UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 18, 2018
MSCI Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-33812 | 13-4038723 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich St., 49th Floor, New York, NY 10007
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 804-3900
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
Notes Offering
On May 18, 2018 (the Closing Date), MSCI Inc. (the Company) issued a press release announcing the completion of its private offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (the Notes). The Notes will mature on May 15, 2027. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, buybacks of its common stock and potential acquisitions. The press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference.
In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date (the Indenture), among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee). The terms of the Indenture provide that, among other things, the Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors and will rank equally with any of the Companys unsecured, unsubordinated debt, senior to any of the Companys subordinated debt, will effectively be subordinated to any of the Companys secured debt to the extent of the assets securing such debt and be structurally subordinated to all existing or future liabilities of the Company. The Companys obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally, and jointly and severally, guaranteed by the subsidiary guarantors.
Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate of 5.375% per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2018. The Company will make each interest payment to holders of record of the Notes on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1.
Optional Redemption . At any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes on or after May 15, 2022, at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to May 15, 2021, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.
Repurchase upon Change of Control . Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or part of the Notes in cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase.
Other Covenants . The Indenture contains covenants that limit the Companys and certain of its subsidiaries ability to, among other things, create liens, enter into sale/leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of the Companys assets. In addition, the Indenture restricts the Companys non-guarantor subsidiaries ability to create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness without such non-guarantor subsidiaries guaranteeing the Notes on a pari passu basis.
Events of Default . The Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include non-payment, breach of covenants in the Indenture, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, including additional interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.
The foregoing description of the Indenture and the Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1, and the Notes, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement
On the Closing Date, the Company, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent, entered into Amendment No. 2 (the Amendment) to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2014 (as amended, the Revolving Credit Facility). The Amendment (i) increases the aggregate commitments available to be borrowed by $30.0 million, to an aggregate of $250.0 million of availability thereunder, (ii) extends the term to May 2023 and (iii) decreases the applicable rate and applicable fee rate for loans and commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amendment, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. |
The information in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits. |
SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.
MSCI Inc. | ||||||
Date: May 18, 2018 | By: |
/s/ Henry A. Fernandez |
||||
Name: | Henry A. Fernandez | |||||
Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 4.1
INDENTURE
between
MSCI INC.,
EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
dated as of May 18, 2018
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | |
310(a)(1) | 7.10 | |
(a)(2) | 7.10 | |
(a)(3) | N.A. | |
(a)(4) | N.A. | |
(a)(5) | 7.10 | |
(b) | 7.8; 7.10 | |
(c) | N.A. | |
311(a) | 7.11 | |
(b) | 7.11 | |
312(a) | 2.5 | |
(b) | 11.3 | |
(c) | 11.3 | |
313(a) | 7.6 | |
(b)(1) | 7.6 | |
(b)(2) | 7.6 | |
(c) | 7.6 | |
(d) | 7.6; 11.2 | |
314(a) | 4.2; 4.3 | |
(b) | N.A. | |
(c)(1) | 11.4 | |
(c)(2) | 11.4 | |
(c)(3) | N.A. | |
(d) | N.A. | |
(e) | 11.5 | |
(f) | N.A. | |
315(a) | 7.1 | |
(b) | 7.5 | |
(c) | 7.1 | |
(d) | 7.1 | |
(e) | 6.11 | |
316 (last sentence) (a)(1)(A) |
6.5 11.6 |
|
(a)(1)(B) | 6.4 | |
(a)(2) | N.A. | |
(b) | 6.7 | |
(c) | 9.4 | |
317(a)(1) | 6.8 | |
(a)(2) | 6.9 | |
(b) | 2.4 | |
318(a) | 11.1 |
N.A. means Not Applicable.
Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.
Table of Contents
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1. | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | ||||||
SECTION 1.1 | Definitions | 1 | ||||
SECTION 1.2 | Other Definitions | 11 | ||||
SECTION 1.3 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 12 | ||||
SECTION 1.4 | Rules of Construction | 12 | ||||
ARTICLE 2. | ||||||
THE NOTES | ||||||
SECTION 2.1 | Form and Dating | 13 | ||||
SECTION 2.2 | Execution and Authentication | 14 | ||||
SECTION 2.3 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 14 | ||||
SECTION 2.4 | Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust | 15 | ||||
SECTION 2.5 | Holder Lists | 15 | ||||
SECTION 2.6 | Transfer and Exchange | 16 | ||||
SECTION 2.7 | Definitive Notes | 21 | ||||
SECTION 2.8 | Replacement Notes | 21 | ||||
SECTION 2.9 | Outstanding Notes | 22 | ||||
SECTION 2.10 | Temporary Notes | 22 | ||||
SECTION 2.11 | Defaulted Interest | 22 | ||||
SECTION 2.12 | Cancellation | 22 | ||||
SECTION 2.13 | CUSIP Numbers | 23 | ||||
SECTION 2.14 | Issuance of Additional Notes | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE 3. | ||||||
REDEMPTION | ||||||
SECTION 3.1 | Notices to Trustee | 23 | ||||
SECTION 3.2 | Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed | 23 | ||||
SECTION 3.3 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 24 | ||||
SECTION 3.4 | Notice of Redemption | 24 | ||||
SECTION 3.5 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 25 | ||||
SECTION 3.6 | Notes Redeemed in Part | 25 | ||||
ARTICLE 4. | ||||||
COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 4.1 | Payment of Notes | 25 | ||||
SECTION 4.2 | Reports | 25 | ||||
SECTION 4.3 | Compliance Certificate | 27 | ||||
SECTION 4.4 | [Reserved] | 27 |
-i-
Page | ||||||
SECTION 4.5 | Limitation on Liens | 27 | ||||
SECTION 4.6 | Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions | 30 | ||||
SECTION 4.7 | Limitation on Subsidiary Debt | 31 | ||||
SECTION 4.8 | [Reserved] | 33 | ||||
SECTION 4.9 | Change of Control Triggering Event | 33 | ||||
ARTICLE 5. | ||||||
SUCCESSORS | ||||||
SECTION 5.1 | Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets | 35 | ||||
ARTICLE 6. | ||||||
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | ||||||
SECTION 6.1 | Events of Default | 36 | ||||
SECTION 6.2 | Acceleration | 38 | ||||
SECTION 6.3 | Other Remedies | 38 | ||||
SECTION 6.4 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 38 | ||||
SECTION 6.5 | Control by Majority | 38 | ||||
SECTION 6.6 | Limitation on Suits | 38 | ||||
SECTION 6.7 | Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 39 | ||||
SECTION 6.8 | Collection Suit by Trustee | 39 | ||||
SECTION 6.9 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 39 | ||||
SECTION 6.10 | Priorities | 40 | ||||
SECTION 6.11 | Undertaking for Costs | 40 | ||||
SECTION 6.12 | Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 40 | ||||
ARTICLE 7. | ||||||
TRUSTEE | ||||||
SECTION 7.1 | Duties of Trustee | 40 | ||||
SECTION 7.2 | Rights of Trustee | 42 | ||||
SECTION 7.3 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 43 | ||||
SECTION 7.4 | Trustees Disclaimer | 43 | ||||
SECTION 7.5 | Notice of Defaults | 43 | ||||
SECTION 7.6 | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 43 | ||||
SECTION 7.7 | Compensation and Indemnity | 44 | ||||
SECTION 7.8 | Replacement of Trustee | 44 | ||||
SECTION 7.9 | Successor Trustee by Merger | 45 | ||||
SECTION 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 46 | ||||
SECTION 7.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 46 | ||||
ARTICLE 8. | ||||||
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE | ||||||
SECTION 8.1 | Discharge of Liability On Notes; Defeasance | 46 | ||||
SECTION 8.2 | Conditions to Defeasance | 47 |
-ii-
Page | ||||||
SECTION 8.3 | Application of Trust Money | 48 | ||||
SECTION 8.4 | Repayment to Company | 48 | ||||
SECTION 8.5 | Indemnity for Government Obligations | 48 | ||||
SECTION 8.6 | Reinstatement | 48 | ||||
ARTICLE 9. | ||||||
AMENDMENTS | ||||||
SECTION 9.1 | Without Consent of Holders | 49 | ||||
SECTION 9.2 | With Consent of Holders; Waiver | 50 | ||||
SECTION 9.3 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 51 | ||||
SECTION 9.4 | Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers | 51 | ||||
SECTION 9.5 | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 52 | ||||
SECTION 9.6 | Trustee To Sign Amendments | 52 | ||||
ARTICLE 10. | ||||||
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES | ||||||
SECTION 10.1 | Subsidiary Guarantees | 52 | ||||
SECTION 10.2 | Limitation on Liability | 54 | ||||
SECTION 10.3 | Successors and Assigns | 54 | ||||
SECTION 10.4 | No Waiver | 54 | ||||
SECTION 10.5 | Modification | 54 | ||||
SECTION 10.6 | Release of Subsidiary Guarantor | 54 | ||||
SECTION 10.7 | Execution of Guarantee Agreement for Future Subsidiary Guarantors | 55 | ||||
SECTION 10.8 | Non-Impairment | 55 | ||||
SECTION 10.9 | Contribution | 55 | ||||
ARTICLE 11. | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
SECTION 11.1 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 55 | ||||
SECTION 11.2 | Notices | 56 | ||||
SECTION 11.3 | Communication by Holders with Other Holders | 56 | ||||
SECTION 11.4 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 56 | ||||
SECTION 11.5 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 57 | ||||
SECTION 11.6 | When Notes Disregarded | 57 | ||||
SECTION 11.7 | Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar | 57 | ||||
SECTION 11.8 | Business Days | 57 | ||||
SECTION 11.9 | Governing Law | 57 | ||||
SECTION 11.10 | No Recourse Against Others | 57 | ||||
SECTION 11.11 | Successors | 58 | ||||
SECTION 11.12 | Multiple Originals | 58 | ||||
SECTION 11.13 | Table of Contents; Headings | 58 | ||||
SECTION 11.14 | WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY | 58 | ||||
SECTION 11.15 | Force Majeure | 58 | ||||
SECTION 11.16 | USA Patriot Act Compliance | 58 |
-iii-
Exhibit A Form of Note
Exhibit B Form of Supplemental Indenture
-iv-
INDENTURE dated as of May 18, 2018, between MSCI INC., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), each SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR from time to time party hereto (collectively, the Subsidiary Guarantors ) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the Trustee ).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (a) the Companys 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (the Original Notes ), and (b) any Additional Notes (as defined herein) that may be issued (all such Notes in clauses (a) and (b) being referred to collectively as the Notes ).
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.1 Definitions .
Additional Notes means 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 issued under the terms of this Indenture after the Issue Date and in compliance with Section 2.14.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, control when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms controlling and controlled have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Agent means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent, or Custodian.
Applicable Premium means with respect to a Note at any redemption date the excess of (if any) (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Note on May 15, 2022 (such redemption price being described in the second paragraph of Section 5 of the Notes, exclusive of any accrued interest) plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through May 15, 2022 (but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed by the Company using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points, over (b) the principal amount of such Note on such redemption date.
Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
Attributable Debt in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the Notes, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board or, in the case of a Person that is not a corporation, the group exercising the authority generally vested in a board of directors of a corporation.
Business Day means each day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Trustee or banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
Capital Stock of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership, membership, beneficial, limited liability or other ownership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 35.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets), other than by the imposition of a holding company, the beneficial owners of whose Voting Stock would not have caused a Change of Control if such beneficial owners had directly held the Voting Stock of the Company held by such holding company;
(b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(c) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors; or
(d) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation, in one or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than a transaction, in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, following which holders of securities that represented 100.0% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least 50.0% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after giving effect to such transaction.
Change of Control Triggering Event means, with respect to the Notes, (a) the consummation of a Change of Control, (b) the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period (the Trigger Period ) commencing on the first public announcement by the Company of any Change of Control (or pending Change of Control) and ending 30 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which period shall be extended following consummation of a Change of Control for so long as any of the Rating Agencies has publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings downgrade) or the rating of the Notes is withdrawn within the Trigger Period by each of the Rating Agencies and (c) the rating of the Notes is lowered by any of the Rating Agencies during the Trigger Period; provided that a Change of Control Triggering Event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control. For the avoidance of doubt, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.
-2-
Clearstream means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company means the party named as such in the Preamble hereto until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the Trust Indenture Act, each other obligor on the indenture securities.
Company Order means a written request in the name of the Company delivered to the Trustee and signed by one of the following officers of the Company: the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary.
Consolidated Total Assets means the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Company.
Consolidated EBITDA means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period plus (a) the following to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication): (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes and for foreign withholding taxes payable, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, including any amortization of intangibles, (iv) non-cash charges (including founders grants made in connection with the initial public offering of the Companys common stock and non-cash charges related to employee benefit or other management or stock compensation plans or expense, but excluding write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts receivable or inventory (which write-offs, write-downs or reserves shall not be added back under any clause of this definition of Consolidated EBITDA (other than clause (b)(ii) below)) ( provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in such future period to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was in a prior period), (v) unusual or non-recurring losses or expenses (including severance and relocation costs, one-time compensation charges, restructuring charges, integration costs and reserves), including such items related to acquisitions and to closure/consolidation of facilities, in an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate under this clause (v) for any Measurement Period, 5.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such Measurement Period, (vi) transaction costs, fees and expenses (including swap breakage costs) in connection with any sale of equity interests, any acquisition or other investment, any disposition, the incurrence of, or any refinancing of, any indebtedness (in each case whether or not successful), (vii) any net after-tax loss from the early extinguishment of indebtedness or hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, (viii) costs of surety bonds incurred in connection with financing activities, (ix) mark-to-market losses recognized pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 815 or any successor thereof, (x) to the extent reimbursement therefor is actually received by the Company or a Subsidiary, expenses incurred to the extent covered by indemnification provisions in any agreement in connection with any acquisition and (xi) cash expenses incurred during such period in connection with casualty events to the extent such expenses are reimbursed in cash by insurance during such period and minus (b) the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication): (i) Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits, (ii) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash item in any prior period or reversal of a reserve with respect to accounts receivable or inventory which reduced Consolidated EBITDA hereunder in a prior period), (iii) unusual or non-recurring gains or income, (iv) any net after-tax income from the early extinguishment of indebtedness or hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, and (v) mark-to-market gains recognized pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 815 or any successor thereof (in each
-3-
case of or by the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period); provided that (x) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA non-operating currency transaction gains and losses (including the net loss or gain resulting from swap contracts for currency exchange risk) and (y) Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis. The calculation of Consolidated EBITDA shall exclude any non-cash impact attributable to the reduction in deferred revenue or reduction in deferred costs to balance sheet accounts as a result of the fair value exercise undertaken as required by purchase method of accounting for any acquisition permitted hereunder, in accordance with GAAP (such exclusion to be reflected in the period in which such revenues or costs would have been recorded had such reduction not been required).
Consolidated Interest Charges means, for any Measurement Period, the sum, without duplication, of (a) all interest, premium payments and debt discount in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP but, in any event, excluding upfront fees and expenses and the amortization of deferred financing costs (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any upfront fees, expenses or amortized deferred financing costs accelerated upon giving effect to amendments to the Companys credit agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby), and (b) the portion of rent expense under capitalized leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case, of or by the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to interest rate swap contracts.
Consolidated Net Income means, at any date of determination, the net income (or loss) attributable to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude, without duplication, (a) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses for such Measurement Period and the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such Measurement Period, (b) any net after-tax gains or losses on asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, (c) the net income of any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) during such Measurement Period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organizational Documents or any agreement, instrument or law applicable to such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period, except that the Companys equity in the net income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor as a dividend or other distribution, and (d) any income (or loss) for such Measurement Period of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Companys equity in the net income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Company or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor), such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to the Company (or a Subsidiary Guarantor) as described in clause (c) of this proviso).
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Companys proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).
-4-
Corporate Trust Office means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business with respect to this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 1 Independent Drive, Suite 620, Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Attention: Corporate Trust Services, and for Agent services such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at Corporate Trust Operations, MAC N9300-070, 600 South Fourth Street, Seventh Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55415, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
Credit Facilities means one or more debt facilities (including the Revolving Credit Facility), commercial paper facilities or similar agreements, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders or investors providing for revolving loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreement executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise), refinanced, supplemented, modified or otherwise changed (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.
Custodian means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity.
Default means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
Definitive Note means a certificated Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.
Depositary means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
Euroclear means the Euroclear Clearance System or any successor securities clearing agency.
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exempted Debt means, without duplication, (a) all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries which is secured by a Lien incurred and outstanding under Section 4.5(b)(xxviii), (b) all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions Incurred and outstanding under Section 4.6(b) and (c) all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Company that are not Subsidiary Guarantors Incurred and outstanding under Section 4.7(b)(ix).
Foreign Subsidiary means a Subsidiary of the Company that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor thereto), the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any successor thereto) or the statements and pronouncements of the Securities Exchange Commission, in each case applicable to companies subject to reporting under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Unless otherwise specified, all computations, contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP, except that the Company may elect to treat for any determination under this Indenture as an operating lease any arrangement,
-5-
whether entered into on or after the Issue Date, that would have constituted an operating lease under GAAP in effect on the Issue Date notwithstanding any change in its treatment under GAAP after the Issue Date. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to apply International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto applicable to companies subject to reporting under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act ( IFRS ) in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS on the date of such election; provided that any calculation or determination in this Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to Companys election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP.
Global Notes Legend means the legends set forth under that caption in Exhibit A to this Indenture.
Guarantee Agreement means a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, effecting the accession of each Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder after the date hereof to guarantee the Companys obligations with respect to the Notes on the terms provided for in this Indenture.
Hedging Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.
Holder means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrars books.
IFRS has the meaning specified in the definition of GAAP.
Incur means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term Incurrence when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination obligations of such person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments.
Indenture means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Intellectual Property means all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, including inventions, designs, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other similar data or information, software platforms and databases and all embodiments or fixations thereof and related documentation, all additions, improvements and accessions to any of the foregoing and all registrations for any of the foregoing.
Interest Payment Date means each May 15 and November 15, beginning on November 15, 2018.
Interest Rate Agreement means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.
-6-
Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent), in the case of Moodys, BBB- (or the equivalent), in the case of S&P, or an equivalent rating, in the case of any other applicable Rating Agency.
Issue Date means the first date of issuance of Notes under this Indenture.
Lien means mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance.
Material Indebtedness means, without duplication, any Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50.0 million.
Measurement Period means the most recently completed four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered (or were required to be delivered).
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
Offering Memorandum means the offering memorandum dated May 15, 2018 related to the offer and sale of the Notes.
Officer means the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Principal Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretaries of the Company. Officer of any Subsidiary has a correlative meaning.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Principal Accounting Officer, and by the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion from legal counsel (who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company) or other counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, subject to customary assumptions and qualifications.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Preferred Stock means, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
principal of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
Principal Property means, any of the Companys and its Subsidiaries (i) Intellectual Property and (ii) interests in any kind of other property or asset (including, without limitation, contract rights to royalty and licensing agreements with respect to Intellectual Property, office space or other facility owned or leased as of the Issue Date or acquired or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company after such date, capital stock in and other securities of any other Person), except, in each case, such Intellectual Property or interests as the Board of Directors by resolution determines in good faith not to be material
-7-
to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. With respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or series of related Sale/Leaseback Transactions, the determination of whether any property is a Principal Property shall be determined by reference to all properties affected by such transaction or series of transactions.
Pro Forma Basis means:
(a) any investments, acquisitions, dispositions of any Subsidiary, line of business or division that have been made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and incurrences or repayments of indebtedness in connection with such investment, acquisition or disposition, during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date of determination will be given pro forma effect, as if they had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period;
(b) any Person that is a Subsidiary of the Company on the date of determination will be deemed to have been a Subsidiary of the Company at all times during such reference period; and
(c) any Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company on the date of determination will be deemed not to have been a Subsidiary of the Company at any time during such reference period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by an Officer of the Company and, except as set forth in the next sentence, in a manner consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as set forth in a certificate of an Officer of the Company (with supporting calculations) delivered to the Trustee. In addition to any adjustments consistent with Regulation S-X, such certificate may set forth additional pro forma adjustments arising out of factually supportable and identifiable cost savings initiatives attributable to, or any other adjustments reasonably attributable to such investment, acquisition or disposition (net of any additional costs associated with such investment, acquisition or disposition) and expected in good faith to be realized within 12 months following such investment, acquisition or disposition, including, but not limited to, (w) reduction in personnel expenses, (x) reduction of costs related to administrative functions, (y) reductions of costs related to leased or owned properties and (z) reductions from the consolidation of operations and streamlining of corporate overhead (taking into account, for purposes of determining such calculation, any historical financial statements of the business or entities acquired or disposed of, assuming such investment, acquisition or disposition, and all other investments, acquisitions or dispositions that have been consummated during the beginning of such period, and any Indebtedness or other liabilities repaid or incurred in connection therewith had been consummated and incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period; provided , that the aggregate amount of adjustments made pursuant to this sentence shall at no time exceed 15.0% of Consolidated EBITDA after giving pro forma effect thereto. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.
Purchase Agreement means (a) with respect to the Original Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated May 15, 2018, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule 1 thereto and (b) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes.
