Exhibit 4.48
Execution Copy
|
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
by and among
|
WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION CANADA,
as Administrative Agent,
THE LENDERS THAT ARE PARTIES HERETO
as the Lenders,
and
BIRKS GROUP INC.,
as Borrower
Dated as of December 24, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| 1. |
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION |
1 | ||||
| 1.1. |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| 1.2. |
Accounting Terms | 1 | ||||
| 1.3. |
PPSA | 2 | ||||
| 1.4. |
Construction | 2 | ||||
| 1.5. |
Time References | 3 | ||||
| 1.6. |
Schedules and Exhibits | 4 | ||||
| 1.7. |
Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents; Applicable Currency | 4 | ||||
| 1.8. |
Quebec Interpretation | 4 | ||||
| 1.9. |
Rates | 5 | ||||
| 2. |
LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT |
5 | ||||
| 2.1. |
Revolving Loans | 5 | ||||
| 2.2. |
[Intentionally Omitted] | 6 | ||||
| 2.3. |
Borrowing Procedures and Settlements | 6 | ||||
| 2.4. |
Payments; Reductions of Commitments; Prepayments | 15 | ||||
| 2.5. |
Promise to Pay; Promissory Notes | 19 | ||||
| 2.6. |
Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee: Rates, Payments, and Calculations | 20 | ||||
| 2.7. |
Crediting Payments | 22 | ||||
| 2.8. |
Designated Account | 22 | ||||
| 2.9. |
Maintenance of Loan Accounts; Statements of Obligations | 22 | ||||
| 2.10. |
Fees | 23 | ||||
| 2.11. |
Letters of Credit | 23 | ||||
| 2.12. |
Non-Base Rate Option | 32 | ||||
| 2.13. |
Capital Requirements | 36 | ||||
| 2.14. |
Currencies | 38 | ||||
| 2.15. |
Interest Act (Canada); Criminal Rate of Interest; Nominal Rate of Interest | 38 | ||||
| 2.16. |
Accordion | 40 | ||||
| 3. |
CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT |
41 | ||||
| 3.1. |
Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit | 41 | ||||
| 3.2. |
Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit | 41 | ||||
| 3.3. |
Maturity | 41 | ||||
| 3.4. |
Effect of Maturity | 41 | ||||
| 3.5. |
Early Termination by Borrower | 42 | ||||
| 3.6. |
Post-Closing Covenants | 42 | ||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 4. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
42 | ||||
| 4.1. |
Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries | 42 | ||||
| 4.2. |
Due Authorization; No Conflict | 43 | ||||
| 4.3. |
Governmental Consents | 44 | ||||
| 4.4. |
Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens | 44 | ||||
| 4.5. |
Title to Assets; No Encumbrances | 44 | ||||
| 4.6. |
Litigation | 44 | ||||
| 4.7. |
Compliance with Laws | 45 | ||||
| 4.8. |
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 45 | ||||
| 4.9. |
Solvency. | 45 | ||||
| 4.10. |
Canadian Pension Plan | 45 | ||||
| 4.11. |
Environmental Condition | 45 | ||||
| 4.12. |
Complete Disclosure | 46 | ||||
| 4.13. |
Patriot Act; Canadian AML and Anti-Terrorism Laws | 46 | ||||
| 4.14. |
Indebtedness | 47 | ||||
| 4.15. |
Payment of Taxes | 47 | ||||
| 4.16. |
Margin Stock | 47 | ||||
| 4.17. |
Governmental Regulation | 47 | ||||
| 4.18. |
OFAC | 47 | ||||
| 4.19. |
Employee and Labor Matters | 48 | ||||
| 4.20. |
Intellectual Property | 48 | ||||
| 4.21. |
Eligible Accounts | 48 | ||||
| 4.22. |
Eligible Inventory | 49 | ||||
| 4.23. |
Location of Inventory and Equipment | 49 | ||||
| 4.24. |
Inventory Records | 49 | ||||
| 4.25. |
Hedge Agreements | 49 | ||||
| 4.26. |
Credit Card Arrangements | 49 | ||||
| 4.27. |
No Defaults; Material Contracts | 49 | ||||
| 4.28. |
Operations of Certain Subsidiaries | 49 | ||||
| 5. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
50 | ||||
| 5.1. |
Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates | 50 | ||||
| 5.2. |
Reporting | 50 | ||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 5.3. |
Existence | 50 | ||||
| 5.4. |
Maintenance of Properties | 50 | ||||
| 5.5. |
Taxes | 50 | ||||
| 5.6. |
Insurance | 51 | ||||
| 5.7. |
Inspection. | 51 | ||||
| 5.8. |
Compliance with Laws and Material Contracts | 52 | ||||
| 5.9. |
Environmental | 52 | ||||
| 5.10. |
Disclosure Updates | 52 | ||||
| 5.11. |
Formation of Subsidiaries | 53 | ||||
| 5.12. |
Further Assurances | 53 | ||||
| 5.13. |
[Intentionally Omitted]. | 54 | ||||
| 5.14. |
Location of Inventory; Chief Executive Office, Etc. | 54 | ||||
| 5.15. |
Bank Products | 54 | ||||
| 5.16. |
Hedge Agreements | 54 | ||||
| 5.17. |
Canadian Compliance | 54 | ||||
| 5.18. |
Credit Card Notifications | 55 | ||||
| 6. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
55 | ||||
| 6.1. |
Indebtedness | 55 | ||||
| 6.2. |
Liens | 55 | ||||
| 6.3. |
Restrictions on Fundamental Changes | 56 | ||||
| 6.4. |
Disposal of Assets | 56 | ||||
| 6.5. |
Nature of Business | 56 | ||||
| 6.6. |
Prepayments and Amendments | 57 | ||||
| 6.7. |
Restricted Payments | 58 | ||||
| 6.8. |
Accounting Methods | 59 | ||||
| 6.9. |
Investments | 59 | ||||
| 6.10. |
Transactions with Affiliates | 59 | ||||
| 6.11. |
Use of Proceeds | 60 | ||||
| 6.12. |
Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests | 60 | ||||
| 6.13. |
[Intentionally Omitted] | 60 | ||||
| 6.14. |
[Intentionally Omitted] | 60 | ||||
| 6.15. |
Canadian Employee Benefits | 60 | ||||
| 6.16. |
Sale and Leaseback Transactions | 61 | ||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 6.17. |
Negative Pledges | 61 | ||||
| 6.18. |
Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions | 62 | ||||
| 7. |
FINANCIAL COVENANT |
62 | ||||
| 7.1. |
Minimum Excess Availability | 63 | ||||
| 8. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
63 | ||||
| 8.1. |
Payments | 63 | ||||
| 8.2. |
Covenants | 63 | ||||
| 8.3. |
Judgments | 63 | ||||
| 8.4. |
Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc | 64 | ||||
| 8.5. |
Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc | 64 | ||||
| 8.6. |
Default Under Other Agreements | 64 | ||||
| 8.7. |
Default Under Term Loan Documents | 64 | ||||
| 8.8. |
Default Under Damiani Purchase Documents | 64 | ||||
| 8.9. |
Representations, etc | 65 | ||||
| 8.10. |
Guarantee | 65 | ||||
| 8.11. |
Security Documents | 65 | ||||
| 8.12. |
Loan Documents | 65 | ||||
| 8.13. |
Change of Control | 65 | ||||
| 9. |
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES |
65 | ||||
| 9.1. |
Rights and Remedies | 65 | ||||
| 9.2. |
Remedies Cumulative | 66 | ||||
| 10. |
WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION |
66 | ||||
| 10.1. |
Demand; Protest; etc | 66 | ||||
| 10.2. |
The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral | 67 | ||||
| 10.3. |
Indemnification | 67 | ||||
| 11. |
NOTICES |
68 | ||||
| 12. |
CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION |
69 | ||||
| 13. |
ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS |
70 | ||||
| 13.1. |
Assignments and Participations | 70 | ||||
| 13.2. |
Successors | 74 | ||||
| 14. |
AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS |
75 | ||||
| 14.1. |
Amendments and Waivers | 75 | ||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 14.2. |
Replacement of Certain Lenders | 77 | ||||
| 14.3. |
No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies | 78 | ||||
| 15. |
AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP |
78 | ||||
| 15.1. |
Appointment and Authorization of Agent | 78 | ||||
| 15.2. |
[Intentionally Omitted] | 79 | ||||
| 15.3. |
Liability of Agent | 79 | ||||
| 15.4. |
Reliance by Agent | 79 | ||||
| 15.5. |
Notice of Default or Event of Default | 80 | ||||
| 15.6. |
Credit Decision | 80 | ||||
| 15.7. |
Costs and Expenses; Indemnification | 81 | ||||
| 15.8. |
Agent in Individual Capacity | 81 | ||||
| 15.9. |
Successor Agent | 82 | ||||
| 15.10. |
Lender in Individual Capacity | 82 | ||||
| 15.11. |
Collateral Matters | 83 | ||||
| 15.12. |
Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments | 85 | ||||
| 15.13. |
Agency for Perfection | 85 | ||||
| 15.14. |
Payments by Agent to the Lenders | 85 | ||||
| 15.15. |
Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents | 85 | ||||
| 15.16. |
Field Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information | 86 | ||||
| 15.17. |
Several Obligations; No Liability | 87 | ||||
| 15.18. |
Quebec Security | 87 | ||||
| 16. |
WITHHOLDING TAXES |
87 | ||||
| 16.1. |
Payments | 87 | ||||
| 16.2. |
Exemptions | 88 | ||||
| 16.3. |
Reductions | 90 | ||||
| 16.4. |
Refunds | 90 | ||||
| 17. |
GENERAL PROVISIONS |
91 | ||||
| 17.1. |
Effectiveness | 91 | ||||
| 17.2. |
Section Headings | 91 | ||||
| 17.3. |
Interpretation | 91 | ||||
| 17.4. |
Severability of Provisions | 91 | ||||
| 17.5. |
Bank Product Providers | 91 | ||||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| 17.6. |
Debtor-Creditor Relationship | 92 | ||||
| 17.7. |
Counterparts; Electronic Execution | 92 | ||||
| 17.8. |
Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations; Certain Waivers | 92 | ||||
| 17.9. |
Confidentiality | 93 | ||||
| 17.10. |
Survival | 95 | ||||
| 17.11. |
Patriot Act; Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation | 95 | ||||
| 17.12. |
Integration | 96 | ||||
| 17.13. |
Birks Group Inc. as Agent for Borrower | 96 | ||||
| 17.14. |
Judgment Currency | 97 | ||||
| 17.15. |
No Setoff | 97 | ||||
| 17.16. |
Intercreditor Agreement | 97 | ||||
| 17.17. |
Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 98 | ||||
| 17.18. |
Erroneous Payments | 98 | ||||
| 17.19. |
Reaffirmation | 101 | ||||
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EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
| Exhibit A-1 |
Form of Assignment and Acceptance | |
| Exhibit B-1 |
Form of Borrowing Base Certificate | |
| Exhibit B-4 |
Form of Bank Product Provider Agreement | |
| Exhibit C-1 |
Form of Compliance Certificate | |
| Exhibit C-2 |
Form of Credit Card Notification | |
| Exhibit I-1 |
Form of Information Certificate | |
| Exhibit L-1 |
Form of Non-Base Rate Notice | |
| Schedule A-1 |
Agent’s Canadian Account | |
| Schedule A-2 |
Agent’s US Account | |
| Schedule A-3 |
Authorized Persons | |
| Schedule C-1 |
Commitments | |
| Schedule D-1 |
Canadian Designated Account(s) | |
| Schedule D-2 |
US Designated Account(s) | |
| Schedule E-1 |
Eligible Inventory Locations | |
| Schedule P-1 |
Permitted Investments | |
| Schedule P-2 |
Permitted Liens | |
| Schedule R-1 |
Real Property Collateral | |
| Schedule 1.1 |
Definitions | |
| Schedule 3.1 |
Conditions Precedent | |
| Schedule 3.6 |
Conditions Subsequent | |
| Schedule 4.1 |
Capitalization of Borrower and its Subsidiaries | |
| Schedule 4.6(b) |
Litigation | |
| Schedule 4.11 |
Environmental Matters | |
| Schedule 4.14 |
Permitted Indebtedness | |
| Schedule 4.19 |
Employee and Labour Matters | |
| Schedule 4.20 |
Intellectual Property | |
| Schedule 4.23 |
Location of Inventory; Chief Executive Office | |
| Schedule 4.26 |
Credit Card Arrangements | |
| Schedule 4.27 |
Material Contracts | |
| Schedule 5.1 |
Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates | |
| Schedule 5.2 |
Collateral Reporting | |
| Schedule 6.5 |
Nature of Business | |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of December 24, 2021, by and among the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (each of such lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”, as that term is hereinafter further defined), WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION CANADA, an Ontario corporation, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), BIRKS GROUP INC. and together with each other Person organized under the laws of Canada or a province thereof that joins hereunder as a “Borrower” after the Closing Date in accordance with the terms hereof (each, a “Borrower” and all references herein to “Borrower” shall include each such additional Borrower who so joins).
RECITALS
WHEREAS Birks Group Inc., as original borrower (in such capacity, the “Original Borrower”) and Wells Fargo Canada Corporation, as administrative agent (the “Original Agent”) entered into a Credit Agreement dated as October 23, 2017 (as amended pursuant to Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 29, 2018, Amendment No. 2 dated as of April 18, 2019, Amendment No. 3 dated as of December 20, 2019; Amendment No. 4 dated as of July 2, 2020, Amendment No. 5 dated as of August 31, 2021 and Amendment No. 6 dated as of December 15, 2021, the “Original Credit Agreement”).
AND WHEREAS the Original Agent assigned of all its interest, as lender, in the Original Credit Agreement to the Agent pursuant to an assignment and acceptance agreement between the Original Agent, as assignor and the Agent, as assignee dated as of October 1, 2018 and the Agent named herein concurrently replaced the Original Agent as agent under the Original Credit Agreement.
AND WHEREAS the parties hereto wish to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree that the Original Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
1.1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified therefor on Schedule 1.1.
1.2. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if Administrative Borrower notifies Agent that Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Original Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Agent notifies Administrative Borrower that the Required
Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Agent and Borrower agrees that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of the Lenders and Borrower after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions before such Accounting Change and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by the Required Lenders, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Whenever the term “Borrower” is used in respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood to mean Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof and (b) the term “unqualified opinion” as used herein to refer to opinions or reports provided by accountants shall mean an opinion or report that is (i) unqualified, and (ii) does not include any qualification as to scope, going concern or similar items.
1.3. PPSA. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the PPSA shall be construed and defined as set forth in the PPSA unless otherwise defined herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and where the context so requires, (i) any term defined in this Agreement by reference to the PPSA shall also have any extended, alternative or analogous meaning given to such term in the Code, in all cases for the extension, preservation or betterment of the security granted by a Loan Party formed in the United States and rights of the Collateral located in the United States, (ii) all references to Canada or to any subdivision, department, agency or instrumentality thereof shall be deemed to refer also to the United States of America or to any subdivision, department, agency or instrumentality thereof, and (iii) all references to federal or state securities law of the United States shall be deemed to refer also to analogous applicable federal and provincial securities laws in Canada.
1.4. Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to “law” means all international, foreign, federal, provincial, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, by-laws, ordinances, decrees, codes and administrative or judicial or arbitral or administrative or ministerial or departmental or regulatory precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of any Governmental Authority. Section, subsection, clause, schedule,
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and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). 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. All references to “province” or like terms shall include “territory” and like terms. Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including the Letter of Credit Fees and the Unused Line Fee) and are unpaid; provided that such fees or charges shall not include fees and charges accrued pursuant to Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized in accordance with the Letter of Credit Collateralization requirements under this Agreement and Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) to the extent Bank Product Collateralization has been provided in respect thereof, (b) in the case of contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, providing Letter of Credit Collateralization in the Applicable Currency, (c) in the case of obligations with respect to Bank Products (other than Hedge Obligations), providing Bank Product Collateralization in the Applicable Currency, (d) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in the Applicable Currency in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including legal expenses to the extent payable pursuant to Section 10.3), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations, but in no event greater than 103% of the face amount of such claim or demand to the extent a specific amount has been claimed or demanded, (e) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency of all other outstanding Obligations (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Hedge Agreements provided by Hedge Providers) other than, in any case, (i) unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations, (ii) any Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or cash collateralized, and (iii) any Hedge Obligations that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Hedge Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid, and (f) the termination of all of the Commitments of the Lenders. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.
1.5. Time References. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in Toronto, Ontario on such day. For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including”; provided that, with respect to a computation of fees or interest payable to Agent or any Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.
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1.6. Schedules and Exhibits. All of the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.
1.7. Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents; Applicable Currency.
(a) All references to “Dollars” or “$” shall mean Canadian Dollars unless otherwise specified herein. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Revolving Loans, Letters of Credit, other Obligations and other references to amounts denominated in a currency other than Canadian Dollars shall be determined in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Such Canadian Dollar Equivalent shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date for such Revolving Loans, Letters of Credit and other Obligations and shall be the Canadian Dollar Equivalent employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur for such Revolving Loans, Letters of Credit and other Obligations. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the applicable other Loan Document, the applicable amount of any currency for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all calculations in connection with the covenants, including the financial covenants) shall be the Canadian Dollar Equivalent thereof, and for the purpose of such calculations, comparisons, measurements or determinations, amounts denominated in currencies other than Canadian Dollars shall be converted into the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of such amount on the date of calculation, comparison, measurement or determination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of financial statements prepared by Borrower, the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of each amount in a currency other than Canadian Dollars shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.
(b) Wherever in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in connection with a borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Revolving Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Canadian Dollars, but such Revolving Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in US Dollars, such amount shall be the relevant US Dollar Equivalent of such Canadian Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest US Dollar, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward).
1.8. Quebec Interpretation. For all purposes of any assets, liabilities or entities located in the Province of Quebec and for all purposes pursuant to which the interpretation or construction of this Agreement may be subject to the laws of the Province of Quebec or a court or tribunal exercising jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec, (a) “personal property” shall include “movable property”, (b) “real property” shall include “immovable property”, (c) “tangible property” shall include “corporeal property”, (d) “intangible property” shall include “incorporeal property”, (e) “security interest”, “mortgage” and “lien” shall include a “hypothec”, “prior claim” and a “resolutory clause”, (f) all references to filing, registering or recording under the PPSA shall include publication under the Civil Code of Quebec, (g) all references to “perfection” of or “perfected” liens or security interest shall include a reference to an “opposable” or “set up” lien or security interest as against third parties, (h) any “right of offset”, “right of setoff” or similar
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expression shall include a “right of compensation”, (i) “goods” shall include “corporeal movable property” other than chattel paper, documents of title, instruments, money and securities, (j) an “agent” shall include a “mandatary”, (k) “construction liens” shall include “legal hypothecs”, (l) “joint and several” shall include “solidary”, (m) “gross negligence or willful misconduct” shall be deemed to be “intentional or gross fault”, (n) “beneficial ownership” shall include “ownership on behalf of another as mandatary”, (o) “easement” shall include “servitude”, (p) “priority” shall include “prior claim”, (q) “survey” shall include “certificate of location and plan”, and (r) “fee simple title” shall include “absolute ownership”.
1.9. Rates1.1 . The interest rate on Loans denominated in Dollars may be determined by reference to a benchmark rate that is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform or cessation. Regulators have signaled the need to use alternative reference rates for some of these benchmark rates and, as a result, such benchmark rates may cease to comply with applicable laws and regulations, may be permanently discontinued or the basis on which they are calculated may change. Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to any rates in the definition of any Benchmark, including the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, or any other Benchmark, or any component definition thereof or rates referenced in the definition thereof, or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any then-current Benchmark or any Benchmark Replacement) as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.12(d)(iii), will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, such Benchmark or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any Benchmark, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto and such transactions may be adverse to the Borrower. Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service. Each determination of any Benchmark (or any Benchmark Replacement) shall be made by Agent and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
2. LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.
2.1. Revolving Loans.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and during the term of this Agreement, each Revolving Lender with a Revolver Commitment agrees (severally, not jointly or jointly and severally) to make revolving loans in Canadian Dollars or US Dollars (as selected by Administrative Borrower) (“Revolving Loans”) to Borrower in an amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the lesser of:
(i) such Lender’s Revolver Commitment, and
(ii) such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of an amount equal to the lesser of:
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(A) the amount equal to (1) the Maximum Credit Amount less (2) the sum of (x) the Letter of Credit Usage at such time plus (y) the principal amount of Swing Loans outstanding at such time, and
(B) the amount equal to the Borrowing Base as of such date (based upon the Borrowing Base set forth in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by Borrower to Agent) less the sum of (1) the Letter of Credit Usage at such time, plus (2) the principal amount of the Swing Loans outstanding at such time.
(b) Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed at any time during the term of this Agreement. The outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans, together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, shall constitute Obligations and shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which they are declared due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(c) Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 notwithstanding, Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation), in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, to establish and increase or decrease Receivable Reserves, Inventory Reserves, Loan to Value Reserves, Bank Product Reserves, Canadian Priority Payable Reserves and other Reserves against the Borrowing Base; provided, that Agent shall notify Borrower at least 5 Business Days prior to the date on which any such reserve is to be established or increased; provided further, that (A) Borrower may not obtain any new Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans) or Letters of Credit to the extent that such Revolving Loan (including Swing Loans) or Letter of Credit would cause an Overadvance after giving effect to the establishment or increase of such reserve as set forth in such notice; (B) no such prior notice shall be required for changes to any reserves established under this Agreement resulting solely by virtue of mathematical calculations of the amount of the Reserve in accordance with the methodology of calculation set forth in this Agreement or previously utilized; (C) no such prior notice shall be required during the continuance of any Event of Default and (D) no such prior notice shall be required with respect to any Reserve established in respect of any consensual Lien that has priority over Agent’s Liens on the Collateral. The amount of any Receivable Reserve, Inventory Reserve, Loan to Value Reserves, Bank Product Reserve, Canadian Priority Payables Reserve or other Reserve shall be established by Agent in its Permitted Discretion and shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition, other circumstance, or fact that is the basis for such reserve and shall not be duplicative of any other Reserve established and currently maintained. No reserve shall be implemented with respect to matters which are already specifically reflected as ineligible Accounts or Inventory or Credit Card Receivables.
(d) Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 notwithstanding, at no time shall the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Revolver Usage exceed the Maximum Credit Amount.
2.2. [Intentionally Omitted].
2.3. Borrowing Procedures and Settlements.
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(a) Procedure for Borrowing Revolving Loans. Each Borrowing shall be made by a written request by an Authorized Person delivered to Agent and received by Agent no later than 1:00 p.m. (i) on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date in the case of a request for a Base Rate Loan or, if available, a Swing Loan, and (ii) on the Business Day that is 3 Business Days prior to the requested Funding Date in the case of a CDOR Rate Loan and on the RFR Business Day that is 3 RFR Business Days prior to the requested Funding Date in the case of a request for a SOFR Rate Loan, in each case, specifying (A) the amount and type of such Borrowing, and whether in Canadian Dollars or US Dollars, as applicable and (B) with respect to any Non-Base Rate Loan, the Interest Period therefor and (C) the requested Funding Date (which shall be a Business Day); provided, that Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to accept as timely requests that are received later than 1:00 p.m. on the applicable Business Day. At Agent’s election, in lieu of delivering the above-described written request, any Authorized Person may give Agent telephonic notice of such request by the required time. In such circumstances, Borrower agrees that any such telephonic notice will be confirmed by Administrative Borrower in writing within 24 hours of the giving of such telephonic notice, but the failure to provide such written confirmation shall not affect the validity of the request. If Borrower requests a borrowing of Non-Base Rate Loans in any such request, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.
