit arrangement, trust receipt, conditional sale or title retaining contract, sale and leaseback transaction, Capitalized Lease, consignment or bailment for security, or any other type of lien, charge, encumbrance, title exception, preferential or priority arrangement affecting property (including with respect to stock, any stockholder agreements, voting rights agreements, buy-back agreements and all similar arrangements), whether based on common law or statute.
Loan Documents shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes (if issued), the Letter of Credit Agreements, the Letters of Credit, the Guaranty, the Subordination Agreements, the Collateral Documents, each Hedging Agreement, and any other documents, certificates or agreements that are executed and required to be delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing documents, as such documents may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Majority Lenders shall mean at any time (a) so long as the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has not been terminated, Lenders holding more than 50.0% of the sum of (i) the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment plus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness then outstanding under the Term Loan and (b) if the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has been terminated (whether by maturity, acceleration or otherwise), Lenders holding more than 50.0% of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding under the Revolving Credit and the Term Loan; provided that, for purposes of determining Majority Lenders hereunder, the Letter of Credit Obligations and principal amount outstanding under the Swing Line shall be allocated among the Revolving Credit Lenders based on their respective Revolving Credit Percentages; provided further that so long as there are fewer than three Lenders, considering any Lender and its Affiliates as a single Lender, Majority Lenders shall mean all Lenders. The Commitments of, and portion of the Indebtedness attributable to, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Majority Lenders.
Majority Revolving Credit Lenders shall mean at any time (a) so long as the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has not been terminated, the Revolving Credit Lenders holding
15
more than 50.0% of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment and (b) if the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has been terminated (whether by maturity, acceleration or otherwise), Revolving Credit Lenders holding more than 50.0% of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding under the Revolving Credit; provided that, for purposes of determining Majority Revolving Credit Lenders hereunder, the Letter of Credit Obligations and principal amount outstanding under the Swing Line shall be allocated among the Revolving Credit Lenders based on their respective Revolving Credit Percentages; provided further that so long as there are fewer than three Revolving Credit Lenders, considering any Revolving Credit Lender and its Affiliates as a single Revolving Credit Lender, Majority Revolving Credit Lenders shall mean all Revolving Credit Lenders. The Commitments of, and portion of the Indebtedness attributable to, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Majority Revolving Credit Lenders.
Majority Term Loan Lenders shall mean at any time with respect to the Term Loan, Term Loan Lenders holding more than 50.0% of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding under Term Loan; provided however that so long as there are fewer than three Term Loan Lenders, considering any Term Loan Lender and its Affiliates as a single Term Loan Lender, Majority Term Loan Lenders shall mean all Term Loan Lenders. The portion of the Indebtedness attributable to any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Majority Term Loan Lenders.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean a material adverse effect on (a) the financial condition, business, performance, operation or properties of the Credit Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Obligor to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes (if issued) or any other Loan Document to which it is a party, or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any of the Notes (if issued) or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Agent or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.
Material Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary which is an operating entity and which has annual gross revenues in excess of five percent (5%) of gross revenues of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal year or assets with a book value in excess of five percent (5%) of Total Assets for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Mortgages shall mean the mortgages, deeds of trust and any other similar documents related thereto or required thereby executed and delivered by a Credit Party on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, if any, and executed and delivered after the Effective Date by a Credit Party pursuant to Section 7.13 hereof or otherwise, and Mortgage shall mean any such document, as such documents may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Multiemployer Plan shall mean a Pension Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
Net Cash Interest Expense shall mean cash interest expense minus cash interest income.
16
Net Cash Proceeds shall mean the aggregate cash payments received by any Credit Party from any Asset Sale, the issuance of Equity Interests or the issuance of Subordinated Debt, as the case may be, net of (i) the principal amount of any Debt that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (ii) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket commissions, costs, premiums, fees and other expenses incurred by such Credit Party in connection with such transaction (or, if such costs and expenses have not been incurred or invoiced, the Borrowers good faith estimate thereof), including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, sales commissions, and other third party charges, and (iii) of property taxes, transfer taxes and any other taxes paid or payable by such Credit Party in respect of any sale or issuance.
New Agent Addendum shall mean an addendum substantially in the form of Exhibit N attached hereto, to be executed and delivered by each Agent becoming a part to this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof.
Non-Defaulting Lender shall mean any Lender that is not, as of the date of relevance, a Defaulting Lender.
Notes shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes, the Swing Line Note and the Term Loan Notes.
Obligors shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantors.
Off Balance Sheet Liability(ies) of a Person shall mean (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivables sold by such Person, (ii) any liability under any sale and leaseback transaction which is not a Capitalized Lease, (iii) any liability under any so-called synthetic lease transaction entered into by such Person, or (iv) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of Debt or any of the liabilities set forth in subsections (i)-(iii) of this definition, but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheets of such Person.
Pay for Performance Marketing and Media Business shall mean a business (1) whose primary source of revenue is derived from marketing services, internet traffic or impressions or related services or (2) that owns or develops media or (3) that owns or develops technology for use in marketing services or media. (Examples of such businesses include internet or offline publishing, directory, or media companies; technology companies that enable lead capture, media capabilities, or monetization of media; online or offline lead generation companies, online or offline marketing service providers; amongst others).
PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.
Pension Plan shall mean any plan established and maintained by a Credit Party, or contributed to by a Credit Party, which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and subject to the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code.
17
Percentage shall mean, as applicable, the Revolving Credit Percentage, the Term Loan Percentage or the Weighted Percentage.
Permitted Acquisition shall mean any acquisition by Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower of all or substantially all of the assets or Equity Interests of a Pay for Performance Marketing and Media Business; provided that (1) for any acquisition using Cash Proceeds not in excess of Forty Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000), such acquisition satisfies and/or is conducted in accordance with the requirements of clauses (a), (b), (d), (e) and (f) below; and (2) for any acquisition using Cash Proceeds in excess of Forty Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000), such acquisition satisfies and/or is conducted in accordance with the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) below and such acquisition is consented to by Agent and the Majority Lenders:
(a) | If such acquisition is structured as an acquisition of the Equity Interests of any Person, then the Person so acquired shall (X) become a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of Borrower or of a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower and the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary shall cause such acquired Person to comply with Section 7.13 hereof or (Y) provided that the Credit Parties continue to comply with Section 7.4(a) hereof, be merged with and into Borrower or such Subsidiary (and, in the case of the Borrower, with the Borrower being the surviving entity); |
(b) | If such acquisition is structured as the acquisition of assets, such assets shall be acquired directly by Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary (subject to compliance with Section 7.4(a) hereof); |
(c) | Borrower shall have delivered to Agent not less than ten (10) (or such shorter period of time agreed to by the Agent) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of such acquisition, notice of such acquisition, copies of all material documents relating to such acquisition (including the acquisition agreement and any related material document), and historical financial information (including income statements, balance sheets and cash flows) covering at least three (3) complete fiscal years of the acquisition target, if available, prior to the effective date of the acquisition or the entire credit history of the acquisition target, whichever period is shorter, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; |
(d) | Both immediately before and after the consummation of such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; |
(e) | The acquisition shall not result in a Change of Control; and |
(f) | After giving effect to such acquisition, the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the financial covenant ratios required to be maintained under Section 7.9(a) and (b) as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended. |
18
Permitted Investments shall mean with respect to any Person:
(a) | Governmental Obligations; |
(b) | Obligations of a state or commonwealth of the United States or the obligations of the District of Columbia or any possession of the United States, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, which are described in Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and are graded in any of the highest three (3) major grades as determined by at least one Rating Agency; or secured, as to payments of principal and interest, by a letter of credit provided by a financial institution or insurance provided by a bond insurance company which in each case is itself or its debt is rated in one of the highest three (3) major grades as determined by at least one Rating Agency; |
(c) | Bankers acceptances, commercial accounts, demand deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, other time deposits or depository receipts issued by or maintained with any Lender or any Affiliate thereof, or any bank, trust company, savings and loan association, savings bank or other financial institution whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and whose reported capital and surplus equal at least $250,000,000, provided that such minimum capital and surplus requirement shall not apply to demand deposit accounts maintained by any Credit Party in the ordinary course of business; |
(d) | Commercial paper rated at the time of purchase within the two highest classifications established by not less than one Rating Agency, and which matures within 270 days after the date of issue; |
(e) | Secured repurchase agreements against obligations itemized in paragraph (a) above, and executed by a bank or trust company or by members of the association of primary dealers or other recognized dealers in United States government securities, the market value of which must be maintained at levels at least equal to the amounts advanced; |
(f) | Any fund or other pooling arrangement which exclusively purchases and holds the investments itemized in (a) through (e) above; |
(g) | Debt issued by Persons (other than Affiliates of the Borrower) with a rating of A or higher from S&P or A02 or higher from Moodys (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency in each case with maturities not exceeding two years form the date of acquisition; |
(h) | Deposits held with financial institutions in countries outside of the United States where the Credit Parties conduct business; and |
(i) | Investments made pursuant to the Borrowers investment policy as in effect on the Effective Date. |
19
Permitted Liens shall mean with respect to any Person:
(a) | Liens for (i) taxes or governmental assessments or charges or (ii) customs duties in connection with the importation of goods to the extent such Liens attach to the imported goods that are the subject of the duties, in each case (x) to the extent not yet due, (y) as to which the period of grace, if any, related thereto has not expired or (z) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that in the case of any such contest, any proceedings for the enforcement of such liens have been suspended and adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in conformity with GAAP; |
(b) | carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, processors, landlords liens or other like liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure obligations that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that in the case of any such contest, (x) any proceedings commenced for the enforcement of such Liens have been suspended and (y) appropriate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in conformity with GAAP; |
(c) | (i) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of statutory obligations arising in connection with progress payments or advance payments due under contracts with the United States government or any agency thereof entered into in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of statutory obligations (not otherwise permitted under subsection (f) of this definition), bids, leases, fee and expense arrangements with trustees and fiscal agents, trade contracts, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, any lease-purchase arrangements or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property), provided, that in each case full provision for the payment of all such obligations has been made on the books of such Person as may be required by GAAP; |
(d) | any attachment or judgment lien that remains unpaid, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed by appeal or otherwise for a period ending on the earlier of (i) thirty (30) consecutive days from the date of its attachment or entry (as applicable) or (ii) the commencement of enforcement steps with respect thereto, other than the filing of notice thereof in the public record; |
(e) |
minor survey exceptions or minor encumbrances, easements or reservations, or rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities and other |
20
similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties, or any interest of any lessor or sublessor under any lease permitted hereunder which, in each case, does not materially interfere with the business of such Person; |
(f) | Liens arising in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions and social security benefits and similar statutory obligations (excluding Liens arising under ERISA), provided that no enforcement proceedings in respect of such Liens are pending and provisions have been made for the payment of such liens on the books of such Person as may be required by GAAP; |
(g) | continuations of Liens that are permitted under subsections (a)-(g) hereof, provided such continuations do not violate the specific time periods set forth in subsections (b) and (d) and provided further that such Liens do not extend to any additional property or assets of any Credit Party or secure any additional obligations of any Credit Party; |
(h) | Liens in favor of financial institutions arising in connection with a Credit Partys deposit accounts held at such institutions to secure standard fees for deposit services charged by, but not financing made available by, such institutions; and |
(i) | Any interest or title of a lessor in the property (and the proceeds, accession or products thereof) subject to an operating lease or precautionary filings in respect of true leases. |
Regardless of the language set forth in this definition, no Lien over the Equity Interests of any Credit Party granted to any Person other than to Agent for the benefit of the Lenders shall be deemed a Permitted Lien under the terms of this Agreement.
Person shall mean a natural person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated organization, joint venture, joint stock company, firm or association or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.
Pledge Agreement(s) shall mean any pledge agreement executed and delivered by a Credit Party on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, if any, and executed and delivered from time to time after the Effective Date by any Credit Party pursuant to Section 7.13 hereof or otherwise, and any agreements, instruments or documents related thereto, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Agent amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Prime Rate shall mean the per annum rate of interest announced by the Agent, at its main office from time to time as its prime rate (it being acknowledged that such announced rate may not necessarily be the lowest rate charged by the Agent to any of its customers), which Prime Rate shall change simultaneously with any change in such announced rate.
21
Pro Forma Balance Sheet shall mean the pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower which has been certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that it fairly presents in all material respects the pro forma adjustments reflecting the transactions (including payment of all fees and expenses in connection therewith) contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Pro Forma Projected Financial Information shall mean, as to any proposed acquisition, a statement executed by the Borrower (supported by reasonable detail) setting forth the total consideration to be paid or incurred in connection with the proposed acquisition, and pro forma combined projected financial information for the Credit Parties and the acquisition target (if applicable), consisting of projected balance sheets as of the proposed effective date of the acquisition and as of the end of at least the next succeeding three (3) Fiscal Years following the acquisition and projected statements of income and cash flows for each of those years, including sufficient detail to permit calculation of the ratios described in Section 7.9 hereof, as projected as of the effective date of the acquisition and as of the ends of those Fiscal Years and accompanied by (i) a statement setting forth a calculation of the ratio so described, (ii) a statement in reasonable detail specifying all material assumptions underlying the projections and (iii) such other information as the Agent or the Lenders shall reasonably request.
Purchasing Lender shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.12.
Quoted Rate shall mean the rate of interest per annum offered by the Swing Line Lender in its sole discretion with respect to a Swing Line Advance and accepted by the Borrower.
Quoted Rate Advance means any Swing Line Advance which bears interest at the Quoted Rate.
Rating Agency shall mean Moodys Investor Services, Inc., Standard and Poors Ratings Services, their respective successors or any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization which is acceptable to the Agent.
Register is defined in Section 13.8(g) hereof.
Reimbursement Obligation(s) shall mean the aggregate amount of all unreimbursed drawings under all Letters of Credit (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, reimbursement obligations that are deemed satisfied pursuant to a deemed disbursement under Section 3.6(a)).
Reinvest or Reinvestment shall mean, with respect to any Net Cash Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds received by any Person, the application of such monies to (i) repair, improve or replace any tangible personal (excluding Inventory) or real property of the Credit Parties or any intellectual property reasonably necessary in order to use or benefit from any property or (ii) acquire any such property (excluding Inventory) to be used in the business of such Person.
Reinvestment Certificate is defined in Section 4.8(a) hereof.
22
Reinvestment Period shall mean a 270-day period during which Reinvestment must be completed under Section 4.8(a) and (c) of this Agreement.
Request for Advance shall mean a Request for Revolving Credit Advance or a Request for Swing Line Advance, as the context may indicate or otherwise require.
Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall mean a request for a Revolving Credit Advance issued by the Borrower under Section 2.3 of this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Request for Swing Line Advance shall mean a request for a Swing Line Advance issued by the Borrower under Section 2.5(c) of this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
Requirement of Law shall mean as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitration or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Responsible Officer shall mean, with respect to any Person, the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer, president or controller of such Person, or with respect to compliance with financial covenants, the chief financial officer or the treasurer of such Person, or any other officer of such Person having substantially the same authority and responsibility.
Revolving Credit shall mean the revolving credit loans to be advanced to Borrower by the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Article 2 hereof, in an aggregate amount (subject to the terms hereof), not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment.
Revolving Credit Advance shall mean a borrowing requested by Borrower and made by the Revolving Credit Lenders under Section 2.1 of this Agreement, including without limitation any readvance, refunding or conversion of such borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof and any deemed disbursement of an Advance in respect of a Letter of Credit under Section 3.6(c) hereof, and may include, subject to the terms hereof, Eurodollar-based Advances and Base Rate Advances.
Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment shall mean Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000), subject to increases pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof by an amount not to exceed the Revolving Credit Optional Increase, subject to reduction or termination under Section 2.11 or 9.2 hereof.
Revolving Credit Commitment Amount shall mean with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender, (i) if the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has not been terminated, the amount specified opposite such Revolving Credit Lenders name in the column entitled Revolving Credit Commitment Amount on Schedule 1.2, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof; and (ii) if the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has been terminated (whether by maturity, acceleration or otherwise), the amount equal to its Percentage of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit (including the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations and any outstanding Swing Line Advances).
23
Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall mean the fee payable to Agent for distribution to the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.
Revolving Credit Lenders shall mean the financial institutions from time to time parties hereto as lenders of the Revolving Credit.
Revolving Credit Maturity Date shall mean the earlier to occur of (i) November 4, 2016, and (ii) the date on which the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment shall terminate in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
Revolving Credit Notes shall mean the revolving credit notes described in Section 2.2 hereof, made by Borrower to each of the Revolving Credit Lenders in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit B, as such notes may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any other notes issued in substitution, replacement or renewal thereof from time to time.
Revolving Credit Optional Increase shall mean an amount up to Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000).
Revolving Credit Percentage means, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender, the percentage specified opposite such Revolving Credit Lenders name in the column entitled Revolving Credit Percentage on Schedule 1.2, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
Security Agreement shall mean, collectively, the Security and Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by Borrower and the Guarantors on September 29, 2008, and any such agreements executed and delivered after the Effective Date (whether by execution of a joinder agreement to any existing security agreement or otherwise) pursuant to Section 7.13 hereof or otherwise, in the form of the Security Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit F, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
Seller Notes shall mean the seller payables or promissory notes issued by Borrower to selling stockholders in connection with acquisitions made by Borrower that are permitted by Section 8.3 of this Agreement.
Subordinated Debt shall mean any unsecured Funded Debt of any Credit Party issued on terms and conditions satisfactory to Agent (and which may not contain a change of control provision which is more favorable to the holder of the Subordinated Debt than the change of control provisions of this Agreement without the consent of Agent which may be withheld in the sole discretion of Agent) and other obligations under the Subordinated Debt Documents and any other Funded Debt of any Credit Party which has been subordinated in right of payment and priority to the Indebtedness, all on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Agent.
Subordinated Debt Documents shall mean and include any documents evidencing any Subordinated Debt, in each case, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
24
Subordination Agreements shall mean, any subordination agreements entered into by any Person from time to time in favor of Agent in connection with any Subordinated Debt, the terms of which are acceptable to the Agent and the Majority Lenders in the exercise of its and their reasonable credit judgment, in each case as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, and Subordination Agreement shall mean any one of them.
Subsidiary(ies) shall mean any other corporation, association, joint stock company, business trust, limited liability company, partnership or any other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock, share capital, membership, partnership or other interests, as the case may be, is owned either directly or indirectly by any Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by any Person and/or its Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified to the contrary herein or the context otherwise requires, Subsidiary(ies) shall refer to the Subsidiary(ies) of Borrower.
Sweep Agreement means any agreement relating to the Sweep to Loan automated system of the Agent or any other cash management arrangement which the Borrower and the Agent have executed for the purposes of effecting the borrowing and repayment of Swing Line Advances.
Swing Line shall mean the revolving credit loans to be advanced to Borrower by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof, in an aggregate amount (subject to the terms hereof), not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the Swing Line Maximum Amount.
Swing Line Advance shall mean a borrowing requested by Borrower and made by Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof and may include, subject to the terms hereof, Quoted Rate-Advances and Base Rate Advances.
Swing Line Lender shall mean Comerica Bank in its capacity as lender of the Swing Line under Section 2.5 of this Agreement, or its successor as subsequently designated hereunder.
Swing Line Maximum Amount shall mean Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000).
Swing Line Note shall mean the swing line note which may be issued by Borrower to Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.5(b)(ii) hereof in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit C, as such note may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any note or notes issued in substitution, replacement or renewal thereof from time to time.
Swing Line Participation Certificate shall mean the Swing Line Participation Certificate delivered by Agent to each Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to Section 2.5(e)(ii) hereof in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit M.
Term Loan shall mean the term loan to be made to Borrower by the Term Loan Lenders pursuant to Section 4.1(a) hereof, in the aggregate principal amount of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000).
Term Loan Advance shall mean a borrowing requested by Borrower and made by the Term Loan Lenders pursuant to Section 4.1(a) hereof, including without limitation any refunding or conversion of such borrowing pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof, and may include, subject to the terms hereof, Eurodollar-based Advances and Base Rate Advances.
25
Term Loan Amount shall mean with respect to any Term Loan Lender, the amount equal to its Term Loan Percentage of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan.
Term Loan Lenders shall mean the financial institutions from time to time parties hereto as lenders of the Term Loan.
Term Loan Maturity Date shall mean November 4, 2016.
Term Notes shall mean the term notes described in Section 4.2(e) hereof, made by Borrower to each of the Term Loan Lenders in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit K, as such notes may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any other notes issued in substitution, replacement or renewal thereof from time to time.
Term Loan Percentage shall mean with respect to any Term Loan Lender, the percentage specified opposite such Term Loan Lenders name in the column entitled Term Loan Percentage on Schedule 1.2, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
Term Loan Rate Request shall mean a request for the refunding or conversion of any Advance of the Term Loan submitted by Borrower under Section 4.4 of this Agreement in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit L.
Total Assets is defined in accordance with GAAP and shall be determined on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Uniform Commercial Code or UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any applicable state; provided that, unless specified otherwise or the context otherwise requires, such terms shall refer to the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Michigan.
USA Patriot Act is defined in Section 6.7.
Weighted Percentage shall mean with respect to any Lender, its percentage share as set forth in Schedule 1.2, as such Schedule may be revised by the Agent from time to time, which percentage shall be calculated as follows:
(a) as to such Lender, so long as the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has not been terminated, its weighted percentage calculated by dividing (i) the sum of (x) its Revolving Credit Commitment Amount plus (y) its Term Loan Amount, by (ii) the sum of (x) the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment plus (y) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under the Term Loan; and
(b) as to such Lender, if the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has been terminated (whether by maturity, acceleration or otherwise), its weighted percentage calculated
26
by dividing (i) the sum of (x) its applicable Revolving Credit Commitment Amount plus (y) its Term Loan Amount, by (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under (x) the Revolving Credit (including any outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations and outstanding Swing Line Advances), (y) the Term Loan.
Withdrawal Liability shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
2. | REVOLVING CREDIT. |
2.1 Commitment . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including without limitation Section 2.3 hereof), each Revolving Credit Lender severally and for itself alone agrees to make Advances of the Revolving Credit in Dollars to Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date hereof until (but excluding) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date in an aggregate amount, not to exceed at any one time outstanding such Lenders Revolving Credit Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, advances, repayments and readvances may be made under the Revolving Credit.
2.2 Accrual of Interest and Maturity; Evidence of Indebtedness .
(a) | Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Advance (plus all accrued and unpaid interest) of such Revolving Credit Lender to Borrower on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and on such other dates and in such other amounts as may be required from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Credit Advance shall, from time to time from and after the date of such Advance (until paid), bear interest at its Applicable Interest Rate. |
(b) | Each Revolving Credit Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of Borrower to the appropriate lending office of such Revolving Credit Lender resulting from each Revolving Credit Advance made by such lending office of such Revolving Credit Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid to such Revolving Credit Lender from time to time under this Agreement. |
(c) |
The Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 13.8(g), and a subaccount therein for each Revolving Credit Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Revolving Credit Advance made hereunder, the type thereof and each Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable to any Eurodollar-based Advance, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from Borrower to each Revolving Credit Lender |
27
hereunder in respect of the Revolving Credit Advances and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the Agent hereunder from Borrower in respect of the Revolving Credit Advances and each Revolving Credit Lenders share thereof. |
(d) | The entries made in the Register maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 2.2 shall, absent manifest error, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of Borrower therein recorded; provided , however , that the failure of any Revolving Credit Lender or the Agent to maintain the Register or any account, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of Borrower to repay the Revolving Credit Advances (and all other amounts owing with respect thereto) made to Borrower by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(e) | Borrower agrees that, upon written request to the Agent by any Revolving Credit Lender, Borrower will execute and deliver, to such Revolving Credit Lender, at Borrowers own expense, a Revolving Credit Note evidencing the outstanding Revolving Credit Advances owing to such Revolving Credit Lender. |
2.3 Requests for and Refundings and Conversions of Advances . Borrower may request an Advance of the Revolving Credit, a refund of any Revolving Credit Advance in the same type of Advance or to convert any Revolving Credit Advance to any other type of Revolving Credit Advance only by delivery to Agent of a Request for Revolving Credit Advance executed by an Authorized Signer for the Borrower, subject to the following:
(a) | each such Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall set forth the information required on the Request for Revolving Credit Advance, including without limitation: |
(i) | the proposed date of such Revolving Credit Advance (or the refunding or conversion of an outstanding Revolving Credit Advance), which must be a Business Day; |
(ii) | whether such Advance is a new Revolving Credit Advance or a refunding or conversion of an outstanding Revolving Credit Advance; and |
(iii) | whether such Revolving Credit Advance is to be a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar-based Advance, and, except in the case of a Base Rate Advance, the first Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable thereto, provided, however, that the initial Revolving Credit Advance made under this Agreement shall be a Base Rate Advance, which may then be converted into a Eurodollar-based Advance in compliance with this Agreement. |
28
(b) | each such Request for Revolving Credit Advance shall be delivered to Agent by 12:00 p.m. (Pacific time) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed date of the Revolving Credit Advance, except in the case of a Base Rate Advance, for which the Request for Revolving Credit Advance must be delivered by 10:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on the proposed date for such Revolving Credit Advance; |
(c) | on the proposed date of such Revolving Credit Advance, the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances outstanding on such date (including, without duplication) the Advances that are deemed to be disbursed by Agent under Section 3.6(a) hereof in respect of Borrowers Reimbursement Obligations hereunder), plus (y) the Letter of Credit Obligations as of such date, in each case after giving effect to all outstanding requests for Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances and for the issuance of any Letters of Credit, shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment; |
(d) | in the case of a Base Rate Advance, the principal amount of the initial funding of such Advance, as opposed to any refunding or conversion thereof, shall be at least $2,000,000 or the remainder available under the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment if less than $2,000,000; |
(e) | in the case of a Eurodollar-based Advance, the principal amount of such Advance, plus the amount of any other outstanding Revolving Credit Advance to be then combined therewith having the same Eurodollar-Interest Period, if any, shall be at least $2,000,000 (or a larger integral multiple of $100,000) or the remainder available under the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment if less than $2,000,000 and at any one time there shall not be in effect more than six (6) different Eurodollar-Interest Periods; |
(f) | a Request for Revolving Credit Advance, once delivered to Agent, shall not be revocable by Borrower and shall constitute a certification by Borrower as of the date thereof that: |
(i) | all conditions to the making of Revolving Credit Advances set forth in this Agreement have been satisfied, and shall remain satisfied to the date of such Revolving Credit Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Revolving Credit Advance); |
(ii) | there is no Default or Event of Default in existence, and none will exist upon the making of such Revolving Credit Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Revolving Credit Advance); and |
29
(iii) | the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the making of such Revolving Credit Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Revolving Credit Advance), other than any representation or warranty that expressly speaks only as of a different date; |
Agent, acting on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, may also, at its option, lend under this Section 2.3 upon the telephone or email request of an Authorized Signer of the Borrower to make such requests and, in the event Agent, acting on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, makes any such Advance upon a telephone or email request, an Authorized Signer shall fax or deliver by electronic file to Agent, on the same day as such telephone or email request, an executed Request for Revolving Credit Advance. Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to disburse Advances under this Section 2.3 pursuant to the telephone or email instructions of any person purporting to be an Authorized Signer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower acknowledges that Borrower shall bear all risk of loss resulting from disbursements made upon any telephone or email request. Each telephone or email request for an Advance from an Authorized Signer for the Borrower shall constitute a certification of the matters set forth in the Request for Revolving Credit Advance form as of the date of such requested Advance.
2.4 Disbursement of Advances .
(a) Upon receiving any Request for Revolving Credit Advance from Borrower under Section 2.3 hereof, Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender by wire, telex or telephone (confirmed by wire, telecopy or telex) of the amount of such Advance being requested and the date such Revolving Credit Advance is to be made by each Revolving Credit Lender in an amount equal to its Revolving Credit Percentage of such Advance. Unless such Revolving Credit Lenders commitment to make Revolving Credit Advances hereunder shall have been suspended or terminated in accordance with this Agreement, each such Revolving Credit Lender shall make available the amount of its Revolving Credit Percentage of each Revolving Credit Advance in immediately available funds to Agent, as follows:
(i) | for Base Rate Advances, at the office of Agent located at 500 Woodward Avenue, MC3289, Detroit, Michigan 48226, not later than 12:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the date of such Advance; and |
(ii) | for Eurodollar-based Advances, at the Agents Correspondent for the account of the Eurodollar Lending Office of the Agent, not later than 12:00 p.m. (the time of the Agents Correspondent) on the date of such Advance. |
30
(b) Subject to submission of an executed Request for Revolving Credit Advance by Borrower without exceptions noted in the compliance certification therein, Agent shall make available to Borrower the aggregate of the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Credit Lenders in like funds and currencies:
(i) | for Base Rate Advances, not later than 1:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the date of such Revolving Credit Advance, by credit to an account of Borrower maintained with Agent or to such other account or third party as Borrower may reasonably direct in writing, provided such direction is timely given; and |
(ii) | for Eurodollar-based Advances, not later than 1:00 p.m. (the time of the Agents Correspondent) on the date of such Revolving Credit Advance, by credit to an account of Borrower maintained with Agents Correspondent or to such other account or third party as Borrower may direct, provided such direction is timely given. |
(c) Agent shall deliver the documents and papers received by it for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender to such Revolving Credit Lender. Unless Agent shall have been notified by any Revolving Credit Lender prior to the date of any proposed Revolving Credit Advance that such Revolving Credit Lender does not intend to make available to Agent such Revolving Credit Lenders Percentage of such Advance, Agent may assume that such Revolving Credit Lender has made such amount available to Agent on such date, as aforesaid. Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to Borrower the amount of such payment in reliance on such assumption. If such amount is not in fact made available to Agent by such Revolving Credit Lender, as aforesaid, Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Credit Lender. If such Revolving Credit Lender does not pay such amount forthwith upon Agents demand therefor and the Agent has in fact made a corresponding amount available to Borrower, the Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and Borrower shall pay such amount to Agent, if such notice is delivered to Borrower prior to 10:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on a Business Day, on the day such notice is received, and otherwise on the next Business Day, and such amount paid by Borrower shall be applied as a prepayment of the Revolving Credit (without any corresponding reduction in the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment), reimbursing Agent for having funded said amounts on behalf of such Revolving Credit Lender. The Borrower shall retain its claim against such Revolving Credit Lender with respect to the amounts repaid by it to Agent and, if such Revolving Credit Lender subsequently makes such amounts available to Agent, Agent shall promptly make such amounts available to the Borrower as a Revolving Credit Advance. Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender or Borrower, as the case may be, but without duplication, interest on such amount in respect of each day from the date such amount was made available by Agent to Borrower, to the date such amount is recovered by Agent, at a rate per annum equal to:
(i) | in the case of such Revolving Credit Lender, for the first two (2) Business Days such amount remains unpaid, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, and thereafter, at the rate of interest then applicable to such Revolving Credit Advances; and |
(ii) | in the case of Borrower, the rate of interest then applicable to such Advance of the Revolving Credit. |
Until such Revolving Credit Lender has paid Agent such amount, such Revolving Credit Lender shall have no interest in or rights with respect to such Advance for any purpose whatsoever. The
31
obligation of any Revolving Credit Lender to make any Revolving Credit Advance hereunder shall not be affected by the failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to make any Advance hereunder, and no Revolving Credit Lender shall have any liability to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Agent, any other Revolving Credit Lender, or any other party for another Revolving Credit Lenders failure to make any loan or Advance hereunder.
2.5 Swing Line . (a) Swing Line Advances . The Swing Line Lender may, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (including without limitation Section 2.5(c) hereof), but shall not be required to, make one or more Advances (each such advance being a Swing Line Advance) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date hereof until (but excluding) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the Swing Line Maximum Amount. Subject to the terms set forth herein, advances, repayments and readvances may be made under the Swing Line.
(b) Accrual of Interest and Maturity; Evidence of Indebtedness .