-8-
QIB means a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A.
Qualified Equity Offering means any public or private issuance and sale of the Companys common stock by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Qualified Equity Offering shall not include:
(a) any issuance and sale with respect to common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8; or
(b) any issuance and sale to any Subsidiary of the Company.
Rating Agencies means Moodys and S&P or if Moodys or S&P or both shall not make a rating publicly available on the Notes, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (with prior notice to the Trustee) which shall be substituted for Moodys or S&P or both, as the case may be.
Regulation S means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
Regulation S Notes means all Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.
Responsible Trust Officer means any vice president, any assistant vice president, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officers knowledge and familiarity with the particular subject.
Restricted Period , with respect to any Regulation S Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Regulation S Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Company to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date with respect to such Regulation S Notes.
Revolving Credit Facility means the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2014, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, supplemented, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Rule 144A means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A Notes means all Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
SEC means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
-9-
Secured Debt of any Person means Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person, or on any income or profits therefrom, or any assignment or conveyance of any right to receive income therefrom.
Secured Debt Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors Secured Debt, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, as of that date to the Companys Consolidated EBITDA for the Measurement Period.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that would be a significant subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and, for purposes of determining whether an Event of Default has occurred, any group of Subsidiary Guarantors that combined would be such a Significant Subsidiary.
Similar Business means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the Holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity:
(a) the accounts of which are required to be consolidated with those of such Person in accordance with GAAP; or
(b) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:
(1) | such Person; |
(2) | such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or |
(3) | one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. |
Subsidiary Guarantee means a guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Companys obligations with respect to the Notes.
Subsidiary Guarantor means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes this Indenture as a guarantor on the Issue Date and each other Subsidiary of the Company that thereafter guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of this Indenture until such time as its Subsidiary Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Notes means Definitive Notes and any other Notes that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
-10-
Treasury Rate means with respect to any redemption date, the weekly average for each Business Day during the most recent week that has ended at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date of the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 with respect to each applicable day during such week (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published or such information is no longer available thereon, any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Company)) most nearly equal to the then remaining average life to May 15, 2022, provided, however, that if the average life to May 15, 2022 of the Notes is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the average life to May 15, 2022 of the Notes is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
Trigger Period has the meaning provided in the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event.
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Issue Date and, to the extent required by law, as amended.
Trustee means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the issuers option.
Voting Stock of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions .
Term |
Defined in Section | |
Agent Members |
2.1(c) | |
Bankruptcy Law |
6.1 | |
Change of Control Offer |
4.9(b) | |
covenant defeasance option |
8.1(b) | |
Custodian |
6.1 | |
Event of Default |
6.1 | |
Global Note |
2.1(b) | |
Guaranteed Obligations |
10.1(a) | |
incorporated provision |
11.1 | |
legal defeasance option |
8.1(b) | |
Notes |
Preamble | |
Original Notes |
Preamble | |
Paying Agent |
2.3(a) | |
Principal Payment Default |
6.1(i) | |
Registrar |
2.3(a) | |
Regulation S Global Note |
2.1(b) |
-11-
Term |
Defined in Section | |
Restricted Notes Legend |
2.6(e)(i) | |
Rule 144A Global Note |
2.1(b) | |
Sale/Leaseback Transaction |
4.6(a) |
SECTION 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms have the following meanings:
Commission means the SEC.
indenture securities means the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees.
indenture security holder means a Holder.
indenture to be qualified means this Indenture.
indenture trustee or institutional trustee means the Trustee.
obligor on the indenture securities means the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and any other obligor on the indenture securities.
All other Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.
SECTION 1.4 Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) or is not exclusive;
(d) including means including without limitation;
(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(g) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
(h) any reference to an Article, Section or clause refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(i) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;
-12-
(j) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(k) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater; and
(l) all references to the date the Notes were originally issued shall refer to the Issue Date.
ARTICLE 2.
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.1 Form and Dating .
(a) The (i) Original Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes (if issued as Transfer Restricted Notes) and the Trustees certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage ( provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms of the Notes set forth in the Exhibits hereto are part of the terms of this Indenture. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes issued on the Issue Date shall be (A) offered and sold by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and (B) resold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S. Additional Notes offered after the Issue Date may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Global Notes . Rule 144A Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the Rule 144A Global Note ) and Regulation S Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more global Notes (collectively, the Regulation S Global Note ), in each case without interest coupons and bearing the Global Notes Legend and Restricted Notes Legend, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. Beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note or any other Note without a Restricted Notes Legend until the expiration of the Restricted Period. The Rule 144A Global Note and the Regulation S Global Note are each referred to herein as a Global Note and are collectively referred to herein as Global Notes . The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee and on the schedules thereto as hereinafter provided.
(c) Book Entry Provisions . This Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.
-13-
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositarys instructions or held by the Trustee as Custodian.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ( Agent Members ) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as the Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note. The Company has entered into a letter of representations with the Depositary in the form provided by the Depositary and the Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and Applicable Procedures. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
(d) Definitive Notes . Except as otherwise provided herein, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.2 Execution and Authentication . One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $500.0 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount specified in a Company Order. Such Company Order shall specify the amount of the Additional Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the issue of Additional Notes is to be authenticated. The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Responsible Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
SECTION 2.3 Registrar and Paying Agent .
(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the Registrar ) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the Paying Agent ). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co registrars and one or more additional paying
-14-
agents. The term Paying Agent includes any additional paying agent, and the term Registrar includes any co-registrars. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as (i) Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes and (ii) the Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The transferor of any Note shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent applicable. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation and indemnification therefor pursuant to Section 7.7. The Company or any of its domestically organized wholly owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent (prior to an Event of Default), Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.
(c) The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided , however , that no such removal shall become effective until (i) acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) written notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company and the Trustee.
(d) The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes and this Indenture, including but not limited to determination of interest, redemption price, Applicable Premium, premium, if any, and any other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders.
SECTION 2.4 Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust . On or prior to each due date of the principal and interest on any Note, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.4, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 2.5 Holder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.
-15-
SECTION 2.6 Transfer and Exchange .
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes . When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co registrar with a request:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar or co registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided , however , that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar or co registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) in the case of Transfer Restricted Notes that are Definitive Notes, are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Transfer Restricted Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse side of the Note); or
(B) if such Transfer Restricted Notes are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse side of the Note); or
(C) if such Transfer Restricted Notes are being transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (1) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Note) and (2) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.6(e)(i).
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note . A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Note) that such Definitive Note is being transferred (A) to the Company, (B) to the Registrar for registration in the name of a Holder, without transfer, (C) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (D) to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, or (E) outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S and in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act (other than as provided by Rule 144) under the Securities Act; and
-16-
(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be credited with such increase,
then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased accordingly. If no Global Notes are then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers Certificate, a new Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver a written order given in accordance with the Depositarys procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note or another Global Note and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred. Transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Regulation S Global Security, whether before or after the expiration of the Restricted Period, shall be made only upon receipt by the Trustee of a certification in the form provided on the reverse side of the Notes from the transferor to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Regulation S or (if available) Rule 144 under the Securities Act and that, if such transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the interest transferred shall be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream.
(i) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.7), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Regulation S Global Notes .
(i) Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream. During the Restricted Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be sold, pledged or transferred through Euroclear or Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (A) to the Company, (B) so long as such security is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person whom the selling holder reasonably believes is a QIB that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB to whom notice is given
-17-
that the resale, pledge or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (C) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S, or (D) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Rule 144A Global Note shall be made only in accordance with Applicable Procedures and upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor of the beneficial interest in the form provided on the reverse side of the Note to the effect that such transfer is being made to a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A. Such written certification shall no longer be required after the expiration of the Restricted Period.
(ii) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be transferable in accordance with applicable law and the other terms of this Indenture.
(e) Legend .
(i) Each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the Restricted Notes Legend ):
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT ), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.
BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER
(1) | REPRESENTS THAT: |
(A) | IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, |
(B) | IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE OR SUCH BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR |
(C) | IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND |
(2) | AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY: |
(A) | TO THE COMPANY, |
(B) | PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, |
-18-
(C) | TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, |
(D) | IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR |
(E) | PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION (OTHER THAN AS PROVIDED BY RULE 144) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. |
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, NO TRANSFERS WILL BE PERMITTED IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144, REGARDLESS OF ITS AVAILABILITY AS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]
BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ( ERISA ), OF A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE CODE ) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE ( SIMILAR LAWS ), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.
(ii) Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply.
(iii) Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
(f) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Note . At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned to the Depositary for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial
-19-
interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(g) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes .
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrars or co-registrars request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.8, 3.6, 4.9 and 9.5 of this Indenture).
(iii) The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Definitive Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed portion of any Definitive Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing or sending of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing or sending date or interest payment date, as the case may be.
(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(h) No Obligation of the Trustee .
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note in global form shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
-20-
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including without limitation any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(i) No Rule 144 Transfers . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfers will be permitted in reliance on Rule 144, regardless of its availability as an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
SECTION 2.7 Definitive Notes .
(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depositary or with the Trustee as Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.6 and (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or after the Company becomes aware of such event, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated Notes under this Indenture. In connection with any proposed transfer of Definitive Notes in exchange for Global Notes, the Company or DTC shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.7 shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 thereof and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Any certificated Note in the form of a Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Global Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(e), bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(b) above, the registered Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.7(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.
SECTION 2.8 Replacement Notes . If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if a Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the
-21-
Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8 405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (i) notifies the Company and the Trustee of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking within a reasonable time after such Holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (ii) so requests a replacement Note from the Company and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (iii) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Company and the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co registrar from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.
SECTION 2.9 Outstanding Notes . Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.9 as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereon) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.10 Temporary Notes . In the event that Definitive Notes are to be issued under the terms of this Indenture, until such Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes upon surrender of such temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company, without charge to the Holder.
SECTION 2.11 Defaulted Interest . If the Company defaults in payment of interest on the Notes, the Company will pay the defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or send or cause to be mailed or sent to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.12 Cancellation . The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation and the Trustee shall cancel such Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Notes to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
-22-
SECTION 2.13 CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and Common Code numbers (in each case if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and Common Code numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will advise the Trustee in writing of any change in any CUSIP numbers, ISINs or Common Code numbers applicable to the Notes.
SECTION 2.14 Issuance of Additional Notes . After the Issue Date, the Company will be entitled to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture, which Notes shall have identical terms as the Notes issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price, original interest accrual date and original interest payment date, and such Additional Notes may not have the benefit of registration rights. All the Notes issued under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, such nonfungible Additional Notes shall be issued with a separate CUSIP or ISIN number so that they are distinguishable from the Notes.
With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company will set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors and an Officers Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
(a) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture; and
(b) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes and whether such Additional Notes have the benefit of registration rights.
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.1 Notices to Trustee . If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 5 of the Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section 3.1 at least 60 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption shall comply with the conditions herein. Any such notice may be canceled by written notice of the Company to the Trustee at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed or sent to any Holder pursuant to Section 3.4 and shall thereby be void and of no effect.
SECTION 3.2 Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed . If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed by lot or on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, or on such other basis as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, and, in respect of Global Notes, in compliance with the Applicable Procedures. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in principal amounts of $2,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, to the
-23-
extent practicable. The Company will redeem Notes in principal amounts of $2,000 in whole and not in part, to the extent practicable. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. If the Notes are being redeemed other than on a pro rata basis, the Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.
SECTION 3.3 Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once a notice of redemption has been mailed or sent under Section 3.4, Notes that are to be redeemed in accordance with such notice and the terms of this Article 3 shall become due and payable on the redemption date; subject to any conditions in connection with the redemption. With respect to registered Notes issued in global form, the principal amount of such Note or Notes will be adjusted in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid under the terms stated in Section 3.4; provided that if the redemption date is after a record date for the payment of interest and on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date.
SECTION 3.4 Notice of Redemption .
(a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Notes, the Company will mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail (or otherwise deliver in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary) to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holders registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed or delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Any inadvertent defect in the notice of redemption, including an inadvertent failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Note redeemed in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the redemption date;
(ii) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(v) if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed (and if other than on a pro rata basis), the identification numbers and principal amounts (which amounts may be stated as a ratio of the amount to be redeemed per $1,000 principal amount outstanding) of the particular Notes to be redeemed;
(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vii) the CUSIP number, ISIN or Common Code number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed; and
-24-
(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, ISIN or Common Code number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(ix) the conditions, if any, applicable to such redemption.
(b) At the Companys request, upon written notice provided to the Trustee at least 15 days (unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to the date the redemption notice must be given to the Holders, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Companys name and at the Companys expense. In such event, the Company will provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.4 and a copy of the proposed notice of redemption to be mailed or delivered to the Holders.
SECTION 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price . On or prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the relevant redemption date, the Company will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, and Applicable Premium, if any, on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and Applicable Premium, if any, on, the Notes to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 3.6 Notes Redeemed in Part . Upon surrender of Note that is redeemed in part, if such Note is in certificated form, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Companys expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.1 Payment of Notes . The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest, and Applicable Premium, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. Principal, interest, and Applicable Premium, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue Applicable Premium, if any, at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.2 Reports .
(a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC within the time periods set forth below:
-25-
(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, all financial information that would be required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC, including a Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section and a report on the annual financial statements by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm;
(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, all financial information that would be required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC, including a Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section; and
(iii) within 5 days after the applicable number of days specified in the SECs rules and regulations, all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K, or any successor or comparable form, if the Company were required to file such reports,
in each case in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.2(a), the Company shall not be obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, so long as the Company provides such information to the Trustee and the Holders and makes available such information to prospective purchasers of the Notes, in each case at the Companys expense and by the applicable date the Company would be required to file such information pursuant to the preceding paragraph. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective purchasers of the Notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. The reports required by this covenant need not include any separate financial statements of Subsidiary Guarantors or information required by Rule 3-10 or 3-16 of Regulation S-X (or any successor regulation). The requirements set forth in this Section 4.2(b) and in Section 4.2(a) may be satisfied by posting copies of such information on a website (which may be nonpublic and may be maintained by the Company or a third party) to which access is given to Holders and prospective purchasers of the Notes. The Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine if such filings have been made or participate in any conference calls. Reports by the Company or Subsidiary Guarantors delivered to the Trustee should be considered for informational purposes only and the Trustee shall not be deemed to have constructive notice of any information contained, or determinable from information contained, in any reports referred to above, including the Companys compliance with any of its covenants in this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers Certificates).
(c) If any of the Companys Subsidiaries is not a Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiaries, either individually or collectively, would otherwise have been a Significant Subsidiary for any fiscal year, on an annual basis within the time period specified in Section 4.2(a) for annual reports, the Company shall provide in the annual report for such fiscal year or in a report filed or furnished on Form 8-K (or posted, if applicable), financial information with respect to such Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors collectively consistent with the financial information included in the Offering Memorandum with respect to Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors.
(d) In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Company becomes a guarantor of the Notes, the Company may satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.2 to provide consolidated financial information of the Company by furnishing consolidated financial information relating to such parent; provided that (i) such financial statements are accompanied by consolidating financial information for such parent and the Company in the manner prescribed by the SEC or (ii) such parent is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than such activities as are incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the Capital Stock of the Company.
-26-
SECTION 4.3 Compliance Certificate . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers Certificate complying with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act, and that need not comply with Section 11.5, and to the effect that a review of its activities and the activities of its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and further stating, as to each Officer signing such certificate, whether or not the signer knows of any failure by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to comply with any conditions or covenants in this Indenture, and, if such signer does know of such a failure to comply, the certificate shall describe such failure with particularity and describe what actions, if any, the Company proposes to take with respect to such failure.
SECTION 4.4 [Reserved] .
SECTION 4.5 Limitation on Liens .
(a) Except as provided in Section 4.5(b), neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiary Guarantors may create, incur, assume or otherwise have outstanding any Lien, upon any Principal Property belonging to the Company or to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or upon the shares of capital stock or debt of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors held directly by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, whether such Principal Property, shares or debt are owned by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors on the Issue Date or acquired in the future, to secure any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
(b) The Company or any Subsidiary may create, incur, assume or otherwise have outstanding any Lien if the Notes or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, shall be secured by a Lien equally and ratably with or in priority to the new secured Indebtedness, so long as such new secured Indebtedness shall be so secured. In this event, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may also provide that any of its other Indebtedness, including Indebtedness guaranteed by the Company or by any of its Subsidiaries, shall be secured equally with or in priority to the new secured Indebtedness. In addition, the restrictions in Section 4.5(a) shall not apply to:
(i) Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries under any Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (A) $1,100.0 million and (B) such amount as would not cause the Secured Debt Ratio to exceed 2.5 to 1.0 after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom;
(ii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(iii) Liens on property to secure all or part of the cost of acquiring, substantially repairing or altering, constructing, developing or substantially improving such property, or to secure indebtedness incurred to provide funds for any such purpose or for reimbursement of funds previously expended for any such purpose, provided the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such Lien shall have been obtained not later than twelve months after the later of (A) the completion of the acquisition, substantial repair or alteration, construction, development or substantial improvement of such property or (B) the placing in operation of such property or of such property as so substantially repaired or altered, constructed, developed or substantially improved;
-27-
(iv) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on property of a Person at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were not created in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or investment and do not extend to any assets other than such acquired property or those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or such Subsidiary or acquired by the Company or such Subsidiary (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof);
(v) any Lien required to be given or granted by any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any agreement entered into by such Subsidiary prior to the date on which it became a Subsidiary; provided that any such Lien does not extend to any other property or asset, other than improvements to the property or asset subject to such Lien;
(vi) Liens existing as of the Issue Date;
(vii) extensions, renewals, alterations, refinancings or replacements of any Lien referred to in the preceding clauses (iii) through (vi) above; provided , however , that (A) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, alteration or replacement plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon together with any reasonable fees, premiums (including tender premiums) and expenses relating to such extension, renewal, alteration or replacement and (B) such extension, renewal, alteration refinancing or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property or assets which secured the Lien so extended, renewed, altered or replaced (plus improvements on such property or assets);
(viii) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens or other like Liens, arising in the ordinary course of business securing Obligations which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person to the extent required under GAAP;
(ix) Liens attaching to cash earnest money deposits in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder and Liens on cash deposits held in escrow accounts pursuant to the terms of any purchase agreement permitted hereunder;
(x) Liens securing Hedging Obligations not entered into for speculative purposes and letters of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(xi) bankers liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens that are customary in the banking industry and existing solely with respect to cash and other amounts on deposit in one or more accounts (including securities accounts) maintained by the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(xii) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;
(xiii) deposits to secure the performance of tenders, bids, trade contracts and leases, statutory or regulatory obligations, surety bonds, insurance obligations, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xiv) minor defects or minor imperfections in title and zoning, land use and similar restrictions and easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
-28-
(xv) Liens securing judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 6.1(h), or securing appeal or other surety bonds related to such judgments;
(xvi) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet due or, which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(xvii) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to other Persons in the ordinary course of business which do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (B) secure any indebtedness for borrowed money;
(xviii) any interest or title of (A) a lessor or sublessor under any lease or sublease or (B) a licensor or sublicensor under any license or sublicense, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business, so long as such interest or title relate solely to the assets subject thereto;
(xix) Liens of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-208 (or its equivalent) of the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction on items in the course of collection and documents and proceeds related thereto;
(xx) Liens arising from precautionary filings of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction in respect of operating leases or consignments entered into by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(xxi) Liens in the nature of trustees Liens granted pursuant to any indenture governing any permitted indebtedness for borrowed money, in each case in favor of the trustee under such indenture and securing only obligations to pay compensation to such trustee, to reimburse its expenses and to indemnify it under the terms thereof;
(xxii) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(xxiii) assignments of accounts or other rights to receive income to the extent permitted under Section 4.6;
(xxiv) escrow deposits of source code in the ordinary course of business in connection with the licensing of Intellectual Property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to their customers;
(xxv) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sales of goods entered into by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(xxvi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
-29-
(xxvii) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; and
(xxviii) a Lien (including successive extensions, renewals, alterations or replacements thereof) not excepted by clauses (i) through (xxvii) above; provided that after giving effect thereto, Exempted Debt does not exceed the greater of (A) $75.0 million and (B) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company, determined on a pro forma basis based on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, in each case, measured at the date of any Incurrence of Exempted Debt.
(c) In the event that a Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the clauses of Section 4.5(b), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall be permitted to classify such Lien (or portion thereof) at the time of its incurrence in any manner that complies with this Section 4.5. In addition, any Lien (or portion thereof) originally classified as incurred pursuant to any of clauses (i) through (xxviii) of Section 4.5 (b) may later be reclassified by the Company, in its sole discretion, such that it (or any portion thereof) shall be deemed to be incurred pursuant to any other of such clauses to the extent that such reclassified Lien (or portion thereof) could be incurred pursuant to such clause at the time of such reclassification.
(d) For purposes of this Section 4.5:
(i) accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value or original issue discount, the amortization of debt discount and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by the relevant Lien;
(ii) in determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the securing of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based upon the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred; and
(iii) the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company and its Subsidiaries may secure shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.
SECTION 4.6 Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions .
(a) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiary Guarantors may engage in a transaction with any Person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) providing for the leasing by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any Principal Property of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor or any property which together with any other property subject to the same transaction or series of related transactions would in the aggregate constitute a Principal Property of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, except for transactions (i) involving a lease which will not exceed three years, including renewals (or which may be terminated by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor within a period of not more than three years), (ii) involving a lease of Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after, the latest of the acquisition, completion of construction, or commencement of operations of such Principal Property, (iii) that were for the sale and leasing back to the Company or a Subsidiary any Principal Property, and (iv) that were entered into prior to, or within 12 months of, the Issue Date (a Sale/Leaseback Transaction ), unless the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the property to be leased are at least equal to the fair market value of such property and unless:
-30-
(i) this Indenture would have allowed the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to create a Lien on such Principal Property to secure debt in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction without securing the Notes pursuant to the terms of Section 4.5; or
(ii) within 360 days, the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of such sale or transfer to:
(A) the voluntary retirement of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of issuance, assumption or guarantee thereof, or which is extendible or renewable at the sole option of the obligor in such manner that it may become payable more than one year from the date of issuance, assumption or guarantee, which is senior to or ranks equally with the Notes in right of payment and owing to a Person other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; or
(B) the purchase of additional property that will constitute or form a part of Principal Property or other assets used or useful in a Similar Business, and which has a fair market value at least equal to the net proceeds of such sale or transfer.
(iii) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may enter into a Sale/Leaseback Transaction which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions of the immediately preceding paragraph so as to create an aggregate amount of Attributable Debt after giving effect thereto that does not, together with all Exempted Debt, exceed the greater of (A) $75.0 million and (B) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company, determined on a pro forma basis based on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, in each case measured at the date of any incurrence of Exempted Debt.
(b) For purposes of this Section 4.6:
(i) in determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the entering into of any Sale/Leaseback Transaction, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Attributable Debt denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based upon the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction was Incurred; and
(ii) the maximum amount of Attributable Debt that the Company or any Subsidiary may Incur in respect of any Sale/Leaseback Transaction shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.
SECTION 4.7 Limitation on Subsidiary Debt .
(a) The Company shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (i) to guarantee the obligations of, or become a co-borrower with, the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, under any Credit Facility of the Company or any Subsidiary or (ii) to create, assume, Incur, issue or guarantee any Material Indebtedness of the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, unless, in the case of clause (i) or (ii), within 30 days thereof, the Company causes such Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering a Guarantee Agreement.
-31-
(b) Clause (ii) of Section 4.7(a) shall not apply to the following items of Indebtedness:
(i) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into, amalgamated with, or is consolidated into, a Subsidiary, or which is assumed by a Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of substantially all the assets of such Person, so long as such Indebtedness was not created in anticipation of such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or acquisition, and refinancing or replacement Indebtedness in respect thereof, so long as (A) the principal amount thereof does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon together with any reasonable fees, premiums (including tender premiums) and expenses relating to such refinancing or replacement and (B) such refinancing or replacement Indebtedness is Incurred by the same Person(s) as the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;
(ii) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such Indebtedness was not Incurred in anticipation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary, and refinancing or replacement Indebtedness in respect thereof, so long as (A) the principal amount thereof does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon together with any reasonable fees, premiums (including tender premiums) and expenses relating to such refinancing or replacement and (B) such refinancing or replacement Indebtedness is Incurred by the same Person(s) as the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;
(iii) purchase money obligations and refinancing or replacement Indebtedness in respect thereof, so long as (A) the principal amount thereof does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon together with any reasonable fees, premiums (including tender premiums) and expenses relating to such refinancing or replacement and (B) such refinancing or replacement Indebtedness is Incurred by the same Person(s) as the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;
(iv) Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any other Subsidiary;
(v) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $175.0 million;
(vi) Indebtedness owed in respect of any overdrafts and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearing-house transfers of funds; provided that such Indebtedness shall be repaid in full within five Business Days of the Incurrence thereof;
(vii) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar instruments issued for the account of any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations under (i) workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) tenders, bids, trade contracts, leases (other than capitalized lease obligations or synthetic lease obligations), statutory or regulatory obligations, surety bonds, insurance obligations, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature;
(viii) Hedging Obligations entered into other than for speculative purposes and the financing of insurance premiums; and
-32-
(ix) Indebtedness not excepted by clauses (i) through (viii) above; provided that after giving effect thereto, Exempted Debt does not exceed $145.0 million in the aggregate at any time outstanding.
(c) In the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the clauses of (i) through (ix) of Section 4.7(b), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall be permitted to classify such Indebtedness (or portion thereof) at the time of its Incurrence in any manner that complies with this covenant. In addition, any Indebtedness (or portion thereof) originally classified as Incurred pursuant to any of clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 4.7(b) may later be reclassified by the Company, in its sole discretion, such that it (or any portion thereof) will be deemed to be Incurred pursuant to any other clause of Section 4.7(b) to the extent that such reclassified Indebtedness (or portion thereof) could be Incurred pursuant to such clause at the time of such reclassification.
(d) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any clause of Section 4.7(b) by a Subsidiary that subsequently becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor shall cease to be outstanding under such clause at such time as such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor until such time, if any, that the Company, in its sole discretion, elects to classify or reclassify such Indebtedness as Incurred under any of such clauses to permit the release of such Subsidiary Guarantors Subsidiary Guarantee as permitted under this Indenture.
(e) For purposes of this Section 4.7:
(i) accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value or original issue discount, the amortization of debt discount and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness;
(ii) in determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based upon the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred; provided , however , that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance or replace other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing or replacement would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing or replacement, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing or replacement Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced; and
(iii) the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company and its Subsidiaries may Incur shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.
SECTION 4.8 [ Reserved ].
SECTION 4.9 Change of Control Triggering Event .
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company repurchase such Holders Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101.0% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) in accordance with the terms contemplated in Section 4.9(b).
-33-
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, unless the Company has previously or concurrently mailed or delivered a redemption notice with respect to all outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.4, the Company shall mail a notice by first-class mail (or otherwise deliver in accordance with the Applicable Procedures) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the Change of Control Offer ) stating:
(i) that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holders Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101.0% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date);
(ii) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control Triggering Event;
(iii) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or delivered); and
(iv) the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.9, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
(c) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if: (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer) or (ii) a notice of redemption that is or has become unconditional has been given pursuant to Section 3.4.
(d) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control Triggering Event at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.
(e) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.9, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.9 by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.
(f) On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Company under this Section 4.9 shall be delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.
(g) At the time the Company delivers Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver an Officers Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.9. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering Holder.
-34-
ARTICLE 5.
SUCCESSORS
SECTION 5.1 Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets . The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, to any Person, and shall not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge with or into the Company, unless:
(i) the Company shall be the surviving company in any merger or consolidation, or, if the Company consolidates with or merges into another Person or conveys or transfers or leases its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, to any Person, such successor Person is an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that in the case where such successor Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;
(ii) the successor Person, if other than the Company, expressly assumes all of the Companys obligations in respect of this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to a supplemental indenture;
(iii) each Subsidiary Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions above) shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such successor Persons obligations in respect of this Indenture and the Notes;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, there exists no Default or Event of Default; and
(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease, other disposition or such supplemental indenture (if any) complies with the requirements of this Indenture and that the Notes and this Indenture constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company or a successor Person, as applicable, subject to customary exceptions;
provided , however , that this Section 5.1 shall not apply to the direct or indirect conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to any of the Companys other Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Section 5.1, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more of the Companys Subsidiaries, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.
The predecessor Person shall be released from its obligations under this Indenture and the successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor Person shall not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.
-35-
ARTICLE 6.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.1 Events of Default . Each of the following shall be an Event of Default :
(a) default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on the Notes when due; or
(b) default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; or
(c) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under Section 5.1; or
(d) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations in under Section 4.9 (other than a failure to purchase Notes); or
(e) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, in this Indenture (other than a failure to comply with clause (c) or (d) above) with respect to the Notes of such series or any guarantee relating thereto, as applicable, and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after written notice is given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of 25.0% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default;
(f) the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect except as otherwise permitted under this Indenture or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or is disaffirmed by any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary;
(g) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case;
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;
(h) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
-36-
(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days;
(i) default under any Lien, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness exists on the Issue Date or is created after the Issue Date, which default (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness at the Stated Maturity thereof ( Principal Payment Default ) or (ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity without such Indebtedness having been discharged or the acceleration having been cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, for a period of, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) above, 30 days or more after written notice thereof to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Principal Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million (or its equivalent in other currencies) or more; and
(j) the taking or entering against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $50.0 million (or its equivalent in other currencies) in the aggregate, if the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, fails to file an appeal therefrom within the applicable appeal period or, if the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, does file an appeal therefrom within such period, such judgment or decree is not within a period of 90 days from the date thereof, and does not remain, vacated, discharged or stayed.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
The term Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term Custodian means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Additionally, a Default under Section 6.1(c) for the failure to deliver any report within the time periods prescribed in Section 4.2 or to deliver any notice or certificate required by this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the subsequent delivery of any such report, notice or certificate, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after obtaining knowledge of the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers Certificate of any event which is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
-37-
SECTION 6.2 Acceleration . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(g) or (h) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the Notes by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal amount of and premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest and any other monetary obligations on the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon such a declaration, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(g) or (h) occurs with respect to the Company, the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind and annul that declaration of acceleration and its consequences if the rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.3 Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
SECTION 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
SECTION 6.5 Control by Majority . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.1, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided , however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.6 Limitation on Suits .
(a) Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, a Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(i) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;
-38-
(ii) the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 90 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and
(v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request during such 90-day period.
(b) A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder. In the event that the Definitive Notes are not issued to any beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Note to issue such Definitive Notes to such beneficial owner of its nominee, the Company expressly agrees and acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to this Indenture, the right of such beneficial holder of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Note that represents such beneficial holders Notes as if such Definitive Notes had been issued.
SECTION 6.7 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.7.
SECTION 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and take such other actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors appointed in the matter, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, any Subsidiary or any Subsidiary Guarantor, their creditors or their property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to first pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7. . To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be unpaid for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
-39-
SECTION 6.10 Priorities . If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, on or after an Event of Default any money or other property distributable in respect of the Companys or Subsidiary Guarantors obligations under this Indenture, shall be paid or distributed in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.7;
SECOND: Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal and interest, ratably, and Applicable Premium (if any), ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest and Applicable Premium (if any), respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct, including a Subsidiary Guarantor, if applicable.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail or send to each Holder and the Company a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs . In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Company, a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes.
SECTION 6.12 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE 7.
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.1 Duties of Trustee .
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Persons own affairs.
-40-
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.
(i) The Trustee shall be protected in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate, order, affidavit, letter, telegram or other paper or document believed to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons.
(j) The Trustee assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning the Company or its affiliates or any other party contained in this Indenture, the Offering Memorandum or the related documents or for any failure by the Company or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information.
-41-
Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be responsible for determining whether any Change of Control has occurred and whether any Change of Control Offer with respect to the Notes is required. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be responsible for monitoring our rating status, making any request upon any Rating Agency, or determining whether any rating event with respect to the Notes has occurred.
SECTION 7.2 Rights of Trustee .
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. Any request, demand, notice, or direction of the Company shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers Certificate or a Company Order, or in writing signed by an Officer.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustees conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document.
(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge or unless written notice from the Company or the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(i) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
-42-
(k) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture. (i.e. an Incumbency Certificate).
(l) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(m) The permissive rights or powers of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.
(n) The Trustee shall have no obligation to pursue any action that is not in accordance with applicable law.
SECTION 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co registrar or co paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
SECTION 7.4 Trustee s Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Companys use of the proceeds from the Notes, or any money paid to the Company or upon the Companys direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustees certificate of authentication. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees.
SECTION 7.5 Notice of Defaults . If a Default occurs hereunder with respect to the Notes, the Trustee within 90 days of such Default shall give the Holders notice of such Default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided , that a Responsible Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default; and provided , however , that in the case of any Default under Section 6.1(c) and Section 6.1(d), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof; provided , further , that the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders, of any Default (except for any Default under Section 6.1(a) or (b) (for which it does not have to provide notice)), if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the Holders.
SECTION 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders . As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with May 15, 2019, and in any event on or prior to July 15 in each such year, the Trustee shall mail or send to each Holder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing or sending to Holders shall be filed with the SEC (if applicable) and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
-43-
SECTION 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity . The Company shall pay to the Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar from time to time, as agreed to in writing, reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustees compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustees agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally shall indemnify the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar, and each of their officers, directors, agents and employees (each in their respective capacities), for and hold each of them harmless against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, cost, fee or expense (including attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by them without gross negligence or willful misconduct on their part as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction in connection with the acceptance and administration of this trust and the performance of their duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (including this Section 7.7), or defending against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Holder, or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or under the Notes and the Guarantees, and including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses and court costs incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustees right to compensation, reimbursement or indemnification. The Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar shall notify the Company of any claim for which they may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided , however , that any failure so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its indemnity obligations hereunder except to the extent the Company shall have been adversely affected thereby. The Company shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Companys expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one such counsel; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties defense and, in such indemnified parties reasonable judgment, there is no conflict of interest between the Company and such parties in connection with such defense. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its written consent. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by an indemnified party through such partys own willful misconduct or gross negligence (or willful misconduct or gross negligence of any of such partys officers, directors, agents or employees) as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.
To secure the Companys payment obligations in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.
The Companys payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and resignation or removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.8 Replacement of Trustee .
(a) The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in writing. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustees acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.8. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Company and the Trustee in writing not less than 30 days prior the effective date of such removal and may appoint a successor Trustee with the consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
-44-
(ii) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(iv) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(b) If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
(c) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail or send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10.0% in principal amount of the Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustees duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Companys obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
(g) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for any action or inaction of a successor Trustee.
SECTION 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger . If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
-45-
SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification . The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act are met.
SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company . The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE 8.
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.1 Discharge of Liability On Notes; Defeasance .
(a) When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Notes (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.8) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity or as a result of the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof, and the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee funds or U.S. Government Obligations on which payment of principal and interest when due will be sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Notes, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.8), and if in either case the Company pays all other sums then payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.1(c), cease to be of further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.1(c) and 8.2, the Company at any time may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture ( legal defeasance option ) or (ii) its obligations under Article 4 (with the exception of Sections 4.1 and 4.3) and Article 5 and the operation of Sections 6.1(c), 6.1(e), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h), 6.1(i) and 6.1(j) (but, in the case of Sections 6.1(g) and 6.1(h), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries and the Subsidiary Guarantors) ( covenant defeasance option ). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(c), 6.1(e), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h), 6.1(i) and 6.1(j) (but, in the case of Sections 6.1(g) and 6.1(h), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries and the Subsidiary Guarantors) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Article 5. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.
-46-
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Companys rights and obligations in Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 7.7, 7.8 and this Article 8 shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Companys rights and obligations in Sections 7.7, 8.4 and 8.5 shall survive.
SECTION 8.2 Conditions to Defeasance .
(a) The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(i) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money in an amount sufficient or U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and interest on which shall be sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal of, and premium (if any), and interest, on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date;
(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal or valuation firm delivered to the Trustee, with customary assumptions expressing their opinion to the effect that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(iii) such defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder;
(iv) such defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any indenture or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any simultaneous deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(v) no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture has occurred and is continuing after giving effect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any simultaneous deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(vi) the Company is not insolvent within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law on the date of such deposit;
(vii) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result such defeasance and that such defeasance will not otherwise alter those beneficial owners United States federal income tax treatment of principal and interest payments on the Notes;
-47-
(viii) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result such defeasance and that such defeasance will not otherwise alter those beneficial owners United States federal income tax treatment of principal and interest payments on the Notes; and
(ix) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent to such defeasance or defeasance as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.
(b) Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3.
SECTION 8.3 Application of Trust Money . The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.
SECTION 8.4 Repayment to Company . The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article which, in the written opinion of nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.
SECTION 8.5 Indemnity for Government Obligations . The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.6 Reinstatement . If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Companys obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided , however , that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
-48-
ARTICLE 9.
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.1 Without Consent of Holders .
(a) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to or consent of any Holder:
(i) to evidence the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, in compliance with Article 5;
(ii) to add guarantees with respect to the Notes, execute a Guarantee Agreement or release a Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;
(iii) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee;
(iv) to surrender any right or power this Indenture may confer on the Company;
(v) to add to the covenants made in this Indenture for the benefit of the Holders of all Notes (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate);
(vi) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate); provided , however , that the Trustee shall not be responsible for making such determination; or
(vii) to add any additional Events of Default;
(viii) to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee;
(ix) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by an additional or successor Trustee with respect to the Notes;
(x) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as the Company and the Trustee may deem necessary and desirable; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the rights of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate);
(xi) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision contained under the heading Description of notes in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision contained under the heading Description of notes in the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate);
-49-
(xii) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes of the same or another series in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the Issue Date, or to provide for the issuance of exchange notes;
(xiii) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance, administration and book-entry transfer of the Notes; provided , however , that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in the Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes; or
(xiv) to obtain or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or other applicable law.
(b) After an amendment under this Section 9.1 becomes effective, the Company shall mail or send to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
SECTION 9.2 With Consent of Holders; Waiver .
(a) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend any of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to any Holder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes). However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:
(i) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest payable on, the outstanding Notes;
(ii) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, any outstanding Notes or the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption thereof, or the amount of principal of an original issue discount Note, that would be due and payable upon redemption of such Note (other than the provisions pursuant to Section 4.9) or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of the outstanding Notes;
(iii) reduce the amount of principal of Notes payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(iv) change the place of payment or the coin or currency in which the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on the outstanding Notes is payable;
(v) impair any Holders right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on or after the due dates therefor or any Holders right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the outstanding Notes;
(vi) modify the Subsidiary Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not including modifications to any of the provisions set forth in Section 10.6 or Section 4.7);
-50-
(vii) reduce the percentage of the Holders of the outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend this Indenture, to waive compliance with any provision of this Indenture or certain Defaults and consequences of the Defaults or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in this Indenture; or
(viii) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.2 or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or provisions of this Indenture, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of all of the Holders of Notes.
(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
(c) After an amendment under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company shall mail or send to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
(d) The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, waive (including, without limitation, by consent obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes) compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, waive (including, without limitation, by consent obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes) past defaults by the Company under certain covenants of this Indenture which relate to the Notes. However, a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes or relating to a provision which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected cannot be so waived.
SECTION 9.3 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act . Every amendment to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .
(a) A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holders Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holders Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Company or the Trustee of the requisite number of consents, (ii) satisfaction of the conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or Guarantee Agreement) by the Company and the Trustee.
(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
-51-
SECTION 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Notes . If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
SECTION 9.6 Trustee To Sign Amendments . The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and complies with the provisions hereof and is legally valid and binding against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
ARTICLE 10.
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
SECTION 10.1 Subsidiary Guarantees .
(a) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, or interest on in respect of the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the Guaranteed Obligations ). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from each such Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each such Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
(b) Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise, (ii) any extension or renewal of any thereof, (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, (iv) the failure of any Holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations or (vi) any change in the ownership of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
(c) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantors obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any
-52-
right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Companys or such Subsidiary Guarantors obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.
(d) Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
(e) Except as expressly set forth in Section 8.1(b), 10.2 and 10.6, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
(f) Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
(g) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.
(h) Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of any Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 10.1.
-53-
(i) Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.1.
(j) Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.2 Limitation on Liability . Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
SECTION 10.3 Successors and Assigns . This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.4 No Waiver . Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
SECTION 10.5 Modification . No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
SECTION 10.6 Release of Subsidiary Guarantor . A Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.7) upon:
(a)
(i) the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations as a guarantor under the Revolving Credit Facility or in respect of such other debt that caused it to become a Subsidiary Guarantor under Section 4.7, so long as such Subsidiary Guarantor would not then otherwise be required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.7;
-54-
(ii) the sale, issuance or other disposition of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) such that such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary, so long as the sale, issuance or other disposition does not violate Section 5.1;
(iii) immediately prior to or following the dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor; and
(iv) the Company exercising its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option pursuant to Article 8 or if the Companys obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(b) such Subsidiary Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with; and
(c) at the request of the Company, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release (in the form provided by the Company).
SECTION 10.7 Execution of Guarantee Agreement for Future Subsidiary Guarantors . Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.7 shall within the time period specified therein execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guarantee Agreement pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 10 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such Guarantee Agreement, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
SECTION 10.8 Non-Impairment . The failure to endorse a Subsidiary Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.
SECTION 10.9 Contribution . Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantors pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties incorporated by reference to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act (an incorporated provision ) included in this Indenture by reference to, Sections 310 to 318 of the Trust Indenture Act, inclusive, such incorporated provision shall control.
-55-
SECTION 11.2 Notices . Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:
MSCI Inc.
7 World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street, 49th Floor,
New York, New York 10007
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile: 212-804-2906
with copies to:
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Richard D. Truesdell, Jr.