(b) Making of Swing Loans. In the case of a request for a Swing Loan by Administrative Borrower and so long as either (i) the aggregate amount of Swing Loans made since the last Settlement Date, minus all payments or other amounts applied to Swing Loans since the last Settlement Date, plus the amount of the requested Swing Loan does not exceed 10% of the Maximum Credit Amount, or (ii) the Swing Lender, in its sole discretion, agrees to make such Swing Loan notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Swing Lender shall make a Revolving Loan (any such Revolving Loan for the account of Borrower made by Swing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) being referred to as a “Swing Loan” and all such Revolving Loans for the account of Borrower by Swing Lender being referred to as “Swing Loans”) available to Borrower on the Funding Date applicable thereto by transferring immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency in the amount of such requested Borrowing to the Canadian Designated Account or US Designated Account, as applicable. Each Swing Loan shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder and shall be subject to all the terms and conditions (including Section 3) applicable to other Revolving Loans except that all payments (including interest) on any Swing Loan shall be payable to the Swing Lender solely for its own account. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(d)(ii), Swing Lender shall not make or be obligated to make any Swing Loan if Swing Lender has actual knowledge that (i) one or more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 will not be satisfied or waived on the requested Funding Date for the Borrowing, or (ii) the requested Borrowing would exceed Excess Availability on such Funding Date. Swing Lender shall not otherwise be required to determine whether the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 have been satisfied on the Funding Date applicable thereto prior to making any Swing Loan. The Swing Loans shall constitute Revolving Loans and Obligations, and bear interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Revolving Loans in the Applicable Currency that are Base Rate Loans. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Swing Loans shall not be available at any time that WF Canada is the only Lender.
(c) Making of Revolving Loans.
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(i) In the event that the Swing Lender is not obligated to make a Swing Loan, then after receipt of a request for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3(a), Agent shall notify the applicable Lenders by telecopy, telephone, email, or other electronic form of transmission, of the requested Borrowing; such notification to be sent on the Business Day or RFR Business Day, as applicable that is (A) in the case of a Base Rate Loan, at least 1 Business Day prior to the requested Funding Date, (B) in the case of a request for a SOFR Rate Loan, prior to 1:00 p.m. at least 3 RFR Business Days prior to the requested Funding Date, (C) in the case of request for a CDOR Rate Loan, prior to 1:00 p.m. at least three Business Days prior to the requested Funding Date. If Agent has notified the applicable Lenders of a requested Borrowing on the Business Day that is 1 Business Day prior to the Funding Date, then each Lender with the applicable Revolving Commitment shall make the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available to Agent in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency, to Agent’s US Account or Agent’s Canadian Account, as applicable, not later than 10:00 a.m. on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date. After Agent’s receipt of the proceeds of such Revolving Loans from the applicable Lenders, Agent shall make the proceeds thereof available to Borrower on the applicable Funding Date by transferring immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency equal to such proceeds received by Agent to the US Designated Account or the Canadian Designated Account, as applicable; provided, that, subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(d)(ii), no Lender shall have an obligation to make any Revolving Loan, if (1) one or more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for the applicable Borrowing unless such condition has been waived, or (2) the requested Borrowing would exceed the Excess Availability on such Funding Date.
(ii) Unless Agent receives notice from a Lender prior to 9:30 a.m. on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date relative to a requested Borrowing as to which Agent has notified the Lenders of a requested Borrowing that such Lender will not make available as and when required hereunder to Agent for the account of Borrower, the amount of that Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing, Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will make such amount available to Agent in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency on the Funding Date and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower, a corresponding amount. If, on the requested Funding Date, any Lender shall not have remitted the full amount that it is required to make available to Agent in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency and if Agent has made available to Borrower such amount on the requested Funding Date, then such Lender shall make the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available to Agent in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency, to Agent’s Applicable Account, no later than 10:00 a.m. on the Business Day that is the first Business Day after the requested Funding Date (in which case, the interest accrued on such Lender’s portion of such Borrowing for the Funding Date shall be for Agent’s separate account). If any Lender shall not remit the full amount that it is required to make available to Agent in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency as and when required hereby and if Agent has made available to Borrower such amount, then that Lender shall be obligated to immediately remit such amount to Agent, together with interest at the applicable Defaulting Lender Rate for each day until the date on which such amount is so remitted. A notice submitted by Agent to any Lender with respect to amounts owing under this Section 2.3(c)(ii) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If the amount that a Lender is required to remit is made available to Agent, then such payment to Agent shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loans for all purposes of this Agreement. If such amount is not made available to Agent on the Business Day following the Funding Date, Agent will notify Administrative Borrower of such failure to fund and, upon demand by Agent, Borrower shall pay such amount in the Applicable Currency to Agent, together with interest thereon for each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the applicable Revolving Loans composing such Borrowing.
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(d) Protective Advances and Optional Overadvances.
(i) Any contrary provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document notwithstanding, but subject to Section 2.3(d)(iv), at any time (A) after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, or (B) that any of the other applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 are not satisfied or waived, Agent hereby is authorized by Borrower and the Lenders, from time to time, in Agent’s sole discretion, to make Revolving Loans to, or for the benefit of, Borrower, in each case, on behalf of the Revolving Lenders, that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (1) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, or (2) to enhance the likelihood of repayment of the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations) (the Revolving Loans described in this Section 2.3(d)(i) shall be referred to as “Protective Advances”). The Protective Advances shall be made in Canadian Dollars or US Dollars, as determined by Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate Canadian Dollar Equivalent amount of all Protective Advances outstanding at any one time shall not exceed 10% of the Maximum Credit Amount (unless Required Lenders otherwise agree to a higher amount).
(ii) Any contrary provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document notwithstanding, but subject to Section 2.3(d)(iv), the Lenders hereby authorize Agent or the Swing Lender, as applicable, and either Agent or the Swing Lender, as applicable, may, but is not obligated to, knowingly and intentionally, continue to make Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans) to Borrower notwithstanding that an Overadvance exists or would be created thereby, so long as with respect to any such Revolving Loans, (i) after giving effect to any such Revolving Loans, the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the outstanding Revolver Usage does not exceed the Borrowing Base by more than 10% of the Maximum Credit Amount (unless Required Lenders otherwise agree to a higher amount), and (ii) after giving effect to such Revolving Loans, the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the outstanding Revolver Usage (except for and excluding amounts charged to the applicable Loan Account for interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses) does not exceed the Maximum Credit Amount. In the event Agent obtains actual knowledge that the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Revolver Usage exceeds the amounts permitted by the immediately foregoing provisions, regardless of the amount of, or reason for, such excess, Agent shall notify the Lenders as soon as practicable (and prior to making any (or any additional) intentional Overadvances (except for and excluding amounts charged to the applicable Loan Account for interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses) unless Agent determines that prior notice would result in imminent harm to the Collateral or its value, in which case Agent may make such Overadvances and provide notice as promptly as practicable thereafter), and the Lenders with applicable Revolver Commitments thereupon shall, together with Agent, jointly determine the terms of arrangements that shall be implemented with Borrower intended to reduce, within 30 days, the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Revolving Loans to Borrower to an amount permitted by the preceding sentence. In such circumstances, if any Lender with a Revolver Commitment objects to the proposed terms of reduction or repayment of any Overadvance, the terms of reduction or repayment thereof shall be implemented according to the determination of the Required Lenders. In any event: (x) if any unintentional Overadvance remains outstanding
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for more than 30 days, unless otherwise agreed to by the Required Lenders, Borrower shall immediately repay Advances in an amount sufficient to eliminate all such unintentional Overadvances, and (y) after the date all such Overadvances have been eliminated, there must be at least 5 consecutive days before intentional Overadvances are made. The foregoing provisions are meant for the benefit of the Lenders and Agent and are not meant for the benefit of Borrower, which shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Section 2.4(e). Each Lender with a Revolver Commitment shall be obligated to make Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.3 in, or settle Overadvances made by Agent with Agent as provided in Section 2.3(e) (or Section 2.3(g), as applicable) for, the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any unintentional Overadvances by Agent reported to such Lender, any intentional Overadvances made as permitted under this Section 2.3(d)(ii), and any Overadvances resulting from the charging to the applicable Loan Account of interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses.
(iii) Each Protective Advance and each Overadvance (each, “Extraordinary Advance”) shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder. No Extraordinary Advance shall be eligible to be a Non-Base Rate Loan. Prior to Settlement with respect to Extraordinary Advances, all payments on the Extraordinary Advances, including interest thereon, shall be payable to Agent solely for its own account. The Extraordinary Advances shall be repayable on demand, constitute Obligations hereunder, and bear interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Revolving Loans in the Applicable Currency that are Base Rate Loans. The provisions of this Section 2.3(d) are for the exclusive benefit of Agent, Swing Lenders and the Lenders, and are not intended to benefit Borrower (or any other Loan Party) in any way.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, no Extraordinary Advance may be made by Agent if such Extraordinary Advance would cause the aggregate Canadian Dollar Equivalent principal amount of Extraordinary Advances outstanding to exceed an amount equal to 10% of the Maximum Credit Amount (unless Required Lenders otherwise agree to a higher amount). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2.3(d) shall require any Lender to advance Revolving Loans in excess of such Lender’s Revolver Commitment.
(e) Settlement. It is agreed that each Lender’s funded portion of the Revolving Loans is intended by the Lenders to equal, at all times, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Revolving Loans. Such agreement notwithstanding, Agent, Swing Lenders, and the other Lenders agree (which agreement shall not be for the benefit of Borrower) that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, settlement among the Lenders as to the Revolving Loans (including the Swing Loans and the Extraordinary Advances) shall take place on a periodic basis in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Agent shall request settlement (“Settlement”) with the Lenders on a weekly basis, or on a more frequent basis if so determined by Agent in its sole discretion (1) on behalf of Swing Lender, with respect to the outstanding Swing Loans, (2) for itself, with respect to the outstanding Extraordinary Advances, and (3) with respect to Loan Parties’ payments or other amounts received, as to each by notifying the Lenders by telecopy, telephone, or other similar form of transmission, of such requested Settlement, no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately prior to the date of such requested Settlement (the date of such requested Settlement being the “Settlement Date”). Such notice of a Settlement Date shall include a summary statement
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of the amount of outstanding Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) for the period since the prior Settlement Date. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein (including Section 2.3(g)): (y) if the amount of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) made by a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender exceeds such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances) as of a Settlement Date, then Agent shall, by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Settlement Date, transfer in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency to a deposit account of such Lender (as such Lender may designate), an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have as of the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances); and (z) if the amount of the Revolving Loans (including the Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) made by a Lender is less than such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the applicable Revolving Loans (including applicable Swing Loans and applicable Extraordinary Advances) as of a Settlement Date, such Lender shall no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Settlement Date transfer in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency to Agent’s Applicable Account, an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon transfer of such amount, have as of the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) and Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances). Such amounts made available to Agent under clause (z) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied against the amounts of the applicable Swing Loans or Extraordinary Advances. If any such amount is not made available to Agent by any Lender on the Settlement Date applicable thereto to the extent required by the terms hereof, Agent shall be entitled to recover for its account such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate.
(ii) In determining whether a Lender’s balance of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) is less than, equal to, or greater than such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans as of a Settlement Date, Agent shall, as part of the relevant Settlement, apply to such balance the portion of payments applicable to such Obligations actually received in good funds by Agent with respect to principal, interest, fees payable by Borrower and allocable to the Lenders hereunder, and proceeds of Collateral.
(iii) Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to the extent Extraordinary Advances for the account of Agent or Swing Loans for the account of a Swing Lender are outstanding, may pay over to Agent or such Swing Lender, as applicable, any payments or other amounts received by Agent, that in accordance with the terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Revolving Loans, for application to the Extraordinary Advances or the Swing Loans. Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to the extent no Extraordinary Advances or Swing Loans are outstanding, may pay over to the Swing Lender any payments or other amounts received by Agent, that in accordance with the terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Revolving Loans, for application to the Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans. If, as of any Settlement Date, payments or other amounts of the Loan Parties received since the then immediately preceding Settlement Date have been applied to Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans other than to its Swing Loans, as provided for in the previous sentence, Swing Lender shall pay to Agent for the accounts of the Lenders, and Agent shall pay to the Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender if Agent has implemented the provisions of Section 2.3(g)), to be applied to the outstanding Revolving Loans of such Lenders, an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have, as of such Settlement Date,
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its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans. During the period between Settlement Dates, a Swing Lender with respect to its Swing Loans, Agent with respect to Extraordinary Advances, and each Lender with respect to the Revolving Loans other than Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances, shall be entitled to interest at the applicable rate or rates payable under this Agreement on the daily amount of funds employed by such Swing Lender, Agent, or the Lenders, as applicable.
(iv) Anything in this Section 2.3(e) to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from remitting settlement amounts to the Defaulting Lender and, instead, shall be entitled to elect to implement the provisions set forth in Section 2.3(g).
(f) Notation. Agent, as a non-fiduciary agent for Borrower, shall maintain a register showing in the Applicable Currency the principal amount of the Revolving Loans, owing to each Lender, including Swing Loans owing to the Swing Lender, and Extraordinary Advances owing to Agent, and the interests therein of each Lender, from time to time and such register shall, absent manifest error, conclusively be presumed to be correct and accurate.
(g) Defaulting Lenders.
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4(b)(ii), Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments made by or on behalf of any Loan Party to Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit or any proceeds of Collateral that would otherwise be remitted hereunder to the Defaulting Lender, and, in the absence of such transfer to the Defaulting Lender, Agent shall transfer any such proceeds of Collateral or payments pertaining to or securing Obligations, (i) first, to Agent, to the extent of any Extraordinary Advances that were made by Agent and that were required to be, but were not, paid by the Defaulting Lender, (ii) second, to Swing Lender to the extent of any Swing Loans that were made by Swing Lender and that were required to be, but were not, paid by the Defaulting Lender, (iii) third, to Issuing Lender, to the extent of the portion of a Letter of Credit Disbursement that was required to be, but was not, paid by the Defaulting Lender, (iv) fourth, to each Non-Defaulting Lender ratably in accordance with its Revolver Commitments (but, in each case, only to the extent that such Defaulting Lender’s portion of a Revolving Loan (or other funding obligation) was funded by such other Non-Defaulting Lender), (v) fifth, at Borrower’s request (so long as no Event of Default exists and the conditions set forth on Section 3.2 are satisfied), the funding of any Revolving Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, or reasonably determined by the Agent, (vi) sixth, in Agent’s sole discretion, to a suspense account maintained by Agent, the proceeds of which shall be retained by Agent and may be made available to be re-advanced to or for the benefit of Borrower (upon the request of Administrative Borrower and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2) as if such Defaulting Lender had made its portion of Revolving Loans (or other funding obligations) hereunder, and (vii) seventh, from and after the date on which all other Obligations have been paid in full, to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with tier (A)(13) of Section 2.4(b)(ii). Subject to the foregoing, Agent may hold and, in its discretion, re-lend to Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments received and retained by Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender. Solely for the purposes of voting or consenting to matters with respect to the Loan Documents (including the calculation of Pro Rata Share in connection therewith) and for the purpose of calculating the fees payable under Section 2.10, such Defaulting Lender shall
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be deemed not to be a “Lender” and such Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be zero; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii). The provisions of this Section 2.3(g) shall remain effective with respect to such Defaulting Lender until the earlier of (y) the date on which all of the Non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent, Issuing Lenders, and Borrower shall have waived, in writing, the application of this Section 2.3(g) to such Defaulting Lender, or (z) the date on which such Defaulting Lender makes payment of all amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, pays to Agent all amounts owing by Defaulting Lender in respect of the amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, and, if requested by Agent, provides adequate assurance of its ability to perform its future obligations hereunder (on which earlier date, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any remaining cash collateral held by Agent pursuant to Section 2.3(g)(ii) shall be released to Borrower). The operation of this Section 2.3(g) shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Commitment of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by Borrower of its duties and obligations hereunder to Agent, Issuing Lenders, or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender. Any failure by a Defaulting Lender to fund amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder shall constitute a material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle Borrower, at their option, upon written notice by Administrative Borrower to Agent, to arrange for a substitute Lender to assume the Commitments and Loans of such Defaulting Lender and the Commitments and Loans of any Affiliate of such Defaulting Lender, such substitute Lender to be reasonably acceptable to Agent. In connection with the arrangement of such a substitute Lender, the Defaulting Lenders shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder, and agree to execute and deliver a completed form of Assignment and Acceptance in favor of the substitute Lender (and agree that they shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such document if they fail to do so) subject only to being paid its share of the outstanding Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations, but including (1) all interest, fees, and other amounts that may be due and payable in respect thereof, and (2) an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of its participation in the Letters of Credit); provided, that any such assumption of the Commitments and Loans of such Defaulting Lenders shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any of the Lender Groups’ or Borrower’s rights or remedies against any such Defaulting Lender arising out of or in relation to such failure to fund. In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.3(g) and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.3(g) shall control and govern.
(ii) If any Swing Loan or Letter of Credit is outstanding at the time that a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
(A) such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loan Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure shall be reallocated among the applicable Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares but only to the extent (x) the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolver Usage plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loan Exposure and US Letter of Credit Exposure does not exceed all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolver Commitments does not exceed the total of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolver Commitments, and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied at such time;
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(B) if the reallocation described in clause (A) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Agent (x) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loan Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above) and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s applicable Letter of Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above), pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, for so long as such Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding; provided, that Borrower shall not be obligated to cash collateralize any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure if such Defaulting Lender is also an the Issuing Lender;
(C) if Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii), Borrower shall not be required to pay any Letter of Credit Fees to Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.6(b) with respect to such cash collateralized portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period such Letter of Credit Exposure is cash collateralized;
(D) to the extent the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii), then the Letter of Credit Fees payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to Section 2.6(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Letter of Credit Exposure;
(E) to the extent any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Lender or any Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees that would have otherwise been payable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.6(b) with respect to such portion of such Letter of Credit Exposure shall instead be payable to the applicable Issuing Lender until such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is cash collateralized or reallocated;
(F) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, Swing Lender shall not be required to make any Swing Loan and Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend, or increase any Letter of Credit, in each case, to the extent (x) the Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Swing Loans or Letter of Credit cannot be reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) or (y) the Swing Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, has not otherwise entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Swing Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, and Borrower to eliminate such Swing Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s risk with respect to the Defaulting Lender’s participation in such Swing Loans or Letters of Credit; and
(G) Agent may release any cash collateral provided by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) to the Issuing Lender and Issuing Lender may apply any such cash collateral to the payment of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Letter of Credit Disbursement that is not reimbursed by Borrower in respect of its Letter of Credit Obligations.
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(h) Independent Obligations. All Revolving Loans (other than Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) shall be made by the Lenders contemporaneously and in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares. It is understood that (i) no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligation to make any Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) hereunder, nor shall any Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligations hereunder, and (ii) no failure by any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall excuse any other Lender from its obligations hereunder.
2.4. Payments; Reductions of Commitments; Prepayments.
(a) Payments by Borrower.
(i) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower shall be made to Agent’s Applicable Account for the account of the Lender Group and shall be made in immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency, no later than 1:30 p.m. on the date specified herein. Any payment received by Agent later than 1:30 p.m. shall be deemed to have been received (unless Agent, in its sole discretion, elects to credit it on the date received) on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business Day.
(ii) Unless Agent receives notice from Administrative Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders that Borrower will not make such payment in full as and when required, Agent may assume that Borrower has made (or will make) such payment in full to Agent on such date in immediately available funds and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender. If and to the extent Borrower does not make such payment in full to Agent on the date when due, each Lender severally shall repay to Agent on demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date repaid.
(b) Apportionment and Application.
(i) So long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, all principal and interest payments received by Agent shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance of the Obligations to which such payments relate held by each Lender) and all payments of fees and expenses received by Agent (other than fees or expenses that are for Agent’s separate account or for the separate account of Issuing Lender) shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders having a Pro Rata Share of the type of Commitment or Obligation to which a particular fee or expense relates. Subject to Section 2.4(b)(iv) and Section 2.4(e), all payments to be made hereunder by Borrower shall be remitted to Agent and all such payments, and all proceeds of Collateral securing Obligations received by Agent, shall be applied, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, to reduce the balance of the Revolving Loans outstanding and, thereafter, to Borrower (to be wired to the Canadian Designated Account or US Designated Account, as applicable) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.
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(ii) At any time that an Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, all payments remitted to Agent and all proceeds of Collateral received by Agent shall be applied as follows:
(A) All payments in respect of Obligations and all proceeds of Collateral securing the Obligations received by Agent shall be applied as follows:
(1) first, to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or expense reimbursements) or indemnities then due to Agent under the Loan Documents in respect of Obligations, until paid in full,
(2) second, to pay any fees or premiums then due to Agent under the Loan Documents in respect of Obligations until paid in full,
(3) third, to pay interest due in respect of all Protective Advances until paid in full,
(4) fourth, to pay the principal of all Protective Advances until paid in full,
(5) fifth, ratably, to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or expense reimbursements) or indemnities then due to any of the Lenders under the Loan Documents in respect of Obligations, until paid in full,
(6) sixth, ratably, to pay any fees or premiums then due to any of the Lenders under the Loan Documents in respect of Obligations until paid in full,
(7) seventh, to pay interest accrued in respect of the Swing Loans until paid in full,
(8) eighth, to pay the principal of all Swing Loans until paid in full,
(9) ninth, ratably, to pay interest accrued in respect of the Revolving Loans (other than Protective Advances) until paid in full,
(10) tenth, ratably
i. to pay the principal of all Revolving Loans until paid in full,
ii. to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the benefit of Issuing Lender (and for the ratable benefit of each of the Lenders that have an obligation to pay to Agent, for the account of Issuing Lender, a share of each Letter of Credit Disbursement), as cash collateral in an amount up to 103% of the then Letter of Credit Usage relating to Canadian Dollar-denominated Letters of Credit and 108% of the then existing Letter of Credit Usage relating to US Dollar-denominated Letters of Credit (to the extent permitted by applicable law, such cash collateral shall be applied to the reimbursement of any Letter of Credit Disbursement as and when such disbursement occurs and, if a Letter of Credit expires undrawn, the cash collateral held by Agent in respect of such Letter of Credit shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(ii), beginning with tier (A)(1) hereof),
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iii. ratably, up to the amount (after taking into account any amounts previously paid pursuant to this clause iii. during the continuation of the applicable Application Event) of the most recently established Bank Product Reserve, which amount was established prior to the occurrence of, and not in contemplation of, the subject Application Event, to (I) ratably to the Bank Product Providers of Bank Products (based on the Bank Product Reserve, if any, established for each Bank Product of such Bank Product Provider) up to the amounts then certified by the applicable Bank Product Provider to Agent (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent) to be due and payable to such Bank Product Provider on account of Bank Product Obligations, and (II) with any balance to be paid to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable benefit (based on the Bank Product Reserve established for each Bank Product) of the Bank Product Providers for Bank Products, as cash collateral (which cash collateral may be released by Agent to the applicable Bank Product Provider and applied by such Bank Product Provider to the payment or reimbursement of any amounts due and payable with respect to Bank Product Obligations owed to the applicable Bank Product Provider as and when such amounts first become due and payable and, if and at such time as all such Bank Product Obligations are paid or otherwise satisfied in full, the cash collateral held by Agent in respect of such Bank Product Obligations shall be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(ii), beginning with tier (A)(1) hereof),
(11) [Intentionally Omitted],
(12) twelfth, to pay any other Obligations other than Obligations owed to Defaulting Lenders (including being paid, ratably, to the Bank Product Providers on account of all amounts then due and payable in respect of Bank Product Obligations), with any balance to be paid to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Bank Product Providers, as cash collateral (which cash collateral may be released by Agent to the applicable Bank Product Provider and applied by such Bank Product Provider to the payment or reimbursement of any amounts due and payable with respect to Bank Product Obligations owed to the applicable Bank Product Provider as and when such amounts first become due and payable and, if and at such time as all such Bank Product Obligations are paid or otherwise satisfied in full, the cash collateral held by Agent in respect of such Bank Product Obligations shall be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(ii), beginning with tier (A)(1) hereof),
(13) thirteenth, ratably to pay any Obligations owed to Defaulting Lenders; and
(14) fourteenth, to Borrower (to be wired to the Canadian Designated Account or US Designated Account, as applicable) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.
(B) [Intentionally Omitted]
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(iii) Agent promptly shall distribute to each Lender, pursuant to the applicable wire instructions received from each Lender in writing, such funds as it may be entitled to receive, subject to a Settlement delay as provided in Section 2.3(e).
(iv) In each instance, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing, Section 2.4(b)(ii)(A) shall not apply to any payment made by Borrower to Agent and specified by Administrative Borrower to be for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(v) For purposes of Section 2.4(b)(ii), “paid in full” of a type of Obligation means payment in cash or immediately available funds of all amounts owing on account of such type of Obligation, including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, irrespective of whether any of the foregoing would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding.