(i) | Swing Line Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to Swing Line Lender resulting from each Swing Line Advance from time to time, including the amount and date of each Swing Line Advance, its Applicable Interest Rate, its Interest Period, if any, and the amount and date of any repayment made on any Swing Line Advance from time to time. The entries made in such account or accounts of Swing Line Lender shall be prima facie evidence, absent manifest error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of Swing Line Lender to maintain such account, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Swing Line Advances (and all other amounts owing with respect thereto) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
(ii) | The Borrower agrees that, upon the written request of Swing Line Lender, the Borrower will execute and deliver to Swing Line Lender a Swing Line Note. |
(iii) | Borrower unconditionally promises to pay to the Swing Line Lender the then unpaid principal amount of such Swing Line Advance (plus all accrued and unpaid interest) on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and on such other dates and in such other amounts as may be required from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Swing Line Advance shall, from time to time after the date of such Advance (until paid), bear interest at its Applicable Interest Rate. |
32
(c) | Requests for Swing Line Advances . Borrower may request a Swing Line Advance by the delivery to Swing Line Lender of a Request for Swing Line Advance executed by an Authorized Signer for the Borrower, subject to the following: |
(i) | each such Request for Swing Line Advance shall set forth the information required on the Request for Advance, including without limitation, (A) the proposed date of such Swing Line Advance, which must be a Business Day, (B) whether such Swing Line Advance is to be a Base Rate Advance or a Quoted Rate Advance, and (C) in the case of a Quoted Rate Advance, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto; |
(ii) | on the proposed date of such Swing Line Advance, after giving effect to all outstanding requests for Swing Line Advances made by Borrower as of the date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Advances outstanding on such date shall not exceed the Swing Line Maximum Amount; |
(iii) | on the proposed date of such Swing Line Advance, after giving effect to all outstanding requests for Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances and Letters of Credit requested by the Borrower on such date of determination (including, without duplication, Advances that are deemed disbursed pursuant to Section 3.6(a) hereof in respect of the Borrowers Reimbursement Obligations hereunder), the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Advances and the Swing Line Advances outstanding on such date plus (y) the Letter of Credit Obligations on such date shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment; |
(iv) | (A) in the case of a Swing Line Advance that is a Base Rate Advance, the principal amount of the initial funding of such Advance, as opposed to any refunding or conversion thereof, shall be at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by the Swing Line Lender, and (B) in the case of a Swing Line Advance that is a Quoted Rate Advance, the principal amount of such Advance, plus any other outstanding Swing Line Advances to be then combined therewith having the same Interest Period, if any, shall be at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by the Swing Line Lender, and at any time there shall not be in effect more than three (3) Interest Rates and Interest Periods; |
33
(v) | each such Request for Swing Line Advance shall be delivered to the Swing Line Lender by 11:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on the proposed date of the Swing Line Advance; |
(vi) | each Request for Swing Line Advance, once delivered to Swing Line Lender, shall not be revocable by Borrower, and shall constitute and include a certification by Borrower as of the date thereof that: |
(A) | all conditions to the making of Swing Line Advances set forth in this Agreement shall have been satisfied and shall remain satisfied to the date of such Swing Line Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Swing Line Advance); |
(B) | there is no Default or Event of Default in existence, and none will exist upon the making of such Swing Line Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Swing Line Advance); and |
(C) | the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects and shall be true and correct in all material respect as of the date of the making of such Swing Line Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Swing Line Advance), other than any representation or warranty that expressly speaks only as of a different date; |
(vii) |
At the option of the Agent, subject to revocation by Agent at any time and from time to time and so long as the Agent is the Swing Line Lender, Borrower may utilize the Agents Sweep to Loan automated system for obtaining Swing Line Advances and making periodic repayments. At any time during which the Sweep to Loan system is in effect, Swing Line Advances shall be advanced to fund borrowing needs pursuant to the terms of the Sweep Agreement. Each time a Swing Line Advance is made using the Sweep to Loan system, Borrower shall be deemed to have certified to the Agent and the Lenders each of the matters set forth in clause (vi) of this Section 2.5(b). Principal and interest on Swing Line Advances requested, or deemed requested, pursuant to this Section shall be paid pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Sweep Agreement without any deduction, setoff or counterclaim whatsoever. Unless sooner paid pursuant to the provisions hereof or the provisions of the Sweep Agreement, the principal amount of the Swing Loans shall be paid in full, together with accrued interest thereon, on the Revolving Credit Maturity |
34
Date. Agent may suspend or revoke Borrowers privilege to use the Sweep to Loan system at any time and from time to time for any reason and, immediately upon any such revocation, the Sweep to Loan system shall no longer be available to Borrower for the funding of Swing Line Advances hereunder (or otherwise), and the regular procedures set forth in this Section 2.5 for the making of Swing Line Advances shall be deemed immediately to apply. Agent may, at its option, also elect to make Swing Line Advances upon Borrowers telephone requests on the basis set forth in the last paragraph of Section 2.3, provided that the Borrower complies with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.5. |
(d) | Disbursement of Swing Line Advances . Upon receiving any executed Request for Swing Line Advance from the Borrower and the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.5(c) hereof, Swing Line Lender shall make available to Borrower the amount so requested in Dollars not later than 2:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the date of such Advance, by credit to an account of Borrower maintained with Agent or to such other account or third party as the Borrower may reasonably direct in writing, provided such direction is timely given. Swing Line Lender shall promptly notify Agent of any Swing Line Advance by telephone, telex or telecopier. |
(e) | Refunding of or Participation Interest in Swing Line Advances . |
(i) |
The Agent, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, may, in each case on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Agent to act on their behalf) request each of the Revolving Credit Lenders (including the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as a Revolving Credit Lender) to make an Advance of the Revolving Credit to Borrower, in an amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Swing Line Advances outstanding on the date such notice is given (the Refunded Swing Line Advances); provided however that the Swing Line Advances carried at the Quoted Rate which are refunded with Revolving Credit Advances at the request of the Swing Line Lender at a time when no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall not be subject to Section 11.1 and no losses, costs or expenses may be assessed by the Swing Line Lender against the Borrower or the Revolving Credit Lenders as a consequence of such refunding. The applicable Revolving Credit Advances used to refund any Swing Line Advances shall be Base Rate Advances. In connection with the making of any such Refunded Swing Line Advances or the purchase of a participation interest in Swing Line Advances under Section 2.5(e)(ii) hereof, the Swing Line Lender shall retain its claim against Borrower for any unpaid interest or fees in respect thereof accrued to the date of such refunding. |
35
Unless any of the events described in Section 9.1(i) hereof shall have occurred (in which event the procedures of Section 2.5(e)(ii) shall apply) and regardless of whether the conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement to the making of a Revolving Credit Advance are then satisfied (but subject to Section 2.5(e)(iii)), each Revolving Credit Lender shall make the proceeds of its Revolving Credit Advance available to the Agent for the benefit of the Swing Line Lender at the office of the Agent specified in Section 2.4(a) hereof prior to 10:00 a.m. Pacific time on the Business Day next succeeding the date such notice is given, in immediately available funds. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Advances shall be immediately applied to repay the Refunded Swing Line Advances, subject to Section 11.1 hereof . |
(ii) | If, prior to the making of an Advance of the Revolving Credit pursuant to Section 2.5(e)(i) hereof, one of the events described in Section 9.1(i) hereof shall have occurred, each Revolving Credit Lender will, on the date such Advance of the Revolving Credit was to have been made, purchase from the Swing Line Lender an undivided participating interest in each Swing Line Advance that was to have been refunded in an amount equal to its Revolving Credit Percentage of such Swing Line Advance. Each Revolving Credit Lender within the time periods specified in Section 2.5(e)(i) hereof, as applicable, shall immediately transfer to the Agent, for the benefit of the Swing Line Lender, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to its Revolving Credit Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Advances outstanding as of such date. Upon receipt thereof, the Agent will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a Swing Line Participation Certificate evidencing such participation. |
(iii) |
Each Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Advances to refund Swing Line Advances, and to purchase participation interests, in accordance with Section 2.5(e)(i) and (ii), respectively, shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Credit Lender may have against Swing Line Lender, Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of any Default or Event of Default; (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or any other Person; (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by Borrower or any other Person; (E) any inability of Borrower to satisfy the conditions precedent to borrowing set forth in this Agreement on the date upon which such Revolving Credit Advance is to be made or such participating interest is to be purchased; (F) the termination of the |
36
Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment hereunder; or (G) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If any Revolving Credit Lender does not make available to the Agent the amount required pursuant to Section 2.5(e)(i) or (ii) hereof, as the case may be, the Agent on behalf of the Swing Line Lender, shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Credit Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date of non-payment until such amount is paid in full (x) for the first two (2) Business Days such amount remains unpaid, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (y) thereafter, at the rate of interest then applicable to such Swing Line Advances. The obligation of any Revolving Credit Lender to make available its pro rata portion of the amounts required pursuant to Section 2.5(e)(i) or (ii) hereof shall not be affected by the failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to make such amounts available, and no Revolving Credit Lender shall have any liability to any Credit Party, the Agent, the Swing Line Lender, or any other Revolving Credit Lender or any other party for another Revolving Credit Lenders failure to make available the amounts required under Section 2.5(e)(i) or (ii) hereof. |
(iv) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Revolving Credit Lender shall be required to make any Revolving Credit Advance to refund a Swing Line Advance or to purchase a participation in a Swing Line Advance if at least two (2) Business Days prior to the making of such Swing Line Advance by the Swing Line Lender, the officers of the Swing Line Lender immediately responsible for matters concerning this Agreement shall have received written notice from Agent or any Lender that Swing Line Advances should be suspended based on the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a notice of default; provided, however that the obligation of the Revolving Credit Lenders to make such Revolving Credit Advances (or purchase such participations) shall be reinstated upon the date on which such Default or Event of Default has been waived by the requisite Lenders. |
2.6 Interest Payments; Default Interest .
(a) Interest on the unpaid balance of all Base Rate Advances of the Revolving Credit and the Swing Line from time to time outstanding shall accrue from the date of such Advance to the date repaid, at a per annum interest rate equal to the Base Rate, and shall be payable in immediately available funds commencing on January 1, 2012 and on the first day of each calendar quarter thereafter. Whenever any payment under this Section 2.6(a) shall become due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next Business Day. Interest accruing at the Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day
37
year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed, and in such computation effect shall be given to any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate on the date of such change in the Base Rate.
(b) Interest on each Eurodollar-based Advance of the Revolving Credit shall accrue at its Eurodollar-based Rate and shall be payable in immediately available funds on the last day of the Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable thereto (and, if any Eurodollar-Interest Period shall exceed three months, then on the last Business Day of the third month of such Eurodollar-Interest Period, and at three month intervals thereafter). Interest accruing at the Eurodollar-based Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed from the first day of the Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable thereto to but not including the last day thereof.
(c) Interest on each Quoted Rate Advance of the Swing Line shall accrue at its Quoted Rate and shall be payable in immediately available funds on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. Interest accruing at the Quoted Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed from the first day of the Interest Period applicable thereto to, but not including, the last day thereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sections, all accrued and unpaid interest on any Revolving Credit Advance refunded or converted pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof and any Swing Line Advance refunded pursuant to Section 2.5(e) hereof, shall be due and payable in full on the date such Advance is refunded or converted.
(e) In the case of any Event of Default under Section 9.1(i), immediately upon the occurrence thereof, and in the case of any other Event of Default, immediately upon receipt by Agent of notice from the Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, interest shall be payable on demand on all Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances from time to time outstanding at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Interest Rate in respect of each such Advance plus, in the case of Eurodollar-based Advances and Quoted Rate Advances, two percent (2%) for the remainder of the then existing Interest Period, if any, and at all other such times, and for all Base Rate Advances from time to time outstanding, at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus two percent (2%) (but in no event in excess of the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law).
2.7 Optional Prepayments .
(a) (i) The Borrower may prepay all or part of the outstanding principal of any Base Rate Advance(s) of the Revolving Credit at any time, provided that, unless the Sweep to Loan system shall be in effect in respect of the Revolving Credit, after giving effect to any partial prepayment, the aggregate balance of Base Rate Advance(s) of the Revolving Credit remaining outstanding shall be at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), and (ii) subject to Section 2.10(c) hereof, the Borrower may prepay all or part of the outstanding principal of any Eurodollar-based Advance of the Revolving Credit at any time (subject to not less than three (3) Business Days notice to Agent) provided that, after giving effect to any partial prepayment, the unpaid portion of such Advance which is to be refunded or converted under Section 2.3 hereof shall be at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).
38
(b) (i) The Borrower may prepay all or part of the outstanding principal of any Swing Line Advance carried at the Base Rate at any time, provided that after giving effect to any partial prepayment, the aggregate balance of such Base Rate Swing Line Advances remaining outstanding shall be at least One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and (ii) subject to Section 2.11 hereof, the Borrower may prepay all or part of the outstanding principal of any Swing Line Advance carried at the Quoted Rate at any time (subject to not less than one (1) days notice to the Swing Line Lender) provided that after giving effect to any partial prepayment, the aggregate balance of such Quoted Rate Swing Line Advances remaining outstanding shall be at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000).
(c) Any prepayment of a Base Rate Advance made in accordance with this Section shall be without premium or penalty and any prepayment of any other type of Advance shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11.1 hereof, but otherwise without premium or penalty.
2.8 Base Rate Advance in Absence of Election or Upon Default . If, (a) as to any outstanding Eurodollar-based Advance of the Revolving Credit or any outstanding Quoted Rate Advance of the Swing Line, Agent has not received payment of all outstanding principal and accrued interest on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or does not receive a timely Request for Advance meeting the requirements of Section 2.3 or 2.5 hereof with respect to the refunding or conversion of such Advance, or (b) if on the last day of the applicable Interest Period a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, on the last day of the applicable Interest Period the principal amount of any Eurodollar-based Advance or Quoted Rate Advance, as the case may be, which has not been prepaid shall, absent a contrary election of the Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, be converted automatically to a Base Rate Advance and the Agent shall thereafter promptly notify Borrower of said action. All accrued and unpaid interest on any Advance converted to a Base Rate Advance under this Section 2.8 shall be due and payable in full on the date such Advance is converted.
2.9 Revolving Credit Facility Fee . From the Effective Date to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for distribution to the Lenders pro-rata in accordance with their respective Percentages, a Revolving Credit Facility Fee quarterly in arrears commencing January 1, 2012, and on the first day of each calendar quarter thereafter (in respect of the prior three months or any portion thereof). The Revolving Credit Facility Fee payable to each Lender shall be determined by multiplying the Applicable Fee Percentage times the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment then in effect (whether used or unused). The Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed. Whenever any payment of the Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next Business Day. Upon receipt of such payment, Agent shall make prompt payment to each Lender of its share of the Revolving Credit Facility Fee based upon its respective Percentage. The Revolving Credit Facility Fees described in this Section are not refundable.
2.10 Mandatory Repayment of Revolving Credit Advances.
(a) If at any time and for any reason the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Advances plus Swing Line Advances, plus the outstanding Letter of Credit
39
Obligations, shall exceed the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, Borrower shall immediately reduce any pending request for a Revolving Credit Advance on such day by the amount of such excess and, to the extent any excess remains thereafter, repay any Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances in an amount equal to the lesser of the outstanding amount of such Advances and the amount of such remaining excess, with such amounts to be applied between the Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances as determined by the Agent and then, to the extent that any excess remains after payment in full of all Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances, to provide cash collateral in support of any Letter of Credit Obligations in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) 105% of the amount of such Letter of Credit Obligations and (y) the amount of such remaining excess, with such cash collateral to be provided on the basis set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Borrower acknowledges that, in connection with any repayment required hereunder, it shall also be responsible for the reimbursement of any prepayment or other costs required under Section 11.1 hereof. Any payments made pursuant to this Section shall be applied first to outstanding Base Rate Advances under the Revolving Credit, next to Swing Line Advances carried at the Base Rate and then to Eurodollar-based Advances of the Revolving Credit, and then to Swing Line Advances carried at the Quoted Rate.
(b) Upon the payment in full of the Term Loan, any prepayments required to be made on the Term Loan pursuant to Sections 4.8(a), (b) and (c) of this Agreement shall instead be applied to prepay any amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit, without resulting in a permanent reduction in the Revolving Credit Agreement Commitment. Subject to Section 10.2 hereof, any payments made pursuant to this Section shall be applied first to outstanding Base Rate Advances under the Revolving Credit, next to Swing Line Advances carried at the Base Rate, next to Eurodollar-based Advances under the Revolving Credit, and then to Swing Line Advances carried at the Quoted Rate. If any amounts remain thereafter, a portion of such prepayment equivalent to the undrawn amount of any outstanding Letters of Credit shall be held by Lender as cash collateral for the Reimbursement Obligations, with any additional prepayment monies being applied to any Fees, costs or expenses due and outstanding under this Agreement, and with the remainder of such prepayment thereafter being returned to Borrower.
(c) To the extent that, on the date any mandatory repayment of the Revolving Credit Advances under this Section 2.10 or payment pursuant to the terms of any of the Loan Documents is due, the Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit or any other Indebtedness to be prepaid is being carried, in whole or in part, at the Eurodollar-based Rate and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may deposit the amount of such mandatory prepayment in a cash collateral account to be held by the Agent, for and on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders, on such terms and conditions as are reasonably acceptable to Agent and upon such deposit the obligation of Borrower to make such mandatory prepayment shall be deemed satisfied. Subject to the terms and conditions of said cash collateral account, sums on deposit in said cash collateral account shall be applied (until exhausted) to reduce the principal balance of the Revolving Credit on the last day of each Eurodollar-Interest Period attributable to the Eurodollar-based Advances of such Revolving Advance, thereby avoiding breakage costs under Section 11.1 hereof; provided, however, that if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred at any time while sums are on deposit in the cash collateral account, Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to apply such sums to reduce the principal balance of such Eurodollar-based Advances prior to the last day of the applicable Eurodollar-Interest Period, and the Borrower will be obligated to pay any resulting breakage costs under Section 11.1.
40
2.11 Optional Reduction or Termination of Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment . Borrower may, upon at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the Agent, permanently reduce the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, without premium or penalty, provided that: (i) each partial reduction of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment shall be in an aggregate amount equal to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or a larger integral multiple of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); (ii) Borrower shall prepay in accordance with the terms hereof the amount, if any, by which the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances (including, without duplication, any deemed Advances made under Section 3.6 hereof) outstanding hereunder, plus the Letter of Credit Obligations, exceeds the amount of the then applicable Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment as so reduced, together with interest thereon to the date of prepayment; (iii) no reduction shall reduce the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment to an amount which is less than the aggregate undrawn amount of any Letters of Credit outstanding at such time; and (iv) no such reduction shall reduce the Swing Line Maximum Amount unless Borrower so elects, provided that the Swing Line Maximum Amount shall at no time be greater than the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment; provided, however that if the termination or reduction of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment requires the prepayment of a Eurodollar-based Advance or a Quoted Rate Advance and such termination or reduction is made on a day other than the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar-based Advance or such Quoted Rate Advance, then, pursuant to Section 11.1, Borrower shall compensate the Revolving Credit Lenders and/or the Swing Line Lender for any losses or, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may deposit the amount of such prepayment in a collateral account as provided in Section 2.10(c). Reductions of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment and any accompanying prepayments of Advances of the Revolving Credit shall be distributed by Agent to each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Percentage thereof, and will not be available for reinstatement by or readvance to Borrower, and any accompanying prepayments of Advances of the Swing Line shall be distributed by Agent to the Swing Line Lender and will not be available for reinstatement by or readvance to the Borrower. Any reductions of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment hereunder shall reduce each Revolving Credit Lenders portion thereof proportionately (based on the applicable Percentages), and shall be permanent and irrevocable. Any payments made pursuant to this Section shall be applied first to outstanding Base Rate Advances under the Revolving Credit, next to Swing Line Advances carried at the Base Rate and then to Eurodollar-based Advances of the Revolving Credit, and then to Swing Line Advances carried at the Quoted Rate.
2.12 Use of Proceeds of Advances . Advances of the Revolving Credit shall be used to finance working capital and other lawful corporate purposes.
41
2.13 Optional Increase in Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment . Provided that the Borrower has not previously elected to reduce or terminate the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment under Section 2.11 hereof, Borrower may request that the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment be increased in an aggregate amount (for all such Requests for Increase) under this Section 2.13 not to exceed the Revolving Credit Optional Increase) (on the same terms as the existing Revolving Credit), subject, in each case, to Section 11.1 hereof and to the satisfaction concurrently with or prior to the date of each such request of the following conditions:
(a) Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent a written request for such increase, specifying the amount of increase thereby requested (each such request, a Request for Increase); provided , however , that (i) in the event Borrower has previously delivered a Request for Increase pursuant to this Section 2.13, Borrower may not deliver a subsequent Request for Increase until all the conditions to effectiveness of such first Request for Increase have been fully satisfied (or such Request for Increase has been withdrawn); (ii) Borrower may make no more than three (3) Requests for Increase during the term of this Agreement; and (iii) the amount of increase requested, when added to the amount of any previous increase in the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment under this Section 2.13, shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Optional Increase;
(b) within three (3) Business Days after the Agents receipt of any such Request for Increase, the Agent shall inform each Revolving Credit Lender of the requested increase in the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, offer each Revolving Credit Lender to increase its applicable commitment in an amount equal to its applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the requested increase in the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, and request each such Revolving Credit Lender to notify the Agent in writing whether such Revolving Credit Lender desires to increase its applicable commitment by the requested amount. Each Revolving Credit Lender approving an increase in its applicable commitment by the requested amount shall deliver its written consent thereto no later than ten (10) Business Days of the Agents informing such Revolving Credit Lender of the Request for Increase; if the Agent shall not have received a written consent from a Revolving Credit Lender within such time period, such Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to have elected not to increase its applicable commitment. If any one or more Revolving Credit Lenders shall elect not to increase their respective commitments, then the Agent may offer to (A) each other Revolving Credit Lender hereunder on a non-pro rata basis, (B) any other Lender hereunder, or (C) any other Person meeting the requirements of Section 13.8(c) hereof (including, for the purposes of this Section 2.13, any existing Revolving Credit Lender which agrees to increase its commitment hereunder, the New Revolving Credit Lender(s)), to increase their respective applicable commitments (or to provide a commitment);
(c) the New Revolving Credit Lenders shall have become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering a New Lender Addendum for a minimum amount for each such New Revolving Credit Lender that was not an existing Revolving Credit Lender of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) and an aggregate amount for all such New Revolving Credit Lenders of that portion of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Optional Increase, taking into account the amount of any prior increase in the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment (pursuant to this Section 2.13) covered by the applicable Request; provided, however, that each New Revolving Credit Lender shall remit to the Agent funds in an amount equal to its Percentage (after giving effect to this Section 2.13) of all Advances of the Revolving Credit then outstanding, such sums to be reallocated among and paid to the existing Revolving Credit Lenders based upon the new Percentages as determined below;
(d) Borrower shall have paid to the Agent for distribution to the existing Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable, all interest, fees (including the Revolving Credit Facility Fee, which shall not be duplicative) and other amounts, if any, accrued to the effective date of such increase and any breakage fees attributable to the reduction (prior to the last day of the applicable Interest Period) of any outstanding Eurocurrency-based Advances, calculated on the basis set forth in Section 11.1 hereof as though Borrowers had prepaid such Advances;
42
(e) if requested, Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Agent new Revolving Credit Notes payable to each of the New Revolving Credit Lenders in the face amount of each such New Revolving Credit Lenders Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment (after giving effect to this Section 2.13) and, if applicable, renewal and replacement Revolving Credit Notes payable to each of the existing Revolving Credit Lenders in the face amount of each such Lenders Revolving Credit Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment (after giving effect to this Section 2.13), dated as of the effective date of such increase (with appropriate insertions relevant to such Notes and acceptable to the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders, including the New Revolving Credit Lenders);
(f) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(g) such other amendments, acknowledgments, consents, documents, instruments, any registrations, if any, shall have been executed and delivered and/or obtained by Borrower as required by the Agent, in its reasonable discretion; and
(h) the Agent may, without the consent of the Majority Lenders or any Lender effect amendments to this Agreement as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Agent to effect the provisions of this Section 2.13.
3. | LETTERS OF CREDIT. |
3.1 Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Issuing Lender shall through the Issuing Office, at any time and from time to time from and after the date hereof until thirty (30) days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, upon the written request of Borrower accompanied by a duly executed Letter of Credit Agreement and such other documentation related to the requested Letter of Credit as the Issuing Lender may require, issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of Borrower, in an aggregate amount for all Letters of Credit issued hereunder at any one time outstanding not to exceed the Letter of Credit Maximum Amount. Each Letter of Credit shall be in a minimum face amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by Issuing Lender) and each Letter of Credit (including any renewal thereof) shall expire not later than the first to occur of (i) one year after the date of issuance thereof and (ii) ten (10) Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date in effect on the date of issuance thereof. The submission of all applications in respect of and the issuance of each Letter of Credit hereunder shall be subject in all respects to the International Standby Practices 98, and any successor documentation thereto and to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of Michigan. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any Letter of Credit Document other than any Letter of Credit, this Agreement shall control.
3.2 Conditions to Issuance. No Letter of Credit shall be issued at the request and for the account of Borrower unless, as of the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit:
(a) |
(i) after giving effect to the Letter of Credit requested, the Letter of Credit Obligations do not exceed the Letter of Credit Maximum Amount; and (ii) |
43
after giving effect to the Letter of Credit requested, the Letter of Credit Obligations on such date plus the aggregate amount of all Revolving Credit Advances and Swing Line Advances (including all Advances deemed disbursed by Agent under Section 3.6(a) hereof in respect of Borrower Reimbursement Obligations) hereunder requested or outstanding on such date do not exceed the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment; |
(b) | the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (both before and immediately after the issuance of such Letter of Credit), other than any representation or warranty that expressly speaks only as of a different date; |
(c) | there is no Default or Event of Default in existence, and none will exist upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit; |
(d) | Borrower shall have delivered to Issuing Lender at its Issuing Office, not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date for issuance (or such shorter time as the Issuing Lender, in its sole discretion, may permit), the Letter of Credit Agreement related thereto, together with such other documents and materials as may be required pursuant to the terms thereof, and the terms of the proposed Letter of Credit shall be reasonably satisfactory to Issuing Lender; |
(e) | no order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain Issuing Lender from issuing the Letter of Credit requested, or any Revolving Credit Lender from taking an assignment of its Revolving Credit Percentage thereof pursuant to Section 3.6 hereof, and no law, rule, regulation, request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) shall prohibit the Issuing Lender from issuing, or any Revolving Credit Lender from taking an assignment of its Revolving Credit Percentage of, the Letter of Credit requested or letters of credit generally; |
(f) | there shall have been (i) no introduction of or change in the interpretation of any law or regulation, (ii) no declaration of a general banking moratorium by banking authorities in the United States, Michigan or the respective jurisdictions in which the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Borrower and the beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit are located, and (iii) no establishment of any new restrictions by any central bank or other governmental agency or authority on transactions involving letters of credit or on banks generally that, in any case described in this clause (e), would make it unlawful or unduly burdensome for the Issuing Lender to issue or any Revolving Credit Lender to take an assignment of its Revolving Credit Percentage of the requested Letter of Credit or letters of credit generally; |
44
(g) | Issuing Lender shall have received the issuance fees required in connection with the issuance of such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof; and |
(h) | if any Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it to eliminate the Fronting Exposure with respect to the participation in the Letter of Credit Obligations by such Defaulting Lender, including creation of a cash collateral account on terms satisfactory to Agent or delivery of other security to assure payment of such Defaulting Lenders Percentage of all outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations. |
Each Letter of Credit Agreement submitted to Issuing Lender pursuant hereto shall constitute the certification by Borrower of the matters set forth in Section 5.2 hereof. The Agent shall be entitled to rely on such certification without any duty of inquiry.
3.3 Notice . The Issuing Lender shall deliver to the Agent, concurrently with or promptly following its issuance of any Letter of Credit, a true and complete copy of each Letter of Credit. Promptly upon its receipt thereof, Agent shall give notice, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E, to each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance of each Letter of Credit, specifying the amount thereof and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lenders Percentage thereof.
3.4 Letter of Credit Fees; Increased Costs . (a) Borrower shall pay letter of credit fees as follows:
(i) | A per annum letter of credit fee with respect to the undrawn amount of each Letter of Credit issued pursuant hereto (based on the amount of each Letter of Credit) in the amount of the Applicable Fee Percentage (determined with reference to Schedule 1.1 to this Agreement) shall be paid to the Agent for distribution to the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Percentages. |
(ii) | A letter of credit facing fee on the face amount of each Letter of Credit shall be paid to the Agent for distribution to the Issuing Lender for its own account, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fee Letter. |
(b) |
All payments by Borrower to the Agent for distribution to the Issuing Lender or the Revolving Credit Lenders under this Section 3.4 shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Issuing Office or such other office of the Agent as may be designated from time to time by written notice to Borrower by the Agent. The fees described in clauses (a)(i) and (ii) above (i) shall be nonrefundable under all circumstances, (ii) |
45
in the case of fees due under clause (a)(i) above, shall be payable quarterly in arrears (on the first day of each calendar quarter) and (iii) in the case of fees due under clause (a)(ii) above, shall be payable upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit and upon any amendment thereto or extension thereof . The fees due under clause (a)(i) above shall be determined by multiplying the Applicable Fee Percentage times the undrawn amount of the face amount of each such Letter of Credit on the date of determination, and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and assessed for the actual number of days from the date of the issuance thereof to the stated expiration thereof. The parties hereto acknowledge that, unless the Issuing Lender otherwise agrees, any material amendment and any extension to a Letter of Credit issued hereunder shall be treated as a new Letter of Credit for the purposes of the letter of credit facing fee. |
(c) | If any Change in Law shall either (i) impose, modify or cause to be deemed applicable any reserve, special deposit, limitation or similar requirement against letters of credit issued or participated in by, or assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender or (ii) impose on Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender any other condition regarding this Agreement, the Letters of Credit or any participations in such Letters of Credit, and the result of any event referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above shall be to increase the cost or expense to Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender of issuing or maintaining or participating in any of the Letters of Credit (which increase in cost or expense shall be determined by the Issuing Lenders or such Revolving Credit Lenders reasonable allocation of the aggregate of such cost increases and expenses resulting from such events), then, upon demand by the Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender, as the case may be, Borrower shall, within thirty (30) days following demand for payment, pay to Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender, as the case may be, from time to time as specified by the Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender, additional amounts which shall be sufficient to compensate the Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender for such increased cost and expense (together with interest on each such amount from ten days after the date such payment is due until payment in full thereof at the Base Rate), provided that if the Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender could take any reasonable action, without cost or administrative or other burden or restriction to such Lender, to mitigate or eliminate such cost or expense, it agrees to do so within a reasonable time after becoming aware of the foregoing matters. Each demand for payment under this Section 3.4(c) shall be accompanied by a certificate of Issuing Lender or the applicable Revolving Credit Lender setting forth the amount of such increased cost or expense incurred by the Issuing Lender or such Revolving Credit Lender, as the case may be, as a result of any event mentioned in clause (i) or (ii) above, and in reasonable detail, the methodology for calculating and the calculation of such amount, which certificate shall be prepared in good faith and shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, as to the amount thereof. |
46
3.5 Other Fees . In connection with the Letters of Credit, and in addition to the Letter of Credit Fees, Borrower shall pay, for the sole account of the Issuing Lender, standard documentation, administration, payment and cancellation charges assessed by Issuing Lender or the Issuing Office, at the times, in the amounts and on the terms set forth or to be set forth from time to time in the standard fee schedule of the Issuing Office in effect from time to time.
3.6 Participation Interests in and Drawings and Demands for Payment Under Letters of Credit .
(a) Upon issuance by the Issuing Lender of each Letter of Credit hereunder (and on the Effective Date with respect to each Existing Letter of Credit), each Revolving Credit Lender shall automatically acquire a pro rata participation interest in such Letter of Credit and each related Letter of Credit Payment based on its respective Revolving Credit Percentage.
(b) If the Issuing Lender shall honor a draft or other demand for payment presented or made under any Letter of Credit, Borrower agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender an amount equal to the amount paid by the Issuing Lender in respect of such draft or other demand under such Letter of Credit and all reasonable expenses paid or incurred by the Agent relative thereto not later than 1:00 p.m. (Pacific time), in Dollars, on (i) the Business Day that Borrower received notice of such presentment and honor, if such notice is received prior to 11:00 a.m. (Pacific time) or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that Borrower received such notice, if such notice is received after 11:00 a.m. (Pacific time).
(c) If the Issuing Lender shall honor a draft or other demand for payment presented or made under any Letter of Credit, but Borrower does not reimburse the Issuing Lender as required under clause (b) above and the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has not been terminated (whether by maturity, acceleration or otherwise), the Borrower shall be deemed to have immediately requested that the Revolving Credit Lenders make a Base Rate Advance of the Revolving Credit (which Advance may be subsequently converted at any time into a Eurodollar-based Advance pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof) in the principal amount equal to the amount paid by the Issuing Lender in respect of such draft or other demand under such Letter of Credit and all reasonable expenses paid or incurred by the Agent relative thereto. Agent will promptly notify the Revolving Credit Lenders of such deemed request, and each such Lender shall make available to the Agent an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on its Revolving Credit Percentage) of the amount of such Advance.