Facsimile: 212-701-5674
if to the Trustee:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
1 Independent Drive, Suite 620,
Jacksonville, Florida 32202150
Attention: Corporate Trust Services (MSCI Senior Notes due 2027)
Facsimile: (904) 351-7266
The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holders address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with Applicable Procedures.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
SECTION 11.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders . Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 11.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture (except for authentication of the Notes by the Trustee on the Issue Date, which shall not require an Opinion of Counsel), the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
-56-
(a) an Officers Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 11.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(a) a statement to the effect that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement to the effect that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
SECTION 11.6 When Notes Disregarded . In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 11.7 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
SECTION 11.8 Business Days . If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.
SECTION 11.9 Governing Law . This Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 11.10 No Recourse Against Others . A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or of any stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, either directly or through the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation whether by virtue of any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all and all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.
-57-
SECTION 11.11 Successors . All agreements of the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 11.12 Multiple Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
SECTION 11.13 Table of Contents; Headings . The table of contents, cross reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 11.14 WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY . EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF NOTES BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES, THE HOLDER OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
SECTION 11.15 Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services or other unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
SECTION 11.16 USA Patriot Act Compliance . To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Person who opens an account. For a non-individual Person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity, the Trustee will ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity. The Trustee may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation. The Company and any Subsidiary Guarantors agree to provide all such information and documentation as to themselves as requested by the Trustee to ensure compliance with federal law.
-58-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
MSCI INC. | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|||||
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||||||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
BARRA, LLC | ||||||
RISKMETRICS GROUP, LLC | ||||||
RISKMETRICS GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||||
RISKMETRICS SOLUTIONS, LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantors |
||||||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|||||
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||||||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
||||||
By: |
/s/ Yana Kislenko |
|||||
Name: Yana Kislenko | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
-59-
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Notes Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ( DTC ), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
[[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE ONLY] UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT (AS DEFINED BELOW)) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]
[Restricted Notes Legend]
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT ), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.
BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER
(1) | REPRESENTS THAT: |
(A) | IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, |
(B) | IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE OR SUCH BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR |
(C) | IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND |
A-1
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY:
(A) | TO THE COMPANY, |
(B) | PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, |
(C) | TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, |
(D) | IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR |
(E) | PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION (OTHER THAN AS PROVIDED BY RULE 144) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. |
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, NO TRANSFERS WILL BE PERMITTED IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144, REGARDLESS OF ITS AVAILABILITY AS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]
BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ( ERISA ), OF A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE CODE ) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE ( SIMILAR LAWS ), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE PLAN ASSETS OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.
A-2
No. | $ |
5.375% Senior Note due 2027
CUSIP No. [144A: 55354GAF7/ REG S: U5521TAD4]
ISIN No. [144A: US55354GAF72/ REG S: USU5521TAD47]
MSCI Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars (as such sum may be increased or decreased as reflected on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases in Global Note attached hereto) on May 15, 2027.
Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15.
Record Dates: May 1 and November 1.
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
A-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.
MSCI INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Dated:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture. | ||
By: |
|
|
Authorized Signatory |
A-4
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
5.375% Senior Note due 2027
1. | Interest |
MSCI Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the Company ), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from May 18, 2018 until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. | Method of Payment |
The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor Depositary. The Company shall make all payments in respect of a Definitive Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest), at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided , however , that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a Holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
3. | Paying Agent and Registrar |
Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the Trustee ), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated wholly owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent (prior to an Event of Default) or Registrar.
4. | Indenture |
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May 18, 2018 (the Indenture ), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the Trust Indenture Act ). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and Holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms and provisions.
A-5
The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.14 of the Indenture. The Original Notes (as defined in the Indenture) and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to, among other things, create or incur Liens, and enter into certain Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its property.
To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have jointly and severally unconditionally guaranteed the Guaranteed Obligations on a senior unsecured basis pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
5. | Optional Redemption |
Except as set forth in the following paragraphs of this Section 5, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to May 15, 2022.
On and after May 15, 2022, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes Additional Notes) at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 15 of the years set forth below:
Year |
Redemption Price | |||
2022 |
103.359 | % | ||
2023 |
102.240 | % | ||
2024 |
101.120 | % | ||
2025 and thereafter |
100.000 | % |
In addition, at any time prior to May 15, 2021, the Company may at its option on one or more occasions redeem in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes Additional Notes) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 105.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds from one or more Qualified Equity Offerings; provided , however , that (a) after giving effect to any such redemption, at least 50.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (excluding any Additional Notes, if any) originally issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (b) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the related Qualified Equity Offering.
Prior to May 15, 2022, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes Additional Notes) at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Applicable Premium to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date). Calculation of the redemption price and Applicable Premium will be made by the Company or on the Companys behalf by such person as it shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.
A-6
Any redemption notice may, at the Companys discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of a Qualified Equity Offering, refinancing transaction or other corporate transaction. If any condition precedent has not been satisfied, the Company will provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date. Upon receipt of such notice, the notice of redemption shall be rescinded and the redemption of the Notes shall not occur. Upon receipt, the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
6. | Sinking Fund |
The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund.
7. | Notice of Redemption |
Notice of any redemption pursuant to Section 5 above shall be mailed by first-class mail (or otherwise delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures) at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his or her registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed (or otherwise delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures) more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. Any inadvertent defect in the notice of redemption, including an inadvertent failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Note redeemed in accordance with provisions of the Indenture. Notes in denominations of $2,000 or less may be redeemed in whole but not in part.
If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. We will issue a new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. With respect to registered Notes issued in global form, the principal amount of such Note or Notes will be adjusted in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Notes held in certificated form must be surrendered to the Paying Agent in order to collect the redemption price. Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.
8. | Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders upon Change of Control Triggering Event |
In accordance with Section 4.9 of the Indenture, the Company shall be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event. Any Holder of Notes shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of purchase) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
A-7
9. | Denominations; Transfer; Exchange |
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 Business Days before the mailing or sending of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing or sending date or interest payment date, as the case may be.
10. | Persons Deemed Owners |
The registered Holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
11. | Unclaimed Money |
If money for the payment of principal, interest, or Applicable Premium (if any) remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay the money to the Company upon its written request unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
12. | Discharge and Defeasance |
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Company at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and interest on, the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.
13. | Amendment, Waiver |
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended without prior notice to any Holder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any default may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes: (i) to evidence the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, in compliance with Article 5 of the Indenture; (ii) to add guarantees with respect to the Notes or release a Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; (iii) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee; (iv) to surrender any right or power the Indenture may confer on the Company; (v) to add to the covenants made in the Indenture for the benefit of the Holders of all Notes (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate); (vi) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate); provided , however , that the Trustee shall not be responsible for making such determination; (vii) to add any additional Events of Default; (viii) to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; (ix) to evidence and
A-8
provide for the acceptance of appointment by an additional or successor Trustee with respect to the Notes; (x) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture as the Company and the Trustee may deem necessary and desirable; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the rights of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate); (xi) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision contained under the heading Description of notes in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision contained under the heading Description of notes in the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (as determined in good faith by the Company and evidenced by an Officers Certificate); (xii) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes of the same or another series in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the Issue Date, or to provide for the issuance of exchange notes; (xiii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by the Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance, administration and book-entry transfer of the Notes; provided , however , that (i) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in the Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes; or (xiv) to obtain or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or other applicable law.
14. | Defaults and Remedies |
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include: (a) default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on the Notes when due; (b) default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; (c) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under Section 5.1 of the Indenture; (d) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under Section 4.9 of the Indenture (other than a failure to purchase Notes); (e) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, in the Indenture (other than a failure to comply with Section 6.1(c) or (d) of the Indenture) with respect to the Notes of such series or any guarantee relating thereto, as applicable, and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after written notice is given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of 25.0% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default as defined in the Indenture; (f) the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect except as otherwise permitted under the Indenture or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or is disaffirmed by the Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary; (g) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (h) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $50.0 million; and (i) certain judgments or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $50.0 million.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which shall result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.
A-9
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
15. | Trustee Dealings with the Company |
Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
16. | No Recourse Against Others |
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or of any stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, either directly or through the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation whether by virtue of any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all and all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.
17. | Authentication |
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
18. | Abbreviations |
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
19. | Governing Law |
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
The Indenture provides that the Company, the Trustee, and each Holder by its acceptance thereof, irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Notes or any transaction contemplated thereby.
20. | CUSIP and ISIN Numbers |
The Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
A-10
The Company shall furnish to any Holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.
A-11
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: |
Your Signature: |
|
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note. |
Signature Guarantee: |
|
|
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee |
A-12
CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE
OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES
This certificate relates to $ principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space) book-entry or definitive form by the undersigned.
The undersigned (check one box below): | ||
☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the Depositary a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above) in accordance with the Indenture; or | |
☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes. |
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW | ||||
(1) | ☐ | to the Company or subsidiary thereof; or | ||
(2) | ☐ | under a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ); or | ||
(3) | ☐ | for so long as the Notes are eligible for resale under Rule 144A, to a person seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer that is purchasing for its own account or the account of another qualified buyer that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of another qualified institutional buyer and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A; or | ||
(4) | ☐ | through offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act; or | ||
(5) | ☐ | under any other available exemption (other than Rule 144) from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. |
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided , however , that if box (5) or (6) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
A-13
Your Signature | ||
Signature of Signature Guarantee | ||
Date: | ||
Signature of Signature Guarantor | ||
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigneds foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated: |
||||||
NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
Signature Guarantee: |
||
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee |
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
A-14
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $[ ]. The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of
decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of
increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal
amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase |
Signature of
authorized signatory of Trustee or Custodian |
||||
A-15
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.9 (Change of Control Triggering Event) of the Indenture, check the box:
☐ | Change of Control Triggering Event |
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.9 of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):
$
Date: |
Your Signature: |
|
|
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note) |
Signature Guarantee: |
|
|
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee |
A-16
EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this Supplemental Indenture ) dated as of [ ], among [GUARANTOR] (the New Guarantor ), a subsidiary of MSCI INC. (or its successor), a Delaware corporation (the Company ), the COMPANY and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the Trustee ).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture (the Indenture ) dated as of May 18, 2018, providing for the issuance of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (the Notes );
WHEREAS Section 4.7 of the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Companys obligations under the Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and the New Guarantor are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
2. Agreement to Guarantee . The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, to unconditionally guarantee the Companys obligations under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes.
3. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.
4. Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
5. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE NEW GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
B-1
6. Trustee Makes No Representati on . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture., the Subsidiary Guarantee of the New Guarantor or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company and the New Guarantor. All of the provisions contained in the Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of this Supplemental Indenture as fully and with like force and effect as though fully set forth in full herein.
7. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
8. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.
B-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
[NEW GUARANTOR], | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
MSCI INC., | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
B-3
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 2, dated as of May 18, 2018 (this Amendment ), to the REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 20, 2014, as amended prior to the date hereof (the Credit Agreement ), among MSCI INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower ), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested to extend the Maturity Date, increase the amount of the Commitments and make certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is acting as sole arranger (the Arranger ) and sole bookrunner for this Amendment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
Section 1. Amendments to Credit Agreement .
(a) The Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Amendment Effective Date, hereby amended to be as set forth in the conformed copy of the Credit Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto.
(b) Schedule 2.01A of the Credit Agreement is hereby replaced with Schedule 2.01A hereto.
(c) Exhibit D of the Credit Agreement is hereby replaced with Exhibit D hereto.
Section 2. Conditions to Effectiveness .
The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions (the date of satisfaction of such effectiveness, the Amendment Effective Date ):
(a) Counterparts of Amendment . The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from (i) the Borrower, (ii) the Guarantors, (iii) the Administrative Agent, (iv) the Lenders and (v) the L/C Issuer, either (x) counterparts of this Amendment signed on behalf of such parties or (y) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmissions of signed signature pages) that such parties have signed counterparts of this Amendment.
(b) Opinion of Counsel . The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, dated as of the Amendment Effective Date and covering such matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (and the Borrower hereby instructs counsel to deliver such opinion to the Administrative Agent).
-2-
(c) Officers Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Amendment Effective Date, of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that (i) the representations specified in Section 3 below are satisfied, and (ii) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement are satisfied.
(d) Secretarys Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed certificate of an appropriate officer of each Loan Party, certifying (i) that the copies of the Borrowers Organizational Documents as certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of the Borrowers organization or formation and attached to such officers certificate, are true, correct and complete and in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date, (ii) that the copies of each other Loan Partys Organizational Documents (x) as previously certified and delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Effective Date, remain in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date without modification or amendment since such original delivery or (y) as certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of such Loan Partys organization or formation and attached to such officers certificate, are true, correct and complete and in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date, (iii) that the copies of such Loan Partys resolutions approving and adopting the Loan Documents to which it is party, the transactions contemplated herein, and authorizing the execution and delivery thereof, as attached to such officers certificate, are true, correct and complete copies and in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date and (iv) as to incumbency certificates identifying the officers of such Loan Party that are authorized to execute this Amendment and to act on such Loan Partys behalf in connection with this Amendment and who will execute this Amendment.
(e) Lender Fees . The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of (a) each Lender, a consent fee equal to 0.075% of such Lenders Commitment as of the date hereof before giving effect to this Amendment and (b) each Lender that is increasing its Commitment pursuant to this Amendment, an upfront fee equal to 0.20% of the difference over (x) the amount of such Lenders Commitment as of the date hereof after giving effect to this Amendment minus (y) the amount of such Lenders Commitment as of the date hereof before giving effect to this Amendment.
(f) Fees and Expenses . The Borrower shall have paid all fees, costs and expenses of the Arranger and the Administrative Agent, including reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel, due and payable on or prior to the Amendment Effective Date, in the case of expenses, to the extent invoiced at least one Business Day prior to the Amendment Effective Date.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties .
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders as follows:
(a) Immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.05(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and (b) , respectively, of the Credit Agreement.
-3-
(b) At the time of, immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default exists.
Section 4. Counterparts .
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy or PDF (or similar file) by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.
Section 5. Applicable Law, Service of Process .
THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 6. Headings .
Section headings herein and in the Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment or any Loan Document.
Section 7. Effect of Amendment .
This Amendment shall be deemed a Loan Document. On and after the Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to this Agreement, hereunder, hereof or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in each of the Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement, thereunder, thereof or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment. The Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, as supplemented by this Amendment, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other provision of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 8. Acknowledgement and Reaffirmation of Borrower and Guarantors .
Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors hereby ratifies and confirms its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, including after giving effect to the amendments and transactions contemplated by this Amendment, and including, without limitation, in the case of each of the Guarantors, its guarantee of the Obligations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
MSCI INC. , as Borrower | ||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
Barra, LLC , as Guarantor: | ||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
RiskMetrics Group, LLC , as Guarantor: | ||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
RiskMetrics Group Holdings, LLC , as Guarantor: | ||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
RiskMetrics Solutions, LLC , as Guarantor: | ||
By: |
/s/ Kathleen A. Winters |
|
Name: Kathleen A. Winters | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer |
||
By: |
/s/ Jennifer M. Dunneback |
|
Name: Jennifer M. Dunneback | ||
Title: VP |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA., | ||
As a Lender: | ||
By: |
/s/ Jennifer M. Dunneback |
|
Name: Jennifer M. Dunneback | ||
Title: VP |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA | ||
By: |
/s/ Rebecca Kratz |
|
Name: Rebecca Kratz | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
Fifth Third Bank | ||
By: |
/s/ Christopher Griffin |
|
Name: Christopher Griffin | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
Bank of America, N.A., | ||
By: |
/s/ Maryanne Fitzmaurice |
|
Name: Maryanne Fitzmaurice | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
Citizens Bank, N.A. | ||
By: |
/s/ Angela Reilly |
|
Name: Angela Reilly | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, | ||
By: |
/s/ Doreen Barr |
|
Name: Doreen Barr | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||
By: |
/s/ Brady Bingham |
|
Name: Brady Bingham | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
TD Bank, N.A., | ||
By: |
/s/ Shreya Shah |
|
Name: Shreya Shah | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | ||
By: |
/s/ Sid Khanolkar |
|
Name: Sid Khanolkar | ||
Title: Portfolio Manager, Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A., | ||
By: |
/s/ Michael King |
|
Name: Michael King | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
As a Lender: | ||
MUFG Bank, Ltd. | ||
By: |
/s/ Suzanne Ley |
|
Name: Doreen Barr | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 2]
EXHIBIT A TO AMENDMENT NO. 2
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 20, 2014
as amended as of May 18, 2018
among
MSCI INC.,
as the Borrower,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer,
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section |
Page | |||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS | ||||||
1.01 | Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.02 | Other Interpretive Provisions | 27 | ||||
1.03 | Accounting Terms | 27 | ||||
1.04 | Rounding | 28 | ||||
1.05 | Times of Day | 28 | ||||
1.06 | Letter of Credit Amounts | 28 | ||||
1.07 | Currency Equivalents Generally | 28 | ||||
1.08 | Pro Forma Calculation | 28 | ||||
1.09 | Interest Rates | 28 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS | ||||||
2.01 | The Loans | 29 | ||||
2.02 | Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans | 29 | ||||
2.03 | Letters of Credit | 30 | ||||
2.04 | [Reserved] | 37 | ||||
2.05 | Prepayments | 37 | ||||
2.06 | Termination or Reduction of Commitments | 38 | ||||
2.07 | Repayment of Loans | 38 | ||||
2.08 | Interest | 38 | ||||
2.09 | Fees | 39 | ||||
2.10 | Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate | 39 | ||||
2.11 | Evidence of Debt | 40 | ||||
2.12 | Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback | 40 | ||||
2.13 | Sharing of Payments by Lenders | 42 | ||||
2.14 | Increase in Commitments | 43 | ||||
2.15 | Cash Collateral | 44 | ||||
2.16 | Defaulting Lenders | 45 | ||||
2.17 | Extended Commitments | 46 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY | ||||||
3.01 | Taxes | 48 | ||||
3.02 | Illegality | 51 | ||||
3.03 | Alternate Rate of Interest | 51 | ||||
3.04 | Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans | 52 | ||||
3.05 | Compensation for Losses | 54 | ||||
3.06 | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 54 | ||||
3.07 | Survival | 55 |
-i-
Section |
Page | |||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS | ||||||
4.01 | Conditions to Effectiveness | 55 | ||||
4.02 | Conditions to All Credit Extensions | 56 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | ||||||
5.01 | Existence, Qualification and Power | 57 | ||||
5.02 | Authorization; No Contravention | 57 | ||||
5.03 | Governmental Authorization; Other Consents | 57 | ||||
5.04 | Binding Effect | 57 | ||||
5.05 | Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 57 | ||||
5.06 | Litigation | 58 | ||||
5.07 | Ownership of Property | 58 | ||||
5.08 | Environmental Compliance | 58 | ||||
5.09 | Insurance | 58 | ||||
5.10 | Taxes | 58 | ||||
5.11 | ERISA Compliance | 59 | ||||
5.12 | Subsidiaries | 59 | ||||
5.13 | Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act | 59 | ||||
5.14 | Disclosure | 60 | ||||
5.15 | Compliance with Laws | 60 | ||||
5.16 | Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. | 60 | ||||
5.17 | Anti-Money-Laundering Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions | 61 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | ||||||
6.01 | Financial Statements | 61 | ||||
6.02 | Certificates; Other Information | 62 | ||||
6.03 | Notices | 63 | ||||
6.04 | Payment of Taxes | 63 | ||||
6.05 | Preservation of Existence, Etc. | 64 | ||||
6.06 | Maintenance of Properties | 64 | ||||
6.07 | Maintenance of Insurance | 64 | ||||
6.08 | Compliance with Laws | 64 | ||||
6.09 | Books and Records | 64 | ||||
6.10 | Inspection Rights | 64 | ||||
6.11 | Use of Proceeds | 65 | ||||
6.12 | Additional Guarantors | 65 | ||||
6.13 | Compliance with Environmental Laws | 65 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | ||||||
7.01 | Liens | 66 | ||||
7.02 | Subsidiary Indebtedness | 69 | ||||
7.03 | Fundamental Changes | 71 |
-ii-
Section |
Page | |||||
7.04 | Sale/Leaseback Transactions | 72 | ||||
7.05 | Restricted Payments | 73 | ||||
7.06 | Change in Nature of Business | 74 | ||||
7.07 | Financial Covenants | 74 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES | ||||||
8.01 | Events of Default | 75 | ||||
8.02 | Remedies upon Event of Default | 77 | ||||
8.03 | Application of Funds | 77 | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | ||||||
9.01 | Appointment and Authority | 78 | ||||
9.02 | Rights as a Lender | 78 | ||||
9.03 | Exculpatory Provisions | 78 | ||||
9.04 | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 79 | ||||
9.05 | Delegation of Duties | 80 | ||||
9.06 | Resignation of Administrative Agent | 80 | ||||
9.07 | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 81 | ||||
9.08 | No Other Duties, Etc. | 81 | ||||
9.09 | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 81 | ||||
9.10 | Guaranty Matters | 82 | ||||
9.11 | Withholding Taxes | 82 | ||||
9.12 | Certain ERISA Matters | 82 | ||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
10.01 | Amendments, Etc. | 84 | ||||
10.02 | Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications | 86 | ||||
10.03 | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies | 88 | ||||
10.04 | Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 88 | ||||
10.05 | Payments Set Aside | 90 | ||||
10.06 | Successors and Assigns | 90 | ||||
10.07 | Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 94 | ||||
10.08 | Right of Setoff | 95 | ||||
10.09 | Interest Rate Limitation | 96 | ||||
10.10 | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 96 | ||||
10.11 | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 96 | ||||
10.12 | Severability | 96 | ||||
10.13 | Replacement of Lenders | 97 | ||||
10.14 | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. | 97 | ||||
10.15 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 98 | ||||
10.16 | No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 98 | ||||
10.17 | USA PATRIOT Act Notice | 99 | ||||
10.18 | Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions | 99 |
-iii-
SCHEDULES | ||
2.01A | Commitments and Applicable Percentages | |
5.06 | Litigation | |
5.08 | Environmental Matters | |
5.11(d) | ERISA Matters | |
5.12 | Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments; Loan Parties | |
5.16 | Intellectual Property Matters | |
7.01 | Existing Liens | |
7.02 | Existing Subsidiary Indebtedness | |
10.02 | Administrative Agents Office; Certain Addresses for Notices | |
EXHIBITS | ||
Form of | ||
A | Committed Loan Notice | |
B | Revolving Credit Note | |
C | Compliance Certificate | |
D | Assignment and Assumption | |
E | Guaranty | |
F | United States Tax Compliance Certificate |
-iv-
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
This REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of November 20, 2014, as amended as of May 18, 2018, among MSCI Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower ), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the Lenders and individually, a Lender ) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS :
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that (a) the Lenders extend credit in the form of Loans at any time and from time to time prior to the Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $250,000,000 and (b) the L/C Issuer issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Additional Commitments has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a) .