(vi) In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.4 and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, if the conflict relates to the provisions of Section 2.3(g) and this Section 2.4, then the provisions of Section 2.3(g) shall control and govern, and if otherwise, then the terms and provisions of this Section 2.4 shall control and govern.
(c) Reduction of Commitments. The Revolver Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date. Borrower may reduce the Revolver Commitments without premium or penalty other than payment of the Applicable Revolver Reduction Premium pursuant to the Fee Letter, to an amount (which may be zero) not less than the sum of (A) the Revolver Usage as of such date, plus (B) the principal amount of all Revolving Loans not yet made as to which a request has been given by Borrower under Section 2.3(a), plus (C) the amount of all Letters of Credit not yet issued as to which a request has been given by Administrative Borrower pursuant to Section 2.11(a). Each such reduction shall be in an amount which is not less than $5,000,000 (unless the applicable Revolver Commitments are being reduced to zero and the amount of the applicable Revolver Commitments in effect immediately prior to such reduction are less than $5,000,000), shall be made by providing not less than 10 Business Days prior written notice to Agent, and shall be irrevocable. Once reduced, the Revolver Commitments may not be increased except to the extent of any Available Increase Amount then available. Each such reduction of the applicable Revolver Commitments shall reduce the applicable Revolver Commitments of each Lender proportionately in accordance with its ratable share thereof. Any notice delivered pursuant to this Section 2.4(c) may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of a third party transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked (by written notice to Agent on or prior to the specified effective date of termination) if such effectiveness does not occur.
(d) Optional Prepayments. Borrower may prepay the principal of any Revolving Loan at any time in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.
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(e) Mandatory Prepayments. If, at any time, (A) the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Revolver Usage on such date exceeds (B) the lesser of the Borrowing Base reflected in the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered by Borrower to Agent and the Maximum Credit Amount (other than an excess arising solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates that does not continue for more than one Business Day), then Borrower shall, within one Business Day, prepay the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f)(i) in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess.
(f) Application of Payments.
(i) Each prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(e) shall, (A) so long as no Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied, first, to the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans until paid in full, and second, to cash collateralize the Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 103% of the then existing Letter of Credit Usage relating to Canadian Dollar-denominated Letters of Credit and 108% of the then existing Letter of Credit Usage relating to US Dollar-denominated Letters of Credit, and (B) if an Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied in the manner set forth in Section 2.4(b)(ii).
(ii) No prepayment applied to the Revolving Loans or to cash collateralize Letter of Credit Usage under Section 2.4(f)(i) shall result in a reduction in the Maximum Credit Amount; provided, that if an Event of Default exists, Required Lenders may elect for any such prepayment applied to Obligations to result in a permanent reduction of the Maximum Credit Amount.
2.5. Promise to Pay; Promissory Notes.
(a) Borrower agrees to pay the Lender Group Expenses owing by Borrower on the earlier of (i) the first day of the month following the date on which the applicable Lender Group Expenses were first incurred or (ii) the date on which demand therefor is made by Agent (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such costs, expenses or Lender Group Expenses to the applicable Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6(d) shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this subclause (ii)). Borrower promises to pay all of the Obligations (including principal, interest, premiums, if any, fees, costs, and expenses (including Lender Group Expenses)) owing by Borrower in full on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which such Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations) become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Borrower agrees that their obligations contained in the first sentence of this Section 2.5(a) shall survive payment or satisfaction in full of all other Obligations.
(b) Any Lender may request that any portion of its Commitments or the Loans made by it be evidenced by one or more promissory notes. In such event, Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender the requested promissory notes payable to the order of such Lender in a form furnished by Agent and reasonably satisfactory to Borrower. Thereafter, the portion of the Commitments and Loans evidenced by such promissory notes and interest thereon shall at all times be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein.
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2.6. Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee: Rates, Payments, and Calculations.
(a) Interest Rates. Except as provided in Section 2.6(c), all Loans, and all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to a Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof, shall bear interest as follows:
(i) if the relevant Obligation is a Non-Base Rate Loan in Canadian Dollars, at a per annum rate equal to the CDOR Rate plus the CDOR Rate Margin,
(ii) if the relevant Obligation in a Non-Base Rate Loan in US Dollars. at a per annum ratio equal to the Term SOFR Rate plus the SOFR Rate Margin,
(iii) if the relevant Obligation is a Base Rate Loan in Canadian Dollars, at a per annum rate equal to the Canadian Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin,
(iv) if the relevant Obligation is a Base Rate Loan in US Dollars, at a per annum rate equal to the US Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin,
(v) otherwise, at a per annum rate equal to the Canadian Base Rate (if such Obligation is denominated in Canadian Dollars) plus the Base Rate Margin or the US Base Rate (if such Obligation is denominated in US Dollars) plus the Base Rate Margin.
(b) Letter of Credit Fee. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the ratable account of the Revolving Lenders with a Revolver Commitment, a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fees”) (which fee shall be in addition to the fronting fees and commissions, other fees, charges and expenses set forth in Section 2.11(k)) with respect to the Letter of Credit Usage, that shall accrue at a per annum rate equal to (i) the Non-Base Rate Margin times the Letter of Credit Usage in the case of standby Letters of Credit; and (ii) the Non-Base Rate Margin less 0.50% in the case of commercial Letters of Credit.
(c) Default Rate. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and at the election of the Required Lenders,
(i) all Loans, and all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof, shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable thereunder, and
(ii) the Letter of Credit Fee shall be increased to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder.
(d) Payment. Except to the extent provided to the contrary in Section 2.10, Section 2.11(k) or Section 2.12(a), (i) all interest, all Letter of Credit Fees and all other fees payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month, and (ii) all costs and expenses payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, and all Lender Group Expenses shall be due and payable on the earlier of (x) the first day of the month following the date on which the applicable costs, expenses, or
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Lender Group Expenses were first incurred or (y) the date on which demand therefor is made by Agent (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such costs, expenses or Lender Group Expenses to the applicable Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of the following sentence shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this subclause (y)). Borrower hereby authorizes Agent, from time to time without prior notice to Borrower, to charge to the Loan Account (A) on the first day of each month, all interest accrued during the prior month on the Revolving Loans hereunder, (B) on the first day of each month, all Letter of Credit Fees accrued or chargeable hereunder during the prior month, (C) as and when incurred or accrued, all fees and costs provided for in Section 2.10(a) or (c) and owing by Borrower, (D) as and when due and payable, all other fees payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents by Borrower, (E) as and when incurred or accrued, the fronting fees and all commissions, other fees, charges and expenses provided for in Section 2.11(k), as applicable, owing by Borrower, (F) as and when incurred or accrued, all other Lender Group Expenses owing by Borrower, and (G) as and when due and payable all other payment obligations payable under any Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement (including any amounts due and payable to the Bank Product Providers in respect of Bank Products) owing by Borrower. Agent shall endeavor to provide prompt notice to the Administrative Borrower after any costs and expenses described in this Section 2.6(d) are charged to the Loan Account; provided that (x) any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve Borrower of their obligation to pay such costs and expenses, (y) delivery of such notice shall not be required during the continuance of any Event of Default, and (z) the Agent shall have no liability, in any event, for failing to deliver such notice. All amounts (including interest, fees, costs, expenses, Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any Bank Product Agreement) charged to the applicable Loan Account shall thereupon constitute Revolving Loans hereunder for the account of Borrower, shall constitute Obligations hereunder of Borrower, and shall initially accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans in the Applicable Currency (unless and until converted into Non-Base Rate Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement).
(e) Computation. All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan Documents (other than amounts accruing at the Base Rate or CDOR Rate) shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year. All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan Documents accruing at the Base Rate or the CDOR Rate shall be computed on the basis of a 365 or 366 for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which the interest or fees accrue. In the event the Base Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the rates of interest hereunder based upon the Base Rate automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such change in the Base Rate.
(f) Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable. Subject to Section 2.15, Borrower and the Lender Group, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided, that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if such rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower are and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum amount as is allowed by law, and payment received from Borrower in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the applicable Obligations to the extent of such excess.
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2.7. Crediting Payments. The receipt of any payment item by Agent shall not be required to be considered a payment on account unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately available funds in the Applicable Currency made to Agent’s Applicable Account or unless and until such payment item is honored when presented for payment. Should any payment item not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrower shall be deemed not to have made such payment and interest shall be calculated accordingly. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by Agent only if it is received into Agent’s Applicable Account on a Business Day on or before 1:30 p.m. If any payment item is received into Agent’s Applicable Account on a non-Business Day or after 1:30 p.m. on a Business Day (unless Agent, in its sole discretion, elects to credit it on the date received), it shall be deemed to have been received by Agent as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day.
2.8. Designated Account. Agent is authorized to make the Revolving Loans, and Issuing Lender is authorized to issue the Letters of Credit, under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an Authorized Person or, without instructions, if pursuant to Section 2.6(d). Borrower agrees to establish and maintain the US Designated Account and Canadian Designated Account with the Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving the proceeds of the Revolving Loans requested by or on behalf of Borrower and made by Agent or the applicable Lenders hereunder. Unless otherwise agreed by Agent and Borrower, any Revolving Loan or Swing Loan requested by or on behalf of Borrower and made by Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be made to the Canadian Designated Account.
2.9. Maintenance of Loan Accounts; Statements of Obligations. Agent shall maintain accounts on its books in the name of Borrower (with respect to Canadian Dollars, the “Canadian Loan Account” and with respect to US Dollars, the “US Loan Account”) on which Borrower will be charged with all Revolving Loans (including Extraordinary Advances and Swing Loans) made by Agent, Swing Lender, or the Lenders to Borrower or for Borrower’s account, the Letters of Credit issued or arranged by a Issuing Lender for Borrower’s account, and all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees and expenses, and Lender Group Expenses of Borrower with respect thereto. Agent shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrower (the “Canadian Loan Account”) on which Borrower will be charged with all Revolving Loans (including Extraordinary Advances and Swing Loans) made by Agent, Canadian Swing Lender, or the Lenders to Borrower or for Borrower’s account, the Letters of Credit issued or arranged by an Issuing Lender for Borrower’s account, and all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees and expenses, and Lender Group Expenses of Borrower with respect thereto. In accordance with Section 2.7, the applicable Loan Account will be credited with all payments received by Agent from Borrower or for Borrower’s account. Agent shall make available to Administrative Borrower monthly statements regarding the Loan Accounts, including the principal amount of the Revolving Loans, interest accrued hereunder, fees accrued or charged hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and a summary itemization of all charges and expenses constituting Lender Group Expenses accrued hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and each such statement, absent manifest error, shall be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate and constitute an account stated between Borrower and the Lender Group unless, within 60 days after Agent first makes such a statement available to Administrative Borrower, Administrative Borrower shall deliver to Agent written objection thereto describing the error or errors contained in such statement.
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2.10. Fees.
(a) Agent’s Fees. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of Agent, unless otherwise indicated, as and when due and payable under the terms of the Fee Letter, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
(b) Unused Line Fees. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the ratable account of the Revolving Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) with a Revolver Commitment, an unused line fee (the “Unused Line Fee”) in an amount equal to the Applicable Unused Line Fee Percentage per annum times the result of (i) the aggregate amount of the Revolver Commitments, less (ii) the average amount of the Revolver Usage during the immediately preceding month (or portion thereof), which Unused Line Fee shall be due and payable in arrears on the first day of each month from and after the Original Closing Date up to the first day of the month prior to the date on which the Obligations are paid in full and on the date on which the Obligations are paid in full.
(c) Field Examination and Other Fees. Borrower shall pay to Agent, field examination, appraisal, and valuation fees and charges, as and when incurred or chargeable, as follows (i) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including travel, meals, and lodging) if it elects to employ the services of one or more third Persons to perform field examinations of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, to establish electronic collateral reporting systems, to appraise the Collateral (including Eligible Accounts), or any portion thereof, or to assess Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ business valuation; provided, that so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower shall not be obligated to reimburse Agent for more than 2 field examinations of each Loan Party during any calendar year, or more than 2 appraisals of Inventory of each Loan Party during any 12-month period; provided further, however, that if Excess Availability is less than 15% of the Line Cap for a period of 5 consecutive Business Days at any time during any 12-month period, then Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse Agent for an additional field examination of each Loan Party during such 12-month period and for an additional appraisal of Inventory of each Loan Party during such 12-month period.
2.11. Letters of Credit.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon the request of Administrative Borrower made in accordance herewith, and prior to the Maturity Date, Issuing Lender agrees to issue, or, if Issuing Lender is WF Canada, to cause an Underlying Issuer (including as Issuing Lender’s agent) to issue, a requested Letter of Credit for the account of Borrower. If Issuing Lender is WF Canada, it may, at its option, elect to cause an Underlying Issuer to issue a requested Letter of Credit. If WF Canada makes such election, it agrees that it will enter into arrangements relative to the reimbursement of such Underlying Issuer (which may include, among other means, by becoming an applicant with respect to such Letter of Credit or entering into undertakings or other arrangements that provide for reimbursement of such Underlying Issuer with respect to such drawings under Letter of Credit; each such obligation or
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undertaking, irrespective of whether in writing, a “Reimbursement Undertaking”) with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Underlying Issuer for the account of Borrower. By submitting a request to Issuing Lender for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, Administrative Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that (x) Issuing Lender issue the requested Letter of Credit or (y) in the case in which WF Canada is the Issuing Lender, an Underlying Issuer issue the requested Letter of Credit (and, in such case, to have requested WF Canada to issue a Reimbursement Undertaking with respect to such requested Letter of Credit). Each request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or the amendment, renewal, or extension of any outstanding Letter of Credit, shall be made in writing by an Authorized Person and delivered to Issuing Lender via telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission reasonably acceptable to Issuing Lender and reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension. Each such request shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Issuing Lender and (i) shall specify (A) the amount of such Letter of Credit and whether such Letter of Credit to be issued in Canadian Dollars, US Dollars, English Pounds or Euros, (B) the date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit, (C) the proposed expiration date of such Letter of Credit, (D) the name and address of the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit, and (E) such other information (including, the conditions to drawing, and, in the case of an amendment, renewal, or extension, identification of the Letter of Credit to be so amended, renewed, or extended) as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew, or extend such Letter of Credit, and (ii) shall be accompanied by such Issuer Documents as Agent, Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer may request or require, to the extent that such requests or requirements are consistent with the Issuer Documents that Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer generally requests for Letters of Credit in similar circumstances. Issuing Lender’s records of the content of any such request will be conclusive, absent manifest error. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Issuing Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, issue a Letter of Credit that supports the obligations of Borrower in respect of (x) a lease of real property to the extent that the face amount of such Letter of Credit exceeds the highest rent (including all rent-like charges) payable under such lease for a period of one year, or (y) an employment contract to the extent that the face amount of such Letter of Credit exceeds the highest compensation payable under such contract for a period of one year.
(b) Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit or a Reimbursement Undertaking in respect of a Letter of Credit, in either case, if any of the following would result after giving effect to the requested issuance:
(i) the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $5,000,000,
(ii) the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Maximum Credit Amount less the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the outstanding amount of Revolving Loans, or
(iii) the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Borrowing Base at such time less the outstanding principal balance of the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of the Revolving Loans at such time.
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(c) In the event there is a Defaulting Lender as of the date of any request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue or arrange for such Letter of Credit or any applicable Reimbursement Undertaking to the extent (i) the Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure with respect to such Letter of Credit or any applicable Reimbursement Undertaking may not be reallocated pursuant to Section 2.3(g)(ii), the Issuing Lender has not otherwise entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to it and Borrower to eliminate the Issuing Lender’s risk with respect to the participation in such Letter of Credit or any applicable Reimbursement Undertaking of the Defaulting Lender, which arrangements may include Borrower cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure in accordance with Section 2.3(g)(ii). Additionally, Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit or a Reimbursement Undertaking in respect of a Letter of Credit if (A) any order, judgment, or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall, by its terms, purport to enjoin or restrain Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit or a Reimbursement Undertaking or Underlying Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer shall prohibit or request that Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer refrain from the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking, as applicable, in particular, (B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking would violate one or more policies of Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally, or (C) amounts demanded to be paid under any Letter of Credit will or may not be in Canadian Dollars, US Dollars, British Pounds or Euros.
(d) Any Issuing Lender (other than WF Canada or any of its Affiliates) shall notify Agent in writing no later than the Business Day immediately following the Business Day on which such Issuing Lender issued any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking; provided that (i) until Agent advises any such Issuing Lender that the provisions of Section 3.2 are not satisfied, or (ii) unless the aggregate amount of the Letters of Credit issued in any such week exceeds such amount as shall be agreed by Agent and such Issuing Lender, such Issuing Lender shall be required to so notify Agent in writing only once each week of the Letters of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking issued by such Issuing Lender during the immediately preceding week as well as the daily amounts outstanding for the prior week, such notice to be furnished on such day of the week as Agent and such Issuing Lender may agree. Each Letter of Credit shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Issuing Lender and Underlying Issuer, including the requirement that the amounts payable thereunder must be payable in Canadian Dollars, US Dollars, British Pounds or Euros. If Issuing Lender makes a payment under a Letter of Credit or a Reimbursement Undertaking, Borrower shall jointly and severally pay to Agent an amount equal to the applicable Letter of Credit Disbursement on the Business Day such Letter of Credit Disbursement is made and, in the absence of such payment, the amount of the Letter of Credit Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan in US Dollars for any Letter of Credit issued in US Dollars and in Canadian Dollars for any Letter of Credit issued in another currency (notwithstanding any failure to satisfy any condition precedent set forth in Section 3) in an amount equal to the Canadian Dollar Equivalent thereof and, initially, shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans in the applicable currency that are Base Rate Loans. If a Letter of Credit Disbursement is deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder, Borrower’s obligation to pay the amount of such Letter of Credit Disbursement to Issuing Lender shall be automatically converted into an obligation to pay the resulting Revolving Loan. Promptly following receipt by Agent of any payment from Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, Agent shall distribute such payment to Issuing Lender or, to the extent that any Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.11A(e) to reimburse Issuing Lender, then to such Revolving Lender and Issuing Lender as their interests may appear.
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(e) Promptly following receipt of a notice of a Letter of Credit Disbursement pursuant to Section 2.11(d), each Revolving Lender agrees to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Revolving Loan deemed made pursuant to Section 2.11(d) on the same terms and conditions as if Administrative Borrower had requested the amount thereof as a Revolving Loan and Agent shall promptly pay to Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking (or an amendment, renewal, or extension of a Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking) and without any further action on the part of Issuing Lender or the Revolving Lenders, Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have granted to each Revolving Lender with a Revolver Commitment, and each Revolving Lender with a Revolver Commitment shall be deemed to have purchased, a participation in each Letter of Credit issued by Issuing Lender and each Reimbursement Undertaking, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking, and each such Revolving Lender agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of Issuing Lender, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Letter of Credit Disbursement made by Issuing Lender under the applicable Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender with a Revolver Commitment hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of Issuing Lender, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each Letter of Credit Disbursement made by Issuing Lender and not reimbursed by Borrower on the date due as provided in Section 2.11(d), or of any reimbursement payment that is required to be refunded (or that Agent or Issuing Lender elects, based upon the advice of counsel, to refund) to Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender with a Revolver Commitment acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to deliver to Agent, for the account of Issuing Lender, an amount equal to its respective Pro Rata Share of each Letter of Credit Disbursement pursuant to this Section 2.11(e) shall be absolute and unconditional and such remittance shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or continuation of an Event of Default or Default or the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section 3. If any such Revolving Lender fails to make available to Agent the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of a Letter of Credit Disbursement as provided in this Section, such Revolving Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender and Agent (for the account of Issuing Lender) shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate until paid in full.
(f) Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Letter of Credit Related Person (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs, which arise out of or in connection with, or as a result of:
(i) any Letter of Credit or any pre-advice of its issuance or Reimbursement Undertaking;
(ii) any transfer, sale, delivery, surrender or endorsement of any Drawing Document at any time(s) held by any such Letter of Credit Related Person in connection with any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking;
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(iii) any action or proceeding arising out of, or in connection with, any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking (whether administrative, judicial or in connection with arbitration), including any action or proceeding to compel or restrain any presentation or payment under any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking, or for the wrongful dishonor of, or honoring a presentation under, any Letter of Credit;
(iv) any independent undertakings issued by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit;
(v) any unauthorized instruction or request made to Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer in connection with any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking or requested Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking or error in computer or electronic transmission;
(vi) an adviser, confirmer or other nominated person seeking to be reimbursed, indemnified or compensated in connection with any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking;
(vii) any third party seeking to enforce the rights of an applicant, beneficiary, nominated person, transferee, assignee of Letter of Credit proceeds or holder of an instrument or document;
(viii) the fraud, forgery or illegal action of parties in connection with a Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking other than the Letter of Credit Related Person;
(ix) Issuing Lender’s or Underlying Issuer’s performance of the obligations of a confirming institution or entity that wrongfully dishonors a confirmation in connection with a Letter of Credit; or
(x) the acts or omissions, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto governmental or regulatory authority or cause or event beyond the control of the Letter of Credit Related Person related to a Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking;
in each case, including that result from the Letter of Credit Related Person’s own negligence; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not be available to any Letter of Credit Related Person claiming indemnification under clauses (i) through (x) above to the extent that such Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs may be determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Letter of Credit Related Person claiming indemnity. Borrower hereby agrees to pay the Letter of Credit Related Person claiming indemnity on demand from time to time all amounts owing under this Section 2.11(f). If and to the extent that the obligations of Borrower under this Section 2.11(f) are unenforceable for any reason, Borrower agrees to make the maximum contribution to the Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs permissible under applicable law. This indemnification provision shall survive termination of this Agreement and all Letters of Credit and Reimbursement Undertaking.
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(g) The liability of Issuing Lender (or any other Letter of Credit Related Person) under, in connection with or arising out of any Letter of Credit (or pre-advice) or Reimbursement Undertaking, regardless of the form or legal grounds of the action or proceeding, shall be limited to direct damages suffered by Borrower that are caused directly by Issuing Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in (i) honoring a presentation under a Letter of Credit that on its face does not at least substantially comply with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, (ii) failing to honor a presentation under a Letter of Credit that strictly complies with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit or (iii) retaining Drawing Documents presented under a Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Lender and Underlying Issuer shall be deemed to have acted with due diligence and reasonable care if such Person’s conduct is in accordance with Standard Letter of Credit Practice or in accordance with this Agreement. Borrower’s aggregate remedies against Issuing Lender and any other Letter of Credit Related Person for wrongfully honoring a presentation under any Letter of Credit or wrongfully retaining honored Drawing Documents shall in no event exceed the aggregate amount paid by Borrower to Issuing Lender in respect of the honored presentation in connection with such Letter of Credit under Section 2.11(d), plus interest at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans in the applicable currency that are Base Rate Loans hereunder. Borrower shall take action to avoid and mitigate the amount of any damages claimed against Issuing Lender or any other Letter of Credit Related Person, including by enforcing their rights against the beneficiaries of the Letters of Credit. Any claim by Borrower under or in connection with any Letter of Credit shall be reduced by an amount equal to the sum of (x) the amount (if any) saved by Borrower as a result of the breach or alleged wrongful conduct complained of; and (y) the amount (if any) of the loss that would have been avoided had Borrower taken all reasonable steps to mitigate any loss, and in case of a claim of wrongful dishonor, by specifically and timely authorizing Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer to effect a cure.
(h) Administrative Borrower is responsible for preparing or approving the final text of the Letter of Credit as issued by Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer, irrespective of any assistance Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer may provide such as drafting or recommending text or by Issuing Lender’s or Underlying Issuer’s use or refusal to use text submitted by Administrative Borrower. Borrower is solely responsible for the suitability of the Letter of Credit for Borrower’s purposes. With respect to any Letter of Credit containing an “automatic amendment” to extend the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, each of Issuing Lender and Underlying Issuer, in its sole and absolute discretion, may give notice of nonrenewal of such Letter of Credit and, if Borrower does not at any time want such Letter of Credit to be renewed, Administrative Borrower will so notify Agent and Issuing Lender at least 15 calendar days before Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer is required to notify the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any advising bank of such nonrenewal pursuant to the terms of such Letter of Credit.