(d) If the Issuing Lender shall honor a draft or other demand for payment presented or made under any Letter of Credit, but Borrower does not reimburse the Issuing Lender as required under clause (b) above, and (i) the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment has been terminated (whether by maturity, acceleration or otherwise), or (ii) any reimbursement received by the Issuing Lender from Borrower is or must be returned or rescinded upon or during any bankruptcy or reorganization of any Credit Party or otherwise, then Agent shall notify each Revolving Credit Lender, and each Revolving Credit Lender will be obligated to pay the Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender its pro rata share (based on its Revolving Credit
47
Percentage) of the amount paid by the Issuing Lender in respect of such draft or other demand under such Letter of Credit and all reasonable expenses paid or incurred by the Agent relative thereto (but no such payment shall diminish the obligations of the Borrower hereunder). Upon receipt thereof, the Agent will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a participation certificate evidencing its participation interest in respect of such payment and expenses. To the extent that a Revolving Credit Lender fails to make such amount available to the Agent by 11:00 a.m. Pacific time on the Business Day next succeeding the date such notice is given, such Revolving Credit Lender shall pay interest on such amount in respect of each day from the date such amount was required to be paid, to the date paid to Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate. The failure of any Revolving Credit Lender to make its pro rata portion of any such amount available under to the Agent shall not relieve any other Revolving Credit Lender of its obligation to make available its pro rata portion of such amount, but no Revolving Credit Lender shall be responsible for failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to make such pro rata portion available to the Agent.
(e) In the case of any Advance made under this Section 3.6, each such Advance shall be disbursed notwithstanding any failure to satisfy any conditions for disbursement of any Advance set forth in Article 2 hereof or Article 5 hereof, and, to the extent of the Advance so disbursed, the Reimbursement Obligation of Borrower to the Agent under this Section 3.6 shall be deemed satisfied (unless, in each case, taking into account any such deemed Advances, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Advances of the Revolving Credit and the Swing Line, plus the Letter of Credit Obligations (other than the Reimbursement Obligations to be reimbursed by this Advance) on such date exceed the then applicable Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment).
(f) If the Issuing Lender shall honor a draft or other demand for payment presented or made under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall provide notice thereof to Borrower on the date such draft or demand is honored, and to each Revolving Credit Lender on such date unless Borrower shall have satisfied its reimbursement obligations by payment to the Agent (for the benefit of the Issuing Lender) as required under this Section 3.6. The Issuing Lender shall further use reasonable efforts to provide notice to Borrower prior to honoring any such draft or other demand for payment, but such notice, or the failure to provide such notice, shall not affect the rights or obligations of the Issuing Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit or the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, including without limitation the obligations of Borrower under this Section 3.6.
(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing however no Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to have acquired a participation in a Letter of Credit if the officers of the Issuing Lender immediately responsible for matters concerning this Agreement shall have received written notice from Agent or any Lender at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date of the issuance or extension of such Letter of Credit or, with respect to any Letter of Credit subject to automatic extension, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date that the beneficiary under such Letter of Credit must be notified that such Letter of Credit will not be renewed, that the issuance or extension of Letters of Credit should be suspended based on the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a notice of default; provided, however that the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have acquired such a participation upon the date on which such Default or Event of Default has been waived by the requisite
48
Lenders, as applicable. In the event that the Issuing Lender receives such a notice, the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit until such notice is withdrawn by Agent or such Lender or until the requisite Lenders have waived such Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(h) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require or authorize any Revolving Credit Lender to issue any Letter of Credit, it being recognized that the Issuing Lender shall be the sole issuer of Letters of Credit under this Agreement.
(i) In the event that any Revolving Credit Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender may, at its option, require that the Borrower enter into arrangements satisfactory to Issuing Lender to eliminate the Fronting Exposure with respect to the participation in the Letter of Credit Obligations by such Defaulting Lender, including creation of a cash collateral account on terms satisfactory to Agent or delivery of other security to assure payment of such Defaulting Lenders Percentage of all outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations.
3.7 Obligations Irrevocable . The obligations of Borrower to make payments to Agent for the account of Issuing Lender or the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to Letter of Credit Obligations under Section 3.6 hereof, shall be unconditional and irrevocable and not subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever, including, without limitation:
(a) | Any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Agreement, any other documentation relating to any Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (the Letter of Credit Documents); |
(b) | Any amendment, modification, waiver, consent, or any substitution, exchange or release of or failure to perfect any interest in collateral or security, with respect to or under any Letter of Credit Document; |
(c) | The existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Agent, the Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any of the Letter of Credit Documents, the transactions contemplated herein or therein or any unrelated transactions; |
(d) | Any draft or other statement or document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; |
(e) | Payment by the Issuing Lender to the beneficiary under any Letter of Credit against presentation of documents which do not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to such Letter of Credit; |
49
(f) | Any failure, omission, delay or lack on the part of the Agent, Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender or any party to any of the Letter of Credit Documents to enforce, assert or exercise any right, power or remedy conferred upon the Agent, Issuing Lender, any Revolving Credit Lender or any such party under this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any of the Letter of Credit Documents, or any other acts or omissions on the part of the Agent, Issuing Lender, any Revolving Credit Lender or any such party; or |
(g) | Any other event or circumstance that would, in the absence of this Section 3.7, result in the release or discharge by operation of law or otherwise of Borrower from the performance or observance of any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in Section 3.6 hereof. |
No setoff, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any obligation or any defense of any kind or nature which Borrower has or may have against the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit shall be available hereunder to Borrower against the Agent, Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender. With respect to any Letter of Credit, nothing contained in this Section 3.7 shall be deemed to prevent Borrower, after satisfaction in full of the absolute and unconditional obligations of Borrower hereunder with respect to such Letter of Credit, from asserting in a separate action any claim, defense, set off or other right which they (or any of them) may have against Agent, Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender in connection with such Letter of Credit.
3.8 Risk Under Letters of Credit .
(a) In the administration and handling of Letters of Credit and any security therefor, or any documents or instruments given in connection therewith, Issuing Lender shall have the sole right to take or refrain from taking any and all actions under or upon the Letters of Credit.
(b) Subject to other terms and conditions of this Agreement, Issuing Lender shall issue the Letters of Credit and shall hold the documents related thereto in its own name and shall make all collections thereunder and otherwise administer the Letters of Credit in accordance with Issuing Lenders regularly established practices and procedures and will have no further obligation (in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct) with respect thereto. In the administration of Letters of Credit, Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted on the advice of counsel, accountants, appraisers or other experts selected by Issuing Lender with due care and Issuing Lender may rely upon any notice, communication, certificate or other statement from Borrower, beneficiaries of Letters of Credit, or any other Person which Issuing Lender believes to be authentic. Issuing Lender will, upon request, furnish the Revolving Credit Lenders with copies of Letter of Credit Documents related thereto.
(c) In connection with the issuance and administration of Letters of Credit and the assignments hereunder, Issuing Lender makes no representation and shall have no responsibility with respect to (i) the obligations of Borrower or the validity, sufficiency or enforceability of any document or instrument given in connection therewith, or the taking of any action with respect to same, (ii) the financial condition of, any representations made by, or any act or omission of
50
Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) any failure or delay in exercising any rights or powers possessed by Issuing Lender in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit in the absence of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each of the Revolving Credit Lenders expressly acknowledges that it has made and will continue to make its own evaluations of Borrowers creditworthiness without reliance on any representation of Issuing Lender or Issuing Lenders officers, agents and employees.
(d) If at any time Issuing Lender shall recover any part of any unreimbursed amount for any draw or other demand for payment under a Letter of Credit, or any interest thereon, Agent or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, shall receive same for the pro rata benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Percentages and shall promptly deliver to each Revolving Credit Lender its share thereof, less such Revolving Credit Lenders pro rata share of the costs of such recovery, including court costs and attorneys fees. If at any time any Revolving Credit Lender shall receive from any source whatsoever any payment on any such unreimbursed amount or interest thereon in excess of such Revolving Credit Lenders Percentage of such payment, such Revolving Credit Lender will promptly pay over such excess to Agent, for redistribution in accordance with this Agreement.
3.9 Indemnification . Borrower hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Agent and their respective Affiliates, and the respective officers, directors, employees and agents of such Persons (each an L/C Indemnified Person), from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever which the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Issuing Lender or the Agent or any such Person may incur or which may be claimed against any of them by reason of or in connection with any Letter of Credit (collectively, the L/C Indemnified Amounts), and none of the Issuing Lender, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable or responsible for:
(a) | the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit or for any acts or omissions of any beneficiary in connection therewith; |
(b) | the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; |
(c) | payment by the Issuing Lender to the beneficiary under any Letter of Credit against presentation of documents which do not strictly comply with the terms of any Letter of Credit (unless such payment resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender), including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to such Letter of Credit; |
(d) | any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit; or |
(e) | any other event or circumstance whatsoever arising in connection with any Letter of Credit. |
51
It is understood that in making any payment under a Letter of Credit the Issuing Lender will rely on documents presented to it under such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth therein without further investigation and regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.
With respect to subparagraphs (a) through (e) hereof, (i) no Borrower shall be required to indemnify any L/C Indemnified Person for any L/C Indemnified Amounts to the extent such amounts result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such L/C Indemnified Person or any officer, director, employee or agent of such L/C Indemnified Person and (ii) the Agent and the Issuing Lender shall be liable to each Borrower to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or incidental, damages suffered by Borrower which were caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender or any officer, director, employee or agent of the Issuing Lender or by the Issuing Lenders wrongful dishonor of any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary thereunder of a draft or other demand for payment and other documentation strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit.
3.10 Right of Reimbursement . Each Revolving Credit Lender agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender on demand, pro rata in accordance with its respective Revolving Credit Percentage, for (i) the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Issuing Lender to be reimbursed by Borrower pursuant to any Letter of Credit Agreement or any Letter of Credit, to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower or any other Credit Party and (ii) any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, fees, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Issuing Lender in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement (including Section 3.6(c) hereof), any Letter of Credit, any documentation or any transaction relating thereto, or any Letter of Credit Agreement, to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower, except to the extent that such liabilities, losses, costs or expenses were incurred by Issuing Lender as a result of Issuing Lenders gross negligence or willful misconduct or by the Issuing Lenders wrongful dishonor of any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary thereunder of a draft or other demand for payment and other documentation strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit.
4. | TERM LOAN. |
4.1 Term Loan . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Term Loan Lender, severally and for itself alone, agrees to lend to Borrower, in a single disbursement in Dollars on the Effective Date an amount equal to such Lenders Percentage of Term Loan.
4.2 Accrual of Interest and Maturity; Evidence of Indebtedness .
(a) Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Agent for the account of each Term Loan Lender such Lenders Percentage of the then unpaid aggregate principal amount of Term Loan outstanding on the Term Loan Maturity Date and on such other dates and in such other amounts as may be required from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Subject to the
52
terms and conditions hereof, the unpaid principal Indebtedness outstanding under Term Loan shall, from the Effective Date (until paid), bear interest at the Applicable Interest Rate. There shall be no readvance or reborrowings of any principal reductions of the Term Loan.
(b) Each Term Loan Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of Borrower to the appropriate lending office of such Term Loan Lender resulting from each Advance of the Term Loan made by such lending office of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid to such Term Loan Lender from time to time under this Agreement.
(c) The Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 13.8(g), and a subaccount therein for each Term Loan Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Advance of the Term Loan made hereunder, the type thereof and each Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable to any Eurodollar-based Advance, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from Borrower to each Term Loan Lender hereunder in respect of the Advances of the Term Loan and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the Agent hereunder from Borrower in respect of the Advances of the Term Loan and each Term Loan Lenders share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the Register pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 4.2 shall, absent manifest error, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of Borrower therein recorded; provided , however , that the failure of any Term Loan Lender or the Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of Borrower to repay the Advances of each of the Term Loan (and all other amounts owing with respect thereto) made to Borrower by the Term Loan Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Borrower agrees that, upon written request to the Agent by any Term Loan Lender, Borrower will execute and deliver to such Term Loan Lender, at Borrowers expense, a Term Loan Note evidencing the outstanding Advances under the Term Loan, owing to such Term Loan Lender.
4.3 Repayment of Principal . (a) Borrower shall repay the Term Loan as set forth below, each such quarterly principal installment to be paid on the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing on January 1, 2012, until the Term Loan Maturity Date, when all remaining outstanding principal plus accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable in full:
Installment No. |
Payment |
|||
1-4 |
$ | 1,250,000 | ||
5-8 |
$ | 2,500,000 | ||
9-12 |
$ | 3,750,000 | ||
13-16 |
$ | 5,000,000 | ||
17-19 |
$ | 5,000,000 |
53
Term Loan Maturity Date | Any amounts of principal or interest then outstanding on the Term Loan |
(b) Whenever any payment under this Section 4.3 shall become due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereunder shall be extended to the next Business Day.
4.4 Term Loan Rate Requests; Refundings and Conversions of Advances of Term Loan . Borrower may refund all or any portion of any Advance of the Term Loan as a Term Loan Advance with a like Eurodollar-Interest Period or convert each such Advance of Term Loan to an Advance with a different Eurodollar-Interest Period, but only after delivery to Agent of a Term Loan Rate Request executed in connection with such Term Loan by an Authorized Signer and subject to the terms hereof and to the following:
(a) each Term Loan Rate Request shall set forth the information required on the Term Loan Rate Request form with respect to such Term Loan, including without limitation:
(i) | whether the Term Loan Advance is a refunding or conversion of an outstanding Term Loan Advance; |
(ii) | in the case of a refunding or conversion of an outstanding Term Loan Advance, the proposed date of such refunding or conversion, which must be a Business Day; and |
(iii) | whether such Term Loan Advance (or any portion thereof) is to be a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar-based Advance, and, in the case of a Eurodollar-based Advance, the Eurodollar-Interest Period(s) applicable thereto. |
(b) each such Term Loan Rate Request shall be delivered to Agent (i) by 1:00 p.m. (Pacific time) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed date of the refunding or conversion of a Eurodollar-based Advance or (ii) by 1:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the proposed date of the refunding or conversion of a Base Rate Advance;
(c) the principal amount of such Advance of the Term Loan plus the amount of any other Advance of the Term Loan to be then combined therewith having the same Applicable Interest Rate and Eurodollar-Interest Period, if any, shall be (i) in the case of a Base Rate Advance, at least Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), or the remaining principal balance outstanding under the applicable Term Loan, whichever is less, and (ii) in the case of a Eurodollar-based Advance, at least Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) or the remaining principal balance outstanding under the applicable Term Loan, whichever is less, or in each case a larger integral multiple of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000);
(d) no Term Loan Advance shall have a Eurodollar-Interest Period ending after the Term Loan Maturity Date and, notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, Borrower
54
shall select Eurodollar-Interest Periods (or the Base Rate) for sufficient portions of the Term Loan such that Borrower may make the required principal payments hereunder on a timely basis and otherwise in accordance with Section 4.5 below;
(e) at no time shall there be no more than three (3) Eurodollar-Interest Periods in effect for Advances of the Term Loan; and
(f) a Term Loan Rate Request, once delivered to Agent, shall not be revocable by Borrower.
4.5 Base Rate Advance in Absence of Election or Upon Default . In the event Borrower shall fail with respect to any Eurodollar-based Advance of the Term Loan to timely exercise their option to refund or convert such Advance in accordance with Section 4.4 hereof (and such Advance has not been paid in full on the last day of the Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable thereto according to the terms hereof), or, if on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar-Interest Period, a Default or Event of Default shall exist, then, on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar-Interest Period, the principal amount of such Advance which has not been prepaid shall be automatically converted to a Base Rate Advance and the Agent shall thereafter promptly notify Borrower thereof. All accrued and unpaid interest on any Advance converted to a Base Rate Advance under this Section 4.5 shall be due and payable in full on the date such Advance is converted.
4.6 Interest Payments; Default Interest .
(a) Interest on the unpaid principal of all Base Rate Advances of the Term Loan from time to time outstanding shall accrue until paid at a per annum interest rate equal to the Base Rate, and shall be payable in immediately available funds quarterly in arrears commencing on January 1, 2012, and on the first day of each calendar quarter thereafter. Whenever any payment under this Section 4.6 shall become due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next Business Day. Interest accruing at the Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed, and in such computation effect shall be given to any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate on the date of such change in the Base Rate.
(b) Interest on the unpaid principal of each Eurodollar-based Advance of the Term Loan having a related Eurodollar-Interest Period of three (3) months or less shall accrue at its applicable Eurodollar-based Rate and shall be payable in immediately available funds on the last day of the Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable thereto. Interest accruing at the Eurodollar-based Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and assessed for the actual number of days elapsed from the first day of the Eurodollar-Interest Period applicable thereto to, but not including, the last day thereof.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.6(a) or (b) hereof, all accrued and unpaid interest on any Term Loan Advance refunded or converted pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof shall be due and payable in full on the date such Term Loan Advance is refunded or converted.
55
(d) In the case of any Event of Default under Section 9.1(i), immediately upon the occurrence thereof, and in the case of any other Event of Default, upon notice from the Majority Term Loan Lenders, interest shall be payable on demand on the principal amount of all Advances of the Term Loan from time to time outstanding, as applicable, at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Interest Rate in respect of each such Advance, plus, in the case of Eurodollar-based Advances, two percent (2%) for the remainder of the then existing Eurodollar-Interest Period, if any, and at all other such times and for all Base Rate Advances, at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus two percent (2%).
4.7 Optional Prepayment of Term Loan .
(a) Subject to clause (b) hereof, Borrower (at its option), may prepay all or any portion of the outstanding principal of any Term Loan Advance bearing interest at the Base Rate at any time, and may prepay all or any portion of the outstanding principal of any Term Loan bearing interest at the Eurodollar-based Rate upon one (1) Business Days notice to the Agent by facsimile or by telephone (confirmed by facsimile), with accrued interest on the principal being prepaid to the date of such prepayment. Any prepayment of a portion of the Term Loan as to which the Applicable Interest Rate is the Base Rate shall be without premium or penalty and any prepayment of a portion of the Term Loan as to which the Applicable Interest Rate is the Eurodollar-based Rate shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11.1, but otherwise without premium or penalty.
(b) Each partial prepayment of the Term Loan shall be applied to all installments of such Term Loan due thereunder on a pro rata basis as follows: first to that portion of such Term Loan outstanding as a Base Rate Advance, second to that portion of such Term Loan outstanding as Eurodollar-based Advances which have Eurodollar-Interest Periods ending on the date of payment, and last to any remaining Advances of such Term Loan being carried at the Eurodollar-based Rate.
(c) All prepayments of the Term Loan shall be made to the Agent for distribution ratably to the applicable Term Loan Lenders in accordance with their respective Term Loan Percentages.
4.8 Mandatory Prepayment of Term Loan .
(a) Subject to clauses (d) and (e) hereof, immediately upon receipt by any Credit Party of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sales exceeding $2,500,000 which are not Reinvested as described in the following sentence, Borrower shall prepay the Term Loan by an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of such Net Cash Proceeds provided, however that Borrower shall not be obligated to prepay the Term Loan with such Net Cash Proceeds if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) promptly following the sale, Borrower provides to Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (Reinvestment Certificate) stating (x) that the sale has occurred, (y) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either as of the date of the sale or as of the date of the Reinvestment Certificate, and (z) a description of the planned Reinvestment of the proceeds thereof, (ii) the Reinvestment of such Net Cash Proceeds is commenced within the Initial Reinvestment Period and completed within the Reinvestment Period, and (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
56
continuing at the time of the sale and at the time of the application of such proceeds to Reinvestment. If any such proceeds have not been Reinvested at the end of the Reinvestment Period, Borrower shall promptly pay such proceeds to Agent, to be applied to repay the Term Loan in accordance with clauses (d) and (e) hereof.
(b) Subject to clauses (d) and (e) hereof, immediately upon receipt by any Credit Party of Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance of any Equity Interests of such Person (other than Excluded Equity Issuances) or Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance of any Subordinated Debt after the Effective Date, Borrower shall prepay the Term Loan by an amount equal to twenty five percent (25%) of such Net Cash Proceeds in the case of the issuance of any such Equity Interests and one hundred percent (100%) of such Net Cash Proceeds in the case of issuance of Subordinated Debt (other than Debt permitted under the provisions of Section 8.1).
(c) Subject to clauses (d) and (e) hereof, immediately upon receipt by any Credit Party of any Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, Borrower shall be obligated to prepay the Term Loan by an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be; provided, however, that any Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, may be Reinvested by the applicable Credit Party if the following conditions are satisfied: (i) promptly following the receipt of such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, Borrower provide to Agent a Reinvestment Certificate stating (x) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either as of the date of the receipt of such proceeds or as of the date of the Reinvestment Certificate, (y) that such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds have been received, and (z) a description of the planned Reinvestment of such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be), (ii) the Reinvestment of such proceeds is commenced within the Initial Reinvestment Period and completed within the Reinvestment Period, and (iii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the receipt of such proceeds and at the time of the application of such proceeds to Reinvestment. If any such proceeds have not been Reinvested at the end of the Reinvestment Period, Borrower shall promptly pay such proceeds to Agent, to be applied to repay the Term Loan in accordance with clauses (d) and (e) hereof.
(d) Subject to clause (e) hereof, each mandatory prepayment under this Section 4.8 or any other mandatory or optional prepayment under this Agreement shall be in addition to any scheduled installments or optional prepayments made prior thereto and shall be subject to Section 11.1. Each mandatory prepayment of the Term Loan shall be applied to installments of principal on the Term Loan in the inverse order of their maturities.
(e) To the extent that, on the date any mandatory prepayment of any Term Loan under this Section 4.8 is due, the Indebtedness under the Term Loan or any other Indebtedness to be prepaid is being carried, in whole or in part, at the Eurodollar-based Rate and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may deposit the amount of such mandatory prepayment in a cash collateral account to be held by the Agent, for and on behalf of the Lenders (which shall be an interest-bearing account), on such terms and conditions as are reasonably acceptable to Agent and upon such deposit, the obligation of each Borrower to make such mandatory prepayment shall be deemed satisfied. Subject to the terms and conditions of said cash collateral account, sums on deposit in said cash collateral account shall be applied
57
(until exhausted) to reduce the principal balance of the Term Loan on the last day of each Eurodollar-Interest Period attributable to the Eurodollar-based Advances of the Term Loan, thereby avoiding breakage costs under Section 11.1.
4.9 Use of Proceeds . Proceeds of the Term Loan shall be used by Borrower to refinance existing Debt and for general corporate purposes.
5. | CONDITIONS. |
The obligations of the Lenders to make Advances or loans pursuant to this Agreement and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit are subject to the following conditions:
5.1 Conditions of Initial Advances . The obligations of the Lenders to make initial Advances or loans pursuant to this Agreement and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue initial Letters of Credit, in each case, on the Effective Date only, are subject to the following conditions:
(a) Notes, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents . Borrower shall have executed and delivered to Agent for the account of each Lender requesting Notes, the Swing Line Note, the Revolving Credit Notes and/or the Term Notes, as applicable; Borrower shall have executed and delivered this Agreement; and each Credit Party shall have executed and delivered the other Loan Documents to which such Credit Party is required to be a party (including all schedules to the Disclosure Letter and other documents to be delivered pursuant hereto); and such Notes (if any), this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be in full force and effect.
(b) Corporate Authority . Agent shall have received, with a counterpart thereof for each Lender, from Borrower, a certificate of its Secretary or Assistant Secretary dated as of the Effective Date as to:
(i) | corporate resolutions (or the equivalent) authorizing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents approval of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in each case to which Borrower is party, and authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and authorizing the execution and delivery of requests for Advances and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, |
(ii) | the incumbency and signature of the officers or other authorized persons of Borrower executing any Loan Document and the officers who are authorized to execute any Requests for Advance, or requests for the issuance of Letters of Credit, |
(iii) | a certificate of good standing or continued existence (or the equivalent thereof) from the state of its incorporation or formation, and |
(iv) | copies of Borrowers articles of incorporation and bylaws or other constitutional documents, as in effect on the Effective Date. |
58
(c) Collateral Documents, Guaranties and other Loan Documents . The Agent shall have received the following documents, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and fully executed by each party thereto:
(i) | A Reaffirmation of Loan Documents in form and substance acceptable to Agent and fully executed by each party thereto and dated as of the Effective Date; |
(ii) | Any documents (including, without limitation, financing statements, amendments to financing statements and assignments of financing statements, stock powers executed in blank and any endorsements) requested by Agent and reasonably required to be provided in connection with the Collateral Documents to create, in favor of the Agent (for and on behalf of the Lenders), a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral thereunder shall have been filed, registered or recorded, or shall have been delivered to Agent in proper form for filing, registration or recordation. |
(c) Insurance . The Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Credit Parties have obtained the insurance policies required by Section 7.5 hereof and that such insurance policies are in full force and effect.
(d) Compliance with Certain Documents and Agreements . Each Credit Party shall have each performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to the extent required to be performed or complied with by such Credit Party. No Person (other than Agent, Lenders and Issuing Lender) party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in material default in the performance or compliance with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or shall be in material default in the performance or compliance with any of the material terms or material provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, in each case to which such Person is a party.
(e) Opinions of Counsel . The Credit Parties shall furnish Agent prior to the initial Advance under this Agreement, with signed copies for each Lender, an opinion of in-house counsel to the Credit Parties, dated the Effective Date and covering such matters as reasonably required by and otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and each of the Lenders.
(f) Payment of Fees . Borrower shall have paid (i) to Comerica Bank any fees due under the terms of the Fee Letter, (ii) to each Lender, fees due to such Lender in connection with the closing of this Agreement and (iii) any other fees, costs or expenses due and outstanding to the Agent or the Lenders as of the Effective Date (including reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel to Agent).
59
(g) Governmental and Other Approvals . Agent shall have received copies of all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses, qualifications or formal exemptions, filings, declarations and registrations with, any court, governmental agency or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or any other person or party (whether or not governmental) received by any Credit Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents to occur on the Effective Date.
(h) Closing Certificate . The Agent shall have received, with a signed counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Borrower dated the Effective Date (or, if different, the date of the initial Advance hereunder), stating that to the best of his or her respective knowledge after due inquiry, (a) the conditions set forth in this Section 5 have been satisfied to the extent required to be satisfied by any Credit Party; (b) the representations and warranties made by the Credit Parties in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, as applicable, are true and correct in all material respects; (c) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (d) since June 30, 2011, nothing shall have occurred which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse change on the business or property, results of operations, conditions or financial condition of Borrower and the Credit Parties (taken as a whole).
5.2 Continuing Conditions . The obligations of each Lender to make Advances (including the initial Advance) under this Agreement and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue any Letters of Credit shall be subject to the continuing conditions that:
(a) No Default or Event of Default shall exist as of the date of the Advance or the request for the Letter of Credit, as the case may be; and
(b) Each of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Advance or Letter of Credit (as the case may be) as if made on and as of such date (other than any representation or warranty that expressly speaks only as of a different date).
6. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. |
Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Lender as follows:
6.1 Corporate Authority . Each Credit Party is a corporation (or other business entity) duly organized and existing in good standing under the laws of the state or jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable, and each Credit Party is duly qualified and authorized to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the character of its assets or the nature of its activities makes such qualification and authorization necessary except where failure to be so qualified or be in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Credit Party has all requisite corporate, limited liability or partnership power and authority to own all its property (whether real, personal, tangible or intangible or of any kind whatsoever) and to carry on its business.
6.2 Due Authorization . Execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents, to which each Credit Party is party, and the issuance of the Notes by
60
Borrower (if requested) are within such Persons corporate, limited liability or partnership power, have been duly authorized, are not in contravention of any law applicable to such Credit Party or the terms of such Credit Partys organizational documents and, except as have been previously obtained or as referred to in Section 6.10, below, do not require the consent or approval of any governmental body, agency or authority or any other third party except to the extent that such consent or approval is not material to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
6.3 Good Title; Leases; Assets; No Liens . (a) Each Credit Party, to the extent applicable, has good and valid title (or, in the case of real property, good and marketable title) to all assets owned by it that are material to the conduct of its business, subject only to the Liens permitted under section 8.2 hereof, and each Credit Party has a valid leasehold or interest as a lessee or a licensee in all of its leased real property;
(b) Schedule 6.3(b) to the Disclosure Letter identifies all of the real property owned or leased, as lessee thereunder, by the Obligors on the Effective Date, including all warehouse or bailee locations;
(c) The Credit Parties will collectively own or collectively have a valid leasehold interest in all assets that were owned or leased (as lessee) by the Credit Parties immediately prior to the Effective Date to the extent that such assets are necessary for the continued operation of the Credit Parties businesses in substantially the manner as such businesses were operated immediately prior to the Effective Date;
(d) Each Credit Party owns or has a valid leasehold interest in all real property necessary for its continued operations and, to the best knowledge of Borrower, no material condemnation, eminent domain or expropriation action has been commenced or threatened against any such owned or leased real property; and
(e) There are no Liens on and no financing statements on file with respect to any of the assets owned by the Credit Parties, except for the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 8.2 of this Agreement.
6.4 Taxes . Except as set forth on Schedule 6.4 to the Disclosure Letter, each Credit Party has filed on or before their respective due dates or within the applicable grace periods, all United States federal, state, local and other tax returns which are required to be filed or has obtained extensions for filing such tax returns and is not delinquent in filing such returns in accordance with such extensions and has paid all material taxes which have become due pursuant to those returns or pursuant to any assessments received by any such Credit Party, as the case may be, to the extent such taxes have become due, except to the extent such taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and with respect to which adequate provision has been made on the books of such Credit Party as may be required by GAAP.
6.5 No Defaults . No Credit Party is in default under or with respect to any material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound which would cause or would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.
61
6.6 Enforceability of Agreement and Loan Documents . This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which any Credit Party is a party (including without limitation, each Request for Advance), have each been duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officers and constitute the valid and binding obligations of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights, generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in law or equity).
6.7 Compliance with Laws . (a) Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.7 to the Disclosure Letter and to the knowledge of each Credit Parties, each Credit Party has complied with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and guidelines (including consent decrees and administrative orders) including but not limited to Hazardous Material Laws, and is in compliance with any Requirement of Law, in each case, except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) neither the extension of credit made pursuant to this Agreement or the use of the proceeds thereof by the Credit Parties will 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 The United and Strengthening America by providing appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) Act of 2001, Public Law 10756, October 26, 2001 or Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 issued by the President of the United States (66 Fed. Reg. 49049 (2001)).
6.8 Non-contravention . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including each Request for Advance) to which each Credit Party is a party are not in contravention of the terms of any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which such Credit Party is a party or by which it or its properties are bound where such violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.9 Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 6.9 to the Disclosure Letter, there is no suit, action, proceeding, including, without limitation, any bankruptcy proceeding or governmental investigation pending against or to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against any Credit Party (other than any suit, action or proceeding in which a Credit Party is the plaintiff and in which no counterclaim or cross-claim against such Credit Party has been filed), or any judgment, decree, injunction, rule, or order of any court, government, department, commission, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator outstanding against any Credit Party, nor is any Credit Party in violation of any applicable law, regulation, ordinance, order, injunction, decree or requirement of any governmental body or court which could in any of the foregoing events reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 Consents, Approvals and Filings, Etc . Except as set forth on Schedule 6.10 to the Disclosure Letter, no material authorization, consent, approval, license, qualification or formal exemption from, nor any filing, declaration or registration with, any court, governmental agency or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or any other Person (whether or not governmental) (each, a Filing) is required in connection with the execution, delivery and
62
performance: (a) by any Credit Party of this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents to which such Credit Party is a party or (b) by the Credit Parties of the grant of Liens granted, conveyed or otherwise established (or to be granted, conveyed or otherwise established) by or under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, as applicable, except in each case for (i) Filings which have been previously obtained, (ii) Filings to be made concurrently herewith or promptly following the Effective Date as are required by the Collateral Documents to perfect Liens in favor of the Agent, (iii) Filings required to be obtain and maintain existence, good standing and similar matters, (iv) routine Filings necessary in the ordinary course of business, (v) Filings required in connection with the performance of the Loan Documents, and (vi) Filings required in connection with the exercise of remedies under the Loan Documents. All such material authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses, qualifications, exemptions, filings, declarations and registrations which have previously been obtained or made, as the case may be, are in full force and effect and, to the best knowledge of Borrower, are not the subject of any attack or threatened attack (in each case in any material respect) by appeal or direct proceeding or otherwise.