Additional Commitments Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(b) .
Additional Commitment Lender has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a)(iii). For the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Commitment Lender shall be deemed a Lender under this Agreement.
Additional Credit Extension Amendment means an amendment to this Agreement (which may, at the option of the Administrative Agent, be in the form of an amendment and restatement of this Agreement) providing for any Additional Commitments pursuant to Section 2.14 and/or Extended Commitments pursuant to Section 2.17 , which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the parties thereto. Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall be executed by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Loan Parties and the other parties specified in the applicable Section of this Agreement (but not any other Lender not specified in the applicable Section of this Agreement), but shall not effect any amendments that would require the consent of each affected Lender or all Lenders pursuant to the proviso in the first paragraph of Section 10.01 . Any Additional Credit Extension Amendment may include conditions for delivery of opinions of counsel and other documentation consistent with the conditions in Section 4.01 and certificates confirming satisfaction of conditions consistent with Section 4.02 , all to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the other parties to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment.
Administrative Agent means JPMCB in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
Administrative Agents Office means the Administrative Agents address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.
1
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, control when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms controlling and controlled have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Agent Parties has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(c) .
Aggregate Commitments means the Commitments of all the Lenders. As of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the amount of the Aggregate Commitments is $250,000,000.
Agreement means this Revolving Credit Agreement as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
Amendment No. 1 means that certain Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, among the Loan Parties, the Lenders party thereto, the Additional Commitment Lender listed on the signature page attached thereto, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer.
Amendment No. 1 Effective Date means August 4, 2016, the date on which Amendment No. 1 became effective.
Amendment No. 2 means that certain Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, among the Loan Parties, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer.
Amendment No. 2 Effective Date means May 18, 2018, the date on which Amendment No. 2 became effective.
Anti-Corruption Laws means all laws, rules and regulations concerning or relating to bribery or corruption of any jurisdiction in which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries conduct business.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws means any and all laws, judgments, orders, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, statutes, case law or treaties related to terrorism financing or money laundering including any applicable provision of Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56) and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959) of any jurisdiction in which the Loan Parties or their respective subsidiaries conduct business.
Applicable Additional Credit Extension Transaction means, as of the date of any Additional Credit Extension Amendment, the entering into such Additional Credit Extension Amendment, the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.
2
Applicable Fee Rate means (i) from the Effective Date to the date on which the Administrative Agent receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(a) for the fiscal quarter during which the Effective Date occurs, 0.30% per annum and (ii) thereafter, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a) :
Pricing Level |
Consolidated Leverage Ratio |
Applicable Fee
Rate |
||||
1 | £ 1.50:1.00 | 0.20 | % | |||
2 | > 1.50:1.00 and £ 2.50:1.00 | 0.25 | % | |||
3 | > 2.50:1.00 | 0.30 | % |
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Fee Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) ; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 3 shall apply, as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered until the first Business Day immediately following delivery of such Compliance Certificate, at which time the Applicable Fee Rate shall be determined based on such Compliance Certificate. If at any time an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 3 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which the Borrower shall have received such request until the first Business Day on which such Event of Default is waived or no longer exists.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Fee Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b) .
Applicable Percentage means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lenders Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16 . If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , or if the Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The Applicable Percentage of each Lender as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01A .
Applicable Rate means, from the Effective Date to the date on which the Administrative Agent receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(a) for the fiscal quarter during which the Effective Date occurs, 0.75% per annum for Base Rate Loans and 1.75% per annum for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Letter of Credit Fees and (ii) thereafter, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a) :
Applicable Rate |
||||||||||
Pricing Level |
Consolidated Leverage Ratio |
Eurodollar Rate
(Letters of Credit) |
Base Rate
Loans |
|||||||
1 | £ 1.50:1.00 | 1.25 | % | 0.25 | % | |||||
2 | > 1.50:1.00 and £ 2.50:1.00 | 1.50 | % | 0.50 | % | |||||
3 | > 2.50:1.00 | 1.75 | % | 0.75 | % |
3
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) ; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 3 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered until the first Business Day immediately following delivery of such Compliance Certificate, at which time the Applicable Rate shall be determined based on such Compliance Certificate. If at any time an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, upon the written request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 3 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which the Borrower shall have received such request until the first Business Day on which such Event of Default is waived or no longer exists.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b) .
Assignee Group means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another.
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.
Attributable Indebtedness means, in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).
Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated statements of financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii) .
Availability Period means the period from and including the Effective Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06 , and (iii) the date of termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 8.02 .
Bail-In Action means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
4
Base Rate means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1 ⁄ 2 of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for an Interest Period of one month beginning on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such day) plus 1.00% per annum, provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Eurodollar Rate for any day shall be based (if this clause (c) applies) on the Eurodollar Screen Rate (or if the Eurodollar Screen Rate is not available for such one month Interest Period, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, respectively. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, then the Base Rate shall be the greater of clause (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
Base Rate Loan means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Beneficial Ownership Certification means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
Beneficial Ownership Regulation means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
Benefit Plan means any of (a) an employee benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a plan as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such employee benefit plan or plan.
Board of Directors means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers or, if there is no such board, the managing member of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf thereof.
Borrower has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .
Borrowing means a borrowing of Loans pursuant to Section 2.01 .
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, New York, New York and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.
Capitalized Leases means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases.
Cash Collateralize means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent or L/C Issuer and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C
5
Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the L/C Issuer benefiting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the L/C Issuer. Cash Collateral shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
Cash Equivalents means any of the following types of investments, to the extent owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens permitted under this Agreement):
(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;
(b) time deposits with, or certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, (ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof;
(c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States and rated, at the time of acquisition thereof, at least Prime-1 (or the then equivalent grade) by Moodys or at least A-1 (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof;
(d) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having, at the time of acquisition thereof, an Investment Grade Rating with maturities of 360 days or less from the date of acquisition;
(e) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case having, at the time of acquisition thereof, an Investment Grade Rating with maturities of 360 days or less from the date of acquisition;
(f) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities described in clauses (a) through (e) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (b) above;
(g) any money market or similar fund not less than 90% of the assets of which are comprised of cash or any of the items specified in clauses (a) through (f) of this definition and as to which withdrawals are permitted at least every 90 days; and
(h) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.
6
CFC means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the Effective Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Change of Control means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets), other than by the imposition of a holding company, the beneficial owners of whose Voting Stock would not have caused a Change of Control if such beneficial owners had directly held the Voting Stock of the Borrower held by such holding company;
(b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower; or
(c) the merger or consolidation of the Borrower with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Borrower, or the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation, in one or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Borrower (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than a transaction, in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, following which holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after giving effect to such transaction.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Commitment means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 and (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 2.01A under the caption Commitment opposite such caption in the Additional Credit Extension Amendment or Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
Committed Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A .
7
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C or any other form reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Consolidated EBITDA means, at any date of determination, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period plus (a) the following to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication): (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes and for foreign withholding taxes payable, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, including any amortization of intangibles, (iv) non-cash charges (including non-cash charges related to employee benefit or other management or stock compensation plans or expense, but excluding write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts receivable or inventory (which write-offs, write-downs or reserves shall not be added back under any clause of this definition of Consolidated EBITDA (other than clause (b)(ii) below))) ( provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in such future period to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was in a prior period), (v) unusual or non-recurring losses or expenses (including severance and relocation costs, one-time compensation charges, restructuring charges, integration costs and reserves), including such items related to acquisitions and to closure/consolidation of facilities, in an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate under this clause (v) for any Measurement Period, 5.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such Measurement Period, (vi) transaction costs, fees and expenses (including swap breakage costs) in connection with the Transactions, any sale of Equity Interests, any acquisition or other investment, any disposition, the incurrence of, or any refinancing of, any Indebtedness or any Applicable Additional Credit Extension Transaction (in each case whether or not successful), (vii) any net after-tax loss from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, (viii) costs of surety bonds incurred in connection with financing activities, (ix) mark-to-market losses recognized pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 815 or any successor thereof, (x) to the extent reimbursement therefor is actually received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary, expenses incurred to the extent covered by indemnification provisions in any agreement in connection with any acquisition and (xi) cash expenses incurred during such period in connection with casualty events to the extent such expenses are reimbursed in cash by insurance during such period and minus (b) the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication): (i) Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits, (ii) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any prior period or reversal of a reserve with respect to accounts receivable or inventory which reduced Consolidated EBITDA hereunder in a prior period), (iii) unusual or non-recurring gains or income, (iv) any net after-tax income from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, and (v) mark-to-market gains recognized pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 815 or any successor thereof (in each case of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period); provided that (x) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA non-operating currency transaction gains and losses (including the net loss or gain resulting from Swap Contracts for currency exchange risk) and (y) for purposes of determining the Consolidated Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis. The calculation of Consolidated EBITDA shall exclude any non-cash impact attributable to the reduction in deferred revenue or reduction in deferred costs to balance sheet accounts as a result of the fair value exercise undertaken as required by purchase method of accounting for any acquisition permitted hereunder, in accordance with GAAP (such exclusion to be reflected in the period in which such revenues or costs would have been recorded had such reduction not been required).
8
Consolidated Funded Indebtedness means, as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a), (b) (to the extent drawn and not reimbursed), (f), (g) and, without duplication, (h) (with respect to any Indebtedness described in clauses (a), (b) (to the extent drawn and not reimbursed), (f) or (g) of the definition of Indebtedness) of the definition of Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the amount of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness for which recourse is limited either to a specified amount or to an identified asset of such Person shall be deemed to be equal to such specified amount or the fair market value of such identified asset as determined by such Person in good faith, as the case may be.
Consolidated Interest Charges means, for any Measurement Period, the sum, without duplication, of (a) all interest, premium payments and debt discount in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP but, in any event, excluding upfront fees and expenses and the amortization of deferred financing costs (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any upfront fees, expenses or amortized deferred financing costs accelerated upon giving effect to this Agreement, amendments to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby or hereby), and (b) the portion of rent expense under Capitalized Leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to interest rate Swap Contracts.
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Interest Charges paid in cash, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period.
Consolidated Leverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period.
Consolidated Net Income means, at any date of determination, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude, without duplication, (a) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses for such Measurement Period and the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such Measurement Period, (b) any net after-tax gains or losses on asset sales outside the ordinary course of business, (c) the net income of any Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) during such Measurement Period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period, except that the Borrowers equity in the net income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Borrower or a Guarantor as a dividend or other distribution, and (d) any income (or loss) for such Measurement Period of any Person (other than the Borrower) if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Borrowers equity in the net income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor), such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to the Borrower (or a Guarantor) as described in clause (c) of this proviso).
9
Consolidated Total Assets means the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) .
Contractual Obligation means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
Credit Extension means (a) a Borrowing or (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Default means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided , however , that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.
Defaulting Lender means, subject to Section 2.16 , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lenders obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lenders determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), 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, (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 or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition
10
of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16 ) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each L/C Issuer and each Lender.
Disposition means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
Disqualified Equity Interest means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case of clauses (a) through (d) above, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of issuance of such Equity Interest; provided that an Equity Interest shall not be deemed to be a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it is redeemable or is required to be redeemed as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments and all outstanding Letters of Credit.
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
EEA Financial Institution means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway and any other state that is a member of the European Economic Area.
EEA Resolution Authority means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 4.01 .
11
Eligible Assignee means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) , (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) ).
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws relating to pollution or the protection of the environment or the release of any hazardous or toxic materials into the environment.
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.
Equity Interests means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities of such Person convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting; provided that Equity Interests shall exclude any indebtedness convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
ERISA Event means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) any failure to meet the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, with respect to any Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (d) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively; (f) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the
12
Code or Sections 303 and 305 of ERISA; or (i) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
Eurodollar , when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.
Eurodollar Rate means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the Eurodollar Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that if the Eurodollar Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an Impacted Interest Period ) then the Eurodollar Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate.
Eurodollar Screen Rate means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for U.S. Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) provided that if the Eurodollar Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
Eurodollar Rate Loan means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .
Excluded Subsidiary means (a) any Domestic Subsidiary of a CFC, (b) any Domestic Subsidiary that owns no material assets (directly or through one or more Persons that are disregarded entities for purposes of the Code) other than Equity Interests (including any debt instrument treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of one or more CFCs, (c) any Subsidiary that is not, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (d) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation or by any contractual obligation existing at the time such Subsidiary is acquired (and not in contemplation of such acquisition) from providing a Guarantee or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization of any third party (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) to provide a Guarantee unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed by the United States, (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 10.13 ), any United States
13
federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to any laws in effect at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a) , (d) any withholding Taxes (including any U.S. federal backup withholding tax) attributable to a Lenders failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (e) any U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed under FATCA.
Exempted Debt means, without duplication, (i) all obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which is secured by a Lien incurred and outstanding under Section 7.01(a)(xxviii) , (ii) all Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions Incurred and outstanding under Section 7.04(c) and (iii) all indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Guarantors Incurred and outstanding under Section 7.02(b)(xv) .
Existing Credit Agreement means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 4, 2012 (as amended prior to the date hereof) among the Borrower and the other parties thereto.
Existing Letters of Credit means those letters of credit issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date under the Existing Credit Agreement.
Extended Commitment means any Commitment the Maturity Date of which is extended in accordance with Section 2.17 .
Extending Lender has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b) .
Extension Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a) .
FASB ASC means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
FATCA means Section 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date hereof (and any amended or successor version thereof that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any current or future Treasury regulations or official interpretations thereof and any intergovernmental agreements implementing the foregoing.
Federal Funds Effective Rate means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such days federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the aforesaid rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
Fee Letter means the Engagement Letter, dated as of October 22, 2014, between the Borrower, JPMCB and J.P. Morgan.
Foreign Lender
means any Lender or L/C Issuer that is not a United States person within the meaning of
Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Foreign Subsidiary means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
14
FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Fronting Exposure means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor thereto), the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any successor thereto) or the statements and pronouncements of the Securities Exchange Commission, in each case applicable to companies subject to reporting under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Unless otherwise specified, subject to Section 1.03(b) , all computations contained in this Agreement will be computed in conformity with GAAP, except that the Borrower may elect to treat for any determination under this Agreement as an operating lease any arrangement, whether entered into on or after the Effective Date, that would have constituted an operating lease under GAAP in effect on the Effective Date notwithstanding any change in its treatment under GAAP after the Effective Date. At any time after the Effective Date, subject to Section 1.03(b) , the Borrower may elect to apply International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS ) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto applicable to companies subject to reporting under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS on the date of such election; provided that any calculation or determination in this Agreement that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Borrowers election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Guarantee means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the primary obligor ) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made (or, if such Guarantee is limited by its terms to a lesser amount, such
15
lesser amount) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith; provided that, in the case of any Guarantee of the type set forth in clause (b) above, if recourse to such Person for such Indebtedness is limited to the assets subject to such Lien, then such Guarantee shall be a Guarantee hereunder solely to the extent of the lesser of (x) the amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien and (y) the value of the assets subject to such Lien. The term Guarantee as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guarantors means, collectively, the Subsidiaries of the Borrower identified on Schedule 5.12 and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that executes and delivers the Guaranty pursuant to Section 6.12, in each case, until such Subsidiary is released from the Guaranty in accordance herewith and therewith.
Guaranty means, collectively, the Guaranty dated as the date hereof made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , together with each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 , in each case as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated as hazardous or toxic (or words of similar import) pursuant to any Environmental Law.
Honor Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .
IFRS has the meaning specified in the definition of GAAP.
Immaterial Subsidiary means, at any date of determination, a Subsidiary of the Borrower that, together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, did not have total assets on the last day of the most recent Measurement Period that equaled or exceeded 5% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date.
Impacted Interest Period has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.
Incur means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term Incurrence when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning.
Indebtedness means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;
(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;
16
(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable, deferred expenses or accrued expenses in the ordinary course of business and earn-out obligations until such obligations become a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and if not paid after becoming due and payable);
(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(f) all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person;
(g) all obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases; and
(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer (but only to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in such joint venture), unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.
Indemnified Taxes means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitee has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b) .
Information has the meaning specified in Section 10.07 .
Interest Payment Date means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and each Maturity Date; provided , however , that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the first such day to occur after the Effective Date, and each Maturity Date.
Interest Period means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, or if available to, and consented to by, all the Lenders, twelve months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:
(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
17
(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the latest Maturity Date.
Interpolated Rate means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the Eurodollar Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the Eurodollar Screen Rate for the longest period for which the Eurodollar Screen Rate is available that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period; and (b) the Eurodollar Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Eurodollar Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.
Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) (with a stable or better outlook) by Moodys or BBB- (or the equivalent) (with a stable or better outlook) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrower.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
ISP means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the International Standby Practices 1998 published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
Issuer Documents means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) regarding the L/C Issuers L/C Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) and the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit.
J.P. Morgan means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.
JPMCB means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its successors.
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
L/C Advance means, with respect to each Lender, such Lenders funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
L/C Borrowing means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing.
L/C Sublimit means, with respect to each L/C Issuer, $25,000,000. The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, reduce the L/C Sublimit of any L/C Issuer with the consent of such L/C Issuer; provided that the Borrower shall not reduce the L/C Sublimit of any L/C Issuer if, after giving effect of such reduction, the conditions set forth in clauses (x) through (z) of the proviso in Section 2.03(a)(i) shall not be satisfied.
18
L/C Credit Extension means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
L/C Issuer means JPMCB in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder or any other Lender that agrees to be an L/C Issuer and is approved by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to issue Letters of Credit. Any L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such L/C Issuer, in which case the term L/C Issuer shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. The term L/C Issuer shall mean the applicable issuer of the relevant Letters of Credit as the context may require.
L/C Obligations means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be outstanding in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
Lead Arranger means (i) prior to Amendment No. 1, J.P. Morgan and (ii) in connection with and after Amendment No. 1, JPMCB, in each case, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and bookrunner for the facility hereunder.
Lender has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Lending Office means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lenders Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Letter of Credit means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder.
Letter of Credit Application means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
Letter of Credit Expiration Date means the day that is five Business Days prior to the latest Maturity Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
Letter of Credit Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h) .
Lien means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
Loan means a loan made pursuant to Section 2.01 .
19
Loan Documents means, collectively, (a) this Agreement and amendments of and joinders to this Agreement that are deemed pursuant to their terms to be Loan Documents for purposes hereof, (b) the Notes, (c) the Guaranty, (d) the Fee Letter, (e) any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15 of this Agreement, (f) each Issuer Document and (g) each Additional Credit Extension Amendment.
Loan Parties means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
London Banking Day means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
Master Agreement has the meaning specified in the definition of Swap Contract.
Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse effect on the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under any Loan Document; or (c) a material adverse effect on the material rights and remedies of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document.
Material Domestic Subsidiary means, at any time, any Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that accounts for more than 5.0% of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal year for which annual financial statements have been (or was required to be) delivered or as of the time such Person became a Domestic Subsidiary calculated on a pro forma basis assuming for such purpose that such Person became a Domestic Subsidiary as of the end of the most recent Measurement Period.
Maturity Date means (a) with respect to Commitments in effect as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the fifth anniversary of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and (b) with respect to any other Commitments, the date specified as the Maturity Date thereof pursuant to the Additional Credit Extension Amendment establishing such Commitments; provided , however , that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day. Maximum Rate has the meaning specified in Section 10.09 .
Measurement Period means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered (or were required to be delivered).
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Morgan Stanley means Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. or any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries).
Multiemployer Plan means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
Multiple Employer Plan means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
New Lender has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(e).
20
Non-Extending Lender has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).
Non-Extension Notice Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii) .
Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .
NYFRB means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
NYFRB Rate means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a banking day of the NYFRB, for the immediately preceding banking day of the NYFRB); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term NYFRB Rate means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received to the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further , that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
Obligations means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents include (a) the obligation to pay principal, interest, Letter of Credit commissions, charges, expenses, fees, attorneys fees and disbursements, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) the obligation of any Loan Party to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that any Lender, in its sole discretion, may elect to pay or advance on behalf of such Loan Party.