(i) Borrower’s reimbursement and payment obligations under this Section 2.11 are absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever, including:
(i) any lack of validity, enforceability or legal effect of any Letter of Credit, any Reimbursement Undertaking or this Agreement or any term or provision therein or herein;
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(ii) payment against presentation of any draft, demand or claim for payment under any Drawing Document that does not comply in whole or in part with the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit or which proves to be fraudulent, forged or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, or which is signed, issued or presented by a Person or a transferee of such Person purporting to be a successor or transferee of the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit;
(iii) Issuing Lender or any of its branches or Affiliates or Underlying Issuer or any of its branches or Affiliates being the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit;
(iv) Issuing Lender or any correspondent or Underlying Issuer or any correspondent honoring a drawing against a Drawing Document up to the amount available under any Letter of Credit even if such Drawing Document claims an amount in excess of the amount available under the Letter of Credit;
(v) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may have at any time against any beneficiary, any assignee of proceeds, Issuing Lender, Underlying Issuer or any other Person;
(vi) any other event, circumstance or conduct whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing that might, but for this Section 2.11(i), constitute a legal or equitable defense to or discharge of, or provide a right of set-off against, Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ reimbursement and other payment obligations and liabilities, arising under, or in connection with, any Letter of Credit, whether against Issuing Lender, Underlying Issuer, the beneficiary or any other Person; or
(vii) the fact that any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
provided, however, that subject to Section 2.11(g) above, the foregoing shall not release Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer from such liability to Borrower as may be finally determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction against Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer following reimbursement or payment of the obligations and liabilities, including reimbursement and other payment obligations, of Borrower to Issuing Lender arising under, or in connection with, this Section 2.11 or any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Undertaking or its correspondent.
(j) Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Issuing Lender and each other Letter of Credit Related Person (if applicable) shall not be responsible to Borrower for, and Issuing Lender’s rights and remedies against Borrower and the obligation of Borrower to reimburse Issuing Lender for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and each Reimbursement Undertaking shall not be impaired (except in the case of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates as finally determined in a court of competent jurisdiction) by:
(i) honor of a presentation under any Letter of Credit that on its face substantially complies with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, even if the Letter of Credit requires strict compliance by the beneficiary;
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(ii) honor of a presentation of any Drawing Document that appears on its face to have been signed, presented or issued (A) by any purported successor or transferee of any beneficiary or other Person required to sign, present or issue such Drawing Document or (B) under a new name of the beneficiary;
(iii) acceptance as a draft of any written or electronic demand or request for payment under a Letter of Credit, even if nonnegotiable or not in the form of a draft or notwithstanding any requirement that such draft, demand or request bear any or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit;
(iv) the identity or authority of any presenter or signer of any Drawing Document or the form, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any Drawing Document (other than Issuing Lender’s or Underlying Issuer’s determination that such Drawing Document appears on its face substantially to comply with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit);
(v) acting upon any instruction or request relative to a Letter of Credit or requested Letter of Credit that each of Issuing Lender and Underlying Issuer in good faith believes to have been given by a Person authorized to give such instruction or request;
(vi) any errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any message, advice or document (regardless of how sent or transmitted) or for errors in interpretation of technical terms or in translation or any delay in giving or failing to give notice to Borrower;
(vii) any acts, omissions or fraud by, or the insolvency of, any beneficiary, any nominated person or entity or any other Person or any breach of contract between any beneficiary and Borrower or any of the parties to the underlying transaction to which the Letter of Credit relates;
(viii) assertion or waiver of any provision of the ISP or UCP that primarily benefits an issuer of a letter of credit, including any requirement that any Drawing Document be presented to it at a particular hour or place;
(ix) payment to any paying or negotiating bank (designated or permitted by the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit) claiming that it rightfully honored or is entitled to reimbursement or indemnity under Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to it;
(x) acting or failing to act as required or permitted under Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to where Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer has issued, confirmed, advised or negotiated such Letter of Credit, as the case may be;
(xi) honor of a presentation after the expiration date of any Letter of Credit notwithstanding that a presentation was made prior to such expiration date and dishonored by Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer, as applicable, if subsequently Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer, as applicable, or any court or other finder of fact determines such presentation should have been honored;
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(xii) dishonor of any presentation that does not strictly comply or that is fraudulent, forged or otherwise not entitled to honor; or
(xiii) honor of a presentation that is subsequently determined by Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer, as applicable, to have been made in violation of international, federal, provincial, state or local restrictions on the transaction of business with certain prohibited Persons.
(k) Borrower shall pay immediately upon demand to Agent for the account of Issuing Lender as non-refundable fees, commissions, and charges (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such fees, commissions, and charges to the Canadian Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6(d) shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this Section 2.11(k)): (i) a fronting fee which shall be imposed by Issuing Lender upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit of 0.125% per annum of the face amount thereof, plus (ii) any and all other customary commissions, fees and charges then in effect imposed by, and any and all reasonable and documented expenses incurred by, Issuing Lender or Underlying Issuer, or by any adviser, confirming institution or entity or other nominated person, relating to Letters of Credit, at the time of issuance of any Letter of Credit and upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including transfers, assignments of proceeds, amendments, drawings, renewals or cancellations). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Issuing Lender is a Person other than WF Canada, all fronting fees payable in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender shall be paid by Borrower immediately upon demand directly to such Issuing Lender for its own account. Borrower shall also pay directly to Underlying Issuer all of its fees, commissions and charges.
(l) If by reason of (x) any Change in Law, or (y) compliance by Issuing Lender or any other member of the Lender Group or Underlying Issuer with any direction, request, or requirement (irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority or monetary authority including, Regulation D of the Board of Governors as from time to time in effect (and any successor thereto):
(i) any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is or shall be imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit or any Reimbursement Undertaking issued or caused to be issued hereunder or hereby, or
(ii) there shall be imposed on Issuing Lender or any other member of the Lender Group or Underlying Issuer any other condition regarding any Letter of Credit or any Reimbursement Undertaking,
and the result of the foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost to Issuing Lender or any other member of the Lender Group or Underlying Issuer of issuing, making, participating in, or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof, then, and in any such case, Agent may, at any time within a reasonable period after the additional cost is incurred or the amount received is reduced, notify Administrative Borrower, and Borrower shall pay within 30 days after demand therefor, such amounts as Agent may specify to be necessary to compensate Issuing Lender or any other member of the Lender Group or Underlying Issuer for such additional cost or reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from the date of such demand until payment in full thereof at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans in the
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applicable currency that are Base Rate Loans hereunder; provided, that (A) Borrower shall not be required to provide any compensation pursuant to this Section 2.11(l) for any such amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date on which the demand for payment of such amounts is first made to Administrative Borrower, and (B) if an event or circumstance giving rise to such amounts is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof. The determination by Agent of any amount due pursuant to this Section 2.11(l), as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto.
(m) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Issuing Lender and Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.
(n) In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Section 2.11 and any provision contained in any Issuer Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.11 shall control and govern.
2.12. Non-Base Rate Option.
(a) Interest and Interest Payment Dates. In lieu of having interest charged at the rate based upon the Base Rate, Borrower shall have the option, subject to Section 2.12(b) below (the “Non-Base Rate Option”) to have interest on all or a portion of the Revolving Loans be charged (whether at the time when made (unless otherwise provided herein), upon conversion from a Base Rate Loan to a Non-Base Rate Loan, or upon continuation of a Non-Base Rate Loan as a Non-Base Rate Loan) at a rate of interest based upon the Non-Base Rate. Interest on Non-Base Rate Loans shall be payable on the earliest of (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided, that, subject to the following clauses (ii) and (iii), in the case of any Interest Period greater than 3 months in duration, interest shall be payable at 3 month intervals after the commencement of the applicable Interest Period and on the last day of such Interest Period, (ii) the date on which all or any portion of the Obligations are accelerated pursuant to the terms hereof, or (iii) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms hereof. On the last day of each applicable Interest Period, unless Borrower has properly exercised the Non-Base Rate Option with respect thereto, the interest rate applicable to such Non-Base Rate Loan automatically shall convert to the rate of interest then applicable to Base Rate Loans of the same type hereunder. At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the written election of the Required Lenders, Borrower no longer shall have the option to request that Revolving Loans bear interest at a rate based upon the Non-Base Rate; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any Revolving Loans that are Non-Base Rate Loans as the time of such election shall continue as Non-Base Rate Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period (and shall then automatically convert to Base Rate Loans of the same type).
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(b) Non-Base Rate Election.
(i) Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, so long as Borrower has not received a notice from Agent (which notice Agent may elect to give or not give in its discretion unless Agent is directed to give such notice by the Required Lenders, in which case, it shall give the notice to Borrower), after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to terminate the right of Borrower to exercise the Non-Base Rate Option during the continuance of such Event of Default, elect to exercise the Non-Base Rate Option by Administrative Borrower notifying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. (A) at least 3 Business Days prior to the commencement of the proposed Interest Period in the case of a CDOR Rate Loan and (B) with respect to an RFR Option electing Term SOFR at least 3 RFR Business Days prior to the commencement of the requested Interest Period (as applicable, the “Non-Base Rate Deadline”). The election of the Non-Base Rate Option by Borrower for a permitted portion of the Revolving Loans, and an Interest Period pursuant to this Section, shall be made by delivery by Administrative Borrower to Agent of a Non-Base Rate Notice received by Agent before the Non-Base Rate Deadline. Promptly upon its receipt of each such Non-Base Rate Notice, Agent shall provide a copy thereof to each of the affected Lenders.
(ii) Each Non-Base Rate Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on Borrower. In connection with each Non-Base Rate Loan, Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders harmless against any loss, cost, or expense actually incurred by Agent or any Lender (excluding any loss of anticipated profits and excluding any differential on applicable margin on funds so redeployed (in each case, other than breakage costs or any fees associated therewith)) as a result of (A) the payment of any principal of such Non-Base Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (B) the conversion of such Non-Base Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (C) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Non-Base Rate Loan on the date specified in any Non-Base Rate Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, or expenses, “Funding Losses”). A certificate of Agent or a Lender delivered to Administrative Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail any amount or amounts that Agent or such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower, if such Non-Base Rate Loan is a Revolving Loan, shall pay such amount to Agent or the Lender, as applicable, within 30 days of the date of its receipt of such certificate. If a payment of a Non-Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period would result in a Funding Loss, Agent may, in its sole discretion at the request of Administrative Borrower, hold the amount of such payment as cash collateral in support of the Obligations until the last day of such Interest Period and apply such amounts to the payment of the applicable Non-Base Rate Loan on such last day, it being agreed that Agent has no obligation to so defer the application of payments to any Non-Base Rate Loan and that, in the event that Agent does not defer such application, Borrower shall be obligated to pay any resulting Funding Losses.
(iii) Unless Agent, in its sole discretion, agrees otherwise, Borrower shall have not more than 10 Non-Base Rate Loans in effect at any given time. Borrower may only exercise the Non-Base Rate Option for proposed Non-Base Rate Loans of at least $500,000 or US$500,000, as applicable.
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(c) Conversion. Borrower may convert Non-Base Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans in the Applicable Currency at any time; provided, that in the event that Non-Base Rate Loans are converted or prepaid on any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, including as a result of any prepayment through the required application by Agent of any payments or proceeds of Collateral in accordance with Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason, including early termination of the term of this Agreement or acceleration of all or any portion of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders and their Participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses in accordance with Section 2.12(b)(ii).
(d) Special Provisions Applicable to Non-Base Rate.
(i) The Non-Base Rate may be adjusted by Agent with respect to any Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to such Lender of maintaining or obtaining deposits in any Applicable Currency or increased costs (other than Taxes which shall be governed by Section 16), in each case, due to changes in applicable law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable Interest Period, including any Changes in Law (including any changes in Tax laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income Tax laws)) and changes in the reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors, which additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding or maintaining loans bearing interest at the applicable Non-Base Rate. In any such event, the affected Lender shall give Administrative Borrower and Agent notice of such a determination and adjustment and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and, upon its receipt of the notice from the affected Lender, Administrative Borrower may, by notice to such affected Lender (A) require such Lender to furnish to Administrative Borrower a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for adjusting such Non-Base Rate and the method for determining the amount of such adjustment, or (B) repay the Non-Base Rate Loans of such Lender with respect to which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under Section 2.12(b)(ii)).
(ii) Subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.12(d)(iii) below, in connection with any Non-Base Loan, a request therefor, a conversion to or a continuation thereof or otherwise, if for any reason Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that (A) if Term SOFR or CDOR Rate is utilized in any calculations hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, reasonable and adequate means do not exist for ascertaining Term SOFR or CDOR Rate, as applicable, for the applicable Interest Period with respect to a proposed SOFR Rate Loan or such CDOR Rate Loan, as applicable, on or prior to the first day of such Interest Period, (B) a fundamental change has occurred in foreign exchange or interbank markets with respect to the Applicable Currency (including changes in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls), (C) any Change in Law any time after the date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of any Lender, makes it unlawful or impractical for such Lender to fund or maintain any applicable Non-Base Rate Loans or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates at the CDOR Rate or Term SOFR, and, in the case of this clause (C), such Lender has provided notice of such determination to Agent, Agent shall promptly give notice to Administrative Borrower. Upon notice thereof by Agent to Administrative Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make Non-Base Loans, as applicable, in the Applicable Currency, and any right of Borrower to convert any Loan in the Applicable Currency to or continue any Loan as an Non-Base Loan in the Applicable Currency (to
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the extent of the affected Non-Base Rate Loans, the affected Interest Periods), shall be suspended until Agent (with respect to this clause (D), at the instruction of all affected Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (I) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Non-Rate Loans in each such affected Applicable Currency (to the extent of the affected SOFR Rate Loans or, in the case of Non-Base Rate Loans, the affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, (1) in the case of any request for a borrowing of an affected Non-Base Rate Loan, Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the Applicable Currency in the amount specified therein and (2) in the case of any request for a borrowing of an affected Non-Base Rate Loan then such request shall be ineffective and any outstanding affected Non-Base Rate Loans will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans in the Applicable Currency at the end of the applicable Interest Period (or immediately if it is unlawful for any such Loan to be outstanding until such time). Upon any such prepayment or conversion, Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.12(b)(ii).
(iii) Benchmark Replacement Setting.
(A) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, with respect to any Benchmark, Agent and Administrative Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace such Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and Administrative Borrower so long as Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.12(d)(iii) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.
(B) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(C) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Agent will promptly notify Administrative Borrower and the Lenders of (1) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (2) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement Agent will promptly notify Administrative Borrower of the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.12(d)(iii)(D). Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Agent or, if applicable any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.12(d)(iii) including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.12(d)(iii).
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(D) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (1) if any then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (I) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by Agent in its reasonable discretion or (II) the administrator of such Benchmark or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks, then Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable, non-representative, non-compliant or non-aligned tenor and (2) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (1) above either (I) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (II) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(E) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon Administrative Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a given Benchmark, (I) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Non-Base Rate Loans, in each case, to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period denominated in the Applicable Currency and, failing that, (1) in the case of any request for any affected Non-Base Rate Loans, if applicable, Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the Applicable Currency in the amount specified therein and (2) in the case of any request for any affected Non-Base Rate Loan, then such request shall be ineffective and any outstanding affected Non-Base Rate Loans, if applicable, will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans in the Applicable Currency at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.12(b)(ii). During a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to any Benchmark or at any time that a tenor for any then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark that is the subject of such Benchmark Unavailability Period or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.
(iv) No Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither Agent, nor any Lender, nor any of their Participants, is required actually to acquire deposits in the Applicable Currency to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at the applicable Term SOFR or CDOR Rate.
2.13. Capital Requirements.
(a) If, after the date hereof, any Issuing Lender or any Lender reasonably determines that (i) any Change in Law regarding capital or reserve requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or (ii) compliance by such Issuing Lender or such Lender, or their respective bank holding companies, with any guideline, request or directive of any Governmental Authority regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law), has the effect of reducing the return on such Issuing Lender’s, such Lender’s, or such holding companies’ capital as a consequence of such Issuing Lender’s or such Lender’s commitments hereunder to a level below that which such Issuing Lender, such Lender, or such holding companies could have achieved but for such Change in Law or compliance (taking into consideration such Issuing Lender’s, such Lender’s, or such holding companies’ then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy and
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assuming the full utilization of such entity’s capital) by any amount deemed by such Issuing Lender or such Lender to be material, then such Issuing Lender or such Lender may notify Administrative Borrower and Agent thereof. Following receipt of such notice, Borrower agrees to pay such Issuing Lender or such Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of return of capital as and when such reduction is determined, payable within 30 days after presentation by such Issuing Lender or such Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable detail such Issuing Lender’s or such Lender’s calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based (which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error). In determining such amount, such Issuing Lender or such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. Failure or delay on the part of such Issuing Lender or any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Issuing Lender’s or such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Issuing Lender or a Lender pursuant to this Section for any reductions in return incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Issuing Lender or such Lender notifies Administrative Borrower of such Change in Law giving rise to such reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that if such claim arises by reason of the Change in Law that is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
(b) If any Issuing Lender or any Lender requests additional or increased costs referred to in Section 2.11(l) or Section 2.12(d)(i) or amounts under Section 2.13(a) or sends a notice under Section 2.12(d)(i) relative to changed circumstances (such Issuing Lender or Lender, an “Affected Lender”), then such Affected Lender shall use reasonable efforts to promptly designate a different one of its lending offices or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices or branches, if (i) in the reasonable judgment of such Affected Lender, such designation or assignment would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.11(l), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or would eliminate the illegality or impracticality of funding or maintaining Non-Base Rate Loans and (ii) in the reasonable judgment of such Affected Lender, such designation or assignment would not subject it to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to it. Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Affected Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment. If, after such reasonable efforts, such Affected Lender does not so designate a different one of its lending offices or assign its rights to another of its offices or branches so as to eliminate Borrower’s obligation to pay any future amounts to such Affected Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(l), Section 2.11(1), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or to enable Borrower to obtain Non-Base Rate Loans, then Administrative Borrower (without prejudice to any amounts then due to such Affected Lender under Section 2.11(l), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable) may, unless prior to the effective date of any such assignment the Affected Lender withdraws its request for such additional amounts under Section 2.11(l), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or indicates that it is no longer unlawful or impractical to fund or maintain Non-Base Rate Loans, may designate a different Issuing Lender or substitute a Lender, in each case, reasonably acceptable to Agent to purchase the Obligations owed to such Affected Lender (and its Affiliates) and such Affected Lender’s (and its Affiliates’) commitments hereunder (a “Replacement Lender”), and if such Replacement Lender agrees to such purchase, such Affected Lender (and its Affiliates) shall assign to the Replacement Lender its Obligations and commitments, and upon such purchase by the Replacement Lender, which such Replacement Lender shall be deemed to be “Issuing Lender” or a “Lender” (as the case may be) for purposes of this Agreement and such Affected Lender shall cease to be an “Issuing Lender” or a “Lender” (as the case may be) for purposes of this Agreement.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the protection of Sections 2.11(l), 2.12(d), and 2.13 shall be available to each Issuing Lender and each Lender (as applicable) regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment, guideline, treaty or other change or condition which shall have occurred or been imposed, so long as it shall be customary for Issuing Lenders or Lenders affected thereby to comply therewith. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, neither any Issuing Lender nor any Lender shall demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.13 if it shall not at the time be the general policy or practice of such Issuing Lender or such Lender (as the case may be) to demand such compensation in similar circumstances under comparable provisions of other credit agreements, if any.
2.14. Currencies. The Revolving Loans and other Obligations (unless such other Obligations expressly provide otherwise) shall be made and repaid in Canadian Dollars. The Revolving Loans shall be denominated in Canadian Dollars or US Dollars (as selected by Administrative Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3 at the time such Revolving Loan is requested) except (a) Protective Advances made by Agent shall be denominated in Canadian Dollars or US Dollars (as selected by Agent), (b) Letters of Credit may be issued in Canadian Dollars, US Dollars, British Pounds or Euros, and (c) Revolving Loans charged to the Applicable Loan Account pursuant to Section 2.6 to pay fees, interest, expenses and other amounts shall be denominated in the Applicable Currency of such fees, interest, expenses and other amounts. All Obligations denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be repaid in Canadian Dollars and all Obligations denominated in US Dollars shall be repaid in Canadian Dollars. Payments made in a currency other than the currency in which the applicable Obligations are denominated may be accepted by the Agent in its sole discretion and, if so accepted, Borrower agrees that the Agent may convert the payment made to the currency of the applicable Obligations at the applicable Spot Rate in accordance with its normal practices.
2.15. Interest Act (Canada); Criminal Rate of Interest; Nominal Rate of Interest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document:
(a) whenever interest payable by Borrower is calculated on the basis of a period which is less than the actual number of days in a calendar year, each rate of interest determined pursuant to such calculation is, for the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to such rate multiplied by the actual number of days in the calendar year in which such rate is to be ascertained and divided by the number of days used as the basis of such calculation,
(b) the Borrower confirms that it fully understands and is able to calculate the rate of interest applicable to the Loans based on the methodology for calculating annual rates provided for in this Agreement. The Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees not to plead or assert, whether by way of defense or otherwise, in any proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, that the interest payable under this Agreement and the calculation thereof has not been adequately disclosed to the Borrower as required pursuant to Section 4 of the Interest Act (Canada),
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(c) in no event shall the aggregate “interest” (as defined in Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada), as the same shall be amended, replaced or re-enacted from time to time (the “Criminal Code Section”)) payable (whether by way of payment, collection or demand) by Borrower to Agent or any Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document exceed the effective annual rate of interest on the “credit advanced” (as defined in that section) under this Agreement or such other Loan Document lawfully permitted under that section and, if any payment, collection or demand pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in respect of “interest” (as defined in that section) is determined to be contrary to the provisions of that section and the amount of such payment or collection shall be refunded by Agent and Lenders to Borrower with such “interest” deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by the Criminal Code Section to result in a receipt by Agent or such Lender of interest at a rate not in contravention of the Criminal Code Section, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, as follows: firstly, by reducing the amounts or rates of interest required to be paid to Agent or that Lender; and then, by reducing any fees, charges, expenses and other amounts required to be paid to the affected Agent or Lender which would constitute “interest”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all such adjustments, if Agent or any Lender shall have received an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by the Criminal Code Section, then Borrower shall be entitled, by notice in writing to the Agent or affected Lender, to obtain reimbursement from Agent or that Lender in an amount equal to such excess. For the purposes of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which Borrower is a party, the effective annual rate of interest payable by Borrower shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles over the term of the loans on the basis of annual compounding for the lawfully permitted rate of interest and, in the event of dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries appointed by Agent for the account of Borrower will be conclusive for the purpose of such determination in the absence of evidence to the contrary,
(d) all calculations of interest payable by Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document are to be made on the basis of the nominal interest rate described herein and therein and not on the basis of effective yearly rates or on any other basis which gives effect to the principle of deemed reinvestment of interest. The parties acknowledge that there is a material difference between the stated nominal interest rates and the effective yearly rates of interest and that they are capable of making the calculations required to determine such effective yearly rates of interest,
(e) any provision of this Agreement that would oblige Borrower to pay any fine, penalty or rate of interest on any arrears of principal or interest secured by a mortgage on real property or hypothec on immovables that has the effect of increasing the charge on arrears beyond the rate of interest payable on principal money not in arrears shall not apply to Borrower, which shall be required to pay interest on money in arrears at the same rate of interest payable on principal money not in arrears, and
(f) if there is a conflict, inconsistency, ambiguity or difference between any provision of this Section 2.15 and any other Section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document with respect to Borrower then the provisions of this Section 2.15 shall prevail and be paramount.
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2.16. Accordion.
(a) At any time during the period from and after the Closing Date through but excluding the date that is three months prior to the Maturity Date, at the option and upon written request of Borrower (but subject to the conditions set forth in clause (b) below), the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount may be increased by an amount in the aggregate for all such increases of the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount not to exceed the Available Increase Amount (each such increase, an “Increase”); provided, that in no event shall the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount be increased to an amount in excess of $98,000,000. Each Lender shall increase its Revolver Commitment (it being understood that each Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolver Commitments with respect to Increases in an aggregate amount not exceeding $5,000,000 but no Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolver Commitment with respect to any further Increases requested, if a result of such Increase, the aggregate amount of the Increases to the Revolver Commitments made pursuant this Section 2.16 would exceed $5,000,000) by its Pro Rata Share of the proposed Increase upon the date that such proposed Increase becomes effective (the “Increase Date”). Any Increase shall be in an amount of at least $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. In no event may the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount be increased pursuant to this Section 2.16 on more than 5 occasions in the aggregate for all such Increases. Additionally, for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that in no event shall the aggregate amount of the Increases to the Revolver Commitments exceed $13,000,000.