6.11 Agreements Affecting Financial Condition . No Credit Party is party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or other corporate restriction which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.12 No Investment Company or Margin Stock . No Credit Party is an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No Credit Party is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, directly or indirectly, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. None of the proceeds of any of the Advances will be used by any Credit Party to purchase or carry margin stock. Terms for which meanings are provided in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any regulations substituted therefore, as from time to time in effect, are used in this paragraph with such meanings.
6.13 ERISA . No Credit Party maintains or contributes to any Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, except as set forth on Schedule 6.13 to the Disclosure Letter or otherwise disclosed to the Agent in writing. There is no accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or any outstanding liability with respect to any Pension Plans owed to the PBGC other than future premiums due and owing pursuant to Section 4007 of ERISA, and no reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan other than an event for which the notice requirement has been waived by the PBGC. None of the Credit Parties has engaged in a prohibited transaction with respect to any Pension Plan, other than a prohibited transaction for which an exemption is available and has been obtained, which could subject such Credit Parties to a material tax or penalty imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA. Each Pension Plan is being maintained and funded in accordance with its terms and is in material compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA. No Credit Party has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to have resulted in any Withdrawal Liability and, except as notified to Agent in writing following the Effective Date, no such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA) or insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA).
63
6.14 Conditions Affecting Business or Properties . Neither the respective businesses nor the properties of any Credit Party are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, Act of God, or other casualty (except to the extent such event is covered by insurance sufficient to ensure that upon application of the proceeds thereof, no Material Adverse Effect could reasonably be expected to occur) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.15 Environmental and Safety Matters . Except as set forth in Schedules 6.9, 6.10 and 6.15 to the Disclosure Letter or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) | all facilities and property owned or leased by the Credit Parties are in compliance with all applicable Hazardous Material Laws; |
(b) | to the best knowledge of Borrower, there have been no unresolved and outstanding past, and there are no pending or threatened in writing: |
(i) | claims, complaints, notices or requests for information received by any Credit Party with respect to any alleged violation of any applicable Hazardous Material Law, or |
(ii) | written complaints, notices or inquiries to any Credit Party regarding potential liability of any Credit Parties under any applicable Hazardous Material Law; and |
(c) | to the best knowledge of Borrower, no conditions exist at, on or under any property now or previously owned or leased by any Credit Party which, with the passage of time, or the giving of notice or both, are reasonably likely to give rise to liability under any applicable Hazardous Material Law or create a significant adverse effect on the value of the property. |
6.16 Subsidiaries . Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.16 to the Disclosure Letter as of the Effective Date, and thereafter, except as disclosed to the Agent in writing from time to time, no Credit Party has any Subsidiaries.
6.17 Management Agreements . Schedule 6.17 to the Disclosure Letter is an accurate and complete list of all management and significant employment agreements (excluding offer letters) in effect on or as of the Effective Date to which any Credit Party is a party or is bound.
6.18 [Intentionally Deleted] .
6.19 Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, Tradenames, etc . The Credit Parties possess all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate for the conduct of their business substantially as now conducted without known conflict with any rights of others. Schedule 6.19 contains a true and accurate list of all trade names and any and all other names used by any Credit Party during the five-year period ending as of the Effective Date.
64
6.20 Capital Structure . Schedule 6.20 to the Disclosure Letter sets forth all issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Credit Party, including the number of authorized, issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Credit Party and the par value of such Equity Interests, all on and as of the Effective Date. All issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Credit Party are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens (except for the benefit of Agent) and such Equity Interests were issued in compliance with all applicable state, federal and foreign laws concerning the issuance of securities. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.20 to the Disclosure Letter, there are no preemptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or similar agreements or understandings for the purchase or acquisition from any Credit Party, of any Equity Interests of any Credit Party other than rights of the Borrower.
6.21 Accuracy of Information . (a) The audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2011, furnished to Agent and the Lenders prior to the Effective Date fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the results of their operations for the periods covered thereby, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The projections, the Pro Forma Balance Sheet and the other pro forma financial information delivered to the Agent prior to the Effective Date are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Borrower to be accurate and reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the projected results set forth therein.
(b) Since June 30, 2011, there has been no material adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition or property of the Credit Parties, taken as a whole.
(c) To the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, as of the Effective Date, (i) the Credit Parties do not have any material contingent obligations (including any liability for taxes) not disclosed by or reserved against in the opening balance sheet to be delivered hereunder and (ii) there are no unrealized or anticipated losses from any present commitment of the Credit Parties which contingent obligations and losses in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.22 Solvency . After giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and other Loan Documents, each Credit Party will be solvent, able to pay its indebtedness as it matures and will have capital sufficient to carry on its businesses and all business in which it is about to engage. This Agreement is being executed and delivered by the Borrower to Agent and the Lenders in good faith and in exchange for fair, equivalent consideration. The Credit Parties do not intend to nor does management of the Credit Parties believe the Credit Parties will incur debts beyond their ability to pay as they mature. The Credit Parties do not contemplate filing a petition in bankruptcy or for an arrangement or reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar law of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect relating to any Credit Party, nor does any Credit Party have any knowledge of any threatened bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against a Credit Party.
65
6.23 Employee Matters . There are no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages, unfair labor practice complaints, grievances, arbitration proceedings or controversies pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against any Credit Party by any employees of any Credit Party, other than non-material employee grievances or controversies arising in the ordinary course of business. Set forth on Schedule 6.23 to the Disclosure Letter are all union contracts or agreements to which any Credit Party is party as of the Effective Date and the related expiration dates of each such contract.
6.24 No Misrepresentation . Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, certificate, information or report furnished or to be furnished by or on behalf of a Credit Party to Agent or any Lender in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, contains a misstatement of material fact, or omits to state a material fact required to be stated in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, taken as a whole, not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made. There is no fact, other than information known to the public generally, known to any Credit Party after diligent inquiry, that could reasonably be expect to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not expressly been disclosed to Agent in writing.
6.25 Corporate Documents and Corporate Existence . As to each Obligor, (a) it is an organization as described on Schedule 1.3 hereto and has provided the Agent and the Lenders with complete and correct copies of its articles of incorporation, by-laws and all other applicable charter and other organizational documents, and, if applicable, a good standing certificate and (b) its correct legal name, business address, type of organization and jurisdiction of organization, tax identification number and other relevant identification numbers are set forth on Schedule 1.3 hereto.
7. | AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. |
Borrower covenants and agrees, so long as any Lender has any commitment to extend credit hereunder, or any of the Indebtedness remains outstanding and unpaid, that it will, and, as applicable, it will cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
7.1 Financial Statements . Furnish to the Agent, in form and detail satisfactory to Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender, the following documents:
(a) | as soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the audited Consolidated and, if reasonably requested by the Agent, unaudited Consolidating financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related audited Consolidated and if reasonably requested by the Agent, unaudited Consolidating statements of income, stockholders equity, and cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year or partial Fiscal Year and underlying assumptions, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, certified as being fairly stated in all material respects by an independent, nationally recognized certified public accounting firm reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; and |
66
(b) | as soon as available, but in any event within forty five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Credit Parties (except the last quarter of each Fiscal Year), Borrower prepared unaudited Consolidated and if reasonably requested by the Agent, Consolidating balance sheets of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the portion of the Fiscal Year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous Fiscal Year, and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as being fairly stated in all material respects; |
all such financial statements to fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations for such periods and shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods (except as approved by a Responsible Officer and disclosed therein), provided however that the financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (b) hereof will not be required to include footnotes and will be subject to change from audit and year-end adjustments.
7.2 Certificates; Other Information . Furnish to the Agent, in form and detail reasonably acceptable to Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender, the following documents:
(a) | Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements described in Sections 7.1(a) for each fiscal year end, and 7.1(b) for each fiscal quarter end, a Covenant Compliance Report (or, in the case of the Borrower prepared financial statements for the last fiscal quarter of each fiscal year, a draft Covenant Compliance Certificate) duly executed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower; |
(b) | Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all significant reports submitted by the Credit Parties firm(s) of certified public accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit or review of any type of the financial statements or related internal control systems of the Credit Parties made by such accountants, including any comment letter submitted by such accountants to management in connection with their services; |
(c) | Any financial reports, statements, press releases, other material information or written notices delivered to the holders of the Subordinated Debt pursuant to any applicable Subordinated Debt Documents (to the extent not otherwise required hereunder), as and when delivered to such Persons and, if applicable, all reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; |
(d) | Within forty five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual budget reviewed by Borrowers Board of Directors certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; |
67
(e) | Within forty five (45) days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter, including the last fiscal quarter of each Fiscal Year, (i) the quarterly aging of the accounts receivable and accounts payable of the Credit Parties and (ii) a report signed by a Responsible Officer, in form reasonably acceptable to Agent, listing any applications or registrations that Borrower or any Guarantor has made or filed in respect of any Patents, Trademarks or Copyrights and the status of any outstanding applications or registrations, as well as any material change in the Intellectual Property Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Documents), including but not limited to any Patent, Trademark or Copyright not specified in the exhibits to the Security Agreement; |
(f) | Any additional information as required by any Loan Document, and such additional schedules to the Disclosure Letter, certificates and reports respecting all or any of the Collateral, the items or amounts received by the Credit Parties in full or partial payment thereof, and any goods (the sale or lease of which shall have given rise to any of the Collateral) possession of which has been obtained by the Credit Parties, all to such extent as Agent may reasonably request from time to time, any such schedule, certificate or report to be certified as true and correct in all material respects by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Credit Party and shall be in such form and detail as Agent may reasonably specify; and |
(g) | Such additional financial and/or other information as Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request, promptly following such request. |
7.3 Payment of Obligations . Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy, at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all of its material obligations of whatever nature, including without limitation all assessments, governmental charges, claims for labor, supplies, rent or other obligations, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being appropriately contested in good faith and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Credit Parties.
7.4 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Laws .
(a) Continue to engage in their respective business and operations substantially as conducted immediately prior to the Effective Date other than the Direct Selling Services division;
(b) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence and maintain its qualifications to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualifications are necessary for its operations, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 8.4 and except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) Take all action it deems necessary in its reasonable business judgment to maintain all rights, privileges, licenses and franchises necessary for the normal conduct of its business except where the failure to so maintain such rights, privileges or franchises could not, either singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
68
(d) Comply with all applicable Requirements of Law, except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, either singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(e) (i) Continue to be a Person whose property or interests in property is not blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)) (the Order), (ii) not engage in the transactions prohibited by Section 2 of that Order or become associated with Persons such that a violation of Section 2 of the Order would arise, and (iii) not become a Person on the list of Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons, or (iv) otherwise not become subject to the limitation of any OFAC regulation or executive order.
7.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance . (a) Keep all material property it deems, in its reasonable business judgment, useful and necessary in its business in working order (ordinary wear and tear excepted); (b) maintain insurance coverage with financially sound and reputable insurance companies on physical assets and against other business risks in such amounts and of such types as are customarily carried by companies similar in size and nature (including without limitation casualty and public liability and property damage insurance), and in the event of acquisition of additional property, real or personal, or of the incurrence of additional risks of any nature, increase such insurance coverage in such manner and to such extent as prudent business judgment and present practice or any applicable Requirements of Law would dictate; provided, however, if Borrower loses its insurance coverage because of the insolvency of its insurer, Borrower shall obtain replacement coverage meeting the requirements of the Loan Documents as soon as is reasonably practicable after the loss of such coverage and in any event within thirty (30) days after such loss and the failure to have insurance coverage during the interim period shall not constitute an Event of Default; (c) in the case of all insurance policies covering any Collateral, such insurance policies shall provide that the loss payable thereunder shall be payable to the applicable Credit Party, and to the Agent (as mortgagee, or, in the case of personal property interests, lender loss payee) as their respective interests may appear; (d) in the case of all public liability insurance policies, such policies shall list the Agent as an additional insured, as Agent may reasonably request; and (e) if requested by Agent, certificates evidencing such policies, including all endorsements thereto, to be deposited with Agent, such certificates being in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent.
7.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records, Discussions . Permit Agent and each Lender, through their authorized attorneys, accountants and representatives (a) at all reasonable times during normal business hours, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, to examine each Credit Partys books, accounts, records, ledgers and assets and properties; (b) from time to time, during normal business hours, upon the request of the Agent, to conduct full or partial collateral audits of the Accounts and Inventory of the Credit Parties and appraisals of all or a portion of the fixed assets (including real property) of the Credit Parties, such audits and appraisals to be completed by an appraiser as may be selected by Agent and consented to by Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), with all reasonable costs and expenses of such audits
69
to be reimbursed by the Credit Parties (provided that unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to reimburse the Agent for more than one (1) such audit or appraisal per calendar year), (c) during normal business hours and at their own risk, to enter onto the real property owned or leased by any Credit Party to conduct inspections, investigations or other reviews of such real property; and (d) at reasonable times during normal business hours with prior notice to Borrower and at reasonable intervals, to visit all of the Credit Parties offices, discuss each Credit Partys respective financial matters with their respective officers, as applicable, and, by this provision, Borrower authorizes, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to authorize, its independent certified or chartered public accountants to discuss the finances and affairs of any Credit Party and examine any of such Credit Partys books, reports or records held by such accountants.
7.7 Notices . Promptly give written notice to the Agent of:
(a) | the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default of which any Credit Party has knowledge; |
(b) | any (i) litigation or proceeding existing at any time between any Credit Party and any Governmental Authority or other third party, or any investigation of any Credit Party conducted by any Governmental Authority, which in any case if adversely determined would have a Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected to result in damages or costs to Borrower or any Subsidiary of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) or more or (ii) any material adverse change in the financial condition of any Credit Party since the date of the last audited financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) hereof; |
(c) | the occurrence of any event which any Credit Party believes could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, promptly after concluding that such event could reasonably be expected to have such a Material Adverse Effect; |
(d) | promptly after becoming aware thereof, the taking by the Internal Revenue Service or any foreign taxing jurisdiction of a written tax position (or any such tax position taken by any Credit Party in a filing with the Internal Revenue Service or any foreign taxing jurisdiction) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, setting forth the details of such position and the financial impact thereof; |
(e) | (i) the acquisition or creation of any new Subsidiaries, (iii) any material change after the Effective Date in the authorized and issued Equity Interests of any Obligor or any other material amendment to any Obligors charter, by-laws or other organizational documents, such notice, in each case, to identify the applicable jurisdictions, capital structures or amendments as applicable, provided that such notice shall be given not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed effectiveness of such changes, acquisition or creation, as the case may be (or such shorter period to which Agent may consent); |
70
(f) | not less than ten (10) Business Days (or such other shorter period to which Agent may agree) prior to the proposed effective date thereof, any proposed material amendments, restatements or other modifications to any Subordinated Debt Documents which would have an adverse effect on the Lenders (it being acknowledged by Borrower that any change in term, interest rate, prepayment provisions, amortization, financial covenants or default provisions shall be deemed to have an adverse effect on the Lenders); and |
(g) | any default or event of default by any Person under any Subordinated Debt Document, concurrently with delivery or promptly after receipt (as the case may be) of any notice of default or event of default under the applicable document, as the case may be. |
Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and, in the case of notices referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (g) hereof stating what action the applicable Credit Party has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.
7.8 Hazardous Material Laws .
(a) Use and operate all of its facilities and properties in material compliance with all applicable Hazardous Material Laws, keep all material required permits, approvals, certificates, licenses and other authorizations required under such Hazardous Material Laws in effect and remain in compliance therewith, and handle all Hazardous Materials in material compliance with all applicable Hazardous Material Laws;
(b) (i) Promptly notify Agent and provide copies upon receipt of all written claims, complaints, notices or inquiries received by any Credit Party relating to its facilities and properties or compliance with applicable Hazardous Material Laws which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) promptly cure and have dismissed with prejudice to the reasonable satisfaction of Agent and the Majority Lenders any material actions and proceedings relating to compliance with applicable Hazardous Material Laws to which any Credit Party is named a party, other than such actions or proceedings being contested in good faith and with the establishment of reasonable reserves;
(c) To the extent necessary to comply in all material respects with applicable Hazardous Material Laws, remediate or monitor contamination arising from a release or disposal of Hazardous Material, which solely, or together with other releases or disposals of Hazardous Materials could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) Provide such information and certifications which Agent or any Lender may reasonably request from time to time to evidence compliance with this Section 7.8.
71
7.9 Financial Covenants .
(a) Maintain as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.15 to 1.00.
(b) Maintain as of the end of each fiscal quarter a Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio of not more than 3.00 to 1.00.
7.10 Governmental and Other Approvals . Apply for, obtain and/or maintain in effect, as applicable, all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses, qualifications, exemptions, filings, declarations and registrations (whether with any court, governmental agency, regulatory authority, securities exchange or otherwise) which are necessary or reasonably requested by Agent in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by any Credit Party of, as applicable, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Subordinated Debt Documents, or any other documents or instruments to be executed and/or delivered by any Credit Party, as applicable in connection therewith or herewith, except where the failure to so apply for, obtain or maintain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.11 Compliance with ERISA; ERISA Notices . (a) Comply in all material respects with all material requirements imposed by ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, including, but not limited to, the minimum funding requirements for any Pension Plan, except to the extent that any noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Promptly notify Agent upon the occurrence of any of the following events in writing: (i) the termination, other than a standard termination, as defined in ERISA, of any Pension Plan subject to Subtitle C of Title IV of ERISA by any Credit Party; (ii) the appointment of a trustee by a United States District Court to administer any Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA; (iii) the commencement by the PBGC, of any proceeding to terminate any Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA; (iv) the failure of any Credit Party to make any payment in respect of any Pension Plan required under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA; (v) the withdrawal of any Credit Party from any Multiemployer Plan if any Credit Party reasonably believes that such withdrawal would give rise to the imposition of Withdrawal Liability with respect thereto; or (vi) the occurrence of (x) a reportable event which is required to be reported by a Credit Party under Section 4043 of ERISA other than any event for which the reporting requirement has been waived by the PBGC or (y) a prohibited transaction as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code other than a transaction for which a statutory exemption is available or an administrative exemption has been obtained, except to the extent such event could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or result in any Lien on the assets of any Credit Party.
7.12 Defense of Collateral . Defend the Collateral from any Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 8.2.
72
7.13 Future Subsidiaries; Additional Collateral .
(a) With respect to each Person which becomes a Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower (directly or indirectly) subsequent to the Effective Date, whether by Permitted Acquisition or otherwise, cause such Domestic Subsidiary which is a Material Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Agent, for and on behalf of each of the Lenders (unless waived by Agent):
(i) | within thirty (30) days after the date such Person becomes a Material Subsidiary (or such longer time period as the Agent may determine), a Guaranty, or in the event that a Guaranty already exists, a joinder agreement to the Guaranty whereby such Domestic Subsidiary becomes obligated as a Guarantor under the Guaranty; and |
(ii) | within thirty (30) days after the date such Person becomes a Material Subsidiary (or such longer time period as the Agent may determine), a joinder agreement to the Security Agreement whereby such Domestic Subsidiary grants a Lien over its assets (other than Equity Interests which should be governed by (b) of this Section 7.13) as set forth in the Security Agreement, and such Domestic Subsidiary shall take such additional actions as may be necessary to ensure a valid first priority perfected Lien over such assets of such Domestic Subsidiary, subject only to the other Liens permitted pursuant to Section 8.2 of this Agreement. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the request of Agent, Borrower shall cause Domestic Subsidiaries which are not Material Subsidiaries to provide the items required above within the time periods specified above so that at all times Agent has received Guaranties and Security Agreements from Credit Parties which on a combined basis account for not less than 90% of the Total Assets of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and not less than 90% of the gross revenues of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
(b) With respect to the Equity Interests of each Person which becomes (whether by Permitted Acquisition or otherwise) (i) a Domestic Subsidiary subsequent to the Effective Date, cause the Borrower and each Guarantor that holds such Equity Interests to execute and deliver such Pledge Agreements, and take such actions as may be necessary to ensure a valid first priority perfected Lien over one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests of such Domestic Subsidiary held by such Person, such Pledge Agreements to be executed and delivered (unless waived by Agent) within thirty (30) days after the date such Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (or such longer time period as Agent may determine); and (ii) a Foreign Subsidiary which is a Material Subsidiary subsequent to the Effective Date, the Equity Interests of which is held directly by Borrower or one of its Domestic Subsidiaries, cause the Credit Party that holds such Equity Interests to execute and deliver such Pledge Agreements and take such actions as may be necessary to ensure a valid first priority perfected Lien over sixty-five percent (65%) of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, such Pledge Agreements to be executed and delivered (unless waived by Agent) within thirty (30) days after the date such Person becomes a Foreign Subsidiary (or such longer time period as Agent may determine); and
(c) With respect to the acquisition of a fee interest in real property by any Credit Party with a fair market value in excess of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) after the Effective Date (whether by Permitted Acquisition or otherwise), not later than sixty (60) days after the acquisition is consummated or the owner of such property becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (or such longer time period as Agent may determine), such Credit Party shall execute or cause to be executed (unless waived by Agent), a Mortgage (or an amendment to
73
an existing mortgage, where appropriate) covering such real property, together with such additional real estate documentation, environmental reports, title policies and surveys as may be reasonably required by Agent;
in each case in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, in its reasonable discretion, together with such supporting documentation, including without limitation corporate authority items, certificates and opinions of counsel, as reasonably required by the Agent. Upon the Agents request, Credit Parties shall take, or cause to be taken, such additional steps as are necessary or advisable under applicable law to perfect and ensure the validity and priority of the Liens granted under this Section 7.13.
7.14 Accounts . Maintain all deposit accounts and securities accounts (other than (a) payroll accounts, (b) foreign accounts, (c) merchant deposit accounts and certificates of deposit to support merchant card products and (d) other accounts provided that the balance of each such account does not exceed $1,000,000 at any time and the aggregate balance of all such accounts does not exceed $10,000,000) of any Credit Party with Agent, a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or any other financial institution reasonably acceptable to Agent, provided that with respect to any such accounts maintained with any Person (other than Agent), such Credit Party (x) shall cause to be executed and delivered an Account Control Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and (y) has taken all other steps necessary, or in the opinion of the Agent, desirable to ensure that Agent has a perfected security interest in such account; and provided further that with respect to any accounts existing on the Effective Date, the Credit Parties shall not be required to comply with the requirements described in clauses (x) and (y) until December 15, 2011 (as such date may be extended for up to 60 days by the Agent in its discretion).
7.15 Use of Proceeds . Use all Advances of the Revolving Credit as set forth in Section 2.12 hereof and the proceeds of the Term Loan as set forth in Section 4.9 hereof. Borrower shall not use any portion of the proceeds of any such advances for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) in any manner which violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of said Board of Governors or for any other purpose in violation of any applicable statute or regulation.
7.16 Collateral Access Agreement . On or about December 15, 2011 (as such date may be extended for up to 60 days by the Agent in its discretion), use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Agent a fully executed Collateral Access Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent from the landlord on the property located at 950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor, Foster City, California 94404.
7.17 Further Assurances and Information . (a) Take such actions as the Agent or Majority Lenders may from time to time reasonably request to establish and maintain first priority perfected security interests in and Liens on all of the Collateral, subject only to those Liens permitted under Section 8.2 hereof, including executing and delivering such additional pledges, assignments, mortgages, lien instruments or other security instruments covering any or all of the Credit Parties assets as Agent may reasonably require, such documentation to be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent, and prepared at the expense of the Borrower.
74
(b) Execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to Agent within a reasonable time following Agents request, and at the expense of the Borrower, such other documents or instruments as Agent may reasonably require to effectuate more fully the purposes of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
(c) Provide the Agent and the Lenders with any other information required by Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act or necessary for the Agent and the Lenders to verify the identity of any Credit Party as required by Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act.
8. | NEGATIVE COVENANTS. |
Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Lender has any commitment to extend credit hereunder, or any of the Indebtedness remains outstanding and unpaid, it will not, and, as applicable, it will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
8.1 Limitation on Debt . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:
(a) | Indebtedness of any Credit Party to Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents; |
(b) | any Debt existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 8.1 to the Disclosure Letter and any renewals or refinancing of such Debt (provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such renewed or refinanced Debt shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of the original Debt outstanding on the Effective Date (less any principal payments and the amount of any commitment reductions made thereon on or prior to such renewal or refinancing), (ii) the renewal or refinancing of such Debt shall be on substantially the same or better terms as in effect with respect to such Debt on the Effective Date, and shall otherwise be in compliance with this Agreement, and (iii) at the time of such renewal or refinancing no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the renewal or refinancing of such Debt; |
(c) | any Debt of Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition of fixed or capital assets, whether pursuant to a loan or a Capitalized Lease provided that both at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence thereof (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Debt at any one time outstanding (including, without limitation, any Debt of the type described in this clause (c) which is set forth on Schedule 8.1 to the Disclosure Letter) shall not exceed $10,000,000, and any renewals or refinancings of such Debt on terms substantially the same or better than those in effect at the time of the original incurrence of such Debt; |
(d) | Subordinated Debt; |
75
(e) | Debt under any Hedging Transactions, provided that such transaction is entered into for risk management purposes and not for speculative purposes; |
(f) | Debt arising from judgments or decrees not deemed to be a Default or Event of Default under subsection (g) of Section 9.1; |
(g) | Debt owing to a Person that is a Credit Party, but only to the extent permitted under Section 8.7 hereof; |
(h) | Debt incurred under Seller Notes (including any Seller Notes listed in Schedule 8.1 to the Disclosure Letter) not to exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement; |
(i) | Guaranty Obligations of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of any Credit Party and Guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers and licensees of any Credit Party; |
(j) | Debt of Foreign Subsidiaries not to exceed $2,500,000 in the aggregate; |
(k) | Debt relating to premium financing arrangements for property and casualty insurance plans and health and welfare benefit plans (including health and workers compensation insurance, employment practices liability insurance and directors and officers insurance); |
(l) | Debt relating to tenant improvement loans and real estate commissions in an amount not exceeding $2,500,000 in the aggregate; |
(m) | Debt in respect of performance bonds securing obligations not constituting Debt for borrowed money (including workers compensation claims, health benefits and local, state and federal payroll taxes) and obligations in connection with self-insurance or similar requirements, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business; |
(n) | third-party indebtedness assumed pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition completed in compliance with this Agreement of a type which is permitted under this Agreement (except as a result of giving effect to a Dollar limitation contained in this Section 8.1) in an amount not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate; |
(o) | non-recourse Debt with a maturity of less than 15 days incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition with respect to which an I.R.C. Section 338(h) election has been made; provided that no such Debt shall be permitted following the initial maturity date of such Debt; and |
(p) | additional unsecured Debt not otherwise described above, provided that both at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence thereof (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result therefrom and (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Debt shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding. |
76
8.2 Limitation on Liens . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for:
(a) | Permitted Liens; |
(b) | Liens securing Debt permitted by Section 8.1(c), provided that (i) such Liens are created upon fixed or capital assets acquired by the applicable Credit Party after the date of this Agreement (including without limitation by virtue of a loan or a Capitalized Lease), (ii) any such Lien is created solely for the purpose of securing indebtedness representing or incurred to finance the cost of the acquisition of the item of property subject thereto, (iii) the principal amount of the Debt secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed 100% of the sum of the purchase price or cost of the applicable property, equipment or improvements and the related costs and charges imposed by the vendors thereof and (iv) the Lien does not cover any property other than the fixed or capital asset acquired; provided, however, that no such Lien shall be created over any owned real property of any Credit Party for which Agent has received a Mortgage or for which such Credit Party is required to execute a Mortgage pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; |
(c) | any Lien securing third-party indebtedness assumed pursuant to any Permitted Acquisition conducted in compliance with this Agreement; provided that such Lien is limited to the property so acquired, was not entered into, extended or renewed in contemplation of such acquisition and is of a type of Lien permitted under this Agreement (except as a result of giving effect to a Dollar limitation contained in this Section 8.2); |
(d) | Liens on intellectual property assets and tangible personal property purchased from the applicable seller granted in connection with Seller Notes; |
(e) | Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents; |
(f) | Liens on the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries to secure the Debt permitted under Section 8.1(j); |
(g) | Liens on unearned premiums under insurance policies to secure the Debt permitted under Section 8.1(k); |
(h) | Liens on tenant improvements to secure the Debt permitted under Section 8.1(l); and |
(i) | other Liens, existing on the Effective Date, set forth on Schedule 8.2 to the Disclosure Letter and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof on substantially the same or better terms as in effect on the Effective Date and otherwise in compliance with this Agreement. |
77
Regardless of the provisions of this Section 8.2, no Lien over the Equity Interests of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower (except for those Liens for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders) shall be permitted under the terms of this Agreement.
8.3 Acquisitions . Except for Permitted Acquisitions and acquisitions permitted under Section 8.7, if any, purchase or otherwise acquire or become obligated for the purchase of all or substantially all or any material portion of the assets or business interests or a division or other business unit of any Person, or any Equity Interest of any Person, or any business or going concern.
8.4 Limitation on Mergers, Dissolution or Sale of Assets . Enter into any merger or consolidation or convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property, business or assets (including, without limitation, Equity Interests, receivables and leasehold interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired or liquidate, wind up or dissolve, except:
(a) | Inventory leased or sold in the ordinary course of business; |
(b) | obsolete, damaged, uneconomic or worn out machinery, parts, property or equipment, or property or equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of the applicable Credit Partys business; |
(c) | Permitted Acquisitions; |
(d) | mergers or consolidations of any Subsidiary of Borrower with or into Borrower or any Guarantor so long as the Borrower or such Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving entity; provided that at the time of each such merger or consolidation, both before and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result from such merger or consolidation; |
(e) | any Subsidiary of Borrower may liquidate or dissolve into Borrower or a Guarantor if Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of Borrower, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom; |
(f) | sales or transfers, including without limitation upon voluntary liquidation from any Credit Party to Borrower or a Guarantor, provided that the applicable Borrower or Guarantor takes such actions as Agent may reasonably request to ensure the perfection and priority of the Liens in favor of the Lenders over such transferred assets; |
(g) | sales or transfers from any Foreign Subsidiary to any other Foreign Subsidiary; |
78
(h) | subject to Section 4.8(a) hereof, (i) Asset Sales (exclusive of asset sales permitted pursuant to all other subsections of this Section 8.4) in which the sales price is at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold and the consideration received is cash or cash equivalents, Equity Interests or Debt of any Credit Party being assumed by the purchaser, provided that (A) the aggregate amount of such Asset Sales does not exceed five percent (5%) of Borrowers Total Assets in any Fiscal Year and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of each such sale (both before and after giving effect to such Asset Sale), and (B) the aggregate amount received in Equity Interests during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $5,000,000 and (ii) other Asset Sales approved by the Majority Lenders in their sole discretion; |
(i) | the sale or disposition of Permitted Investments and other cash equivalents in the ordinary course of business; |
(j) | dispositions of owned or leased vehicles in the ordinary course of business; |
(k) | licenses and similar arrangements for the use of property of any Credit Party in the ordinary course of business; |
(l) | notes or accounts receivable in order to resolve disputes that occur in the ordinary course of business, and discounts thereof; |
(m) | condemned property to the respective Governmental Authority or agency that has condemned the same (whether by deed in lieu of condemnation or otherwise), and transfers of properties that have been subject to a casualty of the respective insurer of such property or its designee as party of any insurance settlement; and |
(n) | the sale or disposition of the Direct Selling Services division. |
The Lenders hereby consent and agree to the release by Agent of any and all Liens on the property sold or otherwise disposed of in compliance with this Section 8.4.