Organization Documents means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Outstanding Amount means (a) with respect to Loans, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of the Loans occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.
21
Overnight Bank Funding Rate means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).
Participant has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d) .
Participant Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d) .
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
Pension Funding Rules means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA.
Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (including Multiple Employer Plans but excluding Multiemployer Plans) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Plan means any employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA that is maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or its subsidiaries, or, with respect to any Plan that is a Pension Plan, any ERISA Affiliate.
Plan Asset Regulations means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA.
Platform has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .
Primary Obligor has the meaning specified in the definition of Guarantee.
Prime Rate means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMCB as its prime rate in effect at its office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
22
Pro Forma Basis means:
(a) the Transactions or any investments, acquisitions, dispositions of any subsidiary, line of business or division that have been made by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, and incurrences or repayments of indebtedness in connection with such investment, acquisition or disposition, during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date of determination will be given pro forma effect, as if they had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period;
(b) any Person that is a Subsidiary of the Borrower on the date of determination will be deemed to have been a Subsidiary of the Borrower at all times during such reference period; and
(c) any Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower on the date of determination will be deemed not to have been a Subsidiary of the Borrower at any time during such reference period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and, except as set forth in the next sentence, in a manner consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as set forth in a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (with supporting calculations) delivered to the Administrative Agent. In addition to any adjustments consistent with Regulation S-X, such certificate may set forth additional pro forma adjustments arising out of factually supportable and identifiable cost savings initiatives attributable to, or any other adjustments reasonably attributable to such investment, acquisition or disposition (net of any additional costs associated with such investment, acquisition or disposition) and expected in good faith to be realized within 12 months following such investment, acquisition or disposition, including, but not limited to, (w) reduction in personnel expenses, (x) reduction of costs related to administrative functions, (y) reductions of costs related to leased or owned properties and (z) reductions from the consolidation of operations and streamlining of corporate overhead (taking into account, for purposes of determining such calculation, any historical financial statements of the business or entities acquired or disposed of, assuming such investment, acquisition or disposition, and all other investments, acquisitions or dispositions that have been consummated during the beginning of such period, and any indebtedness or other liabilities repaid or incurred in connection therewith had been consummated and incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period; provided , that the aggregate amount of adjustments made pursuant to this sentence shall at no time exceed 15% of Consolidated EBITDA after giving pro forma effect thereto. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.
PTE means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
Qualified Equity Interests of any Person means any Equity Interests of such Person that are not Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person.
Refinancing Indebtedness means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Indebtedness that refinances, refunds, renews, extends or replaces such Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount that
23
does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed, extended or replaced plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any reasonable fees, premiums (including tender premiums) and expenses relating to such refinancing, refunding, renewal, extension or replacement.
Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c) .
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Reportable Event means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
Request for Credit Extension means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of the Loans, a Committed Loan Notice and (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application.
Required Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lenders risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations being deemed held by such Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the unused Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(iii) , the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
Restricted Payment means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrowers stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof), or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment; provided that any payment on any indebtedness convertible into or exchangeable for any Equity Interests shall not constitute a Restricted Payment.
Sale/Leaseback Transaction has the meaning assigned to it under Section 7.04 .
Sanctioned Country means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Crimea).
Sanctioned Person means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majestys Treasury, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned fifty (50) percent or more by one or more Persons referenced in clause (a).
24
Sanctions means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majestys Treasury of the United Kingdom.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Spot Rate has the meaning specified in Section 1.07 .
Subsidiary of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
Swap Contract means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a Master Agreement ), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Swap Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Synthetic Lease Obligation means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including sale and leaseback transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
25
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Threshold Amount means $50,000,000.
Total Outstandings means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.
Transaction means, collectively, (i) entering into this Agreement, (ii) the repayment of all outstandings, and termination of all commitments, under the Existing Credit Agreement and (iii) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.
Type means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
United States Tax Compliance Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(iii) .
Unmatured Surviving Obligations means Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that by their terms survive the termination of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents but are not, as of the date of determination, due and payable and for which no outstanding claim has been made.
Unreimbursed Amount has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .
U.S. Lender has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e) .
USA Patriot Act has the meaning specified in Section 10.17 .
Voting Stock of a Person means all classes of Equity Interests of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
wholly-owned means, with respect to a Subsidiary of a Person, a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) directors qualifying shares and (y) shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Law) are owned by such Person and/or by one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Write-Down and Conversion Powers means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
26
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (iii) the words hereto, herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including; the words to and until each mean to but excluding; and the word through means to and including.
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d) Any references to the date of this Agreement or the date hereof shall refer to the Effective Date.
1.03 Accounting Terms .
(a) Generally . All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under FASB ASC Topic 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at fair value, as defined therein, and (ii) the effects of FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
(b) Changes in GAAP . If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or
27
the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
1.04 Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05 Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern Time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts . Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , however , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
1.07 Currency Equivalents Generally . Any amount specified in this Agreement (other than in Articles II and IX ) or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the equivalent of such amount in any currency other than Dollars, such equivalent amount thereof in the applicable currency to be determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (as defined below) for the purchase of such currency with Dollars. For purposes of this Section 1.07 , the Spot Rate for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date of such determination; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.
1.08 Pro Forma Calculation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio on any date for any purpose under this Agreement shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.
1.09 Interest Rates . The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of Eurodollar Rate or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate therefor.
28
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 The Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving loans to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lenders Commitment at such time; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Borrowing, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of any Lender, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations shall not exceed such Lenders Commitment. Within the limits of each Lenders Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01 , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01 . The Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans .
(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by submitting a Request for Credit Extension. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; provided , however , that if the Borrower wishes to request Eurodollar Rate Loans having an Interest Period other than one, two, three or six months in duration as provided in the definition of Interest Period, (A) the applicable notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. four Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them and (B) not later than 11:00 a.m., three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all such Lenders. Each such Committed Loan Notice must be appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Section 2.03(c) , each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.
(b) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage, and if no timely notice of a conversion
29
or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans. Each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the Credit Extension on the Effective Date, Section 4.01 ), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Administrative Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided , however , that if, on the date a Committed Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing shall be, first , applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second , made available to the Borrower as provided above.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. Upon notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders during the existence of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate.
(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect hereunder.
2.03 Letters of Credit .
(a) Letters of Credit Generally . (i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03 , (1) the L/C Issuer, in its sole discretion, may from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or, so long as the Borrower is a joint and several co-applicant with respect thereto, for the account of any of its Subsidiaries), and amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b) , and (2) the L/C Issuer agrees to honor drawings under outstanding Letters of Credit issued by it; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of any Lender, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations shall not exceed such Lenders Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations of any L/C Issuer shall not exceed its L/C Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued hereunder and, from and after the Effective Date, shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof without any further action by the Borrower.
30
(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii) , the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or
(B) (x) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date or (y) the aggregate amount of L/C Obligations outstanding at the time of such issuance (other than those that have already been or will concurrently be Cash Collateralized in accordance with this Section 2.03 ) would, at any time prior to the expiry date of all Letters of Credit, exceed the aggregate Commitments at any time prior to such expiry (after giving effect to the Maturity Date of any Commitments scheduled to occur prior to such expiry), unless, in each case, the Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer approve and the Borrower shall have provided Cash Collateral for the L/C Obligations relating to such Letter of Credit in the manner set forth in Section 2.15 in an amount equal to 102% of such L/C Obligations or other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made in lieu thereof.
(iii) [Reserved].
(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
(v) [Reserved].
(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term Administrative Agent as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit . (i) In order to request the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall deliver to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least five Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (1) the Letter of
31
Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit (which notice has not been revoked), that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuers usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lenders Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the Non-Extension Notice Date ) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided , however , that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice on or before the day that is sixty Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(v) Each Letter of Credit issued hereunder on or after the Effective Date will be in the form in use at the time of issuance by the L/C Issuer.
32
(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations . (i) Upon the payment by the L/C Issuer of any draw made against any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 1:00 p.m. on the later of (i) the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit and (ii)(A) the date upon which the Borrower receives notice from the L/C Issuer of such payment by the L/C Issuer, if such notice is received by the Borrower prior to 10:00 a.m. on a Business Day or (B) the Business Day immediately following the date upon which the Borrower received such notice, if such notice is received on a day that is not a Business Day or after 10:00 a.m. on a Business Day (each such date, an Honor Date ), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the Unreimbursed Amount ), and the amount of such Lenders Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(ii) Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agents Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii) , each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.
(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03 .
(iv) Until a Lender funds its Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
(v) Each Lenders obligation to make Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided ,
33
however , that each Lenders obligation to make Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders committed Loan included in the relevant committed Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(c)(vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Repayment of Participations . (i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lenders L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c) , if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.
(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its sole discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations Absolute . The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
34
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such 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; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrowers instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f) Role of L/C Issuer . Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided , however , that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrowers pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e) ; provided , however , that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuers willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuers willful or grossly negligent failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any
35
instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.
(g) Applicability of ISP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit.
(h) Letter of Credit Fees . The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the Letter of Credit Fee ) for each Letter of Credit at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit; provided , however , any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.15 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Applicable Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(iv) , with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the L/C Issuer for its own account. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on (w) the fifteenth day following the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year, for the period accrued through such last day, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, (x) each Maturity Date prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, (y) on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and (z) thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in such Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by such Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.
(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer . The Borrower shall pay directly to each L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum equal to 0.125%, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on (w) the fifteenth day following the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year, for the period accrued through such last day, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, (x) each Maturity Date prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, (y) on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and (z) thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to each L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary,
36
or states that a Subsidiary is the account party, applicant, customer, instructing party, or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the L/C Issuer (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower (i) shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrowers business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
(l) Replacement of the L/C Issuer . (i) The L/C Issuer may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced L/C Issuer and the successor L/C Issuer. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the L/C Issuer. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced L/C Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.03 . From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (x) the successor L/C Issuer shall have all the rights and obligations of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (y) references herein to the term L/C Issuer shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous L/C Issuer, or to such successor and all previous L/C Issuers, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an L/C Issuer hereunder, the replaced L/C Issuer shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(ii) The L/C Issuer may resign as an L/C Issuer at any time upon prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such L/C Issuer shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.03(l)(i) above.
2.04 [ Reserved ]
2.05 Prepayments . The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay any Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided that any such notice of a prepayment to be made in connection with any refinancing of all of the Commitments with the proceeds of such refinancing or of any incurrence of Indebtedness, may be, if expressly so stated to be, contingent upon the consummation of such refinancing or incurrence ( provided further that the failure of such contingency shall not relieve the Borrower from its obligations in respect thereof under Section 3.05 ). Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 . Each prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (except as permitted under Section 2.16 ).
37
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments .
(a) Optional . The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Commitments and (iv) any such notice of termination to be made in connection with any refinancing of all of the Aggregate Commitments with the proceeds of such refinancing or of any incurrence of Indebtedness, may be, if expressly so stated to be, contingent upon the consummation of such refinancing or incurrence ( provided that the failure to terminate or reduce as a result of the failure of such contingency shall not relieve the Borrower from its obligations in respect thereof under Section 3.05 ).
(b) Mandatory . A Commitment shall terminate on the Maturity Date applicable to such Commitment. If at any time the Total Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Commitments at such time, the Borrower shall prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize L/C Obligations to eliminate such excess. If at any time (1) the Total Outstandings of any Lender exceeds its Commitment at such time, the Borrower shall prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize L/C Obligations to eliminate such excess; or (2) the L/C Obligations exceeds the L/C Sublimit at such time, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize L/C Obligations to eliminate such excess.
(c) Application of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees . The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitment under this Section 2.06 . Upon any reduction of the Commitments, the Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees in respect of the Aggregate Commitments accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.07 Repayment of Loans . On the Maturity Date for each Commitment, the Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding under such Commitment on such date, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, for the ratable account of the Lenders holding such Commitment on such date.
2.08 Interest .
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b) , (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.
(b) (i) If any amount payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter, for so long as such overdue amount shall remain unpaid, bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
38
(ii) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09 Fees . In addition to certain fees described in Sections 2.03(h) and (i) :
(a) Commitment Fee . The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Fee Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Commitment of such Lender exceeds such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations; provided , however , that no commitment fee shall accrue on any Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable on (x) the fifteenth day following the last day of March, June, September and December of each year for the period accrued through such last day, commencing on the first such day to occur after the Effective Date, and (y) each Maturity Date. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears.
(b) Other Fees . (i) The Borrower shall pay to the Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate .
(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including the Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a) , bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(b) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy
39
Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.03(c)(iii) , 2.03(h) or 2.08(b) or under Article VIII . The Borrowers obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
2.11 Evidence of Debt .
(a) The Commitments of and Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by one or more entries in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent acting as non-fiduciary agent solely for the purpose of Treasury Regulation 5f.103-1(c), as agent for the Borrower, in each case, in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lenders Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a) , each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent s Clawback .
(a) General . All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agents Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage in respect of the Aggregate Commitments (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected on computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing
40
of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02 ) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent . If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II , and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall promptly return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several . The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve
41
any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c) .
(e) Funding Source . Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
(f) Insufficient Funds . If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first , toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second , toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties.
2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders . If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Parties at such time) of payment on account of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:
(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest;
(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender); (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.03 or 2.15 ; or (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations to any assignee or Participant (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries); and
(iii) the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.14 and 2.17 .
42
The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
2.14 Increase in Commitments .
(a) The Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to seek commitments ( Additional Commitments ) to increase the Commitments; provided that:
(i) the aggregate amount of all Additional Commitments shall not exceed $200,000,000;
(ii) any such increase shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof; provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the limit set forth in the preceding clause (i) ;
(iii) the Additional Commitments shall be on the same terms as the Commitments then outstanding with the latest Maturity Date immediately prior to the Additional Commitments Effective Date; provided that (x) the Additional Commitments may have a higher Applicable Rate than the outstanding Commitments with the latest Maturity Date immediately prior to the Additional Commitments Effective Date if the Applicable Rate for the outstanding Commitments with the latest Maturity Date are automatically increased such that it is equal to the Applicable Rate for the Additional Commitments and (y) the Borrower may pay upfront fees on the Additional Commitments Effective Date to any Lender providing Additional Commitments (in such capacity, an Additional Commitment Lender ); and
(iv) no existing Lender shall be required to provide any Additional Commitments.
(b) Each such notice shall specify (x) the date (each, an Additional Commitments Effective Date ) on which the Borrower proposes that the Additional Commitments shall be effective, which shall be a date reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (y) the identity of the Persons (each of which shall be an Eligible Assignee (for this purpose treating a Lender of Additional Commitments as if it were an assignee)) whom the Borrower proposes would provide the Additional Commitments and the portion of the Additional Commitment to be provided by each such Person. As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any Additional Commitments, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate dated as of the Additional Commitments Effective Date signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the conditions in Section 4.02(a) and (b) are satisfied. The Borrower shall prepay any Loans outstanding on the Additional Commitments Effective Date with respect to any Additional Commitment (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 ) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Commitments. If there is a new Borrowing of Commitments on such Additional Commitments Effective Date, the Lenders after giving effect to such Additional Commitments shall make such Loans in accordance with Section 2.01 .
(c) The Additional Commitments shall be documented by an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by each Additional Commitment Lender providing the Additional Commitments (and the other Persons specified in the definition of Additional Credit Extension Amendment but no other existing Lender), and the Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide for such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.14 .
43
(d) This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or Section 10.01 to the contrary.
2.15 Cash Collateral .
(a) Certain Credit Support Events . Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer (i) if the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or (ii) if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrower shall, in each case, promptly Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(b) Grant of Security Interest . All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at the Administrative Agent pursuant to arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(c) . If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.
(c) Application . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.15 or Section 2.03 , 2.05 , 2.06 , 2.16 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.
(d) Release . Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly (i) following the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.13 )) or (ii) to the extent the aggregate amount of Cash Collateral exceeds the Fronting Exposure; provided , however , (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.15 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 8.03 ), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
44
2.16 Defaulting Lenders .
(a) Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments . That Defaulting Lenders right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01 .
(ii) Reallocation of Payments . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 ), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.15 ; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.15 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the L/C Issuer against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or L/C Borrowings were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Borrowings owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Borrowings owed to, that Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees . That Defaulting Lender (x) shall be limited in its right to receive commitment fees as provided in Section 2.09(a) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.03(h) .
45
(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.03 , the Applicable Percentage of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided , that, (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of that Lender. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lenders increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v) Cash Collateral. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.15 .
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) ), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
(c) New Letters of Credit . So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no L/C Issuer shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.
2.17 Extended Commitments .
(a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to each anniversary of the Effective Date (any such applicable anniversary of the Effective Date, the Extension Date ), but not more than twice prior to the Maturity Date in effect on the Effective Date, the Borrower, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, may request that each Lender extend the Maturity Date for an additional one year period as set forth in such notice from the Borrower. The extension of the Maturity Date effected by Amendment No. 2 on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date will constitute one of the two times described in the preceding sentence of this Section 2.17(a) .
46
(b) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such request, and each Lender shall then, in its sole discretion, notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing no later than 20 days prior to the Extension Date whether such Lender will consent to the extension (each such Lender consenting to the extension, an Extending Lender ). The failure of any Lender to notify the Administrative Agent of its intent to consent to any extension shall be deemed a rejection by such Lender of such request. A Lender that does not agree to an extension is referred to as a Non-Extending Lender.
(c) Subject to satisfaction of the conditions in Section 4.02(a) and (b) as of the Extension Date, on the Extension Date, (i) the Maturity Date in effect at such time shall be extended for an additional one year period as requested,(ii) the Maturity Date following any such extension shall not be a date that is more than five (5) years after the applicable Extension Date and (iii) except as to the Lenders that have not consented to the extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to Amendment No. 2, the Commitment of each Non-Extending Lender that is not replaced pursuant to Section 2.17(e) shall terminate and the Loans made by such Lender shall be prepaid, and any other amounts owing to such Lender hereunder shall be paid.
(d) To the extent that there are Non-Extending Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Extending Lenders, and each Extending Lender may, in its sole discretion, give written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent no later than 15 days prior to the Extension Date of the amount of the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders that it is willing to assume.
(e) The Borrower shall be permitted to require that any Non-Extending Lender assign its Commitment to an Extending Lender or to replace any Lender that is a Non-Extending Lender with a replacement financial institution or other entity (each, a New Lender ); provided that (A) the New Lender shall assume the Commitment of the Non-Extending Lender and purchase all Loans of the Non-Extending Lender at 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with all accrued interest and all fees on such Loans and Commitment and all other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (B) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 3.05 if any Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (C) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to assign its Commitment, Loans and L/C Obligations to the applicable replacement Lender or Lenders in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06 (it being understood that the Borrower or the New Lender shall be obligated to pay the processing and recordation fee referred to therein) and (D) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04 , as the case may be.
(f) If the Extending Lenders and the New Lenders are willing to commit amounts that, in an aggregate, exceed the amount of the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall allocate the Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders among them.
(g) If any financial institution or other entity becomes a New Lender or any Extending Lenders Commitment is increased pursuant to this Section 2.17 , (i) Loans made on or after the applicable Extension Date shall be made in accordance with the pro rata provisions of Section 2.01 based on the respective Commitments in effect on and after the applicable Extension Date and (ii) if, on the date of such joinder or increase, there are any Loans outstanding, such Loan shall on or prior to such date be prepaid from the proceeds of new Loans made hereunder (reflecting such additional Lender or increase), which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Loans being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Lender in accordance with Section 3.05 .
47
(h) In connection herewith, the Administrative Agent shall enter in the Register (i) the names of any New Lenders and (ii) the respective allocations of any Extending Lenders and New Lenders effective as of each Extension Date.
(i) An Extended Commitment shall be established pursuant to an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Extending Lenders, including any New Lender (and the other Persons specified in the definition of Additional Credit Extension Amendment but not any Non-Extending Lender). An Additional Credit Extension Amendment consented to by the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent may establish Extended Commitments in a manner that varies from this Section 2.17 ; provided that no Lender shall be required to extend the Maturity Date of its Commitment without its written consent. Following the effective date of any Additional Credit Extension Amendment to extend the Maturity Date of any Commitment, the Borrower, any Non-Extending Lender and the Administrative Agent (without the consent of any other Person) may enter into a supplement to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment to extend the Maturity Date of such Non-Extending Lender to be the same as the extended Maturity Date effected by such Additional Credit Extension Amendment; provided that such Lender shall not be paid any fee to extend the Maturity Date of its Commitment other than the fee (if any) paid to the Lenders pursuant to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment in consideration for such extension.
(j) This Section 2.17 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or Section 10.01 to the contrary.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes .
(a) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes, provided that if a Loan Party or other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the Loan Party or other applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (ii) the Loan Party or other applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, and (iii) in the case of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable shall be increased by the applicable Loan Party as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Lender (or, in the case of payments made to the Administrative Agent for its own account, the Administrative Agent) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01 ) paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and, without duplication, any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental
48
Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. After the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (as the case may be) learns of the imposition of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (as the case may be) will act in good faith to promptly notify the Borrower of its obligations hereunder; provided , however , that the failure to provide Borrower with such notice shall not release the Borrower of its indemnification obligation under this Section 3.01(c) .