(b) Each of the following shall be conditions precedent to any Increase of the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount in connection therewith:
(i) any Increase whereby as a result of such Increase, the aggregate principal amount of the Increases to the Revolver Commitments made pursuant this Section 2.16 exceeds $5,000,000, shall (x) require approval in writing by the Agent, and (y) Agent or Borrower have obtained the commitment of one or more Lenders (or other prospective lenders) reasonably satisfactory to Agent and Borrower to provide the applicable Increase and any such Lenders (or prospective lenders), Borrower, and Agent have signed a joinder agreement to this Agreement (an “Increase Joinder”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to which such Lenders (or prospective lenders), Borrower, and Agent are party,
(ii) each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied,
(iii) Borrower shall have paid the Increase fee payable pursuant to the Fee Letter.
(c) Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all references in this Agreement and any other Loan Document to Revolving Loans shall be deemed, unless the context otherwise requires, to include Revolving Loans made pursuant to the increased Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount pursuant to this Section 2.16.
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(d) The Revolving Loans, Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount established pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall constitute Revolving Loans, Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from any guarantees and the security interests created by the Loan Documents. Borrower shall take any actions reasonably required by Agent to ensure and demonstrate that the Liens and security interests granted by the Loan Documents continue to be perfected under the PPSA or otherwise after giving effect to the establishment of any such new Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Credit Amount.
3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.
3.1. Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit. The obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to make any Revolving Loans hereunder or to extend any other credit hereunder on or after the Closing Date is subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by Agent and each Lender), to the satisfaction of Agent and each Lender, of each of the conditions precedent set forth in Part B of Schedule 3.1 (the making of such initial extensions of credit by a Lender being conclusively deemed to be its satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent). The parties acknowledge that the conditions precedent set forth in Part A of the Schedule 3.1 with respect to the initial extension of credit under the Original Credit Agreement have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms thereof.
3.2. Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit. The obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to make any Revolving Loans hereunder (or to extend any other credit hereunder) at any time shall be subject to the following conditions precedent (unless waived in accordance with the terms hereof):
(a) the representations and warranties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries contained in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date); and
(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result from the making thereof.
3.3. Maturity. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the Maturity Date.
3.4. Effect of Maturity. On the Maturity Date, all commitments of the Lender Group to provide additional credit hereunder shall automatically be terminated and all of the Obligations shall become due and payable immediately without notice or demand and Borrower shall be required to repay all of the Obligations in full. No termination of the obligations of the Lender Group (other than payment in full of the Obligations and termination of the Commitments) shall relieve or discharge any Loan Party of its duties, obligations, or covenants hereunder or under any other Loan Document and Agent’s Liens in the Collateral shall continue to secure the
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Obligations and shall remain in effect until all Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments have been terminated. When all of the Obligations have been paid in full and the Lender Group’s obligations to provide additional credit under the Loan Documents have been terminated irrevocably, Agent will, at Borrower’s sole expense, execute and deliver any termination statements, lien releases, discharges of security interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable, in recordable form) as are reasonably necessary to release, as of record, Agent’s Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed by Agent.
3.5. Early Termination by Borrower. Borrower has the option, at any time upon 10 Business Days prior written notice to Agent by Administrative Borrower, to terminate this Agreement and terminate the Commitments hereunder by repaying to Agent all of the Obligations in full and the Applicable Prepayment Premium pursuant to the Fee Letter. The foregoing notwithstanding, (a) Administrative Borrower may rescind termination notices relative to proposed payments in full of the Obligations with the proceeds of third party Indebtedness if the closing for such issuance or incurrence does not happen on or before the date of the proposed termination (in which case, a new notice shall be required to be sent in connection with any subsequent termination), and (b) Administrative Borrower may extend the date of termination at any time with the consent of Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
3.6. Post-Closing Covenants. Borrower covenants and agrees to satisfy each item on Part B of Schedule 3.6 on or before the date set forth on Schedule 3.6 for such item.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
In order to induce the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement, Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the Lender Group which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the Closing Date, and shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the date of the making of each Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:
4.1. Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
(a) Borrower and, subject to the completion of any transaction permitted by Section 6.3, each of its Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) is qualified or registered to do business in any jurisdiction where the failure to be so qualified would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has all requisite corporate, limited liability or other organizational power and authority (as applicable) to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.
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(b) Set forth on Schedule 4.1 is a complete and accurate description as of the Closing Date of the authorized Equity Interests of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, by class, and, as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of each such class that are issued and outstanding. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its Equity Interests or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of its Equity Interests except for any Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) that are permitted by the Loan Documents.
(c) Set forth on Schedule 4.1 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement), is a complete and accurate list of the Loan Parties’ direct and indirect Subsidiaries, showing: (i) the number of shares of each class of common and preferred Equity Interests authorized for each of such Subsidiaries, and (ii) the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned directly or indirectly by Borrower. All of the outstanding Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1, there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests as of the Closing Date, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument.
4.2. Due Authorization; No Conflict.
(a) As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action on the part of such Loan Party.
(b) As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate any material provision of federal, provincial, state, foreign or local law or regulation applicable to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries where any such violation would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) violate the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material agreement of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries where any such conflict, breach or default would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any assets of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens, or (v) require any approval of any holder of Equity Interests of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or any approval or consent of any Person under any material agreement of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except, in the case of material agreements, for consents or approvals, the failure to obtain would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.
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4.3. Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority, other than registrations, consents, approvals, notices, or other actions that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except for filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Agent for filing or recordation, as of the Closing Date or where any such failure to do the foregoing would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.4. Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens.
(a) Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.
(b) Agent’s Liens are validly created, perfected (other than (i) any Excluded Deposit Accounts (as defined in the Canadian Security Documents)), and first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, Purchase Money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and Liens securing the interests of lessors under Capital Leases.
4.5. Title to Assets; No Encumbrances. Each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries has (a) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in Real Property), (b) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (c) good and marketable title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective assets reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, in each case except for (i) [Reserved], and (ii) minor defects in title that do not interfere with any sale, transfer, or other disposition of such property, or its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes. All of such assets are free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.
4.6. Litigation.
(a) There are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, after due inquiry, threatened in writing against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that either individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Schedule 4.6(b) sets forth a complete and accurate description, with respect to each of the actions, suits, or proceedings with asserted liabilities in excess of, or that could reasonably be expected to result in liabilities of a Loan Party in excess of, $1,000,000 that, as of the Closing Date, is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, after due inquiry, threatened in
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writing against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, of (i) the parties to such actions, suits, or proceedings, (ii) the nature of the dispute that is the subject of such actions, suits, or proceedings, (iii) the procedural status, as of the Closing Date, with respect to such actions, suits, or proceedings, and (iv) whether any liability of the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries in connection with such actions, suits, or proceedings is covered by insurance.
4.7. Compliance with Laws. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, or codes (including Environmental Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, provincial, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, in each case that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
4.8. Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect. All historical financial statements relating to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries that have been delivered by Borrower to Agent have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and, subject to the impact of the Original Closing Date US Divestiture, present fairly in all material respects, the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial condition as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended. Since October 30, 2021 no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.
4.9. Solvency.
(a) The Loan Parties, taken as a whole, are Solvent.
(b) No transfer of property is being made by any Loan Party and no obligation is being incurred by any Loan Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of such Loan Party.
4.10. Canadian Pension Plan. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party, nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains or contributes to any Canadian Pension Plans nor have any liabilities or obligations in respect of a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that has been terminated or wound up.
4.11. Environmental Condition. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 or except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been used by a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries, or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such disposal, production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any respect, of or has given rise to liability of a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Borrower, liability of previous owners or operators, under any applicable Environmental Law, (b) no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been designated or
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identified in any manner pursuant to any Environmental Law as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, and (d) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective facilities or operations is subject to any outstanding Environmental Action or other written order, consent decree, or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Liabilities.
4.12. Complete Disclosure. All factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrower’s industry) furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender (including all information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the other Loan Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and all other such factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrower’s industry) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate, in all material respects, on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided. The Projections delivered to Agent on April 29, 2021 represent, and as of the date on which any other Projections are delivered to Agent, such additional Projections represent, Borrower’s good faith estimate, on the date such Projections are delivered, of the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ future performance for the periods covered thereby based upon assumptions believed by Borrower to be reasonable at the time of the delivery thereof to Agent (it being understood that such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and no assurances can be given that such Projections will be realized, and although reflecting Borrower’s good faith estimate, projections or forecasts based on methods and assumptions which Borrower believed to be reasonable at the time such Projections were prepared, are not to be viewed as facts, and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ materially from projected or estimated results).
4.13. Patriot Act; Canadian AML and Anti-Terrorism Laws. To the extent applicable, each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with the (a) Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (b) Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001) (the “Patriot Act”) and all applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used by any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
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4.14. Indebtedness. Set forth on Schedule 4.14 is a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the Closing Date (excluding Indebtedness referenced in paragraph (a) and paragraphs (c) through (h) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”) and such Schedule accurately sets forth the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness as of the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, Borrower has no outstanding Indebtedness or trade payables owing to any of the secured parties listed in paragraph 8 of Part A of Schedule 3.6 that is secured by the security perfected by the PPSA registration in favour of the applicable secured party listed therein.
4.15. Payment of Taxes. All Federal, provincial and state income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns and reports of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all Federal, provincial and state income Taxes and all other material Taxes shown on such Tax returns to be due and payable and all material assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective assets, income, businesses and franchises that are due and payable have been paid when due and payable, except (a) where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (b) the validity of such Tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest as contemplated by Section 5.5 Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries have made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes not yet due and payable. Borrower does not know of any material proposed Tax assessment against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary diligently, in good faith, and by appropriate proceedings; provided such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.
4.16. Margin Stock. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the loans made to Borrower will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors.
4.17. Governmental Regulation. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal, provincial or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4.18. OFAC. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any of the country or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC or any Canadian Governmental Authority. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has its assets located in Sanctioned Entities, or (c) to its knowledge derives revenues directly or indirectly, from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities. No proceeds of any loan made hereunder will be used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity.
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4.19. Employee and Labor Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.19, no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining or similar agreement with any union or other labor organization. Except to the extent would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, there is (i) no unfair labor practice charge or complaint pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding pending or threatened against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which arises out of or under any collective bargaining agreement and that would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown, stoppage or similar action or grievance pending or threatened in writing against Borrower or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, or (iii) to the knowledge of Borrower, after due inquiry, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries and no union organizing activity taking place with respect to any of the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries. None of Borrower or its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or similar state or foreign law, which remains unpaid or unsatisfied which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The hours worked and payments made to, classification of, employees of Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable legal requirements, except to the extent such violations would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All material payments due from Borrower or its Subsidiaries on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of Borrower and all remittances and withholdings on account of Taxes and employer or employee contribution to benefit plans have been remitted to the applicable Governmental Authority when due, except where the failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
4.20. Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party and Subsidiary owns or has the lawful right to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business, without conflict with any rights of others. There is no pending or, to any Loan Party’s knowledge, threatened material Intellectual Property Claim with respect to any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any of their Property (including any Intellectual Property). All Intellectual Property owned by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or any applicable Governmental Authority in the European Union is identified on Schedule 4.20.
4.21. Eligible Accounts. As to each Account that is identified by Borrower as an Eligible Account or an Eligible Credit Card Receivable in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Agent, such Account is (a) a bona fide existing payment obligation of the applicable Account Debtor created by the sale and delivery of Inventory or the rendition of services to such Account Debtor in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business, (b) owed to a Borrower without any known defenses, disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights of return or cancellation, and (c) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Accounts or Eligible Credit Card Receivables, as the case may be.
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4.22. Eligible Inventory. As to each item of Inventory that is identified by Borrower as Eligible Inventory in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Agent, such Inventory is (a) of good and merchantable quality, free from known defects, and (b) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Inventory.
4.23. Location of Inventory and Equipment. Except for the third-party warehouse locations identified on Schedule 4.23, the Inventory and Equipment of Borrower is not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and is located only at, or in-transit between, the locations identified on Schedule 4.23 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.14).
4.24. Inventory Records. Each Loan Party keeps correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the type, quality, and quantity of its and its Subsidiaries’ Inventory and the book value thereof.
4.25. Hedge Agreements. On each date that any Hedge Agreement is executed by any Hedge Provider, each Loan Party party to such Hedge Agreement satisfies all eligibility, suitability and other requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations and, in the case of a guarantor of Hedge Obligations, is a Qualified ECP Guarantor.
4.26. Credit Card Arrangements. Schedule 4.26 is a list describing all arrangements as of the Closing Date to which any Loan Party is a party with respect to the processing and/or payment to such Loan Party of the proceeds of any credit card charges and debit card charges for sales made by such Loan Party.
4.27. No Defaults; Material Contracts. No event or circumstance has occurred or exists as of the date of this Agreement that constitutes a Default or Event of Default. Schedule 4.27 contains a true, correct and complete list of all Material Contracts, and except as described thereon, all such Material Contracts are in full force and effect. No Loan Party or Subsidiary is in default, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a default, under any Material Contract which would enable the other contracting party to terminate such Material Contract. There is no basis upon which any party (other than a Loan Party or the Subsidiary) could terminate a Material Contract prior to its scheduled termination date.
4.28. Operations of Certain Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, CGS is inactive and does not engage in any trade or business, own any assets or owe any Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability except as expressly permitted hereunder in its capacity as a Loan Party and the ownership of all of the outstanding shares of CGS USA. Each of CGS USA and Birks Jewellers Limited, is inactive and does not engage in any trade or business, own any assets or owe any Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability other than, in the case of CGS USA, (a) the provision of limited support services to Borrower and (b) the payment by Borrower to CGS USA of up to US$500,000 in the aggregate in each Fiscal Year in the form of Permitted Intercompany Advances and reimbursements of reasonable and documented expenses incurred by CGS USA for and on behalf of Borrower, provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of any such payment.
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5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:
5.1. Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates. Borrower (a) will deliver to Agent each of the financial statements, reports, and other items set forth on Schedule 5.1 no later than the times specified therein, (b) agree that no Subsidiary of a Loan Party will have a Fiscal Year different from that of Borrower, (c) agree to maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrower to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (d) agree that they will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, (i) keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to their Subsidiaries’ sales (for avoidance of doubt, Agent and Lenders hereby acknowledge that the reporting system maintained by the Loan Parties on the Closing Date satisfies this clause (i)), and (ii) agree that they will, and will cause each other Loan Party to maintain their billing and reporting system materially consistent with that in effect as of the Closing Date, and shall only make material modifications thereto with notice to, and with the consent of, the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
5.2. Reporting. Borrower (a) will deliver to Agent (and if so requested by Agent, with copies for each Lender) each of the reports set forth on Schedule 5.2 at the times specified therein, and (b) agree to use commercially reasonable efforts in cooperation with Agent to facilitate and implement a system of electronic collateral reporting in order to provide electronic reporting of each of the items set forth on such Schedule.
5.3. Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.3 or Section 6.4, Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, good standing with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified or required to be qualified to do business and any rights, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses.
5.4. Maintenance of Properties. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve all of its assets that are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear, tear, casualty, and condemnation and Permitted Dispositions excepted (and except where the failure to so maintain and preserve assets would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect).
5.5. Taxes. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all Federal, provincial and state income and capital Taxes and all other material Taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, capital, businesses, or franchises, except to the extent that the validity of such Tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest.
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5.6. Insurance. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at Borrower’s expense, maintain insurance respecting each of each Loan Party’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets wherever located, covering liabilities, losses or damages as are customarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in same or similar businesses and similarly situated and located and flood insurance coverage acceptable to Agent with respect to all Real Property Collateral (to the extent flood insurance is required). All such policies of insurance shall be with financially sound and reputable insurance companies that are reasonably acceptable to Agent (it being agreed that any insurance providers which have a policy in effect with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date are acceptable to Agent) and in such amounts as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated and located and, in any event, in amount, adequacy, and scope reasonably satisfactory to Agent (it being agreed that the amount, adequacy, and scope of the policies of insurance of Borrower in effect as of the Closing Date are acceptable to Agent). All property insurance policies covering the Collateral are to be made payable to Agent for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders, as their interests may appear, in case of loss, pursuant to a standard lenders’ loss payable endorsement with a standard non-contributory “lender” or “secured party” clause and are to contain such other provisions as Agent may reasonably require to fully protect the Lenders’ interest in the Collateral and to any payments to be made under such policies. All certificates of property and general liability insurance are to be delivered to Agent, with lenders’ loss payable (but only in respect of Collateral) and additional insured endorsements in favor of Agent and shall provide for not less than 30 days (10 days in the case of non-payment), or such shorter period as Agent may agree, prior written notice to Agent of the exercise of any right of cancellation. If any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries fails to maintain such insurance, Agent may arrange for such insurance, but at Borrower’s expense and without any responsibility on Agent’s part for obtaining the insurance, the solvency of the insurance companies, the adequacy of the coverage, or the collection of claims. Borrower shall give Agent prompt notice of any loss exceeding $1,000,000 covered by Borrower or its Subsidiaries’ casualty or business interruption insurance. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the sole right to file claims under any property and general liability insurance policies in respect of the Collateral, to receive, receipt and give acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder, and to execute any and all endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments or other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.
5.7. Inspection.
(a) Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent, any Lender and each of their respective duly authorized representatives or agents to visit any of its properties and inspect any of its assets or books and records, to examine and make copies of its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances, and accounts with, and to be advised as to the same by, its officers and employees (provided an authorized representative of a Borrower shall be allowed to be present) at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent or any Lender, as applicable, may designate and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with reasonable prior notice to Administrative Borrower and during regular business hours.
(b) Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent and each of its duly authorized representatives or agents to conduct appraisals and valuations at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent may designate; provided that the expenses required to be paid by the Loan Parties in connection therewith shall be subject to any applicable limitation set forth in Section 2.10(c).
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5.8. Compliance with Laws and Material Contracts. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with (a) the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority, and (b) all of its Material Contracts, except in each case where non-compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.9. Environmental. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
(a) Keep any property either owned or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries free of any Environmental Liens (other than Permitted Liens) or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens (other than Permitted Liens),
(b) Comply with applicable Environmental Laws, except where a failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent reasonably requests,
(c) Promptly notify Agent of any release of which Borrower has knowledge of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity or which could reasonably be expected to result in material liabilities of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries from or onto property owned or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said release or otherwise to come into compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Environmental Law, except where a failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent reasonably requests, and
(d) Promptly, but in any event within 5 Business Days of its receipt thereof, provide Agent with written notice of any of the following: (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries that individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order from a Governmental Authority that would reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.10. Disclosure Updates. Each Loan Party will, promptly and in no event later than fifteen Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify Agent if any written information, exhibit, or report furnished to Agent or the Lenders contained, at the time it was furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, any notification pursuant to the foregoing provision will not cure or remedy the effect of the prior untrue statement of a material fact or omission of any material fact nor shall any such notification have the effect of amending or modifying this Agreement or any of the Schedules hereto.
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5.11. Formation of Subsidiaries. Borrower will, at the time that any Loan Party forms any direct or indirect Subsidiary or acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary after the Closing Date, (x) within 30 days of such formation or acquisition (or such later date as permitted by Agent in its sole discretion) (a) cause such new Subsidiary to provide to Agent a joinder to the Canadian Security Documents and other applicable Loan Documents (including this Agreement to the extent that such Subsidiary is to be joined as a Borrower hereunder), as applicable, which joinder shall include such provisions as Agent shall consider necessary or desirable for the inclusion of such Subsidiary as a Borrower or other Loan Party including such provisions as are necessary or desirable to reflect the formation of such Subsidiary under the laws of a jurisdiction other than Canada or the location of Collateral outside of Canada and a guarantee of the Obligations, if required, together with such other security agreements, ,as well as appropriate financing statements (and with respect to all Real Property Collateral subject (or required hereunder to be subject) to a Mortgage, fixture filings) all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent (including being sufficient to grant Agent a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens)) in and to the assets of such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary (other than Excluded Property, as defined in the Canadian Security Documents); to the applicable Canadian Security Documents, the guarantee and such other security agreements shall not be required to be provided to Agent with respect to Obligations, if the costs to the Loan Parties of providing such guarantee or such security agreements are unreasonably excessive (as determined by Agent in consultation with Administrative Borrower) in relation to the benefit to Agent and the Lenders of the security or guarantee afforded thereby and (b) provide to Agent all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which, in its reasonable judgment, is necessary with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above (including policies of title insurance, or other documentation with respect to all Real Property Collateral owned in fee and required to be subject to a Mortgage), and (y) within 60 days of such formation or acquisition (or such later date as permitted by Agent in its sole discretion), (a) cause such new Subsidiary to provide to Agent Mortgages with respect to any Real Property owned in fee of such new Subsidiary with a fair market value greater than $1,000,000, as well as appropriate fixture filings, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent (including being sufficient to grant Agent a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in and to the Real Property assets of such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary); and (b) provide to Agent all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which, in its opinion, is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above (including policies of title insurance, evidence of flood certification documentation (to the extent required) or other documentation with respect to all Real Property owned in fee and subject to (or required hereunder to be subject to) a Mortgage). Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 shall constitute a Loan Document.
5.12. Further Assurances. Borrower will, and will cause each of the other Loan Parties to, at any time upon the reasonable request of Agent, execute or deliver, or cause to be executed or delivered to Agent any and all financing statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, opinions of counsel, and all other documents (the “Additional Documents”) that Agent may reasonably request in form and
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substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to create, perfect, and continue perfected or to better perfect Agent’s Liens in all of the assets of Loan Parties (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired, tangible or intangible, real or personal), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Agent in any Real Property acquired by any Loan Party with a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000, and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan Documents. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, if any Loan Party refuses or fails to execute or deliver any reasonably requested Additional Documents within a reasonable period of time following the request to do so, Borrower, each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby authorizes Agent to execute any such Additional Documents in the applicable Loan Party’s name and authorizes Agent to file such executed Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office. In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of each Loan Party, including all of the outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall ensure that promptly, and in no event more than 15 days, following the Montrovest Merger, Montel shall sign an acknowledgment and confirmation in respect of the Montrovest Subordination Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
5.13. [Intentionally Omitted].
5.14. Location of Inventory; Chief Executive Office, Etc.. Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, keep its Inventory only at (or in-transit between or to) its locations identified on Schedule 4.23 and its chief executive office (and registered office) only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.23; provided, that Administrative Borrower may amend Schedule 4.23 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Agent not less than 10 days, or such later date as Agent agrees in its sole discretion, prior to the date on which such Inventory is moved to such new location or such chief executive office or registered office is relocated and so long as such new location is within continental Canada in the case of the chief executive office and the registered office of a Loan Party.
5.15. Bank Products. On or before the 120th day after the Original Closing Date, the Loan Parties shall establish their primary depository and treasury management relationships in the United States with Wells Fargo or one or more of its Affiliates and their primary depository and treasury management relationships in Canada with Wells Fargo or one or more of its Affiliates, Bank of Montreal, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce or any other Canadian bank reasonably acceptable to Agent and will maintain such depository and treasury management relationships at all times during the term of the Agreement.
5.16. Hedge Agreements. Borrower agrees that it shall offer to Wells Fargo or one or more of its respective Affiliates the first opportunity to bid for all Hedge Agreements to be entered into by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries during the term of the Agreement.
5.17. Canadian Compliance. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 5.8, with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan established after the Closing Date, Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) comply with applicable provisions and funding requirements of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable federal or provincial pension benefits legislation and other applicable laws with respect to all Canadian Pension Plans
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except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) furnish to Agent upon Agent’s written request such additional information about any Canadian Pension Plan for which Borrower or its Subsidiaries would reasonably expect to incur any material liability. All employer or employee payments, contributions or premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of Canadian statutory benefit plans that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is required to participate in or comply with, including the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan as maintained by the Government of Canada or Province of Quebec, respectively, and plans administered pursuant to applicable workplace safety insurance and employment insurance legislation will be paid or remitted by each such Person in accordance with the terms thereof, any agreements relating thereto and all applicable laws except (i) to the extent that any amount so payable is subject to a Permitted Protest and a Canadian Priority Payable Reserve for such amount has been established (ii) for failures resulting from administrative oversight which are promptly remedied once Borrower or its Subsidiary becomes aware thereof.