8.5 Restricted Payments . Declare or make any distributions, dividend, payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities (collectively, Distributions) on account of any of its Equity Interests, as applicable, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its Equity Interests, as applicable, or any warrants, rights or options to acquire any of its Equity Interests, now or hereafter outstanding (collectively, Purchases), except that:
(a) | each Credit Parties may pay cash Distributions to the Borrower or any Guarantor; |
(b) |
each Credit Party may declare and make Distributions payable in the Equity Interests of such Credit Party, provided that the issuance of such |
79
Equity Interests does not otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of making such Distribution or would result from the making of such Distribution; |
(c) | Borrower may (i) repurchase Equity Interests of former or current employees, officers and directors pursuant to stock purchase agreements or stock purchase plans so long as no Default or Event of Default exists prior to such repurchase or would exist after giving effect to such repurchase, and (ii) repurchase Equity Interests of former or current employees, officers and directors pursuant to stock purchase agreements or stock purchase plans by the cancellation of debt owed by such former employee to Borrower regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default exists; |
(d) | Borrower may make Distributions to its shareholders and make Purchases from time to time provided that (i) both before and after giving effect to such Distribution or Purchase, no Default or Event of Default shall exist; (ii) the Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that (x) the Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio as of the end of the most recently then ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, computed on a pro forma basis giving effect to such Distribution or Purchase and to any incurrence or repayment of any Funded Debt after such fiscal quarter end as if they had occurred on the last day of such fiscal quarter, shall be equal to or less than 2.50 to 1.00 and (y) both before and after giving effect to such Distribution or Purchase, the Credit Parties will have not less than $75,000,000 in unrestricted and unencumbered cash and cash equivalents; and (iii) the aggregate amount of all such Distributions and Purchases shall not exceed $50,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; |
(e) | Borrower may convert any of its convertible securities into other securities pursuant to the terms of such convertible securities; |
(f) | Borrower may distribute securities to employees, officers or directors upon exercise of their options; |
(g) | Borrower may make any redemption of Equity Interests with the proceeds received from a substantially concurrent issue of Equity Interests; |
(h) | Borrower any distribute and redeem rights under any stockholder rights plan; |
(i) | any Credit Party may make capital contributions if such capital contribution is otherwise permitted as an Investment pursuant to Section 8.7; and |
(j) | Borrower may issue Equity Interests in connection with a Permitted Acquisition. |
80
8.6 [Intentionally Deleted ].
8.7 Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances . Make or allow to remain outstanding any Investment (whether such investment shall be of the character of investment in shares of stock, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or otherwise) in, or any loans or advances to, any Person other than:
(a) | Permitted Investments; |
(b) | Investments existing on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 8.7 to the Disclosure Letter; |
(c) | sales on open account in the ordinary course of business; |
(d) | intercompany loans or intercompany Investments made by any Credit Party to or in any Guarantor or Borrower; provided that, in each case, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of making such intercompany loan or intercompany Investment or result from such intercompany loan or intercompany Investment being made and that any intercompany loans shall, if requested by Agent, be evidenced by and funded under an Intercompany Note pledged to the Agent under the appropriate Collateral Documents; |
(e) | Intercompany loans or intercompany Investments to a Credit Party that is that is not a Guarantor or Borrower; provided that, the aggregate amount from time to time outstanding in respect thereof shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in any Fiscal Year; |
(f) | Investments in respect of Hedging Transactions provided that such transaction is entered into for risk management purposes and not for speculative purposes; |
(g) | Investments not to exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) in the aggregate consisting of (i) travel advances and employee relocation loans and other employee loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) loans to employees, officers or directors relating to the purchase of Equity Interests of Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to employee stock purchase plan agreements approved by Borrowers Board of Directors; |
(h) | joint ventures or strategic alliances in the ordinary course of Borrowers business consisting of the license of technology, the development of technology or the providing of technical support, provided that any cash Investments by Borrower do not exceed $2,500,000 in any Fiscal Year; |
81
(i) | Permitted Acquisitions and Investments in any Person acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition; |
(j) | Investments constituting deposits made in connection with the purchase of goods or services in the ordinary course of business or in satisfaction of requirements imposed by governmental authorities in an aggregate amount for such deposits not to exceed $2,500,000 at any one time outstanding; |
(k) | Investments accepted in connection with permitted transfers under Section 8.4; |
(l) | Investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not Affiliates, in the ordinary course of business; provided that this subparagraph shall not apply to Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary; |
(m) | Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business; |
(n) | Investments made prior to the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition consisting of reasonable earnest money deposits, working fees or other similar prepaid consideration or similar amounts that would be applied toward consideration upon consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (in each case whether or not refundable under any circumstances); |
(o) | Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary in any other Foreign Subsidiary or Borrower or parent, provided that 65% of the ownership interest in each such Foreign Subsidiary has been pledged to Agent; and |
(p) | other Investments not described above provided that both at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such Investment (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result from the making of such Investment and (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Investments shall not exceed $7,500,000 in any Fiscal Year. |
In valuing any Investments for the purpose of applying the limitations set forth in this Section 8.7 (except as otherwise expressly provided herein), such Investment shall be taken at the original cost thereof, without allowance for any subsequent write-offs or appreciation or depreciation, but less any amount repaid or recovered on account of capital or principal.
8.8 Transactions with Affiliates . Except as set forth in Schedule 8.8 to the Disclosure Letter, enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliates of the Credit Parties except: (a) transactions with Affiliates that are the Credit Parties; (b) transactions otherwise permitted under this Agreement; and (c) transactions in the ordinary course of a Credit Partys business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Credit Party than it would
82
obtain in a comparable arms length transaction from unrelated third parties. Section 8.8 shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result, (i) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and other benefit plans, (ii) loans or advances to employees, officers or other directors of the Credit Parties, (iii) the payment of fees and indemnities to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Credit Parties in the ordinary course of business, (iv) any agreements with employees, officers and directors entered into by the Credit Parties in the ordinary course of business, (v) sales of equity interests to Affiliates, (vii) reasonable and customary fees paid to directors of the Credit Parties, (viii) raising of new equity for the Credit Parties with respect to the pricing of such equity, and (ix) any payments or other transactions pursuant to any tax sharing agreement.
8.9 Sale-Leaseback Transactions . Enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by a Credit Party of real or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Credit Party to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of such Credit Party, as the case may be.
8.10 Limitations on Other Restrictions . Except for this Agreement or any other Loan Document, enter into any agreement, document or instrument which would (i) restrict the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to pay or make dividends or distributions in cash or kind to Borrower or any Guarantor, to make loans, advances or other payments of whatever nature to any Credit Party, or to make transfers or distributions of all or any part of its assets to any Credit Party; or (ii) restrict or prevent any Credit Party from granting Agent on behalf of Lenders Liens upon, security interests in and pledges of their respective assets, except to the extent such restrictions exist in documents creating Liens permitted by Section 9.2(b) hereunder except: (a) negative pledges incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.1(c) solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness; (b) restrictions and conditions imposed by any Governmental Authority; (c) restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 8.10 to the Disclosure Letter and any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification of, any such restriction or condition; (d) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that (x) such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and (y) such sale is permitted hereunder; (e) customary provisions in leases, licenses, subleases, sublicenses and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof; (f) customary restrictions imposed on the transfer of copyrighted or patented materials or other intellectual property and customary provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreements or any rights thereunder; (g) any restrictions imposed by contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with such Persons customers, lessors or suppliers; (h) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Debt and Liens permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; and (i) any restrictions imposed by contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business by any Person acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with such Persons customers, lessors or suppliers and not in connection with or in contemplation of the acquisition such Person by the Borrower or such Subsidiary, which restrictions are not applicable to any Person, or the property or assets of any Person, other than the property or assets of the Person so acquired.
83
8.11 Prepayment of Debt . Make any prepayment (whether optional or mandatory), repurchase, redemption, defeasance or any other payment in respect of any Subordinated Debt other than (i) as permitted to be refinanced under Section 8.1, (ii) regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest on such Subordinated Debt and (iii) the prepayment, redemption, purchase or repayment of any such Subordinated Debt from the proceeds of any issuance of any Equity Interests issued on terms acceptable to Agent in the exercise of its reasonable credit judgment.
8.12 Amendment of Subordinated Debt Documents . Amend, modify or otherwise alter (or suffer to be amended, modified or altered) the Subordinated Debt Documents except as permitted in the applicable Subordinated Debt Documents and Subordination Agreements, or if no such restrictions exist in the applicable Subordinated Debt Documents or Subordination Agreements, except to the extent any such amendments would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Interest of the Lenders and except with the prior written consent of the Agent.
8.13 Modification of Certain Agreements . Make, permit or consent to any amendment or other modification to the constitutional documents of any Obligor except to the extent that any such amendment or modification (i) does not violate the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (ii) does not materially adversely affect the interest of the Lenders as creditors and/or secured parties under any Loan Document and (iii) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and except for any reincorporation of any Obligor in another state of the United States after fifteen (15) days prior written notice to Agent.
8.14 Management Fees . Pay or otherwise advance, directly or indirectly, any management, consulting or other fees to an Affiliate.
8.15 Fiscal Year . Permit the Fiscal Year of any Credit Party to end on a day other than June 30.
9. | DEFAULTS. |
9.1 Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:
(a) | non-payment when due of (i) the principal or interest on the Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit (including the Swing Line) or the Term Loan or (ii) any Reimbursement Obligation; |
(b) | non-payment of any Fees or any other amounts due and owing by Borrower under this Agreement or by any Credit Party under any of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, other than as set forth in subsection (a) above, within three (3) Business Days after the same is due and payable; |
84
(c) | default in the observance or performance of any of the conditions, covenants or agreements of Borrower set forth in Article 7 or Article 8 which continues for ten (10) Business Days; |
(d) | default in the observance or performance of any of the other conditions, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents by any Credit Party and continuance thereof for a period of thirty (30) days after Borrower receives notice thereof or any officer of Borrower becomes aware thereof; provided, however, that if the default cannot by its nature be cured within the thirty (30) day period or cannot after diligent attempts by Borrower be cured within such thirty (30) day period, and such default is likely to be cured within a reasonable time, then Borrower shall have an additional reasonable period (which shall not in any case exceed forty five (45) days) to attempt to cure such default, and within such reasonable time period the failure to have cured such default shall not be deemed an Event of Default but no Advances or other credit extensions will be made; |
(e) | any representation or warranty made by any Credit Party herein or in any certificate, instrument or other document submitted pursuant hereto proves untrue or misleading in any material adverse respect when made; |
(f) | (i) default by any Credit Party in the payment of any indebtedness for borrowed money, whether under a direct obligation or guaranty (other than Indebtedness hereunder) of any Credit Party in excess of Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) (or the equivalent thereof in any currency other than Dollars) individually or in the aggregate when due and continuance thereof beyond any applicable period of cure or grace and or (ii) failure to comply with the terms of any other obligation of any Credit Party with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness hereunder) in excess of Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) (or the equivalent thereof in any currency other than Dollars) individually or in the aggregate, which continues beyond any applicable period of cure or grace and which would permit the holder or holders thereto to accelerate such other indebtedness for borrowed money, or require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance of such indebtedness; |
(g) | the rendering of any judgment(s) (not covered by adequate insurance from a solvent carrier which is defending such action without reservation of rights) for the payment of money in excess of the sum of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) (or the equivalent thereof in any currency other than Dollars) (or if covered by such insurance, in excess of $10,000,000) individually or in the aggregate against any Credit Party, and such judgments shall remain unpaid, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed by appeal or otherwise for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days from the date of its entry; |
85
(h) | the occurrence of (i) a reportable event, as defined in ERISA, which is determined by the PBGC to constitute grounds for a distress termination of any Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA maintained or contributed to by or on behalf of any Credit Party for the benefit of any of its employees or for the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer such Pension Plan and such reportable event is not corrected and such determination is not revoked within sixty (60) days after notice thereof has been given to the plan administrator of such Pension Plan (without limiting any of Agents or any Lenders other rights or remedies hereunder), or (ii) the termination or the institution of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate any such Pension Plan, or (iii) the appointment of a trustee by the appropriate United States District Court to administer any such Pension Plan, or (iv) the reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA) or insolvency (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) of any Multiemployer Plan, or receipt of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or insolvency, or the complete or partial withdrawal by any Credit Party from any Multiemployer Plan, which in the case of any of the foregoing, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; |
(i) | except as expressly permitted under this Agreement, any Credit Party (other than a dissolution of a Subsidiary of Borrower which is not a Guarantor or Borrower) shall be dissolved or liquidated (or any judgment, order or decree therefor shall be entered) except as otherwise permitted herein; or if a creditors committee shall have been appointed for the business of any Credit Party (other than a dissolution of any Subsidiary which is not a Material Subsidiary); or if any Credit Party (other than a dissolution of any Subsidiary which is not a Material Subsidiary) shall have made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or shall have been adjudicated bankrupt and if not an adjudication based on a filing by a Credit Party (other than a dissolution of any Subsidiary which is not a Material Subsidiary), it shall not have been dismissed within sixty (60) days, or shall have filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization or to effect a plan or arrangement with creditors or shall fail to pay its debts generally as such debts become due in the ordinary course of business (except as contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves are made in such partys financial statements); or shall file an answer to a creditors petition or other petition filed against it, admitting the material allegations thereof for an adjudication in bankruptcy or for reorganization; or shall have applied for or permitted the appointment of a receiver or trustee or custodian for any of its property or assets; or such receiver, trustee or custodian shall have been appointed for any of its property or assets (otherwise than upon application or consent of a Credit Party ) and shall not have been removed within sixty (60) days; or if an order shall be entered approving any petition for reorganization of any Credit Party (other than a dissolution of any Subsidiary which is not a Material Subsidiary) and shall not have been reversed or dismissed within sixty (60) days; |
86
(j) | the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any subordination provisions relating to any Subordinated Debt shall be contested by any Person party thereto (other than any Lender, Agent, Issuing Lender or Swing Line Lender), or such subordination provisions shall fail to be enforceable by Agent and the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof, or the Indebtedness shall for any reason not have the priority contemplated by this Agreement or such subordination provisions, and such failure or lack of priority shall continue for more than five (5) days after the Borrower receives notice or knowledge thereof; or |
(k) | any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or the terms of any other Loan Document), as applicable, or the validity, binding effect or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any party thereto (other than any Lender, Agent, Issuing Lender or Swing Line Lender), or any Person shall deny that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or any such Loan Document shall be terminated (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or the terms of any other Loan Document), invalidated, revoked or set aside or in any way cease to give or provide to the Lenders and the Agent the benefits purported to be created thereby, or any Loan Document purporting to grant a Lien to secure any Indebtedness shall, at any time after the delivery of such Loan Document, fail to create a valid and enforceable Lien on any Collateral purported to be covered thereby or such Lien shall fail to cease to be a perfected Lien with the priority required in the relevant Loan Document; or |
(l) | if there shall occur any circumstance or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Borrowers or any Guarantors interest in, or the value, perfection or priority of Agents Lien in a material portion of the Collateral; or |
(m) | if there shall occur a Change of Control. |
9.2 Exercise of Remedies . If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing hereunder: (a) the Agent may, and shall, upon being directed to do so by the Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, declare the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment terminated; (b) the Agent may, and shall, upon being directed to do so by the Majority Lenders, declare the entire unpaid principal Indebtedness, including the Notes, immediately due and payable, without presentment, notice or demand, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; (c) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Section 9.1(i) and notwithstanding the lack of any declaration by Agent under preceding clauses (a) or (b), the entire unpaid principal Indebtedness shall become automatically and immediately due and payable, and the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment shall be automatically and immediately terminated; (d) the Agent
87
shall, upon being directed to do so by the Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, demand immediate delivery of cash collateral, and each Borrower agrees to deliver such cash collateral upon demand, in an amount equal to 105% of the maximum amount that may be available to be drawn at any time prior to the stated expiry of all outstanding Letters of Credit, for deposit into an account controlled by the Agent; (e) the Agent may, and shall, upon being directed to do so by the Majority Lenders, notify Borrower or any Credit Party that interest shall be payable on demand on all Indebtedness (other than Revolving Credit Advances, Swing Line Advances and Term Loan Advances with respect to which Sections 2.6 and 4.6 hereof shall govern) owing from time to time to the Agent or any Lender, at a per annum rate equal to the then applicable Base Rate plus two percent (2%); and (f) the Agent may, and shall, upon being directed to do so by the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable (subject to the terms hereof), exercise any remedy permitted by this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or law.
9.3 Rights Cumulative . No delay or failure of Agent and/or Lenders in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall affect such right, power or privilege, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other power, right or privilege. The rights of Agent and Lenders under this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any right or remedies which Lenders would otherwise have.
9.4 Waiver by Borrower of Certain Laws . To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Borrower hereby agrees to waive, and does hereby absolutely and irrevocably waive and relinquish the benefit and advantage of any valuation, stay, appraisement, extension or redemption laws now existing or which may hereafter exist, which, but for this provision, might be applicable to any sale made under the judgment, order or decree of any court, on any claim for interest on the Notes, or any security interest or mortgage contemplated by or granted under or in connection with this Agreement. These waivers have been voluntarily given, with full knowledge of the consequences thereof.
9.5 Waiver of Defaults . No Event of Default shall be waived by the Lenders except in a writing signed by an officer of the Agent in accordance with Section 13.10 hereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any delay in the exercise thereof, shall preclude other or further exercise of their rights by Agent or the Lenders. No waiver of any Event of Default shall extend to any other or further Event of Default. No forbearance on the part of the Agent or the Lenders in enforcing any of their rights shall constitute a waiver of any of their rights. The Borrower expressly agrees that this Section may not be waived or modified by the Lenders or Agent by course of performance, estoppel or otherwise.
9.6 Set Off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender may at any time and from time to time, without notice to Borrower but subject to the provisions of Section 10.3 hereof (any requirement for such notice being expressly waived by Borrower), setoff and apply against any and all of the obligations of Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, whether owing to such Lender, any Affiliate of such Lender or any other Lender or the Agent, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of Borrower and any property of Borrower from time to time in possession of such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such deposits held or
88
indebtedness owing by such Lender may be contingent and unmatured and regardless of whether any Collateral then held by Agent or any Lender is adequate to cover the Indebtedness. Promptly following any such setoff, such Lender shall give written notice to Agent and Borrower of the occurrence thereof. Borrower hereby grants to the Lenders and the Agent a lien on and security interest in all such deposits, indebtedness and property as collateral security for the payment and performance of all of the obligations of Borrower under this Agreement. The rights of each Lender under this Section 9.6 are in addition to the other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
10. | PAYMENTS, RECOVERIES AND COLLECTIONS. |
10.1 Payment Procedure .
(a) All payments to be made by Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments made by the Borrower of principal, interest or fees hereunder shall be made without setoff or counterclaim on the date specified for payment under this Agreement and must be received by Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on the date such payment is required or intended to be made in Dollars in immediately available funds to Agent at Agents office located at 500 Woodward Avenue, MC3289, Detroit, Michigan 48226, for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders in the case of payments in respect of the Revolving Credit and any Letter of Credit Obligations, for the ratable benefit of the Term Loan Lenders. Any payment received by the Agent after 12:00 p.m. (Pacific time) shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Upon receipt of each such payment, the Agent shall make prompt payment to each applicable Lender, or, in respect of Eurodollar-based Advances, such Lenders Eurodollar Lending Office, in like funds and currencies, of all amounts received by it for the account of such Lender.
(b) Unless the Agent shall have been notified in writing by Borrower at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date on which any payment to be made by Borrower is due that Borrower does not intend to remit such payment, the Agent may, in its sole discretion and without obligation to do so, assume that Borrower has remitted such payment when so due and the Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to each Revolving Credit Lender or Term Loan Lender, as the case may be, on such payment date an amount equal to such Lenders share of such assumed payment. If Borrower has not in fact remitted such payment to the Agent, each Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to the Agent the amount of such assumed payment made available or transferred to such Lender, together with the interest thereon, in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by the Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Agent at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the first two (2) Business Days that such amount remains unpaid, and thereafter at a rate of interest then applicable to such Revolving Credit Advances.
(c) Subject to the definition of Interest Period in Section 1 of this Agreement, whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall otherwise be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest, if any, in connection with such payment.
89
(d) All payments to be made by Borrower under this Agreement or any of the Notes (including without limitation payments under the Swing Line and/or Swing Line Note) shall be made without setoff or counterclaim, as aforesaid, and, subject to full compliance by each Lender (and each assignee and participant pursuant to Section 13.8) with Section 13.13, without deduction for or on account of any present or future withholding or other taxes of any nature imposed by any Governmental Authority or of any political subdivision thereof or any federation or organization of which such Governmental Authority may at the time of payment be a member (other than any taxes on the overall income, net income, net profits or net receipts or similar taxes (or any franchise taxes imposed in lieu of such taxes) on the Agent or any Lender (or any branch maintained by Agent or a Lender) as a result of a present or former connection between the Agent or such Lender and the Governmental Authority, political subdivision, federation or organization imposing such taxes), unless Borrower is compelled by law to make payment subject to such tax. In such event, Borrower shall:
(i) | pay to the Agent for Agents own account and/or, as the case may be, for the account of the Lenders such additional amounts as may be necessary to ensure that the Agent and/or such Lender or Lenders (including the Swing Line Lender) receive a net amount equal to the full amount which would have been receivable had payment not been made subject to such tax; and |
(ii) | remit such tax to the relevant taxing authorities according to applicable law, and send to the Agent or the applicable Lender or Lenders (including the Swing Line Lender), as the case may be, such certificates or certified copy receipts as the Agent or such Lender or Lenders shall reasonably require as proof of the payment by Borrower of any such taxes payable by Borrower. |
As used herein, the terms tax, taxes and taxation include all taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, deductions and withholdings or similar charges together with interest (and any taxes payable upon the amounts paid or payable pursuant to this Section 10.1) thereon. Borrower shall be reimbursed by the applicable Lender for any payment made by Borrower under this Section 10.1 if the applicable Lender is not in compliance with its obligations under Section 13.13 at the time of the Borrowers payment.
10.2 Application of Proceeds of Collateral . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the case of any Event of Default under Section 9.1(i), immediately following the occurrence thereof, and in the case of any other Event of Default: (a) upon the termination of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, (b) the acceleration of any Indebtedness arising under this Agreement, (c) at the Agents option, or (d) upon the request of the Majority Lenders after the commencement of any remedies hereunder, the Agent shall apply the proceeds of any Collateral, together with any offsets, voluntary payments by any Credit Party or others and any other sums received or collected in respect of the Indebtedness first, to pay all incurred and unpaid fees and expenses of the Agent under the Loan Documents and any
90
protective advances made by Agent with respect to the Collateral under or pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, next, to pay any fees and expenses owed to the Issuing Lender hereunder, next, to the Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit (including the Swing Line and any Reimbursement Obligations), Indebtedness under the Term Loan and under the Lender Products, on a pro rata basis, next to any obligations owing by any Credit Party under any Hedging Agreements on a pro rata basis, next, to any other Indebtedness on a pro rata basis, and then, if there is any excess, to the Credit Parties, as the case may be.
10.3 Pro-rata Recovery . If any Lender shall obtain any payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of setoff or otherwise) on account of principal of, or interest on, any of the Advances made by it, or the participations in Letter of Credit Obligations or Swing Line Advances held by it in excess of its pro rata share of payments then or thereafter obtained by all Lenders upon principal of and interest on all such Indebtedness, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Revolving Credit, the Term Loan and/or the Letter of Credit Obligation held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably in accordance with the applicable Percentages of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of the excess payment or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing holder, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
10.4 Treatment of a Defaulting Lender .
(a) The obligation of any Lender to make any Advance hereunder shall not be affected by the failure of any other Lender to make any Advance under this Agreement, and no Lender shall have any liability to the Borrower or any Subsidiaries, the Agent, any other Lender, or any other Person for another Lenders failure to make any loan or Advance hereunder.
(b) If any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, then such Defaulting Lenders right to vote in respect of any amendment, consent or waiver of the terms of this Agreement or such other Loan Documents, or to direct or approve any action or inaction by the Agent shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 13.10.
(c) To the extent and for so long as a Lender remains a Defaulting Lender and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.3 hereof, the Agent shall be entitled, without limitation, (i) to withhold or setoff and to apply in satisfaction of those obligations for payment (and any related interest) in respect of which the Defaulting Lender shall be delinquent or otherwise in default to the Agent or any Lender (or to hold as cash collateral for such delinquent obligations or any future defaults) the amounts otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) if the amount of Advances made by such Defaulting Lender is less than its Percentage requires, apply payments of principal made by the Borrower amongst the Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis until all outstanding Advances are held by all Lenders according to their respective Percentages and (iii) to bring an action or other proceeding, in law or equity, against such Defaulting Lender in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the delinquent amounts, and any related interest. Performance by the Borrower of their respective obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be excused or otherwise modified as a result of the operation of this Section, except to
91
the extent expressly set forth herein. Furthermore, the rights and remedies of the Borrower, the Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender and the other Lenders against a Defaulting Lender under this section shall be in addition to any other rights and remedies such parties may have against the Defaulting Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, applicable law or otherwise, and the Borrower waive no rights or remedies against any Defaulting Lender.
(d) If any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, then, for so long as such Lender remains a Defaulting Lender, any Fronting Exposure shall be reallocated by the Agent at the request of the Swing Line Lender and/or the Issuing Lender among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Percentages of the Revolving Credit, but only to the extent that the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Advances made by each Non-Defaulting Lender, plus such Non-Defaulting Lenders Percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Swing Line Advances and Letter of Credit Obligations prior to giving effect to such reallocation plus such Non-Defaulting Lenders Percentage of the Fronting Exposure to be reallocated does not exceed such Non- Defaulting Lenders Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, and only so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such reallocation.
11. | CHANGES IN LAW OR CIRCUMSTANCES; INCREASED COSTS. |
11.1 Reimbursement of Prepayment Costs . If (i) Borrower makes any payment of principal with respect to any Eurodollar-based Advance or Quoted Rate Advance on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (whether voluntarily, pursuant to any mandatory provisions hereof, by acceleration, or otherwise); (ii) Borrower converts or refunds (or attempts to convert or refund) any such Advance on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (except as described in Section 2.5(e)); (iii) Borrower fails to borrow, refund or convert any Eurodollar-based Advance or Quoted Rate Advance after notice has been given by Borrower to Agent in accordance with the terms hereof requesting such Advance; or (iv) or if the Borrower fails to make any payment of principal in respect of a Eurodollar-based Advance or Quoted Rate Advance when due (other than at the end of the applicable Interest Period), the Borrower shall reimburse Agent for itself and/or on behalf of any Lender, as the case may be, within ten (10) Business Days of written demand therefor for any resulting loss, cost or expense incurred (excluding the loss of any Applicable Margin) by Agent and Lenders, as the case may be, as a result thereof, including, without limitation, any such loss, cost or expense incurred in obtaining, liquidating, employing or redeploying deposits from third parties, whether or not Agent and Lenders, as the case may be, shall have funded or committed to fund such Advance. The amount payable hereunder by Borrower to Agent for itself and/or on behalf of any Lender, as the case may be, shall be deemed to equal an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, refunded or converted, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, refund or convert, through the last day of the relevant Interest Period, at the applicable rate of interest for said Advance(s) provided under this Agreement, over (b) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by Agent and Lenders, as the case may be) which would have accrued to Agent and Lenders, as the case may be, on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurocurrency market. Calculation of any amounts payable to any Lender under this paragraph shall be made as
92
though such Lender shall have actually funded or committed to fund the relevant Advance through the purchase of an underlying deposit in an amount equal to the amount of such Advance and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period; provided, however, that any Lender may fund any Eurodollar-based Advance or Quoted Rate Advance, as the case may be, in any manner it deems fit and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purpose of the calculation of amounts payable under this paragraph. Upon the written request of Borrower, Agent and Lenders shall deliver to Borrower a certificate setting forth the basis for determining such losses, costs and expenses, which certificate shall be conclusively presumed correct, absent manifest error.
11.2 Eurodollar Lending Office . For any Eurodollar Advance, if Agent or a Lender, as applicable, shall designate a Eurodollar Lending Office which maintains books separate from those of the rest of Agent or such Lender, Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall have the option of maintaining and carrying the relevant Advance on the books of such Eurodollar Lending Office.
11.3 Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability . If Agent or the Majority Lenders (after consultation with Agent) shall determine in good faith that, by reason of circumstances affecting the foreign exchange and interbank markets generally, deposits in eurodollars in the applicable amounts are not being offered to the Agent or such Lenders at the applicable LIBOR Rate, then Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to Borrower. Thereafter, until Agent notifies Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, (i) the obligation of Lenders to make Advances which bear interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate, and the right of Borrower to convert an Advance to or refund an Advance as an Advance which bear interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate shall be suspended, (ii) effective upon the last day of each Eurodollar-Interest Period related to any existing Eurodollar-based Advance, each such Eurodollar-based Advance shall automatically be converted into an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the Base Rate (without regard to the satisfaction of any conditions to conversion contained elsewhere herein), and (iii) effective immediately following such notice, each Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the Daily Adjusting LIBOR Rate shall automatically be converted into an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the Base Rate (without regard to the satisfaction of any conditions to conversion contained elsewhere herein)
11.4 Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability . If any Change in Law shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Eurodollar Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate, such Lender shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower and to the Agent. Thereafter, (a) the obligations of the applicable Lenders to make Advances which bear interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate and the right of the Borrower to convert an Advance into or refund an Advance as an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate shall be suspended and thereafter only the Base Rate shall be available, and (b) if any of the Lenders may not lawfully continue to maintain an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate, the applicable Advance shall immediately be converted to an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the Base Rate.
93
11.5 Increased Cost of Advances Carried at the LIBOR Rate . If any Change in Law:
(a) | shall subject any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Eurodollar Lending Offices) to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to any Advance or shall change the basis of taxation of payments to any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Eurodollar Lending Offices) of the principal of or interest on any Advance or any other amounts due under this Agreement in respect thereof (except for changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of any of the Lenders or any of their respective Eurodollar Lending Offices); or |
(b) | shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation, any imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Eurodollar Lending Offices) or shall impose on any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Eurodollar Lending Offices) or the foreign exchange and interbank markets any other condition affecting any Advance; |
and the result of any of the foregoing matters is to increase the costs to any of the Lenders of maintaining any part of the Indebtedness hereunder as an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by any of the Lenders under this Agreement in respect of an Advance which bears interest at or by reference to the LIBOR Rate, then such Lender shall promptly notify Agent, and Agent shall promptly notify Borrower of such fact and demand compensation therefor and, within ten (10) Business Days after such notice, Borrower agrees to pay to such Lender or Lenders such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Lenders for such increased cost or reduction, provided that each Lender agrees to take any reasonable action, to the extent such action could be taken without cost or administrative or other burden or restriction to such Lender, to mitigate or eliminate such cost or reduction, within a reasonable time after becoming aware of the foregoing matters. Agent will promptly notify Borrower of any event of which it has knowledge which will entitle Lenders to compensation pursuant to this Section, or which will cause Borrower to incur additional liability under Section 11.1 hereof, provided that Agent shall incur no liability whatsoever to the Lenders or Borrower in the event it fails to do so. A certificate of Agent (or such Lender, if applicable) setting forth the basis for determining such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Lenders shall accompany such demand and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct absent manifest error.
11.6 Capital Adequacy and Other Increased Costs .
(a) |
If, after the date of this Agreement, the adoption or introduction of, or any change in any applicable law, treaty, rule or regulation (whether domestic or foreign) now or hereafter in effect and whether or not presently applicable to any Lender or Agent, or any interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender or Agent with any guideline, request or directive of any such authority (whether or not having the force of law), including any risk based capital guidelines, |
94
affects or would affect the amount of capital required to be maintained by such Lender or Agent (or any corporation controlling such Lender or Agent) and such Lender or Agent, as the case may be, determines that the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of such Lenders or Agents obligations or Advances hereunder and such increase has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or Agents (or such controlling corporations) capital as a consequence of such obligations or Advances hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or Agent (or such controlling corporation) could have achieved but for such circumstances (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or Agent to be material (collectively, Increased Costs), then Agent or such Lender shall notify Borrower, and thereafter Borrower shall pay to such Lender or Agent, as the case may be, within ten (10) Business Days of written demand therefor from such Lender or Agent, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or Agent (or such controlling corporation) for any increase in the amount of capital and reduced rate of return which such Lender or Agent reasonably determines to be allocable to the existence of such Lenders or Agents obligations or Advances hereunder. A statement setting forth the amount of such compensation, the methodology for the calculation and the calculation thereof which shall also be prepared in good faith and in reasonable detail by such Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall be submitted by such Lender or by Agent to Borrower, reasonably promptly after becoming aware of any event described in this Section 11.6(a) and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct, absent manifest error. |
(b) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Borrower shall not be required to pay any increased costs under Sections 11.5, 11.6 or 3.4(c) for any period ending prior to the date that is 120 days prior to the making of a Lenders initial request for such additional amounts unless the applicable change in law or other event resulting in such increased costs is effective retroactively to a date more than 120 days prior to the date of such request, in which case a Lenders request for such additional amounts relating to the period more than 120 days prior to the making of the request must be given not more than 120 days after such Lender becomes aware of the applicable change in law or other event resulting in such increased costs. |
11.7 Right of Lenders to Fund through Branches and Affiliates . Each Lender (including without limitation the Swing Line Lender) may, if it so elects, fulfill its commitment as to any Advance hereunder by designating a branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Advance; provided that (a) such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performances of its obligations hereunder and (b) no such designation shall result in any material increased costs to Borrower.