(d) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party or other applicable withholding agent to a Governmental Authority, the Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders . Any Lender entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (and the Administrative Agent) at any time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or otherwise reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to permit such payments to be made without such withholding Tax or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.
Without limiting the foregoing, each Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so, (i) on or prior to the date it becomes a Foreign Lender, (ii) on or prior to the date on which any applicable form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or incorrect, (iii) after the occurrence of any event involving such Foreign Lender that requires a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it to Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, provide the Administrative Agent and the Borrower whichever of the following is applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor form) claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party and which provides for an exemption from or reduction in United States Federal withholding tax,
(ii) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form),
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F (any such certificate a United States Tax Compliance Certificate ) to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a bank within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, (3) a controlled foreign corporation described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (4) or was not engaged in a conduct of a trade or business within the United States to which the interest payment is effectively connected and (B) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor form),
49
(iv) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Lender is a partnership or participating Lender granting a typical participation), a complete and executed IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, a United States Tax Compliance Certificate, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents or successor forms from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that, if the Foreign Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender shall provide a United States Tax Compliance Certificate, on behalf of such beneficial owner(s) in lieu of requiring each beneficial owner to provide its own certificate, or
(v) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and L/C Issuer that is a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code that lends to the Borrower (each, a U.S. Lender ) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower two duly signed, properly completed copies of IRS Form W-9 on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), certifying that such U.S. Lender is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding, or any successor form.
If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Sections 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their FATCA obligations, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lenders FATCA obligations and, if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this paragraph FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to deliver to the Borrower and to any successor Administrative Agent any documentation provided by the Lender to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 3.01(e) .
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds . If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines, in its sole discretion, which shall be applied in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to a Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that a Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, agrees to repay the amount paid over to a Loan Party ( plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental
50
Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer if the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to a Loan Party or any other Person.
3.02 Illegality . If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on such Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03 Alternate Rate of Interest .
(a) If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate (including, without limitation, because the Eurodollar Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period; or
(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A)
51
any request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (B) any request for a Borrowing of a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
(b) If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have not arisen but either (w) the supervisor for the administrator of the Eurodollar Screen Rate has made a public statement that the administrator of the Eurodollar Screen Rate is insolvent (and there is no successor administrator that will continue publication of the Eurodollar Screen Rate), (x) the administrator of the Eurodollar Screen Rate has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the Eurodollar Screen Rate will permanently or indefinitely cease to be published by it (and there is no successor administrator that will continue publication of the Eurodollar Screen Rate), (y) the supervisor for the administrator of the Eurodollar Screen Rate has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the Eurodollar Screen Rate will permanently or indefinitely cease to be published or (z) the supervisor for the administrator of the Eurodollar Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the Eurodollar Screen Rate may no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the Eurodollar Screen Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable (but for the avoidance of doubt, such related changes shall not include a reduction of the Applicable Rate). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from any affected Lender stating that such Lenders object to such amendment. Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this clause (b) (but, in the case of the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 3.03(b), only to the extent the Eurodollar Screen Rate for such Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) any requests for a conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (y) if any requests for a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing; provided that, if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans .
(a) Increased Costs Generally . If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement taken into account in determining the Eurodollar Rate or contemplated by Section 3.04(e) ) or the L/C Issuer; or
(ii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein (other than with respect to (x) any Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 or (y) any Excluded Taxes);
52
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital and Liquidity Requirements . If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, regarding capital and liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the L/C Issuers capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the L/C Issuers policies and the policies of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 3.04 or in Section 3.05 and specifying in reasonable detail the basis for such compensation and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans . The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as Eurocurrency Liabilities), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination
53
shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
3.05 Compensation for Losses . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or any payment of any Loan on the Maturity Date of the Commitment under which such Loan was made if the Interest Period for such Loan does not end on such Maturity Date;
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13 ;
including any loss of anticipated profits (excluding the Applicable Rate) and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04 , as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 or delivers a notice described in Section 3.02 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13 .
54
3.07 Survival . All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III , as well as the Lenders obligations under Section 3.01(e) , shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Conditions to Effectiveness . The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the prior or concurrent satisfaction of the following conditions (the date on which such conditions are satisfied, the Effective Date ):
(a) Loan Documents and Corporate Documents . The Administrative Agents receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party (if applicable), each dated the Effective Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Effective Date) and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty in such number as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(ii) a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender that has requested a Note at least two Business Days in advance of the Effective Date;
(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party;
(iv) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each Loan Party is validly existing and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization;
(v) a favorable opinion of each of (1) Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, special New York counsel to the Loan Parties and (2) general counsel to the Loan Parties, in each case (A) dated as of the Effective Date, (B) addressed to each L/C Issuer on the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
(vi) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the conditions specified in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 are satisfied.
(b) Fees and Expenses . All fees due to the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and the Lenders shall have been paid, and all expenses to be paid or reimbursed to the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger that have been invoiced a reasonable period of time prior to the Effective Date shall have been paid, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements of counsel as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the Effective Date ( provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of additional amounts actually incurred and invoiced by the Administrative Agent or its counsel to the Borrower promptly after the Effective Date).
55
(c) USA Patriot Act . The Borrower and each of the Guarantors shall have provided, (i) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, the documentation and other information to the Administrative Agent and Lenders that are required by regulatory authorities under applicable know-your-customer rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act, to the extent the Borrower shall have received written requests therefor at least seven (7) Business Days prior to the Effective Date and (ii) to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a legal entity customer under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower.
(d) Termination of Existing Credit Agreement. The Borrower shall have repaid all borrowings, and terminated the commitments under, the Existing Credit Agreement, all security interests securing the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been released, and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the foregoing.
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04 , for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 , each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02 Conditions to All Credit Extensions . The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) (including on the Effective Date) is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02 , the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) , respectively.
(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
56
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power . Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party and consummate the Transaction, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (a) (other than with respect to a Loan Party), (b)(i) or (c) , to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party (a) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and (b) do not (i) contravene the terms of any of such Persons Organization Documents; (ii) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (A) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any Law; except with respect to any conflict, breach, contravention, payment or violation (but not creation of Liens) referred to in clause (b)(ii) or (iii) , to the extent that such conflict, breach, contravention, payment or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for the consummation of the Transaction, except for such items which the failure to make or obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.04 Binding Effect . This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally or by general principles of equity.
5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect .
(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.
57
(b) The unaudited financial statements of the Borrower for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the entities to which they relate as of the dates and for the periods covered thereby, subject to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.
(c) Since the date of the balance sheet included in the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06 Litigation . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.06 , there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to restrain or contest entry into or performance under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the consummation of the Transaction or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.07 Ownership of Property . Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or has valid leasehold interests in, or other rights to use, all property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such property the failure to own or have valid interest in, or such defects in title or interests, or rights, as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.08 Environmental Compliance . Except with respect to any matters that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth on Schedule 5.08 , none of the Loan Parties nor any of their respective Subsidiaries (a) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any Environmental Permit or to provide any notification required under any Environmental Law or has become subject to any Environmental Liability or is conducting or financing any investigation, response or corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location; or (b) knows of any basis for Environmental Liability.
5.09 Insurance . The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
5.10 Taxes . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed, or have caused to be filed, all Federal, state and other tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid, or have caused to be paid, all Federal, state and other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except (i) those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or (ii) to the extent the failure to do any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is party to any tax sharing agreement other than one or more tax sharing agreements between or among Loan Parties and other Domestic Subsidiaries and the tax sharing agreement between the Borrower and Morgan Stanley.
58
5.11 ERISA Compliance .
(a) Except with respect to any matter that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Plan is in compliance in all respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws and (ii) each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such tax qualified status.
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) all required minimum contributions to any Multiemployer Plan have been made.
(d) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan other than (A) on the Effective Date, those listed on Schedule 5.11(d) hereto and (B) thereafter, Pension Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.
5.12 Subsidiaries . Schedule 5.12 sets forth a complete list of each Subsidiary of the Borrower as of the Effective Date, the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, the percentage of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower and whether such Subsidiary is a Loan Party.
5.13 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act .
(a) The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, in each case in violation of such Regulation U.
(b) None of the Loan Parties is required to register as an investment company as such term is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
59
5.14 Disclosure .
(a) No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document, taken as a whole with all such reports, financial statements, certificates or other information previously furnished, contains, when furnished, any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that (i) with respect to projected, pro forma or budgeted financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time such information was prepared (it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and that no assurance can be given that any particular projection will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered thereby may vary and such variances may be material) and (ii) the Borrower makes no representation or warranty with respect to information of a general economic or general industry nature.
(b) As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.
5.15 Compliance with Laws . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance in all respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.16 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc . Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16 or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights and other intellectual property rights (collectively IP Rights ) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person, (ii) no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon any rights held by any other Person and (iii) no claim or litigation regarding any of the material IP Rights owned by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened.
60
5.17 Anti-Money-Laundering Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions . The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, their respective officers, employees, directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Borrower or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than any Unmatured Surviving Obligations) hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless cash collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer), the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01 , 6.02 , 6.03 and 6.11 ) cause each Subsidiary to:
6.01 Financial Statements . Deliver to the Administrative Agent (which shall deliver to each Lender), in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated statement of financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or any other independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2015), a consolidated statement of financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrowers fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(c) , the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
61
6.02 Certificates; Other Information . Deliver to the Administrative Agent (which shall deliver to each Lender), in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) starting with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2014 and concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) , a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);
(b) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of any Loan Party, in each case, prepared by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any audit of any of them;
(c) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other material report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all material annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than registration statements on Form S-8 or exhibits to any of the foregoing), or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(d) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or of any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement involving Indebtedness then outstanding in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02 ;
(e) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each material notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to provide a copy of any such communication if the Borrower is prohibited or restricted by any applicable law or by the terms of such communication from providing such copy; and
(f) (x) subject to the proviso to clause (e) , promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial, legal or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request and (y) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.
Documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 , Section 6.02 or Section 6.03 may be delivered electronically (including by email) and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto,
62
on the Borrowers website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02, (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrowers behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent) or (iii) on which any such email is delivered to the Administrative Agent; provided that: (x) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (y) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent, which shall notify each Lender, (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e ., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the Administrative Agent and/or the Lead Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials ) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the Platform ).
6.03 Notices . Promptly notify the Administrative Agent (which shall deliver such notices to each Lender):
(a) of the occurrence of any Default;
(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (but in each case only to the extent the same has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect) (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;
(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and
(d) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in parts (c) or (d) of such certification.
Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.04 Payment of Taxes . Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities in respect of all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, except (i) to the extent the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary or (ii) to the extent the failure to pay or discharge the same could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
63
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc . (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except (i) in a transaction permitted by Section 7.03 , (ii) in respect of an Immaterial Subsidiary or (iii) other than in the case of the legal existence and good standing (in the jurisdiction of organization) of the Borrower, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) take all commercially reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) take all commercially reasonable action to preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Maintenance of Properties . (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except, in each case with respect to clauses (a) and (b), where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance . Maintain or cause to be maintained with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.
6.08 Compliance with Laws .
(a) Comply in all respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Maintain in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions.
6.09 Books and Records . Maintain proper books of record and account (in which full, true and correct, in all material respects, entries shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) in a manner that permits the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
6.10 Inspection Rights . Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers responsible for financial matters, and independent public accountants (at which authorized representatives of the Borrower shall be entitled to be present), all at the reasonable expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided that excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on
64
behalf of the Lenders may exercise rights under this Section 6.10 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than one (1) time during any calendar year absent the existence and continuation of an Event of Default; provided further that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the reasonable expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours.
6.11 Use of Proceeds .
(a) Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including working capital and acquisitions) not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
(b) Not to use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, in each case, in violation of such Regulation U of the FRB.
(c) Not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
6.12 Additional Guarantors . Unless the next succeeding sentence applies, within 45 days following the date on which annual financial statements were, or were required to be, delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) , the Borrower shall cause any Material Domestic Subsidiary that is not already a Guarantor to execute the Guaranty and deliver it to the Administrative Agent. In addition, by no later than the earlier of 75 days following (x) the formation or acquisition of any Person that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary and (y) the first date on which annual or quarterly financial statements that included such Material Domestic Subsidiaries were, or were required to be, delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) , the Borrower shall cause such Person to execute the Guaranty and deliver it to the Administrative Agent. Any such Guaranty shall be accompanied by an opinion of counsel covering the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of such Guaranty.
6.13 Compliance with Environmental Laws . Except to the extent that the failure to do any of the following could not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) comply and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and (iii) conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, as required by applicable Environmental Laws; provided , however , that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other action to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.
65
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than any Unmatured Surviving Obligations) hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless cash collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer), the Borrower agrees to, and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with the following covenants:
7.01 Liens .
(a) Except as provided in clauses (i) through (xxviii) below, neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor may create, incur, assume or otherwise have outstanding or suffer to exist any Lien upon any asset or property belonging to the Borrower or any Guarantor, whether such asset or property is owned by the Borrower or any Guarantor on the Effective Date or acquired in the future, other than the following:
(i) Liens in favor of (x) the Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations or (y) any L/C Issuer to Cash Collateralize any Defaulting Lenders participation in Obligations hereunder;
(ii) Liens in favor of the Borrower or any Guarantor;
(iii) Liens on property to secure all or part of the cost of acquiring, substantially repairing or altering, constructing, developing or substantially improving such property, or to secure Indebtedness incurred to provide funds for any such purpose or for reimbursement of funds previously expended for any such purpose; provided (A) the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such Lien shall have been obtained not later than twelve months after the later of (x) the completion of the acquisition, substantial repair or alteration, construction, development or substantial improvement of such property or (y) the placing in operation of such property or of such property as so substantially repaired or altered, constructed, developed or substantially improved and (B) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof);
(iv) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on property of a Person at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that such Liens were not created in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or investment and do not extend to any assets other than such acquired property or those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or such Subsidiary or acquired by the Borrower or such Subsidiary (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof);
(v) any Lien required to be given or granted by any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any agreement entered into by such Subsidiary prior to the date on which it became a Subsidiary; provided that any such Lien does not extend to any other property or asset, other than improvements to the property or asset subject to such Lien;
(vi) Liens existing as of the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 7.01 ;
66
(vii) extensions, renewals, alterations, refinancings or replacements of any Lien referred to in the preceding clauses (iii) through (vi) above; provided , however , that (A) the amount of obligations secured thereby shall not exceed the amount of obligations so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, alteration or replacement, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon together with any reasonable fees, premiums (including tender premiums) and expenses relating to such extension, renewal, alteration or replacement and (B) such extension, renewal, alteration, refinancing or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property or assets which secured the Lien so extended, renewed, altered or replaced (plus improvements on such property or assets);
(viii) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business securing obligations which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person to the extent required under GAAP;
(ix) Liens attaching to cash earnest money deposits in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder and Liens on cash deposits held in escrow accounts pursuant to the terms of any purchase agreement permitted hereunder;
(x) Liens on cash and Cash Equivalents (A) securing Swap Contracts not entered into for speculative purposes and (B) securing letters of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided , that the aggregate amount of such cash and Cash Equivalents shall at no time exceed $50.0 million;
(xi) bankers liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens that are customary in the banking industry and existing solely with respect to cash and other amounts on deposit in one or more accounts (including securities accounts) maintained by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
(xii) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;
(xiii) deposits to secure the performance of tenders, bids, trade contracts and leases, statutory or regulatory obligations, surety bonds, insurance obligations, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xiv) minor defects or minor imperfections in title, and zoning, land use and similar restrictions and easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(xv) Liens securing judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) , or securing appeal or other surety bonds related to such judgments;
(xvi) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
67
(xvii) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to other Persons in the ordinary course of business which do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (B) secure any Indebtedness for borrowed money;
(xviii) any interest or title of (A) a lessor or sublessor under any lease or sublease or (B) a licensor or sublicensor under any license or sublicense, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business, so long as such interest or title relate solely to the assets subject thereto;
(xix) Liens of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-208 (or its equivalent) of the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction on items in the course of collection and documents and proceeds related thereto;
(xx) Liens arising from precautionary filings of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction in respect of operating leases or consignments entered into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(xxi) Liens in the nature of trustees Liens granted pursuant to any indenture governing any permitted Indebtedness for borrowed money, in each case in favor of the trustee under such indenture and securing only obligations to pay compensation to such trustee, to reimburse its expenses and to indemnify it under the terms thereof;
(xxii) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(xxiii) assignments of accounts or other rights to receive income to the extent constituting a Sale/Leaseback Transaction permitted under Section 7.04 ;
(xxiv) escrow deposits of source code in the ordinary course of business in connection with the licensing of IP Rights by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to their customers;
(xxv) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sales of goods entered into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(xxvi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(xxvii) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; and
(xxviii) a Lien (including successive extensions, renewals, alterations or replacements thereof) not excepted by clauses (i) through (xxvii) above; provided that after giving effect thereto, Exempted Debt does not exceed the greater of (A) $75.0 million and (B) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower, determined on a Pro Forma Basis based on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, in each case, measured at the date of any Incurrence of Exempted Debt.
(b) In the event that a Lien meets the criteria of more than one of clauses of (i) through (xxviii) above, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, will be permitted to classify such Lien (or portion thereof) at the time of its Incurrence in any manner that complies with this Section 7.01 . In addition,
68
any Lien (or portion thereof) originally classified as Incurred pursuant to any of clauses (i) through (xxviii) above may later be reclassified by the Borrower, in its sole discretion, such that it (or any portion thereof) will be deemed to be Incurred pursuant to any other of such clauses to the extent that such reclassified Lien (or portion thereof) could be Incurred pursuant to such clause at the time of such reclassification.
(c) For purposes of this covenant:
(i) accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value or original issue discount, the amortization of debt discount and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of the indebtedness secured by the relevant Lien;
(ii) in determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the securing of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based upon the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such indebtedness was Incurred; and
(iii) the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may secure shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.
7.02 Subsidiary Indebtedness .
(a) The Borrower will not cause or permit any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Incur any Indebtedness.
(b) Section 7.02(a) shall not apply to the following items of Indebtedness:
(i) (A) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into, amalgamated with, or is consolidated into, a Subsidiary, or which is assumed by a Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of substantially all the assets of such Person, so long as such indebtedness was not created in anticipation of such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or acquisition, and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, so long as such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred by the same Person(s) as the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;
(ii) (A) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such indebtedness was not Incurred in anticipation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary, and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, so long as such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred by the same Person(s) as the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;
(iii) (A) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capitalized Leases, purchase money obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets; and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, so long as such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred by the same Person(s) as the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;
(iv) Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to and held by any Subsidiary or indebtedness of a Subsidiary owing to and held by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
69
(v) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $175.0 million;
(vi) Indebtedness owed in respect of any overdrafts, netting protections and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearing-house transfers of funds; provided that such indebtedness shall be repaid in full within five Business Days of the Incurrence thereof;
(vii) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar instruments issued for the account of any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations under (A) workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (B) tenders, bids, trade contracts, leases (other than capitalized lease obligations or Synthetic Lease Obligations), statutory or regulatory obligations, surety bonds, insurance obligations, performance bonds, appeal bonds and other obligations of a like nature;
(viii) Swap Contracts entered into other than for speculative purposes;
(ix) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums;
(x) Indebtedness outstanding on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 7.02 and any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof;
(xi) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xii) Indebtedness incurred in any acquisition or other transaction permitted hereunder, in each case to the extent constituting indemnification obligations, incentive, non-compete or other similar arrangements, or obligations in respect of purchase price (including earn-outs) or other similar adjustments;
(xiii) obligations in respect of any agreement to provide cash management services, including credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer, credit card or purchase card services and other cash management arrangements;
(xiv) Indebtedness on account of or in respect of letters of credit obtained in the ordinary course of business in connection with foreign operations or branches in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; and
(xv) Indebtedness not excepted by clauses (i) through (xiv) above; provided that after giving effect thereto, Exempted Debt does not exceed $145.0 million in the aggregate at any time outstanding.
(c) In the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of clauses of (i) through (xv) above, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, will be permitted to classify such indebtedness (or portion thereof) at the time of its Incurrence in any manner that complies with this covenant. In addition, any indebtedness (or portion thereof) originally classified as Incurred pursuant to any of clauses (i) through (xv) above may later be reclassified by the Borrower, in its sole discretion, such that it (or any portion thereof) will be deemed to be Incurred pursuant to any other of such clauses to the extent that such reclassified indebtedness (or portion thereof) could be Incurred pursuant to such clause at the time of such reclassification.
70
(d) Indebtedness Incurred under any of clauses (i) through (xv) above by a Subsidiary that subsequently becomes a Guarantor will cease to be outstanding under such clause at such time as such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor until such time, if any, that the Borrower, in its sole discretion, elects to classify or re-classify such indebtedness as Incurred under any of such clauses to permit the release of such Subsidiary from the Guaranty as permitted under Section 9.10 .