5.18. Credit Card Notifications. Within 30 days of the Original Closing Date (or such later date as Agent may agree), deliver to the Agent copies of notifications (each, a “Credit Card Notification”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C-2, or otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent, which have been executed on behalf of such Loan Party and delivered to such Loan Party’s Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors listed on Schedule 4.26. No Loan Party shall enter into any agreements with Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors other than the ones expressly contemplated herein or in Section 4.26 unless Agent has received a copy of the Credit Card Notification sent to such new or additional Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor.
6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:
6.1. Indebtedness. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except for Permitted Indebtedness. Borrower shall not incur any Indebtedness or have trade payables owing to any secured party listed in paragraph 8 of Part A of Schedule 3.6 that is secured by the security perfected by the PPSA registration in favour of such secured party until it has satisfied its obligations under paragraph 8 of Part A of Schedule 3.6 with respect to such PPSA Registration.
6.2. Liens. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.
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6.3. Restrictions on Fundamental Changes. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
(a) other than in order to consummate a Permitted Acquisition, enter into any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its Equity Interests, except for (i) any merger or amalgamation between Loan Parties; provided that Borrower must be the survivor of any merger or amalgamation to which it is a party (or, in the case of an amalgamation, the continuing corporation resulting therefrom must be liable for the Obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents), (ii) any merger or amalgamation between a Loan Party (other than Borrower) and a Subsidiary of such Loan Party that is not a Loan Party so long as such Loan Party is the surviving entity of any such merger or amalgamation (or, in the case of an amalgamation, the continuing corporation resulting therefrom) must be liable for the Obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents and the priority of the Agent’s Liens on the Collateral is not affected thereby, and (iii) any merger or amalgamation between Subsidiaries of Borrower that are not Loan Parties,
(b) liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), except for (i) the liquidation or dissolution of non-operating Subsidiaries of Borrower with nominal assets and nominal liabilities, (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Loan Party (other than Borrower) or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries so long as all of the assets (including any interest in any Equity Interests) of such liquidating or dissolving Loan Party or Subsidiary are transferred to a Loan Party that is not liquidating or dissolving, or (iii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party (other than any such Subsidiary the Equity Interests of which (or any portion thereof) is subject to a Lien in favor of Agent) so long as all of the assets of such liquidating or dissolving Subsidiary are transferred to a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not liquidating or dissolving, or
(c) suspend or cease operating a substantial portion of its or their business, except as permitted pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above or in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 6.4,
6.4. Disposal of Assets. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into an agreement to convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of) any of its or their assets other than (a) Permitted Dispositions; (b) transactions expressly permitted by Sections 6.3 or 6.9; and (c) sales of equipment, furniture and fixtures in the ordinary course of business to a Person other than a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and subject to compliance with Section 6.10, if applicable, provided the proceeds of such sales of equipment shall be applied to repay the Revolving Loans and/or provide Letter of Credit Collateralization, as applicable, without a permanent reduction in the Commitments.
6.5. Nature of Business. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any change in the nature of its or their business as described in Section 4.28 or Schedule 6.5 or acquire any properties or assets that are not reasonably related to the conduct of such business activities; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent Borrower and its Subsidiaries from engaging in any business that is reasonably related or ancillary to its or their business.
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6.6. Prepayments and Amendments. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
(a) Except in connection with Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1,
(i) make any payments in respect of the Montrovest Debt other than, so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would (after taking into consideration the payment to be made) result therefrom and subject to the Montrovest Subordination Agreement, (x) regularly scheduled payments of interest in respect of the Montrovest Debt as and when due pursuant to the Montrovest Debt Documents (y) the principal payments of US$1,250,000 on or about July 20, 2018 and US$1,250,000 on or about July 20, 2019 pursuant to the Montrovest Debt 2017 and (z) the fee payment in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000 annually pursuant to the Montrovest Debt 2017. No other prepayment of, or payment of principal on, the Montrovest Debt may be made without the prior written consent of Agent in its sole discretion, unless the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect to such prepayment or payment,
(ii) make any payment on account of Indebtedness (other than as permitted under paragraph (a)(i) above) that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations if (A) such payment is not permitted at such time under the subordination terms and conditions applicable to such Indebtedness and, (B) where applicable, the Restricted Payment Conditions have not been satisfied,
(iii) make any payment on account of the Damiani Subordinated Indebtedness other than payments in the amounts and on the due dates therefor set out in the Damiani Inventory Purchase Agreement provided that any such payment is permitted to be made at such time under the Damiani Subordination Agreement.
(b) Directly or indirectly, amend, modify, or change any of the terms or provisions of, or, in the case of (b)(i) only, waive any of its material rights under:
(i) the Term Loan Documents (except to the extent expressly permitted by the Intercreditor Agreement), the Management Agreement (except to the extent expressly permitted by the Management Subordination Agreement), the Quebec Subordinated Debt Documents, the Damiani Purchase Documents, the RM JV Agreement to the extent that, in the case of the RM JV Agreement, such amendment, modification or change would be reasonably expected to be adverse to the interests of the Lenders, the Montrovest Debt Documents (except to the extent expressly permitted by the Montrovest Subordination Agreement), or any Additional Subordinated Debt Documents or any other agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations; or
(ii) the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries if the effect thereof, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, and
(c) make any payments in respect of the Term Loan Debt other than regularly scheduled interest payments pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement.
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Each Loan Party shall deliver to Agent complete and correct copies of any amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification to or waiver of the Management Agreement, the Quebec Subordinated Debt Documents, the Damiani Purchase Documents, the RM JV Agreement, the Montrovest Debt Documents, any Additional Subordinated Debt Documents or Governing Documents.
6.7. Restricted Payments. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Restricted Payment; provided, that, so long as it is permitted by law, and, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom,
(a) Borrower may declare and pay distributions to the holders of its Equity Interests to so long as the following conditions are satisfied and Administrative Borrower has delivered a certificate to Agent prior to the payment of any such distribution certifying satisfaction of the Restricted Payment Conditions,
(b) Loan Parties shall be permitted to make payments of principal and interest on Permitted Intercompany Advances,
(c) the Borrower shall be permitted to pay Gestofi S.A. fees and expenses in an aggregate amount not greater than US$300,000 for each calendar year for services provided to Borrower by employees of Gestofi S.A., as well as the amounts permitted to be paid pursuant to the Management Subordination Agreement, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such payment or would result therefrom,
(d) Borrower shall be permitted to, without duplication, (i) pay to any of Regaluxe S.r.L., Montrovest B.V. (which, following the Montrovest Merger, shall mean Montel) or Gestofi S.A., an aggregate amount not to exceed US$300,000 in any Fiscal Year (or such greater amount to the extent consented to in writing by the Agent in its sole discretion) for expenses incurred by any of Regaluxe S.r.L., Montrovest B.V. (which, following the Montrovest Merger, shall mean Montel) or Gestofi S.A. on behalf of (a) the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in connection with carrying out his duties as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business and (b) the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Borrower in connection with carrying out his duties as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business, (ii) pay to Niccolo Rossi, an aggregate amount not to exceed €225,000 in any calendar year for carrying out his duties as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Borrower plus, an aggregate amount not to exceed €60,000 in any calendar year for carrying out his duties as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Borrower and (iii) (x) pay Regaluxe S.r.L. a fee of not more than 3.5% of the total price of the goods sold to Regaluxe S.r.L. in the form of a discount (which fee shall be payable to cover import duties and the carrying costs of value-added Taxes financing), and (y) reimburse Regaluxe S.r.L. for other reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Regaluxe S.r.L. in connection with the importation by Regaluxe S.r.L. of goods of the Borrower and the subsequent sale of such goods by Regaluxe S.r.L. to certain Italian jewelry stores (so long as, to the extent requested by the Agent, the Agent is provided with satisfactory documentation supporting such fees, costs and expenses), provided that in each case, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such payment or would result therefrom;
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(e) the purchase by Borrower of Equity Interests issued by it from employees of Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$100,000 on the Original Closing Date; and
(f) the Borrower shall be permitted to pay Carlo Coda Nunziante up to an amount not greater than EUR€150,000 in the aggregate per annum on account of consulting services provided to the Borrower, reimbursement of expenses in connection therewith and applicable taxes payable by the Borrower in connection therewith, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such payment or would result therefrom.
6.8. Accounting Methods. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, modify or change its Fiscal Year or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP, subject to Section 1.2).
6.9. Investments. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment except for Permitted Investments.
6.10. Transactions with Affiliates. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except for:
(a) transactions (other than the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, or advisory fees) between Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Affiliate of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, so long as such transactions are no less favorable, taken as a whole, to Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate; provided, however the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (x) Permitted Dispositions permitted pursuant to clause (n) thereof or (y) other transactions between any Loan Party and any other Loan Party,
(b) so long as it has been approved by Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s Board of Directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, any indemnity provided for the benefit of directors (or comparable managers), officers and employees of Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary,
(c) so long as it has been approved by Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s Board of Directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, reasonable and customary fees, compensation, benefits and incentive arrangements paid or provided to, and indemnities provided on behalf of or to, officers, directors or employees of Borrower (or any direct or indirect Borrower thereof) or any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries,
(d) transactions permitted by Section 6.3 or Section 6.7, or any Permitted Intercompany Advance,
(e) any transaction with an Affiliate otherwise permitted hereunder where the only consideration paid by Borrower or any Subsidiary is Borrower’s Qualified Equity Interests, and
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(f) loans or advances to directors, officers and employees permitted under Section 6.9.
6.11. Use of Proceeds. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, use the proceeds of any Loan made hereunder for any purpose other than consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, for their lawful and permitted purposes (including without limitation financing the ongoing working capital, capital expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions and general corporate needs of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as well as, on the Closing Date, to pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby).
6.12. Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell or enter into any agreement or arrangement for the issuance or sale of any of its Equity Interests, other than (a) the issuance or sale of Qualified Equity Interests by Borrower, (b) the issuance and sale of Qualified Equity Interests by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party to a Loan Party to which such Loan Party is a direct Subsidiary, (c) the issuance and sale of Qualified Equity Interests by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary, (d) transfers and replacements of then-outstanding Equity Interests, provided that any such transfer or replacements do not (i) give rise to a Change of Control, (ii) include any transfer of Equity Interests held by a Loan Party to a Person that is not a Loan Party (other than a Permitted Disposition) or (iii) include any transfer of Equity Interests from a Loan Party to a Person that is not a Loan Party (other than a Permitted Disposition), (e) the issuance or sale of Qualified Equity Interests by any Person that is not a Loan Party, and (f) issuances of Qualified Equity Interests by a newly created Subsidiary to such Subsidiary’s direct parent in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
6.13. [Intentionally Omitted].
6.14. [Intentionally Omitted].
6.15. Canadian Employee Benefits. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) establish, maintain, sponsor, administer, contribute to, participate in or assume or incur any liability in respect of any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or amalgamate with any Person if such Person, sponsors, administers, contributes to, participates in or has any liability in respect of, any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan other than a Canadian Multi-Employer Plan, unless a Canadian Priority Payables Reserve for unremitted and due pension plan contributions or wind-up deficiency amounts has been established.
(b) terminate any Canadian Pension Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or
(c) fail to make full payment when due of any amounts, under the provisions of any Canadian Pension Plan, any agreement relating thereto or applicable law if such failure would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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6.16. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety, directly or indirectly, with respect to any lease whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred; provided that a Borrower and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable as lessee, guarantor or other surety with respect to any such lease if and to the extent that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would be permitted to enter into, and remain liable under, such lease to the extent that the transaction would constitute a Permitted Sale Leaseback Transaction, assuming the sale and leaseback transaction constituted Indebtedness in a principal amount not to exceed the gross proceeds of the sale.
6.17. Negative Pledges. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) any agreements governing any Permitted Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations or Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby), (c) restrictions set forth in the RM JV Agreement (applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreement and the equity interests in RM JV) and any other provision limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements to the extent such joint venture or similar agreement is permitted under this Agreement, (d) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the disposition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary that applies only to the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary, (e) customary provisions in leases, licenses and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof, (f) any other agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens which may now or hereafter be created pursuant to any of the Loan Documents to secure any Obligations, and (g) any prohibition that (i) exists pursuant to the requirements of applicable law, (ii) consists of customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to any transaction permitted under Section 6.3 or 6.4, (iii) restricts subletting or assignment of leasehold interests contained in any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (iv) exists in any agreement in effect at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (v) exists in any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired or (vi) is imposed by any renewal, extension, refinancing, refund or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings, refunds or replacements) that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents or the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clause (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g)(iv) or (g)(v) above; provided that such renewals, extensions, refinancings, refunds or replacements (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings, refunds or replacements), taken as a whole, are not more materially restrictive with respect to such prohibitions than those contained in the original agreement, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Borrower.
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6.18. Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction of any kind on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests owned by Borrower or any other Subsidiary Borrower, (ii) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, (iii) make loans or advances to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, except in each case, encumbrances or restrictions (a) imposed by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) contained in an agreement with respect to a Permitted Disposition, (c) contained in any agreements governing any Permitted Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations or Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any encumbrance or restriction shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby), (d) constituting customary restrictions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted hereunder and applicable solely to such joint venture, (e) contained in any agreement of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party governing Permitted Indebtedness, (f) contained in any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired, or (g) contained in, or existing by reasons of, any agreement or instrument (i) existing on the Closing Date, (ii) relating to property existing at the time of the acquisition thereof, so long as the encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property so acquired, (iii) relating to any Indebtedness of, or otherwise to, any Subsidiary at the time such Subsidiary was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into, or acquired by, a Borrower or a Subsidiary or became a Subsidiary and not created in contemplation thereof, (iv) effecting a renewal, extension, refinancing, refund or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings, refunds or replacements) of Indebtedness issued under an agreement referred to in clauses (c), (e), (f) and (g)(i) through (g)(iii) above, so long as the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such renewal, extension, refinancing, refund or replacement agreement, taken as a whole, are not materially more restrictive than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the original agreement, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Borrower, (v) constituting customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any leases of a Borrower or any Subsidiary or provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreement or any rights thereunder, (vi) constituting restrictions on the sale or other disposition of any property securing Indebtedness as a result of a Lien on such property permitted hereunder, (vii) constituting restrictions on net worth or on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (viii) constituting provisions contained in agreements or instruments relating to Indebtedness permitted hereunder that prohibit the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the obligor under that agreement or instrument unless the transferee assumes the obligations of the obligor under such agreement or instrument, or (ix) constituting any encumbrance or restriction with respect to property under a lease or other agreement that has been entered into for the employment or use of such property.
7. FINANCIAL COVENANT.
Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations, Borrower will:
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7.1. Minimum Excess Availability. Maintain Excess Availability of not less than 10% of the Maximum Credit Amount at all times, except that Borrower shall not be in breach of this covenant if Excess Availability falls below 10% of the Maximum Credit Amount for not more than two consecutive Business Days once during any Fiscal Month.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”) under this Agreement:
8.1. Payments. If Borrower fails to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, (a) all or any portion of the Obligations consisting of interest, fees, or charges due to the Lender Group, reimbursement of Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts (other than any portion thereof constituting principal) constituting Obligations (including any portion thereof that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), and such failure continues for a period of 5 Business Days, (b) all or any portion of the principal of the Loans, or (c) any amount payable to Issuing Lender in reimbursement of any drawing under a Letter of Credit (which does not become a Revolving Loan in accordance with Section 2.11);
8.2. Covenants. If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries:
(a) fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of (i) Sections 3.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6 and 5.7 (solely if Borrower refuses to allow Agent or its representatives or agents to visit Borrower’s properties, inspect its assets or books or records, examine and make copies of its books and records, or discuss Borrower’s affairs, finances, and accounts with officers and employees of Borrower), 5.15 or 5.16, (ii) Section 6, (iii) Section 7, or (iv) Section 7 of the Canadian Security Agreement;
(b) fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of Sections 5.3 (other than if Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization), 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, 5.11, 5.12, 5.14 and such failure continues for a period of 15 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Administrative Borrower by Agent; or
(c) fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement, or in any of the other Loan Documents, in each case, other than any such covenant or agreement that is the subject of another provision of this Section 8 (in which event such other provision of this Section 8 shall govern), and such failure continues for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Administrative Borrower by Agent;
8.3. Judgments. If one or more judgments, requirements to pay, orders, or awards for the payment of money, or requirements to pay money, involving an aggregate amount of $1,000,000, or more (except to the extent fully covered (other than to the extent of customary deductibles) by insurance pursuant to which the insurer has not denied coverage) is entered or filed against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to any of their respective assets, and either (a) there is a period of 45 consecutive days at any time after the entry of any such judgment, order, or award during which (1) the same is not discharged, satisfied, vacated, or bonded pending appeal, or (2) a stay of enforcement thereof is not in effect, or (b) enforcement proceedings are commenced upon such judgment, order, or award;
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8.4. Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc. If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;
8.5. Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc. If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any of the following events occur: (a) such Loan Party or such Subsidiary consents to the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, such Loan Party or its Subsidiary, or (e) an order for relief shall have been issued or entered therein;
8.6. Default Under Other Agreements. If there is (a) a default in one or more agreements to which a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with one or more third Persons relative to a Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness involving an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or more, and such default (i) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (ii) results in a right by such third Person, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of such Loan Party’s or its Subsidiary’s obligations thereunder, or (b) a default in or an involuntary early termination of one or more Hedge Agreements to which a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party involving an aggregate Hedge Termination Value of $1,000,000 or more, beyond any grace period provided therefor;
8.7. Default Under Term Loan Documents. If there is (i) any breach or default of a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries occurs under any of the Term Loan Documents (or any documents relating to renewals, refinancings and extensions of the Indebtedness incurred thereunder) or any Secured Hedging Agreement or (ii) any such Indebtedness shall become or be declared to be due and payable, or be required to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by a regularly scheduled or required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof; provided that such breach or default shall be deemed continuing hereunder until the Agent or the Required Lenders have expressly waived such breach or default in writing, notwithstanding the fact that such breach or default may have been waived under the terms of the Term Loan Documents or any Secured Hedging Agreement;
8.8. Default Under Damiani Purchase Documents. If (i) the Borrower fails to make any payment when due and payable under the Damiani Inventory Purchase Agreement or if there is a material breach or default by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries under any of the Damiani Purchase Documents and, in each case, such failure, breach or default continues for a period of at least 30 days, (ii) any Damiani Subordinated Indebtedness shall become or be declared to be due and payable, or be required to be prepaid (other than by a scheduled or required payment in accordance with the terms of the Damiani Inventory Purchase Agreement), prior to the stated due date thereof (iii) any action is taken by Damiani to initiate the commencement of a Standstill Period (as defined in the Damiani Subordination Agreement) or (iv) the validity or enforceability of the Damiani Subordination Agreement shall at any time for any reason (other than solely as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent) be declared to be null and void, or Damiani or any of its Affiliates or agents shall be permitted (by judicial order or otherwise) to take enforcement actions or institute any proceeding (including for the return of Inventory) against any Obligor or any Assets in violation of the Damiani Subordination Agreement;
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8.9. Representations, etc. If any warranty, representation, certificate, statement, or Record made herein or in any other Loan Document or delivered in writing to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document proves to be untrue in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of the date of issuance or making or deemed making thereof;
8.10. Guarantee. If the obligation of any Guarantor under the guarantee of any of the Obligations (including any guarantee contained in any Loan Document) is limited in any material respect or terminated by operation of law or by such Guarantor (other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement);
8.11. Security Documents. If any Canadian Security Document or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected (to the extent required thereby) and, except to the extent of Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, permitted Purchase Money Liens, the interests of lessors under Capital Leases, first priority Lien on the Collateral covered thereby, except (a) as a result of a disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (b) as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent;
8.12. Loan Documents. The validity or enforceability of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason (other than solely as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent) be declared to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall deny that such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document;
8.13. Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur, whether directly or indirectly.
9. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
9.1. Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Agent may, and, at the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall (in each case under clauses (a) or (b) by written notice to Administrative Borrower), in addition to any other rights or remedies provided for hereunder or under any other Loan Document or by applicable law, do any one or more of the following:
(a) (i) declare the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be immediately due and payable and
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Borrower shall be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or further notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower, and (ii) direct Borrower to provide (and Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice Borrower will provide) Letter of Credit Collateralization to Agent to be held as security for Borrower’s reimbursement obligations for drawings that may subsequently occur under issued and outstanding Letters of Credit;
(b) declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately be terminated together with (i) any obligation of any Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans, (ii) the obligation of any Swing Lender to make Swing Loans, and (iii) the obligation of any Issuing Lender to issue, or cause the issuance of, Letters of Credit; and
(c) exercise all other rights and remedies available to Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, under applicable law, or in equity.
The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, in addition to the remedies set forth above, without any notice to Borrower or any other Person or any act by the Lender Group, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), inclusive of the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable and Borrower shall automatically be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full (including Borrower being obligated to provide (and Borrower agrees that they will provide) (1) Letter of Credit Collateralization to Agent to be held as security for Borrower’s reimbursement obligations in respect of drawings that may subsequently occur under issued and outstanding Letters of Credit and (2) Bank Product Collateralization to be held as security for Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ obligations in respect of outstanding Bank Products), without presentment, demand, protest, or notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.
9.2. Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of the Lender Group under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative. The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the PPSA, by law, or in equity. No exercise by the Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by the Lender Group shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it.
10. WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.
10.1. Demand; Protest; etc. Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by the Lender Group pursuant to the Loan Documents on which Borrower may in any way be liable.
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10.2. The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral. Borrower hereby agrees that: (a) so long as Agent complies with its obligations, if any, under the PPSA, the Lender Group shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrower.
10.3. Indemnification. Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold the Agent-Related Persons, the Lender-Related Persons, and each Participant (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, liabilities, fines, costs, penalties, and damages, and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts, or consultants and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this indemnification (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought but without duplication of any losses, costs and expenses as to which a Borrower is liable to such Indemnified Person pursuant to Section 2.13 or Article 16), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution and delivery (provided that Borrower shall not be liable for costs and expenses (including lawyers’ fees) of any Lender (other than Wells Fargo and WF Canada) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering or syndicating the Loan Documents), enforcement, performance, or administration (including any restructuring or workout with respect hereto) of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the monitoring of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents (provided, that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall not extend to (i) disputes solely between or among the Lenders that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party, or (ii) disputes solely between or among the Lenders and their respective Affiliates that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party; it being understood and agreed that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall extend to Agent (but not the Lenders) relative to disputes between or among Agent on the one hand, and one or more Lenders, or one or more of their Affiliates, on the other hand, or (iii) any Taxes or any costs attributable to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 16 except to the extent arising from primarily a non-Tax claim), (b) with respect to any actual or prospective investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the making of any Loans or issuance of any Letters of Credit hereunder, or the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto, and (c) in connection with or arising out of any presence or release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, to or from any assets or properties owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental Actions, Environmental Liabilities or Remedial Actions related in any way to any such assets or properties of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (each and all of the foregoing, the “Indemnified Liabilities”). The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall not have any obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section 10.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or its officers, directors, employees, lawyers, or agents. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment in full of the Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any
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payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which Borrower were required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by Borrower with respect thereto. WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON.
11. NOTICES.
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email addresses as a party may designate in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile. In the case of notices or demands to Borrower or Borrower or Agent, as the case may be, they shall be sent to the respective address set forth below:
| If to Borrower or Administrative Borrower: | Birks Group Inc. 2020 Robert-Bourassa Blvd. Suite 200 Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A5 Attn: Chief Financial Officer Fax No.: 514-397-2537 Email: kfontana@birksgroup.com | |
| with copies to: | Birks Group Inc. 2020 Robert-Bourassa Blvd. Suite 200 Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A5 Attn: General Counsel Fax No.: 514-397-2537 Email: mmelfi@birksgroup.com | |
| If to Agent: | Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada 125 High St. 11th floor MAC J9266-114 Boston, MA 02110 eFax No.: 855-842-6360 Email: Emily.J.Abrahamson@wellsfargo.com | |
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Any party hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other party. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section 11, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail; provided, that (a) notices sent by overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received, (b) notices by facsimile 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) and (c) notices by electronic mail shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgment).
12. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.
(a) THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO AND THE FEDERAL LAWS OF CANADA APPLICABLE THEREIN.
(b) THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12(b).