95
11.8 Margin Adjustment . Adjustments to the Applicable Margins and the Applicable Fee Percentages, based on Schedule 1.1, shall be implemented on a quarterly basis as follows:
(a) | Such adjustments shall be given prospective effect only, effective as to all Advances outstanding hereunder, the Applicable Fee Percentage and the Letter of Credit Fee, upon the date of delivery of the financial statements under Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) hereunder and the Covenant Compliance Report under Section 7.2(a) hereof, in each case establishing applicability of the appropriate adjustment and in each case with no retroactivity or claw-back. In the event Borrower shall fail timely to deliver such financial statements or the Covenant Compliance Report and such failure continues for three (3) days, then (but without affecting the Event of Default resulting therefrom) from the date delivery of such financial statements and report was required until such financial statements and report are delivered, the Applicable Margins and Applicable Fee Percentages shall be at the highest level on the Pricing Matrix attached to this Agreement as Schedule 1.1. |
(b) | From the Effective Date until the required date of delivery (or, if earlier, delivery) of the financial statements under Section 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) hereof, as applicable, and the Covenant Compliance Report under Section 7.2(a) hereof, for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011, the Applicable Margins and Applicable Fee Percentages shall be those set forth under the Level II column of the pricing matrix attached to this Agreement as Schedule 1.1. Thereafter, Applicable Margins and Applicable Fee Percentages shall be based upon the quarterly financial statements and Covenant Compliance Reports, subject to recalculation as provided in Section 11.8(a) above. |
(c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if, prior to the payment and discharge in full (in cash) of the Indebtedness and the termination of any and all commitments hereunder, as a result of any restatement of or adjustment to the financial statements of Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries (relating to the current or any prior fiscal period) or for any other reason, Agent determines that the Applicable Margin and/or the Applicable Fee Percentages as calculated by Borrower as of any applicable date of determination were inaccurate in any respect and a proper calculation thereof would have resulted in different pricing for any fiscal period, then (x) if the proper calculation thereof would have resulted in higher pricing for any such period, Borrower shall automatically and retroactively be obligated to pay to Agent, promptly upon demand by Agent or the Majority Lenders, 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 and, if the current fiscal period is affected thereby, the Applicable Margin and/or the Applicable Fee Percentages for the current period shall be adjusted based on such recalculation; and (y) if the proper calculation thereof would have resulted in lower pricing for such period, Agent and Lenders shall have no obligation to recalculate such interest or fees or to repay any interest or fees to the Borrower. |
96
12. | AGENT. |
12.1 Appointment of Agent . Each Lender and the holder of each Note (if issued) irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to act on behalf of such Lender or holder under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto, including without limitation the power to execute or authorize the execution of financing or similar statements or notices, and other documents. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement, the Agent shall act solely as agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for any Credit Party.
12.2 Deposit Account with Agent or any Lender . Borrower authorizes Agent and each Lender, in Agents or such Lenders sole discretion, upon notice to the Borrower to charge its general deposit account(s), if any, maintained with the Agent or such Lender for the amount of any principal, interest, or other amounts or costs due under this Agreement when the same become due and payable under the terms of this Agreement or the Notes. Upon request of Borrower, Agent shall promptly provide to Borrower a statement prepaid in good faith and in reasonable detail, setting forth the amount of such charges, the methodology of the calculation thereof and the calculation thereof.
12.3 Scope of Agents Duties . The Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein, and shall not, by reason of this Agreement or otherwise, have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender (and no implied covenants or other obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Agent). None of Agent, its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable to any Lender for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under this Agreement or any document executed pursuant hereto, or in connection herewith or therewith with the consent or at the request of the Majority Lenders (or all of the Lenders for those acts requiring consent of all of the Lenders) (except for its or their own willful misconduct or gross negligence), nor be responsible for or have any duties to ascertain, inquire into or verify (a) any recitals or warranties made by the Credit Parties or any Affiliate of the Credit Parties, or any officer thereof contained herein or therein, (b) the effectiveness, enforceability, validity or due execution of this Agreement or any document executed pursuant hereto or any security thereunder, (c) the performance by the Credit Parties of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, or (d) the satisfaction of any condition hereunder or thereunder, including without limitation in connection with the making of any Advance or the issuance of any Letter of Credit. Agent and its Affiliates shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate, notice, document or other communication (including any cable, telegraph, telex, facsimile transmission or oral communication) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been sent or given by or on behalf of a proper person. Agent may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof. Agent may employ agents and may consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable to the Lenders (except as to money or property received by them or their authorized agents), for the negligence or misconduct of any such agent selected by it with reasonable care or for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.
97
12.4 Successor Agent . Agent may resign as such at any time upon at least thirty (30) days prior notice to Borrower and each of the Lenders. If Agent at any time shall resign or if the office of Agent shall become vacant for any other reason, Majority Lenders shall, by written instrument, appoint successor agent(s) (Successor Agent) satisfactory to such Majority Lenders and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however that any such successor Agent shall be a bank or a trust company or other financial institution which maintains an office in the United States, or a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or any Affiliate of such bank or trust company or other financial institution which is engaged in the banking business, and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Such Successor Agent shall thereupon become the Agent hereunder, as applicable, and Agent shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any successor agent such documents of transfer and assignment as such Successor Agent may reasonably request. If a Successor Agent is not so appointed or does not accept such appointment before the resigning Agents resignation becomes effective, the resigning Agent may appoint a temporary successor to act until such appointment by the Majority Lenders and, if applicable, Borrower, is made and accepted, or if no such temporary successor is appointed as provided above by the resigning Agent, the Majority Lenders shall thereafter perform all of the duties of the resigning Agent hereunder until such appointment by the Majority Lenders and, if applicable, Borrower, is made and accepted. Such Successor Agent shall succeed to all of the rights and obligations of the resigning Agent as if originally named. The resigning Agent shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Successor Agent all moneys at the time held by the resigning Agent hereunder after deducting therefrom its expenses for which it is entitled to be reimbursed hereunder. Upon such succession of any such Successor Agent, the resigning Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations, in its capacity as Agent hereunder, except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct arising prior to its resignation hereunder, and the provisions of this Article 12 shall continue in effect for the benefit of the resigning Agent in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent.
12.5 Credit Decisions . Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently of Agent and each other Lender and based on the financial statements of Borrower and such other documents, information and investigations as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit decision to extend credit hereunder from time to time. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently of Agent and each other Lender and based on such other documents, information and investigations as it shall deem appropriate at any time, continue to make its own credit decisions as to exercising or not exercising from time to time any rights and privileges available to it under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any other document executed pursuant hereto.
12.6 Authority of Agent to Enforce This Agreement . Each Lender, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, grants the Agent full power and authority as attorney-in-fact to institute and maintain actions, suits or proceedings for the collection and enforcement of any Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and to file such proofs of debt or other documents as may be necessary to have the claims of the Lenders allowed in any proceeding relative to any Credit Party, or their respective creditors or affecting their respective properties, and to take such other actions which Agent considers to be necessary or desirable for the protection, collection and enforcement of the Notes, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
98
12.7 Indemnification of Agent . The Lenders agree (which agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement) to indemnify the Agent and its Affiliates (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower, but without limiting any obligation of Borrower to make such reimbursement), ratably according to their respective Weighted Percentages, from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of house and outside counsel) which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agent and its Affiliates in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or any action taken or omitted by the Agent and its Affiliates under this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses resulting from the Agents or its Affiliates gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Agent and its Affiliates promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of house and outside counsel) incurred by the Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, to the extent that the Agent and its Affiliates are not reimbursed for such expenses by Borrower, but without limiting the obligation of Borrower to make such reimbursement. Each Lender agrees to reimburse the Agent and its Affiliates promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any amounts owing to the Agent and its Affiliates by the Lenders pursuant to this Section, provided that, if the Agent or its Affiliates are subsequently reimbursed by Borrower for such amounts, they shall refund to the Lenders on a pro rata basis the amount of any excess reimbursement. If the indemnity furnished to the Agent and its Affiliates under this Section shall become impaired as determined in the Agents reasonable judgment or Agent shall elect in its sole discretion to have such indemnity confirmed by the Lenders (as to specific matters or otherwise), Agent shall give notice thereof to each Lender and, until such additional indemnity is provided or such existing indemnity is confirmed, the Agent may cease, or not commence, to take any action. Any amounts paid by the Lenders hereunder to the Agent or its Affiliates shall be deemed to constitute part of the Indebtedness hereunder.
12.8 Knowledge of Default . It is expressly understood and agreed that the Agent shall be entitled to assume that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, unless the officers of the Agent immediately responsible for matters concerning this Agreement shall have received a written notice from a Lender or a Borrower specifying such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a notice of default. Upon receiving such a notice, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such Default or Event of Default and provide each Lender with a copy of such notice and shall endeavor to provide such notice to the Lenders within three (3) Business Days (but without any liability whatsoever in the event of its failure to do so). The Agent shall also furnish the Lenders, promptly upon receipt, with copies of all other notices or other information required to be provided by Borrower hereunder.
99
12.9 Agents Authorization; Action by Lenders . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever the Agent is authorized and empowered hereunder on behalf of the Lenders to give any approval or consent, or to make any request, or to take any other action on behalf of the Lenders (including without limitation the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under the other Loan Documents), the Agent shall be required to give such approval or consent, or to make such request or to take such other action only when so requested in writing by the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable hereunder. Action that may be taken by the Majority Lenders, any other specified Percentage of the Lenders or all of the Lenders, as the case may be (as provided for hereunder) may be taken (i) pursuant to a vote of the requisite percentages of the Lenders as required hereunder at a meeting (which may be held by telephone conference call), provided that Agent exercises good faith, diligent efforts to give all of the Lenders reasonable advance notice of the meeting, or (ii) pursuant to the written consent of the requisite percentages of the Lenders as required hereunder, provided that all of the Lenders are given reasonable advance notice of the requests for such consent.
12.10 Enforcement Actions by the Agent . Except as otherwise expressly provided under this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents and subject to the terms hereof, Agent will take such action, assert such rights and pursue such remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Majority Lenders or all of the Lenders, as the case may be (as provided for hereunder), shall direct; provided, however, that the Agent shall not be required to act or omit to act if, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, such action or omission may expose the Agent to personal liability for which Agent has not been satisfactorily indemnified hereunder or is contrary to this Agreement, any of the Loan Documents or applicable law. Except as expressly provided above or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, no Lender (other than the Agent, acting in its capacity as agent) shall be entitled to take any enforcement action of any kind under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
12.11 Collateral Matters.
(a) The Agent is authorized on behalf of all the Lenders, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from the Lenders, from time to time to take any action with respect to any Collateral or the Collateral Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain a perfected security interest in and Liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.
(b) The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Agent, in its reasonable discretion, to the full extent set forth in Section 13.10(c) hereof, (1) to release or terminate any Lien granted to or held by the Agent upon any Collateral (a) upon termination of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment and payment in full of all Indebtedness payable under this Agreement and under any other Loan Document; (b) constituting property (including, without limitation, Equity Interests in any Person) sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition (whether by sale, by merger or by any other form of transaction and including the property of any Subsidiary that is disposed of as permitted hereby) permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (c) constituting property in which a Credit Party owned no interest at the time the Lien was granted or at any time thereafter; or (d) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Majority Lenders, or all the Lenders, as the case may be, as provided in
100
Section 13.10; (2) to subordinate the Lien granted to or held by Agent on any Collateral to any other holder of a Lien on such Collateral which is permitted by Section 8.2(b) hereof; and (3) if all of the Equity Interests held by the Credit Parties in any Person are sold or otherwise transferred to any transferee other than Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower as part of or in connection with any disposition (whether by sale, by merger or by any other form of transaction) permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to release such Person from all of its obligations under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, under any Guaranty). Upon request by the Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Agents authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 12.11(b).
12.12 Agents in their Individual Capacities . Comerica Bank and its Affiliates, successors and assigns shall each have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though such Lender were not the Agent. Comerica Bank and its Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with the Credit Parties as if such Lender were not acting as the Agent hereunder, and may accept fees and other consideration therefor without having to account for the same to the Lenders.
12.13 Agents Fees . Until the Indebtedness has been repaid and discharged in full and no commitment to extend any credit hereunder is outstanding, Borrower shall pay to the Agent, as applicable, any agency or other fee(s) set forth (or to be set forth from time to time) in the applicable Fee Letter on the terms set forth therein. The agency fees referred to in this Section 12.13 shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
12.14 Documentation Agent or other Titles . Any Lender identified on the facing page or signature page of this Agreement or in any amendment hereto or as designated with consent of the Agent in any assignment agreement as Lead Arranger, Documentation Agent, Syndications Agent or any similar titles, shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement as a result of such title other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, the Lenders so identified shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender as a result of such title. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Lender so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.
12.15 No Reliance on Agents Customer Identification Program .
(a) Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may relay on the Agent to carry out such Lenders, Affiliates, participants or assignees customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA Patriot Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the CIP Regulations), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any of their respective Affiliates or agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder: (i) any identify verification procedures, (ii) any record keeping, (iii) any comparisons with government lists, (iv) any customer notices or (v) any other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other laws.
101
(b) Each Lender or assignee or participant of a Lender that is not organized under the laws of the United States or a state thereof (and is not excepted from the certification requirement contained in Section 313 of the USA Patriot Act and the applicable regulations because it is both (i) an affiliate of a depository institution or foreign bank that maintains a physical presence in the United States or foreign country, and (ii) subject to provision by a banking authority regulating such affiliated depository institution or foreign bank) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the certification, or, if applicable, recertification, certifying that such Lender is not a shell and certifying to other matters as required by Section 313 of the USA Patriot Act and the applicable regulations: (x) within 10 days after the Effective Date, and (y) at such other times as are required under the USA Patriot Act.
13. | MISCELLANEOUS. |
13.1 Accounting Principles . Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to be made for the purposes of this Agreement, it shall be done, unless otherwise specified herein, in accordance with GAAP.
13.2 Consent to Jurisdiction . The Borrower, the Agent and Lenders hereby irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any United States Federal Court or California state court sitting in the County of Santa Clara, California in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents and the Borrower, Agent and Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such United States Federal Court or California state court. Each Borrower irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding brought in any court in or of the State of California by the delivery of copies of such process to it at the applicable addresses specified on the signature page hereto or by certified mail directed to such address or such other address as may be designated by it in a notice to the other parties that complies as to delivery with the terms of Section 13.6. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the Lenders and the Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or limit the right of the Lenders or the Agent (or any of them) to bring any such action or proceeding against any Credit Party or any of their property in the courts with subject matter jurisdiction of any other jurisdiction. Borrower irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit or proceeding in the above described courts.
13.3 Law of California . This Agreement, the Notes and, except where otherwise expressly specified therein to be governed by local law, the other Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without regard to its conflict of laws provisions). Whenever possible each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
102
13.4 Interest . In the event the obligation of Borrower to pay interest on the principal balance of the Notes or on any other amounts outstanding hereunder or under the other Loan Documents is or becomes in excess of the maximum interest rate which Borrower is permitted by law to contract or agree to pay, giving due consideration to the execution date of this Agreement, then, in that event, the rate of interest applicable thereto with respect to such Lenders applicable Percentages shall be deemed to be immediately reduced to such maximum rate and all previous payments in excess of the maximum rate shall be deemed to have been payments in reduction of principal and not of interest.
13.5 Closing Costs and Other Costs; Indemnification.
(a) Borrower shall pay or reimburse (a) Agent and its Affiliates for payment of, on demand, all reasonable costs and expenses, including, by way of description and not limitation, reasonable in-house and outside attorney fees and advances, appraisal and accounting fees, lien search fees, and required travel costs, incurred by Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the commitment, consummation and closing of the loans contemplated hereby, or in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including the obtaining of legal advice regarding the rights and responsibilities of the parties hereto) or any refinancing or restructuring of the loans or Advances provided under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or any amendment or modification thereof requested by Borrower, and (b) Agent and its Affiliates and each of the Lenders, as the case may be, for all stamp and other taxes and duties payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing or recording of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omitting to pay such taxes or duties. Furthermore, all reasonable costs and expenses, including without limitation attorney fees, incurred by Agent and its Affiliates and, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, by the Lenders in revising, preserving, protecting, exercising or enforcing any of its or any of the Lenders rights against Borrower or any other Credit Party, or otherwise incurred by Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders in connection with any Event of Default or the enforcement of the loans (whether incurred through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise), including by way of description and not limitation, such charges in any court or bankruptcy proceedings or arising out of any claim or action by any person against Agent, its Affiliates, or any Lender which would not have been asserted were it not for Agents or such Affiliates or Lenders relationship with Borrower hereunder or otherwise, shall also be paid by Borrower. All of said amounts required to be paid by Borrower hereunder and not paid forthwith upon demand, as aforesaid, shall bear interest, from the date incurred to the date payment is received by Agent, at the Base Rate, plus two percent (2%) but in no event in excess of the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law.
(b) Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold Agent and each of the Lenders (and their respective Affiliates) harmless from all loss, cost, damage, liability or expenses, including reasonable house and outside attorneys fees and disbursements (but without duplication of such fees and disbursements for the same services), incurred by Agent and each of the Lenders by reason of an Event of Default, or enforcing the obligations of any Credit Party under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, as applicable, or in the prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding concerning any matter growing out of or connected with this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, excluding, however, any loss, cost, damage, liability
103
or expenses to the extent arising as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking to be indemnified under this Section 13.5(b), provided that, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse Agent and the Lenders for only a single financial consultant selected by Agent in consultation with the Lenders.
(c) The Borrower agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Agent and each Lender (and their respective Affiliates), and their respective employees, agents, officers and directors from and against any and all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs or expenses of whatever kind or nature (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys and consultants fees, investigation and laboratory fees, environmental studies required by Agent or any Lender in connection with the violation of Hazardous Material Laws), court costs and litigation expenses, arising out of or related to (i) the presence, use, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials on, from or affecting any premises owned or occupied by any Credit Party in violation of or the non-compliance with applicable Hazardous Material Laws, (ii) any personal injury (including wrongful death) or property damage (real or personal) arising out of or related to such Hazardous Materials, (iii) any lawsuit or other proceeding brought or threatened, settlement reached or governmental order or decree relating to such Hazardous Materials, and/or (iv) complying or coming into compliance with all Hazardous Material Laws (including the cost of any remediation or monitoring required in connection therewith) or any other Requirement of Law; provided, however, that the Borrower shall have no obligations under this Section 13.5(c) with respect to claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs or expenses to the extent arising as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be. The obligations of Borrower under this Section 13.5(c) shall be in addition to any and all other obligations and liabilities Borrower may have to Agent or any of the Lenders at common law or pursuant to any other agreement.
13.6 Notices.
(a) |
Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement (and except as provided in clause (b) below), all notices and other communications provided to any party hereto under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and shall be given by personal delivery, by mail, by reputable overnight courier or by facsimile and addressed or delivered to it at its address set forth on Schedule 13.6 to the Disclosure Letter or at such other address as may be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties that complies as to delivery with the terms of this Section 13.6 or posted to an E-System set up by or at the direction of Agent (as set forth below). Any notice, if personally delivered or if mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid and sent by registered or certified mail, shall be deemed given when received or when delivery is refused; any notice, if given to a reputable overnight courier and properly addressed, shall be deemed given two (2) Business Days after the date on which it was sent, unless it is actually received sooner by the named addressee; and any notice, if transmitted by facsimile, shall be deemed given when received. The Agent may, but, except as specifically provided herein, shall not be required to, take any action on the basis of any notice |
104
given to it by telephone, but the giver of any such notice shall promptly confirm such notice in writing, by facsimile, and such notice will not be deemed to have been received until such confirmation is deemed received in accordance with the provisions of this Section set forth above. If such telephonic notice conflicts with any such confirmation, the terms of such telephonic notice shall control. Any notice given by the Agent or any Lender to the Borrower shall be deemed to be a notice to all of the Credit Parties. |
(b) | Notices and other communications provided to the Agent and the Lenders party hereto under this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including email and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent. The Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications (including email and any E-System) pursuant to procedures approved by it. Unless otherwise agreed to in a writing by and among the parties to a particular communication, (i) notices and other communications sent to an email address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, return email, or other written acknowledgment) and (ii) notices and other communications posted to any E-System shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its email address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or other communication is available and identifying the website address therefore. |
13.7 Further Action . Borrower, from time to time, upon written request of Agent will make, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be made, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such further and additional instruments, and take all such further action as may reasonably be required to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement or the Loan Documents, and to provide for Advances under and payment of the Notes, according to the intent and purpose herein and therein expressed.
13.8 Successors and Assigns; Participations; Assignments .
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns.
(b) The foregoing shall not authorize any assignment by Borrower of its rights or duties hereunder, and, except as otherwise provided herein, no such assignment shall be made (or be effective) without the prior written approval of the Lenders.
(c) No Lenders may at any time assign or grant participations in such Lenders rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents except (i) by way of assignment to any Eligible Assignee in accordance with clause (d) of this Section, (ii) by way of a participation in accordance with the provisions of clause (e) of this Section or (iii) by way of a
105
pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of clause (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any Lender shall be deemed to be null and void).
(d) Each assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) | each such assignment shall be made on a pro rata basis, and shall be in a minimum amount of the lesser of (x) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or such lesser amount as the Agent shall agree and (y) the entire remaining amount of assigning Lenders aggregate interest in the Revolving Credit (and participations in any outstanding Letters of Credit) and the Term Loan; provided however that, after giving effect to such assignment, in no event shall the entire remaining amount (if any) of assigning Lenders aggregate interest in the Revolving Credit (and participations in any outstanding Letters of Credit) and the Term Loan be less than $5,000,000; and |
(ii) | the parties to any assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent an Assignment Agreement substantially (as determined by Agent) in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit H (with appropriate insertions acceptable to Agent), together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount, if any, required as set forth in the Assignment Agreement; |
Until the Assignment Agreement becomes effective in accordance with its terms, and Agent has confirmed that the assignment satisfies the requirements of this Section 13.8, the Borrower and the Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with the assigning Lender in connection with the interest so assigned. From and after the effective date of each Assignment Agreement that satisfies the requirements of this Section 13.8, the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to be a party to this Agreement, such assignee shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including without limitation the right to receive fees payable hereunder in respect of the period following such assignment) and the assigning Lender shall relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Upon request, Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Agent, new Note(s) payable to the order of the assignee in an amount equal to the amount assigned to the assigning Lender pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, and with respect to the portion of the Indebtedness retained by the assigning Lender, to the extent applicable, new Note(s) payable to the order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the amount retained by such Lender hereunder. The Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that any such new Note(s) shall be given in renewal and replacement of the Notes issued to the assigning lender prior to such assignment and shall not effect or constitute a novation or discharge of the Indebtedness evidenced by such prior Note, and each such new Note may contain a provision confirming such agreement.
106
(e) The Borrower and the Agent acknowledge that each of the Lenders may at any time and from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, grant participations in such Lenders rights and obligations hereunder (on a pro rata basis only) and under the other Loan Documents to any Person (other than a natural person or to Borrower or any of Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries); provided that any participation permitted hereunder shall comply with all applicable laws and shall be subject to a participation agreement that incorporates the following restrictions:
(i) | such Lender shall remain the holder of its Notes hereunder (if such Notes are issued), notwithstanding any such participation; |
(ii) | a participant shall not reassign or transfer, or grant any sub-participations in its participation interest hereunder or any part thereof; |
(iii) |
such Lender shall retain the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations of the Credit Parties relating to the Notes and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the right to proceed against any Guarantors, or cause the Agent to do so (subject to the terms and conditions hereof), and the right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement without the consent of the participant (unless such participant is an Affiliate of such Lender), except for those matters requiring the consent of each of the Lenders under Section 13.10 hereof (provided that a participant may exercise approval rights over such matters only on an indirect basis, acting through such Lender and the Credit Parties, Agent and the other Lenders may continue to deal directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and duties hereunder). Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in the case of any participation granted by any Lender hereunder, the participant shall not have any rights under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents against the Agent, any other Lender or any Credit Party; provided, however that the participant may have rights against such Lender in respect of such participation as may be set forth in the applicable participation agreement and all amounts payable by the Credit Parties hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation. Each such participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Article 11 of this Agreement to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (d) of this Section, provided that no participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to such the provisions of Article 11 than the issuing Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation |
107
transferred by such issuing Lender to such participant had no such transfer occurred and each such participant shall also be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.6 hereof as though it were a Lender, provided that such participant agrees to be subject to Section 10.3 hereof as though it were a Lender; and |
(iv) | each participant shall provide the relevant tax form required under Section 13.11. |
(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including its Notes, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledge or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(g) The Agent shall maintain at its principal office a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to it and a register (the Register) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, the Percentages of such Lenders and the principal amount of each type of Advance owing to each such Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent, and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of the Advances recorded therein for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender upon reasonable notice to the Agent and a copy of such information shall be provided to any such party on their prior written request. The Agent shall give prompt written notice to the Borrower of the making of any entry in the Register or any change in such entry.
(h) Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any prospective assignee or participant which has satisfied the requirements hereunder, any and all financial information in such Lenders possession concerning the Credit Parties which has been delivered to such Lender pursuant to this Agreement, provided that each such prospective assignee or participant shall execute a confidentiality agreement consistent with the terms of Section 13.11 hereof or shall otherwise agree to be bound by the terms thereof.
(i) Nothing in this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall confer on any Person other than the respective parties hereto and thereto and their successors and assignees and participants permitted hereunder and thereunder any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or other claim under this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents.
13.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, and each executed copy shall constitute an original instrument, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
108
13.10 Amendment and Waiver.
(a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and the Majority Lenders (or by the Agent at the written request of the Majority Lenders) or, if this Agreement expressly so requires with respect to the subject matter thereof, by all Lenders (and, with respect to any amendments to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, by any Credit Party or the Guarantors that are signatories thereto), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Lender or Lenders affected thereby, do any of the following: (a) increase the stated amount of such Lenders commitment hereunder, (b) reduce the principal of, or interest on, any outstanding Indebtedness or any Fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (c) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, any outstanding Indebtedness or any Fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (d) except as expressly permitted hereunder or under the Collateral Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral (provided that neither Agent nor any Lender shall be prohibited thereby from proposing or participating in a consensual or nonconsensual debtor-in-possession or similar financing), or release any material guaranty provided by any Person in favor of Agent and the Lenders, provided however that Agent shall be entitled, without notice to or any further action or consent of the Lenders, to release any Collateral which any Credit Party is permitted to sell, assign or otherwise transfer in compliance with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or release any guaranty to the extent expressly permitted in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (whether in connection with the sale, transfer or other disposition of the applicable Guarantor or otherwise), (e) terminate or modify any indemnity provided to the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, except as shall be otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (f) change the definitions of Revolving Credit Percentage, Term Loan Percentage, Weighted Percentage, Interest Periods, Majority Lenders, Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, Majority Term Loan Lenders, Sections 10.2 or 10.3 hereof or this Section 13.10; provided , further , that the Revolving Credit Maturity Date may be postponed or extended, only with the consent of all of the Revolving Credit Lenders; the Term Loan Maturity Date may be postponed or extended only with the consent of all the Term Loan Lenders; and provided further , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in a writing signed by the Swing Line Lender, do any of the following: (x) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Swing Line Note, (y) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Swing Line Note or (z) otherwise affect the rights and duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and provided further , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in a writing signed by Issuing Lender affect the rights or duties of Issuing Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in a writing signed by the Agent affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. All references in this Agreement to Lenders or the Lenders shall refer to all Lenders, unless expressly stated to refer to Majority Lenders (or the like).
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove of any amendment, consent, waiver or any other modification to any Loan Document (and all amendments, consents, waivers and other modifications may be effected without the consent of the Defaulting Lenders), except that the foregoing shall not permit, in each case without such Defaulting Lenders consent, (i) an increase in such Defaulting
109
Lenders stated commitment amounts, (ii) the waiver, forgiveness or reduction of the principal amount of any Indebtedness owing to such Defaulting Lender (unless all other Lenders affected thereby are treated similarly), (iii) the extension of the final maturity date(s) of such Defaulting Lenders portion of any of the Indebtedness or the extension of any commitment to extend credit of such Defaulting Lender, or (iv) any other modification which requires the consent of all Lenders or the Lender(s) affected thereby which affects such Defaulting Lender more adversely than the other affected Lenders (other than a modification which results in a reduction of such Defaulting Lenders Percentage of any Commitments or repayment of any amounts owing to such Defaulting Lender on a non pro-rata basis).
(c) The Agent shall, upon the written request of the Borrower, execute and deliver to the Credit Parties such documents as may be necessary to evidence (1) the release or subordination of any Lien granted to or held by the Agent upon any Collateral: (a) upon termination of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment and payment in full of all Indebtedness payable under this Agreement and under any other Loan Document; (b) which constitutes property (including, without limitation, Equity Interests in any Person) sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition (whether by sale, by merger or by any other form of transaction and including the property of any Subsidiary that is disposed of as permitted hereby) permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (c) which constitutes property in which a Credit Party owned no interest at the time the Lien was granted or at any time thereafter; or (d) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Majority Lenders, or all the Lenders, as the case may be, as provided in this Section 13.10; or (2) the release of any Person from its obligations under the Loan Documents (including without limitation the Guaranty) if all of the Equity Interests of such Person that were held by a Credit Party are sold or otherwise transferred to any transferee other than Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower as part of or in connection with any disposition (whether by sale, by merger or by any other form of transaction) permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided that (i) Agent shall not be required to execute any such release or subordination agreement under clauses (1) or (2) above on terms which, in the Agents opinion, would expose the Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty or such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Indebtedness or any Liens upon any Collateral retained by any Credit Party, including (without limitation) the proceeds of the sale or other disposition, all of which shall constitute and remain part of the Collateral.
13.11 Confidentiality . Each Lender agrees that it will not disclose without the prior consent of the Borrower (other than to its employees, its Subsidiaries, another Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or to its auditors, counsel or representatives) any information with respect to the Credit Parties which is furnished pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; provided that any Lender may disclose any such information (a) as has become generally available to the public or has been lawfully obtained by such Lender from any third party under no duty of confidentiality to any Credit Party, (b) as may be required or appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted to, or in respect to any inquiry, by, any municipal, state or federal regulatory body having or claiming to have jurisdiction over such Lender, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or similar organizations (whether in the United States or elsewhere) or their successors, (c) as may
110
be required or appropriate in respect to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (d) in order to comply with any law, order, regulation, ruling or other requirement of law applicable to such Lender, and (e) to any prospective assignee or participant in accordance with Section 13.8(h) hereof.
13.12 Substitution or Removal of Lenders .
(a) With respect to any Lender (i) whose obligation to make Eurodollar-based Advances has been suspended pursuant to Section 11.3 or 11.4, (ii) that has demanded compensation under Sections 3.4(c), 11.5 or 11.6, (iii) that has become a Defaulting Lender or (iv) that has failed to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to any Loan Document as to which the Majority Lenders have already consented (in each case, an Affected Lender), then the Agent or the Borrower may, at the Borrowers sole expense, require the Affected Lender to sell and assign all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, its Revolving Credit Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, to an assignee (which may be one or more of the Lenders) (such assignee shall be referred to herein as the Purchasing Lender or Purchasing Lenders) within two (2) Business Days after receiving notice from the Borrower requiring it to do so, for an aggregate price equal to the sum of the portion of all Advances made by it, interest and fees accrued for its account through but excluding the date of such payment, and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the Purchasing Lender(s) (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts, including without limitation, if demanded by the Affected Lender, the amount of any compensation that is due to the Affected Lender under Sections 3.4(c), 11.1, 11.5 and 11.6 to but excluding said date), payable (in immediately available funds) in cash. The Affected Lender, as assignor, such Purchasing Lender, as assignee, the Borrower and the Agent, shall enter into an Assignment Agreement pursuant to Section 13.8 hereof, whereupon such Purchasing Lender shall be a Lender party to this Agreement, shall be deemed to be an assignee hereunder and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Lender with a Revolving Credit Percentage equal to its ratable share of the then applicable Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment and the applicable Percentages of the Term Loan of the Affected Lender, provided, however, that if the Affected Lender does not execute such Assignment Agreement within (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, the Agent may execute the Assignment Agreement as the Affected Lenders attorney-in-fact. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in the name of such Lender or in its own name to execute and deliver the Assignment Agreement while such Lender is an Affected Lender hereunder (such power of attorney to be deemed coupled with an interest and irrevocable). In connection with any assignment pursuant to this Section 13.12, the Borrower or the Purchasing Lender shall pay to the Agent the administrative fee for processing such assignment referred to in Section 13.8.