(e) For purposes of this covenant:
(i) accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value or original issue discount, the amortization of debt discount and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness;
(ii) in determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based upon the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred; provided , however , that if such indebtedness is Incurred to refinance or replace other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing or replacement would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing or replacement, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing or replacement indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced; and
(iii) the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may Incur shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.
7.03 Fundamental Changes .
(a) The Borrower will not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, to any Person, and will not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge with or into the Borrower, unless
(i) the Borrower will be the surviving company in any merger or consolidation, or, if the Borrower consolidates with or merges into another Person or conveys or transfers or leases its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, to any Person, such successor Person is an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(ii) the successor Person, if other than the Borrower, expressly assumes all of the Borrowers Obligations under the Loan Documents;
(iii) each Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions above) shall have confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such successor Persons obligations in respect of this Agreement;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, there exists no Default or Event of Default; and
71
(v) the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and an opinion of counsel, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
For purposes of this covenant, the Disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more of the Subsidiaries, which properties and assets, if held by the Borrower instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Borrower on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Borrower.
(b) No Guarantor will consolidate with or merge with or into any other Subsidiary or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, to any other Subsidiary, or permit any Subsidiary to consolidate with or merge with or into such Guarantor, unless
(i) a Guarantor will be the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation, or, if such Guarantor consolidates with or merges into another Subsidiary or conveys or transfers or leases its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, to any other Subsidiary, such successor Person is an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(ii) the successor Person, if not already a Guarantor, expressly assumes such Guarantors Guarantee under the Guaranty;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, there exists no Default or Event of Default; and
(iv) the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and an opinion of counsel, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (b), any Guarantor (other than a Material Domestic Subsidiary) may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower reasonably determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders.
(d) This covenant shall not apply to the direct or indirect conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any Loan Party to any other Loan Party.
7.04 Sale/Leaseback Transactions .
(a) Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor may engage in a transaction with any Person (other than the Borrower or a Guarantor) providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any Guarantor of any property of the Borrower or a Guarantor, except for transactions (i) involving a lease which will not exceed three years, including renewals (or which may be terminated by the Borrower or the applicable Guarantor within a period of not more than three years), (ii) involving a lease of property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after, the latest of the acquisition, completion of construction, or commencement of operations of such property, (iii) that were for the sale and leasing back to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of any property, and (iv) that were entered into prior to, or within 12 months of, the Effective Date (a Sale/Leaseback Transaction ), unless the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the property to be leased are at least equal to the fair market value of such property and unless:
(b) (i) this Agreement would have allowed the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to create a Lien on such property to secure debt in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction without securing the Obligations pursuant to Section 7.01 ; or
72
(ii) within 360 days, the Borrower or any Guarantor applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of such sale or transfer to:
(A) the voluntary retirement of any indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of issuance, assumption or guarantee thereof, or which is extendible or renewable at the sole option of the obligor in such manner that it may become payable more than one year from the date of issuance, assumption or guarantee, which ranks equally with the Loans in right of payment and owing to a Person other than the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower; or
(B) the purchase of additional property that will constitute or form a part of property or other assets used or useful in a business permitted by Section 7.06, and which has a fair market value at least equal to the net proceeds of such sale or transfer.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, the Borrower or any Guarantor may enter into a Sale/Leaseback Transaction which would otherwise be subject to Section 7.04(a) so as to create an aggregate amount of Attributable Indebtedness after giving effect thereto that does not, together with all Exempted Debt, exceed the greater of (A) $75.0 million and (B) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower, determined on a Pro Forma Basis based on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, in each case measured at the date of any Incurrence of Exempted Debt.
(d) For purposes of this covenant:
(i) in determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the entering into of any Sale/Leaseback Transaction, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Attributable Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based upon the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Attributable Indebtedness in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction was Incurred; and
(ii) the maximum amount of Attributable Indebtedness the Borrower or any Guarantor may Incur in respect of any Sale/Leaseback Transaction shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.
7.05 Restricted Payments . The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
(a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to any Loan Party, and any other Person that owns a direct Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;
73
(b) any Loan Party may make Restricted Payments to, or issue or sell any Equity Interests to, or accept any capital contribution from, any other Loan Party;
(c) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person;
(d) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its Qualified Equity Interests with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new Qualified Equity Interests;
(e) the Borrower may repurchase its Equity Interests from current or former directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their estates, spouses or former spouses or make payments to such persons upon termination of employment or directorship, in connection with stock options, stock appreciation rights or other equity or equity-based incentives pursuant to incentive plans or in connection with the death or disability of such persons in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year;
(f) the Borrower may repurchase, cancel or withhold Equity Interests to the extent (i) such repurchase is deemed to occur upon or in connection with the exercise or vesting of any options, warrants or other equity awards and (ii) such Equity Interests (A) represent a portion of the purchase price of such options, warrants or other equity awards or (B) are repurchased, cancelled or withheld to facilitate the satisfaction of any tax liabilities incurred upon or in connection with the exercise or vesting of any options, warrants or other equity awards;
(g) the Borrower may make cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional or odd lot Equity Interests in connection with acquisitions;
(h) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, so long as (A) at the time of payment, no Event of Default exists and (B) at the time of declaration of such dividend, such dividend could have been made pursuant to clause (i) below; and
(i) in addition to the foregoing Restricted Payments, the Borrower and each Subsidiary may make additional Restricted Payments so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.07 .
7.06 Change in Nature of Business . Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date or any business substantially related, incidental or complementary thereto (as determined in good faith by the Borrower).
7.07 Financial Covenants .
(a) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio . Permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than 4.00:1.00.
(b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio . Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be greater than 4.25:1.00.
74
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment . The Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to (i) pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) pay within three Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) pay any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within five Business Days after (x) written request therefor or (y) in the case of reimbursement of expenses, receipt of invoice therefor, or (iv) deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations when required; or
(b) Specific Covenants . The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.03(a) , 6.05(a) (with respect to the legal existence of the Borrower only), 6.11 , 6.12 , or Article VII ; or
(c) Other Defaults . Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or
(d) Representations and Warranties . Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default . (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such payment is not made within any applicable grace period in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause after giving effect to any applicable grace period, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, provided that this clause (i)(B) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness of a Loan Party or a Subsidiary that becomes due upon the sale or transfer by such Loan Party or Subsidiary of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness, or unsecured Indebtedness of a Loan Party or a Subsidiary that does not become due but contains an obligation to offer to purchase such Indebtedness following an asset sale in the event the proceeds of such sale are not reinvested in the business or used to repay a category of Indebtedness that includes the Loans (it being understood that this clause (i)(B) shall apply if such offer to purchase is actually made or required to be made); or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such
75
Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc . Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) thereof institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment . (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments . There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least A by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(i) ERISA . (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents . Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations (other than any Unmatured Surviving Obligations), ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any material provision of any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any material provision of any Loan Document; or
76
(k) Change of Control . There occurs any Change of Control.
8.02 Remedies upon Event of Default . If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and
(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents;
provided , however , that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03 Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02 ), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15 and 2.16 , be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (other than principal and interest but including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III ) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III ), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
77
Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;
Fifth , to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.15 ; and
Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations (other than any Unmatured Surviving Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
Subject to Section 2.03(c) and Section 2.15 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above, and thereafter applied as provided in clause Last above.
ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority . Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints JPMCB to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and solely in the case of Sections 9.06 and 9.10 , the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions other than Sections 9.06 and 9.10 . It is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
9.02 Rights as a Lender . The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
78
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02 ) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
79
9.05 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States and which shall, unless an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) or 8.01(f) has occurred and is continuing at such time, be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably delayed). If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications (including such acceptance by the Borrower) set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agents resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
Any resignation by an Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute the resignation by such Person as L/C Issuer. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
80
9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger of this credit facility or any amendment thereto or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger of this credit facility or any amendment thereto or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Lead Arranger listed on the cover page hereof shall have no powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.
9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) and (i) , 2.09 and 10.04 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04 .
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.
81
9.10 Guaranty Matters .
(a) If any Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder, such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10 . Upon such automatic release and at the Administrative Agents reasonable written request, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an officers certificate certifying that such Guarantor has ceased to be a Subsidiary.
(b) If any Guarantor ceases to be a Material Domestic Subsidiary, the Borrower may give written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent requesting the release of such Guarantor from the Guaranty. Such request shall be accompanied by (i) an officers certificate certifying that such Guarantor has ceased to be a Material Domestic Subsidiary and (ii) information reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to evidence that such Guarantor is not a Material Domestic Subsidiary. The Lenders and the L/C Issuers irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to release any such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10 . In each case specified in this Section 9.10 , the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrowers expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10 .
9.11 Withholding Taxes . To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender (which shall, for purposes of this Section 9.11 , include any L/C Issuer) an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 3.01 , each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the IRS or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of such Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Section 9.11 . The agreements in this Section 9.11 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
9.12 Certain ERISA Matters .
(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Lender is not using plan assets (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,
82
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lenders entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a Qualified Professional Asset Manager (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lenders entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b) In addition, (I) unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (II) if such sub-clause (i) is not true with respect to a Lender and such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:
(i) none of the Administrative Agent, or any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto),
(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21, as amended from time to time) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),
83
(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),
(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and
(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent, or any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.
(c) The Administrative Agent, and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, bankers acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Amendments, Etc . Subject to section 3.03(b), no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) (i) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 ) without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent in Section 4.01 or 4.02 , or the waiver of any Default or Event of Default or any mandatory prepayment, shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment) or (ii) extend the final expiration of any Letter of Credit beyond the Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(b) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment;
84
(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iii) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01 ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate, (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder, or (iii) to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest, commitment fees or Letter of Credit Fees at the highest grid rate upon the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default;
(d) change (i) Section 8.03 without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby or (ii) Section 2.12(a) or Section 2.13 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, or any change to the definition of Applicable Percentage that would alter such pro rata sharing of payments, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(e) change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;
(f) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01 without the written consent of each Lender; or
(g) release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantors (measured by value of the Guarantors, not by number) from the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary from the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone);
and provided further that without limiting any requirement that the same be signed or executed by the Borrower or any other applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (iii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
85
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may, without the input or consent of any other Lender, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the Administrative Agent to effect the provisions of Section 2.14 or 2.17 .
If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13 ; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement, so long as such amendment, modification, or supplement is not adverse to the interests of any Lender or L/C Issuer.
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications .
(a) Notices Generally . Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02 ; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received. Notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications . Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable
86
of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) The Platform . THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the Agent Parties ) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agents transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided , however , that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).
(d) Change of Address, Etc . Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders . The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice
87
purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .
(a) Costs and Expenses . The Borrower shall pay or reimburse (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel (together with one local counsel, if necessary, in each relevant jurisdiction for the Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent)), in connection with the syndication of the facility provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers (including proposed amendments, modifications or waivers) of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel (together with one local counsel, if necessary, in each relevant jurisdiction and another counsel if an actual conflict of interest exists among the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates) for the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates taken together), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the Lead Arranger, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee ) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel (together with one local counsel, if necessary, in each relevant jurisdiction) for all Indemnitees taken as a whole; provided that if there is a conflict of interest, the Borrower shall so indemnify for expenses of one additional counsel to the affected Indemnitees taken as a whole), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of
88
the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of the Borrowers or such Loan Partys directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (and, upon any such determination pursuant to this clause (x), any indemnification payments with respect to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses previously received by such Indemnitee shall be subject to reimbursement by such Indemnitee), (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for material breach of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) result from claims of any of the Indemnitees against any other Indemnitee (and not by one or more Indemnitees against the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or the L/C Issuer in such capacity) that have not resulted from the action, inaction, participation or contribution of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, stockholders, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives or advisors.
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders . To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lenders Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d) .
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, any claim against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that nothing in this sentence shall affect the Borrowers indemnity and reimbursement obligations pursuant to Section 10.04(c) . No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments . All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.
89
(f) Survival . The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent and any of the L/C Issuers, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
10.05 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
10.06 Successors and Assigns .
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder (other than pursuant to Section 7.03 ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b) , (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.06(b) , participations in L/C Obligations) at the time owing to it); provided that except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of the assigning Lender, any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts . (A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if
90
the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless (x) such assignment is in connection with the primary syndication of the facility hereunder or (y) each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) , Section 8.01(f) (with respect to the Borrower) or Section 8.01(g)(i) (with respect to the Borrower) has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided , however , that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;
(ii) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;
(iii) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) , Section 8.01(f) (with respect to the Borrower) or Section 8.01(g)(i) (with respect to the Borrower) has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, JPMCB or an Affiliate of JPMCB or (3) such assignment is in connection with the primary syndication of the facility hereunder; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 15 Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender, JPMCB or an Affiliate of JPMCB; and
(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding);
(iv) Assignment and Assumption . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire;
(v) No Assignment to Borrower . No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the Borrowers Affiliates other than Morgan Stanley and its Affiliates, excluding the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender; and
91
(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons . No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.
In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 , 3.05 and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.06(d) .
(c) Register . The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agents Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and interest amounts) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register ). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by the assigning Lender and an assignee, together with any Note or Notes subject to such assignment, the assignees completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), any applicable tax forms and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section 10.06 , the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register.
92
(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Defaulting Lender, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant ) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lenders participations in L/C Obligations) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirement to provide any applicable forms under Section 3.01 ) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b) . To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation with respect to a Commitment or Loan to the Borrower shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of each Participants interest in the Commitment and/or Loan (the Participant Register ); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights . A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 , 3.04 or 3.05 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(f) Certain Pledges . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
93
(g) Resignation as L/C Issuer after Assignment . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time JPMCB assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to Section 10.06(b) , JPMCB may, upon 30 days notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of JPMCB as L/C Issuer. If JPMCB resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer, (a) such successor L/C Issuer shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) on a confidential and need-to-know basis to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives who need to know such information in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and will be subject to customary confidentiality obligations of professional practice or will agree (which agreement may be oral or pursuant to company policy) to be bound by the terms of this Section 10.07 (or language substantially similar to this Section 10.07 ), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) (in which case such Person, to the extent permitted by law and except where such disclosure is made in the course of routine audits or reviews by regulatory or self-regulatory authorities, shall inform the Borrower promptly) or to any Federal Reserve Bank or central bank in connection with a pledge or assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(f) , (c) to the extent required pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal or administrative proceeding, or by applicable laws (including for purposes of establishing a due diligence defense) or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (in which case such Person, to the extent permitted by law, shall inform the Borrower promptly), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 10.07 , to (i) any permitted assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective permitted assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a basis that to its knowledge is nonconfidential from a source other than the Borrower or (iii) is independently developed by such Person. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Commitments; provided that such disclosure shall in no event include information beyond the scope of information publicly filed with the SEC without the consent of the Borrower.
94
For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a basis that to its knowledge is nonconfidential prior to disclosure by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, provided that, in the case of information received from a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary after the Effective Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential or is delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 , 6.02 or 6.03 hereof. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Related Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.
All Information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its Administrative Questionnaire a credit contact who may receive Information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable Law.
10.08 Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, each L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower owing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, L/C Issuer or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided , that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, each L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
95
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate ). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .
(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01 , this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or PDF (or similar file) by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) Electronic Execution of Assignments . The words execution, signed, signature and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent.
10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
10.12 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
96
provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12 , if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuers, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
10.13 Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 or delivers a notice described in Section 3.02 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06 ), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.06 ;
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05 ) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
Any Lender being replaced pursuant to this Section 10.13 shall promptly (i) execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lenders Commitment and outstanding Loans and participations in L/C Obligations, and (ii) deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or Administrative Agent.
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc .
(a) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN
97
NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
10.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger are arms-length commercial transactions
98
between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Administrative Agent and each Lead Arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lead Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lead Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice . Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the USA Patriot Act ), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA Patriot Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
10.18 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions .
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
99
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
[Signature Pages Intentionally Omitted]
100
Schedule 2.01A
COMMITMENTS AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES
Lender |
Commitment |
Applicable
Percentage |
||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
$ | 62,500,000 | 25.000000000 | % | ||||
Goldman Sachs Bank USA |
$ | 30,000,000 | 12.000000000 | % | ||||
Fifth Third Bank |
$ | 22,500,000 | 9.000000000 | % | ||||
Bank of America, N.A. |
$ | 20,000,000 | 8.000000000 | % | ||||
Citizens Bank, N.A. |
$ | 20,000,000 | 8.000000000 | % | ||||
Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch |
$ | 20,000,000 | 8.000000000 | % | ||||
TD Bank, N.A. |
$ | 20,000,000 | 8.000000000 | % | ||||
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. |
$ | 20,000,000 | 8.000000000 | % | ||||
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. |
$ | 17,500,000 | 7.000000000 | % | ||||
MUFG Bank, Ltd. |
$ | 17,500,000 | 7.000000000 | % | ||||
Total: |
$ | 250,000,000 | 100.000000000 | % |
101
EXHIBIT D
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
This Assignment and Assumption (this Assignment and Assumption ) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each] 1 Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] Assignor ) and [the][each] Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] Assignee ). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees] 2 hereunder are several and not joint.] 3 Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement identified below (the Revolving Credit Agreement ), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Revolving Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignors][the respective Assignors] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Revolving Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, the Letters of Credit included in such facilities 4 ) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Revolving Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of
1 | For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language. |
2 | Select as appropriate. |
3 | Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees. |
4 |
Include all applicable subfacilities. |
D-1
Form of Assignment and Assumption
the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] Assigned Interest ). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.
1. | Assignor[s] : |
2. | Assignee[s]: |
[for each Assignee, indicate Affiliate of [ identify Lender ]] |
3. | Borrower : MSCI Inc. |
4. | Administrative Agent : JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Revolving Credit Agreement |
5. | Revolving Credit Agreement : Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2014, among MSCI Inc., the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer. |
6. | Assigned Interest: |
Assignor[s] 5 |
Assignee[s] 6 |
Aggregate Amount of Commitment/ Loans for All Lenders 7 |
Amount of
Loans Assigned |
Percentage
Assigned of Commitment/ Loans 8 |
CUSIP Number |
|||||
$ | $ | % | ||||||||
$ | $ | % | ||||||||
$ | $ | % |
5 | List each Assignor, as appropriate. |
6 | List each Assignee, as appropriate. |
7 | Amounts in this column and in the column immediately to the right to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date. |
8 | Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder. |
D-2
Form of Assignment and Assumption
[7. | Trade Date: ] 9 |
Effective Date: , 20 [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
9 | To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date. |
D-3
Form of Assignment and Assumption
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
ASSIGNOR | ||
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR] | ||
By: |
|
|
Title: | ||
ASSIGNEE | ||
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE] | ||
By: |
|
|
Title: |
[Consented to and] 10 Accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent |
||
By: |
|
|
Title: | ||
[Consented to: | ||
By: |
|
|
Title:] 11 |
10 | To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement. |
11 | To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. L/C Issuer) is required by the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement. |
D-4
Form of Assignment and Assumption
ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
1. Representations and Warranties .
1.1. Assignor . [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Revolving Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2. Assignee . [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Revolving Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) , (v) and (vi) of the Revolving Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) of the Revolving Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Revolving Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Revolving Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
D-5
Form of Assignment and Assumption
2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
D-6
Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit 99.1
|
|
PRESS RELEASE
|
|
MSCI Completes Private Offering of $500 Million
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2027
New York May 18, 2018 MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI) (MSCI), a leading provider of indexes and portfolio construction and risk management tools and services for global investors, announced today that it has successfully completed its private offering of $500.0 million aggregate amount of its 5.375% senior notes (the notes) due 2027 (the Offering). The notes will mature on May 15, 2027.
MSCI intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, buybacks of its common stock and potential acquisitions.
MSCI also announced that it entered into Amendment No. 2 (the Amendment) to its Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2014 (as amended, the Revolving Credit Facility), to, among other things, (i) increase aggregate commitments available to be borrowed by $30.0 million, to an aggregate of $250.0 million of availability thereunder, (ii) extend the term to May 2023 and (iii) decrease the applicable rate and applicable fee rate for loans and commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility.
On an adjusted basis, after giving effect to the Offering and the Amendment, MSCI expects interest expense, including the amortization of financing fees, to be approximately $133.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2018 and approximately $143.5 million on an annualized basis thereafter (assuming no additional debt is incurred, including borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and no adjustment to the applicable rate under the Revolving Credit Facility).
The notes were offered only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and (ii) certain non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and therefore may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.
About MSCI
For more than 45 years, MSCIs research-based indexes and analytics have helped the worlds leading investors build and manage better portfolios. Clients rely on our offerings for deeper insights into the drivers of performance and risk in their portfolios, broad asset class coverage and innovative research.
Our line of products and services includes indexes, analytical models, data, real estate benchmarks and ESG research.
MSCI serves 99 of the top 100 largest money managers, according to the most recent P&I ranking.
|
|
PRESS RELEASE
|
|
MSCI Inc. Contact
Investors | ||||
Andrew Wiechmann |
andrew.wiechmann@msci.com | + 1 212 804 3986 | ||
Media | ||||
Samuel Wang |
samuel.wang@msci.com |
+ 1 212 804 5244 |
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, our interest expense guidance. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as may, could, expect, intend, plan, seek, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential or continue, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control and that could materially affect our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 26, 2018 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this press release reflects MSCIs current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCIs operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
2