(c) TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”). BORROWER AND EACH
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MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
(d) BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT 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 ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(e) NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY LOAN PARTY AGAINST AGENT, ANY SWING LENDER, ANY OTHER LENDER, ANY ISSUING LENDER, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR LOSSES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.
13. ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.
13.1. Assignments and Participations.
(a) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (a)(ii) below, any Lender may assign and delegate all or any portion of its rights and duties under the Loan Documents (including the Obligations owed to it and its Commitments) to one or more assignees so long as such prospective assignee is an Eligible Transferee (each, an “Assignee”), with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
(A) Administrative Borrower; provided, that no consent of Administrative Borrower shall be required (1) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or (2) in connection with an assignment to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate
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(other than natural persons) of a Lender or a Related Fund; provided further, that Administrative Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to a proposed assignment unless it objects thereto by written notice to Agent within 10 Business Days after having received notice thereof; and
(B) Agent, Swing Lenders, and Issuing Lenders; provided that no such consent shall be required in connection with an assignment to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (other than a natural person).
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) no assignment may be made to a natural person,
(B) no assignment may be made to a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party,
(C) the amount of the Commitments and the other rights and obligations of the assigning Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to Agent) shall be in a minimum amount (unless waived by Agent) of $5,000,000 (except such minimum amount shall not apply to (I) an assignment or delegation by any Lender to any other Lender, an Affiliate of any Lender, or a Related Fund of such Lender or (II) a group of new Lenders, each of which is an Affiliate of each other or a Related Fund of such new Lender to the extent that the aggregate amount to be assigned to all such new Lenders is at least $5,000,000),
(D) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement,
(E) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent an Assignment and Acceptance; provided, that Borrower and Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with the assigning Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given to Administrative Borrower and Agent by such Lender and the Assignee,
(F) unless waived by Agent, the assigning Lender or Assignee has paid to Agent, for Agent’s separate account, a processing fee in the amount of $3,500,
(G) the Assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in a form approved by Agent (the “Administrative Questionnaire”), and
(H) the Assignee shall have the ability to make Revolving Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
(b) From and after the date that Agent receives the executed Assignment and Acceptance and, if applicable, payment of the required processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned
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to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall be a “Lender” and shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (except with respect to Section 10.3) and be released from any future obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto); provided, that nothing contained herein shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement, including such assigning Lender’s obligations under Section 15 and Section 17.9(a).
(c) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the Assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Loan Party or the performance or observance by any Loan Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (iii) such Assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance, (iv) such Assignee will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender, 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 this Agreement, (v) such Assignee appoints and authorizes Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to Agent, by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and (vi) such Assignee agrees that it will perform all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
(d) Immediately upon Agent’s receipt of the required processing fee, if applicable, and delivery of notice to the assigning Lender pursuant to Section 13.1(b), this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom. The Commitment allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Lender pro tanto.
(e) Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other Persons (a “Participant”) participating interests in all or any portion of its Obligations, its Commitment, and the other rights and interests of that Lender (the “Originating Lender”) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, that (i) the Originating Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and interests of the Originating Lender hereunder shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder
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or under the other Loan Documents and the Originating Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrower, Agent, and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Originating Lender in connection with the Originating Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such Participant through such Lender (other than a waiver of default interest), or (E) decreases the amount or postpones the due dates of scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums payable to such Participant through such Lender, (v) no participation shall be sold to a natural person, (vi) no participation shall be sold to a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party, and (vii) all amounts payable by Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement. The rights of any Participant only shall be derivative through the Originating Lender with whom such Participant participates and no Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct rights as to the other Lenders, Agent, Borrower, the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Obligations. No Participant shall have the right to participate directly in the making of decisions by the Lenders among themselves.
(f) In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation or any grant of a security interest in, or pledge of, its rights under and interest in this Agreement, a Lender may, subject to the provisions of Section 17.9, disclose all documents and information which it now or hereafter may have relating to Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses.
(g) Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of Canada may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.
(h) Agent (acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrower) shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, a register (the “Register”) on which it enters the name and address of each Lender as the registered owner of the Revolver Commitments (and the principal amount thereof and stated interest thereon) held by such Lender (each, a “Registered Loan”). Other than in connection with an assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its portion of the Revolver Commitments to an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such
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Lender (i) a Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide) and (ii) any assignment or sale of all or part of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register, together with the surrender of the registered note, if any, evidencing the same duly endorsed by (or accompanied by a written instrument of assignment or sale duly executed by) the holder of such registered note, whereupon, at the request of the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s), one or more new registered notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s). Prior to the registration of assignment or sale of any Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any evidencing the same), Borrower shall treat the Person in whose name such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) is registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving all payments thereon and for all other purposes, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In the case of any assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its Revolver Commitments to an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender, and which assignment is not recorded in the Register, the assigning Lender, on behalf of Borrower, shall maintain a register comparable to the Register.
(i) In the event that a Lender sells participations in the Registered Loan, such Lender, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrower, shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) a register on which it enters the name of all participants in the Registered Loans held by it (and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of such Registered Loans that is subject to such participations) (the “Participant Register”). A Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide). Any participation of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(j) Agent shall make a copy of the Register (and each Lender shall make a copy of its Participant Register to the extent it has one) available for review by Borrower from time to time as Borrower may reasonably request.
13.2. Successors. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, that Borrower may not assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without the Lenders’ prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio. No consent to assignment by the Lenders shall release Borrower from its Obligations. A Lender may assign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder pursuant to Section 13.1 and, except as expressly required pursuant to Section 13.1, no consent or approval by Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.
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14. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.
14.1. Amendments and Waivers.
(a) No amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than Bank Product Agreements or the Fee Letter), and no consent with respect to any departure by Borrower or Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent at the written request of the Required Lenders) and the Loan Parties that are party thereto and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective, but only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby and in the case of an amendment, all of the Loan Parties that are party thereto, do any of the following:
(i) increase the amount of or extend the expiration date of any Commitment of any Lender (except as contemplated by Section 2.16) or amend, modify, or eliminate the fifth sentence of Section 2.4(c),
(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document, provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any waiver (or amendment to the terms) of any mandatory prepayment of Advances pursuant to Section 2.4(e) shall be effective when signed or consented to by the Required Lenders and Agent,
(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any Loan or other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (except in connection with the waiver of applicability of Section 2.6(c) which waiver shall be effective with the written consent of the Required Lenders),
(iv) amend, modify, or eliminate this Section or any provision of this Agreement providing for consent or other action by all Lenders,
(v) amend, modify, or eliminate Section 3.1 or 3.2,
(vi) amend, modify, or eliminate Section 15.11,
(vii) other than as permitted by Section 15.11, release Agent’s Lien in and to any of the Collateral,
(viii) amend, modify, or eliminate the definitions of “Required Lenders”, “Supermajority Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share”,
(ix) contractually subordinate any of Agent’s Liens (other than in respect of Permitted Liens securing Capital Leases or Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness permitted hereunder),
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(x) other than in connection with a merger, amalgamation, liquidation, dissolution or sale of such Person expressly permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents, release Borrower or any Guarantor from any obligation for the payment of money or consent to the assignment or transfer by Borrower or any Guarantor of any of its rights or duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,
(xi) amend, modify, or eliminate any of the provisions of Section 2.4(b)(i) or (ii), or
(xii) amend, modify, or eliminate any of the provisions of Section 13.1 with respect to assignments to, or participations with, Persons who are Loan Parties or Affiliates of Loan Parties;
(b) No amendment, waiver, modification, or consent shall amend, modify, waive, or eliminate,
(i) the definition of, or any of the terms or provisions of, the Fee Letter, without the written consent of Agent and Borrower (and shall not require the written consent of any of the Lenders),
(ii) any provision of Section 15 pertaining to Agent, or any other rights or duties of Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of Agent, Borrower, and the Required Lenders;
(c) No amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent shall amend, without written consent of Agent, Borrower and the Supermajority Lenders, modify, or eliminate the definition of Borrowing Base or any of the defined terms (including the definitions of Eligible Accounts, Eligible Credit Card Receivables and Eligible Inventory that are used in such definition to the extent that any such change results in more credit being made available to Borrower based upon the Borrowing Base, but not otherwise, or the definition of Maximum Credit Amount);
(d) No amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent shall amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents pertaining to an Issuing Lender, or any other rights or duties an Issuing Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of such Issuing Lender, Agent, Borrower, and the Required Lenders;
(e) No amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent shall amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents pertaining to a Swing Lender, or any other rights or duties of a Swing Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of such Swing Lender, Agent, Borrower, and the Required Lenders; and
(f) Anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) any amendment, modification, elimination, waiver, consent, termination, or release of, or with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the relationship of the Lender Group among themselves, and that does not affect the rights or obligations of Borrower, shall not require consent by or the agreement of any Loan Party (ii) any
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amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent of or with respect to any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be entered into without the consent of, or over the objection of, any Defaulting Lender other than any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii) that affect such Lender and (iii) any amendment contemplated by Section 2.12(d)(iii) of this Agreement in connection with a Benchmark Transition Event shall be effective as contemplated by such Section 2.12(d)(iii) hereof.
14.2. Replacement of Certain Lenders.
(a) If (i) any action to be taken by the Lender Group or Agent hereunder requires the consent, authorization, or agreement of the Required Lenders, the Supermajority Lenders or all Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby and if such action has received the consent, authorization, or agreement of the Required Lenders but not of all Lenders, the Supermajority Lenders but not of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby, or (ii) any Lender makes a claim for compensation under Section 16, then Borrower or Agent, upon at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice, may permanently replace any Lender that failed to give its consent, authorization, or agreement (a “Non-Consenting Lender”), together with its Affiliates, or any Lender that made a claim for compensation (a “Tax Lender”), together with its Affiliates, with one or more Replacement Lenders, and the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder. Such notice to replace the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given.
(b) Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, being repaid in full its share of the outstanding Obligations (without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever, but including (i) all interest, fees and other amounts that may be due in payable in respect thereof, and (ii) an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of participations in the Letters of Credit). If the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such replacement, Agent may, but shall not be required to, execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance in the name or and on behalf of the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, and irrespective of whether Agent executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance, the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance. The replacement of any Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 14.2. Until such time as one or more Replacement Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Non-Consenting Lender (and its Affiliates) or Tax Lender (and its Affiliates), as applicable, shall remain obligated to make the Non-Consenting Lender’s (and its Affiliates’) or Tax Lender’s (and its Affiliates’), as applicable, Pro Rata Share of Revolving Loans and to purchase a participation in each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of participations in such Letters of Credit.
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14.3. No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by Agent or any Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Agent or any Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated. No waiver by Agent or any Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Agent’s and each Lender’s rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this Agreement. Agent’s and each Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Agent or any Lender may have.
15. AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.
15.1. Appointment and Authorization of Agent. Each Lender hereby designates and appoints WF Canada as its agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to designate, appoint, and authorize) Agent to execute and deliver each of the other Loan Documents on its behalf and to take such other action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent agrees to act as agent for and on behalf of the Lenders (and the Bank Product Providers) on the conditions contained in this Section 15. Any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document notwithstanding, Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender (or Bank Product Provider), and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with reference to 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 merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only a representative relationship between independent contracting parties. Each Lender hereby further authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to act as the secured party under each of the Loan Documents that create a Lien on any item of Collateral. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions that Agent expressly is entitled to take or assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides rights or powers to Agent, Lenders agree that Agent shall have the right to exercise the following powers as long as this Agreement remains in effect: (a) maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Obligations, the Collateral, payments and proceeds of Collateral, and related matters, (b) execute or file any and all financing or similar statements or notices, amendments, renewals, supplements,
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documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan Documents, (c) make Revolving Loans, for itself or on behalf of Lenders, as provided in the Loan Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute payments and proceeds of the Collateral as provided in the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts and cash management arrangements as Agent deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the Loan Documents for the foregoing purposes, (f) perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lender Group with respect to Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the Obligations, the Collateral, or otherwise related to any of same as provided in the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.
15.2. [Intentionally Omitted].
15.3. Liability of Agent. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any officer or director thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the books and records or properties of Borrower or its Subsidiaries.
15.4. Reliance by Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrower or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and until such instructions are received, Agent shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable. If Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders (and, if it so elects, the Bank Product Providers) against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders (and Bank Product Providers).
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15.5. Notice of Default or Event of Default. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and expenses required to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders and, except with respect to Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge, unless Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” Agent promptly will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge. If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such Lender promptly shall notify the other Lenders and Agent of such Event of Default. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving any notices to its Participants, if any. Subject to Section 15.4, Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 9; provided, that unless and until Agent has received any such request, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable.
15.6. Credit Decision. Each Lender (and Bank Product Provider) acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender (or Bank Product Provider). Each Lender represents (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to represent) to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such due diligence, documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of an investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrower. Each Lender also represents (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to represent) that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document. Except for notices, reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender (or Bank Product Provider) with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons. Each Lender acknowledges (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that Agent does not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis (except to the extent, if any, that is expressly specified herein) to provide such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) with any credit or other information with respect to Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their respective business, legal, financial or other affairs, and irrespective of whether such information came into Agent’s or its Affiliates’ or representatives’ possession before or after the date on which such Lender became a party to this Agreement (or such Bank Product Provider entered into a Bank Product Agreement).
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15.7. Costs and Expenses; Indemnification. Agent may incur and pay Lender Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, legal fees and expenses, fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors, consultants, and appraisers, costs of collection by outside collection agencies, auctioneer fees and expenses, and costs of security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the Collateral, whether or not Borrower are obligated to reimburse Agent or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. Agent is authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from payments or proceeds of the Collateral received by Agent to reimburse Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders (or Bank Product Providers). In the event Agent is not reimbursed for such costs and expenses by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to Agent such Lender’s ratable thereof. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each of the Lenders, on a ratable basis, shall indemnify and defend the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct nor shall any Lender be liable for the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make a Revolving Loan or other extension of credit hereunder. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon demand for such Lender’s ratable share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including attorneys, accountants, advisors, and consultants fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrower. The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of Agent.
15.8. Agent in Individual Capacity. WF Canada and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, provide Bank Products to, acquire Equity Interests in, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Document as though WF Canada were not Agent hereunder, and, in each case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group. The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, pursuant to such activities, WF Canada or its Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers), and the Lenders acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver Agent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them. The terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include WF Canada in its individual capacity.
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15.9. Successor Agent. Agent may resign as Agent upon 30 days prior written notice to the Lenders (unless such notice is waived by the Required Lenders) and Borrower (unless such notice is waived by Borrower) and without any notice to the Bank Product Providers. If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall be entitled, with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned), appoint a successor Agent for the Lenders (and the Bank Product Providers). If, at the time that Agent’s resignation is effective, it is acting as an Issuing Lender or a Swing Lender, such resignation shall also operate to effectuate its resignation as such Issuing Lender or such Swing Lender, as applicable, and it shall automatically be relieved of any further obligation to issue Letters of Credit, or to make Swing Loans. If no successor Agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and Borrower, a successor Agent. If Agent has materially breached or failed to perform any material provision of this Agreement or of applicable law, the Required Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace Agent with a successor Agent from among the Lenders with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned). In any such event, upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor Agent and the retiring Agent’s appointment, powers, and duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 15 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no successor Agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above.
15.10. Lender in Individual Capacity. Any Lender and its respective Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, provide Bank Products to, acquire Equity Interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group (or the Bank Product Providers). The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, pursuant to such activities, such Lender and its respective Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver such Lender will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), such Lender shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.
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15.11. Collateral Matters.
(a) The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to release any Lien on any Collateral (i) upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by Borrower of all of the Obligations, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and if Borrower certify to Agent that the sale or disposition is permitted under Section 6.4 (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property in which neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries owned any interest at the time Agent’s Lien was granted nor at any time thereafter, (iv) constituting property leased or licensed to Borrower or its Subsidiaries under a lease or license that has expired or is terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (v) in connection with a credit bid or purchase authorized under this Section 15.11. The Loan Parties and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, to (a) consent to the sale of, credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, or similar Insolvency Laws in any other relevant jurisdiction, including Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale or other disposition thereof conducted under the provisions of the PPSA, including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the PPSA or similar Insolvency Laws in any other relevant jurisdiction or any similar provision of the PPSA, or (c) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any other sale or foreclosure conducted or consented to by Agent in accordance with applicable law in any judicial action or proceeding or by the exercise of any legal or equitable remedy. In connection with any such credit bid or purchase, (i) the Obligations owed to the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims being estimated for such purpose if the fixing or liquidation thereof would not impair or unduly delay the ability of Agent to credit bid or purchase at such sale or other disposition of the Collateral and, if such contingent or unliquidated claims cannot be estimated without impairing or unduly delaying the ability of Agent to credit bid at such sale or other disposition, then such claims shall be disregarded, not credit bid, and not entitled to any interest in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase) and the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers whose Obligations are credit bid shall be entitled to receive interests (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase (or in the Equity Interests of the any entities that are used to consummate such credit bid or purchase), and (ii) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, may accept non-cash consideration, including debt and equity securities issued by any entities used to consummate such credit bid or purchase and in connection therewith Agent may reduce the Obligations owed to the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) based upon the value of such non-cash consideration; provided, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by Required Lenders, Bank Product Obligations not entitled to the application set forth in Section 2.4(b)(ii)(A) shall not be entitled to be, and shall not be, credit bid, or used in the calculation of the ratable interest of the Lenders and Bank Product Providers in the Obligations
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which are credit bid. Except as provided above, Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral without the prior written authorization of (y) if the release is of all or substantially all of the Collateral, all of the Lenders (without requiring the authorization of the Bank Product Providers), or (z) otherwise, the Required Lenders (without requiring the authorization of the Bank Product Providers). Upon request by Agent or Borrower at any time, the Lenders will (and if so requested, the Bank Product Providers will) confirm in writing Agent’s authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 15.11; provided, that (1) anything to the contrary contained in any of the Loan Documents notwithstanding, Agent shall not be required to execute any document or take any action necessary to evidence such release on terms that, in Agent’s opinion, could expose Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Lien without recourse, representation, or warranty, and (2) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly released) upon (or obligations of Borrower in respect of) any and all interests retained by Borrower, including, the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Each Lender further hereby irrevocably authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to irrevocably authorize) Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to subordinate any Lien granted to or held by Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien on such property if such Permitted Lien secures a Capital Lease or a Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness permitted hereunder.
(b) Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders (or the Bank Product Providers) (i) to verify or assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by Borrower or its Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, (ii) to verify or assure that Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, (iii) to verify or assure that any particular items of Collateral meet the eligibility criteria applicable in respect thereof, (iv) to impose, maintain, increase, reduce, implement, or eliminate any particular Reserve hereunder or to determine whether the amount of any Reserve is appropriate or not, or (v) to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given Agent’s own interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders and that Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender (or Bank Product Provider) as to any of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
(c) Any sale or disposition of Collateral that is permitted under Section 6.4 (as modified or waived in accordance with Section 14.1) shall be free and clear of the Liens created by the Loan Documents.
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15.12. Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments.
(a) Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, without the express written consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the written request of Agent, set off against the Obligations, any amounts owing by such Lender to Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any deposit accounts of Borrower or its Subsidiaries now or hereafter maintained with such Lender. Each of the Lenders further agrees that it shall not, unless specifically requested to do so in writing by Agent, take or cause to be taken any action, including, the commencement of any legal or equitable proceedings to enforce any Loan Document against Borrower or any Guarantor or to foreclose any Lien on, or otherwise enforce any security interest in, any of the Collateral.
(b) If, at any time or times any Lender shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, setoff, or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations, except for any such proceeds or payments received by such Lender from Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) payments from Agent in excess of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all such distributions by Agent, such Lender promptly shall (A) turn the same over to Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to Agent, or in immediately available funds, as applicable, for the account of all of the Lenders and for application to the Obligations in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, or (B) purchase, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the Obligations owed to the other Lenders so that such excess payment received shall be applied ratably as among the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares; provided, that to the extent that such excess payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases of participations shall be rescinded in whole or in part, as applicable, and the applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall be returned to such purchasing party, but without interest except to the extent that such purchasing party is required to pay interest in connection with the recovery of the excess payment.
15.13. Agency for Perfection. Agent hereby appoints each other Lender (and each Bank Product Provider) as its agent (and each Lender hereby accepts (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to accept) such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 8 or Article 9, as applicable, of the PPSA or the applicable provisions of any STA, can be perfected by possession or control. Should any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Agent’s request therefor shall deliver possession or control of such Collateral to Agent or in accordance with Agent’s instructions.
15.14. Payments by Agent to the Lenders. All payments to be made by Agent to the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) shall be made by bank wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to such wire transfer instructions as each party may designate for itself by written notice to Agent. Concurrently with each such payment, Agent shall identify whether such payment (or any portion thereof) represents principal, premium, fees, or interest of the Obligations.
15.15. Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents. Each member of the Lender Group authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each member of the Lender Group agrees (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to agree) that any action taken by Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating to the Collateral and the exercise by Agent of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders (and such Bank Product Provider).
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15.16. Field Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information. By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender:
(a) is deemed to have requested that Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field examination report respecting Borrower or its Subsidiaries (each, a “Report”) prepared by or at the request of Agent, and Agent shall so furnish each Lender with such Reports,
(b) expressly agrees and acknowledges that Agent does not (i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report, and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,
(c) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that Agent or other party performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries and will rely significantly upon Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ books and records, as well as on representations of Borrower’s personnel,
(d) agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with Section 17.9, and
(e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold Agent and any other Lender preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a loan or loans of Borrower, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold Agent, and any such other Lender preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including, attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by Agent and any such other Lender preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.
(f) In addition to the foregoing, (x) any Lender may from time to time request of Agent in writing that Agent provide to such Lender a copy of any report or document provided by Borrower or its Subsidiaries to Agent that has not been contemporaneously provided by Borrower or such Subsidiary to such Lender, and, upon receipt of such request, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, (y) to the extent that Agent is entitled, under any provision of the Loan Documents, to request additional reports or information from Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any Lender may, from time to time, reasonably request Agent to exercise such right as specified in such Lender’s notice to Agent, whereupon Agent promptly shall request of Borrower the additional reports or information reasonably specified by such Lender, and, upon receipt thereof from Borrower or such Subsidiary, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, and (z) any time that Agent renders to Borrower a statement regarding the Loan Account, Agent shall send a copy of such statement to each Lender.
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15.17. Several Obligations; No Liability. Notwithstanding that certain of the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or in favor of Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of Agent (if any) to make any credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint) obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their respective Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective Commitments. Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business, assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other Lender. Except as provided in Section 15.7, no member of the Lender Group shall have any liability for the acts of any other member of the Lender Group. No Lender shall be responsible to Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other Lender (or Bank Product Provider) to fulfill its obligations to make credit available hereunder, nor to advance for such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) or on its behalf, nor to take any other action on behalf of such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) hereunder or in connection with the financing contemplated herein.
15.18. Quebec Security. In its capacity as Agent, for the purposes of holding any hypothec granted to Agent, Wells Fargo is hereby appointed and shall serve as the hypothecary representative for all present and future Lenders and Bank Product Providers as contemplated by Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Québec. Any person who becomes a Lender or a Bank Product Provider shall, by its execution of an Assignment and Acceptance (in the case of a Lender), or by entering into a Bank Product Agreement (in the case of a Bank Product Provider) be deemed to have consented to and confirmed Agent as the person acting as hypothecary representative holding the aforesaid hypothecs as aforesaid and to have ratified, as of the date it becomes a Lender or Bank Product Provider, as the case may be, all actions taken by Agent in such capacity. The substitution of Agent pursuant to the provisions of this Section 15 also constitute the substitution of the hypothecary representative.
16. WITHHOLDING TAXES.
16.1. Payments. All payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future Taxes except as required by applicable law, and in the event any deduction or withholding of Indemnified Taxes is required by applicable law, Borrower shall comply with the next sentence of this Section 16.1. If any Indemnified Taxes are required to be deducted or withheld on a payment made by any Loan Party, such Loan Party agrees that the amount payable by it shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding is made every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement, any note, or Loan Document, including any amount paid pursuant to this Section 16.1 after withholding or deduction for or on account of any Indemnified Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein. Borrower will furnish to Agent as promptly as possible after the date the payment of any Tax is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of Tax receipts or other documentation reasonably requested by Agent evidencing such payment by Borrower. Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp, value added, intangible transfer or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges, or similar levies (“Other Taxes”) that arise from any payment made hereunder or from
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the execution, delivery, performance, recordation, or filing of, or otherwise with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Loan Parties shall indemnify each Indemnified Person (as defined in Section 10.3) (collectively a “Tax Indemnitee”) for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes arising in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or breach thereof by any Loan Party (including, without limitation, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on, or attributable to, amounts payable under this Section 16) imposed on, or paid by, such Tax Indemnitee and all reasonable costs and expenses related thereto (including fees and disbursements of attorneys and other Tax professionals), as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority (other than Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and additional amounts that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Tax Indemnitee). The obligations of Loan Parties under this Section 16 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the resignation and replacement of the Agent, and the repayment of the Obligations.