(b) If any Lender is an Affected Lender of the type described in Section 13.12(a)(iii) and (iv) (any such Lender, a Non-Compliant Lender), the Borrower may, with the prior written consent of the Agent, and notwithstanding Section 10.3 of this Agreement or any other provisions requiring pro rata payments to the Lenders, elect to reduce the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment by an amount equal to the Non-Compliant Lenders Revolving Credit Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment and repay such Non-Compliant
111
Lender an amount equal the principal amount of all Advances owing to it, all interest and fees accrued for its account through but excluding the date of such repayment, and all other amounts payable to it hereunder (including without limitation, if demanded by the Non-Compliant Lender, the amount of any compensation that is due to the Non-Compliant Lender under Sections 3.4(c), 11.1, 11.5 and 11.6 to but excluding said date), payable (in immediately available funds) in cash, so long as, after giving effect to the termination of Commitments and the repayments described in this clause (b), any Fronting Exposure of such Non-Compliant Lender shall be reallocated among the Lenders that are not Non-Compliant Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Percentages, but only to the extent that the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Advances made by each such Lender, plus such Lenders Percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Swing Line Advances and Letter of Credit Obligations prior to giving effect to such reallocation plus such Lenders Percentage of the Fronting Exposure to be reallocated does not exceed such Lenders Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment, and with respect to any portion of the Fronting Exposure that may not be reallocated, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Lender and/or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, cash collateral or other security satisfactory to the Agent, with respect any such remaining Fronting Exposure.
(c) If any Lender is a Non-Compliant Lender, the Borrower may, notwithstanding Section 10.3 of this Agreement or any other provisions requiring pro rata payments to the Lenders, elect to repay all amounts owing to such a Non-Compliant Lender in connection with the Term Loans, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such repayment.
(d) A Lender shall not be required to make any assignment under this Section 13.12 if, prior thereto, the circumstances entitling the Borrower or the Agent to require such assignment cease to apply.
13.13 Withholding Taxes .
(a) |
If any Lender is not a united states person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, such Lender shall promptly (but in any event prior to the initial payment of interest hereunder or prior to its accepting any assignment under Section 13.8 hereof, as applicable) deliver to the Agent two original executed copies of (i) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or any successor form specifying the applicable tax treaty between the United States and the jurisdiction of such Lenders domicile which provides for the exemption from withholding on interest payments to such Lender, (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or any successor form evidencing that the income to be received by such Lender hereunder is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or (iii) other evidence satisfactory to the Agent that such Lender is exempt from United States income tax withholding with respect to such income; provided, however, that such Lender shall not be required to deliver to Agent the aforesaid forms or other evidence with respect to Advances to Borrower, if such Lender has |
112
assigned its entire interest hereunder (including its Revolving Credit Commitment Amount, any outstanding Advances hereunder and participations in Letters of Credit issued hereunder and any Notes issued to it by Borrower), to an Affiliate which is incorporated under the laws of the United States or a state thereof, and so notifies the Agent. Such Lender shall amend or supplement any such form or evidence as required to insure that it is accurate, complete and non-misleading at all times. Promptly upon notice from the Agent of any determination by the Internal Revenue Service that any payments previously made to such Lender hereunder were subject to United States income tax withholding when made, such Lender shall pay to the Agent the excess of the aggregate amount required to be withheld from such payments over the aggregate amount actually withheld by the Agent. In addition, from time to time upon the reasonable request and the sole expense of Borrower, each Lender and the Agent shall (to the extent it is able to do so based upon applicable facts and circumstances), complete and provide Borrower with such forms, certificates or other documents as may be reasonably necessary to allow Borrower, as applicable, to make any payment under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without any withholding for or on the account of any tax under Section 10.1(d) hereof (or with such withholding at a reduced rate), provided that the execution and delivery of such forms, certificates or other documents does not adversely affect or otherwise restrict the rights and benefits (including without limitation economic benefits) available to such Lender or the Agent, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or under or in connection with any transactions not related to the transactions contemplated hereby. |
(b) | Any Lender (or assignee or participant permitted under Section 13.8) that is a united states person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code shall promptly (but in any event prior to the initial payment of interest hereunder or prior to its accepting any assignment under Section 13.8 hereof, as applicable) deliver to the Agent and the Borrower two properly completed and duly executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto. |
13.14 Taxes and Fees . Should any tax (other than as a result of a Lenders failure to comply with Section 13.13 or a tax based upon the net income or capitalization of any Lender or the Agent by any jurisdiction where a Lender or the Agent is or has been located), or recording or filing fee become payable in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any amendment, modification or supplement hereof or thereof, Borrower agrees to pay the same, together with any interest or penalties thereon arising from Borrowers actions or omissions, and agrees to hold the Agent and the Lenders harmless with respect thereto provided, however, that Borrower shall not be responsible for any such interest or penalties which were incurred prior to the date that notice is given to the Credit Parties of such tax or fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 13.14 shall affect or reduce the rights of any Lender or the Agent under Section 11.5 hereof.
113
13.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE LENDERS, THE AGENT AND THE BORROWER KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT ANY OF THEM MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTION OF ANY OF THEM. NEITHER THE LENDERS, THE AGENT NOR THE BORROWER SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE, BY COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHERWISE, ANY SUCH ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY RESPECT OR RELINQUISHED BY THE LENDERS AND THE AGENT OR THE BORROWER EXCEPT BY A WRITTEN INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY ALL OF THEM.
(a) In the event that the jury trial waiver contained in this Section 13.15 is not enforceable, the parties elect to proceed as follows:
(b) With the exception of the items specified in clause (c), below, any controversy, dispute or claim (each, a Claim) between the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document will be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Section 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), or their successor sections, which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Claim, including whether the Claim is subject to the reference proceeding. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, venue for the reference proceeding will be in the state or federal court in the county or district where venue is otherwise appropriate under applicable law (the Court).
(c) The matters that shall not be subject to a reference are the following: (i) non-judicial foreclosure of any security interests in real or personal property, (ii) exercise of self-help remedies (including, without limitation, set-off), (iii) appointment of a receiver and (iv) temporary, provisional or ancillary remedies (including, without limitation, writs of attachment, writs of possession, temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions). This Section does not limit the right of any party to exercise or oppose any of the rights and remedies described in clauses (i) and (ii) or to seek or oppose from a court of competent jurisdiction any of the items described in clauses (iii) and (iv). The exercise of, or opposition to, any of those items does not waive the right of any party to a reference pursuant to this Section.
(d) The referee shall be a retired judge or justice selected by mutual written agreement of the parties. If the parties do not agree within ten (10) days of a written request to do so by any party, then, upon request of any party, the referee shall be selected by the Presiding Judge of the Court (or his or her representative). A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP § 170.6, each party shall have one peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Presiding Judge of the Court (or his or her representative).
114
(e) The parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the reference proceedings. Accordingly, the referee shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (a) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within fifteen (15) days after the date of selection of the referee, (b) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the conference and (c) report a statement of decision within twenty (20) days after the matter has been submitted for decision.
(f) The referee will have power to expand or limit the amount and duration of discovery. The referee may set or extend discovery deadlines or cutoffs for good cause, including a partys failure to provide requested discovery for any reason whatsoever. Unless otherwise ordered, no party shall be entitled to priority in conducting discovery, depositions may be taken by either party upon seven (7) days written notice, and all other discovery shall be responded to within fifteen (15) days after service. All disputes relating to discovery which cannot be resolved by the parties shall be submitted to the referee whose decision shall be final and binding.
(g) Except as expressly set forth in this Section, the referee shall determine the manner in which the reference proceeding is conducted including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the reference proceeding. All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referee, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referee, and the referee will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter. Subject to the referees power to award costs to the prevailing party, the parties will equally share the cost of the referee and the court reporter at trial.
(h) The referee shall be required to determine all issues in accordance with existing case law and the statutory laws of the State of California. The rules of evidence applicable to proceedings at law in the State of California will be applicable to the reference proceeding. The referee shall be empowered to enter equitable as well as legal relief, enter equitable orders that will be binding on the parties and rule on any motion which would be authorized in a trial, including without limitation motions for summary judgment or summary adjudication. The referee shall issue a decision at the close of the reference proceeding which disposes of all claims of the parties that are the subject of the reference. Pursuant to CCP § 644, such decision shall be entered by the Court as a judgment or an order in the same manner as if the action had been tried by the Court and any such decision will be final, binding and conclusive. The parties reserve the right to appeal from the final judgment or order or from any appealable decision or order entered by the referee. The parties reserve the right to findings of fact, conclusions of laws, a written statement of decision, and the right to move for a new trial or a different judgment, which new trial, if granted, is also to be a reference proceeding under this provision.
115
(i) If the enabling legislation which provides for appointment of a referee is repealed (and no successor statute is enacted), any dispute between the parties that would otherwise be determined by reference procedure will be resolved and determined by arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted by a retired judge or Justice, in accordance with the California Arbitration Act §1280 through §1294.2 of the CCP as amended from time to time. The limitations with respect to discovery set forth above shall apply to any such arbitration proceeding.
THE PARTIES RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL DISPUTES RESOLVED UNDER THIS REFERENCE PROVISION WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY. AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, AND FOR THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF ALL PARTIES, AGREES THAT THIS REFERENCE PROVISION WILL APPLY TO ANY CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CLAIM BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM WHICH ARISES OUT OF OR IS RELATED TO THE AGREEMENT.
13.16 USA Patriot Act Notice . Pursuant to Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act, the Agent and the Lenders hereby notify the Credit Parties that if they or any of their Subsidiaries open an account, including any loan, deposit account, treasury management account, or other extension of credit with Agent or any Lender, the Agent or the applicable Lender will request the applicable Persons name, tax identification number, business address and other information necessary to identify such Person (and may request such Persons organizational documents or other identifying documents) to the extent necessary for the Agent and the applicable Lender to comply with the USA Patriot Act.
13.17 Complete Agreement; Conflicts . This Agreement, the Notes (if issued), any Requests for Revolving Credit Advance, Requests for Swing Line Advance and Term Loan Rate Requests, and the Loan Documents contain the entire agreement of the parties hereto, superseding all prior agreements, discussions and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, and none of the parties shall be bound by anything not expressed in writing. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, this Agreement shall govern.
13.18 Severability . In case any one or more of the obligations of the Credit Parties under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining obligations of the Credit Parties shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability in one jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the obligations of the Credit Parties under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents in any other jurisdiction.
13.19 Table of Contents and Headings; Section References . The table of contents and the headings of the various subdivisions hereof are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or affect any of the terms or provisions hereof and references herein to sections, subsections, clauses, paragraphs, subparagraphs, exhibits and schedules shall be to sections, subsections, clauses, paragraphs, subparagraphs, exhibits and schedules, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided herein or unless the context otherwise clearly indicates.
116
13.20 Construction of Certain Provisions . If any provision of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents refers to any action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person, whether or not expressly specified in such provision.
13.21 Independence of Covenants . Each covenant hereunder shall be given independent effect (subject to any exceptions stated in such covenant) so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any such covenant (taking into account any such stated exception), the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would be otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default.
13.22 Electronic Transmissions .
(a) | Each of the Agent, the Credit Parties, the Lenders, and each of their Affiliates is authorized (but not required) to transmit, post or otherwise make or communicate, in its sole discretion, Electronic Transmissions in connection with any Loan Document and the transactions contemplated therein. The Borrower and each other Credit Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that the use of Electronic Transmissions is not necessarily secure and that there are risks associated with such use, including risks of interception, disclosure and abuse and each indicates it assumes and accepts such risks by hereby authorizing the transmission of Electronic Transmissions. |
(b) | All uses of an E-System shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to Section 13.6 and this Section 13.22, separate terms and conditions posted or referenced in such E-System and related contractual obligations executed by the Agent, the Credit Parties and the Lenders in connection with the use of such E-System. |
(c) |
All E-Systems and Electronic Transmissions shall be provided as is and as available. None of the Agent or any of its Affiliates, nor the Borrower or any of its respective Affiliates warrants the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any E-Systems or Electronic Transmission, and each disclaims all liability for errors or omissions therein. No warranty of any kind is made by the Agent or any of its Affiliates, or the Borrower or any of its respective Affiliates in connection with any E-Systems or Electronic Transmission, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects. The Agent, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the Lenders agree that the Agent has no responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any |
117
Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System. The Agent and the Lenders agree that the Borrower has no responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System. |
13.23 Advertisements . The Agent and the Lenders may disclose the names of the Credit Parties and the existence of the Indebtedness in general advertisements and trade publications.
13.24 Reliance on and Survival of Provisions . All terms, covenants, agreements, representations and warranties of the Credit Parties to any of the Loan Documents made herein or in any of the Loan Documents or in any certificate, report, financial statement or other document furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party in connection with this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Lenders, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any Lender or on such Lenders behalf, and those covenants and agreements of the Borrower set forth in Section 13.5 hereof (together with any other indemnities of any Credit Party contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents) and of Lenders set forth in Section 12.7 hereof shall survive the repayment in full of the Indebtedness and the termination of any commitment to extend credit.
13.25 Amendment and Restatement; Assignment and Assumptions . Except as otherwise set forth herein, this Agreement is intended to and does, effective on the Effective Date, completely amend and restate, without novation, the Prior Credit Agreement.
13.26 Individual Employee Liability to Lenders . The parties acknowledge that, from time to time, employees of Borrower may be required to execute and deliver, in their capacity as an officer, director or employee of Borrower, certain certificates to Agent and Lenders in relation to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (Certificates). Agent and Lenders shall have no cause of action against any individual employee of Borrower based on any inaccuracy in any Certificate executed by or delivered to Agent and Lenders by such employee provided the employee does not knowingly provide false or misleading Certificates, and has acted in good faith.
[Signatures Follow On Succeeding Page]
118
WITNESS the due execution hereof as of the day and year first above written.
COMERICA BANK, |
QUINSTREET, INC. |
|||||||
as Administrative Agent | ||||||||
By: |
/s/ Philip Koblis |
By: |
/s/ Douglas Valenti |
|||||
Name: |
Philip Koblis |
Name: |
Douglas Valenti |
|||||
Title: |
SVP |
Title: |
CEO |
COMERICA BANK, | ||
as a Lender, as Issuing Lender and as Swing Line Lender |
||
By: |
/s/ Philip Koblis |
|
Name: |
Philip Koblis |
|
Title: |
SVP |
119
CREDIT SUISSE AG, Cayman Islands Branch |
||
By: |
/s/ Christopher Reo Day |
|
Name: | Christopher Reo Day | |
Title: | Vice President | |
By: |
/s/ Sanja Gazahi |
|
Name: | Sanja Gazahi | |
Title: | Associate |
120
J.P.MORGAN CHASE, N.A. |
||
By: |
/s/ John G. Kowalczuk |
|
Name: |
John G. Kowalczuk |
|
Title: |
Executive Director |
121
UNION BANK, N.A. |
||
By: |
/s/ Michael Stahl |
|
Name: |
Michael Stahl |
|
Title: |
Vice President |
122
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. | ||
By: |
/s/ Ronald J. Drobny |
|
Name: |
Ronald J. Drobny |
|
Title: |
Senior Vice President |
123
U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
By: |
/s/ Christi K. Shaw |
|
Name: |
Christi K. Shaw |
|
Title: |
Vice President |
124
BANK OF THE WEST | ||
By: |
/s/ Stuart Darby |
|
Name: |
Stuart Darby |
|
Title: |
V.P. |
125
SILICON VALLEY BANK | ||
By: |
/s/ Nick Tsiagkas |
|
Name: |
Nick Tsiagkas |
|
Title: |
Relationship Manager |
126
Schedule 1.1
Applicable Margin Grid
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility
(basis points per annum)
Basis for Pricing |
Level I | Level II* | Level III | Level IV | ||||
Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio** |
<0.75 to 1.0 |
³
0.75 to 1.0
and <1.5 to 1.0 |
³
1.5 to 1.0
and <2.25 to 1.0 |
³ 2.25 to 1.0 | ||||
Revolving Credit Eurodollar Margin |
162.5 | 187.5 | 212.5 | 237.5 | ||||
Revolving Credit Base Rate Margin |
62.5 | 87.5 | 112.5 | 137.5 | ||||
Revolving Credit Facility Fee |
37.50 | 37.50 | 37.50 | 37.50 | ||||
Letter of Credit Fees (exclusive of facing fees) |
162.5 | 187.5 | 212.5 | 237.5 | ||||
Term Loan Eurodollar Margin |
200.0 | 225.0 | 250.0 | 275.0 | ||||
Term Loan Base Rate Margin |
100.00 | 125.0 | 150.0 | 175.0 |
* | Level II pricing shall be in effect until the delivery of the financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2011, after which time the pricing grid shall govern. |
** | Definitions as set forth in the Credit Agreement. |
Schedule 1.2
Percentages and Allocations
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facilities
LENDERS |
REVOLVING
CREDIT ALLOCATIONS |
REVOLVING
CREDIT PERCENTAGE |
TERM LOAN
ALLOCATIONS |
TERM LOAN
PERCENTAGE |
TOTAL
ALLOCATION |
WEIGHTED
PERCENTAGE |
||||||||||||||||||
Comerica Bank |
$ | 47,400,000 | 23.700000 | % | $ | 25,100,000 | 25.100000 | % | $ | 72,500,000 | 24.166667 | % | ||||||||||||
Bank of America |
$ | 44,250,000 | 22.125000 | % | $ | 23,250,000 | 23.250000 | % | $ | 67,500,000 | 22.500000 | % | ||||||||||||
Union Bank |
$ | 32,750,000 | 16.375000 | % | $ | 17,250,000 | 17.250000 | % | $ | 50,000,000 | 16.666667 | % | ||||||||||||
U.S. Bank |
$ | 22,950,000 | 11.475000 | % | $ | 12,050,000 | 12.050000 | % | $ | 35,000,000 | 11.666667 | % | ||||||||||||
Silicon Valley Bank |
$ | 19,700,000 | 9.850000 | % | $ | 10,300,000 | 10.300000 | % | $ | 30,000,000 | 10.000000 | % | ||||||||||||
Bank of the West |
$ | 16,400,000 | 8.200000 | % | $ | 8,600,000 | 8.600000 | % | $ | 25,000,000 | 8.333333 | % | ||||||||||||
Credit Suisse |
$ | 10,000,000 | 5.000000 | % | $ | 0 | 0.000000 | % | $ | 10,000,000 | 3.333333 | % | ||||||||||||
J.P. Morgan Chase |
$ | 6,550,000 | 3.275000 | % | $ | 3,450,000 | 3.450000 | % | $ | 10,000,000 | 3.333333 | % | ||||||||||||
TOTALS |
$ | 200,000,000 | 100 | % | $ | 100,000,000 | 100 | % | $ | 300,000,000 | 100 | % |
Schedule 6.16
Subsidiaries
QUINSTREET, EUROPE (F.K.A. MWR SYSTEMS, LTD.)
QUINSTREET SOFTWARE INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
QUINSTREET PROPERTIES, INC.
QUINSTREET MEDIA, INC.
QUINSTREET, LLC
HQ PUBLICATIONS, LLC
QUINSTREET INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
NARROWCAST GROUP, LLC
3041486 NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY
WORLD WIDE LEARN, INC.
WORLD WIDE LEARN PARTNERSHIP
QUINSTREET CAYMAN ISLANDS, LTD.
QUINSTREET BRASIL ONLINE MARKETING E MIDIA LTDA
CARSON CITY MEDIA, LLC
OK CONTENT-RICH WEB PROPERTIES, LLC
SILVERLODE HOLDINGS, LLC
V-P.D.C.-WEB, LLC
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF REQUEST FOR REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCE
No.
Dated: , 20
TO: | Comerica Bank (Agent) |
RE: | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower). |
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, Borrower hereby requests an Advance from Lenders, as described herein:
(A) | Date of Advance: |
(B) | ¨ (check if applicable) |
This Advance is or includes a whole or partial refunding/conversion of:
Advance No(s).
(C) | Type of Advance (check only one): |
¨ | Base Rate Advance |
¨ | Eurodollar-based Advance |
(D) | Amount of Advance: |
$
(E) | Interest Period (applicable to Eurodollar-based Advances) |
months |
(F) | Disbursement Instructions |
¨ | Comerica Bank Account No. |
¨ | Other: |
Borrower certifies to the matters specified in Section 2.3(f) of the Credit Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein, except as defined to the contrary, have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
QUINSTREET, INC.
By:
Its:
Agent Approval:
2
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
$
, 20
On or before the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, FOR VALUE RECEIVED, QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower) promises to pay to the order of [insert name of applicable financial institution] (Payee) at San Jose, California, care of Agent, in lawful money of the United States of America, so much of the sum of [ Insert Amount derived from Percentages ] Dollars ($ ), as may from time to time have been advanced by Payee and then be outstanding hereunder pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011, by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent), and Borrower. Each of the Revolving Credit Advances made hereunder shall bear interest at the Applicable Interest Rate from time to time applicable thereto under the Credit Agreement or as otherwise determined thereunder, and interest shall be computed, assessed and payable on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Advance made by the Payee from the date of such Revolving Credit Advance until paid at the rate and at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is a note under which Revolving Credit Advances (including refundings and conversions), repayments and readvances may be made from time to time, but only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement. This Note evidences borrowings under, is subject to, is secured in accordance with, and may be accelerated or matured under, the terms of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms used herein, except as defined to the contrary, shall have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
This Note shall be interpreted and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be determined under the laws of, and enforceable in, the State of California.
The Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor and nonpayment of this Note and agrees that no obligation hereunder shall be discharged by reason of any extension, indulgence, release, or forbearance granted by any holder of this Note to any party now or hereafter liable hereon or any present or subsequent owner of any property, real or personal, which is now or hereafter security for this Note.
* * *
[SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON SUCCEEDING PAGE]
Nothing herein shall limit any right granted Payee by any other instrument or by law.
QUINSTREET, INC.
By:
Its:
2
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE
$ | , 20 |
On or before the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, FOR VALUE RECEIVED, QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower) promises to pay to the order of Comerica Bank (Swing Line Lender) at San Jose, California in lawful money of the United States of America, so much of the sum of [ Insert Amount derived from Percentages ] Dollars ($ ) , as may from time to time have been advanced to the Borrower by the Swing Line Lender and then be outstanding hereunder pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011, by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent), and Borrower, together with interest thereon as hereinafter set forth.
Each of the Swing Line Advances made hereunder shall bear interest at the Applicable Interest Rate from time to time applicable thereto under the Credit Agreement or as otherwise determined thereunder, and interest shall be computed, assessed and payable on the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Advance made by the Swing Line Lender from the date of such Swing Line Advance until paid at the rates and at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is a Swing Line Note under which Swing Line Advances (including refundings and conversions), repayments and readvances may be made from time to time by the Swing Line Lender, but only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement (including any applicable sublimits). This Note evidences borrowings under, is subject to, is secured in accordance with, and may be accelerated or matured under, the terms of the Credit Agreement to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms used herein, except as defined to the contrary, shall have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
This Note shall be interpreted and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be determined under the laws of, and enforceable in, the State of California.
The Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor and nonpayment of this Note and agrees that no obligation hereunder shall be discharged by reason of any extension, indulgence, release, or forbearance granted by any holder of this Note to any party now or hereafter liable hereon or any present or subsequent owner of any property, real or personal, which is now or hereafter security for this Note.
* * *
[SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON SUCCEEDING PAGE]
Nothing herein shall limit any right granted Swing Line Lender by any other instrument or by law.
QUINSTREET, INC. | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Its: |
2
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF REQUEST FOR SWING LINE ADVANCE
No.__________ |
Dated: |
TO: | Comerica Bank (Swing Line Lender) |
RE: | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower). |
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, Borrower hereby requests an Advance from the Swing Line Lender, as described herein:
Borrower certifies to the matters specified in Section 2.5(c)(vi) of the Credit Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein, except as defined to the contrary, have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
QUINSTREET, INC. | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Its: |
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
TO: | Lenders |
RE: | Issuance of Letter of Credit pursuant to Article 3 of the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower). |
On , 20 ,1 Agent, in accordance with Article 3 of the Credit Agreement, issued its Letter of Credit number , in favor of 2 for the account of . 3 The face amount of such Letter of Credit is $ . The amount of each Lenders participation in such Letter of Credit is as follows: 4
[Lender] |
$ | |||
[Lender] |
$ | |||
[Lender] |
$ | |||
[Lender] |
$ |
This notification is delivered this day of , 20 , pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Credit Agreement. Except as otherwise defined, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
Signed: | ||||||
COMERICA BANK , as Agent | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Its: |
(a) |
1 |
Date of Issuance |
2 |
Beneficiary |
3 |
Name of applicable Borrower |
4 |
Amounts based on Percentages |
[This form of Letter of Credit Notice (including footnotes) is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement which shall govern in the event of any inconsistencies or omissions.]
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT G
[Reserved]
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
Date:
To: | Borrower |
and |
Comerica Bank (Agent) |
Re: | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower). |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to Section 13.8 of the Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, all initially capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes notice to each of you of the proposed assignment and delegation by [ insert name of assignor ] (the Assignor) to [ insert name of assignee ] (the Assignee), and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, effective on the Effective Date (as hereafter defined) that undivided interest in each of Assignors rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents in the amounts as set forth on the attached Schedule 1, such that, after giving effect to the foregoing assignment and assumption, and the concurrent assignment by Assignor to Assignee on the date hereof, the Assignees interest in the Revolving Credit (and participations in any outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Advances) and the Term Loan shall be as set forth in the attached Schedule 2 with respect to the Assignee.
The Assignor hereby instructs the Agent to make all payments from and including the Effective Date hereof in respect of the interest assigned hereby, directly to the Assignee. The Assignor and the Assignee agree that all interest and fees accrued up to, but not including, the Effective Date of the assignment and delegation being made hereby are the property of the Assignor, and not the Assignee. The Assignee agrees that, upon receipt of any such interest or fees accrued up to the Effective Date, the Assignee will promptly remit the same to the Assignor.
The Assignee hereby confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the exhibits and schedules referred to therein, and all other Loan Documents which it considers necessary, together with copies of the other documents which were required to be delivered under the Credit Agreement as a condition to the making of the loans thereunder. The Assignee acknowledges and agrees that it: (a) has made and will continue to make such inquiries and has taken and will take such care on its own behalf as would have been the case had its Percentage been granted and its loans been made directly by such Assignee to the Borrower without the intervention of the Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender; and (b) has made and will continue to make, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, its own credit analysis and decisions relating to the Credit Agreement. The Assignee further acknowledges and agrees that neither the Agent, nor the Assignor has made any representations or warranties about the creditworthiness of the Borrower or any other party to the Credit Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents, or with respect to the legality, validity, sufficiency or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, or any other of the Loan Documents. This assignment shall be made without recourse to or warranty by the Assignor, except as set forth herein.
Assignee represents and warrants that it is a Person to which assignments are permitted pursuant to Section 13.8 of the Credit Agreement.
Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date:
(a) | the Assignee: (i) shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to have assumed all of the Assignors obligations thereunder to the extent of the Assignees percentage referred to in the second paragraph of this Assignment Agreement, and to have all the rights and obligations of a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as if it were an original signatory thereto to the extent specified in the second paragraph hereof; and (ii) agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as if it were an original signatory thereto; and |
(b) | the Assignors obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be reduced by the Percentage referred to in the second paragraph of this Assignment Agreement. |
As used herein, the term Effective Date means the date on which all of the following have occurred or have been completed, as reasonably determined by the Agent:
(1) | the delivery to the Agent of an original of this Assignment Agreement executed by the Assignor and the Assignee; |
(2) | the payment to the Agent, of all accrued fees, expenses and other items for which reimbursement is then owing under the Credit Agreement; |
(3) | the payment to the Agent of the processing fee referred to in Section 13.8(d)(ii) of the Credit Agreement; and |
2
(4) | all other restrictions and items noted in Section 13.8 of the Credit Agreement have been completed. |
The Agent shall notify the Assignor and the Assignee, along with Borrower, of the Effective Date.
The Assignee hereby advises each of you of the following administrative details with respect to the assigned loans:
(A) | Address for Notices: |
Institution Name: |
Address: |
Attention: |
Telephone: |
Facsimile: |
(B) | Payment Instructions: |
(C) | Proposed effective date of assignment. |
The Assignee has delivered to the Agent (or is delivering to the Agent concurrently herewith) the tax forms referred to in Section 13.13 of the Credit Agreement to the extent required thereunder, and other forms reasonably requested by the Agent. The Assignor has delivered to the Agent (or shall promptly deliver to Agent following the execution hereof), the original of each Note held by the Assignor under the Credit Agreement.
The laws of the State of California shall govern the validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement.
***
Signatures Follow on Succeeding Pages
3
Please evidence your consent to and acceptance of the proposed assignment and delegation set forth herein by signing and returning counterparts hereof to the Assignor and the Assignee.
[ASSIGNOR] | ||||||||
By: | ||||||||
Its: |
[ASSIGNEE] | ||||||||
By: | ||||||||
Its: |
4
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT ACCEPTED AND CONSENTED TO this day of , 20 BY:
COMERICA BANK, as Agent | ||||
By: | ||||
Its: |
QUINSTREET, INC.* | ||||
By: | ||||
Its: |
[*Borrowers consent will be required except as specified in Section 13.8 of the Credit Agreement.]
[This form of Assignment Agreement (including footnotes) is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement which shall govern in the event of any inconsistencies or omissions.]
5
EXHIBIT I
FORM OF GUARANTY
See attached.
GUARANTY
This GUARANTY is made as of September 29, 2008 and is effective as of the Effective Date by the undersigned guarantors (each a Guarantor and any and all collectively, the Guarantors ) to Comerica Bank, as the Agent ( Agent ) for and on behalf of the Lenders (as defined below).
R E C I T A L S:
A. QuinStreet, Inc. ( Borrower ) has entered into that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of September 29, 2008 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time the Credit Agreement ) with each of the financial institutions party thereto (collectively, including their respective successors and assigns, the Lenders ) and the Agent pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions, to extend or to continue to extend financial accommodations to the Borrower, as provided therein.
B. As a condition to entering into and performing their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Lenders and the Agent have required that each of the Guarantors provide to the Agent, for and on behalf of the Lenders, this Guaranty.
C. Each of the Guarantors desires to see the success of the Borrower and furthermore, each of the Guarantors shall receive direct and/or indirect benefits from extensions of credit made or to be made pursuant to the Credit Agreement to the Borrower.
D. The business operations of the Borrower and the Guarantors are interrelated and complement one another, and such entities have a common business purpose; and (i) to permit their uninterrupted and continuous operations, such entities now require and will from time to time hereafter require funds and credit accommodations for general business purposes and (ii) the proceeds of advances under the credit facilities extended under the Credit Agreement will directly or indirectly benefit the Borrowers and the Guarantors hereunder, severally and jointly.
E. The Agent is acting as agent for the Lenders pursuant to Section 12 of the Credit Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , to induce each of the Lenders to enter into and perform its obligations under the Credit Agreement, each of the Guarantors has executed and delivered this guaranty (as amended and otherwise modified from time to time, the Guaranty ).
1. Definitions. Unless otherwise provided herein, all capitalized terms in this Guaranty shall have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement. The term Lenders as used herein shall include any successors or assigns of the Lenders in accordance with the Credit Agreement. In addition, the following term shall have the following meaning:
Guaranteed Obligations shall mean, collectively, all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Borrower to the Lenders of every kind, nature or description under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, principal, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding by or against Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such a proceeding and including, without limitation, interest at the highest allowable per annum rate specified in any document, instrument or agreement applicable to any of the indebtedness), reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, and reasonable costs and expenses (including without limitation, all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agent or any Lender) or otherwise, and any liabilities of any Credit Party to Agent or any Lender arising in connection with any Lender Products and payment obligations of any Credit Party to Agent or any Lender arising under Hedging Transactions evidenced by Hedging Agreements, and any and all other liabilities and obligations, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, whether such indebtedness is now existing or hereafter arising.
2. Guaranty. Each of the Guarantors, hereby, jointly and severally, guarantees to the Lenders the due and punctual payment to the Lenders when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each of such Guarantors further jointly and severally agree to pay any and all expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees), that may be paid or incurred by the Agent or any Lender in enforcing or preserving rights with respect to or collecting any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations and/or enforcing any rights with respect to, or collecting against the Guarantors under this Guaranty.