16.2. Exemptions.
(a) If a Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption or reduction from United States withholding tax, such Lender or Participant agrees with and in favor of Agent, to deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) one of the following before receiving its first payment under this Agreement:
(i) if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption from United States withholding Tax pursuant to the portfolio interest exception, (A) a statement of the Lender or Participant, signed under penalty of perjury, that it is not a (I) a “bank” as described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the IRC, (II) a 10% shareholder of Borrower (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the IRC), or (III) a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrower for the purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the IRC, and (B) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or Form W-8IMY (with proper attachments), as applicable;
(ii) if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption from, or a reduction of, withholding Tax under a United States Tax treaty, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable;
(iii) if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding Tax because it is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such Lender, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(iv) if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding Tax because such Lender or Participant serves as an intermediary, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY (with proper attachments); or
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(v) a properly completed and executed copy of any other form or forms, including IRS Form W-9, as may be required under the IRC or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding or backup withholding tax.
(b ) Each Lender or Participant shall provide new forms (or successor forms) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and to promptly notify Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.
(c) If a Lender or Participant claims an exemption or reduction from withholding Tax in a jurisdiction other than the United States, such Lender or such Participant agrees with and in favor of Agent, to deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) any such form or forms, as may be reasonably requested by Agent or required under the laws of such jurisdiction as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, foreign withholding or backup withholding Tax before receiving its first payment under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, if requested, Canada Revenue Agency Forms NR-301, NR-302 or NR-303, as applicable), but only if such Lender or such Participant is legally able to deliver such forms and the completion, execution, or submission of such forms or other documentation in the reasonable judgment of such Lender would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender or its Affiliates, provided, that nothing in this Section 16.2(c) shall require a Lender or Participant to disclose any information that it deems to be confidential (including without limitation, its Tax returns). Each Lender and each Participant shall provide new forms (or successor forms) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and to promptly notify Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.
(d) If a Lender or Participant claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax and such Lender or Participant sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of Borrower to such Lender or Participant, such Lender or Participant agrees to notify Agent (or, in the case of a sale of a participation interest, to the Lender granting the participation only) of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of Obligations of Borrower to such Lender or Participant. To the extent of such percentage amount, Agent will treat such Lender’s or such Participant’s documentation provided pursuant to Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c) as no longer valid. With respect to such percentage amount, such Participant or Assignee may provide new documentation, pursuant to Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c), if applicable. Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of this Section 16 with respect to its participation in any portion of the Commitments and the Obligations so long as such Participant complies with the obligations set forth in this Section 16 with respect thereto.
(e) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal income withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the IRC, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, the
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Lender granting the participation) such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the IRC) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, the Lender granting the participation) as may be necessary for Agent or Borrower to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (e), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
16.3. Reductions.
(a) If a Lender or a Participant is subject to an applicable withholding Tax, Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, the Lender granting the participation) may withhold from any payment to such Lender or such Participant an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding Tax. If the forms or other documentation required by Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c) are not delivered to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation), then Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation) may withhold from any payment to such Lender or such Participant not providing such forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding Tax.
(b) If the Canada Revenue Agency or any other Governmental Authority of Canada or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation) did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender or any Participant due to a failure on the part of the Lender or any Participant (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify Agent (or such Participant failed to notify the Lender granting the participation) of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective, or for any other reason) such Lender shall indemnify and hold Agent harmless (or, in the case of a Participant, such Participant shall indemnify and hold the Lender granting the participation harmless) for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation), as Tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and including any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) under this Section 16, together with all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses). The obligation of the Lenders and the Participants under this subsection shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of Agent.
16.4. Refunds. If Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 16, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, it shall pay over such refund to Borrower (but only to the extent of payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section 16 with respect to Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such a refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the applicable Governmental Authority with respect to such a refund); provided, that Borrower, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges, imposed by the applicable Governmental Authority, other than such penalties, interest or other charges imposed as a result of
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the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Agent hereunder) to Agent or such Lender in the event Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 16 shall not be construed to require Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information which it deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person.
17. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
17.1. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by Borrower, Borrower, Agent, and each Lender whose signature is provided for on the signature pages hereof.
17.2. Section Headings. Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.
17.3. Interpretation. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against the Lender Group or Borrower or Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.
17.4. Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.
17.5. Bank Product Providers. Each Bank Product Provider in its capacity as such shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof and of the provisions of the other Loan Documents for purposes of any reference in a Loan Document to the parties for whom Agent is acting. Agent hereby agrees to act as agent for such Bank Product Providers and, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, the applicable Bank Product Provider shall be automatically deemed to have appointed Agent as its agent and to have accepted the benefits of the Loan Documents. It is understood and agreed that the rights and benefits of each Bank Product Provider under the Loan Documents consist exclusively of such Bank Product Provider’s being a beneficiary of the Liens (and, if applicable, guarantees) granted to Agent and the right to share in payments and collections out of the Collateral as more fully set forth herein. In addition, each Bank Product Provider, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, shall be automatically deemed to have agreed that Agent shall have the right, but shall have no obligation, to establish, maintain, relax, or release reserves in respect of the Bank Product Obligations and that if reserves are established there is no obligation on the part of Agent to determine or insure whether the amount of any such reserve is appropriate or not. In connection with any such distribution of payments or proceeds of Collateral, Agent shall be entitled to assume no amounts are due or owing to any Bank Product Provider unless such Bank Product Provider has provided a written certification (setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation) to Agent as to the amounts that are due and owing to it and such written certification is received by Agent a reasonable period of time prior to the making of such distribution. Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount due and payable with respect to any Bank Products, but may rely upon the written certification of the amount due and payable
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from the applicable Bank Product Provider. In the absence of an updated certification, Agent shall be entitled to assume that the amount due and payable to the applicable Bank Product Provider is the amount last certified to Agent by such Bank Product Provider as being due and payable (less any distributions made to such Bank Product Provider on account thereof). Borrower may obtain Bank Products from any Bank Product Provider, although Borrower is not required to do so. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Bank Product Provider has committed to provide any Bank Products and that the providing of Bank Products by any Bank Product Provider is in the sole and absolute discretion of such Bank Product Provider. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no provider or holder of any Bank Product shall have any voting or approval rights hereunder (or be deemed a Lender) solely by virtue of its status as the provider or holder of such agreements or products or the Obligations owing thereunder, nor shall the consent of any such provider or holder be required (other than in their capacities as Lenders, to the extent applicable) for any matter hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, including as to any matter relating to the Collateral or the release of Collateral or Guarantors.
17.6. Debtor-Creditor Relationship. The relationship between the Lenders and Agent, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, is solely that of creditor and debtor. No member of the Lender Group has (or shall be deemed to have) any fiduciary relationship or duty to any Loan Party arising out of or in connection with the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, and there is no agency or joint venture relationship between the members of the Lender Group, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, by virtue of any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein.
17.7. Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Execution of any such counterpart may be by means of (a) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, as in effect from time to time, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as in effect from time to time, or any other relevant and applicable electronic signatures law; (b) an original manual signature; or (c) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Agent reserves the right, in its discretion, to accept, deny, or condition acceptance of any electronic signature on this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature shall also deliver an original manually executed counterpart, but the failure to deliver an original manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Agreement. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document, and any notice delivered hereunder or thereunder, mutatis mutandis.
17.8. Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations; Certain Waivers. If any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider repays, refunds, restores, or returns in whole or in part, any payment or property (including any proceeds of Collateral) previously paid or transferred to such member of the Lender Group or such Bank Product Provider in full or partial satisfaction of any Obligation or on account of any other obligation of any Loan Party under any
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Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement, because the payment, transfer, or the incurrence of the obligation so satisfied is asserted or declared to be void, voidable, or otherwise recoverable under any law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code or other Insolvency Laws relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable obligations or transfers (each, a “Voidable Transfer”), or because such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to do so on the reasonable advice of its counsel in connection with a claim that the payment, transfer, or incurrence is or may be a Voidable Transfer, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to repay, restore, or return (including pursuant to a settlement of any claim in respect thereof), and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider related thereto, (i) the liability of the Loan Parties with respect to the amount or property paid, refunded, restored, or returned will automatically and immediately be revived, reinstated, and restored and will exist and (ii) Agent’s Liens securing such liability shall be effective, revived, and remain in full force and effect, in each case, as fully as if such Voidable Transfer had never been made. If, prior to any of the foregoing, (A) Agent’s Liens shall have been released or terminated or (B) any provision of this Agreement shall have been terminated or cancelled, Agent’s Liens, or such provision of this Agreement, shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any Loan Party in respect of such liability or any Collateral securing such liability.
17.9. Confidentiality.
(a) Agent and Lenders each individually (and not jointly or jointly and severally) agree that material, non-public information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries, their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans (“Confidential Information”) shall be treated by Agent and the Lenders in a confidential manner, and shall not be disclosed by Agent and the Lenders to Persons who are not parties to this Agreement, except: (i) to attorneys for and other advisors, accountants, auditors, and consultants to any member of the Lender Group and to employees, directors and officers of any member of the Lender Group (the Persons in this clause (i), “Lender Group Representatives”) on a “need to know” basis in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and on a confidential basis, (ii) to Subsidiaries and Affiliates of any member of the Lender Group (including the Bank Product Providers), provided that any such Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have agreed to receive such information hereunder subject to the terms of this Section 17.9, (iii) as may be required by regulatory authorities so long as such authorities are informed of the confidential nature of such information, (iv) as may be required by statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation; provided that (x) prior to any disclosure under this clause (iv), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrower with prior notice thereof, to the extent that it is practicable to do so and to the extent that the disclosing party is permitted to provide such prior notice to Borrower pursuant to the terms of the applicable statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation and (y) any disclosure under this clause (iv) shall be limited to the portion of the Confidential Information as may be required by such statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation, (v) as may be agreed to in advance in writing by Borrower, (vi) as requested or required by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any subpoena or other legal process, provided, that, (x) prior to any disclosure under this clause (vi) the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrower with prior written notice thereof, to the extent that it is practicable to do so
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and to the extent that the disclosing party is permitted to provide such prior written notice to Borrower pursuant to the terms of the subpoena or other legal process and (y) any disclosure under this clause (vi) shall be limited to the portion of the Confidential Information as may be required by such Governmental Authority pursuant to such subpoena or other legal process, (vii) as to any such information that is or becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of prohibited disclosure by Agent or the Lenders or the Lender Group Representatives), (viii) in connection with any assignment, participation or pledge of any Lender’s interest under this Agreement, provided that prior to receipt of Confidential Information any such assignee, participant, or pledgee shall have agreed in writing to receive such Confidential Information either subject to the terms of this Section 17.9 or pursuant to confidentiality requirements substantially similar to those contained in this Section 17.9 (and such Person may disclose such Confidential Information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (i) above), (ix) in connection with any litigation or other adversary proceeding involving parties hereto to the extent such litigation or adversary proceeding involves claims related to the rights or duties of such parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided, that, prior to any disclosure to any Person (other than any Loan Party, Agent, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel) under this clause (ix) with respect to litigation involving any Person (other than Borrower, Agent, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrower with prior written notice thereof, and (x) in connection with, and to the extent reasonably necessary for, the exercise of any secured creditor remedy under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document.
(b) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent may disclose information concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to loan syndication and pricing reporting services or in its marketing or promotional materials, with such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications or marketing or promotional materials and may otherwise use the name, logos, and other insignia of Borrower or the other Loan Parties and the Commitments provided hereunder in any “tombstone” or other advertisements, on its website or in other marketing materials of the Agent; provided that, in the case of this clause, Agent will submit its proposed form of “tombstone” or comparable advertising to the Administrative Borrower for approval prior to Agent’s initial external use thereof, which approval of the Administrative Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and, following receipt of such approval from the Administrative Borrower, Agent shall not be required to see further approval for any Loan Party to use such “tombstone” or other comparable advertising on its website or in its other marketing materials.
(c) The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that Agent or its Affiliates may make available to the Lenders materials or information provided by or on behalf of Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders to treat Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” or otherwise at any time filed with the SEC as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws. All Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made
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available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor” (or another similar term). Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders shall be entitled to treat Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” or that are not at any time filed with the SEC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor” (or such other similar term).
17.10. Survival. All representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Agent, any Issuing Lender, or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of, or any accrued interest on, any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding or unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated.
17.11. Patriot Act; Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
(a) Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act. In addition, if Agent is required by law or regulation or internal policies to do so, it shall have the right to periodically conduct (a) Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches, and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties and (b) OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties’ senior management and key principals, and Borrower agrees to cooperate in respect of the conduct of such searches and further agrees that the reasonable costs and charges for such searches shall constitute Lender Group Expenses hereunder and be for the account of Borrower.
(b) Each Loan Party acknowledges that, pursuant to the provisions of Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, Agent and Lenders may be required to obtain, verify and record information regarding each Loan Party, its respective directors, authorized signing officers, direct or indirect shareholders or other Persons in control of such Loan Party, and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Loan Parties shall promptly provide all such information, including supporting documentation and other evidence, as may be reasonably requested by any Lender or Agent, or any prospective assign or participant of a Lender or Agent, necessary in order to comply with any applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, whether now or hereafter in existence. If Agent has ascertained the identity of any Loan Party or any authorized signatories of any Loan Party for the purposes of applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, then the Agent:
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(i) shall be deemed to have done so as an agent for each Lender, and this Agreement shall constitute a “written agreement” in such regard between each Lender and the Agent within the meaning of applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation; and
(ii) shall provide to each Lender copies of all information obtained in such regard without any representation or warranty as to its accuracy or completeness.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section and except as may otherwise be agreed in writing, each Lender agrees that Agent has no obligation to ascertain the identity of the Loan Parties or any authorized signatories of the Loan Parties on behalf of any Lender, or to confirm the completeness or accuracy of any information it obtains from the Loan Parties or any such authorized signatory in doing so.
17.12. Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, all Bank Product Agreements, if any, are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of such Bank Product Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayments, acceleration, reduction, increase, or change in the terms of any credit extended hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided in such Bank Product Agreement.
17.13. Birks Group Inc. as Agent for Borrower. To the extent a Person other than Birks Group Inc. is a borrower hereunder, Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Birks Group Inc. as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for all Borrower (the “Administrative Borrower”) which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by Borrower that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed Administrative Borrower. Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Borrower (a) to provide Agent with all notices with respect to Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit obtained for the benefit of Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and any notice or instruction provided by Administrative Borrower shall be deemed to be given by Borrower hereunder and shall bind Borrower), (b) to receive notices and instructions from members of the Lender Group (and any notice or instruction provided by any member of the Lender Group to the Administrative Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been given to Borrower), and (c) to take such action as the Administrative Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood that the handling of the Loan Accounts and Collateral in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Borrower in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of Borrower in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Lender Group shall not incur liability to Borrower as a result hereof. Borrower expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of the Loan Accounts and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of Borrower is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group. To induce the Lender Group to do so, and in consideration thereof, Borrower hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify each member of the Lender Group and hold each member of the Lender Group harmless against any and all liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against the Lender Group by Borrower or by any third
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party whosoever, arising from or incurred by reason of (i) the handling of the Loan Accounts and Collateral of Borrower as herein provided, or (ii) the Lender Group’s relying on any instructions of the Administrative Borrower, except that Borrower will have no liability to the relevant Agent-Related Person or Lender-Related Person under this Section 17.13 with respect to any liability that has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent-Related Person or Lender-Related Person, as the case may be.
17.14. Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to Agent or any Lender from Borrower in the Agreement Currency, Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to Agent or any Lender in such currency, Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).
17.15. No Setoff. All payments made by Borrower hereunder or under any note or other Loan Document will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense.
17.16. Intercreditor Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge that the exercise of certain of the Agent’s rights and remedies hereunder may be subject to, and restricted by, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement regarding intercreditor arrangements among the Agent and the Term Loan Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party expressly acknowledges and agrees that the Intercreditor Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties thereto, and that notwithstanding the fact that the exercise of certain of the Agent’s and Lenders’ rights under the Loan Documents may be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, no action taken or not taken by the Agent or any Lender in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall constitute, or be deemed to constitute, a waiver by the Agent or any Lender of any rights such Person has with respect to any Loan Party under any Loan Document and except as specified therein, nothing contained in the Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to modify any of the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, which, as among the Loan Parties, the Agent and the Lenders, shall remain in full force and effect.
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17.17. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedge Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
17.18. Erroneous Payments.
(a) Each Lender and each other Bank Product Provider and any other party hereto hereby severally agrees that if (i) the Agent notifies(which such notice shall be conclusive absent manifest error) such Lender or any Bank Product Provider (or the Lender which is an Affiliate of a Lender or Bank Product Provider) or any other Person that has received funds from the Agent or any of its Affiliates, either for its own account or on behalf of a Lender or Bank Product Provider (each such recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Payment Recipient were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) or (ii) any Payment Recipient receives any payment from the Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, or (z) that such Payment Recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted or received in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) then, in each case, an error in payment shall be presumed to have been made (any such amounts specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 17.18(a), whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”), then, in each case, such
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Payment Recipient is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of its receipt of such Erroneous Payment; provided that nothing in this Section shall require the Agent to provide any of the notices specified in clauses (i) or (ii) above. Each Payment Recipient agrees that it shall not assert any right or claim to any Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.
(b) Without limiting the immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient agrees that, in the case of clause (a)(ii) above, it shall promptly notify the Agent in writing of such occurrence.
(c) In the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, and upon demand from the Agent such Payment Recipient shall (or, shall cause any Person who received any portion of an Erroneous Payment on its behalf to), promptly, but in all events no later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds and in the currency so received, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Agent at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.
(d) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (c), from any Lender that is a Payment Recipient or an Affiliate of a Payment Recipient (such unrecovered amount as to such Lender, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), then at the sole discretion of the Agent and upon the Agent’s written notice to such Lender (i) such Lender shall be deemed to have made a cashless assignment of the full face amount of the portion of its Loans (but not its Commitments) with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Loans”) to the Agent or, at the option of the Agent, the Agent’s applicable lending affiliate (such assignee, the “Agent Assignee”) in an amount that is equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Loans, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such assigned amount, without further consent or approval of any party hereto and without any payment by the Agent Assignee as the assignee of such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. Without limitation of its rights hereunder, following the effectiveness of the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, the Agent may make a cashless reassignment to the applicable assigning Lender of any Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment at any time by written notice to the applicable assigning Lender and upon such reassignment all of the Loans assigned pursuant to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment shall be reassigned to such Lender without any requirement for payment or other consideration. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (1) any assignment contemplated in this clause (d) shall be made without any requirement for any payment or other consideration paid by the applicable assignee or received by the assignor, (2) the provisions of this clause (d) shall govern in the event of any conflict with the terms and conditions of Section 13 and (3) the Agent may reflect such assignments in the Register without further consent or action by any other Person.
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(e) Each party hereto hereby agrees that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Agent (1) shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Payment Recipient and (2) is authorized to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Payment Recipient under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Agent to such Payment Recipient from any source, against any amount due to the Agent under this Section 17.18 or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, (y) the receipt of an Erroneous Payment by a Payment Recipient shall not for the purpose of this Agreement be treated as a payment, prepayment, repayment, discharge or other satisfaction of any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Agent from the Borrower or any other Loan Party (or any other Person on behalf of the Borrower) for the purpose of making for a payment on the Obligations and (z) subject to the preceding clause (y), to the extent that an Erroneous Payment was in any way or at any time credited as payment or satisfaction of any of the Obligations, the Obligations or any part thereof that were so credited, and all rights of the Payment Recipient, as the case may be, shall be reinstated and continue in full force and effect as if such payment or satisfaction had never been received.
(f) Each party’s obligations under this Section 17.18 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent or any transfer of right or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
(g) The provisions of this Section 17.18 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) nothing in this Section 17.18 will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from any Payment Recipient’s receipt of an Erroneous Payment and (ii) there will only be deemed to be a recovery of the Erroneous Payment to the extent that Agent has received payment from the Payment Recipient in immediately available funds the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency, whether directly from the Payment Recipient, as a result of the exercise by Agent of its rights of subrogation or set off as set forth above in clause (e) or as a result of the receipt by Agent Assignee of a payment of the outstanding principal balance of the Loans assigned to Agent Assignee pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, but excluding any other amounts in respect thereof (it being agreed that any payments of interest, fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal) received by Agent Assignee in respect of the Loans assigned to Agent Assignee pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment shall be the sole property of the Agent Assignee and shall not constitute a recovery of the Erroneous Payment).
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17.19. Reaffirmation.
(a) On the Closing Date, the Original Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety hereby and the provisions of the Original Credit Agreement shall be superseded by the provisions hereof. In addition, unless specifically amended hereby or contemporaneously herewith, each of the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) shall continue in full force and effect and, from and after the Closing Date, (i) all references to loans or Revolving Loans to, or notes issued by, or Obligations of, the Original Borrower therein shall be deemed to refer to the loans or Revolving Loans to, or notes issued by, or Obligations of, Borrower hereunder, and (ii) all references to the “Loan Documents” contained therein shall be deemed to refer to the Loan Documents as defined in this Agreement.
(b) It is the intention of each of the parties hereto that the Original Credit Agreement be amended and restated so as to preserve the perfection and priority of all security interests securing Indebtedness and Obligations under the Original Credit Agreement and that all Indebtedness and Obligations of Borrower hereunder and Borrower and the Guarantors under the other Loan Documents shall be secured by the applicable Loan Documents and that this Agreement does not constitute a novation of any or all of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Original Credit Agreement, the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Original Credit Agreement) or any related documents. The parties confirm that the Canadian Security Documents delivered in connection with the execution of the Original Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall continue to secure the Obligations of Borrower hereunder and the Guarantors thereunder.
[Signature pages to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
| BIRKS GROUP INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Katia Fontana | |
| Name: Katia Fontana | ||
| Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
| By: | /s/ Miranda Melfi | |
| Name: Miranda Melfi | ||
| Title: Vice President, Human Resources, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||
| WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION CANADA, as Agent, and as the initial Lender hereunder | ||
| By: | /s/ Carmela Massar | |
| Name: Carmela Massar | ||
| Title: Senior Vice President | ||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
By execution hereof, each Guarantor acknowledges, agrees and consents to all of the terms and conditions of (a) this Agreement; and (b) (A) all Loan Documents to which it is a party, including all guarantees granted by such Guarantor to and in favour of the Agent, and (B) all security granted by such Guarantor to and in favour of the Agent, security for the Obligations, are, in the case of (A) and (B), in full force and effect and are hereby confirmed and all obligations of all parties thereunder are not affected or prejudiced in any manner.
| CASH, GOLD & SILVER INC., as guarantor | ||
| By: | /s/ Katia Fontana | |
| Name: Katia Fontana | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
| By: | /s/ Miranda Melfi | |
| Name: Miranda Melfi | ||
| Title: Secretary | ||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
By execution hereof, each Guarantor acknowledges, agrees and consents to all of the terms and conditions of (a) this Agreement; and (b) (A) all Loan Documents to which it is a party, including all guarantees granted by such Guarantor to and in favour of the Agent, and (B) all security granted by such Guarantor to and in favour of the Agent, security for the Obligations, are, in the case of (A) and (B), in full force and effect and are hereby confirmed and all obligations of all parties thereunder are not affected or prejudiced in any manner.
| BIRKS INVESTMENTS INC., as guarantor | ||
| By: | /s/ Katia Fontana | |
| Name: Katia Fontana | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
| By: | /s/ Miranda Melfi | |
| Name: Miranda Melfi | ||
| Title: Secretary | ||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
Schedule C-1
COMMITMENTS
| Lender |
Revolver Commitment | |
| Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada | Cdn.$85,000,000 | |
| All Lenders | Cdn.$85,000,000 | |