3. Unconditional Character of Guaranty . The obligations of each of the Guarantors under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional, and shall be a guaranty of payment and not of collection, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any provision thereof, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to or any amendment of any provision thereof (provided that any amendment of this Guaranty shall be in accordance with the terms hereof), the recovery of any judgment against any Person or action to enforce the same, any failure or delay in the enforcement of the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation, defense or termination whether with or without notice to the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors hereby waives diligence, demand for payment, filing of claims with any court, any proceeding to enforce any provision of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any right to require a proceeding first against Borrower or against any other Guarantor or other Person providing collateral, or to exhaust any security for the performance of the obligations of the Borrower, any protest, presentment, notice or demand whatsoever, and each Guarantor hereby covenants that this Guaranty shall not be terminated, discharged or released until, subject to Section 16 hereof, final payment in full of all of the Guaranteed Obligations due and to become due from the Borrower, no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding and the termination of any and all commitments to extend credit (whether optional or obligatory)
2
under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and only to the extent of any such payment, performance and discharge. Each Guarantor hereby further covenants that no security now or subsequently held by the Agent or the Lenders for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations (including, without limitation, any security for any of the foregoing), whether in the nature of a security interest, pledge, lien, assignment, setoff, suretyship, guaranty, indemnity, insurance or otherwise, and no act, omission or other conduct of the Agent or the Lenders in respect of such security, shall affect in any manner whatsoever the unconditional obligations of this Guaranty, and that the Agent and each of the Lenders in their respective sole discretion and without notice to any of the Guarantors, may release, exchange, enforce, apply the proceeds of and otherwise deal with any such security without affecting in any manner the unconditional obligations of this Guaranty.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty, and the rights of the Agent to enforce the same, on behalf of the Lenders by proceedings, whether by action at law, suit in equity or otherwise, shall not be in any way affected to the extent permitted by applicable law, by (i) any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, readjustment, composition, dissolution, winding up or other proceeding involving or affecting Borrower, any or all of the Guarantors or any other Person or any of their respective Affiliates including any discharge of, or bar or stay against collecting, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations in or as a result of any such proceeding; (ii) any change in the ownership of any of the capital stock (or other ownership interests) of Borrower or any or all of the Guarantors, or any other Person providing collateral for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any of their respective Affiliates; (iii) the election by the Agent or any Lender, in any bankruptcy proceeding of any Person, to apply or not apply Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; (iv) any extension of credit or the grant of any security interest or lien under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code; (v) any agreement or stipulation with respect to the provision of adequate protection in any bankruptcy proceeding of any Person; (vi) the avoidance of any security interest or lien in favor of the Agent or any Lender for any reason; (vii) any action taken by the Agent or any Lender that is authorized by this paragraph or any other provision of this Guaranty; or (viii) any other principle or provision of law, statutory or otherwise, which is or might be in conflict with the terms hereof.
4. Waivers . Each of the Guarantors hereby waives to the fullest extent possible under applicable law:
(a) any defense based upon or arising by reason of:
(i) the doctrine of marshaling of assets or upon an election of remedies by Agent or the Lenders, including, without limitation, an election to proceed by non- judicial rather than judicial foreclosure;
(ii) any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal;
(iii) any disability or other defense of Borrower or any other Person;
3
(iv) the cessation or limitation from any cause whatsoever, other than final and irrevocable payment in full, of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(v) any lack of authority of any officer, director, partner, agent or any other person acting or purporting to act on behalf of either Borrower, or any defect in the formation of either Borrower;
(vi) the application by Borrower of the proceeds of any Guaranteed Obligations for purposes other than the purposes represented by the Borrower to the Lenders or intended or understood by the Lenders or the Guarantors;
(vii) any act or omission by the Lenders which directly or indirectly results in or aids the discharge of Borrower or any Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law or otherwise; or
(viii) any modification of Guaranteed Obligations, in any form whatsoever including without limit any modification made after effective termination, and including without limit, the renewal, extension, acceleration or other change in time for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or other change in the terms of any Guaranteed Obligations, including without limit increase or decrease of the interest rate;
(b) any duty on the part of Agent or any of the Lenders to disclose to such Guarantor any facts Agent or the Lenders may now or hereafter know about Borrower, regardless of whether Agent or any Lender has reason to believe that any such facts materially increase the risk beyond that which such Guarantor intends to assume or has reason to believe that such facts are unknown to such Guarantor or has a reasonable opportunity to communicate such facts to such Guarantor;
(c) any other event or action (excluding compliance by such Guarantor with the provisions hereof) that would result in the discharge by operation of law or otherwise of such Guarantor from the performance or observance of any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Guaranty; and
(d) all rights to participate in any security now or hereafter held by the Agent or any Lender.
Each Guarantor understands that, absent this waiver, the Agents election of remedies, including but not limited to its decision to proceed to nonjudicial foreclosure on any real property securing the Guaranteed Obligations, could preclude the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, from obtaining a deficiency judgment against Borrower and each Guarantor pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 580a, 580b, 580d or 726 and could also destroy any subrogation rights which such Guarantor has against Borrower. Each Guarantor further understands that, absent this waiver, California law, including without limitation, California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 580a, 580b, 580d or 726, could afford such Guarantor one or more affirmative defenses to any action maintained by the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, against such Guarantor on this Guaranty.
4
Each Guarantor waives any and all rights and provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 580a, 580b, 580d and 726, including, but not limited to any provision thereof that: (i) may limit the time period for the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, to commence a lawsuit against Borrower or any Guarantor to collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations owing by either Borrower or any Guarantor to Lenders; (ii) may entitle Borrower or any Guarantor to a judicial or nonjudicial determination of any deficiency owed by Borrower or any Guarantor to the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, or to otherwise limit the Agents right to collect a deficiency based on the fair market value of such real property security; (iii) may limit the Agents right to collect a deficiency judgment after a sale of any real property securing the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) may require the Agent to take only one action to collect the Guaranteed Obligations or that may otherwise limit the remedies available to the Agent to collect the Guaranteed Obligations.
Each Guarantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for a guaranteed obligation, has destroyed the Agents and the Lenders rights of subrogation and reimbursement against Borrower by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or otherwise.
Without limiting the generality of any other waiver or other provision set forth in this Guaranty, each Guarantor waives all rights and defenses that such Guarantor may have because the Guaranteed Obligations are secured by real property to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law. This means, among other things:
1. The Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may collect from any Guarantor without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by Borrower to secure the Guaranteed Obligations.
2. If the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, forecloses on any real property collateral pledged by Borrower to secure the Guaranteed Obligations:
(a) The amount of the Guaranteed Obligations may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price.
(b) The Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may collect from any Guarantor even if the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, by foreclosing on the real property pledged as collateral, has destroyed any right that the any Guarantor may have to collect from either Borrower.
This is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses each Guarantor may have because the Guaranteed Obligations are secured by real property to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law. These rights and defenses include, but are not limited to, any rights or defenses based upon Section 580a, 580b, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF ANY OTHER WAIVER OR OTHER PROVISION SET FORTH IN THIS GUARANTY, EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT SUCH WAIVER IS PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL
5
BENEFITS, DEFENSES TO PAYMENT OR PERFORMANCE, OR ANY RIGHT TO PARTIAL OR COMPLETE EXONERATION ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY UNDER ANY ONE OR MORE OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTIONS 2799, 2808, 2809, 2810, 2815, 2819, 2820, 2821, 2822, 2838, 2839, 2845, 2847, 2848, 2849, AND 2850.
Each of the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that this is a knowing and informed waiver of the undersigneds rights as discussed above and that the Agent and the Lenders are relying on this waiver in extending credit to the Borrower.
5. Waiver of Subrogation . Each Guarantor hereby waives any claim for reimbursement, contribution, exoneration, indemnity or subrogation, or any other similar claim, which such Guarantor may have or obtain against Borrower, by reason of the existence of this Guaranty, or by reason of the payment by such Guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the performance of this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, until the Guaranteed Obligations have been repaid and discharged in full, no Letters of Credit shall remain outstanding and all commitments to extend credit under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (whether optional or obligatory) have been terminated. Any amounts paid to such Guarantor on account of any such claim at any time when the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty shall not have been fully and finally paid shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor shall be turned over to Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly endorsed to Agent by such Guarantor, if required), to be applied to such Guarantors obligations under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in such order and manner as Agent may determine.
Each of the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that this is a knowing and informed waiver of the undersigneds rights as discussed above and that the Agent and the Lenders are relying on this waiver in extending credit to the Borrower.
6. Other Transactions . The Agent and each of the Lenders may deal with the Borrower and any security held by them for the obligations of the Borrower in the same manner and as freely as if this Guaranty did not exist and the Agent shall be entitled, on behalf of the Lenders, without notice to any of the Guarantors, among other things, to grant to the Borrower such extension or extensions of time to perform any act or acts as may seem advisable to the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders) at any time and from time to time, and to permit the Borrower to incur additional indebtedness to the Agent, the Lenders, or any of them, without terminating, affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of this Guaranty or the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder.
7. Remedies; Right to Offset . The Agent may proceed, either in its own name (on behalf of the Lenders) or in the name of each or any of the Guarantors, or otherwise, to protect and enforce any or all of its rights under this Guaranty by suit in equity, action at law or by other appropriate proceedings, or to take any action authorized or permitted under applicable law, and shall be entitled to require and enforce the performance of all acts and things required to be performed hereunder by the Guarantors. Each and every remedy of the Agent and of the Lenders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity.
6
At the option of the Agent, any or all of the Guarantors may be joined in any action or proceeding commenced by the Agent against Borrower or any of the other parties providing Collateral for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and recovery may be had against any or all of the Guarantors in such action or proceeding or in any independent action or proceeding against any of them, without any requirement that the Agent or the Lenders first assert, prosecute or exhaust any remedy or claim against Borrower and/or any of the other parties providing Collateral for any of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Each of the Guarantors acknowledges the rights of the Agent and of each of the Lenders, subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, to offset against the Guaranteed Obligations of any Guarantor to the Lenders under this Guaranty, any amount owing by the Agent or the Lenders, or either or any of them to such Guarantors, whether represented by any deposit of such Guarantors (or any of them) with the Agent or any of the Lenders or otherwise.
8. Right to Cure . Each of the Guarantors shall have the right to cure any Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents with respect to obligations of the other Guarantors thereunder; provided that such cure is effected within the applicable grace period or period for cure thereunder, if any; and provided further that such cure can be effected in compliance with the Credit Agreement. Except to the extent of payments of principal, interest and/or other sums actually received by the Agent or the Lenders pursuant to such cure, the exercise of such right to cure by any Guarantor shall not reduce or otherwise affect the liability of any other Guarantor under this Guaranty.
9. Borrowers Financial Condition . Each Guarantor delivers this Guaranty based solely on its own independent investigation of (or decision not to investigate) the financial condition of the Borrower and is not relying on any information furnished by Agent or the Lenders. Each Guarantor assumes full responsibility to keep itself informed concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligation, the status of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other matter which such Guarantor may deem necessary or appropriate, now or later.
10. Representations and Warranties; Covenants . Each Guarantor (a) ratifies, confirms and, by reference thereto (as fully as though such matters were expressly set forth herein), represents and warrants with respect to itself those matters set forth in Article 6 of the Credit Agreement to the extent applicable to such Guarantor and those matters set forth in the recitals hereto , and such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing representations and warranties true and correct in all material respects so long as this Guaranty shall be in effect; and (b) agrees to comply with the covenants set forth in Articles 7 and 8 of the Credit Agreement to the extent applicable to such Guarantor, and (ii) not to otherwise engage in any action or inaction, the result of which would cause a violation of any term or condition of the Credit Agreement.
11. Governing Law; Severability . This Guaranty has been delivered in California and shall be interpreted and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be determined under the laws of, and be enforceable in, the State of California. If any term or provision of this Guaranty or the application thereof to any circumstance shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the
7
remainder of this Guaranty, or the application of such term or provision to circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Guaranty shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
12. Notice . All notices, requests, consents, approvals, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing (including, by facsimile transmission) and mailed, faxed or delivered to the address or facsimile number specified for notices on Schedule 1 hereto; or, to such other address or number as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other. All such notices, requests and communications shall, when sent by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight (next business day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day (as defined in the Credit Agreement) after the date deposited into the U.S. mail, or if otherwise delivered, upon delivery.
13. Amendments; Future Subsidiaries . The terms of this Guaranty may not be altered, modified, amended, supplemented or terminated in any manner whatsoever unless the same shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the requisite Lenders as determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the Guarantors. In accordance with the Credit Agreement, future Domestic Subsidiary of either Borrower shall become obligated as Guarantors hereunder (each as fully as though an original signatory hereto) by executing and delivering to the Agent and the Lenders that certain joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .
14. No Waiver . No waiver or release shall be deemed to have been made by the Agent or any of the Lenders of any of their respective rights hereunder unless the same shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the requisite Lenders as determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and any such waiver shall be a waiver or release only with respect to the specific matter and Guarantor or Guarantors involved, and shall in no way impair the rights of the Agent or any of the Lenders or the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty in any other respect at any other time.
15. Joint and Several Obligation, etc . The obligation of each of the Guarantors under this Guaranty shall be several and also joint, each with all and also each with any one or more of the others, and may be enforced against each severally, any two or more jointly, or some severally and some jointly. Any one or more of the Guarantors may be released from its obligations hereunder with or without consideration for such release and the obligations of the other Guarantors hereunder shall be in no way affected thereby. The Agent, on behalf of Lenders, may fail or elect not to prove a claim against any bankrupt or insolvent Guarantor and thereafter, the Agent and the Lenders may, without notice to any Guarantors, extend or renew any part or all of the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement or otherwise, and may permit any such Person to incur additional indebtedness, without affecting in any manner the unconditional obligation of each of the Guarantors hereunder. Such action shall not affect any right of contribution among the Guarantors.
16. Release; Reinstatement . Upon the satisfaction of the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder, and when none of the Guarantors is subject to any obligation hereunder or under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall deliver to such
8
Guarantors, upon written request therefor, (a) a written release of this Guaranty and (b) appropriate discharges of any Collateral provided by the Guarantors for this Guaranty; provided however that, the effectiveness of this Guaranty shall continue or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event: (x) that any payment received or credit given by the Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, is returned, disgorged, rescinded or required to be recontributed to any party as an avoidable preference, impermissible setoff, fraudulent conveyance, restoration of capital or otherwise under any applicable state, federal or law of any jurisdiction, including laws pertaining to bankruptcy or insolvency, and this Guaranty shall thereafter be enforceable against the Guarantors as if such returned, disgorged, recontributed or rescinded payment or credit has not been received or given by the Agent or the Lenders, and whether or not the Agent or any Lender relied upon such payment or credit or changed its position as a consequence thereof or (y) that any liability is imposed, or sought to be imposed against the Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, relating to the environmental condition of any of property mortgaged or pledged to the Agent on behalf of the Lenders by any Guarantor, Borrower or any other party as collateral (in whole or part) for any indebtedness or obligation evidenced or secured by this Guaranty, whether such condition is known or unknown, now exists or subsequently arises (excluding only conditions which arise after acquisition by the Agent or any Lender of any such property, in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise, due to the wrongful act or omission of the Agent or such Lenders, or any person other than the Borrower, the Subsidiaries, or Affiliates of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries), and this Guaranty shall thereafter be enforceable against the Guarantors to the extent of all such liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the Agent or Lenders as the direct or indirect result of any such environmental condition but only for which the Borrower is obligated to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant to the Credit Agreement. For purposes of this Guaranty environmental condition includes, without limitation, conditions existing with respect to the surface or ground water, drinking water supply, land surface or subsurface strata and the ambient air.
17. Consent to Jurisdiction . Each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any United States federal or California state court sitting in the County of Santa Clara, California in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents and Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such United States federal or California state court. Each of the Guarantors irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding brought in any court in or of the State of California (and to the receipt of any and all notices hereunder) by the delivery of copies of such process to Guarantors at their respective addresses specified in Schedule 1 hereof in the manner set forth therein.
18. Headings . The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Guaranty are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Guaranty.
19. Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
9
20. JURY TRIAL WAIVER . EACH GUARANTOR AND THE AGENT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS A CONSTITUTIONAL ONE, BUT THAT IT MAY BE WAIVED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH GUARANTOR AND THE AGENT, AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR CHOICE, KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, AND FOR THEIR MUTUAL BENEFIT WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO, THIS GUARANTY OR THE GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS.
(a) In the event that the jury trial waiver contained in this Section 20 is not enforceable, the parties elect to proceed as follows:
(b) With the exception of the items specified in clause (c), below, any controversy, dispute or claim (each, a Claim) between the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document will be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Section 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), or their successor sections, which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Claim, including whether the Claim is subject to the reference proceeding. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, venue for the reference proceeding will be in the state or federal court in the county or district where venue is otherwise appropriate under applicable law (the Court).
(c) The matters that shall not be subject to a reference are the following: (i) non- judicial foreclosure of any security interests in real or personal property, (ii) exercise of self-help remedies (including, without limitation, set-off), (iii) appointment of a receiver and (iv) temporary, provisional or ancillary remedies (including, without limitation, writs of attachment, writs of possession, temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions). This Section does not limit the right of any party to exercise or oppose any of the rights and remedies described in clauses (i) and (ii) or to seek or oppose from a court of competent jurisdiction any of the items described in clauses (iii) and (iv). The exercise of, or opposition to, any of those items does not waive the right of any party to a reference pursuant to this Section.
(d) The referee shall be a retired judge or justice selected by mutual written agreement of the parties. If the parties do not agree within ten (10) days of a written request to do so by any party, then, upon request of any party, the referee shall be selected by the Presiding Judge of the Court (or his or her representative). A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP § 170.6, each party shall have one peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Presiding Judge of the Court (or his or her representative).
(e) The parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the reference proceedings. Accordingly, the referee shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (a) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within fifteen (15) days after the date of selection of the referee, (b) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the conference and (c) report a statement of decision within twenty (20) days after the matter has been submitted for decision.
10
(f) The referee will have power to expand or limit the amount and duration of discovery. The referee may set or extend discovery deadlines or cutoffs for good cause, including a partys failure to provide requested discovery for any reason whatsoever. Unless otherwise ordered, no party shall be entitled to priority in conducting discovery, depositions may be taken by either party upon seven (7) days written notice, and all other discovery shall be responded to within fifteen (15) days after service. All disputes relating to discovery which cannot be resolved by the parties shall be submitted to the referee whose decision shall be final and binding.
(g) Except as expressly set forth in this Section 16, the referee shall determine the manner in which the reference proceeding is conducted including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the reference proceeding. All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referee, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referee, and the referee will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter. Subject to the referees power to award costs to the prevailing party, the parties will equally share the cost of the referee and the court reporter at trial.
(h) The referee shall be required to determine all issues in accordance with existing case law and the statutory laws of the State of California. The rules of evidence applicable to proceedings at law in the State of California will be applicable to the reference proceeding. The referee shall be empowered to enter equitable as well as legal relief, enter equitable orders that will be binding on the parties and rule on any motion which would be authorized in a trial, including without limitation motions for summary judgment or summary adjudication. The referee shall issue a decision at the close of the reference proceeding which disposes of all claims of the parties that are the subject of the reference. Pursuant to CCP § 644, such decision shall be entered by the Court as a judgment or an order in the same manner as if the action had been tried by the Court and any such decision will be final, binding and conclusive. The parties reserve the right to appeal from the final judgment or order or from any appealable decision or order entered by the referee. The parties reserve the right to findings of fact, conclusions of laws, a written statement of decision, and the right to move for a new trial or a different judgment, which new trial, if granted, is also to be a reference proceeding under this provision.
(i) If the enabling legislation which provides for appointment of a referee is repealed (and no successor statute is enacted), any dispute between the parties that would otherwise be determined by reference procedure will be resolved and determined by arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted by a retired judge or Justice, in accordance with the California Arbitration Act §1280 through §1294.2 of the CCP as amended from time to time. The limitations with respect to discovery set forth above shall apply to any such arbitration proceeding.
THE PARTIES RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL DISPUTES RESOLVED UNDER THIS REFERENCE PROVISION WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY. AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, AND FOR THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF ALL PARTIES, AGREES THAT THIS REFERENCE PROVISION WILL APPLY TO ANY CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CLAIM BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM WHICH ARISES OUT OF OR IS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.
11
21. Limitation under Applicable Insolvency Laws . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, it is the intention of the Guarantors, the Agent and the Lenders that the amount of the respective Guarantors obligations hereunder shall be in, but not in excess of, the maximum amount thereof not subject to avoidance or recovery by operation of applicable law governing bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency, fraudulent transfers or conveyances or other similar laws (collectively, Applicable Insolvency Laws ). To that end, but only in the event and to the extent that the Guarantors respective obligations hereunder or any payment made pursuant thereto would, but for the operation of the foregoing proviso, be subject to avoidance or recovery under Applicable Insolvency Laws, the amount of the Guarantors respective obligations hereunder shall be limited to the largest amount which, after giving effect thereto, would not, under Applicable Insolvency Laws, render the Guarantors respective obligations hereunder unenforceable or avoidable or subject to recovery under Applicable Insolvency Laws. To the extent any payment actually made hereunder exceeds the limitation contained in this Section 21, then the amount of such excess shall, from and after the time of payment by the Guarantors (or any of them), be reimbursed by the Lenders upon demand by such Guarantors. The foregoing proviso is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Agent and the Lenders hereunder against the Guarantors to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Insolvency Laws and neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under this Section 21 that would not otherwise be available under Applicable Insolvency Laws.
[SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON SUCCEEDING PAGES]
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned Guarantors has executed this Guaranty as of the date first above written.
QUINSTREET PROPERTIES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
QUINSTREET LLC | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
QUINSTREET MEDIA, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
CYBERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
RELIABLEREMODELER.COM, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
13
HQ PUBLICATIONS LLC | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
14
SCHEDULE 1
INFORMATION FOR NOTICES
Comerica Bank
75 East Trimble Road, M/C 4770
San Jose, California 95131
Attention: Manager
Fax No.: (408) 556-5091
With a copy to:
Comerica Bank
2 Embarcadero Center, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
Attn: Phil Koblis Vice President
Fax No.: (415) 477-3260
[Guarantors]
Attention: |
|
|
Phone: |
|
|
Fax No.: |
|
Attention: |
|
|
Phone: |
|
|
Fax No.: |
|
EXHIBIT A
Joinder Agreement to Guaranty
THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT is dated as of , by ( New Guarantor ).
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7.14 of that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of September 29, 2008 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ; capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement) by and among QuinStreet, Inc. ( Borrower ), Comerica Bank, as agent for the Lenders (the Agent ) and the financial institutions which are parties thereto from time to time ( Lenders ), the Lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower on the terms set forth in the Credit Agreement and pursuant to Section 13 of that certain Guaranty dated as of September 29, 2008 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Guaranty ) executed and delivered by the Guarantors named therein ( Guarantors ) in favor of Agent, for and on behalf of the Lenders, the New Guarantor must execute and deliver a Joinder Agreement in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty.
NOW THEREFORE, as a further inducement to each of the Lenders to continue to provide credit accommodations to the Borrower, New Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
1. All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement unless expressly defined to the contrary.
2. New Guarantor hereby enters into this Joinder Agreement in order to comply with Section 7.13 of the Credit Agreement and Section 13 of the Guaranty and does so in consideration of the extension of the Guaranteed Obligations, from which New Guarantor shall derive direct and indirect benefit as with the other Guarantors (all as set forth and on the same basis as in the Guaranty).
3. New Guarantor shall be considered, and deemed to be, for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, a Guarantor under the Guaranty and hereby ratifies and confirms its obligations under the Guaranty, all in accordance with the terms thereof.
4. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Credit Agreement.
5. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California and shall be binding upon New Guarantor and its successors and assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned New Guarantor has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of .
[NEW GUARANTOR] | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Its: |
2
EXHIBIT J
FORM OF COVENANT COMPLIANCE REPORT
TO: Comerica Bank, as Agent
RE: Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower).
This Covenant Compliance Report (Report) is furnished pursuant to Section 7.2(a) of the Credit Agreement and sets forth various information as of , 20 (the Computation Date).
1. | Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (Section [7.9(a)]) . On the Computation Date, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, which is required to be not less than to 1.0 was to 1.0 as computed in the supporting documents attached hereto as Schedule 1. |
2. | Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (Section [7.9(b)]) . On the Computation Date, the Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, which is required to be not more than to 1.0 was to 1.0 as computed in the supporting documents attached hereto as Schedule 1. |
The | Borrowers Representative hereby certifies that: |
A. To the best of my knowledge, all of the information set forth in this Report (and in any Schedule attached hereto) is true and correct in all material respects.
B. To the best of my knowledge, the representation and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in the Credit Agreement and in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and at the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier specific date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made.
C. I have reviewed the Credit Agreement and this Report is based on an examination sufficient to assure that this Report is accurate.
D. To the best of my knowledge, except as stated in Schedule 5 hereto (which shall describe any existing Default or Event of Default and the notice and period of existence thereof and any action taken with respect thereto or contemplated to be taken by Borrower or any other Credit Party), no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of this Report.
Capitalized terms used in this Report and in the Schedules hereto, unless specifically defined to the contrary, have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower have caused this Report to be executed and delivered by the Borrower Representative this day of , .
QUINSTREET, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
EXHIBIT K
FORM OF TERM NOTE
$ ____________________ | __________, 20_____ |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower) promises to pay to the order of [ insert name of applicable financial institution ] (Payee), in care of Agent, at San Jose, California, the principal sum of [ insert amount derived from Percentages ] Dollars ($ ), or if less, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan Advances made by the Payee, in lawful money of the United States of America payable in quarterly principal installments each in the amount and on the dates set forth in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) until the Term Loan Maturity Date, when the entire unpaid balance of principal and interest thereon shall be due and payable. Interest shall be payable at the rate (including the default rate) and on the dates provided in the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as otherwise amended or modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent), and Borrower.
This Note evidences Term Loan Advances made under, is subject to, may be accelerated and may be prepaid in accordance with, the terms of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made.
This Note shall be interpreted and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be determined under the laws of, and enforceable in, the State of California.
Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor and nonpayment of this Note and agrees that no obligation hereunder shall be discharged by reason of any extension, indulgence, release, or forbearance granted by any holder of this Note to any party now or hereafter liable hereon or any present or subsequent owner of any property, real or personal, which is now or hereafter security for this Note.
Nothing herein shall limit any right granted Payee by any other instrument or by law.
QUINSTREET, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Its: | ||
2
EXHIBIT L
FORM OF TERM LOAN RATE REQUEST
No. | Dated: |
To: | Comerica Bank, as Agent |
RE: | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower). |
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby requests that the Lenders refund or convert, as applicable, an Advance under the Term Loan from Lenders as follows:
(A) | Date of Refunding or Conversion of Advance: |
(B) | Type of Activity: |
¨ Refunding
¨ Conversion
(C) | Type of Advance (check only one): |
¨ Base Rate Advance
¨ Eurodollar-based Advance
(D) | Amount of Advance: |
$
(E) | Interest Period (applicable to Eurodollar-based Advances) |
months (insert 1, 2 or 3)
(F) | Disbursement Instructions |
¨ Comerica Bank Account No.
¨ Other:
Borrower hereby certifies as follows:
1. There is no Default or Event of Default in existence, and none will exist upon the refunding or conversion of such Advance (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Advance); and
2. The representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Request (both before and immediately after giving effect to such Request), other than any representation or warranty that expressly speaks only as of a different date.
Capitalized terms used herein, except as defined to the contrary, have the meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
QUINSTREET, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Its: | ||
2
EXHIBIT M
FORM OF SWING LINE PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE
,
[ Name of Lender ]
Re: | Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement is made as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (individually a Lender, and any and all such financial institutions collectively the Lenders), Comerica Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) and QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower). |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to subsection 2.5(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt from you of $ as payment for a participating interest in the following Swing Line Loan:
Date of Swing Line Loan:
Principal Amount of Swing Line Loan:
The participation evidenced by this certificate shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement including without limitation Section 2.5(e) thereof.
Very truly yours, | ||
Comerica Bank , as Agent | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
EXHIBIT N
NEW LENDER ADDENDUM
THIS NEW LENDER ADDENDUM, dated , to the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of the 4th day of November, 2011 (as otherwise amended or modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), among QuinStreet, Inc. (Borrower), each of the financial institutions parties thereto (collectively, the Lenders) and Comerica Bank, as Agent for the Lenders.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement provides in Section 2.13 thereof that a financial institution, although not originally a party thereto, may become a party to the Credit Agreement with the consent of the Borrower and the Agent by executing and delivering to the Agent a New Lender Addendum to the Credit Agreement in substantially the form of this New Lender Addendum; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned New Lender was not an original party to the Credit Agreement but now desires to become a party thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the New Lender hereby agrees as follows:
The New Lender hereby confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the exhibits and schedules referred to therein, and all other Loan Documents which it considers necessary, together with copies of the other documents which were required to be delivered under the Credit Agreement as a condition to the making of the loans thereunder. The New Lender acknowledges and agrees that it: (a) has made and will continue to make such inquiries and has taken and will take such care on its own behalf as would have been the case had its commitment been granted and its loans been made directly by such New Lender to the Borrower without the intervention of the Agent or any other Lender; and (b) has made and will continue to make, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, its own credit analysis and decisions relating to the Credit Agreement. The New Lender further acknowledges and agrees that the Agent has made any representations or warranties about the creditworthiness of the Borrower or any other party to the Credit Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents, or with respect to the legality, validity, sufficiency or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, or any other of the Loan Documents.
Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below):
(b) | the New Lender (i) shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to have all the rights and obligations of a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as if it were an original signatory; and (ii) agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as if it were an original signatory thereto; and |
(c) | the New Lender shall be a Revolving Credit Lender and its Percentage of the Revolving Credit Aggregate Commitment (and its risk participation in Letters of Credit) shall be as set forth in the attached revised Schedule 1.2 (Percentages); provided any fees paid prior to the Effective Date, including any Letter of Credit Fees, shall not be recalculated, redistributed or reallocated by Borrower, Agent or the Lenders. |
As used herein, the term Effective Date means the date on which all of the following have occurred or have been completed, as reasonably determined by the Agent:
(1) | the Borrower shall have paid to the Agent, all interest, fees (including the Revolving Credit Facility Fee) and other amounts, if any, accrued to the Effective Date for which reimbursement is then owing under the Credit Agreement; |
(2) | New Lender shall have remitted to the Agent funds in an amount equal to its Percentage of all Advances of the Revolving Credit outstanding as of the Effective Date; and |
(3) | the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Agent for the New Lender, a new Revolving Credit Note payable to such New Lender in the face amount of such New Lenders Percentage of the Revolving Credit Maximum Amount (after giving effect to this New Lender Addendum, and any other New Lender Addendum executed concurrently herewith). |
The Agent shall notify the New Lender, along with Borrower, of the Effective Date. The New Lender shall deliver herewith to the Agent administrative details with respect to the funding and distribution of Advances (and Letters of Credit) as requested by Agent.
Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have their defined meanings when used herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this New Lender Addendum to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on the date first above written.
[Name of New Lender] | ||
By: | ||
Its: |
2
Accepted this day of , 20 .
QUINSTREET, INC.
By: | ||
Its: |
Accepted this day of , 20 .
COMERICA BANK, as Agent
By: | ||
Its: |
3
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
I, Douglas Valenti, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of QuinStreet, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The companys other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d. Disclosed in this report any change in the companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the companys most recent fiscal quarter (the companys fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the companys internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The companys other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors and the audit committee of the companys board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the companys internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Douglas Valenti |
Douglas Valenti |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: November 8, 2011 |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
I, Kenneth Hahn, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of QuinStreet, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The companys other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a 15(f) and 15d 15(f)) for the company and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d. Disclosed in this report any change in the companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the companys most recent fiscal quarter (the companys fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the companys internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The companys other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors and the audit committee of the companys board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the companys internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Kenneth Hahn |
Kenneth Hahn |
Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Financial Officer) |
Date: November 8, 2011 |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
The certification set forth below is being submitted in connection with this report on Form 10-Q of QuinStreet, Inc. (the Report) for the purpose of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
Douglas Valenti, the Chief Executive Officer and Kenneth Hahn, the Chief Financial Officer of QuinStreet, Inc., each certifies that, to the best of his knowledge:
1. | the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and |
2. | the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of QuinStreet, Inc.. |
Date: November 8, 2011 |
/s/ Douglas Valenti |
|||||
Douglas Valenti Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
||||||
/s/ Kenneth Hahn |
||||||
Kenneth Hahn | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
(Principal Financial Officer) |